Community Shootaround Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Community Shootaround: Kings’ Outlook

January 20th, 2017 at 11:20pm CST by Milo Taibi

If the Kings weren’t considered to be a playoff contender at full strength, they certainly aren’t without Rudy Gay. After averaging 18.7 points on 45.5% shooting in 30 games, Gay tore his left Achilles’ tendon against the Pacers on Wednesday; a season-ending injury.

Gay has vowed on Twitter to come back “stronger than ever,” but the Kings will still face a myriad of issues in 2016/17. Now 11th place in the Western Conference, the Kings sit at 16-26 following a lopsided loss to the Grizzlies. What’s more, the Kings’ roster is full of veterans preventing rookies Malachi Richardson, Georgios Papagiannis, and Skal Labissiere from receiving court time. Willie Cauley-Stein recently voiced grievances on the lack of opportunity in his sophomore season.

“I feel I was showing stuff at the end of last season that would make people say, ‘Oh, damn, they got a steal in the draft,'” Cauley-Stein told Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee. “Now it’s like I took 25 steps forward and 30 steps back. It’s like my whole rookie season didn’t matter and I’m back at square one. Nothing I did last year is having an effect on my career. It’s been very frustrating.”

The team appears unlikely to trade DeMarcus Cousins, but they have several assets who could help another team’s playoff run. With a lack of direction for the 2016/17 season, several on-and-off the court controversies, and no clear path to minutes for younger players, we want to know…

Should the Kings trade off assets and start a complete rebuild? Is there any hope in salvaging the season to grab a No. 7 or 8 seed? Will Gay – who has a player option for the 2017/18 season – opt to remain in Sacramento, or is he a lock to test the market even after his injury?

Community Shootaround: NBA’s Presence in Mexico

January 16th, 2017 at 7:11pm CST by Milo Taibi

The NBA’s two-game foray in Mexico City this month may only be a small sign of things to come, as commissioner Adam Silver sounds bullish on the league’s future in Mexico, citing a competitive market and “state-of-the-art arena” to hold NBA games. Prior to Saturday’s match-up between the Suns and Spurs, Silver addressed opportunities to expand in Mexico.

“In terms of a franchise in Mexico City, it’s something that we’re going to look at,” Silver told reporters, including Michael C. Wright of ESPN. “While we have no immediate plans to expand the NBA, one of the things that we look at is whether expanding would be additive to the league as a whole…of course we’ve had these two regular-season games, and whether we bring additional regular-season games in the next season or do some sort of tournament where you bring over a group of teams and they all play each other in some format — that’s something that we’re looking at.”

The league’s two-game excursion to Mexico City was undoubtedly a success. 20-year-old Devin Booker raised his international profile by recording back-to-back 39-point games, leading Phoenix to an upset win over the Spurs. What’s more, players didn’t have to deal with burdensome time changes as they do for games in Europe. While the NBA’s market has been slow to develop in the UK (Brits have an “ambivalent attitude” toward U.S. sport, Ian Chadbank of ESPN writes), it seems there is immediate potential for growth in Mexico.

So what do you think: would the NBA benefit from their second non-U.S. team? Would tournament format games in Mexico City make sense for the 2017/18 season?

Let us know in the comments section!

Community Shootaround: End Of NBA Games

January 13th, 2017 at 11:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Speaking this week from London, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that the league is studying the end of NBA games with an eye toward speeding them up, writes Tom Hamilton of ESPN.com. The NBA, which will review the issue at the end of the season, wants to retain younger fans who “have increasingly short attention spans,” per Silver.

“It’s something that I know all of sports are looking at right now, and that is the format of the game and the length of time it takes to play the game,” Silver said. “When the last few minutes of the game take an extraordinary amount of time, sometimes it’s incredibly interesting for fans, other times it’s not. … We are going to take a fresh look at the format, specifically in the last two minutes.”

While Siver didn’t go into detail about what changes the NBA’s competition committee might consider, reducing the number of timeouts a team can use in a game – or at least in the final two minutes of a game – would be one way to go. The final minute or two of an NBA contest can also be slowed down significantly if one team is trailing by a few points and commits several intentional fouls in an effort to extend the game and make up ground.

“It’s something that we track very closely,” Silver said. “In the league office we time out every game, we know exactly how much time each possession takes and, again, we can also look at minute-by-minute ratings, so we know at what point fans are potentially tuning out as well.”

What do you think? Does the NBA need to seriously consider making changes related to timeouts, intentional fouls, or another aspect of the game to speed up the final few minutes? Or are things fine the way the are?

Jump into the comments section below to weigh in with your thoughts.

Community Shootaround: Hawks’ Paul Millsap Decision

January 9th, 2017 at 7:20pm CST by Will Joseph

The Hawks decided today to pump the brakes on entertaining offers on all-star forward Paul Millsap. Instead, Atlanta is said to be determined to compete in the Eastern Conference, which makes sense considering the Hawks are atop the Southeast Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 21-16 record and Millsap is a significant reason why. He leads the Hawks in scoring, and is second in rebounds, assists and blocks.

Still, not many are banking on the Hawks making a deep playoff run. There were several suitors for Millsap, including teams such as the Nuggets, Kings and Raptors linked in trade rumors and talks. Evidently, any offers that were made were not enough for the Hawks to unload Millsap.

Millsap, however, has a player option for next season and can opt out and become an unrestricted free agent, a move that he is expected to make because it would fetch him a higher salary. In that sense, moving Millsap for the right deal would make sense on some level. What’s more, the Hawks had just traded Kyle Korver to the Cavs last weekend.

What do you think? Should the Hawks have removed Millsap from the market? What do you think of their recent moves? Jump into the comments section below to weigh in with your thoughts!

Community Shootaround: Crowder’s Fan Comments

January 4th, 2017 at 8:50pm CST by Austin Kent

The Celtics wrestled a hard-fought victory away from the Jazz on Tuesday, thanks largely in part to the contributions of small forward Jae Crowder. Crowder’s 21 points tied his season high, but the takeaway from the evening would prove to be neither his production nor the result on the scoreboard but rather his unexpected comments about the fans in attendance.

Supporters at the TD Garden could be heard cheering for rival forward Gordon Hayward, writes Christopher L. Gasper for The Boston Globe and it’s this to which Crowder took offense.

“[It’s] a sign of disrespect to me from the fans,” Crowder told the media, before doubling down on his unconventional reaction over Twitter.

The C’s have long been rumored to be interested in Hayward (here in 2014, for example, and here in October), but it’s the Butler alum’s connection to head coach Brad Stevens that gives the notion continued validity. As the 26-year-old wing approaches free agency via his player option for 2017/18, speculation about Hayward joining the Celtics and theoretically supplanting Crowder in the starting lineup has gained traction.

Given the circumstances, is Crowder’s reaction warranted? Is it bad form for fans to cheer for opposing team players? You tells us in the comments below.

Community Shootaround: What Should Hawks Do?

January 3rd, 2017 at 2:00pm CST by Luke Adams

A weekend report suggesting that the Hawks are open to listening to trade offers for Paul Millsap has generated plenty of discussion and speculation over the past couple days, but Millsap isn’t the only Atlanta player who could be available. Reports have indicated that the Hawks are open to talking about anyone on an expiring contract, which means Kyle Korver, Thabo Sefolosha, Tiago Splitter, and Kris Humphries figure to be involved in trade rumors as well.

Of course, just because the Hawks are fielding incoming calls and are receptive to trade ideas, that doesn’t mean the team will actually make a move. Millsap has been the subject of trade speculation for years, and hasn’t gone anywhere — it’s more likely than not that he’ll remain in Atlanta through the deadline once again this season.

Still, the Hawks’ upside with the current roster isn’t exactly sky-high. The team got off to a hot start in 2016/17, running out to a 9-2 record to open the season, but a 1-10 stretch followed. Recently, the club has bounced back a little, sitting now at 18-16, good for a No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the Hawks aren’t a viable title contender, and moving a few players before they get a chance to walk in free agency could help the team retool its roster.

The asking price in any Millsap deal will reportedly be huge, even though he’ll have a chance to opt out of his contract a few months from now. Any team willing to make a play for him will have to be confident that he’ll strongly consider re-signing in July. That’s not necessarily the case for the Hawks’ other trade candidates.

What do you think? Should the Hawks seriously consider making a trade or two to shake up their roster? Will their approach depend on how they play over the next few weeks, or should they make a move regardless? If they decide to move Millsap, what sort of package should they need to get back? Jump into the comments section below to weigh in with your thoughts!

Community Shootaround: MVP Race Check-In

January 2nd, 2017 at 3:30pm CST by Luke Adams

The NBA season is nearing its halfway mark, which means it’s worth checking in on what’s shaping up to be perhaps the most interesting MVP race the league has seen in years. Multiple young players have made the leap to superstardom this season, while others who have been stars for years have taken their games to a new level so far in 2016/17.

Two of those young players that have taken a leap this season likely won’t receive a ton of MVP votes, given their teams’ middling performances. But Anthony Davis is blowing away his career highs in PPG and RPG, with 29.2 and 11.7, respectively, while also contributing a league-leading 2.6 BPG. Giannis Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, is doing a little of everything for the Bucks, with an eye-popping stat line of 23.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 5.9 APG, 2.0 SPG, 2.0 BPG, and a .536 FG% in 32 games. Davis and Antetokounmpo are 23 and 22 years old, respectively, so even if they don’t get serious MVP consideration this season, they’ll have plenty more chances to compete for the award in the future.

Two former MVP winners have been as good as ever this season for the two teams expected to meet again in the Finals. In the East, LeBron James had been expected to play a slightly lesser role during the regular season in order to make sure he’s fresh for the playoffs, but the veteran forward has actually seen his MPG increase to 37.1, and his numbers this year are the best they’ve been since his return to Cleveland — 25.6 PPG, 8.7 APG, 7.9 RPG, and a .511 FG%, including 38.4% on three-pointers.

In the West, Kevin Durant has been the best player on a Warriors team that already featured three All-NBA stars, including last year’s MVP. While Stephen Curry‘s production has dipped a little, Durant’s efficiency has gone through the roof — he’s shooting a career-best 53.7% from the field, and has also emerged as a solid rim protecter and rebounder for a team lacking a traditional impact center. His 8.9 RPG and 1.6 BPG are career highs.

At this point though, the MVP race may come down to two of Durant’s former teammates. James Harden, who is coming off an astonishing 53-point, 17-assist, 16-rebound showing on New Year’s Eve, has led the league in assists with 12.0 per game, and has also averaged 28.5 PPG and 8.1 RPG for an overachieving Rockets team that won 15 of 17 games in December.

In a season full of incredible statistical achievements though, it has been Russell Westbrook who has arguably put off the most impressive stat line so far. Through 34 games, the Thunder point guard continues to average a triple-double, having scored a league-leading 30.9 PPG to go along with 10.7 APG and 10.5 RPG. As has been mentioned often this season, Westbrook would be the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double if he can keep up the pace.

With so many worth candidates this season, including a few I didn’t mention, who do you like so far in the NBA’s MVP race? Do you expect one player to take hold of the race in the second half, or will it be a toss-up at season’s end? Jump into the comments section below to weigh in with your thoughts!

Community Shootaround: Rajon Rondo

December 31st, 2016 at 6:14pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Bulls benched Rajon Rondo for the second half of their game on Friday night and the point guard will remain out of the starting lineup. Michael Carter-Williams will start for the team. against the Bucks tonight and it’s unclear whether or not Rondo will even see back-up minutes.

Coach Fred Hoiberg had a meeting with Rondo this morning and the coach said Rondo “handled it well,” according to Nick Friedell of ESPN.com (ESPN Now link). Hoiberg added that the decision to take Rondo out of the starting line-up was not done as a disciplinary measure, as Vincent Goodwill of Comcast Sportnet relays (Twitter link).

After Friday’s game, Rondo said the benching was a not big deal, as Goodwill passes along in a full-length piece. “Things happen,” Rondo said. “It’s not life and death. Life is too short to be unhappy. It’s part of it, if I start, great. If I don’t, as long as we get the win that’s all that matters.”

Rondo was Chicago’s prized free agent acquisition, but Dwyane Wade‘s decision to come to the team just 12 days later overshadowed Rondo’s signing and created an overlap in skill sets within the backcourt. The point guard hasn’t played well since arriving in the Windy City. He’s only scoring 7.2 points per contest, which is the lowest figure since his rookie season, and he’s sporting a career low 11.2 player efficiency rating.

The down season is partly due to a reduced role, as his 16.6 usage rate is his lowest since his rookie campaign. Playing off the ball is not a strength of Rondo’s; he needs to the ball in his hand to make an impact. A change in scenery may be the best case scenario for the Kentucky product, perhaps to a team that will allow him to utilize his play-making skills.

Do you think the Bulls should trade Rondo? What team would make sense for the point guard and what could Chicago get back in return? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!

Community Shootaround: Best NBA Stories Of 2016

December 29th, 2016 at 12:30pm CST by Luke Adams

In less than 72 hours, we’ll turn the page on 2016, a year that has provided us with a handful of historical NBA moments. We’ve seen records broken, legends retire, and history made over the course of the last 12 months, so before we welcome 2017, it’s worth taking a look back at some of the stories we’ll remember from the past year.

Several NBA.com reporters did just that in a Blogtable feature, with Steve Aschburner, Flan Blinebury, Scott Howard-Cooper, John Schuhmann, Sekou Smith, and Lang Whitaker weighing in on their favorite memories from 2016.

The NBA.com piece hits all the beats you would expect — the Warriors‘ 73-win season; the Cavaliers‘ improbable comeback and championship win; Kevin Durant‘s decision to leave Oklahoma City for Golden State; and new Collective Bargaining Agreement that signals several more years of NBA labor peace.

Of course, the NBA.com feature focuses on the “biggest” stories of 2016, and it’s hard to make the case that there were many stories bigger than the ones they mentioned. We want to open up the discussion a little more, and ask you about the stories you thought were the best or most memorable of 2016.

For some Lakers fans, for instance, the best story of 2016 might have been Kobe Bryant‘s farewell tour culminating in a 60-point explosion in his final NBA game. For other Lakers fans, 2016’s best story may have been the team turning the page on the Bryant era and beginning a new chapter under Luke Walton, with a handful of young, exciting players leading the way.

What do you think? As the year comes to an end, what NBA stories, players, teams, or moments do you expect to remember most about 2016? Jump into the comments section below to share your thoughts!

Community Shootaround: Rudy Gay

December 28th, 2016 at 7:55pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Rudy Gay, whose contract will expire after this season, clearly doesn’t want to be in Sacramento long-term. However, the Kings may be reluctant to trade him away since he’s playing well and the team is in position to end its playoff drought, as Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors details in his Trade Candidate piece.

If the Kings decide to pull the trigger on a trade, Gay would fit in nicely with several teams. Adams lists the Magic, Thunder, Pacers and Rockets among the teams to watch out for.

That leads us to tonight’s topic: Which team would be the best fit for Rudy Gay?

The Magic have some interesting pieces to offer the Kings. The Thunder could offer Sacramento a point guard of the future in Cameron Payne. The Pacers’ path to acquiring Gay could involve sending Monta Ellis plus a draft pick, as Adams suggested, to the Kings. The Rockets would need to get creative if they are going to acquire Gay without giving away a member of their core, but GM Daryl Morey has been known to make surprising deal or two.

Are one of these teams the best fit for Gay or would joining another franchise be best for his game? Let us know in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!