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It's a two-horse race. Sources indicated yesterday Knicks president Donnie Walsh is torn on whether to offer the job to the star coach available, Mike D'Antoni, or take a slight gamble on someone with no head-coaching experience, Mark Jackson. New York Post
In their latest round of discussions with Mike D'Antoni's camp, the New York Knicks on Thursday outlined the parameters of the lucrative five-year deal they're prepared to give their new No. 1 coaching target, according to NBA coaching sources. ESPN.com
Knicks president Donnie Walsh, through a team spokesman, said Thursday night that the Knicks have not offered "anyone" a coaching contract. But sources close to the process insisted the Phoenix Suns coach, who celebrated his 57th birthday Thursday, has had advanced discussions with the Knicks about leaving the desert for Manhattan. ESPN.com
But the latest estimates on the five-year package New York is prepared to formally put on the table fall in the $30 million range. Although that figure had been projected Wednesday by coaching sources to be even more "staggering," it's a level of annual compensation exceeded by only a few coaches in the game, such as Phil Jackson and recent retiree Pat Riley. ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher, quoting a source close to D'Antoni, reported on SportsCenter early Friday that D'Antoni is leaning toward taking the New York job. ESPN.com
Donnie Walsh refuted an Internet report that the Knicks were preparing to make Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni a "staggering" offer to succeed Isiah Thomas. New York Daily News
The corresponding proposal from the Chicago Bulls -- the team many still favor to land D'Antoni -- is expected by Sunday at the latest, sources said. ESPN.com
But sources close to the process contend D'Antoni remains determined to go to Chicago as long as the Bulls assemble a quality offer. D'Antoni is scheduled to earn $4 million and $4.5 million in the final two seasons of his Suns contract. ESPN.com
The Bulls, who remain very much interested in D'Antoni, have yet to extend him a contract offer. A source close to the team's search said general manager John Paxson is sticking to his plan and not worrying about how much time it takes for the process to play out -- even if a bona fide candidate such as D'Antoni is hired elsewhere while Paxson is interviewing others. Chicago Sun-Times
D'Antoni's agent Warren LeGarie admits the Knicks' money could be the deciding factor if owner James Dolan is willing to spend it. Dolan has told commissioner David Stern he will spend what it takes to get the Knicks out of their laughingstock ways. LeGarie flew from Greece to New York on a connection to San Francisco, but did not meet with Walsh. It is believed they talked via phone. "It's still play for pay," LeGarie told The Post. "(The offer) is still a factor. You want to feel wanted. You want to feel recruited." New York Post
It's unclear what would happen if D'Antoni can't reach an accord with the Bulls or the Knicks, since Phoenix refuses to fire him and pay off the rest of his contract and since D'Antoni won't walk away from the money. But sources indicate Suns management -- as D'Antoni has been saying privately for days -- has no interest in trying to bring him back as coach given the public deterioration of his relationship with his bosses and an even more public crusade to find a new job. ESPN.com
One of the reasons D'Antoni is at odds with Suns management is that Phoenix GM Steve Kerr is disappointed with the team's defense. "He doesn't emphasize defense and he's non-confrontational," said a coach who has worked with D'Antoni. "In New York you've got to have someone who is confrontational and can stand up to these guys. Scott Skiles would have been that guy. And I think Jackson is that guy as well. Mike is an innovative offensive mind but to me he just doesn't fit in New York." New York Daily News
| .TODAY ON HOOPSWORLD |
 As Mike D'Antoni prepares to take the reins in either New York or Chicago, the Suns are starting to think about who might best lead them to the championship before Steve Nash and Shaq retire. Avery Johnson has emerged as the person most likely to take the Suns to the Promised Land before Nash and Shaq retire. Read more |
Contacted yesterday, Marbury, rehabbing in Los Angeles, did not give an endorsement of either coaching candidate. "I like whoever Donnie sees fit for this team," Marbury told The Post. "I think he has a great feel for what we need, and to go where all of New York wants us to go. There is a new process of how things are going to be so I'm going to follow his lead and allow his expertise to come into play." New York Post
"The way I look at it, Mark Jackson could reach Stephon Marbury," said a person who knows both men. "Stephon will be a big part of the equation if the Knicks are looking to be competitive. He's in the last year of his contract he's got to play well or he is done. Mark is a point guard and a New York City guy. I think Jackson would get automatic respect from Marbury." New York Daily News
Paxson is believed to remain interested in talking with Avery Johnson, who was fired by the Dallas Mavericks last week, as well as some assistant coaches on playoff teams, such as the Boston Celtics' Tom Thibodeau. Chicago Sun-Times
The Bulls are expected to pursue a less experienced (and thus less expensive) alternative to D'Antoni, namely Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, if a deal can't be struck. ESPN.com
It's still unclear who Phoenix will pursue to replace D'Antoni. Team president Steve Kerr insists he's years away from considering a coaching job, TNT analyst Doug Collins said Wednesday night he has "no interest" in being a head coach again in this league and NBA coaching sources told ESPN.com the Suns do not plan to consider recently fired Dallas coach Avery Johnson, who also appears to a back-burner candidate at best in both New York and Chicago. ESPN.com
 The Dallas Mavericks' courtship with Rick Carlisle extended another day without consummation, but it does appear to be coming soon. Donnie Nelson, the Mavs president of basketball operations, responded to a text message Thursday night and said, "No," a deal had not been completed. It appeared Wednesday that both sides were very close. The Mavs anticipated holding a news conference today to introduce Carlisle as the franchise's new head coach. That will have to wait. Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Although the Dallas Mavericks have yet to officially announce the hiring of a new head coach, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown yesterday endorsed the candidacy of Rick Carlisle, for whom Brown served for two seasons (2003-05) as associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers. "I knew he'd get a chance to come back," Brown said of Carlisle, who is the leading candidate to succeed the fired Avery Johnson in Dallas. "He's a very good coach and his track record speaks for itself." Boston Globe
When the Pacers convened for that first practice after the NBA meted out suspensions and fines, Brown said he had trouble recognizing the cast. "I'll tell you what, at first I thought it was going to be difficult, but after Rick's speech, it was like him doing the Jedi mind trick," Brown said during yesterday morning's shootaround at TD Banknorth Garden. "I was like, 'Yeah, we're going to win with, uh, what's your name again? Britton Johnsen? Yeah, we're going to win with you, Britton Johnsen, and what's your name again?' " Boston Globe
Downplaying Erik Spoelstra's lack of an NBA-playing resume, forwards Udonis Haslem and Dorell Wright instead gushed about how Spoelstra's insight into the pro game makes him a capable fit. "Spo's probably been one of the most intelligent guys that I've been around, knowing the game of basketball," Haslem said after a Heat Academy graduation ceremony for elementary school students. "Whether he played the game at the highest level or not, I know he has the knowledge to be an NBA coach. I can vouch for that." South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Meanwhile, general manager John Hammond said Thursday that the Bucks were very close to completing the contracts of assistant coaches Jim Boylan, Lionel Hollins, Kelvin Sampson and Joe Wolf for next season. According to Hammond, those contracts could be finalized as early as today. "We've come to agreements with everybody," said Hammond. "We just haven't signed contracts yet. We're in the process of getting contracts back . . . so I would say maybe by (today) or if not, then maybe by Monday." Bucks coach Scott Skiles confirmed last week that Boylan, Hollins, Sampson and Wolf - along with player development assistant coach Bill Peterson from last season's staff - were his choices of coaches to be on the bench with him next season. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Bernie Bickerstaff, the original architect of the Charlotte Bobcats' basketball operation, is leaving the franchise, the Charlotte Observer has learned. Bickerstaff served the team's first three seasons as both coach and general manager/president of basketball operations. After the 2006-07 season, he stepped down, taking the title of executive vice president. In that role, Bickerstaff scouted extensively in preparation for the 2008 draft and acted as an adviser to managing partner Michael Jordan. Charlotte Observer
Bickerstaff could not be reached for comment Thursday, but a source with extensive knowledge of the situation confirmed that Bickerstaff is leaving. It was unclear whether he'll work for the team through next month's draft. It was initially unclear whether Bickerstaff, 63, is interested in continuing his career in basketball. Reports out of New York have speculated he might be a good fit for the Knicks' front office or coaching staff. Charlotte Observer
After general manager Billy Knight delivered an abrupt resignation on Tuesday, Hawks ownership is expected to reach out to several candidates, including Billy King and Bernie Bickerstaff, NBA sources said. King was the 76ers president and GM for five years, until getting fired in December. Nevertheless, several of his trades and draft picks reflect much more favorably on his tenure after the Sixers surged to the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. King and Knight are also considered strong candidates to join New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh in New York as general manager. Yahoo! Sports
Several assistant GMs are expected to get consideration too, including Washington’s Tommy Sheppard, Cleveland’s Chris Grant and New Orleans’ Brian Hagen. Yahoo! Sports
There were reports that Spurs assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey would interview soon for Atlanta’s vacant general manager spot. Lindsey said before Thursday night’s game at the AT&T Center that he heard about the reports, but had not heard from anyone in Atlanta and did not believe anyone in the Spurs organization had been asked for permission to speak with him. San Antonio Express-News
Seattle SuperSonics general manager Sam Presti didn’t take long to replace departed assistant general manager Scott Perry. Presti announced Thursday that former Utah Jazz player personnel director Troy Weaver is joining the Sonics as the assistant general manager. Weaver replaces Perry, who spent one season with Seattle before returning to the Detroit Pistons as their vice president of basketball operations. Tacoma News Tribune
 Will
your third year in the NBA be in Portland? Sergio Rodriguez: I don't
know. It's obvious that this year has been strange and different.
This
was not the kind of progress I was expecting. We'll see what happens.
It's not up to me. Plus.es
Sergio Rodriguez:
After a couple of years with (Nate McMillan), I think it's obvious
I'm not the type of player he feels comfortable with. He says otherwise
and the franchise says otherwise, but facts are facts. In
two years, I have not seen any level of trust. Plus.es
Sergio
Rodriguez: It's hard knowing that you're going to play four minutes
in the first half and if you play well you may get a chance to play
in the second half and if you don't do well you won't play in the
second half at all. If that happens for just 10 games,
you can deal with it. But 60 games with the same thing... Plus.es
The Heat also could have other small forward options
beyond Marion. Miami must decide whether to re-sign free agent Ricky
Davis, the lone Heat player to appear in all 82 games. And among
cost-effective free agents available could be Golden State's Mickael
Pietrus, who drew interest from the Heat last summer as a restricted
free agent. Incidentally, the trade for Marion might
also benefit Wright because it changed the dynamics of the offense.
New coach Erik Spoelstra plans to run an up-tempo system. He mentioned
Wright among the core he expects to thrive in that style. Miami
Herald
But Wright's agent, Calvin Andrews, anticipates this 6-9 swingman will still attract some suitors. Wright said he is ''about a month'' from resuming basketball workouts. He had considered playing in the July NBA Summer League until the Heat's staff advised him to sit out. ''They know the injury he had is not a serious injury,'' Andrews said. ``It's an injury you can bounce back from. But mentally, you want to see a guy back on the floor, so that's important going into free agency.'' Miami Herald
The team also is known to have recently scouted young European center Marc Gasol, currently property of the Memphis Grizzlies and a prospect who might be ready to emerge from the shadow of his big brother with the Lakers. Denver Post
Vandeweghe said the Nets need to improve on the interior and with their shooting, which we already knew. He also gave the company line that the Nets have a good core with Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Harris. Bergen Record
Magic PF/C Marcin Gortat said he will go home to Poland to visit for 10 days after the season and then return to play for the Magic's summer-league team, coached by Patrick Ewing. Orlando Sentinel
Jose Calderon said on his personal website that he wants to be a starting NBA point guard, which is the same position coveted by T.J. Ford. Calderon's posting was his first public declaration that he wants the No.1 job. "I want to be a starter and be in a team that aspires to everything," he wrote. "I will not be on a team in which I cannot be an important contributor." However, Calderon really doesn't have much to say about where he plays next season. Because he is a restricted free agent when his contract expires July 1, the Raptors can match any offer he gets from another team, a move Colangelo has repeatedly said he will make. Toronto Star
 LeBron James wouldn’t let his teammates see him sulk, let them see him shrouded in shame. The Cleveland Cavaliers were getting run out of the Garden again, James’ shooting touch reduced to rubble, and still he spent the final moments of Game 2 marching down the visiting bench and demanding that the Cavs undo those draped towels and furrowed brows and stand with him. “Me being the leader, I can’t look like I’m down on the series, or down on my play,” James said. Yahoo! Sports
As Paul Pierce said, "When we control him, we pretty much control their team." Control him? The tea in colonial days fared better than James these past two games. And that’s the reason the Cavs trail 2-0 in this series, and the reason they are on a dangerous ledge. They need to find an offense for the team, and for James, or it’ll be a long offseason talking about what needs to be done. Boston Herald
Remember how James changed that with his spectacular performance in Game 5 and remember how the Cavs rallied and won four straight games to win the series? It could happen again. "This is very similar to Detroit [series]," James said. "We found a way to win in Game 3 in Detroit last year. Home court has been a good place for us this season and we've got to approach it that way." Cleveland Plain Dealer
LeBron on playing in the Garden.... It's a very hostile environment. The fans definitely come out to support their Boston Celtics this whole season. So, it's a pretty good home court advantage. Connecticut Post
According to guard Deron Williams, a change of
scenery will help the Jazz: "It
will probably be a little different because we're at home, No. 1.
We'll have energy [because] the crowd will be on our side this time.
"We have to make a conscious effort to get off to a better
start because that's what has cost us both games. .
. . We've got to come out and be willing to defend them. We can't
allow them to keep shooting 50 [or] 60 percent." Salt
Lake Tribune
But Carlos Boozer used the dreaded noun to describe
what he's going through in these playoffs. Even
at the risk of having to add a quarter to the "Naughty Word
Jar," Boozer admitted Thursday that he is indeed experiencing
a mind-boggling (close your ears!) "slump."
He's bothered by it, badly wants to work out of it, says his team
is suffering and struggling in part because of it, and knows it
couldn't have come at a worse time. "I am in a shooting slump,"
he said. "I am frustrated." Deseret
Morning News
Boozer said
he and his team still trust in his talent. Being back home might
help, too. "I'm
always going to be confident and believe in my abilities and my
teammates' abilities ..." he said. "My teammates are telling
me, 'You've got to keep being aggressive, it's going to fall."'
Deseret
Morning News
The Cavaliers were dealt a blow early in last
night's 89-73 loss when Ben Wallace left with 8:20 remaining in
the first quarter because of dizziness he said was caused by springtime
allergies, and did not return. "You
know it's a tough place for allergies, but no one has warned me,"
Wallace said. "I got lightheaded and my head started spinning."
Boston
Globe
Give Parker credit. He doesn’t scare easily.
Paul has rampaged through the season and now the playoffs, punishing
one victim after another. Each game brings a new comparison. Tiny
Archibald. Isiah Thomas. Magic Johnson. At
times, Paul has seemed part of them all. On Thursday, he even unseated
two-time MVP Steve Nash on the All-NBA first team. “After
watching him in the playoffs you’d have to say he’s
a Hall of Famer,” gushed one NBA scout. “A lock. The
guy is just a…beast.” Yahoo!
Sports
The
Pistons are concerned about the condition of Chauncey Billups' right
hamstring. But that didn't stop them from having some
fun at his expense before practice Thursday. "It's just a hamstring,
nothing beyond what we've seen in the past," said Arnie Kander,
Pistons physical therapist. "I was joking with (assistant coach)
Michael Curry that when we were in Utah, before the game we saw
a 90-year-old woman do the splits. I said if she can do that, Chauncey,
you can do it." Detroit
News
Billups,
as you could imagine, was not in a joking mood. "Sore, man,
it's just sore," he said. "I am just going to take it
one day at a time." The Pistons are listing Billups
as day-to-day. He did not practice Thursday but continued his rigorous
and unrelenting treatments with Kander. "He's going to go through
about 90 different treatments in the next couple of days,"
said Kander, exaggerating only a little bit, "and my goal is
to get him ready for Saturday." Detroit
News
Trevor
Ariza had a bone scan Thursday that showed his fractured right foot
is still not healed, and the Lakers plan to wait another two to
three weeks before seeking final medical clearance.
Ariza, who hasn't played in 31/2 months, is scheduled to see a foot
specialist Friday in Salt Lake City and wants to get better news,
saying: "It feels fine; no pain. I'm hoping it's healed all
the way." Orange
County Register
Andrew
Bynum, who is hoping to avoid arthroscopic surgery at month's end
on his left knee, is scheduled to see another specialist in Connecticut
on Monday. Bynum isn't expected to play again this
season, and surgery would further complicate the Lakers' offseason
plans to negotiate a lucrative contract extension beyond the remaining
year on Bynum's rookie contract. Orange
County Register
As work continues on finalizing the contracts of their assistant coaches for next season, the Milwaukee Bucks announced Thursday that point guard Mo Williams had undergone successful surgery to repair ligament damage in his right thumb. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
The signs of progress were visible through Heat forward Dorell Wright's grin as he talked Thursday about the strides he has made while recovering from knee surgery that prematurely ended his season. He is making strides now, literally. He is walking with no discernable limp, painlessly climbing stairs at his home and extending his left leg into a straight line and lifting it into the air while in bed. Miami Herald
According
to a source close to Greene, the freshman forward from Syracuse
has interviewed prospective agents. The source said Greene will
eventually sign with noted player representative Bill Strickland,
who is part of the Louisville-based Blue Equity agency.
Blue Equity recently merged its sports and entertainment properties
and formed Blue Entertainment Sports Television (BEST). The source
indicated that Greene has not yet officially signed on with Strickland
and Blue Equity. However, the Web site Draftexpress.com lists Greene
as a primary client of Strickland's. Syracuse
Post-Standard
Shawn James, the shot-blocking center who was one of five Duquesne University basketball players shot on campus in September 2006, is passing up his senior season to enter the NBA draft. The 6-foot-10 James previously submitted his name as an early entry to the draft but had not signed with an agent until doing so Thursday with Steve Cronin. Hiring an agent eliminates any chance of James playing again in college. ESPN.com
With a draft choice late in the first round, it's
believed the Nuggets are eyeing North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson.
Denver
Post
Dad says Clippers are among the teams interested
in having him for a private workout. Kevin Love has turned down
an invitation to participate in the NBA's pre-draft camp in Orlando,
Fla., later this month, his dad, Stan, said Thursday. Instead,
Love will concentrate on conducting individual workouts for NBA
teams in June. "He's not playing ball or participating in (the
camp)," Stan Love said. "He's just going to get measured
and those things. It's a guard kind of thing. It doesn't do anything
for Kevin. Los
Angeles Daily News
 Recalling that he fouled out against the United States in his Olympic debut eight years ago, the Houston Rockets All-Star hopes the referees are easier on him when China faces the Americans in its opener in Beijing. "Hopefully they treat the hosts better," Yao joked Thursday. But Yao is serious when he talks about his team's chances. He wants the Chinese to advance out of pool play into the quarterfinals, even though they were drawn into a difficult group and their top two players are recovering from injuries. "We have a very clear goal, which is we have to at least get into the top eight," Yao said. ESPN.com
Bryan Colangelo is trying to make peace with Spain. The Raptors launched a multi-million lawsuit against the Spanish Basketball Federation over an insurance claim regarding Jorge Garbajosa's leg injury and season-ending surgery, but the president and GM met with Spanish officials last weekend to try for a settlement. "We're working toward a resolution and I'm hopeful the meetings were received as productive," Colangelo said yesterday. Toronto Star
The NBA players' union said it planned to file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board after one of its officials was denied access to the Celtics locker room before Game 2 of the Boston-Cleveland series Thursday night. Union spokesman Dan Wasserman said the union was initially told that no one from the organization would be allowed in the Celtics' locker room. After calls of protest were made to the Celtics and to the league office, the team agreed to allow union director Billy Hunter into the locker room prior to tip-off. ESPN.com
"The Celtics are the only team in the league that believes they have the right to keep union personnel from the locker room, and as a result we're filing a complaint with the NLRB," Wasserman said, explaining that a basic tenet of labor law calls for union representatives to have access to employees inside the workplace. Biagas said he had never before been denied pregame access to a locker room. ESPN.com
Cisco is hoping Yao and the National Basketball Association will boost the visibility of its telepresence technology – a high-definition videoconference system that simulates face-to-face meetings between users. At a press conference Thursday Yao talked to reporters in China and the U.S. about how he will use telepresence in his role as Olympic Ambassador (and of course, a little basketball). Yao isn’t the first NBA star to use the technology: In March, Grant Hill of the Phoenix Suns and Shane Battier of the Houston Rockets used the technology to chat with fans and journalists. (Cisco is the official technology partner of the NBA.) Wall Street Journal
Microsoft mogul Steve Ballmer has been subpoenaed by attorneys for the Sonics owners. In a filinig dated April 28, Ballmer's attorney Llewelyn Pritchard acknowledged receipt of the subpoena. It's believed that Ballmer will be deposed even though the discovery process was supposed to have concluded April 30. Ballmer led a local investment group that offered to pay $150 million toward a $300 million KeyArena renovation project and buy the team from Clay Bennett. Seattle Times
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Thursday, May
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Forums to discuss the latest news and
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Not surprisingly, Gilbert Arenas' blog was the
first topic of conversation at Washington Wizards president Ernie
Grunfeld "state of the team" news conference Thursday.
Grunfeld
shrugged, smiled and took in stride Arenas' insistence via the Internet
that he won't return to the Wizards if forward Antawn Jamison doesn't.
"We're on the same page, then. Because we want to sign Antawn.
We want to sign Gilbert," Grunfeld said. "I
kind of liked it. He's supportive of his teammate. And he enjoys
playing with Antawn. And that's been our plan all along. I'm glad
to see everyone in the organization is on the same page." USA
Today
"Our intent
all along has been to have both of those players back and to keep
our core together. And at the appropriate time, we'll sit down with
both of those parties and see what we can work out," Grunfeld
said. "We're
going to be fair with our players. These players have done a lot
for our franchise and we hope to have them here for a very long
time." USA
Today
Will
free-agent guard Roger Mason Jr. be re-signed? "We'd love to
have Roger back. I don't know yet. We'll have to wait
and see how everything develops from a financial standpoint. ...
But we are pretty loaded at that 2-guard position." USA
Today
JCF: So looking
ahead, what do you see as the biggest need areas-- besides just
a full season of good health for Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming-- for
this team to be able to go further next year? Daryl Morey: I’ll
talk more in skill sets. We won’t be able to get everything
because we don’t have a huge amount of [salary cap] room—we
just have mid-level room. We’re looking for a guy who can
attack the basket, shoot, probably a little more offensive-minded
even though we want to keep our identity--we’re the second
best defensive team in the league. We
want to keep that up so we can’t trade it all off, but I think
with an acquisition either through trade or free agency we’re
looking more for someone who has the ability to score, and ideally
it’d be somebody who can beat their man off the dribble and
shoot. Houston
Press
JCF: Before
the season began, you talked about how you felt a great responsibility
toward T-Mac and Yao to take advantage of their primes. Do you feel
a sense of urgency right now since that window—at least with
regard to Tracy—could be closed in a couple years? Morey:
Yeah, I mean I think both of them have many, many good years left.
But I think we do feel like there is a natural two-year stretch
here to hopefully make things happen because that’s what we’ve
got Tracy signed for--the next two years here. Houston
Press
Morey:
I think we look at everything really closely. I think it’s
more likely we’ll upgrade through trade vs. free agency. I
do agree with you though about the free agent outlook. But I hesitate
because many years I’ve said that I think this may be the
year free agency isn’t crazy, and every year I’ve been
wrong (laughs). So until we go through our normal process
of mapping out how much money each team has and their cap situation,
I can’t say this with confidence. But my general intuition
is I’ve again fooled myself into thinking it might not be
crazy this year, and that will open up some opportunities for us
because we’re obviously not a team that’s gonna have
big cap room to go out and chase any sort of big-name player. Houston
Press
The
Sonics will host a mini-camp for NBA Development League players
and other professionals from overseas looking to latch on to an
NBA roster next season. The invitation-only, two-day
camp will take place on Thursday and Friday at the team’s
practice facility, the Furtado Center. Sonics general manager Sam
Presti said the team will use the camp as another chance to evaluate
players who could find themselves on the team’s summer camp
roster. The Sonics already got a glimpse of three players that might
wind up on the summer league roster during the season, signing point
guards Mike Wilks and Eddie Gill and small forward Ronald Dupree
to 10-day contracts during the season. Tacoma
News Tribune
Chris
Paul wore a protective sleeve over his left knee but participated
in the Hornets' shootaround practice Thursday morning at the AT&T
Center. Hornets Coach Byron Scott said Paul is a little
banged up like everyone else. but will start tonight's Game 3 against
the San Antonio Spurs as they try to extend their series lead to
3-0. New
Orleans Times-Picayune
Guard
Mo Williams will be sidelined for six weeks after undergoing surgery
on Wednesday to repair ligament damage in his right thumb,
the team announced today. The veteran guard is expected to make
a full recovery and be ready for training camp in October. Milwaukee
Journal-Sentinel
As
more NBA teams watch his tape and do background checks, the more
it looks like Mayo may become the consensus No. 3 pick in the draft.
Mayo's stock suffered at the start of the season based on some pretty
unrealistic expectations. He's been on scouts' radars since the
eighth grade, and many expected him to be a LeBron James-type dominant
player as a freshman. Conquest
Chronicles
But there's
another story, too, that's helping Mayo's stock. More
and more teams are reporting that their background checks are coming
back as positives for Mayo. Teams say that he earned
good grades at USC and was a good citizen for coach Tim Floyd, and
they report multiple instances of Mayo volunteering to help underprivileged
kids. Conquest
Chronicles
Kosta Koufos
is busy training for the NBA Draft. Before heading away, however,
Koufos and his mother, Kathy, took care of an important piece of
business. They hired an agent. A
projected late lottery pick to late first-round pick in the upcoming
NBA Draft, Koufos has hired Cleveland-based agent Mark Termini to
represent him, Kathy Koufos confirmed. Canton
Repository
JCF: Ummm, for
some reason, I can’t seem to recall... But that’s obviously
irrelevant, so let’s just move on… quickly. Do you feel
like there’s the depth within this draft class for you to
again find a player who can contribute despite the fact you don’t
get to pick until 24 other teams have selected? Daryl
Morey: Yeah, there’s only really two clear top of the draft
guys; I think Beasley and Rose are going to go in some order. After
that, there’s some depth of decent players that we feel good
might extend down to 25. So if we keep the pick and don’t
use it as part of a trade, I do feel like we’ll have some
success at getting a good player. You can’t really
project whether it’s going to be someone who can contribute
in year one, you might take someone who is more of a player who
might contribute over time. But whoever we get, we do feel good
that we’ll have a decent shot at getting someone who helps
the Rockets over the next four years. Houston
Press
NBA
stars Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola, Carlos Delfino
and Andres Nocioni were selected for a preliminary 10-man roster
to defend Argentina's basketball gold at the Beijing Olympics.
Coach Sergio Hernandez said Thursday that 12 players will eventually
travel to Beijing to defend the title won in Athens four years ago.
Returning from that team are San Antonio Spurs teammates Ginobili
and Oberto. But Hernandez left off Ruben Wolkowyski and Gabriel
Fernandez from the gold-winning squad. International
Herald Tribune
Latest word
now is that the deal might not get done today (Thursday) which might
push any official introduction back a day to Saturday. The team
had planned to hold a press conference on Friday if both sides sign
off on the deal today. As of right now, that's still up in the air.
Carlisle's
still the man, it's just taking a bit longer. Fort
Worth Star-Telegram
One delay might
be that Carlisle's agent Warren LeGarie has been working overseas
and was scheduled to return to San Francisco from Greece today.
In
Greece last night, he received the contract from the Mavs at midnight
(4 p.m. CDT Wednesday). He was going to give it a thorough reading
then, so there might be some details he and Carlisle need to talk
over. Fort
Worth Star-Telegram
Perhaps
Donnie Walsh has full autonomy over the Knicks, but the final decisions
still have to be OK'd by Dolan. And Warren LeGarie is a smart agent.
He knows he has the attention of the media, which is hungry for
morsels as this story continues to develop. He knows he has the
attention of the New York market and that he can use the involvement
of Dolan's money as a wild card to his advantage, whether it is
serious or not. Agents do what's best for their clients, so you
can't expect full disclosure, nor candor. Newsday
Mark
Jackson is scheduled to be in town on Monday to play in the 2008
Lou Carnesecca Golf Classic at North Hempstead Country Club along
with a host of former St. John’s players and basketball dignitaries.
I don’t know whether even Donnie Walsh plays golf. All of
the funds raised at the outing and banquet goes toward a $30 million
renovation of Carnesecca Arena. Journal
News
Riley calls
Spoelstra – who began with the franchise as video coordinator
at age 24 in 1995 – “the next great young coach”
and says he will have more input with Spoelstra than he did with
Stan Van Gundy, who coached the Heat for two-plus seasons from 2003
to ‘05. That’s just fine with Spoelstra. “I welcome
that,” he says. “Pat and I have a strong working relationship.
How is that any different than anything I’ve been doing the
last 13 years? He’s still my boss. He’s our leader and
president, heading up the direction of the franchise. I’m
still an employee. I’m not confused by that. The dynamics
change a little bit, but I’m still hired to produce results.
“What greater resource could I have than Pat Riley?
I’m sure there will be plenty of times when I'll be walking
down the hall and poke my head into Pat’s office and say,
‘What would you do in this situation?’ "
Portland
Tribune
When Riley was
hired in late August, he didn’t bring a video coordinator
with him from the New York Knicks. “With
training camp maybe three or four weeks away, he walked into my
office and asked, ‘Can you do this job?’ " Spoelstra
says. “I had no idea what the job was, so I said, ‘Absolutely.
You got your man.’ " Spoelstra worked his
way up the ranks, to a combo position as video coordinator/assistant
coach in 1997, to assistant coach/advance scout in 1999 and to assistant
coach/director of scouting in 2001, remaining in the latter position
until nailing down the head job. Portland
Tribune
Milwaukee Bucks
general manager John Hammond said Thursday morning that team officials
were still in the process of finalizing contracts for next season’s
assistant coaching staff. Bucks
head coach Scott Skiles said last week that his staff would consist
of Jim Boylan, his assistant with the Chicago Bulls and Phoenix
Suns; former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins; former Indiana
University coach Kelvin Sampson and D-League coach; and former Bucks
player Joe Wolf. Milwaukee
Journal-Sentinel
Bernie
Bickerstaff, the original architect of the Charlotte Bobcats' basketball
operation, is leaving the franchise, The Charlotte Observer has
learned. Bickerstaff served the team's first three
seasons as both coach and general manager/president of basketball
operations. After the 2006-07 season, he stepped down from both
jobs, taking the title of executive vice president. In that role,
Bickerstaff scouted extensively in preparation for the 2008 draft
and acted as an advisor to managing partner Michael Jordan. Charlotte
Observer
With word that
Bernie Bickerstaff is leaving the Charlotte Bobcats, my first question,
naturally, is whether he is coming to the Knicks. According
to a person with knowledge of Donnie Walsh's thinking, Walsh holds
Bickerstaff in extremely high regard and will give strong consideration
to offering Bickerstaff a role in the new regime. Newsday
To
the surprise of no one, Kiki Vandeweghe is staying on as Nets general
manager with a multi-year deal, solidifying his spot
as the heir apparent to team president Rod Thorn. The Nets will
announce the new contract in a conference call late this afternoon.
Newsroom
Former Utah
Jazz player personnel director Troy
Weaver is the new assistant general manager of the Seattle SuperSonics.
In a Thursday announcement, Sonics general manager Sam Presti said
Weaver will replace Scott Perry. Perry spent one season with Seattle
before recently returning to the Detroit Pistons to be their vice
president of basketball operations. AP
Utah Jazz owner
Larry Miller said he will not be in his customary courtside seat
on Sunday when the Jazz play host to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game
4 of the teams' Western Conference semifinals series at EnergySolutions
Arena. Citing
religious reasons, Miller said he won't even be in the building
at all, regardless of the importance of the game, which also falls
on Mother's Day. "About 15 years ago, I decided [going to Sunday
games] just didn't fit with what I wanted to be," Miller told
The Salt Lake Tribune on Wednesday. "It's just a personal thing."
Salt
Lake Tribune
Miller
is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
which admonishes its members to avoid non-religious activities on
Sundays if at all possible. He said he will probably not even watch
the game on television or listen to it on the radio.
"I usually get in the car and go for long rides [on Sundays
when the Jazz are playing], so I imagine I might do that,"
he said. "Sometimes, about the time the game should be ending,
I tune in and listen to the call-in shows to see what I missed."
Salt
Lake Tribune
If
the Halifax Rainmen get into the NBA Development League, it’s
unlikely it will happen in time for the 2008-09 season.
D-League president Dan Reed visited Halifax yesterday to assess
the Rainmen as a potential expansion franchise, and addressed media
briefly at Province House in the afternoon. “We are looking
expansion-wise for the 2009-10 season at this point,” Reed
said. “We’re pretty comfortable with the 16 teams we
have currently (for 2008-09). We’ve doubled in the last three
years so we don’t want to expand too aggressively.”
Metro
Halifax
Everyone pointed
out that the players in this draft who have a shot at being worth
that kind of money signed with agents not known to have any connections
to Wesley. I thought David Falk might be willing to clarify a little
bit. We spoke yesterday, and this is what he told me: William Wesley
has been a friend of mine for 22 years, and I wish him nothing but
the best. He has a great talent to make connections to people, and
I consider him a friend. In
no way did I want to imply that William Wesley was the person who
paid the player I was referring to. It doesn't matter who the player
involved was, and it doesn't matter who the agent was. But I have
had some phone calls from people saying they thought I was talking
about William Wesley paying somebody, and I want to make clear that
I wasn't. ESPN.com
So there I was,
taking a leak (bathroom break), when some guy walks in and starts
using the urinal next to me. We all know the code: look straight
ahead or straight down, no chatter, no more than three shakes. I'm
staring at the wall when I hear the guy say, "Nice hat."
I'm wearing my ubiquitous Blazers cap, salt stained from being worn
every game during our undefeated softball run last summer. I respond,
"Yeah, I like it. It's nice having a team I can actually root
for." The guy says something affirming my statement
as I zip up and head to the sink. Something about the way he talked
made me glance over at him and I'm sure glad I did. Oregonian
I think I know
who this is, but I need another look so I take my sweet time at
the sink waiting for him to walk over so I can get another look.
When
he heads over I ask, "I'm going to kick myself if I don't say
something, so are you Kevin Pritchard?" "Yes I am."
Awesome. Oregonian
Jeremiah
Rivers, son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers, has decided to leave Georgetown
University after two seasons. While it's uncertain
why Jeremiah left, he is currently considering as many as five schools
and hasn't made a decision on where he will transfer. The Celtics
will have shoot around at TD Banknorth Garden late this afternoon
instead of having it in the morning. Boston
Globe
 The
New York Knicks are well aware of Mike D'Antoni's strong desire
to coach the Chicago Bulls, as well as Chicago's strong interest
in hiring D'Antoni. They're simply ignoring all that. NBA
coaching sources told ESPN.com on Wednesday that the Knicks continue
to regard D'Antoni as their No. 1 target to replace Isiah Thomas
and are preparing a "staggering" financial offer they
hope will prove too steep for Chicago to compete with, thus convincing
D'Antoni to spurn the Bulls. ESPN.com
It was widely assumed in coaching circles -- and even by the Knicks to some degree -- that New York's involvement was pursued by the D'Antoni camp mostly to get Chicago to increase its offer. But sources close to the situation were stressing Wednesday night that the rough monetary estimates in circulation from the Knicks, believed to be $6 million or more annually, are too substantial not to make them a real threat to the Bulls. ESPN.com
Donnie Walsh has interviewed at least five candidates for the Knicks' head coaching job and has reached out to several others. And yet Mark Jackson, who was the favorite last month, remains the odds-on favorite to succeed Isiah Thomas. "I would say that's a pretty good bet," said a Knicks source. "It is still Mark's job to lose." New York Daily News
D'Antoni, who is still under contract with Phoenix, plays an up-tempo style that doesn't fit the Knicks' personnel. "If I were advising him I would tell him to stay away," said one Eastern Conference general manager. "That's not his kind of team." New York Daily News
Yet sources maintain that Chicago remains D'Antoni's preferred destination and the favorite to land him, now nearly one week since it emerged that the Phoenix Suns coach and the Bulls were a likely match. It's believed that neither the Bulls nor the Knicks have formally extended a contract proposal, but The Chicago Tribune reported on its Web site Wednesday night that the Bulls are determined to "pay D'Antoni only on their teams" and won't engage in a "protracted price war" with the Knicks. ESPN.com
The Bulls are believed to be D'Antoni's top choice, all things equal, but LeGarie disputed the theory D'Antoni is not a good fit with the Knicks' defense-less, plodding cast. "Mike can coach any style," LeGarie said from Greece. "He coached small ball with the Suns because that's what they had. He won a championship in Italy and he didn't have gazelles." New York Post
D'Antoni prefers the Bulls' roster. However, LeGarie said Walsh's presence is a major factor in the Knicks' favor. "He likes that Donnie is a veteran GM with a track record," LeGarie said, taking a poke at Phoenix rookie GM Steve Kerr. "[Former Sun GM] Bryan Colangelo was the gold mint and he'd like to go back to that kind of situation. New York also always has the resources to do what it takes to win." New York Post
One source told ESPN.com that the Knicks are likely to move quickly if they can't get D'Antoni by following up with an offer to Mark Jackson or the recently fired Avery Johnson, with Jackson believed to hold a considerable edge given his extended status as the front-runner in New York before D'Antoni became available. ESPN.com
Suns GM Steve Kerr is also said to be enamored with Celtics associate coach Tom Thibodeau, whom he tried to get D'Antoni to hire as an assistant last season. Newsday
| .TODAY ON HOOPSWORLD |
 Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey acknowledged his team needs one more driving scoring option. The Rockets could be targeting Corey Maggette this offseason to support the oft-injured Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Read more |
Sources close to Johnson confirmed a Tribune report that the Bulls are cooling on Johnson, who still is owed $12 million from the Mavericks. After originally expressing to confidantes the desire to interview Johnson, Paxson has yet to schedule an interview with Johnson's representatives. Johnson's $12 million is offset dollar for dollar if he lands another job, so the former coach of the year likely is seeking a big pay day. Chicago Tribune
A radio report out of New York late Wednesday said Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has an offer from another NBA team, but sources indicated that team is not the Bulls, who still intend to line up an interview with Avery Johnson. Bulls general manager John Paxson remained in town for a second consecutive day Wednesday, and the interview with Johnson has not been scheduled. Chicago Sun-Times
Things were quiet Wednesday in the Bulls' coaching search as it appears general manager John Paxson plans to meet with former Dallas coach Avery Johnson before making any move. The agent for Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said his client had not received an offer from the Bulls or New York Knicks as of Wednesday afternoon. D'Antoni is technically still employed by the Suns, but he was given permission to negotiate a move to the Bulls or Knicks. Both teams met with D'Antoni last weekend in Arizona. Arlington Heights Daily Herald
D’Antoni’s agent, Warren LaGarie, who was flying back to the United States from Greece on Wednesday, will make use of a stopover in New York this morning to meet with the Knicks. But while the Big Apple is coming after D’Antoni hard, sources confirm the Bulls still represent the better on-court situation in his eyes. The question is whether the Bulls, who already owe former coach Scott Skiles $4 million for next season, have enough cash to make a competitive offer to D’Antoni — something comparable to the $4.25 million average he is scheduled to make over his last two years in Phoenix. East Valley Tribune
If Suns coach Mike D'Antoni could get what he wanted for his 57th birthday today, it would be a long-term contract with just compensation from the Chicago Bulls. An NBA source close to the situation said three things could make that happen: Bulls General Manager John Paxson must convince owner Jerry Reinsdorf to offer D'Antoni enough money and years. D'Antoni won't want to go backward from the $4 million and $4.5 million salaries D'Antoni would collect in Phoenix the next two seasons. Reinsdorf is hesitant about a long-term contract after getting burned on one with Scott Skiles, who was fired last season but will collect $4 million from Chicago next season as he coaches in Milwaukee on a new four-year, $18 million contract. Arizona Republic
Paxson must overcome his conflicted feelings. He is impressed with D'Antoni as a person but puts his basketball beliefs in defense, drilling and development - team traits that were not Suns strengths under D'Antoni. D'Antoni could be asked to make the same concession that Suns brass had asked of him if he returned to Phoenix - bring on a veteran assistant specializing in defense. He passed on that last summer, when Phoenix interviewed Tom Thibodeau (now Boston's associate head coach). Arizona Republic
While Paxson is said to like D'Antoni personally and value his offensive coaching skills, D'Antoni's reputation as a lesser defensive coach is giving Paxson pause. D'Antoni also routinely limited practice time with a veteran—and superstar-laden—Suns team. That's not to say D'Antoni couldn't change if he took over the league's youngest team in the Bulls, which his camp has stressed is his desire. But Paxson is giving indications he might want to wait to interview candidates such as Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau. How that fits with the Suns' plans is uncertain. D'Antoni is under contract to the Suns for $8.5 million over the next two seasons, but they clearly are at an impasse philosophically with him. Chicago Tribune
Chicago's reluctance to pay top dollar could benefit Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, who is also someone that Walsh has said he'd like to interview. New York Daily News
The drama has TNT analyst and Suns Ring of Honor member Charles Barkley lashing out at D'Antoni. "Mike D'Antoni wants to leave, and he don't have the (guts) to resign," Barkley said on Dan Patrick's radio show Wednesday. "He wants them to fire him. He wants to get paid and get another job. He wants to get his cake and eat it, too. He's trying to hold them hostage. He knows he's going to get another job. He wants the Suns to fire him so he can get that $9 million they owe him. "If he had any (guts) whatsoever, he'd say, "You know what? I don't want to be here,' but he wants them to fire him so he can get paid and get another job." Arizona Republic
The Suns aren’t expecting any compensation for the loss of D’Antoni, but they aren’t likely to grease the wheels for his departure by kicking in any money to help the Bulls either. And if the Bulls can’t justify spending upward of $8 million on a coach for next season, they might have to scale back their search to more affordable candidates unless D’Antoni agrees to backload his contract in return for some guaranteed money. The Knicks have identified a more inexpensive alternative in former Knick Mark Jackson, long reported to be the leading candidate who would be more likely to accept a three-year deal in the $15 million range. But the Cablevision ownership also has the financial wherewithal to overwhelm D’Antoni. East Valley Tribune
KTVK-TV (Channel 3) reported that Suns Ring of Honor member Dan Majerle met with Kerr on Wednesday to discuss a possible assistant coaching position on the new staff. When asked about the meeting, Kerr reiterated he had not spoken to anyone about a possible replacement for D’Antoni or members of his staff. Majerle, 42, spent 14 years in the NBA, including eight with Phoenix, and has been a Suns television color analyst for the last four years. Another Suns broadcaster, Eddie Johnson, told KTVK that he would like to be considered for the head coaching position. Johnson, 49, spent 17 years in the NBA and has been in broadcasting since his retirement in 1999. East Valley Tribune
 Doug Collins says he has "no interest" in coaching again. So it appears you can scratch one more name from the list of potential successors to fill the expected void left in Phoenix by Mike D'Antoni. After calling the Lakers' victory over Utah for TNT on Wednesday night in Los Angeles, Collins told ESPN.com that he has not heard from the Suns … and that he would rebuff their interest if they do call. "Steve has not talked to me, but I have no desire to do that," Collins said, referring to Suns president and former TNT colleague Steve Kerr. ESPN.com
"I consider it a compliment when people mention me, but I just love my life now. The work that has to be done and the headaches you have to put up with today, I'm not willing to pay that price. It's just too tough. "I get a chance to see my children now and my grandchildren. I've probably given up the competitive side of myself, but it's such a tough ride and tough grind unless you have the [clout] of someone like Phil Jackson or Gregg Popovich or Jerry Sloan." ESPN.com
Rick Carlisle's agent said Wednesday agreement for Carlisle to become the new Mavericks coach should be completed today and he is expected to be announced as the franchise's ninth head coach Friday. "We're headed for a successful landing, I believe, in the next day or so," agent Warren LeGarie said. Dallas Morning News
At the stroke of midnight Wednesday in Greece, Rick Carlisle’s agent received the contract from the Dallas Mavericks and began to give it a moon-lit combing. As long as no last-minute snags disrupted the weeklong negotiation, the Mavs will introduce the defensive-minded Carlisle on Friday as the franchise’s ninth head coach. “We’re still moving forward,” Carlisle's agent, Warren LeGarie, said Wednesday at 4 p.m. CDT, just as he received the contract overseas. The deal is believed to be for four years. Financial terms were not immediately known. Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nelson did not return phone calls Wednesday, but a source said the team is planning a Friday news conference, assuming both sides sign off on the deal today. Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Carlisle is expected to bring his own crew of assistant coaches, though Paul Westphal, Joe Prunty, Mario Elie and Popeye Jones all have one more year on their contracts. Former NBA head coaches Dwane Casey and Terry Stotts have been mentioned as possible targets for Carlisle's staff. Dallas Morning News
It’s not known if Carlisle would retain any of Johnson’s staff — Paul Westphal, Joe Prunty and Mario Elie — which is under contract through next season. Fort Worth Star-Telegram
He would meet with coach Maurice Cheeks "in the near future, let's say the next few weeks" about the possibility of an additional contract extension. Stefanski gave Cheeks a 1-year extension through next season during the just-completed season, but said at the time he wanted an additional opportunity to evaluate the situation. As it turns out, Cheeks appears to have strengthened his position by turning down a 1-year team option that would have given him some additional guaranteed income. Philadelphia Daily News
Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman said all his assistant coaches will return for the 2008-2009 season. ... Corey Brewer and Chris Richard, the two top draft choices last year, will start summer workouts soon, with other players to follow later. Wittman said the club will start bringing in draft candidates June 1. Minneapolis Star Tribune
 NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Billy King will be a strong candidate to replace Knight with the Hawks. Sources said Atlanta is also likely to ask the San Antonio Spurs for permission to speak with Spurs assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey. ESPN.com
Gearon also said Knight's resignation does not affect any decision to be made with coach Mike Woodson. "You cannot tie the two together," Gearon told The Associated Press. "Frankly, this was not a decision by us, it was a decision by Billy." ESPN.com
Woodson said he learned of Knight's resignation "when I walked in my office" on Wednesday morning. "That's all I know right now," Woodson said. "I'm trying to get some details on what's going on and what happened. They just told me and I'm trying to reach ownership group to see what's going on." ESPN.com
The Sonics will name Utah Jazz head scout Troy Weaver as their assistant general manager, two NBA sources told the Seattle P-I on Wednesday. Weaver replaces Scott Perry, who spent one season in Seattle before returning to the Detroit Pistons as vice president of basketball operations. The Sonics had no comment on the assistant general manager search. Weaver spent four years with the Jazz as a scout and has extensive experience working with blue-chip prospects. He spent four years as an assistant to Jim Boeheim and was responsible for recruiting Carmelo Anthony. Weaver was also an assistant coach at Pittsburgh and the University of New Mexico. And he has a special link with Sonics star Kevin Durant. Weaver co-founded the D.C. Assault AAU team that was a powerful club that produced Kansas State standout Michael Beasley, a close friend of Durant's. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Troy Weaver, a front-office executive with the Utah Jazz, is the top candidate to fill the Sonics' vacant assistant general manager position and he's expected to accept an offer from the team, according to two NBA sources. The sources spoke anonymously because an official announcement is forthcoming. Seattle Times
Weaver joined Utah in 2003 as a head scout and spent the past season as director of player personnel. He built a reputation as a keen talent evaluator and was instrumental in the Jazz drafting guards Deron Williams, C.J. Miles and Ronnie Brewer and forward Paul Millsap. Weaver will replace Scott Perry, who spent one season with the Sonics before returning to Detroit as vice president of basketball operations. Sonics assistant GM Rich Cho is expected to retain his role as salary-cap specialist. Seattle Times
In addition, Stefanski said he felt comfortable with longtime assistant general manager Tony DiLeo and director of player personnel Courtney Witte, so a front office shake-up doesn't appear likely. Philadelphia Inquirer
16 WAPT Sports has confirmed that Larry Smith will be named on Thursday as the head basketball coach for Alcorn State University. Alcorn has scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference in Vicksburg to announce their new head coach. Smith, a former Alcorn stand-out, played 13 years in the NBA with the Warriors, Rockets and the Spurs. He averaged more than 9 rebounds and 25 minutes a game in his career, and was named to the 1981 All-Rookie Team. 16 WAPT Sports
Nelson on Josh Howard: "He's ours. We love him. He's a marquee player, and we've got to get him back to where he was." Nelson on | 