Larry Drew Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Eastern Notes: Hawks, Celtics, Asik, Blatche

December 14th, 2012 at 1:50pm CST by Luke Adams

After rounding up a few Raptors updates earlier this afternoon, let's take a look around the rest of the Eastern Conference:

One opposing GM points out to Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game (Sulia link) that a successful season for the Hawks would make it difficult for new GM Danny Ferry to bring in his own head coach to replace Larry Drew next year, if that's what Ferry wants to do. League sources also question whether Josh Smith fits the profile of a player Ferry would want to retain long-term, according to Bucher.
The Celtics inquired on Omer Asik over the summer, head coach Doc Rivers tells A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com (Twitter link). However, the team quickly moved on when it heard Asik's price tag.
It's looking more and more like Andray Blatche might be this summer's "one [free agent] that got away" from the Heat, says Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Following up on comments he made last month, Mike D'Antoni clarified to reporters, including Fred Kerber of the New York Post, that he had no regrets about coaching the Knicks, but that he regretted leaving Steve Nash and the Suns.
In a piece for the Detroit Free Press, Dan Feldman of PistonPowered wonders if Charlie Villanueva is playing well enough to avoid being amnestied next summer.

Danny Ferry Gives Backing To Larry Drew

November 10th, 2012 at 2:38pm CST by Chuck Myron

Hawks GM Danny Ferry attempted to defuse rumors that he would like to bring fired Lakers coach Mike Brown aboard to replace Larry Drew after Drew's contract is up at the end of the season, saying that he's committed to working with his current coach, as Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

"Mike is a good friend and I have great respect for him as a coach but I am fully engaged with Larry and our partnership," the GM said. "I have enjoyed our process together so far and think we are building a positive foundation."

Brown was coach of the Cavs when Ferry was GM in Cleveland, and the team's parting of ways with Brown in 2010 was the main reason behind Ferry's departure from the Cavs two weeks later, as Vivlamore points out. Drew declined comment on Brown's firing Friday. The Hawks exercised their 2012/13 option on Drew's contract before Ferry took over as GM this summer, though Ferry reportedly agreed with the team's decision to do so.

Marc Stein On Mike Brown, Josh Smith, Thunder

November 3rd, 2012 at 1:25pm CST by Chuck Myron

The start of the regular season means the return of Marc Stein's Weekend Dime feature on ESPN.com, and as usual, there are a few notable tidbits within the piece. Stein praises Lakers coach Mike Brown for his refusal to run from "ridiculously early" questions about his job security despite the specter of available names like Phil Jackson and Mike D'Antoni. In response to the notion of D'Antoni taking over the team, HoopsWorld's Steve Kyler calls it overreaction (Twitter link), which would seem to carry over to Jackson as well, especially considering the doubts about his desire to coach again. Here's more of what Stein had to say.

Josh Smith is in the final season of his deal, worth $13.2MM this year, and he could represent an attractive trade chip. Stein nonetheless hears the Hawks will most likely hang on to Smith this year while retaining cap flexibility for what could be an active summer of 2013.
One of the reasons why the Thunder traded James Harden is because the team is projected to pay, instead of receive, under the league's revenue-sharing model, despite playing in a small market.
Seven coaches are in the final year of their contracts, including Larry Drew of the Hawks, Avery Johnson of the Nets, Vinny Del Negro of the Clippers, Lionel Hollins of the Grizzlies, Scott Skiles of the Bucks and Alvin Gentry of the Suns. Frank Vogel is the other member of that group, though the Pacers hold a team option on his deal for 2013/14.

Coach/Exec Notes: Gentry, Petrie, Drew

October 3rd, 2012 at 10:14am CST by Luke Adams

While Hoops Rumors focuses primarily on trades and free agency involving NBA players, there's another group entering contract years as the 2012/13 season approaches — coaches and front office personnel. This could be a crucial year for many coaches and executives who are in the final year of their deals, so let's take a look at some stories on a few guys in contract years….

Alvin Gentry is a good fit for the Suns, and extending his contract would not only be the right move, but would send the right message, argues Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic. It doesn't sound as if the team is negotiating a new contract for its head coach at the moment though. "It's not an issue for this season," said Suns owner Robert Sarver. "I don't think it's an issue with Alvin, and it's not an issue for us. I've worked with Alvin for the last eight years. I think he's treated the organization fairly, and I think we've treated him fairly."
Kings president Geoff Petrie is entering the last year of his deal, but doesn't appear concerned about his uncertain future, telling Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee: "I think really for me the only contract I'm concerned about is the one all of us have, and that's the contract with life. And you take that one day at a time."
Like Petrie, Hawks coach Larry Drew is downplaying any worries about his long-term future as he enters the final year of his contract. New GM Danny Ferry agreed with the team's decision to pick up Drew's 2012/13 option, but the two will wait until after the season to discuss a new contract for the coach, writes Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. If the Hawks underachieve at all this year, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ferry bring in his own man for the job.

Hawks Exercise Option On Larry Drew

May 18th, 2012 at 12:27pm CST by Luke Adams

12:27pm: The Hawks officially announced in a press release that they've exercised Drew's option.

"Larry did an outstanding job this season in guiding our team to the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference, despite a condensed schedule and unfortunate injuries," said GM Rick Sund. "The Hawks have reached the postseason in each of his years on the bench, and we feel Larry’s experience, expertise and dedication to the game were a key ingredient to our success."

11:40am: The Hawks have picked up their contract option for coach Larry Drew, according to Sekou Smith of NBA.com (via Twitter).

There were rumblings earlier this week that Drew might not have his option for 2012/13 exercised by the Hawks, after failing to make it past the Celtics in round one. But Atlanta's decision to pick it up means Drew will be back on the team's bench for a third season. In his first two years in Atlanta, Drew led the team to an 84-64 record, with one playoff series win, in 2011.

Zach Lowe of SI.com (via Twitter) called the Hawks' decision the "organizational equivalent of [a] shoulder shrug," arguing that Drew is a solid coach, but not one that will take the team to the next level.

Coaching Rumors: Ewing, Magic, D’Antoni, Drew

May 18th, 2012 at 9:46am CST by Luke Adams

Although the Bobcats are still the only NBA team actively searching and conducting interviews for a new head coach, a number of other clubs could be looking to make a change in the coming weeks. Here's the latest on a few coaches and potential openings:

Marc Berman of the New York Post hears that Patrick Ewing has a "good chance" of becoming the Bobcats' next coach. According to Berman, the Magic likely wouldn't consider Ewing for their position if they were to part ways with Stan Van Gundy.
Speaking of Van Gundy and the Magic job, Berman adds that Mike D'Antoni would be on Orlando's "short list" if the team were to make a change. Word out of D'Antoni's inner circle suggests the former Knicks coach is content sitting out next season unless a "very compelling opportunity" arises, says Berman.
Hawks coach Larry Drew is still awaiting word from the team about whether they'll pick up his option for next season. Drew tells Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he considers his relationship with Atlanta's players to be strong: "That’s something I take a lot of pride in and spent a lot of time talking about and trying to work on. Player relationships are so important on this level, how you deal with your best player all the way down to the guy who might not even dress out during games. I thought I did a good job with that. I thought my staff did a good job with that."
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer examines why former NBA big men rarely become head coaches.

Odds & Ends: Mayo, Joe Johnson, Hawks

May 16th, 2012 at 11:03pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Here are some of tonight's miscellaneous links:

Lang Greene of HoopsWorld had his weekly chat with fans tonight. Among the significant things I took from his exchange: O.J. Mayo will most likely leave Memphis since the Grizzlies do not want to exceed the luxury tax and that Joe Johnson won't likely be dealt anytime soon.
Greene also took a look at what to expect from the Hawks this offseason. Aside from being committed to $61 MM in salaries with six roster spots to fill, the team could have some decisions to face with management and coaching as well. We reported earlier this week that current general manager Rick Sund has drawn interest from the Trail Blazers, and Greene thinks that his departure could also mean an end to Larry Drew's tenure with the team.
Kevin Sherrington of SportsDay DFW answered some questions from fans today, including an explanation of why he'd choose Rick Carlisle over Phil Jackson.
This Reuters article (via Simon Evans) examines Miami's struggles as a result of Chris Bosh's absence. The Heat players outside of Lebron and Wade were a combined 9-for-34, and Mario Chalmers was limited to 22 minutes because of foul trouble. Even with that in mind, the Heat don't appear to be fazed going into a road game against a confident Pacers team.

Blazers Notes: GM, Drew, Freeland, Claver, Batum

May 16th, 2012 at 8:42am CST by Luke Adams

Let's follow up on Tuesday's Trail Blazers items with another round of updates today:

The Blazers have identified two or three more candidates for their general manager opening that they hope to interview soon, writes Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune. President Larry Miller says he hopes to have a "couple more" candidates meet with owner Paul Allen within the next two weeks or so, at which point the team may be ready to make a decision.
Eggers hears that Portland is having its GM hopefuls complete a written psychological test to establish leadership qualities. "I’ll just say it’s pretty extensive," Miller says. "We try to do as much due diligence as possible."
Larry Drew of the Hawks is a possibility to be the Blazers' next head coach, according to Eggers. "Word is" Drew may not have his option picked up by the Hawks after he failed to lead Atlanta past the first round, says Eggers.
Acting GM Chad Buchanan expects buyouts for former Blazers draft picks Joel Freeland and Victor Claver to be low enough that there shouldn't be an issue bringing them overseas: "We’ve had talks with both players and their parties, and we’re hopeful we can get something worked out."
Dave Deckard of Blazer's Edge takes an in-depth look at Nicolas Batum's impact on Portland's cap, and how it would affect the team if he signed an offer sheet early.