Month: June 2008

Denham Brown a no-show for Team Canada

The Toronto Sun (Ryan Wolstat) reports: Don’t expect to see Denham Brown playing basketball for Canada anytime soon. The former West Hill and Bathurst Heights standout was a shocking no-show as Canada began its preparations for Olympic qualifying in Greece next month with a workout at the Air Canada Centre. Head coach Leo Rautins was surprised Brown did not tell the team beforehand that he wouldn’t be there. “I don’t know where he is,” Rautins said. “We live in an era where I don’t think it’s that hard to communicate.”

Reminder: Celtics got Rondo from Suns for cash

The Boston Herald (John Tomase) reports: The Phoenix Suns dealt away the draft rights to Rajon Rondo two years ago, and here’s what they have to show for it: cash. That’s it. Hopefully it was a lot of money, because Rondo may just go down as the steal of the 2006 draft. It’s amazing to think that the 22-year-old starting point guard for the world champion Celtics [team stats] could have been had for so little. On draft day 2006, the C’s sent Cleveland’s 2007 first-round pick, which they acquired for Jiri Welsch, to Phoenix for the rights to Rondo, the 21st overall pick out of Kentucky. A year later, the Suns then shipped that pick (No. 24, Rudy Fernandez) and James Jones to the Trail Blazers for cash considerations.

Mavs assistants to be finalized soon

Mavs Courtside View (Art Garcia) reports: Rick Carlisle is about to fulfill one goal … his coaching staff. Former head coaches Dwane Casey and Terry Stotts are in Dallas finalizing contract details and preparing for next week’s NBA Draft. Mario Elie, one of Avery Johnson’s former assistants, and player development coach Popeye Jones are also expected to remain on staff.

Jeff of InsideHoops.com says: That’s an absolutely fantastic set of assistants. One of the best staffs in the league that I can think of.

International talent is overrated

The Sporting News (Mike DeCourcy) writes: “You know how many international players appeared for the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals? Zero. They’re supposed to shoot it better in Europe, but only three of the NBA’s top 20 long-distance marksmen were international products. In the past five years, NBA teams have drafted 29 internationally trained players in the first round. Those players combined to produce nine seasons of double-figure scoring for their teams — out of a possible 93 opportunities. Teams might build a better track record drafting from the Rutgers intramural league. “I know the failure rate is high because the failure rate is high for anyone you take in the first round,” Fraschilla says. “You can’t draft on demographics. They’ve got to be judged individually.”

Allen Iverson stays with Nuggets

The Rocky Mountain News (Chris Tomasson) reports: With Friday the deadline for Iverson to opt out of the final year of his contract, the star guard decided not to do so and will return to the Nuggets next season for $20.84 million. The move first was reported by the Rocky Mountain News after Iverson’s agent, Leon Rose, confirmed his client’s intentions in a phone interview. “Things have gone well for him (in Denver),” Rose said of Iverson, traded from Philadelphia in December 2006. “He’s looking forward to taking the team (further).” Iverson’s decision wasn’t a surprise. But his personal manager, Gary Moore, had told the Rocky on May 30 that Iverson’s camp had discussions with the Nuggets about Iverson possibly opting out and signing a multiyear deal.

Trevor Ariza exercises player option

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza exercised a player contract option for the 2008-09 season, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Ariza, acquired by the Lakers this past season on November 20 in a trade with the Orlando Magic, posted averages of 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.08 steals and 18.0 minutes in 24 games with the Lakers before suffering a fracture of the fourth metatarsal in his right foot January 20 and missing the rest of the regular season and 11 playoff games.

Returning for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, the four-year veteran played in eight total postseason games, recording playoff career-highs in points (6), rebounds (5), steals (1) and blocks (1) in nine minutes during Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Drafted by the New York Knicks with the 43rd overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, Ariza is originally from Los Angeles (Westchester High School) and played one season at UCLA prior to entering the NBA.  He averaged 11.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in his one season at UCLA.

Raptors extend qualifying offers to Calderon and Delfino

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have extended qualifying offers to restricted free-agent guards Jose Calderon and Carlos Delfino. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its right of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent it must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team, but is subject to a right of first refusal in favour of the team for which the player last played.

Calderon contributed career highs of 11.2 points and a team-best 8.3 assists in all 82 regular season games in 2007-08. He led the NBA with a 5.38 (678/126) assist-to-turnover ratio. Calderon has averaged 8.7 points, 6.1 assists and 25 minutes in 223 regular season NBA games with the Raptors.

Delfino appeared in all 82 games, averaging 9.0 points and 4.4 rebounds. He set career highs in points, rebounds, three-point field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, and minutes (1,928). Delfino has averaged 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 17.1 minutes in 262 career NBA regular season games with Toronto and Detroit.

Suns announce coaching staff

The Phoenix Suns today announced that Alvin Gentry, Bill Cartwright, Dan Majerle and Igor Kokoskov will join head coach Terry Porter’s staff as assistant coaches.

“We’re thrilled to have been able to put together an extremely bright and versatile staff,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.  “Alvin and Bill provide great knowledge and experience for Terry with both having been head coaches in the NBA.  Igor has worked with Terry on the Pistons’ staff the last two years and brings a wealth of experience both on the NBA and international levels.  Dan’s passion and work ethic will make a huge impact with our players.  We’re excited to add to our staff one of the most tenacious players in franchise history.”

“In putting together this staff, I wanted to surround myself with coaches with bench experience, guys who are knowledgeable about both ends of the basketball court and are strong teachers of the game,” Porter said.  “The coaches we selected are guys who have worked or played together and who I have competed with or against, so I’m confident we will have a great rapport from the very beginning.  Steve and I wanted to put together a staff that is accustomed to winning.  This is a championship-caliber organization and this staff has experience at competing for and winning championships.”

Including Porter, the Suns’ new coaching staff has a combined 24 Conference Finals appearances as players and coaches, 10 NBA Finals berths and six NBA titles.

Knicks coaching staff announced

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that Phil Weber and Dan D’Antoni have been hired as assistant coaches. In addition, Herb Williams has been retained to complete the coaching staff on the bench.

“We have three top quality assistant coaches that will be great assets as we work towards our goal of bringing winning basketball back to New York,” Walsh said. “Phil and Dan enjoyed tremendous success with Coach D’Antoni in Phoenix, while Herb has been a great part of our franchise for many years.”