HoopsHype.com Rumors

A radio report that 76ers CEO Adam Aron was no longer part of the basketball operations wasn’t exactly on the mark. During an interview with former Sixers general manager John Nash, Nash said that Aron had been ‘extracted’ from the basketball operations department. Aron is still very much a part of the organization, said a source, and he’s still involved in basketball operations. However, he has never really been a major contributor in that department anyway. According to the source, Aron’s role with the team ‘has not changed since Josh Harris purchased the team. He’s still very much involved. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Adam Aron, John Nash, Josh Harris, Sam Hinkie 

The Trail Blazers hired Chris McGowan as president on Monday. He replaces Larry Miller, who replaced Steve Patterson, who replaced Bob Whitsitt. Also, McGowan will work alongside general manager Neil Olshey, who replaced Rich Cho, who replaced Kevin Pritchard, who replaced Patterson, who replaced John Nash, who replaced Whitsitt. Point is, it hasn't felt easy to explain around here since Whitsitt left, has it? The hope here isn't that McGowan will walk on water, or help a basketball team that feels headed to another NBA Draft Lottery find a miracle way out of this mess. Rather, the hope is that McGowan can work closely enough with Olshey to end the convoluted decade of madness and again make the basketball, not the business (or some gobbled combination) feel like it's driving the bus again. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Miller, Neil Olshey, Rich Cho, Steve Patterson, Bob Whitsitt, John Nash, Chris McGowan 

Trouble is, Olshey is a client of agent Warren LeGarie. Remember, LeGarie also represented former Blazers GMs John Nash and Kevin Pritchard as well as ex-assistant general manager Tom Penn. You'd think Allen wouldn't want to eat at that restaurant again. Oregonian

Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Tom Penn, Kevin Pritchard, Paul Allen, Neil Olshey, John Nash 

During Bryant’s senior year, Nash scouted Kerry Kittles at Villanova practices and then watched Kobe play about five miles away. At the end of the season, Nash was let go by Washington, but then hired by John Calipari, who had just joined the Nets as coach and president. “I started there about two weeks before the ’96 draft and Kobe had already worked out for them twice,” Nash said. “I was delighted to learn Calipari really liked him. I echoed John’s feelings and we arranged to bring him in a third time, which sealed the deal.” New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, John Nash 

The draft that year was at the Meadowlands, and on the night before, Nash and Calipari had dinner with Joe and Pam Bryant. “John asked Joe what he expected for his son,” Nash said. “He said he thought Kobe would start as a rookie and be an All Star in his second season.” New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, John Nash 

“Kobe’s representative called me. Even though Arn Tellem had been excited to know we were going to select his client, he now claimed Kobe did not want to be in Jersey and might not sign. I knew he was bluffing about signing. He had already renounced his collegiate eligibility by hiring an agent and Europe was no longer paying big money. “At the same time, Kobe placed a call to Calipari and basically said the same thing,” Nash continued. “Why the sudden change of heart? I told John I believed someone behind us was angling to get Kobe. West previously offered us Vlade for No. 8. In the meantime, David Falk, who represented Kittles, had become aware of the situation and he called Calipari and pressured him to select his client. “Calipari was concerned Falk would hold a grudge if we passed over Kittles. By 6 p.m., I had learned a deal had been arranged between L.A. and Charlotte involving Vlade and Kobe. I still lobbied hard to stay the course, but the combination of Joe Taub, Kobe, Falk and Tellem had worn away Calipari’s resolve. It was a tough spot for a rookie coach and top decision maker.” New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, John Nash 

The 76ers yesterday let go of two of their employees - NBA scouts John Nash and Chris Ford. At a news conference last Tuesday when the new ownership of the team was introduced, it was announced that general manager Ed Stefanski had been released of his duties. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, John Nash, Chris Ford 

"I've had the good fortune to do this for a long time," Nash said last night. "I've been general manager for four different teams [Sixers, New Jersey, Portland and Washington], been with the Sixers three different times and was employed 28 years with the NBA. I would love to continue to do it. I feel anyone in this profession who says they don't want to be a decision-maker is too tired or fibbing. I would still love to run an NBA franchise." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, John Nash, Chris Ford 

Shortly after he spoke, the New York Daily News reported that the league would cancel another 2 weeks of games, through Nov. 28. That would wipe six more games off the Sixers' schedule. "No matter what happens to me, no matter where I land, I will always consider myself a part of the Sixers family and a Sixers fan," Nash said. "I wish them the best." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, John Nash, Chris Ford