Solid D
07-04-2007, 12:40 AM
Is "Mike Bud" next in line? See bold section of article below.
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http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA070407.01C.BKNspurs.carlesimo.3573e40.html
Sonics raid Spurs for Carlesimo
Web Posted: 07/04/2007 12:06 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
Borrowing from the blueprint the Cleveland Cavaliers used to reach last month's NBA Finals, the Seattle Supersonics continue to borrow from the Spurs, deciding to hire P.J. Carlesimo as their new head coach, an NBA source said Tuesday.
Carlesimo has spent the previous five seasons as an assistant on the staff of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Seattle is expected to announce the hiring Thursday afternoon after the Fourth of July holiday.
Seattle's new owner, Clay Bennett — a former member of the Spurs' ownership group — has used the Spurs as a model to remake the Sonics. Last month, Bennett hired Spurs assistant general manager Sam Presti to oversee the Sonics' front office.
Bennett and Presti made the decision to hire Carlesimo after meeting again with him Tuesday. Carlesimo, who didn't return a message left on his cell phone, had an initial interview with Presti before last week's draft and then met with Bennett for the first time on Friday.
With the Sonics in the midst of a rebuilding project centered around former Texas forward Kevin Durant, Seattle officials wanted to make sure Carlesimo felt confident coaching a young team, so they invited him back for another meeting Tuesday. Carlesimo apparently allayed any concerns Bennett or Presti may have had.
Spurs officials are reserving comment until the Sonics publicly announce the hiring.
Carlesimo was hired over former Seattle assistant Dwane Casey. Two years ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves hired Casey as their head coach when Carlesimo also was a finalist for the job.
Carlesimo and Presti aren't the only changes Seattle has made. Since taking over as the NBA's youngest general manager, the 30-year-old Presti has traded Ray Allen to Boston on a draft-night deal that netted the Sonics rookie forward Jeff Green and guards Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak. Presti is now preparing to replace forward Rashard Lewis, who has committed to sign with Orlando.
Carlesimo has previously been head coach at Golden State and Portland. The Warriors fired him midway through the 1999-2000 season, a little more than two years after Latrell Sprewell choked him during a practice.
The much-publicized incident damaged Carlesimo's reputation and led him to spend two seasons as a TV analyst before joining Popovich's staff in September 2002.
Regarded then as a fiery coach whose unyielding style grated on players, Carlesimo has softened some after changes to his professional and personal lives. He has since married and he and his wife, Carolyn, have two young boys: Kyle and Casey.
Carlesimo, whose 19-year college coaching career included leading Seton Hall to the 1989 NCAA title game, also said he has better learned how to manage players after coaching alongside Popovich. He had a good relationship with the Spurs and his razor-sharp wit made him popular among the team's staff.
In less than a month, Popovich and Spurs general manager R.C. Buford have each lost their top assistants. Buford hired Dennis Lindsey, the Houston Rockets' former vice president of basketball operations, to replace Presti as assistant general manager.
Popovich, who personally called Bennett to recommend Carlesimo, is expected to fill the vacancy on his staff internally. Mike Budenholzer has been Popovich's most trusted aide, having served under him for each of his 11 seasons, and is more than qualified to be the lead assistant. Brett Brown, the team's director of player development, could then move to the bench as an assistant.
With the Spurs having won four championships in nine seasons, Popovich and Buford have become accustomed to having to replace staff members. The Cavaliers, beaten by the Spurs in the NBA Finals, have been called "Spurs East" after hiring Danny Ferry as their general manager and Mike Brown, another of Popovich's assistants, as their head coach.
If the Cavaliers are any indication, Presti and Carlesimo also may seek to hire additional Spurs staff members, whether they be from the team's basketball operations, business operations or TV departments.
At the news conference to introduce Presti, Bennett said, "I view the San Antonio Spurs as the premier franchise in our business."
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P.J. CARLESIMO
He joined the Spurs in 2002 after spending two years as an NBC TV analyst. He spent six years as an NBA head coach after a 19-year college career (291-272) at three schools, most notably Seton Hall.
Professional record
Year Team Record Postseason
1994-95 Portland 44-38 0-3
1995-96 Portland 44-38 2-3
1996-97 Portland 49-33 1-3
1997-98 Golden State 19-63 —
1998-99 Golden State 21-29 —
1999-00 Golden State 6-21 —
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[email protected]
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http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA070407.01C.BKNspurs.carlesimo.3573e40.html
Sonics raid Spurs for Carlesimo
Web Posted: 07/04/2007 12:06 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
Borrowing from the blueprint the Cleveland Cavaliers used to reach last month's NBA Finals, the Seattle Supersonics continue to borrow from the Spurs, deciding to hire P.J. Carlesimo as their new head coach, an NBA source said Tuesday.
Carlesimo has spent the previous five seasons as an assistant on the staff of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Seattle is expected to announce the hiring Thursday afternoon after the Fourth of July holiday.
Seattle's new owner, Clay Bennett — a former member of the Spurs' ownership group — has used the Spurs as a model to remake the Sonics. Last month, Bennett hired Spurs assistant general manager Sam Presti to oversee the Sonics' front office.
Bennett and Presti made the decision to hire Carlesimo after meeting again with him Tuesday. Carlesimo, who didn't return a message left on his cell phone, had an initial interview with Presti before last week's draft and then met with Bennett for the first time on Friday.
With the Sonics in the midst of a rebuilding project centered around former Texas forward Kevin Durant, Seattle officials wanted to make sure Carlesimo felt confident coaching a young team, so they invited him back for another meeting Tuesday. Carlesimo apparently allayed any concerns Bennett or Presti may have had.
Spurs officials are reserving comment until the Sonics publicly announce the hiring.
Carlesimo was hired over former Seattle assistant Dwane Casey. Two years ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves hired Casey as their head coach when Carlesimo also was a finalist for the job.
Carlesimo and Presti aren't the only changes Seattle has made. Since taking over as the NBA's youngest general manager, the 30-year-old Presti has traded Ray Allen to Boston on a draft-night deal that netted the Sonics rookie forward Jeff Green and guards Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak. Presti is now preparing to replace forward Rashard Lewis, who has committed to sign with Orlando.
Carlesimo has previously been head coach at Golden State and Portland. The Warriors fired him midway through the 1999-2000 season, a little more than two years after Latrell Sprewell choked him during a practice.
The much-publicized incident damaged Carlesimo's reputation and led him to spend two seasons as a TV analyst before joining Popovich's staff in September 2002.
Regarded then as a fiery coach whose unyielding style grated on players, Carlesimo has softened some after changes to his professional and personal lives. He has since married and he and his wife, Carolyn, have two young boys: Kyle and Casey.
Carlesimo, whose 19-year college coaching career included leading Seton Hall to the 1989 NCAA title game, also said he has better learned how to manage players after coaching alongside Popovich. He had a good relationship with the Spurs and his razor-sharp wit made him popular among the team's staff.
In less than a month, Popovich and Spurs general manager R.C. Buford have each lost their top assistants. Buford hired Dennis Lindsey, the Houston Rockets' former vice president of basketball operations, to replace Presti as assistant general manager.
Popovich, who personally called Bennett to recommend Carlesimo, is expected to fill the vacancy on his staff internally. Mike Budenholzer has been Popovich's most trusted aide, having served under him for each of his 11 seasons, and is more than qualified to be the lead assistant. Brett Brown, the team's director of player development, could then move to the bench as an assistant.
With the Spurs having won four championships in nine seasons, Popovich and Buford have become accustomed to having to replace staff members. The Cavaliers, beaten by the Spurs in the NBA Finals, have been called "Spurs East" after hiring Danny Ferry as their general manager and Mike Brown, another of Popovich's assistants, as their head coach.
If the Cavaliers are any indication, Presti and Carlesimo also may seek to hire additional Spurs staff members, whether they be from the team's basketball operations, business operations or TV departments.
At the news conference to introduce Presti, Bennett said, "I view the San Antonio Spurs as the premier franchise in our business."
* * *
P.J. CARLESIMO
He joined the Spurs in 2002 after spending two years as an NBC TV analyst. He spent six years as an NBA head coach after a 19-year college career (291-272) at three schools, most notably Seton Hall.
Professional record
Year Team Record Postseason
1994-95 Portland 44-38 0-3
1995-96 Portland 44-38 2-3
1996-97 Portland 49-33 1-3
1997-98 Golden State 19-63 —
1998-99 Golden State 21-29 —
1999-00 Golden State 6-21 —
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[email protected]