Hawks forward John Collins could return to action on Monday, Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. Collins is listed as questionable to play against Orlando. Collins has been sidelined by a left ankle sprain since the beginning of the month. At that time, he was expected to miss at least two weeks, so he has progressed on schedule.
Collins is having a down season by his standards — through 22 games (31.5 MPG), he’s averaging 12.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 1.4 BPG on .484/.219/.845 shooting. The Hawks big man has been the subject of numerous trade rumors and his return to action could facilitate a potential deal.
Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (left ankle sprain) is also listed as questionable. He hasn’t played since departing early against the Knicks on Dec. 7.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- The red-hot Nets are playing at Detroit on Sunday and Kevin Durant believes the team has turned the corner, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. They entered the game against the Pistons on a five-game winning streak. “Yeah, we just figured out, we’re understanding the way we want to play,” Durant said. “That’s always the good part about finding your identity in the league is that now you can start relaxing a bit going into games, preparing. It’s cool because you know your role, you understand exactly how we want to play.”
- Nets big man Nic Claxton isn’t bashful when discussing his defensive prowess. Claxton believes he should be in the discussion for the Defensive Player of the Year award, he said in a YES Network interview (hat tip to NetsDaily.com). “Honestly, I feel that I am one of the best defenders in the league. I feel I should be in the top for the Defensive Player of the Year,” he said. “I feel like I wasn’t getting the respect I deserve. We’re winning, my numbers are good protecting the rim, guarding 1 through 5.” Claxton is averaging 2.3 blocks, including a season-high six against Toronto on Friday.
- Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is “progressing towards (running),” coach Billy Donovan told K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link) and other media members. There’s no timetable on when he’ll be cleared to try running. Ball will require a “significant ramp-up” period for conditioning after he starts running before he can finally return to action. Ball hasn’t played since January due to persistent knee issues.
Claxton doesn’t rebound the ball good enough
Brooklyns biggest issue is lack of defence and rebounding yet they have Ben, one of the best defenders in the league and a 6’10 point guard. They have KD who isn’t a beast on the boards but again he’s a 7 foot SF and Kyrie rebounds well for his position.
If your a starting centre you need to be getting at least 8 boards minimum. If you want DPOY talk then you need more like 11/12 or more.
Claxtons 8.7 is average and the fact it’s his teams weakness ain’t no way he gets DPOY talk
Bam,Mobley and Lopez are all starting big men and all are definitely in the DPOY conversation and none of the 3 pull down 11-12 boards a game. Hell Lopez doesn’t even average 6 because he’s usually boxing out for Giannis.
Mobley avgs 9.3 reb, Allen avgs 10.3 reb. I’d say they are doing fine.
His Per 36 min Reb numbers are better than Embid’s. Maybe he doesn’t rebound the ball well enough either, I probably don’t see as much of him as you do.
I agree DPOY discussion is not warranted. But that’s minutes, justified or not. His rebounding is fine.
Rebounding has no impact on how good a defender you are. Andre Drummond was never in that convo.
Claxton’s 8.7 per game is more than solid anyway. He’s not in the convo because Brooklyn’s defense only ranks 11th.
Knicks 17-13 beat Pacers tonight.
Randle – 39 mins, 25 pts, 14 reb, 3 ast,
RJ – 42 mins, 24 pts, 4 reb,
Jalen – 35 mins, 30 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast
Trade Randle now ………
Do t you just love Jalen. I’m telling you. Obi works better with Jalen. We need a scorer shooter. Like guaranteed buckets. Zach fits that. Beal fits that. DeRozan fits that. A player like that.
I support strongly both the Knicks and Thibs, but I hace to disagree with bringing Zach. He’s very talented and a high flyer, but I don’t think His mindset Is that of a winner nor Team player, nor defender.
I’ve always liked Claxton, and he’s been a key to BKN’s newfound affinity for defense. But respect for his talent hasn’t been lacking, and respect for production hasn’t yet been earned. The discussions of DPOY are likely to be centered around guys seeing more than mid-20’s in mpg and who routinely finish games, basically for the entire season. There’s no most improved defensive player award, but with a few names still out there, maybe Silver can come up with one.