Lloyd Pierce Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Hawks Narrow Coaching Search To Four Finalists

May 7th, 2018 at 10:44pm CST by Luke Adams

MAY 7, 10:44pm: Pierce’s previously-reported second interview with the Hawks will take place on Tuesday, Marc Spears of The Undefeated tweets.

MAY 6, 6:39pm: The Hawks have narrowed down their list of head coaching candidates to four finalists, reports Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. According to Cunningham, Sixers assistant Lloyd Pierce, Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts, Hornets assistant Stephen Silas, and Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga remain in the running.

Pierce has emerged this weekend as a frontrunner for the position, with a Saturday report indicating he’d get a second interview for the job. Earlier today, we heard that Pierce would meet with Hawks ownership early this week, and could receive a job offer if that meeting goes well.

However, the Hawks are considering three other assistants from around the NBA, including Tibbetts, who has already met with team owner Tony Ressler, according to Cunningham. A source with knowledge of the Hawks’ plans tells Cunningham that Pierce’s own meeting with Ressler hasn’t yet been officially scheduled, adding that it’s premature to view him as a lock for the job over Atlanta’s other finalists.

As Cunningham details, David Fizdale interviewed with the Hawks and met with Ressler as well, but reached an agreement on Thursday to become the Knicks’ new head coach, taking him out of the mix for Atlanta.

Shortly after the Hawks parted ways with Mike Budenholzer, a report indicated that the team was looking to find an up-and-coming coach who could evolve along with Atlanta’s young roster. As such, it’s perhaps no surprise that none of the team’s finalists – Pierce, Tibbetts, Silas, and Larranaga – have held a permanent head coaching job in the past.

Lloyd Pierce To Meet With Hawks Ownership

May 6th, 2018 at 1:37pm CST by marksuleymanov

After a pair of interviews for the organization’s head coaching vacancy, Sixers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce will meet with Hawks ownership early this week, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. If the meeting goes well, there is a “strong chance” that Pierce will be Atlanta’s next head coach, Wojnarowski adds.

We relayed yesterday that Pierce interviewed with the Hawks twice recently as the organization looks to replace former head coach Mike Budenholzer. With the Sixers trailing the Celtics 3-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, it’s possible Pierce’s stint in Philadelphia is nearing its end.

Pierce has served as an assistant with the Sixers for the past four seasons. He previously worked with Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk in Golden State. Pierce also spent time as an assistant coach with the Cavaliers and Grizzlies prior to joining the Sixers staff.

Atlanta has already interviewed Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga, Hornets assistant Stephen Silas, Warriors assistant Jarron Collins, and Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts. Other names connected to the opening include Spurs assistants Ime Udoka and James Borrego. Atlanta also interviewed David Fizdale, who agreed to become the Knicks‘ head coach earlier this week.

Follow all the latest coaching moves with our 2018 NBA Head Coaching Search Tracker.

Lloyd Pierce To Get Second Interview With Hawks

May 5th, 2018 at 9:09pm CST by Arthur Hill

Lloyd Pierce, who talked to the Hawks yesterday about their head coaching job, will receive a second interview, tweets Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.

Pierce, an assistant with the Sixers for the past four seasons, previously worked with Atlanta GM Travis Schlenk in Golden State. He also spent time as an assistant coach with the Cavaliers and Grizzlies before coming to Philadelphia.

Pierce is the first known candidate to receive a second interview with the Hawks, who have also met with Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga, Hornets assistant Stephen Silas, Warriors assistant Jarron Collins and Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts, along with David Fizdale, who will be the Knicks’ next coach. Spurs assistants Ime Udoka and James Borrego are also rumored to be candidates.

Follow all the latest coaching moves with our 2018 NBA Head Coaching Search Tracker.

Hawks Interview Lloyd Pierce For Head Coaching Vacancy

May 5th, 2018 at 11:36am CST by marksuleymanov

The Hawks interviewed Sixers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce for their head coaching vacancy, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. After the departure of Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta has been in pursuit of the team’s next head coach.

Pierce has served as an assistant on Philadelphia’s staff since the 2013/14 season. Before his stint with the Sixers, Pierce served as an assistant with the Cavaliers, Warriors, and Grizzlies.

LeBron James, who overlapped with Pierce during his first stint in Cleveland, once called him one of his favorite coaches, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).

The Hawks have already interviewed Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga, Hornets assistant Stephen Silas, Warriors assistant Jarron Collins, and Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts. Other names connected to the opening include Spurs assistants Ime Udoka and James Borrego. Atlanta also interviewed David Fizdale, who agreed to become the Knicks‘ head coach earlier this week.

Keep up with all the latest coaching developments with our 2018 NBA Head Coaching Search Tracker.

Sixers Notes: Hinkie, Simmons, Saric, Brown

July 17th, 2016 at 9:01am CST by Arthur Hill

The often-ridiculed “Process” is playing out in Philadelphia just the way former GM Sam Hinkie envisioned, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Hinkie, who resigned in April, suffered through three years of losing but left the team with a large collection of draft picks and young players who have a chance to turn around the Sixers’ fortunes quickly. Two pieces of Hinkie’s plan fell into place recently when Dario Saric left his Turkish team to sign with Philadelphia and Joel Embiid, a 2014 draft pick who has yet to play in the NBA because of injuries, was medially cleared to begin five-on-five basketball. “You have to give a lot of credit to Sam Hinkie for the recent developments that have happened,” coach Brett Brown said. “I will also say that [team president] Bryan Colangelo has done two things in my eyes. He’s jumped into this in a very selfless way and giving credit where credit is due in relation to Sam.”

There’s more this morning out of Philadelphia:

No. 1 pick Ben Simmons says the Sixers are a “perfect” team for him, relays Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. Simmons has known new teammates Embiid and Jahlil Okafor since high school and thinks it will be easy to develop chemistry with them. Both players traveled to Las Vegas to cheer on the Summer League team, which gave the franchise its first look at Simmons in a Sixers uniform. “We are just going to develop him as we have done with everybody else,” said Summer League coach Lloyd Pierce. “We are going to take our time, be very patient with his growth and try not to give him too much. There are a lot of expectations on him already, but we are going to be very diligent with him and give him an opportunity to grow.”
Saric was surprised by the greeting he received Thursday when his flight landed in Philadelphia and a group of fans and media members met him at the airport, writes Brian Seltzer of NBA.com. Sixers fans have been waiting two years to get a glimpse of Saric after the team acquired his rights in a 2014 draft day deal with Orlando. Saric exercised his buyout clause with Anadolu Efes in Turkey and signed with Philadelphia on Friday. “I didn’t know that people would say welcome to me that way,” Saric said of his greeting. “I’m happy because the city is happy that I’m here.”
Brown sees Simmons and Saric as similar players and says it will be up to the coaching staff to blend their talents together, Pompey notes in a separate story. “They are two really good players,” Brown said. “So how this plays out, how we take shape, I think this a good challenge, and one that we are excited to learn more about.”

And-Ones: Anthony, Pierce, Grizzlies

March 23rd, 2016 at 10:32pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Carmelo Anthony noted that the drama surrounding LeBron James and the Cavaliers this season is more trivial than what the Knicks are dealing with, Frank Isola of The New York Daily News relays. “Their drama is more comical,” Anthony said. “It’s more getting off of Twitter. You know what I mean? It’s always something that they blow up; him [James] unfollowing the organization. Him shutting his Twitter down. It’s always something there along those lines. Over here it’s, you know, drama … different type of drama over here.”

The small forward is growing tired with those who question his loyalty to the Knicks and the constant questions regarding if he would waive his no-trade clause this summer, Isola adds. “I know the reason why I [re-signed],” Anthony said. “And the people that really understand it know why I’m sticking out. I think it is odd to question loyalty at this point and time especially when I’ve shown time and time again my loyalty to not just the organization but to New York and vice versa. At this point I just go out and play basketball and try not to worry about it.”

Here’s more from around the league:

The Grizzlies coaching staff deserves credit for keeping the team in the playoff hunt despite having to use 27 players this season because of the rash of injuries that have befallen the roster, writes J.A. Adande of ESPN.com. Coach Dave Joerger also credits the team’s veteran players with holding things together amid all the lineup and roster changes, Adande adds. “It’s crazy,” Joerger said. “It’s a couple of things, though. First of all, it’s veteran leadership. It’s Matt Barnes, Vince Carter, Tony Allen, Zach Randolph. Those guys have really been helping our younger guys, taking them under their wing. Our staff has done a great job with the young guys and new guys and helping them get acclimated. Our guys have accepted each other for who they are as individuals.”
Sixers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce was interviewed on Tuesday for the vacant head coaching post at Santa Clara University, his alma mater, Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated reports (Twitter link). Pierce played for the Broncos from 1998-2002, then served as an assistant coach from 2003-2007 before joining the Cavs as coordinator for player development prior to the 2007/08 season. He’s been with the Sixers since 2013.

Odds & Ends: Pierce, Odom, Collins, Cavs

August 25th, 2013 at 9:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The Sixers took their time in appointing a head coach this summer so it's no surprise to see them making late additions to the staff. Today, Philadelphia plucked Grizzlies assistant Lloyd Pierce to work alongside head coach Brett Brown, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo (on Twitter). Here's more from around the Association..

A close contact of Lamar Odom told Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork (on Twitter) that even though Odom "is going through a lot in his personal life" he wants to join the Lakers.
Nets coach Jason Kidd acknowledged that Jason Collins was a candidate to join the team this offseason, but there's no longer a place for the center with 15 men on the roster, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. “I think he can still play,” Kidd said. “His knowledge as a veteran. There’s always a veteran that can help a young team. I think he’ll find a job at some point here.”
Contrary to a report back in May, the Cavs don't plan to bring Hungarian center Greg Somogyi in to training camp, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer. The 7'3" big man was with the Lakers, and coach Mike Brown, in training camp last season. The Cavs are still putting together their training camp roster, but they have invited St. Mary's point guard Matthew Dellavedova and are considering former Georgetown forward Henry Sims.

Sixers To Interview Michael Curry

July 10th, 2013 at 8:29pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Sixers will interview Michael Curry for their head coaching position, sources tell Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia is the only team without a head coach after a dozen others named new bench bosses this offseason. Curry, already an assistant coach with the team, had been expecting to talk to GM Sam Hinkie about the opening after summer league.

Pompey also cites reports that link Grizzlies assistant Lloyd Pierce to the job, but a source close to Pierce tells Pompey that the Sixers have not requested permission from the Grizzlies for an interview. Curry also interviewed with the Bucks before they hired Larry Drew, and was also linked to the Cavs before they wound up with Mike Brown.

It appeared Curry was set to interview with the Sixers shortly after Hinkie took over as GM in May, but it's unclear whether that meeting took place. When Hinkie came aboard, the GM said he would put the coaching search on the backburner while he put his front office staff together. Curry appeared to have the support of the players in Philly, but that may be less of a factor now that the team has begun to break up its core.