Poll: Who Wins Rookie of the Year?
With yesterday’s news that Trey Burke will be sidelined a few weeks with a broken finger, the Rookie of the Year race took an interesting turn before the season even started. Who do you think will win?
Eastern Notes: Biyombo, Diogu, Beasley
A few notes from around the Eastern Conference.
- Bobcats center Bismack Biyombo is not worried about the team picking up his team option by October 31, reports RealGm.com’s Shams Charania.
- Knicksjournal.com’s Keith Schlosser asks what it will take for Ike Diogu to make the Knicks final roster.
- Sun-Sentinel.com’s Ira Winderman examines the possibility of Michael Beasley infiltrating Miami’s rotation.
Week In Review: 10/7/13 – 10/13/13
A look back at all the top stories from the past week.
- Former All-Star point guard Stephon Marbury has extended his contract in China.
- Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey hurt his thumb in a car door, and as a result underwent surgery.
- The Grizzlies signed Andre Barrett.
- The Spurs decided to let former Pacers forward Sam Young go.
- The Bobcats let go of Abdul Gaddy and Troy Daniels.
- The Thunder waived Daniel Orton.
- The Warriors waived Cameron Jones.
- The Lakers waived Dan Gadzuric and Eric Boateng.
- The Clippers waived JaMychal Green and Mustapha Farrakhan.
- The Heat exercised their 2014/15 team option on Norris Cole.
- The Bulls waived Dahntay Jones.
Poll: Who Will Win The Western Conference?
With the season just a few weeks away, the Western Conference is shaping up to have one of the most competitive races in recent history. With so many talented teams, who do you think wins the conference?
Western Notes: Burke, Clippers, Blazers
A few notes from around the Western Conference.
- Jazz rookie point guard Trey Burke will get the start in his first preseason game, and his coaches want him to put his struggles behind him. Burke’s starting his professional career in shooting slump that Utah can’t afford to see carry over into the regular season, writes the Salt Lake Tribune’s Aaron Falk.
- Clippers head coach Doc Rivers believes his team can be as good as any he’s ever coached, and that the group is already understanding the principles of his defensive system, writes Los Angeles Times reporter Broderick Turner.
- Now that rookie guard C.J. McCollum will be sidelined with a broken foot, it’ll be interesting to see who gets his playing time: Will Barton or Allen Crabbe, writes OregonLive.com’s Joe Freeman.
Eastern Notes: Bulls, Celtics, Pistons
A few notes from around the Eastern Conference.
- According to the Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan, Bulls general manager Gar Forman insists there’s no friction between Chicago’s front office and head coach, Tom Thibodeau, and that the team is excited about its young core and new starting five.
- Celtics.com’s Mark D’Amico writes that new Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is among a new generation of head coaches who value film study more than ever.
- According to a tweet from the Detroit Free Press reporter Vincent Ellis, the Pistons have yet to decide on a starting shooting guard for opening night, but will likely decide between Chauncey Billups and Rodney Stuckey.
Mavericks Notes: Calderon, Melo, Free Agents
A few notes about the Mavericks:
- Former Celtics center Fab Melo is excited for his fresh start with the Mavericks, writes the Star-Telegram’s Dwain Price.
- Mark Cuban has long held the belief that acquiring a player in a contract year is smart business because he’ll be looking to give maximum effort in his attempt at locking up a long-term deal. But this season the Mavericks decided to go a different route, signing Monta Ellis, Jose Calderon, and others to multi-year deals, writes Dallas Morning News reporter Eddie Sefko.
- According to The Dallas Mornings News’ Eddie Sefko, point guard Jose Calderon will be held out of the preseason’s next two games as he deals with a strained hamstring. Calderon has yet to play a minute with the team. With several incoming players in their backcourt, it’ll be interesting to see if any new faces can take advantage of an increase in playing time—perhaps enough so to make the team.
Darius Songaila Signs In Lithuania
According to a tweet from Emiliano Carchia of Sportando, Darius Songaila has signed a one-year contract with Lithuania’s Lietuvos Rytas.
Songaila spent eight seasons in the NBA playing for five teams. He most recently appeared two seasons ago, in a 10-game stint with the Suns. He holds career averages of 6.9 PPG and 3.4 RPG on 49.9% shooting from the floor.
Clippers Waive Green, Farrakhan
The Clippers announced today that they have waived JaMychal Green and Mustapha Farrakhan, trimming their roster down to 16 players. The two combined for 11 minutes of play during Monday night’s preseason victory against the Trail Blazers.
Farrakhan has spent the past two seasons on several teams in the D-League, posting averages of 8.0 PPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.9 RPG. In 40 games with the D-League’s Austin Toros last season, Green averaged 12.3 PPG and 8.1 RPG.
Farrakhan spent the 2012 preseason with the Bucks, while Green participated in the Spurs training camp.
Odds & Ends: Bryant, Sampson, Miller
A few random notes from around the league.
- Kobe Bryant made his way back on the court for the first time today, reports ESPNLA.com's Dave McMenamin. He didn't participate in any drills with his teammates, and the organization remains quiet on any timetable for return.
- According to Houston Fox 26's Mark Berman, former Rockets center Ralph Sampson wants to work with the organization, and could possibly become the head coach of their D-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw says second-year forward Quincy Miller reminds him of a younger Paul George, writes the Denver Post's Chris Dempsey. Shaw was an assistant with the Pacers last season, when the Indiana forward was named to his first All-Star game.