Magic head coach Steve Clifford told reporters on Wednesday that forward Aaron Gordon played 2-on-2 after practice, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link). Clifford also mentioned that Gordon’s availability for Game 2 against the Bucks will be determined by how his hamstring is feeling on Thursday.
The 24-year-old Gordon missed Game 1 on Tuesday with a left strained hamstring, which he suffered back on August 5. This season, the Magic forward is averaging 14.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 3.7 APG.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra answered questions on Wednesday about the benchings of center Meyers Leonard and rookie point guard Kendrick Nunn. Both players received DNP’s for Monday’s Game 1 against the Pacers. “Everybody’s all in on that, the purpose of what we’re trying to get accomplished here,” Spoelstra said (h/t South Florida Sun-Sentinel). “We’ll need everybody. … It’s something that we talked about as a team. And it’s Game 1 … Obviously, Kendrick is a major part of our team. We will need to get into our depth at some point.” Leonard, who was the team’s starting center, fell out of the rotation when the seeding games begin. Nunn, however, started in five games in the bubble. In those contests, he averaged 10.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 2.0 APG.
- Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said on Wednesday that he does not expect Derrick Rose or Blake Griffin to participate in the team’s voluntary camp next month, though both players could attend if they want to, per James Edwards III of The Athletic (Twitter link). However, Casey hopes young players view it as mandatory.
- Marc Berman of the New York Post writes about the Knicks‘ odds of landing standout point guard LaMelo Ball. According to the Post, Ball’s preference is to go to New York. However, the Knicks only have a 27.6% chance of landing a top-three selection in the 2020 NBA Draft. In fact, New York has a 62.8% chance of getting a pick between 6-10. If that happens, Ball will likely be off the board, and the team could opt to draft former UNC point guard Cole Anthony.
Cole is a better player than Smith Jr
In my note Vassell and Williams are far better than Cole
Cole is around 20th pick on my note
I’m curious to see where he will go. He avg a triple double before college. He was a top player coming into college. Then got hurt. And was like catching up. There are still people who think he will be a starter in NBA. He’s been all over place in draft boards. His scouting was much better than way he played last yr. Even UNC coach said he felt he tried to do too much. Cause I saw too much trying to score from him. I never Trey would be this good. Somebody could get a good deal with him.
Marc Berman ???? really.
He’s been saying this for months now. Doesn’t take into account new coach. Just from his track record. Thibs is not taking a player. Who doesn’t play D. Or one who can’t play next yr. I’m really still trying to figure out. Who he might take. There was a time I didn’t think we would take a PF. Don’t feel that way anymore. BPA is a good way to go, I guess. I’m going to wait till lottery. When I know when we pick. I will have a better feel. On who we take.
With thibs, knick will be a thought defensive team.maybe he will draft haliburton,antonhi edward(move baret to sf),avdija,okoro,vassel,or okungwu.he never like player who never good in defense.i hate knick.but with thib, i feel some love with this team.
I still believe Gordon is still a strong possibility for Warriors. He makes a lot of sense chemistry wise. And they have extra future picks to give up too. He Dre would make a serious front line. Much better than Dre and Wiggins. Now Wiggins can bring in a haul too. Nan Warriors will be back next yr. That’s for sure.
He’s a better 3-point shooter than Draymond, but that ain’t saying much.
Gordon should have advanced this year, did not. The talent is there. But I suspect Myers will not make a big-name move. Some smaller ones.
Warriors Holding Out for Giannis of course. Buck’s exit early and that’s good news for warriors fans.
I’m wondering if AD will consider leaving LA if the Lakers suffer an early exit. Everyone assumes that he is going to stay there, but the best case scenario that I see is him signing a 1-year deal with a player option for year two then if things don’t get better in 2021 we will see AD go elsewhere.
As far as Giannis going to the Warriors goes, since they won’t have the cap space to sign him outright it will have to be a sign and trade deal. The only player I can see the Bucks accepting in return would be Klay Thompson, assuming Curry is off limits, but that’s still a significant upgrade for them.
Upgrade for Golden State, obviously.
Only way Giannis leaves. Is cause they lose and he wants out. They can get much more from other teams. It would be bidding war cause Giannis age. Warriors don’t need him to win. Why gut team. Giannis is not doing Bucks wrong either. Bucks lose Giannis, they gut team. They get a haul back. Might as well rebuild team. That team is not top team without Giannis.
My question is, as a Warriors fan, is Aaron Gordon really the guy we want? Aaron Gordon is fine during the regular season and he’ll be a pretty good player, 32 minutes a game, 15 points, seven or eight rebounds, some lobs and dunks Etc… But will this guy step up in the playoffs? Will this guy make it happen to reach the next level?
I don’t know the answer to those questions and it might not even be fair to ask them. But I don’t know about sinking big salary and tremendous cost trade wise for a guy who doesn’t really pick it up a notch when it’s needed. Thoughts?
I don’t want Aaron Gordon because he can’t shoot.
I don’t want 3 available players in the nba
Aaron Gordon
Jrue Holiday
Al Horford
They can’t shoot now. History is nothing.
Horford is interesting. But Holiday not going there. You gotta look at fact. Gordon is not expensive transaction. Chemistry wise he makes them much better defensively. Imagine Wiseman, Gordon, Green. He will get much better looks with Warriors. He’s never won so will be hungry. And they can now move Wiggins. You know they will get good return on him. To me it just seems like to good a move to pass up. They will be deepest team in NBA. I’m not a fan or hater of Warriors. Considering all available moves. I look at Warriors. They are sitting pretty. They are going into new arena. And have a great draft pick. And can make deals to really strengthen team for title runs. Gordon to me is a solid player. Young vet who will fit right in. Giannis is not coming here. He ain’t KD. He would have to force trade here. He’s a stand up guy. He is not going to do Bucks wrong. I can see if they lose. He might walk. So I think he would tell them. Then Bucks would get best offer. And ok it with him. I think it would be amicable departure. Warriors don’t need Giannis. They have a few options to chase rings for next 3-4 yrs. Warriors are guaranteed top 5 pick. Odds probably give them top 3. I believe they keep their pick. Then use their TE to get a player. Then move Wiggins. This maximizes their assets, team. Remember New Arena. Good to be a Warriors fan now lols.
Jrue holiday shot 35.3 percent from Three last year. His career percentage is 35.4. Real big change between “now” and “history”
There’s no reason for Rose and Griffin to risk injury by participating in those workouts given their injury history. Rose especially will want to preserve his body so he can get traded to a contender by the deadline.
Spoelstra isn’t afraid to ride the hot hand. Nunn was regressing significantly during his bubble tenure and Olynyk was just playing too well for Leonard to regain a rotation spot
Always thought Jrue best place is Philly. All the stories coming out of bubble is. Ball is not looking good with management. Seems he’s not happy there. Always thought they would eventually move Jrue. But now who knows. Jrue is a good vet for young team. Lonzo might be going. I like Lonzo gm, 2way player. Still young they can get value for him.