Hornets To Part Ways With Hugh Weber
The Hornets will not retain president Hugh Weber, writes Jimmy Smith of The Times-Picayune. New Orleans Saints president Dennis Lauschawill be now be president of both organizations and oversee the operations of both franchises. Saints GM Mickey Loomis will also oversee the Hornets' basketball operations in addition to his current football responsibilities.
Sullinger Red Flagged By NBA Doctors
Ohio State Buckeyes center Jared Sullinger has been medically red flagged by NBA doctors, multiple league sources told ESPN.com's Chad Ford. Sullinger underwent a battery of medical tests at last week's draft combine and the doctors who examined the big man were concerned about his back.
Week In Review: 6/11/12 – 6/17/12
Here's a look back at the biggest stories from around the Association this week..
- Jeff Green's combination of youth and athleticism has numerous teams interested.
- Sixers guard Lou Williams will opt out of the final year of his contract.
- Former Blazers guard Brandon Roy is preparing for a return to the NBA next season.
- Brandon Bass will decline his player option 2012/13 but hopes to work on a long-term deal.
- Jamal Crawford confirmed that he won't be picking up his player option for 2012/13.
- Jerry Sloan withdrew his name from consideration in the Bobcats' coaching search.
- Unsurprisingly, Gerald Wallace informed the Nets that he'll be declining his option.
- The Magic narrowed their GM search down to three candidates.
- Danny Ferry is the frontrunner to replace Rod Thorn at the helm in Philly.
- Mike Miller denied a report that he plans to call it a career after the Finals.
- Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has found a buyer for the franchise.
- Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson says he's not high on the Knicks' roster.
- The sale of the Hornets to Tom Benson is now official.
Thunder Offered Brooks Three-Year, $11MM Deal
Thunder General Manager Sam Presti has offered head coach Scott Brooks a three-year deal worth just under $11MM in the past, but he and his agent weren't willing to accept it, league sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The two sides have set aside talks for the playoffs and a guaranteed fourth year could make a new contract happen.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 6/11/12 – 6/17/12
Here's this week's look at the original work of the Hoops Rumors team..
- Daniel Seco asked readers if they would rather build a franchise around LeBron James or Kevin Durant. More than 72% voted for the Thunder star.
- Luke Adams' Offseason Outlook series continued with breakdowns of the Bulls, Thunder, Heat, Pacers, and Grizzlies.
- Luke listed the 2012/13 guaranteed salary total for each team.
- Check out this handy post for all the ways to keep up with Hoops Rumors and here for specific players.
- This week's installment of Hoops Links had pieces on Dwyane Wade, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Eric Gordon. You can send in your blog post to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
- Did you miss Luke's weekly chat? Don't worry, you can check out the transcript right here.
- Chuck Myron put together a list of teams that hold rights to international players dating back to 2005.
- I profiled St. Bonaventure standout Andrew Nicholson.
- French star Evan Fournier could bring financial flexibility to whichever club drafts him, writes Michael Pina.
- Nearly half of Hoops Rumors readers believe that Andre Iguodala is the small forward most likely to be traded this summer.
- How were the Thunder and Heat built? Luke examined the formation of both Finals franchises.
- The Knicks are the team with the most to lose or gain from the bird rights ruling, Luke writes.
Hoops Links: Wade, Thunder, Heat, Gordon
On this date 11 years ago (boy do I feel old), the Lakers defeated 76ers 108-96 in Game 5 of the 2001 NBA Finals, capping off the most dominating playoff run in NBA history. The Lakers went 15-1 through the 2001 playoffs and Shaquille O’Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the second consecutive season, joining Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to do so.
Many of this week's links pertain to this year's Finals, which figure to be slightly more competitive. Do you have a great blog piece that should be a part of Hoops Links? Then what are you waiting for? Send me an email at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the blogosphere..
Odds & Ends: Lakers, Blazers, Thorn, Magic
Accomplished Italian coach Ettore Messina told Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com that he'll be leaving his job as a consultant for the Lakers to once again take the helm for CSKA Moscow. Messina's contract will include an out clause if he is presented with an NBA head coaching opportunity, however. The 52-year-old has been linked to a handful of NBA teams in recent years and could be an interesting addition to ongoing searches in Orlando, Charlotte, and possibly Portland. More from around the league after the jump..
David Stern On Hearing, Kings, Maloofs
This evening NBA commissioner David Stern told reporters, including John Hollinger of ESPN.com (via Twitter) that the league's competition committee will meet on Monday to talk about the "trickery" and "deceit" of flopping and the possibility of adding more replay. Here's more on what the commish had to say..
Prospect Profile: Andrew Nicholson
The draft is just over two weeks away and this is the time of year when mock drafts seem to shift wildly from day-to-day. It only makes sense as some players come out firing in workouts, others shrink when bullied by less-heralded competition, and a few simply refuse to participate in the tougher auditions. Count Andrew Nicholson of St. Bonaventure as a member of the first camp. Most mock drafts have the forward pegged in the early-to-mid 20s, but his latest showing could propel him even higher.
Amico On Celtics, Warriors, Kings, 76ers, Cavs
Grit and determination got the Celtics to the doorstep of the Finals, but the team now has some serious decisions to make this summer, writes Sam Amico of FOXSportsOhio.com. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are free agents while Paul Pierce celebrates his 35th birthday in October. Plenty of other contracts will be coming off the books leaving the C's with a good deal of flexibility and back-to-back draft picks (Nos. 21 and 22) in this year's draft. Here's Amico on what might be in store for Boston and others this offseason..