Maurice Cheeks Coming To OKC
Maurice Cheeks and Rex Kalamian have been hired as assistant coaches by the Thunder.
It was previously reported that Dale Osbourne, a former assistant with the Utah Flash, has taken a job with Oklahoma City. But it appears Osbourne will join the Tulsa 66ers, the D-League affiliate of the Thunder, in some capacity.
Cheeks, who has 30 years of NBA experience as a player and coach, was most recently coach of the Philadelphia 76ers from 2005-08. He holds a 284-286 record as head coach with Philadelphia and Portland. Cheeks spent seven seasons as an assistant with the 76ers prior to joining the Blazers.
Cheeks spent 15 seasons as an NBA point guard and helped the 76ers advance to the NBA Playoffs 10 times in 11 seasons and was a member of Philadelphia’s 1983 NBA championship. Cheeks was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Team five times and played in four All-Star games. Thunder coach Scott Brooks teamed with Cheeks for two season with the Sixers from 1988-90. Cheeks retired in 1993 as the all-time leader in steals and ranked fifth in steals.
Kalamian, most recently an assistant in Sacramento. Kalamian, then an assistant coach/player development coach, served on the same staff as Thunder coach Scott Brooks in Denver during the 2004-05 season. Kalamian also worked for the Los Angeles Clippers for nine seasons, Minnesota for two seasons and served as a West Coast scout for Philadelphia during the 2003-04 season.
“We are thrilled to add Maurice and Rex to our coaching staff,” said Brooks. “They bring a wealth of NBA experience and solid work ethic that will help our players continued development.”
The Thunder retained assistant coach Ron Adams, assistant coach/player development Mark Bryant and assistant coach/player development Brian Keefe from last year’s staff.
-DM-
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Comments
Hiring Maurice Cheeks and keeping Ron Adams were two of the best offseason moves possible. I think this is the equivlent of hitting a homerun. Way to go thunder. I also loved the drafting of james harden.
Dale, the coaching staff has really come together nicely. Between Cheeks and Adams Scott Brooks is now surrounded by some seasoned vets who can help out with Xs and Os and late-game situations. And in Mark Bryant, Brian Keefe and Rex Kalamian Brooks has three guys who will work hard every day in practice to continue to develop the talent on the roster. -DM-
“Maurice Cheeks and Rex Kalamian have been hired as AN assistant coaches by the Thunder.”…are they Conjoined??
Ever heard of a spell checker?
“Maurice Cheeks one an NBA championship as a point guard with the 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers.”
I see Maurice Cheeks is being looked at to replace Scott Brooks as the next head coach of the Blunder looks like Clay is all set to fire him.Clay shouldn’t be an owner since he doesn’t have a clue as to run a NBA team
Gregg if you dislike the Thunder so much why are you here? Find a team you like and have some fun.
As for me I can’t wait for the season to start.
If Clay didn’t want Scott to be our coach, he wouldn’t have JUST signed him to a deal. Nice “Blunder” usage though… you sound original….
Well, If I were Scott Brooks I would begin looking over my shoulder around All Star break if the team doesn’t have at least 15 wins. I have them slated improving to a 30 win team and I’m pretty sure Mo Cheeks means Scott Brooks head coaching curve just got steeper.
Personalty I hope we can keep Mo for at least one season. But he is to good of a coach and person not to be a head coach somewhere. I feel the same way about Scott. We should feel very lucky to have him as our head coach. To watch him and our team grow together is something special. And different in the sports world today.
[...] Per Thunder Rumblings: Maurice Cheeks and Rex Kalamian have been hired as an assistant coaches by the Thunder. It was previously reported that Dale Osbourne, a former assistant with the Utah Flash, has taken a job with Oklahoma City. But it appears Osbourne will join the Tulsa 66ers, the D-League affiliate of the Thunder, in some capacity. [...]