Colangelo likes Doc Rivers, not David Blatt, as next Team USA coach

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Doc Rivers is one of the top choices — of not the top choice — to become the next coach of Team USA. This is a subject that was speculated upon in the immediate aftermath of Team USA’s gold medal triumph in London, and there is reason to believe it is closer to becoming a reality.

Why?

Take a look at the transcript below from Colangelo’s recent interview on SheridanHoopsRadio.

When the subject of who would replace Mike Krzyzewski was raised, Colangelo threw Rivers’ name out there without any prompting. (And while he was at it, he flat-out rejected the notion of Russia’s head coach, David Blatt, an Israeli-American who played collegiately at Princeton, coming under consideration for the job.

The next Team USA coach will lead the team in the summer of 2014 at the World Cup (formerly known as the World Championship) in Spain.

Here is the transcript:

CS: The word came from London that Coach K said that this was going to be it for him and if that is indeed the case, he’s going to go out with 50 wins in his last 50 games, and that’s a heck of an accomplishment. I know you want to change his mind. I know you guys are supposed to get together for a bottle of red wine and a pizza. Has that happened yet?

JC: No.
CS: So what is your reading on whether Coach K is really truly done or whether he is open to having his mind changed?

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2009 Draft Class Extension Scoreboard

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In all, seven players from the 2009 draft class received contract extensions, with three – DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday and Taj Gibson – going down to the wire Wednesday night.

Two players received maximum extensions – top overall pick Blake Griffin and No. 3 pick James Harden, who had to change cities to get the deal he wanted.

By contrast, five 2009 first-round picks became unrestricted free agents before their four-year rookie deal was completed, including No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet. And three already are out of the NBA, including No. 6 pick Jonny Flynn, who started 81 games as a rookie.

Here’s a rundown of all 30 first-round picks from 2009.

1. BLAKE GRIFFIN, LA CLIPPERS: The only All-Star thus far from this draft was maxed out during the offseason. With the Derrick Rose Rule, will get $95 million over five years.

2. HASHEEM THABEET, OKLAHOMA CITY: Uh, no. If he was 6-3 instead of 7-3, he would be selling insurance.

3. JAMES HARDEN, HOUSTON: Turned down a four-year, $54 million offer from the Thunder and was immediately traded to the Rockets, who gave him the maximum $80 million over five years. Certainly a good financial decision by him. That is quite a contract to live up to, but we believe Harden has the goods.

4. TYREKE EVANS, SACRAMENTO: No extension. Given the Kings’ uncertain future in Sacramento and the team’s losing ways, it made no sense to reward a player whose game has sputtered since winning 2010 Rookie of the Year.

5. RICKY RUBIO, MINNESOTA: Not eligible after remaining in Spain for two years following the draft, but a sure-fire extension candidate down the road.

6. JONNY FLYNN: Hard to get an extension when you’re not in the NBA.

7. STEPHEN CURRY, GOLDEN STATE: Received a four-year, $44 million extension which is commensurate with his skills and potential but not with his increasingly tender ankles, which make you wonder if he will live up to this deal.

8. JORDAN HILL, LA LAKERS: Got $8 million over two years as a free agent this summer after spending his first three seasons with three teams.

9. DEMAR DEROZAN, TORONTO: One of three guys to just beat the deadline Wednesday night, receiving a four-year, $40 million extension. Took a small step back last season, making you wonder if he has reached his ceiling.

10. BRANDON JENNINGS, MILWAUKEE: Perhaps the most deserving draft class member to not receive an extension. One reason is that the Bucks are at a crossroads this season with many expiring contracts, including their GM and coach. If things go south, it can be easily detonated for a renovation.

11. TERRENCE WILLIAMS: See Jonny Flynn. Same disappointing career, same lack of interest as a free agent, same invite to Pistons camp, same late cut.

12. GERALD HENDERSON, CHARLOTTE: No extension is somewhat of a head-scratcher after his breakout 2011-12 season. Seems like a keeper, but when a team is this bad, who is truly untouchable?

13. TYLER HANSBROUGH, INDIANA: No extension, but good leverage this summer as an RFA because he backs up David West, who is a free agent and will be looking for another multi-year deal.

14. EARL CLARK, LA LAKERS: Clark is one of the very few first-round picks who didn’t have his fourth-year option picked up. Already on his third team and playing for the minimum.

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Brooklyn Nets’ home opener vs. Knicks postponed

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The devastation of Hurricane Sandy on the New York City metropolitan area has forced the postponement of the Brooklyn Nets’ home opener Thursday vs. the New York Knicks.

The league made the announcement Wednesday afternoon. There were reports Tuesday that the game at the new Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn might still be played, but that is no longer the case.

“Mayor (Michael) Bloomberg informed us this afternoon that after further analysis of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy that he felt it was in the best interests of the city of New York, the teams and our fans that we postpone the Knicks-Nets game scheduled for Thursday night,” NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver said. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this devastating storm.”

If you are from somewhere other than the East Coast and don’t have a feel for the impact of this storm, take a look at Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire’s car, which now almost qualifies as a boat.

Although one of the ideal elements of the Barclays Center is that it was built on top of a huge subway station where a half-dozen trains and the Long Island Railroad make stops, However, New York’s mass transit system has dozens of stations flooded and is shut down until at least Sunday.

No makeup date has been announced. Both teams and the NBA are hopeful that their second games will be played. The Knicks are scheduled to host Miami on Friday and the Nets are scheduled to host Toronto on Saturday.

The NBA has said Friday’s Heat-Knicks game is still on. Nets CEO Brett Yormark said in a statement that for Saturday’s game, the Nets “will have a transportation plan in place, including additional bus options.”

As of Wednesday, nearly 750,000 New York area residents were still without power.

Hornets guard Eric Gordon out indefinitely

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New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon is out indefinitely with right knee issues that have plagued him since he joined the team.

Asked about Gordon’s status for the team’s season opener Wednesday night vs. San Antonio, Hornets coach Monty Williams said, “He’s gonna be out, and the way I understand it, he’s gonna be out indefinitely until we get some clarity as to what’s going on.”

Gordon did not play at all in the preseason due to the knee injury before participating in full contact practices Sunday and Monday.

Acquired by the Hornets in the Chris Paul trade as the centerpiece of their rebuilding project, Gordon was limited to just nine games last season, also due to a knee injury. He bruised his right knee in the season opener, sat four games before playing again, then sat out before returning in April.

While sidelined, Gordon first opted for rest and rehabilitation before deciding to have surgery in mid-February. He played in seven of the team’s last 13 games and finished with averages of 20.6 points and 3.4 assists while shooting 45 percent from the field.

Gordon spent his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers and averaged career highs of 22.3 points and 4.4 assists in the 2010-11 season, when he missed 26 games, primarily due to a wrist injury.

While Gordon was sidelined last season, he and the Hornets were unable to reach agreement on a contract extension. He entered the offseason as a restricted free agent and received a maximum four-year, $58 million offer sheet from the Phoenix Suns, which the Hornets matched.

Afterward, Gordon expressed his displeasure at the process and criticized Hornets management for not making the first offer.

Also this summer, Gordon was one of the final cuts by Team USA.

Once healthy, Gordon is expected to be the top offensive option for New Orleans, which has a very young team including a pair of lottery picks in Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers who will see extensive playing time.

Pacers F Danny Granger out indefinitely with sore knee

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pacers small logoIndiana Pacers forward Danny Granger is out indefinitely with continued soreness in his left knee, a huge setback for last season’s Eastern Conference semifinalists.

A release from the Pacers gave no timetable for Granger’s return and said he will seek a second opinion, after which un update will be provided.

Granger experienced soreness in the knee last season but played through the conference semifinals, where the Pacers held a lead over the Miami Heat but ultimately lost in six games.

In the offseason, Granger underwent blood-platelet treatment. He took part in training camp but did not make his preseason debut until Oct. 23 at Cleveland, collecting nine points and three rebounds in 13 minutes.

Granger also played 22 minutes in Indiana’s preseason finale Friday vs. Chicago and said he felt a sharp pain in the joint after a layup.

Granger led the Pacers in scoring last season at 18.7 points per game. The former All-Star also averaged 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range.

The Pacers were considered the favorites to win the Central Division, primarily because the Chicago Bulls are without injured superstar Derrick Rose until around the All-Star break.

Indiana opens Wednesday at Toronto. Options to start in place of Granger include free agent signee Gerald Green or sliding Paul George to small forward with Sam Young or Lance Stephenson playing shooting guard.