Blazers extend McMillan's contract

PORTLAND, Ore., March 8 (UPI) -- Portland Trail Blazers Coach Nate McMillan has had his contract with the NBA extended through the 2012-13 season, the team said Tuesday.

McMillan, 46, is in his sixth season with Portland, which is 36-27 this season, good enough for sixth in the Western Conference. His overall coaching record at Portland is 234-239.

Financial terms of the deal weren't announced. McMillan's contract was to have expired after this season.

"With his NBA and USA Basketball track record, Nate has established himself as one of the premier minds in the game of basketball," said Portland General Manager Rich Cho. "What Nate has accomplished in the last few years is truly remarkable and getting his contract extended was a top priority for the franchise and me."

"I'm very excited to have the opportunity to finish what we started," McMillan said. "Portland is home for me now and I greatly appreciate the bond between the fans and this basketball team. It's a very special place to be and it's the only place I want to be."

Prior to taking over the Trail Blazers before the 2005-06 season, McMillan had coached Seattle for five seasons. His combined coaching record is 446-442. He appeared in 796 NBA games -- all for Seattle -- as a player, averaging 5.9 points, 6.1 assists and 4 rebounds a game.