October 25, 2012 – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Dallas Mavericks sign center Eddy Curry via waiver claim

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have been awarded free agent center Eddy Curry on a waiver claim.

Curry (7-0, 295) was the fourth overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and has played in 525 games (411 starts) with Chicago, New York and Miami. He holds career averages of 13.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 24.9 minutes per game while shooting .545 from the field.

Curry spent training camp in San Antonio where he saw action in five games for the Spurs this preseason and averaged 8.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game.

“We are excited to bring Eddy Curry to Dallas,” President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. “He has worked extremely hard this offseason and can provide our front line with much needed depth.”

The former McDonald’s All-American and Illinois Mr. Basketball was an early entry candidate to the NBA Draft directly out of Thornwood High School in South Holland, Ill.

Curry is expected to be at Dallas’ shootaround tomorrow morning.

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CONFIRMED: David Stern will retire as NBA Commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014

David Stern informed the NBA’s Board of Governors today that he will step down as NBA Commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014, 30 years to the date he took over the position. Stern also announced that the Board of Governors voted unanimously to accept his recommendation that Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver succeed him as Commissioner.

“Adam is a world-class business executive who has influenced so many areas of our business during his tenure with the NBA,” Stern said. “I am pleased that the Board has chosen him as my successor and I know the NBA will be in very good hands.”

During his over 28-plus years as Commissioner, Stern has built the model for professional sports in league operations, public service, global marketing and digital technology. He has overseen the league’s growth with seven new franchises, a 30-fold increase in revenues, a dramatic expansion of national television exposure and the launch of two leagues, the Women’s National Basketball Association and the NBA Development League.

Interest generated by the leagues’ growing international initiatives has led to the opening of offices in 15 global markets, the televising of games in 215 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, and the creation of 13 language-specific Web destinations. The leagues’ digital assets, including NBA.com, WNBA.com, and NBADLeague.com; social media platforms; NBA LEAGUE PASS; NBA TV, which is available in nearly 60 million U.S. homes; and mobile applications reach hundreds of millions of fans every day.

Stern’s intense commitment to social responsibility both in the United States and around the world has been a signature of his tenure as commissioner. In 2005, the league launched NBA Cares, through which the NBA, its players and teams have raised more than $205 million for charity, provided more than 2.1 million hours of hands-on service to communities around the world, and created more than 750 places where children and families can live, learn, or play. NBA Cares supports a host of community outreach initiatives, including a myriad of internationally recognized youth-serving programs that focus on education, youth and family development, and health and wellness.

Silver has served as the NBA’s Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer since July 2006, following more than eight years as President and COO, NBA Entertainment. Silver has been instrumental in many league accomplishments, including playing a key role in the negotiations of the league’s last two television agreements, the last three collective bargaining agreements with the National Basketball Players Association, the development of the WNBA and NBA Development League, the partnership with Turner Broadcasting to jointly manage the NBA’s digital assets, the formation of iHoops – a partnership with the NCAA focused on basketball development and the creation of NBA China as a separately incorporated operating entity.

During Silver’s tenure, the NBA has seen rapid expansion of its digital activities as NBA Entertainment launched NBA TV – the league’s 24-hour television channel – and developed the NBA.com network, which consists of more than 60 unique websites, including NBA.com, WNBA.com, NBADLeague.com, team sites for the three leagues, and 13 international sections of NBA.com.

The NBA’s Global Merchandising Group – responsible for the product development, merchandising, licensing, sales development, e-commerce, retail, and direct-to-consumer initiatives of the NBA and WNBA – has seen record growth during Silver’s tenure, and sales of NBA and WNBA merchandise exceeded $3 billion at retail last year.

Silver has consistently been named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports by BusinessWeek, the Sporting News and the SportsBusiness Journal. He has also been recognized by Time Magazine and CNN on their list of Global Business Influentials, which features 20 of the world’s leading corporate executives.

Silver joined the NBA in 1992 and previously served under Commissioner Stern as Special Assistant to the Commissioner; NBA Chief of Staff; Senior Vice President and COO, NBA Entertainment before his appointment as the President and COO, NBA Entertainment and his current role as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of the NBA.

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Anderson Varejao is OK with new All-Star ballot

Cavaliers center/power forward Anderson Varejao had no reaction to the news that the NBA has opted to eliminate the center position from its All-Star ballots, instead listing frontcourt players and guards.

Varejao, who has been the team’s starting center since Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Shaquille O’Neal left, considers himself a power forward. Not that it matters.

“To me, it’s kind of the same,” Varejao said after practice on Thursday. “Playing power forward, you have to run around a bit more. Playing center, you have to be more physical against the big guys. I like to play both. I like to move around, and when I play center, I like being physical, to be down there to fight.”

— Reported by Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

Bill Laimbeer named GM and head coach of NY Liberty

The New York Liberty announced today that Bill Laimbeer, a WNBA Coach of the Year and three-time WNBA Champion, has been hired as the team’s general manager and head coach.

It was also announced today that John Whisenant, who served as head coach and general manager, will be leaving the team. In two seasons with the Liberty (2011-12), Whisenant compiled a 34-34 record, guiding the squad to a pair of playoff berths.

“We’re excited to have Bill Laimbeer join the New York Liberty as our general manager and head coach. He has brought his winning pedigree and passion to the WNBA and I believe he will play a large role in bringing a championship to the Liberty,” said Allan Houston, the New York Knicks’ assistant GM, who also oversees Liberty basketball operations. “We appreciate Coach Whisenant’s dedication to our team and the organization, and wish him well in the future.”

“I am very excited to return to the WNBA, and for the opportunity to join the New York Liberty,” Laimbeer said. “I missed the competitive fire of players like Cappie Pondexter and Plenette Pierson, two hard-nosed competitors for the Liberty. The commitment of our fans and the City will be invaluable in our quest to bring a WNBA championship to New York. After all, that’s really all that counts.”

Laimbeer previously spent eight seasons from 2002-09 as general manager and head coach of the Detroit Shock (now Tulsa Shock), where he earned WNBA Coach of the Year honors in his first full season as head coach (2003). He took over a team that finished 9-23 in the previous year and led them to a league-best 25 wins the following season. The 16-win improvement was the largest in WNBA history. Laimbeer led the Shock to a 137-93 (.596) overall record, including six-straight playoff appearances as the squad won the WNBA Championship in 2003, 2006 and 2008.

A 14-year NBA veteran, Laimbeer was a four-time All-Star for the Detroit Pistons. As a member of the famed “Bad Boys,” Laimbeer totaled 13,790 points and 10,400 rebounds in his career, becoming just the 19th player in NBA history to eclipse 10,000 in both categories. A integral member of back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, he had his jersey No. 40 retired by the franchise in 1995.

Warriors exercise third-year option on Klay Thompson

The Golden State Warriors announced today that the team has exercised the third-year contract option on guard Klay Thompson, which is for the 2013-14 NBA season.

Thompson, 22, appeared in all 66 games last season, averaging 12.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.4 minutes per contest, earning First Team All-Rookie honors. In 29 starts, he averaged 18.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.10 steals in 33.9 minutes. For the season, he led all rookies in three-point percentage (.414, 17th in NBA) and three-point field goals made (111), while ranking second among rookies in free throw percentage (.868) and fourth in scoring (12.5 points).

Under the terms of the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement, the first two years of a first round draft pick’s contract are guaranteed, while the third and fourth year of the contract are the team’s option. Thompson was selected by the Warriors with the eleventh overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Cavaliers sign guard D`Aundray Brown

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard D’Aundray Brown to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Brown, 24, played in 115 games (91 starts) at Cleveland State University, averaging 7.8 points on .487 shooting, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 28.4 minutes per game.

As a senior in 2011-12, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound native of Youngstown, OH, played in 26 games (25 starts) and averaged 10.8 points on .457 shooting to go along with 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.5 steals in 29.7 minutes per game.

Kyrie Irving has his four wisdom teeth removed

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving underwent successful oral surgery to remove his wisdom teeth (four) Wednesday. He will be re-evaluated daily and will return to court activity and play when cleared to do so in relation to his continued recovery process. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson was cleared to resume practice today. Gibson was placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol process on Monday when he reported systems.

Cavaliers forward Luke Harangody continues to progress in the recovery process from his right knee sprain and participated in a partial practice today, while also continuing treatment. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Kyrie Irving has his four wisdom teeth removed

Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson was cleared to resume practice today. Gibson was placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol process on Monday when he reported systems.

Spurs CEO Peter Holt elected Chairman of NBA Board of Governors

NBA Commissioner David Stern today announced that Spurs Sports and Entertainment Chairman and CEO Peter Holt has been elected Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors.

Holt replaces Minnesota Timberwolves majority owner Glen Taylor, who has served as Chairman since October 2008. Holt has been a member of the Board of Governors for 16 years and currently serves on five of the Board’s standing committees, including chairing the Audit & Compensation Committee and the Labor Relations Committee.

“Glen Taylor’s wisdom and counsel over the past four years have been invaluable,” Stern said. “Peter Holt’s extensive Board experience and committee leadership make him an ideal choice to succeed Glen. I thank Glen for his dedicated service and commend the Board of Governors on its laudable selection of Peter as chairman.”

Entering his 17th season as Chairman and CEO of the Spurs, Holt has overseen one of the most successful franchises in team sports. During Holt’s tenure, the Spurs have captured four NBA championships and have won 50-plus games in 14 consecutive seasons dating back to 1999-2000.

Holt spearheaded a successful campaign for a new arena, which opened in 2002, and two new San Antonio-based sports franchises. Thanks in part to the AT&T Center, Spurs Sports and Entertainment runs four professional sports franchises: the Spurs, the WNBA’s Silver Stars, the NBA Development League’s Austin Toros and the American Hockey League’s Rampage.

Additionally, Holt serves as the CEO of San Antonio-based HOLT CAT, the largest Caterpillar dealership in the United States. He was named to the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2004.

Having spent his childhood in both San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Holt served two years in the U.S. Army during which time he earned a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart from his one-year tour of duty in Vietnam.

NBA Board of Governors approves sale of Memphis Grizzlies

The NBA Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of the Memphis Grizzlies to an investor group led by Robert Pera.

“We are delighted that the NBA’s Board of Governors has approved Robert Pera’s purchase of the Grizzlies,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “Robert will no doubt bring great energy and passion to the franchise. He has assembled an ownership group with very strong local ties, and we anticipate that their commitment to the Memphis area will greatly benefit both the team and the community.”

The league’s approval is subject to the final close of the transaction which is expected to take place shortly. Until the transaction closes, all parties to the transaction have agreed to continue to abide by the terms of their confidentiality agreements.

Pera is the founder and CEO of Ubiquiti Networks, a publicly-traded next-generation communications technology company.