Lakers Notes: Lottery, Gasol, D’Antoni
The Lakers are in the midst of a tough season, and their long-term prospects aren’t that bright. The team currently has the sixth-worst record in the league at 16-31, and are not even close to being in the playoff hunt in the tough Western Conference. The Lakers have been down as a franchise before. There have been a couple of stretches since the early 1990’s where the team wasn’t in contention for a title. Rebuilding doesn’t happen overnight, but Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times has a five-point plan to fix the team:
- First, the Lakers need to finish the season with the worst possible record that they can, so they can benefit from a higher lottery pick. A big part of achieving this goal would be to convince Kobe Bryant to take it easy on his minutes when and if he returns this season. Losing more could mean the difference between the sixth pick and the third pick in the upcoming draft. Those three spots could be the gap between drafting a true franchise changing talent, or just a good rotation player.
- Bolch also says the team needs to move Pau Gasol before the trade deadline. This would allow the team to get something for him, rather than letting him leave after the season for nothing in return. The team could try to flip him to a contender for some expiring contracts and a draft pick.
- He also believes the team should cut ties with coach Mike D’Antoni. Bolch wants the team to aim high, and try to lure Phil Jackson out of retirement, or someone like George Karl, or Jeff Van Gundy, coaches who have had success in the playoffs, and are more adaptable to their personnel.
- Bolch doesn’t think the team should try to change their entire roster after the season. He believes players like Steve Blake, Jodie Meeks, and Nick Young have value. All three players can be key role-players, and the team should be able to retain them without breaking the bank. He also thinks that if Steve Nash doesn’t retire, the Lakers should use the stretch provision and waive him.
- Lastly, Bolch thinks the team should be wary of the free agent market. If they strike out on LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony, then they would be better off enduring another down season and going after Kevin Love or Kevin Durant the following year. This would be preferable to signing lesser players to bad deals that would hinder their salary cap for future moves.
Eastern Notes: Sixers, Melo, Cavs
It might be time for Sixers GM Sam Hinkie to give the Suns a call, writes Tom Moore of The Bucks County Courier Times. Moore thinks the Sixers should try and trade Evan Turner to the Suns for Emeka Okafor and a first-round draft pick. The Suns are reportedly looking to trade veteran big man Okafor (out indefinitely with a neck injury) and his expiring $14.5MM contract. Eighty percent of Okafor’s remaining salary will apparently be covered by an insurance policy. Moore believes the Suns would be willing to include one of their later first-round picks along with Okafor, if it would net them Turner. He doesn’t think the Suns would be willing to part with the Wizards top-12 protected pick, but may be willing to deal either their own (projected at 23rd), or the Pacers (projected at 29th) first-rounder.
More from the East:
- If the Knicks want to keep Carmelo Anthony past this season, they need to get another star before July, writes Al Iannazzone of Long Island Newsday. Getting another star by this year’s trade deadline would be preferable, but the Knicks lack of assets might make that difficult. If they are unable to swing a deal for a another star now, then Iannazzone believes they should make some trades for assets to use this summer. Making a deal after the season to acquire another star would make it easier to convince Anthony to re-sign with the team. If not, they will have to try and convince Anthony to hang on until 2015, when they will have plenty of cap space, and Rajon Rondo and Kevin Love will be free agents.
- There have been reports of major issues with the Cavaliers lack of discipline, and Mike Brown potentially losing the locker room. Both Brown, and Kyrie Irving have denied that there are major issues within the organization. Irving also denied the earlier report that he was close to firing his agent. Jodie Valade of The Cleveland Plain Dealer believes things are as bad as the rumors suggest. Valade says it’s not so much that there are issues, but rather the lack of accountability and ownership of them by the players that is the true problem.
Poll: Who Was The Biggest All-Star Snub?
With the NBA All-Stars being announced recently, it opens up the inevitable discussion as to who was left off the squad. Every year a number of deserving players don’t make the cut. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of too much talent in their conference at a particular position. But other times, there can be some real shocks. Veteran players will sometimes get the nod over rookies, just as more established stars, or All-Star game regulars, will sometimes get picked over new blood.
Everyone has a player they believe should have made the cut. Let’s take a look at eight players that didn’t make the team:
- Kyle Lowry (Raptors): He’s averaging 16.8 PPG and 7.6 APG, and the Raptors are leading the Atlantic Division with a 25-21 record, which is good for third-best in the East. It’s possible that DeMar DeRozan‘s selection may have hurt Lowry’s chances. His biggest competition for a reserve spot was Kyrie Irving, who was named to the team.Irving’s numbers are 21.6 PPG, and 6.1 APG, for a bad Cavaliers squad.
- DeMarcus Cousins (Kings): Cousins ranks 10th in the NBA in scoring with an average of 22.6 PPG and is sixth in rebounding at 11.6 RPG. It’s possible that his negative reputation amongst coaches played a part in him not being selected. The argument can be made his numbers are more impressive than reserve Dirk Nowitzki, who is putting up 21.8 PPG, and 6.2 RPG.
- Anthony Davis (Pelicans): Davis missed out on a Western Conference All-Star berth because he’s 20 years old and his team is not very good, writes James Herbert of SB Nation.com. Davis has put up impressive stats this season, averaging 20.4 PPG, 10.4 RPG and a league-leading 3.3 BPG. His numbers compare very favorably to reserves Nowitzki and Blake Griffin, who is averaging 23.0 PPG, and 9.7 RPG. Griffin is obviously a bigger attraction, thanks to his athleticism and dunks.
- Goran Dragic (Suns): Dragic is averaging 19.7 PPG and 6.1 APG for the Suns, who are one of the NBA’s biggest surprise teams. He’s also kept the Suns in the hunt after the injury to Eric Bledsoe. His biggest competition was from reserve Tony Parker, who is averaging 18.1 PPG and 6.2 APG.
- Al Jefferson (Bobcats): Jefferson is averaging 19.3 PPG and 10.5 RPG, for the eighth-seeded Bobcats. His competition came from reserve Joakim Noah, who is averaging 11.7 PPG, and 11.4 RPG, for the Bulls.
- Lance Stephenson (Pacers): Joe Johnson made the team with averages of 15.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 2.8 APG for a bad Nets team. Stephenson plays for the team with the best record in the league, and is putting up 14.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 5.4 APG. Dwyane Wade might not play, which could possibly open up a spot for Stephenson.
- Mike Conley (Grizzlies): Conley is stuck in a conference with a wealth of talent at point guard. His numbers of 18.0 PPG, and 6.3 APG are comparable to Tony Parker‘s.
- Arron Afflalo (Magic): Afflalo plays for a bad team, which definitely hurt his chances. His numbers of 20.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.7 APG compare well against the previously mentioned Joe Johnson‘s.
So which of these players do you think got the rawest deal in not being named to the All-Star team? There aren’t enough spots for every worthy player, but the case can be made for a number of players on this list to be on the team over their counterparts. Sound off in the comment section below with your thoughts.
Eastern Notes: Brown, Irving, Bynum, Celtics
It’s not a revelatory statement to say the Cavaliers are in trouble this season. They have lost 17 of their last 24 contests, and are 16-30 on the year, leaving them four games behind in the playoff standings. There are plenty of calls going around for coach Mike Brown‘s job. But firing Brown would only worsen the team’s real problem, writes Bud Shaw of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Shaw believes that it’s the players lack of professionalism that is the issue this season, and firing Brown would only serve to enable them further. Shaw also opines that if a true professional like Luol Deng is unable to have a positive impact, then there definitely is a much deeper problem with the organization than Brown.
More from around the Eastern Conference:
- Also weighing in on the Cavaliers coaching situation is Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. She thinks that the team would be better off if they ran Brown’s defense as he coached it, but if the players are tuning him out, then the team might need to make a coaching change.
- In the same piece, Schmitt Boyer also spoke about some fans clamoring for the team to trade Kyrie Irving. She doesn’t believe it would be wise, stating that the team wouldn’t get equal value in NBA players in return, and the team hasn’t drafted well, so draft picks might also not be worth trading him for.
- John Wall admits he’ll try to recruit Kevin Durant to join the Wizards in 2016, writes Michael Lee of The Washington Post. Wall has stated in the past that he won’t be a recruiter and beg anyone to sign with his team, but for Durant he may make an exception. Wall and Durant share a trainer in the offseason, and Wall has already started dropping Durant some hints about coming to Washington.
- The Knicks made a strong push for Andrew Bynum, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Knicks personnel director Mark Warkentien tried to arrange a meeting with Bynum, but it never materialized. The Knicks only had the veteran’s minimum to offer Bynum, which pro-rated would have been $550K. Indiana had part of its mid-level exception and can pay him a full $1MM for the rest of the season, which may have been the determining factor.
- The plethora of personnel changes the Celtics undergone this season have made it difficult for the team to maintain any continuity, writes Baxter Holmes of Boston.com. Between injuries, trades, and D-League signings, it has been hard for the team to be consistent. Holmes also states that the trade deadline might bring about even more changes for the squad.
Tyshawn Taylor Acquired By Maine Red Claws
After being waived recently by the Pelicans, Tyshawn Taylor has been claimed off waivers by the Maine Red Claws, according to Gino Pilato of D-League Digest.com. Taylor will play in the NBA D-League with the Celtics’ affiliate. Taylor has averaged 21.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 10 career NBA D-League games (two games this season and eight games last season). He had also spent time with the Nets this season, where he appeared in 29 games, averaging 3.9 points and 1.6 assists in 11.7 minutes per game.
The D-League will probably be a better place for the Jeff Schwartz client than heading overseas to play, since it might be his best chance to try and showcase what he has to offer, especially if Taylor hopes to land a 10-day contract this season. Taylor is also still collecting his NBA paychecks, as his salary of $788,872 was fully guaranteed for the year.
Poll: Who Will Be The First Pick In The Draft ?
The upcoming 2014 NBA Draft is being touted as one of the deepest in years. Since last year, experts have been hyping the talent level of the college prospects that will be available, and team executives have been salivating over quite a few of the projected lottery picks. Unlike last year’s draft, there are a number of players that can be a true franchise changer.
Basketball is a team sport, and one player won’t get a team a championship on his own. Just ask the Cavaliers, who made the Finals in 2006/07, but were swept by the Spurs, during what would be their only appearance during LeBron James‘ tenure with the team. Even the great Michael Jordan needed the right pieces to fall into place before he led the Bulls on their incredible run.
A draft pick is simply a building block. Making the right pick might not get your team a ring, but it can be the first step in the right direction. It’s with that thought in mind we look ahead to draft night. The draft order is still in flux, as there is still half the schedule left to play, and the ping-pong balls yet to be chosen for the lottery order. In addition, team need will play a role in what player gets the honor of being the first name new commissioner Adam Silver calls. The other factor involved is whether or not all of the projected picks will declare for the draft. Top prospects like Joel Embiid and Jabari Parker have hinted that they might stay in school another year, which would alter the draft projections greatly.
Let’s examine the possibilities for the first overall pick in the draft. You can also check out the draft boards of Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider) and Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress for more information on this year’s prospects.
- Joel Embiid (Kansas): Embiid is a 7’0″, 240-pound center, and is 19 years-old. He is currently averaging 11.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 2.8 BPG. He is easily the most talented big man in the draft, and in addition to being a defensive presence in the middle, he is developing an offensive game to match. He has mentioned that many of the great NBA big men have stayed in school for more than one season. So it remains to be seen if he’ll stay another year to refine his game, or declare for the draft, where he’s all but assured of being a top 3 pick.
- Andrew Wiggins (Kansas): Wiggins is a 6’8″, 200 pound swingman, and is 18 years-old. He was the preseason pick for the top player in the draft, but his inconsistent play has called that into question. He’s averaging 15.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 1.6 APG. Despite Wiggins’ occasional disappearing acts, such as a three point effort against Oklahoma State, he still has a ton of raw potential.
- Jabari Parker (Duke): Depending on who is asked, this 6’8″, 241-pound, small forward might be the most talented player in the draft. Parker has the potential to be a stat sheet filler, and is currently averaging 18.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 1.3 APG. Parker has also hinted that he might stay in school, not just to refine his game, but also to play alongside his friend, and incoming freshman Jahlil Okafor. There is also the possibility that Parker might go on a Mormon mission after the season. Would a team picking first overall be willing to wait a full season before having his services on the court?
- Dante Exum (Australia): The son of former player Cecil Exum has made it known that he’s skipping college to enter the NBA Draft. This 6-6, 188 pound 18 year-old can play either guard spot, but scouts project him to be a star at point guard. Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider) was quoted as saying: “Exum hasn’t played basketball since December and it’s probably helping his stock right now. As scouts start to become disillusioned with the players they are seeing every night, it’s easy to pine for players like Exum who left a sweet taste in the mouth the last time they played (in Exum’s case, last summer). … Strong workouts could push him all the way to the top of this draft. But more likely, he’ll fall in the 3-5 range on draft night.” Exum averaged 18.0 PPG, and 4.0 RPG in FIBA under-19 competition.
- Julius Randle (Kentucky): Randle, the 6’9″, 225 pound forward isn’t as athletic as some scouts would like. Scouts also worry how his short wingspan will translate to the pro game. He’s currently averaging 16.6 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 1.7 APG. His offensive game is well above his defensive production, which means that if he has a difficult time getting his shot off against taller defenders, his value will be diminished greatly.
- Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State): If Smart would have entered last year’s draft, there is a very good chance he would have been the first overall pick. His production has been inconsistent this year, and he’s losing ground as the top point guard to Exum and Tyler Ennis. Exum because of his upside and physical tools, and Ennis because of his more consistent play. Smart is no slouch though, and is averaging 17.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 4.4 APG. Smart already has an NBA body, but is seen as a “tweener” in the backcourt. His outside shot is suspect, which would limit his value if a team wanted to move him to shooting guard.
- Aaron Gordon (Arizona): Gordon is a long-shot for the number one pick, but thanks to his athleticism has quite a bit of upside and potential. He’s 6’8″, 210 pounds, and has been compared to the Nuggets’ Kenneth Faried as far as NBA potential goes. His numbers are 12.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 1.6 APG.
- Noah Vonleh (Indiana): Vonleh, a 6’10”, 240 pound forward, is starting to move up the draft boards. Scouts like his length, and outside shot better than Randle’s, and he is statistically a better defender. His numbers are 12.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG, and 1.3 BPG.
- Dario Saric (Croatia): Saric is a bit of a wildcard. The word is that a number of NBA scouts and GMs will be heading overseas once the trade deadline is passed to get a better assessment of him. He’s 6’10”, 223 pounds, and has a great outside shot. He projects as a small forward in the NBA, though he could see action as a stretch-four. His numbers in Europe are 15.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 2.5 APG.
- Tyler Ennis (Syracuse): This freshman is shooting up the draft boards. He’s 6’2″, 180 pounds, and isn’t a spectacular athlete. His value is in how steady his play is, and his excellent basketball IQ. His numbers are 12.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 5.4 APG. He’s the starting point guard on the No. 2 ranked team in the country, which speaks volumes for his maturity. He has a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, shoots 40 percent from 3-point range, and averages 2.5 steals a game. With the premium placed on the point guard position in the NBA, he has a chance to be off the board quickly. If he continues to produce the way he has, and leads Syracuse deep into the tournament, his stock could skyrocket.
There are the top prospects in this year’s draft. Quite a bit can change between now and draft night. A hot NCAA tournament, players staying in school, as well as potential injuries, can all impact where a player is taken. Plus, if an NBA team drafts for positional need, then the order can be altered even further. So, who do you think will end up being the first overall pick? Vote below, and don’t be shy about telling us whom you picked and why in the comments section.
Eastern Notes: Cavs, Pistons, Sixers
The Cavaliers are going through a bit of a rough patch lately. They’ve just completed a homestand during which they went 1-4. Their overall record is now 16-29, which is good for 11th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings, leaving them 2 1/2 games behind the Bobcats for the eighth seed. Cavs GM Chris Grant tells Bob Finnan of The News-Herald and Morning Journal that the team’s lack of effort isn’t acceptable. This view might inspire him to make some moves prior to the trade deadline. Grant also spoke with Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio, and stated the team would be open to the possibility of dealing, but it would be difficult to predict the market. In regards to the recently acquired Luol Deng, Grant said, “We’re happy with Deng, so if we don’t do anything, we feel like we’ve added a quality player. If there’s an opportunity to improve the team, we’ll take advantage of it.”
Some more notes from around the East:
- Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times had a Q&A session with Emily Gruver of The Sixer Sense.com. Moore opined that the Sixers‘ Evan Turner was more likely to be traded than Thaddeus Young. He also was intrigued by the raw potential of Dewayne Dedmon, who is on his second 10-day contract, and the Sixers have until this Sunday to make a choice on keeping him for the rest of the season or letting him go.
- Knicks coach Mike Woodson was happy to hear La La Anthony’s opinion on her husband, Carmelo Anthony remaining a Knick past this season, writes Fred Kerber of The New York Post.
- There are a number of different people to blame for the Pistons rough season, writes Drew Sharp of The Detroit Free Press, including team owner, Tom Gores. Sharp opines that it was Gores’ “playoffs-or-else ultimatum” that led to the signings of Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings, and created the “ill-matched” roster they currently have.
Poll: Should Knicks Trade Carmelo Anthony?
It would be an understatement to say the Knicks season hasn’t gone according to plan thus far. The team sits at 16-27, which is good for third place in the weak Atlantic Division. They are also currently tied for tenth in the conference with Cleveland, and two games behind the Bobcats for the eighth and final playoff spot. Even if the Knicks have a second half surge up the standings, they would be looking at a probable first-round matchup with either the Heat or the Pacers. The Knicks chances of advancing past the opening round would appear slim, given the depth and talent of those two opponents.
So the Knicks are at a crossroads, one that is vital to the team’s long-term outlook. It was only a short time ago that the Knicks traded for Carmelo Anthony. Here was the star player that they craved so badly, and even more important, he wanted to be a Knick. The Knicks had missed out on LeBron James after clearing the dead weight from their salary cap to make a run at him, and ended up with Amar’e Stoudemire instead. That rejection definitely stung the organization. So the team tore up its roster in order to make the trade with the Nuggets. After last year’s 54-28 record, with the team, and Melo, making it past the first-round of the playoffs, big things were expected this season. But the loss of some key veteran players in the offseason, a slew of injuries, and many players not meeting expectations, has Carmelo re-evaluating if he wants to remain with the team long-term.
Anthony can opt out of his deal at the end of this season and become an unrestricted free agent. It is a given that he will do so, but what isn’t so sure anymore is him re-signing with the Knicks. They own his Bird Rights, and can offer him the most money in a new deal. But many experts believe that Melo is tired of the losing, and will seek a better situation for himself. Coach Mike Woodson disagrees with that assessment, and stated, “Melo I think is on board. I know he’s on board…He’s going to be there to the bitter end if it’s a bitter end. But right now he’s going to be there. I trust he’s going to stay there. we got to make sure everybody else is on board.” Woodson though, might not be the most reliable source, as he’s been rumored to have lost the locker room, and is firmly on the hot seat as far as his job security goes.
Anthony isn’t the reason for the Knicks woes, as he’s having a very solid season. He’s currently averaging 26.1 PPG, 9.0 RPG, and adding 3.1 APG to those numbers. His slash line is .438/.412/.847. He’s also logging 39.2 MPG, and not receiving much help from the rest of the roster. He also just broke Bernard King‘s team single-game scoring record, dropping 62 on the Bobcats tonight. This total also eclipsed Kobe Bryant for the Madison Square Garden scoring record, which was previously 61.
So the big question is: Should the Knicks trade Carmelo Anthony? If he leaves after the season, the team gets nothing in return. This would not only set the franchise back in terms of on-court talent. It would also make the trade for him seem like a terrible deal in retrospect. The other factor to consider is if Anthony is worth re-signing to what is sure to be a max contract. He turns 30 this May, and has quite a bit of mileage on him. He’s never proven that he’s capable of leading a team on his own to a title, and the Knicks would be paying max dollars for his declining years. Re-signing Anthony would severely limit the other moves the team could make, and possibly prevent them from acquiring the pieces he would need around him to win. He wants to play with another star or two, and his salary would make it difficult for the team to accommodate that wish.
So the Knicks could decide to cut their losses and try to jump start their rebuilding process. That could be easier said than done, however. The first obstacle they will face will be finding a team that can take on his $21,388,953 salary. The Knicks would have to take back a large contract or two to make the trade work. They could trade for an expiring contract, but unless the deal was sweetened with a young player they could add to their core, or they receive a first-round draft pick, they wouldn’t gain anything by trading him. Teams may balk at that price for a player who could end up a half-season rental.
The second major issue would be finding a team that Melo would be willing to re-sign with. The Clippers, Lakers, and Bulls might fit that need. There were rumors about the Clippers having internal discussions about trading Blake Griffin for Melo, but the team dismissed them as false. The Clippers might not want to disrupt their roster in the middle of the season. They also might figure they could try and sign Anthony after the season, and not have to surrender any assets now. The Lakers don’t have much to offer outside Pau Gasol‘s expiring contract, and the Bulls could offer Carlos Boozer and another player. Neither of those last two scenarios would improve the Knicks fortunes.
It’s time for you to play general manager. After examining the situation, what would you do? Would you hold out hope that Melo will stay, either because the Knicks can offer the largest contract, or out of loyalty? Or would you try and find a taker, and hope that you could get something useful for your star? Vote below, and feel free to comment on why you made that particular choice.
Eastern Notes: Rondo, Granger, Rose, Deng
There’s been plenty of trade speculation regarding Rajon Rondo of the Celtics, despite GM Danny Ainge saying he’s not being shopped. The team has even begun discussing a contract extension with their newly named Captain. Rondo seems to be willing to be a part of the Celtics rebuilding efforts, and is open to signing an extension, writes Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston.com. Rondo told Forsberg, “I don’t like change much. I wouldn’t mind staying here the rest of my career. Things don’t always seem to go that way, but like I said before, it’s just a business. I wouldn’t mind extending another 10 years in Boston.” Forsberg also writes that Ainge acknowledged that it would take “star” money to retain their point guard. In a separate article, Forsberg examines the merits for both player and team to work out an extension this offseason.
Here’s some other notes from around the Eastern Conference:
- With Danny Granger relegated to a bench role in the wake of his injuries, as well as the rise to stardom of Paul George, Sam Amick of USA Today examines how Granger’s acceptance of his new role can help the Pacers thrive.
- Despite being out for the season with another knee injury, Derrick Rose was named to USA Basketball’s 28-player pool for this summer’s FIBA World Cup of Basketball in Spain and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau would be happy to see Rose play for Team USA this summer, writes Sean Highkin of USA Today. Rose is expected to be medically cleared by the summer, and Thibodeau said “If he’s healthy enough, I think it would be great for him. I know how strongly USA Basketball feels about him. If his health is there, I think it makes a lot of sense.”
- Luol Deng was traded from the Bulls to the Cavaliers on January 7th. Since that time, the Bulls have gone 7-2, and might be playing the best basketball of their season. The Bulls seem to be thriving without their former player, but Deng isn’t doing quite as well in Cleveland, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. He’s having to play “baby-sitter” on a young, but talented roster. How the team jells the rest of the season will have a direct impact on the Cavaliers chances at re-signing Deng this summer.
Odds & Ends: Prigioni, Burke, Hinrich
Pablo Prigioni should be returning to the Knicks lineup in time for Monday’s game with the Nets, and he may be starting alongside Raymond Felton, writes Ian Begley of ESPN New York.com. This would shift Carmelo Anthony to the power forward position, and Andrea Bargnani to the bench. Last season, the Knicks went 15-1 when Prigioni started alongside Felton. Moving Bargnani to the bench will also help the Knicks’ depth, with both Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin sidelined for two weeks with ankle injuries, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post.
More notes from around the league:
- Coaching under Gregg Popvich, a future Hall-of-Famer, is a great start to securing a head coaching position in the NBA. Current Spurs assistant Ime Udoka is working his way towards that goal, writes Kerry Eggers of The Portland Tribune.
- Trey Burke reflected on his brief time as a member of the Timberwolves. His stint as a member of that franchise lasted all of five minutes on draft night, before being traded for Shabazz Muhammad. Burke spoke to Jody Genessy of Deseret News, about his surprise at being drafted by a team that already had Ricky Rubio and J.J. Barea on the roster. He also touched on his thoughts on how his rookie campaign is going so far with the Jazz, and how being passed over by the Pistons felt.
- Kirk Hinrich says that while he expects to play next season, he’s just not sure where that will be. What he does know is that he wants to finish the season with the Bulls, writes K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Hinrich’s contract is up at the end of this season and he has been the focus of trade rumors lately.