Author: Inside Hoops

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Assistant coaches for Pacers to be named soon

Rick Carlisle, for the second time in his career, recently became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. And his assistant coaches reportedly may soon be named. Via the Indianapolis Star:

Coach Rick Carlisle should have his staff rounded out within the next week, and there’s a strong chance that Calbert Cheaney will remain with the Indiana Pacers, a league source familiar with the situation told IndyStar.

Last week, IndyStar reported that Charlotte Hornets assistant Ronald Nored is “close” to joining the staff, too.

LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley suspended for shove of Chris Paul

LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley has been suspended one game without pay for an unsportsmanlike act for forcefully pushing Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul from behind and knocking him to the court during a stoppage in play, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Beverley was assessed a technical foul and ejected, occurred with 5:49 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 130-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals on June 30 at Staples Center.

Beverley will be suspended for the first game of the 2021-22 NBA regular season for which he is eligible to play.

Two Knicks rookies added to USA Select Team

Two New York Knicks rookies have been added to the USA Select Team. Via New York Newsday:

Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley, after contributing as Knicks rookies this past season, were named as members of the USA Select Team which will train and scrimmage with the USA National Team in Las Vegas this month…

While Quickley emerged early in the season as a key piece to the team’s turnaround, Toppin, who was selected No. 7 overall, came on late in the season and helped in the postseason. With both joining the Select Team the Knicks are one of four teams with two players included in the mix.

Giannis Antetokounmpo sustains hyperextended left knee, listed as Doubtful to play Game 5 vs. Hawks

There is relatively news from the Milwaukee Bucks on superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Yesterday, he sustained a hyperextended left knee and will be listed as doubtful for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals tomorrow night at Fiserv Forum. The injury occurred in the third period of the Bucks’ Game 4 loss at Atlanta last night.

The injury could have been a lot worse. It was scary to watch.

Antetokounmpo, 26, underwent an MRI and subsequent examination today by team physician Dr. Carole Vetter of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network. The MRI confirmed the earlier diagnosis. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.

In 15 playoff games (all starts), Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.2 points (10th in NBA playoffs), 12.7 rebounds (1st in NBA playoffs) and 5.2 assists (16th in NBA playoffs) in 37.4 minutes per game.

Trail Blazers forward/center Zach Collins undergoes additional ankle surgery

Portland Trail Blazers forward/center Zach Collins underwent a second revision surgery on his left ankle yesterday, to repair a left medial malleolus stress fracture.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Martin J. O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) In New York.

Collins underwent previous ankle surgeries on September 1, 2020, and December 30, 2020.

Per the Oregonian, “Collins has concluded his rookie contract. The Blazers this summer could make Collins a qualifying offer of roughly $7.4 million for next season that would prevent Collins from becoming an unrestricted free agent.”

Collins is out indefinitely.

Dennis Lindsey steps down, will now act as advisor for Jazz

After nine seasons with the Utah Jazz and 25 years in the NBA, Dennis Lindsey has decided to step down yesterday as executive vice president of basketball operations. He will transition into a role as an advisor to the Utah Jazz.

Justin Zanik, who was named general manager in 2019, will continue in his role overseeing the day-to-day management of Jazz basketball operations.

“In recent years, I have had conversations with the Miller family and then Ryan Smith when he came on board about moving into an advisory role,” Lindsey said. “This is an appropriate time to make the transition with the organization on such solid footing. I am proud of the progress we have made in raising our level of competitiveness in the Western Conference. We have built sustaining infrastructure around the team from enhanced performance analytics and upgraded training facilities to the local presence of the Salt Lake City Summer League and Salt Lake City Stars. I greatly value the many individuals that I have worked with and the players who have been a part of the Jazz during my tenure. I look forward to making contributions to the Jazz in a different way, while enjoying more time with my wife Becky and our four children.”

Lindsey came to Utah in 2012 after spending five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and 11 seasons with the Houston Rockets. In Utah, Lindsey assembled teams that reached the Western Conference Semifinals in 2017 and 2021, including drafting Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, adding Jazz standouts Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, and Joe Ingles, and hiring head coach Quin Snyder. This season’s team had three NBA All-Stars, the Defensive Player of the Year and the Sixth Man of the Year. Lindsey finished as the runner-up for the NBA’s Executive of the Year award as the Jazz posted the NBA’s best regular season record.

“Dennis Lindsey has had an incredible impact on the organization, and we are grateful for his dedication to the Utah Jazz,” said Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz. “We look forward to his contributions as an advisor to the Jazz and to Justin Zanik’s ongoing leadership as general manager. As an organization, we are committed to continuing our pursuit of excellence and will relentlessly work to achieve sustainable success and win championships.”

Zanik originally joined the Jazz as assistant general manager in 2013 and held the role for five seasons. He also served as assistant general manager for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016-17 before returning to Utah.

Dallas Mavericks name Nico Harrison new general manager

The Dallas Mavericks have named Nico Harrison as the team’s general manager.

“We are very excited to bring Nico Harrison to Dallas and have him join our organization,” said Mark Cuban. “Nico brings a wealth of basketball knowledge along with both executive and leadership skills. He has proven to have a unique eye for talent on and off the court. I’m looking forward to watching Nico lead the Mavs to new heights.”

Harrison joins the Mavericks after spending the last 19 years at Nike, where he most recently held the title of vice president of North America basketball operations. In his role, Harrison supervised Nike’s basketball brand managers and worked closely with many of the brand’s star players, including Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.

“It’s a true honor to be the general manager of the Mavericks; an iconic franchise with a rich history not only within the NBA, but across sports,” said Harrison. “I’m grateful for this rare opportunity and want to thank Mark and the rest of the organization for putting their trust in me to move the team to the next level.”

Prior to joining Nike in 2002, Harrison played professional basketball in Belgium for over seven years.

Harrison spent his final three college seasons at Montana State University after transferring from Army West Point. He was a three-time, first team All-Big Sky selection and eclipsed 1,000 points in his three years at MSU. As a senior in 1995-96, Harrison led the Bobcats to a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The Spokane, Washington, native was also named an Academic All-American and a two-time winner of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Scholar-Athlete Award during his career at MSU. He was inducted into the Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.

Dallas Mavericks name Jason Kidd new head coach

The Dallas Mavericks have named Jason Kidd the franchise’s 10th head coach.

Kidd, who was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018, begins his third stint in Dallas after spending eight of his 19 seasons as a player with the team and helping the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title.

Kidd joins the Mavericks after most recently serving two seasons as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was part of the franchise’s 2020 NBA championship season.

“We are excited to welcome J-Kidd and his family back to Dallas,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. “He possesses a winning mentality that carried him through a Hall of Fame career as a player and has helped him successfully transition to the NBA’s coaching ranks. We are eager for him to get to work and lead our franchise and talented young players into the future.”

Kidd’s coaching career began in 2013 when he helmed the Brooklyn Nets for one season. He is the third person since the NBA-ABA merger (1976) to become a head coach in the season after he retired as a player. As a rookie head coach, Kidd earned a pair of Eastern Conference Coach of the Month awards (January and March), leading the Nets to 44-38 record and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

On July 1, 2014, Kidd became the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks in a transaction that sent two second round draft picks to Brooklyn (2015, 2019). He became the first coach in NBA history to lead two teams to the postseason in his first two seasons after helping the Bucks to a 41-41 record and improving on their 15-win season from a year earlier. Kidd finished third in NBA Coach of the Year voting following the 2014-15 season.

In three-plus seasons with Milwaukee, Kidd amassed a 139-152 record and appeared in the playoffs twice before parting ways with the franchise midway through the 2017-18 season.

“Dallas has meant so much to me as a player and I want to thank Mark Cuban for the opportunity to return as a head coach,” Kidd said. “I am excited to get to work with this young, hungry and incredibly talented team and to continue to build a winning legacy for the Mavericks organization.”

Kidd was drafted second overall by the Mavericks in 1994 NBA Draft and spent two-and-a-half seasons in Dallas before being traded to Phoenix during the 1996-97 campaign. He shared Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill after averaging 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists in his first season.

Kidd returned to Dallas from New Jersey in an eight-player trade in February 2008. Following the trade, Kidd teamed up with former Mavericks superstar Dirk Nowitzki and together they led the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title, defeating Miami 4-2 to bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy to DFW.

The 10-time NBA All-Star averaged 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.9 steals in 1,391 games (1,350 starts) with Dallas, Phoenix, New Jersey and New York. In 500 games with Dallas (all starts), he averaged 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.4 assists 1.9 steals and 34.6 minutes. Kidd’s 12,091 career assists and 2,684 career steals are the second-most in NBA history behind John Stockton. His 107 career triple-doubles represent the fourth-most in NBA history.

Kidd played two seasons at the University of California. The Oakland, California, native led the Golden Bears to consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament and, as a sophomore, was an All-American and the Pac-10 Player of the Year. He also won two Olympic gold medals as a member of Team USA (2000, 2008).

Trail Blazers name Chauncey Billups new head coach

The Portland Trail Blazers have named Chauncey Billups as the team’s head coach, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. Billups becomes the 15th head coach to lead the Trail Blazers.

“Chauncey is a proven leader with an elite basketball IQ that has won everywhere he has been,” said Olshey. “He is prepared for the challenge of developing the Championship habits and strategic approach we need to achieve the expectations and goals for our franchise.”

Billups joins the Trail Blazers after spending the 2020-21 season as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers. As a part of head coach Tyronn Lue’s staff, Billups helped coach the Clippers to a regular season record of 47-25 (.653) and a playoff run that currently has the Clippers in the Western Conference Finals. Billups is a proven leader, a mentor with the ability to grow and develop players and has a knowledge of the game that is unparalleled.

“I’m very excited and humbled to be the next coach of the Trail Blazers,” said Billups. “Portland is a special place and a unique franchise. As a player I always loved playing here because the passion and knowledge of the fans brought out the very best in me as a competitor. Now I’m looking forward to being on the other side of that energy and engaging with the Portland community on a whole other level.”

“I want to thank Jody Allen, Bert Kolde and Neil Olshey for their trust and for giving me this incredible opportunity,” continued Billups. “And, most importantly, I want to say to the fans that I know what this team means to you, and I promise to pour every ounce into continuing to make you proud of what the Trail Blazers stand for.”

Billups, 44, played 17 seasons in the NBA for Boston, Toronto, Denver, Minnesota, Detroit, New York and the Clippers. In 2004 he was named the NBA Finals MVP after leading Detroit to an NBA Championship. A five-time All-Star, Billups was named All-NBA Second Team in 2006 and All-NBA Third Team in 2007 and 2009. He also received NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2005 and 2006. In addition to his playing accolades, Billups was awarded the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 2008, the NBA Sportsmanship Award in 2009, and the inaugural Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award in 2013. Billups’ No. 1 jersey was retired by the Pistons in 2016. For his career, Billups averaged 15.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 1,043 games.

“Chauncey is a proven and consistent winner with NBA championship experience as an All-NBA player,” said Jody Allen, Portland Trail Blazers Chair. “He has demonstrated throughout his career, first as a player, and currently as an Assistant Coach a unique ability to lead. We are very happy to welcome him to Portland.”

Boston Celtics name Ime Udoka new head coach

The Boston Celtics have named seven-year NBA veteran Ime Udoka the franchise’s next head coach, making him the 18th head coach in the organization’s 75-year history.

“I would like to welcome Ime, Nia, Kez, and Massai to the Boston Celtics. Among the many outstanding qualities that Ime brings to the table are his character, humility, and competitiveness. He has a relentless work ethic and a vast array of experiences as a player and coach,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. “He’s a leader that is warm and demanding, and we are so excited that he has chosen to join us in pursuit of Banner 18.”

Udoka joins the Celtics franchise after spending the last nine NBA seasons as an assistant coach between San Antonio (2012-13 to 2018-19), Philadelphia (2019-20), and Brooklyn (2020-21). Teams that Udoka has served as an assistant coach on have qualified for the playoffs in all nine seasons, with one of those years resulting in an NBA championship (Spurs, 2014).

In addition to his coaching experience in the NBA, Udoka was also an assistant coach for Gregg Popovich and the USA Basketball Men’s National Team in 2018.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the historic Celtics franchise. Coaching this talented roster and working alongside Brad makes it an ideal situation,” said Udoka. “I’d like to thank Wyc, Steve, and Brad for entrusting me with this opportunity. I look forward to getting started right away.”

Udoka played 12 years of professional basketball, including seven seasons in the NBA from 2003-04 to 2010-11. He averaged 5.2 points on 41.7% shooting (35.6% 3-PT), 2.9 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 18.1 minutes in 316 career games with San Antonio, Portland, Sacramento, New York, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Udoka also represented Nigeria in international competition throughout his playing career, earning bronze medals in 2005 and 2011 at the African Championships.

“Ime stands out as a person of integrity, accomplishment, energy, and insight,” said Celtics Co-Owner and Governor Wyc Grousbeck. “He has worked with some of the best and is ready to take the next step forward. I look forward to having him as our head coach.”

“Ime’s passion for basketball and coaching is extraordinary,” said Celtics Co-Owner and Alternate Governor Steve Pagliuca. “He is respected by players and coaches throughout the league for his empathy, humility, and deep knowledge of the game. We are thrilled that he will be coming to Boston to lead our team.”

A native of Portland, OR, Udoka, 43, began his collegiate career at Utah State University Eastern (1995-97) before transferring to the University of San Francisco (1997-98) and finishing up at Portland State (1999-00).