Eastern Conference All-Stars: Who Should Start?
Voting for the NBA 2020 All-Star Game has opened up, so let’s examine who should be voted in for the Eastern Conference.
Backcourt Selections
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
There are many permutations to consider when parsing through the top guards in the east. Where would the Pacers be without Malcolm Brogdon? Should we throw Kemba Walker in here for reviving the Celtics? Do either Kyle Lowry or Fred VanVleet deserve consideration for helping to keep the Raptors afloat? Can we recognize Devonte’ Graham‘s breakout as legit?
Ultimately, Ben Simmons and Bradley Beal get the nod here, though both candidacies have their flaws. Simmons’ raw stats could be more impressive; Beal could be more efficient. But the circumstances surrounding each player matter in addition to the stats. Simmons’ defensive prowess has been on display, while Beal has showcased his ability as a first-option scorer (28.2 PPG) and top facilitator (7.0 APG) despite having defenses key on him nearly every game.
Frontcourt Selections
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Giannis leads the league in TPA and is the frontrunner to win the MVP award again. Embiid is having another dominant season and has only missed six games so far.
Butler’s debut season in Miami has gone as well as anyone had hoped. The 30-year-old wing is averaging a career-high in assists, doling out nearly twice as many setups (6.8 APG) as his career average (3.6). His advanced stats are rather impressive as well. Out of all Eastern Conference players, Butler sits third in TPA, second in plus/minus, and third in VORP. He’s lifted the team statistically, all while being a consummate teammate.
Giving Butler the nod over Pascal Siakam was not an easy decision. If this were All-NBA, I might have slotted Butler as a guard (he’s expected to be a G/F on that ballet) and given Siakam the last forward slot. However, the power forward has no timetable to return from his groin injury and that – coupled with his dip in efficiency this season – cost Siakam a starting spot.
Who do you believe should be the starters in the Eastern Conference? Take to the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say!
Atlantic Notes: Embiid, Thybulle, Dinwiddie
The Sixers brought the intensity of a playoff basketball game earlier today as the team took down the conference-leading Bucks. Joel Embiid led the charge on the defensive end, where Philadelphia had a clear game plan to shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“The whole season I’ve been humble, but I want to be defensive player of the year, and I feel like tonight showed it,” Embiid said after the win (h/t Torrey Hart of Yahoo! Sports).
The center has only missed six games this season after several seasons of spotty availability. Embiid could finally be on his way to taking home some regular-season hardware. Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- There’s some optimism that Matisse Thybulle‘s absence will only last about two weeks, Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports tweets. The rookie is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks with a sprained knee.
- The Nets‘ season has been filled with injuries and coach Kenny Atkinson is pleased with how the team has rallied. However, he knows a tough stretch is coming, as Brian Lewis of The New York Post relays. “It’s good. I’m pleasantly surprised [with the record],” coach Atkinson said.“It seems like when we have a guy down, someone steps up and the group comes closer together. … We’re going to have to see with this group if we can continue, and the schedule gets harder.
- The Nets might be dwelling in the Eastern Conference’s cellar if it weren’t for Spencer Dinwiddie being so good this season. While Atkinson is thankful for Dinwiddie’s contributions, he believes the guard can still improve, particularly with finishing at the rim, as Brian Lewis of the New York Post passes along.
Knicks Monitoring Karl-Anthony Towns’ Situation
Yes, we’ve heard this before: the Knicks are planning to make a big splash by trading for or signing a star. In the latest edition of this Groundhog-Day-like news cycle (it’s Christmas so perhaps, we should use 12 Dates of Christmas as a reference), New York continues to have hopes of using its cap flexibility and assets to turn itself into a contender.
Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that the Knicks’ current “dream scenario” is to trade for a disgruntled superstarm and the franchise is expected to monitor Karl-Anthony Towns‘ situation. Towns, who signed a five-year, $190MM extension prior to the 2018/19 season, is from Metuchen, New Jersey, and the team has hopes that he would be open to playing for the Knicks should the Wolves ever consider trading him.
Berman writes that Bradley Beal remains on the Knicks’ radar. However, a source tells Hoops Rumors that the Wizards still aren’t entertaining trade offers for the shooting guard, who is ineligible to be moved until the 2020 offseason anyway.
New York has the assets to put together a pretty compelling package for any star that becomes available. In addition to their own picks, the Knicks have two future firsts from the Mavericks as well as several young prospects. The franchise could have more long-term assets if it makes future-looking trades at the deadline, such as moving Marcus Morris.
Trading for a star appears to be the Knicks’ best chance at landing a one and with the Timberwolves dwelling in the cellar of the Western Conference, it’s fair to wonder whether Towns and Minnesota would each welcome a deal. Still, any deal for Towns appears to be far away, as the Wolves have given every indication that they are not open to trading their franchise center.
Knicks Notes: Blatt, Trier, Ntilikina
David Blatt, who recently was hired by the Knicks as a consultant, says he’s happy to be with the team.
“I feel very fortunate,’’ Blatt said, as Marc Berman of the New York Post relays. “I’m happy to be here.’’
What exactly Blatt will be doing for the Knicks remains vague, though Berman hears that former coach will conduct some scouting in Europe for the Knicks among other duties. Evaluating talent on the team and giving input to interim coach Mike Miller will also be part of his responsibilities.
Here’s more from New York:
- It wouldn’t be farfetched to think that if team president Steve Mills is retained, the executive would allow Blatt to have a say in the Knicks’ next head coach, Berman writes in the same piece. This is assuming the team moves on from Miller.
- Allonzo Trier hasn’t seen meaningful action this season, but the team still views him as a valuable asset, Zach Braziller of the New York Post relays. “We’ve got confidence in Zo,” Miller said. “We know what he can do, and we’ve gotten into some situations where we need some scoring we’ve called his number. We went to him, he comes in does what he does, and makes some plays.”
- Frank Ntilikina has no problem with being relegated to the bench, as Berman passes along in a separate piece. “I’m comfortable,’’ Ntilikina said of the switch. “It’s just a role change. When I’m on the court, I know it’s my job. I got to do my job and bring everything I can to the team.’’
- Ntilikina would have been better served by spending at least one more season abroad in a league more competitive than the French one he played in, one NBA personnel man told Berman in that same piece. The Knicks drafted him with the No. 8 pick in the 2017 draft as a 19-year-old.
Knicks Notes: Payton, Miller, Bullock
Elfrid Payton is finally healthy again after battling hamstring woes and the point guard is impressing during his first season with the Knicks.
“He’s played so well. He’s had such a good command,” coach Mike Miller said (via Peter Botte of the New York Post. “I think I might have said this [Wednesday] and the day before, but he’s helping his teammates a lot.”
Here’s more from New York:
- Payton started in three of the Knicks’ first four games before going down with his injury. Former coach David Fizdale believed Payton could be a difference-maker for the club, as Taj Gibson explains. “Fiz always said [Payton is] the type of guy who thinks when he plays the game and he can be a coach one day,” Gibson said (via Botte in the same piece). “It’s good to have him out there. He’s still getting a little bit of rust off him, but he’s one of those guards that you want to have on your side.”
- The Knicks interviewed four of their assistants after firing Fizdale, Marc Berman of the New York Post relays. The team ended up selecting Miller because of his stoic personality and previous coaching experience, Berman adds.
- Reggie Bullock, who signed with the Knicks this offseason, is nearing a return, as Botte passes along in a separate article. “To see that I’ve made up so much time over the time and worked hard to be able to get back out here, to be able to play with my guys playing with the Knicks. It was a long journey but I’m right here almost at the finish line so just continue to keep pushing,” Bullock said.
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/19/19
Here are Thursday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:
- The Raptors recalled Dewan Hernandez from their G League affiliate, Blake Murphy of The Athletic tweets. Toronto needs all hands on deck as a result of various frontcourt injuries this week.
- The Magic have assigned Melvin Frazier and Amile Jefferson to the Lakeland Magic, the team announced on Twitter. Lakeland plays the South Bay Lakers in its first game of the G League showcase.
- The Pacers have assigned Alize Johnson to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, per the team’s transaction log. This is Johnson’s third G League stint of the week.
- Justin Robinson has been assigned to the Capital City Go-Go, per the Wizards‘ Twitter feed. The G League squad takes on the Iowa Wolves in its first match of the showcase in Las Vegas.
- The Mavericks have recalled Isaiah Roby from the Texas Legends, according to the team’s Twitter feed.
- The Thunder have recalled Deonte Burton from the Oklahoma City Blue, per the team’s website. Burton has played seven games in the G League this season, averaging 16.1 points per game.
Pascal Siakam Among Raptors Out Indefinitely
Earlier today, we passed along word that Marc Gasol will miss time with a hamstring injury and the news from The North has gotten worse. Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell are each out indefinitely, the Raptors announced in a press release.
Siakam sustained a stretched groin, per the team, after landing awkwardly during the Raptors’ tilt against the Pistons. Powell also left that game after colliding with another player and the wing has been diagnosed with subluxation of his left shoulder.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Gasol will miss “a period of weeks” with his injury. The team didn’t put a timetable on it, instead calling the big man out indefinitely as well. Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter link) hears that Siakam will likely be the quickest to return of the three.
After a summer that saw Toronto win an NBA championship and lose Kawhi Leonard, the team came back this year focused and it shows in the Raptors’ 19-8 record. The club sits fourth in the Eastern Conference as of this writing. However, it’ll be tough for the Raptors to remain to hold their position in the standings, given their injuries and the fact that the Sixers and Pacers are within a game of them.
Pacific Notes: LeBron, Davis, Ayton, Suns
Giannis Antetokounmpo has high praise for Lakers star LeBron James and his ability to play at an MVP level this late in his career.
“For me, that’s one of my goals, to be able to play at a high level for the next 10 years,” Antetokounmpo said (h/t Kurt Helin of NBC Sports). “But about to turn 35 this month and he’s moving like that, playing like that, playing smart… it’s insane what he’s able to do.
“But he’s LeBron James, you know. He’s different, he’s an alien… you expect it from him.”
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Anthony Davis will play for the Lakers tonight against the Bucks, ESPN passes along. The big man missed his second game of the season on Tuesday because of an ankle injury.
- Deandre Ayton recently returned from a 25-game suspension, but the Suns will again be without the big man on Friday because of a sprained ankle, as Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic relays. “We’re just patiently waiting for everybody to come back,” teammate Mikal Bridges said. “I think we’ll be a way better team. It’s the NBA. Things happen. Injuries happen. We’ve just got to be patient.”
- Gina Mizell of The Athletic examines what the Suns‘ rotation will look like when Ayton is able to stay on the floor. New additions Frank Kaminsky and Dario Saric are expected to play almost exclusively at power forward once Ayton is consistently in the rotation.
Marc Gasol To Miss Time With Hamstring Injury
Marc Gasol will not be working during the holidays. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports (Twitter link) that the Raptors center will miss “a period of weeks” with a left hamstring strain.
The injury occurred during the first half of the team’s win over the Pistons on Wednesday. Gasol left the game and did not return.
While the timeline is vague, it’s safe to assume Gasol won’t be back before the new year. The Raptors will take on the Wizards, Mavs, Pacers, Celtics (twice), Thunder and Cavaliers before 2020 is upon us.
Serge Ibaka figures to step in as Toronto’s starting center with Gasol on the shelf.
Latest On Zion Williamson’s Potential Return
Zion Williamson continues to rehab from the surgery he had on his right knee back in October and he’s taken another step toward making his debut for the Pelicans. The big man has resumed full weight-bearing exercises, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com writes.
Pelicans VP of basketball operations David Griffin is pleased with the progress Williamson is making, though the executive wouldn’t supply an anticipated return date when speaking with Lopez.
“We’re really excited with where he’s at,” Griffin said. “He’s made really good progress. I know we’ve reached the eight-week point, and everyone is ready to see him. I think we’re a little ways away yet, but today was a really big first step.”
Williamson hasn’t yet returned to practice and there is no definite timetable for that to occur either.
“It’s an important time for him because he’s fully weight-bearing,” Griffin said. “If we’re going to see a setback, it would be now. The teammates, the way they responded to him, the joy he has when he’s on the floor is evident. And we’ve obviously needed that.”