NBA News Blog – Page 1410 – NBA Blog

Bulls hire Tom Thibodeau as head coach

The Chicago Bulls announced today the hiring of Tom Thibodeau as the 18th head coach in franchise history. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome Tom Thibodeau as our new head coach. As I went through the process to search for the next head coach of the Chicago Bulls, the longer the process went it became apparent that Tom was a perfect fit for the Bulls,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “He is a great communicator and teacher of the game, and he fits our organizational philosophy from a defensive standpoint. With his experience and knowledge of the NBA, I am confident he will be a great leader for our team.”

Thibodeau, 52, most recently served as Associate Head Coach for the Boston Celtics for the last three seasons. As the lead assistant on Doc Rivers’ coaching staff, Thibodeau was responsible for the team’s defensive principles and strategies. During his time in Boston, Thibodeau and the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals in 2008 and 2010, and claimed the Celtics 17th NBA Championship in 2008.

“I am very excited to be here and to join the Bulls organization. Chicago is a great city with great fans and a storied history,” said Thibodeau. “I would like to thank Jerry Reinsdorf and Gar Forman for presenting me with such a terrific opportunity. We have a talented team with a good nucleus of players, and I am eager to get started.”

While in the NBA, Thibodeau has also manned the sidelines for the Minnesota Timberwolves (1989-91), the Seattle SuperSonics (1991-92, served as an Advance Scout), the San Antonio Spurs (1992-94), the Philadelphia 76ers (1994-96), the New York Knicks (1996-2003) and the Houston Rockets (2003-07). Over that span, he has worked under Bill Musselman, John Lucas, Jeff Van Gundy, Don Chaney and Doc Rivers.

An NBA veteran of 21 years, his teams have compiled an overall record of 896-794 (.530), and have made the playoffs 14 times, including three trips to the NBA Finals (1999, 2008 and 2010). His teams have also amassed a postseason record of 88-79 (.527). In 21 seasons, he has helped his teams rank in the NBA’s Top 10 in team defense 16 times. While with New York in 2000-01, the Knicks set a then-NBA record when they held 33 consecutive opponents under 100 points.

Over the last seven seasons, he helped the Rockets and Celtics rank among the top five in scoring defense seven times and in defensive field goal percentage six times. Over that same span, his teams finished in the top two in opponent field goal percentage six times. During the Celtics’ championship campaign in 2007-08, Boston allowed 90.3 ppg (99.2 ppg previous season, 18th in NBA), which ranked second in the NBA. The Celtics also limited their opponents to a league-low .419 shooting from the field (.468 previous season, 24th in NBA).

Thibodeau began his coaching career in 1981 as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Salem State College. After three seasons with the Vikings, he was promoted to head coach. In 1985, he joined Harvard University’s basketball staff as an assistant coach. He spent four seasons with the Crimson before embarking on his NBA career in 1989.

The New Britain, Conn. native graduated from Salem State with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in counseling. A four-year letter winner in basketball, he was inducted into the New Britain Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

Grizzlies lose top FedExForum executive

Marlon W. Morgan of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports:

Memphis Grizzlies president of business operations Greg Campbell says he regrets the loss of senior vice president of arena operations Steve Zito, who has resigned effective July 9 to become president of sports and entertainment for Andy Frain Services.

But it’s the imprints that Zito leaves behind that have Campbell confident the Grizzlies will move forward. Zito had been with the Grizzlies for five years, Andy Frain provides security at various sports venues across the country.

“You always hate to lose a great, great player on any team,” Campbell said Tuesday. “But it sounds like he’s got a great opportunity to use his wisdom wisely at a number of places around the country. It’s going to be sad, but you’ve got to be happy for him, too.”

Charlie Villanueva charged with domestic assault

The AP reports

The Toronto Star is reporting that Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva faces a charge of domestic assault after a May 19 incident in Burlington, Ontario.

The newspaper reported that the 25-year-old Villanueva was released by Halton Regional Police on a promise to appear in court on July 9. The name of complainant and other details about the incident weren’t available Tuesday.

His lawyer, Owen Wigderson, told the Toronto Star that Villanueva, “denies all allegations of wrongdoing and I’m very confident that he’ll be exonerated.”

InsideHoops.com says

Until there is real reason to think otherwise we will automatically assume and hope that Charlie is innocent.

Warriors trade Corey Maggette to Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired forward Corey Maggette (6-6, 225) and a 2010 second round draft pick (44th overall) from the Golden State Warriors for guard Charlie Bell and center Dan Gadzuric, General Manager John Hammond announced today. The Bucks now have four draft choices in Thursday’s 2010 NBA Draft including one in the first round (15th overall – from Chicago) and three second round selections (37th overall – from Philadelphia, 44th overall from Golden State via Portland and Chicago, and 47th overall).

An 11-year NBA veteran, Maggette averaged 19.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 70 games for Golden State last season. He ranked 17th in the NBA in scoring average and 19th in field goal percentage (.516), while holding the distinction of owning the league’s highest scoring average for a player who logged fewer than 30.0 minutes per game (29.7 mpg). Maggette was one of seven NBA players to average at least 19.0 points and shoot at least 50 percent from the field, and one of five NBA players to average double figures in scoring, shoot 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line. His 7.9 free throw attempts per game ranked 7th in the NBA last season.

“Corey has been a consistent scorer throughout his career,” said Hammond. “He shoots a solid percentage from the field and has shown the ability to get to the free throw line. We’re looking forward to having him in a Bucks uniform.”

A native of Melrose Park, IL, Maggette, 30, was originally drafted by Seattle (Oklahoma City Thunder) in the first round (13th overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft and traded on draft night to Orlando along with Dale Ellis, Don MacLean and Billy Owens for Horace Grant and two future second round draft picks. Following his rookie campaign with the Magic, Maggette was sent to the L.A. Clippers with Derek Strong, the draft rights to Keyon Dooling and future considerations for a future first round draft pick. After eight seasons with the Clippers, Maggette signed as an unrestricted free agent with Golden State prior to the 2008-09 season. In 710 career NBA games, Maggette has averaged 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting .458 from the field and .821 from the free throw line.

Gadzuric (6-11, 245) appeared in 32 games for the Bucks last season and averaged 2.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game. Selected by Milwaukee with the 34th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Gadzuric, 32, has played in 483 games for the Bucks over his eight-year NBA career with averages of 4.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He ranks 8th all-time in franchise history in blocked shots (418).

Bell (6-3, 200) played in 71 games for Milwaukee last season and averaged 6.5 points, 1.5 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game. In five seasons with the Bucks, Bell averaged 9.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 350 games. He ranks 4th in team history in three-point field goals made with 432. Bell, 31, began his NBA career with Phoenix and Dallas during the 2001-02 season. He played in the Italian League from 2001-04 and led the league in scoring (25.5 ppg) for Virtus Kinder Bologna in 2003-04. He played for Breogan in the Spanish League during the 2004-05 season and was named to the First Team with averages of 27.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

The Bucks completed a trade late Tuesday afternoon to acquire forward Corey Maggette from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for guard Charlie Bell and center Dan Gadzuric, according to basketball sources.

Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times blog reports:

The Warriors get rid of one of their biggest contracts (3 years, $31 million), which aids in their bid to add a difference-maker this offseason.

The Warriors now have two expiring contracts worth more than $13 million in Gadzuric and Vladimir Radmanovic.

Lamar Odom concerned about left shoulder

Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register reports:

Lamar Odom played the postseason with a light brace on his right knee but said Tuesday his greater concern in the offseason is his left shoulder that also has been bothering him.

Odom hurt the shoulder on a dunk in a Feb. 18 game against Boston. He has had trouble with the shoulder before — including a torn labrum — but said he’ll take some time off before getting it checked out.

Odom had a vacation planned soon to Mexico with his wife but has more immediate plans to rest.

Kevin Durant named cover athlete for NBA ELITE 11

Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman reports:

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant will grace the cover of NBA ELITE 11, the EA SPORTS videogame formerly known as NBA LIVE.

An action shot of Durant dribbling while donning a white Thunder jersey appears on the cover of the game. It is the second time in Durant’s career that he’s been featured as a cover athlete for a mainstream videogame. He appeared on the cover of NCAA March Madness 08 as well, sporting his Texas Longhorns’ No. 35 jersey. Durant becomes only the third player in EA SPORTS history to be featured on an NCAA and an NBA licensed product.

“I’ve always been a fan of EA Sports,” Durant said in a release. “This has been an exciting year for me and the team, and capping it off with being on the cover of NBA ELITE 11 is cool.”

2010 NBA Draft green room players

The following 15 players have been invited by the NBA to be at the 2010 NBA Draft. These are the “green room” guys — they’ll be at the tables close to the stage. It means the NBA thinks these guy all should go in the first round, mostly lottery (or somewhat close):

Cole Aldrich (Kansas)
Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest)
Luke Babbitt (Nevada)
DeMarcus Cousins (Kentucky)
Ed Davis (North Carolina)
Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech)
Paul George (Fresno State)
Gordon Hayward (Butler)
Xavier Henry (Kansas)
Wesley Johnson (Syracuse)
Greg Monroe (Georgetown)
Patrick Patterson (Kentucky)
Evan Turner (Ohio State)
Ekpe Udoh (Baylor)
John Wall (Kentucky)

Lamar Odom gets Rolls-Royce from wife

As editor of InsideHoops.com, I am known for giving cars away as gifts. I toss them around like candy. But I can’t say I’ve given away more than 10 or 20 Rolls-Royces in the last year, so this story was a nice surprise:

WENN.com reports:

Khloe Kardashian gave her basketball player husband Lamar Odom a handsome reward for winning the NBA championship.

She bought him a brand-new Rolls Royce.

Odom helped the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Final last week, and his reality TV star partner purchased the $400,000 US luxury car to congratulate him.

Robert Dozier breaks left foot

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports:

Robert Dozier might remain Mr. Irrelevant for another year.

Selected with the 60th and final selection of last year’s NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, the 6- foot-9 forward out of the University of Memphis broke his left foot while drilling last week at AmericanAirlines Arena.

After spending this past season with a second-tier team in the Greek League, Dozier had returned to South Florida recently to begin workouts in advance of the Heat’s participation in the July NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

But after breaking a bone in his foot during non-contact work, surgery was required, with the procedure handled by Heat team physician Harlan Selesnick leaving Dozier sidelined for 12 weeks.

Nuggets make qualifying offer to Linas Kleiza

The Denver Nuggets have made a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Linas Kleiza, Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today. Per team policy, terms of the offer were not released.

Kleiza, 6-8, 245, averaged 8.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 301 games with the Nuggets in four seasons (2005-2009) with the team since being acquired in a draft-night trade with Portland on June 28, 2005. During the 2008-09 season, his most recent season with the Nuggets, he posted averages of 9.9 ppg and 4.0 rpg in 22.2 mpg.

He spent the past season in Greece, helping Olympiakos reach the Euroleague Championship game while leading the Euroleague in scoring with an average of 17.1 ppg.