Philadelphia 76ers Blog – Page 82 – NBA Blog

Suns invite Scottie Reynolds to training camp

Zach Buchanan of the Arizona Republic reports:

Scottie Reynolds’ entire career at Villanova – 139 games – was not enough to get him drafted in June.

But a three-game, injury-shortened stint on the Suns summer-league squad was enough to secure him an invite to training camp. Reynolds has already been asked to camp, a source said, although he is considering offers from a few other teams.

Reynolds averaged 10.3 points and 4.7 assists in the Suns’ final three games of summer-league play after missing the first two with an Achilles injury. His worst game came Thursday in Phoenix’s 86-76 wrap-up loss to the Golden State Warriors, contributing only seven points and two assists in 26 minutes.

Nets hire Billy King as new general manager

The New Jersey Nets have named Billy King as the team’s new general manager, Nets Principal Owner Mikhail Prokhorov announced today. King succeeds Rod Thorn, who is stepping down as the team’s president after 10 years at the helm. As per club policy, terms of King’s contract were not released.

“I am very pleased Billy King is coming on board as Nets General Manager,” said Prokhorov. “He has all of the qualities we’ve been looking for in a candidate: professionalism, good relations with the league, players and agents, and strong communications skills. He will be an excellent fit with Head Coach Avery Johnson. Most importantly, Billy is ambitious. He wants to win. This is what I felt when I met with him and why he will be a strong addition to the Nets organization.”

“I am very excited about joining the Nets organization,” said King. “I want to thank Mr. Prokhorov and his executive team for the opportunity to oversee a franchise that has such a vibrant owner, an outstanding coach in Avery Johnson, and possesses the combination of young talent, cap space and draft choices that will allow us to build a squad that will be able to contend for an NBA title.”

King replaces Rod Thorn, who took over the reins of the team on June 2, 2000, and during his tenure, led the Nets to two NBA Finals appearances, two Eastern Conference titles and four Atlantic Division titles, the most successful stretch in the team’s NBA history.

“Rod Thorn is a legendary figure in the NBA, a man of true character and class,” said Prokhorov. “He has been nothing but committed and supportive during the transition to new ownership, and continues to share his wisdom and provide guidance for the Nets. I wish him all of the wonderful things he deserves. I will always consider him a great friend of the Nets.”

King joins the Nets after spending 10 years with the Philadelphia 76ers organization, serving as the team’s president from 2003-2007. King joined the 76ers on June 2, 1997 as vice president of basketball administration, a role in which he served as the point person for basketball operations. Less than a year later he was promoted to general manager, a position he held until being promoted to team president following the 2002-03 season.

During his 10-year tenure, King guided the team to five consecutive playoff appearances (1999-2003), including the 2000-01 season in which the Sixers captured the Atlantic Division Title on the heels of a 56-26 season and went on to win their first Eastern Conference Championship since 1983, to advance to the 2001 NBA Finals.

Before joining the 76ers, King served as an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers under Larry Brown for four seasons. He joined the professional ranks after spending four seasons as an assistant at Illinois State University under Head Coach Bob Bender. He also spent one year as a color analyst for ESPN’s basketball coverage of the Ohio Valley Conference.

Holding several roles within the USA Basketball program throughout his career, King has served as a member of USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team Program Advisory Panel, on USA Basketball’s Board of Directors, as treasurer of USA Basketball and as an athlete representative on the 1997-2000 executive committee. King also served on the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team Committees for the 1997-2000 and 2001-04 terms.

During his collegiate career, King was an outstanding defensive player on Duke University’s nationally ranked teams in the late 1980s and received the Henry Iba Corinthian National Defensive Player of the Year award following his senior season. King helped the Blue Devils to a 112-27 record, an average of 28 wins per season as Duke went to the Final Four twice, won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season championship and two ACC Tournament titles. In 1987, he helped the USA Basketball Men’s World University Games silver-medal squad to a 7-1 record.

Evan Turner starts summer slowly

The Philadelphia Daily News blog reports:

The Sixers lost their first game of the Summer League in Orlando today, 89-80, to the Oklahoma City Thunder as rookie Evan Turner struggled again, shooting just 1-for-6 from the field and scoring four points. He committed six fouls in his 27-plus minutes and still seems a step slow.

Coach Doug Collins and general manager Ed Stefanski both said they are not surprised by Turner’s slow start. Both point to the fact that he hasn’t played organized basketball since his Ohio State team was ousted in the NCAA Tournament in late March. Playing in games was not recommended to Turner by his handler for fear of injury.

76ers announce assistant coaches Michael Curry, Brian James, Quin Snyder, Aaron McKie

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that Head Coach Doug Collins has named his coaching staff for the upcoming season. Michael Curry will serve as associate head coach while Brian James and Quin Snyder have been added as assistant coaches. In addition, Aaron McKie will return in his role as an assistant coach. Collins was named head coach of the Sixers back on May 21, 2010.

James and McKie will coach the Sixers in the Orlando Pro Summer League which begins on Monday, July 5.

Curry last served as head coach of the Detroit Pistons in 2008-09, taking the team to the playoffs in his only season at the helm. He played 11 seasons in the NBA and spent four years as President of the NBA Players Association. Curry was also an assistant coach for the Pistons in 2007-08, the NBA Development League’s Vice President of Player Development in 2005-06 and the NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations in 2006-07.

Following his senior season at Georgia Southern in 1989-90, Curry went undrafted and would not make his NBA debut until a brief 10-game stint with the Sixers at the start of the 1993-94 season. It wasn’t until he joined the Collins-coached Pistons during the 1995-96 season that Curry began to carve his niche in the league.

James owns 11 years of NBA coaching experience, including four as a lead assistant. He most recently served as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks for three seasons from 2005-06 through 2007-08. Since then, James has done advance scouting for numerous NBA teams.

In addition to Milwaukee, James has held coaching positions with Washington (2001-03), Toronto (1998-2001) and Detroit (1995-98). His stints with the Wizards and Pistons came as a member of Collins’ staff.

Snyder joins the Sixers staff following a successful three-year run as head coach of the Austin Toros in the NBA D-League. He compiled a winning percentage of .627 with the Toros and led the team past the first round of the playoffs each year, including an appearance in the championship game his first season. Snyder earned the D-League’s Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year award in 2008-09.

Prior to his time with the Toros, Snyder coached the University of Missouri for seven seasons, posting a mark of 128-96 (.571). Under Snyder, the Tigers made six consecutive post season appearances, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament and a berth in the Elite Eight. Snyder played his collegiate career at Duke and was part of three Final Four teams (1986, 1988, 1989).

McKie recently completed his third season as an assistant coach with Philadelphia and has exhibited a strong influence in the development of the Sixers roster. The local product played 13 seasons in the NBA, highlighted by a trip to the Finals with Philly in 2001. He was also named Sixth Man of the Year that season.

Joseph Ondrejko named Philadelphia 76ers new Vice President of Ticket Sales

Joseph Ondrejko, an experienced veteran of selling tickets to professional sporting events and teams, was today named the Philadelphia 76ers new Vice President of Ticket Sales.

“Joe brings a tremendous amount of sales experience to the Sixers,” said Sixers Senior Vice President of Business Operations Lara Price. “As we begin a new era in Sixers basketball with the second overall pick Evan Turner and Head Coach Doug Collins, we’ll rely heavily on Joe to create and implement new and exciting opportunities for our fans to enjoy Sixers basketball.

“He has done incredible jobs with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning and we’re looking for similar results here in Philadelphia,” added Price.

Ondrejko joins the Sixers from the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League, where he was responsible for significant increases in new season ticket sales and renewal percentages for the team, while also increasing revenue growth via inside sales, group sales and mini-game plans. He started with the Blue Jackets as Director of Group Ticket Sales, successfully restructuring the department which led to an increase in group sales during his first and only year in that position.

Prior to joining Columbus, Ondrejko spent five years with the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) of Palace Sports and Entertainment becoming the team’s Corporate Partnerships Manager, where he was responsible for developing new revenue streams, all arena signage, in-game promotions, and Lightning Network Broadcast advertising.

He began his tenure with the Lightning as a Corporate Account Manager, before being promoted to Senior Suite Sales Manager, during which time he was charged with developing and leading suite sales campaigns as well as maintaining, adding and renewing suite business on a yearly basis.

76ers trade Samuel Dalembert to Kings for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Samuel Dalembert in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

According to the Sacramento Bee, “Dalembert, who attended Seton Hall and was the 26th overall selection of the 2001 NBA Draft by the 76ers, comes to the Kings in the final year of his contract. He is scheduled to make $12,200,000.”

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, “Nocioni has two years remaining on his contract, with an option for a third. The two years are valued at about $13 million. Hawes, a first-round draft pick in 2007, is still under his rookie deal.”

“We’re excited about the acquisition of Samuel Dalembert,” explained Petrie. “He will certainly bring a defensive presence and increase our ability to defend around the basket with his rebounding, shot-blocking and athleticism. I think he’ll add a very different look to our team defensively and we’re really excited about having him. I also want to thank Spencer and Andres for their contributions here and wish them well with Philadelphia. It’s been an enjoyable time with both of them.”

Dalembert, a 6-11, 250-pound center, who just finished his eighth NBA season (all with Philadelphia), has amassed career averages of 8.1 points (.527 FGs, .692 FTs), 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game through 582 contests. His most productive season occurred during the 2006-07 campaign when he averaged 10.7 points (.541 FGs and .746 FTs), 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game over 82 outings, of which he started all 82 games. Dalembert has averaged 8.6 points (.521 FGs, .658 FTs), 9.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game through 17 career playoff contests. He ranked fifth in the NBA in blocks (1.84 bpg) in 2009-10 and has swatted away 140 or more shots in six of the last seven seasons. He ranks second in career blocks (1,131) in 76ers history, trailing only Julius Erving (1,293). Dalembert has played in all 82 games in each of the last four seasons and has a consecutive games played streak of 354. He led Philadelphia in rebounding with a 9.6 average in 2009-10, ranking him 12th in the NBA. He was the 2009-10 recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizen Award presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association. Dalembert was a first round pick (26th overall) by the 76ers in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Seton Hall after his sophomore season. He finished with career averages of 7.1 points (.537 FGs, .539 FTs) and 5.8 rebounds per game through 59 outings over his two-year career at Seton Hall.

At 7-1 and 245 pounds, Hawes, a center, recently finished his third NBA season (all with the Kings). He has totaled career averages of 8.8 points (.466 FGs, .314 3FGs, .670 FTs), 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks per game over 220 outings, of which he has started in 118). Hawes’ most productive season occurred during the 2008-09 campaign when he averaged 11.4 points (.466 FGs, .348 3FGs, .662 FTs), 7.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 blocks per game through 77 contests. He was selected by Sacramento in the first round (10th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft after his freshman season at the University of Washington.

Nocioni, a 6-7, 225-pound forward, recently finished his sixth NBA season (four and a half with Chicago and one and a half with Sacramento). He has amassed career averages of 11.3 points (.433 FGs, .375 3FGs, .802 FTs), 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game over 449 contests, of which he has started in 185). He has averaged double figures in scoring in four of his six NBA seasons. Nocioni has appeared in 22 career playoff games with Chicago, averaging 13.6 points (.443 FGs, .377 3FGs, .789 FTs), 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He was signed by the Bulls as a free agent prior to the 2004-05 season. Nocioni was acquired by the Kings in a three-team trade involving Chicago and Portland on February 18, 2009. Nocioni played for Tau Ceramica in Spain from 2002 to 2004 prior to his NBA career.

76ers hire Doug Collins as head coach

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that Doug Collins has been named head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We are excited to hire a head coach with the level of experience, knowledge and passion for the game that Doug Collins has,” said Stefanski. “He has been around basketball his entire life, has experienced success at every step throughout his career and we are confident in his ability to lead our team.”

“Doug Collins is a terrific motivator, teacher, and manager,” said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko. “We believe he is the right coach for the Philadelphia 76ers and the one who will lead us back onto the right track.”

“The past week has provided us with a series of events that we believe will be a turning point for the Philadelphia 76ers,” said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider. “Doug Collins is a coach that can make an immediate impact. He has all the attributes that we are looking for in a new head coach and we are happy to welcome him back into the Sixers family.”

Since his last coaching stint with the Washington Wizards in 2002-03, the 58-year-old Collins has served as an analyst for the NBA on TNT. In eight seasons of coaching, Collins compiled a regular season record of 332-287 (.536) and reached the playoffs five times, highlighted by a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals with Chicago in 1989.

Following a standout career at Illinois State, Collins was selected by the Sixers with the first overall pick in the 1973 NBA Draft. He spent all eight of his seasons with Philadelphia, averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.25 steals in 415 games played while shooting 50.1% from the floor and 83.3% from the line. For his career, the four-time All-Star had more steals (518) than turnovers (485).

By Collins’ fourth season with the team in 1976-77, Philadelphia advanced to the NBA Finals. During that postseason, Collins averaged 22.4 points per game, second only on the team to Julius Erving’s 27.3 ppg.

After injuries forced him to retire during the 1980-81 season, Collins took an assistant coaching job at The University of Pennsylvania under Bob Weinhauer and followed Weinhauer to Arizona State. Collins’ NBA coaching career began when he was named head coach of the Chicago Bulls on May 23, 1986.

Collins took the Bulls to the playoffs in his first season and guided them to 50 wins in 1987-88, marking the franchise’s first 50-win season since 1973-74. In his third and final season with the Bulls in 1988-89, Chicago advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

In his first season as head coach of the Pistons in 1995-96, Collins inherited a Detroit team that had won 28 games the previous season and engineered an 18-game improvement along with a playoff appearance. Detroit gave up just 92.9 points per game in 1995-96, nearly 13 points fewer than it allowed the season before Collins arrived.

Detroit won 54 games the following season (1996-97) with Collins at the helm, which is tied for the fifth-highest win total for a single season in franchise history. In the first three and a half seasons following Collins’ departure, the team had a winning percentage of .474.

Collins last coaching stint came with Washington during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons where he was reunited with Michael Jordan, who Collins coached during his time with the Bulls. In 2001-02, Collins once again improved his team’s win total by 18 games from the previous season. The Wizards posted a winning percentage of .451 in two years under Collins after having a winning percentage of .308 the three seasons prior. The season after he left, Washington won just 25 games.

In addition to Jordan, Collins helped with the development of several other future All-Stars who were in the early stages of their careers, including Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Grant Hill, Theo Ratliff and Allan Houston, as well as Lindsey Hunter and Richard Hamilton.

Collins has been just as successful in broadcasting as he was as a player and coach. He is widely regarded as one of the best analysts in basketball, as evidenced by his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Media Wing in September, 2009. Additionally, he has earned four Emmy® Award nominations and two Cable ACE Awards during his time with NBC and TNT.

Collins and his wife, Kathy, have two children. Their son Chris is an associate head coach at Duke University and their daughter Kelly lives in the Philadelphia area.

Earlier this week, the Sixers were awarded the second overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, which will be held on Thursday, June 24 at The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, beginning at 7 p.m.

Dwane Casey in demand

Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News reports:

Assistant coach Dwane Casey is with the Mavericks’ management crew in Chicago and will meet with Atlanta Hawks officials about their coaching vacancy.

Casey is on the list of virtually every team looking for a coach, but several of those teams don’t seem to be in a hurry to make a hire.

New Orleans has interviewed Casey and Philadelphia, also with an opening, interviewed Casey last year. The Clippers have not yet asked for permission to interview Casey, but the Mavericks have been told there is interest.

Nelson said the Mavericks are bracing for the possibility Casey could be moving.

“We love Dwane and we’d hate to lose him,” Nelson said. “But he’s popular for a reason right now.”

Wizards win first pick in 2010 NBA Draft Lottery

The National Basketball Association announced tonight that the Washington Wizards received the first overall pick in the 2010 Draft during tonight’s Draft Lottery in Secaucus, NJ.

“This is a great night for our franchise and particularly for our fans,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “They have shown great support and passion during what has been a difficult stretch over the last two seasons, but they can celebrate tonight knowing that we’ve taken a big step towards building the team that they deserve.”

The Wizards, who had a 10.3% chance of landing the first pick in tonight’s Draft Lottery, have held the number one overall pick twice before in franchise history. They chose Walt Bellamy number one in 1961 and Kwame Brown with the top pick in 2001.

In addition to the number one pick, the Wizards own Cleveland’s first round selection (30th overall) as a result of a three-team deal on Feb. 17 and hold their own second round pick (35th overall).

Washington is totally rebuilding, and chances are they’ll go make John Wall the first overall selection.

The Philadelphia 76ers are likely to take Evan Turner second, playing him alongside Andre Iguodala.

At third, the Nets will probably go for a power forward. There are several good candidates worthy of going that high up.

Complete 2010 NBA Draft Lottery results are here.

76ers interview Elston Turner

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski met with Houston Rockets Assistant Coach Elston Turner in Philadelphia, PA today regarding the Sixers vacant head coaching position.

Joining Stefanski at the meeting with Turner was Sixers Sr. Vice President and Assistant General Manager Tony DiLeo and Sixers consultant Gene Shue.

“Elston has almost 15 years of experience as a assistant coach – most of which came under Rick Adelman, who trusted him with major responsibilities on both ends of the court, with a focus on defense – and he has experienced success at every stop during his NBA career,” Stefanski said. “I want to thank Elston for taking the time to speak with us today.”

“We will continue to evaluate the candidates and proceed with our due diligence in order to make an informed and objective decision regarding our next head coach.”