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Central Notes: Budenholzer, Sexton, Sabonis

November 9th, 2018 at 5:32pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Bucks credit new coach Mike Budenholzer for their hot start, as Nick Friedell of ESPN relays. The Bucks’ offense has more structure than it did under former coach Jason Kidd and interim coach Joe Prunty, multiple players told Friedell and other media members. “We have multiple sets we can get into, we have — just more of a foundation to play off of rather than just freestyle,” guard Malcolm Brogdon said. The players are displaying trust in the system, which emphasizes 3-point shots and ball movement, Friedell adds. “I think teams are starting to take notice and realize we’re not the Bucks that we were when I first got here six years ago,” small forward Khris Middleton said. “We’re a totally different team even from last year.”

We have more from the Central Division:

Cavaliers coach Larry Drew is going to ride the team’s first-round pick and he’s told the rest of the team to buy in. Drew has instructed his veterans that they need to allow rookie point guard Collin Sexton to work through his mistakes, according to Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “I actually pulled some guys to the side when we were in Orlando (on Monday),” Drew said. “That was my exact point — having to be patient with a 19-year-old kid.”
Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis is off to a hot start and that presents a tricky dilemma for the front office, Zach Lowe of ESPN notes. Myles Turner signed a four-year, $72MM extension last month but Sabonis has thus far outplayed him. Statistics bear out that Indiana’s offense suffers when both are on the court, though Turner has a higher ceiling because of his 3-point shooting and rim protection, Lowe continues. Sabonis is eligible for an extension prior to the start of next season but it’s tough to pay big bucks for two players at the same position, Lowe adds.
The Pistons rank among the top 10 in the league in open 3-point attempts, yet they’ve done a poor job of making them. Meanwhile, the Bulls have been bit hard by the injury bug. Spencer Davies of Basketball Insiders takes a closer look at some of the areas of concern for Central Division clubs.

And-Ones: 2019 FAs, Kidd, Lakers, MGM Resorts

August 3rd, 2018 at 2:02pm CST by Luke Adams

The summer of 2018 didn’t involve a ton of huge surprises in free agency, but the 2019 NBA offseason is already shaping up to be a more dramatic and eventful free agent period. As Sean Deveney of The Sporting News details, there should be more teams with the ability to sign maximum-salary free agents next July, as well as more intriguing veterans available to sign those deals.

Taking an early look at the best players projected to be on the market in 2019, Deveney ranks Kevin Durant as the No. 1 UFA-to-be, followed by Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson, Al Horford, and Kemba Walker. DeMarcus Cousins, Khris Middleton, and Tobias Harris round out Deveney’s top 10, which could be even more star-studded if some potential restricted free agents pass on extensions this offseason.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NBA:

Asked by Yahoo Finance (video link) whether he expects to coach in the NBA again, Jason Kidd replied, “One day.” The former Nets and Bucks head coach, a San Francisco native, said he’d be interested in coaching in the Bay Area at some point at any level, joking that he’d be ready to take over when Steve Kerr moves on as head coach of the Warriors.
A handful of ESPN.com writers weighed in on the best and worst moves of the 2018 offseason, debated whether or not the Lakers will make the playoffs, and made bold predictions for the 2018/19 season.
After the NBA announced earlier this week that it has agreed to a deal making MGM Resorts its “gaming partner” for sports betting purposes, ESPN’s David Purdum broke down what exactly that means, explaining what’s in it for the NBA and for MGM.
In an interesting piece for Forbes.com, Jeff Siegel outlines why the new restricted free agency system for players on two-way contracts puts those players in a tough spot.

Jason Kidd To Interview For Pistons Head Coaching Job

June 2nd, 2018 at 9:36am CST by marksuleymanov

Former Nets and Bucks head coach Jason Kidd is in Detroit and he’s scheduled to interview with the Pistons for the organization’s head coaching vacancy, tweets Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports.

Kidd, 45, spent the last three-plus seasons as the Bucks’ head coach but he was fired this year following Milwaukee’s 23-22 start. He was replaced by interim coach Joe Prunty, who led the Bucks to the postseason as the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed.

The 10-time NBA All-Star last played for the Knicks during the 2012/13 season. Kidd accepted the role as head coach of the Nets months after he retired from active competition. In his first season in Brooklyn, Kidd led the team to a 44-38 record, losing in the second round of the playoffs.

In July 2014, the Bucks acquired the rights to Kidd’s services after sending two second-round draft picks to Brooklyn. In parts of four years with the Bucks, Kidd posted a 139-152 record.

The Pistons have ramped up their search for a new head coach following the dismissal of Stan Van Gundy. This week, Michigan coach John Beilein and recently fired Raptors coach Dwane Casey interviewed with the franchise. Spurs assistants Becky Hammon and Ime Udoka, Heat assistant Juwan Howard, and TNT broadcaster Kenny Smith have also been connected to the position.

Jason Kidd Won’t Get Second Interview With Suns

April 27th, 2018 at 8:18pm CST by Arthur Hill

8:18pm: There are two new names to add to the Suns’ coaching search, according to Scott Bordow of The Arizona Republic (Twitter link). The team had talks this week with Toronto assistant Nick Nurse and Pelicans associate head coach Chris Finch.

8:00pm: The Suns have completed their first round of coaching interviews, and Jason Kidd is among the candidates who have been eliminated, tweets John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 in Phoenix. He adds that the organization is currently informing all the interviewees of their current status.

Phoenix wrapped up the first stage of its coaching search this week, talking to ex-Hornets head coach Steve Clifford today and Spurs assistant James Borrego on Thursday.

Kidd has a 183-190 record in four and a half seasons as head coach of the Nets and Bucks. He took Milwaukee to the playoffs twice before being fired in January with a 23-22 mark. The newly elected Hall of Famer spent five seasons in Phoenix during his playing career.

Suns Speak To Kidd, Del Negro About HC Job

April 23rd, 2018 at 3:59pm CST by Luke Adams

The Suns continue to conduct a wide-ranging search for their new head coach, with Scott Bordow of The Arizona Republic reporting that the team has spoken to Jason Kidd and Vinny Del Negro about the job.

Kidd, who was fired by the Bucks earlier this year, was linked to the Suns earlier this month, and Bordow suggests that the former Brooklyn and Milwaukee coach has “openly campaigned” for the job. Kidd’s coaching résumé is a mixed bag — he led the Nets and Bucks to three playoff appearances in four years, but had a 183-190 overall record and didn’t always see eye-to-eye with management.

As for Del Negro, this is the first time we’ve heard his name connected to any coaching openings this spring. His history with the Suns likely contributed to the team’s decision to talk to him about the position — Del Negro played for the Suns in 2001, and was part of the team’s front office before he transitioned to coaching. In five seasons coaching the Bulls and Clippers, Del Negro compiled a 210-184 record, with a 10-19 postseason mark.

It’s not clear how seriously the Suns are considering Kidd or Del Negro, but the two former NBA head coaches join a group of candidates that includes David Fizdale, Igor Kokoskov, Frank Vogel, Steve Clifford, David Blatt, James Borrego, and Kevin McHale, per our tracker.

Coaching Rumors: Magic, Bucks, Suns, Knicks

April 6th, 2018 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

When Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports polled executives around the NBA recently on rising head coach candidates, Raptors assistant Nick Nurse and Raptors 905 head coach Jerry Stackhouse were among the top names on the list. According to Gery Woelfel of The Racine Journal Times, both Nurse and Stackhouse will likely be among the the candidates the Magic consider if the club elects to replace Frank Vogel this offseason.

In addition to the fact that current Magic president Jeff Weltman was formerly the GM in Toronto, Stackhouse also has a connection to Orlando general manager John Hammond, who was the GM in Milwaukee when Stackhouse played for the Bucks. Woelfel adds that some NBA officials believe the Magic are “leaning toward” replacing Vogel with Stackhouse, though Orlando’s list of preferred targets figures to become clearer if and when the club formally moves on from its current head coach.

Here are a few more coaching notes and rumors from Woelfel:

Multiple sources tell Woelfel that Clippers coach Doc Rivers and Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer would have “more than a passing interest” in the Bucks‘ position if they move on from their current teams this offseason. Some NBA officials believe that Budenholzer wouldn’t want to be part of an “extensive” rebuild in Atlanta, according to Woelfel.
While the Suns are expected to conduct a wide-ranging head coaching search, multiple NBA executives and coaches think David Fizdale, Jason Kidd, and Villanova’s Jay Wright will receive strong consideration, says Woelfel.
Besides Wright, Virginia’s Tony Bennett is among the college coaches expected to draw NBA interest. “Everybody knows he’s an exceptional defensive coach, but he does some really nice things offensively, too. He can flat-out coach.” one longtime NBA executive told Woelfel. “I think almost every team that is in the market for a new coach will take long, hard looks at Wright and Bennett. They’re both great coaches and they’re both great guys.”
A league source expects Mark Jackson and David Blatt to be among the finalists for the Knicks‘ job if the team dismisses Jeff Hornacek, according to Woelfel.

Ray Allen, 12 Others Selected To 2018 Hall Of Fame Class

March 31st, 2018 at 11:53am CST by marksuleymanov

Two-time NBA champion and 10-time All-Star Ray Allen was among 13 names selected by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for enshrinement as part of the 2018 Hall of Fame Class.

In his 18-year career, Allen set the record for most three-point field goals made with 2,973 and is ranked sixth on the all-time free throw percentage list with an .894 mark. Allen, 42, was drafted by the Bucks fifth overall in the 1996 NBA Draft and spent his first six-and-a-half seasons in Milwaukee. After a four-and-a-half year run with the then-Supersonics, Allen joined the Celtics, capturing his first of two NBA titles in 2008.

The University of Connecticut product joined the Heat for his final two seasons, capturing his second championship in 2013. Allen sank several clutch treys in Game 6 and Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals, leading the Heat to the title.

As we relayed earlier this week, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Maurice Cheeks, and Rod Thorn were selected to the Hall of Fame. You can read detailed descriptions of their careers from our February report of 13 finalists being selected for the Hall of Fame.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith, four-time WNBA Champion Tina Thompson, long-time Maryland coach Charles “Lefty” Driesell, Dino Radja, Charlie Scott, Ora Mae Washington, and Rick Welts were also selected.

Hill, Kidd, Nash, Cheeks Headed To Hall Of Fame

March 29th, 2018 at 2:24pm CST by Arthur Hill

2:24pm: Rod Thorn, who spent years as a coach and executive and worked for the league office, will also be inducted, Wojnarowski tweets.

10:55am: Former Sixers point guard Maurice Cheeks will also be inducted this year, according to Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Cheeks was a four-time All-Star and a five-time selection to the All-Defensive Team. He won an NBA title in 1983.

10:33am: Three NBA greats will be part of the Class of 2018 for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Grant Hill, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash have all received notice that they will be among the inductees, although the formal announcement won’t be made until this weekend.

The third pick in the 1994 draft, Hill shared Rookie of the Year honors with Kidd. He was a seven-time All-Star, a first-team all-NBA selection in 1997 and a second-team choice four other times. He was also part of the gold medal team at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Kidd was a 10-time All-Star who is recognized as one of the top point guards of his era. He was a five-time choice to the all-NBA first team and led the league in assists in five seasons. He won Olympic gold medals in 2000 and 2008 and captured an NBA title with the Mavericks in 2011.

Nash is one of a handful of players to be named MVP in consecutive seasons. He was an eight-time All-Star, a five-time all-NBA first-team selection and a five-time assists leader. Nash also has a strong presence in international basketball as a former player and current GM for the Canadian national team.

Central Notes: Kidd, Bullock, Hill, LaVine

March 29th, 2018 at 11:48am CST by Arthur Hill

Former Bucks coach Jason Kidd doesn’t shy away from the no-nonsense attitude that contributed to his dismissal, writes Howard Beck of Bleacher Report. In a wide-ranging interview, Kidd talks about what went wrong in Milwaukee — and in his first coaching job in Brooklyn — as he copes with his longest time away from the league since being drafted in 1994.

“When people are saying that I’m old-school, it’s not that I’m old-school,” he said. “It’s what it takes to win. And I think we’ve lost a little of that with the younger generation of ‘everybody gets a trophy.'”

Kidd had a 139-152 record with the Bucks, including 23-22 this season when he was fired in January. He defends himself against charges that he demanded too much from the team and was being tuned out in the locker room. There were also complaints that he gave up on players too quickly after pushing the front office to acquire them, with Michael Carter-Williams cited as an example. Kidd also claims the new ownership in Milwaukee expected too much from a young team.

“The master plan got erased once we won 41 games [in the 2014/15 season],” he said. “Because the expectations were, ‘This is what we can do every year.’ But no one’s ever been in this situation but one person, and that’s the head coach. And the head coach is saying, ‘We still have a ways to go.’ But no one is listening.”

There’s more from the Central Division:

The Pistons are being rewarded for their patience with Reggie Bullock, according to Rod Beard of the Detroit News. Bullock saw limited playing time during his first two seasons in Detroit, but has moved into the starting lineup this year and is averaging nearly 13 points per game in that role. “A player with my story probably would have been out of the league or trying to find his way back in the league,” Bullock said. “But I landed in the right position. It was God’s plan for me to be able to watch and learn, and now I’ve got an opportunity to play and to just keep moving forward.”
George Hill is giving the Cavaliers stability at point guard for the first time since trading Kyrie Irving, notes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. After Cleveland went through numerous candidates in the first half of the season, Hill has solidified the position since being acquired from the Kings in a deadline-day deal.
Bulls guard Zach LaVine says he’s not stressed about free agency and he trusts his representatives and team management to work out a fair contract, relays K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. Both sides have expressed confidence that a deal will get done as the fourth-year guard heads toward restricted free agency. “The agency and front office, they’re both trying to get the better of each [other],” LaVine said. “but I think this situation is a little bit different because there’s mutual respect on both sides and understanding. There’s no bad blood between us, so I think everything will go smoothly.”

Nash, Kidd, Allen Headline 13 Hall Of Fame Finalists

February 17th, 2018 at 1:43pm CST by clarkcrum

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced 13 finalists to be considered for election to the Hall of Fame in 2018. The list includes six first-time finalists, including likely first-ballot hall-of-famers Ray Allen, Jason Kidd, and Steve Nash, as well as Grant Hill, three-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith and four-time WNBA Champion Tina Thompson.

Among the seven other finalists are four-time NBA All-Star Maurice Cheeks, two-time NBA Champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich, and five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber. Rounding out the list are long-time Maryland coach Charles “Lefty” Driesell, 28-year NBA referee Hugh Evans, two-time NCAA National Championship Coach of Baylor Kim Mulkey, and 10-time AAU National Champions Wayland Baptist University.

The Class of 2018 will be announced on Saturday, March 31 at a press conference in San Antonio prior to the NCAA Men’s Final Four. Let’s now take a look at some more information on the six former NBA stars up for election as players.

Steve Nash – Played in the NBA for 19 seasons, earning MVP honors in both 2005 and 2006. An eight-time All-Star and an All-NBA First Team member in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Nash also holds the NBA record for highest career free throw percentage (.904) and had four seasons with a shooting line of .500/.400/.900, the most in NBA history.
Jason Kidd – During his 18-year NBA career, he earned All-NBA First Team honors five times and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team four times. He is a 10-time NBA All-Star while also ranking second on the NBA all-time steals list (2,684) and all-time assists list (12,091).
Ray Allen – A two-time NBA Champion, Allen was selected to the All-Star game 10 times during his 18-year career. He is still the all-time NBA leader in three-point field goals made (2,973) and is ranked sixth on the all-time free throw percentage list (.894).
Grant Hill – A 19-year NBA veteran, a seven-time NBA All-Star, and a member of the All-NBA First Team in 1997, Hill was also a member of two NCAA national championship teams (1991, 1992) at Duke and a gold medal recipient at the 1996 Olympic Games.
Chris Webber –Webber is a five-time NBA All-Star and the 1994 NBA Rookie of the Year. He earned All-NBA First Team honors in 2001 and averaged more than 20 points per game for nine consecutive seasons from the mid-90’s to the early 00’s.
Maurice Cheeks – A four-time NBA All-Star (1983, 1986-1988) and four-time NBA All-Defensive team selection, Cheeks was also a member of the 1983 NBA Champion Philadelphia 76ers.