Month: October 2012

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

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

Kyrie Irving

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

Kyrie Irving

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.

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.

Dallas Mavericks have indefinitely suspended guard Delonte West

delonte west

Guard Delonte West has personal issues, and once in a while those issues rise up and work against his ability to be a professional member of the NBA world. And, it’s happened again.

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have indefinitely suspended West.

“We have suspended Delonte for conduct detrimental to the team,” President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. “The suspension is effective immediately and no other statements will be issued.”

West has played in all seven games for the Mavericks this preseason and is averaging 5.0 points, 2.0 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game.

According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas, “When reached by ESPNDallas.com on Thursday morning, West said he was being blamed for an argument between teammates after the Mavs’ 88-76 exhibition loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night in Wichita, Kan. He said he got a text Thursday morning telling him not to come to the American Airlines Center for practice. “There was an argument between two teammates in the locker room last night that didn’t involve me,” said West, who had two points, one assist and three turnovers in 21 minutes against the Thunder. “Somehow I’m being blamed for it. I had nothing to do with it. I don’t know what’s going on.”

Sixers exercise 4th-year option on Evan Turner

Evan Turner

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they exercised the fourth-year option on swingman Evan Turner.

Turner (6-7, 220) was originally the second overall pick by the Sixers in the 2010 NBA draft.  As a junior at Ohio State, he became the first Division I player to average at least 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in a single season since Oscar Robertson did so in back-to-back seasons in 1958-59 and 1959-60.

In 143 career games with 34 starts for the Sixers, Turner has averaged 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists.  As a starter last season, he averaged 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists.  Turner led all NBA guards in total rebounds in 2011-12.