Minnesota T-Wolves Blog – Page 78 – NBA Blog

Timberwolves waive Chucky Atkins

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived guard Chucky Atkins. The Timberwolves acquired Atkins as part of a trade with Oklahoma City on July 27.

A 10-year NBA veteran, Atkins went undrafted out of the University of South Florida before signing with Orlando in 1999. In 655 career games with Orlando, Detroit, Boston, L.A. Lakers, Washington, Memphis, Denver and Oklahoma City, Atkins has averaged 10.2 points and 3.5 assists per game. Atkins was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1999 and also played on the gold-medal-winning U.S. National Team at the 1995 World University Games.

Timberwolves sign Sasha Pavlovic

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free-agent guard/forward Sasha Pavlovic. Per team policy, terms of the contract offer were not disclosed. It was reported by multiple outlets to be a one-year deal for around $1.3 million.

“We are excited to add Sasha to our team,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “His size and athleticism will help round out our wing position and provide us added experience.”

Pavlovic, a 6-8 wing from Serbia, has appeared in 381 games (127 starts) over his six-year career, averaging 5.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. His best statistical season came in 2006-07, when he averaged 9.0 points per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from behind the arc. Pavlovic has helped the Cavaliers reach the postseason in each of the last four years, including a playoff run to the NBA Finals in 2007 in which he averaged 9.2 points per game during the postseason.

Originally selected by the Utah Jazz with the 19th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Pavlovic appeared in 79 games as a rookie before being selected by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2004 Expansion Draft. Pavlovic was subsequently traded to Cleveland, where he’s played each of the past five seasons.

76ers sign Rodney Carney

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed free agent swingman Rodney Carney.

“Rodney Carney is a player that we feel will mesh extremely well with our current personnel and in the up-tempo style of play that Coach Jordan will continue to implement this season,” Stefanski said. “We think that Rodney is one of the most athletic players in the league who has the ability to stretch the floor and we are happy to have him back.”

A three-year veteran, Carney (6-7, 205) spent his first two seasons with the Sixers before being traded to Minnesota along with Calvin Booth, cash considerations and a future first round pick in exchange for a future second round pick on July 9, 2008. The move helped Philadelphia sign free agent forward Elton Brand last summer.

In 67 games with six starts for the Timberwolves last season, Carney averaged a career-high 7.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game while shooting 41.6% from the floor and career-bests of 35.0% from 3-point range and 75.8% from the line.

Carney also had 45 steals to just 43 turnovers last season and would have ranked fifth in the NBA in steal-to-turnover ratio (1.05) had he qualified. For his career, Carney has more steals (122) than turnovers (120).

The 25-year-old hit 79 3-pointers last season, after having just 63 3FGM his first two seasons combined. Carney hit 2+ 3FGM 21 times last season, including a career-high 7 3FGM at Philadelphia on Mar. 25.

Last season, Philly ranked second-to-last in 3-pointers made (4.2 3FGM per) and last in 3-point percentage (31.8% 3FGs). With the addition of Carney and Jason Kapono, who was acquired via trade back in June, the Sixers have obtained two players who shot a combined 38.9% from behind-the-arc last season.

Wolves sign Ramon Sessions

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed guard Ramon Sessions. Minnesota originally signed Sessions, a restricted free agent from the Milwaukee Bucks, to an offer sheet on Friday, Sept. 4. Per team policy, terms of the contract offer were not disclosed. It’s been reported by multiple media outlets that the contract is a four-year deal for $16.4 million.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ramon to the Timberwolves,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Ramon has already demonstrated the ability to play significant minutes at the NBA level, yet is only 23. We believe, like our team, his best days are ahead of him.”

Sessions, a 6-3 guard from Nevada-Reno, had a break-out season in 2008-09, averaging 12.4 points (.445 FG%), 5.7 assists and 27.5 minutes per game in 79 contests (39 starts). His 5.7 assists per game led the Bucks and ranked 18th in the NBA. Sessions scored in double figures 53 times (12 times with 20+ points), dished out 10+ assists on 10 occasions and posted nine double-doubles during the season. Additionally, he finished the year with a 2.97:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, the ninth-best ratio in the NBA. He scored a career-high 44 points, along with 12 assists, against Detroit on Feb. 7.

In 2007-08 as a rookie, Sessions averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 17 games. He set a Bucks franchise record with 24 assists against Chicago on April 14, while also tallying 20 points. He became the first Bucks player to notch 20 points and 20 assists in the same game. Selected by Milwaukee in the second round (56th pick) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Sessions has averaged 11.6 points, 6.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game in 96 career contests (46 starts).

JR Rider wants NBA comeback

Paul Walsh of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports: One of the baddest of bad boys in recent NBA history — former Timberwolf J.R. Rider — is negotiating a return to professional basketball in the United States at age 38. The owner of the first-year North Texas Fresh in the American Basketball Association said this morning that he is “in the process of getting it done” and bringing Rider on board. Owner Jay Bowdy said that Rider has another offer in play from a team overseas, where players can make more money.

The Star Tribune continues: Rider’s agent, Joe Lee, said this morning that Rider hasn’t played organized ball since a 10-game pit stop with the Denver Nuggets in 2001-02. Still, he’s “been working out hard” and playing pickup ball with local college guys in suburban Phoenix, where Rider now makes his home, Lee said.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Rider has about the same shot at getting signed to an NBA team as I do.

Timberwolves trade Darius Songaila, Bobby Brown to Hornets for Antonio Daniels, pick

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired forward Darius Songaila and guard Bobby Brown from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for guard Antonio Daniels and a 2014 second round pick.

According to the Associated Press, “the move will cut the Hornets’ payroll by $1.3 million this season, but Songaila has two years left on his contract, while Daniels’ contract expires after next season. The Timberwolves take on a little more salary this season, but get out from under Songaila’s player option for next year, which will cost about $4.8 million.”

“This move gives us added depth at the guard position and the power forward position,” said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower. “Darius brings toughness and experience to bolster our frontcourt. We know Bobby pretty well from when he played on our summer league team and are excited to add his speed and scoring ability.”

Songaila, (6-9, 248), averaged 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 77 games (29 starts) for the Washington Wizards last season. The six-year NBA veteran out of Wake Forest University, has career averages of 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds over 410 games (78 starts) for the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls and Wizards. Songaila has appeared in 21 career playoff games, averaging 5.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in those contests. The former 50th overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, Songaila has helped his native country Lithuania to third and fourth place finishes, respectively, in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games.

Brown, (6-2, 175), averaged 5.3 points and 1.7 assists in 68 games last season with the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. Brown notched a career-high 21 points as a member of the Kings against the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 23, 2008. An undrafted rookie out of Cal State Fullerton in 2007, Brown spent the 2007-08 season playing for Alba Berlin of the German League. He averaged 14.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.90 steals in 16 games for Alba Berlin, leading the club to its first league championship since 2003. Brown played for the 2008 Hornets Summer League team, leading the Hornets in scoring (15.2) and assists (6.2) over the course of six games.

“Antonio has the ability to play both guard positions and will provide a veteran presence and added flexibility to our backcourt,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “This trade also provides increased flexibility for personnel moves beginning next summer.”

Daniels, 34, was originally selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies with the fourth overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft and has appeared in 867 games during his 12-year career, including stops in Vancouver, San Antonio, Portland, Seattle, Washington and New Orleans. The 6-4 guard owns career averages of 7.6 points and 3.4 assists per game. A standout at Bowling Green and the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year in 1997, Daniels has competed in the playoffs in 10 of his 12 NBA seasons.

Read NBA fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Timberwolves sign Ramon Sessions to offer sheet

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed restricted free-agent guard Ramon Sessions to an offer sheet. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Milwaukee Bucks will have seven days upon receiving the offer sheet to match Minnesota’s offer.

SEPT. 11 UPDATE: The Bucks did not match the offer.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the deal was for four years and $16 million.

“We are excited about the opportunity to have Ramon Sessions on our team,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Ramon has the ability to play both guard positions, and thus will be able to complement the members of our current backcourt. At only 23, Ramon also has the potential to improve and fits our plan of building a young, up-tempo team with championship contending potential.”

Sessions, a 6-3 guard from Nevada-Reno, had a break-out season in 2008-09, averaging 12.4 points (.445 FG%) and 5.7 assists in 27.5 minutes per game in 79 contests (39 starts). His 5.7 assists per game led the Bucks and ranked 18th in the NBA. Sessions scored in double figures 53 times (12 times 20+ points), dished out 10+ assists on 10 occasions and posted nine double-doubles during the season. Additionally, he finished the year with a 2.97:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, the ninth-best ratio in the NBA. He scored a career-high 44 points, along with 12 assists, against Detroit on Feb. 7.

Timberwolves hire Dave Wohl, Reggie Theus, Bill Laimbeer, JB Bickerstaff as assistant coaches

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the completion of head coach Kurt Rambis’ coaching staff with the hiring of veteran NBA coach Dave Wohl and former NBA standouts Reggie Theus and Bill Laimbeer. John-Blair “J.B.” Bickerstaff, who has served as an assistant coach with Minnesota for the past two seasons, will return as a member of Rambis’ staff serving as assistant coach/director of player development. Collectively, Rambis and his staff have been involved with 15 championship teams (NBA and WNBA), and bring more than 100 seasons of coaching (NBA, WNBA and collegiate) and playing experience (NBA and collegiate) to the Timberwolves bench.

“I’m excited to be able to add such a wealth of experience and such a talented group in Dave, Bill and Reggie to our coaching staff,” said Timberwolves head coach Kurt Rambis. “Each of them brings a wide array of both NBA and coaching experiences, skills and talents to our team. We all are looking forward to the start of the season and getting on the court with our players.”

DAVE WOHL

Wohl brings over 30 years of NBA experience to the Timberwolves bench, having served in a variety of capacities through the years, including as a head coach, an assistant coach and as a member of the front office. The last two seasons he was the assistant general manager of the Boston Celtics. Wohl has spent several years as an assistant coach in the NBA with various teams: Boston (2004-05 – 2006-07), Orlando (1999-00 – 2003-04), L.A. Clippers (1993-94), L.A. Lakers (1982-83- 1984-85, 1998-99), Miami (1989-90- 1990-91) and Sacramento (1992-93). As an assistant coach under Pat Riley, Wohl was a member of the Lakers’ 1985 NBA Championship team. Wohl was the head coach of the New Jersey Nets for two-plus seasons (1985-88), leading the team to the NBA Playoffs in 1986. From 1995-97, Wohl was the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Miami Heat.

Selected in the third round of the 1971 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Wohl spent seven seasons as a player in the NBA (1971-78). He appeared in 410 games with Philadelphia, Portland, Buffalo, Houston and New York-New Jersey Nets, scoring 2,553 points. A two-time Ivy League selection at the University of Pennsylvania, Wohl led the Quakers to two Ivy League titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

REGGIE THEUS

Theus joins the Timberwolves staff after serving as head coach of the Sacramento Kings (44-62, 415) for one-plus seasons. He guided the Kings to a 38-44 record in 2007-08, which was a five-win improvement over the previous year, despite being short-handed for most of the season due to injuries to key players.

Prior to his head coaching stint with Sacramento, Theus spent the previous two years as the head coach at New Mexico State University, leading the Aggies to a berth in the NCAA Tournament during the 2006-07 campaign (a first for the school since ’99). He compiled a 41-23 record in his two years with the Aggies. In his first year at the helm of the NMSU program, Theus guided the Aggies to a tie for the fifth-best turnaround in Division I basketball and the best single-season improvement of any NMSU squad since the 1985-86 season. He turned around a program that went 6-24 the year before he arrived (2004-05), leading the team to a 16-14 record. Theus’ Aggies improved to 25-9 in 2006-07, winning the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. Before his NMSU assignment, Theus spent two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville under head coach Rick Pitino.

Before turning his attention to the coaching profession, Theus’ 13 years as a player in the NBA were spent with the Chicago Bulls, Kansas City/Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and New Jersey Nets. After being drafted by the Bulls as the ninth overall pick in 1978, Theus finished runner-up in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting to Kansas City’s Phil Ford and was named to the 1979 All-Rookie team. For his career, Theus averaged 18.5 points, 6.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game while being named to the 1981 and 1983 NBA All-Star teams. He is one of only seven players in NBA history to score at least 19,000 points and dish out 6,000 assists, joining John Havlicek, Oscar Robertson, John Stockton, Gary Payton, Clyde Drexler and Jerry West with that distinction. When Theus retired, he ranked 22nd on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 19,105 career points and 11th on the all-time assists list with 6,453 career assists.

BILL LAIMBEER

Laimbeer joins the Timberwolves after seven successful seasons as the head coach and general manager of the WNBA’s Detroit Shock. During that time, Laimbeer coached the Shock to three WNBA Championships (2003, 2006, 2008), four Eastern Conference titles, including the past three (2006, 2007, 2008) and a historic worst-to-first turnaround (the Shock, 9-23 a year earlier won a league-best 25 games the following season) for which he was named 2003 WNBA Coach of the Year. Laimbeer amassed a regular-season record of 136-90 (.602) and a postseason mark of 27-16 (.628), which includes the most postseason wins (27) and WNBA Finals victories (10) in league history. Laimbeer, who became head coach on June 19, 2002 despite no previous coaching experience, resigned from the Shock on June 15, 2009 to pursue NBA coaching opportunities.

A four-time NBA All-Star center (1983-85, 1987), Laimbeer played 13-plus seasons in the NBA and finished with career averages of 12.9 points and 9.7 rebounds in 1,068 games. He totaled 13,790 points and 10,400 rebounds in his career, making him the 19th player in NBA history to reach 10,000 in both categories. He led the NBA in rebounding during the 1985-86 season (13.1 rpg), collected more defensive rebounds than any other NBA player from 1982-1990 and finished his career as the Pistons’ all-time leading rebounder with 9,430. In 113 playoff games (second most in franchise history), Laimbeer averaged 12.0 points and 9.7 rebounds as Detroit posted a 71-42 (.628) mark with him at center. A key member of the Pistons’ “Bad Boys” teams that won back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, Laimbeer had his No. 40 jersey retired (one of six in franchise history) by the team on Feb. 4, 1995. Originally drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third round (65th overall) in the 1979 NBA Draft, the Notre Dame product was traded to Detroit in a multiplayer deal on Feb. 16, 1982.

J.B. BICKERSTAFF

Bickerstaff returns for his third season as a Timberwolves assistant coach in 2009-10. Prior to joining the Wolves, Bickerstaff spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach to his father Bernie Bickerstaff with the Charlotte Bobcats. Bickerstaff got his start with the Timberwolves organization during the 2003-04 season as the color analyst on Timberwolves radio broadcasts. Prior to joining the Wolves, Bickerstaff served as director of operations for the University of Minnesota men’s basketball program where he oversaw all administrative areas of the program and assisted the coaching staff with recruiting, scouting and coaching. Bickerstaff played his first two collegiate seasons at Oregon State University, where he was the youngest NCAA Division I player as a 17-year-old freshman, and finished his career at the University of Minnesota. As a senior, he averaged 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Gophers.

Hawks sign Jason Collins

The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran center Jason Collins, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not announced.

“Jason provides us with additional size and a good interior defensive presence,” Sund said. “He has extensive experience, having started in two NBA Finals with the Nets, and is another player with strong character and leadership qualities.”

An eight-year veteran, Collins spent last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he appeared in 31 games (22 starts), and averaged 1.8 ppg and 2.3 rpg.

He spent his first six-and-a-half seasons with the New Jersey Nets, where he appeared in 510 contests (starting 404 of them) before he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on February 4, 2008 in exchange for Stromile Swift. He then came to the Timberwolves as part of an eight-player deal on June 26, 2008 that also involved Kevin Love and O.J. Mayo.

Collins has played in 572 career regular season games, including 429 starting assignments, averaging 4.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 1.0 apg in 23.4 mpg (.410 FG%, .648 FT%). Collins also has significant postseason experience, playing in 75 playoff games (3.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg), including two trips to the NBA Finals with the Nets in 2002 and 2003.

The native of Southern California played four seasons at Stanford University alongside twin brother Jarron (now of the Utah Jazz). He earned Honorable Mention All-America by the Associated Press and was named to the All Pac-10 First Team in 2001, after putting in 14.5 ppg and 7.8 rpg. Collins attended Harvard-Westlake Prep in North Hollywood, California.

Jason Paul Collins was born December 2, 1978 in Northridge, California. He will wear uniform number 34.

Ed Pinckney joins 76ers broadcast team

Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, the leader in local sports coverage, today announced that Ed Pinckney has joined the 76ers broadcast team as color analyst. Pinckney will work alongside Marc Zumoff for all 76ers broadcasts on Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ed back home and to have someone with his credentials join Marc Zumoff, providing Sixers fans with one of the best broadcast teams in the NBA,” said Comcast SportsNet Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Monihan. “Ed’s experience in the NBA, combined with his broadcasting experience and background as a player and coach at Villanova, will provide the insightful analysis and unique perspective that Sixers’ fans have come to expect from our talented crew.”

“I am extremely excited to be back in Philadelphia and to be a part of the Comcast SportsNet family,” said Pinckney. “I am honored to work alongside Marc Zumoff, and to share the passion and excitement that we both have for the Sixers with the fans of Philadelphia.”

“We are excited that Ed Pinckney will be returning to Philadelphia to join Marc Zumoff on our Sixers telecasts in order to provide fans with one of the most experienced, knowledgeable and talented broadcasting tandems in the NBA,” said Sixers Senior Vice President of Business Operations Lara Price. “It seems only fitting that the city in which he won a National Championship while at Villanova University now welcomes him back as a member of Comcast SportsNet and the Sixers family.”

While playing for Villanova, Pinckney led the Wildcats to the 1985 National Championship with a 66-64 upset of the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas.

Pinckney played 12 years in the NBA, including one as a Sixer during the 1995-96 season. Following his retirement from the NBA in 1997, he joined the Miami Heat’s radio and television broadcasting team. He then spent four seasons at his alma mater as an assistant coach and most recently served as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Pinckney also served as a Sixers Postgame Live analyst for two seasons.

Pinckney will join Zumoff for all Sixers broadcasts. Zumoff enters his 16th season as the Sixers television play-by-play announcer and his 28th as a part of the 76ers broadcast team.

Discuss the team on the InsideHoops Philadelphia 76ers forum.