Raptors Show Interest In Gigi Datome
Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo continues to show particular interest in European prospects by traveling to Italy to scout Italian forward Gigi Datome, according to Sportando.
Before Colangelo's visit to Europe, at least one NBA team had already shown interest, when Bucks general manager John Hammond took a trip to Italy to scout the Italian forward.
As captain of Italy's Virtus Roma, the 25-year-old Datome is averaging 17.3PPG and 5.7RPG this season.
Odds & Ends: Mavericks, Warriors, Livingston
A look at a few random notes from around the league:
- The Mavericks have had an extremely tough year, but after a win over the Bucks tonight find themselves only a couple games out of the eight seed in the Western Conference. The Dallas Morning News' Tim Cowlishaw gives his take on what they need to do to make the playoffs.
- Warriors.com gives a detailed look at what exactly the Warriors need to do if they want to stay where they're at and make the playoffs.
- Cavaliers guard Shaun Livingston faced off against the Wizards tonight for the first time since they waived him earlier this season, writes the Washington Post's Michael Lee.
Northwest Notes: Trail Blazers, Durant, Leslie
A few notes from around the NBA's Northwest Division:
- The Oregonian's John Canzano gives his take on the Trail Blazers situation compared to that of the Seattle Seahawks. Both franchises are owned by Paul Allen, and in light of yesterday's big news that the football team had made a big splash by trading for wide receiver Percy Harvin, Canzano argues that in order for the basketball team to make similar high-impact moves, Blazers GM Neil Olshey needs to gain Allen's trust.
- Jazz guard Travis Leslie hopes he'll get to stay with the team past his 10-day contract, writes The Salt Lake Tribune's Bill Oram.
- The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry has quotes from Kevin Durant on his poor shooting performance last night against the Spurs.
Poll: Which Injury Is The Most Significant?
Earlier tonight we filled you in on a few bits of news regarding some of the league’s more notable players and the injuries they’re dealing with. Which one do you think is the most significant in terms of the playoff picture?
Which Injury Is The Most Significant?
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Derrick Rose 56% (560)
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Kevin Love 18% (178)
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Carmelo Anthony 18% (177)
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Pau Gasol 4% (44)
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Amar'e Stoudemire 4% (39)
Total votes: 998
Injury Notes: Rose, Gasol, Anthony
A few injury related notes about a few of the league's brightest stars.
- According to CBSSports.com's Ken Berger, Lakers forward Pau Gasol is close to returning, as it's been six weeks since he tore the plantar fascia in his right foot against Brooklyn in early February.
- Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony could get his knee drained, according to a tweet from Newsday's Al Iannazzone. But it's probable that this would only occur as a last solution. The knee injury won't force Anthony to miss time in the short term, but it's a situation that's constantly being monitored and reevaluated by the team.
- According to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson, Derrick Rose told reporters earlier today that he has no specific return date, and that he might not play at all this season.
Odds & Ends: Lee, Harkless, China
A few random notes from around the league:
- David Lee started the season hot on his way to making the All-Star game, but since he's played poorly on both ends of the court, writes MercuryNews.com's Monte Pool. And it's had a negative effect on the Warriors, who are suddenly in danger of missing the playoffs.
- After J.J. Redick was traded to the Magic, guard Maurice Harkless has stepped into a more involved role with the team, and he's succeeding, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
- Hoopsworld.com's Alex Kennedy asks what's next for several former NBA players who played in China but have recently returned to the United States.
Northwest Notes: Leonard, Jazz, Aldridge
A few news and notes from around the NBA's Northwest Division:
- The Oregonian's Joe Freeman details the process Trail Blazers rookie center Meyers Leonard is going through to become a consistent NBA player. After struggling early on, Leonard has really picked it up since the All-Star break.
- Now that Mo Williams has returned from injury, the Jazz have a new, faster look to them that should help as they make a push towards the playoffs, writes The Salt Lake Tribune's Bill Oram.
- The Portland Tribune's Kerry Eggers has an interview with Trail Blazers All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
Sergey Karasev Out of 2013 Draft?
Sergey Karasev, a highly touted 19-year-old forward from Russia, likely won't enter the 2013 draft, according to NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper. Projected to be taken somewhere late in the first round by DraftExpress.com, the 6'7" Karasev is one of the better European prospects, and his absence will surely hurt the overseas crop for possibly the second year in a row.
Despite his age and inexperience, Karasev was a member of Russia's 2012 Olympic National team, which impressed in London with a roster full of NBA talent. He currently plays for Triumph Lyubertsy in the Russian Professional League.
Central Notes: Thibodeau, Ellington, Stephenson
Last night was a tough one for the Central Division, as both the Bulls and Pacers lost competitive battles against the Celtics and Spurs. The exception to the rule was Kyrie Irving and his Cavaliers, who defeated the struggling Jazz at home. Here are a few notes from around one of basketball's toughest divisions.
- Writing at the New York Times, Justin Kubatko goes into the numbers to explain just how effective Tom Thibodeau has been as a defensive mastermind over the past few years.
- Wayne Ellington has bounced around the league a bit in his first few years since getting drafted out of the University of North Carolina, but with the Cavaliers it appears he may have found a permanent home, telling Jodie Valade of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he hopes he can sign long term with the team this offseason.
- NBA.com's Scott Agness writes about Pacers guard Lance Stephenson, and how helpful he's been in the open court for a team that could use even more of an offensive boost in transition.
Injury Notes: Wallace, Granger, Bynum, Parker
A roundup of a few injury related notes from around the league, some of which could have implications on rotations and roster spots.
- Rasheed Wallace is "a ways away" from returning to the Knicks according to ESPNNY.com's Ian Begley.
- The Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells tweeted that former All-Star forward Danny Granger will make his season debut tonight as the first guy of the Pacers bench. He's expected to play 15-20 minutes.
- Sixers center Andrew Bynum has participated in 5-on-5 competition in practice, according to the team's general manager Tony DiLeo, tweets Tom Moore of Phillyburbs.com. South Florida SunSentinel reporter Ira Winderman has reactions from the team's head coach Doug Collins, and they aren't good.
- Magic point guard Jameer Nelson had an MRI on his left knee, and the results showed a bruised left patellar tendon, tweets OrlandoMagic.com reporter John Denton.
- San Antonio Express-News reporter Jeff McDonald reports that Spurs guard Tony Parker has suffered a right triceps contusion, and will miss tomorrow night's game against the Suns.