Former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Mark Jackson has been named the new head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

"After an extensive search and a great deal of consideration, we have come to the conclusion that Mark Jackson is the best coach for this team," Warriors general manager Larry Riley said. "He will bring a youthful and fresh approach to our team and the fact that he enjoyed a stellar playing career, where he served most of that time as the leader of some very successful teams, will prove invaluable in the long run."

Jackson has never coached before but played under five Hall of Fame coaches during his collegiate and professional career.

"We were looking for a coach with leadership ability and a strong personality and believe Mark possesses those qualities," Riley said. "He's very well respected in NBA circles, is a consummate professional and his knowledge and background will be an incredible asset for our team and organization."

Under new owner Joe Lacob, the Warriors have worked to upgrade their management this offseason, following a 36-46 campaign -- the team's 15th losing season over the last 17 years. Golden State recently added NBA legend Jerry West to the team's front office as an adviser and now bring in Jackson.

"I am really elated about this opportunity and I'm looking forward to the challenge of building the Warriors into a perennial contender," Jackson said.

Jackson, who was named the NBA's Rookie of the Year following the 1987-88 season, ranks third on the all-time assists list behind John Stockton and Jason Kidd with 10,334 assists.

Jackson played for seven different teams and averaged 9.6 points and 8 assists over his 17-year NBA career and will take over in Golden State at the conclusion of the NBA Finals.

The man Jackson replaces, Keith Smart

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

More like Keith "Not So" Smart.

Amirite?!?

I am interested in seeing how Jackson does at GS. I have always thought he would make a good head coach.

He seems to know the game. I think he'll preach defense, which would be a bit of a problem for Monta Ellis. I could easily see them butting heads.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

More like Keith "Not So" Smart.

Amirite?!?

Kurt Rambis on way out from Wolves?

The Minnesota Timberwolves have decided to fire coach Kurt Rambis, Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday night, citing league sources.

The Wolves will not officially part ways with Rambis until after Thursday's NBA draft, a source with direct knowledge told ESPN.com's Andy Katz.

Wolves general manager David Kahn didn't return messages left by The Associated Press, and a team spokesman said, "We're not going to comment on speculation."

A source close to Rambis told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that news of Rambis' firing is not true.

The Wolves have the No. 2 pick in the draft. Minnesota is still considering a number of trade options but hasn't decided yet and still is debating whether to draft Derrick Williams or Enes Kanter at No. 2, assuming Kyrie Irving goes No. 1 to Cleveland, sources told Katz.

Kahn and Rambis met for six hours last week, with Kahn asking his coach what he would change after posting a 32-132 record in two seasons. Rambis has two years left on his contract.

Minnesota is gathering information on University of Washington coach Lorenzo Romar as a candidate to replace Rambis, Yahoo! reported, but Romar said in a text message to ESPN he was unaware that he was being vetted and no deal is imminent.

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

rpb is wrong. Phil McCracken is useful.

RPB is right. You suck.

The only way to salvage this mess for Minnesota is for them to draft Kyrie Irving, have David Kahn step in as head coach, and trade for Tony Parker

It's been well documented L.A. Clippers' owner Don Sterling has been among the worst owners in pro sports, but what the Minnesota Timberwolves did with Kurt Rambis is very unprofessional and classless. In short, Rambis got a raw deal.

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

How did Rambis get a raw deal? He was terrible in Minnesota.

If you hate Laurence, then don't listen - don't comment. When he co-hosts the B&B show, take that day off ... listen to an old podcast of a Bernstein solo show and jerk off all day.

He literally got a raw deal. He was given the option of staying and coaching or a giant box of steaks. He chose the raw meat.

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

Sources: Pacers to promote Frank Vogel

The Indiana Pacers have scheduled a news conference for Wednesday to announce Frank Vogel's promotion to full-time coach, according to NBA coaching sources.

The long-anticipated move, which will be announced by Pacers president Larry Bird six days into the NBA's first work stoppage since the summer of 1998, leaves the Detroit Pistons as the only team in the league without a coach.

Vogel emerged as the favorite to land the Pacers' job in April, after replacing Jim O'Brien in January and leading the Pacers to their first playoff berth since 2006 as interim coach.

The Indianapolis Star reported two weeks ago that former Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw has agreed to serve as the Pacers' associate head coach, signaling that Vogel's formal appointment was imminent.

"He's going to get every opportunity to have this job," Bird said of Vogel in early June. "What we're doing now is just going through the process. Hopefully it won't take more than a week or two."

After breaking into the league as a video coordinator with the Boston Celtics under Rick Pitino, Vogel worked for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Lakers and the Washington Wizards before joining the Pacers as an assistant under O'Brien. Vogel posted a record of 20-18 over the final 38 games to help the Pacers clinch the No. 8 seed in the East before a five-game exit to Chicago in the first round of the playoffs.

The Pistons, meanwhile, have five known candidates for their opening. Former NBA coaches Mike Woodson and Lawrence Frank have interviewed for the job, as have current NBA assistants Kelvin Sampson, Bill Laimbeer and Patrick Ewing.

Yahoo! Sports reported on the eve of the NBA draft that the Minnesota Timberwolves have decided to fire Kurt Rambis after two seasons. But no definitive declaration about Rambis' status has been announced by the Wolves.

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

Rambis now officially out in Minnesota. There's talk of them interviewing Bernie Bickerstaff. Measurements of Championship banners are also being done.