Month: August 2015

Miami Heat extend single-affiliation partnership with Sioux Falls Skyforce through 2016-17 season

The Miami HEAT announced today they have extended a single affiliation partnership with the NBA Development League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce through the 2016-17 season. The HEAT will continue to be the only NBA team affiliated with the Skyforce and will continue full control over their basketball operations. Miami is one of 18 NBA teams to have a one-on-one partnership with an NBA D-League team, and one of eight to enter into a “hybrid” affiliation, meaning the HEAT will continue to pay for and control the Skyforce’s basketball operations, while existing local ownership maintains primary responsibility for the team’s off-the-court business operations and community initiatives. When the teams first entered into the new partnership prior to the 2013-14 season, the Skyforce updated their logo to resemble the colors and signature font of the Miami HEAT.

“We have been working with the Skyforce for six years and feel that it is one of the most professional organizations in the NBA Development League,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “We have had a very successful working partnership with them the last two years and have had successful development with current players Tyler Johnson and Hassan Whiteside, and past players Shabazz Napier, Henry Walker, Justin Hamilton and Zoran Dragic.”

The HEAT join the Boston Celtics (Maine Red Claws), Detroit Pistons (Grand Rapids Drive), Houston Rockets (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), Memphis Grizzlies (Iowa Energy), Orlando Magic (Erie BayHawks), Phoenix Suns (Bakersfield Jam) and Sacramento Kings (Reno Bighorns) as NBA teams with “hybrid” NBA D-League affiliations.

Nine other NBA teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers (Canton Charge), Golden State Warriors (Santa Cruz Warriors), Los Angeles Lakers (L.A. D-Fenders), New York Knicks (Westchester Knicks) Oklahoma City Thunder (Oklahoma City Blue), Philadelphia 76ers (Delaware 87ers), San Antonio Spurs (Austin Spurs), Toronto Raptors (Raptors 905) and Utah Jazz (Idaho Stampede) fully own and operate their D-League teams.

“The HEAT have been an amazing partner for the past two years and we’re happy to be affiliated with such a championship level franchise and first class organization,” said Mike Heineman, Skyforce owner/president.

The Sioux Falls Skyforce joined the NBA D-League in 2006 after serving stints with both the International Basketball League (2000-01) and the Continental Basketball Association (1989-00 & 2001-2006). The Skyforce captured two CBA Championships (1996 & 2005) and three CBA division titles as well as making five postseason berths in the NBA D-League. Since the teams entered the hybrid affiliation for the 2013-14 campaign, the Skyforce have made the playoffs both years, including their first Central Division title in the 2014-15 season.

Bucks name Alicia Dupies Vice President of Community Relations

The Milwaukee Bucks today announced Alicia Dupies as the organization’s new Vice President of Community Relations. Dupies brings over 20 years of experience in project development and community affairs to the Bucks staff, where she will also serve as the managing director of the new Bucks Foundation, which will be launched later this fall.

“From the day we came on board our ownership group has been committed not just to putting a championship-caliber team on the court, but to assembling a world-class staff that is committed to Milwaukee and will make a difference in our community,” Bucks president Peter Feigin said. “Alicia is uniquely qualified to lead the charge as we work to revitalize downtown Milwaukee and further engrain the Bucks within this vibrant community. We’re so thrilled to welcome her to our talented leadership group.”

Rookie Stanley Johnson wants big things for Pistons

Here’s the Detroit Free Press reporting on the Pistons, who welcome a talented, confident rookie into their mix this upcoming season:

Rookie Stanley Johnson wants big things for Pistons

The Pistons know Stan Van Gundy’s track record.

Second-year point guard Spencer Dinwiddie knew that his head coach hadn’t missed the playoffs until last year when the team finished out of the hunt.

They are young, confident and expect to not only just make the playoffs, but contend for NBA titles in the near future.

“We just don’t want to get in as the eighth-seed,’’ said rookie forward Stanley Johnson. “We’re trying to put our efforts forth to win a championship every year that we’re here. I think any guy that’s interested in winning would want to be here. I think we’re a team of substance instead of flash. As long as we’re doing our job every day I think our fans will come and we have to focus on basketball instead of selling tickets.’’

Cavs to sign Sasha Kaun

This has been expected due to earlier reports, but now it’s happening. Here’s the Akron Beacon Journal reporting some Cavs bench-related news:

The Cavaliers have agreed to a two-year contract with center Sasha Kaun, a league source confirmed. He will serve as a backup in a deep frontcourt.

Kaun, 30, was a 2008 second-round pick, but has spent his career overseas. He averaged 9.9 points and 4.5 rebounds last season for CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague.

Pacers want a new training facility

Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting on the Indiana Pacers, who finished last season with a 38-44 record. The team is currently built around George Hill, Rodney Stuckey, new addition Monta Ellis, with star Paul George returning from injury. Also, Jordan Hill is on board, and the team welcomes rookie Myles Turner into the mix. And as for where they hope to practice:

Pacers Sports & Entertainment is asking the city’s Capital Improvement Board to let it build a new training facility with offices and a major tenant on a sliver of land across the street from Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The parent of the Indiana Pacers uses that land just east of the fieldhouse for employee parking. If the CIB revises the current lease agreement and approves a new use for the land, Pacers Sports & Entertainment would build the facility with private financing, according to a statement released Friday evening by David Benner, director of media relations for the Pacers.

At the conclusion of the agreement, the Pacers would give the facility to the CIB, according to the statement.

Heat sign Corey Hawkins

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed guard Corey Hawkins.

Hawkins, who played three seasons at University of California, Davis after transferring from Arizona State University, appeared in 86 games (84 starts) for the Aggies and averaged 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.45 steals while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from three-point range and 80.4 percent from the foul line.

Last season, he became the first UC Davis player to be named Big West Player of the Year, averaging 20.9 points per game and was the conference’s scoring champion for the second time in three seasons. Ranking No. 1 in the NCAA in three-point field goal percentage (.488) and seventh in points per game, he helped lead the Aggies to its first Big West regular season title. He ranks second on the UC Davis career scoring list with 1,623 points in just three seasons.

Some Pistons players will train with UFC fighters

Here’s the Detroit Free Press reporting on the Pistons, who will soon reportedly get tougher and meaner:

A contingent of Detroit Pistons will travel to Las Vegas on Aug. 31, but it won’t be fun and games.

Members of the team are going to train with some UFC trainers. It’s a team bonding event put together by the players with Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond being the leaders.

Two weeks ago, some UFC fighters came to the team’s practice facility to cross train with the Pistons. Now the players are returning the favor, but will be working with the UFC trainers and coaches.

The players will be in Vegas for about a week.

Spencer Dinwiddie didn’t know who all would be attending, but he’ll be one of them.