March 2012 – Page 15 – NBA Blog

Trail Blazers fire coach Nate McMillan

The Portland Trail Blazers have made the decision to part ways with Nate McMillan, it was announced today by Team President Larry Miller. McMillan will no longer serve as Portland’s head coach. Assistant Coach Kaleb Canales has been named interim head coach.

“Clearly the season to this point has not gone the way we had hoped it would and after talking with Nate we decided it was best to part ways,” said Miller. “I want to personally acknowledge and thank Nate for his many contributions to this franchise and wish him nothing but the best for the future.”

In six-plus seasons with Portland from 2005-12, McMillan guided the Trail Blazers to a 266-269 (.497) mark. Portland’s second-longest tenured head coach in team history, McMillan ranks third among all-time Trail Blazers head coaches with 266 wins, trailing only Jack Ramsay and Rick Adelman.

McMillan led the Trail Blazers to the postseason in each of the last three seasons (2009-11), marking Portland’s first run of three consecutive playoff appearances since 2001-03. The Trail Blazers shared the Northwest Division crown with Denver in 2008-09 after posting a 54-28 record, McMillan’s best as a coach.

After taking over as Trail Blazers head coach in 2005, McMillan became just the second coach in NBA history to improve a team by nine wins or more in three straight seasons when Portland increased its win total by 33 games between 2005-06 and 2008-09.

McMillan is one of only two Portland coaches to be named Western Conference Coach of the Month three times (Adelman). He earned the honor in December 2007, April 2009 and April 2011.

Cavaliers trade Ramon Sessions to Lakers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired the Los Angeles Lakers’ first round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft (lottery-protected) and forwards Jason Kapono and Luke Walton from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions and guard/forward Christian Eyenga. Additionally, the Cavaliers received the right to swap their least favorable first round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft with the Lakers (Please note: the Cavaliers currently own their own first round pick and Miami’s) and cash considerations.

“We want to thank Ramon and Christian for their hard work and contributions here. Ramon is a true pro and approached his job in a way that showed that every day. Christian grew a great deal during his time here and worked very hard on his game. We wish both of them the very best,” said Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant. “Our primary focus continues to center on building this team with our young core and, most importantly, through the draft as we develop a very talented group that can play and succeed together for many years to come.”

Sessions, a four-year NBA veteran out of the University of Nevada, is averaging 10.5 points and 5.2 assists per game this season. The 6-3 guard was originally selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round (56th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft and played for the Bucks and the Timberwolves before being traded to the Cavaliers in the summer of 2010. He currently owns career averages of 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 300 games.

Eyenga, the 30th overall pick by Cleveland in the 2009 NBA Draft, has played in six games this season averaging 1.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 13.8 minutes. The 6-7 forward played in 44 games as a rookie with the Cavaliers averaging 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 21.5 minutes. For his career, the 22-year old from the Congo has posted averages of 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.4 minutes.

Kapono, 31, is averaging 2.0 points on .382 shooting and 0.5 rebounds in 9.9 minutes per game in 27 games this season. He was originally drafted by the Cavaliers in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft (31st overall). He has career averages of 6.7 points on .442 shooting and 1.7 rebounds in 509 games (87 starts).

Walton, also 31, is averaging 1.3 points on .429 shooting and 1.6 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game in nine games during the 2011-12 season. Also an eight-year veteran drafted in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft (32nd overall), Walton has career averages of 4.9 points on .433 shooting, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 17.3 minutes per game in 493 games (138 starts).

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Hawks trade 2nd round pick to Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have acquired a Second Round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft from the Atlanta Hawks, in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced today. The Warriors will receive the lower of two Second Round picks, either the Hawks’ pick or the Phoenix Suns’ pick (which is currently owned by the Hawks from a previous transaction).

“We’ve had multiple discussions about acquiring additional draft picks and we will continue to pursue other opportunities as we approach the end of June,” said General Manager Larry Riley. “Ownership has displayed a continued willingness to invest financial resources in the draft and, as this indicates, we will explore any opportunities that will enable us to acquire additional assets.”

In addition to the Second Round pick acquired today, the Warriors also own the New Jersey Nets’ pick in the Second Round of this June’s draft. Golden State’s own Second Round pick for the upcoming draft was traded to the New York Knicks as part of the David Lee trade and is currently owned by the Denver Nuggets.

Raptors trade Leandro Barbosa to Pacers

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have traded guard Leandro Barbosa to the Indiana Pacers for a 2012 second-round draft pick and cash considerations.

“It’s great to have Leandro join our team,” said President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “He gives us added depth and scoring off the bench and will help us as we make our run to the playoffs.”

“This is another move being made with the future in mind,” said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo. “It’s difficult to let a player like Leandro go, but this trade further underscores our plan of maximizing salary cap flexibility, acquiring assets and developing our young players.

“Leandro has unique and special ability as a basketball player, but he’s an even better person away from the game. I’m happy for him to get the opportunity to join a playoff team as he heads into free agency.”

Barbosa averaged 12.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 23.4 minutes in 100 outings with the Raptors. He led the bench in scoring in 60 of those 100 appearances. In 42 games this season, Barbosa averaged 12.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 22.4 minutes.

The nine-year NBA veteran was acquired by Toronto, along with centre Dwayne Jones, on July 14, 2010 in exchange for forward Hedo Turkoglu.

The roster now stands at 14 players heading into Friday’s game at Memphis (Sportsnet ONE/Sportsnet’s 590 The FAN).

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Raptors waive guard Anthony Carter

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have waived guard Anthony Carter.

Carter was signed as a free agent December 12. The 13-year NBA veteran appeared in 24 games, averaging 2.0 points, 1.4 assists and 8.4 minutes.

The roster now stands at 13 players heading into Friday’s game at Memphis (Sportsnet ONE/Sportsnet’s 590 The FAN).

Mike D’Antoni reportedly asked Knicks if they’d consider trading Melo

Mike D’Antoni told interim Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald in a meeting before Wednesday’s morning shootaround he didn’t feel he could “positively affect the team’’ anymore.

More to the point, D’Antoni no longer felt he could “positively affect’’ Carmelo Anthony to buy into his speedball system and being a team player, according to sources.

On the day The Post reported Anthony wanted to be traded by Thursday’s NBA deadline unless he had assurances D’Antoni would not be around next season, the Knicks coach made it easy for Anthony.

D’Antoni quit, but only after asking owner James Dolan if the team would consider trading Anthony. The answer was no.

A month after Jeremy Lin became a global phenomenon under D’Antoni’s watch, the Knicks went from Linsanity to insanity, as D’Antoni resigned because of his conflict with Anthony, whose return from injury sent the Knicks into a 2-8 spiral and 18-24 record.

— Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post

Grizzlies trade Sam Young to 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has acquired guard/forward Sam Young from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the rights to Ricky Sanchez. The Sixers acquired Sanchez’s rights from Denver, along with Reggie Evans, in exchange for Steven Hunter and Bobby Jones on Sept. 10, 2007.

“We feel Sam’s overall skill set can be a valuable asset to our team and he adds to our depth at two positions,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said.

Young (6-6, 220) was originally the 36th overall pick by Memphis in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. In 179 games with 49 starts for the Grizzlies, Young has averaged 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game while shooting 45.5% from the floor, 24.3% from 3-point range and 77.6% from the line.

Last season, Young appeared in 78 games with 46 starts for Memphis, averaging 7.3 points on 47.2% shooting and had more steals (68) than turnovers (61). The Grizzlies finished the season 29-15 after he was named a full-time starter and were 30-16 overall with him in the starting lineup. Over the final 36 games, Young averaged 10.6 points in 48.8% shooting.

The Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time in team history last season, with Young appearing in all 13 games with 11 starts. He averaged 7.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game and had a playoff career-high 18 points in Game 5 of Memphis’ first round series vs. San Antonio.

Young spent all four seasons at Pittsburgh and finished fourth on the school’s all-time scoring list. He was one of three seniors who comprised the all-time winningest class in Pitt history. As a senior, Young was an All-Big East First Team and AP All-American Third Team selection while also making the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team.

Sanchez (6-11, 220) currently plays in Argentina for Wuber Estudiantes de Bahia Blanca, where the 24-year-old has averaged 13.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 42 games this season.

Originally selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round (35th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft, the Guayama, Puerto Rico native also has played professionally in Puerto Rico (2001-04, 2007-11), the Continental Basketball Association (2005-06), the NBA Development League (2006-08), Venezuela (2009), Mexico (2009-11) and Spain (2011-12).

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Drew Gooden drops a triple-double on Cavs

The AP reports:

Drew Gooden had 15 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists for his second career triple-double, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-105 on Wednesday night.

Gooden completed the triple-double with a rebound near the end of the third quarter. Gooden also had a triple-double against the Cavaliers last April, marking the last time the Bucks had a player accomplish the feat.

Ersan Ilyasova had 22 points before fouling out for the Bucks, who have won four straight.

Kyrie Irving had 28 points for the Cavaliers, who lost their second in a row.

Celtics forward Chris Wilcox will miss remainder of season

The Boston Celtics announced today that forward Chris Wilcox will undergo aortic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on March 29, and will miss the remainder of the 2011-12 season.

A team of leading cardiac specialists who consulted with Wilcox and the Celtics indicated that surgery should completely repair Wilcox’s condition and that he can expect to resume his NBA career next season.

Wilcox has long had an aortic abnormality that remained stable throughout his 10-year NBA career. However, as a precautionary measure, the Celtics medical staff scheduled frequent aortic scans for Wilcox, and a recent scan showed a significant enlargement of his aorta. After several follow-up tests, doctors recommended surgery.

“While we are saddened that Chris will not be able to play again this season, the most important thing is his health, and we were fortunate to have access to an amazing team of specialists to evaluate Chris’s case,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “The entire Celtics family supports Chris during this difficult time in his career.”

Knicks say team, coach Mike D’Antoni mutually agreed to part ways

New York Knickerbockers Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations and Interim General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that it has been mutually decided that Mike D’Antoni will no longer be the head coach of the Knicks. Mike Woodson has been named interim head coach.

“After speaking with Mike this morning, we mutually agreed that it would be best for the organization if he did not continue in his role as coach of the Knicks,” said Jim Dolan, executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company. “Mike is a class act and true professional and we have appreciated his honesty, commitment and years of service to the organization.”

Over the past four seasons, D’Antoni, who had been hired on May 13, 2008, compiled a 121-167 (.420) record at the helm, including leading the team to the NBA Playoffs last season.

“We thank Mike for the hard work he and his staff had put towards making New York a destination for great players in our league as we went through our rebuilding process,” Grunwald said. “But now is the time to look forward to the remaining 24 games of the season. We have a lot of faith in Mike Woodson, who will focus all of his efforts to get this team back into the playoffs and make our final push.”

In six seasons as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, Woodson compiled a 206-286 (.419) record, that included three consecutive playoff appearances ending an eight-year drought. He was named a Knicks assistant coach on Aug. 29, 2011.