Bickerstaff May Give Up Coaching

Charlotte Coach Bernie Bickerstaff acknowledged on the final day of the regular season that he’s seriously considering stepping down as coach to become the team’s full-time general manager.

Bickerstaff, 61, has held both roles since he was hired by the expansion team three years ago. The Bobcats went 18-64 in their inaugural season and finished 26-56 this season.

“I would be wrong if I said I hadn’t thought about it,” Bickerstaff said Wednesday.

He said he’ll make a decision after the season when he’s calmed down emotionally.

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Allen Iverson and Chris Webber apologized for their actions Tuesday when they didn’t arrive to the arena until just before tip-off and then didn’t sit on the bench during the Philadelphia 76ers’ victory over New Jersey.

Both were on the bench for Wednesday’s season-ending loss at Charlotte, and Coach Maurice Cheeks blamed the episode on a lack of communication.

Team officials also said they should have informed the media and fans the two would not play on Fan Appreciation Night.

“I definitely wasn’t trying to disrespect Mo in any way, or the fans, as everybody is talking about,” Iverson said referring to Cheeks.

Players are required to arrive 90 minutes before the game.

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Adam Silver, president of NBA Entertainment, was named deputy commissioner, replacing Russ Granik as the league’s No. 2 man behind David Stern.

Silver, 43, was elected unanimously during the Board of Governors meetings and will assume the job July 1. Silver will retain his responsibilities with NBA Entertainment, which he has run for more than eight years.

Granik said in October that he would step down after this season, his 30th with the league and 22nd in his current job.

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The Boston Celtics announced a lease extension that will keep the team at the TD Banknorth Garden through the 2020-21 season.