Marvin Bagley III‘s knee injury is the latest mishap for a Pistons team that will start the season with a diminished frontcourt, writes Mike Curtis of The Detroit News.
Nerlens Noel, who was acquired from the Knicks in an offseason trade, is reconditioning after plantar fasciitis and hasn’t played during the preseason. Rookie center Jalen Duren hurt his shoulder last week, but was able to return Tuesday. Newly acquired Bojan Bogdanovic sat out Tuesday’s game with a strained calf, and Alec Burks, Kevin Knox and Hamidou Diallo are all dealing with injuries as well.
“It’s part of the NBA,” coach Dwane Casey said. “That’s one reason (general manager Troy Weaver) has done a good job of bringing multiple guys in. Unfortunately, the multiple guys are (sitting out, injured) behind the bench. I think it’s a freak thing. I do know that some of the guys that were behind the bench — Kevin, (Diallo) — if it was a regular season game, they’d be able to go. That’s refreshing to know that.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Pacers seem headed for a rebuilding year, but that’s not how the players are approaching the new season, according to Michael Marot of The Associated Press. Trade deadline deals for Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Smith have added some youthful enthusiasm to the team. “I think we’ve just got a lot of guys who love basketball, who love to compete and that’s a great place to start,” Haliburton said. “There are so many young guys and they have a lot to prove not only to the media or the naysayers but to themselves.”
- Ayo Dosunmu will take over as the Bulls‘ starting point guard while Lonzo Ball is sidelined, per Annie Costabile of The Chicago Sun-Times. Coach Billy Donovan confirmed that Dosunmu won the role with his performance since camp opened. “Ayo right now is going to be the guy back there for us,” Donovan said. “He’s done a really good job this training camp and preseason.”
- The Bucks are counting on better health from Brook Lopez to improve their defense, notes Jamal Collier of ESPN. The veteran center was limited to 13 games last season because of back issues, but he came to camp noticeably leaner and motivated to prove he deserves a contract extension. “He’s in the best physical condition I’ve seen,” coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He seems hungry. … I feel like he’s moving well at both ends of the court. His aggressiveness is in a good place.”
Lopez is washed. He’s been a great player for the bucks but it’s over.
Lopez isn’t washed just yet. He has declined, but can still provide solid defense and rim protection in the paint which is what they rely on him for.
Cool how you know more about him than his coach, who, you know, sees him in practice and stuff regularly.
His coach thinks George Hill who often doesn’t score at all in 15-20 mins a game is a viable option over Jevon Carter
So that means he’s lying when he says Lopez is in good physical shape? And your assessment is based on what again?
Worst kept secret that Dosunmu will start. Ayo and Caruso in relief is the best way to replace Ball and still keep Caruso healthy. If it’s possible to keep Caruso healthy. Guy is a madman. LOL
Alex Caruso is that dude on defense. Not signing Caruso was a major blunder for the Lakers.
Ayo has been terrific for the Bulls. Great kid. I have known the family for years. Great family.
Andre Drummond looks like he wants to have a big season for the Bulls. He DOES now have a 3-point shot. His form looks great. 3-3 from downtown earlier this week.
Ayo if he keep on developing will be the biggest steal in that draft.
Players I am hoping to have a great season on the Bulls are Ayo, Williams and Terry and if all three produce like I believe they can then this team is the dark horse in the NBA!
They will need that youth. I see another rebuild for the Bulls starting at some point this season. The young guys they have are nice, but they got to get a hit on another “star” somewhere. DeRozan will get traded. Zach will remain loyal and hope for the best.
You keep spouting that nonsense. The Bulls WERE just rebuilt. Why would they give up all those assets for Ball, DDR and Vujevic to then start TRADING them again? So you make a bunch of trades to, trade them the next year to get some back? What are you talking about? You were on the short bus weren’t you?
???????? what