Community Shootaround

Community Shootaround: All-Star Starters

January 4th, 2019 at 3:58pm CST by Luke Adams

The first returns on fan voting for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game were announced on Thursday, and most of the results weren’t too surprising.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and Joel Embiid lead the frontcourt voting in the Eastern Conference, while Kyrie Irving is the top vote-getter among Eastern guards. In the West, LeBron James and Stephen Curry – last year’s All-Star captains – have received the most early votes.

However, several of the other names near the top of those lists may have inspired a double-take. Rookie of the Year frontrunner Luka Doncic has the second-most votes among Western frontcourt players, ahead of Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and Paul George, among others. In the backcourt, Derrick Rose ranks No. 2 in fan voting, ahead of James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, and others.

In the East, fans apparently want to see Dwyane Wade in the All-Star Game once more before he retires — he ranks second in votes among guards, ahead of Kemba Walker, Ben Simmons, Victor Oladipo, and others.

All-Star voting will remain open for two and a half more weeks, so the current order can – and almost certainly will – change. Plus, fan votes only make up 50% of the consideration for the All-Star Game’s starting lineup, with players (25%) and media (25%) also receiving a portion of the vote. So the early results don’t mean that we’ll see Doncic, Rose, and Wade starting in Charlotte next month.

Still, given the popularity of Doncic, Rose, and Wade early in the process, there’s a discussion to be had here.

Has Doncic shown enough in his 36 NBA games to earn an All-Star spot? Does it make sense to reward Rose for his bounce-back season or Wade on his farewell tour? Or would you rather just see the best first-half players in the starting lineups? And, if that’s the case, which five Eastern and five Western players do you believe deserve those spots?

Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts on this season’s All-Star lineups.

Community Shootaround: Heat Roster Logjam

January 2nd, 2019 at 9:34pm CST by clarkcrum

As we relayed earlier today, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is “sick” to his stomach about his inability to find minutes for veteran sharpshooter Wayne Ellington. And now that fellow guard and teammate Dion Waiters is set to return from his ankle injury, don’t expect playing time decisions to get any easier for Spoelstra.

Not counting Waiters or up-and-coming youngster Derrick Jones, the Heat already have 11 players on standard NBA contracts who log 20.5 minutes per game or more, the most of anyone in the league. And of those 12 players, seven are swingmen who play primarily on the wing (Josh Richardson, Rodney McGruder, Justise Winslow, Dwyane Wade, Tyler Johnson, Ellington, and Waiters).

In tonight’s blowout win against the Cavs, Wade logged a DNP-Illness, with the remainder of the minutes on the wing going to Richardson (32), Jones (31), Winslow (27), Johnson (26), McGruder (21), and Waiters (11).

With Wade back in the mix soon and Waiters presumably playing his way into more minutes, the question becomes whether the Heat will move on from some of the aforementioned players, such as Waiters or Ellington, or keep the roster logjam as currently constructed as insurance in the event of another injury.

That brings us to our question of the day: Do you think the Heat should try to move on from some of their wings or keep them all around for the rest of the 2018/19 season? If they alter their roster, who is the most likely wing to be moved? Ellington? Waiters? Somebody else?

Please take to the comments section to weigh in. We look forward to your input.

Community Shootaround: Top NBA Stories Of 2018

December 31st, 2018 at 10:07am CST by Luke Adams

We’re on the verge of flipping the calendar to 2019, but before we close the book on 2018, we want to take a look back at The Year That Was in the NBA.

While the outcome of the 2018 NBA Finals in June wasn’t particularly surprising, the implications for the Warriors‘ ongoing dynasty were compelling — the Dubs have now won two consecutive championships and three of the last four, and they may not be done yet. Plus, the Finals provided at least one memorable moment in Game 1, when J.R. Smith apparently forgot that the Cavaliers didn’t have the lead, and dribbled out the clock of a tie game.

That night was a low point for Smith, who was also at the center of an unusual story back in March when he was suspended for throwing soup at an assistant coach. But he’s not the only one who has had a frustrating 2018.

Carmelo Anthony played his way out of Oklahoma City and Houston, and currently remains in limbo. He’s technically a member of the Rockets, but played his last game for the team back on November 8. Meanwhile, 2017’s first overall pick Markelle Fultz continues to struggle to make an impact on the court, and is currently sidelined with a physical ailment, despite speculation that some of his issues may be mental.

The Fultz saga hasn’t been the only major storyline in Philadelphia. The Sixers also lost a general manager in the summer when a bombshell report linked Bryan Colangelo to a series of burner Twitter accounts that criticized current and former 76ers players and revealed sensitive information about the team. Colangelo vehemently denied any knowledge of those tweets – an investigation revealed that his wife was operating the accounts – but it cost him his job.

The Colangelo situation was the sort of NBA story that keeps us glued to Twitter, fascinated by every new detail that emerges. Another situation that fits that bill played out earlier this month, when an apparent three-team trade involving the Wizards, Suns, and Grizzlies fell apart due to confusion over whether Memphis was including Dillon Brooks or MarShon Brooks in the deal. Washington and Phoenix eventually made a trade on their own, but not before plenty of finger-pointing about which team was to blame for the Brooks-related confusion.

Of course, player movement is our focus at Hoops Rumors, so that would-be three-team trade was right up our alley, but it was far from the biggest transaction-related news of 2018. LeBron James signing with the Lakers might earn the crown, though that move wasn’t nearly as shocking as the Clippers trading Blake Griffin to the Pistons, or DeMarcus Cousins signing with the Warriors, a deal that incited outrage among fans of 29 other teams on social media.

Prolonged trade sagas involving stars like Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler dominated NBA headlines during the offseason too, with Butler’s performance in his return to Timberwolves practice standing out as a highlight. Paul George, who was traded a year earlier, surprised many NBA fans by re-signing with the Thunder shortly after free agency opened on July 1 without even giving the Lakers a meeting.

While those were some of the top NBA stories of 2018, there are countless others worth mentioning. How about the Raptors firing Coach of the Year Dwane Casey, or the near–mutiny in Chicago shortly after Jim Boylen took over as the Bulls‘ head coach? Drama has followed the Wizards all season too, from Marcin Gortat and John Wall taking shots at each other in February to Bradley Beal criticizing GM Ernie Grunfeld at a contentious practice in November. And commissioner Adam Silver has had to send separate memos to teams around the league this season to warn them about tanking and tampering.

With the year about to come to a close, we want to hear about your favorite NBA stories of the last 12 months. What will you remember most about the NBA in 2018 when you look back on it years from now?

Head to the comment section below to weigh in!

Community Shootaround: Christmas Day Schedule

December 26th, 2018 at 10:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

The NBA season never stops here at Hoops Rumors, but a lot of casual fans don’t start following the league until Christmas Day. That means their first taste of the 2018/19 campaign was watching the Knicks get steamrolled by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

Yikes! Luckily, there were no hockey games for them to switch to.

Things got better for those who stayed around. James Harden took down Russell Westbrook and Paul George in a Western Conference battle, then the Celtics and Sixers followed with an overtime thriller. The Lakers put on an impressive performance in taking down the two-time defending champions, then the Jazz capped off the night by beating the Trail Blazers.

It was an impressive 13-hour Christmas showcase featuring many of the league’s best players, but there were still a few things missing. Like the Raptors, who arrived at Christmas with the league’s best record. And the Nuggets, who boast the best mark in the West. Also nowhere in sight were the Pacers (22-12 and third in the East) or the Clippers (19-14 and fifth in the West).

We understand the league office can’t predict everything when the schedule is being formulated in mid-summer, but Toronto seems like an egregious omission. After the trade that brought Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors, it seemed like the NBA office missed an easy way to score some holiday points with the TV audience north of the border. Instead, many Toronto fans spent the day complaining about the slight on social media.

We want to get your opinion on this year’s Yuletide selections. Were there other teams or players you would have preferred to see? Is it time to end the tradition of scheduling the Knicks on Christmas Day until they get good again? Should the Nets replace them to keep the New York audience? Is five straight games too many for one day? Or maybe too few? Please leave your responses and any other suggestions in the space below.

Community Shootaround: Christmas Games

December 24th, 2018 at 7:10pm CST by Dana Gauruder

At least one young superstar is thrilled to be playing on Christmas Day.

For Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, it’s a badge of honor. The Bucks haven’t been part of the NBA’s Christmas showcase since 1977.

“It’s real special. We’re really excited about this game,” he told Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “The Bucks haven’t played in a long time in a Christmas game, so we’re happy that we’re back. “Since I came to the NBA, I was always watching the Christmas games, always dreaming about playing in one. … It means a lot to us and hopefully we can put on a show.”

The Bucks are one of the league’s most entertaining and high-scoring teams but their game is merely an appetizer. They face the floundering Knicks, who have won just two of their last 13 games.

There are generally mixed feelings about playing on Christmas around the NBA. Some players love the spotlight and the drama. Others, especially the road teams, believe it’s unfair to be away from their homes and families. However, it’s a tradition that’s not going away.

The games that follow the Bucks–Knicks matchup should provide plenty of holiday entertainment for sports fans beyond the unwrapping of presents and piles of food on the plate.

The Thunder play the Rockets, featuring an entertaining duel between the last two MVPs, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Then comes the Sixers-Celtics showdown, a potential preview of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Naturally, LeBron James will be playing on Christmas as the Lakers face Kevin Durant and the Warriors. The guards take the spotlight in the final game of the day when the Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum square off against the Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio.

That takes us to our question of the day: Which Christmas Day game are you most interested in and why?

Please take to the comments section. We look forward to your input.

Community Shootaround: Small Market Stars

December 21st, 2018 at 8:58pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The courtship of Anthony Davis has turned into a firestorm between small and big market franchises.

Davis is signed through next season with the Pelicans, who have no desire to trade one of the league’s most talented players. Davis has not expressed any public desire to be moved. Yet there is constant speculation about Davis getting dealt to Los Angeles to join forces with LeBron James or Boston as the final piece to its championship puzzle.

James fanned the flames this week by saying that playing with Davis would be “amazing” and “incredible.” Davis recently signed up with James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, only fueling speculation of a potential trade before Davis can decline his 2020/21 player option and become a free agent.

There are tampering fines in place for players, coaches and executives regarding public courtship of players from other teams. In this instance, the league determined James’ comments did not warrant a penalty.

That has infuriated small market executives, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It’s hard enough for those teams to possess a player of Davis’ talent. It’s become increasingly difficult to hold onto those players because of the “super-team” mentality among players, its broadcast partners and many fans.

One executive told Wojnarowski, “It’s New Orleans’ problem today, and a problem with a different player tomorrow for the rest of us. It’s open season on small markets and our players.”

That brings us to our question of the day: Do you think the league should do more to protect small-market franchises from tampering or interference regarding their star players? Or is the league better off with a few “super-teams” in major markets?

Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.

Community Shootaround: Brandon Ingram’s Outlook

December 18th, 2018 at 11:04am CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers have bounced back from a slow start to insert themselves directly in the middle of the Western Conference playoff picture, with their 18-12 record currently placing them fourth in the conference.

However, while things are mostly running smoothly in Los Angeles, the fit of top prospect Brandon Ingram alongside LeBron James has been the subject of some concern. Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer explored the topic last week, and Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report revisited it on Monday, speaking to executives and scouts around the NBA to get their impressions on the pairing.

“I’m still a believer in Ingram,” one video analyst told Pincus. “He’s still learning what he can do on the court. It’s just a little harder to find yourself when you’re playing with LeBron.”

Another executive essentially agreed with that assessment, pointing out that Ingram has had a harder time adjusting to LeBron’s arrival than players like Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart because they move better without the ball than Ingram does.

While Ingram, who is still just 21 years old, may eventually get more comfortable alongside LeBron, it will be interesting to see whether the Lakers have the patience to go through that learning process. The club has thus far been unwilling to include any of its top young prospects – Ingram, Kuzma, Hart, or Lonzo Ball – in trade packages for short-term help, but if a star becomes available, Ingram would be the sort of “1-A” prospect that could headline a package, one executive suggested to Pincus.

“The Lakers are in win-now mode,” an NBA player agent told Pincus. “Everything is on the table to appease LeBron. They’re going to make moves to bring in vets who fit around [James]. … I think they wait until the summer to look into a big move involving a player like Ingram. That gives them more time to get the best deal.”

The Lakers could ultimately use their cap room to add a second star in free agency in 2019, and may not need to use Ingram or their other youngsters as trade chips. However, if L.A. strikes out on the open market or wants to acquire a third star, Ingram is positioned to become a prime trade candidate.

What do you think? Does Ingram have a long-term future in Los Angeles? If so, will he and LeBron eventually develop into a complementary duo? Or do you envision the Lakers trading Ingram within the next year or two?

Community Shootaround: Second-Best Team In The West?

December 16th, 2018 at 9:22pm CST by Eric Spyropoulos

The 2018/19 NBA season is now over a quarter of the way through, with many teams having played at least 30 games. At this point, the Western Conference is still extremely crowded, with 12 teams that are .500 or better fighting for playoff spots. Even the top of the conference is tough to figure out, with teams like the Nuggets, Thunder and Lakers battling to distinguish themselves as the second-best team in the conference (behind a healthy and engaged Warriors team).

The Nuggets have continued to impress after a fast start, as they have withstood several injuries to key players such as Paul Millsap, Will Barton and Gary Harris. They currently own the league’s 8th ranked offense and 5th ranked defense while posting a 19-9 record, good for first in the conference.

The Thunder have used the league’s best defense to carry them to a 20-10 start. Paul George is having the best season of his career as the Thunder continue to stifle opposing offenses. The addition of Dennis Schroder has stabilized the team’s bench units, something previous Thunder teams couldn’t rely on.

Finally, the Lakers have rebounded from their slow 0-4 start to find themselves at 18-12. LeBron James has been his usual terrific self while several of the team’s young players have continued to settle in around him. Of course, it’s also possible that the Lakers make a trade to further improve their team as a result of the crowded playoff picture in the West.

When fully healthy and engaged, the Warriors are still regarded as the clear favorites in the Western Conference. However, the battle for second-best in the conference will likely continue throughout the season and early rounds of the playoffs.

With all that being said, who do you think is the second-best team in the Western Conference? Perhaps you believe that it could be a team that hasn’t been mentioned here. Share your thoughts in the comments section!

Finding A Markelle Fultz Trade: Pistons Edition

December 14th, 2018 at 1:38pm CST by ChrisCrouse

It’s becoming clear that Markelle Fultz isn’t in Philadelphia’s future plans, as neither side appears keen on a long-term relationship. While the former No. 1 pick doesn’t have a ton of trade value on the market, some rival teams are looking into the situation.

The Pistons are among the teams doing due diligence on Fultz, Rod Beard of the Detroit News relays, confirming a previous report that Detroit was interested in the Washington product. It was previously reported that the Suns have also expressed interest.

It’s not clear what the Sixers’ asking price is for Fultz. The injured guard played in just 19 games for Philadelphia this season, missing time without specific details on his ailment until it was announced that he was suffering from neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Beard takes a look at what Detroit could offer and speculates that it’s unlikely that the Pistons move a first-round pick in a potential deal. They surrendered their 2018 first-rounder in the Blake Griffin trade.

Ish Smith ($6MM) and Reggie Bullock ($2.5MM) are each on expiring deals and could be useful to the Sixers this season. Bullock, in particular, would provide Philly with another floor spacer on the perimeter. He made 44.6% of his shots from behind the arc last season. He came back down to earth this year, making 35.0% of his attempts while battling ankle woes.

Smith served two separate stints as a Sixers’ floor general during the less glamorous periods of The Process. He’s a slightly below average shooter from downtown, but Beard argues that he could provide the team with a spark off the bench.

With Bullock slumping and Smith providing neither top shooting or defense, finding a workable trade is difficult. Short of a Detroit offering a first-rounder, it’s hard to see the incentive for the Sixers to send Fultz to Motown.

Perhaps Philadelphia looks at Detroit’s roster and narrows in on a young prospect, such as Luke Kennard or Khyri Thomas, and decide to build a package around him. No reports have surfaced relaying what exactly the team is looking for in a Fultz trade, so it’s hard to speculate on what deal would make the most sense.

Fultz is making $8.3MM this season with $9.7MM coming in next year. His deal contains a team option on the 2020/21 season worth $12.3MM.

Do the Pistons have the right assets to make a Markelle Fultz deal with the Sixers? If you were Detroit’s GM, what would you offer for the former No. 1 pick? If you were in Philadelphia’s front office, what would you accept?

Let’s us know what you think in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!

Community Shootaround: Raptors’ Hot Start

December 12th, 2018 at 7:40pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Raptors have been the league’s best team during the first two months of the season.

At least in the short run, their gamble on Kawhi Leonard has paid off handsomely. They have the league’s best record and Leonard has reestablished himself as one of the game’s brightest stars. Leonard is averaging 26.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 3.0 APG and the Raptors hold a 2 1/2 game lead in the Eastern Conference standings.

Toronto has been equally as good on the road as it has been at home. The wins have come in bunches, with a pair of six-game streaks and a seven-game streak.

While the Leonard trade has worked out as well as the Raptors could have hoped, they’re far from a one-man band. Toronto has four other players averaging at least 13.0 PPG, led by the resurgent Serge Ibaka (16.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.4 BPG). Kyle Lowry‘s scoring numbers are down but he leads the league in assists (9.9).

Young players are also producing at a high rate, particularly big man Pascal Siakam (14.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG) and backup point guard Fred VanVleet (9.2 PPG, 4.4 APG).

The Raptors had a mini-slide recently, losing three of four, but responded with a 24-point road win against the Los Angeles Clippers despite Leonard sitting out with a hip injury. In fact, they’re 6-1 in games Leonard has missed.

However, we’ve been down this road before with the Raptors. They won anywhere from 48 to 59 games during the past five seasons but only reached the Eastern Conference Finals once under former coach Dwane Casey.

LeBron James had a lot to do with that but now he’s safely tucked away in Los Angeles. However, Boston and Philadelphia possess more star power than Toronto, and that’s often made the difference in a 7-game series in which flaws can be exposed and exploited.

That brings us to our question of the day: Can the Raptors reach the NBA Finals with the roster they have now or will they need another star to pair up with Kawhi Leonard?

Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.

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