Shooting specialist Mark Price will be hired by the Charlotte Bobcats, from Rick Bonnell of Charlotte Observer: “The Charlotte Bobcats are in the process of hiring former Georgia Tech and Cleveland Cavaliers star Mark Price as an assistant coach, in part to improve the team’s overall shooting. Price shot 90 percent from the foul line and 40 percent from 3-point range over his 12-season NBA career. He’ll join Steve Clifford’s new staff, which also includes Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing. Since retiring as a player, Price has worked for several NBA teams, either as a coach or consultant, to address players’ shooting – Denver, Memphis and the Golden State Warriors. He specifically worked with Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, a poor shooter coming out of Kentucky, who has since become one of the NBA’s best players.”
DeAndre Jordan addressed the rumors surrounding his name in recent weeks, from Ben Rohrbach of Weei: “If I was younger, I probably would have handled it a little differently, but with me just finishing my fifth year I know that it is a business, teams want to win and they’re only looking out for their best interest,” said Jordan, who averaged 8.8 points and 7.2 rebounds last season. “I’ve been with the Clippers my whole career. All I know is Los Angeles and the Clippers organization, but if I was to go somewhere else, if it did happen, I’d still be playing basketball — the sport that I love — so I’d be happy and just try to make the best of the opportunity.”… “You hear stuff from your friends, media, things like that, so I just try not to listen to it,” added Jordan. “I don’t really watch it or read into it at all. I’m really just focused on getting better this summer and just preparing for next season. “I’m just really in the gym working out with a couple of my teammates and some other guys, just trying to get better and stay focused. I’ve got a couple things this summer that I’m focused on, and I’m just trying to get better and come out and have a better season than we did this year.”
Jason Kidd is on the search for an assistant and Lawrence Frank is still on the top of his wishlist, from Tim Bontemps of New York Post: “Jason Kidd has begun conducting interviews for his coaching staff, but hasn’t made any hires yet. Kidd confirmed the Nets have interviewed the two known candidates for his staff – former Nets coach Lawrence Frank and former Nets assistant Roy Rogers – but hasn’t interviewed anyone else yet… Kidd, as he has previously, again publicly lobbied for Frank – his former coach for several years with the Nets, and one of the top defensive coaches in the league – to join him on his staff as his lead assistant coach. “I’ve always respected Coach Frank,” said Kidd. “He’s the reason I’ve kind of publicly recruited him, because I really need him and want him. I guess I’m kind of that college recruiter right now, because he brings a lot to the table. “He’s had success here, understands the good and bad and, so, again, I’m recruiting him to come join my staff.”
DeMarcus Cousins’ agent will apparently look for a max deal for his client or threaten to demand a trade, from Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee: “The smile on his face and the rolling of his eyes showed how hard it is for Cousins to play the silent role. But he has to. His agent, Dan Fegan, has instructed Cousins not to speak on anything relating to the Kings team, management or ownership. Cousins is eligible for a contract extension this summer, and Fegan wants a maximum deal for his client with the threat of a trade demand looming if a deal isn’t reached. So even with all the kind words thrown his way, Cousins is keeping quiet about the Kings. Cousins did post a congratulatory Twitter message to the city of Sacramento and Mayor Kevin Johnson once it became official the Kings would not relocate to Seattle.”
Although Phil Jackson doesn’t have a formal position with the Lakers, he still speaks with Mitch Kupchak about the team, from Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles: “”We discussed some things, me and Mitch in the past couple of weeks, bouncing things around,” Jackson said. “That’s been something that has happened. It’s not something I expect them to rely on me for information, but I’m there to offer it. Not so much advice. Explaining the program that they’re headed toward down the road and resolutions they had in the past and trying to clean that up and talk about some of the things in the future that are different ways in which they can resolve the issues. They asked if I can be of assistance. I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll help in whatever area you need to have help.'” Jackson was careful not get into specifics of his conversation with Kupchak about the Lakers, but Kupchak said he does talk to Jackson about basketball and the Lakers since Jackson is at the Lakers’ facility often to see his fiance, Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ governor and executive vice president of business operations.”
Jackson explained why he believes Kobe Bryant is so hellbent on coming back from his injury as soon as he can, from Mark Medina of Daily News: “Phil Jackson gushed on how “remarkable” it is that Kobe Bryant could return as early as November, a mere 6 1/2 months after suffering a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon. The former Lakers coach also sounded the alarm, stressing Bryant’s effectiveness largely hinges on “as long as he doesn’t over do it.” Amid Jackson mix of optimism and skepticism surrounding Bryant’s recovery lies a powerful motivation that Jackson believes largely has fueled his recovery. “His goal is another championship,” Jackson said. “He also has a chance to replace Michael Jordan in the all time scoring list. Those are two goals with the first one being a championship that Kobe would like to accomplish.”
