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Carlesimo inherits young, talented, overhauled Sonics
Associated Press
Updated: July 5, 2007, 3:23 PM ET
SEATTLE -- P.J. Carlesimo was hired Thursday as the new head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics, eight years after being fired from his last head coaching job, and ending Seattle's search that lasted more than two months.
Carlesimo, who spent the last five years as an assistant in San Antonio, replaces Bob Hill, who was fired on April 24 after Seattle struggled to a 31-51 record in Hill's only full season leading the Sonics. Carlesimo was previously a head coach for Portland and Golden State.
In Seattle, Carlesimo, 58, will inherit a young team in the middle of a roster overhaul orchestrated by 30-year-old general manager Sam Presti. In the last week, the Sonics traded seven-time All-Star Ray Allen to Boston on draft night, and free agent Rashard Lewis agreed to sign with the Orlando Magic, erasing Seattle's top two scorers from its lineup.
Carlesimo's tasks in Seattle will include the growth and development of Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, two of the first five picks from last week's draft. Seattle selected Durant with the No. 2 pick, then got the rights to Green, the No. 5 selection, in the trade of Allen.
Seattle was the last team in the NBA without a coach.
"He has deep experience in the college and pro game and will immediately instill a highly disciplined, defensive mentality with players that play intelligently and play together," Sonics majority owner Clay Bennett said.