NBA News Blog – Page 1355 – NBA Blog

Suns sign coach Alvin Gentry to contract extension

The Phoenix Suns signed head coach Alvin Gentry to a contract extension that will keep him with the club through the 2012-13 season.

“It was important to extend Alvin’s contract before this season,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “He proved his mettle as the perfect coach for the Suns last season. We are excited to have him lead our team going forward.”

Originally elevated as the 14th head coach in franchise history on an interim basis on Feb. 16, 2009, Gentry was named the club’s head coach on May 9, 2009. In just 113 games under his leadership, Gentry’s Suns have compiled a 72-41 (.637) record, giving him the third-highest winning percentage among coaches in franchise history (Paul Westphal, Mike D’Antoni).

“This extension gives me the opportunity to keep improving this team,” said Gentry. “It shows I’m working for an owner who wants to win and demonstrates the confidence he has in me. I am really happy to be working with the management team we have in place and am very excited for the start of our new season.”

The 30-year coaching veteran in both the professional and collegiate ranks took the reins of the Suns in 2009 with the stated goals of establishing a homecourt advantage, returning the club to its trademark offensive explosiveness, and developing a young, productive bench.

In just a season-plus under his leadership, the Suns own a 46-12 (.793) home mark, seventh-best of any NBA team in that span, and perhaps most impressively are 31-6 (.838) at home against the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Phoenix has led the NBA in scoring in each of the last two seasons and averaged 112.3 points during his tenure, even more than the trendsetting Suns posted from 2004-05 to 2007-08 (109.8). In 2009-10, the Suns bench ranked 10th in the NBA, averaging 33.2 points. Gentry and the bench gained national attention during the playoffs when the group increased its scoring average to 34.1 points, best in the NBA, as Gentry played 10 or more Suns in 16-straight postseason games for the first time since 1993.

In his first full season on the bench in 2009-10, Gentry was a two-time NBA Western Conference Coach of the Month for November 2009 and March 2010. In leading the Suns to 54 wins, his career-high as a coach, and the conference’s third-best record, Gentry finished fifth in NBA Coach of the Year voting.

Gentry became just the fifth head coach in franchise history to lead his team to a Western Conference Finals berth in his first full season. Gentry coached the Suns to 10 postseason victories in 2010, tied for the second-most in a single postseason in franchise history.

In 21 seasons in the NBA, Gentry has enjoyed three other head coaching stints with the Los Angeles Clippers (2000-03), Detroit Pistons (1997-2000) and Miami Heat (1995). He has worked alongside some of the game’s most respected coaches, including Larry Brown, Kevin Loughery, Doug Collins and Mike D’Antoni. Gentry joined the Suns organization as an assistant coach on June 1, 2004.

A point guard at Appalachian State under Press Maravich and Bobby Cremins, Gentry earned a degree in management in 1997 and began his coaching career as a graduate assistsant at the University of Colorado the following season.

The 55-year-old Gentry is married to Suzanne and has three children: Alexis, Ryan and Matthew.

Hornets trade Craig Brackins and Darius Songaila to 76ers for Willie Green and Jason Smith

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired guard Willie Green and power forward/center Jason Smith from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for forward’s Craig Brackins and Darius Songaila.

“It is tough to trade Darius and Craig, but we believe both teams will benefit from this move,” said General Manager Dell Demps. “Willie is a combo-guard with versatility who can give us minutes at the back-up point guard spot and the shooting guard position. We are excited he is a part of our program and believe he can be an asset both offensively and defensively for us. Jason will have an opportunity to compete for minutes. He is a young, athletic big man with shooting ability and we are getting him at a good time of his career.”

Brackins (6-10, 230), was the 21st pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. His rights, along with current Hornets forward Quincy Pondexter’s rights (26th overall pick), were traded to the Hornets on July 20, 2010 in exchange for the rights of Cole Aldrich (10th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft) and Morris Peterson. Brackins averaged 10.0 points and 4.6 rebounds over five games (all starts) in the 2010 NBA Summer League with the Hornets. In three seasons at Iowa State, the big man earned All-Big 12 First Team honors his sophomore season and All-Big 12 Second Team honors his junior season.

January 20, 2010: Darius Songaila of the New Orleans Hornets in action against the Memphis Grizzlies during an NBA game in the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, LA. Tyler Kaufman/CSM.

Songaila (6-9, 248), averaged 7.2 points and 3.1 rebounds over 75 games (one start) in his lone year with the Hornets in 2009-10. He was originally acquired by the Hornets in a trade on September 9, 2009 that sent Antonio Daniels and a 2014 second round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Songaila and former Hornet Bobby Brown. The seven-year NBA veteran has career averages of 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds over 485 career games (79 starts).

Green (6-3, 201), who was drafted in the second round (41st overall) by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2003 NBA Draft and then traded on draft night to the Philadelphia 76ers, averaged 8.7 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 73 games (18 starts) last season. He shot a career-high 45.7 percent from the floor and committed just 67 turnovers over the course of the 2009-10 season. The Detroit native has played all seven seasons with the 76ers, averaging 9.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 21.8 minutes over 422 games (211 starts). His best season was in 2007-08 when he averaged career-high’s of 12.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 74 games (all starts). Green played collegiately at Detroit Mercy for four seasons, earning Honorable Mention All-America and the Horizon League Player of the Year honors his senior season after averaging 22.6 points.

Smith (7-0, 240) was selected in the first round (20th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Miami HEAT and then traded to Philadelphia on draft night. He averaged 3.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game over 56 games (two starts) last season with the 76ers. The Colorado native shot 43.1 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from three-point range last season. Smith missed the entire 2008-09 season after tearing the ACL in his left knee during a workout in August of 2008. During his rookie season, Smith appeared in 76 games (one start), averaging 4.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.66 blocks in 14.6 minutes per game. The big man played three seasons at Colorado State University, earning First Team All-Mountain West Conference honors his sophomore and junior seasons and MWC Freshman of the Year accolades his first season. The 24-year old averaged 16.8 points and 10.1 rebounds his final season in Fort Collins before declaring early for the NBA Draft. Smith was a two-time Colorado state player of the year in high school.

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New NBA uniforms are called NBA Revolution 30

The AP reports:

The new uniforms, called the NBA Revolution 30, were introduced Wednesday by the league and Adidas at the NBA Store. The company says the uniforms are 30 percent lighter and will dry twice as fast as previous uniforms.

The old uniforms became so heavy once wet that some players changed uniforms at halftime. In the new model, Adidas changed the numbers from a dense material to a breathable mesh.

”I actually thought when I first got them on that the jerseys had a cooling system on the inside to keep your body cool, something like an air conditioner in your jersey,” said Howard, who has an endorsement contract with Adidas. ”That’s what it feels like.”

The Revolution 30, made from 60 percent recycled materials, was tested over four years and will debut this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers sign Jawad Williams

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Jawad Williams to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today. Per league and team policy, terms of the contract were not announced. The Cavaliers extended a qualifying offer to Williams on June 30th.

In 54 games (six starts) during the 2009-10 season, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged a career-best 4.1 points on .393 shooting and 1.5 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game.

Former Lakers trainer Frank O’Neill dies at 81

Frank O’Neill, Lakers trainer from 1960-1974, died Tuesday at his home in Playa del Rey from congestive heart failure. He was 81.

O’Neill, who took over training duties when the Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, received his training to become an athletic trainer while attending the University of Florida. He earned his certificate as a physical therapist while in the Navy and worked with the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles and the University of Southern California before joining the Lakers.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Frank O’Neill,” said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak. “Frank was a highly respected trainer and played an integral part in bringing our first championship to Los Angeles in 1972. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family.”

Born on May 25, 1929, O’Neill is survived by his four children Frank, Jr., Patricia, Michael and Mark; and six grandchildren.

Rockets sign Antonio Anderson and Jordan Eglseder for training camp

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed guard Antonio Anderson and center Jordan Eglseder.

Anderson (6-6, 215, Memphis) averaged 16.2 points (.487, 242-497 FG), 6.1 assists and 1.25 steals in 40 games (40 starts) with Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley, helping guide the Vipers to the 2009-10 D-League championship. He was named to the All-NBA Development League Third Team and participated with the Western Conference in the 2010 D-League All-Star Game. Anderson’s efforts earned him a GATORADE Call-Up to the NBA, signing a 10-day contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 22 and inking a second 10-day contract on Mar. 5. As a collegian, Anderson played four seasons at the University of Memphis. He was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and earned All-Defensive Team honors for three straight seasons.

Eglseder (7-0, 280, Northern Iowa) finished his four-year career at Northern Iowa with averages of 9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.02 blocks in 118 games (75 starts). The first 7-footer to ever hit the hardwood with UNI, Eglseder was one of just 13 Panthers to reach 1,000 points (1,066) and 500 rebounds (656) in a career. He also became the 32nd UNI player to reach 1,000 career points. Eglseder started all 32 games in 2009-10, averaging 11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds en route to the Panthers upset of number-one ranked Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and a school-record 30 wins. As a senior, Eglseder was a NABC District-16 First Team selection, a USBWA All-District pick and earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.

NBA, Players Association praise today’s meeting

The National Basketball Association and National Basketball Players Association issued the following statement:

“Today the NBPA and the NBA held another bargaining meeting that was both cordial and constructive. We all agreed to continue the dialogue, and during the three-hour meeting, a number of issues were identified that will be addressed in smaller groups leading up to the next bargaining meeting.”

Mark Cuban again facing insider trading suit

Eric Torbenson of the Dallas Morning News reports:

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had a turnover in federal court Tuesday as an appeals panel sent his insider trading case back for trial.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s dismissal of a Securities and Exchange Commission suit against the billionaire. The decision doesn’t mean the SEC wins outright, but simply that the issues need to get further hearing and the suit is back on.

The government contends Cuban broke insider trading rules by selling his stake in search engine company Mamma.com after learning of the company’s plan to sell a piece of itself to investors, which would dilute Cuban’s holdings. The stock sale allowed Cuban to avoid an estimated $750,000 in losses…

And a countersuit filed by Cuban that alleges the SEC brought the case against him in bad faith continues regardless of Tuesday’s ruling. Cuban wants the government to pay his legal fees for pursuing a case out of bias rather than legal merit, his own suit says.

Javaris Crittenton to try out for Bobcats

Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports (via blog):

Javaris Crittenton is hoping to return to the NBA after accepting an invitation to try out for the Charlotte Bobcats in training camp, his agent Mark Bartelstein said on Tuesday.

The other half in the infamous altercation with Gilbert Arenas involving guns in a Verizon Center locker room, Crittenton is coming back after missing all of last season, with the final 38 games lost as the result of a season-ending suspension from NBA commissioner David Stern. But that embarrassing incident — which led to Crittenton receiving one year of unsupervised probation and a $1,250 fine after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in January — overshadowed the fact that the 6-foot-5 point guard was going to miss the entire year anyway because of a severe left ankle injury.

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Nenad Krstic has finger surgery

Oklahoma City Thunder center Nenad Krstic underwent successful surgery this morning to repair a fracture to the second finger on his right hand. The surgery was performed in Oklahoma City by Thunder team physicians.

Krstic suffered the injury in the final game of the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Krstic averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game while helping lead Serbia to a fourth place finish at the World Championships.

The 7-0 center is expected to be ready for the Thunder’s opening night contest against the Chicago Bulls.