Cassell to be Celtics assistant next year

The Baltimore Sun (Annie Linskey) reports: Baltimore native and three-time NBA champion Sam Cassell said today he plans to become an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics after playing one more season. Cassell, a 38-year-old guard who was part of the Celtics’ title run this year, told a reporter about his plans shortly before speaking at a City Hall news conference. “This is my last year playing with the Celtics,” he said. “Next week, I’ll sign the contract.” After finishing the 2008-09 season, he plans to exercise an option to join the coaching staff. “I am playing this year,” he said. “After that, I have the option to do coaching for them.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: Cassell has let it be known for years that he planned on becoming a coach after his playing days end, and apparently he’s already got a nice job lined up. I wonder if the team has made him an official offer, or if there’s just a general understanding that the offer will come sometime in the next year. I assume the latter. Anyway, I see Cassell as a successful assistant in terms of helping players develop and being hands-on in making sure they know how to move and what to do on a basketball court. There are lots of players I wouldn’t want as an assistant, but I’d want Cassell. Cool news for the Celtics, assuming this actually materializes.

Brooklyn Nets arena may break ground in December

After what feels like 4,500 delays, the New Jersey Nets may finally break ground this December in Brooklyn, New York to build their future home arena. And as a New Yorker who would much rather take the subway to Nets games than have to keep going to Manhattan’s Port Authority to wait on giant lines for buses that then sit in traffic jams, I say the sooner the better. Here’s the New York Times (Charles V. Bagli):

The developer Bruce C. Ratner has told state and city officials that he plans to break ground in December on his long-delayed $4 billion Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn, which will feature thousands of apartments and offices in 16 towers built around a glamorous basketball arena for the Nets. But it is unclear whether Mr. Ratner will be able to meet his own deadline to start one of the most ambitious projects in Brooklyn in decades, given the softening economy, the crisis in the debt markets, rising costs and a persistent group of opponents who have filed one lawsuit after another.

This isn’t sure to happen, though. Here’s more from the New York Times:

“There’s no way they’ll get control of the land they need, get the financing, end the litigation and break ground by December,” said Daniel Goldstein, a spokesman for Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, the project’s primary opponent. Andrew DeSouza, a spokesman for the Treasury Department, declined to comment on whether a decision concerning tax-exempt financing for stadiums and arenas was imminent. The Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations in 2006 that would make it more difficult, if not impossible, for tax-exempt bonds to be used for private sports teams.

I agree with the guy above that getting this all done by December may be tough. But I disagree with him that this project is “destroying” Brooklyn. Aside from adding what will probably be some insane traffic jams, it makes Brooklyn better.

Kevin Martin getting stronger

Sacramento Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin, the best player on his team now that Ron Artest has been traded, is already a scoring machine, averaging 23.7 points last season on good shooting, but adding strength would help his development. Fortunately, that’s been his summer focus. Here’s the Sacramento Bee (Sam Amick):

Kevin Martin looks ready for the regular season. Physically, his once-fragile frame took yet another offseason step toward sturdy. His game that already taken historical steps in terms of statistical progress should be refined, with an emphasis this summer on everything from strengthening his weak hand on the dribble to playing lower to the floor rather than his penchant for staying upright to improving defensive positioning and awareness to finishing with exclamation point dunks more than ever.

Adding strength while maintaining his quickness will help Martin become a better defender and push him one step closer to becoming a star that can at least partially carry a team.

Thunder sell over 10,000 season tickets in 3 days

In three days of sales, the Oklahoma City Thunder has sold more than 10,000 season tickets for its first year in the Ford Center. The team says the lower level of the arena is now sold out. The only remaining season tickets are in the upper and club levels The available club level seats are good for one year since they will be removed during the Ford Center renovation.

The team encourages fans with Thursday appointments to come to the Ford Center at their scheduled times to see what is available among the approximately 3000 remaining seats.

InsideHoops.com editor says: That’s obviously really good. Though, I’d like to know how much cheaper the ticket plans are for OKC compared to those of other NBA cities. I’ll keep an eye out for that info and quote it for you. And if you happen to see it, toss me an email.

Lakers sign Brandon Heath

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent guard Brandon Heath, it was announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Heath, a 6-3 guard out of San Diego State spent last season playing in France for Entente Orleans 45 where he averaged 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25 games.

Most recently, Heath played for the Los Angeles Clippers 2008 Summer-Pro League team in Las Vegas, averaging 5.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in five games played.

InsideHoops.com editor says: This is presumably a “training camp” signing, meaning there’s a 99% chance Heath will be cut before the regular season starts. Also, this continues the Laker trend of signing players most fans have never heard of.

Sun Yue does not want Chinese Magic Johnson nickname

The AFK reports: Los Angeles-bound guard Sun Yue has said he does not want to be known as “China’s Magic Johnson” as he seeks a spot on the Laker’s roster, but is happy to be known as the “Monkey King.” Sun is expected to depart for the Laker’s training camp as soon as the US Embassy here issues his visa, and he is confident that he can make a roster that is led by superstars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. “I don’t want to be called the next Magic Johnson,” Sun told the China Daily of the nickname given him to by the Chinese sporting press.

InsideHoops.com editor says: From today on, I now insist on being called the Chinese Magic Johnson. No, I’m not Chinese, but if the title is available I’m claiming it until something better comes along.

Rafer Alston set for October DWI trial

The Houston Chronicle (Ruth Rendon) reports: Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston will stand trial next month on a charge of driving while intoxicated, a judge ruled today. County Court at Law Judge Jean Spradling Hughes set an Oct. 22 trial for Alston, 32, after a brief discussion with attorneys… The charge against Alston is considered a misdemeanor because it would be his first DWI offense.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Be cool, stay in school. Don’t drink and drive. Etc.

Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers each fined $20,000

The AP reports: Former Kansas teammates Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers were fined $20,000 apiece after being banished last week from the NBA rookie symposium, the league said Wednesday. Security at the resort near New York where the event took place found Arthur and Chalmers in a room with two women, and the scent of marijuana was detected.

InsideHoops.com editor says: The two players were chillin. Some women wanted them. They did what most guys would do. I’m randomly speculating that the women brought the marijuana, not the players. The guys probably felt like rock stars. And before it dawned on them to quickly smarten up and end the evening, they got caught.

Patrick Ewing Jr to wear no. 6

NYKnicks.com reports: Patrick Ewing Jr, the son of the Knicks legend and Hall of Famer, will wear No. 6 when he suits up for New York in 2008-09, rather than don his famous father’s 33. “I’m going to wear No. 6,” said the 6-foot-8, 240-pound swing forward. “It was my dad’s Olympic number, and Bill Russell’s number, who was my favorite player.”

“My dad’s jersey’s hanging up there in the rafter’s for a reason,” said Ewing Jr. to NYKnicks.com. “The only reason I wore 33 at Georgetown is because they don’t retire numbers. I felt like I did 33 for him there, and now I can do six here and it’s another way to honor him.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: I approve of this decision. Number 33 belongs to the real Patrick Ewing, and that’s that.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers signs contract extension

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have extended the contract of Head Coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to be able to extend Doc’s contract. Doc molded a championship team last season through his leadership and we are confident that he is the man to lead this franchise on the court now and in the future.” said Danny Ainge, Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations/General Manager.

Rivers led the Celtics to their NBA-record 17th NBA Championship while leading the Celtics to an NBA-record 42 game turnaround. The Marquette grad became the first Celtics coach in NBA history to have been honored as the NBA’s Coach of the Month three times in the same season during the 2007-08 campaign. Rivers led the Celtics to their third highest record in franchise history during the 2007-08 season when the team was an NBA-best 66-16.

In the four seasons that Rivers has coached the Celtics he has amassed a career record of 168-160 (.512). In the 2007-08 campaign Rivers became the sixth Celtics coach in franchise history to have been named a coach for the NBA All-Star game joining Arnold “Red” Auerbach, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Bill Fitch and Chris Ford. Rivers also joins Auerbach, Heinsohn, Jones, Fitch and Bill Russell as Celtics coaches to have led their team to an NBA Championship.

InsideHoops.com says: When your team wins the championship, you often get a contract extension. No surprise. Doc’s doing well in Boston.