2014 June | Hoops Rumors

Kristaps Porzingis Withdraws From Draft

June 15th, 2014 at 9:28pm CST by Zachary Links

In a surprising development, 7-footer Kristaps Porzingis has withdrawn from this month’s draft, agent Andy Miller told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Porzingis was looking like a first round prospect with a reported promise from the Thunder at No. 21. International players have until Monday to withdraw from the draft.

Porzingis, 18, had a chance to be a top-20 pick in the draft, but he apparently believes he can go even higher in the 2015 draft. He’s a versatile and offensively gifted forward and DraftExpress had him pegged at No. 15 in their latest mock draft. Instead of making the jump to the NBA, Porzingis will return to Sevilla in the elite Spanish ACB League.

Hoops Links: Buford, Draft, Melo, Raptors

June 15th, 2014 at 9:05pm CST by Zachary Links

On this date in 2001, the Lakers defeated the 76ers 108-96 in Game 5 of NBA Finals 2001, completing the most dominating playoff run in NBA history. The Lakers posted a 15-1 record and .937 winning percentage in NBA Playoffs 2001, both NBA records. Shaquille O’Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the second consecutive season, joining Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win consecutive NBA Finals MVP awards.

Got a great basketball blog post that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Send it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere…

NBADraft.net says R.C. Buford is the Spurs’ secret to success.
Six Championship Drive scouts DeAndre Daniels.
Sports of Boston looks at Aaron Gordon.
Legion Report turns in their latest mock draft.
Posting And Toasting wonders if Carmelo Anthony leaving could benefit Derek Fisher.
RaptorsHQ runs down ten prospects they’d like to see Toronto check out.
Indy Cornrows takes a fresh look at Lance Stephenson.
Blog A Bull talks Chicago and Kevin Love.

Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.

Poll: Will Duncan, Ginobili, And Popovich All Return?

June 15th, 2014 at 6:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Spurs could be on the verge of winning their fifth franchise NBA championship and we still can’t help but harp on next season. Such is the bizarre nature of sports and the mindset of the sports fan. Rather than enjoy a beautiful and clear 80 degree sunny day, we want to know if there’s rain in the forecast for tomorrow.

We’ve heard the chatter all season long of will they/won’t they regarding Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and everyone’s favorite interview curmudgeon Gregg Popovich. In the last week, we got some news – we think – on which way everyone is leaning. Popovich, 65, says that he’s still full of energy and hopes to coach beyond this season. Ginobili told NBA Inside Stuff that he hopes to play for one or two more years. Tim Duncan, who indicated that he’s got a “couple” of seasons left in the tank not long ago, seems to be waffling somewhat, telling reporters this week that while he’s leaning towards a return in 2014/15, nothing is decided.

The outcome of this year’s Finals won’t influence LeBron James‘ decision but it could, in theory, weigh in for the Spurs’ aging trio. As we gear up for Game 5, how do you feel about the chances of Duncan, Ginobili, and Popovich all coming back for an encore in 2014/15?

Hoops Rumors Originals

June 15th, 2014 at 5:34pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s this week’s look back at the original analysis generated by the Hoops Rumors staff this week..

Chuck Myron looked at the offseason ahead for the Suns.
I looked at the Kings offseason and the moves they can make to improve in the short-term.
Chuck says the Bucks need to take baby steps.
Here’s how you can follow specific players on Hoops Rumors.
Here’s a look at the best recent feedback.
A refresher on the minimum salary exception.

Week In Review: 6/9/14 – 6/15/14

June 15th, 2014 at 3:45pm CST by Zachary Links

There was talk this offseason that Carmelo Anthony could opt in to his deal with the Knicks rather than test the open market, but reports this week indicated that he plans to opt out and is leaning toward leaving New York. The All-Star forward is said to have his eye on the Bulls and Rockets and Phil Jackson & Co. are having their doubts about his commitment to the blue-and-orange. Here’s this week’s look back at the NBA:

The Cavs offered the job of president and coach to John Calipari. Cal was said to be tempted but ultimately inked a lucrative new deal with Kentucky.
It’s official: the Knicks have hired Derek Fisher as head coach.
The Heat have their eye on Carmelo Anthony, but Chris Bosh has downplayed such talk.
Meanwhile, the Knicks are trying to sell Melo on the idea that they could make a play for LeBron in 2015.
The outcome of the Finals reportedly won’t affect LeBron James‘ decision to stay or go.
Rod Higgins resigned from the Hornets.
It doesn’t sound like the Wolves will be able to hang on to Kevin Love.
There may be mutual interest between the Pelicans and Andray Blatche.
Joel Anthony will opt in with the Celtics.
The Lakers have identified Kurt Rambis, Alvin Gentry, and Byron Scott as the primary candidates in their search for a head coach. Scott had a second interview with the Lakers.
Sixers swingman Jason Richardson has opted in to the final year of his contract.
The Kings have discussed trading the No. 8 pick to the Hawks and they might have interest in Bucks big man Larry Sanders.
Manu Ginobili wants to keep playing.
As expected, Amar’e Stoudemire declined his early termination option.
The Cavs have interest in Mark Jackson.
It sounds like the Cavs and Lakers are interested in Nate McMillan.
The Mavericks have exercised their team option on Jae Crowder.
The Cavs will talk with Mark Price.
A report indicated that Mikhail Prokhorov is listening to offers to sell the Nets.
Tyronn Lue got a second interview with the Cavs.
The NBA is getting ready to countersue Donald Sterling.
The Heat are likely to sign 2013 second-round pick James Ennis.
The Pacers, Raptors, Jazz and Cavs are among several NBA teams considering Spanish league power forward Damjan Rudez.
The Jazz will have a one-to-one affiliation with the D-League’s Idaho Stampede.
The Cavs will interview David Blatt. The Warriors are the only other team left in the race.

Ginobili Plans To Play ‘One [Or] Two More Years’

June 15th, 2014 at 1:45pm CST by Zachary Links

The Spurs are far from finished and the same can be said of Manu Ginobili‘s career. The 36-year-old recently sat down with NBA Inside Stuff and told host Kristen Ledlow (video link) that he expects to play “one, two more years”.

There’s been retirement talk surrounding both Ginobili and teammate Tim Duncan all season long. Duncan previously made it known that he could see himself playing for a “couple” more years but indicated this week that nothing has been decided. If everything goes according to plan, however, it sounds like we’ll be able to enjoy the core of Duncan, Ginobili, and Tony Parker through the 2015/16 season. Assuming the elder statesmen stick around, the only variable left will be re-signing the trio to new contracts. All three are set to hit the open market after the 2014/15 season. Coach Gregg Popovich, 65, figures to stay in the mix as well as he has said that he’d like to continue beyond this year.

In 68 regular season games this year, Ginobili averaged 12.3 PPG and 4.3 APG and posted a PER of 20.0. He’s stepped it up even more in the postseason, helping to bring the Spurs within one game of their fifth NBA title.

And-Ones: NBPA, Anthony, Bower

June 15th, 2014 at 12:42pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Kevin Johnson sent out a memo to the players regarding the search for the next head of the National Basketball Players Association, reports Sam Amick of USA Today. In the memo, Johnson informed the players that six candidates were interviewed on May 16th, with more scheduled for late June, and six more in mid-July. The names of the candidates were not made public yet.

Western Notes: Tucker, Draft, Spurs

June 15th, 2014 at 11:38am CST by Eddie Scarito

P.J. Tucker is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, but is expected to be back with the Suns, writes Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic. Speaking about the free agent process, Tucker said, “It’s always kind of crazy. You don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t think teams know all the time when another team is going to jump out there. I’m excited to go through it. I don’t know what their (the Suns’) direction is. I know I had great years and that they like me, but they might look another direction. It’s a business. Always has been, always will be. Maybe they draft a player who they think can do what I do at my position. Maybe they move on, maybe they don’t. I don’t know. I’m excited to see, though.“

Draft Notes: Hornets, Celtics, Saric

June 15th, 2014 at 10:43am CST by Eddie Scarito

With the Hornets looking to add some scoring out of the small forward position, two of their prime targets might be Doug McDermott and T.J. Warren, writes Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. Bonnell compares and contrasts the two players and how they might fit in on the Hornets roster.

More draft rumblings:

Greek forward Michalis Kamperidis will keep his name in the NBA draft, reports Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (hat tip to Giorgos Dimitropoulos). Kamperidis averaged 8.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 2.0 APG for Filathlitikos last season.
Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald looks at the Celtics options with the sixth and 17th picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Croatian NBA prospect Dario Saric doesn’t have any team workouts scheduled ahead of the draft, reports David Pick of Eurobasket.com (Twitter link).
Joe Kaiser of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) looks at the NBA prospects of Thanasis Antetokounmpo, brother of the Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the next bane of arena and television announcers across the league.

Pacers, Raps, Jazz, Cavs Monitor Damjan Rudez

June 15th, 2014 at 9:30am CST by Chuck Myron

SUNDAY, 9:30am: The Cavs are working on a deal to sign Rudez, writes David Pick of Eurobasket.com (Twitter link).

WEDNESDAY, 3:44pm: The Pacers, Raptors, Jazz and Cavs are among several NBA teams considering Spanish league power forward Damjan Rudez as a free agent addition this summer, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Rudez has been working out with the Cavs this week, and while many teams audition free agents this year with only summer league in mind, it appears there’s a higher level of interest in Rudez.

The 27-year-old Rudez averaged 10.7 points in 24.7 minutes per game for CAI Zaragoza in Spain this year, but what has NBA types intrigued is the 47.3% three-point shooting stroke he displayed this year, as Wojnarowski details. He’s 6’8″, somewhat undersized for a power forward, but his outside shooting stretches the floor.

Wojnarowski identifies him as a low-cost option for NBA clubs, though the widespread interest suggests he’d be in line for more than the minimum salary. He’s under contract in Spain for next season, and while he has an NBA escape clause in his deal, it’s unclear just how much it would take to buy him out.

Month: November 2024