PJ's coming to join Jay's staff

Just headed out to the Mighty Yankees opener but wanted to get this up really quickly and fill in some details later.

The Raptors are adding P.J. Carlesimo to Jay Triano’s staff.

Carlesimo, a long-time assistant and former head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors, joins Marc Iavoroni, Alex English and Micah Nori on Triano’s staff.

A couple of sources confirmed it and the news is to be made official later this week.

We’ll have more on what it all means in a bit but right now it’s baseball time, if the thunderstorms hold off.

Comments

[Marc Douris]

Wow, I just saw this on ESPN.com, and hadn't seen it posted on here last time I checked, which was all of twenty minutes. Another great piece of info that you have as quickly as anyone else Doug, thanks again. This is a great hire by the way; PJ is a veteran voice that will only help in Jay's maturation as an NBA head coach.

[zow]

Looks like B.C. has his replacement coach if the Raptors fallter in the early season.

[LeeZ]

All part of the master plan. First bring in P.J., then sign Spreewell to a veteran's minimum and let the fireworks begin! And I'm guessing that by the time you get home from baseball, you'll have at least a dozen comments from people wondering whether this spells the beginning of the end for Jay, and suggesting that P.J. will replace him if the team so much as loses three in a row next season.

[Frederick]

This team isn't getting clannish much, is it?
Are all the best available being hired and kept(coaches, support staff, underachieving players) or do they get an "edge" for a certain reason?
Ya gotta wonder. Not that it ever happens.

[Joey]

Wow... That has to put the Raptors Staff as one of the deepest and most knowedlegable in the league? Between Alex English and Carlesimo thats some serious offensive know how... intrigueing.

[Brad]

I'm sure this will be asked about a thousand times, but what does this mean for Marc Iavaroni? Is there a lead assistant on the bench? They seem to sort of fit the same role? Having two assistant coaches that were not quite good enough for head coach roles seems like it would be great - although the Rap's were sort of in the same spot at PG last year - and the lack of definition hurt the chemistry.

[GM]

He coached the Trailblazers? I knew he coached the Sonics. Can't remember him coaching the Blazers, but my memory ain't so good. Anyway, not sure I like that signing.

Blogger's note: Three years in Portland right out of college before he went to Golden State.

[np]

another coach with a losing record to help triano lead this team, the whole staff is consisted of garbage..

[Adam]

Great signing by the Raptors. Some good news in the midst of all the Bosh, Turk talk. Let's see what else BC has up his sleeve.

[jazz]

Turkey, Banks and Reggie (both expiring)
to Orlando for
Bass (3 years at 4 mil per)
and... yes Vince Carter!! - let him redeem himself

The player who cemented basketball in TO deserves a redemption tour (plus his $17 mil expires after this season)

the money works for cap reasons as well

[stoneman]

Good signing. Knowledgable basketball mind, good teacher; maybe not the personality to be an effective head coach. Pretty good staff just got better.

[brando]

This is the worst thing that has happened this summer.

I've watched PJ for years and he's nothing but a total and complete jerk. Seeing him berate players at every stop Seton Hall, Golden State, Portland and OKC. It's no wonder Latrell choked him, it's a shock that it ook someone that long to snap on this idiot.

I'm disappointed in this move, especially because of the potential of him someday replacing Jay. If that happens I'll give up my season seats. No question.

How could this happen?

[zarman]

triano out, pj in

[zarman]

pj in, triano out