August 2013 – Page 21 – NBA Blog

Sixers poised to do big things in 2014 NBA Draft

By setting themselves up to struggle (understatement) in the upcoming season, the Sixers are clearly looking ahead to the 2014 NBA draft, which by all accounts, is going to be one of the strongest in recent memory.

Finishing next season outside of playoff positioning, which is likely the case, will land the Sixers a lottery pick. The draft day deal that sent Jrue Holiday to New Orleans landed them another one – as long as the Pelicans don’t make the playoffs and the pick falls out of the top five.

These picks, along with future free agent acquisitions and a couple of carry-overs from the current roster, most likely rookies Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel, are supposedly going to form the foundation of the franchise going forward.

It sure seems that the 2014 draft, which has become known as the “Andrew Wiggins Sweepstakes” to many, will be very important to the future of the franchise.

Unlike last June’s draft, where the top pick remained unknown until seconds before the selection, Wiggins is already the consensus first-overall selection. His size, athleticism and offensive ability have franchises foaming, as the kid has surefire superstar written all over him.

Reported by Michael Kaskey-Blomain of Philly.com

Atlanta Hawks expected to add DeMarre Carroll

The Hawks waived DeShawn Stevenson Friday, according to a league source, in a move that clears the way for the team to announce the signing DeMarre Carroll. The forward agreed to terms with the nearly almost a month ago. The official signing of Carroll could come within the next day or two.

Carroll agreed to a two-year, $5 million contract on July 5th, the same day the team agreed to a deal with his Jazz teammate Paul Millsap. The delay in signing was for salary cap reasons as the Hawks rebuilt much of their roster this offseason. The Hawks were retaining Bird rights for several of their unrestricted free agents. However, Anthony Tolliver remains the only player that has not signed elsewhere or had his rights renounced.

Carroll, 6-foot-8, was selected in the first round (No. 27 overall) by the Grizzlies in the 2009 NBA draft out of Missouri.

Reported by Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution (Blog)

Hawks hire Jim Thomas as an assistant coach

The Atlanta Hawks have named Jim Thomas as an assistant coach, Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer announced today.

Most recently a college scout for the Oklahoma City Thunder for the last four years, Thomas was previously with the New York Knicks (scout, 2005-07), Indiana University (assistant coach, 2001-04), and Toronto Raptors as an assistant coach (1996-99) and scout (1994-96).

“We’re pleased to add Jim to our coaching staff,” Budenholzer said. “He’s been a part of a number of successful programs, and his coaching and playing experience will blend well with our group.”

Selected in the second round (40th overall) of the 1983 NBA Draft by the Pacers, the 52-year-old Thomas appeared in 161 games over four seasons with Indiana, the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota, averaging 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 20.9 minutes (.471 FG%, .763 FT%). He also spent time playing in the Continental Basketball Association, World Basketball League and with Baloncesto Murcia in Spain.

Thomas played collegiately at Indiana from 1979-83, where he was the starting shooting guard on the Hoosiers’ 1981 National Championship team. He was also a 10th round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 1983 NFL Draft as a defensive back. He grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Sacramento Kings hire Corliss Williamson as an assistant coach

The Sacramento Kings announced today the organization has named Corliss Williamson as an assistant coach, joining Brendan Malone, Dee Brown, Chris Jent, and Micah Nori on Head Coach Michael Malone’s staff.

Williamson, a 12-year NBA veteran, joins the Kings coaching staff after spending the last three seasons as the men’s basketball coach at the University of Central Arkansas. His coaching career includes three years at Arkansas Baptist College, two as an assistant before serving as head coach during the 2009-10 season.

Known as “Big Nasty,” Williamson played two stints with the Kings (1995-96 – 1999-00 and 2004-05 – 2006-07), averaging 10.8 points (.492 FG%, .683 FT%), 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 22.9 minutes per game in 466 career contests in Sacramento. Renowned by teammates, coaches and fans for his gritty style of play, leadership abilities and consummate professionalism, Williamson also remains among the team’s most charitable players in franchise history and the only two-time recipient of the annual Oscar Robertson Triple Double Award bestowed on the Kings player who best exemplifies excellence on and off the court.

Considered one of the greatest players in Arkansas state history, he enjoyed a storied collegiate career at the University of Arkansas, helping guide the Razorbacks to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 1993 and an NCAA Championship a year later—earning Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament honors after leading the school to a 76-72 win over Duke. His stellar play again fueled the Razorbacks to a repeat appearance in the NCAA final in 1995. The following June, Sacramento tabbed Williamson with the 13th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft.

After playing his first five NBA seasons in Sacramento, Williamson was traded by the Kings to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Doug Christie on Sept. 29, 2000. He spent half the season with the Raptors before being dealt to Detroit, where he would ultimately earn a Sixth Man of the Year award (2001-02) and an NBA championship (2004). En route to helping lead the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title, Williamson joined an elite list of players to win both an NCAA title and NBA championship.

Williamson would eventually play two more seasons in a second tenure with the Kings after being traded to Sacramento in 2005. He retired in September of 2007 among the all-time leaders in Sacramento era annals, ranking fourth in games played (466), seventh in field goals made (1,995), eighth in field goals attempted (4,057), ninth in free throws attempted (1,513), and 10th in points (5,026) and minutes (10,671).

Chris Copeland out 6-8 weeks after knee surgery

The Indiana Pacers announced Friday that forward Chris Copeland underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to remove a loose body. The surgery was performed Friday morning at the Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital.

Recovery time is estimated at six to eight weeks and Copeland is expected to be ready for the start of the 2013 training camp.

Stoudemire not returning to Hakeem Olajuwon camp in Houston

The Knicks have decided rest is more important for Amar’e Stoudemire than “The Dream Shake’’ and wisdom of Hakeem Olajuwon.

Stoudemire will not return to the Olajuwon camp in Houston to work on his post moves again this month as had been planned, The Post has learned.

Stoudemire had planned to return to Texas to refine the post moves he learned last summer. That Olajuwon is about to be named to the Rockets staff as instructor for Dwight Howard and Omar Asik is not a factor in Stoudemire not attending.

According to a Rockets source, Houston is allowing Olajuwon to fulfill any of his prior commitments with opposing players this month before he exclusively works with Rockets big men. Hence, Stoudemire might never work with Olajuwon again.

Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post

Derrick Rose expected to suit up Oct. 5 at Indiana

Derrick Rose could suit up Oct. 5 at Indiana

Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose could suit up for the first time in more than a year when the Chicago Bulls visit the Indiana Pacers for the preseason opener on Oct. 5.

The preseason schedule released Thursday also has the Bulls playing Washington in Rio de Janeiro on Oct. 12 and hosting Detroit on Oct. 16. The regular-season schedule comes out Tuesday.

Rose is expected to be ready after sitting out last season while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Reported by the Associated Press

OKC Thunder hire Robert Pack and Mike Terpstra as assistant coaches

The Oklahoma City Thunder has named Robert Pack and Mike Terpstra as assistant coaches, it was announced Wednesday by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. They join Rex Kalamian, Mark Bryant and Brian Keefe on Head Coach Scott Brooks’ bench.

“We’re excited to add Robert and Mike to our coaching staff for the upcoming season,” said Head Coach Scott Brooks. “These additions bring diverse backgrounds to our group that will help the further development of our players.”

Pack joins the Thunder after spending the previous three seasons as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers where he served as the head coach for the Clippers’ entry in the 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Prior to that, he spent one season on the New Orleans Hornets bench.

A 13-year NBA veteran, Pack owns career averages of 8.9 points, 4.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 552 with games with the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, New Jersey Nets and Washington Wizards. He also played one season overseas with BC Kauno Zalgiris in Lithuania.

He enjoyed a standout collegiate career at USC, ranking fourth on the Trojans all-time assists list (319) in just two seasons, while becoming just the fourth player in school history to record back-to-back 100 assist seasons. In two seasons, he averaged 13.4 points and 5.6 assists per game.

Terpstra brings over 20 years of experience to Oklahoma City after working in various capacities at the college, junior college and high school levels, with additional experience in the NBA Development League and the CBA. After spending the 2005-06 season as an assistant coach/director of player development with the Idaho Stampede of the CBA, he spent one season working with the coaching staff of the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League.

Prior to his time with the Stampede and 14ers, Terpstra served as head coach at his alma mater, Northwest Nazarene University, in Nampa, Idaho during the 2004-05 season. He also served as the head coach of California State Stanislaus from 2000-03. During a three-year stint as the head coach of Modesto Junior College from 1997-00, Terpstra compiled a 60-36 record.

Following his college playing career at Northwest Nazarene where he was named team MVP in his junior and senior seasons, Terpstra played professionally in Turkey, England and Australia.

Boston Celtics waive Shavlik Randolph

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have waived forward Shavlik Randolph.

Randolph, a 6’10” forward, played in 16 games for the Celtics during the 2012-13 season averaging 4.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game. He also appeared in one game for the Celtics during the playoffs recording three rebounds in three minutes of action. Randolph recorded a career-high of 16 points against Cleveland on April 5 and tied a career-high with 13 rebounds against Atlanta on March 29.

Toronto Raptors sign Austin Daye

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed free-agent forward Austin Daye.

Daye, 6-foot-11, 200 pounds, has appeared in 237 regular-season games (24 starts) with Detroit and Memphis averaging 5.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 15.4 minutes. He is shooting .356 (152-427) from three-point range. Daye posted career bests of 28 points versus Miami on January 25, 2012 and 11 rebounds at Atlanta on December 26, 2012.

In 55 outings last season, Daye contributed 4.5 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting .418 (41-98) from beyond the arc. He appeared in four postseason contests with the Grizzlies, totaling seven points in 20 minutes.

A first-round pick (15th overall) by Detroit in the 2009 NBA Draft, Daye was dealt by the Pistons to the Grizzlies on January 30, 2013, as part of the three-team deal that brought Rudy Gay to Toronto.

A native of Mission Viejo, California, Daye played two seasons at Gonzaga and was named honorable mention All-West Coast Conference as a freshman and sophomore.