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Bucks Notes: Rivers, Giannis, Jackson, Lee

November 16th, 2024 at 8:38pm CST by Arthur Hill

Bucks coach Doc Rivers was incensed after a phantom foul call resulted in a loss this afternoon in Charlotte, according to Eric Nehm and Mike Prada of The Athletic. With Milwaukee leading by a point, Giannis Antetokounmpo was whistled for a foul on LaMelo Ball with 7.3 seconds remaining, even though replays showed there was no contact on the play. Crew chief Curtis Blair acknowledged the mistake after the game, but the Bucks were powerless to do anything because they were out of challenges.

“There was clearly not a foul,” Rivers said. “When you watch the video, the ref was blocked out by one of our players. You can’t guess at the end of the game. Both teams have played too hard.”

Rivers was especially angry because a similar play happened in Wednesday’s game against Detroit. With the score tied, Antetokounmpo was called for a foul on Ron Holland with 1.0 remaining, which the league admitted was a mistake in its last-two-minute report. Holland misfired on both free throws, and the Bucks prevailed in overtime.

“This is back-to-back games now where on the final play there’s been an incorrect call made,” Rivers said. “LaMelo Ball fell. He just fell down. Nobody was near him. Slipped on his own. We come up with the ball. The game’s over. So back-to-back games now, we’ve had a call made against us that was incorrect. We were lucky with Detroit that the kid missed two free throws. Tonight, LaMelo Ball made the free throws.”

There’s more on the Bucks:

Rivers also criticized the referees for not giving calls to Antetokounmpo, Nehm and Prada add. The Bucks star shot just one free throw Saturday, even though Rivers thought he got fouled several times, including on a dunk with 1:09 left to play. “Go back three plays when Giannis dunks,” Rivers said. “The whole team fouled him. The whole team fouled him and it’s a no-call. Giannis drives to the basket because he’s powerful and they can hit him on the arm, they can hit him on the face and because he keeps going, he doesn’t get credit for the contact that he’s creating. Giannis was in the paint. … He was in the paint the whole night. Someone explain to me how Giannis gets one free throw.”
Andre Jackson Jr. continued his strong play since being moved into the starting lineup, per Jim Owczarski of The Journal-Sentinel. In addition to serving as the primary defender on Ball, Jackson eased concerns about his outside shot by going 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, including two clutch baskets midway through the fourth quarter. “He took one early one at the break which we didn’t want, but his corner threes are terrific,” Rivers said. “He also had a couple great plays where he drove the ball and he made plays. That’s more of what we mean and he’s doing a great job.”
Former Bucks assistant Charles Lee faced his old team today for the first time as head coach of the Hornets, Owczarski adds. Lee was on Milwaukee’s staff for five years and got to experience a championship in 2021. “I would say the game doesn’t feel as different, but the moments before the game and after the game when you get to revisit with people that you built some great bonds with and you’ll continue to have this relationship that’s bigger than basketball – but I think once the ball is tipped up, these are my guys,” Lee said.

Celtics Notes: Brown, Tatum, Queta, Lee

November 3rd, 2024 at 10:56am CST by Arthur Hill

A hip flexor issue that forced Celtics guard Jaylen Brown to miss Saturday’s game has been bothering him for several weeks, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Brown sat out the second game of a back-to-back in Charlotte after playing 37 minutes on Friday night. An MRI two weeks ago revealed that it’s a strain and showed fluid in the affected area, and Brown plans to have more imaging done because his condition has worsened.

“I got an MRI in training camp and it’s been back and forth since then,” he said. “[Friday] I think I extended it a little more, and it’s already been giving me some trouble. I’m going to have to get another MRI and go from there.”

Brown is still playing at an All-Star level, averaging 25.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists through the first six games of the season. Saturday’s contest is the first one he has missed, and coach Joe Mazzulla told Washburn that Brown is considered day-to-day. He hopes to return for Monday’s game in his hometown of Atlanta, but he’s not sure how his body will respond.

“I haven’t felt like my legs have been underneath me, dealing with this hip flexor,” Brown said. “It’s more [affecting] my explosion and my burst. And then, mentally, trying to figure that out as well. Thinking about it kind of throws everything off a little bit, but I’ll be fine.”

There’s more on the Celtics:

An NBA source tells Washburn that Jayson Tatum talked with former teammate Grant Williams after Williams was ejected Friday for a hard foul on Tatum. Williams was reportedly apologetic and they patched up any differences, although they didn’t greet each other before or after Saturday’s contest. Tatum refused to discuss the incident while meeting with reporters Saturday (Twitter video link from Kayla Burton of NBC Sports Boston).
Mazzulla turned to center Neemias Queta to finish Saturday’s game rather than Luke Kornet or Xavier Tillman, observes Brian Robb of MassLive. Kornet got the start, but Queta logged 15 minutes off the bench compared to three for Tillman and appears to have passed him in the rotation.
Charles Lee only spent one season as an assistant in Boston, but he believes it helped him get hired as head coach of the Hornets, Washburn adds in a separate story. Lee said he learned a lot from being part of a title-winning team. “It’s cool to go to a championship-caliber organization with so much history,” he said. “How they structured their everyday schedule and what it means to be a Celtic. It was really cool and interesting for me and my family to experience. As a coach I was able to see how it works to have that much talent on your team, to have the target on your back all year as one of the best teams in the NBA. This team had gone through some hardships and we’re trying to get over that hump. To go through that journey with them last year and see that all that had to go into it was cool for me and my growth.”

Southeast Notes: Poole, Heat, Hawks, Risacher, Carter, Lee

October 8th, 2024 at 2:44pm CST by Luke Adams

Jordan Poole was a little “quiet” and “standoffish” during his first year with the Wizards, according to Kyle Kuzma, who believes that was out of character for the 25-year-old guard and notes that he seems more comfortable entering his second season in D.C.

“I don’t think last year he necessarily was (Jordan Poole last season),” Kuzma said, per Varun Shankar of The Washington Post. “… We have the same agency, and I know for a fact from conversations that was not him. And I think that I see more of what Jordan Poole is now.”

As Shankar details, the Wizards’ plan to get the ball into Poole’s hands more and let him serve as a primary play-maker is one key reason for his increased comfort level. He had 16 points, six assists, and no turnovers in 22 minutes of action during Sunday’s preseason opener vs. Toronto.

“(Playing point guard has) allowed me to have more influence, more impact, get my hands on the offense,” Poole said, adding that his goal in his new role is to be “aggressive” and to “find ways to get my teammates involved.”

Here’s more from around the Southeast:

The preseason game between the Heat and Hawks originally scheduled to be played at Kaseya Center in Miami this Thursday has been postponed until Wednesday, October 16 due to Hurricane Milton, the Heat announced today (Twitter link).
This year’s No. 1 overall pick, Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher, isn’t coming into the league with nearly as much as hype or pressure as some past top picks, but as his pro career begins, he’s still eager to reward the club’s confidence in him, as Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution details.
The three-year, $58.65MM contract extension that Wendell Carter signed with the Magic features a third-year team option, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). That means the deal will only include about $37.65MM in fully guaranteed money, with a $21MM option for 2028/29.
Having gotten a head coaching opportunity after what he estimates was 10 interviews with teams over the years, Charles Lee is focused on building a culture of togetherness with the Hornets, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “I think that we try to talk about right now just our competitive habits and how we all affect each other,” Lee said. “Knowing that if one person isn’t holding up their end of the bargain or their end of the competitive bargain, then all of us are going to feel that.”

Hornets Notes: Green, Lee, Defense, Ball, Peterson

October 3rd, 2024 at 1:13pm CST by Rory Maher

Offseason acquisition Josh Green has been a bright spot thus far for the Hornets in training camp, writes Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Green had a very busy summer, making the NBA Finals with the Mavericks and then suiting up for his native Australia in the Olympics.

“It’s a different training camp time for me,” Green said. “Different than previous years. So, getting back into shape, making sure my body is ready. Just making sure certain injuries are taken care of since last year. So, overall, the training staff has been great here … making sure that I’m ready to go, and adjusting to a new system and everything. But I think the staff has done a great job making me welcome, and making sure I’m ready to go.”

Green was acquired from Dallas in the six-team mega-trade that saw Klay Thompson end up with the Mavs. Known for his defense, energy and athleticism, Green is looking forward to an expanded offensive role with Charlotte, though he acknowledges there will be an adjustment period.

“I think just getting used to having the ball back in my hands a lot,” Green said, per Boone. “In Dallas, I was in the corners and just playing the role that was given to me. I think the coaches have done a great job of being open with me dribbling, passing and creating. And I think I’m comfortable with that, too. It’s just getting back into that rhythm.”

Here’s more on the Hornets:

New head coach Charles Lee has emphasized defense in the first few days of camp after the Hornets finished with the second-worst defensive rating in the league last year, Boone writes for The Charlotte Observer. “On our coaching staff and our program, it’s on the top of the list for us,” Lee said. “So, that’s why we wanted to start training camp with our first drill being defense. Every film session we have is going to start with defense. I’ve learned, as I’ve gone through this journey as an assistant and a coach, that you end up getting good at the things that you emphasize. So, we are just going to continue to emphasize it and eventually it’s going to sink in. A lot of it is a mindset and we have to be willing to do it consistently.”
Point guard LaMelo Ball has been limited to 58 combined games over the past two seasons due to a series of ankle injuries, including just 22 contests in 2023/24. Head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson says Ball is healthy entering the ’24/25 season, according to Boone, who notes that the former All-Star is wearing protective braces on both ankles. “Yeah, Melo, he is in a really good place from a health standpoint,” said Peterson. “He’s had a really, really good summer as well and it’s been neat to see his commitment level. He loves Charlotte and he stayed in Charlotte basically the whole time, which is great. He’s put the time in, not only on the court, but in the weight room and training room. He’s in a really good place. I’m excited. I didn’t get to see him play last year when I was here. He was out. So, I’m excited to get to see him and take the next steps.”
At media day, Peterson discussed Charlotte’s offseason and the team’s general plans for the future, as Boone relays. “We wanted to take a holistic approach in terms of just having sustainable success,” Peterson said. “It’s not one of these things where we want to make the playoffs one year, and then we’re out for another four years; Or make the play-in game one year, and then we’re out for five. We want to be a consistent, relevant contender. You don’t do that overnight, right? It takes time. You have to build it the right way. You can’t skip steps. We’re very strategic in every move to see if that’s possibly going to impact that goal, knowing it’s the north star.”

Eastern Notes: Lee, Peterson, Hornets, Ivey, Duren, White, Pullin

August 7th, 2024 at 10:42am CST by Tristan Tucker

After speaking with more than 10 candidates, the Hornets decided on Charles Lee to be the franchise’s next head coach, having been won over by Lee’s basketball and business backgrounds, as well as his experience in player development and championship history, according to executive vice president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson, who spoke to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov about Lee and the state of the Hornets.

“His tactical skills are great,” Peterson said of Charlotte’s new head coach. “He’s a champion. He’s won two championships. Which, obviously, there’s a premium on just being a winner, and he has that. And he’s just an amazing teacher and communicator. He’s going to do his best just to get everything he can out of each player. That’s a big reason why I went with him as well.”

This offseason, the Hornets continued supplementing their young core by adding Tidjane Salaun with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. He joins young talent like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, who were among the best players in their respective draft classes.

“[Salaun] loves being in the gym, loves to get better and loves the process,” Peterson said. “So, again, we can sleep at night knowing that he has those qualities, and then, not to mention, he has some skill to him, too. He can rebound and push. He can make his shot. So, we’re just really excited about, more than anything, his mindset and his approach to how we’re going to progress and build this thing out.”

We have more from the Eastern Conference:

The Pistons have never had three players in three consecutive seasons earn rookie scale contract extensions, but that could change next year when Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren become eligible. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic details the fascinating seasons ahead for the young duo, who are playing for a front office that didn’t draft them, a team looking to be active in trades and their third head coach in as many years. Their situation is particularly tricky because if they show significant growth, it would make sense for the organization to keep them. But if either or both players stagnate, their trade value will be hampered compared to what it is now, Edwards opines. How they’re used will be worth monitoring closely ahead of the February trade deadline.
Entering his sixth season in the NBA after a year in which he was a Most Improved Player finalist, Bulls guard Coby White is transitioning to a leadership role for a franchise that looks to be getting younger, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago writes. White cited DeMar DeRozan‘s leadership style as a model he wants to emulate. “DeMar always led by example,” White said. “He wasn’t always the loudest guy in the room or most talkative guy in the room. But if we had a meeting, he was early. If we had a bus time, he was one of the first ones there. He was never late to a meeting. He was always ready to go. When the game came, it was always about business. And the way he took me, [Ayo Dosunmu], [Dalen Terry], Pat [Williams] under his wing, it shed light on the things that I’m looking forward to when I get older. And that can start now for me.“
Zyon Pullin has had an unorthodox start to his NBA career after going undrafted out of Florida. He earned a two-way deal immediately from the Heat but was waived to make room for Josh Christopher. This week, he was re-signed to an Exhibit 10 deal, signaling Miami still wants him in the organization. Ira Winderman of South Florida Sun Sentinel thinks Pullin will have an opportunity to compete for a two-way deal this fall. As we detailed on Tuesday, that may be an uphill battle, as he’d have to beat out Isaiah Stevens, Dru Smith and possibly Alondes Williams for that final spot. Smith is currently under contract in that two-way slot, while Williams is an unrestricted free agent. Pullin and Stevens are both on Exhibit 10 deals.

Brandon Miller Talks USA Select Team, Josh Green, More

July 20th, 2024 at 1:42pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Following a high-scoring All-Rookie First Team debut season, Hornets forward Brandon Miller was invited to play for the USA Select Team against a stacked U.S. Olympic squad.

The Alabama alum reflected on the experience during a conversation with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

“I think that put me in a great place out there competing with the best at the highest level,” Miller said. “Of course, we were having fun competing. I think that was a great moment for me to be out there and show what I can bring to a team against top talent. It was a great opportunity.”

Miller is talented enough on the court that it’s conceivable he could make the actual Team USA squad for a future Olympics competition. Across 74 games last year (68 starts), the 6’9″ forward posted averages of 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks per game with a .440/.373/.827 shooting line for the 21-61 Hornets.

His full conversation with Scotto is well worth reading in full. Below are some select highlights.

On his decision to partake in a second straight Summer League:

“I think it was to feel out the new coaching staff [under first-year head coach Charles Lee] because it’s going to be a new thing for everybody this year. I wanted to see how they wanted us to play. I think it also sets the tone (as far as leadership) for the year that we have coming up.”

On the addition of high-upside young shooting guard Josh Green to the team via trade:

“I think he brings a lot of defensive energy for us. I think that’s one thing we want to focus on this year, which is locking down on the defensive side. I think our defense will lead to our offense and transition. Josh is going to help us with that and, of course, his ability to knock down open shots. I think that’ll be big for us.”

On what fans can expect out of the club across the next five seasons:

“I think Charlotte fans should expect a playoff team. I think we’re going to bring energy every game and go out there and get as many wins as we can.”

Hornets Notes: Smith, Lee, Offseason, Simpson

July 10th, 2024 at 9:50pm CST by Rory Maher

Nick Smith Jr., a first-round pick in 2023, is hoping to carve out consistent rotation minutes in 2024/25 under new Hornets head coach Charles Lee, writes Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer.

The 20-year-old appeared in 51 games as a rookie last season, averaging 5.9 RPG, 1.4 RPG and 1.2 APG on .391/.432/.867 shooting in 14.3 MPG. He pointed to solid defense as his path to regular playing time.

“That’s what’s going to get you on the court,” Smith said. “I’m a guard, small guard, at that for the NBA. I’m 6-3 and have a long wingspan, but I’ve got to be able to guard the best guards in the country, and the best guards in the NBA, and the best wings at times. And I want my team to count on me to get those stops, because I want that challenge.

“And I’m pretty sure everybody knows I want that challenge, too. So, it’s just repping it each and every day, especially coming out here and just not taking any games lightly, it’s playing with the team. The team understands that winning comes first, defense comes first and Coach Lee has definitely preached that.”

Here’s more on the Hornets:

First-year head coach Lee is drawing rave reviews from his players even though he’s only been around the team for a handful of weeks, according to Boone. Lee decided to lead the summer league squad after finishing out last season as an assistant for the title-winning Celtics. “No. 1, I’m so excited to be part of this Hornets organization and also love the game, love to coach,” Lee told The Observer. “And I feel like I’ve been away from the guys as I went on that playoff run. And now’s my opportunity to start building with them, start learning some terminology, learning the players and also just create an environment of, ‘We’re all going to get down to work like nobody’s above anything.’ And so I was just ready to hit the ground running.”
The Hornets have been very active this offseason, making changes to the back end of the roster and agreeing to re-sign Miles Bridges to a three-year, $75MM contract. Those series of moves suggest that new head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson and new co-owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall are focused on improving the team’s talent pool rather than going with the status quo, Boone writes for The Observer.
Rookie guard KJ Simpson, the 42nd overall pick of last month’s draft, signed a two-way contract that covers two seasons, a league source tells Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link). A two-time All-Pac-12 honoree during his three-season stint with the Colorado Buffaloes, the 6’0″ Simpson averaged 19.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.9 APG and 1.6 SPG in ’23/24.

Kemba Walker Returns To Hornets In Coaching Role

July 3rd, 2024 at 1:18pm CST by Luke Adams

The Hornets have officially announced Charles Lee‘s staff for the new head coach’s first season in Charlotte, and the group includes one particularly notable name. According to a press release, former Hornets star Kemba Walker has been hired as a player enhancement coach.

Walker officially announced his retirement as a player on Tuesday and wasted no time transitioning into the next stage of his career. He hinted in Tuesday’s announcement that a new job in the NBA might be coming, writing, “Basketball will forever be a part of my life so this isn’t goodbye. I’m excited for what’s next.”

The ninth overall pick in the 2011 draft, Walker became the Hornets’ full-time starting point guard in his second NBA season and maintained that role through the 2018/19 campaign. He earned three All-Star berths and averaged 19.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 34.1 minutes per game across 605 total regular season games during his time in Charlotte before leaving for Boston in a sign-and-trade in 2019.

Lee is a former Celtics assistant, but his time in Boston didn’t overlap with Walker’s.

Most of the rest of Lee’s staff has been previously reported. It includes assistant coaches Lamar Skeeter, Josh Longstaff, Chris Jent, Blaine Mueller, Ryan Frazier, Matt Hill, and Jermaine Bucknor, the Hornets confirmed.

Zach Peterson has been hired as an assistant coach and director of player development, while Zeke Chapman has been named head video coordinator.

Southeast Notes: Ware, Highsmith, Martin, Wizards, Lee, Ball

June 27th, 2024 at 2:41pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Kel’el Ware gained a reputation of having a low motor during his one season at Oregon. He played with much more effort during his one season with Indiana and that’s why the Heat had no qualms about selecting him with the No. 15 pick, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel writes.

“I think that’s a low-hanging-fruit description of him,” Adam Simon, the Heat’s VP of basketball operations, said. “Kel’el is not that. I think he went to Oregon, was playing behind an established player, an older player. He played in every game out there, saw a better situation for himself to go to Indiana. For him, he showed what he can do. He played with a motor. He played with intensity. And I think we’re talking about a young player that has an edge to him.”

Simon has another description of Ware in terms of what he brings to the table, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

“Kel’el is a three-and-D center,” he said. “It is not easy to find 7-footers who can play out on the perimeter offensively and also be able to defend with his ability to shot block and defend the post. For us, that was very appealing.”

We have more from the Southeast Division:

Don’t expect the Heat to re-sign both Haywood Highsmith and Caleb Martin in free agency, Chiang reports in a separate story. Highsmith is set to become an unrestricted free agent and Martin holds a $7.1MM option on his contract, which he will likely decline. With the Heat’s payroll already near the second apron, the best Miami can realistically hope for is to re-sign one or the other, Chiang writes.
The Wizards’ moves in recent days signal that they’re attempting to build for four or five years down the road, while focusing on the crucial 2025 and 2026 draft lotteries, Josh Robbins of The Athletic opines. They made three selections in Wednesday’s first round. If that trio plays significant minutes as rookies, it’s almost a given the Wizards will be on the fast track to the bottom of the standings the next two seasons as they develop.
Charles Lee, the new Hornets coach, said that LaMelo Ball is focused on being durable next season after a couple of injury-riddle campaigns. “I think that he’s just doing all that he can possibly do to make sure that he’s more available this year, a little bit healthier,” Lee told Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Obersver. “Injuries are going to happen, but if you can do a lot of the work on the front end, hopefully you can create some luck where you avoid one or two of these little minor, nagging injuries. And then outside of that, I just think that offensively, he’s going to be a big component or a big part of us being able to play fast.”
The Hornets are coming off a 21-win season but Lee is impressed with the talent level within the roster, according to the Associated Press. “We have a very, very good team here,” Lee said. “We’ve been snakebit with some injuries. … But this group is focused on the right things. The expectations are that we are going to compete every night, whether it’s a home game, road game or whoever is playing. This is going to be a group that is together offensively and defensively, no matter who is on the floor.”

Scotto’s Latest: J. Smith, Toppin, Weaver, Hartenstein, Huerter, O’Neale, More

June 15th, 2024 at 4:24pm CST by Arthur Hill

Early indications suggest that Pacers power forward Jalen Smith will decline his $5.4MM player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports in his latest aggregate mock draft. Sources tell Scotto that a final decision hasn’t been made, but Smith appears to be leaning toward testing the free agency waters. He has a June 29 deadline to opt in for 2024/25.

Smith, 24, appeared in 61 games this season and posted a career high in scoring at 9.9 PPG, along with 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 17.2 minutes per night. He was selected 10th overall by Phoenix in the 2020 draft and was acquired by Indiana at the 2022 trade deadline.

Scotto notes that rival teams are watching to see whether the Pacers will re-sign restricted free agent Obi Toppin. If the fourth-year power forward reaches a new deal, there’s a belief that Indiana might be willing to trade Jarace Walker, who was a lottery pick last June.

Scotto shares more inside information in his aggregate draft:

Washington is believed to be a potential destination for former Pistons general manager Troy Weaver, who recently parted ways with the team, Scotto writes, noting that Weaver was once part of Oklahoma City’s front office along with Wizards executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins.
Scotto talked with some NBA executives who believe the Magic should be considered a threat to sign Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein. Orlando could have close to $50MM in cap space to work with.
Executives also expect the Kings to explore deals involving Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes, Scotto adds.
The Raptors plan to work out an extension with Scottie Barnes this summer, sources tell Scotto. The versatile swingman made his first All-Star appearance this year.
Scotto echoes other reports in stating that Royce O’Neale is likely to reach a new contract with the Suns. The 31-year-old forward, who was acquired from Brooklyn at the trade deadline, is expected to receive about $10MM per year, according to Scotto.
Vice president of basketball operations Brent Barry isn’t expected to return to the Spurs next season, sources tell Scotto. The longtime NBA player has been an executive with San Antonio since 2018.
Assistant coach Jason Love will likely leave the Sixers and join Doc Rivers’ staff with the Bucks, Scotto states. Love previously worked for Rivers in Philadelphia.
The Hornets are assembling a staff of assistants for new head coach Charles Lee. Scotto hears it will include Lamar Skeeter, Josh Longstaff, Chris Jent, Ryan Frazier, Zach Peterson, Matt Hill and Blaine Mueller.