Charlotte sends Gerald Wallace to Trail Blazers for Joel Przybilla, forwards Dante Cunningham and Sean Marks

(NBA) Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has acquired center Joel Przybilla, forwards Dante Cunningham and Sean Marks, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Gerald Wallace.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one that we thought was in the best interest of our franchise for the long term," Higgins said. "We are receiving two first-round draft picks that will help us build for our future, while also opening up opportunities for our young players and receiving pieces that will help us remain competitive in our push to make the playoffs this season. In addition, the contracts we acquired will provide us with additional financial flexibility moving forward."

A 7-1 center, Przybilla was selected by Houston with the ninth overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft before having his rights traded to Milwaukee. In 548 NBA games with Milwaukee, Atlanta and Portland, he holds career averages of 4.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, while connecting on .556 from the field. Przybilla has also appeared in 10 career postseason games with the Bucks and Trail Blazers. This season, he has appeared in 31 games (nine starts) with averages of 1.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.4 minutes.

Cunningham, a 6-8 forward, was selected by Portland with the 33rd overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. He completed his rookie season with averages of 3.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.2 minutes in 63 games. In 56 games this season (nine starts) he has posted averages of 5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 19.8 minutes.

The 6-10 Marks was chosen by New York with the 44th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. The first native New Zealander to play in the NBA, Marks has appeared in 230 career games with Toronto, Miami, San Antonio, Phoenix, New Orleans and Portland with averages of 2.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in 9.9 minutes. During the 2004-05 season, he captured his first NBA Championship as a member of the Spurs.

Wallace was chosen by the Bobcats in the Charlotte Expansion Selection on June 22, 2004. He appeared in 454 games for Charlotte, with averages of 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks in 36.8 minutes. He became the first Bobcats player to be named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team in 2010 and All-Defensive First Team following the 2009-10 season. He finishes his Bobcats career as the franchise’s all-time leader in games and minutes played, points, steals, defensive rebounds, field goals, field goals attempted, free throws and free throws attempted.

"We’d like to thank Gerald Wallace for all of his contributions to this organization both on and off the floor," Higgins said. "He has been the face of this franchise for seven seasons and helped lead us to our first-ever playoff berth. His heart, passion and love for the game will be missed and we wish him continued success."

In addition, the Bobcats have waived guard Sherron Collins and forward Dominic McGuire in order to create the requisite number of roster spots.

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Bobcats remove Paul Silas' interim tag, give him extension

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Bobcats removed the interim tag from coach Paul Silas on Wednesday, rewarding him with a one-year extension after he helped get Charlotte into playoff contention following a miserable start under Larry Brown.

"It's a very exciting day for me knowing I'll be here this year and next year and have a chance to really make this team special," Silas said at a news conference. "There's a long way to go, but we're getting there."

Owner Michael Jordan's decision comes less than two months after he fired Brown following Charlotte's 9-19 start that left a fractured team. Guard Stephen Jackson said a change was needed because "nobody wanted to play" for the demanding Brown, who had routinely criticized his players.

The 67-year-old Silas brought a calming influence and a more uptempo, free-flowing style. He's led the Bobcats to a 15-13 mark to get within one game of the Indiana Pacers for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

ilas believes the Bobcats have a "very good shot" at making the postseason for the second straight season.

"My main goal when I took this job was to change the atmosphere, change the attitude and make the team more confident," Silas said. "I think we've begun to accomplish those goals."

Silas had been out of the NBA for five years and survived a health scare two years ago that left him with life-threatening blood clots. Healthy again, he's been able to turn a temporary position into a permanent job for the second time in Charlotte with two franchises.

Silas was interim coach of the Charlotte Hornets in 1999 after Dave Cowens quit before getting the job full-time. Silas pulled off the feat again with the Bobcats, although he received just a one-year extension through the 2011-12 season.

"I think from ownership on down, we want to give Paul every opportunity to be successful, he and his staff," general manager Rod Higgins said. "But by the same token, we see the short term improvement."

Silas said he has no problems getting only a one-year commitment.

"That wasn't a concern at all or I wouldn't have taken the job with the interim tag," Silas said. "Now that we've got another year, that's a blessing as far as I'm concerned. It gives us more stability. The players understand now that we're going to be around at least the rest of this year and one more year and they have to buy in."

Several players have blossomed under Silas' guidance, including point guard D.J. Augustin and shooting guard Gerald Henderson. Charlotte also has wins over the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers in the past two weeks.

Higgins said Silas has been "a joy to work with." Silas has won over his players, too, despite being out of coaching since the Cleveland Cavaliers fired him in 2005.

"Most coaches that take over as an interim don't have a winning record because the players know that he is temporary, mostly. They don't listen and it's a downer," Silas said. "But here I came in and established the way we wanted to play.

"I think the main thing is the players changed the way they were playing. From walking the ball up the court to running it up, establishing themselves shooting the basketball much better and having some fun playing."

Silas, a bruising rebounder who played 16 seasons in the NBA, acknowledged there was a time he never thought he'd coach again.

Silas developed blood clots in his left leg in 2008 that led to a six-week stay in intensive care in which he said he "nearly died twice." Blood thinners helped eliminate the clots, but Silas had to turn down an interview offer from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009 because of his health.

Silas said he turned the corner about a year ago, but wouldn't have taken any other job because he was living in a home north of Charlotte. Silas still walks slowly and uses a special chair on the bench with arms that help him stand and sit.

"I know that was a concern of Mike and Rod," Silas said of his health. "I haven't had any problems at all. If problems arise, we'll have to make some decisions."

Silas indicated he has a good relationship with Jordan, who hasn't publicly answered questions on his decision to fire Brown. Jordan also didn't attend Wednesday's news conference.

But Jordan, who has a checkered history as an executive, has been more active around the team of late as he neared a decision on Silas. Jordan even practiced with the team last week.

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Miami Heat trio wins a new with win over the struggling Charlotte Bobcats

(NBA) Team USA's Olympic Champion stars Lebron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh are making the Heat look like the best team in the Eastern Conference.

The early season struggles of the new-look Miami Heat are well and truly behind them with the club thrashing the struggling Bobcats in Charlotte 96-82 for their ninth triumph in 10 games.

James had 38 points and nine rebounds against Charlotte and Wade contributed 31 points and 11 boards.

"We're having a blast," James said.

"We're having a good time. We're playing good basketball."

Bosh added 11 points and four rebounds as Miami improved to 27-9 and dropped Charlotte to 11-21.

Charlotte, who recently replaced Larry Brown with former Charlotte Hornets coach Paul Silas, lost their Senegalese center DeSagana Diop for the season because of a ruptured right Achilles tendon in their recent defeat to Golden State.

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