Briefs: Hammond to take GM reins for Bucks

BOSTON -- The Milwaukee Bucks have hired Detroit Pistons vice president John Hammond as their new general manager.

"He is a proven NBA talent who has played an essential role in a winning NBA organization," Bucks owner Herb Kohl said in a release distributed during the third quarter of Friday night's game in Boston. "We look forward to John's contributions to our franchise."

The move had been expected, with opposing coach Doc Rivers of the Celtics letting it slip before the game. Told that the Bucks hadn't even made it official yet, Rivers said, "It's official. So, let's make it official."

Detroit won at least 50 games in all seven seasons Hammond was by the side of GM Joe Dumars, with six division titles, five straight appearances in the Eastern Conference finals and an NBA title in 2004.

"I had the pleasure of working under one of the best executives in the game today in Joe Dumars, and I thank him for the opportunity he gave me to be a part of Detroit's winning tradition," Hammond said. "The Bucks are a history-rich franchise with amazing fans and I look forward to the challenge of bringing a championship back to Milwaukee."

Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak said before Friday night's game that he hadn't heard the news, but that it wouldn't be a surprise to him. Full story

Charge dropped against Stoudamire

TUCSON, Ariz. -- A long-running marijuana possession case against NBA player Damon Stoudamire has been dismissed.

Stoudamire's Tucson lawyer said all charges have been dismissed with prejudice and cannot be refiled.

The misdemeanor possession case took more than 4½ years to conclude, including two appeals to the Arizona Supreme Court.

Under a settlement agreement with the Pima County Attorney's office, Stoudamire successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program and urine tests proving he was drug-free.

Denver re-signs Jones

DENVER -- Swingman Bobby Jones signed with the Denver Nuggets for the remainder of the season.

Jones averaged 3.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 45 games with five different teams this season, including 23 games for the Nuggets, who waived him Jan. 7.

Jones then signed 10-day contracts with Memphis, Houston, Miami and San Antonio.

He played in Philadelphia last season after the 76ers acquired his rights in a draft night trade with Minnesota. He averaged 2.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 44 games last year.

Woman ordered to stay away from Jordan

PITTSBURGH -- A woman must abide by a previous restraining order to avoid contact with former NBA star Michael Jordan and stop using litigation regarding the order to claim he fathered her child.

Crawford County Judge Gordon Miller issued the ruling Thursday in response to motions filed this month by Lisa Miceli, 35, of Meadville, Pa., who was acting as her own attorney.

"This is not a paternity suit nor a (child) support action," Miller said in an eight-page opinion.

Miceli claims Jordan fathered her 4-year-old son. In the harassment suit Jordan filed in February, seeking to keep Miceli away from him, the former Chicago Bulls star says a pair of 2005 paternity tests proved he was not the boy's father.