Month: September 2008

Spurs name new marketing/sales exec

Spurs Sports & Entertainment announced today that Frank Miceli will join the management team as senior vice president of marketing and sales, overseeing all marketing, promotional, ticket sales, new media and communications initiatives for the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), San Antonio Rampage (AHL), San Antonio Silver Stars (WNBA), Austin Toros (NBA D-League) and the AT&T Center.

“Frank is a very highly regarded and accomplished leader in the sports and entertainment industry,” said Spurs Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations Rick Pych. “He shares our commitment to constantly strive to provide the best entertainment product and value for our fans. We are very fortunate to have someone of Frank’s high character and work ethic join us, and we look forward to adding his experience and vision to our team.”

Miceli comes to SS&E after having spent the last 18 years with Comcast-Spectacor, most recently as chief operating officer for both the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) and Philadelphia Wings (NLL). A South Philadelphia native, Miceli served as the COO of the Phantoms since their inaugural season in l996 and became COO of the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League in 2006.

“Spurs Sports & Entertainment is a world-class organization. Joining this outstanding management team, led by Rick Pych, is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Miceli. “I am looking forward to continuing to drive the expansion and growth of the sports properties, while building upon the business success of the Spurs, Silver Stars, Rampage, Toros and AT&T Center. My experience working with Ed Snider and Peter Luukko at Comcast-Spectacor has prepared me well for this opportunity, and I am ready for the new challenge and opportunity to continue my career in San Antonio.”

Prior to 1996, Miceli was the director of sales and marketing for the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) where he was responsible for moving the team’s season ticket base into their new home at the Wachovia Center. He began his career with Comcast-Spectacor in l990 as vice president of marketing and advertising for Spectathlete.

Additionally in 2000 while operating the Phantoms, he was also charged with overseeing the day-to-day operations of Comcast-Spectacor’s three Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliates until 2006 when all three teams were sold.

“Frank has been an integral part of the growth and success of Comcast-Spectacor as a leader in the sports and entertainment industry,” said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider. “I know I’m really going to miss Frank, especially his enthusiasm and humor.”

Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko added, “I’ve had the real pleasure of literally growing up in the business with Frank and I consider him one of my closest friends. This was such a fantastic opportunity for Frank and we all support his decision. We are all going to miss Frank and wish him and his family success in San Antonio.”

Jason Williams retires

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Jason Williams announced his retirement from the NBA today, ending his 10-year career. Signed by the Clippers as a free agent on August 7, 2008, Williams did not appear in a game for Los Angeles.

Williams enjoyed a 10-year NBA career that saw him take the court for three different teams, (Sacramento 1998-2001, Memphis 2001-2005 and Miami 2005-2008). A member of the NBA Champion Miami Heat in 2005-06, Williams started all 23 playoff games and averaged 9.3 points and 3.9 assists for Miami in helping to win the organization’s first title.

The West Virginia native leaves the NBA with career averages of 11.4 points, 6.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.4 rebounds while shooting 39.6 percent from the floor, 32.5 percent from three-point range and 81.6 percent from the foul line in 679 total games. Williams finishes his career with a 2.77 assist-to-turnover ratio.

He enjoyed his best statistical season in 2001-02 when he averaged 14.8 points, 8.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds for Memphis. In his four seasons with the Grizzlies, Williams became the club’s all-time assists leader and all-time leader in three-point field goals attempted in addition to being named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2002-03 season by Sports Illustrated when he finished tied for second in the league in assists per game.

Originally drafted with the seventh overall selection in the 1998 NBA Draft by Sacramento after one season at the University of Florida, Williams was named to the 1998-99 NBA All-Rookie Team following an electrifying first season that saw him average 12.8 points and 6.0 assists.  Over the next nine seasons, Williams emerged as one of the most dependable point guards in the NBA, averaging double-figures in scoring and at least five assists per game in eight of his ten years in the league.

InsideHoops.com editor says: J-Will, aka “White Chocolate,” was a fun player to watch in his prime. Wild, flashy, sometimes out of control, he played like a streetballer, but was good. I will say he was one of the worst players in the whole league to interview. Getting decent answers from him was so painful I don’t think I ever wound up posting a single word he said. Still, he’ll be missed.

Shane Battier out 4 weeks

The Houston Rockets are very good at playing basketball, and equally skilled at suffering injuries. And while it’s still the offseason, they’re already flaunting their ability to get hurt.

Rockets forward Shane Battier is expected to miss the majority of the team’s preseason schedule due to inflammation in his left foot. The inflammation occurred during his rehabilitation from offseason surgery to remove bone spurs which was performed on May 9. The seven-year veteran is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks.

Houston’s injury situation had been a problem in the past, and despite getting Ron Artest this summer, if this stuff continues it’s just going to lead to more disappointment in Houston. I’d love to see every key Rocket stay healthy, but will it ever happen?

–Jeff Lenchiner, InsideHoops.com editor

Knicks should keep Marbury

Stephon Marbury will be a free agent after the upcoming 2008-09 season. Multiple local New York newspapers have reported that the Knicks would like to either trade the point guard or get him to agree to a buyout, which typically means taking less money than is owed for the right to be a free agent now, and sign elsewhere.

(Quick shoutout to New York Newsday, who I think first caught my attention with this news. Not sure who reported what first, but it may have been them.)

I say they should keep Marbury and simply part ways after the season when the contract runs out. It makes no sense to throw away huge money to make him go away sooner. He’s not hindering anything substantial at this point, and I could see him have his best season in years under the coaching of Mike D’Antoni.

The New York post said that Marbury is in his best shape in years and, if I remember correctly, around or under 200 pounds.

If D’Antoni does try to install a run-and-gun type of offense, Marbury could be a success. And while he’s really a shooting guard in a point guard’s body, he’s a good enough passer to hit Knicks who actually cut. But barely any Knicks have cut in recent seasons, ever. They literally just don’t. You can’t hit a cutter who doesn’t exist.

I think Marbury, along with Jamal Crawford, could benefit more than any other Knicks under an uptempo D’Antoni offense.

The Knicks should keep Marbury this season, roll the dice on him, and if they’re going to throw money away on buyouts they should do it on guys who don’t have expiring contracts in the summer of 2009.

–Jeff Lenchiner, InsideHoops.com editor

Trail Blazers sign Shavlik Randolph

The Portland Trail Blazers signed forward Shavlik Randolph, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I assume this is just a training camp, nonguaranteed signing. Though, unlike tons of training camp signees, Randolph actually belongs in the league. Here’s more:

A member of the Philadelphia 76ers for three seasons, Randolph averaged 2.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 79 games, including seven starts. He averaged careers highs of 4.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.77 blocks in 13 games in 2006-07.

Randolph, 24, played three seasons at Duke University, averaging 6.3 points, a 506 field-goal percentage, 4.3 rebounds and 1.40 blocks during his college career. The 1.40 blocks per game are seventh all-time in Duke history. The Raleigh, N.C., native shot .591 from the field in a sophomore season that saw the Blue Devils reach the Final Four in 2004.

The signing of Randolph sets the Trail Blazers’ 2008 training camp roster at 18 players. He will wear jersey number 42.

Knicks add Dan Grunfeld to training camp

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent guard/forward Dan Grunfeld has been signed to a contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

InsideHoops.com editor says: This contract is so nonguaranteed it was probably written on a napkin. It’s a training camp signing. And here’s more on the news:

Grunfeld, 6-6, 215-pounds, was undrafted out of Stanford University and spent the last two seasons playing overseas. The River Hills, WI native spent the 2007-08 season in Spain, where he averaged 14.7 points and 3.3 rebounds for Aguas De Valencia. Grunfeld averaged 12.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for Oldenburg in Germany during the 2006-07 campaign. As a collegian, Grunfeld played four years at Stanford, highlighted by his junior season in 2004-05 when he earned First Team All-Pacific 10 Conference honors after averaging 17.9 points per game.

Grunfeld is the son of current Washington Wizards president, Ernie Grunfeld. The older Grunfeld was a part of the Knicks organization for over 17 years as a player (1982-86), broadcaster (1986-1989), assistant coach (1989-1990) and general manager (1991-1999).

Rockets match Bobcats offer and keep Carl Landry

The AP reports: The Rockets matched the Bobcats’ three-year, $9 million offer sheet for restricted free-agent Carl Landry on Thursday, keeping the forward in Houston. The Rockets took less than 24 hours to make the move, leaving Charlotte still searching for frontcourt depth before the start of training camp next week. “We obviously thought it was a good opportunity to get the guy,” Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins said. “But it’s part of the business.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: This was expected. Landry is a decent player and signing him for $3 million per season is a reasonable deal.

Sun Yue has mononucleosis

Lakers guard Sun Yue, who arrived in Los Angeles from China on Sunday, was taken to the emergency room of a local hospital last night after becoming ill. He has tested positive for mononucleosis, it was announced today by the team.

He is not expected to be ready to practice by Tuesday when the Lakers open training camp and will be out indefinitely. His condition will be monitored on a regular basis.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I hope he didn’t catch mono from kissing random Los Angeles girls. And I will immediately point out that I’m kidding and have no idea if he’s single or married or whatever, so don’t go spreading that as a rumor or something you crazy wackos.

Knicks sign Allan Houston

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that guard Allan Houston has been re-signed as a free agent.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I’m assuming this is as nonguaranteed as a contract can get. Also, the Knicks don’t actually need Houston, since right now the best guard on the team who doesn’t seem likely to be waived or traded anytime soon is shooting guard Jamal Crawford. They need to clean house and move big contracts that aren’t expiring in the next season or two away. On the positive side, fans really like Houston (“H20”) and seeing him around, even briefly, is cool. He can wave at them a bit, and stuff. And, here’s more on the news:

Originally retiring on Oct. 17, 2005 following training camp three seasons ago, Houston is the team’s fourth leading scorer in franchise history during the regular season (11,165) and eighth leading scorer during the playoffs (1,139). Only NBA legends Patrick Ewing, Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Willis Reed have scored more points during their regular season careers with the orange and blue. On Oct. 4, 1999, he was named a team captain, and held that title for six seasons. He was selected to be a member of the 2000 and 2001 NBA All-Star teams and was a member of the Gold medal-winning United States team at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney.

On May 16, 1999, the Louisville, KY native authored one of the most memorable shots in club history with a game-winning runner at Miami in the closing seconds of Game Five in the first round of the 1999 NBA Playoffs. After defeating the Heat, the Knicks went on to defeat the Atlanta Hawks in the conference semifinals and Indiana Pacers in the conference finals to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 1994.

Recognized for his work through the “Father Knows Best” program offered under the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation, Houston was recently named as the national spokesman for the National Fatherhood Initiative. Houston will be wearing jersey No. 14 in honor of his father, Wade, one of the first African-American basketball players at the University of Louisville.

“My father has been a great model of a man, and hopefully I can continue to carry what he taught me back to the court with the Knicks. Off the court, this is also symbolic to encourage men to be committed fathers as their role remains one of the most important factors in the lives of our youth.”

Hawks exercise options on Horford and Law

The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the contract options for the 2009-10 season on forward/center Al Horford and guard Acie Law, it was announced today by Executive VP/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

A unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and runner-up for Rookie of the Year honors, Horford had an outstanding season in helping the Hawks reach the postseason for the first time in nine years. The first Atlanta pick to earn first team All-Rookie since Stacey Augmon in 1991-92, he nearly averaged a double-double a year ago, recording 10.1 points and 9.7 rebounds in 81 contests.

During the playoffs, the 6-10 forward/center from Florida increased his totals, scoring 12.6 points and grabbing 10.4 rebounds in the seven games against Boston.

Despite battling injuries much of the 2007-08 campaign, Law was fifth among rookies in assists and third on the Hawks, to go along with 4.2 points per game. He saw action in 56 contests and is coming off a fine summer effort at the Rocky Mountain Revue, where he was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 16.2 points, 3.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Standard and expected, especially for Horford. Law needs step up a bit this season so the Hawks can keep the faith.