SB Nation Boston: All Posts by Kris Willis

2013 NBA Draft order now set after Lottery.

2013-05-22T01:57:30Z

The order for the 2013 NBA Draft is now set after the league held its annual draft lottery on Tuesday night. The Cleveland Cavaliers came out as the biggest winners of the evening moving up to snatch the No. 1 pick for the second time in the last three years. The Cavaliers selected point guard Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 overall pick in 2011. Here is a look at the lottery results:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

2. Orlando Magic

3. Washington Wizards

4. Charlotte Bobcats

5. Phoenix Suns

6. New Orleans Pelicans

7. Sacramento Kings

8. Detroit Pistons

9. Minnesota Timberwolves

10. Portland Trail Blazers

11. Philadelphia 76ers

12. Oklahoma City Thunder

13. Dallas Mavericks

14. Utah Jazz

The rest of the draft order was previously set thanks to reverse order of the team's 2013 regular season record. The Atlanta Hawks have two picks in the first round and will pick back-to-back at No. 17 and 18. Here is a look at the rest of the draft order. 15. Milwaukee Bucks

14. Utah Jazz

15. Milwaukee Bucks

16. Boston Celtics

17. Atlanta Hawks

18. Atlanta Hawks (from HOU via BKN)

19. Cleveland Cavs (from LAL)

20. Chicago Bulls

21. Utah Jazz (from GS via BKN)

22. Brooklyn Nets

23. Indiana Pacers

24. New York Knicks

25. L.A. Clippers

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from MEM via HOU)

27. Denver Nuggets

28. San Antonio Spurs

29. Oklahoma City Thunder

30. Phoenix Suns (from MIA via LAL and CLE)

Now that the draft order is set, actual draft analysis can center on team needs and individual player workouts which several teams have already begun. The draft will be held on on Thursday, June 27.

Stan Van Gundy tells Orlando radio that he will not return to coaching next season

2013-05-21T12:46:03Z

Stan Van Gundy told SportsTalk1080's David Baumann on Tuesday that he would not be returning to the NBA as a head coach next season citing family reasons.

BREAKING: Stan Van Gundy just told us he WILL NOT be a head coach in the NBA next season. It's a family decision.
— David Baumann (@DavidBaumann33) May 21, 2013

Stan Van Gundy: "The longer you are out, the more difficult it is to get back in... Right now it's not in the best interest of my family."
— David Baumann (@DavidBaumann33) May 21, 2013

Van Gundy was thought to be at the top of the Atlanta Hawks' wish list this offseason. Van Gundy also told Baumann that despite being contacted by a lot of teams that he has not interviewed for any positions. That disputes an earlier report that he had been interviewed by the Hawks.

Hawks general manager Danny Ferry has not established a timeline for naming a new coach. Other names that have surfaced in the search include San Antonio Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer, former Seattle and Portland head coach Nate McMillan and Euroleague legend Ettore Messina.

Dwight Howard to take a 'hard look at several teams' in free agency

2013-05-20T10:00:04Z

The NBA's free agent period is a little more than a month away and the rumors surrounding Dwight Howard are starting to swirl once again. CBSSports.com's Ken Berger names the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks as two of several teams that Howard will take a hard look at in free agency this summer.

Howard plans to explore all such options, and a person briefed on his plans told CBSSports.com that there are "several" teams the free-agent center is "going to take a hard look at."

The Atlanta Hawks aren't mentioned anywhere in the article but there is little doubt that general manager will be in touch with Howard's agents minutes after the free agency period opens. The Rockets are the hottest name out there right now but would have to make a couple of minor moves to be able to sign Howard. The same applies to the Mavericks' situation who would have to dump a player or two to be able to give Howard a max offer. Atlanta will have enough room to offer Howard a max deal when free agency opens.

The Los Angeles Lakers are still favored to keep Howard by virtue of being able to offer him a more lucrative contract than any other team. However, Berger points out a scenario where a four-year deal might be beneficial to Howard.

But Howard is only 27, and barring a career-ending injury, he'll clearly get one more max deal after this one. A four-year deal with an opt-out after three years, for example, would in some ways be preferable to Howard because he'd hit the open market again at age 30 and could then secure his five-year max deal.

Howard had back surgery prior to last season and played with a torn labrum for much of the season so the injury risk will have to be weighed by his camp but if healthy he should have no trouble maintaining a max level for the duration of his next contract.

The Atlanta Hawks have been thought of as a longshot to land Howard who has not shown any indication that he desires to play for his hometown team. Ferry's job when free agency opens will be to sell Howard on his vision of the Atlanta Hawks going forward. Ferry will have to convince Howard not just to come home but that home is the place where he can win a championship.

Hawks coaching search: Atlanta looking for successor to Larry Drew

2013-05-19T23:41:41Z

Larry Drew remains under contract with the Atlanta Hawks but the team is actively pursuing other candidates to fill the role next season.

Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry met with the media on Saturday as part of the Hawks' exit process. During his talk, he discussed the status of his head coach Larry Drew and said that he would take some time before deciding whether to bring back Drew or begin a coaching search.

"We're going to take some time, give it some distance, give it some space from the season, from the playoffs, from the emotions of that," Ferry said on the practice court at Philips Arena. "Then we'll make decisions that we feel are best in the short-term and long-term interests of the team."

Ferry is expected to rebuild the Hawks from the ground up with a roster that essentially includes three players who are under contract for next season. That could include Drew with whom he inherited after taking over for Rick Sund last summer.

Drew helped guide the Hawks to a 44-38 mark during the regular season and is 128-102 in three seasons with Atlanta. The Hawks have made the playoffs in all three seasons and upset the Orlando Magic in the first round in 2010. Atlanta has been ousted in the first round the last two seasons by the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers.

"I thought we had a really good season given what our circumstances were. They weren't the best," Drew said. "Whether I'm back here or not, I don't know. The one thing I will say is I've had a great run here."

Mike Scott discusses rookie season in return home

2013-05-19T12:13:59Z

Atlanta Hawks rookie Mike Scott was back home in Virginia on Saturday to visit his old high school and sign autographs at a Norfolk Foot Locker. While there, Scott talked about his transition to the NBA and admitted that it wasn't always a smooth ride.

"At first you're thinking you'll play a lot, and you came from a college where you played a lot., you're the man, and actually that's not what it is," recalled Scott, "It's a big transition. You want to start over, take your time and basically learn your role."

Scott also discussed his trip to the D-League and how at first a demotion to the NBA's minor league system can be seen as a negative by a player.

"At first, I was like, 'Man, do they not think I can play?' But that was just the immaturity," Scott said, "(The D-league) was basically to get down there and get some playing time, have fun and play.

"At the same time I went down there, I took care of business."

By all accounts Scott was a class act during his rookie season and depending on what moves are made this offseason seems like a good bet to return to the Hawks next season. Currently his contract for next season is non-guaranteed. He averaged 4.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 40 games with the Hawks in 2013.

His quote about playing time provides a great insight into the thinking of a lot of players coming from college to the NBA. They are so used to playing and seeing things work out for them throughout high school and college that it is a bit of a jolt once they reach the NBA. That was where Scott's good work ethic appeared to pay off with the Hawks.

Larry Drew to interview with the Milwaukee Bucks

2013-05-18T02:03:30Z

The Atlanta Hawks haven't yet declared that they are moving on from the Larry Drew era but the writing is clearly on the wall. Its so clear now that Drew will start entertaining offers from other teams including the Milwaukee Bucks with whom he will meet this weekend to discuss their head coaching vacancy.

Danny Ferry is going through the process of interviewing others for the Hawks' head coaching position. Ferry hasn't yet ruled out Drew returning but Drew acknowledged on Friday to Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz that it appears to be a longshot.

"After talking with my adviser on this, he doesn't like the odds. I don't like the odds, either. That's why I've decided to move on with other organizations."

Besides the Bucks, Drew has reportedly drawn interest from one other unnamed NBA team. Previously he had been linked to the Philadelphia 76ers opening.

Drew and the Hawks exceded many of the media's expectations for the team this year but in the end that doesn't appear that it is going to be enough to save his job. He has amassed a 128-102 record in three seasons as the Hawks' head coach and led the team into the playoffs in all three seasons. However, Drew understands the situation and knows the transition phase that the franchise is going through under Ferry.

"Realistically, I wasn't Danny's hire from Day 1," he said. "I was Rick Sund's hire. Danny just kind of inherited me. I totally respect the position he took. He wants to do his due diligence and make sure I'm the right guy for the job. Really, this whole year, I was basically interviewing for the job. At end of day, if it happens to evolve back to me, I will be his hire."

Ferry hasn't set a timeframe for hiring a new coach. In the past it week it has been reported that he has met with Stan Van Gundy, Mike Budenholzer, Nate McMillan and CSKA Moscow head coach Ettore Messina.

Atlanta Hawks officially interview Mike Budenholzer, Stan Van Gundy

2013-05-17T12:03:57Z

Per a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Hawks have officially interviewed former Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy and also met with current San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer. This news comes on the heels of last night's Adrian Wojnarowski report that Ferry was strongly considering Euroleague legend Ettore Messina among his top candidates.

As expected, Ferry and the Hawks have been pretty tight lipped about their coaching shortlist. To date the names that have managed to leak out include Van Gundy, Nate McMillan, Budenholzer and now Messina whom Ferry scouted at the Euroleague Final Four.

Van Gundy is thought by most to be a long shot at best for the Hawks to land as he expected to wait another season before returning to the sidelines. Budenholzer is a candidate for other job openings and is also thought to be the eventual successor to Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.

At this point we aren't sure when Ferry might make a final decision but he seems to be moving quickly of late through a number of candidates.

Nate McMillan reportedly interviewed by the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday

2013-05-16T01:30:49Z

The Atlanta Hawks reportedly continued their coaching search on Wednesday interviewing former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

Y! Sources: The Atlanta Hawks interview Nate McMillan for coaching job. tinyurl.com/avcj4yz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 16, 2013

Hawks general manager Danny Ferry by all accounts is going through the process of finding a head coach while Larry Drew finishes out his contract. Drew's deal doesn't expire until June 30 and his return still hasn't been ruled out by the Hawks. In the meantime Ferry seems to be kicking the tires on several other candidates. Stan Van Gundy was the first reported name reported but its not clear whether he is in any hurry to return to the sidelines after sitting out last season.

McMillan is also a candidate for the openings in Milwaukee and Detroit. He last coached in Portland during the 2012 season.