Check out the news that highlighted the day in the NBA, including the Milwaukee Bucks’ Mike Budenholzer being named the COTY by his peers, Tyronn Lue and Monty Williams on the Lakers’ radar and more.
Bucks’ Budenholzer named top coach by peers | ESPN
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer led his team to the best record in the entire NBA (60-22) and fully deserved the National Basketball Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year Award.
.@Bucks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer has been named the 2019 recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award.
Official Release: https://t.co/q5rSus6IJr pic.twitter.com/m7eZiA2f6c
— NBA Coaches Assoc. (@NBA_Coaches) April 13, 2019
Sources: Lakers coach search eyes Lue, Williams | ESPN
The Los Angeles Lakers and Luke Walton parted ways this week. According to sources close to Adrian Wojnarowski, former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue and Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Monty Williams are the main candidates to replace Walton.
My story from Tuesday on Tyronn Lue and Monty Williams being the leading candidates to replace Luke Walton. https://t.co/q3eUGcmF63
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 12, 2019
Sources: Griffin agrees to be Pels’ Executive VP | ESPN
Per league sources, the New Orleans Pelicans appointed David Griffin as the new executive VP of basketball operations. His main job will be to find a suitable trade for All-Star Anthony Davis, which would shape the future of the franchise in the years to come. Head coach Alvin Gentry is a favorite of the Pelicans’ organization, and he is expected to return next season regardless of the front-office hiring.
Pelicans and David Griffin have an agreement in principle, league sources tell ESPN. Griffin will take over the franchise and now oversee the trade process for Anthony Davis. https://t.co/67NmP35ow4
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 12, 2019
Clippers largest 1st-round underdogs since 1988 | ESPN
The Los Angeles Clippers are facing the reigning champions Golden State Warriors in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs and they are the biggest underdogs in an NBA playoff series in the last 30 years.
According to online archive SportsOddsHistory.com, since 1988 only three teams have entered an NBA playoff series with odds greater than 50-1: the Milwaukee Bucks in 2001 (vs. the Miami Heat) and Miami Heat in 1992 (vs. the Chicago Bulls) were each 75-1, while the Memphis Grizzlies were 66-1 against the San Antonio Spurs in 2016.
Per @SOHistory, the Clippers (100/1) are the biggest underdog in an NBA playoff series in 30 years. Warriors are -50,000 to win the first-round series. https://t.co/R9tfhS51jw
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) April 12, 2019
Ewing to serve as Knicks’ rep at draft lottery | ESPN
The New York Knicks decided to send Patrick Ewing to represent the team at the NBA Draft Lottery 34 years after the center was selected with the No. 1 overall pick.
“Patrick is a huge part of our team’s history and we’re thrilled to have number 33 represent the franchise at this year’s draft lottery,” said Knicks president Steve Mills. “Patrick’s connection to the lottery is well documented, and we’re proud to have one of the all-time Knicks greats sit on the dais on behalf of the team, the city and the fans.”
It started in 1985 – and now the Knicks legend is back where it all began. We’re thrilled to have Patrick Ewing represent us at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery. Tune in on May 14 as he takes the stage in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/Q12Ul9H7qt
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 13, 2019
