Malik Rose and Speedy Claxton, who each won two America East Player of the Year Awards, find themselves as teammates this season with the San Antonio Spurs as the NBA season begins.
Rose and Claxton combined for 29 points, 16 rebounds and five assists Tuesday as the Spurs defeated the defending World Champion Los Angeles Lakers, 87-82, at the Staples Center.
Rose had 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Spurs in both scoring and rebounding. Claxton added 13 points, five rebounds and a team-high four assists in 27 minutes off the bench.
Former America East Player of the Year Vin Baker, a four-time NBA All-Star, begins his career with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
Rick Carlisle, the America East (then ECAC North) Rookie of the Year in 1980, begins his second season as head coach of the Detroit Pistons. Carlisle was the NBA Coach of the Year in 2001-02. Jim Boylen, who was a first-team all-conference selection at Maine in 1986-87, begins his ninth season as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets under Rudy Tomjanovich.