HoopsRumors Originals: 11/5/12 – 11/11/12
A look back at the original content from the HoopsRumors.com staff this week:
- An updated glossary of salary-cap and CBA terms.
- Luke Adams takes a look back at the Thunder's summer in our Offseason in Review series.
- The Timberwolves also got the Offseason in Review treatment from Luke.
- The Jazz Offseason in Review installment.
- The Nuggets Offseason in Review installment.
- The Trail Blazers Offseason in Review installment.
- A transcript of this week's HoopsRumors chat.
- Chuck Myron explains the D-League assignment rules.
- A list of players with NBA experience who were selected in last week's NBA D-League draft.
Poll: Best NBA Contract
Earlier today, HoopsWorld posted an article debating the best-valued contracts in the NBA. Among the names the writers posited were Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Raymond Felton, Kyle Lowry, and Tony Parker.
Which of these contracts to you think is best? Or is it someone else entirely? Weigh in in the comments.
HoopsWorld On Best NBA Contracts
The staff of HoopsWorld.com has posted a new roundtable in which several of their staff writers weighed in on which players have the best contracts in the NBA.
- Joel Brigham writes that as the best three-point shooter in NBA history, Ray Allen is a steal for the Heat at $3MM per year.
- Bill Ingram believes the Spurs got an excellent value in Tony Parker. Parker is making $12.5MM this season, considerably less than other elite point guards such as Chris Paul and Deron Williams.
- Robert Wing calls Kyle Lowry's contract a "complete steal," saying the Raptors got a major upgrade at starting point guard over Jose Calderon for cheap.
- Eric Pincus thinks the Knicks were able to take advantage of Raymond Felton's low stock after his poor performance in Portland last season to land the point guard for $14.9MM over four years.
- Alex Kennedy points out that Rajon Rondo would be worth much more on the open market than the five-year, $55MM extension he signed with the Celtics in 2009.
Week In Review: 11/5/12 – 11/11/12
A rundown of the major news and events from the NBA for the week:
- The biggest story of the week was the Lakers' firing of head coach Mike Brown after a disappointing 1-4 start to the season. Assistant Bernie Bickerstaff has served as interim head coach while the team explores a more permanent option. The team is aggressively pursuing Phil Jackson to return to the bench, but has also reached out to former Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy and former Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni.
- Pacers forward Danny Granger could be out as long as three months due to recurring knee problems.
- The Timberwolves are considering reaching out to free agents Mickael Pietrus and Josh Howard as they battle injuries to several key players.
- FIBA has announced several changes to the World Cup of Basketball, formerly the FIBA World Championships.
- Former NBA center D.J. Mbenga has agreed to join the Qingdao Double Star Eagles, the Chinese Basketball Association team which also recently signed Tracy McGrady.
- Gilbert Arenas has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association after a previous CBA deal fell through.
- Mehmet Okur announced his retirement from professional basketball after 10 seasons in the NBA.
- The Kings assigned Tyler Honeycutt to the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League.
- Although he was cut from the Trail Blazers' training camp roster, Adam Morrison is not planning to retire.
- New Grizzlies owner Robert Pera hired Jason Levien as the team's CEO.
- Jonny Flynn, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2009 draft, signed a deal to play in Australia for the Melbourne Tigers.
East Notes: Smith, Drummond, Cavs
The latest news and notes from around the Eastern Conference on Sunday afternoon:
- Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes that the historically inconsistent J.R. Smith has actually been one of the most reliable players this season for the Knicks.
- The Pistons are a league-worst 0-7, but coach Lawrence Frank is determined not to rush Andre Drummond into heavy action so early in his career, as Keith Langlois of Pistons.com examines.
- Cavs coach Byron Scott isn't sold on analytics, as Bob Finnan of The News-Herald notes.
Johnson, Goudelock, Mack Taken In D-League Draft
The NBA D-League held its annual draft on Friday. Former Celtics forward JaJuan Johnson, traded to the Rockets this summer and waived during training camp, was drafted first overall by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Other players with NBA experience taken in the first round include former Lakers guard Andrew Goudelock, former Wizards guard Shelvin Mack, and former Clippers guard Travis Leslie.
Be sure to check out the official D-League site for the complete draft recap.
Injury Notes: Rush, Davis, Turkoglu
A few injury notes from around the league on Friday night.
- Brandon Rush suffered what appears to be a serious knee injury in the first quarter of the Warriors' game against the Grizzlies.
- In his second game in the NBA, top overall pick Anthony Davis left with a possible concussion. He will be tested, and it's unclear whether he will miss games (AP link via ESPN.com).
- Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu broke his hand in the Magic's season-opening 102-89 win over the Nuggets. It would appear that rookie Moe Harkless, acquired in the Dwight Howard trade, will replace him in the rotation.
Extension Notes: Gibson, Jennings, Evans
Six players from the 2009 draft class signed extensions before Wednesday's deadline. James Harden, fresh off being traded to the Rockets, signed a five-year extension in Houston. Meanwhile, the 76ers signed Jrue Holiday to a four-year deal, as did the Bulls with Taj Gibson, the Warriors with Stephen Curry, the Nuggets with Ty Lawson, and the Raptors with DeMar DeRozan. Here are a few links dealing with the aftermath of these deals.
- The Daily Herald's Mike McGraw breaks down the financial implications of the Bulls' extension with Gibson.
- Sean Deveney of the Sporting News looks at several players who didn't receive extensions, including Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, and Jeff Teague. He says this season will be important to them in setting their value.
- Deveney also writes that many prospective restricted free agents are seen as no more than backups, which could affect their worth on the open market.
Celtics Notes: Ownership, Barbosa
The latest news and notes about the Boston Celtics on Friday night:
- Via CSNNE.com, Celtics owner Steve Pagliuca reiterated the team's commitment to winning championships despite making some roster changes this summer.
- CSNNE also reports that the Celtics are pleased with recent signee Leandro Barbosa.
Poll: Most Impressive Rookie
Through three days of the NBA season, most of the heavily hyped rookies have made their debuts. In particular, five have had standout first games as pros: New Orleans' No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis, Washington's No. 3 overall pick Bradley Beal, Cleveland's No. 4 overall pick Dion Waiters, Portland's No. 6 overall pick Damian Lillard, and Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas, drafted in 2011. Charlotte's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist makes his debut tonight.
Which of the five rookies who have made an impact so far have impressed you the most?