The AP reports: Dwyane Wade said Heat president Pat Riley texted those sentiments very early Sunday, in what amounts to a largely ceremonial move. The Heat had to wait until 12:01 a.m. on July 12 to formally offer an extension to the reigning NBA scoring champion, and Wade said Riley didn’t wait too long before pressing the send button. “It’s no rush,” Wade said. “We all know that.” Wade didn’t reveal what the text message said, other than confirming the obvious, that Riley was reaffirming Miami’s hope that the 2006 NBA finals MVP sticks around for many years to come.
Clippers hire Tony Brown as assistant coach
The Los Angeles Clippers today added coaching veteran Tony Brown as an Assistant Coach to Head Coach and General Manager Mike Dunleavy’s staff.
Brown joins the Clippers after last serving as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2007-08 campaign. This will mark Brown’s third stint under Dunleavy, serving as an assistant coach on Dunleavy’s staff in Portland (1997-2001) and as an advance scout in Milwaukee from 1994-97. This also is a return to the Clippers for Brown, who averaged 4.7 points in 22 games played for Los Angeles during the 1991-92 season.
Overall, Brown has spent 11 seasons as an NBA assistant coach, serving a three-year stint with the Boston Celtics (2004-07), before joining the Bucks in 2007. Prior to his three-years in Boston, Brown served as the lead assistant to Kevin O’Neill in Toronto (2003-04). He also spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons from 2001-03. During his time with the Pistons, the club registered back-to-back 50-win seasons, captured two Central Division titles, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2003. Brown’s time in Portland saw the Trailblazers make four straight post-season appearances as well as two consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances (1999 and 2000).
In seven seasons as an NBA player, Brown split his time with nine teams, finishing with career averages of 6.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in 359 games. His best statistical season came in 1986-87 with New Jersey when he averaged 11.3 points in 30.4 minutes per game. The University of Arkansas product was a fourth-round draft choice of New Jersey in the 1982 NBA Draft.
Brown also played in the Continental Basketball Association (Lancaster Lightning, Ohio Mixers, Kansas City Sizzlers and Albany Patroons) and overseas with Reggio Emilia in the Italian League (1992-94).
Brown joins returning Clippers assistant coaches Kim Hughes and Fred Vinson.
Dallas Mavericks re-sign Jason Kidd
The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have re-signed point guard Jason Kidd. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Several media outlets reported that the deal was for three years and at least $25 million.
Kidd (6-4, 210) remains a Maverick and will continue his second stint with Dallas after being acquired from New Jersey in a 2008 trade deadline deal. In helping the Mavericks to a 50-32 regular season record, Kidd averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 35.6 minutes in 81 starts last season. He became only the fourth player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career assists when he recorded 15 vs. Toronto (3/1/09). He finished the 2008-09 campaign ranked sixth in assists per game (9.2), third in total assists (10,199), third in triple-doubles (103) and seventh in total steals (2,198) among the league’s all-time leaders.
Kidd, who was originally drafted by the Mavericks in the 1994 NBA Draft with the second overall pick, made Mavericks history in 1995 when he was named NBA Co-Rookie of the Year. During his first stay in Dallas, Kidd averaged 13.7 points, 8.7 assists and 5.9 rebounds in 182 games. The nine-time All-Star has started five midseason classics (1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2008) and in 1996 became the first Maverick to start an All-Star Game.
Kidd, a 15-year pro, has been named All-NBA First Team five times, while making the All-Defensive Team an additional seven times. Kidd holds career averages of 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 2.0 steals in 1,107 games. Kidd, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, most recently was a member of Team USA at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China after serving as tri-captain at the 2000 summer games in Sydney, Australia.
A former standout at the University of California-Berkeley, Kidd is a native of Alameda, Calif.
New York Knicks sign 2009 first round draft pick Jordan Hill
New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that forward Jordan Hill, the eighth overall selection by New York in the 2009 NBA Draft, has been signed to a contract.
Hill, 6-10, 235-pounds, averaged 18.3 points and 11.0 rebounds in his junior year at the University of Arizona, and set a school record for boards in a single season (375). The Newberry, SC-native finished as the Pac-10 leader in point-rebound double-doubles (20), ranked second in rebounding and blocked shots (1.71) and third in scoring. He also became the first Wildcat in 30 years to average double figures in both scoring and rebounding in the same season.
Hill is expected to play for the Knicks’ entry in the 2009 NBA Summer League presented by EA Sports in Las Vegas, NV from July 14-19.
Mike Sweetney comeback an uphill battle
The Boston Herald reports: The week collapsed before Mike Sweetney could start his comeback. After spending roughly 1 years away from basketball, the veteran power forward signed on with the Celtics for a stint in this week’s summer league in Orlando, Fla. But Sweetney pulled a hamstring 15 minutes into his first game Monday, and spent the rest of his week getting treatment. Not surprisingly, Sweetney responded with gracious relief when Celtics assistant Clifford Ray walked over and told him there was a chance he could work out at the C’s practice facility next week… Sweetney now is listed at 275 pounds, though that may be an old number. He said he’s lost 40 pounds, though he’s not letting on to his actual weight.
Trail Blazers sign Paul Millsap to offer sheet
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The Portland Trail Blazers signed restricted free agent forward Paul Millsap to an offer sheet, it was announced Friday by General Manager Kevin Pritchard. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. We’ll post reported contract info later tonight.
The Utah Jazz have seven days upon receipt of the offer sheet to match Portland’s offer.
Millsap last season averaged 13.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 30.1 minutes per game, shooting 53.4% from the field.
Trail Blazers exercise option to extend Nate McMillan contract
The Portland Trail Blazers exercised their option on Head Coach Nate McMillan, extending his contract through the 2010-11 season, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard.
“I’m excited that the option year on my contract has been picked up,” said McMillan. “We have a great team, first-class organization and the fan support has been incredible. I would also like to credit the coaching staff for their hard work, and we’re all looking forward to working towards our goal of bringing a championship back to the city of Portland.”
McMillan, 44, led the second youngest team in the NBA to the playoffs with a 54-28 record last season, which ranks as the sixth best mark in franchise history.
“Nate has proven himself one of the great coaches in the NBA,” said Pritchard. “The manner in which he’s developed and grown this young team is a testament to his hard work, intelligence and passion for the game. He’s done an amazing job, and we’re lucky to have him.”
He becomes just the second coach in NBA history to improve a team by at least nine or more wins in three consecutive seasons, as Portland has increased its win total by 33 games since McMillan’s first season in the Rose City.
With an all-time record of 360-363 (.498) over his nine-year coaching career with Portland and Seattle, McMillan stands as the third-youngest coach in NBA history to reach the 300 win mark.
Orlando Magic sign Brandon Bass
The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Brandon Bass, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. We’ll post contract info later tonight.
“Brandon (Bass) is a physical, athletic frontline player,” said Smith. “He will fit in well with our young core and we are excited to have him join the Magic family.”
Bass (#30, 6’8”, 250, 4/30/85) played in 81 games last season with Dallas, averaging 8.5 ppg. and 4.5 rpg. in 19.4 minpg. He shot .496 (252-508) from the field and .867 (182-210) from the free throw line, which was tied for 19th in the NBA. Bass also appeared in 10 postseason outings, averaging 9.4 ppg. and 4.1 rpg. in 19.2 minpg., shooting .550 (33-60) from the field and .903 (28-31) from the charity stripe. He scored in double figures 31 times, including a season-high 20 points on Feb. 21 vs. Sacramento. Bass also recorded four double-doubles.
Originally selected by New Orleans during the second round (33rd overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft, Bass has played in 210 career NBA regular season games with New Orleans and Dallas, averaging 6.9 ppg. and 3.9 rpg. in 17.0 minpg. He has also appeared in 15 career playoff games, averaging 10.1 ppg. and 5.0 rpg. in 21.7 minpg.
Sacramento Kings sign 2009 first round draft pick Omri Casspi
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The Sacramento Kings today signed Omri Casspi to a contract, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
All NBA first round draft picks are guaranteed a contract, provided they elect to join the league right away. So, this is standard.
Casspi was selected by the Kings in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft. He is the first player from Israel to be drafted by an NBA team in the first round.
Amar’e Stoudemire has routine eye surgery
Phoenix Suns forward Amar’e Stoudemire this afternoon underwent routine outpatient surgery on his right eye.
Commenting on the surgery, Suns’ team ophthalmologist Dr. Jay Schwartz said, “Amar’e today underwent a procedure that is a standard part of his continued recovery process. It was a routine drainage of a small amount of residual fluid that was simply the next step.”
Stoudemire originally underwent surgery to repair a partially detached retina in his right eye on Feb. 20, 2009.