AMICO REPORT HOME To subscribe to this blog via your RSS reader: CLICK HERE
To read more of Sam Amico's articles: CLICK HERE
To follow Sam on Twitter (SamAmicoFSO): CLICK HERE

Lester Hudson shines at D-League camp

May 14, 2013 – 4:05 pm

With at least half of the NBA’s 30 teams represented, the D-League Elite Min-Camp gave minor leaguers another chance to prove they’re ready to battle LeBron James.

And if not lock horns with the Miami Heat star and four-time league MVP, at least make a contribution off someone’s bench.

After a day and a half at the Chicago camp, no one looks quite as ready as Lester Hudson, according to those in attendance.

NBA fans mostly remember Hudson from his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the lockout shortened season of 2011-12.

Hudson is a 6-foot-3 guard and played 13 magical games with the Cavs that year, averaging 12.7 points per game and bringing back memories of World B. Free by burying big shots and displaying serious guts.

The Cavs, however, let Hudson walk after his second 10-day contract expired, and he was barely heard from again. He finished the year with the Memphis Grizzlies, but played in just three games and averaged 3.0 points.

Prior to last season, Hudson was dropped by agent Tyler Glass after Hudson failed to show up for a workout with the Charlotte Bobcats.

“I worked so hard to get him a workout, and he didn’t show,” Glass told FOX Sports Ohio in September. “The Bobcats were annoyed and they should have been. They’re a professional organization. You don’t skip out on workouts.”

Hudson signed in China, then finished back in the D-League with the Austin Toros, in March. Now, it appears that at the very least, he’ll be on someone’s summer league team.

One scout even called Hudson, who turns 29 years old in August, the equivalent of a late-first or early-second round draft pick in this year’s draft.

So stay tuned. Based on the D-League camp, Hudson’s run in the NBA may not be done.

Posted in Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Draft |


NBA Draft combine invitees

May 13, 2013 – 5:27 pm

AKRON, Ohio – The first major step in the NBA Draft process takes place Thursday and Friday in Chicago, where prospects will perform a variety of drills in front of general managers and scouts.

This is officially known as the draft combine, which tests players’ agility, leaping ability and strength. Some combine invitees, such as Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel and Maryland’s Alex Len, will not participate because of injuries.

Here is a complete list of those expected to attend (name, college or club team):

Steven Adams, Pittsburgh; Vander Blue, Marquette; Lorenzo Brown, NC State; Reggie Bullock, North Carolina; Trey Burke, Michigan.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia; Isaiah Canaan, Murray State; Jackie Carmichael, Illinois State; Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse; Will Clyburn, Iowa State.

Robert Covington, Tennessee State; Allen Crabbe, California; Seth Curry, Duke; Brandon Davies, BYU; Dewayne Dedmon, USC.

Gorgui Dieng, Louisville; James Ennis, Long Beach State; Carrick Felix, Arizona State; Jamaal Franklin, San Diego State; Rudy Gobert, Cholet (France).

Archie Goodwin, Kentucky; Erick Green, Virginia Tech; Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan; Solomon Hill, Arizona; Richard Howell, NC State.

Colton Iverson, Colorado State; Pierre Jackson, Baylor; Grant Jerrett, Arizona; Myck Kabongo, Texas; Kenny Kadji, Miami.

Ryan Kelly, Duke; Shane Larkin, Miami; Ricky Ledo, Providence; Alex Len, Maryland; C.J. Leslie, NC State.

Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota; Ray McCallum, Detroit; CJ McCollum, Lehigh; Ben McLemore, Kansas; Tony Mitchell, North Texas.

Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA; Erik Murphy, Florida; Mike Muscala, Bucknell; Nerlens Noel, Kentucky; Victor Oladipo, Indiana.

Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga; Brandon Paul, Illinois; Norvel Pelle, Los Angeles College Preparatory Academy; Mason Plumlee, Duke; Otto Porter, Georgetown.

Phil Pressey, Missouri; Glen Rice Jr., Georgia Tech/ Rio Grande Valley (D-League); Andre Roberson, Colorado; Dennis Schroeder, New Yorker Phantoms (Germany); Peyton Siva, Louisville.

Tony Snell, New Mexico; James Southerland, Syracuse; Adonis Thomas, Memphis; Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State; Jeff Withey, Kansas.

Nate Wolters, South Dakota State; B.J. Young, Arkansas; Cody Zeller, Indiana.

For more pre-draft coverage, see my story, Camps signal start of NBA draft process.

 

Posted in Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Draft, NCAA Basketball, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs |


D-League prospects take Chicago

May 13, 2013 – 4:43 pm

AKRON, Ohio – Top D-League prospects will be taking part in a mini-camp in front of NBA general managers and scouts Monday and Tuesday in Chicago. The camp will be directed by nine D-League coaches, who will put the players through a variety of drills and exercises.

Here are the prospects invited to attend (name, position, D-League team):

Zach Andrew, F, Los Angeles; Keith Benson, C, Erie; Christopher Cooper, C, Bakersfield; Nick Covington, G, Erie; Chris Daniels, C, Rio Grande Valley; Jarrid Famous, F/C, Iowa.

Augustus Gichrist, F, Iowa; Mickell Gladness, C, Santa Cruz; Lance Goulbourne, F, Santa Cruz; Reggie Hamilton, G, Idaho; Stefhon Hannah, G, Santa Cruz.

Justin Harper, PF, Idaho; Paul Harris, G/F, Iowa; Cory Higgins, G, Erie; Darrington Hobson, G, Santa Cruz; Ron Howard, G/F, Fort Wayne.

Lester Hudson, G, Austin; Justin Hurtt, G, Iowa; Chris Johnson, F, Rio Grande Valley; Cameron Jones, G, Santa Cruz; Tre Kelly, G, Austin.

James Mays, F, Sioux Falls; Toure Murry, F, Rio Grande Valley; James Nunnally, F, Bakersfield; Josh Owens, F, Idaho; Chris Roberts, G, Austin.

Jamarr Sanders, F, Austin; Carleton Scott, F, Springfield; Josh Selby, F, Maine; Tommy Smith, F, Fort Wayne; Dominique Sutton, G, Tulsa.

Jermaine Taylor, G, Maine; Tony Taylor, G, Tulsa; Hollis Thompson, F, Tulsa; Edwin Ubiles, G/F, Springfield; Kyle Weaver, G, Canton.

For more pre-draft coverage, see my story, Camps signal start of NBA draft process.

I’ll have full NBA Draft Combine rosters in this space before it tips off Thursday.

Posted in Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Draft, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs |


Cavs to host draft lottery party

May 13, 2013 – 12:17 pm

CLEVELAND – The Cavaliers will host a party for the NBA Draft lottery on Tuesday, May 21. The party will be held at Bar Louie, 1352 W. 6th St., in downtown Cleveland.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the lottery scheduled for 8:30.

FOX Sports Ohio broadcasters Austin Carr and Campy Russell will share insights and commentary from a stage during the festivities.

This is the Cavs’ third straight year in the lottery. They enter it with the third-best odds of winning the No. 1 overall pick, and can finish no worse than sixth. Last year, they entered it with the third-best odds of winning and finished fourth.

The Cavs also own the No. 19 pick in this year’s first round (from the Los Angeles Lakers), and two second-round picks — No. 31 (from the Orlando Magic) and No. 33.

Posted in Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Draft, NCAA Basketball |


Cavs to talk with Lakers aide Handy

May 11, 2013 – 1:33 pm

The Cavaliers have requested and received permission to speak with Los Angeles Lakers player development coach Phil Handy about an assistant coaching job, according to a report in the LA Daily News. The Lakers confirmed the report.

Cavs coach Mike Brown is looking to add to his staff after being hired last month. He coached the Cavs from 2005-10, then the Lakers in 2011-12 and for five games this past season.

Only assistants Nate Tibbetts and Jamahl Mosley have been retained from ex-coach Byron Scott’s staff, and Tibbetts is interviewing with the Charlotte Bobcats for their head coaching position.

Most insiders believe Mosley will be retained regardless, as he and Brown share an agent.

Handy joined Brown with the Lakers in 2011 and remained with the organization when Mike D’Antoni took over as coach.

“Since (2011), Handy has developed a strong reputation among the Lakers’ players for both his engaging on-court workouts and infinite willingness to work with them at all hours of the day,” according the Daily News.

 

Posted in Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA |


Cavs assistant Tibbetts to interview for Bobcats job

May 1, 2013 – 4:03 pm

CLEVELAND – The Charlotte Bobcats have requested and received permission to interview Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Nate Tibbetts about their head coaching position, according to a report in the Charlotte Observer.

Tibbetts, 35, interviewed with the Bobcats last summer. They ended up hiring Mike Dunlap, who was fired last week.

Prior to joining Byron Scott’s staff with the Cavs (December 2011), Tibbetts  coached the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League. He was retained by the Cavs after former coach Byron Scott was fired a day after the regular season. The Cavs have since hired Mike Brown as their head coach.

Charlotte is also expected to interview Houston Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson, according to the Observer. Sampson is best known for leading Oklahoma University to the NCAA Final Four in 2002, then later coaching Indiana University.

He resigned from Indiana in 2008 following questions about recruiting.

The Bobcats interviewed 10 people for their head coaching job last season and may reach out to a similar number this time.

Posted in Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA |


Lakers fan vents about Howard, Nash

April 30, 2013 – 9:23 pm

This email comes from reader Scott Bourland:

“As a Lakers fan I’m disgusted with Dwight Howard. Where was the pride from him? Where was the fight? He hasn’t been fully healthy, no one’s disputing that, but where was the effort?

“Why was Kobe trying like hell to make the playoffs but not Howard? And then Howard gets tossed in a closeout game and  screams at (GM Mitch) Kupchak on the way to the locker room. I would had loved to have seen some desire and passion from Howard. Instead, there was a goofy speech and a first-round sweep.

“There was no pride, no heart, nothing. And he’s supposed to be a leader? Unbelievable. And Steve Nash shows up with his hair parted on the side,  kind of hangs out, gets about 12 points here and there and misses 30  games. I was so looking forward to Nash playing with Howard and that never materialized. No chemistry whatsoever. Somebody made the point that the Lakers tried to please the fourth-best player on the team (Nash) by hiring Mike D’Antoni. Stupid.

“Who in the world would look at Phil Jackson’s resume and pick somebody else over him? Nobody in NBA history has better  credentials than Jackson.”

I’ll be writing a full-length column about the Lakers shortly. Scott’s email tells me it won’t be easy.

But yes, I think they’re fixable. It’ll just take a little creativity. Right?

If you’re up for it, let me know how you’d fix LA by commenting below.

 

Posted in Los Angeles Lakers, NBA |


NBA committee rejects Kings move

April 29, 2013 – 5:30 pm

The NBA relocation/finance committee voted against a move by the Sacramento Kings to Seattle, the league announced Monday.

The committee met via conference call, and according to a statement from the league, unanimously voted down the Maloof family’s proposed sale of the Kings to hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. The Hansen-Ballmer group planned to move the team to Seattle.

“The NBA announced today that the league’s Relocation Committee has unanimously recommended that the NBA Board of Governors deny the application of the Sacramento Kings to relocate to Seattle,” the league said in a statement. “The Board will convene during the week of May 13 to vote on this matter.”

Here is the full story from the Sacramento Bee: NBA committee rejects Kings move to Seattle.

The reolcation/finance committee’s recommendation that the Kings remain in Sacramento will now be voted on by the Board of Governors. The Board is likely to go along with the committee’s recommendation.

The 12-member relocation committee who will make the recommendation are as follows:

Peter Holt, Spurs (chairman of the Board of Governors), Clay Bennett (Thunder), James Dolan (Knicks), Herb Simon (Pacers), Larry Tanenbaum (Raptors), Glen Taylor (Timberwolves), Jeanie Buss (Lakers), Robert Sarver (Suns), Greg Miller (Jazz), Wyc Grousbeck (Celtics), Ted Leonsis (Wizards) and Micky Arison (Heat).

 

Posted in Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA |


Kuester, Triggs expected to assist Cavs’ Brown

April 24, 2013 – 2:10 pm

Mike Brown is likely to turn to some old friends to help him in his second stint as coach of the Cavaliers.

Brown, officially introduced as the Cavs’ coach Wednesday, is expected to former Detroit coach John Kuester and former L.A. Lakers assistant Kyle Triggs to his staff, a source told FOX Sports Ohio. Nate Tibbetts and Jamahl Mosley are expected to be retained from Byron Scott’s staff, the source added.

Bernie Bickerstaff, who took over for Brown briefly with the Lakers earlier this season, could also be added in an advisory/coaching role.

Kuester worked under Brown in Cleveland before, as well as with the Lakers in 2011-12. Diggs assisted Brown with the Lakers.

 

Posted in Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA |


Charge’s Jensen wins coach of year, stays on NBA radar

April 22, 2013 – 1:48 pm

Alex Jensen is making the most of his first head coaching gig, and NBA teams everywhere (particularly the ones with vacancies) are taking notice.

In just his second season as coach of the Canton Charge, Jensen received the NBA D-League Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year award Monday.

As reported by FOX Sports Ohio earlier this month, Jensen has emerged as a hot coaching candidate at both the NBA and major college level.

That’s mostly because Jensen has gained a reputation as a relentless worker and strong defensive mind. The Charge finished this season with the D-League’s top defense, allowing 96 points per game and just 30 percent shooting from opponents on three-pointers.

The Charge are the D-League affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs fired coach Byron Scott last week and Jensen could be a candidate for the job.

Jensen has compiled a 57-43 record in two seasons, leading the Charge to the playoffs both times.

Prior to Canton, he spent four seasons as an assistant under the late Rick Majerus at St. Louis. Jensen also played for Majerus at Utah, and was a key member of the Utes’ team that advanced to the 1998 national championship game.

This is the second straight season in which D-League Coach of the Year award has been given to someone with Ohio ties.

Brecksville High School product Eric Musselman, now an assistant at Arizona State, won the award in 2011-12 as coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

Posted in Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NCAA Basketball |