Everything appears to be back to normal with the Warriors after last month’s altercation between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, writes Shams Charania of The Athletic. Green returned from a sprained right toe last night, giving the team a healthy lineup for the first time in weeks, not counting free agent addition DeMarcus Cousins, who is still recovering from an Achilles injury. The Warriors have climbed back near the top spot in the West with a 19-9 record and looked poised to re-establish themselves as the league’s best team.
More importantly, any fears that disharmony might tear the team apart seem to have passed. Warriors officials gave Durant “plenty of space” after the Nov. 12 incident and the situation appears to have been resolved.
“People I lean on told me to stay centerfield with my thoughts and my feelings,” Durant said. “I received so many people reaching out; my former coaches saying to stay centered, stay measured, stay pushing forward and keeping my foot on the gas. At that time, we were losing games, and people were banged up, so it’s easy to go the other way when you’re searching for answers. It was about staying positive and going to work.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Green, who missed nearly a month of action, was often frustrated as the Warriors‘ medical staff opted to be cautious with his injury, but he tells Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports that it was the right decision. “Overall, it was good for me not to rush it,” Green said. “I was starting to question the plan, but I tried it my way the first time and came back premature. I forced myself to trust their expertise because the main goal was getting me back healthy.”
- The Lakers are trying to work out a three-team trade to acquire Trevor Ariza from the Suns, and Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype believes he would be a valuable addition in L.A. In addition to his defense and 3-point shooting, Ariza is one of the league’s best players at finishing in transition. He averaged 1.31 points per possession in transition with the Rockets last season, placing him ninth among players with at least 100 transition possessions.
- There has been speculation that the Suns might be willing to take a chance on Markelle Fultz, but John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 doesn’t expect it to happen (Twitter link). He states that Phoenix has no interest in taking on “any issues” that the second-year Sixers guard has.
I’m praying the Suns don’t do anything dumb like trade anything of value for Fultz.
Did you read the article? It says they’re not interested.
These guys don’t like to read. Warriors and Celtics have the longest win streaks in the NBA. Yay!
You worried it could ruin the great season the sun’s have going? Going to be tanking anyway. Why not give it a shot?
Philly would be stupid to trade Fultz now. His value isn’t going to be lower if they wait. Might as well give him time for treatment and see what happens.
Agreed
Trade Fultz? No one will touch Fultz now. They will wait until he’s cut or his contract expires. Then, he will do a lap around the league playing a few 15-day contracts. Where is Anthony Bennett? He’s heading in his direction rather quickly.
Lakers have enough “wings”. This is a Lebron team; nobody calls Lebron a “wing”.
The four YoCoMoFos Hart Ingram Ball Kuzma can all wing. Pope Stephenson Svi Beasley. James if you must.
Anyway they’re set up to sign, not trade.
A wing is considered to be in the 6’6″-6’8″ range and can play shooting guard or small forward like Rodney
Hood.
Has zero to do with height. It’s entirely about positions.