When Ronnie Price first enrolled in college at Nicholls State in Louisiana, he was just 5-8 and wasn’t even a scholarship player. After he grew three inches his freshman year, he transferred to Utah Valley State College - a school that wasn’t even D-1 at the time.
New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that Mike D’Antoni has been named the 24th head coach in the franchise’s 62-year history. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The New York Knicks introduced Mike D’Antoni as their new coach Tuesday, hoping his high-scoring brand of basketball will turn around a team with seven straight losing seasons.
Chauncey Billups went through his most extensive test of his hamstring since straining it six days ago at the Pistons’ Tuesday morning shootaround ? and came out of it sounding truly encouraged about his prospects for returning for the first time.
Kevin Durant of the Seattle SuperSonics and Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks headline a talented group of rookies named to the 2007-08 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie Team, the NBA announced today.
In the ARIZONA REPUBLIC, Paul Coro writes “after spending his morning, afternoon and evening with a phone attached to his ear, Suns General Manager Steve Kerr’s initial foray toward finding a new head coach made it clear that finding interested candidates won’t be a problem. ‘It’s a pretty coveted job, obviously,’ Kerr said Monday. ‘Everybody in basketball would like to have this job, I’m pretty sure.’ Kerr will spend most of the week laying the foundation of his search and will have some informal conversations with candidates before he and David Griffin, vice president of basketball operations, form a short list to formally interview. ”
azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0513sunscoach0513.h
In the DETROIT NEWS, Chris McCosky writes “once again, Chauncey Billups woke up Monday feeling better. The pain in his strained right hamstring, for the fifth straight day, seemed to have lessened. Yet, the odds of him playing in Game 5 tonight remain the same: 50-50. ‘Chauncey has never strained a hamstring before,’ Pistons physical therapist Arnie Kander said. ‘There has to be a comfort level and a confidence level. That’s more important than anything. We don’t push him to that confidence. We will work him through it.’?
detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/SPORTS0102/805130
In USA TODAY, the ASSOCIATED PRESS writes “Jameer Nelson is sticking to his guarantee. The Detroit Pistons don’t blame him. Shortly after going down 3-1 in the second round, Orlando’s point guard said the Magic would go on the road and beat Detroit to extend the series. ‘What am I supposed to do? Guarantee a loss?’ Nelson asked Monday. ‘We’ve got to win the game. We have the confidence that we can do it. I believe it.’ The Pistons have heard their fair share of guarantees over the years, usually from teammate Rasheed Wallace, and they responded to Nelson’s with a collective yawn.”
usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2008-05-12-magic-pistons-previ
On ESPN.COM, the ASSOCIATED PRESS reports “Mike D’Antoni has wrapped up his negotiations with New York and will be introduced as the Knicks’ new coach at a press conference Tuesday. The Phoenix coach agreed to take the Knicks job Saturday and was in New York on Monday to finalize terms of his contract. The Knicks called a press conference for 1 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden with D’Antoni and team president Donnie Walsh.”
Go Around the Association for a recap of Monday’s happenings, including the announcement of the All-Defensive Team.
LeBron James scored 21 points, jamming in a powerhouse dunk over a defenseless Kevin Garnett in the final two minutes, as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the homesick Celtics 88-77 in Game 4 on Monday night to tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
There is “no big rush” to hire a new coach for the Phoenix Suns, the team’s general manager said Monday.
On the subject of the NBA’s infatuation with pregame pyrotechnics, smoke and noise, commissioner David Stern was loud and clear: He’s had enough.
Kobe Bryant met the media Monday with a new companion — an electronic stimulation device hooked up to his sore lower back.
The Celtics and Cavaliers are squaring off in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal, as the Cavaliers — trailing 2-1 — seek to build off the momentum of their Game 3 blowout. NBA.com will keep you updated on all the action through Ben Couch’s Series Blog.
Kobe Bryant said the back injury that sent him to the locker room, dropped him to his knees and had him wincing in pain throughout the Lakers’ loss to Utah in Game 4 won’t keep him out of Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals Wednesday night. “I’ll play,” Bryant said. “I can’t imagine it being worse than what it was [Sunday] night.”
sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3392509?rss=tru
The Indiana Pacers announced Monday they have picked up the option on 6-6 forward Stephen Graham’s contract. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Forward Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers headline the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced today.
Erik Matuszewski of BLOOMBERG.COM writes “Robert Horry of San Antonio played in the 237th playoff game of his 16-year National Basketball Association career yesterday, tying the all-time record held by Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The 37-year-old Horry scored 2 points in 9 minutes off the bench as the Spurs beat the New Orleans Hornets 100-80 to tie their second-round Western Conference series at 2 games each.”
bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=a_bRO0.vHkqo&refer=amspo
In the NEW YORK POST, Marc Berman reports “Mike D’Antoni has a lot on his plate this summer, moving to New York, devising a new playbook for the Knicks, reconstructing his assistant coaching staff. But D’Antoni has another monumental task as large as the Knicks. D’Antoni still has to fulfill a six-week obligation to the U.S. Olympic team as the top assistant coach to Mike Krzyzewski as Team USA competes in Beijing in the Summer Games. D’Antoni isn’t backing out despite the sudden turn of events. D’Antoni called Team USA president Jerry Colangelo Saturday to inform him he still is committed to the Olympic job.”
nypost.com/seven/05122008/sports/knicks/dantoni_will_remain_on_st
Terreno Deportivo