Community Shootaround

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/12/16

March 12th, 2016 at 10:03pm CST by ChrisCrouse

LSU needed a win today to keep any realistic hope of making the NCAA Tournament alive. Instead, the team suffered a 33-point loss to Texas A&M in a game that wasn’t competitive beyond the first few minutes. Ben Simmons had a double-double, accumulating 10 points and 12 rebounds, but he didn’t play with a fire that many players display while leading a team in a must-win game.

His inability to give the Tigers a shot at the Final Four, coupled with his on court demeanor, has raised questions about his ability to be a franchise player in the NBA. That leads up to tonight’s shootaround: If you were the GM of the team that wins the 2016 lottery, would you consider passing on Simmons?

The LSU product was considered a lock for the No. 1 overall pick entering the season, but one GM told Chad Ford of ESPN.com that his play this year has caused some concerns.

“As the season has gone on, I think he hasn’t improved and other guys have,” the anonymous GM said to Ford. “When guys don’t improve, I get a little nervous. I thought he’d get more comfortable with his jumper. He’d start molding this team into a cohesive unit. It’s gone the opposite direction. I still love him as a prospect, but I’ve got a lot more question marks.”

Brandon Ingram may be the only threat to take over the No. 1 spot and he will have an opportunity that Simmons does not: a chance to shine in the NCAA Tournament.

Let’s be clear. Simmons is not the reason that LSU will likely be headed to the NIT. His play this season is the only reason the team has double-digit wins, as the 2015/16 Tigers lack cohesiveness and top-level talent beyond the Australian native. While Simmons wasn’t the model of consistency, he displayed flashes of brilliance this season and showcased versatility that will be valuable in an ever-changing NBA. Is that enough to justify taking him with the No.1 overall pick regardless of how other prospects finish their seasons? Let’s us know in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say!

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/11/16

March 11th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Injuries will always be a part of professional sports. They are one of the primary risks that athletes take on in return for being compensated rather handsomely for their hard work. Most injuries are unavoidable despite the best efforts of training staffs, medical personal, coaches and the players themselves. It’s virtually impossible to play a sport at the professional level for any length of time without incurring some form of physical malady. No matter how well-conditioned a player is, nor how careful a team is with an athlete, muscles and tendons will pop and tear over the course of the long season.

Professional sports leagues, for the most part, try to look out for the best interests of the players. The overall product suffers, and revenue along with it, when the top names in the game are sitting behind the bench in street clothes instead of dazzling the crowd on the court with their athleticism. But is the NBA doing everything it can to reduce the number of injuries incurred each season? This brings me to the topic for today, with a hat tip to reader JB, whose comments in the wake of the announcement that Mario Chalmers was lost for the season sparked this idea. Thanks JB!

Should the NBA reduce the number of games played during the regular season?

There are currently 19 NBA players officially out for the remainder of the season, with three more potentially done for the campaign. New Orleans, Memphis and Milwaukee have all been hit especially hard this season, which I’m sure isn’t a whole lot of fun for fans of those teams. The 82-game NBA season can be a grind for players, and to be honest, for many fans as well. Some coaches regularly rest players to try and keep them fresh for the playoffs. That is a wise practice, but it can be a bummer for patrons. Imagine waiting all year to go to an NBA game, spending hard-earned money to purchase your ticket in order to see your favorite player in action, only to find out that he’s taking a breather on the bench that game. It’s happened to me, and I can tell you I wasn’t thrilled. Perhaps if the regular season was a tad shorter, coaches would be more hesitant to sit players for rest and recovery purposes. Reducing the number of contests would also limit the number of back-to-back games, which take an enormous toll on the players both physically and mentally.

But what say you out there? Do you think cutting down on the number of regular season matchups would reduce the volume of injuries in the NBA? If so, how many games do you believe is the proper amount? Or are you on the other side of the argument and believe that the same number of players would be injured regardless of the length of the season? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/10/16

March 10th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The NBA ownership ranks took a loss on Wednesday with the announcement that Spurs majority owner Peter Holt is relinquishing control of the team to wife Julianna Hawn Holt. The Holts jointly became the franchise’s largest shareholders in 1996, when Peter Holt ascended to the top of the organization. He’ll remain on the board of managers of Spurs Sports & Entertainment and continue as part of the ownership group, and his wife will now become the franchise’s chairman, CEO and representative on the board of governors. “Our ownership in the Spurs has always been a family affair,” Julianna Hawn Holt said in the team’s press release. “For many years I’ve had the desire to take a more active role with Spurs Sports & Entertainment. We felt this was the right time to make this transition. We are very excited about the current Spurs season and the future of the organization.”

It’s unclear how or if the change will affect the on-court product going forward. Peter Holt was a hands-off owner, allowing coach/president Gregg Popovich and GM R.C. Buford to build one of the league’s most well-respected and well-run basketball operations. The changing of the guard closes a remarkably successful era for the Spurs, who missed the playoffs only once under Peter Holt’s reign. The franchise has won five NBA titles while qualifying for the postseason for an amazing 19 straight seasons.

The success of the team, as well as the distinct lack of turmoil within the Spurs organization during his tenure, certainly should earn Holt praise as one of the best owners in the league. That’s a solid enough segue into the question/topic for today: Who is the best team owner in the NBA?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts on the subject. But don’t just limit yourself to providing a name. We’d love to know why you made the selection you did. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/8/16

March 9th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Friends of Rockets center Dwight Howard have indicated that the big man would have interest in joining the Knicks this offseason if he, as expected, turns down his player option in search of a more lucrative max deal. It’s unclear whether or not the Knicks have mutual interest in Howard, and it also remains to be seen just how highly he regards the franchise compared to other potential free agent destinations. Bucks broadcaster Gus Johnson relayed that Howard told him he likes Milwaukee and wanted to join the Bucks at the trade deadline. Discussions between Milwaukee and Houston reportedly hit an impasse because Howard wouldn’t agree to opt in for 2016/17.

The Knicks have approximately $55MM in guaranteed salary committed for next season against a salary cap projected to be set between $90MM and $95MM, though that amount doesn’t include player options for Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams. New York wouldn’t have the needed cap space to pay Howard his max of some $30MM for next season if both Afflalo and Williams opt in. Also complicating matters on the Howard front for the Knicks is the presence of Robin Lopez, who inked a four year, $54MM pact with the team this past offseason. Lopez set to earn $13,219,250 in 2016/17, and that would be a cap-crippling amount for the Knicks if they were unable to find a taker for him on the trade market. Howard and Lopez wouldn’t mesh very well on offense, and playing them alongside one another in a “twin towers” lineup would likely prove disastrous.

There’s little doubt that Howard is the superior player of the pair based on the statistical track records of both big men, but it is highly debatable that Howard is worth close to $30MM a season at this stage of his career. For the record, I say he absolutely does not warrant that sum annually, even if the cap does jump to almost $95MM. Even at his peak, I would have hesitated to pony up that amount, but with Howard’s advancing age, balky knee and back, doing so would be a huge gamble that would likely end in disappointment for the Knicks franchise and its fans. Pairing Howard with Carmelo Anthony would create an interesting tandem, but unless the Knicks add a competent point guard to the mix, the team would be unlikely to contend for a title, regardless of whether or not Anthony and Howard remain healthy.

This brings me to the topic of the day and the part where I turn this debate over to you, the readers. Today’s question is, Should the Knicks look to sign Dwight Howard this offseason?

New York has had difficulties luring star players in recent years, so there is no guarantee that Howard would jump at the chance to play in Madison Square Garden. The big man has also reportedly had issues with his diminished role on offense with the Rockets, as well as with teammate James Harden. While Anthony doesn’t dominate the ball nearly as much as Harden does, he is still a volume shooter and Howard may not want to share the spotlight alongside ‘Melo or Kristaps Porzingis, who might end up being the team’s starting center in the near future. One thing potentially working in the Knicks’ favor is that there may not be many suitors willing to sign Howard to a max deal, so New York could become an appealing option if it were to bid on him.

But what say you? Should the Knicks make a push to ink Howard no matter the cost, or are his age, injury concerns and potential cap hit deal-breakers for you? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/8/16

March 8th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons is reportedly set to turn down his $16.023MM player option for next season with the salary cap moving sharply upward, and he’s expected to receive a maximum-salary contract in free agency this summer if he does so. Dallas remains the favorite to sign Parsons, but the versatile swingman is expected to entertain an aggressive pitch from the Magic, as well as receive interest from the Heat, Lakers, Nets, Knicks, Trail Blazers, Nuggets and Thunder, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com.

The Rockets, Parsons’ former team, are also potential suitors this offseason, and the forward didn’t rule out a potential return to Houston in a recent appearance on the “Channel 33” podcast. “Houston was home for me for three years,” Parsons said. “I definitely would never count that option out. I have great memories there. They have a great crowd, a great city to live in … I have nothing but respect and love for them. I would never count that out.” Losing Parsons would sting the Mavs, especially give the organization’s difficulties in landing top-tier free agents over the past few seasons, but losing him to an in-state rival would be akin to throwing salt in an open wound.

Parsons is in his fifth season, so he’ll be eligible for the lowest of the three maximum salary tiers, with a starting salary likely approaching $21MM. Dallas will have his Early Bird rights this summer, which means that the Mavs can only offer four years instead of the five that they could with full Bird rights. The team will still have the ability to give Parsons 7.5% raises instead of the 4.5% that the Magic and others will be limited to, which would mean a difference of approximately $4MM over the life of a four-year deal.

This brings me to the topic for today: Where will Chandler Parsons be playing next season?

Will he re-sign with the Mavericks, for whom he has become a big part of the team’s culture and has also taken on the role of free agent recruiter? If you don’t think he’ll re-sign with Dallas, which team would be the best fit for Parsons’ skills, and why? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/7/16

March 7th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Warriors have a chance to do something unprecedented before this season’s playoffs begin. With an almost unfathomable 55-6 record, Golden State can take its place in NBA lore by breaking the 1995/96 Bulls’ record for most wins during the regular season.

A stunning loss to the Lakers on Sunday has placed their run toward history in some jeopardy, but the Warriors have shown the ability to bounce back from their most recent losses. They reeled off 11 consecutive victories after the Pistons blew them out in January, and they collected seven straight wins after a 32-point loss to the Trail Blazers coming out of the All-Star break.

Thus, that 72-10 benchmark still seems attainable, considering the Warriors are invincible at home and pretty close to that on the road. They’ve also been blessed by good health this season. Like any team, they’ve got some minor aches and pains — reigning Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry recently sat out a game with an ankle sprain — but they have all their major pieces available heading into the final 21 games of the season.

The schedule also works in the Warriors’ favor. They begin a stretch of six home games tonight, mostly against teams out of the playoff picture. They also play nine of their last 12 games at home.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr realizes the record is well within the team’s grasp, but he has other priorities. As Marc J. Spears of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports recently reported, Kerr plans to rest some of his regulars at times during the remainder of the season.

“Resting, that will take precedence,” Kerr told Spears. “We will rest guys if they need it before we will go for any kind of streak or record, that’s for sure.”

While winning back-to-back championships must be the priority for the Warriors, Kerr’s sentiment can’t be good news for the league. A sustained run toward the record would rank as the No. 1 sports story over the next five weeks, even superseding the start of the baseball season and NFL free agency.

Moreover, the Warriors have won so many games by wide margins, their starters haven’t logged a lot of minutes. None of their players is in the top 20 in minutes played and only one, power forward Draymond Green (34.4 per game) cracks the top 30.

Kerr could take another approach, such as limiting the regulars’ minutes even more rather than holding them out of games. It would be a shame if the Warriors fail to break the record because some of their best players were wearing street clothes.

This leads us to our question of the day: Will the Warriors match or surpass the Bulls’ 1995/96 NBA record of 72 regular-season victories?

Please take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/6/16

March 6th, 2016 at 11:30pm CST by Arthur Hill

Some years in the NBA, more player movement happens after the trade deadline. After a relatively calm deadline passed in February, some big names have changed teams through buyout agreements. And some of the league’s best teams have improved themselves for a playoff run.

In the East, the Heat signed Joe Johnson, who was probably the most coveted player under buyout consideration. Johnson has been a consistent scorer for more than a decade and gives Miami a much-needed 3-point shooter. He averaged 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists with the Nets before they let him go and has been a valuable part of Miami’s offense in his brief time there. The Hawks added ex-Suns power forward Kris Humphries to fill in for the injured Tiago Splitter. Humphries averaged 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 28 games with Washington before being traded to Phoenix. The Pacers are gambling on former Rockets point guard Ty Lawson, who is expected to sign Monday to serve as a backup to George Hill. Lawson washed out in Houston, but he was third in the league in assists last season with 9.6 per game while scoring 15.2 points a night.

Out West, David Lee left the Celtics for the Warriors in the first major move of the buyout season. Lee has fallen out of the rotation the past two seasons with Boston and Golden State, but he was an All-Star with the Warriors as recently as 2012/13. The Spurs bolstered their backcourt with the addition of Andre Miller and the expected signing of Kevin Martin. Both had their playing time reduced in Minnesota, but they have been solid contributors over the years. The Warriors added to their bench with the pickup of Anderson Varejao, a dependable rebounder and defender during his years in Cleveland.

There have also been some smaller moves. The Bucks added Steve Novak, who was knocked out for the season shortly afterward, and the Wizards signed J.J. Hickson. Both were coming off buyouts with the Nuggets. Chase Budinger is expected to join the Suns after a buyout with Indiana. Some players were waived without buyouts, as JaKarr Sampson went from Philadelphia to Denver and John Jenkins moved from Dallas to Phoenix, among other examples.

That brings me to tonight’s topic: Which team has done the most to improve since the trade deadline passed? Does landing Johnson make the Heat a more serious playoff threat? Will Lawson rejuvenate his career with the Pacers? Did the Warriors and Spurs make themselves even more unbeatable with their moves?

Please share your thoughts and opinions on the topic in the comments section. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/5/16

March 5th, 2016 at 8:40pm CST by Arthur Hill

The NBA’s oldest team picked up more veteran help this week as the Spurs signed point guard Andre Miller and reached a contract agreement with shooting guard Kevin Martin. Both players came off waivers from Minnesota after agreeing to contract buyouts as the Timberwolves turned their eyes toward the future.

They both were experiencing reduced roles before parting ways with the Wolves. Miller averaged 3.4 points and 2.2 assists in just 26 games this season. Martin, who averaged 20 points per game last year, was down to 10.6 as the Wolves cut his playing time by 12 minutes a night.

But the Spurs won’t be looking for much more than spot duty from either player, along with the specialized skills and playoff experience they bring to San Antonio. Miller’s reliable passing and reputation as a floor general, combined with Martin’s shooting touch and ability to spread the floor, can make them valuable in a playoff series.

Turning to veterans is certainly nothing new in San Antonio. The Spurs now have the league’s two oldest players on their roster in Miller and Tim Duncan, who are both 39. In addition, they have Manu Ginobili at 38, Rasual Butler at 36 and Matt Bonner and David West, both at 35. Butler or Bonner may wind up getting waived to open a roster spot for Martin, who is a relative child at 33. The average age of the Spurs’ roster is 31.8, according to RealGM, making them the only team in the league above 30.

The Spurs, of course, were doing just fine without Miller and Martin. They are 52-9 entering tonight’s game and a perfect 29-0 at home. They are firmly entrenched in the second spot in the Western Conference, three and a half games behind the record-setting Warriors. They also have a playoff-tested roster and coaching staff that make them an extremely difficult postseason matchup.

That brings me to tonight’s topic: How much will Miller and Martin help the Spurs over the rest of the season and the playoffs? Do they make San Antonio’s bench even deeper and more dangerous? Will they adjust quickly to the Spurs’ unselfish offense and rapid ball movement? Or is San Antonio in danger of having too many old guys and not being able to keep up with a younger team in a seven-game series?

Please share your thoughts and opinions on the topic in the comments section. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/4/16

March 4th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

LeBron James famously broke the hearts of Cleveland fans in 2010 with his “decision” to take his talents to Miami and the Heat. The move paid off handsomely for James, who helped guide the franchise to four straight trips to the NBA Finals, garnering two championships for his troubles. His return to the Cavaliers last season was supposed to be a homecoming of sorts, but the team has had its struggles despite reaching the NBA Finals in 2014/15. Adding to the intrigue and turmoil in Cleveland is James’ preference to ink one-year deals that afford him the opportunity to leave Ohio once again for what he may perceive as greener pastures if he is unhappy with the state of the franchise.

James and his Cavs teammates reportedly don’t have great chemistry, which only adds fuel to the fire for those who speculate that James may end up departing after this season. LeBron turned some heads this week with his decision to take a jaunt to Miami during consecutive off days to work out with his friend and former teammate Dwyane Wade. “What do I go there for? Go there ’cause I want to,” James said. “I would love to go to L.A., but I’ll take two and a half [hour flight] over four and a half. I’ve got a house in L.A., but it makes more sense for me to go south than go west. But I go because I want to.”

If LeBron wanted to defuse the situation, regardless of whether he felt he needed to or not, he didn’t help things with a series of cryptic tweets he posted a short time later. “Can’t replace being around great friends that reciprocate the same energy back to you in all facets of life,” James wrote, in what appears to be an obvious reference to Wade. It’s unclear if this is a condemnation of his relationship with his teammates in Cleveland or just an appreciation for the Heat shooting guard’s continuing friendship. Regardless of James’ intent, it was what he posted next that is truly interesting. “It’s OK to know you’ve made a mistake. Cause we all do at times. Just be ready to live with whatever that comes with it and be with those who will protect you at all cost!”

The 31-year-old declined to explain the tweets, but he did deny they were directed at his current team. “I don’t want to explain it, and no, [it wasn’t] directed at a teammate,” James said. Whether or not you accept James’ assertion that it wasn’t directed at a teammate, it wouldn’t be the first time James took to social media to call out another player or express his displeasure.

This brings me to the topic for today: Will LeBron James leave the Cavaliers as a free agent once again?

There’s no denying that it would be a public relations nightmare for James if he were to abandon his home state team a second time, but with his career winding down, James could decide his on-court legacy is more important than upsetting and potentially alienating the state of Ohio. But what say you? Will LeBron ditch the Cavs again? More importantly, should he do so? There is also the question of what team would he go to. Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/3/16

March 3rd, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge is reportedly seeking a player who can transform the franchise and is willing to pay handsomely for the right acquisition. Boston was reportedly connected to a number of marquee players at this year’s trade deadline, including Sixers rookie Jahlil Okafor, Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony, Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler, Pacers combo forward Paul George, Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love and Hawks big man Al Horford.

Ainge was reportedly willing to include the Nets’ 2016 first-rounder in the right deal, despite the excellent chance that Brooklyn’s pick will be in the top three overall come June. The Celtics are concerned that they will have too many young players on their roster next season if they retain their entire cache of acquired picks, so it’s highly likely the team will be active leading up to the draft in its attempts to acquire a star-caliber player, according to Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. “The term I’ve heard with Danny is that he’s looking for a ‘difference maker,’” a league source told the Herald scribe. “He’s definitely willing to pay you for the right guy, but he wants someone who can move them to the next level.”

This brings me to the topic for today: Which rumored Celtics trade deadline target would have been the best fit in Boston?

Take to the comments section below to share your opinion on which player mentioned in the opening paragraph would have made the biggest impact on the Celtics organization. Who would have been worth the exorbitant cost it would have taken to acquire? Or are you of the opinion that not making a blockbuster trade and retaining Brooklyn’s 2016 first-rounder was a blessing in disguise considering the talent likely to be available at that draft slot? We look forward to what you have to say.