Bryan Colangelo will still have a significant role in the Raptors franchise, but will no longer be dealing with basketball decisions. The Toronto president will give up his role as general manager but still maintain his title of team president. The organization has yet to name a new general manager.

According to Steve Aschburner, NBA.com:

Bryan Colangelo is going to stick around as the Toronto Raptors president but will no longer hold the title of general manager. That job, hierarchically the lesser of Colangelo’s two roles over the past seven years, will go to a person still to be hired by Tim Leiweke, the new CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

 

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Clippers have fired head coach, Vinny Del Negro and among the reasons why is the fact that Chris Paul was not a fan:

Despite considerable success and progress in his two seasons as coach, Del Negro was unable to withstand a first-round Western Conference loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and a free agent-to-be superstar, Chris Paul, who wanted a different coach, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Del Negro did not have a contract beyond this season.

Del Negro led the Clippers to a winning 128-102 record in three seasons with the team. After having a subpar first season as head coach, and an average second season, Del Negro led the Clippers to the best season in the team’s forty-three year history – posting a franchise record 17-game winning streak, their first 50-win season and first division title. However, despite this year’s historic season, the Clippers failed to make it out of the first round of the playoffs, losing to the Memphis Grizzlies.

 

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly interested in Pacers veteran forward, David West, who is set to be a free-agent this summer. The nine-year-veteran, who is currently averaging 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Pacers who are will take on the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday, played with Chris Paul in New Orleans for six seasons.

The Pacers’ veteran leader openly loves his situation in Indiana, which certainly gives Indy justified cause for optimism when it comes to re-signing the 32-year-old this summer. Yet the whispers are already swirling that Chris Paul’s Los Angeles Clippers, in particular, are going to make a hard run at West in the offseason. 

Indy will certainly have the ability to pay West more to convince its locker-room sage to stay…But you have to figure that the former Hornet — who rose to All-Star prominence playing alongside CP3 — is going to want to hear the details of a proposal pitching a reunion with his old point guard … as long as Paul himself, of course, decides to stay. If Paul re-signs with the Clips as most league insiders continue to expect, L.A. will be seeking to add the final piece or two to cement itself as a contender with some staying power.

 

In a tremendous charitable gesture, Oklahoma City Thunder forward, Kevin Durant, has donated $1 million to the Red Cross for tornado relief effort in Oklahoma.

“The Red Cross relies on its donors to perform its mission in relieving human suffering following disasters,” regional CEO Janienne Bella said in a press release. “Mr. Durant’s gift and support to Oklahoma comes at a time of great need and we’re forever thankful for his generosity.”

 

 

Spurs point guard, Tony Parker, received a death threat during Sunday’s Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Memphis Grizzlies and had to be escorted home though it appeared the threat posed “no immediate danger.”

According to Alex Navarro, KSAT.com:

Sunday night, someone called 911 with about five minutes left in the game and made a threat against Tony Parker.

The information was passed on to the sheriff’s office, who handles security at the AT&T Center.

Security was increased immediately, but it was determined there was no immediate danger.

Parker was escorted to his home by deputies, just to be safe.

 

Despite the outpouring interest he’s received from several teams to coach next season, former Magic and Heat coach Stan Van Gundy called into the The David Baumann Show Tuesday morning and announced he will not coach in the NBA next season, citing his family as the main reason. Though several teams have contacted him, Van Gundy said he has not interviewed with any teams despite reports saying otherwise.

Stan Van Gundy, “As you get down the road more and the longer you are out, the harder it is to get back in and that was certainly a difficult part of the decision process for me because it’s certainly something that I miss and don’t want to close the door on for the rest of my life, but, it is not right now anyway, in the best interest of my family, so it won’t be next year.”

[...]

“I sort of laugh a little bit on jobs I supposedly interviewed for. I don’t know who those sources are. I certainly have had inquiries from people, but no job offers and I have not interviewed anywhere.”

 

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim does not believe that Carmelo Anthony can win a championship with the Knicks how they are currently constructed.  Melo’s former coach at Syracuse ripped his Knicks teammates for their poor playoff play and defended the Syracuse alum, “he has to work too hard.”

According to The Post-Standard:

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim maintains little hope that former Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony can win an NBA title with the New York Knicks.

“Not on that team,” Boeheim said. “He did what he can do. He played very well the final game. Everybody’s killing him but Tyson Chandler just didn’t try to catch the ball. He threw him the ball and Tyson Chandler went like this (Boeheim dodged in a chair in his office in the Carmelo K. Anthony Center). He was wide open. He should have been looking for the ball right here. Kenyon Martin should have been looking for the ball. They both went like this (Boeheim dodged again). Carmelo gets turnovers and the announcers aren’t smart enough to even think, ‘Well, the guy should try to catch the ball.’ ”

[...]

“Those guys weren’t great players where they were and now they’re asking them to be second and third options,” Boeheim said. “In Miami the second and third options are Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Your fourth option is Ray Allen, who is still in good shape. Your fifth option is Shane Battier, who is still a good player. The New York Knicks have who?”

[...]

“What was the difference in the series? Raymond Felton was 0-for-7. Lance Stephenson had (25) points. They’re going to blame it on Carmelo? I told him when he went to New York, they’re going to blame it on you.”

 

Dwight Howard reportedly voiced his frustrations with Mike D’Antoni to Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak during his exit interview after the Lakers first round playoff exit. Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

According to ESPN Los Angeles:

According to sources with knowledge of the situation, part of the discussion between Howard and Kupchak centered around Howard’s frustration with D’Antoni — particularly how the center felt marginalized as the coach looked to Bryant and Steve Nash for leadership and suggestions and discounted Howard’s voice.

 

The Bobcats are expected to announce Tuesday that the team will change it’s name to the Charlotte Hornets for the 2014-15 season.  The New Orleans Pelicans were previously known as the Charlotte Hornets (1988) before relocating in 2002.

According to Sports Business Daily:

The Bobcats will hold a press conference tomorrow at 6:00pm ET at Time Warner Cable Arena, a source said. It is expected that Bobcats Owner Michael Jordan will announce that the team will change its name to the Hornets, likely for the ’14-15 season.

 

If you’ve been to a Brooklyn Nets game this past season at the brand new Barclays Center then you may have noticed the fresh-smelling fragrance throughout the arena.  That’s because the arena is pumping perfume through their ventilation system in an attempt to enhance consumer experience.

According to DNA Info:

As the last few fans rushed through the arena’s front doors, the brisk breeze that followed them gave way to a distinct aroma: a fresh-smelling fragrance with citrus notes that some call the arena’s “signature scent,” in the words of one Twitter observer.

What is the smell? A source familiar with the matter said it’s the work of ScentAir, a company that manufactures custom fragrances pumped into the air at theme parks, stores and hotels around the world. The odors function like mood music for your nose. They’re meant to enhance the consumer experience and build brand identities.

[...]

A ScentAir representative said he couldn’t discuss what his firm does or doesn’t do for the Barclays Center, and referred questions to a Barclays Center spokesman. Arena officials declined to comment.

h/t Deadspin

 

Boston Celtics’ guard Terrence Williams was arrested in Kent, Washington on Sunday with allegations that he threatened the mother of his son with a gun.

According to KentReporter.com:

Kent Police Detectives are actively investigating a domestic violence case, which involved threats with a gun that occurred late Sunday afternoon.

At about 1:55 p.m., officers were dispatched to meet the victim who resides in the downtown Kent area.

The victim reported that the father of her 10-year-old son in common, identified as NBA basketball player Terrence D. Williams, arrived to her home for a scheduled visitation exchange of their son. She said during the exchange in the parking lot area an argument ensued. The victim reported that during the argument Williams brandished a firearm and made threats.

Williams left the area prior to police arrival, but was later located and taken into custody.

 

Amar’e Stoudemire is disappointed the Knicks didn’t give the front court trio of himself, Tyson Chandler and Carmelo Anthony a chance this season and he plans to talk to Mike Woodson about his role with the team moving forward. The Knicks forward averaged 8.3 minutes per game off the bench when he returned to the Knicks for the second round of the playoffs from his second knee surgery of the season – the first limited him to 29 regular season games.

According to ESPN:

Stoudemire lamented the fact that he “never got the chance” to start alongside Chandler and Anthony this season.

He said he plans to talk with Woodson and the coaching staff in the offseason about his role.

“I think just the opportunity of allowing them to understand exactly what my style of play is and what I bring to the table is something that I think I’m going to have to sit down with Coach Woody and express to him,” Stoudemire said.

 

LeBron James begged to differ when he was told that Pacers head coach Frank Vogel referred to the Miami Heat as just ”the next team that’s in our way.”

According to ESPN:

“We’re not just another team,” James said. “I don’t understand what he’s saying. But we’re not just another team. That’s not true. He said we’re just another team in their way. We’re a great team. If we’re just another team, you really don’t prepare for just another team. You have to prepare for us.”

 

On July 1, Dwight Howard will test the waters of free agency and there is no guarantee he will return to the Los Angeles Lakers.  According to a report, the Rockets are the most intriguing team to the All-Star center.

According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports:

With the Lakers hoping for a swift decision from Dwight Howard on his free agency this summer, the All-Star center has given no indication he will rush the process and has privately indicated he plans to give strong consideration to multiple teams, league sources told CBSSports.com.

With six weeks to go before Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent, the team that is said to intrigue him the most is the Houston Rockets, according to multiple people briefed on internal conversations surrounding Howard’s free-agent decision. The Rockets have a young star, James Harden, who has proved himself worthy of playing the leading role for the franchise; a budding 3-point shooting threat in Chandler Parsons; a defensive-minded coach in Kevin McHale; and Omer Asik, the kind of 7-footer Howard is believed to want next to him in the frontcourt.

 

Indiana Pacers starting point guard, George Hill, has passed the league’s return protocol as stated in the NBA’s concussion policy and will play in Game 6 vs. the Knicks on Saturday night.  Hill suffered a concussion during the first quarter of Game 4 on Tuesday, May 14.

According to ESPN:

Indiana Pacers guard George Hill has been cleared to play Saturday night against the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

[...]

The Pacers released a statement about 1½ hours before the scheduled tipoff saying Hill passed the NBA’s return protocol as part of the league’s concussion policy.

 

Derrick Rose’s teammates were nothing but supportive of his decision to sit out the entire season after suffering an ACL injury but Wizards rookie guard, Bradley Beal, admitted in an interview with LaVar and Dukes on 106.7 The Fan that he’d lose respect for one of his teammates if they made the same decision.

According to Sarah Kogod, The Washington Post (h/t Pro Basketball Talk):

When asked how he’d feel if a Wizards teammate made the same decision, Beal had to admit he’d lose some respect for that player.

“A little bit. Yeah, I would,” he said. “The type of player he is, and the mentality and competitiveness that he has, I think he would have gave it a go. I don’t know what was holding him back. I think he’s scared it’s probably going to happen again and he won’t be the same. But you’re never the same after an injury. But you just have to fight through it and do something else to be able to impact the game. I’m not sure what it is he has to do. I really can’t speak for him.”

 

 

 

 

After the NBA Board of Governors voted against moving the Kings to Seattle earlier this week, the Maloofs have now sold the team to a group led by Vivek Ranadive, who is currently a part owner of the Golden State Warriors, for $535 million.

According to Ken Berger, CBS Sports:

David Stern’s powers of persuasion and a closed path to Seattle resulted in the sale of the Kings on Thursday to a group that will keep them in Sacramento, a league source confirmed to CBSSports.com.

The franchise that only months ago seemed ticketed to Seattle was sold to the group led by software magnate Vivek Ranadive for $535 million, the source said. The agreement, signed by both sides, is subject to approval by the NBA’s Board of Governors.

 

After the season ending loss to the Spurs Thursday, Jarrett Jack called the pride he had playing for the Warriors in his first year with the team something he’s never felt before with any others in the league (Jack has played for Portland, Indiana, Toronto and New Orleans) and told reporters as he remained in his jersey, “Nothing in my closet is better than what I have on now.”  The point guard will become an unrestricted free agent this summer and his stellar play off the Warriors bench this year will garner him some lucrative offers – but he hopes to stay with Golden State.

According to Warriors beat writer, Marcus Thompson:

Jarrett Jack, on the verge of tears, stood at his locker. He couldn’t find the words, so he let his attire speak…

JARRETT JACK: “Usually before I would do any media, I would make sure I was dressed a certain way. I brought one of my best suits. But looking down at this jersey, it’s just a sense of pride I don’t think I’ve ever felt as a professional. … Nothing in my closet is better than what I have on now.”

 

J.R. Smith says he’s only worried about the playoffs as he disregarded Rihanna’s claims that his shooting woes were due to his recent partying during the postseason.

According to ESPN:

“I’m not worried about Instagram, I’m worried about the playoffs,” Smith said after the New York Knicks’ Game 5 win over the Indiana Pacers.

 

With a chance to close the series up 3-1 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers did not play their best basketball -  not only did they turn the ball over 19 times, but they missed a bunch of free-throws (19-33). Roy Hibbert didn’t hold back when speaking on the Pacers lack of intensity in their 85-75 loss to the Knicks on Thursday night.

According to Fred Kerber of the NY Post:

Roy Hibbert apologizes to women in room, then says “we played like p*ssies.”

 
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