September 2011 – Page 9 – NBA Blog

Timberwolves reach agreement to make Rick Adelman their new head coach

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has reached an agreement in principle on a contract with Rick Adelman to become the 10th head coach in franchise history. Adelman ranks eighth all-time in NBA coaching wins with a 945-616 (.605 winning percentage) career record in 20 seasons as a head coach.

Adelman, 65, has previously served as head coach of four NBA teams: Portland (1988-94), Golden State (1995-97), Sacramento (1998-2006) and Houston (2007-11). Some of his coaching highlights include: two NBA Finals appearances (1990 and 1992 with Portland), four Western Conference Finals (1989-90, 1990-91 and 1991-92 with Portland and 2002 with Sacramento) and four division titles (1990-91 and 1991-92 with Portland; 2001-02 and 2002-03 with Sacramento).

Additionally, Adelman’s teams have reached the NBA playoffs in 16 of his 20 seasons as a head coach, and he holds an all-time playoff record of 79-78 (.503 winning percentage). He is one of only five head coaches in NBA history to win 60+ games with two different teams (Portland and Sacramento). Adelman has been runner-up for the NBA Coach of the Year award four times. Most recently, Adelman was the head coach of the Houston Rockets the past four seasons leading Houston to a 193-135 record, with the .588 winning percentage being the highest in franchise history.

Pistons to name Dee Brown and Roy Rogers assistant coaches

The AP reports:

The Detroit Pistons have agreed to terms with former NBA players Dee Brown and Roy Rogers to become assistants on the staff of new head coach Lawrence Frank…

Brown, who played 12 years in the NBA with Boston, Toronto and Orlando, has coached the Springfield Armor of the NBA Development League. Rogers played 137 NBA games from 1996-2000 with Vancouver, Boston, Toronto and Denver. He worked for Frank as an assistant when Frank was coach of the New Jersey Nets.

Jamal Crawford seeks new agent

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports:

Jamal Crawford, who could love nothing more than to rejoin the Knicks when a new collective bargaining agreement is finalized, will apparently have new representation when he officially becomes a free agent.

According to a person close to the former Knicks shooting guard, Crawford has parted ways with his longtime agency, Goodwin Sports Management, and is seeking a new agent.

The Goodwin brothers, Aaron and Eric, have maintained a good relationship with the Knicks, particularly when Isiah Thomas was in charge. It was Thomas who orchestrated a sign-and-trade with the Bulls to originally acquire Crawford. Thomas also made a draft day trade for another Goodwin client, Nate Robinson.

Chris Paul marries longtime girlfriend

John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports:

Hornets point guard Chris Paul married his longtime girlfriend, Jada Crawley, this past Saturday in Charlotte, N.C.

A number of teammates and celebrities attended the wedding, including the Miami Heat’s LeBron James and his girlfriend, Savannah Brinson, New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony and his wife, LaLa, and Heat star Dwyane Wade and his girlfriend, Gabrielle Union.

Hornets General Manager Dell Demps and Coach Monty Williams also attended — with league permission.

NBA reportedly fines Michael Jordan 100K

Chris Broussard of ESPN reports:

The NBA fined Michael Jordan $100,000 for public comments he made last month about the lockout and one of the league’s players, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank confirmed that Jordan had been fined, but said the league would not comment on the total.

In an Aug. 19 interview with The Herald Sun, a newspaper in Australia, the Charlotte Bobcats owner spoke extensively about the need for revenue sharing and mentioned Milwaukee Bucks’ Australian center Andrew Bogut.

That violated the league’s policy that bars team owners and employees from discussing the lockout or any players during the work stoppage. The NBA sent out a league-wide memo just before the lockout began on July 1 stating that anyone who broke the rules could be fined up to $1 million.

Cavs forward Luke Harangody may go overseas if lockout lingers

Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

Cavaliers forward Luke Harangody is weighing the option of playing overseas if the NBA lockout continues.

His agent, Mark Bartelstein, said he’s spoken to multiple European teams about the 6-foot-7 Notre Dame product, but stressed there is no deal imminent.

“If we feel it’s the right fit we would have to consider it,” Bartelstein said.

Harangody averaged 3.9. points and 2.9 rebounds in 49 games during his rookie season, split between the Cavs and Boston Celtics.

Timberwolves will reportedly make Rick Adelman their new head coach

The AP reports:

The Minnesota Timberwolves are bringing in Rick Adelman to try and turn around one of the NBA’s most downtrodden franchises.

Two people with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Monday that the team and the 65-year-old Adelman have agreed on terms and a contract is expected to be signed soon. The people requested anonymity because an official announcement has not been made.

Adelman replaces Kurt Rambis, who lasted just two seasons on the job.

“Houston, we have a coach,” All-Star forward Kevin Love tweeted earlier Monday, kicking off the welcoming festivities for an accomplished coach who will be expected to bring credibility and intensity back to a team that has severely lacked both in recent seasons.

Adelman is 945-616 in 20 seasons as a head coach of the Trail Blazers, Kings, Warriors and Rockets. He parted ways with the Rockets in April.

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Utah Jazz add Rich Sheubrooks to Basketball Operations Staff

Utah Jazz General Manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that Rich Sheubrooks has been hired by the franchise as its Executive Director of Global and Pro Scouting. In this newly created position, Sheubrooks will focus on the scouting of international prospects as well as the professional leagues.

“We feel fortunate to be able to bring someone in with as much international experience as Rich has,” said Kevin O’Connor. “Rich’s knowledge and background can be a real asset to the Jazz organization in what has clearly become a global game.”

Sheubrooks joins the Jazz after spending the previous four seasons as the Director of Global Scouting for the Charlotte Bobcats. Sheubrooks is well known on the international basketball scene for his role as a Global Basketball Consultant for Nike where he has played a key role in organizing the Nike Hoop Summit the past 14 years. The annual game features the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Select Team playing against a World Select Team, comprised of top players 19-years-old or younger from around the world. Sheubrooks has a long history with the sports apparel brand, working as European Sports Marketing Manager from 1997-99 and Basketball Grassroots & Events Manager from 1990-1994.

Prior to his work with the Bobcats, Sheubrooks spent six seasons in the same role with the Memphis Grizzlies. He has also served as the Director of the Michael Jordan Euro Tour (2007) and as the Executive Director of the Charlotte Sports Commission (1994-97). Sheubrooks has also worked as an NBA Analyst for Sky TV in the United Kingdom since 2004. In addition, he has collegiate coaching experience having spent three seasons as head coach at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville) from 1976-79, following two seasons each as an assistant at both Texas A&I and Midwestern State.

Sheubrooks earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and his master’s degree from Texas A&M Kingsville.

Future of Dirk Nowitzki on Team Germany star is uncertain

Mark Woods, special to ESPN.com, reports:

Dirk Nowitzki, as proud a German as he is a Maverick, will listen to his gut but also to his body. This summer has underlined his physical limits. He will rest up now to prepare for the NBA season, when it comes. The defense of the title will take top priority.

There is no urgent rush to confirm or reject Bauermann’s prediction. Germany, already grateful, will give him all the time he needs to decide on whether this really was the end of the road.

“I don’t know,” Nowitzki admitted after the game. “I’ll just have to wait and see what the future brings. The fans have been great. I’ve met so many great people over the years. The journalists have been great to me.

“Basketball’s given me a lot of great memories.”

Ones which will live long in the mind in Germany and beyond.

Jimmer Fredette Utah exhibition games consolidated into one Provo game

Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune blog reports:

A two-game exhibition series hosted by former Brigham Young standout Jimmer Fredette has been consolidated into a single contest scheduled Sept. 22 at the Marriott Center in Provo. As a result, a previously announced game Sept. 21 at the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City has been cancelled. Tickets purchased for the SLC event can either be refunded or exchanged for a comparable Provo ticket.

Fredette (Sacramento), Kemba Walker (Charlotte), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio), Nolan Smith (Portland) and Jackson Emery (ex-BYU) are still scheduled to appear at the Provo game. More athletes will be announced Monday, but no Jazz players are expected.