Check out the news that highlighted the day in the NBA — including the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies decisions to part ways with head coaches Larry Drew and J.B. Bickerstaff.
Cavs not bringing back Drew for second season | Associated Press
The Cleveland Cavaliers announced that they parted ways with head coach Larry Drew and will not bring him back for a second season. Whoever takes the job will have a better situation than the one Drew was handed, following LeBron James’ departure to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“We have great respect and appreciation for Larry and the job that he did as the head coach of the Cavaliers for nearly the entire 2018-19 campaign,” GM Koby Altman said in a release. “He brought professionalism, class and steady leadership both this past season and [the] prior four years. All of us in Cleveland wish Larry nothing but the best going forward.”
Sources: The Cavaliers and head coach Larry Drew have mutually parted ways.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 11, 2019
Grizzlies fire Bickerstaff in major shake-up | ESPN
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Memphis Grizzlies decided to fire head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and reassign general manager Chris Wallace to scouting.
“In order to put our team on the path to sustainable success, it was necessary to change our approach to basketball operations,” team chairman Robert Pera said in a statement. “I look forward to a re-energized front office and fresh approach to Memphis Grizzlies basketball under new leadership while retaining the identity and values that have distinguished our team.”
Bickerstaff had a 48-97 record in two seasons with the Grizzlies, failing to make the playoffs. His previous NBA head-coaching experience was as interim in Houston in 2015-16 when he went 37-34.
The Grizzlies dismissed coach J.B. Bickerstaff and reassigned GM Chris Wallace to a scouting capacity in the front office, league sources tell ESPN. VP John Hollinger will also move into a senior advisory role.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2019
Sexual abuse case against Bibby closed | ESPN
Former NBA point guard Mike Bibby is free of sexual abuse allegations, Phoenix police confirmed after closing the case. The teacher at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix accused Bibby of forcing her into his car and inappropriately touching her in February 2017, but Sgt. Vince Lewis told reporters that an investigation “did not reveal probable cause to recommend charges against anyone in the case.”
Phoenix police say an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Mike Bibby "did not reveal probable cause to recommend charges against anyone" – https://t.co/8Pw8RRXogN #abc15 pic.twitter.com/ZRal0kpcnU
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) April 12, 2019
Raptors’ Anunoby out after appendectomy | ESPN
The Toronto Raptors announced that forward OG Anunoby is out indefinitely after an emergency appendectomy last night. This probably means he will miss the rest of the season and will not play in the playoffs. Anunoby averaged seven points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game in his second season in the NBA.
Raptors' Anunoby undergoes emergency appendectomy.
MORE: https://t.co/Y8zBg2b1wT pic.twitter.com/BlqPJ7xIXV
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 12, 2019
Pacers, Indianapolis officials ink deal for arena overhaul | Associated Press
The Pacers franchise will stay in Indianapolis for at least the next 25 years after the Marion County Capital Improvement Board voted for the deal that includes $295 million in public subsidies for a renovation and expansion of the NBA team’s downtown arena. The Pacers will have to pay $65 million toward the renovations and spend up to $120 million on technology upgrades at the arena, which started working in 1999.
Pacers, city agree to $295M deal to keep team in town for 25 years https://t.co/b4AnH6lxtU
— Bob Williams (@WilliamsBob75) April 12, 2019
