Poll: Miami vs. Boston
When the Celtics emerged from their hard fought seven game series against the Sixers, they looked more relieved than jubilant. This was a series they were supposed to win, and waiting on the other side of the tracks was a Heat team that knocked them out in five games last season.
The upcoming Eastern Conference Finals will be a battle of will between two organizations loaded with veteran players who're more than familiar with the task at hand. How do you think it plays out?
Hoops Rumors Originals: 5/21/12 – 5/27/12
Here's a look back at all the original content produced by our writers over the last week.
- Ryan Raroque takes a look at Tracy McGrady in our Free Agent Stock Watch series.
- In light of the Magic's recent decision to fire Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith, Chuck Myron lists several teams that have gotten rid of their head coach and general manager in the same year.
- A look back at some upcoming free agents and how their recent play has affected their asking price.
- Zach Links gives us his weekly Hoops Links series.
- Luke Adams breaks down the Knicks in our Offseason Outlook series.
- A detailed look at the Poison Pill provision.
- I wrote about C.J. Miles in our Free Agent Stock Watch series.
- A poll on who would prevail in last night's Game 7 between the Sixers and Celtics.
- A transcript from our weekly Hoops Rumors chat.
- The Rockets are looked at in our Offseason Outlook series.
- A poll on who will win the Western Conference Finals.
- An updated list of the 2012/13 free agents.
- The Suns are written about in our Offseason Outlook series.
- A poll asking what's in store for Jerry Sloan?
- Zach Links profiles North Carolina's Kendall Marshall in our Prospect Profile series.
- A list of traded draft picks who turned out to be All-Stars.
Bobcats To Interview Jerry Sloan
The Bobcats will interview Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan for their vacant head coach position on Friday, according to the Associated Press. After working 23 years with the Jazz, the 70-year-old Sloan abruptly left Utah's bench in the middle of the 2011 season, and hasn't coached since.
According to the report, Sloan is the ninth known candidate the Bobcats have reportedly shown interest in, and the team also plans to interview current Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw.
The Bobcats finished the 2011-12 season with the worst winning percentage in NBA history, but have a 25 percent chance of winning the lottery, which is scheduled to take place next Wednesday.
Free Agent Stock Watch: C.J. Miles
C.J. Miles is a seven-year veteran who also happens to be just 25 years old and entering free agency after somewhat of a disappointing season. After posting career high figures in points, PER, and minutes two years ago, Miles experienced somewhat of a down year in 2012. His PPG dropped from 12.8 to 9.1, and he averaged almost five fewer minutes of playing time every night.
At one point in his career a full-time starter, Miles shot a deplorable 38.1 percent from the field this season. Being that he was playing in a contract year, the season-long funk wasn't good timing. But similar to Pau Gasol in Los Angeles, a change of scenery might be all that he needs to get back on the right track. Miles grew up learning how to play basketball from Jerry Sloan, one of the greatest coaches in league history, but last season he clashed a bit with the newcomer, Ty Corbin.
As he heads into free agency, Miles will have suitors. He's shown he can shoot a decent but not great three-ball (career 33 percent), and at 6'6" has the size and athleticism to roam the perimeter and wreak havoc in transition. In 2010, Miles averaged 14.4 PPG in 10 playoff games. He was only 22-years-old, and the fourth option on his team.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Miles has gone on record saying he'd love to play for his hometown Mavericks, but it's questionable as to whether or not that team shares mutual admiration. If Dallas is looking to get younger while adding someone with playoff experience, then Miles certainly fits. But it all depends on what they choose to do with free agents Jason Terry and Delonte West. And then, of course, there's the elephant in the room named Deron Williams, who further complicates the team's salary situation.
In 2008, the Jazz matched a four-year, $14.8MM offer sheet from Oklahoma City. They won't be able to do it again, and after making his disapproval for Coach Corbin clear once the season was over, it's probable Miles isn't returning to Utah.
Polls: Who Wins Game 7?
On Saturday, the Sixers will travel up to Boston to face the Celtics in the unlikely seventh game of their Eastern Conferencen Semifinals series. It's uncharted waters for the Sixers, while the Celtics have been in this exact situation several times over the past five years. Who do you think will win, and in what fashion will they get it done?
Odds & Ends: Lakers, Pacers, Pavlovic, Henson
With a loss tonight against the Heat, the Pacers' season will end. Hoopsworld.com's Joel Brigham believes that even if that happens, Indiana has established themselves as a franchise to contend with.
- With Celtics guard Avery Bradley out for the playoffs, CSNNE.com's Rich Levine asks if the team could get any production out of Sasha Pavlovic.
- ESPN.com's J.A. Adande writes that in order for them to arrive back at the elite level they're most familiar with, the Lakers need to move away from their current strength (size) and shift towards the league's current trend (speed).
- Hoopsworld.com's Eric Pincus discusses some serious tax issues the Lakers are facing in the immediate future, and how it could shape important personnel decisions.
- Through conversations with several NBA general managers and scouts, FoxSports.com's Sam Amico takes a look at North Carolina big man John Henson, a possible lottery pick in this year's draft.
Magic Willing To Trade Dwight Howard
5:23PM: In a tweet from Orlando Sentinel reporter Josh Robbins, the Magic have in fact not decided whether or not they'll trade Dwight Howard. No action will be made until the team has hired a new general manager, and that person has sat down with Howard and discussed the center's thoughts moving forward.
4:13PM: The whirlwind in Orlando continues. According to Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com, the Magic are prepared to trade Dwight Howard "sooner rather than later." A source told Sheridan that the decision was made after a meeting in Michigan last week between the team's president and owner.
The Magic will look to strike a deal after next week's lottery, when teams have a better idea of what they have, and are capable of moving.
Recently named to the league's All-Defense and All-NBA first teams, Howard is currently recovering from back surgery, but when healthy is still one of the league's best players, and the most attractive option on the trade market.
Magic To Target Mitch Kupchak In GM Search
Of the two high profile job openings the Magic organization has recently carved for themselves, it looks like general manager will be the first one filled. According to CBSSports.com's Ken Berger, the team will begin scheduling interviews for the general manager position on Friday, and will attempt to find a replacement for Otis Smith within three weeks.
With championship experience serving as the glittering star on resumes that cross Magic CEO Alex Martins' desk, current Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak will likely be contacted by the team, Berger writes. Other candidates include Pacers GM David Morway, former Hornets GM Jeff Bower, and current Pacers executive Kevin Pritchard. Former Knicks GM Donnie Walsh is said to be a perfect fit, but appears only interested in replacing Larry Bird, should Bird retire at the end of this season.
Kyrie Irving Wins Rookie Of The Year
TUESDAY, 9:17am: Irving, who received 117 of 120 possible first-place votes, has officially been named the Rookie of the Year at a news conference in Cleveland. Ricky Rubio was the runner-up, with Kenneth Faried (third), Kawhi Leonard (fourth), and Iman Shumpert (fifth) each snagging a first-place vote.
SUNDAY, 4:06pm: According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving will be named the league's Rookie of the Year on Monday. Irving averaged 18.5 PPG and 5.4 APG in 51 games this season, helping establish himself as the Cavaliers next franchise player, and certain point guard of the future.
As Stein mentions in his article, Rookie of the Year is the last major award to be announced for the 2012 season.
Week In Review: 5/6/12 – 5/13/12
A look back at all the week's biggest news from around the NBA.
- LeBron James was named the league's Most Valuable Player for the third time in his career.
- James Harden is named Sixth Man of the Year.
- Greg Oden is aiming for a return to the NBA in 2013, once he recovers from a third microfracture knee surgery.
- Baron Davis' season ended after suffering a gruesome knee injury. The Knicks guard tore his ACL and MCL, and partially tore his left patella tendon.
- USA basketball was given an Olympic roster extension.
- Raja Bell does not expect to return to the Jazz next season.
- Patrick Ewing was scheduled to interview with the Bobcats. The team is also looking at Mike Dunlap and Nate Tibbetts.
- The Knicks are planning to bring back Mike Woodson.
- The latest on Sacramento's arena situation.
- David Morway and Jeff Bower are front runners for the Trail Blazers open general manager position. But the team is also interested in current Hawks GM Rick Sund.
- According to Mike Woodson, Jeremy Lin will absolutely return to the Knicks.
- The Nuggets are 100 percent committed to re-signing JaVale McGee.
- The city of Columbus wants an NBA franchise.
- C.J. Miles is interested in joining the Mavericks.
- Deron Williams met with Nets GM Billy King, and owner Mikhail Prokhorov in Turkey.
- J.R. Smith is leaning towards exercising his player option.
- The NBAPA wants perks for age limit change.
- Shannon Brown is interested in returning to the Suns.