The Golden State Warriors will retire Chris Mullin’s jersey, #17, in a special ceremony on January 20, 2012, when the team plays host to the Indiana Pacers at Oracle Arena, it was announced this evening.  Plans to retire Mullin’s jersey were first made public tonight by Owner Joe Lacob, who broke the news to a crowd of the team’s Season Ticket Holders that were gathered at Oracle Arena for an exclusive Season Ticket Holder event.

“We are looking forward to adding another former Warriors’ icon, Chris Mullin, to our exclusive list of players who have had their number retired,” said Lacob.  “Our history has been dotted with many terrific players who have had an incredible impact on our franchise over the years and Chris certainly falls into this prestigious category.  His contributions to this organization – both on the floor and in the community – are quite impressive and have certainly made him one of the most beloved figures in Bay Area sports history.   His recent Hall of Fame induction solidified his role as one of the greatest players in the history of the game on a global scale and we hope that this deserving honor on January 20th will help ensure that his many outstanding accomplishments are never forgotten here at home.”

Mullin, who spent 13 years of his 16-season NBA career as a member of the Golden State Warriors, will become the sixth player in team history to have his jersey number retired, joining Alvin Attles (#16), Rick Barry (#24), Wilt Chamberlain (#13), Tom Meschery (#14) and Nate Thurmond (#42).  Chamberlain’s jersey was the last to be retired by the organization, as the former Warriors’ great and NBA legend was honored posthumously on December 29, 1999.

The jersey retirement serves as just the latest honor celebrating Mullin’s illustrious NBA career, as the Brooklyn, NY, native was inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 12, 2011.

“This is certainly a tremendous honor and one that I will cherish, especially when you consider the few, elite gentlemen who have preceded me,” said Mullin. “I consider it a huge privilege to join the likes of Al Attles, Rick Barry, Wilt Chamberlain, Tom Meschery and Nate Thurmond and I appreciate the fact that Joe Lacob and the Warriors’ new ownership group have asked me to be a part of this select group.  I look forward to the night and sharing this honor with the great Bay Area fans, who have been so supportive and inspirational to me over the years.  In my mind, this night will be just as much for them as it will be for me and my family.”

Originally selected by the Warriors in the first round of the 1985 NBA Draft (# 7 overall), Mullin spent the first 12 years of his NBA career in Golden State. A five-time NBA All-Star (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993), he averaged a career-high 26.5 points during the 1988-89 season, the first of five consecutive campaigns in which he averaged 25-plus points (a feat matched by only Wilt Chamberlain in franchise history). He currently ranks among the club’s Top-10 all-time leaders in nearly every statistical category, including games played (first at 807), steals (first at 1,360), free throw percentage (second at .862), points (fourth at 16,235), assists (fourth at 3,146) and scoring average (10th at 20.1).

Prior to re-joining the Warriors for his final NBA season in 2000-01, Mullin spent three seasons with Indiana (1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00), helping the Pacers advance to the 2000 NBA Finals.  He concluded his 16-year NBA career boasting career averages of 18.2 points and 4.1 rebounds in 986 games.

Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times blog reports:

He averaged only two points on 48.5% shooting in 5.2 minutes a game his rookie season, and admitted lacking the necessary conditioning and preparation to excel in the NBA. Yet, Lakers backup center Derrick Caracter remains optimistic the Lakers will exercise their $788,872 option to keep him next season.

“I’m pretty confident that they’ll pick it up based on our conversations [in my exit interview],” Caracter said in a phone interview. “If they don’t, I’m still Derrick Caracter and the basketball player I’m trying to be. My goal in trying to get better doesn’t change.”

That’s why Dan Barto, the IMG Basketball Academy’s pro/college training coordinator who has worked with Caracter for the last three summers, views his stint with the Impact Basketball Academy league in Las Vegas as particularly important in showing he can defend, rebound consistently and finish in the post.

Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott has spoken informally to a handful of candidates for the club’s vacant assistant coach job, but no hiring is imminent.

With NBA owners and the players union at loggerheads, the Cavs aren’t rushing to fill the hole created by the departure of Chris Jent, who joined the Ohio State staff.

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reports:

Drug- and pellet gun-possession charges against Charlotte Bobcats forward Dante Cunningham were dropped Tuesday, regarding an April traffic stop in a Philadelphia suburb.

After those charges were withdrawn, Cunningham paid a $225 fine to resolve additional charges of unsafe equipment on his car and a noise violation.

In a brief statement to the Observer on Tuesday, Cunningham’s attorney, Theodore Simon, emphasized the drug and gun charges were “unequivocally withdrawn” and the equipment and noise violations “are not criminal offenses.”

Mike Mattson, a spokesman for the Delaware County district attorney’s office, said the arresting officer and presiding judge signed off on withdrawing the three charges against Cunningham.