Draft lottery disappointment for Knicks

Draft lottery disappointment for Knicks

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on the Knicks, who after Tuesday’s Draft Lottery only came away with the No. 4 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft:

Phil Jackson did not hit the jackpot, and he did not even land the all-important consolation prize.

The pain and embarrassment of the worst season in franchise history did not result in the Knicks winning the lottery for the second time in 30 years on Tuesday night – or even finishing in the top-2 – as the Ping-Pong balls determined they will select fourth overall in the NBA draft on June 25.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, which had a 25 percent chance of winning the lottery as the NBA’s worst record, were awarded the top pick and the right to choose between the consensus top two prizes of the draft class – 19-year-old big men Karl-Anthony Towns of Kentucky and Jahlil Okafor of Duke.

Tyler Ennis undergoes shoulder surgery

Bucks guard Tyler Ennis undergoes shoulder surgery

Tyler Ennis undergoes shoulder surgery

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced that guard Tyler Ennis underwent successful labral repair surgery to his right shoulder today. After consultation with Bucks orthopaedist Dr. Michael Gordon and Dr. David Altcheck from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, the procedure was performed this morning in New York.

Ennis was acquired along with Miles Plumlee and Michael Carter-Williams on Feb. 19 in a three-team deal with Phoenix and Philadelphia. In 25 games (one start) this season for Milwaukee, Ennis averaged 4.0 points, 2.4 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game.

Report: Pelicans interested in Alvin Gentry

Report: Pelicans interested in Alvin Gentry

Here’s the San Francisco Chronicle reporting on the NBA’s coaching scene:

Report: Pelicans interested in Alvin Gentry

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said this month that he didn’t think Warriors associate head coach Alvin Gentry would be in Golden State for very long — a statement that is starting to look pretty prophetic.

New Orleans president Mickey Loomis and general manager Dell Demps met with Gentry on Monday night in San Francisco, according to Yahoo Sports. ESPN reported that the Warriors granted permission for Gentry to interview for head-coaching vacancies between playoff series.

He also has been mentioned as a front-runner for Chicago’s top coaching post, should Tom Thibodeau be fired, and among the candidates for open gigs in Denver and Orlando. Gentry declined comment on the subject.

Marcin Gortat says personal issues distracted him this season

Marcin Gortat says personal issues distracted him this season

Here’s the Washington Post blog reporting on Wizards center Marcin Gortat, who made some partially-revealing comments about his play this season:

marcin gortat was dealing with personal issues

Sometime around the all-star break, the gregarious Marcin Gortat who had captivated the District vanished. After several months of humorous, insightful and candid takes, he politely rushed through interviews if he did them at all. When asked twice over the final weeks of the season to assess his individual campaign, Gortat said he would address his personal situation during his exit interview. That came Monday.

“I would say in the eight years of my career, the eighth year was pretty much the toughest one from a personal standpoint,” said Gortat, who completed the first of a five-year, $60 million contract. “I had some issues during the season and that definitely didn’t help me to focus on basketball. That part is on me, definitely on me. I can’t blame anybody for that. I’m not going to talk about those issues. That’s why we call this personal business.”