Community Shootaround: All-Star Game Defense
The NBA All-Star Game is intended to serve as a break from the grueling season but lately the already lax exhibition has become looser than ever. In each of the past three All-Star Games both teams topped the 150-point plateau with 2015/16’s games resulting in a staggering 196-173 West victory.
This year’s game has been no different. In the first quarter of Sunday’s contest, the Eastern Conference squad broke an All-Star Game record netting 53 points, yet at half-time they still trailed 92-97.
For many NBA fans, the run-and-gun style affair is a lighthearted distraction but for just as many, the lack of defense makes the game difficult to watch. A run through past game scores indicates that the annual contest wasn’t always so high scoring, a pattern that indicates that the stars who made up the rosters of yesteryear were more likely to aggressively check their opponents.
Unlike Major League Baseball, which awards home-field advantage in the World Series to the victor of the Midsummer Classic, the NBA gives relatively* little incentive for teams to compete for the win.
Our question to readers is what style of All-Star Game they would prefer to watch? Are high-scoring matchups of interest? Is the pursuit of a 200-point performance a thrilling alternative to a scrappy, defensive-minded game? And also, should the league consider raising the stakes of the All-Star Game and rewarding the winners more significantly?
*Per Forbes, players on the winning team take home $50,000 while those on the losing team are granted $25,000.
Atlantic Notes: Ibaka, Raptors, Knicks
When the Raptors return from the All-Star Break they won’t have long to incorporate newly acquired Serge Ibaka into their lineup. Team leaders DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are well aware of the fact that they’ll have to hit the ground running, writes Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.
“With a veteran like Serge who understands fitting in and everything about the league, I don’t think it should take long,” Raptors guard DeRozan said. “It’s on us to hop out the gate and take advantage. […] It’s given us a jolt.”
The Raptors currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 33-24 record but a recent slide has pushed the club out of the No. 2 spot that they occupied for the first few months of the season. The decision to ship core guard Terrence Ross to the Magic in exchange for Ibaka raises the stakes for the franchise.
“We ain’t got time. You know that,” Lowry said. The Raptors return to action Friday.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- According to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times, the Raptors are seriously pursuing a swingman now that they’ve acquired Ibaka.
- The 2016/17 campaign has been a rough one for the Knicks but Marc Berman of the New York Post has quantified it anyway in a midseason report card. Receiving the best grade of the first half of the season is Willy Hernangomez, while Phil Jackson was graded ‘F’.
- Top free agents are unlikely to consider the Knicks, writes Al Iannazzone of Newsday, citing Kyle Lowry as one such example. Lowry is aware of the drama between Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony and Iannazzone suggests that could be a deterrent.
Kings, Pelicans Discuss Cousins-Hield Swap
7:46 pm: In an article published Sunday evening, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical says that Vivek Ranadive‘s stance on trading DeMarcus Cousins has “softened.” Previously the owner wanted to retain Cousins as a franchise pillar and, as recently as January 26, wouldn’t even entertain the prospect of making a deal.
More recently, Wojnarowski writes, Ranadive has been influenced by off-court incidents that call to question the big man’s temperament.
5:46 pm: Wojnarowski has tweeted that Cousins and agent Jarinn Akana have met with Vlade Divac and Kings’ ownership and have been reassured that Cousins is not being traded.
As was the case with the reported Cousins talks involving the Suns a few weeks ago, it seems these discussions were initiated by another team, rather than the Kings. As we noted at the time, it’s possible that not everybody in the Kings organization is on the same page with regard to a possible Cousins deal, which is why rumors keep popping up, only to be shot down.
“There’s just so much ambiguity about how the decision-making process works [in Sacramento] and what information actually gets back to whom,” one rival executive told Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com last month.
5:33 pm: Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee pumps the brakes on trade talks, saying that he has been told Cousins is not being traded, despite teams having inquired about his availability.
5:30 pm: It seems as though Jrue Holiday is not currently part of the outgoing Pelicans package, tweets Scott Kushner of the New Orleans Advocate, but Kushner wouldn’t be surprised if they were willing to include him if push came to shove.
5:21 pm: Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders has added that the Pelicans are allegedly offering their 2017 first-round pick, Hield and an additional first-round pick. Meanwhile, Scott Kushner of the New Orleans Advocate adds context, saying that the Pelicans have felt pressure to improve and nearly everyone but Davis is on the table.
5:17 pm: According to Justin Verrier of ESPN, the Pelicans have made inquiries on Paul George as well, but the Cousins talks have progressed further.
5:12 pm: The Kings have recently discussed big man DeMarcus Cousins with the Pelicans, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. The center has been the subject of speculation on and off throughout the 2016/17 season. Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders echoes the sentiment, elaborating that a possible deal could involve Buddy Hield and multiple Pelicans first-round picks.
While Wojnarowski previously wrote in a separate tweet that the Kings have been actively engaged in trade talks regarding Cousins for the last few days, the latest implication that the Pelicans are interested makes sense. Less than two weeks ago it was made public that New Orleans was seeking a center to pair alongside Anthony Davis.
If Cousins were to join the Pelicans, he and Davis would instantly make one of the league’s most dynamic pairings, a frontcourt duo unparalleled in the league today.
Just last month it appeared as though the Kings and Cousins were on track to sign a max contract this summer. That deal, it’s estimated, could be for five years at just under $210MM. If such a trade were to transpire, however, Cousins would no longer be eligible for the Designated Veteran Extension, as Bobby Marks of The Vertical tweets.
Southwest Notes: Pelicans, Gordon, Morey
While the pre-All-Star Game wave of speculation that DeMarcus Cousins could be headed to New Orleans appears to have subsided, the Pelicans are serious about acquiring an impact player. According to Sam Amico of Amico Hoops, Pels general manager Dell Demps and company have put together a “really nice package in search of a star.” The scribe goes on to add that his source admires the team’s aggressiveness.
Just 2.5 games out of the Western Conference’s eight-seed, the Pelicans are looking to support 23-year-old superstar Anthony Davis. Earlier this month it appeared as though the club was simply looking to add a center and were willing to dangle a 2018 first-round pick to get it. One name that surfaced as a possible fit was Sixers‘ sophomore Jahlil Okafor. While nothing transpired there, that doesn’t mean the club has stopped looking.
In fact, as we mentioned in the report on the rumored Cousins to New Orleans deal, ESPN’s Justin Verrier has linked the Pelicans to not only Cousins but to Pacers star Paul George as well.
All of the speculation amounts to little at this stage in the game but the wave of reports do indicate that the club is serious about making a move. If Amico’s source is to be trusted, they may well find a partner before the February 23 trade deadline.
There’s more out of the Southwest Division:
- One of the names linked to the Pelicans this month has been Jahlil Okafor, but the Sixers big man doesn’t take it to heart. “I’ve said it before I’ll worry about what I can control and the rumors are going to continue to come out. And as far as I know I’m still a Sixer and I’m happy to be a Sixer,” Okafor tells Amos Morale III of the Times-Picayune.
- Before winning the 2017 Three-Point Contest, Rockets guard Eric Gordon spoke about his time in New Orleans, referring to the Pelicans franchise as “dysfunctional”. “My role changed a lot,” he told Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune. “If I would have had the same freedom that I had (in Houston), it would have been a different result. It’s always been a little dysfunctional, not just for me… everybody.”
- Daryl Morey and the Rockets are content with their roster, tweets Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, and have no desire to make a drastic move at the deadline. They would, however, be open to adding to their bench.
Week In Review: 2/11/17 – 2/18/17
There has been no shortage of trade discussion in the week prior to the league’s February 23 deadline, basketball fans even saw two significant deals already go through. Here’s a look back at the week that was.
News
- Former NBA player Fab Melo passed away of a heart attack at age 26. The big man played for the Celtics during the 2012/13 season.
- The Knicks and Lakers are the NBA’s most valuable franchises in Forbes’ latest update of their annual valuation list.
- The Heat have hired retired forward Shane Battier as Director of Basketball Development and Analytics.
- Warriors guard Klay Thompson has changed agencies.
- The NBA Developmental League will be renamed the NBA Gatorade League in 2017/18.
- Retired forward Charles Oakley is the latest to be named a BIG3 League player coach.
Injuries
- Cavaliers forward Kevin Love will miss six weeks as he undergoes arthroscopic knee surgery.
Rumors
- The Pacers are willing to trade their 2017 first-round pick in an effort to support Paul George with more help.
- The Sixers have been in talks with several teams regarding Jahlil Okafor. Okafor recently returned to the team after being held out of two games during the discussions.
- The Knicks could possibly have several options interested in Derrick Rose as a trade candidate.
- The Pistons and Magic supposedly discussed a Reggie Jackson–Jeff Green swap.
- The Trail Blazers are looking to trade Festus Ezeli and shed his contract.
- The Pelicans and Nets reportedly discussed a deal centered around Brook Lopez.
- The Bulls are said to be seeking a 2017 first-round pick in exchange for center Robin Lopez or forward Doug McDermott.
- The Lakers are allegedly shopping sixth man Lou Williams.
- The Hawks are looking to add to their roster, as opposed to previous notions that they may be embracing a rebuild.
Updates
- The Magic will re-evaluate general manager Rob Hennigan this summer and not during the 2016/17 season.
- The Lakers are the latest team linked to Larry Sanders.
- Recently signed Lakers executive Magic Johnson clarifies that he’d like to eventually be the final decision maker.
- For a second time this season, Lance Stephenson may be released by a team because of an injury.
- The Timberwolves are intent on making the playoffs this season.
- The Lakers have been more involved in trade talks than they have been in previous seasons.
- Despite the whirlwind of trade rumors that surrounded Paul Millsap earlier this year, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer insists the forward is not going anywhere.
- Suns general manager Ryan McDonagh says Eric Bledsoe is unlikely to be traded.
- Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue denies that he played Kevin Love despite knowing about his knee injury.
- Sixers rookie Ben Simmons is progressing from a broken foot at a slow, cautious pace.
Transactions
- The Magic have traded Serge Ibaka to the Raptors in a deal for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick.
- The Nuggets traded Jusuf Nurkic and a 2017 first-round pick (from Memphis) to the Trail Blazers for Mason Plumlee, a 2018 second-round pick and cash.
- The Hornets traded a 2017 second-round pick to the Cavaliers in exchange for injured center Chris Andersen, Charlotte then immediately waived the veteran big man.
- The Warriors signed Briante Weber to a second 10-day contract.
- The Spurs have signed center Joel Anthony for the remainder of the season.
Southeast Notes: Heat, Mahinmi, Smith
Pat Riley has to do more than just appease paying customers, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, the team president needs to steward the future of the Heat franchise. That means, despite the 13-game win streak that has suddenly put Miami within striking distance of the playoffs, the club would be wise to approach the February 23 trade deadline with caution.
This summer will be a pivotal one for the Heat, Winderman writes, citing things like Chris Bosh‘s contract situation and the fact that the club has already traded two of the club’s next four first-rounders as reasons why they ought to be smart about how they structure the team heading forward. The draft matters now more than ever, he adds, suggesting that hasty moves to load up on short-term assets this week would only hurt their 2017 draft position.
Winderman notes that the camaraderie in the Heat locker room is similar to that of the upstart 2004/05 Heat team anchored by a rookie Dwyane Wade, Lamar Odom and Caron Butler. That team started slow but rallied to become a playoff team. Tellingly, it wasn’t long after the turnaround when Riley opted to cash in his chips in the blockbuster deal that netted Shaquille O’Neal.
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- It wasn’t long ago when Heat forwards Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson appeared to be reasonably untouchable, writes Ira Winderman in a separate piece for the Sun Sentinel, but Miami’s recent improvement may have altered that. Now that the club isn’t in position to land a Top 3 pick, Winderman says, the club might consider holding onto Goran Dragic more than anybody else.
- After missing 50 games for the Wizards through the first four months of the season, Ian Mahinmi isn’t about to take time off during the All-Star Break, writes Chase Hughes of CSN Mid-Atlantic. The big man inked to a four-year, $64MM deal over the summer has been on a minutes restriction and will look to get himself back into a rhythm in the second half.
- The return of Ian Mahimi has eaten into backup center Jason Smith‘s minutes but the consummate professional made an impression while filling in for the injured big man. “What he’s done the last two or three months is what he’s done his entire career and he’s been terrific,” Wizards head coach Scott Brooks tells Candace Buckner of the Washington Post. Smith has averaged close to 14 points and 9 rebounds per 36 minutes so far this season.
- The Hornets complicated their cap situation when they acquired Miles Plumlee earlier this month but retain some expiring contracts that could be dealt ahead of the deadline. General manager Rich Cho, Bobby Marks of The Vertical explains, has made four trade deadline deals since his first year with the squad back in 2011.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 2/11/17 – 2/18/17
The trade deadline is less than a week away, so the Hoops Rumors staff has been busy keeping tabs on all of the latest insights and headlines. Still, we like to post our share of original content throughout the week as well. Here’s a look at some of our favorite features.
- For the first time since signing with the Warriors, former Thunder forward Kevin Durant made his return to Oklahoma City. Fans were predictably hostile toward the superstar as the game approached, enough for us to ask the question how much is too much? Do fans have the right to denounce professional athletes and, if so, what constitutes crossing the line?
- Arthur Hill answered questions in our weekly mailbag feature, including one reader’s question wondering just how much Andre Drummond could yield for the Pistons. Don’t forget to get your own questions in for next week’s mailbag.
- The February 23 trade deadline is right around the corner. Luke Adams is putting together division-by-division break downs, summarizing the overall outlook as the big day approaches. This week he tackled the Atlantic, Northwest and Southeast Divisions.
- A few early trades have already an impact on the fantasy basketball scene. Chris Crouse explains how Aaron Gordon and Jusuf Nurkic could be the big winners from the transactions that have unfolded thus far.
- In case you missed them last time, here are last week’s Hoops Rumors Originals.
Sixers Notes: Saric, Okafor, Noel
Although a crowded frontcourt has kept the Sixers in the spotlight through the first four months of the NBA season, there are other concerns that the Philadelphia franchise will have to address heading forward. Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Inquirer decided to shine a light on some of the less discussed roster dynamics in a recent column.
One of the biggest questions that Sixers head coach Brett Brown will have to answer as the roster formally evolves from rebuilding project to actual Eastern Conference contender is what to do at the power forward spot. Currently the club starts veteran Ersan Ilyasova with rookie Dario Saric slotted in as his replacement off the bench. Saric’s play of late, however, has warranted more playing time. In nine February games, Saric has averaged 15.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Considering the progress that the Croatian has made, general manager Bryan Colangelo will need to determine whether he trusts Saric enough to let the 29-year-old Ilyasova and his expiring $8.4MM walk this summer. Another challenge the club’s brass will have to face is to truly assess the value of backup big man Richaun Holmes. Holmes has impressed, averaging nearly 15 points and 10 rebounds per 36 minutes, but it’s unclear whether the team would be comfortable with him as Philly’s primary backup center.
Another thing that the Sixers will have to address in the near future is adding perimeter offense. It’s imperative, Cooney writes, that the team add shooters who can open the floor for Joel Embiid and eventually Ben Simmons.
There’s more out of Philadelphia:
- Although nothing has transpired yet, there have been plenty of trade talks surrounding Jahlil Okafor. Although the second-year center’s name has come up in rumors all season long, he was held out of two games last week as the franchise engaged in discussions with “10 or 11 teams”. Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Okafor grew up playing against Anthony Davis of the Pelicans and would be particularly interested in playing in his hometown for the Bulls. Both New Orleans and Chicago are among the teams with whom Philadelphia has discussed a possible trade.
- For what it’s worth, Joel Embiid believes that the Sixers could utilize all of their assets, including Jahlil Okafor. As Pompey writes in a separate Philadelphia Inquirer piece, Embiid suggested as much on Saturday. “We got a lot of talent, and I feel we can use everybody if we want to get to where we want to,” Embiid said.
- Once at the center of trade rumors, Sixers center Nerlens Noel has noticed a change in culture, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype. “It’s a lot more fun, a lot more enjoyable, and it honestly feels like a whole new culture,” Noel said. The big man is aware of the logjam at his position, however. “[Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor and I] are all genuine, and we’re all young men who just want to play well in this league and see each other do well at the same time.”
Celtics Notes: Thomas, Trade Deadline, Draft
A panel of CSN New England reporters agreed yesterday that the Celtics were unlikely to make a big trade before the February 23 trade deadline. Citing lofty “in-season” price tags, Chris Forsberg went so far as to say that there was “no way,” general manager Danny Ainge would give away too many assets for one star player.
When the conversation shifted to Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler in particular, there was consensus among the scribes that Chicago may be asking too much. “It’s going to take a godfather offer [from the Celtics],” Abby Chin explained, “including two of the Nets picks.”
Over the course of the last few seasons, the Celtics have shown patience in their rebuild and that pattern, they say, is unlikely to end.
There’s more Celtics news:
- Despite the impending trade deadline Celtics head coach Brad Stevens doesn’t anticipate significant changes to his roster. “When we have a team like we have now, I don’t anticipate a ton of change but you never know what comes to the table,” Stevens told Kyle Draper of CSN New England. “Those are discussions that Danny and his staff will have and they’ll bring anything serious to my table.”
- The Celtics need a better scorer to take some pressure off of Isaiah Thomas in the playoffs, says Bob Ryan of CSN New England, in addition to a role playing rebounder. The scribe echoes a popular sentiment that trading away the Nets’ 2017 first-rounder pick for a player of marginal impact, however, would be unwise. Ryan goes on to acknowledge Jimmy Butler’s strengths as a two-way player but says that the player he would want the C’s to pursue most is DeMarcus Cousins.
- When Isaiah Thomas participates in All-Star festivities this weekend, he’ll be doing so with an ulterior motive. “I’m going to see what guys are talking about and dip my head in there and hopefully bring some more talent to Boston,” the guard told A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England.
- The Celtics will have plenty of decisions to make in the next six months, long after the trade deadline comes and goes. One such decision will involve which rookie to draft with the Nets’ 2017 first-round pick writes Johnny Auping of RealGM. Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball, “two ball-dominant guards with unusually developed skillsets for freshmen,” sit atop most mock drafts at this point in the season.
- The forthcoming trade deadline will give the NBA community a clear sense of whether the Celtics plan to win-now or build for the future, writes Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders. Hamilton writes that, given the age of their core, the C’s may not want to wait three-to-four years for their young players (and a possible 2017 lottery pick) to develop.
And-Ones: BIG3, 10-Day Contracts, Dorsey
The latest batch of retired NBA players to commit to the new BIG3 League has been announced, tweets Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press. Joining the new three-on-three league will be Latrell Sprewell, Isaiah Rider, Earl Boykins, Brian Cook and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
Sprewell, 46, averaged 18.3 points per game over the course of a 13-year career and was most recently spotted sitting courtside at a Knicks game with team owner James Dolan. Rider averaged over 19 points four times over the course of six seasons between 1994 and 2000 and is now 45 years old.
Abdul-Rauf, now 47, is the oldest of the bunch but averaged north of 18.0 points per game three times during a nine-year NBA career. Once known as Chris Jackson prior to converting to Islam in 1993, Abdul-Rauf averaged 29.0 points per game in two NCAA seasons with LSU.
There’s more from around the NBA:
- Now that the Warriors have officially signed Briante Weber to a second 10-day contract, an uncommon contract mechanism has come in to play. As Danny Leroux of RealGM tweets, Weber’s contract will actually last through Golden State’s February 25th game against the Nets because 10-day contracts formally span the longer of either 10 days or three NBA games. For more about 10-day contracts, consider our glossary feature on the matter.
- Former NBA player Joey Dorsey has signed a contract to play with Best Balikesir in Turkey, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando reports. The 33-year-old last played for the Rockets during the 2014/15 campaign.
- Several NBA teams including the Nuggets, Spurs and Jazz are said to be pursuing Serbian free agent Milos Teodosic, writes Djordie Matic of Novosti (via Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). The 29-year-old will be eligible to sign with a club when his current contract with CSKA Moscow expires on July 1.