Jock Landale concentrated on the basics of the game during his rookie season in San Antonio and he expects to fill the same role now that he’s with the Suns, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. The Australian center focused on rebounding, running the floor and knocking down open shots in the 54 games he played with the Spurs. He got traded twice this offseason — first to Atlanta, then to Phoenix — and has been adjusting to his new situation with one of the NBA’s best teams.
“That was kind of my first wake-up call that this is a business and there isn’t a whole lot of loyalty involved in the sport,” Landale said. “That’s just the way it is and just came to terms to that pretty quickly I suppose, but obviously, I’m super pumped to be with the Suns now because they’re always an organization I looked at and watched play from afar. Just love the way that they operate. Now just being here and actually experiencing the level of care and the level of winning mentality and attitudes around the locker room and the organization as a whole, you realize they’re putting so much into this year as I’m sure they have the last two years.”
Landale said he talked to several members of San Antonio’s front office during the Las Vegas Summer League, and they all spoke positively about Phoenix coach Monty Williams. Landale also got a glowing recommendation on the Suns from fellow Australian Aron Baynes, who was in Las Vegas in hopes of an NBA comeback.
“Baynes, he spoke really highly of the guys, the organization, Monty, all of that,” Landale said. “I think it’s getting to that point that Monty’s reputation kind of speaks for itself. Everybody has great things to say about him and that’s kind of the testament to the body of work he’s put in with his players as a coach. Now being on such a highly regarded winning team, nothing I say will be out of the ordinary because his reputation speaks for itself. He’s a fantastic man and coach.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Lakers will have to give up a first-round pick to unload Russell Westbrook and two first-rounders if they’re hoping to land more than one rotation player, sources tell Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times. Depending on the deal, that price could increase to include pick swaps or it could decrease if L.A. is willing to take on unwanted contracts.
- Lakers star LeBron James is a bargain even at his new two-year, $97.1MM extension, according to Sopan Deb of The New York Times. In addition to his on-court value, James brings in a lot of revenue from the attention he attracts to the franchise.
- Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala defended teammate Jonathan Kuminga after ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith raised questions about the young forward’s attitude, relays Nathan Dougherty of Heavy. “My young fella, I’m on his head,” Iguodala said Friday on his “Point Forward” podcast. “He took some licks from Stephen A. I don’t know how warranted they were because from what I heard he been doing what he supposed to do this summer.”
So what is the advantage to a team picking up Westbrook and his $47 million contract without 2 draft picks? What team is willing to pay $47 million for 1 future draft pick? Unless it is to get rid of payroll on equally bad players there is no advantage to take on $47 million in payroll for a 1st round pick.
With that logic there’s no reason to pay a player anything if your club isn’t going to win games.
We are talking $47 million to a player that wouldn’t want to be on a losing team. Do you understand that logic? You do know owners want to make money not help lakers out?
Huh? Westbrook isn’t going to turn anybody into a playoff team. Any team receiving Westbrook needs something to take on that salary.
It’s called an expiring contract. Obviously the trade that takes on Westbrook has to send out contracts close to $47m to match.
The vets in Utah aren’t in their plans, Turner and Hield aren’t in the Pacers plans…etc. these teams don’t necessarily have to let Westbrook even play this season.
Would be better to trade Turner or Heild for something back that you can use in the future. Unless a trade is in your team favor why would you do it? You wouldn’t unless it makes your team better.
Lots more salary next season to sign players you think will help with what you have. I.e. apparently not Hield or Turner. And 1st round picks can definitely be used in the future to help your team.
Where do you get this idea that the Pacers don’t want Heild and Turner? Indiana won’t be a free agent destination next summer. Why worry about cap space right now?
Lot’s of uses for cap space on a team not contending like Indy, little use for a Buddy Heild
I mean this stuff is all par for the course guys, if you don’t get it by now go get yourself the OKC handbook
** I hope Indy isn’t in Jeanie’s plans- We got a good little thing going with TB/Jones/AD at the 5
Finally someone says this.
What would Larry Bird look like on the Warriors?
A two by four. He’s 65.
And probably still better than 70% of the league.
All-time best floor-spacing team:
PG – Steph Curry
SG – Klay Thompson
SF – Larry Bird
PF – Dirk Nowitzki
C – Karl-Anthony Towns
Not the greatest 2-way team, of course.
Klay Thompson, he suck
4 time champion…. you suck bro
Gotta be Reggie or Ray at SG
Prime Ray Allen and Prime Reggie Miller are both deadly snipers