Inside Hoops – Page 798 – NBA Blog

Nets reassign GM Billy King, and fire coach Lionel Hollins

Nets reassign GM Billy King, and fired coach Lionel Hollins

A highly disappointing season has prompted a major shakeup in Brooklyn, New York.

The Brooklyn Nets today reassigned General Manager Billy King within the organization and have parted ways with Head Coach Lionel Hollins.

For the remainder of this season, Assistant Coach Tony Brown will serve as interim head coach. The GM position will remain open until a replacement is named.

“After careful consideration, I’ve concluded that it’s time for a fresh start and a new vision for the direction of the team,” said Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov. “By making this decision now, it enables our organization to use the rest of the season to diligently evaluate candidates with proven track records. It’s clear from our current state of affairs that we need new leadership. With the right basketball management and coach in place, we are going to create a winning culture and identity and give Brooklyn a team that it can be proud of and enjoy watching. We have learned a great deal during the past six years and our experiences will guide us for the future. Following the consolidation of team ownership last month, I can assure you that I’m more determined and committed than ever to build a winner.”

“I want to thank Billy for his hard work in the development of the Nets. At every step of the way, he has been aggressive in his quest to build a winning team and has been a key factor toward the Nets making the playoffs for each of the last three seasons. Beyond this, he has been a tremendous friend, wonderful colleague, and loyal partner and we wish him success in the future. I also want to thank Lionel for his efforts and dedication on behalf of the Nets franchise. To our fans, I thank you for your continued enthusiasm and support and please know that brighter days are ahead. I’m excited to begin the process of choosing the best GM and head coach available.”

King was named as the Nets’ GM on July 14, 2010, and was in his sixth season in that role. During his one and a half seasons as Nets coach, Hollins had a regular season record of 48-71 and guided the team to the first round of the NBA Playoffs last season.

The Nets (10-27) have the third worst record in the NBA this season, ahead of the Lakers (8-30) and Sixers (4-35).

According to MassLive, “The Celtics own Brooklyn’s unprotected first-round picks this summer and in 2018, plus the right to swap first-round choices in 2017. That major debt and a current lack of talent make the Nets, possibly, one of the league’s most hopeless teams. They will have cap space this summer, but, with the salary cap booming, so will most of the league. Their roster isn’t just bereft of quality, but also trade chips.”

Avery Bradley set to return for Celtics

Celtics guard Avery Bradley (14.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg this season) is set to return for tomorrow’s game in Memphis against the Grizzlies. Here’s the Boston Herald reporting:

The Celtic offense has struggled of late, and Bradley believes the attack has tended too much toward individualism. He has the solution: “Just moving the ball; that’s the most important thing. You know, it’s not a bad thing, because we all want to win, but I feel like at times everybody wants to win the game so bad that they try to take the game over, take 3’s and taking shots that we can get at any time. It’s hard to figure that out sometimes when you’re a younger team or when things aren’t going well. Sometimes you play individual basketball. We need to play team basketball in order to be successful.”

C.J. Miles having good season for Pacers

The Indiana Pacers (21-15) are led by Pau George’s 24.3 ppg this season, but another key reason for their success is the play of C.J. Miles, who in 26.8 minutes per game is putting up 13.9 ppg and doing more than his stats suggest. Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting:

All NBA teams could use someone like Miles. More than a “glue guy,” a term tossed around to describe a significant yet sometimes skillfully challenged player who does the little things to help a team be successful. Miles has the talent to hit 8-of-9 3-point attempts and score 32 points (see: Nov. 24, Washington) but also the selflessness to accept any task thrown at him.

“He’s a team-first guy and willing to do whatever the team needs to win,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “He just smiles and says whatever you need me to do and says I’ll figure it out when I’m out there, whether it’s (playing the) 4, 3, 2, off the bench, starting.

“Every coach needs guys like that.”

Miles willingly morphs into a basketball shapeshifter because he’s done so all this life.

Brad Stevens back after visiting Andrew Smith

Here’s ESPN Boston reporting on Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who paid a personal visit to a former player who is dealing with serious health issues:

Celtics coach Brad Stevens rejoined the team before its flight to Memphis on Saturday and led an afternoon practice at the University of Memphis.

Stevens traveled to Indiana on Thursday to visit with Andrew Smith, one of his former Butler players, who is battling cancer. Stevens missed the team’s loss to the Bulls.

Stevens told reporters in Memphis that the past few days have been, “Very challenging, certainly puts things in a lot of perspective.”

Joakim Noah should return soon for Bulls

The Chicago Bulls (22-13) are getting 22.0 ppg from Jimmy Butler, 16.7 ppg from Pau Gasol, 14.6 ppg from Derrick Rose, and 10.6 ppg from Nikola Mirotic. Center Joakim Noah, in 22.3 minutes per game this season, is scoring just 4.5 ppg but also contributing an impressive 8.8 rpg, 3.8 apg and 1.1 bpg. Here’s a health update from the Chicago Sun-Times:

Sunday’s scheduled Bulls practice just took on a bit more meaning.

According to Fred Hoiberg, if Joakim Noah and his injured left shoulder can make it through an entire practice without a setback – including taking physical contact – the big man will likely be back in the rotation on Monday when Washington comes to town.

“He’s doing some activity [back in Chicago],’’ Hoiberg said of Noah on Saturday. “We’ll get him to do some live stuff [Sunday], and then hopefully he’ll get through a full practice. That’s the biggest thing right now is just getting through a live practice, which we have not done yet.’’

Marc Gasol needs to step up for Grizzlies

Here’s the Memphis Commercial Appeal reporting on Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, who has taken a step back in the effectiveness department this season:

First play of the game against the Denver Nuggets. Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger draws up a play to get Marc Gasol a bucket inside. It works, beautifully. Gasol gets the ball under the hoop. And without hesitation, Gasol zips a pass to Jeff Green, standing beyond the 3-point line. Green misses the jumper. Grizzlies fans everywhere want to scream.

Why didn’t Gasol just take the bleeping shot?

What exactly is running through the man’s head?

Didn’t he just say that he was going to “break plays and take it to the hole?”

And, finally: What is wrong with Marc?

As the Grizzlies prepare to take on the Boston Celtics at FedExForum, that last one is the question of the day. Nearly twelve months after being named a first-team All-Star, and nearly six months after signing his new $113 million deal, Gasol is struggling to emerge from a funk.

His scoring (17.4 points to 15.9), shooting percentage (.494 to .450) and rebounding (7.8 to 7.3) are all down from a year ago. In his last four games, Gasol has made just 18 of 60 shots (30 percent). And while Gasol finally mustered the aggressiveness to take 17 shots Friday night against the Nuggets, he made just five.

Grizzlies medical updates on Jordan Adams and Jarell Martin

The Memphis Grizzlies today announced medical updates for guard Jordan Adams and forward Jarell Martin.

Adams (6-5, 209) will undergo a surgical procedure on his right knee on Tuesday, January 12 at the Campbell Clinic, which will be performed by team physician Dr. Fred Azar and Dr. Robert Miller. There currently is no timetable for his return. The 21-year-old holds career averages of 3.2 points and 0.9 rebounds in 8.2 minutes in 32 games (zero starts) since he was selected by Memphis in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at UCLA. The Atlanta native has appeared in two games this season.

Martin (6-10, 239) sustained a bone bruise in his left foot while playing for the Grizzlies’ D-League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, and will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days. The injury is unrelated to his previous foot injury. Selected by Memphis in the first round (25th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft after his sophomore season at Louisiana State University, the 21-year-old Baton Rouge native has played two games for the Grizzlies and four games for the Energy during his rookie season.

Suns sign Lorenzo Brown to a 10-day contract

The Phoenix Suns announced today they have signed guard Lorenzo Brown to a 10-day contract. The sixth “Call-Up” in the NBA this season, Brown has averaged 16.4 points, 6.1 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 16 games with the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League.

A 6-5, 189-pound guard, Brown is a two-year NBA player who has appeared in 55 total games with Philadelphia in 2013-14 and Minnesota in 2014-15. Originally selected with the 52nd overall pick by Minnesota in the 2013 NBA Draft, Brown played in 29 games (seven starts) with the Timberwolves last season seeing action in each of their final 22 games. Brown has four career double-digit scoring games, including a career-high 13 points in his most recent NBA appearance on April 15 of last season against Oklahoma City.

With Grand Rapids this season, Brown ranks sixth in the D-League with 6.1 assists per game and ninth with 1.9 steals per game, in addition to averaging 16.4 points on 47.8 percent shooting from the field and 87.7 percent from the free throw line. In 2014-15, Brown was named an NBA D-League All-Star as he averaged 16.8 points and 3.9 assists in 19 games with the Drive prior to signing with the Timberwolves. As a rookie in 2013-14, Brown averaged 17.3 points and 6.3 assists in 20 total games with the Delaware 87ers and Springfield Armor of the D-League.

A native of Roswell, Ga., Brown played collegiately at North Carolina State University where he averaged 11.6 points in 101 games over three seasons. Brown earned Second Team All-ACC honors as a junior in 2012-13 when he averaged 12.4 points, led the ACC with 7.2 assists per game and ranked second in the conference with 2.0 steals per contest. Brown and Suns forward T.J. Warren were teammates at N.C. State for the 2012-13 season, helping the Wolfpack to an NCAA tournament berth.

Brown will wear number 41. The Suns’ roster now stands at 14

Grizzlies sign Elliot Williams to 10-day contract

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that the team has signed guard Elliot Williams to a 10-day contract as a Call Up from the NBA Development League’s Santa Cruz Warriors.

Williams (6-5, 183) leads the D-League in scoring at 28.1 points per game (.500 FG/.361 3P/.794 FT) and also averages 7.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 40.9 minutes in 16 games (all starts) this season for Santa Cruz. He was named D-League Player of the Month for games played in November.

Last season, Williams was named a D-League All-Star and recognized on the Second Team All-D-League after averaging 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 36.0 minutes in 29 games for the Warriors, ranking fifth in the D-League in assists and 10th in scoring. He helped guide Santa Cruz through a seven-game march to the 2015 D-League Championship and captured Finals MVP honors after averaging 27.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 40.0 minutes during the Warriors’ two-game sweep.

The 26-year-old holds NBA career averages of 5.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 13.7 minutes in 104 games (two starts) for the Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans. A Memphis native, Williams played high school basketball at St. George’s Independent School in Collierville and collegiately for the University of Memphis after transferring from Duke University. The 2008 McDonald’s All-American was selected by Portland in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft after he averaged 17.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists during his sophomore season with the Tigers.

Phoenix Suns waive Bryce Cotton and Cory Jefferson

The Phoenix Suns have waived guard Bryce Cotton and forward Cory Jefferson.

Cotton originally signed with the Suns on Nov. 25. The second-year NBA player saw action in three games, totaling four points and three assists in 33 minutes.

Jefferson signed with the Suns prior to training camp on Sept. 16. He appeared in six games with Phoenix in his second NBA season, posting totals of 12 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes.

The Suns’ roster now stands at 13 players.