July 2010 – Page 10 – NBA Blog

Celtics re-sign Nate Robinson

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have re-signed guard Nate Robinson. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“It is great to have Nate back and we think that he can contribute more significantly this upcoming season after a full training camp with the team,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge. “He helped us win some crucial playoff games this past postseason and we believe that we will see great things from him this coming season.”

Robinson, a 5’9″ guard, averaged 10.1 points, 2.9 assists and shot 39.0% from three-point distance last season between the Celtics and the New York Knicks. After joining the Celtics, Robinson shot 41.4% from beyond the arc in the 26 contests he played for the C’s. The former Washington Husky netted a season-high 41 points against Atlanta on January 1 and scored 20 or more points seven times in his combined 56 games last season. Originally drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 21st pick in the 2005 Draft, he was acquired by the Celtics on February 18 along with Marcus Landry from the Knicks in exchange for Eddie House, J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker.

Heat re-sign Jamaal Magloire

The Miami Heat announced today that they have re-signed center Jamaal Magloire. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Re-signing Jamaal is a testament to his work ethic and his desire to win,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “Over the past two seasons in Miami, he has been an asset to this team, in terms of being a role model for our younger players, with his professionalism and his strong locker room presence.”

Magloire has appeared in 628 career games (313 starts) over 10 seasons. He has averaged 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 0.94 blocks and 22.4 minutes while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 64.5 percent from the foul line. He was named a reserve for the Eastern Conference for the 2004 All-Star game and was a one-time selection as Eastern Conference Player of the Month in April 2004.

During the 2009-10 season, Magloire averaged 2.1 points and 3.4 rebounds, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field in 23 games as a reserve. His 16.2 rebound average per 48 minutes was tops on the Heat.

Magloire was originally signed by the Heat as a free agent on Sept. 2, 2008 and re-signed again on July 22, 2009. The Canadian native was originally drafted in the first round (19th overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.

Nets name Sam Mitchell, Larry Krystkowiak, John Loyer, Popeye Jones, Tom Barrise assistant coaches

The New Jersey Nets have named Sam Mitchell, Larry Krystkowiak, John Loyer, Popeye Jones and Tom Barrise as assistant coaches, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

“Avery has assembled a staff that brings a wealth of NBA experience to the sidelines,” said King. “Their collective knowledge of the game, gained from both playing and coaching in the league, will be an invaluable asset to the head coach as well as our players.”

Sam Mitchell, the 2006-07 NBA Coach of the Year, brings four-plus seasons of head coaching experience and will be the lead assistant on Avery Johnson’s staff. Mitchell led the Toronto Raptors to two playoff appearances as head coach, including the 2006-07 campaign in which he guided the team to a 47- 35 record, a 20 game improvement from the previous season. Prior to his time in Toronto, Mitchell served as an assistant coach on George Karl’s staff in Milwaukee for two seasons (2002-2004). The 13-year NBA veteran split his playing career between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers. He appeared in 994 regular season games and 59 postseason contests, missing just 40 games to injury or illness throughout his career and posting averages of 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

Larry Krystkowiak comes to the Nets after 12 years of coaching experience in the NBA, CBA and NCAA. Krystkowiak was most recently with Milwaukee Bucks as their head coach after taking over for Terry Stotts in 2006-07 and controlling the sideline for the entire 2007-08 campaign. He holds a career record of 31-69 (.310) after finishing 5-13 (.279) in 2006-07 while going 26-56 (.317) in 2007-08. The University of Montana alum got his first coaching job at his alma mater as an assistant in 1998. After two years at Montana, he left to become an assistant at Old Dominion for the 2001-02 season. He received his first opportunity as a head coach with the CBA’s Idaho Stampede in 2003-04. In his sole season with Idaho, he led the Stampede to a 37-16 record and a spot in the CBA championship game. In May of 2004, he was hired as the head coach at the University of Montana and amassed a 42-40 (.512) record in two seasons at the helm. In June of 2006, Krystkowiak joined Stotts’ staff as an assistant in Milwaukee. After being selected by Chicago in the second round (28th overall) of the 1986 NBA Draft, Krystkowiak spent nine seasons in the NBA with Chicago, Milwaukee, San Antonio, Utah, Orlando and the Los Angeles Lakers. Krystkowiak’s best season came in 1988-89 when he averaged 12.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30 minutes per game for Milwaukee. He holds career averages of 8.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest.

John Loyer returns for his second season as an assistant coach for the Nets, following four seasons in the same position for the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Loyer spent a total of five seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers as the team’s video coordinator (2000-01), advance scout (2001-03) and assistant coach (2003-05). Before joining the Trail Blazers staff in 2000, Loyer spent 12 years in the collegiate coaching ranks with stops at Wabash Valley College (1999-00), University of Akron (1987-89) and the University of Cincinnati (1989-99). He was an assistant at Cincinnati for 10 years during which time the Bearcats made it to the Final Four once and twice to the Elite Eight.

Popeye Jones joins the Avery Johnson’s staff after spending four seasons as a member of the player development staff in Dallas. Jones enjoyed an 11-year NBA career after being selected by Houston in the second round (41st overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft. He played one season in Europe before beginning his first of two stints with Dallas in 1993. Jones’ best season came in 1995-96 when he averaged 11.3 points and 10.8 rebounds. He holds the record for most rebounds by a Maverick in a game (28 vs. IND on 1/9/96). Jones holds career averages of 7.0 points and 7.4 rebounds in 535 career games with Dallas, Toronto, Boston, Denver, Washington and Golden State.

Tom Barrise returns for his 15th season with the Nets and his seventh full season as an assistant coach. Tom joined the assistant coach ranks in January of 2004 when Lawrence Frank took over as head coach. Prior to his current position, Barrise served as the Nets’ advance scout for eight seasons. Prior to joining the Nets, Tom was the head basketball coach for three seasons (1992-95) at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey, while also performing advance scout duties for the Cleveland Cavaliers (1992-96). His basketball coaching odyssey also includes stints at St. Peter’s College, Fairfield University, East Carolina University, Jacksonville University, William Paterson College and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Andre Iguodala can grow his name internationally this summer

Tom Moore of The Intelligencer reports:

Andre Iguodala has a chance to make a name for himself internationally this summer.

With most of the elite NBA stars – namely LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tayshaun Prince and Carlos Boozer – withdrawing from competition in 2010 for various reasons, Iguodala could make the USA Basketball National Team and play a key role at the FIBA World Championships beginning Aug. 28 in Turkey.

Iguodala’s versatility is probably his biggest asset.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for him,” said Sixers president Ed Stefanski. “When you’re putting a team together to go overseas to play, a guy like that who can guard 1s, 2s and 3s and play multiple positions at the offensive end is a guy that they’ll look at closely. But there’s competition.”

Marc Iavaroni leaves Raptors to be Clippers assistant coach

Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports:

The Raptors gained a player and lost a coach as the Summer of Change continues.

On the day the Denver Nuggets didn’t match an offer sheet extended to restricted free agent forward Linas Kleiza, assistant coach Marc Iavaroni is leaving Jay Triano’s staff to join new head coach Vinny Del Negro with the Los Angeles Clippers…

The news on Kleiza, who has a four-year, $18.8 million deal with the Raptors, is hardly surprising; the Nuggets were never expected to match the offer.

But the departure of Iavaroni, hired a year ago as ostensibly Toronto’s defensive guru, is mildly surprising.

Even after the addition of P.J. Carlesimo to Triano’s staff in May, there were no other staff changes planned until the 53-year-old former head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies decided to leave for Los Angeles.

Brad Miller joining Rockets

With center Yao Ming suffering injuries on a regular basis, the Houston Rockets are always in need of a good backup at the five-spot.

Finally, mission accomplished. The AP reports:

Free agent center Brad Miller has agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract with the Houston Rockets.

The 7-foot Miller averaged 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds for Chicago last season. Miller played in Sacramento from 2003-09, including three seasons playing for current Houston coach Rick Adelman.

Agent Mark Bartelstein said in a phone interview on Saturday that reuniting with Adelman was a major factor in Miller’s decision.

“Coach Adelman was a huge part of it,” Bartelstein said. “He had a great time playing for him, and he thinks he’s a great, great coach.”

Miller does not have a lot left in the tank, but as a primary backup center only needed to play limited minutes he’s as good as it gets.

Knicks get younger

The New York Knicks are rebuilding themselves and attempting to become relevant again in the NBA playoff picture.

Baby steps, people.

At the least, they’ve gotten both better and younger.

Howard Beck of the New York Times reports:

The Knicks are much younger now, with an average age of 24 and no player in his 30s. Amar’e Stoudemire, Ronny Turiaf and Eddy Curry are the oldest, at 27. Aside from Stoudemire, the Knicks’ most talented players are the two youngest: Danilo Gallinari, 22, and Anthony Randolph, 21.

“The weakness we have is experience and youth,” D’Antoni said. “And that’s something that with time we’ll take care of. But we do have a lot of young guys out there. You never know how they’ll react to everything.”

It is an almost entirely new roster, with just four players left from opening night in 2009, and just two holdovers from April 2008, when D’Antoni and Walsh arrived.

“It’s exciting,” D’Antoni said. “I think we have a lot of talent.”

Stoudemire and Felton are nice additions. But ideally, one more player capable of scoring 18 or 20 gets added to the rotation before the season starts.

Heat sign Zydrunas Ilgauskas

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“As we continue to shape our roster, we have filled a key position with the addition of Zydrunas,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “He is a two-time All-Star, a proven rebounder, and a great shot blocker. His place in NBA history is already clear, and we are pleased to be able to add a seasoned veteran of his caliber to our roster.”

Ilgauskas has appeared in 771 career games (673 starts) with the Cleveland Cavaliers over 12 seasons. During his career, all with Cleveland, he has averaged 13.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.65 blocks, 1.2 assists and 28.3 minutes, while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 78.0 percent from the foul line. Ilgauskas is a two-time NBA All-Star (2003 & 2005), and ranked first in Cavaliers history in both offensive rebounds (2,336) and blocks (1,269). His career totals in those same categories rank tied for 42nd place and 44th place in NBA history, respectively.

During the 2009-10 season, Ilgauskas averaged 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 20.9 minutes, while shooting 44.3 percent from the field in 64 games (six starts). He recorded double-figure points on 19 occassions and four double-digit rebound games.

Ilgauskas, who will wear #11 for the Heat, was originally selected with the 20th pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1996 NBA Draft.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Big Z barely looked like he could walk by the end of last season, so I’m not sure how much this signing matters. Of course, even when Ilgauskas was younger and still very good, he tended to move as if his legs and feet were made out of cement. But still, I’m thinking he will provide good minutes off the bench for maybe 7-12 minutes per game.

Gerald Green wants back into NBA

Gerald Green can jump very high. And he wants to leap back into the NBA.

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports:

Kenton Edelin, Green’s agent, said there has been interest from “a couple teams” but would not be specific. He said he has also spoken to several teams in Spain, believing that if Green does not get a shot in the NBA this season, the move to the strong Spanish league would be a bridge from the Russian league back to the NBA.

“Obviously, he wants to play for an NBA team this fall,” Edelin said. “Playing in one of the strong European markets would be a way, if not this year, the next year to get back.

“His priority is to play in the NBA this year. He’s just 24. He has plenty of time still to have a long, successful NBA career.”

But there was a time when Green first hit it big in Vegas, that all that seemed certain. He has not forgotten.

“I think of those things,” he said. “I just try to use that as motivation. I wouldn’t have believed you (if he had been told the path his career would take). It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. “

Green is certainly young enough to not give up hope just yet.

I’d guess that we see him again soon, perhaps on a one-season deal, maybe partially or not guaranteed. And then he better rock.

Knicks sell out season-ticket allotment

Howard Beck of the New York Times reports (via blog):

LeBron James did not choose to take his talents to New York, but as a consolation prize he gave the Knicks a fantastic boost at the box office. The team has sold out its season-ticket allotment for the first time in nine years.

According to a Madison Square Garden spokesperson, the Knicks have sold more than 4,000 new season-ticket plans and have started a waiting list for interested buyers. The team is also reporting a 90 percent renewal rate among season-ticket holders from last season. (The team would not disclose the precise number.)

Single-game tickets, group plans and partial season-ticket plans will go on sale sometime in mid-September.