NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he would discuss holding a future All-Star Game in the city of Detroit with Arn Tellem, the vice-chairman of the Pistons, Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News reports. The Pistons are playing their second season at Little Caesars Arena, which is also the home of the NHL’s Red Wings. “I’m sure we’ll be talking about it,” Silver said during a business trip to the city. The state of Michigan hasn’t seen an All-Star Game since 1979, when it was held in the Pontiac Silverdome. The Pistons’ former home, The Palace of Auburn Hills, never hosted the event.
We have more news from around the basketball world:
- Former Heat and Cavaliers big man Okaro White is close to signing with Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv, according to a Eurobasket.com report which was relayed by Sam Amico. White appeared in six games with Miami last season after seeing action in 35 games with the Heat the previous season. The Cavaliers signed him to 10-day contracts last season but he didn’t play. He was waived by Cleveland in August and then by the Spurs in October after joining them for training camp.
- The G League’s Austin Spurs acquired the returning rights to guard John Holland and a 2019 second-round pick from the Canton Charge, the Cavs’ affiliate, in exchange for small forward Jaron Blossomgame, according to a press release from the G League club. Holland had a two-way contract with the Cavaliers last season and played 24 games, posting an average of 2.3 PPG in 7.3 MPG. Holland appeared in one game this season with the Cavaliers before being waived on November 9th. Blossomgame, the Spurs’ second-round pick in 2017, spent the last two seasons with Austin but has yet to make his NBA debut.
- The Warriors, Sixers, Lakers and Pelicans are the most likely landing spots for Carmelo Anthony once he’s waived by the Rockets, Matt Eppers of USA Today opines. Anthony could help each of those teams to varying degrees, mainly as a second-unit player.
I can see the fit with GSW, they need to strengthen their bench, but can’t see it with Philly, too slow for the pace of NOLA & too many wings already in the Lakers. So really of this teams only GSW is good for him. Also other teams like Miami, Detroit, San Antonio & even Boston, as their offence isn’t working, he might help there, though again they have too many wings like the Lakers, so probably wouldn’t be a good fit after all.
Can he sell tickets anywhere is the question. Maybe, do they need a shakeup. But he is probably done, because there are too many fans who would think a GM nuts if he was aquired.
If Houston wasn’t going to work for him, I don’t see how any of those teams does either. He wants to start and play a feature role, and Miami is about the only place I could see him getting that opportunity right now.
So we all know Melo’s main concern is he believes he is a starter, so this whole “second unit” role will be a factor in teams NOT taking him on.
Now, IMO, Pheonix could be a fit. Send TJ to the bench, with Booker/Bridges/Ayton as starters and making sure Ariza is on court when Melo is, to help cover his lack of D ability.