Northwest Notes: Durant, Blazers, Stiemsma
The latest news and notes from around the Northwest Division on Wednesday evening:
- Kevin Durant tells Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman that he feels the Thunder have played well in adjusting to James Harden's absence.
- Abby Chin of CSNNW.com writes that Blazers coach Terry Stotts is trying to instill confidence in the team's bench, which has underperformed this season.
- Timberwolves center Greg Stiemsma reflects on his rookie season in Boston as they prepare to play the Celtics.
Celtics Recall Kris Joseph
The Boston Celtics have recalled rookie forward Kris Joseph from the Maine Red Claws of the NBA D-League, the team announced in a press release. This is the second time Joseph has been assigned and recalled in his rookie season.
In his three games with the Red Claws this season, he has averaged 21.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.0 APG. He has appeared minimally in two games for the Celtics.
Be sure to check out our complete list of D-League assignments and recalls to keep track of the latest moves.
Berger On Lakers, White, Thunder, Fisher
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com has a new column dealing with several high-profile topics from around the NBA. Here are the highlights:
- Berger writes that if the Lakers choose to trade Pau Gasol, they should look for wing defenders and bench depth.
- The Rockets and Royce White appear to be making progress in working through the issues that have prevented the rookie from seeing playing time. Berger reports that White has begun seeing the therapist the team assigned to him to assist with his anxiety disorder.
- Kevin Martin is having a fantastic season for the Thunder, who Berger believes have been vindicated for their decision to trade James Harden.
- Thunder guard Russell Westbrook praised the Mavericks' signing of Derek Fisher, citing the veteran point guard's impact on the Oklahoma City locker room last season.
Odds & Ends: Martin, Blatche, Lillard, Gibson
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Sunday evening:
- Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman writes that Kevin Martin is performing up to expectations since being acquired by the Thunder in the James Harden trade.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel thinks, in hindsight, that the Heat would have been wise to sign Andray Blatche this summer. Miami was held back by concerns about his effect on the locker room, as well as their belief in Josh Harrellson and Dexter Pittman, Winderman adds.
- Joe Freeman of the Oregonian admires the poise of Damian Lillard as the Trail Blazers rookie continues to impress.
- Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com likes what he's seen from Taj Gibson since signing a four-year extension with the Bulls.
- Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times adds to the praise of Gibson while also singling out Jimmy Butler for his defensive impact.
- Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun writes that Raptors bigs Amir Johnson and Ed Davis have not received due attention for their contributions.
- Rick Bonnell of the Oklahoman examines the Bobcats' defensive successes this season.
- Keith Langolis of Pistons.com says that rookie Kyle Singler has made a fan of head coach Lawrence Frank with his work ethic.
- Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle praises Patrick Patterson's improvement.
Week In Review: 11/26/12 – 12/2/12
A look back at the news stories of the past week:
- With point guard Darren Collison struggling, the Mavericks signed Derek Fisher to add some veteran help at the position. To clear a roster spot, they waived Troy Murphy.
- The Lakers continued to maintian that they are not looking to trade Pau Gasol.
- The Bucks, meanwhile, have made it known that Drew Gooden is on the trade block.
- The Raptors signed veteran guard Mickael Pietrus, waiving Dominic McGuire to make room on the roster.
- Suns center Marcin Gortat revealed that he turned down an extension offer from the team during the offseason.
- Investor Chris Hansen revealed preliminary design plans for a new sports arena in Seattle that he hopes to lure an NBA team to play in.
- The Cavaliers signed rookie forward Kevin Jones and waived Luke Harangody.
- Nets big man Andray Blatche had some harsh words for the Wizards organization that released him this summer using the amnesty clause.
- The Celtics reassigned Kris Joseph to the D-League.
- The Warriors' Jeremy Tyler and the Spurs' Nando De Colo were also sent down, while the Nuggets' Quincy Miller was recalled.
- The Thunder recalled DeAndre Liggins from the D-League and sent down Jeremy Lamb.
- The Warriors assigned Kent Bazemore to the D-League, and subsequently recalled him.
- The Spurs sent down Cory Joseph.
- The Hawks assigned John Jenkins and Mike Scott to the D-League.
- The Rockets sent down Terrence Jones and Scott Machado.
- The Suns assigned Kendall Marshall to the D-League.
- The Lakers sent down Robert Sacre.
- The Grizzlies sent down Tony Wroten.
- The Jazz assigned Kevin Murphy to the D-League.
- The Pacers recalled Miles Plumlee and Orlando Johnson.
Pacific Notes: Gasol, Howard, Curry
The latest news and notes around the Pacific Division on Sunday evening:
- Eddie Johnson of HoopsHype writes that the Lakers are beginning to accept the reality that Pau Gasol is not a long-term fit for Mike D'Antoni's system. However, Johnson notes that Gasol's age and contract make it difficult to move him.
- As pleased as Dwight Howard seems to be as a member of the Lakers, he refuses to talk about whether he'll remain in L.A. when his contract is up next summer, notes Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
- Marcus Thompson of the San Jose Mercury News writes that a newly healthy Stephen Curry is seeing a spike in his production this season.
Northwest Links: Rubio, Iguodala, Burks, Jeffries
Here are the latest updates from around the Northwest Division:
- Ricky Rubio practiced with the Timberwolves for the first time since tearing his ACL in February. He told reporters that his knee felt good. (Associated Press link via the New York Times)
- Since coming to the Nuggets, Andre Iguodala's defense has exceeded its already high expectations, observes Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post.
- Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune writes that young players such as Alec Burks have been taking advantage of the minutes opened up by injuries on the Jazz.
- Jared Jeffries has had a positive impact as a veteran presence on a young and rebuilding Trail Blazers team, writes Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com.
Latest On Anthony Davis
John Reid of the Times-Picayune reports that Anthony Davis is expected to be out at least another week after suffering a stress reaction in his left ankle on November 17. Hornets coach Monty Williams addressed Davis' current status to reporters:
"If I have to guess, I think he’s a week away from us thinking about him ramping up his conditioning; let alone playing,'' Williams said. "So I just think it's still far off.''
Davis, the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, has appeared in just six games this season for the Hornets after suffering a concussion earlier in the season before this ankle injury. He is averaging 16.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 2.2 BPG this season.
Atlantic Rumors: Turner, Melo, Williams
The latest rumblings from around the Atlantic Division on Sunday evening:
- Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com doesn't think Evan Turner would merit an extension along the lines of Jrue Holiday's new four-year, $41MM deal if the decision were due today, but if Turner keeps up his improved play all season, his price tag next summer could be higher than Holiday's.
- Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com writes that Carmelo Anthony is earning early MVP consideration.
- Howard Beck of the New York Times writes that Deron Williams is still getting in rhythm leading the new-look Nets.
Southwest Notes: Popovich, Cuban, Collison, Hornets
The latest news and notes from the Southwest Division on Sunday afternoon:
- Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News wonders whether Spurs coach Gregg Popovich cost himself the opportunity to coach Team USA at the 2016 Olympics with his controversial decision to rest several starters on Thursday.
- Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tells Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com that he understands the NBA's decision to fine the Spurs, although he may have done the same thing in Popovich's shoes.
- Darren Collison, on the last year of his rookie-scale contract, doesn't think he got a fair shot at starting for the Mavs, writes Jeff Caplan of NBA.com, but Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News thinks the numbers support coach Rick Carlisle's decision to go with newly acquired Derek Fisher as the starter.
- Hornets forward Jason Smith tells John Reid of the Times-Picayune that it is the responsibility of the veteran players to set an example for younger players on the struggling team.
- Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune writes that the Hornets so far are failing to deliver on their promise of a brighter future.