INDIANAPOLIS - Frank Vogel will not return as Indiana Pacers coach next season.
Pacers President Larry Bird says the team will not renew Vogel's contract for next season. Bird says he believes it's time for a new voice to lead the Pacers, keeping with his long-held philosophy on short shelf lives for coaches.
Vogel was 250-181 in five and a half seasons with the Pacers. He led the team to the playoffs five times, including a first-round loss to the Toronto Raptors this season.
Bird says this is one of the toughest decisions he's ever had to make in basketball. He calls Vogel "the best" but says he started thinking about making a change around the All-Star break.
Byron Scott 'shocked' over firing
LOS ANGELES - Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott says he thought he had more time to right the ship before the team fired him last week.
Scott tells ESPN he was "surprised" and "shocked" by the move even though he led the Lakers to the two worst seasons in their history, including this season's franchise-worst 17-65 mark.
In an interview broadcast Wednesday on ESPN's "The Jump with Rachel Nichols," Scott explained that Lakers brass had told him a few years ago that a long-term rebuilding process was needed for the team. He says he figured he had at least another year to turn things around when he was suddenly let go.
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The former Lakers player says he'll continue to root for the team and offered a vote of confidence for new coach Luke Walton.
Wall has knee surgery
WASHINGTON - The Washington Wizards say All-Star guard John Wall underwent left knee surgery and is expected to be ready for the start of next season.
The team says Wall had a procedure done to excise calcific deposits in his left patella tendon to eliminate pain and help him heal. He also underwent an arthroscopic lavage on his right knee to remove loose bodies.
Wall's chances of playing in the 2016 Rio Olympics are likely over as a result. He was named among the 30 finalists for the nationa; team roster.
Wall set career highs with 19.9 points, 10.2 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals a game. He had a career-best 49 double doubles in 77 games.
