Month: September 2008

Cousin says Marbury is selfish

A good way to sell a book is to write interesting details about someone famous. And when you’re actually related to that famous person, you probably have some decent stuff to share. Stephon Marbury for a long time has been known as a “me-first” kind of guy, and that’s probably sometimes been unfair. But his own cousin has joined in and shared stuff that helps solidify that reputation. Here’s the New York Daily News (Mark Lelinwalla):

Stephon Marbury has carried the stigma of being a selfish player for the majority of his 12-year NBA career. Now, his older cousin is saying Marbury is even more self-centered off the court and is dishing details on the Knicks point guard in his autobiography, “The Beautiful Struggle,” the Daily News has learned. The book, due out in late September from Xlibris Publishing, has former NBA pro and current overseas player Jamel Thomas alleging that Marbury ruined a potential deal for him with the Minnesota Timberwolves. In it, Thomas includes a conversation that he allegedly had with Kevin Garnett, in which Garnett tells him how Marbury’s presence on the team spoiled his cousin’s chances of signing with Minnesota.

For all you fans who watch every basketball movie that comes out, you’ve seen a little of Jamel Thomas already in the Sebastian Telfair documentary “Through the Fire,” which I really liked. Anyway, as someone who covers the NBA for a living who is also a New Yorker, I’ll definitely be checking the book out and will let you know how must-read it is.

–Jeff

 

Ewing wants head coaching job

Patrick Ewing wants to be a head coach, still. This despite the fact that if he ever does get the job, every time he stands up or paces the sideline, dozens of fans will be unable to see the game and possibly become unruly. Anyway, here’s the Orlando Sentinel blog (Brian Schmitz):

Q: You’ve said that it seems to take big men longer to land head coaching jobs. How long will you chase this dream?

Patrick Ewing: Hopefully, I’ll get a fair chance. I have a year left on my contract here (with the Magic). I’ll keep doing it until I don’t feel I’m getting a fair shot. Then I’ll mosey into the sunset and do something else.

I can’t say he is or is not one of those next in line guys. I haven’t heard that he was close to getting a head coaching job yet. He may have to stick with being an assistant a bit longer than he may want.

— Jeff 

Oklahoma City Thunder store opens

At 5 p.m. Wednesday, the NBA franchise in Oklahoma City was officially named Thunder at a name and logo unveiling event in downtown Oklahoma City. At 5:15, the Thundershop was opened on the ground floor of the Leadership Square building and more than 1,000 fans made their way through the front doors.

Team officials say approximately 1,500 fans attended today’s name and logo unveiling event with the majority of them making their way to the Thundershop. Fans waited several hours to purchase Thunder merchandise, and each customer averaged at least two items per purchase.

“We were impressed with the great response from the fans in Oklahoma City,” said team spokesman Dan Mahoney.  “We had customers lined up for several hundred feet outside the Thundershop. We appreciate everyone’s response to today’s announcement.”

Following the event, Thunder players Desmond Mason and Damien Wilkins joined the festivities in the Thundershop. Both purchased Thunder merchandise, while Wilkins helped out some of the fans by bagging their items.

The ThunderShop will be open on the lobby level of Leadership Square from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Rockets announce two staff promotions

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey today announced the promotion of Gersson Rosas to Director of Player Personnel and the hiring of Arturas Karnisovas as Director of Global Scouting & International Affairs.

“Gersson has demonstrated superior decision making and leadership while his role has rapidly expanded,” said Morey. “This promotion shows the continued quality of his work as he helps the Rockets pursue a championship.”

In his new role, Rosas will be responsible for the evaluation of draft prospects, free agents and potential trades. He will also oversee the coordination of national and international scouting activities. Rosas enters his fifth season with the Rockets after working last season as the team’s Director of Scouting. Previous to that, Rosas served three seasons as the team’s Personnel Video Coordinator/Personnel Scout.

“This is an exciting time to be part of this organization and I would like to thank our owner, Leslie Alexander, Daryl Morey and Rick Adelman for the opportunity to take on this new role with our team,” said Rosas. “Growing up in Houston during the championship years was a special experience and that same excitement seems to be in the air again, so being a part of it at this point in time is very fulfilling.”

Rosas’ experience includes work as a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball team at the University of Houston (2003-04), as an assistant coach at Westbury Christian High School (2002-03) and as a basketball coordinator for the Venezuelan Basketball Federation during the 2002 World Basketball Championships.

Additionally, Rosas served as the head coach of the Global Games Prep USA Team during the summer of 2004. Rosas, who began his career in scouting as an intern for the Rockets in 2001-02, has also been a camp coach in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program (2006-08) and at the Reebok RBKU Camp (2006-08).

Karnisovas joins the Rockets after spending the past four and a half years working in the international basketball operations department for the NBA. In his new role with the Rockets, Karnisovas will oversee all of the team’s international scouting operations.

“The addition of Arturas will allow us to continue to develop our international reach in terms of scouting and player evaluation,” said Rosas. “It is always a major benefit anytime you can add an individual to your staff that possesses a wealth of international experience and such a well-rounded understanding of the game.”

Prior to his work with the league, Karnisovas was a decorated international player and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist for Lithuania (1992, 1996). After a stellar four-year career at Seton Hall, Karnisovas enjoyed a professional career overseas that spanned eight years and included stints with Cholet Basket (France, 1994-95), FC Barcelona (Spain, 1995-97; 2000-02), Olympiakos (Greece, 1997-98), and Fortitudo Bologna (Italy, 1998-2000). He was named the FIBA 1997 European Player of the Year and was a three-time FIBA EuroStars participant (1997, 1998, and 1999), earning EuroStars MVP honors in 1997. In addition to reaching the Euroleague Final Four on three occasions, Karnisovas helped his teams capture three Spanish ACB titles (1996, 1997, and 2001), a Spanish National Cup (2001), an Italian League championship (2000) and a silver medal in the European Championship (1995).

Suns going solar to power arena

The Arizona Republic (Ginger D. Richardson) reports: The Phoenix Suns plan to use solar panels for power at the US Airways Center, becoming one of only a handful of professional sports teams that get a portion of their energy from renewable sources like sun or wind. The new photovoltaic system will consist of more than 1,100 panels and be installed on the fifth level of the center’s parking garage at First and Madison streets in downtown Phoenix. At 194 kilowatts, it will produce enough energy to reduce the team’s power usage by the equivalent of 26 home games each season, Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said… The Suns’ installation will cost about $1.5 million, and the team estimates it will receive a yearly rebate of $60,000 to $85,000 from Arizona Public Service Co. via the utility’s renewable-energy incentive program.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I’ll always remember a little pocket FM radio I had when I was a kid, given to me by my dad, which had a solar powered rechargable battery. That thing was cool. And as for this story, stating the obvious, it sounds like every team should move in this direction.

Manu Ginobili has left ankle surgery

The San Antonio Spurs announced that earlier today Manu Ginobili underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to correct a posterior impingement of his left ankle.

The surgery was performed in Los Angeles by Dr. Richard Ferkel.

Ginobili will return to San Antonio on Thursday. He will be in a posterior splint – and on crutches – for three weeks. At the end of the three-week period he will be re-evaluated and begin his rehabilitation process.

Ginobili originally suffered the injury in the Spurs-Suns series in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. The injury hampered Ginobili for the remainder of the postseason. After a rehabilitation program Ginobili was cleared to play in the 2008 Olympics. He re-aggravated the injury in the tournament’s semifinal round in a game versus the U.S.A. on August 22.

Following the conclusion of the Olympic Games Ginobili returned to San Antonio. An MRI conducted last week confirmed that he had re-aggravated the injury and that there was no additional damage to the ankle or the ligament.

Heat waive Stephane Lasme

The Miami Heat announced today that they have requested waivers on forward Stephane Lasme. The 6’8” forward was originally signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on Mar. 21, 2008. He was signed for the remainder of the 2007-08 season on Apr. 10. In 16 games (four starts) last season, Lasme averaged 5.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.38 blocks and 18.9 minutes. Lasme was originally the 46th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors for whom he appeared in one game last season before being waived on Nov. 17.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I think Lasme is good enough to land 10-day contracts here and there, and maybe the occasional non-guaranteed deal, but he’ll have to keep improving and really prove himself worthy of a contract that lasts a while. I like him as a player.

It`s official: Oklahoma City Thunder

The Seattle Sonics are now officially the Oklahoma City Thunder. The name was finally confirmed by the team and announced Wednesday at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. The team’s logo was also revealed, and it did turn out to be the same one that spread around the internet a few days ago in a photo on a mini-basketball in plastic-wrap.

Hit the front page of insidehoops.com to see the logo, though I had to edit the surroundings and did a lousy job of that, so don’t blame the team for the white spaces at the bottoms. But, aside from that, there’s the logo.

I’m now posting two polls, asking if fans like the name, and if they like the logo. Hit insidehoops in a few minutes, and scroll down until you see the polls. Then, vote. Tell your friends to do the same.

I personally think ‘Thunder” is a decent name. It’s powerful. And it’ll grow on fans, the same way the Heat name and other names always do over time.

— Jeff

Dallas Mavericks announce coaching staff

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that Dwane Casey, Terry Stotts, Mario Elie and Tom Sterner will complete Head Coach Rick Carlisle’s coaching staff. Popeye Jones and Brad Davis remain with the franchise as a player development coaches, Robert Hackett returns as an assistant coach in strength and conditioning, Monte Mathis is back as the team’s head video coordinator and Gary Boren continues as the team’s free throw coach.

“This rounds out what I believe is a very strong staff,” said Head Coach Rick Carlisle.  “We have an excellent mixture of playing experience, head coaching experience, on-court teachers and technical knowledge. It has been a busy and productive summer for us connecting with our players individually and during the summer league environment. We now look forward to a productive remainder of the summer and the beginning of training camp.”

Casey, 51, joins the Mavericks after serving as the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves from June 17, 2005 to Jan. 25, 2007. In his only stint as an NBA head coach, he earned a 43-59 record (.422).

Casey began his NBA coaching career as an assistant for the Sonics, where he served for 11 seasons (starting in 1994-95). He joined the Sonics for the 1994-95 season after spending five years as a head coach in Japan. During his time abroad, he coached Japan’s National Team with basketball legend Pete Newell. In the summer of 1998, Casey coached the team to its first World Championship appearance in 31 years.

Prior to coaching in Japan, Casey was an assistant under Head Coach Eddie Sutton at the University of Kentucky from 1985-90. He also served as an assistant under Clem Haskins at Western Kentucky University from 1980-85.

Out of high school, Casey played at Kentucky for Coach Joe B. Hall and helped the Wildcats to a 30-2 record his junior season and the 1978 NCAA Championship. Casey was named team captain his senior year and won UK’s all-academic award.

Stotts most recently served as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks from 2005-07. Stotts guided the Bucks to their last postseason appearance in 2005-06 after earning a 40-42 (.488) regular season record. He was released from his coaching duties on March 15, 2007. Stotts began his coaching career under George Karl, spending five seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics and four with the Bucks. During that stretch, his teams finished each season above .500 and qualified for the playoffs in eight of nine seasons.

Stotts, a 14-year NBA coaching veteran, spent the 2004-05 season as the lead assistant for the Golden State Warriors under Head Coach Mike Montgomery. Prior to the 2004-05 campaign, Stotts spent two seasons in Atlanta. His first head coaching experience came with the Hawks after he replaced Lon Krueger on Dec. 26, 2002 where he coached current Maverick Jason Terry.

Stotts was a second round selection of the Houston Rockets in the 1980 NBA Draft. He began his professional playing career in Italy before joining the CBA’s Montana Golden Nuggets. He returned to Europe for several seasons, playing in Spain and France, before joining the coaching staff of the CBA’s Albany Patroons in 1990-91. During his first year on a professional coaching staff, he helped lead the Patroons to an all-time CBA-best 50-6 record.

A four-year starter at Oklahoma, Stotts earned All-Big Eight honors as a senior and was named Academic All-America in each of his final two collegiate seasons. He was named the University’s outstanding senior student-athlete and was one of three individuals chosen nationally to receive an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native earned a BS in Zoology and, in 1988, earned an MBA from his alma mater.

Elie, an 11-year NBA veteran, begins his second season on the Mavericks bench after also serving as an assistant coach with San Antonio (2003-04) and Golden State (2004-05, 2005-06).  As a pro, Elie averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 732 regular season games with Golden State, Philadelphia, Portland, Houston, San Antonio and Phoenix. He also played in 116 career playoff contests, winning three NBA Championships with Houston (1994 & 1995) and San Antonio (1999).

Sterner comes to Dallas after coaching with Orlando and Golden State. He served as assistant coach for 11 seasons (1994-2002, 2005-07) with the Magic after originally joining the organization as video scout in 1989. He also served as the top assistant coach for the Warriors from 2002-04.

From 1994-2004, Sterner served as chairman of the NBA Technology and Scouting Committee and was instrumental in the development of the Coaches’ Tools software currently used by NBA teams for scouting purposes.  He has consulted with companies such as IBM, IDS, Avid Technologies and XOS Technologies.

Sterner served as assistant coach at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. (1987-90).  While at F&M, the Diplomats achieved a 76-12 record, won three straight Middle Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, made three NCAA postseason tournament appearances and had the distinction of being the #1 Division III team in the nation as voted by The Associated Press.

Sterner earned his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Millersville (Pa.) State College and his master’s degree in sports administration and computers from Temple University. He and his wife, Marcia, have two daughters, Malorie and Paige.

Now starting his third season with the Mavericks, Jones will continue his role as player development coach. A former Maverick (1993-96, 2002-03), Jones’ NBA career spanned 11 seasons with Dallas, Toronto, Boston, Denver, Washington and Golden State.

Davis, one of just two Mavericks to have his jersey retired, is in his ninth season as a player development coach.  He also serves as a radio color analyst on ESPN 103.3 FM for all Mavericks games.

Hackett is in his seventh season as the team’s assistant coach in strength and conditioning.  He joined the team in the summer of 2002 after spending seven seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies in the same capacity.

Mathis, the team’s head video coordinator, begins his fourth season with Dallas.  Prior to his role with the Mavericks, Mathis was an assistant coach in the collegiate ranks with five different universities (McNeese State, South Alabama, Toledo, Ohio State and Xavier).

Finally, Boren enters his 12th season as the team’s free throw coach.

Sixers sign Donyell Marshall

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed free-agent forward Donyell Marshall. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Marshall at this point is basically good for coming off the bench, firing a few outside shots, maybe grabbing a rebound (two at the most), and sitting down. The only problem is, lately he’s actually missing those outside shots. In which case, he’s not helpful at all. He’s an old veteran. If he can’t contribute on the court he can tell the younger Sixers players about the good old days, when there was no electricity and basketballs were made out of wood and stuff like that. And, here’s more about Donyell:

“Donyell Marshall has proven time and time again his value as a player in this league,” Stefanski said. “We believe his ability to stretch defenses with his perimeter shooting will prove to be a great asset for our team and we look forward to having him back home in Philadelphia.”

Marshall (6-9, 245) has played for seven teams during his 14 NBA seasons, averaging 11.4 points (43.5% FGs, 34.8% 3FGs, 73.3% FTs), 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.90 blocks in 932 games with 422 starts. He has also appeared in 41 career playoff games, averaging 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game.

Since the start of the 2003-04 season, Marshall has hit 520 3-pointers in 335 games played while shooting 37.0% from behind-the-arc. In a game for the Toronto Raptors against the Sixers on Mar. 13, 2005, Marshall tied the NBA single-game record for most 3-pointers made with 12.

The native of Reading, Pa. was the fourth overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft by Minnesota following his junior season at the University of Connecticut in which he was named a consensus All-America First Team selection and Big East Conference Player of the Year.

Midway through his rookie season, the Timberwolves traded Marshall to the Golden State Warriors, where he would spend the next five seasons. Marshall enjoyed two of his best seasons with the Warriors, averaging a career-high 15.4 points in 1997-98 and averaging a double-double with 14.2 ppg and a career-high 10.0 rpg in 1999-00.

In August of 2000, Marshall was traded to Utah as part of a four-team, nine-player deal, which teamed him with future hall-of-famers John Stockton and Karl Malone. After two years with the Jazz, Marshall signed as a free-agent with the Chicago Bulls, where he averaged 13.4 points and 9.0 rebounds during the 2002-03 season. In December of 2003, he was traded to Toronto and averaged 16.2 points and 10.7 rebounds the remainder of the season for the Raptors.

Marshall signed as a free-agent with Cleveland in August of 2005 and played in all but two games during his first two seasons with the Cavaliers. In his first two seasons with Cleveland, the Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2006 and the NBA Finals in 2007. Marshall started last season with Cleveland before being packaged in a three-team trade to Seattle in February. Seattle, now Oklahoma City, waived Marshall back on Aug. 20.