Pro Basketball
Thibodeau Is Named Wizards Assistant
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After adding more firepower to their offense by taking Southern California swingman Nick Young in the first round of last week's NBA draft, the Washington Wizards made a move to improve their leaky defense by adding Tom Thibodeau to Coach Eddie Jordan's staff.
Thibodeau spent the last four seasons as an assistant under Jeff Van Gundy with the Houston Rockets. Van Gundy and his staff were fired following the team's first-round playoff loss. Thibodeau was also an assistant coach with the New York Knicks when Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld was the general manager.
In 18 seasons as an NBA assistant, Thibodeau's teams have finished in the top 10 in defense 14 times. The Wizards ranked 28th in scoring defense last season.
"We are excited and fortunate to have one of the top NBA assistants join our coaching staff," Jordan said in a statement. "His teams have consistently been among the top defensive teams in the NBA and he has an outstanding reputation in player development and game preparation."
Thibodeau replaces Tom Young, who retired, and Bill Berry, who will not be retained. Jordan's current assistants -- Mike O'Koren, Phil Hubbard and Wes Unseld Jr.-- are expected to return but have yet to receive new contract offers from Grunfeld.
The Wizards open play in the Las Vegas summer league next week. Assistant coaches traditionally run the summer league team.
Notes: Juan Carlos Navarro has been released from his contract with FC Barcelona, clearing the way for the 6-foot-4, 170-pound guard to play in the NBA next season. The Wizards picked Navarro in the second round of the 2002 draft and hold his NBA rights. Should the Wizards elect to retain Navarro's rights, the most they could offer him would be the mid-level exception (a maximum first-year salary of about $5.5 million). . . .
Several players with local ties will be on the summer league roster, including former George Washington guard J.R. Pinnock, former Georgetown forward Jameel Watkins and former Virginia Tech guard Brian Chase.
-- Ivan Carter
