Golden State Warriors Blog – Page 70 – NBA Blog

Warriors sign rookies Klay Thompson and Jeremy Tyler

The Golden State Warriors have signed first round draft pick Klay Thompson and draft-night acquisition Jeremy Tyler to contracts, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms were not announced. Additionally, the Warriors have signed free agent forward/center Julian Khazzouh, free agent guards Tommy Mitchell and Tim Pickett, as well as free agent forward Tommy Smith to contracts. All six players will participate in Warriors practice today.

Thompson, 21, was selected by the Warriors with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft after playing three collegiate seasons at Washington State. A two-time All-Pac-10 First Team selection following his sophomore and junior campaigns, Thompson appeared in 98 games during his three-year career, averaging 17.9 points, 4.8 rebounds 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 34.4 minutes per contest. Last season, the 6’7” guard averaged 21.6 points per game, which led the Pac-10 and ranked 11th in the nation.

Tyler, 20, was originally selected with the 39th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats and acquired by the Warriors for cash considerations. A 6’10” forward/center, Tyler played the 2010-11 season with the Tokyo Apache of the Basketball Japan League, averaging 9.9 points and 6.4 rebounds in 33 games. In 2009-10 he appeared in 10 games with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli League after leaving high school following his junior year to play professionally overseas.

Khazzouh, 25, began this season with the Sydney Kings of the NBL in Australia, where he was averaging 18.6 points and 11.0 rebounds through 13 games. A 6’10’’ forward/center, Khazzouh was named All-NBL First Team in 2010-11 while playing for the Sydney Kings and finished second in the league’s MVP voting. In addition to his Australian career, which began in 2004, Khazzouh spent one season (2009-10) in Israel.

Mitchell, 29, played last season for the Quebec Kebs of the NBL in Canada, averaging 11.8 points in 12 games. A 6’3’’ guard, Mitchell played four seasons at Siena from 2001-05.

Pickett, 31, has played professionally since 2005, appearing in France, Italy, China, Bulgaria, Puerto Rico, China and Israel. The 6’4” guard was originally selected by the New Orleans Hornets with the 44th overall pick out of Florida State, but never played in the NBA.

Smith, 31, has played overseas since 2003-04, making stops in Croatia, Germany, Syria and, most recently, China. The 6’10” forward was originally drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 53rd overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft out of Arizona State, but never played in the NBA.

Clippers match Warriors offer and re-sign DeAndre Jordan

The Los Angeles Clippers today re-signed restricted free agent center DeAndre Jordan. The Clippers matched an offer sheet presented to Jordan by the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, Dec. 11. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced. It had been reported to be a four-year deal worth $43 million.

Under current NBA rules, the Clippers had three days to match the Warriors’ offer sheet to the Texas native, or Jordan would have become a member of the Warriors.

Originally drafted by the Clippers with the 35th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Jordan, 23, is entering his third NBA season after enjoying a breakout 2010-11 with Los Angeles. The 6-foot-11 center appeared in a career-high 80 games last season, making 66 starts and averaging 7.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.78 blocks in 25.6 minutes.

Jordan finished third in the NBA with 158 dunks and shot a team-high 68.6 percent (234-of-341 FG) from the field, the highest field goal percentage of any player in the NBA with over 300 field goal attempts.

In his career, the Texas A&M product has appeared in 203 games and averaged 5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Warriors waive Charlie Bell via amnesty clause

The Golden State Warriors have waived guard Charlie Bell and designated him as the team’s amnesty player, the team announced today. Additionally, the Warriors have rescinded their qualify offer to forward Reggie Williams.

Bell, 32, appeared in19 games for the Warriors last season, averaging 1.7 points in 9.0 minutes of action.

Williams, 25, appeared in 80 games (nine starts) for Golden State last season, averaging 9.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.3 minutes per contest. Originally signed by Golden State as a call-up from the NBA Development League on March 2, 2010, Williams appeared in 104 games for the Warriors over the last two seasons, averaging 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest.

The Warriors now have 11 players under contract.

Hawks sign forward Vladimir Radmanovic

The Atlanta Hawks today signed forward Vladimir Radmanovic, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

Radmanovic spent last season with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 5.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 1.1 apg in 15.8 mpg (.431 FG%, .405 3FG%, .882 FT%), appearing in 74 games (six starts), and ranking 23rd in the league in three-point percentage.

The 10-year veteran brings career numbers of 8.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 1.4 apg in 23.0 mpg to Atlanta (.417 FG%, .381 3FG%, .759 FT%). He’s also seen action in 44 playoff games (25 starts), posting 7.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 1.2 apg in 21.9 mpg (.440 FG%, .392 3FG%, .735 FT%). Selected by Seattle 12th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft, Radmanovic has also played for the LA Clippers, LA Lakers and Charlotte.

Charlie Bell shows up drunk at court for a drunk driving hearing

Warriors reserve guard Charlie Bell spent hours in custody Thursday after showing up to court legally drunk for a hearing on his drunken driving case, according to the ABC affiliate in Flint, Mich.

Bell was held, in a district court holding cell, on a bond violation until he sobered up. He’s expected back in court Friday, which marks the start of Warriors training camp for the rest of his teammates.

— Reported by Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle Blog

Tyson Chandler close to joining Knicks

In the latest twist of his expected departure from the Dallas Mavericks, Tyson Chandler is closing in on a deal with the New York Knicks, according to sources close to the process.

“New York is Tyson’s first choice,” one source told ESPN.com, confirming a Thursday report from CBSSports.com that the Knicks have jumped ahead of the Golden State Warriors in the race to sign Chandler.

“It’s 98 percent sure that Tyson is going to wind up with the Knicks.”

To create sufficient salary-cap space to sign Chandler, New York is expected to shed the contracts of Chauncey Billups and Ronny Turiaf, through either trades or the forthcoming amnesty clause.

Signing Chandler, sources said, could free up the Knicks to offer star forward Amare Stoudemire to the New Orleans Hornets in a trade scenario for Chris Paul, who badly wants to reunite with Chandler after their time together with the Hornets. Sources say that’s one option New York is considering.

— Reported by Marc Stein of ESPN.com

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Nets hire P.J. Carlesimo and Mario Elie as assistant coaches

The New Jersey Nets have named P.J. Carlesimo and Mario Elie as assistant coaches, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. Carlesimo and Elie join assistant coaches Popeye Jones and Tom Barrise and assistant coach/player development Doug Overton on Head Coach Avery Johnson’s staff. In addition, the Nets have named Dr. Jeremy Bettle as the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

P.J. Carlesimo brings over 35 years of coaching experience to the Nets, most recently serving as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors in 2010-11. A three-time NBA head coach, Carlesimo previously held the top job in Portland (1994-97), Golden State (1996-2000) and Seattle/Oklahoma City (2007-09). In seven NBA seasons, Carlesimo had an overall NBA coaching record of 203-284 (.417). In addition, Carlesimo spent five seasons (2002-2007) as Gregg Popovich’s lead assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, where they captured three NBA titles in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

Carlesimo began his coaching career as an assistant at Fordham University in 1971, before serving as head coach at New Hampshire College, Wagner College, Seton Hall University, where he guided the Pirates to the NCAA Tournament championship game in 1989.

Carlesimo served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball for the gold-medal winning team at the 1992 Olympic Games, the 1990 World Championships, the 1990 Goodwill Games and the 1988 Olympic Trials. In addition, Carlesimo was the head coach of three other U.S. Teams, including the 1991 World University Games squad, winners of the gold medal, and at the Olympic Festival in Norman and Oklahoma City in 1989.

A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Carlesimo graduated from Fordham University in 1971. He has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (1992 USAB Dream Team), Pennsylvania Hall of Fame, the Wagner Hall of Fame and the Seton Hall Athletic Hall of Fame. His father, the late Pete Carlesimo, was the long-time executive director of the NIT. Between coaching stints, Carlesimo has been a broadcaster for NBC Sports, Turner Sports and Spurs Television.

Mario Elie comes to the Nets after spending the last two seasons as an assistant with Sacramento. Following an 11-year playing career, Elie entered the coaching ranks as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003-04. From there, Elie went on to serve as an assistant coach for Golden State (2004-06) and Dallas (2007-09), before joining the Kings in 2009.

Elie enjoyed a successful NBA playing career averaging 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 732 regular season games with Golden State, Philadelphia, Portland, Houston, San Antonio and Phoenix. He also played in 116 career playoff contests, winning three NBA Championships with Houston (1994 & 1995) and San Antonio (1999).

A native of New York City, Elie was drafted in the seventh round by the Milwaukee Bucks (160th overall pick) in 1985 out of American International College – a Division II school in Springfield, Mass. Elie played in Portugal, Argentina, Ireland, the USBL, the WBL and the CBA before making his NBA debut with the Philadelphia 76ers in December 1990.

Dr. Jeremy Bettle joins the Nets after serving at UC Santa Barbara as Director of Sports Performance and most recently, assistant athletics director. At UCSB, he was directly responsible for the strength and conditioning of all 20 intercollegiate programs. Prior to joining UCSB, Bettle was the Director of Wellness and Athletic Programs for Hayashida Physical Therapy in Santa Barbara, while also serving as the regional strength and conditioning coach for USA Rugby.

Bettle has also held positions as a strength and conditioning coach at Middle Tennessee State University, a technical manager for USA Rugby, and a speed development consultant with Viadana Rugby, the premier professional rugby organization in Italy.

Bettle holds a Ph.D in Human Performance from Middle Tennessee State. He also has a Master’s in exercise science from Middle Tennessee State and earned a degree in sports and exercise science from Leeds University (England). He holds a CSCS certificate from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Chris Paul reportedly wants no part of Celtics

Amid reports that New Orleans’ discussions had cooled with the Clippers and Warriors over what each team was willing to trade for Chris Paul, the Celtics were in a holding pattern last night.

Though the Celtics appear willing to trade Rajon Rondo and perhaps Glen Davis to the Hornets for Paul despite a sizable risk of losing the high-scoring point guard to free agency next summer, the gamble could make for a very brief attempt at the 18th title in franchise history.

Though the combination of Paul, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen sounds intriguing, especially over the short span of a 66-game season, it still doesn’t appeal to the 26-year-old star.

A source who has spent time recently with Paul insisted yesterday that the Hornets star considers the Celtics a non-starter for his career, and has no intention of signing an extension to play with the C’s in the long term.

The team is simply too old to stir his interest.

— Reported by Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald

Warriors tell Stephen Curry they will keep him

Stephen Curry said he got assurances from general manager Larry Riley and coach Mark Jackson that he’s staying with the Warriors. The point guard has been rumored as part of a trade package that would bring Chris Paul from New Orleans.

Question: Have you talked to anyone with the Warriors about the rumors?

Stephen Curry: “I’ve talked to Larry (Riley), and I’ve talked to Coach (Mark) Jackson. They told me that I’m safe and secure here with the Warriors. They want me here. Obviously, this is a business and there are things can happen where a GM has to make a decision in the best interest of the team. When you have a guy like, Chris Paul, who is a franchise-changer, it’s something you have to think about with anybody on your roster. I understand that, and I’m not going to be upset if they entertain it. It’s nice to be in the conversation with a guy like that. It’s something that is going to happen when you’re in this business, and you have to run with it.”

— Reported by Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle (Blog)

Grizzlies add Bob Thornton and Lloyd Pierce to coaching staff

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that Bob Thornton and Lloyd Pierce will complete head coach Lionel Hollins’ staff as an assistant (Thornton) and player development coach (Pierce).

With almost 30 years of collegiate and professional basketball experience as a player, scout and coach, Thornton comes to Memphis after spending the past four seasons (2007-11) as an advance scout for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Along with his work with the Thunder, Thornton also served as an assistant coach for two NBA teams, first with the Chicago Bulls (2002-04) and most recently with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2005-07). Before his first stint with Bulls, Thornton spent one season (2001-02) as head coach for NBA Development League’s Huntsville Flight, along with one season as head coach of the Quad City Thunder of the Continental Basketball Association (2000-01).

As a player, Thornton played as a power forward for 11 professional seasons, eight in the NBA (1985-92, 1995-96) and three overseas, averaging 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 283 career NBA games with the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz and Washington Bullets.

The Los Angeles, Calif. native attended the University of California-Irvine (1981-84) where he played until graduation, earning his bachelor’s of science degree. Thornton was selected 87th overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the New York City Knicks.

Pierce, with over 15 years of and collegiate and professional basketball experience, joins the Grizzlies’ organization for third NBA coaching job after a year (2010-11) with the Golden State Warriors, where he served as an assistant coach under head coach Keith Smart.

Prior to his stint with the Warriors, Pierce worked for the Cleveland Cavaliers as a player development coordinator for three seasons (2007-10). The San Jose, Calif. native attended Santa Clara University (1994-98) where he helped lead the Broncos to two NCAA Tournament berths.

After graduating with a degree in business management, Pierce played four seasons internationally, making stops in Mexico, Australia and Germany before returning to Santa Clara University where he joined the team’s staff as an assistant coach under head coach Dick Davey (2003-07).