Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Fultz, Raptors, Celtics
The triangle offense is a thing of the past but so is the Knicks‘ current offense because of the lack of three-point shots, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes. The Knicks are dead last in the NBA in three-point shots attempted and made, a byproduct of head coach Jeff Hornacek‘s system.
Unlike the offense New York ran under former president Phil Jackson, Hornacek said he urges the team to attempt more threes. However, that has not translated into makes through the first few months of the season.
“Of course I want more,” the coach said. “We’re not getting many. Some of them we’re passing up. We’re not getting the penetration sometimes to kick it out. On the break, they got to be able to let them fly.”
The Knicks’ outside shooting has been hurt by the extended absence of Tim Hardaway Jr., who is dealing with a stress injury in his left leg. Also, Kristaps Porzingis has struggled with his shot and neither of the Knicks’ two point guards are good shooters. For now, the team is adjusting to the post-Jackson era and growing pains are expected.
Check out other Atlantic Division notes below:
- First overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz, has been injured for most of the season, losing valuable development as a result. Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Fultz, who has been limited with his workouts as he rehabs, need to play with his Sixers teammates and get better acclimated to the rigors of the NBA
- The Celtics own the Eastern Conference’s best record and have received tremendous help from their young players, A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston writes. The likes of Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye, and Jayson Tatum have been crucial to the team’s success but lesser known names such as Daniel Theis and last year’s G League Rookie of the Year, Abdel Nader, have had an impact.
- After an early postseason exit at the hands of the Cavaliers last season, the Raptors realized they had to change their style of play to have a chance at the NBA championship in 2017/18. Michael Lee of Yahoo Sports provides an in-depth look at how DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and the rest of the Toronto team embraced the fast-paced, three-point minded NBA style.
Pacific Notes: Lakers, Young, Livingston, Cauley-Stein, Booker
The Lakers are in the midst of another losing season and it has taken a toll on the young team. Head coach Luke Walton held a meeting for the team instead of practice on Thursday to give players a chance to air their grievances, Bill Oram of the Orange County Register writes.
Last week, Lakers veteran Andrew Bogut agreed that certain players on the team are frustrated and it has impacted their performance. A lot of L.A.’s focus is on the impending free agent market, where the team is expected to pursue top-notch talent. That has left some players on the roster with less playing time and the impression that they are mere placeholders.
“There’s some frustration,” Walton said. “But there’s frustration on every team unless you win every game. Whenever you lose games, there’s frustration, people want to play more as everyone in the league should want to play more.”
Entering play on Friday, the Lakers are 11-22, 13th place in the Western Conference. Much has been made of rookies Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma this season, and left others, such as Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle, in a bind. There is a likelihood that several players on the current roster will not be there after the trade deadline, thus making the team’s future clearer.
Check out other Pacific Division news below:
- Warriors guard Shaun Livingston spoke to Logan Murdock of the Mercury News to discuss his role on the team, adjusting with Stephen Curry injured, and dealing with his own injury. Livingston said that Golden State expects to win even if one of their All-Star’s is out. “I think what we’ve been able to accomplish, it’s been expected to be honest with you. For us, as players, we believe in ourselves, we believe in our game,” he said.
- In a wide-ranging interview with Marcus Thompson II of The Atheltic (subscription required and recommended), Warriors sharpshooter Nick Young discussed his adjustment to the Warriors and appreciation for life in Oakland.
- Willie Cauley-Stein has played so well recently, the Kings are starting to see the development of the supreme talent they thought they drafted three years ago, Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee relays. “These last games, I’m seeing what I was hoping for when I drafted Willie,” Kings general manager Vlade Divac said. “He runs, he scores, he blocks shots, he scores in the post. He does everything. And we noticed last summer how much harder he was working. There were questions, but I don’t think so anymore. If he keeps developing like this, he will be an elite center in this league.”
- Devin Booker, who is just 21 years old, will be a key piece of the Suns‘ future and he will have input into all of the team’s decisions, including coaching and free agency signings. Scott Bordow of the Arizona Central Sports writes that Suns general manager Ryan McDonough views Booker an important “partner in the process” of competing over the next decade.
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/29/17
Here are the G-League moves from around the NBA today:
- The Spurs have recalled Derrick White from the Austin Spurs, according to the team’s website. White has played in seven games with the G League club and he’s averaging 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 22.3 minutes per game.
- The Bulls have recalled big man Cristiano Felicio from the team’s G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Felicio, 25, has played well on both of his G League assignments, including a 22-point, 14-rebound, six-block performance in Windy City’s recent win over the Canton Charge. Felicio has appeared in 23 games for the Bulls.
- The Thunder recalled guard Terrance Ferguson from the organization’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, the team announced in a press release. OKC’s first-round pick from this year’s NBA Draft has appeared in 21 games this season and averaged 1.3 PPG in 6.7 minutes per game.
Raptors Suspend Serge Ibaka For One Game
The Raptors have suspended forward Serge Ibaka for one game due to a violation of team rules, the team announced in a press release on Friday (via Twitter). Ibaka’s suspension is the result of an altercation with a Raptors staff member after a game against the Thunder on December 27.
“Both parties have apologized. We’ve discussed this internally as a team, and we won’t be discussing it any further,” Raptors president Masai Ujiri said in a statement about the suspension. “Now we’re focused on moving forward together, and we look forward to having Serge back in the lineup.”
Ibaka, 28, has been solid for Toronto this season, averaging 13.8 PPG and 6.0 RPG in 30 games. He will miss tonight’s game against the Hawks but should be ready for team’s next contest against the Bucks on Monday.
Cavaliers Notes: Thomas, Rose, LeBron
Isaiah Thomas‘ return could be just days away but if the Cavaliers point guard had his way, he would have played in his team’s Wednesday night tilt against the Kings. Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com tweets that Thomas tried to force the Cavaliers into playing versus Sacramento him but the team denied his request.
Thomas has been rehabbing from a hip injury and scheduled to participate in his first scrimmage with the team today. If all goes well, various reports have indicated that Thomas’ season debut could happen against the Trail Blazers on January 2. It is possible that Cleveland holds Thomas’ debut off a night further, meaning he could face his former team, the Celtics, on January 3 in Boston. However, head coach Tyronn Lue has said that Thomas will not play in back-to-back games when he returns. Therefore, Thomas may need to wait until February 11 — the next time Cleveland is set to visit Boston — to face his former team if he plays this Tuesday.
Check out other news from the Cavaliers organization below:
- Thomas addressed the possibility of making his season debut in dramatic fashion against the Celtics in Boston. “It’s going to be a really special game for me,” Thomas said (via Dave McMenamin of ESPN). “It’s going to be emotional because I just gave my heart to that city and they showed genuine love back. … (But) that minute restriction, that would be tough to play in [Boston] on a minute restriction.”
- In a wide-ranging interview with Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, oft-injured Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose addressed his sabbatical from the team, managing his long list of injuries and retirement. Rose, 29, said he never contemplated retiring after he took a leave from the team in late November and feels he can still be a productive NBA player.
- LeBron James, who turns 33 tomorrow, is having another characteristically strong season but is he better now than he was five years ago? Victor Mather of The New York Times examines James’ numbers compared to other players in their 15th seasons and the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player stacks up well or better against almost every comparable player.
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/28/17
Here are the noteworthy G-League transactions around the NBA today:
- The Hornets assigned rookie Dwayne Bacon to the organization’s G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, the team announced in a press release. In 28 games for Charlotte, Bacon has averaged 3.6 PPG and 3.1 RPG. He was acquired along with cash considerations from the Pelicans for draft rights to Frank Jackson during the 2017 NBA Draft.
- The Thunder assigned guard Terrance Ferguson to the organization’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, the team announced in a press release. OKC’s first-round pick from this year’s NBA Draft has appeared in 21 games this season and averaged 1.3 PPG in 6.7 minutes per game.
- The Suns have assigned Davon Reed to the organization’s G League affiliate, the Northern Arizona Suns, the team announced in a press release. Danuel House was also assigned to the G League affiliate, tweets Scott Bordow of Arizona Republic. Reed was the 32nd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and is nearing an on-court return after undergoing a meniscus repair in his left knee in August. House has appeared in seven games for Phoenix and averaged 4.4 PPG.
- The Grizzlies assigned forward Ivan Rabb to their affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, the team announced in a press release. The early second-round pick has appeared in 15 games for the Hustle, averaging 15.8 PPG and 9.9 RPG.
Rockets Sign Gerald Green To Non-Guaranteed Deal
5:48pm: The signing is official, per team release.
2:19pm: The Rockets are finalizing a non-guaranteed deal with veteran guard Gerald Green, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter). The deal is not complete but the Rockets expect to sign Green before tonight’s game against the Celtics, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
With injuries to Chris Paul (groin), Luc Mbah a Moute (right shoulder) and Troy Williams (right knee MCL sprain), the Rockets have been searching for depth, per Feigen.
Green, 31, signed with the Bucks in September but was released after playing in four preseason games. The 10-year NBA veteran has played for eight teams in his professional career, including two seasons overseas in Russia. Green was a key bench piece for the Celtics last season as he averaged 5.6 PPG in 47 games for Boston.
Green previously played for Houston during the 2007/08 season but was released after appearing in just one game.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks (via Twitter) has the financial breakdown of Green’s deal. Depending on when the deal is signed, the Rockets will incur a cap hit anywhere from $864,000-$872,000 if Green is not waived by January 7.
Jeff Teague Out Indefinitely With Sprained Left Knee
5:40pm: The team is hopeful that Teague will return in 2-4 weeks, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.
DECEMBER 28th, 1:38pm: Timberwolves point guard Jeff Teague injured his left knee chasing a loose ball in Wednesday’s win over the Nuggets and will be out indefinitely, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Teague underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage but he was diagnosed with a sprained left knee, per Wojnarowski.
Teague, 29, has been solid for Minnesota in the first season of a three-year, $55MM pact he signed in the offseason. Through 31 games, Teague has averaged 13.4 PPG and 7.8 APG. In Teague’s absence, the Wolves are likely to rely on backup Tyus Jones to fill in a point guard, Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune writes.
“As always, it’s whatever the team needs me to do,’’ Jones said on Wednesday after Minnesota’s overtime victory. “I’m hoping Jeff is all right. You never want to see anyone go out with an injury. But it’s the next man up. I’m ready to help this team in any way.’’
Jones, 21, filled in for Teague earlier this season and has played well in 35 games, averaging 4.1 PPG and 2.6 APG. The Wolves also figure to rely more on Aaron Brooks, Jamal Crawford, and Jimmy Butler to handle guard responsibilities in Teague’s absence.
Pacers Sign Alex Poythress
The Pacers have signed second-year forward Alex Poythress to an NBA contract, the team announced in a press release on Thursday. Poythress was a two-way player splitting time between the Pacers and the G League affiliate, Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Poythress will now be with the Pacers moving forward.
Poythress, 24, has played in 11 games with Indiana this season but has averaged less than five minutes in his appearances. With the Mad Ants, Poythress averaged 20.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 2.7 APG.
After a productive season with the Mad Ants last year, including a G League All-Star appearance, Poythress averaged 10.7 PPG and 4.8 RPG in six games with the Sixers.
With the signing, Edmond Sumner becomes the lone two-way player on the Pacers’ roster.
Pacific Notes: Carter, Kings, Brown, Warriors, Clippers
Vince Carter is 40 years old and in his 20th NBA season but he can still evoke memories of the explosive player who was once regarded as one of the NBA’s best. Carter pitched in a season-high 24 points in the Kings‘ win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday and LeBron James had a raving review, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes.
“He made some bombs,” James said. “He’s a Hall of Famer for a reason, let’s not take that for granted. Once he got going, we couldn’t slow him down.”
There have been talks that Sacramento should distribute Carter’s minutes to younger players as the team rebuilds. However, Carter is only averaging a career-low 14.6 minutes per game to go along with 3.9 PPG. His job is no longer to be the offensive leader, but just a leader. The longtime Raptor and Nets has embraced the role.
“It’s not really about the points, it’s making a difference for our team in a positive matter,” Carter said. “… I just want to assess myself as, did I help our team or the second unit? Did we close a deficit or extend a lead in our time in the game? That’s usually how you get minutes or earn more minutes and opportunities. That’s just my approach.”
Check out other news from the Pacific Division below:
- In a separate article, Jason Jones from the Sacramento Bee writes that after a recent loss to the Spurs, the Kings’ coaching staff and players view the Spurs’ model as their blueprint for success. The Spurs have been a contender for the past two decades, whereas the Kings have not sniffed the postseason since 2007.
- In an in-depth and insightful feature (via USA TODAY Sports), assistant coach Mike Brown‘s contributions to the Warriors over the last three seasons are highlighted. Brown has spoken glowingly of the Golden State organization and the love has been reciprocated from head coach Steve Kerr – who Brown filled in for last season — and the players.
- Speaking of the Warriors, the team’s current foundation is currently held together by having four All-Star talents leading the team. However, the key to keeping that foundation intact may rest with the team’s new arena that is currently being built, Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports writes.
- Mark Heisler of the Orange County Register looks at the Clippers’ uncertain future and whether or not the team is likely to stay in Los Angeles.