August 2017 – Page 7 – NBA Blog

Detroit Pistons promote Charlie Metzger

The Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) announced today that Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Charlie Metzger has been promoted to a newly created position of Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer.

Metzger will report directly to Vice Chairman Arn Tellem and oversee all sales and marketing business operations for the company. Metzger joined the organization in 2012 after successfully leading teams, building brands and driving revenue across a wide array of industries.

“Charlie has served as an invaluable member of our executive team over the last five years, leading marketing efforts to increase brand presence and drive revenue,” said Tellem. “In the last year alone, Charlie has increased his role to include cultivating corporate partnerships and propelling new consumer sales strategies. His unifying and innovative spirit will provide steady leadership and vision as we push to reach new heights as an organization.”

Mavericks sign guard P.J. Dozier

The Dallas Mavericks have signed free agent guard P.J. Dozier.

Dozier (6-6, 205) recently competed for the Los Angeles Lakers’ summer league team in Las Vegas this past July. In two games, he averaged 1.0 point, 1.5 rebounds and 5.0 minutes per game.

A native of Columbia, S.C., Dozier went undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft after two seasons at the University of South Carolina. As a sophomore in 2016-17, he averaged 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, a team-high 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals and 28.7 minutes per game in 36 games.

During the 2017 NCAA Tournament, Dozier averaged 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while helping the Gamecocks clinch their first-ever berth in the Final Four. He was named to the 2017 East Regional All-Tournament Team.

Knicks sign rookie Damyean Dotson

The New York Knicks signed rookie guard Damyean Dotson today.

Dotson, 6-6, 205-pounds, was selected by New York in the second round, with the 44th overall pick, of the 2017 NBA Draft out of the University of Houston.

The Houston, TX-native played two seasons at the University of Oregon (2012-13 through 2013-14) before finishing his collegiate career with the Cougars (2015-16 through 2016-17). As a senior, he averaged 17.4 points and 6.9 rebounds in 32 games, earning All-AAC First Team honors.

As a member of the Knicks’ entry in summer league this month in Orlando, Dotson averaged 12.8 points and 5.0 rebounds in five starts.

Knicks re-sign Ron Baker

The New York Knicks re-signed guard Ron Baker today.

Baker, 6-4, 220-pounds, averaged 4.1 points, 2.1 assists and 1.9 rebounds over 16.5 minutes in 52 games (13 starts) during his rookie season with New York, while also appearing in four games for the NBA G League’s Westchester Knicks, with averages of 12.5 points, 7.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds over 36.1 minutes. The Hays, KS native was originally signed on Aug. 1, 2016 as an undrafted rookie from Wichita State University.

Clippers center Willie Reed arrested

Here’s the LA Times reporting on newly-signed backup Clippers center Willie Reed, who has been arrested:

Newly signed Clippers center Willie Reed was arrested early Sunday morning in Miami on suspicion of domestic violence.

Reed, 27, was jailed by police for misdemeanor battery in downtown Miami at a condominium complex, according to Miami-Dade jail records…

Reed’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, added that, “Willie will continue to cooperate with the authorities, the Clippers, and with the league so that they have all of the facts regarding this misdemeanor allegation.”

Isaiah Thomas aiming for max contract next summer

The 53-win Boston Celtics got 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game from 5-9 All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas last season. A big payday is likely looming next summer. Here’s the Boston Herald reporting:

Thomas’ health is of the utmost importance as the Celtics try to ascend the next step up the NBA hierarchy, and he personally looks to climb on the pay scale. He has one year remaining on his contract. He hasn’t been shy about his desire to land a max contract next summer.

Team goals and winning a title come first, but Thomas still expects a big payday. The two may come hand in hand.

“Very confident,” Thomas said when asked how confident he is that he’ll get that max deal. “I deserve it. I put the work in, and you can put me down against any guard in the NBA. . . . My numbers are up there with the best players in the world, and my team is winning. So, I mean, you have to reward that.

“I’m just going to keep working though. My time is gonna come. I have a lot of faith in God, and I just have to keep working to get better.”

Charles Oakley banned from MSG for one year

Here’s the NY Post reporting the latest news on Charles Oakley, whose run-in last season with security at MSG has finally come to resolution. Maybe.

Well, it certainly doesn’t sound like Charles Oakley is crushed by his one-year ban from Madison Square Garden.

“I want to thank all my fans around the world. The case is over now that was the hard part. The easy part is stayin away from the Garden OAK,” the former Knicks All-Star power forward tweeted on his personal account Sunday.

As a result of his February brawl in the stands with MSG security, Oakley accepted a deal Friday that includes a one-year banishment from the arena, where he once labored for 10 seasons as a Knick.

Nets sign Milton Doyle and Jeremy Senglin

The Brooklyn Nets have signed guards Milton Doyle and Jeremy Senglin.

Doyle and Senglin were both members of Brooklyn’s 2017 NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas.

Doyle (6’4”, 180) joins the Nets after a four-year career (2013-17) at Loyola University Chicago. In 121 career games (98 starts), Doyle recorded averages of 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 30.4 minutes per contest. He became the first player in program history to earn All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team honors after averaging 15.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 32.6 minutes per game during his senior season, while scoring in double figures in all but one of his 32 games. The Chicago native also earned Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer and Freshman of the Year awards during his collegiate career and ended his tenure ranked eighth in school history in points (1,606) and fifth in assists (459).

Senglin (6’2”, 190), a native of Arlington, Texas, played four collegiate seasons (2013-17) for Weber State. In 124 career games (123 starts), he averaged 16.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 33.7 minutes per contest. He concluded his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer (2,078 points), as well as finishing second in career field goals made (665), third in assists (343), fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (.422) and eighth in steals (110). Senglin, who twice earned Big Sky All-Conference honors, scored in double figures in 104 of his 124 career games.

Lakers sign Vander Blue

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Vander Blue.

Blue most recently competed for the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League, where he averaged 24.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals last season before being named 2017 NBA G League Most Valuable Player. He has averaged 23.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists through four seasons in the G League and stands as South Bay’s all-time leader in points, field goals made and free throws made.

The 6-foot-5 guard was a member of the Lakers’ entry in the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League, where he contributed 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists as Los Angeles won their first summer league championship.

Undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft, Blue averaged 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game in three seasons at Marquette before winning All-AAC Second Team honors in 2013.

Lawrence Frank takes over Clippers basketball operations

The L.A. Clippers announced today that they are creating separate roles for coaching leadership and basketball operations leadership. The team says the change stems from discussions between team owner Steve Ballmer and Doc Rivers.

Doc Rivers will continue to serve as the team’s head coach, while Lawrence Frank takes over responsibility for basketball operations. Frank and Rivers will be peers in the Clippers’ structure, each reporting directly to owner Steve Ballmer. Doc and Lawrence will work closely together to lead the Clippers towards its goal of an NBA championship.

In announcing the shift, Ballmer noted: “Doc knows how to win championships. That is what we prioritize, and that is what Doc will focus on. He is key to integrating our new players with our returning players and taking us to new heights on the court.” He added: “Lawrence is someone I learn from every single time I hear him talk. He gets recruiting, talent development and identification, salary cap strategy – he gets it all. I know the team will be well positioned with him leading the front office. It is great to have two independent voices — and two of the League’s absolute professionals — working in partnership for our team. With these two guys at the helm, we will have great success.”

Rivers remarked: “I am committed to the Clippers success and am excited to focus on the coaching side as two thirds of our roster will be new this year. This is a change I discussed with Steve since my bet last year on Lawrence Frank has worked out so well.”

Frank commented that: “After a year in the organization’s front office, I am excited to continue to invest in our front office and I look forward to the opportunity. Steve has charged us with taking the Clippers to the next level, and together with Doc we will do just that.”