Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/13/15
Former NBA great Moses Malone passed away in his sleep at the age of 60 today. Many around the league have expressed their condolences to the Malone family, and we at Hoops Rumors are also saddened to learn about Malone’s death.
A member of the Hall of Fame, Malone, a ferocious rebounder, was named one of the 50 greatest NBA players in 1996.
He was named league MVP in 1978/79, 1981/82 and 1982/83.
Our topic today is in honor of Malone. The question: Where do you think Moses Malone ranks as one of the league’s all-time big men?
Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say.
Hoops Links: Malone, Wolves, Allen
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown…
- Hooptrends.com took a look at what a current NBA Jam team would look like for the Wolves.
- The Love Of Hoops recapped Game 7 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals between the Bulls and Pacers.
- Pistonpowered.com discussed whether or not the Pistons should trade for Markieff Morris.
- Poundingtherock.com looked into David West‘s fit with the Spurs.
- Grizzlybearblues.com discussed Tony Allen‘s capabilities on offense.
- Hardwoodparoxysm.com wrote about Moses Malone‘s legacy.
Please send submissions to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Eastern Notes: Bullock, Pistons, Pacers
Reggie Bullock, a solid shooter who was traded to the Pistons during the summer, believes it will be his defense that helps him stick with Detroit, Keith Langlois of NBA.com writes. Bullock is one of 17 players with a fully guaranteed deal with the Pistons, as our roster count shows. In a crowded wing field, Langlois adds, Bullock is likely the best shooter of those on the bubble for the last spot or two.
Here’s more news from around the Eastern Conference:
- Speaking of Detroit, the Pistons, after some decisions during the summer, now resemble the team coach/executive Stan Van Gundy wanted to create when he took over two years ago, Shaun Powell writes in his 30 teams in 30 days series for NBA.com. By subtracting Greg Monroe and, perhaps, overspending on Reggie Jackson, the Pistons have a very athletic and young core. With that, Powell believes the Pistons are in position to make a decent playoff run this season.
- Continuing his series with a look at the Pacers, Powell writes that Indiana is likely in what’s considered no-man’s land in the league: in between good and really bad. While the Pacers’ addition of Monta Ellis should help, Powell writes that Ellis is only a temporary solution. That’s because, as Powell points out, Ellis is not the most efficient shooter and he’s with his third team in four years.
And-Ones: Leonard, Lawson, Kings
Kawhi Leonard, who re-signed with the Spurs in July for five years and an estimated $90MM, ranks favorably among the best small forwards in history at similar stages of their careers, according to advanced stats, Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News writes. For example, in his fourth year, Leonard had a better Player Efficiency Rating (22.0) than Scottie Pippen (21.5), Bernard King (19.8), Alex English (19.7) and John Havlicek (19.2) did in their fifth, as McCarney points out. What’s more, he had more win shares per 48 minutes (.204) than those four as well as Rick Barry (.155) and Dominique Wilkins (.197), McCarney adds.
Here’s more news and notes from around the league:
- The Kings‘ decision to sign Rajon Rondo to a one-year deal worth $10MM was a bad move because Rondo is a limited player and even if he does post a quality season, the contract does not provide any future control for the team, writes SI.com’s Ben Golliver in an analysis of Sacramento’s offseason. On the other hand, the Kings’ deal with Kosta Koufos is a good one, Golliver writes, because Koufos is a dependable, unselfish producer.
- Ty Lawson, in reply to a comment on his Instagram account, criticized Nuggets GM Tim Connelly, owner Stan Kroenke and president Josh Kroenke (h/t Jeffrey Morton of Denverstiffs.com). Lawson was traded to the Rockets during the summer after continued alcohol issues. In response to a comment that labeled Lawson a disappointment in Denver, Lawson replied, “lol I wasn’t a disappointment…. I did my job.. Tim Conelly [sic] and the kronke [sic] are bad owners and gm’s.”
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Knicks, Sixers
Subtracting Deron Williams, who was waived after he agreed to a buyout of the final two years of his contract, paying him roughly $27.5MM of the $43.5MM he was owed, allows the Nets to be under the luxury tax for the first time since moving to Brooklyn in 2012, but without Williams, the Nets enter the season with one of the league’s weaker point guard rotations, the New York Post’s Tim Bontemps writes on Facebook. That’s one reason why the Nets will likely fall short of making the playoffs, Bontemps adds.
Here’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
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Knicks first-round draft pick Kristaps Porzingis was the team’s best addition this summer, writes Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders, because size and shooting ability of Porzingis gives the rookie superstar potential. Kevin Seraphin, who signed a one-year deal with the Knicks, was also a good addition, Beer adds, because Seraphin should be able to provide the team with some much-needed rim-protection.
- Sixers GM Sam Hinkie‘s unconventional approach should allow the team to land multiple cornerstones and become one of the better up-and-coming teams in the league after this season, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders opines in a season preview of the team. As Kennedy notes, Hinkie has been able to stockpile several draft picks and young assets by being willing to take on bad contracts and help teams free up cap space.
Northwest Notes: Mitchell, Wolves, Jazz
New Wolves interim coach Sam Mitchell left the Raptors in 2008 after more than four seasons as head coach with the reputation of a man who demanded too much, but now at 52 he believes he is better prepared to replace Flip Saunders as coach, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune writes.
It was announced earlier in the week that Mitchell would take over as Saunders battles cancer.
The Wolves, as Zgoda points out, have a blend of youth and experience. Mitchell takes over a team built around consecutive No. 1 overall draft picks Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. The roster also includes veterans Kevin Garnett, Andre Miller, Tayshaun Prince and Kevin Martin.
Here’s more out of the Northwest division:
- In its season preview of the Wolves, Basketball Insiders lists Karl-Anthony Towns as the team’s best addition. The Wolves now have a dangerous one-two punch with Towns and Andrew Wiggins that they will be able to build around, the piece adds.
- Utah isn’t a destination place for A-list free agents, so the Jazz must keep adding help mainly from the draft, writes Shaun Powell in his 30 teams in 30 days series for NBA.com. The Jazz did that — and pretty much only that — this summer, Powell adds. When the season tips off, the Jazz starting five will all be under 25, as Powell points out.
Pacific Notes: Morris, Lakers, Warriors
The wild offseason for Suns disgruntled power forward Markieff Morris continued when the league issued Morris a $10,000 fine for “a public statement detrimental to the NBA,” and more specifically, “Morris’ desire to be traded by the Suns,” Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic writes. Morris has yet to back off his trade demand. The situation will likely get more interesting very soon because the Suns are required to report on September 28th, as Coro mentions.
Here’s more news on the Pacific Division:
- Landing Roy Hibbert in a trade with the Pacers was the Lakers‘ best offseason move, but the summer was another total failure for the franchise, from the perspective of the “championship-or-bust” mentality, SI.com’s Ben Golliver opines. The Lakers flopped in their pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge, as Golliver points out. Acquiring Hibbert was a worthwhile gamble, however, because the center, who will earn $15.5MM this season in the final year of his contract, cost only unused cap space and a minor draft asset, Golliver writes.
- Despite not making any splashy additions, the Warriors had a solid summer because they were able to re-sign players like Draymond Green and should have a very strong chance at repeating as champs, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders writes. Power forward Jason Thompson was the Warriors’ biggest addition, but the team did not have to do much tinkering because the roster was already loaded, Kennedy adds.
Pacers Notes: George, D-League, Ellis
Owning the D-League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants gives the Pacers a notable advantage because the affiliate is only about two hours away, Scott Agness of VigilantSports.com writes. The Pacers want uniformity, Agness adds, and by now owning the team, they’ll be in charge of decisions and be able to have a coaching staff that runs a similar scheme. The Pacers made the purchase official earlier this week.
Here’s more out of Indiana:
- The success of the Pacers‘ upcoming season largely hinges on whether or not Paul George can be the player he was before he broke his leg, Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders writes. Monta Ellis, who signed a four-year deal with the Pacers, is likely more talented than anyone who George previously played with , Hamilton adds. Therefore, the addition of Ellis should help George have a big season and the pairing of the two will likely lead the Pacers back to the playoffs, Hamilton writes.
- The problem with the Pacers, however, as the New York Post’s Tim Bontemps points out on Facebook, is a lack of depth up front. The Pacers face a gaping hole in the frontcourt without Roy Hibbert, who is now with the Lakers, and veteran leader David West, who turned down a $12.6MM player option to sign with the Spurs for the minimum, Bontemps adds.
Central Notes: Gasol, Gibson, Parker, Love
The Bulls‘ Pau Gasol may have risked a serious injury Saturday in a Eurobasket game against Poland, according to Nikos Varlas of Eurohoops.net. “The doctors told me that Pau couldn’t play more than five minutes straight,” Spanish coach Sergio Scariolo said in his post-game press conference. “But after the first five minutes, when I asked him to come to bench he told me now, ‘I will take the risk,’ he answered me and he had an amazing game.” Gasol scored 30 points in Spain’s victory and expects to play against Greece in Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup, Varlas reports.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Bulls forward Taj Gibson said he played despite a torn ligament in his ankle at the end of last season, tweets K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. Gibson, who had surgery on the ankle, added that everything is on track with his rehab schedule.
- Also bouncing back nicely from injury is the Bucks’ Jabari Parker, according to The Journal Times. Parker’s rookie season was cut short when he tore the ACL in his left knee in a December 15th game. The Bucks aren’t commenting on when Parker might return and allegedly ordered a TV cameraman to stop filming a recent workout. However, many in the organization are privately saying Parker is ahead of schedule and is expected to be ready for opening night.
- Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is recovering quickly after shoulder surgery, writes Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer. Love was expected to be out of action four to six months after being hurt in an April playoff game, but Pluto says he has been working with a team trainer at an Olympic facility in Utah. Love said Friday on Late Night with Seth Meyers that he thought he was about a month to a month and a half away from returning to action (video link; transcription via HoopsHype). Pluto adds that Love never gave serious consideration to leaving Cleveland before signing a new max contract in July. Love has been talking to LeBron James over the offseason about adapting his role in the offense.
Lakers Rumors: World Peace, Huertas, Analytics
Former Laker Metta World Peace, whom the team has reportedly been considering signing again, told Mitch Abramson of The New York Daily News he is ready to return to the NBA. However, World Peace added that he hasn’t talked to Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak about rejoining the team, and that although his agent has been contacting teams throughout the league, there has been little interest. The 35-year-old last played in the NBA for the Knicks in 2013/14. “With my career being up and down,” he said, “some teams are like, ‘Can we use Metta World Peace, where is he going to fit in? Is he going to be good for the rookies? Can he still play?’ I’m still one of the best small forwards in the world so that’s not a question. But the question is can I actually fit into a team and can a coach coach me? Those are realistic questions and it’s cool.”
There’s more out of Los Angeles:
- At age 32, Marcelo Huertas is looking forward to his first shot at the NBA with the Lakers, writes Eric Pincus of The Los Angeles Times. The Brazilian point guard signed a one-year deal with the team Wednesday and said he can help the Lakers with his “ability to control a team without having to score.” He will have to compete for a spot on the roster, as Los Angeles has 16 other players under contract, with 12 fully guaranteed and two partially guaranteed, plus a possible partially guaranteed deal for Robert Upshaw. “I was under contract for the last six years and never had the chance to leave Europe without paying a big buyout,” Huertas said, “so this was the year I finished contract and I had a real chance to jump to the NBA.”
- The move of Clay Moser to assistant coach/director of basketball strategy shows the Lakers are giving more weight to the analytic side of the game, according to Sam Amick of USA Today. Moser will team with assistant GM Glenn Carraro to form a bridge between the team’s analytics department and the coaching staff. Kupchak defended the organization’s maligned analytics performace. “The five people that we talked about who are in charge of accumulating, acquiring and interpreting the data, I feel they measure up to anybody in the league,” he said. “I would put them against anybody in the league … I would not hesitate to put our department in a debate with any other [analytics] department [of another team].”