Big man Jock Landale, who signed with the Spurs last month after spending last season with Melbourne United, referred to Australia’s National Basketball League as “the best place to be” for players trying to make jump to the NBA. In an appearance on the NBL’s The Huddle podcast, Landale praised the league’s willingness to let players pursue NBA opportunities.
“I think the NBL does themselves such a service in having that leniency to let people go and pursue that dream, that people now look at it as a legitimate pathway,” Landale said.
Landale signed a two-year, minimum-salary contract with the Spurs as a free agent this offseason. While the second year isn’t guaranteed, the first season is, so he’s in position to make San Antonio’s 15-man squad.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Zach Harper of The Athletic was underwhelmed by the Pelicans‘ offseason, giving the team a grade of D-plus for its summer moves. While Harper liked the acquisition of Jonas Valanciunas and New Orleans’ deal with Josh Hart, he believes the club significantly downgraded its backcourt, calling the Devonte’ Graham signing a “pretty bad” deal.
- While the city of New Orleans was hit hard by Hurricane Ida, the Pelicans‘ Smoothie King Center only sustained “minor exterior damage,” according to the team. The Pels will be able to play their home games there this fall without issue, as Christian Clark of NOLA.com details.
- The Grizzlies plan to retire the jerseys for two key members of the team’s “Grit and Grind” era, announcing (via Twitter) that they’ll retire Zach Randolph‘s No. 50 on December 11 and Tony Allen‘s No. 9 on January 28.
- Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane is changing agents, according to Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal, who tweets that Bane has left Seth Cohen of SAC Sports Family and is in the process of hiring new representation. Bane is still two years away from being extension-eligible for the first time.
True or false?
Grizzlies know basketball, but not business. They don’t know how to make equal value trade.
Brooks
Anderson
Jackson
Bane
Morant
Clarke
……
JV – big man
I mean I can see why MEM would retire Z-Bo’s number, but… Allen’s?!?!?!? That is sooo baffling!
Idk I think it’s pretty alright. ZBO made 2 all star teams and the nba third team one year. Allen was there almost just as long and was a 6 time all defensive team specialist.
Both were big parts of the grit and grind Grizzlies.
Only someone like the Don here who only looks at scoring would say something so completely ridiculous. Tony Allen was the heart of the grit and grind Grizzlies. I’m glad everyone like him has me on mute.
22min per game Tony Allen.
If that is heart of a team, I take your word since I am not a fan. Gasol, Conley, & Randolph played second fiddle to Tony Allen?
Die hard C’s fan and absolutely love and respect Tony Allen but wow Grizlies setting a low bar.
I think Zach Harper is being generous
Harper points out that the Pels were 2-9 if EITHER of ZW or BI were out. So,their record will rely on their health.
It is hard to describe the effect of Lonzo’s leadership and how much key Pels wanted him back. If someone is happy he’s gone though, they better be right and play to win, because Lonzo signed reasonably with the Bulls… Not that much more than Graham. I’m not sure Graham was even Griffin’s attempted choice.
They stepped down in defensive ability, with Bledsoe gone too, and even slower Valens not Adams.
Given that one starter appears to be NAW, I suspect ZW will be the initiator so another forward can start, maybe Josh Hart or Naji Marshall and NAW be the bench spark.
I doubt they get D+ worse.