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Orlando Magic hire Arnie Kander as vice president of player performance and wellness

The Orlando Magic have named Arnie Kander as vice president of player performance and wellness, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Kander, who brings more than 24 seasons of NBA experience, will be responsible for overseeing the Magic’s high performance staff, including the management of athletic training services, injury reduction and rehabilitation programming, strength and conditioning, sports science and recovery, and player nutrition.

“We are thrilled to welcome Arnie (Kander) to the Magic family,” said Weltman. “Over his career, Arnie has helped define the space of player performance. His experience and expertise will be invaluable as we train and care for our players. We look forward to him leading our performance team.”

An innovator in the fields of injury prevention, sports rehabilitation and physical conditioning, Kander is renowned in the professional sports world for his unique methods of application. He has designed recovery and workout programs that have proven to be successful.

Kander spent 23 seasons with the Detroit Pistons, originally joining the team during the spring of 1992, when he became the team’s first strength and conditioning coach. His duties in Detroit included the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries, as well as the design and implementation of specific programs that are aimed at enhancing individual players’ flexibility, strength and aerobic conditioning.

Kander also spent the 2015-16 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves as vice president of sports performance. Following his stint with Minnesota, Kander consulted with the Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers, while also working individually with a host of NBA players.

Ties broken for order of selection in 2023 NBA Draft

Six ties among teams with identical regular-season records were broken today through random drawings to determine the order of selection for NBA Draft 2023.

The drawings were conducted by NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars at the NBA office in Secaucus, New Jersey. The tiebreaker process was overseen by Marie Dhimmar, a partner from the accounting firm of Ernst & Young.

The results of the drawings:

The Houston Rockets (22-60) won a tiebreaker with the San Antonio Spurs.
The Indiana Pacers (35-47) won a tiebreaker with the Washington Wizards.
The Chicago Bulls (40-42) won a tiebreaker with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Miami Heat (44-38) won a tiebreaker with the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers. Second and third place in the tiebreaker drawings went to Golden State and the LA Clippers, respectively.
The Phoenix Suns (45-37) won a tiebreaker with the Brooklyn Nets.
The Memphis Grizzlies (51-31) won a tiebreaker with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. wins 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. was named the 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, the NBA announced today.

This marks the first NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for Jackson Jr., who becomes the second player in franchise history to receive the honor (Marc Gasol in 2012-13). Jackson Jr. is the second-youngest player in NBA history (Dwight Howard) to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and becomes one of four 23-year-olds to win the award (Kawhi Leonard in 2014-15; Howard in 2007-08; Alvin Robertson in 1985-86).

The 6-foot-11 Jackson Jr., whose defense helped propel the Grizzlies to a 51-31 record (second in the Western Conference) and the team’s second straight Southwest Division championship, received 391 points (56 first-place votes) from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

Jackson Jr. led the NBA in blocks per game (3.0) and block percentage (9.6) for the second consecutive season and tied for second in total blocks (189). He surpassed his own single-season franchise records in all three categories while also establishing career bests with 18.6 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Behind Jackson Jr., Memphis led the Western Conference and ranked third in the NBA in defensive rating (110.7) and held opponents to the lowest field goal percentage (45.3%) and largest field goal percentage difference (-2.2%). Individually, when serving as the primary defender, Jackson Jr. led the NBA in field goal percentage allowed at the rim (46.9% on 454 contests) with a minimum of 20 shots defended.

Jackson Jr. also averaged 1.0 steals per game and led the NBA in combined steals and blocks per game (career-high and franchise-record 4.0). He became one of four players since the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award was instituted in the 1982-83 season to lead his team to a Top 5 defensive rating while also averaging at least 1.0 steals and 3.0 blocks, joining Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Ben Wallace.

The five-year NBA veteran was named to the 2021-22 NBA All-Defensive First Team last season. He was selected by Memphis with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft following his freshman year at Michigan State University, where he won the 2017-18 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez (309 points, 31 first-place votes) and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley (101 points, eight first-place votes) finished second and third in the voting, respectively.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero had an outstanding rookie season

Via the Orlando Sentinel:

As the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero faced a plethora of expectations — internally and externally.

He met his own exceptions as a rookie while exceeding others.

“I wouldn’t say I exceeded them but I definitely met them,” Banchero said. “I did everything I wanted to do in my first year. It’s definitely time to take it to another level this next year. That’s what I’m excited about.”

While shifting his focus to his offseason work, Banchero also took time to reflect on the season that led to him being the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year.

With averages of 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, he became the 12th rookie in the league’s history to average at least 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for a season.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo dealing with a back contusion

Via the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

It might not have appeared that way Sunday, but the Milwaukee Bucks have already shown this season they can have their way with the Miami Heat even when Giannis Antetokounmpo is not fully healthy.

That is especially meaningful at the moment with the Bucks All-Star forward dealing with a back contusion and Milwaukee down 1-0 to Heat in this best-of-seven Eastern Conference opening round NBA playoff series that continues Wednesday at 9 p.m. at Fiserv Forum.

On March 24, despite Antetokounmpo being lost 6:28 into the game due to a knee injury, the Bucks throttled the Heat 128-99.

List of referees working first round of 2023 NBA Playoffs

The NBA recently announced the list of 36 officials who have earned spots to work the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

The same group also comprised the officiating staff for the 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament.

“Qualifying for the postseason is the goal of NBA coaches and players, and the same is true for our NBA officials,” said Byron Spruell, NBA President, League Operations. “Congratulations to this group of 36 officials on their on-court achievements and selection to work the 2023 NBA Playoffs.”

Below is the list of officials for the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs:

Ray Acosta, Brent Barnaky, Curtis Blair, Tony Brothers, Nick Buchert, Sean Corbin, Kevin Cutler, Eric Dalen, Marc Davis, JB DeRosa, Mitchell Ervin, Tyler Ford, Brian Forte, Scott Foster, Pat Fraher, Jacyn Goble, John Goble, David Guthrie, Bill Kennedy, Courtney Kirkland, Karl Lane, Eric Lewis, Mark Lindsay, Tre Maddox, Ed Malloy, Rodney Mott, Gediminas Petraitis, Kevin Scott, Aaron Smith, Michael Smith, Ben Taylor, Josh Tiven, Justin Van Duyne, James Williams, Sean Wright and Zach Zarba.

Ray Acosta and Aaron Smith are making their debut as members of the playoff staff.

The following officials are alternates for the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs:

Lauren Holtkamp, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago, Dedric Taylor and Scott Twardoski.

Miles Bridges suspended 30 games by the NBA

PER THE NBA:

The NBA announced today that Miles Bridges has been suspended for 30 games without pay as a result of a domestic violence incident involving the mother of his children.

The incident occurred on June 27, 2022, in Los Angeles, after which Mr. Bridges was arrested and charged with multiple offenses. On November 3, 2022, Mr. Bridges entered a plea of no contest to a felony domestic violence charge and the remaining counts against him were dismissed.

The NBA conducted its own investigation into this matter, reviewing all available materials and interviewing numerous third-party witnesses, as well as the parties involved. The NBA also consulted with a group of domestic violence experts who provide the league with guidance in such cases. The 30-game suspension is based on all facts and circumstances of this matter and considers the conduct and its result, as well as the outcome of the criminal matter, among other factors.

Following his arrest and plea, Mr. Bridges did not sign an NBA contract for the 2022-23 season, missing all 82 games. In recognition of that outcome, the NBA has deemed 20 games of the suspension to have been already served. If Mr. Bridges signs an NBA contract, he will be required to miss the first 10 games for which he is otherwise eligible and able to play.

Orlando Magic relocating their G League team to Kissimmee, rebranding them as the Osceola Magic

The Orlando Magic will relocate its NBA G League affiliate to Kissimmee, FL, and it will be rebranded as the Osceola Magic. Their new home will be in Osceola Heritage Park, beginning play at Silver Spurs Arena in November 2023, CEO and Managing Partner Alex Martins announced today.

“We are excited to bring the Magic and NBA G League basketball to Osceola County, Kissimmee and Osceola Heritage Park,” said Martins. “We would like to thank Osceola County Chairwoman Viviana Janer, County Manager Don Fisher and Osceola Heritage Park General Manager Robb Larson in assisting us in making this move a reality. We look forward to being an invested community partner in Kissimmee and Osceola County.”

“Osceola County’s strategic planning continues to attract top tier organizations that share in our vision for the community,” said Janer. “We are honored to have the Osceola Magic make their new home at OHP. When it comes to sports and entertainment, we already host many premium events and organizations. Today, I’m proud that the Orlando Magic organization is joining the list of marquee partners that call Osceola County and Osceola Heritage Park their home. We look forward to cheering on our new team and welcoming fans from all over to experience the magic of Osceola County.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome the Osceola Magic to our community and to Osceola Heritage Park,” said Larson. “This partnership will not only bring exciting professional basketball games to Osceola County, but also provide opportunities to local businesses and tourism. We look forward to working closely with the team to create a memorable experience for fans and players alike.”