2008 NBA General News Thread

[AYHJA]

Should be a good move for them I think, though I hate to see coaches get canned for what ultimately goes way over their heads many times...

[trashtalkr]

Mavs Fire Avery Johnson

The Dallas Mavericks parted company with coach Avery Johnson on Wednesday, a day following the team's first-round exit from the NBA playoffs, ESPN.com has learned.

Speculation about Johnson's future with the franchise had been mounting for weeks, ever since Dallas struggled to reach the playoffs as the seventh seed following its midseason acquisition of point guard Jason Kidd from New Jersey.

Johnson became Mavs coach during the 2004-05 season and walks away with a 194-70 record (.735), but only a 23-24 mark in the playoffs and 3-12 in the postseason since Dallas' dismantling by Miami in the 2006 NBA Finals.

Host New Orleans wrapped up a 4-1 series rout of Dallas with Tuesday night's 99-94 victory.

"This is tough for me," Johnson said after the game, not specifically responding to a question about his job security but struggling to contain his disappointment after the Mavs' second straight flameout in the first round.

NBA front-office offices sources told ESPN.com that both the Mavs and Johnson, feeling that a coaching change was inevitable, wanted to come to a resolution quickly so Dallas could begin interviewing candidates and Johnson could pursue another job.

Sources close to the situation have said that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban actually considered firing Johnson before the playoffs, specifically after Cuban and Johnson engaged in an emotional argument after a March 18 home loss to the Lakers.

Cuban refused to speak with reporters after Tuesday's loss -- Dallas' ninth playoff defeat in a row on the road since taking a 2-0 lead in the 2006 Finals.

Source: ESPN

Man, this is tough. Avery Johnson is a great coach and any team would be lucky to have him, but he wasn't getting it done in the playoffs. I understand the move, but it's tough to let such a great coach go

[AYHJA]

More scapegoat bullshit...

You don't put up a .735 winning percentage...In the West...And then attribute playoff meltdowns to a battle tested, championship winning player coach...You don't change the complete chemistry of a team midswing...In the West...And then expect good results...You can't blame AJ for trying to instill what is in him, which is hard work, ethics, and an umatched coaching pedigree, into players that just won't take...The Mavs can't win because they don't have a Kobe Bryant, a LeBron, a DeWayne Wade player that is not only capbable, but willing to carry his team to victory...Horrible move IMO...

[trashtalkr]

Kevin Durant Wins Rookie of the Year

Seattle SuperSonics guard Kevin Durant will be named NBA Rookie of the Year, the Seattle Times and The Associated Press reported.

Durant, who led all first-year players in scoring, assists and free-throw percentage, reportedly beat out Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford to become the first rookie of the year in Seattle franchise history. The NBA is expected to officially announce the award on Thursday.

Durant averaged 20.3 points per game in 2007-08 -- the highest scoring average for a rookie since Carmelo Anthony averaged 21 points per game and LeBron James averaged 20.9 ppg in 2003-04. Only three of the past 10 rookies of the year -- Durant, James and Elton Brand -- have averaged at least 20 points in their first season.

Among qualifiers, Durant also was the first rookie to lead his team in scoring since the 2004-05 season, when both Charlotte's Emeka Okafor and Atlanta's Josh Childress led their teams in scoring.

Durant became the favorite to win the award when No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden was forced to miss the entire season following microfracture knee surgery.

Source: ESPN

[trashtalkr]

Mike D'Antoni Accepts Knicks Offer

The New York Knicks have agreed in principle with Mike D'Antoni to become the next coach, the team said Saturday. A news conference will be scheduled upon the completion of the contract.

The former Phoenix Suns coach, who was also sought by the Chicago Bulls, has accepted a four-year, $24 million deal to take over the Knicks. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported Saturday morning the terms of the contract, which will make D'Antoni the league's third-highest-paid coach based on annual salary.

D'Antoni takes over coaching duties for one of the league's most high-profile franchises -- and one that has fallen into disarray over the past two seasons under former coach and team president Isiah Thomas. Following a messy divorce with former coach Larry Brown, the Knicks went 33-49 in 2006-07 and 23-59 last season, tying the franchise mark for losses in a season.

D'Antoni had two years and nearly $9 million remaining on his contract with the Suns, whom he led to two Western Conference finals. The Suns were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs this season by the San Antonio Spurs after trading Shawn Marion to Miami for Shaquille O'Neal.

D'Antoni has a 267-172 career coaching record with the Suns and Denver Nuggets. The Suns won at least 54 games in four of his five seasons, and he has a 26-25 record in the playoffs.

Source: ESPN

[puppydog]

any rumors on who's gonna be the next coach for the suns?

[GP20]

Terry Porter

edit: oops looks like this topic isnt active

[darklighter1]

Terry Porter

edit: oops looks like this topic isnt active

I doubt Porter gets the job though. :geek:

[trashtalkr]

Allen Iverson Traded to Pistons

The Nuggets and Pistons have agreed in principle on a trade that would send Allen Iverson to Detroit and Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb to Denver, sources have told ESPN.

The deal has not been finalized.

This would be the second time Iverson has been traded in two years. He was dealt by Philadelphia to Denver in December 2006, kicked out of Philly over irreconcilable differences as part of a package that brought Andre Miller to the 76ers.

Source: ESPN