Hawks coach Woodson to enter final year of deal

Hawks coach Woodson to enter final year of deal

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports: What looks like pressure to some people looks like an opportunity to Hawks coach Mike Woodson. That’s why he was undeterred Thursday after it became clear he’ll enter next season in the final year of his contract. “There’s always pressure, if you want to call it that,” Woodson said after a day filled with meetings with Hawks officials and ownership. “I don’t look at it as pressure because I’m not made like that. All these people talking about fire Woodson and all that stuff, it’s never entered my mind. I swear. “The chatter is what it is. But we’re not going to do anything but keep pushing ahead trying to take another step next year.” Neither Woodson nor general manager Rick Sund broached the subject of a contract extension for the coach when they met.

Philadelphia 76ers coaching search update

The following is a statement from Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski, regarding the status of the team’s coaching search:

“In the past week, I have completed interviews with six candidates, all of whom are exceptionally qualified, have an impressive knowledge of the game and are very well-respected within the basketball community.

“I truly appreciate that they took time out of their schedules to meet with me regarding this position. Along with my staff, we will continue our due diligence – including further interviews, extensive research and in-depth background checks – before a final selection is made.

“As I have said before, the qualities I am looking for in our next head coach include excellent communication and leadership skills, will stress the importance of accountability while also developing our players and will be a strong tactician.

“As such, due to the number of candidates still involved in the process, there is no timetable set for when this very important decision regarding the future direction of the franchise will be made.”

Washington Wizards hire Sam Cassell, Randy Wittman as assistant coaches

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced yesterday that the team has named Randy Wittman and Sam Cassell as assistant coaches on the staff of Head Coach Flip Saunders.  Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not released.

“Randy and Sam will be excellent additions to our coaching staff, and both will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals,” said Saunders.  “Randy brings a wealth of experience as a former head coach of two different teams and is very familiar with my system.  I always regarded Sam as a coach on the floor during his playing days, and he brings instant credibility as a three-time NBA champion and a proven winner.”

Wittman was most recently with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he served as head coach from January 23, 2007 to December 8, 2008.  He previously served as head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1999-2001.  He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Indiana Pacers in 1992, and later worked as an assistant for the Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic.  Wittman played collegiately at Indiana University under Bobby Knight, helping the team to an NCAA championship in 1981.  He was originally drafted by the Washington Bullets with the 22nd pick of the 1983 NBA Draft, and played nine seasons in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers before retiring in 1992 with a career average of 7.4 points per game (.501 FG%) in 543 games.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to work with Flip again, and I’m confident that the staff he is assembling will complement the talented roster that is already in place,” said Wittman.  “I’m eager to help this team reach the next level and ready to get to work immediately on the court.”

The 2009-10 season will mark Cassell’s first foray into coaching after an outstanding 15-season playing career.  In 993 career regular season games, the former All-Star and Baltimore native averaged 15.7 points and 6.0 assists per game.  Cassell has won three NBA Championships (1994 and 1995 with Houston, 2008 with Boston), and appeared in the Eastern Conference Finals with Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld’s Milwaukee Bucks in 2001 and the Western Conference Finals under Flip Saunders with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2004.

“After 15 seasons playing in this league, I have accomplished all that I have dreamed of as a player,” said Cassell.  “Now the time has come for to me to take my love for the game to the coaching ranks and pass on what I’ve learned.  This team is loaded with talent, and it’s a great way for me to start my coaching career.”

Charlotte Bobcats are for sale

The Charlotte Observer (Rick Bonnell) reports:  Charlotte Bobcats majority owner Bob Johnson has stepped up efforts to sell the team, recently hiring a sports investment banker to look for a buyer. Sal Galatioto, president of New York-based Galatioto Sports Partners, confirmed to the Observer Thursday that he’s representing Johnson in a potential sale. Galatioto declined to comment further on the situation. Johnson told Observer columnist Scott Fowler last month that he’d like to sell controlling interest to minority owner Michael Jordan, the former NBA star who oversees the team’s basketball operations. Since then, according to multiple NBA sources, Johnson has begun looking for other potential buyers.

Randy Brown auctions off his NBA championship rings

The Chicago Sun-Times reports: Former Chicago Bull Randy Brown’s three NBA championship rings were sold at auction Thursday for $53,833. The winning bidder, identified only as “RingKing,” outbid Michael Jordan’s publicist. A judge ordered them sold following Brown’s 2008 bankruptcy filing. The minimum bid was $19,000.

InsideHoops.com editor says: That’s a damn shame.

76ers interview Tom Thibodeau

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Kate Fagan) reports: The 76ers confirmed they met yesterday with Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau about their head coaching vacancy, bringing the number of interviewed candidates to four. The Sixers would not comment further on the interview, and Thibodeau could not be reached for comment. The Sixers called the Celtics for permission last weekend. Thibodeau joins former Washington Wizards coach Eddie Jordan, current Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis, and Dallas assistant Dwane Casey as the four known candidates on the list of Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski.

Richard Hamilton sues former agent

The Detroit Free Press reports: Pistons guard Rip Hamilton has filed a federal lawsuit accusing his former business manager, already at the center of recruiting allegations at the University of Connecticut, of stealing about $1 million from him. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District court in eastern Pennsylvania against 34-year-old Josh Nochimson of Glenview, Ill. It accuses Nochimson of using Hamilton’s credit card to buy airline flights, game tickets and other items.

Nuggets beat Lakers 106-103 in Game 2

The AP reports: Similar game, different ending for the Los Angeles Lakers. Their 24-year playoff dominance of the Denver Nuggets dissipated over the final 29 seconds of the fourth quarter in the second down-to-the-wire game in the Western Conference finals. That’s when Kenyon Martin hit a layup in traffic and Chauncey Billups made 3 of 4 free throws to give Denver a 106-103 victory in Game 2 on Thursday night to even the series… Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points, Billups had 27 points and Linas Kleiza added 16 for the Nuggets. Nene finished with six points, nine rebounds and six assists… Kobe Bryant had 32 points, including making all 10 of his free throws, Trevor Ariza scored a career playoff-high 20 points and Pau Gasol had 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Lakers, who dropped to 7-2 at Staples Center this postseason… The Lakers were shaky on free throws in the fourth, making 9 of 14, while Denver didn’t blink at the line. The Nuggets were 29 of 37, with Billups hitting 13 of 16 and Anthony 10 of 14.

Chicago Bulls name Gar Forman general manager

The Chicago Bulls today named Gar Forman the team’s General Manager.

A member of the Bulls’ front office for the last 11 seasons, Forman came to the Bulls as a Scout prior to the 1998-99 season.  Since then, he has overseen a wide array of responsibilities within the Bulls Basketball Operations Department, most recently as the team’s Director of Player Personnel, a post he has held for the last five seasons.

According to Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, “The promotion of Gar Forman to General Manager of the Chicago Bulls publicly formalizes a successful formula that has been evolving for some time. Over that time, Gar has been assuming more and more of the daily GM duties, freeing John Paxson to spend more of his time and energies on talent evaluation, and on long-term, strategic planning for the organization.  As winning in the NBA becomes more complex, team building in the front office is as important as it is on the court.  The strong finish by this young Bulls team, coupled with its valiant efforts during one of the best playoff series in NBA history, places the franchise at an important juncture.  The front office tandem of Paxson and Forman will continue to be charged with preparing us for an even brighter future.  I am excited at their prospects.  I think our fans are, too.”

“I am very honored to be named General Manager of the Chicago Bulls. I would like to thank Jerry Reinsdorf for allowing me to evolve and present me with such a great opportunity,” said Forman.  “During my 11 years with the Bulls, I have had the chance to progress professionally and I am eager to expand into this new role.   I look forward to continue working with John Paxson on the challenge of building the Chicago Bulls and elevating the Bulls into the NBA’s upper echelon of teams.”

Prior to being named General Manager, Forman oversaw the coordination of the Bulls amateur and professional scouting operations.  He also implemented the team’s pro-player personnel scouting plan and assisted Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson in the evaluation of free agents and prospective trade acquisitions.

“Over the past six years, Gar Forman has been growing into a more prominent role within the Bulls organization,” said Paxson.  “With his help, we have improved the way we conduct business within our Basketball Operations Department, and this promotion is a reflection of his hard work, commitment and contributions to the organization. For Gar, this is long overdue and well deserved.”

Prior to joining the Bulls, Forman was a coach and recruiting coordinator at the collegiate level for 17 seasons with stops at his alma mater Utah State (1981-82), College of the Desert (1982-85), New Mexico State (1985-87, 1988-94), Cal Poly Pomona (1987-88) and Iowa State (1994-98).

Magic stun LeBron, Cavaliers 107-106

The AP reports: Dwight Howard scored 30 points, Rashard Lewis added 22 and the Orlando Magic rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to hand James and the Cavaliers their first loss of the postseason, 107-106 on Wednesday night in the Eastern Conference finals opener. LeBron James finished with 49 points, eight assists and six rebounds, but the league MVP limped off the floor after Cleveland’s loss—just its third in 46 home games… Lewis made a 3-pointer with 14.7 seconds left and the Magic, who dethroned the champion Boston Celtics in seven games in the previous round, survived two shots by Cleveland in the closing seconds… Hedo Turkoglu scored 15 points with 14 assists for Orlando… Leading by 15, the Cavs got complacent and lost their offensive rhythm in the third quarter. They stood around either waiting for James to do something or settled for jump shots that didn’t fall.