Army general to oversee league officiating

From wire reports

July 2, 2008

The NBA hired Army Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Johnson yesterday as senior vice president of referee operations, a newly created position to help strengthen the league's officiating programs after the Tim Donaghy scandal.

The move splits executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson's role into two positions. Johnson will oversee all aspects of officiating, and Jackson will continue to handle all other domestic and international basketball matters.

Johnson recently retired after 32 years of service as a combat engineer.

NBA commissioner David Stern defended his officials last month after Donaghy's accusations of misconduct, including helping the league manipulate playoff results in 2002 and 2005. The former referee is scheduled to be sentenced this month for betting on games he officiated and taking cash payoffs from gambling associates.

• Hornets // Chris Paul's agent, Lance Young, plans to travel to New Orleans today to complete a contract extension that would keep the All-Star point guard with the Hornets for an additional three to five years.

• Clippers // Team president Andy Roeser said Los Angeles wants to keep forward Elton Brand and guard Corey Maggette, each of whom has opted out of the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.

• Et cetera // Guard Jose Calderon wrote on his Web site that he reached a "preliminary agreement" to remain with the Raptors for another season. ... The Trail Blazers have reached an agreement to sign Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez. ... The Bobcats have declined to pick up a team option on the contract of forward Othella Harrington.

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Army general to oversee league officiating

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Army general to oversee league officiating

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