American basketball player (born 1977)
James Mikely Mantell Posey Jr.
(born January 13, 1977) is an American professional
basketball
coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the
Washington Wizards
of the
National Basketball Association
(NBA). He played the
small forward
position for the
Denver Nuggets
, the Memphis Grizzlies, the
Miami Heat
, the
Boston Celtics
, the
New Orleans Hornets
, and the
Indiana Pacers
. Posey won NBA championships as a member of the
2006 Miami Heat
and the
2008 Boston Celtics
.
College career
[
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]
After attending High School in
Twinsburg, Ohio
, Posey came to
Xavier University
in the 1995?96 season, but under Prop 48 rules, was ineligible, so sat out his freshman year. Posey ranks 16th on Xavier's all-time scoring list with 1,455 points and 10th on Xavier's all-time rebounding list with 801. Posey led XU in rebounding in each of his three seasons as a Musketeer. Posey earned a long list of honors while at Xavier, including the 1998
Atlantic 10
Championship "Most Outstanding Player" Award in helping XU win its first-ever A-10 Tournament Championship. Posey earned the A-10's "Sixth Man Award" twice and was named 1999 A-10 First Team and 1999 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year. He did all of that while not being a consistent starter in the Xavier lineup, almost always coming off the bench and Posey became well sought after from several sports agents such as
Bill Duffy
,
Andy Miller
,
Craig McKenzie
and
Mark Bartelstein
. With their permission Posey allowed his interviews to be held in front of the media of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
[1]
Professional career
[
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]
Denver Nuggets (1999?2002)
[
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]
Posey was selected out of Xavier University by the
Denver Nuggets
with the 18th pick of the
1999 NBA draft
. His rookie season, Posey averaged 8.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game en route to being named to the all-rookie second team.
[2]
On December 22, 2001, Posey scored a then career-high 33 points during a 105-101 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
[3]
In total, Posey played a little over three seasons with the team.
Houston Rockets (2002?2003)
[
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]
Posey was sent to the
Houston Rockets
in a three-team deal also involving the
Philadelphia 76ers
on December 18, 2002.
Memphis Grizzlies (2003?2005)
[
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]
After finishing the season with the Rockets, Posey signed with the
Memphis Grizzlies
as a
free agent
in the 2003 off-season.
On March 29, 2004, Posey scored a career-high 38 points, including making a three-point shot to force a second overtime, during a 136-133 win against the
Atlanta Hawks
.
[4]
Miami Heat (2005?2007)
[
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]
On August 2, 2005, Posey was involved in the largest trade in
NBA
history, which involved 13 players and five different teams. Through this trade, the
Miami Heat
acquired
point guard
Jason Williams
, forward
Antoine Walker
,
shooting guard
Andre Emmett
, and the draft rights to
Roberto Duenas
. The
Memphis Grizzlies
received
shooting guard
Eddie Jones
, and point guard
Raul Lopez
. Boston, who dealt Walker to the Heat, received a package that included
Qyntel Woods
, the draft rights to
Albert Miralles
, two second-round draft picks, and cash. The
Boston Celtics
also picked up
Curtis Borchardt
. Utah was able to acquire
center
Greg Ostertag
, and the
New Orleans Hornets
acquired
small forward
Rasual Butler
and shooting guard
Kirk Snyder
. Posey averaged 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in
2005?06
.
After that somewhat disappointing regular season with Miami, Posey performed much better in the playoffs than expected. He had been a starter during the regular season, but head coach
Pat Riley
made the change of having Posey come off the bench for the playoffs. As the Heat's
sixth man
, Posey was able to average 11.8 points per game on 48.8% shooting against Miami's first-round opponent, the
Chicago Bulls
. Against Miami's second-round opponent, the
New Jersey Nets
, Posey was forced to play defense, particularly guarding
Vince Carter
or
Richard Jefferson
. Although Posey's scoring dropped, his defense was said to have been the key to the Heat's advancement into the conference finals.
Posey again had to focus on defense against Miami's third-round opponent, the
Detroit Pistons
, particularly guarding
Richard Hamilton
,
Tayshaun Prince
, and even sometimes
Chauncey Billups
or
Rasheed Wallace
. Posey's defense was able to take the pressure off of Miami's scorers like
Dwyane Wade
,
Jason Williams
and
Antoine Walker
so that they could focus on their strengths on the offensive end.
In the
2006 NBA Finals
against the
Dallas Mavericks
, Posey was a key factor on both ends of the court. Defensively, he, along with
Udonis Haslem
, provided tough defense on the Mavericks All-Star,
Dirk Nowitzki
. He also guarded
Josh Howard
, who had caused problems for Miami when Antoine Walker was guarding him. On the offensive end, Posey played a huge role in knocking down shots as a result of Miami's All-Stars, Wade and
Shaquille O'Neal
, being double-teamed and needing to pass the ball. In Game 4 of the Finals, Posey was very impressive in Miami's blowout, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. In Game 6, Posey hit a huge shot to give Miami an 87?81 advantage with four minutes remaining; Miami would win the game 95?92. Posey averaged 7.3 points and 6 rebounds in the Finals.
On July 1, 2006, Posey exercised his $6.4 million contract option, opting not to become a free agent.
[5]
He only played in 4 playoff games in the 2006?07 season, because the Heat were eliminated in the first round.
Boston Celtics (2007?2008)
[
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]
On August 25, 2007, Posey signed with the
Boston Celtics
, adding to their revamped roster, including newcomers
Kevin Garnett
and
Ray Allen
. Terms of the deal were roughly $6.67 million over 2 years, with the second year being Posey's option.
[6]
In the
2008 NBA Finals
, Posey would win his second NBA championship, once again helping his team with tough defense and timely baskets at crunch time. On June 30, 2008, in a widely anticipated move,
[7]
Posey opted out of the second and final year of his contract with the Celtics and became an
unrestricted free agent
,
[8]
but had stated that he wanted to return to the Celtics on a new contract.
[7]
New Orleans Hornets (2008?2010)
[
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]
On July 16, 2008, Posey signed with the
New Orleans Hornets
, accepting a four-year deal worth about $25 million.
[9]
Indiana Pacers (2010?2011)
[
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]
On August 11, 2010, New Orleans sent Posey, along with
Darren Collison
, to the Pacers in a four-team, five-player trade with the
New Jersey Nets
and the
Houston Rockets
.
[10]
On December 12, 2011, Posey was amnestied by the Pacers.
[11]
Coaching career
[
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]
In September 2013, Posey was hired by the
Canton Charge
as an assistant coach for the 2013?14 season.
[12]
On August 19, 2014, Posey was hired by the
Cleveland Cavaliers
as an assistant coach for the 2014?15 season.
[13]
In his second season with the Cavaliers, the team earned the
2016 NBA Finals
Championship over the 73-win
Golden State Warriors
.
On July 26, 2022, Posey was hired by the
Washington Wizards
as an assistant coach.
[14]
Media career
[
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]
James Posey currently has a weekly Podcast titled “The Posecast" on the
Basketballnews.com
Podcast Network where he's joined by his former teammates and people from around the NBA. He also writes weekly articles for the site focused on the
NBA
.
[15]
[16]
Controversies
[
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]
Incidents against Chicago Bulls
[
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]
As a member of the Miami Heat, Posey had been involved in several controversial incidents with the Chicago Bulls.
In Game 3 of the
Chicago Bulls ? Miami Heat
first round match
Kirk Hinrich
was moving down the court when Posey hit Hinrich with a hard shoulder block knocking Hinrich down to the floor, was called for a Flagrant-2 Foul, and was ejected from the game. When asked about the shot to Hinrich, Posey responded, "I was just trying to get back on defense and cut the ball off." "He didn't see me and that's how collisions happen. That's all it was." When asked if he thought Posey was looking for trouble, Hinrich said, "I don't know. Maybe he was. I guess he just wanted to make a hard foul. Sometimes that's part of the game." The shot would also lead to Posey getting suspended for 1 game.
[17]
In the season opener of the
2006?07 NBA season
, Posey was involved with another incident with Bulls rookie
Tyrus Thomas
, who was going for the rebound, was hit in the face by Posey which led to Thomas having his nose broken and missing a few games, and having to wear a protective mask for multiple games.
[18]
In this, his third incident with the Bulls at the
United Center
, Posey was ejected from the game with 7:16 remaining in the fourth quarter on December 27, 2006.
Luol Deng
, who attempted a layup, was fouled by Posey in mid-air. Deng fell hard on his wrist, which he had had surgery on just a year earlier, but it was not broken. Posey was called for a flagrant-2 foul and ejected. Posey was suspended for 1 game as a result of his infraction.
[19]
Personal life
[
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]
Posey has one son, Jace Posey, who is a guard/small forward at
Strake Jesuit High School
in Houston, Texas, a 4-star recruit of the Class of 2023 and committed to play college basketball at TCU.
[20]
In March 2008, Posey's girlfriend gave birth to daughter, Sai Aleke, in the
Washington, D.C. area
.
[21]
On April 9, 2007, Posey was arrested on a DUI charge and was taken to Dade County Jail.
[22]
However, Posey continued playing with the Heat and coach
Pat Riley
stated he would support Posey.
[23]
Posey was suspended for the opener of the
2007?08 season
by NBA commissioner
David Stern
after his no contest plea to reckless driving stemming from the DUI incident.
[24]
NBA career statistics
[
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]
Regular season
[
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]
Playoffs
[
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]
References
[
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]
- ^
Agents court Xavier star
- ^
James Posey
- ^
Issel takes leave, and so do Nuggets
- ^
NBA: Memphis 136, Atlanta 133 (2OT)
- ^
Posey Will Stay With Heat
- ^
HoopsHype ? NBA Salaries ? Boston Celtics
- ^
a
b
Chris Forsberg,
Posey to opt out today
,
The Boston Globe
, June 30, 2008.
- ^
Marc J. Spears,
Posey out; offer to Allen?
,
The Boston Globe
, June 30, 2008.
- ^
ESPN ? Posey agrees to four-year deal with Hornets ? NBA
- ^
"Pacers get Collison from Hornets in 4-team trade"
.
NBA.com
. August 11, 2010. Archived from
the original
on August 15, 2010
. Retrieved
August 11,
2010
.
- ^
"Indiana Pacers Waive James Posey Under Amnesty Clause"
.
SI.com
. December 12, 2011
. Retrieved
December 12,
2011
.
- ^
James Posey Added as Charge Assistant Coach
- ^
Cavs Complete Coaching Staff
- ^
"Wizards name Posey as assistant coach"
.
NBA
. Retrieved
July 26,
2022
.
- ^
"James Posey Basketball News"
.
basketballnews.com
. Basketball News
. Retrieved
February 19,
2021
.
- ^
"NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin Launches New Podcast with BasketballNews.com"
.
apnews.com
. Associated Press
. Retrieved
February 19,
2021
.
- ^
"Suspended for Game 4, Posey won't back down"
. findarticles.com. Archived from
the original
on November 16, 2007
. Retrieved
April 30,
2006
.
- ^
Hanley, Brian (November 1, 2006).
"Thomas learns breaks of game"
. chicagosuntimes.com. Archived from
the original
on 2007-11-16
. Retrieved
November 1,
2006
.
- ^
"Posey suspended one game for flagrant foul"
.
espn.com
. 29 December 2006
. Retrieved
December 29,
2006
.
- ^
"Jace Posey, Strake Jesuit College Prep , Small Forward"
.
247Sports
.
- ^
Gary Dzen,
Posey a dad
,
The Boston Globe
, March 26, 2008.
- ^
Topic Galleries ? South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
[
permanent dead link
]
- ^
ESPN ? Posey plays in Heat loss a day after DUI arrest ? NBA
- ^
Marc J. Spears,
Physical play pushed limits
,
The Boston Globe
External links
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]
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