Injured Magic rookie point guard Cole Anthony, recovering from a rib fracture suffered on February 9, has been progressing in his rehab, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel tweets.
Magic head coach Steve Clifford addressed: Anthony’s improvement: “He’s able to be on the court more now. He can’t do any contact. The rib isn’t totally healed, so he’ll have to do another MRI before he’s ready for contact but he is able to do, like work out with the ball, shooting, ball handling, things on the court that he wasn’t able to do a week ago.”
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- The cryptocurrency exchange FTX has purchased naming rights for the Heat‘s home court, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The current American Airlines Arena will soon be rebranded. FTX will pay $2MM per year for the moniker.
- The Hornets face interesting decisions this summer on 2021 restricted free agents Devonte’ Graham and Malik Monk. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer wonders if Charlotte should prioritize retaining Monk, who has been on a tear of late, in the offseason. Bonnell notes that, in terms of each player’s potential fit alongside future of the franchise LaMelo Ball, Monk can be reliably slotted both alongside Ball and as a legitimate backup point guard option. The Hornets may need to let at least one of Graham or Monk walk to seek out a free agent upgrade at the center position.
- Heat team president Pat Riley discussed Miami’s new veteran additions, and why his team opted to retain its promising youth, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. The Heat added shooting guard Victor Oladipo, recently a two-time All-Star, plus forwards Trevor Ariza and Nemanja Bjelica, without giving up intriguing young players Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, both of whom many assumed could be moved. “They can become truly great,” Riley said. “I hate to have that come back to [bite] us if we move them… We’re happy with both of them. They’re both [going through a shooting slump]. They’ll come out of it.” Riley was also excited for Oladipo’s diverse offensive game and his defensive promise: “He’s not just a shooter. He can really defend.”
•Way to get out AmericanA. Only play-by-play guys and locals keep track of Arena & floor names. And maybe not locals.
Once a company buys naming rights, they have to buy a lawyer to harass anyone who says anything but their name for the stadium.
•Monk a PG? Is that a thing? He barely has more assists than turnovers. His March numbers are his worst net. He has to play 30mins. pg to be effective. Let him sleep, he’s a 2 not a 1.
Start Lamelo & Rozier, backups Graham & the Martins, if someone has to go bc money or minutes is an issue.
A high draft pick cannot be counted on, CHA #4EC, congrats! I did think Hayward & Lamelo would turn the ship around when most thought CHA was a mess. They still need a center, even if Zeller is retained, and Graham paid, but there is room for that. Good future.
•Funny how teams that grab playoff momentum, promptly takes for granted the crew that got it all together. They use that crew as a platform to get others, becoming a FA gathering point, or the boss goes after stragglers trying to catch a wave.
2019 Clips & Nets, and 2020/21 Heat & Nuggets (Grant & Plumlee out, now Gordon & Mcgee in… we will see).
Riley likes his new crew but they have to fit and may not.
You should lay off the booze, man. It’s gonna kill you
Denver was never going to match Grant’s Detroit offer. That would’ve been bad business.
Prob so but there were actually several issues involved in that move. I got an angry vibe from him in the playoffs that turned out to work well on the court. Race, personalities, history, my point above… stuff
I bet most people will have a much better opinion of Oladipo now that he’s in Miami.
You also had a much better opinion of Westbrook and Paul when they were in Houston. Bias happens.