Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Devin Booker wins 2020-21 Season-long NBA Cares Community Assist Award

The NBA today announced Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker as the winner of the 2020-21 Season-long NBA Cares Community Assist Award.

Booker, who is currently playing in the NBA Finals, was selected by fans during a 12-day public voting period as well as by an NBA executive panel for his exceptional community outreach in the greater Phoenix area over the past several months.

Per the league: “This season, Booker furthered his commitment to the Phoenix community, donating $500,000 to five Arizona community groups for their respective efforts to improve the lives of local youth and families through his Devin Booker Starting Five Initiative, which has committed a total of $2.5 million over the course of five years – $500,000 annually – to five different youth-serving nonprofits in Arizona. Known as the second Starting Five class, Arizona Autism United, Central Arizona Shelter Services, YMCA of Southern Arizona, GAP Ministries and Elevate Phoenix each received a $100,000 grant from Booker to help address critical funding needs following the pandemic and support their respective efforts to improve the lives of local youth and families. The first class — Special Olympics Arizona, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, UMOM New Day Centers and Ability 360— received their $100,000 grants in late 2019.”

Rockets add Chris Wallace and Matt Bullard to basketball operations department

Houston Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone today announced Chris Wallace and Matt Bullard have joined the team’s basketball operations department.

“We’re always looking for ways to grow as an organization and Chris Wallace and Matt Bullard both have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will aid in our decision making processes,” said Stone. “Chris has decades of experience in scouting and evaluating players while Matt’s insights as a former player and as a broadcaster lends another unique voice to our internal discussions.”

Wallace recently finished his 14th season with the Memphis Grizzlies, having served as their general manager before transitioning to senior advisor to player personnel. He helped construct a Grizzlies team which made seven straight playoff appearances from 2011-2017, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2013. Prior to joining Memphis, Wallace spent 10 seasons as general manager of the Boston Celtics from 1997-2007.

Bullard played nine of his 11 seasons as a Rocket and was a member of Houston’s first championship team in 1993-94. He spent the past 16 seasons with the Rockets television broadcast as an analyst and color commentator. In addition to his duties with basketball operations, Bullard will also be involved in the organization’s community and grassroots basketball initiatives.

The Rockets also recently added Matthew Barlowe and Jake Flancer as analysts and Ross Homan and Javier Pesquera as scouts.

In G League, Long Island Nets name Adam Caporn new head coach

The Long Island Nets, the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, have named Adam Caporn as the fifth head coach in franchise history.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Adam and his family to Long Island,” said Long Island Nets General Manager Matt Riccardi. “Adam’s accomplished record of developing players and driving culture on the international, professional and amateur levels has prepared him well to lead the Long Island Nets. We look forward to seeing how his extensive knowledge of the game and focus on individual development will shape the team’s promising talent on and off the court.”

Caporn joins the Nets after spending the last seven seasons (2014-21) as head coach of Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence, the country’s leading player development program. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the Australian National Team, a position he has held since 2017, and will help lead the Boomers in the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.

The Australian native previously served two years (2014-16) as head coach of Australia’s U19 National Team and was an assistant coach at Saint Mary’s College of California for four seasons (2010-14). He also spent one season (2010-11) as a scholarship assistant coach at the Centre of Excellence, one season (2009-10) as head coach of the East Perth Eagles in Australia’s NBL1 and one season (2007-08) as an assistant coach for the Willetton Tigers in Australia’s NBL1 while still in the midst of his playing career.

Prior to pursuing coaching, Caporn played two collegiate seasons (2001-03) at Saint Mary’s and six professional seasons in Australia and New Zealand’s National Basketball League with the Illawarra Hawks (2003-06), Wellington Saints (2004) and Perth Wildcats (2006-09).

Game schedule for the 2021 NBA Finals

The game schedule for the 2021 NBA Finals, between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks, is as follows:

Suns vs. Bucks NBA Finals Game Schedule:

Game 1: Tue July 6, Bucks at Suns, 9PM ET, ABC

Game 2: Thu July 8, Bucks at Suns, 9PM ET, ABC

Game 3: Sun July 11, Suns at Bucks, 9PM ET, ABC

Game 4: Wed July 14, Suns at Bucks, 9PM ET, ABC

Game 5: Sat July 17, Bucks at Suns, 9PM ET, ABC (if necessary)

Game 6: Tue July 20, Suns at Bucks, 9PM ET, ABC (if necessary)

Game 7: Thu July 22, Bucks at Suns, 9PM ET, ABC (if necessary)

Assistant coaches for Pacers to be named soon

Rick Carlisle, for the second time in his career, recently became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. And his assistant coaches reportedly may soon be named. Via the Indianapolis Star:

Coach Rick Carlisle should have his staff rounded out within the next week, and there’s a strong chance that Calbert Cheaney will remain with the Indiana Pacers, a league source familiar with the situation told IndyStar.

Last week, IndyStar reported that Charlotte Hornets assistant Ronald Nored is “close” to joining the staff, too.

LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley suspended for shove of Chris Paul

LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley has been suspended one game without pay for an unsportsmanlike act for forcefully pushing Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul from behind and knocking him to the court during a stoppage in play, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Beverley was assessed a technical foul and ejected, occurred with 5:49 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 130-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals on June 30 at Staples Center.

Beverley will be suspended for the first game of the 2021-22 NBA regular season for which he is eligible to play.

Two Knicks rookies added to USA Select Team

Two New York Knicks rookies have been added to the USA Select Team. Via New York Newsday:

Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley, after contributing as Knicks rookies this past season, were named as members of the USA Select Team which will train and scrimmage with the USA National Team in Las Vegas this month…

While Quickley emerged early in the season as a key piece to the team’s turnaround, Toppin, who was selected No. 7 overall, came on late in the season and helped in the postseason. With both joining the Select Team the Knicks are one of four teams with two players included in the mix.

Giannis Antetokounmpo sustains hyperextended left knee, listed as Doubtful to play Game 5 vs. Hawks

There is relatively news from the Milwaukee Bucks on superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Yesterday, he sustained a hyperextended left knee and will be listed as doubtful for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals tomorrow night at Fiserv Forum. The injury occurred in the third period of the Bucks’ Game 4 loss at Atlanta last night.

The injury could have been a lot worse. It was scary to watch.

Antetokounmpo, 26, underwent an MRI and subsequent examination today by team physician Dr. Carole Vetter of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network. The MRI confirmed the earlier diagnosis. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.

In 15 playoff games (all starts), Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.2 points (10th in NBA playoffs), 12.7 rebounds (1st in NBA playoffs) and 5.2 assists (16th in NBA playoffs) in 37.4 minutes per game.

Trail Blazers forward/center Zach Collins undergoes additional ankle surgery

Portland Trail Blazers forward/center Zach Collins underwent a second revision surgery on his left ankle yesterday, to repair a left medial malleolus stress fracture.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Martin J. O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) In New York.

Collins underwent previous ankle surgeries on September 1, 2020, and December 30, 2020.

Per the Oregonian, “Collins has concluded his rookie contract. The Blazers this summer could make Collins a qualifying offer of roughly $7.4 million for next season that would prevent Collins from becoming an unrestricted free agent.”

Collins is out indefinitely.

Dennis Lindsey steps down, will now act as advisor for Jazz

After nine seasons with the Utah Jazz and 25 years in the NBA, Dennis Lindsey has decided to step down yesterday as executive vice president of basketball operations. He will transition into a role as an advisor to the Utah Jazz.

Justin Zanik, who was named general manager in 2019, will continue in his role overseeing the day-to-day management of Jazz basketball operations.

“In recent years, I have had conversations with the Miller family and then Ryan Smith when he came on board about moving into an advisory role,” Lindsey said. “This is an appropriate time to make the transition with the organization on such solid footing. I am proud of the progress we have made in raising our level of competitiveness in the Western Conference. We have built sustaining infrastructure around the team from enhanced performance analytics and upgraded training facilities to the local presence of the Salt Lake City Summer League and Salt Lake City Stars. I greatly value the many individuals that I have worked with and the players who have been a part of the Jazz during my tenure. I look forward to making contributions to the Jazz in a different way, while enjoying more time with my wife Becky and our four children.”

Lindsey came to Utah in 2012 after spending five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and 11 seasons with the Houston Rockets. In Utah, Lindsey assembled teams that reached the Western Conference Semifinals in 2017 and 2021, including drafting Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, adding Jazz standouts Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, and Joe Ingles, and hiring head coach Quin Snyder. This season’s team had three NBA All-Stars, the Defensive Player of the Year and the Sixth Man of the Year. Lindsey finished as the runner-up for the NBA’s Executive of the Year award as the Jazz posted the NBA’s best regular season record.

“Dennis Lindsey has had an incredible impact on the organization, and we are grateful for his dedication to the Utah Jazz,” said Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz. “We look forward to his contributions as an advisor to the Jazz and to Justin Zanik’s ongoing leadership as general manager. As an organization, we are committed to continuing our pursuit of excellence and will relentlessly work to achieve sustainable success and win championships.”

Zanik originally joined the Jazz as assistant general manager in 2013 and held the role for five seasons. He also served as assistant general manager for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016-17 before returning to Utah.