Knicks Notes: Burke, Ntilikina, Kanter
After his recent G League call-up, Trey Burke has provided a spark for the Knicks which is raising questions of whether he should play more often. Marc Berman of the New York Post writes that Burke, who scored 18 points for a second straight game in Friday’s win over the Suns, has impressed thus far.
In six games, Burke has averaged 9.3 PPG and 3.8 APG. With rookie Frank Ntilikina struggling and veteran Jarrett Jack also on the roster, it’s to question whether or not the former lottery pick Burke, 25, should see more playing time.
“I’m satisfied we won, but I got to be ready to play,” Burke said. “Guys are required to produce when their number is called. If you’re not locked in as you need to be, you saw some of my possession that I had. My teammates stuck with me. My coaches stuck with me, and I played through it, and we rolled with what was working.’’
Head coach Jeff Hornacek added that when Burke plays this well, “we got to find time for him.”
Check out other Knicks news below:
- Frank Isola of the New York Daily News argues that while Burke is worth a long look, his opportunity should not come at the expense of the rookie Ntilikina. Isola writes that while Burke and Jack are solid players who fill a role, Ntilikina should be given the keys to the kingdom and take over as the starting point guard after the All-Star break.
- Things got heated in the Knicks’ win on Friday between Enes Kanter and Suns guard Devin Booker, per ESPN. Booker was ejected after he shoved Kanter, earning his second technical foul. After the game, the issue went to Twitter with Kanter calling out Booker; teammate Jared Dudley fired back at Kanter in a series of tweets.
Latest On DeMarcus Cousins’ Season-Ending Injury
Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins suffered a season-ending rupture of his left Achilles tendon in Friday’s win over the Rockets. The injury occurred with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, a game where Cousins notched his second triple-double in three games with 15 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
Cousins will undergo surgery to repair the tendon as soon as possible and his estimated recovery period is 6 to 10 months, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
The loss of Cousins is especially difficult for a Pelicans team that has won its last four games and currently occupies the sixth seed in the Western Conference with a 27-21 record.
“I feel horrible for him,” Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry said after Friday’s victory. “Everything that he’s done, and what he’s tried to do for us this year and what he’s made himself and the improvements in all areas that he’s made on and off the court, has just been great. I don’t want that to happen to a guy that’s trying to better himself.”
In 48 games, Cousins, who was selected to be on Team LeBron for the 2018 NBA All-Star game, averaged 25.4 PPG, 12.9 RPG and 5.2 APG.
There has been speculation that Cousins’ injury may lead New Orleans to sell at the deadline despite the team’s playoff positioning. However, Wojnarowski tweets that the team will look to acquire talent as the February 8 trade deadline nears.
As for Cousins, the 27-year-old is set to hit unrestricted free agency at the end of the season. The injury ends Cousins’ hopes of landing a max contract in free agency and casts doubt on his ability to play at the same level once he recovers. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton examined four major storylines — including the big man’s offseason value — to monitor following Cousins’ career-altering injury.
A season that had the promise of being Cousins’ first taste of postseason basketball is over and the Pelicans will need to regroup as a club to keep the playoff hope alive.
Update On Jason Kidd’s Dismissal From Bucks
The Bucks made a surprising move on Monday, firing head coach Jason Kidd despite the team being the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Milwaukee sported a disappointing 23-22 record at the time of Kidd’s firing, good enough for postseason contention but below expectations.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ young superstar, appears to have made every effort to help Kidd keep his job. The 2017/18 All-Star reportedly phoned his former coach before the firing and said he would contact ownership or his own agent to change the team’s decision. In his first public comments, Antetokounmpo praised Kidd but expressed disappointment that their private conversation became public, per ESPN.
Antetokounmpo, 23, said he understands that he cannot control what moves the Bucks make in terms of coaching and roster construction. He also said he understands all decisions are made with the intention of improving the team.
“That’s in the hands of the front office,” Antetokounmpo said. “Whatever they think or they can do to make this team better and make this team a championship-level team — it can happen. If it’s me being traded or the coach being fired or whatever move they think is the right move to make this a championship-level team, I think is the right move for it to happen.”
After a rough finish to last season, Kidd’s future with the Bucks was reportedly on thin ice. Mark Feldmann of The Journal Times writes that Kidd had strained relationships with several players — including some issues with Antetokounmpo — and lost the support of ownership. A far cry from 2014 when Kidd left the big market Nets to take the helm of a small market team searching for an identity.
Kidd’s future as a coach is currently a mystery. On Thursday, Kidd made his first public comments since he was fired as he proclaimed Milwaukee’s future is bright.
“I would like to thank Milwaukee Bucks fans, ownership, staff and most of all the players for the last four years,” he tweeted. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to be your head coach. The future is bright for Milwaukee.”
Joe Prunty, an assistant on Kidd’s staff, was named the interim coach. Numerous candidates have been linked to the Bucks’ coaching gig, but it is possible Prunty is hired full-time after the season.
Nets Notes: Dinwiddie, Harris, Carroll
Spencer Dinwiddie has gone from afterthought to the Nets‘ most impactful player over the course of a calendar year. The 24-year-old was toiling in the G League last year until a phone call from Nets changed the course of his career, Dan Feldman of NBC Sports writes.
The Nets’ offer was not significant financially, but Dinwiddie recognized that he may not see another opportunity in the NBA for a long time, if ever.
“It’s very easy to be forgotten about in this league. There’s a lot of good players all over the world that, whatever reason, didn’t hit off right off the bat, and their careers paid the price for it,” Dinwiddie said. “I was told that there was no other opportunity. There was no other option. So, obviously I wanted to be in the NBA. So, I signed.”
Dinwiddie is averaging 13.4 PPG and 6.4 APG in 47 games (37 games) with Brooklyn; an opportunity that arose after injuries depleted the roster. With the trade deadline approaching, Dinwiddie’s play makes him an intriguing trade candidate. However, Dinwiddie said to WFAN’s Evan Roberts that he wants to stay in Brooklyn long term, Anthony Puccio and Net Income of Nets Daily relay.
“Honestly, my very first impression of Brooklyn was the culture of development. I thought they were very invested in the guys they chose to be a part of that,” Dinwiddie said
Check out other Nets news below:
- Joe Harris, a free agent after this season, has turned his three-point shooting and scoring ability into a valuable commodity as the deadline approaches, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. Harris has been a poster child for the Nets’ development strategy, but the team runs the risk of losing him for nothing after the season. Brooklyn will have to make a tough decision on Harris, who said he is not worried about his future.
- After joining the Nets in the offseason as a salary dump from the Raptors, DeMarre Carroll has enjoyed a career season in Brooklyn, averaging 13.0 PPG, and a team-high 6.7 RPG and 1.9 APG. As the deadline nears, the Nets could turn a profit on a player who they took from Toronto just to acquire a first-round pick, Lewis writes.
LeBron, Curry Finalize Teams For NBA All-Star Game
Stephen Curry and LeBron James have finalized their teams for the 2018 NBA All-Star game.
Team LeBron’s starting lineup includes James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and Kyrie Irving. James’ reserves will be comprised of Bradley Beal, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Kristaps Porzingis and John Wall.
Team Curry’s starting lineup includes Curry, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid. Curry’s reserves will be Damian Lillard, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Kyle Lowry, Klay Thompson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Al Horford.
While James’ team includes just one current teammate (Love), he selected his former teammate Irving to start the game. It will be the first time James and Irving are on the same team since Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals.
“To be able to team up back with Kyrie is always special, along with Kevin Love,” James said after the rosters were finalized (via NBA on TNT). “For us to have another weekend to bring back the memories that we had when we were all together [is special].”
James’ team will also reunite Durant and Westbrook for the second time in as many All-Star weekends. Both men suited up for the Western Conference last season but were on the court for a combined 82 seconds, per ESPN’s Royce Young.
Meanwhile, Curry’s team boasts two of his Warriors teammates in Green and Thompson. While James’ team has the size advantage, Curry’s team has more shooters. All told, Curry said he is happy with his picks, particularly the four men he will start with.
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 1/25/18
Here are Thursday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:
- The Hawks have assigned Tyler Cavanaugh and Isaiah Taylor to their G League affiliate in Erie, the team announced in a press release. Taylor and Cavanaugh have both appeared in 30+ games for the Hawks.
- The Bucks have recalled forward D.J. Wilson from their G League affiliate in Wisconsin to join the NBA squad, the team announced on Twitter.
- The Knicks recalled guard Damyean Dotson from their Westchester affiliate, the team tweeted. Dotson has appeared in 20 NBA games during his rookie season.
- The Lakers have recalled rookie big man Thomas Bryant and Croatian center Ivica Zubac from the G League, the club announced today. Bryant (20 games) and Zubac (eight games) have seen a bulk of their action in the G League this season.
Knicks Notes: Beasley, Walker, Noah
Michael Beasley has enjoyed a renaissance season of sorts for the Knicks this year. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is on a one-year minimum deal and has already begun to think of his future beyond the 2017/18 season, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes.
Beasley has bounced around to six different teams in his career. Prior to the Knicks’ loss to the Warriors earlier this week, Kevin Durant — Beasley’s former high school teammate — raved about Beasley’s skill set and said he would like to team with him in Golden State. Instead, Beasley said that he is focused on the Knicks and settling down in one place for the rest of his career.
“One thing I do think about it is me being tired of moving — having a long-time home,’’ Beasley added. “I don’t want to move anymore.’’
In 41 games (seven starts), Beasley has averaged 12.8 PPG and 5.0 RPG for New York. As the Knicks prepare for the February 8 trade deadline, the team’s moves, or lack thereof, could be an indicator of where Beasley fits into future plans.
Check out other Knicks news and notes below:
- Joakim Noah has taken a leave from the team, citing personal reasons, and is expected to miss the Knicks’ next two games, Berman relays in a separate story. With Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle O’Quinn missing the Knicks’ contest against the Warriors on Tuesday, Noah only played briefly in the fourth quarter. Noah has appeared in just seven games this season as the Knicks have managed a surplus of players at the center position.
- While acquiring Kemba Walker would be an instant upgrade, the Knicks should not swing a trade if it means giving up young talent or draft picks, Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders writes. Walker, a New York native, has enjoyed some historical performances at Madison Square Garden; he was also one of just four players in 2016/17 to average at least 23 points, five assists, and three treys made per game. But Walker alone does not solve New York’s issues and is therefore not worth a significant package of picks and talent, Beer opines.
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 1/21/18
Here are Saturday’s G League assignments and recalls from across the NBA:
8:30pm:
- The Spurs recalled Brandon Paul and Derrick White from their G League affiliate in Austin, the team’s site announced in a press release.
3:56pm:
- The Celtics have recalled Guerschon Yabusele and Abdel Nader from the G League, the team announced today (via Twitter). Yabusele and Nader were sent down yesterday for the Maine Red Claw’s tilt against the Westchester Knicks.
- The Hawks have recalled DeAndre’ Bembry, Tyler Cavanaugh and Isaiah Taylor to their G League affiliate in Erie, the team announced in a press release. Additionally, Josh Magette, who has appeared in nine games with Atlanta, was sent down to Erie.
- The Thunder have assigned Dakari Johnson to the team’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, the team announced in a press release. Johnson has appeared in one game for the Blue, posting a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He has played in 21 games for OKC.
- The Suns have recalled guard Davon Reed to their Northern Arizona affiliate, per Scott Bordow of Arizona Central Sports (via Twitter).
Atlantic Notes: Hayward, Eddie, Williams, Hood, Raptors
The Celtics suffered their third straight loss, a 105-93 defeat to the Magic on Sunday, putting an end to a horrific week for the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference. This recent stretch highlights how much the Celtics miss Gordon Hayward, who went down with a season-ending ankle injury on opening night, A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston writes.
Hayward, along with Kyrie Irving, was one of two major offseason acquisition designed to help Boston maintain and improve upon their first-place finish in the East last season. However, on nights where Irving sits due to injury or the Celtics need an added offensive punch, they miss Hayward’s shooting and scoring abilities.
Despite the rough stretch, the Celtics still have the best record in their conference at 34-13, two games ahead of the Raptors.
Check out other news from the Atlantic Division below:
- The Celtics recently signed Jarell Eddie to a 10-day contract and hope the journeyman’s second stint in Boston — and eighth different opportunity in the NBA — leads to better results, NBA.com’s Taylor Snow writes.
- Dennis Chambers of Basketball Insiders examines how potentially adding Rodney Hood and/or Lou Williams to the fold would impact the Sixers down the stretch.
- The Raptors have Kyle Lowry back on track and with the team still in prime position in the East, it’s unlikely the team makes a deadline trade, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun writes.
Clippers Notes: Williams, Jordan, Rivers, Roster, Future
Clippers guard Lou Williams has led the NBA in scoring since December 22, helping his team stay in playoff contention. As coaches decide on reserves for the All-Star game rosters, Williams feels his recent play has earned him a spot, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times writes.
“Naw, I’ll be proud if I make it,” Williams said. “Honestly, I deserve it. I rarely speak about myself because I’ve never set personal goals. Being an All-Star wasn’t even on my radar this year. But with what this team has been through this year with injuries, with so many different lineups and still having an opportunity to compete for the playoffs and to put ourselves over .500 at this point, I think I’ve got something to do with that.”
Williams is averaging career highs in several categories, including PPG (23.1), APG (5.0), three-point percentage (41.2%). While the Clippers remain in the Western Conference playoff picture, Williams has been mentioned as a potential trade piece.
Check out other news out of the Clippers organization below:
- DeAndre Jordan‘s name has floated all season as a possible – if not probable – trade candidate ahead of the February 8 trade deadline. The Clippers center, however, is proud of his tenure with the franchise and the longevity of his time in Los Angeles, Jeff Miller of the Orange County Register writes.
- Coming out of a tumultuous game between the Clippers and Rockets in which things got physical on and off the court, Austin Rivers‘ reputation among his peers has taken a hit. However, the Clippers guard addressed those criticisms in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, who detailed Rivers’ account of the incident and his relationship with Rockets veteran Trevor Ariza.
- After that win over the Rockets, the Clippers seem to have found their identity as a team, but ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz questions how long that can last.
- Mike Sorensen of Deseret News writes about how the Clippers team that faced the Jazz recently is unrecognizable from the squad that battled Utah in a memorable seven-game playoff series last season.