Author: Inside Hoops

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Randy Wittman to have back surgery

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced today that head coach Randy Wittman will miss tonight’s game against the L.A. Lakers at Target Center as he prepares for back surgery. Wittman is scheduled to undergo back surgery tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 5). A timetable for his return to the sidelines will be set following the operation. In Wittman’s absence, Wolves assistant coach Jerry Sichting will assume the head coaching duties.

“This is a situation that has been progressively getting worse,” Wittman said. “The doctors said that in order to coach the remainder of the year, that it would be in my best interest to have the back surgery as soon as possible. I wish I could be out there tonight, but I know Jerry and the coaching staff will do a great job.”

76ers finally boot Billy King, hire Ed Stefanski

Years after many expected, the Philadelphia 76ers have finally fired general manager Billy King, and have replaced him with Ed Stefanski, who had been the Nets general manager for the last nine seasons.

King seemed to be content building the 76ers around players that are nice, but not true building blocks. Allen Iverson was never really surrounded with anything close to top talent, and the current Sixers basically have to build around Andre Iguodala, who is a budding star but isn’t expected to ever be a top-tier superstar.

The team is in full rebuild mode — or at least they should be — and Stefanski is a good hire.

Check the regular non-blog portion of InsideHoops.com for more details about this news.

Varjeo signs Bobcats offer sheet

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has extended an offer sheet to restricted free agent Anderson Varejao.

In accordance with the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Varejao’s former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, will have seven days to decide whether to match the offer.

“Anderson has established himself as a very good young player in this league,” said Higgins.  “We look forward to the opportunity to add him to the core of our franchise as we continue to grow and improve.”

Knicks may soon use Jerome James

The New York Post reports: With Eddy Curry turning into a November disappointment on both ends of the court, Knicks coach Isiah Thomas is – believe it or not – eyeing center Jerome James’ return with anticipation.  Though James is at least one month away from returning, The Post has learned he had a heart-to-heart talk with Thomas after James’ foot surgery to remove a cyst-like growth. Thomas told James he is still in Thomas’ plans, and that the coach hopes to go get James into the rotation.

Jerry Sloan signs extension

The Utah Jazz announced today the decision by Jerry Sloan to return as head coach through the 2008-09 season which will mark his 21st season at the helm of the Jazz.

“Jerry has led the Jazz franchise for the past 20 years and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Jazz Owner Larry H. Miller. “He teaches the game the way it ought to be played.”

Sloan has been Utah’s head coach since assuming the reins from former head coach Frank Layden on December 9, 1988. Sloan is the franchise’s winningest coach (953-573) and has the longest active tenure with one team of any coach in major professional sports. With 47 more wins, he will achieve the status as the only coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games with the same franchise.

More info on InsideHoops.com.

No S.Nash for Team Canada

The Associated Press reports: Canada still has a chance to play in the Olympics, but shouldn’t expect any help from Steve Nash. The Phoenix Suns star said Sunday night he probably would not play for the Canadians next summer even if they land a spot in the Beijing Games.

Nash hasn’t played for Team Canada in several years, since becoming a Phoenix Sun.

Bobcats benching Brezec, starting Dudley

The Charlotte Observer reports: Primoz Brezec is out and rookie Jared Dudley is in. Charlotte Bobcats coach Sam Vincent is making that shift in the starting lineup against the Toronto Raptors tonight. It’s a move that makes the Bobcats smaller, but likely better defensively. Vincent confirmed the change at shootaround Monday, saying “when you lose five games, you look at something different.” Brezec, a 7-foot-1 Slovenian and an original Bobcat, has struggled throughout this season.

The Lenovo +/- Stat

NBA News – The Lenovo Stat shows the power of teamwork. It’s a way of showing the best-engineered/best combination of players on the court. The Lenovo Stat is a plus/minus statistic that looks at the point differential when players are both in and out of the game, to see how the team performs with various combinations. The Lenovo Stat can look at a variety of combinations including the best two player, three player and even five player combinations for each game.