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Gus Johnson and Marques Johnson join Bucks broadcast team

The Milwaukee Bucks and FOX Sports Wisconsin (FSW) today announced the additions of Gus Johnson and Marques Johnson to the Bucks broadcast team, bringing a pair of nationally-recognized voices to the broadcast booth to join long-time commentators Jim Paschke and Jon McGlocklin, who return for their 30th season of calling Bucks action together.

The additions of Johnson and Johnson mark a pair of homecomings, with Gus returning to the NBA for the first time since 2010 and Marques returning to the Bucks franchise where he enjoyed a storied career during the late ’70s and early ’80s. Gus will handle play-by-play duties for 20 games this season, while Marques will serve as the color analyst on approximately 55 local telecasts. Paschke and McGlocklin, who have been fixtures on Bucks broadcasts for 30 years, will continue to handle play-by-play and analyst duties, respectively, for the remaining FSW broadcasts.

Already a prominent member of the FOX Sports family as lead play-by-play announcer for college football and college basketball, Gus Johnson returns to his NBA roots with his new Bucks play-by-play duties. From 1994-2010, Johnson served as the primary radio voice of the New York Knicks for Madison Square Garden Network (MSG), while also filling in on TV roles for both the Knicks and WNBA’s New York Liberty. Prior to joining FOX Sports, Johnson was one of CBS’s top play-by-play voices for the network’s college basketball coverage from 1996 to 2011. Clips of his dramatic, enthusiastic calls in the deciding moments of NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games became part of the fabric of the event and were the foundation of Johnson’s rise as a YouTube sensation.

“I am overjoyed and so looking forward to calling the games of a great young team with an exciting young coach in one of my favorite cities. It’s an honor to get back into the NBA with a franchise truly on the rise,” Johnson said. “I also look forward to working with Jim Paschke, someone I have known and admired for many years as one of the best in the business, and Marques Johnson, one of the all-time great Milwaukee Bucks. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of one of the best broadcast teams in the NBA.”

Marques Johnson’s NBA career began in Milwaukee when the Bucks selected the 6-7 forward with the third overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft. Johnson would go on to play seven seasons in Milwaukee, leading the Bucks to the playoffs in six of them while earning four All-Star and three All-NBA Team selections. Johnson averaged 21.0 points per game during his time with the Bucks, the fourth-best mark in franchise history, and also ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders nearly every statistical category. Following his playing career, Johnson served as an analyst on Seattle SuperSonics broadcasts in the late ’90s, as lead college basketball analyst at Fox Sports for 15 years, as studio analyst for the Lakers and Clippers broadcasts, and most recently hosted a morning sports show on the Clippers’ flagship radio station in Los Angeles.

“I loved my time in Milwaukee and was part of some truly memorable teams, so it’s an honor to be coming back home to this fantastic franchise,” Johnson said. “This young and talented team has a very bright future, and I’m thrilled to have a front row seat alongside two of the best announcers in the business in Gus and Jim for what promises to be an exciting season.”

“I have a lot of admiration and respect for Gus and Marques – two of the all-time greats in their respective fields – and look forward to the energy and expertise they’ll bring to Bucks broadcasts this season,” Paschke said. “In my 30 years of calling Bucks action I’ve been a part of many incredible broadcasts, but I honestly believe the best is still to come. Bucks fans will have plenty to look forward to this season, both on the court and on TV.”

“I am honored to continue to be a part of the Bucks broadcast team as I start my 40th season behind the mic,” added McGlocklin. “It has been a blessing and a privilege for me and my family to have been a part of the Bucks organization since its inception in 1968. Gus and Marques are both outstanding talents with extensive basketball experience who bring unique and special skills to our broadcast.”

The 2015-16 regular season Bucks TV schedule tips off on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when the Bucks host the New York Knicks.

Video: Remembering Moses Malone

Basketball legend Moses Malone passed away recently. Here’s another salute to him:

Hornets sign Sam Thompson and Jason Washburn for training camp

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed forward Sam Thompson and center Jason Washburn to its training camp roster.

As a senior at Ohio State last season, Thompson, a 6-7 forward, averaged career highs of 10.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Over his four-year career at Ohio State, he appeared in 146 games (83 starts), averaging 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 22.9 minutes per game. Thompson went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Washburn, a 7-0 center, has spent the last two seasons playing professionally in the Ukraine, Belarus and Belgium. During the 2014-15 season, he played 27 games (six starts) for Basic-Fit of the Belgium-Scooore League and posted averages of 8.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 18.7 minutes per game. As a four-year player at the University of Utah, he appeared in 123 games (70 starts) and averaged 8.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 22.4 minutes per game. Washburn went undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft.

The training camp roster now stands at 18.

Lakers sign Robert Upshaw

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Robert Upshaw to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

According to the Los Angeles Times, “only $35,000 of Upshaw’s $525,093 is guaranteed for the 2015-16 season, according to a person with access to the NBA’s salary database. The second year of his contract, worth $874,636, is non-guaranteed.”

In five games for the Lakers’ entry in the 2015 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Upshaw averaged 1.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 11.5 minutes per game, highlighted by three blocks in just 12 minutes in his debut on July 10th against Minnesota.

Undrafted as an early entry candidate for the 2015 NBA Draft after his sophomore season at Washington, Upshaw led the nation with 4.5 blocks per game in just 24.9 minutes in 19 appearances in 2014-15. In addition, the 7-0 center averaged 10.9 points on 59.3% shooting and 8.2 rebounds for the Huskies in his final collegiate campaign, to go along with six double-doubles.

Bucks extend contract of GM John Hammond

The Milwaukee Bucks have extended the contract of General Manager John Hammond, the team announced today. The agreement will keep Hammond in his position with the Bucks through the 2016-17 season.

“A great deal of our team’s success and progress is due to the vision and hard work of John,” said Wes Edens, Bucks owner. “He’s assembled a talented and competitive roster and we’re very pleased that he will continue to lead basketball operations. With John and Coach Kidd at the helm, our young team has a very bright future.”

Hammond was hired by the Bucks on April 11, 2008, and was awarded the 2009-10 NBA Executive of the Year Award, voted on by his peers in the NBA, following the team’s 46-36 season. He has more than 30 years of coaching and administrative experience, including seven seasons with the Detroit Pistons that included an NBA Championship (2004), another NBA Finals appearance and three other Eastern Conference Finals appearances.

Spurs will institute wait list for season tickets

After retaining their core players while adding LaMarcus Aldridge and David West, the San Antonio Spurs are still an NBA championship contender. Their fans, of course, know this. Here’s the San Antonio Express-News blog reporting:

Want season tickets to watch the new-look Spurs play in the renovated AT&T Center this fall?

Get in line. Or rather, put your name on the list.

For the first time in club history, the Spurs will institute a waiting list for season tickets next week after selling out of their allotment of 13,200.

Current season-ticket holders will be given first priority, should they want to add to their personal inventory.

Moses Malone, gone too soon

Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer on basketball legend Moses Malone, who has passed away. As always, for more, click the link:

Once you’re resigned to the sorrow of Moses’ passing, the memories come flooding back. Those of us old enough and lucky enough to remember that special 1982-83 season will swear those 76ers were better than any single-season NBA team in history. Better than Wilt’s 68-win Sixers team in ’67. Better than Michael Jordan’s 72-win Chicago Bulls team in ’96. Better than every single one of Bill Russell’s great Boston Celtics teams and all those great Los Angeles Lakers teams, too.

As for the three iconic words, it was actually only one word repeated three times. And it was never uttered in public. Instead, Billy Cunningham told reporters before the start of the 1983 playoffs that Moses had uttered “four, four, four” when the coach asked him about his playoff attitude.

This was Moses’ actual quote: “I ain’t saying we’re going to sweep everybody in four games. I’m just saying, if we have an idea of winning the championship, the best thing to do is win it as fast as we can.

“I like our chances, sure. I think we’re the team to beat. We had the best record, we got a bye in the first round. We’ll be ready. This is something we all want.”

Metta World Peace wants to return to NBA

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on Ron Artest, aka Metta World Peace, who could still probably help an NBA team in limited minutes as a backup:

Metta World Peace said he is done playing overseas and is ready to return to the NBA this season.

“I’m ready for any scenario,” the 35-year-old said.

But as for what city he might play in, he’s still not sure.

The Queensbridge native was in attendance for Saturday’s fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Andre Berto.

Despite being out of the league for the past two seasons, World Peace pronounced himself still “one of the best small forwards in the world.”

Statements on the death of Moses Malone

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the passing of Moses Malone:

“We are stunned and deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Famer Moses Malone, an NBA legend gone far too soon. Known to his legions of fans as the ‘Chairman of the Boards,’ Moses competed with intensity every time he stepped on the court. With three MVPs and an NBA championship, he was among the most dominant centers ever to play the game and one of the best players in the history of the NBA and the ABA. Even more than his prodigious talent, we will miss his friendship, his generosity, his exuberant personality, and the extraordinary work ethic he brought to the game throughout his 21-year pro career. Our thoughts are with Moses’ family and friends during this difficult time.”

Hawks Legend Dominique Wilkins released the following statement regarding the passing of Moses Malone:

“I am extremely saddened to hear of Moses’ passing this morning. This is extremely tough for me. I am completely in shock and words can’t express the pain and loss I am feeling right now. We had a mutual respect when we played against each other and I was fortunate enough to have called him a teammate and close friend. Even before we played together, he was one of the first greats who truly mentored me and showed me how to be a professional. I never saw anyone work harder than Moses and away from basketball, he was just as kind and thoughtful.

The entire Hawks organization sends its condolences to his family and friends.”

The following is a statement on behalf of the Philadelphia 76ers from Chief Executive Officer Scott O’Neil:

“It is with a deep sense of sadness that the Sixers family mourns the sudden loss of Moses Malone. It is difficult to express what his contributions to this organization – both as a friend and player – have meant to us, the city of Philadelphia and his faithful fans. Moses holds a special place in our hearts and will forever be remembered as a genuine icon and pillar of the most storied era in the history of Philadelphia 76ers basketball. No one person has ever conveyed more with so few words – including three of the most iconic in this city’s history. His generosity, towering personality and incomparable sense of humor will truly be missed. We will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers and as we are once again reminded of the preciousness of life.”

Sam Mitchell named interim Timberwolves head coach

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that Sam Mitchell will serve as interim head coach while Flip Saunders takes a leave of absence from his duties as Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations. In Saunders’ absence, Timberwolves general manager Milt Newton will assume an increased role in the day-to-day and strategic operations of the basketball department.

Saunders, who had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier this summer, recently experienced complications from his completed treatments. Recently, he was admitted to a local area hospital where he remains at this time while undergoing further testing and treatment.

The following are statements from Timberwolves Owner Glen Taylor, General Manager Milt Newton, and Interim Head Coach Sam Mitchell:

Glen Taylor, Timberwolves Majority Owner
“First and foremost, my immediate concern is for the Saunders family and the health of Flip. Our priority right now is for him to regain his strength so that he can be 100 percent when he returns to his Timberwolves duties. In the interim, I remain confident in the direction of our team. I have known Sam Mitchell for a number of years, back to his playing days in Minnesota. He is a former NBA Head Coach of the Year. I have no doubt he will get the most out of our players and will continue to serve as a great mentor to our young and talented players as interim head coach.”

Milt Newton, Timberwolves General Manager
“Flip has our full support and backing as he takes time to focus on his health. In the interim, we are confident in Sam and his ability to make this a seamless transition for our players. Sam has a long history with both Flip and Glen and we don’t anticipate much to change in terms of our basketball philosophy.”

Sam Mitchell, Timberwolves Interim Head Coach
“My thoughts right now are with Flip and the Saunders family. In the interim, I am confident that I can continue to build the foundation that Flip has established. We have a team blended with talented young guys and experienced veterans. We’re excited to see how this team comes together in training camp.”