Speaking to reporters before tonight’s game, Hornets coach James Borrego pledged his support for Malik Monk, who has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of the NBA’s anti-drug program, relays Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. Borrego said he hasn’t talked with Monk since the suspension was announced this morning.
“All of us face different things in life; it’s how you respond,” Borrego said. “It’s my belief, knowing Malik, that he’ll respond the right way. (The suspension) does put us in a bind. But in the end, this could be a very positive story. I look forward to talking to him.”
Bonnell points out that Monk has turned in some of the best performances of his career recently, averaging 17.8 PPG over the past 11 games while shooting 47% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc. Tuesday marked the first start of his three-season career.
While Monk is unavailable, Bonnell expects more playing time for rookies Cody Martin and Caleb Martin and possibly an early return from the G League for Dwayne Bacon.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- It appears Borrego will give opportunities to all three of the Hornets‘ centers for the rest of the season, Bonnell tweets. Cody Zeller, who has appeared in 53 of the team’s 58 games, was active for tonight’s game but didn’t play. Bismack Biyombo got the start with Willy Hernangomez as his backup.
- Clint Capela has shown progress with running and movement, but there’s still not a definite plan for his Hawks debut, writes Sarah K. Spencer of The Atlanta Journal Consitution. Capela, who was acquired from the Rockets at the trade deadline, is dealing with plantar fasciitis and a right calcaneus contusion. He will be re-evaluated on March 4. “He felt he came back too soon, and re-injured it, now he’s being cautious,” coach Lloyd Pierce said. “He thought it was a setback when he re-injured it as opposed to just coming back and taking his time and letting it completely heal.”
- The Heat still may be active on the buyout market, suggests Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. He mentions Solomon Hill, who has barely played since being acquired from the Grizzlies earlier this month, as a possible buyout candidate if Miami wants to open a roster spot. Winderman adds that the Heat can offer a portion of their mid-level or bi-annual exceptions, giving them an edge over teams that can only offer minimum contracts.
Of course nobody will say Capela is done for the year and always was.
Sad but true, I hope he can recover from this setback.
For real. Loved seeing him grow. Hope he dominates when the time comes.
Weed.
Many, including myself, shared a joint once or twice in our younger years. I don’t remember it being such a great experience that’d I’d trade a million dollars for it. Incredible that these young players are willing to.
Gotta be something other than weed given that it’s an indefinite suspension and that they didn’t say what it was. Either PEDs or a “drug of abuse”.
Guarantee you its weed. He probably was in the NBA rug program and failed.
I’m quite sure the NBA stopped testing for weed (as the NFL will if the new CBA is agreed to). So it’s probably something else. Hope he can kick it and get back to his career.
So the NBA stopped testing for weed during the off season, and are considering dropping it during in season tests too. Their current policy calls for the following:
First infraction: mandatory completion of substance abuse program
Second infraction: $25,000 fine, no suspension
Third infraction: 5-game suspension
Fourth infraction: 10-game suspension (5 more games for each positive test thereafter)
So it seems that Monk is not being suspended for weed but for something else. Again, let’s hope he can overcome it and get his career back on track.
Monk probably wants to keep his weight down so I doubt doubt cannibus or PEDs. He is skinny or at least reliant upon movements that need skinniness, like sudden pull-ups. It’s probably something strong enough to derail a career (like his)(coke, speed etc).