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Nuggets coaching staff announcement

The Nuggets have announced promotions of assistant coaches Wes Unseld Jr., Micah Nori and Ryan Bowen, and player development coach Ognjen Stojakovic and assistant video coordinator Tommy Massimino Jr.

Also, the team has hired assistant coaches Jordi Fernandez and Chris Finch, player development coach Stephen Graham and head video coordinator Travess Armenta.

Wes Unseld Jr. joined the Nuggets prior to the 2015-16 season after spending the previous two seasons with the Orlando Magic and one with the Golden State Warriors (2011-12). He began his coaching career with the Washington Wizards where he spent 13 seasons (1998 to 2011) in various capacities, the final six as an assistant coach. In his new role, Unseld Jr. will be Michael Malone’s lead assistant on the bench.

Micah Nori also joined Denver’s staff prior to the 2015-16 campaign. He was previously an assistant coach in Sacramento from 2013 to 2015. Before arriving in Sacramento, he spent a total of 15 years with the Toronto Raptors organization, the last four as assistant coach. With this promotion, Nori will move to the front of the Nuggets’ bench.

Ryan Bowen returned to the Nuggets’ coaching staff for the 2015-16 season after also spending two seasons in Sacramento. Bowen was selected by the Nuggets in the second round of the 1998 NBA Draft and spent the first five years of his 10-year playing career as a fan-favorite in Denver. He also spent two years on Denver’s coaching staff from 2011 to 2013 before heading to Sacramento. Bowen will now be the first coach behind the Nuggets bench going into the 2016-17 season.

Ognjen Stojakovic began working with the Nuggets prior to the 2013-14 season, serving as the assistant video coordinator for three seasons. Stojakovic, a native of Belgrade Serbia, has been promoted to player development coach.

Tommy Massimino Jr. came to Denver in the role of video intern for the 2015-16 season after serving as the assistant video coordinator for the University of Iowa Men’s Basketball team in 2014-15. He also spent four years (2009 to 2013) as team manager for the Villanova Wildcats Men’s Basketball team. Massimino has been promoted to assistant video coordinator.

Along with the above promotions, the team has hired Jordi Fernandez as an assistant coach. He comes to Denver after spending six seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers organization, most recently as head coach of their NBA D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge.

The Nuggets have also added Chris Finch as an assistant coach heading into the 2016-17 season. Finch joins Malone’s staff after serving as the head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers from 2009 to 2011 and as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets from 2011 to 2016.

Joining John Beckett and Ognjen Stojakovic in the player development department will be Stephen Graham. Graham enjoyed a long playing career, including six years in the NBA with Cleveland, Houston, Chicago, Portland, Indiana, Charlotte and New Jersey. He also spent one season playing for Fort Wayne of the D-League and finished his career with two seasons overseas. Graham served as an assistant coach for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in 2015-16 before joining the Nuggets staff. Also, his twin brother, Joey, played for the Nuggets during the 2009-10 season.

Additionally, the Nuggets have hired Longmont, CO native Travess Armenta as head video coordinator. Armenta arrives on Denver’s staff after working as the assistant video coordinator for the Sacramento Kings from 2011 to 2016. Armenta played basketball and received his degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

Kings sign Jordan Farmar

Kings sign Jordan Farmar

The Kings today signed free agent guard Jordan Farmar.

Already at the point guard spot for Sacramento are Darren Collison and Ty Lawson, while Isaiah Cousins will also be trying to prove his value, so it’s a crowded situation for Farmar.

Entering his 10th NBA campaign, Farmar has tallied career averages of 7.7 points (.423 FG%, .374 3pt%, .739 FT%), 1.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 19.5 minutes per game in 502 contests. A two-time NBA champion with the L.A. Lakers (2009 and 2010), the 6-2 guard joins the Kings after spending last season with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Memphis Grizzlies, where he posted 9.2 points (.420 FG%, .356 3pt%, 10-10 FT), 2.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 12 games playing for Dave Joerger.

The former Bruin standout and 2005 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year averaged 13.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists in two seasons with UCLA before the Lakers selected him 26th overall in the 2006 NBA Draft.

Pelicans sign Lance Stephenson

Pelicans sign Lance Stephenson

The Pelicans have signed free agent guard Lance Stephenson.

Stephenson, 6-5, 230, spent the 2015-16 season with the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies. In a total of 69 regular season games (13 starts), Stephenson averaged 8.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 19.9 minutes per game. After being acquired by Memphis at the trade deadline, Stephenson appeared in 26 regular season games for the Grizzlies, averaging 14.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists, and 13.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in four post-season games against the San Antonio Spurs.

Selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 40th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Cincinnati, Stephenson has appeared in 340 career regular season games (189 starts) with Indiana, Charlotte, Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis, averaging 8.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 25.1 minutes per game. During the 2013-14 season, Stephenson led the NBA in triple-doubles with five and finished second in the NBA Most Improved Player Award voting.

Suns hire Mehmet Okur and Jason Hervey

Suns hire Mehmet Okur and Jason Hervey

The Suns on Tuesday added Mehmet Okur as a player development coach and Jason Hervey as an advance scout.

Okur, a 2007 NBA All-Star, will specialize in the skills development of the Suns’ post players. A former 10-year pro in the NBA, Okur averaged 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 37.5 percent from three-point territory as a 6-11 forward/center in 634 games with the Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz and New Jersey Nets. Okur played most his career with the Jazz, averaging 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds over seven seasons with the team (2004-11), earning an All-Star nod in 2007 to become the first native of Turkey to be named an NBA All-Star. In Okur’s final season with the Jazz in 2010-11, he was a teammate of Suns Head Coach Earl Watson and they played for current Suns assistant coach Tyrone Corbin.

Originally the 37th overall pick of the 2001 NBA Draft by Detroit, Okur played his first two seasons with the Pistons (2002-04) and was a member of their 2004 NBA Championship team. Since his playing career came to an end, Okur has worked as a team ambassador for Utah where he was a fan favorite nicknamed “The Money Man” for his clutch shooting.

Hervey joins the Suns after spending the past two seasons as an NBA and college personnel scout with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Prior to his time with the Timberwolves, Hervey spent two seasons as director of basketball operations for the Pistons and held positions of advance scout and video coordinator with the Washington Wizards from 2009-12. His NBA career began as the assistant video coordinator for the Pistons from 2005-09.

Mitch McGary gets more suspension time

Mitch McGary gets more suspension time

The NBA announced today that Thunder forward Mitch McGary has been suspended without pay for a minimum of ten games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

His ten-game suspension will begin when he has completed serving his five-game suspension under the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program, which was announced on July 8, 2016.

According to the Vertical, the reason for the 10 games were added to the original five-game suspension is “non-compliance with the league’s drug policy, league sources said.”

According to ESPN.com, “McGary’s contract is guaranteed for next season ($1.52 million), but the Thunder could trade him, or buy him out of his remaining deal.”

Los Angeles D-Fenders name Coby Karl head coach

The Los Angeles D-Fenders on Monday have named Coby Karl as head coach. He replaces Casey Owens, who takes over as an assistant coach and advance scout on the Los Angeles Lakers staff.

“We are excited to welcome Coby back to the D-Fenders family as our new head coach,” Buss said. “His extensive experience as both a player and coach in this league is something we’re very happy to bring to the organization as we look to build on a season of success.”

“It is an honor to be back with the Lakers organization, the team that gave me my first job and allowed me to realize my dream of playing in the NBA,” Karl said. “My goal going forward will be to foster an environment and culture that permits our players and staff to fulfill their dreams. Our pursuit will focus on excellence, both as individuals and as members of the Los Angeles D-Fenders organization.”

Karl returns to the D-Fenders organization after appearing in 17 games for the team during the 2007-08 season while on assignment from the Lakers. On February 19, 2008, Karl became the second player in NBA Development League history to play in an NBADL and NBA game in the same day, following former Lakers guard Jordan Farmar. As a player, Karl saw action with the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors of the NBA, as well as with the D-Fenders, Reno Bighorns, and Idaho Stampede of the NBADL. He most recently served as an assistant coach on the Westchester Knicks staff during the 2015-16 season at the conclusion of his playing career.

Karl, the son of NBA veteran coach George Karl, began his coaching career by spending last season as an assistant coach with the Westchester Knicks. While in the Empire State, he helped the Knicks earn their first playoff berth in franchise history as Westchester improved from 10-40 in 2014-15 to 28-22 during the 2015-16 campaign.

Undrafted in 2007, Karl was invited to participate in training camp with the Lakers, making the Opening Day 15-man roster as a free agent. Karl would go on to play professionally for eight seasons before retiring in 2015.

Along with his domestic experience, Karl also knows the international game, having played professionally in Spain, Italy, and Germany.

Bucks sign Xavier Henry to training camp roster

Bucks sign Xavier Henry to training camp roster

The Bucks on Monday signed free agent guard/forward Xavier Henry to their training camp roster.

Henry, 25, most recently spent time in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, appearing in nine games during the 2014-15 season, averaging 2.2 points in 9.6 minutes per contest. In 2015-16, Henry played in nine games with Santa Cruz of the NBA D-League where he averaged 15.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game.

Originally from Gent, Belgium, the 6-6 guard/forward was drafted out of Kansas by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 12th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and has played in 185 career games (23 starts) over five seasons with Memphis, New Orleans and Los Angeles. He is averaging 5.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game for his career.

Dwight Howard reportedly hospitalized, should be fine

It’s always scary when a health issue causes a hospital visit, but it sounds like Dwight Howard should be absolutely fine. Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting:

Dwight Howard reportedly hospitalized, should be fine

Dwight Howard was taken to a hospital late Sunday night after feeling ill on a plane flight to Atlanta, according to several people familiar with the situation. It is believed that the Hawks center suffered from dehydration. He is being treated and is expected to be released from the hospital early Monday morning.

Howard, 30, has recently been in China on a 10-day promotional tour with shoe manufacturer Peak. Last week, the Chinese company and Howard unveiled his DH2 shoe which features the colors of the Hawks. It also has ‘Be Gr8’ embroidered on the tongue. Howard changed his number to eight after signing with the Hawks this summer and has worn the slogan on apparel.

D-League: Jerry Stackhouse hired as Raptors 905 head coach

D-League: Jerry Stackhouse hired as Raptors 905 head coach

The Raptors have announced that former NBA All-Star Jerry Stackhouse is the new head coach of their NBA D-League affiliate, Raptors 905. Stackhouse served as an assistant coach with the Raptors last season. He replaces Jesse Mermuys, who was named to the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching staff.

“We are very excited to name Jerry Stackhouse our new head coach,” said Raptors 905 General Manager, Dan Tolzman. “The basketball pedigree that he brings to the 905 bench is as good as it gets in the D-League. We believe that his experience as a successful NBA player along with his year spent learning under Coach Casey on the Raptors staff will go a long way in helping teach the young players within our system what it takes to thrive at the next level.”

“I am honoured to have the opportunity and challenge to lead our D-League team,” said Stackhouse. “I appreciate the confidence Masai (Raptors President Masai Ujiri) and Dan have shown in me to continue the development of our younger players.”

Stackhouse played 18 seasons in the NBA, averaging 16.9 points, 3.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 31.2 minutes in 970 regular season games (564 starts). He also appeared in 75 playoffs contests and reached the NBA Finals in 2006 with Dallas.