What was the deciding factor for Will Barton as he considered his next NBA home? After getting bought out by the Wizards, Barton chose the Raptors for the opportunity to play and re-establish his value, Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports tweets. Concurrently, the Raptors had been searching for another rotation-caliber guard to help them in their playoff push. Barton officially signed on Tuesday afternoon.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Ben Simmons hasn’t played since Feb. 15 due to a sore knee but there has been “zero” discussion about shutting him down for the season, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn told Brian Lewis of the New York Post (Twitter link) and other media members. However, Vaughn wouldn’t elaborate on how Simmons is doing or what his next step is.
- One of the offshoots of trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is that the Nets no longer get “superstar calls” from the officials, Spencer Dinwiddie claims. “I have a lot of last-second shots or game-winners, but it’s the lead up that’s the tough part without superstars. That’s what people miss,” Dinwiddie said, according to Lewis. “If [someone] tries to climb KD’s back, they’re going to call it. If KD says and-one, they’re not giving him a tech. All these things change the flow of the game. [Stars] can cuss them out, they can do whatever, and they’ll let all that (stuff) slide.”
- Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum got his first career ejection in a loss to the Knicks on Monday but he playfully put a positive spin on it, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps writes. “All the great players get thrown out a few times in their career,” he said. “So, it’s good for my rep.”
I fully believe Simmons rejoins the Nets as a rotation 4. His knee is banged up for sure, but his role is changing, and the Nets have other guards that can shoot, but not rebound so well
Are you in the market for a bridge, by any chance?
I’ m not buying anything. Ben Simmons has no where to go other than as big with the Nets for the rest of the season, so not sure why the smart mouth comment?
Tatum already had a tech …… he was having a bad night. And was getting locked up by Knick D. Basically gave up. Good for your rep my Aaa. You bittt up and ran.
Knicks beat them wire to wire.
So for all the GENIUSES …….
It’s Feb 28, 2023
Knicks are (35 – 27) ……..
What does it mean ? When clowns who troll just to flame. Now have to go back to hiding in their rooms. Change your names AGAIN …….
Talk your ish man. It’s been 20 years. Get it all off your chest.
Love your passion for the Knicks, my team for life as well. We should all be proud of the levels they’re reaching this season. It’s been a team game for sure. Nearly everyone in the rotation has given critical contributions on a nightly basis. And when one player is having an off night, a whole slew of others steps it up. But…I remember numerous comments from you hoping to run Julius Randle out of town. Dude shows up night after night, plays hard, and sometimes outright scorches the opponent, despite some flaws. Still wanna see him gone?
Ben needs to wake up. Bklyn is a good place for him and his comeback.
Spencer Dinwiddie’s comment on the refs giving superstars calls is not surprising, but interesting.
Most people that follow the sport have seen it evolve to such a point that it’s no longer frustrating to those that believe in a sport having fair play and integrity, but rather that it’s one of dozens of things that make the NBA a joke as a professional sports league.
The one I like best is all the roster and trade legalities that no fan remotely understands until some writer talks to an agent or a teams legal representative and publishes it…..only to find that whoops…there’s yet another something in the small print to the CBA that might overrule it.
All pro sports have mumbo jumbo in their so-called salary caps – but almost all of the NBA teams are over the limit….however, before any long-term penalties can be assessed then next CBA wipes them out. The result is that in a sport where lots of big men are working in small areas most of the time and players on a team should be familiar with one another in what they’ll do in a split-second based on what’s transpiring, there’s so much constant player movement from team to team that guys wind up playing for themselves instead of as a team.
The Knicks honored their last World Championship team the other day. My favorite NBA team of all time. They were exceptional in playing team ball – as well as the Showtime Lakers and Celtics in the 70’s-80’s. Michael Jordan and his insistence that his teammates were his “supporting cast” changed the sport. Now everything is about a player being able to sell his brand and make juvenile commercials for radically overpriced merchandise that appeals to 12 year-olds….many of whom are over 40.
Bye bye Benny
What’s happened to Tatum? He’s had at least three bad games in a row. 7-29 from three; 24%. 13 turnovers & lots more not counted. Took just 2 free throws against Philly. Then took 1 free throw against NY. Isn’t he driving? Lost his chance at MVP in my view. I guess we’re living & dying w our superstar but hope nothing’s seriously wrong. Go Celtics!
I think Jason Tatum’s too distracted by his recent all-enveloping, all-overpowering fame, his brand, his “rep” to play good ball. Hope he wakes up soon! We sure need him at his best! Go Celtics!