Warriors’ Mullin Is Given a Promotion

Chris Mullin, one of the most popular players in Golden State Warrior history, was promoted to executive vice president of basketball operations Thursday by the team.

Garry St. Jean was stripped of his title as general manager and will be reassigned. Mullin has been groomed as a special assistant to St. Jean for two seasons since retiring as a player.

“I feel like this team is right on the cusp of doing some good things,” said Mullin, who played 13 of his 16 seasons with Golden State. “I feel honored to be the person chosen to lead that.”

The Warriors have missed the playoffs for an NBA-worst 10 consecutive seasons and Coach Eric Musselman is expected to be fired after a 37-45 season.

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Portland Trail Blazer forward Zach Randolph won the most-improved-player award after more than doubling his averages for points (20.1), rebounds (10.5) and assists (2.0).

Randolph, who averaged 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists last season, earned 59 first-place votes and 379 points in voting by sports writers and broadcasters to beat out Cleveland Cavalier forward Carlos Boozer (166 points) and Memphis Grizzly forward James Posey (137).

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Indiana Pacer forward Jermaine O’Neal missed practice because of a sinus infection but was probable for tonight’s Game 3 at Boston.

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Milwaukee Buck rookie point guard T.J. Ford is expected to have surgery to deal with the bruised spinal cord that has sidelined him since February.

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New Jersey Net forward Kenyon Martin taped the back page of a newspaper with the headline “Whiny Tim” to his jersey during Thursday’s shoot-around in a dig at New York Knick forward Tim Thomas.

Martin also mocked and challenged Thomas, who criticized his own teammates and called Martin a phony tough guy.

“He knows where to find me.” Martin said. “Lock me and him in a room together and see who comes out.”

A league spokesman said NBA vice president Stu Jackson was monitoring the situation.

Thomas hasn’t played since being flagrantly fouled by Net center Jason Collins in Game 1, taking a hard fall and bruising his hip, lower back and ankle.