Atlanta Hawks give forward Ivan Johnson a one year contract
On Tuesday, Atlanta Hawks announced the re-signing of forward Ivan Johnson for another season. The player has a one year guaranteed contract worth $966,000.
Johnson was a restricted free agent and with no possible suitors looking to bring in the second year man has decided to accept the offer sheet from the Hawks. The franchise wanted to re-sign Johnson as soon as free agency began
but were not been able to achieve that due to various reasons.
Ivan made a great impact in his first season and while coming off the bench he averaged 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds. However, his role on the Hawks roster was of much greater value as he filled in for big men like Al Horford and
Jason Collins.
Johnson, as talented as he is, has always had disciplinary issues which have led him to being banned from the Korean Basketball League and also being fined $25000 by head coach Larry Drew for being involved in an incident with
a fan while departing the TD Garden after losing to the Boston Celtics. He has also been sent home once before a game in Orlando because of arguing with his team-mates.
Boston Celtics hire Jay Larranaga as an assistant to Doc Rivers
Boston Celtics have decided to bring in Jay Larranaga as an assistant coach, it was learnt on Wednesday. Larranaga arrives in Boston after having spent the past two seasons coaching the Erie Bayhawks of the D-League. In his time,
he posted a win-loss record of 60-40 while leading the Bayhawks to two consecutive playoff appearances.
Apart from coaching in the D-League, Larranaga also has the experience of coaching the Irish national team. Prior to his coaching career, Larranaga played professional basketball overseas. His father, Jim Larranaga is currently
the head coach at the University of Miami.
The hiring is the first Celtics have made in the coaching staff this off season, despite having made a number of player acquisitions in the same period.
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