Pistons Owner Has ‘Full Confidence’ In Van Gundy
It has been a rough month for the Pistons, who were off to a 14-13 start this season before dropping 11 of their next 16 games to slip to 19-24. Still, despite the club’s struggles, head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy doesn’t have to worry about his job security, according to team owner Tom Gores. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Gores said he has “full confidence” in Van Gundy, whom he met with on Saturday.
“We are having a hard time and Stan and I are very real about that, but we also know we have a great group of guys,” Gores said, per Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press. “We believe they’ll work through this. We’ve hit a bump in the road and that’s what success is about – you gotta work through it.
“I never worry about Stan, because he wants to win,” Gores continued, per ESPN. “He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen in my life. I believe in him as a man and I believe in him as a strong person.”
As Ellis details, Van Gundy also spoke to reporters about Saturday’s meeting with the Pistons owner. Van Gundy explained that he and Gores agreed that the last six weeks shouldn’t outweigh the positive work the franchise has done over the past couple years.
“His thing was to not overreact to six weeks out of what has been over a two-and-a-half-year building process,” Van Gundy said. “We talked through our team and our options and what I thought we had to do to play better this year and what the long-term picture was and everything else.”
One player who could be a key part of that long-term picture for the Pistons is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The fourth-year guard is averaging career-best numbers in several categories, including FG% (.426) and 3PT% (.404). While the Pistons didn’t extend Caldwell-Pope back in the fall when they had the chance, the club remains committed to retaining him when he becomes eligible for restricted free agency this summer.
“I know Kentavious well. He is a hard worker. He is reliable and is improving every day,” Gores said, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. “He should be a Piston. That’s just bottom line. He has what it takes to be a Piston. He was a shy kid when I met him and he’s become a leader.”
Carmelo Anthony Discusses No-Trade Clause, Knicks
As we noted last night, Sunday was another interesting day for the Knicks, as Carmelo Anthony faced questions about his future with the team and his potential willingness to waive his no-trade clause. The latest round of speculation was fueled by a column from Charley Rosen of FanRag. Rosen, a longtime Phil Jackson confidant, was extremely critical of Anthony, writing that the forward’s legs are “going, going, almost gone,” and adding that he has “outlived his usefulness” in New York.
Twice during Sunday night’s conversation with the media, Anthony was reminded that the critique came from Rosen, not Jackson. Rosen said in an email to Marc Berman of The New York Post that the opinions in the piece were entirely his, and that he hadn’t spoke at all to Jackson about them. However, as Frank Isola of The New York Daily News writes, the nine-time All-Star “had no trouble connecting the dots.”
Here are a few of Anthony’s notable postgame comments, via Isola and Berman:
On the idea that he has “outlived his usefulness” in New York:
“If that’s the case, if that’s where it’s coming from that side, I guess it’s a conversation we should have. If they feel my time in New York is over, I guess that’s a conversation we should have.
“Listen, if that’s how they feel, if that’s coming from that side, then that’s what’s coming from that side. I haven’t thought once about that. I hear it, hear all the rhetoric going on out there. I still come to work every day, play and bust my ass, and try not worry about it.”
On the fact that some media and fans have speculated about him waiving his no-trade clause:
“They want me out? People can have their own opinion, but I haven’t spoken about it. I haven’t mentioned it, not once. That’s been the trend when you start losing. … I think I posted that (on Instagram) the other day. When we lose, it’s me. When we win, it’s us. That’s how I feel. It is what it is.”
On whether he would waive his no-trade clause:
“I’ve never even thought about that. Like you said, I guess there’s people talking about it. I don’t know … it’s not something that I’ve thought about so far.”
On the Knicks’ poor performance so far this season:
“It’s a disappointment, but what can we do other than try to change it at this point? I don’t feel like the season is slipping away, but it doesn’t feel like an average slump either, because we’re much better than what we’re putting out on the court.”
Central Notes: Gores, Bullock, Butler
Despite the team’s dismal record, Pistons owner Tom Gores has every bit of confidence in Stan Van Gundy to lead the franchise, and is optimistic that the club will turn things around in the second half. “I think we’re going to make a run,” Gores told the media on Sunday night, per Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. “I like our guys. I like this group of guys. We’re going to make a run.”
After sneaking into the playoffs and faring as well as anybody could have hoped against the Cavaliers in the first-round, the Pistons have struggled in 2016/17. Heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Lakers, the team was 11th in the Eastern Conference.
Elsewhere in the Central Division:
- Although it only briefly halted Jimmy Butler‘s impressive season, the small forward is said to have lost as many as 10 pounds while suffering from the flu last week says Sean Highkin of The Athletic. In his first game back from the illness, the Bulls star dropped 28 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
- It didn’t take long for Reggie Bullock to get dropped into the deep end for the Pistons, writes Rod Beard of the Detroit News. Bullock had intended to work his way back from a torn meniscus slowly, but injuries to other perimeter threats on the roster have pushed him into a bigger role, faster.
- The Cavaliers are said to still be looking for more pieces before the trade deadline. Quentin Albertie of FanSided’s King James Gospel blog has put together five different options that they could pursue using their reduced trade exception.
Community Shootaround: Melo Drama
The power struggle in New York grows more hostile by the day but eventually one of either Phil Jackson or Carmelo Anthony will get their way. On Sunday, Anthony reiterated that he has no intention of waiving his no-trade clause and suggests that, if Jackson and the Knicks feel his time with the organization should be over, they should have a discussion about it.
Anthony is under contract through the 2018/19 season and can’t be moved without his permission.
The latest uptick in drama surrounding the pair revolves around a story recently published by Charley Rosen of FanRag. Rosen, a close associate of Jackson’s, wrote a scathing column of the team’s superstar.
What we want to know is what readers think of the developing, hostile situation. Should Anthony feel obligated to waive his no-trade clause if a deal would help the franchise? Is Jackson wildly out of line speaking through his supposed confidant or the media making too much of their affiliation to each other?
Weigh in below!
Pacific Notes: Curry, Lacob, Mbah a Moute
It’s no secret that, despite the MVPs, Stephen Curry makes less money than some of his Warriors teammates do. The superstar guard is okay with it. “If I’m complaining about $44MM over four years, then I’ve got other issues in my life,” Curry told the Mercury News in a podcast.
Of course Curry is in line for a hefty pay raise as soon as this summer. Per Chris Haynes of ESPN, Curry will be eligible for a five-year extension worth roughly $210MM and you can be sure that the Warriors will present it to him as soon as they’re able too.
Though it would make little basketball sense for Curry to leave an elite level like a contender, the latest CBA makes it harder to justify on a financial level, too. Were Curry to consider options other than the Warriors, he could only receive $140MM over four years.
“Like I’ve said from Day 1, when I was first asked about free agency, this is a perfect place to play. Bay Area fans are amazing, our organization’s amazing, we’ve put together an amazing team that’s competing for championships every year,” Curry said. “There’s really no reason that I can see right now that would draw me elsewhere.”
There’s more out of the Pacific Division:
- The Warriors have seven centers on their roster — eight if you include Draymond Green. Tim Kawakami and Marcus Thompson of the Mercury News spoke with assistant general manager Kirk Lacob about how the club structured the roster coming out of training camp and what might come next.
- Though not as frequently featured on highlight reels as some of his teammates, Luc Mbah a Moute has had a significant impact on the Clippers, writes Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee. Head coach Doc Rivers agrees, offering some bold praise about the 30-year-old veteran. “He is one of the best defensive players in the league, bar none, but because he’s not a scorer, no one really notices, but that’s his value to a team.”
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Despite their consecutive NBA Finals matchups, LeBron James does not believe the Cavaliers and Warriors have a rivalry. “We’ve had two great Finals appearances the last two years,” James told the media. “But I had the same with San Antonio when I was in Miami. We weren’t rivals. And I think I played those guys more, so I wouldn’t look at it as rivals.”
Southwest Notes: Capela, Gordon, Daniels
After two long months, Clint Capela is set to make his return for the Rockets. According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Capela could return as early as Tuesday, depending on how he feels after Monday’s practice.
On December 17, Capela fractured his left tibula and has been sidelined ever since. Though the Rockets have continued to win ball games in his absence, they’ll welcome the 22-year-old center back with open arms. Before going down with the injury, Capela had been averaging 11.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
There’s more out of the Southwest Division:
- Halfway through the 2016/17 campaign, it appears as though the Rockets found themselves a bargain in Eric Gordon. Scott Cacciola of the New York Times writes that the shooting guard has thrived in head coach Mike D’Antoni‘s system. “I think he knew, more or less, the type of basketball we’d be playing, with the free rein on 3-pointers and all that,” D’Antoni said. “But I don’t think I could even articulate in the summertime exactly what we’d be doing, because I didn’t know we’d be doing this.”
- Unheralded offseason addition Troy Daniels has given the Grizzlies little choice but to expand his role with the organization, writes Blake Meyer of FanSided’s Beale St. Blues. Through 31 games, Daniels has given Memphis 10.1 points in less than 20 minutes per game and, according to Kevin Pelton of ESPN, has had a dramatic impact on the team’s plus-minus.
- It’s been nearly two years since Wesley Matthews tore his Achilles and over a year since he returned, but Zach Lowe of ESPN thinks the Mavs veteran is continuing to make progress.
Atlantic Notes: Anthony, Simmons, Thomas
The Knicks suffered a disappointing loss in Toronto on Sunday, at one point down 38 points. It was a fitting end to a chaotic week. To the chagrin of those looking for a drastic roster moves in the Big Apple, New York Daily News writer Frank Isola confirmed that Carmelo Anthony has not considered waiving his no-trade clause.
Anthony spoke to the media following the game. Per Isola: “If [the Knicks] feel like my time in New York is over, I guess that’s a conversation we should have.”
Earlier this weekend, Isola wrote about a reported tirade that Anthony is said to have gone on following a Wednesday night loss to the Sixers. At the time Isola reported that it wasn’t expected that Anthony would waive the clause either.
With three years left on his contract, Anthony could technically remain with the Knicks until he’s 35 years old. Whether recent events could change things, remains to be seen. If one thing is known, it’s that Anthony won’t be hastily moved without his permission.
There’s plenty more out of the Atlantic Division today:
- Injured rookie Ben Simmons has been traveling with the Sixers, writes Brian Seltzer of the Sixers’ official website, and Brett Brown is a firm believer in the impact that can have on a young player. “It’s feeling the gyms, it’s feeling the preparation, it’s being a part of a scout tape as you go through game preparation, it’s being on a bench, and seeing referees, and seeing players, and watching how the different flow of the game is real.”
- After suffering a foot injury in October, Jared Sullinger has recently returned to practice for the Raptors. The forward is well aware of the long road ahead of him before he’s in game shape. “It feels great, but horrible at the same time,” Sullinger tells Ryan Wolstat of the National Post of his first week of on-court action, “I have no lungs.”
- The Sixers are starting to win basketball games and play with confidence, writes Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “This is the first time that we’ve had, no disrespect to other teams, but we have an actual team,” said big man Nerlens Noel, the most tenured player on the roster.
- After leaving New York’s Sunday matchup, Knicks forward Lance Thomas is said to have suffered a “fracture to a bone in his cheek,” says ESPN’s Ian Begley over Twitter.
NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 1/15/17
Here are the D-League transactions for the day so far:
5:21pm:
- The Nets have recalled Chris McCullough from Long Island, according to a team-issued press release. McCullough was assigned to the D-League earlier in the day.
- The Kings have recalled rookies Georgios Papagiannis and Skal Labissiere from Reno, the team announced over Twitter.
2:15pm:
- After a good showing Saturday night, the Cavs recalled guard Kay Felder from their D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge, Cleveland announced via its team website. Felder scored a team-high 27 points while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out five assists Saturday. He has played in 22 games for the Cavs this season, averaging 5.1 points in 10.6 minutes per game.
- The Nets assigned Chris McCullough to their D-League affiliate, the team announced via Twitter.
- The Celtics recalled Demetrius Jackson from the Maine Red Claws, the team announced via Twitter.
- A decision will be made after the Mavs‘ game on whether or not Nicolas Brussino sent back to the D-League after he was activated, Earl K. Sneed of NBA.com relays on Twitter.
Hoops Links: Paul, Spurs, Thomas
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 us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown …
- The 76er Files explains why the Clippers need to move on from Chris Paul.
- The Jump Ball focuses on the Spurs’ youth movement.
- Dig In Denver discusses who is the Nuggets’ second-best player.
- Real Ball Insiders runs down the reasons Isaiah Thomas thrives in fourth quarters.
- Daily Knicks wonders if Derrick Rose fits long-term.
- Bullets Forever imagines what things would be like if Washington made a key signing.
- Silver Screen and Roll questions who is most likely to be traded from the Lakers.
- Indy Cornrows relays why filling the Pacers’ holes is challenging.
- Pounding The Rock breaks down the Spurs’ special scoring opportunities.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Will at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Bulls Notes: Felicio, Lopez, Hoiberg, Valentine
Cristiano Felicio has taken over as Chicago’s center at the end of games, writes K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. Felicio played the entire fourth quarter in Saturday’s win over New Orleans and has established chemistry with the Bulls’ guards on pick-and-roll and lob plays. “The other thing he gives us is a big-time defensive presence,” said coach Fred Hoiberg. “We can get out and trap ball screens with him because of his ability to move. There are not a lot of big bodies that move as well as he does.” The Brazilian big man is putting up slightly better numbers during his second season in the NBA, averaging 4.4 points and 5.0 rebounds through 33 games.
There’s more news out of Chicago:
- Starting center Robin Lopez has accepted the change without complaining, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. “I’m just trying to play my part a little bit,” Lopez said. “I think that’s kind of the good thing about our team. When we’re playing really well, we’ve got a lot of different options.’’ Lopez, who was acquired from the Knicks in an offseason deal, is under contract through 2018/19.
- The Bulls have been disappointingly average through the first half of the season, Johnson writes in a separate piece. Young players like Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic haven’t become the building blocks that management expected, and the team’s last two first-rounders, Bobby Portis and Denzel Valentine, aren’t part of the rotation. Johnson expects Hoiberg to be brought back next season, but his future after that could be uncertain.
- It’s too early for the Bulls to write off Valentine as a failure, argues Cole Zwicker of Fan Sided. Injuries and illnesses have helped to derail his rookie season, but Zwicker contends that Valentine still has the skills to develop into a productive NBA player.