Charlotte Bobcats News Blog

Kimmel impressed with James' stage presence

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:21 +0000

Cavaliers forward LeBron James has spent much of his adult life playing on a big stage in front of a huge audience.

That's why his appearance as one of the co-hosts of the 2007 ESPYs probably won't faze him.

"The thought of stepping out on stage and telling jokes in front of all these sports legends (at 22) is unfathomable to me," ESPYs co-host Jimmy Kimmel said during a teleconference Monday. "I can only imagine myself at 22. I'm sure he can do about anything."

LeBron all set for debut as co-host

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:21 +0000

Cavaliers forward LeBron James has spent much of his adult life playing on a big stage in front of a huge audience.

Thats why his appearance as one of the co-hosts of the 2007 ESPYs probably wont faze him.

The thought of stepping out on stage and telling jokes in front of all these sports legends (at 22 years old) is unfathomable to me, ESPYs co-host Jimmy Kimmel said during a teleconference on Monday. I can only imagine myself at 22. Im sure he can do about anything.

A team of cast-offs produced several coaches and an NBA GM

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:40:58 +0000

Contrary to their lowly, laughable place in the NBA standings, the players

on the Orlando Magic's first team really were big winners.

It just took nearly two decades for folks to recognize it.

Brewer honed skills at home

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:40:58 +0000

A young Corey Brewer would feel a tug on his arm, waking him from a dream at 2 a.m.It was the signal that older brother Jason couldn't sleep.

Corey knew this routine. He would roll out of his bunk bed, fetch his sneakers and grudgingly stumble outside the house.A light shined on a half-dirt, half-paved court, where those warm, silent Portland nights came to life with the sounds of basketball.Then Jason, five years older than Corey, would school his little brother."I used to get my butt kicked," Corey said. "I used to have to clean the room a whole lot. That's what we would play for."The baby of the Brewer family is all done cleaning r...

Rise to stardom

NBA draft preview: Shooting guards

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:40:58 +0000

Because this draft is deep in big men, there's only one player at this position -- Nick Young of USC -- projected to be selected by a team that was in the lottery.

But that doesn't mean there's a lack of quality shooting guards in this draft.

In fact, one of the reasons the draft is so deep is the number of quality guards who will be available well into the second round.

Perry grad the hottest of commodities

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:40:58 +0000

Al Thornton has faced several turning points, several decisions, and several transitions, all of which has led him to an enviable position among the fraternity of basketball players. After achieving star status in the college game, the former Perry High School Panther can now sit back in that famous green room and let someone else make the big decision.

All of those choices led Thornton from Perry to Florida State University. His next stop: Madison Square Garden in New York City for the 2007 National Basketball Association Draft on June 28. He has his invitation in hand, which isn’t surprising since he is not only a projected first-round selection, but also a potential top 10 pick.

The 6-8, 220-pound forward is already finding out a little bit about life in major professional basketball. Since finishing his four-year career with the Seminoles, Thornton has gone through the long process of working out for various NBA franchises. The journey has taken him to Sacramento (Kings), Chicago (Bulls), Boston (Celtics), Charlotte (Bobcats), Minnesota (Timberwolves) and Milwaukee (Bucks).

In Warriors' world, great minds think alike

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:11:58 +0000

Even the like-minded go their separate ways. Chris Mullin is

reminded of that every time he shows up at the Warriors' practice facility

for another round of draft evaluations with coach Don Nelson.

Kentucky AD impressed by coach

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:11:58 +0000

Don't worry about the University of Kentucky basketball coach's finances. The paychecks are coming. They have been since he was hired away from Texas A&M.

But Gillispie is operating without a contract, a situation UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart said he hopes will be rectified soon.

Lawyers for Gillispie have looked over the deal. UK's representation still needs to.

Work out or not? Bobcats struggle with finicky draft prospects

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:22:28 +0000

Acie Law was coming, then he backed out. Jeff Green was out, now he's set to come.

The constant schedule changes left the Charlotte Bobcats with an odd grouping of players for Saturday morning's pre-draft workout. Julian Wright, a 6-foot-8 forward from Kansas, worked out with guards Javaris Crittenton of Georgia Tech, Aaron Brooks of Oregon and Coby Karl of Boise State.

Forced to chase smaller players around the perimeter, Wright ran out of his shoes — literally.

Big move forward

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:22:28 +0000

Just because Sam Mitchell and the Toronto Raptors don't have a pick in this week's NBA draft doesn't mean the team is taking an extended vacation.

The summer, in fact, has been quite busy as Mitchell and the Raptors try to build on the franchise's first Atlantic Division title. In just his third season as Toronto's head coach, Mitchell led the team to a franchise-record-tying 47 wins. Despite holding home-court advantage for the first time in the franchise's history, the Raptors lost to New Jersey in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

And that left Mitchell and his team with plenty of work to do.

North by Northwest

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:22:28 +0000

S ome fans and media in the NBA Nation are horrified at how the draft lottery turned out this year. It's one thing for Greg Oden and Kevin Durant to be earmarked for the already dominant Western Conference. But they are also headed to Granola Land ? Portland and Seattle, not exactly glitzy L.A.

There is joy in the Pacific Northwest, though. When the NBA draft begins Thursday night with coach Nate McMillan's Trail Blazers holding the first pick and the SuperSonics the second, one team will get a franchise center, the other a dynamic forward. They both should have stars to build around for years to come.

Greg Oden, center, Ohio State

Terry Pluto | Gibson's got game, likely to start for Cavs

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:22:28 +0000

? It shouldn't shock you if the Cavaliers' starting backcourt next season is Larry Hughes and Daniel Gibson. The Cavs believe that Gibson demonstrated the ability to play in pressure playoff games, and that he can work nicely with LeBron James. The two have a real chemistry, much as Michael Jordan developed with shooters such as John Paxson, B.J. Armstrong and Steve Kerr during his prime years with the Chicago Bulls.

? From the day Gibson was drafted, Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry thought that the rookie from the University of Texas had a chance to be like Armstrong. Fans might remember Armstrong for his outside shooting, but what made him special was his ability to defend point guards. Cavs coach Mike Brown and Ferry see the same in Gibson. That's why Gibson moved ahead of Damon Jones for playing time -- his defense.

? Why would Gibson move in front of Sasha Pavlovic? The Cavs still correctly believe that Pavlovic has to work on his defense and his general consistency. One of the tremendous benefits of the Cavs reaching the NBA Finals is that they can use the playoffs as a way to help judge their talent. Pavlovic started all 20 postseason games, averaging 9.2 points in 31 minutes. He shot 38 percent from the field, 34 percent on 3-pointers and only 53 percent at the foul line.

Kings reach into past: Theus named teams new head coach

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:11:28 +0000

Reggie Theus' mercurial rise through the coaching ranks has propelled him all the way back to the Sacramento Kings.The Kings reached an agreement in principle Tuesday with Theus to become their new coach, ending a meandering two-month search for Eric Musselman's replacement.Kings spokesman Troy Hanson said the club plans to introduce Theus, the New Mexico State coach and a former Kings player who twice led the team in scoring, at a news conference Wednesday.Yet Theus, a 13-year NBA vet...

“People that know me know that I am not someone who gets speechless, but right now I am,” Theus said Tuesday night. “When I got involved in the interview process, I really didn't give it much thought. It was just a chance to experience an NBA interview, and I never thought about this really happening.”Musselman was fired April 20 after one season that began with his arrest on a drunken-driving charge. The former Golden State coach coaxed just 33 victories from a fractu...

Noah auditions for Hawks

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:11:28 +0000

ATLANTA - Joakim Noah mocks those who publish NBA mock drafts.

"I heard one of them is like a kid who is 16 years old in his basement," Noah said.

Magic reappearing acts

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:19:07 +0000

One spent his NBA playing career as a journeyman, before taking the same long winding road in his coaching career.

The other was a pretty boy, a gunner who passed the ball only as a last resort. He's experienced what could be called surprising success on his way to becoming a head coach.

Scott Skiles, Sam Vincent and Reggie Theus are three former NBA players, three current NBA head coaches and three personalities that couldn't be more different.

North Carolina's Wright works out for hometown Bobcats

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:19:07 +0000

Wright, a standout at North Carolina who left after his freshman season, worked out Friday for the Charlotte Bobcats, who likely won't get a chance to draft the 6-foot-9 forward unless they trade up from the No. 8 pick. Wright also agreed to work out against other players, banging with former Boston College center Sean Williams and Colorado State big man Jason Smith.

"I'm a local guy, and whatever, going to UNC," Wright said. "I thought it would be a great opportunity to get this workout in."

The Bobcats have become a virtual satellite campus of North Carolina. The school's most famous basketball alumnus, Michael Jordan, is part-owner. Jordan's former college roommate, Buzz Peterson, runs the scouting department. The school's all-time leading scorer, Phil Ford, is an assistant coach. And former Tar Heels Raymond Felton and Sean May are already on the roster.

Past troubles don't faze former Boston College big man Williams

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:19:07 +0000

Williams, who was dismissed by Boston College midway through last season for multiple rules violations, worked out for the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday. It marked the first team workout for Williams, who's projected to be a late first-round pick.

Williams said he discussed his disciplinary woes with team officials, but declined to for reporters.

"I'm talking to teams and telling their management what happened. With the media, no comment," Williams said.

Spurs win is good business

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:19:07 +0000

Concerts: June 22, 2007

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:42:30 +0000

Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster outlets, (704) 522-6500 or www.ticketmaster.com, unless otherwise noted.

Toby Keith with Miranda Lambert and Flynnville Train, 7:30 p.m. June 22, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte, $34.27 to $69.50 .

Dancing with the Stars-The Tour, 7:30 p.m. June 29, Charlotte Bobcats Arena, $49.50 to $67.

Friendship with Jordan outweighs coaching desire for Peterson

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:42:30 +0000

Peterson has spent the past 20 years as a college basketball coach. He's the guy who after being fired at Tennessee two years ago, almost immediately took over at low profile Coastal Carolina because he said coaching was in his blood.

But when Peterson picked up the phone and the best man in his wedding, Michael Jordan, was at the other end offering him a front office job with the Charlotte Bobcats, he couldn't pass it up.

"I think the point that's going to bother me more than anything is October," Peterson said Thursday, a week into his new role as the Bobcats' director of player personnel. "That's when you're working out your practice plans, you're telling your assistants what they need to be doing and kind of seeing how your younger kids are going to play. That's the part I'll miss.

Hit the road

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:42:30 +0000

'Full Circle' Makes Theus Kings' Coach

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:21:53 +0000

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Reggie Theus scored the first basket in the history of the Sacramento Kings nearly 22 years ago - and the club put the ball back in his hands Wednesday.

The Kings formally introduced Theus as the franchise's 21st head coach at Arco Arena after signing him to a three-year deal. With a natty suit and a TV-star smile, Theus vowed to return excitement and wins to a once-successful team that floundered last season.

"I've come full circle. This is an amazing dream to be sitting here," said Theus, who played three high-scoring seasons in Sacramento after the club's move from Kansas City to California's capital.

Blazers go to Nike for president

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:21:53 +0000

On Tuesday, Larry G. Miller was head of a Nike division that brings in billions of dollars in revenue a year, counts the NBA's biggest names among its endorsers and owns about 90 percent of the footwear market.

On Wednesday, he took over as the president of the Portland Trail Blazers, an NBA franchise that loses tens of millions of dollars a year, has missed the playoffs four seasons in a row and is only recently seeing a rebound in fan support after years of decline.

But Miller, 57, said he remembered coming to Portland about 15 years ago and getting swept up in its Rip City fervor for the Blazers.

Conroy not among Coastal finalists

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:21:53 +0000

Ellis remains in running, while Citadel and CSU coaches not under consideration

Former Clemson basketball coach Cliff Ellis is on Coastal Carolina's list of five finalists for the Chanticleers' vacant head-coaching job.Absent from that list are Citadel coach Ed Conroy and Charleston Southern coach Barclay Radebaugh. Coastal Carolina athletic director Warren "Moose" Koegel had asked for permission to speak with Conroy, and Radebaugh was mentioned as a possible candidate in the Myrtle Beach newspaper."We did talk, because Moose and I are friends," said Conroy, an assistant at...

Kinged again: Reggie Theus returns to Sacramento as coach and vows excitement and wins

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:21:53 +0000