Clippers President Andy Roeser Takes Leave
Clippers president Andy Roeser will take an indefinite leave of absence from the team, effective at once, the NBA announced. Roeser had been in charge of the Clippers since the league banned owner Donald Sterling for life. The move will allow a league-appointed CEO, which the NBA announced plans for over the weekend, to begin with a “clean slate,” according to Mike Bass, the league’s executive vice president of communications.
Roeser has been with the team for the last 30 years, as Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times points out (on Twitter), and that spans much of Sterling’s ownership of the club. The CEO will have the authority to decide whether Roeser remains with the team.
The departure of former GM Neil Olshey two years ago placed Roeser, along with Gary Sacks and then-coach Vinny Del Negro, in charge of the team’s basketball decisions. Sacks assumed most of the day-to-day business, but Roeser seemed to actively take part prior to the arrival of Doc Rivers, who has authority over basketball personnel matters in addition to his duties as coach.
And-Ones: Lowry, Noah, Warriors, Celtics
Shortly after losing to the Nets in Game 7, Raptors guard Kyle Lowry gave a quote in the locker room that could be a hint towards his offseason plans. “This is only the start for us and the Raptors organization,” said the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent, according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN (on Twitter). Here’s tonight’s look around the Association..
- Joakim Noah is reportedly trying to recruit Carmelo Anthony to the Bulls and he’s no stranger to that game, notes Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. The big man took free agent Carlos Boozer out to dinner during his visit to Chicago and helped lure him in during the 2010 offseason.
- Determining coach Mark Jackson‘s future with the Warriors won’t be an easy call, writes Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News.
- In his final individual report card for the Celtics‘ season, Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. evaluates the players that didn’t end the season in green and white: Jordan Crawford, Courtney Lee, Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, and Vander Blue.
- Sports Illustrated legal analyst Michael McCann told colleague Chris Mannix (on Twitter) that if Clippers owner Donald Sterling files a lawsuit, “it will not be resolved by the start of the season.”
Clippers Notes: Sterling, Redick, Rivers
The Clippers may not be Los Angeles’ team, but it feels like they’re becoming America’s Team, writes Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Clippers’ 126-121 win over the Warriors on Saturday night drew 6.0 million viewers, which was TNT’s most-viewed NBA first-round telecast since the Lakers played the Nuggets in 2012. The high ratings are expected to continue next week when the Clippers take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. More out of L.A..
- Embattled Clippers owner Donald Sterling has a long history of discrimination and J.J. Redick shared a tale of his own last night, writes Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. The guard heard over the offseason that despite interest from Doc Rivers and the rest of the front office, Sterling fought against signing him. “I’ve been told both ways,” Redick said. “One, that he didn’t want to spend because I was white and the other he [didn’t] want to pay me because he thought I was a bench player. I was told both things.”
- After a tiring and emotional week, Rivers is glad to have come out on top in the first round matchup against the Warriors, writes Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Rivers conceded that instead of preparing for Golden State, much of his time was spent talking with commissioner Adam Silver, NBPA liason Kevin Johnson, and even Sterling’s wife Shelly.
- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told CBS’ “Face The Nation” that he expects Sterling to put up a “long, protracted fight” to retain ownership of the Clippers, writes Bill Trott of Reuters. A three-fourths vote by the board of governors would be required to force the sale of the team, but all signs point to Sterling battling it out in court.
Western Notes: Jackson, Curry, Sterling
With the Warriors being eliminated from the playoffs last night, speculation about coach Mark Jackson‘s job status has begun. In regards to his future, Jackson said, “I don’t get caught up in it. I have total confidence and total faith that I will be fine even if I’m a full time pastor,” tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
More from the west:
- Stephen Curry weighed in on Jackson, saying, “I love coach more than anybody. For his job us under scrutiny and question is unfair. It would certainly be a shock to me,” tweets Spears.
- Curry also said, “He [Jackson] deserves to be our coach next year,” notes Spears (Twitter link).
- A league source told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link) that Jackson doesn’t have one Golden State front office ally who’ll make a case to ownership to keep him. “He’s on an island,” the source said.
- The Donald Sterling situation proves that no words are private anymore, writes Mitch Albom of The Detroit Free Press. Albom’s article examines the legality of the recording as well as what this means for NBA owners in the future.
And-Ones: NBPA, Draft, Rockets, Clippers
In an email to NBA players, Kevin Johnson says that he hopes to present finalists for the NBPA’s vacant executive director position in late July, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today (Twitter link). Here’s more from around the Association:
- Since the Grizzlies playoff run lasted seven games, Nick Calathes will serve 13 games of his 20 game suspension to begin next season, Tom Ziller of SB Nation points out (via Twitter).
- Shabazz Napier has signed with Rob Pelinka of Landmark Sports Agency, Inc., reports Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (via Twitter).
- Jabari Parker has agreed to be represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, reports Bill Reiter of Fox Sports (on Twitter). Klutch Sports also represents LeBron James and Eric Bledsoe, among others, as the Hoops Rumors Agency Database shows.
- Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle looks at the decisions facing the Rockets this offseason, including Chandler Parsons‘ option, potential free agent targets, and the likelihood that Omer Asik and/or Jeremy Lin get traded.
- In the same piece, Feigen grades each player on the Rockets roster, noting their contract situation with the team.
- Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside thinks that Troy Daniels‘ surprisingly strong play during the playoffs means he’ll walk away from the postseason as a winner, even though the Rockets suffered a first-round exit.
- Shelly Sterling, wife of Donald Sterling and co-owner of the Clippers, voiced her support of Adam Silver‘s plan of action regarding the team (H/T Sam Amick of USA Today). “I spoke with Commissioner Adam Silver this week to tell him that I fully supported his recent swift and decisive action,” she said. “We also agreed at that time that, as a next step, both the league and the team should work together to find some fresh, accomplished executive leadership for the Clippers. I welcome his active involvement in the search for a person of the utmost character. As a co-owner, I am fully committed to taking the necessary steps to make the Clippers the best team in the NBA.”
- The CEO chosen to run the Clippers during their ownership transition will have the authority to decide whether team president Andy Roeser remains with the franchise, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com.
- Jim Peltz of The Los Angeles Times profiles the owners of every NBA team, excluding Sterling.
Charlie Adams contributed to this post.
Pacific Notes: Clippers, Jackson, Kings Arena
Earlier this evening, we passed along a report that the NBA will be appointing a CEO to run the Clippers while the league works to strip banned owner Donald Sterling of the team. Here’s more from the west coast:
- Current team president Andy Roeser, who has been running the Clippers in the wake of Sterling’s punishment, will remain in place for the time being per a tweet from Sam Amick of USA Today.
- No timetable has been released for the league’s process, and the Clippers haven’t been informed of all the details the CEO installation will entail, per a tweet from Mark Medina of Los Angeles Daily News.
- Mark Jackson acknowledged that he’ll be “fighting for his life” tonight when the Warriors face the Clippers in a game seven matchup, writes Tim Kawakami of Mercury News. Rumors have suggested Jackson might be on his way out of Golden State, but a win tonight would certainly stand to help his cause.
- Sacramento city officials have postponed the city council vote on the new downtown Kings arena because they have been unable to finalize an agreement, reports Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee.
Charlie Adams contributed to this post.
Owners Move Forward On Sterling Ouster
SATURDAY, 5:34pm: The NBA will appoint a CEO to run the Clippers while the league moves to strip Sterling of the team, according to The Associated Press. An individual hasn’t been identified for the role, but the league says it will move quickly to put one in place. The Clippers will have input on the decision, per a tweet from Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer.
THURSDAY, 6:02pm: The NBA announced that the league’s Advisory/Finance Committee decided to move forward with their attempts to force suspended Clippers owner Donald Sterling to sell the team (H/T Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun). The committee met via conference call today, and unanimously decided to move “as expeditiously as possible.” The committee will reconvene for their next step next week.
After audio of Sterling’s racist comments was leaked, scrutiny surrounding the long-time owner’s recorded conversation and checkered business history led to commissioner Adam Silver’s investigation and resulting punishment: a lifelong ban, a $2.5MM fine, and an impetus to strip the team from Sterling. Silver is believed to have the necessary 75% vote among the league’s 30 owners to carry through on the forced sale of the club, and today’s unanimous decision reinforces that belief. However, legal action from Sterling is the biggest hurdle the league faces in the push to oust him.
A growing concern from the league is that Sterling’s strategy could include attempts to unearth evidence of racism within other organizations, per a series of tweets by Chris Mannix of SI.com. Mannix says the league has “no idea” if it can win the looming legal battle with Sterling. The NBA has definitely earned the support of fans and players with its swift actions, but such a lawsuit could turn out disastrous in the long run.
Lawrence On D’Antoni, Gasol, Calipari, Sterling
Mike D’Antoni walked away from the Lakers due in part because the team is likely to attempt to re-sign Pau Gasol this summer, reports Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News. A source tells Lawrence that D’Antoni knew that Gasol and Kobe Bryant didn’t want to play for him, so he made the decision to resign from the team on Wednesday. Let’s have a look at some more interesting notes from Lawrence’s piece:
- Kurt Rambis and Byron Scott are two of the most viable candidates for the Lakers’ coaching job, hears Lawrence. We reported on Thursday that both Rambis and Scott are set to interview with the team.
- Despite rumored interest, Lawrence says there’s no chance John Calipari will become the next head coach for the Lakers. The team reportedly has “zero interest” in hiring Calipari.
- Stan Van Gundy was contacted about taking over the head coaching role for the Pistons, but talks didn’t get far because he wanted some level of control over the team’s personnel decisions, writes Lawrence.
- Lawrence hears that once Adam Silver meets with Donald Sterling, Silver is expected to tell Sterling that the league will battle him in court to see that the franchise is sold, no matter the resistance Sterling puts up.
- Knicks assistant GM Allan Houston and director of player personnel Mark Warkentien aren’t worried about their jobs, since the duo has contracts with owner Jim Dolan and not the Knicks specifically, says Lawrence. As a result, the pair will be able to retain their positions, even if Phil Jackson doesn’t want them around.
- The Cavs and Bucks still haven’t decided whether or not they’ll keep their general managers beyond this season, reveals Lawrence. Both Central Division teams failed to meet preseason expectations and finished well below .500.
- It’s likely Mark Jackson will be fired by the Warriors, suggests Lawrence, who adds the coach might have a hard time landing another job with an NBA team because of the perceived dysfunction in Golden State’s organization during his tenure.
- The Thunder could potentially see a first-round playoff exit tonight, but Lawrence says Scott Brooks‘ position is safe in Oklahoma City.
Western Notes: Sterling, Owners, Lakers
Donald Sterling has kept a low profile since NBA commissioner Adam Silver banned him for life and fined him $2.5MM on Tuesday. Sterling broke his silence in an interview with DuJour.com, saying, “I wish I had just paid her [V. Stiviano] off.” Stiviano, in an interview with ABC’s Barbara Walters, characterized Sterling’s current state of mind as “confused,” adding, “I think he feels very alone, not truly supported by those around him. Tormented, emotionally traumatized” (link via ESPN.com).
More from out west:
- On Friday morning, Clippers coach Doc Rivers met with team employees who were still upset and angry several days after Sterling was banned for life from the NBA, writes Greg Beachum of The Associated Press. According to the article, Rivers said employees on the team’s business side considered not working for the franchise after Sterling’s racist comments were exposed. Rivers also was quoted as saying, “What I witnessed today, you realize this thing has touched a lot of people. The people that didn’t do anything are being harmed by this, and I wish we could find the right solution, and I don’t have it.”
- Bernard James, the player representative for the Mavericks, hopes the NBA forces Sterling to sell the team, but he also thinks the owners are on a “slippery slope,” writes Dwain Price of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. James said, “I’m sure morally, most of them don’t agree with what Sterling said. But them voting for him to lose his team is hard for a lot of owners. And a lot of them are scared that maybe if I (the owner) do something, or I mess up or say something, or be caught on video doing something I shouldn’t be doing, if it comes to a vote they could take my team. And this would set a precedent for it.’’
- The Lakers search for a new head coach just adds to the uncertainty about the franchise’s future, writes Mark Lamport-Stokes of The New York Times. This is in addition to 12 of the 15 players on the roster expected to become free agents this summer, notes Lamport-Stokes.
Clippers/Sterling Rumors: Roeser, Rivers, Silver
Donald Sterling has prostate cancer, as Linda Massarella, Emily Smith, Bruce Golding and Helen Kumari of the New York Post report, and his poor health might play a role as the NBA seeks to remove the Clippers from his ownership. The family of the 80-year-old could avoid millions of dollars in taxes if the team is sold after his death, as David Wharton and Stuart Pfeifer of the Los Angeles Times explained this week, giving Sterling incentive to stall and fight the NBA in court until his passing.
Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com has much more on the Sterling saga, and while her entire piece is worth reading, we’ll pass along a few notable revelations here:
- Clippers president Andy Roeser opposed the idea of releasing a statement that disputed the tapes, Shelburne reports. Sterling prevailed upon him to release the statement, which argued that the recordings didn’t represent Sterling’s true feelings, through the team with Roeser’s name on it. Doc Rivers was “furious” about the statement, Shelburne writes, describing it as a breaking point for Rivers and the players.
- Roeser has been in charge since Silver banned Sterling, but the NBA will likely appoint a trustee to run the team, according to Shelburne.
- The NBA interviewed a third person who could be heard in the background of the recordings of Sterling and V. Stiviano, and that interview could help the NBA in its attempts to oust Sterling if the legality of the recordings is questioned in court, Shelburne writes.
- NBA owners were confident that Silver would take appropriate action, reflecting the belief in the commissioner that they’d held since the 2011 lockout. Many of them had wanted him to succeed David Stern long before he did so in February, according to Shelburne.