Iman Shumpert Hoping To Return From Knee Injury
Iman Shumpert hopes that he can return from right knee soreness to help the Rockets in the coming days, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes.
Shumpert, 28, has missed Houston’s first two games following the All-Star break due to the injury. He has not played since Feb. 13 and is currently listed as questionable for the Rockets’ game against the Hawks on Monday.
“I just need to run and do stuff,” Shumpert said. “I haven’t really tested it out now. We’ve been doing strength work. I’ll be able to do a little running (Sunday and Monday), see how it responds and go from there.”
LeBron James Talks Lakers’ Struggles, Camaraderie, Injuries
At 29-30, the Lakers occupy 10th place in the Western Conference, three games back of the Clippers for the eighth seed. Injuries and inconsistencies have dampened the organization’s hope to end a postseason drought that has persisted since 2013.
Following a 128-115 blowout loss to the Anthony Davis-less Pelicans on Saturday, those hopes took another blow. After publicly stating he has “activated” playoff mode to ensure his new team does not miss the playoffs, LeBron James has now openly questioned his team’s effort. James has played in eight straight NBA Finals and reached the series nine times in the last 12 seasons.
However, the most serious injury of his career — a groin strain that sidelined him for over a month — also played a role in the team’s decline. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, James weighed in on the team and how the reality of the year has evolved, per Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
On expecting the season to be a challenge…
“I knew it was going to be very challenging, just because of the [limited] experience the roster had at that point and time. I knew it was going to be challenging from that sense, but I felt like we could still play better basketball. And we were doing that and obviously it sucks that my injury happened and (Lonzo Ball)’s injury happened and so many of our injuries happened. And we had suspensions in there.”
On injuries impacting the season thus far…
“So, I’m huge on chemistry and camaraderie … but the injuries have felt like it’s taken a toll on our team. So hopefully we can get ‘Zo back soon to kind of help that out. And hopefully we can start playing a little bit better too.”
On needing to overcome challenges…
“It’s how you approach the game every day. It’s how you think the game every day. It’s how you play the game. It’s how you prepare for the game. And it’s not even like when you get to the arena. It’s like way before that. It’s like, basketball, is that the most important thing while we’re doing this? Is it the most important thing in your life at this time? If you feel like you’re giving it all to the game, then you can do other things. But if you feel like you’re not giving as much as you can, then you can’t focus on anything else. That’s just … my personal take.”
Irving On Viral Video With Durant: “My Life Is My Business”
A viral video of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant — both of whom are set for unrestricted free agency this summer — speaking privately in a hallway during NBA All-Star weekend generated a lot of attention.
Fans on social media speculated both Irving and Durant possibly discussing plans to join the Knicks this summer. New York cleared cap space by trading Kristaps Porzingis earlier this month, creating two max slots. However, Irving said he paid no attention to the social chatter and left the content of his conversation with the Warriors All-Star private.
“Is the internet real for you in your life?” Irving told reporters, including NBC Sports Boston’s A.Sherrod Blakely. “It’s my life, right? It’s two people talking, having a conversation. If it’s the real world, would it be anybody else’s business? It’s a video of someone assuming what we’re talking about, right? Making an opinion about it. So why would I care? Why does that have an impact on my life? Why are you asking me those type of questions? About cooling it off? For what? I don’t get it.”
Both Irving and Durant expressed frustration with the barrage of attention leading into free agency. Given their status as two of the league’s top names, the conversation does not figure to subside until they reach decisions at some point in the summer. As Irving tries to steer Boston in the right direction with the postseason approaching, he said that speculative comments about his future will not concern him.
“What I do with my life is my business. It’s none of yours, none of anybody’s business,” he said. “So it’s a video of me and one of my best friends talking. And then it turns out to be a dissection of free agency meeting? You get that? Do you get that? And I’m asked questions about it? That’s what disconnects me from all this. I have no connection to all that. Over a video? Every wants to hear athletes talk about (bleep) like this. A video though? To pour water on it? It makes no sense.”
G League Assignments/Recalls: 2/24/19
Here are Sunday’s assignments and recalls from around the NBA G League:
- The Jazz assigned rookie forward Grayson Allen to the club’s G League affiliate Salt Lake City Stars before recalling him following practice, the team announced (Twitter link). This was the eighth G League assignment for Allen, who is averaging 4.1 PPG for Utah in his first NBA season.
- The Warriors assigned guard Jacob Evans III to the team’s G League affiliate in Santa Cruz, the team announced Sunday. Evans has appeared in 23 games with Golden State while also suiting up for Santa Cruz in 16 games.
Central Notes: Ellington, Cavs, Middleton, Pistons
Wayne Ellington has seen significant minutes since joining the Pistons, a stark contrast from his previous situation with the Heat. Miami traded him to Phoenix on February 7, with both sides then reaching a buyout to allow him to enter free agency and sign with Detroit.
Ellington has averaged 28.5 minutes in his first four games with his new team, including a 33-minute contest against Boston before All-Star Weekend.
“Wayne showed in his minutes against Boston that he’s picked up things pretty quickly,” head coach Dwane Casey said, according to Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
Ellington has started in the last two games for the Pistons — including the team’s 119-96 victory over the Heat on Saturday — proving his worth as a valuable shooting guard capable of spreading the floor around Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and others.
Ellington spent much of the All-Star break studying plays and prepping for his ascension to the starting five, according to Beard. It’s possible that he remains in this role for an extended time, with the Pistons currently fighting for a playoff berth alongside Brooklyn, Charlotte, Orlando, Miami and Washington.
There’s more out of the Central Division today:
- The Cavaliers are not interested in tanking and plan to play at a playoff pace the rest of the season, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes. “With everybody coming back and guys really coming into their own — myself, Cedi (Osman), Collin (Sexton) has been playing great — I would like to see us, if you start the season today, I would like to see us in the playoffs,” Larry Nance Jr. said. “Look, I know we’re not going to make the playoffs. I know that. I’m talking about finishing top eight in the conference just over the final 23 games.” Despite his honesty, Nance Jr. recognized the importance of continuing to play with a competitive fire until the season ends.
- Zach Lowe of ESPN.com details the game of Bucks guard Khris Middleton, a rare kind of second star who’s expected to reach free agency this July. Middleton, an NBA All-Star, has averaged 17.3 points on 38% shooting from 3-point range with the team this season. “It’s amazing how Khris has grown,” teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “As a team, we have clicked. It is something special.”
- Pistons center Andre Drummond still has plenty of room to improve, Rod Beard writes in his mailbag for The Detroit News. Drummond, 25, makes up a talented Detroit frontcourt alongside Blake Griffin. Beard also discussed the role of Svi Mykhailiuk, whether the team can build a successful roster around Griffin, and more.
Atlantic Notes: Irving, Green, Rozier, Rose
The Celtics were handed their second loss in a row on Saturday, dropping a 126-116 game to the Bulls at United Center. Boston failed to stop the avalanche caused by Zach LaVine (42 points) and Lauri Markkanen (35 points), bringing their regular-season road record to 14-15.
“It is what it is,” Kyrie Irving said, according to NBC Sports Boston. “Like I said, I don’t get frustrated with this type of stuff anymore. It’s just part of the regular season. In the playoffs where we can plan for a team and prepare for a team, I still don’t see anybody beating us in seven games.”
Irving played his part on Saturday, recording 37 points with 10 assists in 40 minutes of action. But the Celtics were dominated by the Bulls 49-32 on the glass, giving Chicago extra opportunities to score and pull away with an impressive home victory.
“It’s basketball, so we’ve got some figuring out to do,” Irving said, according to NBA.com. “Go back, watch film. Obviously, some effort plays where we really could’ve covered for one another. Just execution on both ends of the floor. Being able to give each other space, make basketball plays, read plays, just play the game at a high level. Obviously, these last two games, we haven’t done that at the level we’ve been capable of. We have to continue to do better.”
Boston holds the fifth-best record in the East at 37-23, currently trailing the No. 1 seed Bucks by 8.5 games. They have 22 more games to position themselves for the postseason.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division today:
- Raptors guard Danny Green discussed a variety of subjects with HoopsHype’s Alex Kennedy, including Toronto’s new additions of Marc Gasol and Jeremy Lin, the future of Kawhi Leonard, his post-career plans and more. Green is in his first season with the Raptors after spending the last eight years with San Antonio, which included an NBA championship in 2014.
- The Celtics‘ up-and-down play has generated some internal competition between Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier, who work together to provide some of the most intimidating point guard play in the NBA. “I’ve been saying it since I joined and played with [Irving]…he’s like a big brother that I want everything that he got,” Rozier said, according to Chris Mannix of NBC Sports Boston. “It’s never hating on him or nothing like that, but it’s just I want everything you got. So, I’m going to challenge him every day and he’s going to challenge me.”
- Former Knicks guard Derrick Rose showed the team he can still play in the Timberwolves’ 115-104 win in Madison Square Garden on Friday. Rose, who’s has a resurgent season with Minnesota, tallied 20 points and three steals off the bench against the Knicks. “It’s great, it’s always great playing here,” Rose said, as relayed by Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “The fans are great here, and I know it felt good just being back in the league and playing the way I normally play, playing with that aggression.”
DeMarcus Cousins Frustrated Over Recovery Process
With seven weeks to go before the playoffs, everything isn’t as smooth for the Warriors as their 42-17 record might indicate. Of particular concern is center DeMarcus Cousins, who told Nick Friedell of ESPN that he is frustrated over his current condition as he tries to shake off the effects of last year’s Achilles tendon tear.
“Obviously, I’m in like a gray area when it comes to that, trying to get back to being myself and also knowing guys are coming at me,” Cousins said after Saturday’s loss to the Rockets. “Nobody in this league is going to feel sorry for me and I know that, so I’m going to go out and battle as much as I can and do what I can. But it still is a process for me; it’s no excuse.”
The Warriors knew Cousins wouldn’t be able to contribute right away when they used their $5.3MM mid-level exception to sign him last summer. Their starting lineup with five All-Stars didn’t fully take shape until Cousins was cleared to play in mid-January, and it hasn’t worked out as planned. Even though the Warriors have been winning, Friedell notes that they have been outscored when the starters are on the court together.
Cousins has averaged 14.1 points and 7.6 rebounds in 13 games since returning, but those numbers have fallen to 9.8 and 7.4 in his last four games. He had a minutes restriction lifted after the All-Star break, but is still struggling to find his rhythm.
“Sure, he’s frustrated,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Think about what DeMarcus has been through with the yearlong injury and the frustrating free agency. So, it’s not an easy thing, a very difficult injury to come back from. After the first couple weeks, the excitement, the adrenaline, the wear and tear begins, and that’s where you really got to be able to rely on execution. So, we’ll work with him. He can do better; he knows that.”
Cousins acknowledges that he is being attacked on defense, especially on the pick and roll. He can’t move laterally or jump as high as he used to before the injury and is still getting used to his limitations. He credits Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance, with helping him work through the adjustments.
“He’s preached this to me since the time I stepped foot here,” Cousins said. “There’s gonna be good days, and it’s going to be a lot of bad days through this process. Obviously, I’m in the bad days right now. With every storm, the sun shines at the end.”
Northwest Notes: Thunder, Morris, Thomas, Layman
Scotty Hopson and Richard Solomon are both back on the free agent market after their 10-day contracts with the Thunder expired, according to the Real GM transactions page. Oklahoma City signed both players shortly before the All-Star break to reach the NBA’s roster limit. The team is back down to 13 players and will have two weeks to fill at least one opening.
Neither player saw any court time in OKC. Solomon has yet to appear in an NBA game, while Hopson played two games with the Cavaliers during the 2013/14 season and one with the Mavericks last year.
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Markieff Morris has found a perfect opportunity with the Thunder, his twin brother said in a comment tweeted by Jay King of The Athletic. Markieff signed with Oklahoma City after reaching a buyout with the Pelicans, who acquired him from the Wizards at the trade deadline. “I think that’s a great fit for him,” Marcus Morris said. “… I don’t think they have a guy like him over there. … I think he could be that piece that helps them battle it out with Golden State.”
- Isaiah Thomas‘ return to action adds one more player to an already deep Nuggets backcourt and could present Michael Malone with his greatest coaching challenge of the season, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post. In two games since returning from his latest hip surgery, Thomas has scored 24 points in 29 minutes and could be a valuable weapon off the bench for the rest of the season. Malone, who already had five guards that were getting regular playing time, unveiled a three-guard lineup Friday that had Thomas, Monte Morris and Gary Harris on the court together. “If we have to adjust, we will,” Malone said, “but playing small, you got three playmakers out there that can all generate shots for their teammates and get their own shot in Monte, in Isaiah, in Gary Harris. That’s a pretty good bench unit, if you ask me.”
- Jake Layman has become a “secret weapon” for the Trail Blazers, notes Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype. A second-round pick in 2016, Layman saw little action during his first two NBA seasons, but has made a breakthrough this year through a combination of shooting and athleticism.
Southwest Notes: Davis, Mavericks, T. Jones, Parsons
After beating the Lakers on Saturday, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry made an effort not to increase tensions between the two franchises over Anthony Davis, writes Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register. Gentry accused L.A. of “tampering” in December regarding its pursuit of Davis, singling out a comment from LeBron James that it would be “amazing” to have Davis as a teammate. Gentry walked back that statement last night.
“He was asked a question and he answered it,” Gentry said. “If you asked anybody in the league that, they would feel the same way. I think we’re making more out of that than what it is. The bottom line is all of that’s been out there in public. There’s no reason to go into it in any detail.”
Davis sat out Saturday’s contest, but Gentry said it had nothing to do with the Lakers and is part of an organizational decision not to use the star center in back-to-back games. The Pelicans want to preserve Davis’ health in anticipation of a trade this summer.
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- The Mavericks are facing “big decisions” this offseason about the future of the team, coach Rick Carlisle tells Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. Star rookie Luka Doncic and newly acquired Kristaps Porzingis will be part of the foundation, and Carlisle plans to use the rest of the regular season to evaluate the rest of the roster. “It’s a hard schedule, and we’re a little depleted because K.P.’s not playing yet and we certainly want to do some things this summer,” Carlisle said. “But the guys that we have, we’ve got to find out what they’re all about.”
- Terrence Jones resumed his career with the Rockets in the same place it ended in 2016, at Oracle Arena in Oakland, notes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. A first-round draft pick by Houston in 2012, Jones rejoined the team Friday on a 10-day contract after averaging 23.5 PPG in the G League this season. “It feels great, like the ultimate second opportunity,” Jones said. “I’m just happy to be here. To be back (with the Rockets) means a lot because I already felt a part of this family, this organization and they welcomed me back with open arms. Everybody has shown me they’re happy to see me so it’s all around love.”
- The Grizzlies don’t have anything to gain by playing Chandler Parsons, writes Mark Giannotto of The Memphis Commercial Appeal, who claims that Parsons forced himself back into the lineup in hopes of getting another contract.
Knicks Notes: Mudiay, Dotson, Ntilikina, Pitino
It’s too early to write off Emmanuel Mudiay as part of the Knicks‘ future, states Howie Kussoy of The New York Post. Playing for the first time since hurting his shoulder on January 23, Mudiay came off the bench to post 15 points, six rebounds and three steals Friday night.
He had been the starting point guard before the injury, but that was also before New York traded for Dennis Smith Jr., who has taken over that role. Mudiay wound up playing more than Smith did in a narrow loss to the Timberwolves, including the entire fourth quarter.
“I felt good,” Mudiay said. “I just gotta get my rhythm back. … Obviously, it’s a different team than I was playing with. Last time I played was with Tim [Hardaway Jr.] and them. This is the first time that I played with [DeAndre Jordan] and Dennis. It’s just about growing the chemistry.”
Mudiay’s future beyond this season remains uncertain as he is headed toward free agency. The Knicks will have to extend a qualifying offer expected to be worth about $4.5MM to keep him restricted and retain the right to match any offer, but they’ll have other priorities as they try to rebuild the franchise through the free agent market.
There’s more this morning from New York:
- Damyean Dotson displayed why his role has increased with an early scoring explosion Friday, writes Greg Joyce of The New York Post. He notched 18 of the Knicks’ first 25 points, hitting five straight shots from 3-point range. “Versatility, he’s tough, he rebounds, and he can really shoot the ball,” coach David Fizdale said of Dotson, who has started seven of the past nine games. “And he plays with an incredible pace. That’s why I really like him. He doesn’t need the ball a lot to score.”
- The Knicks still have no idea when Frank Ntilikina will return from a groin injury, Joyce adds in a separate story. The team expected it to be minor at first, but Ntilikina will miss his 12th straight game today. His absence complicates the organization’s effort to figure out a long-term plan for the backcourt.
- The decision to trade Kristaps Porzingis and create two max contract slots to gamble in free agency has been endorsed by former Knicks coach Rick Pitino, relays Adam Zagoria in a story for Forbes. “The rules have changed with the lottery,” Pitino said. “The Knicks have floundered the other way trying the opposite the last decade. It’s time to do it the right way [with] cap space [and a] decent draft. The other way had no chance of succeeding.”