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2004–05 Charlotte Bobcats Season
The 2004–05 NBA season was the first season for the Charlotte Bobcats in the National Basketball Association. This season marked the return of NBA basketball to Charlotte after a two-year hiatus. The original Hornets had moved to New Orleans after the 2001–02 season to become the New Orleans Hornets, now the New Orleans Pelicans. The Bobcats had the second overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft, which they used to select Emeka Okafor out of the University of Connecticut. The team hired Bernie Bickerstaff as head coach during the offseason, and added veteran players like Gerald Wallace, Primož Brezec, Brevin Knight, Jason Hart, Jason Kapono, Melvin Ely and Steve Smith to their roster. The Bobcats played their first game at the Charlotte Coliseum on November 4, which was a 103–96 loss to the Washington Wizards. They would win their first game defeating the Orlando Magic 111–100 at home on November 6. However, the expansion team struggled losing ten straight games in January and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bernie Bickerstaff
Bernard Tyrone Bickerstaff (born February 11, 1944) is an American basketball coach and front office executive, currently serving as the Senior Basketball Advisor for the Cleveland Cavaliers. As a coach, he previously worked as the head coach for the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics, Denver Nuggets, Washington Bullets/Wizards, Charlotte Bobcats, and Los Angeles Lakers. He has also been an assistant for the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cavaliers. He has served in numerous other NBA front office positions, and has been a consultant for the Harlem Globetrotters. Early years Bickerstaff was born in Benham, Kentucky, where his father and grandfather worked in the coal mines. He often had to endure open racism. He attended East Benham High School, where he was the starting point guard of the basketball team. After graduating in 1961, Bickerstaff moved to Cleveland where he had relatives, with the idea of joining the United States Army, Army, but he instead a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Primož Brezec
Primož Brezec (born October 2, 1979) is a Slovenian retired professional basketball player. He is a 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall center. Brezec has played eight seasons in the NBA. Professional career Europe/Asia Brezec grew up in Sežana, where he also made his professional debut with the local team Kraski Zidar. During his high school years he was a member of the basketball team and a major star of the ŠKL League, the national high school league. As a professional, he played for the Slovenian Premier A League club Union Olimpija Ljubljana from 1998 until 2001. Brezec spent the next 7 seasons playing in the NBA in the United States and Canada. He returned to Europe on July 20, 2008, when he signed a 2-year contract with Lottomatica Roma of the Italian league. On September 26, 2010, Brezec signed with BC Krasnye Krylya Samara of the Russian Professional Basketball League. In July 2011, he signed with Lokomotiv Kuban for one season, but he was waived in February 201 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Small Forward
The small forward (SF), also known as the three or swingman, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers but taller, larger, and stronger than either of the guard positions. They are strategic and are often relied upon to score, defend, create open lanes, and rebound for their team. The small forward is considered to be perhaps the most versatile of the five main basketball positions as they contribute offensively and defensively. In the NBA, small forwards generally range from 6' 5" (1.96 m) to 6' 10" (2.08 m); in the WNBA, they are usually between 6' 0" (1.83 m) to 6' 2" (1.88 m). This puts them at the average height of all professional basketball players because they are taller than the guards, but shorter than the power forward and center. Small forwards are responsible for scoring points and defending, and often are secondary or tertiary rebounders behind the pow ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Connecticut Huskies Men's Basketball
The UConn Huskies men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball team of the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, Connecticut. They currently play in the Big East Conference (Big East) and are coached by Dan Hurley. The Huskies have won 4 NCAA tournament championships ( 1999, 2004, 2011 and 2014), which puts the program in a tie with Kansas for sixth-most all-time. The Huskies are second in Big East tournament championships with seven, trailing only Georgetown (8). The Huskies also have the most Big East regular season titles with ten and one American Athletic Conference tournament championship. Numerous players have gone on to achieve professional success after their time at UConn, including Clifford Robinson, Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Caron Butler, Ben Gordon, Emeka Okafor, Rudy Gay, Charlie Villanueva, Kemba Walker, Shabazz Napier, Jeremy Lamb, and Andre Drummond. The Huskies have participated in 5 NCAA Final Fours (tied for 13th all time) and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Center (basketball)
The center (C), or the centre, also known as the five or the pivot, is one of the five Basketball position, positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well. In the NBA, the center is typically close to tall. They traditionally play close to the basket in the low post. Centers are valued for their ability to protect their own goal from high-percentage close attempts on defense, while scoring and rebounding with high efficiency on offense. In the 1950s and 1960s, George Mikan and Bill Russell were centerpieces of championship dynasties and defined early prototypical centers. With the addition of a three-point field goal for the 1979–80 NBA season, 1979–80 season, however, NBA basketball gradually became more perimeter-oriented and saw the importance of the center position diminished. The most recent center to win an NBA Most Valuable Player Award was Nikola Jokić, win ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Power Forward (basketball)
The power forward (PF), also known as the four or strong forward, is a position in basketball. Power forwards play a role similar to centers. When on offense, they typically play with their backs towards the basket. When on defense, they typically position themselves under the basket in a zone defense or against the opposing power forward in man-to-man defense. The power forward position entails a variety of responsibilities, one of which is rebounding. Many power forwards are noted for their mid-range jump-shot, and several players have become very accurate from . Earlier, these skills were more typically exhibited in the European style of play. Some power forwards known as stretch fours, have since extended their shooting range to three-point field goals. In the NBA, power forwards usually range from 6' 7" (2.01 m) to 6' 10" (2.08 m) while in the WNBA, power forwards are usually between 6′ 0″ (1.83 m) and 6′ 3″ (1.91 m). Despite the averages, a variety of players f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2007–08 Charlotte Bobcats Season
The 2007–08 Charlotte Bobcats season was the 18th season of NBA basketball in Charlotte in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and their fourth as the Charlotte Bobcats. Charlotte finished 32–50 for the season and didn't qualify for the playoffs. Despite a frenzy of offseason moves, including trading for Jason Richardson and hiring new coach Sam Vincent, the Bobcats were unable to build on their successful 33–49 season in 2007. As a result, Vincent was relieved of his duties soon after the season ended, and replaced by veteran hall of fame coach Larry Brown three days later. June to October: The offseason 2007 NBA draft On May 22, the Bobcats were assigned the 8th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft Lottery after finishing 33–49 the previous season. With their lottery pick, Charlotte selected power forward Brandan Wright out of North Carolina. The Bobcats then traded Wright for Golden State Warriors swingman Jason Richardson and the draft rights to Golden State's secon ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
ESPN
ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The company was founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen along with his son Scott Rasmussen and Ed Eagan. ESPN broadcasts primarily from studio facilities located in Bristol, Connecticut. The network also operates offices and auxiliary studios in Miami, New York City, Las Vegas, Seattle, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. James Pitaro currently serves as chairman of ESPN, a position he has held since March 5, 2018, following the resignation of John Skipper on December 18, 2017. While ESPN is one of the most successful sports networks, there has been criticism of ESPN. This includes accusations of biased coverage, conflict of interest, and controversies with individual broadcasters and analysts. , ESPN reaches approximately 76 million te ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2004–05 Orlando Magic Season
The 2004–05 season was the 16th season of the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA). After finishing the previous year with a league-worst 21–61 record, the Magic won the NBA Draft Lottery for the third time in franchise history, and selected high school star Dwight Howard with the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft. During the offseason, the Magic acquired All-Star guard Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley from the Houston Rockets, and signed free agent Hedo Turkoglu. The team looked to be a playoff contender playing above .500 for the first half of the season. In January, Mobley was traded to the Sacramento Kings for Doug Christie. However, head coach Johnny Davis was fired after a 31–33 start, and was replaced with Chris Jent. The Magic finished third in the Southeast Division with a 36–46 record, a 15-game improvement from the previous season. Grant Hill finally played a full season with the Magic averaging 19.7 points per game, while being s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2004–05 Washington Wizards Season
The 2004–05 NBA season was the Wizards 44th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 32nd season in the city of Washington, D.C. During the offseason, the Wizards acquired Antawn Jamison from the Dallas Mavericks. The Wizards got off to a decent start and played above .500 for the entire season. The Wizards posted a 20-win improvement over the previous season, finishing second in the Southeast Division with a 45–37 record, and made it back to the playoffs for the first time since 1997, back when they were known as the "Bullets". Gilbert Arenas averaged 25.5 points per game and was selected along with Jamison for the 2005 NBA All-Star Game. In the first round of the playoffs, the Wizards defeated the Chicago Bulls in six games after losing the first two games, winning their first playoff series since 1982, but were swept in the semi-finals by the Miami Heat in four straight games. This was the final full-season at MCI Center, which was rebranded as Verizon Cen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Steve Smith (basketball)
Steven Delano Smith (born March 31, 1969) is an American former professional basketball player who is a basketball analyst for Turner Sports. After a collegiate career with Michigan State, he played with several teams in his 14-season National Basketball Association career, including the Miami Heat, the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs, but is perhaps best known for his five-year stint with the Atlanta Hawks which included an All-Star Game appearance in 1998. He won a championship with the Spurs in 2003. Smith was widely regarded as an excellent three-point shooter, and is one of three players to make seven 3-pointers in a quarter. He joined the USA men's national basketball team in the 1994 FIBA World Championship winning the gold medal. He won another gold medal at the 1999 Tournament of the Americas and an Olympic gold medal with the USA men's national basketball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics with eleven other NBA All-Stars. College career Smith finished ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Melvin Ely
Melvin Anderson Ely (; born May 2, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player who used to be an assistant coach for the Canton Charge of the NBA G League. A 6'10", , power forward–center from Fresno State, Ely was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round (12th overall pick) of the 2002 NBA draft. At Fresno State, he enjoyed a prolific career under the coaching of Jerry Tarkanian. High school career While attending Harvey Thornton High School, Ely earned All-American honors from McDonald's and Parade. As a senior in 1997, he averaged 15.5 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game and 5.2 blocked shots per game during the regular season and was named the Chicago Sun-Times player of the year and first team all-state. Ely led his Wildcats to a second-place finish in 1995 and 1996 and third-place in 1997. During Ely's 3 years as a starter, Thornton Township posted a combined record of 93 wins and 4 losses, including marks of 32–1 in 1997, 31 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
