Los Angeles Clippers Blog – Page 80 – NBA Blog

Craig Smith staying with Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers and free agent Craig Smith today reached an agreement that will enable the power forward to return to the team for 2010-11.

Smith, who averaged 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 16.4 minutes in 75 games played with Los Angeles last season, also connected on 57 percent of his field goals on the year. He was originally acquired by the Clippers, along with Sebastian Telfair and Mark Madsen from Minnesota, on July 20, 2009 in exchange for Quentin Richardson.

An Inglewood native and former Fairfax High School star, Smith averaged a career-high 10.1 points to go with 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 19.7 minutes in 74 games played for Minnesota during the 2008-09 season. Smith, a career 56 percent shooter from the field, has appeared in 308 career NBA games.

Smith was drafted by Minnesota with the 36th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft after a standout career at Boston College that saw him average 18.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 130 games from 2002-2006. Smith finished his Eagles career as the school’s all-time leading rebounder (1,114) and second in points (2,349) and was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first Team in 2005-06.

Marc Iavaroni leaves Raptors to be Clippers assistant coach

Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports:

The Raptors gained a player and lost a coach as the Summer of Change continues.

On the day the Denver Nuggets didn’t match an offer sheet extended to restricted free agent forward Linas Kleiza, assistant coach Marc Iavaroni is leaving Jay Triano’s staff to join new head coach Vinny Del Negro with the Los Angeles Clippers…

The news on Kleiza, who has a four-year, $18.8 million deal with the Raptors, is hardly surprising; the Nuggets were never expected to match the offer.

But the departure of Iavaroni, hired a year ago as ostensibly Toronto’s defensive guru, is mildly surprising.

Even after the addition of P.J. Carlesimo to Triano’s staff in May, there were no other staff changes planned until the 53-year-old former head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies decided to leave for Los Angeles.

Clippers sign second-round rookie Willie Warren

The Los Angeles Clippers have signed guard Willie Warren, their second round selection (54th overall) in the 2010 NBA Draft.

The University of Oklahoma product was an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 selection as a sophomore in 2009-10, averaging a team-high 16.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 32.3 minutes per game while appearing in 21 contests.

A former teammate of current Clipper forward Blake Griffin at Oklahoma in 2008-09, Warren enjoyed a stellar freshman campaign that saw the Dallas, Texas native win the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award and average 14.6 points and 3.1 assists in 32.3 minutes per game while playing in 36 games.

An explosive, creative scorer with exceptional speed, the 6-foot-4, 203 pound Warren was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection in 2008-09 and was a First Team Freshman All-American while setting Oklahoma freshman records for games started (34) and three-pointers made (67).

Warren, along with fellow Clipper rookies Al-Farouq Aminu and Eric Bledsoe, is a member of the Clippers’ entry in the 2010 NBA Summer League, currently taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Clippers sign Brian Cook

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent forward Brian Cook. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Cook, 29, appeared in 15 games for the Houston Rockets last season, averaging 1.4 points and 0.6 rebounds. A seven-year NBA veteran, the six-foot-nine, 234 pound Cook has appeared in 349 career games with the Rockets, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, tallying career averages of 5.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.3 blocks.

The former University of Illinois star was originally drafted by the Lakers with the 24th overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft. As a rookie, Cook appeared in 35 games and 13 playoff contests as a member of the 2004 Western Conference Champions. Cook played four complete seasons with the Lakers, making a career-high 81 appearances in 2005-06, the same season he averaged a career-best 7.9 points and 3.4 rebounds.

In his career, Cook has played in 31 total playoff games, averaging 2.7 points and 1.7 rebounds. A career 39 percent three-point shooter, Cook has attempted over 80 three-pointers in five different pro seasons, shooting nearly 43 percent from beyond the arc in 2005-06.

Cook joined the Orlando Magic in a trade on Nov. 20, 2007 where he played in 66 total games from 2007-2009. The Lincoln, Illinois native was then traded to Houston on Feb. 19, 2009 as a part of a three-team trade. The Rockets waived Cook on Feb. 19, 2010.

The 2002-03 Big Ten Player of the Year and Third-Team All-American selection as a senior, Cook averaged 20.0 points and 7.6 rebounds in his final college season and finished his Illinois career as the third leading scorer in school history.

Cook’s father Norm was a star at the University of Kansas and played in 27 NBA games with the Celtics and Denver Nuggets from 1976-78.

Clippers sign Ryan Gomes

The Los Angeles Clippers Thursday signed free agent forward Ryan Gomes. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Gomes, 27, averaged 10.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 76 games last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. A teammate of recently signed Clippers guard Randy Foye in Minnesota from 2007-09, Gomes has appeared in a total of 374 games in his five-year NBA career with Boston and the Timberwolves and brings career averages of 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists in 307 total starts to Los Angeles.

“I think Ryan Gomes is an excellent addition to our team,” said Neil Olshey of the Los Angeles Clippers. “Ryan is a proven, hard-nosed veteran presence who is a consistent inside-out scorer with great character who has had a positive impact on every team he has been a part of.”

The six-foot-seven, 250 pound Gomes led Minnesota in scoring 10 times last season and recorded his 4,000th career NBA point on Feb. 17, 2010. Gomes was traded by Minnesota to Portland in a draft day trade, and subsequently waived by the Trailblazers on June 29.

The all-time leading scorer in Providence College history with 2,138 points, Gomes was originally drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 50th overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. After a sparkling college career, Gomes played two seasons in Boston before the Celtics traded him to Minnesota on July 31, 2007 along with Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair and two 2009 First Round draft picks in exchange for Kevin Garnett.

The Waterbury, Connecticut native enjoyed three solid seasons with the Timberwolves, putting together an impressive Ironman streak of 203 consecutive games played that came to an end on Dec. 14, 2009. Gomes averaged a career-high 13.3 points in 2008- 09 when he started a career-high 76 games.

Clippers sign Randy Foye

The Los Angeles Clippers Thursday signed free agent guard Randy Foye. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

A four-year NBA veteran, Foye played for the Washington Wizards last season averaging 10.1 points, 3.3 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 23.8 minutes in 70 games. Foye, 26, has played in 261 regular season games and brings career averages of 12.2 points, 3.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds from Minnesota and Washington to Los Angeles.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to add Randy to our team,” said Neil Olshey of the Los Angeles Clippers. “Randy is a player who has improved throughout his time in the league, and is someone who will provide on the ball defense, athleticism, intensity and an impressive ability to score to the group we already have in place.”

The Newark, New Jersey native began his career with Minnesota in 2006-07 and was named to the 2006-07 All-Rookie First Team after appearing in 82 games and averaging 10.1 points. The six-foot-four, 210 pound guard was originally drafted by the Boston Celtics with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft and was involved in two draft day deals that brought him to Minnesota.

The former University of Villanova star improved his scoring and assists average in each of his first three NBA seasons, culminating in his career-best 16.3 points per game average in 70 games during the 2008-09 season. Foye joined the Wizards prior to the 2009-10 season in a trade that saw him go to Washington along with Mike Miller for Oleksiv Pecherov, Darius Songaila, Etan Thomas and a 2009 First Round draft pick. Last season, Foye led the Wizards in assists 21 times and scored a career-high 36 points on Feb. 20, 2009 vs. Indiana.

At Villanova, Foye enjoyed an illustrious four-year career that culminated in a senior season that saw him average 20.5 points per game and earn a spot on the 2005-06 NCAA All-American Team while also being named 2006 Big East Player of the Year.

Bulls, Nets Clippers statements on not getting LeBron James

Following is a statement from Neil Olshey of the Los Angeles Clippers regarding tonight’s decision by LeBron James: “Our goal remains unchanged. We will continue to be exhaustive and use every available resource to assemble an exciting and successful team. We have a dynamic new head coach who will lead the very talented roster we already have in place. We will use the free agent market to enhance that roster. We expect to compete at a very high level.”

The following statement was issued by Nets Principal Owner Mikhail Prokhorov: “We have a vision of a championship team and need to invest wisely and for the long term. Fortunately, we have more than one plan to reach success, and, as I have found in all areas of my business, that is key to achieving it. To Nets fans past, present and future, the goal of making the playoffs this season remains intact and we reiterate our commitment to winning a championship within five years.”

Gar Forman (Chicago Bulls) statement regarding LeBron James: “I remain convinced that this organization made the strongest of bids to acquire LeBron James during this free agency period. While we’re disappointed he chose to go to another franchise, our strategy for the future competitiveness of this organization did not begin or end with James, and we feel today’s addition of two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer significantly strengthens our team’s already talented roster. It is our goal to keep exploring every avenue that it may take, whether through trades or free agency, to continue to build this team to compete at a championship level.”

LeBron James signs with Miami Heat

LeBron James announced on national television Thursday night that he is signing with the Miami Heat

The free agent NBA superstar forward has spent his entire career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he’s decided to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach.

It’s a gathering of two superstars in LeBron and Wade and a star in Bosh.

The three know each other’s games quite well and familiar with their strengths and weaknesses.

Clippers hire Vinny Del Negro as head coach

The Los Angeles Clippers today named Vinny Del Negro as the team’s head coach. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Del Negro joins the Clippers after having led the Chicago Bulls to two consecutive trips to the NBA Playoffs (2009 and 2010) after back-to-back 41-41 (.500) seasons. The Bulls were eliminated in the first round of the 2010 Playoffs (1-4) by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Chicago played a memorable seven-game first round series against the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics in 2009. That series saw four of the seven games go into overtime, including a triple-overtime win in game 6, a double-overtime win in game 4 and an overtime win in game one. All in all, what many consider the best postseason series in NBA history, saw four of the seven games go to overtime.

Prior to his time with the Bulls, Del Negro served as Assistant General Manager of the Phoenix Suns during the 2007-08 campaign after a promotion from his previous role of Director of Player Personnel, which he held for the 2006-07 season. Del Negro moved to the front office after working three seasons (2003-06) as a color analyst for the Suns’ broadcast teams. His broadcast career also included stints as an analyst for ESPN’s “NBA Matchup” and as an analyst for the San Antonio Spurs.

Del Negro retired from his 14-year professional playing career following the 2001-02 season (12 NBA seasons and 2 seasons with Benetton Treviso in the Italian A1 League). Over his 12-year NBA career, Del Negro averaged 9.1 points in 771 regular season games, while tallying 8.8 points in 54 playoff games.

Del Negro was originally drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the second round (29th overall) of the 1988 NBA Draft, tallying 7.1 points in 80 games played during his rookie season. After spending two seasons in Sacramento, Del Negro signed with Benetton Treviso, where he averaged 25.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 65 games over a two-year span (1990-92), leading the team to its first Italian League Championship in 1992 while being named playoff MVP.

In 1992 Del Negro returned to the NBA, embarking on a six-season stint with the San Antonio Spurs (1992-98). During his time in San Antonio, Del Negro helped lead the Spurs to the Playoffs on five occasions including two Midwest Division titles, and still holds the team’s record for consecutive free throws made (50). He was named to San Antonio’s 25th Anniversary Team as one of the top 25 players in Spurs history.

After his time in San Antonio, Del Negro played two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks (1998-00), one season with the Golden State Warriors (2000-01) and finished his career with two seasons in Phoenix (2000-02). Prior to his retirement, Del Negro’s contract was acquired by the Clippers on November 16, 2001 as part of a three-team trade which also included the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic.

Del Negro played four collegiate seasons at North Carolina State under the late Jim Valvano, averaging 9.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists over his career. He helped the Wolfpack to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back trips to the Elite Eight (1985 and 1986). He was also named the winner of the Everett Case Award as the MVP of the 1987 ACC Tournament, leading NC State to the tournament championship that year. Del Negro was named to the All-ACC First Team his senior season after tallying 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while shooting .515 from the field and .839 from the free throw line. As a culmination to his career at North Carolina State, Del Negro had his jersey retired in 2001.

Vincent Joseph Del Negro, who was born on August 9, 1966, established the Vinny Del Negro Endowment Fun in Springfield to assist physically abused youths. Del Negro’s father, Vin, played collegiately under Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky. He and his wife Lynn met at North Carolina State.

Opinion: I am cool with LeBron James announcing signing decision on TV

Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET, Cleveland Cavaliers free agent LeBron James will announce to the world which team he is signing with. The event will be a one-hour special.

The teams who may win LeBron’s services are the Cavs, Bulls, Heat, Knicks, Nets and Clippers. And I listed those squads in order of who I think has the best shot to get him.

I believe that LeBron’s signing is worthy of being on national television. Simply because everybody cares about it. The world wants to know. So, put it on TV!

That’s it. There’s nothing more to it.

There’s a good chance I will not pay particularly close attention to the early stages of the special. It could be great stuff, but as someone who follows this stuff closely and covers it for a living, I probably already know everything that’ll be said. There will probably be some cool highlights to glance at. I’ll keep it on in the background with the sound up while I work on my laptop or something.

But, I will listen. And when the announcement does come, I’ll rotate my desk chair and stare right at the TV. So will you. And that’s why it deserves to be televised.

UPDATE: It appears LeBron plans on making his decision early, within about 10 minutes. We’ll see!

–Jeff