Atlantic Notes: Barbosa, Stoudemire, Wallace, Brooks
The main motivation the Celtics had for signing veteran guard Leandro Barbosa was his ability to score. According to CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely, they may be getting more than they bargained for.
- As Damian Lillard makes his first trip to Brooklyn, the Nets are left to wonder what could have been had they not traded for Gerald Wallace, writes the New York Times' Benjamin Hoffman.
- Again from the New York Times, Beckley Mason talks about the Knicks fortune without Amare Stoudemire.
- Nets second year guard MarShon Brooks is getting inconsistent playing time so far this season, and the New York Post's Tim Bontemps tries to figure out why.
Andrew Bynum Out Indefinitely
Sixers center Andrew Bynum has officially been ruled out for an indefinite amount of time, and there's no timetable for his return, according to a tweet from the team's public relations director, Michael Preston.
Tony DiLeo, Philadelphia's general manager, said trading for Bynum in the offseason was a "calculated risk" and that "his knees are worse now. His condition is different." DiLeo also said that whenever Bynum returns is up to him.
Judging from these comments, it's safe to say that the Sixers might be willing to move on this offseason, chalking this trade up as a mistake.
While it isn't difficult to imagine at least one of the league's 30 general managers offering a player with Bynum's skill set a maximum contract offer this summer, the Sixers might be too burned by their experience this season to lock themselves in financially with their would-be franchise center.
Latest On Bynum
According to ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst, Sixers center Andrew Bynum has further injured his knee while recently bowling. Yesterday it was reported that Bynum had suffered a setback in his recovery.
In addition to previous issues with his right knee, Bynum said that his left knee was bothering him as well. The Sixers have pushed back Bynum's date of return three times and have released a series of detailed statements on the issue. But before Bynum's comments, there never was any mention of left knee pain or weakened cartilage.
Bynum has yet to appear in a game this season.
Odds & Ends: Bobcats, Nash, Beal, Lakers
Here's a look around the NBA this Saturday evening.
- The Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell wonders if the Bobcats can get anything of value for DeSagana Diop's expiring contract.
- Steve Nash and Dwight Howard are teammates with the Lakers, but both of them could easily have ended up in New York with separate teams, writes Howard Beck of the New York Times.
- NBA.com's Jeff Caplan has a piece on Wizards rookie shooting guard Bradley Beal, who currently leads his struggling team in scoring.
- A quick recap of the Bernie Bickerstaff era as head coach of the Lakers, from ESPNLA.com's Dave McMenamin.
- With James Harden flourishing as a starter with the Rockets, the Oklahoman's John Rohde wonders who will win the Sixth Man of the Year award this season.
Poll: Who Is The NBA’s MVP So Far?
Granted, we're only about an eighth of the way through the 2012/13 season, but enough basketball has been played to gauge how well some of the league's stars are impacting their teams. Who do you think is the MVP so far?
Southwest Notes: Howard, Jackson, Sampson
Over the summer, the Rockets were aggressive in trying to facilitate a trade for then Magic center Dwight Howard. Multiple reports at the time said Howard was reluctant to play in Houston, and that if a trade were to occur he wouldn't be happy. Earlier today, Howard told the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen that he "didn't have a problem" with the Rockets heavy pursuit, but his two most desired teams were still the Lakers and Nets.
- With Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard out 10-14 days with tendinitis in his left quadriceps, veteran swingman Stephen Jackson has been selected as his replacement in the starting lineup, writes San Antonio Express-News reporter Dan McCarney.
- With Kevin McHale on indefinite leave from the Rockets as he tends to a family emergency, Kelvin Sampson has been thrust into the role of head coach, writes Feigen.
Burks “Available” On Trade Market
Earlier this week we passed along news that Jazz forward Al Jefferson might be interested in re-joining the Celtics at some point before his career is through (This is Jefferson's final year under contract with the Jazz.)
Now, it appears another member of the Jazz could be on his way out of town. Second year shooting guard Alec Burks is reportedly "available," according to a tweet from Fox Sports Ohio reporter Sam Amico. Only 21 years old, Burks' per game averages are plummeting across the board. This season he's appeared in only five games, and is averaging just 1.4PPG on 20% shooting. Last season he averaged 7.2PPG.
No potential suitor was mentioned in the tweet, but it isn't difficult to imagine several teams around the league that might be interested in buying low on this athletic talent.
Jon Brockman Signs In France
Forward Jon Brockman has signed with the French team Limoges, according to Catch-and-shoot.com. The former Buck was waived by the Rockets two days before their season opener. After being drafted by the Trail Blazers (but then traded on draft night to the Kings) in 2009, the 6'7" forward went on to average 2.1 PPG and 3.1 RPG in three professional seasons.
Odds & Ends: Harden, Bradley, Suns
In a column by Adrian Wojnarowski, the Yahoo! sports scribe writes that the Rockets are already James Harden's team. How Harden reacts to being a leader could dictate where the franchise goes from here, according to Wojnarowski. Here are a few more odds and ends from around the league:
- Celtics guard Avery Bradley is on schedule to return to the team in six weeks after undergoing surgery on both shoulders in the offseason, writes the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett.
- On SheridanHoops.com, Jan Hubbard writes that the Suns have a questionable future with no superstar on their roster.
- South Florida Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman reports that Heat second round pick Jarvis Varnado is in the D-League, and the team has lost his rights.
- Hoopsworld.com looks at some underrated offseason acquisitions.
- The Washington Post's Michael Lee gives a closer look at the importance of 2014, and what it means for the NBA.
Week In Review: 10/29/12 – 11/4/12
In a busy week around the league, here's a wrap up of all recent news
- After being released by the Jazz earlier this summer, point guard Chris Quinn has signed with a team in Spain.
- The Mavericks signed Troy Murphy, then waived Eddy Curry.
- After being waived by the Pistons, Terrence Williams has signed with a team in China.
- Josh Powell has signed with a team in Greece.
- Antonio McDyess is contemplating a comeback.
- The Sixers reached an extension with point guard Jrue Holiday.
- Taj Gibson was extended by the Bulls.
- The Raptors chose to extend DeMar DeRozan.
- The Thunder have chosen to re-sign Daniel Orton.
- The Rockets officially signed James Harden to a five-year maximum extension contract.
- The Grizzlies have exercised an option on Quincy Pondexter's contract.
- The Warriors signed Stephen Curry to a four-year extension.
- The Rockets declined an option on Cole Aldrich's contract.
- Andy Rautins and Hollis Thompson both signed with the Tulsa 66ers.
- The Mavericks declined an option on Dominique Jones.
- The Clippers waived Travis Leslie.
- The Nuggets signed Ty Lawson to a four-year contract extension.
- The Trail Blazers have received a disabled player exception. They also declined options on Luke Babbitt, Nolan Smith, and Elliot Williams.
- The Suns decided not to exercise their option on Wesley Johnson's contract.
- The Celtics have picked up Avery Bradley's contract option.
- The Timberwolves have picked up options on Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams.
- The Bulls have picked up Jimmy Butler's option.
- The Rockets exercised options on Marcus Morris and Patrick Patterson.
- Jamario Moon has signed a contract in the D-League.
- The Jazz have exercised an option on Tyrone Corbin's 2013/14 contract.