Free $500 Fantasy Basketball Contest From DraftStreet
Put together a squad of eight NBA players, and you’ll have a chance to win part of a $500 prize pool in DraftStreet’s current freeroll! You’ve got nothing to lose by signing up and making your picks, as there’s no entry free. Here’s how it works:
The NBA freeroll begins Friday at 7:00 pm eastern time, so you have until then to create your team. You’re given a $100K salary cap, and each player is assigned a price by DraftStreet. You’ll select eight players — three guards, three forwards, a center, and one utility player. Then you’ll accumulate fantasy points based on how your squad performs in categories like points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and more in Friday night’s games. The 50 teams that rack up the most fantasy points on Friday will split the $500 prize pool.
I’ve put together a balanced squad that features a pair of Trail Blazers, a pair of Pacers, and Dirk Nowitzki, the NBA’s new 16th-leading scorer of all time. Here’s a screenshot of my roster (click for full size):
If you’re interested in trying to top my team and others, sign up and create a roster prior to Friday’s games (7:00 pm eastern time). It’s quick, easy, fun, and this week’s league gives you a free chance to win some of the $500 prize pool. If you enjoy the competition, you can try other leagues for free and earn credits, or deposit real money.
Please note that this post is a paid advertisement by DraftStreet.
Odds & Ends: Nets, McHale, Felix
Shortly after the Nets’ 21-point loss in Sacramento on Wednesday night, Brooklyn GM Billy King had a closed-door meeting with head coach Jason Kidd and Kevin Garnett to presumably discuss (as Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News surmises) why almost nothing seems to be going according to plan in Brooklyn right now. In another Nets-related piece, Lenn Robbins of NBA.com writes that the current roster hasn’t shown they deserve a player’s coach like Kidd.
Here’s more of the miscellaneous links to pass along tonight:
- When asked further about why Omer Asik didn’t play during tonight’s game in New York, Rockets coach Kevin McHale said that Asik told him that he wasn’t feeling well earlier (Sean Deveney of the Sporting News via Twitter). It should be noted that this was Asik’s first DNP-CD of his NBA career.
- Cavaliers shooting guard Carrick Felix recently returned to the practice floor after being out with a sports hernia, but head coach Mike Brown made it clear that the 23-year-old rookie would find his minutes in the D-League once he’s ready to play (Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal).
- Zach Harper of CBS Sports details why Andre Iguodala may be the ultimate role player.
- Although Michael Beasley may be a ways away from being a contributor with consistent playing time on the Heat, NBA.com’s Couper Moorhead tells us how the former second-overall pick continues to work hard and has taken a significant step forward to improve his overall game.
- Joseph Lombardo, who founded the investment firm Prim Capital (which previously handled the investments and finances of the NBPA), has been charged with fraud, according to the Associated Press. Authorities say that Lombardo used a signature stamp to forge the signature of a deceased general counsel for the NBPA and another employee that awarded Prim Capital a $3MM fee over five years.
- Nate Duncan of Hoopsworld goes in depth about what to make out of the Timberwolves’ and Pacers’ hot starts this season.
Asik Asks Rockets For Trade, Request Denied
9:24pm: Brian Windhorst of ESPN says Houston has informed Asik that they currently do not intend to deal him.
6:46pm: According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, two individuals with knowledge of the situation report that Omer Asik has asked to be traded. It’s not much of a surprise that the Turkish center has seen a reduced role after the Rockets added Dwight Howard this past summer, and there have been questions about how Asik might struggle with relinquishing the type of role he had last season. The tipping point may have come during Wednesday night’s loss against Philadelphia, in which he came off the bench for the first time in 96 games and logged just four minutes.
Feigen notes from one of his sources that the trade request was delivered within the past 48 hours. While Asik and his agent Andy Miller would not directly comment on the report, Miller had this to say:
“(The) situation is very frustrating right now and were trying to work through it…For Omer, the objective has always been to continue to develop and grow as a player. That’s why we came to Houston in the first place. If that objective can’t be met, if we can’t get the right platform to grow and contribute as a player, it’s certainly frustrating.”
The 27-year-old center started in 82 regular season games for the Rockets in 2012/13, averaging 10.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, and 1.1 BPG in 30.0 MPG. Through nine games this season, Asik has started in eight contests but has been limited to 20.7 minutes a game thus far. This isn’t the first time in which he’s tried to ask for a deal out of Houston, as we relayed two reports back in early July that the 7’0 center had been seeking a trade. It’s worth noting that the Pelicans were considered to be a strong suitor for Asik over the summer, and Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski had tweeted that a potential deal at the time would have been centered on Ryan Anderson.
As per Feigen, the Rockets currently do not have any trade in the works, and a deal would be more likely in the coming months than in days.
Amico On Asik, Kings, Pistons
Earlier today, we relayed a report that the Kings and Cavaliers have been actively involved in trade talks with each other, although Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio cites a league source who says that there’s “nothing of substance” to that report. In his latest piece, Amico touches upon possible interest Omer Asik around the league in addition to potential teams that could be involved in other trade talks. You can read more below:
- While the Rockets might not be looking to deal Asik at the moment, multiple sources have identified the Raptors as a team that is already highly interested.
- The Kings are considered to be league-wide front runners to make a deal, and Amico notes that the team’s new management explored moving several pieces during this past offseason – including guard Jimmer Fredette. He also adds that Sacramento is likely to field calls leading up to the trade deadline in February.
- There is league-wide speculation that the Pistons are looking to move the expiring contracts of Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva in exchange for more talent and could act soon.
Pacific Notes: Jackson, Henry, Hill
When asked about already losing to the Clippers, Spurs, and Grizzlies – three teams considered to be among the league’s elite, Warriors head coach Mark Jackson was straightforward: “Are those three elite? Then, we’re in the discussion…We’re a very good team that has continued to develop, continued to grow…I certainly like my team, when we’re at our best” (hat tip to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle for the Twitter links).
Here are more miscellaneous tidbits to pass along out of the Pacific Division:
- Xavier Henry‘s breakout performance thus far is remarkable considering that his NBA career may have been hanging in the balance only several months ago. Hoopsworld’s Yannis Koutroupis gathered the former lottery pick’s thoughts on playing for the Lakers and how he’s handled his early success this season.
- Jordan Hill not only provides badly-needed toughness but has played a pivotal role in helping the Lakers win four out of their first ten games, writes Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times.
- Bill Dwyre, also of the L.A. Times, suggests that Matt Barnes‘ ejection from last night’s game may have provided the impetus for turning the Clippers’ defense in the right direction. Eric Patten of Clippers.com writes that the team’s brilliant second half last night was proof that strides are being made on the defensive end.
Odds & Ends: Asik, Carmelo, Garrett
During tonight’s game between the Knicks and Rockets, Kevin McHale opted to start Terrence Jones at power forward and made second-year man Greg Smith as the first big man to come off the bench. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle says that although you could read into Omer Asik‘s trade request as a reason for him not playing much, he underscores that it’s more about how McHale has been unhappy with Asik’s play as of late (Twitter links). While it’s anyone’s guess at this point, I don’t think it would be too far-fetched to argue that Houston would look to get a deal sooner rather than later in order to avoid the situation turning into a possible major distraction for the team.
Here’s more of tonight’s miscellaneous news and notes from around the league:
- Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated thinks that two trade calls the Rockets should make regarding Asik would be for the Pelicans’ Ryan Anderson or Thaddeus Young of the 76ers (Twitter link).
- ESPN’s Chris Broussard turned to four long-time executives – two from the Eastern Conference, two from the West – to weigh-in on Carmelo Anthony‘s current standing in the NBA (Insiders only).
- Nate Gagon of the Deseret News ponders what the future holds for recent Jazz addition Diante Garrett and whether or not he’ll follow the same path as Sundiata Gaines, whose career in Utah was short-lived after a promising start.
- HoopsHype presents a slideshow of the top 100 free agents of 2014.
- Michael Pointer of IndyStar.com discusses why not much can be concluded yet from the Pacers’ 8-0 start.
Atlantic Notes: Woodson, 76ers, Wallace
Iman Shumpert met with Knicks head coach Mike Woodson before last night’s win in Atlanta to address the recent flurry of trade rumors involving him and was told he should be flattered that other teams are interested, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Berman later adds that Shumpert hasn’t necessarily been on Woodson’s good side since the Las Vegas Summer League, specifically when the third-year guard left the team after one game to go to China for a tour with Adidas.
Here’s more out of the Atlantic Division tonight:
- When asked if there was an ideal type of point guard for Carmelo Anthony to play alongside, Woodson bluntly responded with, “Raymond Felton” (Chris Herring of the Wall-Street Journal via Twitter).
- After observing the 76ers strong start, Philly.com’s Michael Kaskey-Blomain wonders if now would be an opportune time to trade Evan Turner.
- With former Daryl Morey-protégé Sam Hinkie running the Sixers’ front office, Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead compares Philadelphia’s rebuilding project with the Rockets’ three-year journey from being part of the “NBA middle” to becoming an expected title contender. With prospects such as Michael Carter-Williams, Nerlens Noel, and what could potentially be two lottery picks in a loaded 2014 draft (Philadelphia is currently owed a top-five protected pick from the Pelicans), McIntyre suggests that Hinkie has plenty of assets available to possibly enter trade discussions for a big name down the line.
- Celtics forward Gerald Wallace told Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer that he may not be as durable as he once was: “I understand my situation…don’t think I could play 35-40 minutes a night for 82 games anymore” (Twitter link).
- Jared Sullinger adamantly downplayed the idea of tanking this season in Boston: “(The media was) talking about the lottery. We didn’t even think about that,…We don’t care about that. We want to win, we want to make the playoffs, and we want to make a run. At the end of the day, that was something that you talked about, not us…we definitely wanted to shut (them) up. Definitely” (Jimmy Golen of Boston.com)
- NBA.com’s Marc D’Amico discusses the Celtics’ struggles with consistency so far.
Odds & Ends: Kelly, Lakers, Nelson, Davis
Lakers second round pick Ryan Kelly made a strong enough impression on the club to secure a roster spot despite being sidelined for the latter part of the offseason, but there isn’t enough playing time for him on the varsity squad. Earlier today, the Lakers announced that Kelly and forward Elias Harris have been sent down to the Los Angeles D-Fenders. To keep up with all of this year’s D-League assignments, check out Hoops Rumors’ running list for 2013/14. Here’s more from around the Association..
- This season Jameer Nelson is one of seven veterans with playoff experience on a Magic roster that includes eight players who are in their third NBA season or fewer, writes jessica Camerato of HoopsWorld.
- Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel contends that Glen Davis‘ latest off-court incident “killed” his trade value, and Schmitz wonders whether the Magic will hold Davis out of games for the entire season.
- A prominent online betting site has Wizards coach Randy Wittman at 2/1 odds for being the first NBA coach to get fired, tweets Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com.. Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni is handicapped at 12/1 odds for being the first to get the heave-ho.
- Zach Lowe of Grantland took an in-depth look at Lance Stephenson and the impact that he has had on the Pacers. There’s strong mutual interest in hammering out a new deal in Indiana and that could spell the end of Danny Granger‘s tenure there.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Western Notes: Budinger, Blair, Lakers, Liggins, Eliyahu
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports got T’Wolves fans excited today when he passed along news that Chase Budinger will return to Minnesota and has been cleared to resume basketball activity. However, the T’Wolves seem to be saying (via Twitter) that he may not start practicing right away. Here’s this afternoon’s look at the Western Conference..
- Offseason acquisition DeJuan Blair could earn a regular the Mavericks‘ rotation, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. When Brandan Wright returns from his right shoulder injury, Dallas will be saddled with a wonderful problem: two talented big men off of the bench who are hungry for playing time.
- Ten games is enough to start evaluating the Lakers, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Kobe Bryant-less Lakers are 4-6, though offseason pickup Wesley Johnson has been among the team’s bright spots.
- Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside wonders if DeAndre Liggins will be a candidate for D-League MVP this season. Schlosser believes that the former Thunder guard could rise up as this season’s Andrew Goudelock.
- Israeli guard Lior Eliyahu, whose NBA draft rights are owned by the T’Wolves, has signed a three-year deal with Hapoel Jerusalem, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. It’s not clear if the deal includes an NBA out-clause. Minnesota acquired Eliyahu’s draft rights in the 2012 Chase Budinger trade with Houston. To keep track of everyone’s whereabouts from around the world, check out the Hoops Rumors International Tracker.
Knicks Notes: Lin, Bargnani, Smith
Here’s the latest out of MSG, where Iman Shumpert appears to be staying for now..
- Knicks owner James Dolan‘s decision to rid the garden of Jeremy Lin and the Linsanity that came with him has backfired bigtime, writes Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com. Rather than match’s Lin’s three-year, $25.1MM offer sheet from Houston, the Knicks let the talented 23-year-old guard walk for nothing. What O’Connor doesn’t address is the fact that the Rockets’ offer was heavily backloaded, which would have cost the Knicks a bundle in luxury tax penalties. Lin and the Rockets return to the Garden tonight.
- Matt Moore of CBSSports.com isn’t ready to push the panic button and he gives ten reasons why the Knicks fans are going to be just fine. One of Moore’s reasons for optimism is the better-than-expected play of offseason acquisition Andrea Bargnani.
- It looks like Knicks guard J.R. Smith and Pistons guard Brandon Jennings might have a budding rivalry. As recapped on ESPNNewYork.com, Jennings threw a jab at Chris Smith on Twitter, implying that nepotism landed him an NBA gig while Pooh Jeter and Bobby Brown aren’t in the Association. The ever classy J.R. Smith responded by threatening to send his “street homies” to Detroit, presumably to settle the score with Jennings. Many have speculated that the younger Smith was given a roster spot with the Knicks over more worthy candidates as a favor to his brother, who re-signed with the club on a three-year deal this past summer.