In an effort to alleviate players’ – and some coaches’ – fears and skepticism about receiving COVID-19 vaccines, the NBA is arranging mandatory meetings over the next two weeks between its top medical expert and all 30 teams, Sam Amick, Joe Vardon and David Aldridge of The Athletic report. Teams felt there was a need to provide information and insight on this issue to its players.
The NBA wants everyone associated with the game — players, coaches, referees and chief front office personnel — to get the shots, not only for safety reasons but also as part of a national volunteering-public relations campaign.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- LaMelo Ball ranks as the leading candidate for the Rookie of the Year award, according to Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report. The Hornets guard ranks first in assists and steals, second in rebounding and third in scoring among all rookies despite coming off the bench in all but two games. Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton sits in second place for Wasserman, who ranks the rookies from 10-1.
- With Wizards guard Bradley Beal apparently off the market, there won’t be another blockbuster trade this season to rival the James Harden deal, Tim Bontemps of ESPN opines. Some of the players who could be moved by March’s trade deadline are Lonzo Ball, J.J. Redick, P.J. Tucker, George Hill, Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon, though Hill and Gordon are currently injured.
- Rudy Gobert‘s contract with the Jazz is a rare case in which a defensive stalwart is compensated like a elite scorer, Aldridge notes in a separate Athletic story. Aldridge takes a closer look at why top defenders are generally not as valued as scorers.
- Kevin Durant has received the most All-Star votes in the early returns, JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors tweets. Beal is the top vote-getter among Eastern Conference guards. LeBron James has the most votes among Western Conference forwards and Stephen Curry leads all Western Conference guards by a wide margin.
Thats what I have too. Lamelo so far the leading Rook, with Haliburton running a relatively close 2nd.
Except that Wiseman will be the better player of all of this year’s rooks over their careers
I dunno. Ball seems like he’s a clean jump shot away from being an all-star.
He’s on the bench right now, but so far he looks pretty good against Mitchell. Started the off early with a 3 in D. Mitch’s grille.
He’s tall. His height really shows with Mitchell on him.
Ball’s got skills for sure, but Wiseman’s ceiling towers over his. Wiseman’s shooting is better and he’s a big man. Sky’s still the limit for the under-experienced 19 year old.
Ball probably has an all-star ceiling too, but Wiseman’s is MVP.
I disagree I think Ball has the biggest ceiling by far. He’s got height and length so can develop into a good defender, he’s got deep shooting ability and great finishing just needs some consistency and his passing is unbelievable.
Wiseman is an athletic freak, very good defensively and can shoot very well for a big man.
If I had to compare ceilings I think Ball could have a career like Russ (not saying his play style or anything is like Russ just he could have a similar type career). Lots of triple doubles, lots of all star teams, all nba teams, possibly even a MVP. Whereas Wiseman I think he’s more going to be like maybe Pau Gasol. Get a couple rings, couple all stars, couple all nba teams but probably never be the best for his position but at his best top 3 for his spot.
That’s just my perspective.
This season is just over 20 games in, Ball has career highs of 34 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. Thays pretty darn good for a young player who many questioned.
I could fully see him average 30-10-10 for a season
For a season …. dude drop the play station Now
Wiseman already has a better jump shot lol
Ball is the real deal man-
All movements are crisp and clean with no unnecessary movement-
His eyes never tell the defender where hes going…he does such a great job looking off defenders to create passing lanes, looks like a 10 year vet Already in those regards….You cant teach what this kid has. He will NO doubt be a Star in this league….we can only hope Cha improves
I know, I have respect for the player that Ball is
Only if he stays healthy, players the size of Wiseman very rarely do.
So I guess Wood is done.
That’s why they call it the “Rookie” of the year award, not a Lifetime achievement
These guys probably get COVID most commonly from pre- and post-handshake rituals.
Ball got a lot of his 34 points after the Jazz got their lead and the game opened up, and Utah had their usual problem with a big guard.
But he looked unstoppable, with easy as-needed creativity. Like a future MVP! He can just jump into air and quickly reach the ball around a defender even if he’s tall and waiting.
LaMelo is hands down the ROY, Halliburton next, followed by Wiseman.
I always said for the last year that LaMelo was gonna be at least a star, now clearly he will be a superstar, no one can doubt it anymore, as a matter of fact!
Wiseman I always said would be a star as well… but so far he has been very disappointing this season, I just don’t see him anymore raising to the level of a superstar, star maybe, but he needs to improve sooo much…
About the ASG, really shocking that LaMelo ain’t in the top 10 guards in the East…
Also can’t believe Curry ahead of Luka, just a nonsensical thing for people to do, right?
No KAT in the top 10 front court in the West, well that is the most outrageous thing I have ever seen!!!
BTW of course players have got concerns about the vaccine, who doesn’t… in the community were I live a poll showed that 80% of people would rather not have it, but realize that might be forced upon us if we wanna travel or for other reasons, but most people are not enthusiastic at all about it, why would the players be, right?
My brother in law has a co-worker-friend that was at his house & said he needed to leave & go get his corona vax. He didn’t show up to work for a week. Called out sick, and he was. Vomiting, fever, you name it. This is not B.S. my bro in Law works in law enforcement for a state agency. No B.S. that many are hesitant, put myself & my brother in law first on that list.
Lamelo looks good. Reminds me of Fox a little. Wiseman didn’t make an impression so far. Haven’t really seen Haliburton much yet.
Lamelo expectations need to be “mellowed” by some of you. Lol. He’s going to be solid, for sure. Just don’t go all crazy after one good game. Plus, injuries can happen anytime. Just enjoy his game for what he is now and not lofty expectations.
It’s to early to say who will have the better career. But this year ball and Haliburton are the best so far. Wiseman Has good potential to be a superstar if Ker would give him more playing times and plays. Edwards is a beast too but is in a team loaded with good guards. Might be unleashed soon since wolves seem like not making an impact this year .
It’s 21 gms nobody has the award or is the leading candidate. Slow your fan mobiles. Give them at least half the yr. A big reason is always mins. There are reasons players get mins. Enjoy the ride. Cause even ROY doesn’t mean you are the next big thing. Just ask MCWillians. Just means you had a good yr. Real players and stardom takes yrs to establish. you got nerve to complain about Sillyman. Get off the Fanwagon and follow the facts and stats. And team success does mean something.
Ball – 13.6 pts, .437 FG%, .787 FT%, 5.8 reb, 6 ast
2.5 Tov, 26.5 mins Team (10-13)
Edwards – 13.4 pts, .368FG%, .826 FT%, 3.1 reb,
2ast, 1.6 Tov, 26.5 mins Team (6-16)
Wiseman – 12.2 pts, .503 FG%, .623 FT%, 6.1 reb
.7 ast, 1.7 Tov, 21 mins Team (12-10)
Halliburton – 11.2 pts, .471 FG%, .833 FT%, 3.7 reb
5.4 ast, 1.6 Tov, 28.9 mins Team (10-11)
Bey – 10.2 pts, .475 FG%, .805 FT%, 4 reb, 1.1 ast
1.5 Tov, 26.3 mins Team (8-13)
Quickly – 12.4 pts, .410 FG%, .926 FT%, 2.3 reb,
2.7 ast, 1.1 Tov, 19.3 mins Team (10-13)
FT shooting means they can shoot. Statistically top 3 are about even right now. You might give Wiseman edge. Cause he is a rim protector and plays less mins. But with team stats you can say Ball could have a little lead. But like I said it’s way too early. Those top three are looking good now. Dude even Quickly with more mins would look real good. I still have Wiseman winning it. Team playing better and he plays both ways and his mins will increase. Never been a Ball guy, but I’m impressed.
Team with best draft are Pistons. They got three players who will be rotation guys. Possibly three starters. Hayes still can be a star