- Yesterday, reports came out that the Raptors were prepared to offer Masai Ujiri enough money to entice him to leave Denver, where he was just named Executive of the Year. Today, a top Nuggets official weighs in. Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post writes: “The Nuggets are in a tricky situation with executive Masai Ujiri heading into the weekend. After agreeing in principle to a multi-million dollar and multi-year deal with team president Josh Kroenke prior to this summer, Kroenke said Friday night that as he and Ujiri were working through the final details of the arrangement, the Toronto GM position opened up and Toronto asked permission to interview Ujiri. “I have understood all along the relationships that Masai has in Toronto, and I respect those immensely,” Kroenke said in a phone interview. “So when Toronto inquired about him recently, I knew that it was going to be a tough situation for everyone strictly because of the relationships involved.” After speaking with Ujiri about the situation, Kroenke, who Ujiri works with closely on every major basketball decision, understood Ujiri’s connection to his former organization in Toronto, and thus allowed him to do the interview.”
- Ujiri is the only candidate the Raptors are going hard after. If he declines, it
@WolstatSunRyan Wolstat
Lionel Hollins isn’t big on flopping, even when it’s his team doing it. Here’s ESPN.com’s Kevin Arnovitz: “In response to the NBA’s $5,000 flopping fine on Grizzlies guard Tony Allen after Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, Memphis coach Lionel Hollins conceded the league’s anti-flopping rules were appropriate and could possibly be enforced more widely. “Flopping isn’t a part of the game and it shouldn’t be a part of the game,” Hollins said. “That’s why we have rules in place. There are probably a few more that could be called on a lot of people still in it.” “- One name is coming up in multiple coaching searches right now: Mike Malone. Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com has him as a top candidate for the Clippers’ job: “The first time Chris Paul referenced something his old coach in New Orleans, Monty Williams, used to say, we smiled. The second time, we took note. After that, well, you kind of got the message. Paul had a good experience with his coaching staff in New Orleans. Williams being the head coach, Michael Malone being his lead assistant. It’s no wonder then that Malone’s name has floated to the top of the early lists of candidates for the Clippers job, now that Vinny Del Negro has officially been let go. The lead assistant for the Golden State Warriors has always been regarded as a shrewd tactician, but the extra warm fuzzy feelings from Paul don’t hurt his case.”
- Meanwhile, according to Ric Bucher of CSN Bay Area, the Kings are also interested in Malone (must be that last name): “Warriors owner Joe Lacob used what he learned as a Celtics’ minority partner to shape his new team. Vivek Ranadive, former Warriors minority owner and now presumptive Kings primary owner, apparently is doing the same, beginning with putting Warriors assistant coach Mike Malone on his list of candidates to be the Kings’ next head coach, a source said.”
- I really hope Mike Malone gets a chance this go around. Stand up guy and a great coach. Helped me turn the corner to become a better player.
@mowilliamsMo Williams - Josh Baumgard of Page Q Sports wasn’t happy with Pacers announcer Mark Boyle’s comments on the air at the end of Game 2. Click through for audio: “He just couldn’t take the “W” and go home. Mark Boyle had to act like the unprofessional he is, embarrassing himself and the Indiana Pacers franchise in the process. “These losers are leaving,” the Pacers play-by-play radio announcer said of the Miami fans at Game 2 in Miami. “They are flocking to the exits with their team down by three. This city does not only not deserve this team, they don’t deserve any team.”And Mark Boyle does not only not deserve to broadcast Pacers games, he doesn’t deserve to broadcast anything. Taking shots at the players is fine. Tear the coach up all you want. But to attack the defenseless fans? Gutless. It’s like throwing a rock at a blind kid.”
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Dan Malone just finished his third year as a journalism student at the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He blogs, edits and learns things on the fly for Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on Twitter.
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