Sonics Tap Carlesimo

Seattle turns to veteran coach to develop young talent, beef up defense
By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User
Posted Jul 6, 2007 6:24 AM CDT
Sonics Tap Carlesimo
Seattle Supersonic's new head coach P.J. Carlesimo answers questions from the media after he was introduced at the NBA basketball team's Furtado training facility in Seattle, on Thursday, July 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)   (Associated Press)

The Supersonics turned to the San Antonio bench for their new head coach, hiring P.J. Carlesimo yesterday, 8 years after he last held a top job. Carlesimo, best known for a 1997 altercation with Latrell Sprewell while both were with Golden State, will once again be trusted with fresh talent, this time in draft picks Kevin Durant and Jeff Green.

After jettisoning Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis and firing coach Bob Hill, Seattle GM Sam Presti hopes to build a younger, more defensive squad. "One of the reasons P.J. is the guy is his ability to teach," Presti said of Carlesimo, who led Seton Hall to the only NCAA final in school history in 1989. (More NBA stories.)

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