Sacramento Kings Blog – Page 65 – NBA Blog

Kings rookie Jimmer Fredette shined in preseason

Getting Fredette the ball hasn’t been a bad idea in the preseason.

In the two games, Fredette made 11 of 20 shots, including 6 of 9 from three-point range. He also had eight assists, second only to Tyreke Evans’ 14.

Fredette is adjusting to not being the primary ballhandler as he was at BYU. Instead of setting up teammates and creating his own shot, Fredette is relying on others to get him the ball.

“It’s not too bad, because with this offense it’s more moving without the ball, but once you have the ball trying to make a play,” Fredette said. “It’s not just like a catch and shoot. If you have the ball, you can go out and dribble, make a play.”

— Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee

Rockets may want a Chuck Hayes reunion

The Rockets on Monday made inquiries about the prognosis of former Rockets forward Chuck Hayes to determine if his medical condition might allow him to be a free-agent option again, a person with knowledge of the talks said.

The Kings voided Hayes’ $21.3 million, four-year contract on Monday, days after Hayes failed a team physical. The team had announced last week that an abnormality was found during a heart examination. No additional information was made available at Hayes’ request.

Hayes broke into the league in 2005-06, the season after his predecessor at power forward for the Rockets, Juwan Howard, was sidelined because of a heart condition.

— Reported by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle

Chuck Hayes fails physical; Sacramento Kings void his contract

STATEMENT FROM STATEMENT FROM GEOFF PETRIE REGARDING CHUCK HAYES

“This morning, in one of the most heartbreaking moments of my professional or personal life, Chuck Hayes was notified that he failed his physical exam with the Sacramento Kings. Subsequent to that, the contract signed on December 9th has been voided. At Chuck’s request, we will have no further comment at this time.”

—–

UPDATE: According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, Hayes’ deal was for four years and $21 million, and in the past tests showed an abnormality in Hayes’ heart. We assume that the failed physical is heart-related, but don’t know that for sure. Whatever the case, we wish Chuck the best. As a person, he’s a player worth rooting for.

Kings still hoping for new Sacramento arena

Sacramento Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof are growing increasingly optimistic that the city will approve an acceptable financing plan for a new arena by the March 1 deadline to keep the franchise from relocating.

Gavin Maloof said Thursday that the team is pleased with the progress of the city’s latest arena project and is “encouraged that something can be done” in time. Joe Maloof said the brothers are “optimistic guys” and would love for the franchise to remain in Sacramento.

— Reported by Antonio Gonzalez of the Associated Press

Kings sign forward Chuck Hayes

The Sacramento Kings today signed free agent center/forward Chuck Hayes to a multi-year contract, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Chuck Hayes brings a tremendous amount of professionalism and competitive spirit to the team,” said Petrie. “He’s been a winner everywhere he’s been. I really look forward to watching him add to our team defensively, his ability to pass the ball, move the ball and be a real stabilizing force out on the court. We feel lucky to have him. We look forward to watching him play with all of his new teammates.”

Hayes, entering his seventh NBA season (all with Houston), averaged 7.9 points (.527 FGs, .662 FTs), 8.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in 74 contests year for Rockets, of which he started 63. Known for his toughness and defensive prowess, he has amassed career averages of 4.4 points (.518 FGs, .603 FTs), 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game through 424 outings. Hayes has recorded career highs of 21 points versus Phoenix (3/14/2011), 18 rebounds versus Utah (4/7/2010), 11 assists versus Golden State (3/23/2011), five steals (twice) and three blocked shots at Chicago (12/22/07).

“I’m excited,” explained Hayes. “It’s going to feel weird at first because this is all new to me, but there was change that was needed and change that I’m accepting and I’m embracing it. I’m a fan of this team. I’ve watched a lot of their games and know a little bit about all of the players. I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully, we can jump out of the gate and create some chemistry really quick. Going into my seventh year, I bring experience and veteran leadership to this roster that is young at the core.”

Hayes, who prepped at nearby Modesto Christian, enjoyed a stellar four-year career at Kentucky (2001-2005) where he posted numbers that ranked him 35th in scoring (1,211 points), seventh in rebounding (910), ninth in blocks (128), eighth in steals (170) and 16th in assists (292) on the school’s all-time list. He was named “Mr. Basketball” in California and a Parade All-American as a senior in high school while leading Modesto Christian to the state championship game (played at ARCO Arena).

“Chuck is a player who knows how to help his team win basketball games,” said Kings’ head coach Paul Westphal. “It was paramount for us to add a player like Chuck who is a young veteran who can play defense and has experience winning. He’s a great ball-mover. In a lot of ways, he’s a point guard from the center position. I think his addition will help all of our young, scoring players get more shots. He knows how to do that and he knows how to defend and we just couldn’t be happier.”

Kings re-sign guard Marcus Thornton

The Sacramento Kings today re-signed restricted free agent guard Marcus Thornton to a multi-year contract, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re really excited that we were able to re-sign Marcus Thornton and have him come back and build off of the great contribution that he made to the team last season,” said Petrie. “He’s a young and exciting player who has a lot of competitive drive. He’ll team with Tyreke (Evans) and Jimmer (Fredette) and be part of a terrific, young backcourt. We’re very upbeat about the future potential for improvement and the opportunity to watch him play for the Kings again.”

Thornton, who was acquired by the Kings from New Orleans at the NBA trade deadline last season in exchange for Carl Landry, is entering his third NBA season. He averaged 21.3 points (.450 FGs, .361 3FGs, .805 FTs), 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.67 steals per game in 27 contests last year for Sacramento, of which he started 23. Thornton averaged 21.3 points (.441 FGs, .354 3FGs, .810 FTs), 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.65 steals per game in 23 outings as a starter for the Kings. He has recorded career averages of 13.6 points (.443 FGs, .371 3FGs, .801 FTs), 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game over 146 contests with New Orleans and Sacramento, of which he started 40. Thornton has posted career highs of 42 points versus Golden State (3/14/11), 11 rebounds (twice), nine assists at Minnesota (3/20/11) and six steals versus Oklahoma City (4/11/11). He tallied 29 points (9-16 FGs, 1-4 3FGs, 10-12 FTs) in his first game at ARCO Arena as a King, scoring the most points off the bench in a home debut for the Kings in the Sacramento era.

“I’m very excited to be back with Sacramento,” said Thornton. “I’m really ready to get this season going and pick up where we left off. This is a good fit for me with my teammates and coaching staff. I enjoy the city of Sacramento and the fans are great.”

Selected by New Orleans with the 43rd overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, Thornton was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 14.5 points (.451 FGs, .374 3FGs, .814 FTs), 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in 73 outings, of which he started 17. Among rookies, he ranked fourth in scoring and sixth in free throw percentage. Thornton set a rookie record with 117 three-pointers made in a season. He tied the Hornets’ franchise record for the most points scored by a rookie when he scored 37 points at Cleveland (2/23/10), while also setting a franchise record for the most points scored in a quarter with 23 (2nd quarter).

“Marcus impressed us greatly last year and we just couldn’t wait to re-sign him,” explained Kings’ head coach Paul Westphal. “We made that a high priority and never felt it was in doubt. We’re really pleased to have one of the fine, young shooting guards in the league to be on our team for several years to come. It’s a great fit for him and us and was a high priority on our behalf.”

Thornton was named SEC Player of the Year following his senior season at Louisiana State University, capping an impressive two-year career for the Tigers. He spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Kilgore Community College.

Kings renounce rights to Samuel Dalembert, 3 other players

The Sacramento Kings today renounced the rights to Samuel Dalembert (center), Pooh Jeter (guard), Marquis Daniels (forward/guard) and Darnell Jackson (forward), according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

Dalembert last season averaged 8.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.45 blocks in 24.2 minutes per game.

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).

Kings offer Chuck Hayes $20 million

The Sacramento Kings have offered a four-year contract valued at $20 million to Houston Rockets free agent Chuck Hayes, according to a team source.

The under-the-cap Kings, according to the source, are optimistic Hayes will accept the deal, which would pay the 6-foot-6 forward in the mid-level exception ballpark of $5 million annually.

Said another source close to the process: “Look for [Hayes] to take it.”

— Reported by Marc Stein of ESPN.com

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Kings hire Jim Todd as assistant coach

Sacramento Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie today announced the hiring of Jim Todd as an assistant coach. He joins current assistant coaches Jim Eyen, Keith Smart and Bobby Jackson on Head Coach Paul Westphal’s staff.

Todd coached in China last season and also served as an assistant coach for the Canadian National Men’s Basketball team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship Games in Turkey. He has been involved in coaching at the high school, college and pro level since 1976. Todd, who is no stranger to coaching in the NBA, was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks from 2008-2010. Prior to his assignment in Atlanta, he spent the 2007-08 campaign as an assistant coach for Milwaukee in his third stint with the Bucks. Todd spent three seasons as an assistant coach with Toronto (2004-2007), and the Raptors won a franchise-record 47 games and the Atlantic Division title in his final season. He began his NBA career as an assistant coach under Chris Ford with the Bucks from 1996-98. Todd followed Ford to the Los Angeles Clippers in 1998, and was named interim head coach of the Clippers on February 3, 2000.

An assistant coach at DePaul University in 2001-02, Todd then returned to Milwaukee as an assistant

coach the following two seasons, helping guide Milwaukee to back-to-back playoff trips.

After graduating with a Masters in Education from Fitchburg State (his alma mater) in 1976, Todd led

Notre Dame (MA) High School to a 26-2 record and the state title. From 1977-86, he worked as a head coach at Fitchburg State, an assistant at Columbia University and Marist College, and an associate head coach at Manhattan College. He helped lead Marist to its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance, and worked with future NBA center Rik Smits.

Todd was head coach at Salem State from 1987-96, recording a 192-57 (.771) mark, including a 110-10 (.917) record in Conference play. He led the school to eight Division III NCAA tourney appearances, and was named NCAA New England Coach of the Year in 1990. He also coached Salem State’s golf team, leading them to three NCAA appearances.

A member of both the Salem State and Fitchburg State Halls of Fame, Todd was recently inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.