Month: November 2024

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 1/28/17

January 28th, 2017 at 10:10pm CST by Austin Kent

Here are the D-League transactions for Saturday:

10:10 pm:

The Bulls have assigned Denzel Valentine to their D-League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, according to a team press release. Valentine has seen action in 27 contests for the NBA club. He’s averaging 3.3 points in 11.9 minutes per game this season.
The Grizzlies have recalled Wade Baldwin from the Iowa Energy, according to the team’s website. Baldwin has appeared in 13 games for the Energy this season and he’s scoring 13.3 points per game.

11:56 am:

The Mavs have recalled Nicolas Brussino from their D-League affiliate, the team has announced via press release. In two separate stints with the Dallas affiliate Texas Legends, Brussino has averaged 16.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
The Jazz have recalled rookie/birthday boy Joel Bolomboy from their D-League affiliate in Salt Lake City. Bolomboy has averaged 15.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game in 14 D-League contests.

Community Shootaround: Midseason Awards

January 28th, 2017 at 9:24pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The 2016/17 season has passed the midway point, which means it’s time to hand out midseason awards. Here are my selections:

Sixth Man Of The Year: Eric Gordon

Gordon came to the Rockets in the offseason and he began the season as the team’s starting shooting guard before being moved to the bench. His scoring has helped the team and his efficiency has been key to their success. He second in the league in three-pointers made this season and he’s knocking down 39.2% of his attempts. Lou Williams is having a phenomenal campaign off the bench for the Lakers this season, but I give the edge to Gordon due to his team’s success.

Most Improved Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Antetokounpo should be rewarded for taking the leap from rising prospect to star player. He’s improved his scoring output from 16.9 points per game last season to 23.4 points per contest this year and he’s done it without sacrificing efficiency. He’s making 52.7% of his shots from the field, which is a career-high, and he’s dishing out a career-high 5.5 assists per game. His player efficiency rating is up t0 27.4, a massive rise over his 18.8 PER last season.

Rookie Of The Year: Joel Embiid

As I detailed in a recent edition of Fantasy Hoops, Embiid is having a monster season. The knock on Embiid is playing time, as 12 other rookies have played more minutes than him this season. Still, this an easy quality over quantity selection for me.

Coach Of The Year: Gregg Popovich

He’s the best.

Defensive Player Of The Year: Rudy Gobert

The Jazz are slightly behind the Warriors for the league’s best defensive efficiency rating and Gobert has been a major reason why. He leads the league in Defensive Win Share among players who’ve seen at least 300 minutes and he also leads the league in ESPN’s Defensive Real Plus/Minus. He probably should have been an All-Star over DeAndre Jordan because of the way he impacts the game, though both have excellent resumes. As for this award, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant both have cases for it, but Gobert gets the nod for me.

Most Valuable Player: James Harden

Selecting a recipient for this award comes down to what you value. Is it traditional stats? Efficiency? Elevating your team in the win column? Being the best player on a championship contender?

Harden checks all of those boxes for me this season.

LeBron James is certainly an acceptable choice here; He’s the best player in the world and the Cavs fall apart when he’s not on the floor. However, he’s not having a season that’s on par with his previous MVP campaigns.

Russell Westbrook is putting up crazy numbers, but James Harden is putting up equally impressive stats. Westbrook is averaging 31.0 points, 10.2 assists and 10.6 rebounds per game while Harden is averaging 29.1 points, 11.6 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game. Harden has the edge in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, free throw percentage and minutes played. Harden also beats out Westbrook in Win Share (10.0 to 6.9) and his team has won seven more games than Westbrook’s on the season.

Overall, there are a number of impressive candidates (don’t be surprised if Kawhi Leonard makes a second half push to plant himself in this conversation for the year-end awards), but Harden’s dominant and efficient game earns him the first half honors.

Do you agree with the selections above or do you have your own picks for the awards? If so, who would you give the award to in each of the six categories? Let us know in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!

Categories:
Community Shootaround

NBA Reaches Out For Clarification On Trump’s Executive Order

January 28th, 2017 at 8:28pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The NBA reached out to the State Department to understand how President Donald Trump’s immigration ban may affect players from impacted nations, as Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today relays via Twitter. Here is the statement from NBA spokesperson Mike Bass:

“We have reached out to the State Department and are in the process of gathering information to understand how the executive order would apply to players in our league who are from one of the impacted countries. The NBA is a global league and we are proud to attract the very best players from around the world.”

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order that restricted immigration from seven countries–Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya and Yemen. The order prevents Syrian refugees from entering the United States and it bans citizens of the aforementioned countries from entering the U.S. regardless of their visa category. There are currently over 30 active protests of the ban at various airports around the country.

The NBA has several players whom could be impacted by this ban. Lakers small forward Luol Deng was born in Sudan and could be impacted. Bucks rookie Thon Maker was also born in Sudan and the team was in Toronto on Friday night before returning stateside, though Zillgitt (Twitter link) reports that Maker had no issues clearing customs with his Australian passport.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr wouldn’t go into specifics about Trump’s ban when asked earlier tonight, but he described what’s going on as “disturbing and disconcerting,” as Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com (Twitter link) relays.

Hoops Rumors offers our condolences for all those who are impacted by the executive order.

Maverick Notes: Draft, Ntilikina, Matthews

January 28th, 2017 at 7:01pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Mavericks currently own the fourth spot in our Reverse Standings, meaning if the season ended today, they would have an 11.2% chance at the No. 1 overall pick. Chad Ford of ESPN.com believes there’s a good chance the team opts to take a point guard with its first round selection. If the franchise ends up picking in the 6-10 range, a source tells Ford that the Mavs are very high on France’s Frank Ntilikina. The scribe hears that Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball are the only point guards higher than Ntilikina on their board.

Here’s more from Dallas:

The Mavs haven’t been successful in the draft in quite some time due to the team trading away first-round picks in foolish deals, Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News writes. Cowlishaw adds that the team hasn’t nailed many of the picks it hasn’t dealt away but he believes this year will be different because of the talent at the top of the draft.
The Mavs should deal Wes Matthews if the price is right, Cowlishaw contends. The scribe also argues that the team should trade Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut for whatever it can get back in return.
Bogut reiterated that he’s not looking to be traded as Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News relays. “My agent said [a trade] probably [is] not going to happen, but I’m not the right guy to ask,” Bogut said. “The only thing I can tell you is I’m not banging on [Mark] Cuban’s door or Donnie’s [Nelson] door asking for a trade, contrary to what was [written] last month.”
Coach Rick Carlisle is pleased with Bogut’s game lately, as Sefko passes along in the same piece. “I really like the way he’s played the last two nights,” Carlisle said. “He’s a big positive when he’s in the game because of his impact defensively, and he’s doing some good things on offense. All in all, I’m very pleased with where he is right now.”

Sixers Notes: Embiid, Noel, Colangelo

January 28th, 2017 at 5:27pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Joel Embiid wasn’t named to the All-Star team this season, but he’s got the attention of executives around the league. One anonymous executive told Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he believes Embiid can eventually become a top-3 player in the NBA.

“He’s a two-shoulder player, meaning when bigs play defense against each other, they choose a shoulder and determine a pivot foot and they guard that way,” the executive said. “You can’t do that against Embiid. He can go either way, off either foot. And the fact that he can hit outside jumpers is incredible. Bigs don’t like guarding that. And, like I said, once he really develops his power game and learns the game and learns himself, oh my God, is he going to be good. I don’t throw around the word superstar, but he’s that – a top-three player in the league down the road, in my mind.”

Another anonymous scout told Cooney that he believes Embiid can become the franchise player for the Sixers due to his love for the game, but the scout cautions that health will still determine the big man’s place in the league.

“The only thing that worries me is health. You can see what kind of playfulness and personality, that’s a big thing with bigs,” the scout said. “A lot are playing only because they are big. It’s rare to get a big that really loves the game and even rarer when he’s not from the United States. Those parameters, that doesn’t align. That’s why, even in the league where the big man is less than an integral part of the game over the past five years, someone like Embiid with his agility, explosiveness and ability to be a force inside, you have to look at like a young [Shaq O’Neal], a bigger [Alonzo Mourning], much more offensively skilled than [Dikembe Mutombo].”

Here’s more from Philadelphia:

Embiid still isn’t playing back-to-backs, though the Sixers are winning games without him on the floor. Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer (video link) credits the team’s ball movement for its success. Ford also believes Nerlens Noel, whom Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors profiled as a trade candidate, has elevated his game over the last few weeks.
Former GM Sam Hinkie will always receive some credit for the Sixers‘ promising future, but ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Mark Jones believes current GM Bryan Colangelo deserves credit for the team’s surprising run, as Jonathan Tannenwald of the Philadelphia Inquirer relays. “The Colangelos in the front office, Bryan in particular, has laid the foundation for things going forward, they’re in a good place right now,” Jones said.

Northwest Notes: Anthony, Kanter, Towns

January 28th, 2017 at 3:57pm CST by Austin Kent

The Thunder are intrigued by the idea of adding Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, tweets Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio, though he also adds that they know such a pairing is a long-shot.

Anthony has been the subject of trade speculation for the last few months. In order for the forward to change teams, however, he would have to first waive his no-trade clause, something that he’s said to have only considered for the Clippers or Cavaliers and not specifically the Thunder.

That said, the possibility of suiting up alongside Russell Westbrook must at least somewhat appeal to the 32-year-old. Westbrook has led the Thunder to a 28-19 record.

There’s more out of the Northwest Division:

After fracturing his forearm while punching a chair, Enes Kanter has undergone successful surgery, writes Royce Young of ESPN. The Thunder big man is still expected to be out of action for 6-8 weeks, but will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Second-year center Karl-Anthony Towns started the year shooting nearly four three-pointers per game. That trend, Michael Rand of the StarTribune notes, has subsided of late. Rand observes that the Timberwolves big man saw his percentage from beyond the arc drop as the season went on and suggests that Towns is now striking a more successful balance between shooting from the outside and going to work down low. Seven of Towns’ highest games scores have come in his last eight game, a span in which he’s shot just 2.0 triples per game.
The unique ability of Nikola Jokic has given the Nuggets flexibility when it comes to generating lineups, writes Nick Kosmider of the Denver Post. His passing ability gives the team plenty of options when executing their offense. “Nikola is a guy we play all over the floor,” says head coach Michael Malone. “He’ll be in the low post. At times he’ll be in the high post and at the elbows. We’ll play through him anywhere.”

Week In Review: 1/21/17 – 1/28/17

January 28th, 2017 at 3:07pm CST by Austin Kent

Tensions have started to boil around the league as club’s set out on the long haul that is the second-half of the NBA season. This week, among locker room drama in the Eastern Conference, several players were brought in on 10-day contracts. Here’s a Week In Review:

News

The D-League will expand to Mississippi in 2017/18, that team being affiliated with and managed by the Grizzlies. Subsequently, the Timberwolves, who have been without any one-to-one affiliation, will affiliate with Memphis’ former affiliate in Iowa.
The Jazz will remain in Utah for generations thanks to the current ownership’s decision to put the team in a legacy trust.
A frustrated LeBron James publicly insisted that the Cavaliers acquire a point guard. (Although the team may be waiting for a reason). The forward has also butted heads with management over the team’s payroll.
A mediocre 2016/17 season could influence Dwyane Wade to look somewhere other than with the Bulls in free agency this summer.
Post-game comments from Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler have caused a stir in the Bulls locker room. The pair questioned the integrity of their teammates. Not long after, point guard Rajon Rondo fired back at the two via a now infamous Instagram post.
After a two-year absence, Larry Sanders is ready to return to basketball. He worked out with the Celtics this week.
With assault charges stemming from an altercation at a nightclub against him, Kings forward Matt Barnes has decided to turn himself in.

Injuries

There was cause for concern when Joel Embiid went down with a bruised knee this week, but the Sixers took the cautious approach with their rookie big man. Embiid took three games off but was back in action on Friday night.
Second-year Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell tweaked his right leg and will spend 1-2 weeks on the sidelines. Russell is said to have strained his calf and sprained his right MCL.
A setback in Jeremy Lin‘s recovery from a hamstring injury could shelf the newly acquired Nets guard for 3-5 more week.
Sidelined since mid-December, Clippers forward Blake Griffin returned to the court this week.
Guard Jodie Meeks will undergo thumb surgery and is out of action for the Magic indefinitely.
While punching a chair in frustration, Thunder big man Enes Kanter fractured his forearm. He’ll be sidelined 6-8 weeks.
After successful Achilles surgery, Kings forward Rudy Gay is expected to be healthy in time for training camp next season.

Rumors

Both the Bulls and Knicks are among teams said to be interested in Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio. One team that isn’t? The Pistons. Head coach Stan Van Gundy vehemently denied reports that Rubio would be dealt for Reggie Jackson.
The Cavaliers have supposedly rejected a deal that would involve them shipping Kevin Love to the Knicks in exchange for Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks are also said to have been in touch with the Clippers and Celtics.
If the Clippers and Knicks were to work out a deal for Carmelo Anthony, as at least one executive expects, Austin Rivers could be involved. The two teams may need to find a third trading partner to make something work, however.
The Celtics and Magic have apparently discussed a trade that would send Nikola Vucevic north.
Two point guards said to be in play for the Cavaliers are Shelvin Mack and Jameer Nelson.

Transactions

The Spurs signed center Joel Anthony to a 10-day contract.
The Nuggets claimed Mo Williams off of waivers. (Why?)
The Mavs signed Pierre Jackson to a second 10-day contract.
The Nuggets signed Johnny O’Bryant III to a 10-day contract.
The Heat signed Okaro White to his second 10-day contract.
The Suns signed Ronnie Price to a 10-day contract.
The Hawks signed Lamar Patterson to a 10-day contract.
The Mavs waived an injured Pierre Jackson and then signed point guard Yogi Ferrell to a 10-day contract.

Categories:
Week in Review

Hoops Rumors Originals: 1/21/17 – 1/28/17

January 28th, 2017 at 1:28pm CST by Austin Kent

In addition to our news coverage, the Hoops Rumors team has been active publishing original content as well. Here are some of the best posts from this week.

Not sure why Mo Williams kept getting claimed and waived this month? Luke Adams put together a feature explaining the salary cap floor implications of the transactions.
Austin Kent wrote about the 2001 trade that sent Dikembe Mutombo to the Sixers in the latest installment of our Hoops Rumors Retro series. Have an idea for a future edition of the weekly series? Let him know on Twitter at @HoopsRumors or @AustinKent.
It’s easy to overlook consistent veterans in fantasy basketball, but Chris Crouse urges owners not to underestimate the value of Kyle Lowry. Lowry continues to do work for the Raptors and has emerged as a Top 12 asset. Read more about it in his Fantasy Hoops breakdown and send him your questions on Twitter at @HoopsRumors or @CW_Crouse.
Don’t forget to check out our 2016/17 Reverse Standings to see how next year’s draft order is shaping up. The daily updated list tracks each team’s position in the standings and the associated lottery odds.
The All-Star rosters have been released, the first teams selected by the new voting process which factors into the equation media votes and player votes. Do you think that the league should keep this format heading forward? Vote in our poll.
We love hearing what readers have to say about pertinent topics in the NBA world. Here is a list of our Community Shootaround Topics this week.
- There are plenty of contenders for the eight-seed in the Western Conference. What team do you think will make the final cut?
- Less than a month remains before the trade deadline. What players do you think will be targeted as buy-low candidates?
- The Magic are in win-now mode, but they’re not winning. What moves would you make to get their roster into the playoffs?
- The Rising Stars teams have been announced. Are there any players left off the rosters that should have been included?
- Superstar LeBron James has been highly critical of the Cavaliers‘ front office this year. Is the King out of line?
- The Wizards have stormed back to relevance after a slow start this season. Just how good can this Washington team be?
Here are last week’s Hoops Rumors Originals so you don’t have to go searching for them.

Categories:
Hoops Rumors Originals

Shelvin Mack Latest PG Linked To Cavaliers

January 28th, 2017 at 12:27pm CST by Austin Kent

The Cavaliers are in the market for a point guard and Marc Stein of ESPN has explored two potential fits. Given Cleveland’s abundance of trade exceptions, the team could make a deal for a veteran point guard and absorb the player’s contract that way. With their Anderson Varejao trade exception, which expires on February 20, the club could deal for Jazz point guard Shelvin Mack.

In 42 games for the Jazz, Mack has averaged 7.9 points and 2.9 assists. He’s owed $2.4MM on a deal that will expire this offseason.

Another option at the point, one that has been discussed previously this week, is Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson. The 34-year-old is owed $4.5MM this season, which would necessitate the use of the $4.8MM trade exception the team procured in last month’s Kyle Korver trade.

Nelson has averaged 8.8 points and 4.6 assists per game in 45 tilts with Denver so far in 2016/17.

And-Ones: Sanders, Brown, All-Star Game

January 28th, 2017 at 10:56am CST by Austin Kent

Former Bucks big man Larry Sanders caused a stir Thursday night when he tweeted that he was ready to return to the NBA. In 2015, the center walked away from the game at 26 years of age, ultimately citing personal struggles with mental health in a video essay for the Players Tribune.

Sanders last saw consistent action in 2012/13, before playing 23 games in an injury-compromised 2013/14 season and 27 games in a 2014/15 season beset by drug-related suspensions absences for personal reasons.

Sanders has reportedly worked out for the Celtics and, while reports that he’s had a meeting with the Wizards are said to be false, he has been training at the team’s facility.

Sanders averaged 9.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for the Bucks during that 2012/13 campaign.

Former NBA head coach Larry Brown is open to coaching in EuroLeague, writes E. Carchia of Sportando via Italian newspaper La Gazetta. Brown had reportedly been in touch with Maccabi Tel Aviv but was scared off when they quickly cycled through three head coaches already this season.
The Windy City Bulls of the NBA D-League have acquired forward Duje Dukan in a trade for a 2017 fifth-round pick, tweets Chris Reichert of The Step Back. Dukan’s last taste of NBA action was with Kings at the start of the 2015/16 season. Earlier this year he had been under contract in Croatia, but the parties mutually split.
Journeyman point guard Bryce Cotton has reportedly received a 10-day contract offer from an NBA team, writes O. Cauchi of Sportando. The 24-year-old, however, has elected to stay with the Perth Wildcats for the time being. The report originated from Australian journalist Boti Nagy.
The NBA All-Star Game reserves have been announced. Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated looks at the biggest snubs that didn’t make the roster, including rookie Joel Embiid and injured Chris Paul.

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