Inside Hoops – Page 1258 – NBA Blog

Bobcats sign forward James Southerland

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has signed free agent forward James Southerland.

The 6-8 Southerland, an undrafted rookie from Syracuse University, posted career-best averages in scoring (13.3 ppg), rebounding (5.2 rpg) and three-point shooting (.398) as a senior in 2012-13. During his four-year career, he averaged 7.9 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting .449 from the field and .370 from three-point range in 112 games.

Southerland tied a Syracuse single-game school record with nine three-pointers as he scored a career-high 35 points at Arkansas on Nov. 30, 2012. Southerland was named to the 2013 Big East All-Tournament Team after setting a tournament record with 17 three-pointers. Additionally, he set a Big East Tournament record for most three-pointers in a game without a miss, going 6-6 on his way to a team-high 20 points against Pittsburgh on March 14, 2013.

This summer, Southerland played for the Philadelphia 76ers entry in the NBA Orlando Summer League as well as the Golden State Warriors entry in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Lakers sign guard Xavier Henry

Xavier Henry

Fighting to stay in the league

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent guard Xavier Henry, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Henry, a three-year NBA veteran, appeared in 50 games (2 starts) last season with the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) averaging 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 12.5 minutes.

An early entry candidate for the 2010 NBA Draft following his freshman season at Kansas, the 6-6 guard was originally selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round (12th overall pick) of the 2010 NBA Draft before being traded to New Orleans in January of 2012.

Henry has career averages of 4.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 133 games (18 starts).

Sacramento Kings hire Chris Mullin as advisor

Chris Mullin

Brings basketball expertise and a strong NY accent

The Sacramento Kings announced today the organization has added Chris Mullin as Advisor to the Chairman, according to Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé.

“Chris Mullin is an incredible addition to our organization,” said Ranadivé. “I have great respect for his accomplishments and understanding of the game. From day one, we have focused on making the Sacramento Kings a first-class franchise built for the 21st Century. Chris brings the experience, knowledge, and influence to help us achieve our ultimate goal—bringing a championship to the fans and city of Sacramento. As we prepare for the new season and a new era in Kings basketball, I’m really excited about the group of visionary leaders we’ve brought together.”

Mullin, 50, will assume a variety of basketball operations responsibilities, advising Ranadivé and General Manager Pete D’Alessandro regarding player transactions and apprising front office and coaching personnel of the team’s collegiate and professional scouting efforts.

“It isn’t everyday that a franchise has the opportunity to add an individual of Chris’ caliber and reputation,” said D’Alessandro. “His passion for the game, unflagging work ethic and will to win, ever-present characteristics which helped define him as one of the NBA’s premier players for nearly 20 years, will have a contagious effect on our entire organization,” said D’Alessandro.

“I couldn’t be more excited about joining the Kings and playing a part in making this team a winner again,” said Mullin. “I’m especially grateful for the unique opportunity to work in close proximity with a world-class ownership group led by Vivek Ranadivé and the talented group of individuals assembled in our front office.”

A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2011), Mullin averaged 18.2 ppg (.509 FG%, .384 3pt %, .865 FT%), 4.1 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.60 spg and 32.6 mpg in 986 career games with the Golden State Warriors (1985-86 – 1996-97 and 2000-01) and Indiana Pacers (1997-98 – 1999-00). He was named an NBA All-Star five times and notched All-NBA First Team honors after posting 25.6 ppg (.524 FG%, .366 3pt%, .833 FT%), 5.6 rpg, 3.6 apg and career-highs of 2.10 spg and 41.3 mpg in 1991-92. Later that same year, Mullin would win his second of two Olympic Gold Medals as a member of the “Dream Team,” finishing third on the roster in scoring (14.3 ppg) behind Charles Barkley and Karl Malone.

Prior to being selected seventh overall in the 1985 NBA Draft out of St. Johns, Mullin earned every All-American accolade in existence as a collegian, including an Olympic gold medal for Team USA at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. He concluded his career for the Red Storm by winning the 1985 John Wooden Award bestowed upon the nation’s most outstanding college player. In 2011, Mullin was elected to the National Collegiate Hall of Fame.

Mullin remained close to the game following his playing career, serving as a special assistant in the Warriors front office before being named Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations in 2004. He would hold the title for five seasons, including one of the most memorable in franchise history as Golden State became only the third eighth-seeded team in league annals to upset a top seed when they defeated Dallas in the First Round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs.

Phoenix Suns training camp will return to Flagstaff, Arizona

The Phoenix Suns make their return to Flagstaff, Arizona for the first time since 2004 when they report for training camp at Northern Arizona University from September 30 through October 5. This year marks the 21st time the City of Flagstaff has hosted the team’s training camp. Phoenix first used Flagstaff as a training camp site in 1986, coincidentally the first training camp as a player for now Suns Head Coach Jeff Hornacek.

“I have great memories of training camps in Flagstaff from my time as a player with the Suns,” said Hornacek. “The Flagstaff community has always been very supportive and I’m looking forward to returning there to get camp started.”

“Northern Arizona University is thrilled for the opportunity to host the Phoenix Suns for their annual training camp,” said NAU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Lisa Campos. “We have a history with the Suns and to bring the team back to Flagstaff and the NAU campus is something we are proud to do.”

The Suns’ week in Flagstaff will culminate with an open to the public scrimmage, starting at noon on Saturday, Oct. 5, at NAU’s J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome. The training camp workout schedule begins at the J.C. Rolle Activity Center on Tuesday, Oct. 1, and continues through the intrasquad scrimmage.

Phoenix opens the preseason schedule at home against Maccabi Bazan Haifa at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, at US Airways Center to tip-off a seven-game exhibition schedule in preparation for the club’s 46th NBA season.

Trail Blazers set tryouts for Idaho Stampede

The Idaho Stampede will hold exclusive player tryouts in advance of the team’s 2013-14 season, the 16th season in the team’s history.

The organization, under direction from the Portland Trail Blazers, the team’s single NBA affiliate, will host the tryouts in Boise on Sept. 21, 2013 at the Ada County Boys and Girls Club (610 E. 42nd Street, Boise, ID 83714) and in Portland on Sept. 28, 2013 at the Trail Blazers Practice Facility (7325 SW Childs Rd., Portland, OR 97224). Both tryouts will start with registration at 9 a.m. and end no later than 12 p.m.

These exclusive tryouts will offer players the opportunity to show their abilities in front of Stampede coaching and scouting staff, along with Trail Blazers personnel, with the chance of an invite to Stampede training camp.

Reported by the Oregonian

Lakers, Clippers may be interested in Lou Amundson

Free agent forward Louis Amundson has sparked interest from several teams, including the Lakers and Clippers, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein.

Bartelstein said in an interview with the Los Angeles Newspaper Group that his client plans to finalize a deal with a team within the week, though he wouldn’t go into exact specifics what role and terms would best suit Amundson.

Amundson had meetings with the Lakers and Clippers and even worked out at the team’s respective facilities in recent weeks, but it remains unclear if he winds up playing in Los Angeles.

Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News (Blog)

Golden State Warriors name Kenny Lauer VP of Digital and Marketing

The Golden State Warriors have named Kenny Lauer as Vice President, Digital and Marketing, it was announced today. Lauer, who has begun his duties in this newly created role this week, will oversee all digital strategies and all day to day management of marketing, game operations, youth basketball camps, and retail. In addition, he will drive all experience and ideation initiatives related to Oracle Arena and future development for the team’s proposed arena in San Francisco on Piers 30-32.

“This appointment will accelerate the integration of digital throughout our entire business operation,” said Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts. “The creation of this new role and hiring of Kenny is an important step in our goal of growing into the most ‘digitally fit’ organization in the sports and entertainment industry.”

Lauer joins the Warriors most recently from George P. Johnson, where he was Vice President, Digital Experience. Lauer ran the worldwide Digital Experience group where he was responsible for the creation and threading of digital experiences in both the live and virtual marketing efforts of some of the largest companies in the world.

“I am honored to join the Golden State Warriors,” said Lauer. “The opportunity to truly revolutionize how our fans experience the Warriors and deeply embed digital strategies into that fan experience has never been greater—both in the mindset of owners, the executive management, and running through everyone that works to support the team. There is no doubt that the engagement of fans, the deepening of brand relationships, and the driving of results is through powerful experiences created and maintained through the blending of our physical-digital realities.”

Lauer’s diverse background includes an array of creative and quantitative roles at agencies and within corporate marketing teams. Lauer started his career at Apple Computer, previously was an enterprise strategic Consultant at KPMG and a CRM strategist at Peppers and Rogers Group where he assisted clients such as Ford, E*Trade, Adobe, Hewlett Packard and SAP build better customer relationships. He also was co-founder, CVP at Top Niche Partners, an online performance marketing agency specializing in helping clients improve the performance of their online properties and marketing programs. Prior to his role at Peppers & Rogers Group, Lauer was the Director of Consulting Services for Prospero Technologies, an interactive technology and services firm where he led Fortune 500 clients through the strategic process of building better relationships through online communities.

A graduate from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Psychology, Lauer is also an active member of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys), Interactive Media Peer Group; an Advisory Board Member to the SXSW Interactive Festival; and was awarded the “Certified Experience Economy Expert” designation from Strategic Horizons.

Pau Gasol arrives in Buenos Aires on behalf of Madrid Olympic Bid committee

Pau Gasol remains an avid traveler and a highly-cultured person, ranging from reading historical novels, making trips to countries in need as a UNICEF ambassador and attending operas. But Gasol’s latest excursion serves a different person.

He landed Wednesday in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he will represent Madrid’s 2020 Olympic bid committee in hopes that his native Spain can host those Summer Games.

Madrid will compete with Tokyo and Istanbul for the 2020 Summer Games. The International Olympic Committee will announce its decision Saturday in Argentina.

Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News (Blog)

David Lighty and Eric Dawson invited to Atlanta Hawks training camp

The Hawks will begin training camp for the 2013-14 season in October. The first preseason game is Oct. 7 at the Heat.

Lighty, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, played collegiately at Ohio State from 2006-11. He most recently played professionally for JSF Nanterre in France’s LNB Pro A League.

Dawson, a 6-9 power forward/center, played collegiately at Midwestern State from 2003-07. He has played professionally with the Spurs on two 10-day contracts in 2012.

Reported by Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution (Blog)

Royce White being investigated for possible domestic violence, reports TMZ

NBA player Royce White — who famously missed his rookie season with the Houston Rockets due to mental health issues — is at the center of a criminal investigation in Texas after allegedly beating up his then-girlfriend … TMZ has learned.

We know … White’s ex-girlfriend Tania Mehra — a Maxim model — filed a police report on August 30 to report an incident that went down at Royce’s Houston-area home back in June.

According to law enforcement, records show someone called 911 on June 22, 2013 to report a laceration above Tania’s right eye. Cops say at the time, Tania claimed she suffered the injury from an “accidental fall.”

Reported by TMZ.com