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Pistons front office staff info

The Pistons announced today several promotions and four new additions to the basketball operations staff. Pat Garrity (associate general manager), Adam Glessner (director, player personnel) and J.R. Holden (director, international scouting) have been promoted to senior leadership positions within the department.

“We are pleased to complete our basketball operations staff for the upcoming season and look forward to the contributions of those who have been promoted and those who join our organization,” said General Manager Jeff Bower. “Pat Garrity, Adam Glessner and J.R. Holden have been a major part of our staff over the last three seasons and their promotion to senior leadership positions is a natural progression. Their effectiveness and unique skill sets will allow our basketball operations staff to evolve seamlessly moving forward.”

Garrity enters his third season with the Pistons, and first as associate general manager. Previously, he spent two seasons as director of strategic planning and assistant general manager after completing a 10-year NBA career and three-plus years working as a client advisor for a Connecticut-based hedge fund. Drafted 19th overall in the 1998 NBA Draft, Garrity spent one season with the Phoenix Suns and was traded to the Orlando Magic where he played from 1999-2008, including one season with Head Coach Stan Van Gundy (2007-08). A four-year player at the University of Notre Dame, he graduated with a BS in Science, Pre-Professional Studies. Following his retirement from the NBA in 2008, earned an MBA with a concentration in investment finance from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Holden, a college and international scout with the Pistons, enters his third season with the club and first as director of international scouting. The Pittsburgh, PA native played college basketball at Bucknell University from 1994-98 and then embarked on a 13-year pro career overseas playing in Latvia, Belgium, Greece and Russia. His time overseas was most notable while playing for CSKA Moscow (Russia) from 2002-11 where he won 12-of-13 league championships, appeared in eight consecutive Euroleague Final Fours and won one European gold medal. He ended his pro career by being named to the 2001-10 All-Decade Team.

Glessner, a pro scout with the Pistons, enters his third season with the club and first as director of player personnel. His prior NBA experience includes a stint with Charlotte as a coaching associate and six years with the Orlando Magic. During his time in Orlando, he worked under Head Coach Stan Van Gundy from 2007-12 as a video coordinator/analyst.

Additional basketball staff promotions include Jorge Costa to director of research and technology, Aaron Gray to assistant coach, Ryan Winters to scout, Jordan Sabourin to head strength coach, T.J. Saint to head video coordinator and Jordan Brink to assistant video coordinator. New hires joining the Pistons staff include Aaron Blackshear as analytics systems coordinator and Louis Thompson as assistant strength and conditioning coach. Quentin Richardson transitions to a pro scout after serving the last two years as director of player development. Staff additions to the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons NBA D-League affiliate, include Courtney Havens-Mitchell as head athletic trainer and Evarist Akujobi as strength and conditioning coach.

Paul Millsap out with knee injury

Hawks forward Paul Millsap recently underwent a preventative procedure to reduce mild swelling in his right knee.

“After reviewing the options with Paul to treat his knee and provide him the best long-term care, we agreed, largely due to the time of year, that this was the best method and time to ensure his complete readiness for the start of the regular season,” President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer said.

In an effort to maximize the benefit of the procedure, Millsap will progress through phases of rest and recovery before returning to full basketball activities over the next three weeks.

He will miss the first two preseason games and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Rockets trade Michael Beasley to Bucks for Tyler Ennis

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced today that the team has acquired forward Michael Beasley from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard Tyler Ennis.

“We’re excited to add a player with Michael’s skill set to our team,” said Hammond. “He’s someone that we’ve kept our eye on the last few seasons and we’re looking forward to watching him compete throughout training camp and the season.”

Beasley, 27, appeared in 20 games for the Rockets last season and averaged 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Prior to signing with Houston, Beasley played in China with the Shandong Golden Stars and averaged 31.9 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, earning the CBA’s Foreign MVP Award for the 2015-16 season. While playing for Shandong, Beasley tallied games of 48 and 49 points and was named MVP of the CBA All-Star Game for the second straight year after recording 63 points, 19 rebounds and 13 assists for the South team.

The No. 2 overall pick by Miami in the 2008 NBA Draft, Beasley has career NBA averages of 13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 453 games (200 starts) for Miami, Minnesota, Phoenix and Houston.

Ennis (6-3, 194) was an early entry candidate for the 2014 NBA Draft following his freshman season at Syracuse and was selected 18th overall by Phoenix. He was acquired by the Bucks midway through his rookie season. Ennis was born in Brampton, Ontario outside of Toronto and is a member of the Canadian National Team.

Last season, Ennis appeared in 46 games with seven starts for the Bucks. Over the final 18 games, he averaged 7.6 points, 3.7 assists and 2.8 rebounds in just 23.6 minutes per game while shooting 48.3% from the floor. For the season, Ennis ranked fourth in assists per 48 minutes played among players 21 or younger.

Following his freshman season with the Orange, Ennis was named USA Today All-America Second Team. He ranked sixth in the nation, and first among freshman, with a 3.60 assist-to-turnover ratio, and led the ACC in both assists and steals.

“We wish Tyler the best and thank him for his contributions to the Bucks, both on and off the court,” Hammond added.

Michael Jordan statement on recent events in city of Charlotte

Here’s a statement from Michael Jordan, released today, concerning recent events in the city of Charlotte:

“First, I want to express my condolences to the Scott family for their loss. I also wish for a full recovery to those who have been injured.

“In light of the tragic events of the past three days, it is more important than ever that we restore calm and come together, as a community, in peaceful demonstration and conversation, and in constructive and non-violent ways. As part of the fabric of Charlotte, the Hornets organization is committed to working with civic leaders, our elected leaders and law enforcement to foster more trust, transparency and understanding so we can heal and grow together as a community.”

Jazz sign Henry Sims

The Jazz have signed free agent center Henry Sims.

We will assume this is a non-guaranteed deal that merely brings Sims to training camp.

Sims (6-10, 248, Georgetown) has appeared in 135 NBA games over four seasons with New Orleans, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Brooklyn, owning career averages of 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 18.8 minutes per game. Sims finished the 2015-16 season with the Nets, appearing in 14 games (four starts) and averaging 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 block in 18.8 minutes of action.

He has also spent time in the NBA D-League with the Erie BayHawks, Canton Charge and Grand Rapids Drive. Sims averaged 15.7 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 30.0 minutes per game before signing with Brooklyn in March of 2016.

The Baltimore native, played four years at Georgetown (2008-12), averaging 11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 blocks as a senior. He played high school basketball at Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore.

He will wear jersey #30 for the Jazz.

Pelicans sign Chris Copeland and Robert Sacre

The Pelicans have signed free agents Chris Copeland and Robert Sacre.

We assume these are non-guaranteed contracts that merely bring Copeland and Sacre to Pelicans training camp.

Copeland, 6-8, 235, appeared in 24 games with Milwaukee last season, posting averages of 2.1 points in 6.5 minutes per game. Undrafted out of Colorado in 2006, Copeland has appeared in 171 career regular season games (26 starts) with New York, Indiana and Milwaukee, posting averages of 5.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game.

Sacre, 7-0, 270, appeared in 25 games last season for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 3.5 points and 2.9 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. Drafted 60th overall by the Lakers in 2012 out of Gonzaga, Sacre has spent his entire career in Los Angeles, averaging 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds over 189 career regular season games (35 starts).

Khris Middleton suffers hamstring injury, needs surgery

Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton suffered a left hamstring injury in preseason workouts that will require surgery, General Manager John Hammond announced Wednesday. Middleton is expected to be sidelined for approximately six months, with surgery planned in the next week.

“We’re obviously disappointed for Khris and our team, but injuries are an unfortunate part of the game,” said Hammond. “We’ll rely on our overall roster depth to help us while Khris is out for a significant period of the season.”

The Bucks were a disappointment last season, finishing with a 33-49 record and not living up to expectations that came with being a young but talented roster. Losing Middleton for the next six months certainly hurts their quest to rise up in the East.

Middleton, 25, averaged a career-high 18.2 points, 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals last season along with 3.8 rebounds in 79 games. Originally selected by Detroit (39th overall) in the 2012 NBA Draft, Middleton has career averages of 13.2 points, 2.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 267 career games (201 starts).

2016 Bucks Fan Fest info

The fourth annual Bucks Fan Fest will return to the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 12:30 – 4 p.m. The Fan Fest will once again be highlighted by the team’s annual open practice, which will take place from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and FREE! (tickets are required, but can be downloaded and printed for free at www.bucks.com/fanfest).

The Bucks’ annual open practice provides a rare peek into the inner-workings of an NBA team, including a first look at the new faces on the Bucks squad including Bucks rookies Thon Maker and Malcolm Brogdon, and free agents Matthew Dellavedova, Mirza Teletovic and Jason Terry. The practice will take place on the BMO Harris Bradley Center court and last for approximately one hour. General admission seating in the lower bowl will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. All fans that download tickets at www.bucks.com/fanfest before the event will be entered to win a pair of courtside seats to watch the open practice.

Following the team’s open practice, the arena will be transformed into a festival celebrating the new season of Bucks basketball. Fan Fest will run from 2-4 p.m. and include opportunities for autographs and photos with current players, coaches and broadcasters, the chance to shoot a free throw on the Bucks court, appearances by Bucks game night entertainment crews, the opportunity to purchase Bucks gear and memorabilia, and “Bango’s Backyard” with interactive games.

2016 Thunder Blue and White Scrimmage info

Fans will have the first opportunity to see the 2016-17 Thunder squad in action as the team brings its annual Blue and White Scrimmage to John Marshall Mid-High School on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

The Thunder team will take the court at 7 p.m. for an open practice that also includes several Thunder game-night features such as Rumble the Bison, the Thunder Girls, Thunder Drummers and Storm Chasers. Prior to the scrimmage, the team will hold Thunder Alley starting at 4 p.m. outside the school, where fans will be able to enjoy the OG&E ThunderBolt, pop-a-shot, sport court, the Thunder merchandise trailer, appearances by Thunder entertainers, and interactive games and sweepstakes at the U.S. Cellular tent.

“We are thrilled to bring the Thunder experience to John Marshall Mid-High,” said Brian Byrnes, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing. “Our tradition of the Blue and White Scrimmage gives us an outstanding opportunity to connect with communities across the state and show them how deeply we appreciate their support.”

Tickets for the scrimmage are being distributed by the John Marshall Mid-High School administration in order to best serve the school community.

Jazz announce basketball staff promotions and additions

The Jazz have promoted Richard Smith to executive director of international scouting and Bart Taylor to Jazz director of scouting/Salt Lake City Stars vice president of basketball operations.

Additionally, the team has hired Nixon Dorvilien as director of rehabilitation.

Smith is promoted to executive director of international scouting and will now head the Jazz’s global scouting efforts. He is entering his 22nd year with the organization having worked in a variety of capacities within basketball operations. For the past three seasons he served as the Jazz executive director of player services, following prior stints as director of basketball operations, director of scouting services, video coordinator and advance scout. A native of Norwich, Conn., “Smitty” earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Central Connecticut State College.

As Jazz director of scouting/Stars vice president of basketball operations, Taylor will serve the dual role of coordinating the Jazz’s scouting efforts while also directing all basketball-related decisions for the Jazz-owned NBA Development League team, which is set to begin its inaugural season in Utah in November. Now in his fifth season with the Jazz, Taylor had most recently served as the Jazz coordinator of scouting. Born and raised in San Antonio, Taylor served basketball operations internships with both his hometown Spurs and their NBA D-League affiliate the (then) Austin Toros after attending Trinity University in San Antonio, where he played basketball for three years and earned a degree in mathematics.

In his newly created role, Dorvilien will work closely with the Jazz’s medical and sports science staffs on injury prevention, athlete recovery and return to optimal performance after injury.

Dorvilien comes to the Jazz after spending the previous two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks (2014-16), the first as assistant athletic trainer before being promoted to head athletic trainer for his second season. He also spent time with the Brooklyn Nets (2012-14) as assistant athletic trainer. Dorvilien started his career with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005 as the team’s equipment manager and assistant athletic trainer. He spent six seasons with the Spurs organization, including the team’s NBA Championship campaign in 2006-07. During his time in San Antonio, Dorvilien also served as the head athletic trainer and strength coach for the Austin Toros (now Austin Spurs) during their 2011-12 D-League Championship season.

A native of the Bahamas, Nixon received a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Park University before earning his master’s degree from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2004. After completing his education, Dorvilien served one year as the Red Raiders’ athletic trainer for track and field, winning the men’s Big 12 championship, before joining the Spurs.