SEATTLE (AP) -P.J. Carlesimo was hired Thursday as the new coach of the SuperSonics, eight years after being fired from his last head coaching job and ending Seattle’s search that lasted more than two months.
Carlesimo, who spent the past five years as an assistant in San Antonio, replaces Bob Hill, who was fired on April 24 after Seattle struggled to a 31-51 record in Hill’s only full season leading the Sonics. Carlesimo previously coached the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors.
tle’s top two scorers from its lineup.
Carlesimo will oversee the growth and development of Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, two of the first five picks from last week’s draft. Seattle selected Durant with the No. 2 pick, then got the rights to Green, the No. 5 selection, in the trade of Allen.
Seattle was the last team in the NBA without a coach.
“He has deep experience in the college and pro game and will immediately instill a highly disciplined, defensive mentality with players that play intelligently and play together,” Sonics’ majority owner Clay Bennett said.
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