Aaron Brooks Looking For Starting Job
After spending the 2011/12 season with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association, Aaron Brooks is back in the United States and ready to explore NBA free agency. The guard says that he will keep his options open but sounds as though he will prioritize opportunities to start.
“I want to be a starter,” the 27-year-old told Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. “I definitely feel that I’m a starter in this league. If I’m not a starter, I’m definitely trying to be Sixth Man of the Year. No matter what happens, I want to go out there and outplay my contract. I want to be successful and contribute to a team.”
The Suns have exclusive negotiating rights with Brooks until July because of his decision to spend the season outside of the NBA. The club remains undecided on what course of action they will take.
In March, General Manager Lance Blanks visited Brooks in China to check in with the point guard and discuss his possible future with the team. Brooks was told that the club would first wait to see what happens with Steve Nash before entering into talks with him.
Hoops Links: Blazers, Conley, Anderson, Bynum
On this day in 1994, Charles Barkley hit 23-of-31 field goal attempts and finished with 56 points to lead the Suns to a 140-133 win over the Warriors and a three-game sweep of their first round series. The Suns stayed hot heading into the next round when they took the first two games of their series on the road against the Rockets. Unfortunately for Barkley & Co., the Rockets would battle back to win in seven games.
Do you have an outstanding basketball blog piece that you think we should feature? If so, send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's our look at the best of the web this week..
- Blazers Edge takes a shot at instant rebuilding in Portland.
- RealGM asks if college basketball transfers are out of control.
- Hardwood Paroxysm examines Mike Conley in the double pick-and-roll.
- Eight Points In Nine Seconds doesn't agree with Ryan Anderson winning MIP.
- True Hoop wonders why Andrew Bynum doesn't get the ball more.
- Hoops Addict breaks down the Year of the Coach.
- Wages Of Wins dubs Reggie Evans one of the most underrated players in the game.
- The Hoop Doctors introduces us to basketball's next big thing.
- The Starting Five plays Debbie Downer to the Thunder.
- Forum Blue & Gold tries to figure out how to keep Arron Afflalo off of Kobe Bryant.
- Piston Powered checks out Austin Rivers and how he could fit in with Detroit.
- The Basketball Post runs down the Euroleague final four for NBA fans.
- The Portland Roundball Society looks back on Ray Felton's time with the Trail Blazers.
- Bucksketball believes that this will be a telling week for Milwaukee.
- Ballin Europe looks at the curse of the Eurochallenge championship.
- 48 Minutes Of Hell wants to know what happened to Devin Harris.
- Valley Of The Suns says the pressure is on Lance Blanks and Lon Babby this summer.
- Red94 wants to see Roy Hibbert in Houston.
- The Basketball Jones writes that Derrick Rose can bounce back just fine from his ACL tear.
- Magic Basketball reminds you that Glen Davis is a champion.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Profits, Suns, Draft
It was another wild night of playoff basketball that included more unfortunate injuries, this time to the Bulls Joakim Noah and Avery Bradley of the Celtics. Here's what's been going on off the court while you've had your eyes fixed on the hardwood:
- Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel dissects the latest comments from Dwight Howard, who told TMZ that he would never quit on his team or Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, with whom D12 says he's had several conversations since the start of the playoffs.
- Commissioner David Stern says that most NBA teams will turn a profit this year, and predicts all 30 franchises will be profitable within two years, according to a report from Jonathan D. Salant of Bloomberg News, who rounded up comments Stern made on a Bloomberg Television show airing this weekend. Stern had said during the latest CBA negotiations that NBA teams had lost a combined $300MM over the previous three seasons.
- Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic examines the desire of the Suns to keep restricted free agent Robin Lopez.
- HoopsWorld unveiled its mock draft, with all four contributors agreeing on Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal for the top three spots. Steve Kyler adds a report that Arnett Moultrie and Andrew Nicholson are rocketing up some teams' draft boards.
- Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune compares the approaches of Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor and Spurs GM R.C. Buford, both of whom share a connection with longtime NBA coach Larry Brown.
- Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida breaks down the potential U.S. Olympic team roster, and Rob Mahoney of The New York Times examines what the team needs.
Brandon Jennings Still Seeking Extension
Bill Duffy, the agent for Brandon Jennings, told Sean Deveney of The Sporting News he's "surprised" by Bucks GM John Hammond's comments earlier today that indicate the team may not pursue an extension with the point guard. Deveney reports instead that discussions on an extension may begin next week.
Hammond said in a press conference today that the extension "is not something we have to do." Jennings will enter the final year of his rookie contract next season, and if the team does not extend him by the end of October, he will be eligible for free agency in the summer of 2013. Jennings made waves in February when he said he was "doing my homework" on large-market teams as he looked to the future.
More recently, Jennings appeared to be focusing on his current team. This week he shared his thoughts on the past season, as Truman Reed of Bucks.com writes, and praised the play of teammate and unrestricted free agent Ersan Ilyasova, to whom the Bucks might commit major money this offseason.
Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel noted that Hammond spoke to the importance of continuity during the press conference, so that would seem to indicate the Bucks aren't seeking significant changes anytime soon. A disgruntled Jennings may force the team's hand, however, and though the Bucks would hold the right of first refusal if they extend a one-year qualifying offer in the summer of 2013, Jennings could simply sign that deal and be an unrestricted free agent in 2014.
Jennings probably won't be in line for a "Derrick Rose rule" five-year extension for 30% of the salary cap, but he may seek something similar to the four-year maximum deal that Kevin Love signed with the Timberwolves. While Jennings has shown flashes of brilliant play in his first three seasons, it's understandable why the team would be reluctant to put him in Love's class just yet.
Atlantic Rumors: Woodson, Sixers, Allen
It was a huge night for Atlantic Division teams, as the Celtics turned back an undermanned Hawks team in overtime and the Sixers took a 2-1 series lead on the top-seeded Bulls. The Knicks, meanwhile, are staring down an offseason of question marks and decisions for GM Glen Grunwald as they try to avoid being swept by the Heat in Game 4 on Sunday.
- If Mike Woodson returns to coach the Knicks next season, he'll be under greater pressure to win, as Frank Isola of the New York Daily News writes, also noting that Woodson wants to see Carmelo Anthony step up his conditioning this summer.
- The Sixers are bringing legend Julius Erving back as a "strategic advisor" to the team, a part-time role that will function like an ad-hoc consultancy and will include input on personnel, as John Finger of CSNPhilly.com explains.
- Andy Jasner of ESPNChicago.com looks back at the path Lavoy Allen took from late second round pick last June to key contributor for the Sixers in the playoffs.
Southwest Notes: Okafor, Spurs, Odom
The three Southwest Division teams that made it to the playoffs find themselves in three different positions at the moment. The Spurs look to take a 3-0 lead on the Jazz tomorrow in Salt Lake City, while the Grizzlies rebounded from their collapse in Game 1 against the Clippers to even that series at 1-1. The Mavs, meanwhile, are staring at the historically impossible 0-3 hole against the Thunder. Here's the rest of what's up in the Southwest:
- Hornets coach Monty Williams says Emeka Okafor's recovery from a knee injury that ended his season will help determine the team's long-term plans for the center, John Reid of the Times-Picayune reports. Earlier today, Luke Adams wondered whether the Hornets would use the amnesty clause to waive Okafor this summer as he previewed the team's offseason.
- In a Q&A on FIBA.com, Manu Ginobili says he thinks depth has been critical to the success of the Spurs this year (hat tip to Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News).
- Thunder point guard Derek Fisher believes former teammate Lamar Odom is headed in the right direction as he looks to move past this year's lost season with the Mavs, as Jeff Caplan ofESPNDallas reports.
How Playoff Teams Are Built
There are many ways to acquire talent in the NBA: free agency, the draft, trades, and that's just the start of it. Looking at the way this year's playoff teams helps us see the different strategies GMs use to build successful rosters. After the jump is a list of each playoff team, the players who contributed during the regular season, and how each player was acquired. For the sake of clarity and brevity, we've listed everyone who played in at least 10 games, averaged at least 10 minutes per game, and is still on the official 15-man roster. So, that's why Lamar Odom is listed and Jordan Hill isn't.
Of note:
- Of the 193 players listed, 51 were drafted by their current teams. The Thunder have used the draft to full effect, acquiring their top four players in minutes-per-game that way.
- Free agent acquisitions make up the largest category, with 65 players. The Hawks and Heat brought in several role players via swaps.
- Sign-and-trades brought in 10 players, including the top two minutes-per-game players for the Heat, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
- Simple trades netted 45 players. Eight of the Nuggets' contributors were brought in via trade.
- Teams acquired the draft rights of 19 players before they signed. It's easy to forget that Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Rajon Rondo and others weren't drafted by the teams they've played for their entire careers. No team used the draft rights trade quite like the Grizzlies, who brought in Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo in those types of deals.
To see the full list for every playoff team, click to continue:
Pacific Notes: Lee, Fields, Odom, Kobe, Fisher
Tonight, the Lakers look to take a commanding 3-0 lead on the Nuggets, while the Clippers await the first home playoff game of the Chris Paul/Blake Griffin era tomorrow. Here's what's happening off the court in the Pacific:
- Warriors big man David Lee might have been selected as a finalist for the U.S. Olympic team had it not been for his recent surgery to repair an abdominal muscle, Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida notes.
- Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group believes restricted free agent Landry Fields could be a fit for the Warriors if they don't bring back Brandon Rush or Dorell Wright.
- The Suns should pursue Lamar Odom despite the risks, argues Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. Odom thrived under Suns coach Alvin Gentry when both were with the Clippers, and last season's Sixth Man of the Year should be available for a reasonable price, Coro contends.
- Kobe Bryant, one of the league's fiercest competitors, might have to work harder to shield his softer side in the next round of the playoffs if the Lakers match up with former teammate Derek Fisher and the Thunder, Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com observes. “I’d be a little torn,” Bryant said.“I’ve always wanted to see him do well, I’m always pulling for him and so forth. But at the same time, being great friends, somebody has to win and I’d rather it be me.”
Wolves Owner Glen Taylor Looking For Successor
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor wants to bring on a minority partner who could take over as principal owner of the team after a few years, Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press reports (via ESPN.com). The 71-year-old Taylor, who prevented a move to New Orleans when he bought it in 1994, said any such partner must commit to keeping the team in Minnesota. State lawmakers are considering a plan for what the AP report calls a "massive" renovation of the Target Center, and approval could come next week.
"I could find somebody to buy the team. That's not my problem," Taylor said. "I have to find someone that's committed to here. It's always best if it would be a Minnesotan. I'm telling you I don't know that's the way it's going to work out. I haven't had a lot of Minnesotans step up."
Taylor, who hasn't spoken to any candidates yet, says the move is partially motivated by his age, and that it's also a consideration in his unwillingness for the team to go through another rebuilding stage. He's instructed team President David Kahn to be aggressive this summer in free agency.
Taylor is also chairman of the NBA's Board of Governors and played a key role in negotiating the current CBA during the lockout. The specter of Taylor and commissioner David Stern stepping down soon, as well as the turmoil within the player's association which threatens to oust executive director Billy Hunter, means the next CBA is likely to be negotiated by new leadership on both sides.
Blazers Interested In Pacers’ GM David Morway
The newest reported candidate for the Trail Blazers' general manager opening is another current NBA GM — David Morway of the Pacers. According to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com, Portland has requested and received permission to speak to Morway, who is expected to meet with Blazers president Larry Miller in the next week or so.
Morway, who has been Indiana's GM for four years, is considered the right-hand man of Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird. Before he worked for the Pacers, Morway also had a front office MLB job for the San Diego Padres and served as the president of agency Professional Excellence Sports.
Miller said this week that he isn't sure how many candidates the Blazers will interview, noting that he wants the process to be thorough so the team doesn't have to go through it again anytime soon. However, the Blazers president added: "If we talk to somebody and this is our guy, that would be the end of it."
Steve Kerr, John Hammond, Mitch Kupchak, and Geoff Petrie are among the names that have been linked to the Blazers' search.