Clippers coach Tyronn Lue had multiple conversations with Paul George with the hope that the nine-time All-Star would stay in Los Angeles. Lue, an assistant coach for Team USA, expressed frustration that George chose to leave for Philadelphia as a free agent, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN writes.
“You lose an important piece to the team like PG, it’s hard to replace,” Lue said. “I’m disappointed that we weren’t able to get the deal done, disappointed he didn’t come back. It’s tough for the organization. We got to see how we move forward from here. I talked to him many times, trying to see what his mindset was, what we need to do different, how we can help his process along. It’s unfortunate that he left.”
Kawhi Leonard was well aware of how the extension talks between George and the front office broke down, so he wasn’t caught off guard by his star teammate’s exit.
“We knew what it was before the season,” Leonard said. “We knew what it was going to come down to. So, we talked the whole way through. It’s no surprise.”
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Heading into his second season with the Warriors, Brandin Podziemski told Mark Medina of Sportskeeda that he has lofty goals. “Individually, I want to be able to be in the conversation and win Most Improved Player of the Year,” he said. “I want to partake in the Rising Stars game again because it’s in San Francisco next season. I want to participate in the Skills Challenge. That would be fun. Then I want to put my name up there as an up-and-coming star of the league. I’m ready to make the year two jump. As far as team goals, obviously you want to win a title.”
- Coach Steve Kerr is impressed with how Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. recovered from the loss of Klay Thompson by acquiring the services of free agents Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area relays. “To rebound from losing Chris (Paul) and then Klay, and then using the cap to his advantage – he and his group have done a great job,” Kerr said. “We’ve signed three really good players, managed our finances really well and Mike is wonderful at his job in every regard. He’s a great partner, too, through these difficult times. Great guy to be able to lean on.”
- Boogie Ellis is playing for the Kings’ Summer League team after going undrafted out of USC. Ellis led the Trojans in scoring and is trying to earn an NBA contract. Meanwhile, Bronny James got drafted by the Lakers despite posting modest stats at USC. However, Ellis has no hard feelings for his former college teammate, he told Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. “I’m happy for him,” Ellis said. “That’s one of my brothers, so I’m glad he got the opportunity, but at the end of the day this is business. Everybody’s trying to feed their family, so I definitely have a chip on my shoulder. I believe I’m a great basketball player and I’m better than a lot the guys who were picked, but at the end of the day I’ve got to go show my hard work, show what I do. So just continue to work, keep my head down and keep working, and it’s going to pay off.”
it’s too early to say these 3 teams are not good.
Warriors
Lakers
Clippers
Until Podz wins a title I will continue to call him a trade chip. If he stays and wins a title with GSW I will support him wholeheartedly thereafter.
I just don’t believe his style of play can be a main rotation piece on a title winning team. It’s very Russell Westbrook energy from him, but he’s not on Russ’s talent level on anything.
I’m really confused why so much hate for a young player. He’s our own pick and have played his heart out last yr and contributed to the team. He not only earned playing time, all rookie team, and not Select Team. He has done everything one can hope for in a rookie. As much as I like Moody and Kuminga, Podz has done more in the 1st yr by far. He can shoot lights out, pass great, always willing to sacrifice his body to take charges, and most importantly not afraid of pressure and limelight. Warriors are fortuntate to have him with a cheap rookie contract. Same as Trayce.
@Michol we should have won the title last year. We had the pieces, Kerr just out of nowhere decided Podz was the guy. That lone move sunk our season, as “playing his heart out” (childish thing to say about a pro ballplayer) did not equal even a play-in. “Shoot the lights out” – no he didn’t “Pass great” no its not. He just got a mountain of playing time he didnt earn and stat collected counting stats with middling rate ones. Moody deserved the development time more, his game has a higher ceiling than Podz. Believe in Moses Moody more, please.
“We should have won the title last year” might be the craziest thing Ive seen someone say about the 23/24 Warriors, and I see it all.
Buddy shot 40% from 3 last year, and if he’s a shot checkers like Davey is suggesting that 40% is pretty dang good.
If anything, that jsutmeans he should have taken more shots and received more of an opportunity on offense.
“Should have won the title last year” what? The Warriors were not the defending champs nor were they even one of the 4-5 best teams in the West and were clearly not even one of the top 10 teams in the league. Its not like the Warriors suffered catastrophic injuries that derailed their season either…I mean they didn’t even make the playoffs. If you think Podz getting playing time was the reason the Warriors didn’t win it all last year then I want some of whatever you’re drinking. If you want to point fingers at someone, point it at Draymond. His antics all year caused a distraction, he might not put up the flashiest numbers but he’s still super valuable to their playstyle.
Not a big GSW watcher but how is he like Russ?
He plays SG not PG
As a rookie put up basically 9-6-4, it’s a reach to say it’s Russ like numbers (triple double material).
He shot the 3 ball really efficiently (38.5%) which Russ has never done.
He only averaged 1 FT attempt per game which tells me he wasn’t really driving and finishing at the rim/drawing contact like Russ would.
And as a SG who averaged 3.7 assists and played 26 minutes a game he only had 1.2 turnovers per game which definitely isn’t like Russ.
There’s nothing really statistically that tells me he’s at all similar to Russ, and as I’ve said I don’t really watch many GSW games so how is he similar?
Then as for long term piece winning a chip blah blah blah. Jordon Poole won a title and played a huge part that season and he was just a trade chip for them. I don’t think Podzi needs to do anything like that to prove to you he’s more than a trade chip. He just beat out Klay for the starting SG position as a rookie that’s a huge achievement in itself.
If you’re a GSW fan, Why wouldn’t you be more supportive of a young player on your team?
Makes no sense to me ….
Davey says Podski is a stat chaser. Brandin will say stuff like, I want to average double figures rebounds, and he’ll actually go for every rebound that’s near him.
I consider that a good thing. What’s wrong with the guy wanting to average 10 rebounds rather than six or seven? But I guess he had a reputation for being a stat Chaser in college.
Same thing, what’s wrong with trying to get every rebound? He’s not jacking it up every time that’s for sure, so he’s not a selfish player.
Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, James Harden and Joel Embiid all play like that and have zero rings between them. Podz is not an elite defender, he lacks size and wingspan, he also isn’t an elite scorer. He might be something, I never said he was a bad player, but I was frustrated that he jumped over Moses Moody, a superior player based off looking like Kerr’s son and nothing more. Moody has 30 point games and lockdown clutch D games too, plus a ring. Podz didnt earn his spot he was gifted it. He might be a decent player, Im not arguing that, but his “me first” or “make me the center of every play” energy doesn’t play on a title winning team that has Steph Curry on it. I mean, he passed up an open Steph to brick a shot almost every other game.
Wow. Amazing. So, a NBA player that doesn’t have a ring is not elite? By your standard, 75% of the players in the Basketball HoF should be kicked out. Most of them don’t have rings. Hell, a lot of them don’t have a prototypical physical measurements for their positions.
@Simmons>Russ where did I say he was an identical player stats and position-wise? I said “energy” which is true. You made a whole argument up over that? And I thought I had too much time on my hands today, you misinterpreted a side comment into 5 paragraphs, yikes.
You underrate Podz and all he can do. He is described as a swiss army knife player that does a little of everything. If he improves his shooting he will take the next step of being a extremely valuable player for the warriors. He is hesitant on shooting when Curry is on the floor because he is trying to always get Curry the ball. Podz will be coveted by a lot of NBA teams because of how valuable he is.
Amazing. Davey J is really not a Dubs fan. If he really were a fan, he would want Podziemski to keep getting better. Basketball is a team game. Being dismissive of one player is being dismissive of the whole team. Strength in Numbers. He just likes to throw around Curry’s name so he can pretend he is superior to everyone. What arrogance. Funny. Oh, oh…Now I have to worry that he will mute me, for the 10th time.
problem is many fans see a white guy who is not nba material. It’s sad 74 and Michol that if podz was African American or Easter European the instant judgement of him would be “man, he will develope into a great basketball player”. Many fans like Davey see a goofy looking pickup playing gym rat. This guy has a few turnovers and instantly “get him off the floor!” Ignore the great passes. Ignore the fact that he seems to ALWAYS be in the right spot for a rebound. Ignore the Paul-like floor awareness. Ignore the always improving shooting ability. Ignore the fact that his overall contributions, his +/- plusses, and the analytics that measure win effects, all were better than Klays numbers. IGNORE Why? He’s goofy looking. Like a newborn colt. A newborn colt that can play his ass off. FYI Davey, he will NOT be traded.
I’ve always wondered if he was a Warriors bandwagon satirist.
You tell them Boogie
Payton and Waters(or Santos) for Steven Adams or Kelly Olynyk are the only options at money wise. This is the move they need to make
Adams isn’t going anywhere, the Rockets have him penciled in as the backup behind Sengun and they gave up a fair amount for him. Landale looked absolutely cooked last year. They also have enough guards/wings, Adams is actually needed to balance their roster. He’d be a good fit, but I don’t see him moving.
Olynyk had his shot with the Warriors years ago. Didn’t work out. He’s not that valuable for their style of play. Good for the Sixers and their need for sparkplugs, but the Warriors don’t play that way.
Sandro Mamukaleshvili would be a good FA for their system, he’s big and strong to provide rim pressure and can pass while also providing above-average spacing for a big man. Kind of reminds me of Bogut, trading some of the defense for finishing and shooting ability. Charles Bassey is a good defensive Center with the jumpshot touch to work for them. And Precious Achiuwa provides the speed and rebounding they thrive on, he’d be a good backup. All UFA, no need for trades.
I do like Sandro but I believe the Spurs are going to keep him. I do like him playing with GS but not as a starter. They should sign him if he goes unsigned. I still think Payton and Waters for Kelly Olynyk is great for the Warriors, start but play 25 minutes a night. Bassey was released so he could be a good option anywhere. If bassey is 6’11 then I would really like him for GS or Orlando Robinson. Precious is a PF really, he would be good with the 76s starting next to Joel. Thank you for replying.
Bassey is 6’10”, which would still make him the biggest guy on their roster. He’s probably the best choice for them if Sandro’s not open. At his size, he’s pretty much a match for the average NBA Center size-wise, and his defense stacks up everywhere. He can even switch onto perimeter players when needed.
Messed up with Olynyk, read it as Kelly Oubre and never twigged. I think he could be had from the Raptors, but he seems more like a midseason acquisition. Can’t really defend as a Center, though. He’s a tall PF.
Precious can’t shoot at all. On the Warriors, that relegates him to Center duties (most other places too, since he’s not as agile or defensively versatile as most modern PFs like Aaron Gordon or Pascal Siakam). He’s a good defender and rebounder, size or no, and the Warriors don’t need him to play in the post, as that’s not really part of their game. He’d offer a much faster and more agile option to Looney, which would be helpful for GS without forcing them to play Draymond at the 5 for such long stretches.
Os there ever going to be a time where a Caucasian basketball player that’s pretty gpod doesn’t get described as gritty, playing with a ton of heart, max effort guy, or is just labeled as a good shooter..
I mean, I understand why it’s surprising to some, because athletic Caucasians in the NBA are the minority, but whether they are or not, whether they can jump high or are deadly accurate, whatever the case may be, why can’t we just call them good ball players?
Why do we have to always describe them as being gritty, tough, or having a high basketball IQ? Do people realize that’s also suggesting that it is rare for African Americans to be those things or to give max effort defensively?
While this post may be about color, not everything in the world is about color. We are blessed to live surrounded by a beautiful world, it isn’t just black and white.
You’re reading way too much into this. People also describe black NBA players, and all other ethnicity NBA players, and they even describe players in all other sports. They do this simply because descriptions are useful.
And there are gritty max effort guys who are black: Jrue Holiday comes to mind. Ja Morant, Russell Westbrook, and Draymond are 3 more.
The only one making this a race thing is you.
Marcus smart is a gritty player.Derrick White ys too.