General NBA insight – Page 39 – NBA Blog

Ramon Sessions helping build Nevada gym

Here’s the Charlotte Observer reporting on something cool that guard Ramon Sessions is doing:

Charlotte Hornets point guard Ramon Sessions is contributing $1 million to his alma mater, Nevada, to build a new basketball practice facility.

The building will be named after Sessions, a Myrtle Beach native in his second stint playing professionally in Charlotte. Other NBA players, including Stephen Curry (Davidson) and Carmelo Anthony (Syracuse), have made similar donations to build practice sites.

“For me, giving back to the University of Nevada means a lot,” Sessions said in a statement released by Nevada. “This was always a second home for me, a place that gave me a chance when a lot of schools didn’t.”

Cavaliers coaching staff announced

The Cavaliers have promoted Larry Drew to Associate Head Coach on Head Coach Tyronn Lue’s staff.

“We are extremely pleased to secure Coach Lue’s staff into the future. The diverse talents and wealth of experience they bring to our Cavs family is, and has been, essential to our growth and evolution as a Championship-caliber franchise,” said Cavs General Manager David Griffin.

Additionally, Damon Jones was named a Cavs Assistant Coach, joining Jim Boylan, Mike Longabardi and James Posey. Phil Handy returns as Cavs Director of Player Development/Assistant Coach and Vitaly Potapenko remains as Assistant Director of Player Development. Mike Gerrity has been promoted to Director of Player Development for the Charge and will serve as Player Development Assistant with the Cavs.

The Cavs also promoted Dan Vincent, formerly the Cavs Manager of Video/Advance Scouting, to Special Assistant to the Head Coach/Manager of Advanced Scouting.

The Canton Change, the Cavaliers exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League team, have promoted Nate Reinking to Head Coach. Reinking was formerly an Assistant Coach for the Charge.

In Canton, Melvin Ely and Sam Jones have been hired as Assistant Coaches on Charge Head Coach Nate Reinking’s staff.

Al Horford a big addition for Celtics

The Celtics are saying all the right things, not looking to put too much pressure on new frontcourt addition Al Horford, but it’s reasonable to expect that having him in the mix should bump the team up to the next level in the Eastern conference. They won 48 game last season, and can certainly aim for 50+ wins this coming year.

Here’s the Boston Herald:

After taking another step forward last season, expectations have never been higher for Brad Stevens’ Celtics.

Inking Al Horford to a four-year, $113 million contract has fueled that fire, but Stevens cautioned that they aren’t asking the big man to put the C’s on his back.

“We’re not asking Al to be anything more than him,” Stevens said. “He’s a good fit for how we play on offense. He’s a good fit for the way we play defense. He’s a professional.”

And more from the Herald:

“I took a chance on coming here because I believe in the type of guys we have here in the organization,” Horford said at Celtics media day.

The power forward recounted coming to TD Garden as a rookie, eyes glued to the championship banners in the rafters.

“I couldn’t stop looking at them,” Horford said. “It’s something that’s powerful. It leaves an impression.”

Metta World Peace is doing life coaching

Here’s ESPN NY with an update on Metta World Peace, who says he’s been passing his wisdom on to others, and still hopes to continue his NBA playing career:

Q: What are your plans for next season? Are you headed back to training camp with the Lakers? You’ve talked about a potential future in coaching. Is that on your radar?

A: Right now, I’m life coaching a lot of people that are in the NBA. I can’t say [who]. But I coach a couple players. But it’s not a thing where I’m going to hide and be that perfect mentor. I just give them the best advice I can and live my life accordingly. I’m doing that now and one day I would love to coach. The Lakers are tattooed in my heart. They gave me a second chance when everyone was down on me, they gave me a chance to win a ring. The city of Los Angeles, they put up with me. Because in our world, the world of corporate basketball, you should act accordingly, you know? And I don’t like to act accordingly (smiles). I’m just trying to be authentic. I’m trying, as much as possible, to keep that if I coach one day.

Q: So is the NBA on the back burner right now?

A: No, the NBA’s always on the front burner.

Trail Blazers re-sign Allen Crabbe

The Portland Trail Blazers have re-signed guard Allen Crabbe, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.

According to the Oregonian, “the Blazers decided to match Crabbe’s four-year, $75 million offer sheet from the Brooklyn Nets to bring the 6-foot-6 wing back to Portland.”

“Allen is an important part of the core of this team and a building block for its future growth,” said Olshey.

In 81 games (eight starts) last season, Crabbe averaged career highs in points (10.3), rebounds (2.7), assists (1.2) and steals (0.77) while logging career-best shooting marks in field goal percentage (45.9%), 3-point field goal percentage (39.3%) and free throw percentage (86.7%).

“I’m very happy to be staying with Portland and continuing to build on our recent success,” said Crabbe. “It’s an exciting time here in Rip City and I’m already looking forward to next season.”

Crabbe, 24, increased his scoring average by 7.0 points from the previous season (3.3 ppg), and scored in double figures 42 times after accomplishing that feat once in his first two NBA seasons. The 31st overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft out of the University of California-Berkeley, Portland acquired Crabbe in a draft day trade. In three seasons with the Trail Blazers, he holds career averages of 7.0 points (44.7 FG%, 38.5% 3-PT, 85.0% FT), 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 147 games (17 starts).

Mavericks re-sign Deron Williams

The Dallas Mavericks have re-signed free agent guard Deron Williams.

D-Will’s deal is reportedly a $10 million dollar contract for one year.

Years ago, Williams was considered one of the top point guards in the league, right up there with the likes of Chris Paul. Then came injuries. Lots of injuries. And since then — when healthy — Williams has been solid, sometimes good or very good.

Last season with Dallas, Williams averaged 14.1 points, a team-high 5.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 32.4 minutes in 65 games (63 starts). He shot .414 from the field (321-775 FGs), .344 (97-282 3FGs) from three-point range and a career-high .869 (179-206 FTs) from the free throw line. Among league leaders, he ranked 19th in assists and 15th in free throw percentage.

Williams (6-3, 200) is a 11-year NBA veteran with career averages of 16.8 points, 8.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 34.8 minutes in 781 games (727 starts) for three teams (Utah, New Jersey/Brooklyn and Dallas). Overall, he has shot .445 (4,611-10,364 FGs) from the field, .357 (1,093-3,062 3FGs) from three-point range and .822 (2,788-3,393 FTs) from the free throw line.

John Wall receives 2015-16 season NBA Cares Community Assist Award

In recognition of his many charitable efforts and yearlong dedication to community outreach, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall has received the 2015-16 season-long NBA Cares Community Assist Award. The award recognizes an NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the 2016 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award winner and would like to thank all the fans and my many friends who voted for me on social media,” said Wall. “I am privileged to be in a position to better my communities in both Washington and Raleigh and I consider the outreach that I do to be the most rewarding part of being an NBA player.”

Owner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Ted Leonsis, NBA Cares Ambassador Bob Lanier and Kaiser Permanente Senior Director of External Affairs Maritha Gay will present Wall with the award at Bright Beginnings Inc. (BBI) tomorrow afternoon in Washington, D.C. Kaiser Permanente and the NBA will also donate $25,000 to the John Wall Family Foundation.

Following the award presentation, Wall and attendees will participate in a community service project at Bright Beginnings Inc., a non-profit that offers education, shelter and meals to homeless children and their parents. Earlier this year Wall surprised BBI with a generous donation to support programming and a new facility, and he recently received their Champions for Children Award honoring his commitment to the health and welfare of children and families.

In addition to his efforts with BBI, Wall worked to make a difference for those in need throughout local communities this season. After his friend, 5-year-old DaMiyah Telemaque-Nelson, lost her battle with Burkitt’s lymphoma, Wall sponsored the “Miyah’s Troupe” walking team, and joined DaMiyah’s family in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk in D.C.

In partnership with the John Wall Family Foundation, Wall funded the Passport to Manhood Program at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, which teaches adolescent boys responsibility, leadership and the importance of giving back through community service projects. He also hosted various Wizards Make-A-Wish nights, and his second “FITTED” Prom Project, where he provided ten high school seniors with suits and accessories for their upcoming proms.

LeBron James now 3rd in all-time NBA playoff total assists

The Cavs lost to the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight, but at least LeBron James reached another career milestone, passing Jason Kidd in total playoff assists:

1) Magic Johnson
2) John Stockton
3) LeBron James
4) Jason Kidd
5) Tony Parker
6) Larry Bird
7) Steve Nash
8) Scottie Pippen
9) Kobe Bryant
10) Michael Jordan

2015-16 NBA All-Rookie teams announced

NBA Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks have been unanimously selected to the 2015-16 NBA All-Rookie First Team, the NBA announced today. Both players received all 130 First Team votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters in the United States and Canada.

Joining Towns and Porzingis on the First Team are the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker (103 First Team votes, 231 points), the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (73 First Team votes, 186 points) and the Philadelphia 76ers’ Jahlil Okafor (71 First Team votes, 186 points).

The NBA All-Rookie Second Team consists of the Miami Heat’s Justise Winslow (151 points, 44 First Team votes), the Los Angeles Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell (142 points, 25 First Team votes), the Nuggets’ Emmanuel Mudiay (140 points, 35 First Team votes), the Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner (139 points, 28 First Team votes) and the Sacramento Kings’ Willie Cauley-Stein (50 points, two First Team votes).

The voting panel was asked to select five players for the First Team and five players for the Second Team at any position. Two points were awarded for First Team votes and one point for Second Team votes.

Towns, the No. 1 overall pick of NBA Draft 2015, led all rookies in scoring (18.3 ppg) and rebounding (10.5 rpg, eighth in the NBA) and ranked second in blocks (1.68 bpg, 10th in the NBA) – making him the league’s only player to reach those averages in the three categories. The unanimous Rookie of the Year also ranked third in the league in double-doubles (51) and eighth in field goal percentage (54.2). Towns, one of six NBA players to start all 82 games, won all six NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards.

Porzingis was third among rookies in scoring (14.3 ppg), second in rebounding (7.3 rpg) and first in blocks (1.86 bpg). A three-time Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month winner, Porzingis became the first Knicks rookie to score at least 1,000 points in a season since Mark Jackson in 1987-88.

Booker finished fourth among first-year players in scoring (13.8 ppg), second in three-pointers made (99) and first in free throw percentage (84.0). Five of the 19-year-old guard’s rookie-high six 30-point games came after the All-Star break, when he averaged 19.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 28 games.

Jokic, the 41st pick in NBA Draft 2014 presented by State Farm, made his NBA debut this season and averaged 10.0 points (eighth among rookies), 7.0 rebounds (tied for third), 2.4 assists (seventh) and 0.99 steals (fourth) while shooting 51.2 percent from the field (fourth).

The NBA All-Rookie First Team is rounded out by Okafor, who ranked second among first-year players in scoring (17.7 ppg), tied for third in rebounding (7.0 rpg) and fourth in blocks (1.15 bpg).

Karl-Anthony Towns wins 2015-16 NBA Rookie of Year award

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, who set franchise rookie records in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and field goal percentage, has unanimously won the 2015-16 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, the NBA announced today. The 7-foot center becomes the fifth unanimous winner since 1984 and joins teammate Andrew Wiggins, the 2014-15 honoree, to make the Timberwolves the first team with back-to-back winners in 42 years.

Towns received all 130 first-place votes (650 points) from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters in the United States and Canada, joining Damian Lillard (2012-13 season), Blake Griffin (2010-11), David Robinson (1989-90) and Ralph Sampson (1983-84) as unanimous winners in the last 32 years.

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis finished second with 363 points, and Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic was third with 59 points. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

The No. 1 overall pick in NBA Draft 2015, Towns led all rookies in scoring (18.3 ppg) and rebounding (10.5 rpg, eighth in the NBA) and ranked second in blocks (1.68 bpg, 10th in the NBA) – making him the league’s only player to reach those averages in the three categories. He also ranked third in the NBA in double-doubles (51) and eighth in field goal percentage (54.2). Towns was one of six players in the league to start all 82 games.

The 20-year-old Towns swept all six NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards on his way to becoming the seventh rookie in NBA history to average at least 18 points, 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocks and shoot 50 percent or better from the field. Since blocks became an official statistic in 1973-74, the other players to post those numbers are Sampson (1983-84), Hakeem Olajuwon (1984-85), Robinson (1989-90), Alonzo Mourning (1992-93), Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) and Tim Duncan (1997-98).

Before last season, the Timberwolves had never had a Kia NBA Rookie of the Year winner since joining the NBA for the 1989-90 season. With Towns and Wiggins now honored in back-to-back years, the Timberwolves are the first team with consecutive winners since the Buffalo Braves in 1972-73 (Bob McAdoo) and 1973-74 (Ernie DiGregorio).