Warriors Hire Carlesimo, Fire GM

The Golden State Warriors ended one job search Thursday and immediately began another, hiring P.J. Carlesimo as their new coach even as General Manager Dave Twardzik was fired.

Carlesimo, fired last month after three seasons as coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, succeeded Rick Adelman, the man he also followed in Portland.

Carlesimo, who guided the Trail Blazers to winning seasons and three consecutive playoff berths, was fired after a 49-33 record and a first-round playoff loss to the Lakers.

Terms of his five-year contract were not disclosed.

Twardzik, hired in May 1995, was on shaky ground because of questionable personnel moves and consecutive losing seasons during his tenure. He had hired Adelman, and when team owner Chris Cohan fired the coach April 28, he said Twardzik’s performance would be evaluated in the coming weeks and told him to help in the search for a replacement for Adelman.

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Shawn Kemp, unhappy with his contract and fed up with the atmosphere surrounding the team, says he is through playing for the Seattle SuperSonics.

“It’s been so negative there in the city over the last couple of years. It would be impossible for me to be in that situation again,” he told ESPN. “I would never let myself go back there to play another 82-game season in Seattle. I think the team deserves better and the fans deserve better. I think it’s time for us to get a new start.”

NBA Notes

Charlotte Hornet center Vlade Divac had surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left wrist and should be ready for training camp this fall. . . . Julius Erving, 47, was hired as executive vice president of the Orlando Magic. He will help set strategic business plans, serve as a liaison between management and players and work on player development.