HoopsHype.com Rumors

With less than two weeks until the Charlotte Bobcats open training camp at UNC Asheville, the team is firming up commitments for some extra players for camp. Look for Jeff Adrien (Connecticut), Paris Horne (St. John’s), Josh Owens (Stanford) and DaJuan Summers (Georgetown) to be added to the roster. The Bobcats plan to bring 17 or more players to new coach Mike Dunlap’s first training camp. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Jeff Adrien, DaJuan Summers, Mike Dunlap, Josh Owens, Training Camp 

Gone within a year were Brown and his successor, Paul Silas, a pair of aging league stalwarts replaced by roll-of-the-dice hire Mike Dunlap, a 55-year-old rookie NBA coach. Higgins was promoted to Jordan's old position, president of basketball operations, working alongside his replacement, Rich Cho. "Every single one of those moves is evidence that Michael is serious about getting out of the way," a rival Eastern Conference GM says. "They are now going to succeed or fail with Rich. And I can guarantee you that Michael has made sure that Rich knows that." ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Rich Cho, Mike Dunlap 

That same executive describes the 47-year-old Cho as a "Moneyball kind of guy," respected around the league for his involvement in the construction of the rosters of both Portland and Oklahoma City. According to Cho, when he left his job as the Trail Blazers GM to come to Charlotte 15 months ago, his marching orders from Jordan were simple and specific -- build through the draft and get free agents to complement the youngsters and put them over the top. The old Jordan, by his own admission, believed that if he cleared enough cap space, he could personally lure the likes of Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. But as he learned last year, even "MJ" appearing on their caller IDs wasn't enough to offset the lure of LA. ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Rich Cho, Mike Dunlap 

The Charlotte Bobcats today named Dan Leibovitz and Brian Winters as assistant coaches on the staff of new Head Coach Mike Dunlap. Leibovitz and Winters will join Stephen Silas and Rick Brunson, who officially signed with the team in July. NBA.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Stephen Silas, Mike Dunlap, Brian Winters, Dan Leibovitz 

Dan Leibovitz, an assistant coach with the University of Pennsylvania's men's basketball program, has resigned his position with the Quakers to take a job as a player development coach with the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association (NBA). "It has been an honor to serve the Penn basketball program for the last two years as assistant coach," said Leibovitz, who has a long relationship with the Bobcats' new head coach, Mike Dunlap. "I want to thank the administration, coaching staff, student-athletes, alumni, fans and others for welcoming my family and me into the University community. I look forward to seeing the Penn Quakers continue to flourish on and off the court under the direction of Coach Allen. The next chapter in my life begins in Charlotte, but I will always be thankful for the opportunity to have coached such a special group of respectful and dedicated young men at Penn." Penn Athletics

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap, Dan Leibovitz 

Scott Howard-Cooper: Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap, on Kemba Walker's improving leadership: “He absorbs criticism very nicely. Mine in particular.” Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Kemba Walker, Mike Dunlap 

Rick Bonnell: Dunlap said post-game that MKG (knee) wanted to play, but with this being summer league, he won't until "completely healthy." Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Summer League, Injuries, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Mike Dunlap 

What was it that separated Dunlap from the others? “When I sat down with Mike and I heard him explaining what he’s capable of doing, I said I can play for this guy,” Jordan says. “I said if that’s a guy I can play for, then that’s a guy everybody can play for. “He’s very fair. He’s very honest. He’s straightforward. There are no curveballs. He has a strong passion for the game and that’s hard to teach people. I’m a strong believer if you have a passion for something, you’re going to figure it out. That’s the thing I saw in him more than anything else – his passion for coaching.” Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Owners, Mike Dunlap 

The Australia National Basketball League is half a world away from the NBA, literally and figuratively. For three years beginning in 1994, Dunlap was head coach of the Adelaide 36ers. The NBL plays a schedule about half as long as the NBA and in arenas about half as big as American basketball palaces. It’s a place where games tend to be played on weekends and team members – players and coaches – are required to make sponsor appearances during the week. They visit schools and hospitals and, after games, Dunlap would drop in to talk with sponsors of his Adelaide team. “You’re coaching for your dinner there,” Dunlap says. “I had three kids and they could fire you the next day if they wanted. But doing that for three years really helped me.” Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Bobcats have interviewed former UNLV star and current Running Rebels assistant coach Stacey Augmon for a spot on Mike Dunlap's coaching staff. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no hiring decisions have been made. The person also says assistant coaches Rob Werdann and Ralph Lewis will not be retained. Oklahoman

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Ralph Lewis, Stacey Augmon, Mike Dunlap, Rob Werdann 

KC Johnson: Bulls assistant coach Rick Brunson has accepted a position on new Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap's staff in Charlotte. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Coaching, Rick Brunson, Mike Dunlap 

New Charlotte coach Mike Dunlap says the idea of trading down from the No. 2 spot in the NBA draft to acquire extra picks "makes a lot of sense" for a young team like the Bobcats. After finishing 7-59 and with the worst winning percentage (.106) in NBA history, the Bobcats have a variety of holes to fill this offseason. Dunlap recognizes that. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Charlotte Bobcats, Draft, Trade, Mike Dunlap 

That's one of the reasons he said the Bobcats are taking a "hybrid thinking" approach to Thursday night's draft, which means evaluating the talent available at No. 2 while simultaneously looking into the feasibility of moving down and picking up an additional first-round draft pick. He said the option of trading down "is on the board." "I think anybody in our situation would have that on the board," Dunlap said. "(Our) people are very smart up top. So options and thinking of your variables is a very smart thing to do." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Charlotte Bobcats, Draft, Trade, Mike Dunlap 

Dunlap said he’s in no rush to hire assistants. Stephen Silas and Rob Werdann, who worked for Paul Silas, are assisting Dunlap with pre-draft workouts and voluntary workouts for veteran Bobcats… Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Stephen Silas, Mike Dunlap, Rob Werdann 

What’s known for sure is Dunlap, who was coach Steve Lavin’s assistant at St. John’s, proved more appealing than Jerry Sloan, won everywhere he assisted, was very successful at the Division II level as Sideline Superior for Metro State, is a workaholic and never quit a team in midseason. If that’s not conclusive proof Dunlap has a top spin on the ball, George Karl’s effusive endorsement certifies it. According to the Nuggets’ chief intelligence officer, his former assistant is one of the most creative defensive minds that ever shared his workspace. New York Post

Orlando Magic, George Karl, Coaching, Jerry Sloan, Mike Dunlap 

Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson looked like he’d just taken a shower. Nope, this was all sweat, courtesy of Charlotte Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap’s full-court 3-on-3 drill. “You’re supposed to get tired. That’s the whole point of the workout,’’ Robinson said. “To see if we can play when we’re tired. I think I handled it pretty well.’’ Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Draft, Thomas Robinson, Mike Dunlap 

Mike Dunlap: “They just asked if I’d like to interview and I said, ‘Absolutely.’ I said the absolutely part real quick and got down here and interviewed. … It went all right, I guess, because I got a second one.” Sports Radio Interviews

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

Rick Bonnell: Biyombo, Mullins, Carroll and Higgins in gym. Dunlap coaching #Bobcats like it's mid-training camp already. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Bismack Biyombo, Matt Carroll, Cory Higgins, Mike Dunlap, Byron Mullens 

"Mike Dunlap embodies the characteristics we were seeking in a head coach," Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins said. "He is renowned in basketball circles as a teacher, developer of talent, communicator and collaborator. His energy and work ethic are endless, and we are excited to have him in charge of our team." Sun Herald

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Rod Higgins, Mike Dunlap 

Rick Bonnell: Funny quote from Dunlap: "I'm stealing (ideas) all the time. Haven't had an original thought since I was born.'' Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap