Sixers veteran big man Amir Johnson isn’t pouting about sitting out the team’s loss to the Warriors on Saturday, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Johnson, who signed a one-year, $11MM contract in the offseason, was actually appreciative that coach Brett Brown forewarned him that he would not play for the first time this season. “I can’t do anything but respect having a coach come up to you and letting you know when you are going to get ready,” Johnson told Pompey. “With me being a vet, I always stay ready.” Johnson and Richaun Holmes are sharing time as center Joel Embiid‘s backups. Johnson isn’t concerned how his lack of playing time could impact him in the free agent market next summer, Pompey adds.
In other news around the Atlantic Division:
- Cavaliers forward LeBron James wasn’t criticizing rookie guard Frank Ntilikina but rather taking a potshot at former Knicks president Phil Jackson with his comments regarding Mavs rookie guard Dennis Smith Jr., according to ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin. James said over the weekend that Smith “should be a Knick,” referring to Smith going one pick after the Knicks selected Ntilikina. James clarified his remarks on Monday, emphasizing he didn’t mean to disparage Ntilikina’s ability. Ntilikina still apparently took offense to James’ comments, giving the perennial All-Star a shove during their teams’ game on Monday night, the Associated Press’ Brian Mahoney tweets.
- The Sixers will be without backup guard Nik Stauskas for at least a week. He’s out with a sprained right ankle, Pompey tweets, and will be reevaluated in 7-10 days. That leave the Sixers a little thin in the backcourt. Jerryd Bayless is out indefinitely with a wrist injury.
- The Raptors’ offensive issues have led to poor transition defense, as Doug Smith of the Toronto Star notes. The Raptors have made just 33.5% of their 3-point attempts while hoisting up an average of 31.1 per game. That leads to long rebounds and poor floor balance, a major reason why the Raptors rank 27th by allowing an average of 13.4 fast-break points per game, Smith adds.
LeBron gave Ntilikina a shove, then Enis Kanter got in LeBron’s face and they both got a technical. Cavs came from 23 down in 3rd quarter to win. Korver had 21 in the 4th. When Isaiah comes back, they’ll have Shumpert, Smith, Korver, and Wade at shooting guard and Crowder played it in Boston last year. That’s too many shooting guards.
Except Crowder and Korver play Small Forward
Korver is a SG. The Roster is Thomas-Rose-Calderon, Smith-Wade-Korver-Shump, James-Crowder-Osman, Love-Green-Frye, Thompson-Zizic
Crowder has been playing power forward and small forward. Korver had 17th in the 4th one night last week and 21 tonight at shooting guard
(Crowder, LeBron, and Love upfront). I’ve watched everyone of their games.
I watched tonight and really have watched every game. Next game at 8 p.m. vs. Hornets Wednesday on ESPN.
Lineup: Crowder pf, Love c, LeBron sf, J.R. Smith sg, Shumpert pg (until Derrick Rose returns)
Bench: Jeff Green sf (6th man), Thompson (returning soon) c, Channing Frye, c-pf, Korver sg,
Wade pg-sg(until Isaiah Thomas returns)
Osman, Zizic, and Calderon only play if game is out of hand.
Frye is more of a really tall SG as he stands out past the right elbow beyond the arc in most plays.
Probably the reason they are trying to get Greg Monroe. They’ve been offering Frye and Shumpert. I doubt Phoenix will go for that!
Nicotine did that thing guards like to do, block the big man’s momentum turning upcourt after a made basket, in theory to take the ball out. I associate that with Georgetown in the 80s. But it was fair, after the comments. James then blocked him back. Nothing dangerous. Great game!
Enis Kanter is banned from Turkey for condemning the president. Someone needs to tell Enis that LeBron can be more dangerous than the president. Getting in LeBron’s face isn’t smart.
Korver is giving shooting lessons to Cavs players now. For J.R. it’s paying off.
I could easily see Korver as a future coach. I could also see James Jones replacing Lue!
I think if LeBron leaves, Lue will too! Kyrie made the comment he likes playing for Brad Stevens because he’s an analytical coach.
Yes but Kyrie also says the earth is flat. So analyze that.
Bazinga!
Good thing we can’t get kicked out of the country for condemning Trump. LeBron would be in trouble.
As would be at least 70% of the country.
I’m with the Jacksonville Jaguars owner who says Trump is only fighting the NFL because they won’t let him own a franchise!
Welcome to NYC Enis Kanter !
Keep being tough !
Elvis the Pelvis and and his brother, Enes the …
Kanter? I’m actually surprised by his play this season. He was always an all offence, no defence player, but he’s been decent enough this season in defence. Definitely a nice surprise for the poor Knicks fans out there.
They played a good game against the Cavs with Porzingas in foul trouble.