Central Notes: Pistons, Bulls, Butler
While center Andre Drummond, shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and point guard Reggie Jackson are guaranteed starting spots, Marcus Morris, Ersan Ilyasova and Stanley Johnson are still fighting for the other two starting roles with the Pistons, Terry Foster of The Detroit News details. Each player has skills that make for a compelling argument, Foster writes, and no one seems to have the edge yet. Ilyasova can stretch the floor with his 3-point shot, Morris provides toughness and Johnson is quick in transition, Foster adds.
Here’s more out of the Central Division:
- Bulls rookie Bobby Portis is standing out early because of his confidence, rebounding ability and scoring touch, Nick Friedell of ESPN.com writes. Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg acknowledged it would be hard to envision a scenario where Portis isn’t given rotational minutes early in the season, Friedell adds. “I just think it’s his energy,” Hoiberg said. “Anybody that goes out and plays that hard every possession, good things generally happen and that’s exactly what Bobby has done.”
- Look for Jimmy Butler, who re-signed with the Bulls over the summer, to pick up his intensity on the court as the regular season draws near, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes. Butler, according to first-year coach Hoiberg, has been focused on getting his teammates more involved in a new system, Johnson adds.
Atlantic Notes: Early, Thomas, Jones
Cleanthony Early, who struggled as a rookie last year with the Knicks, seems to be more comfortable offensively and is playing tougher defense, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Berman adds that Carmelo Anthony has helped groom the small forward into becoming a two-way force.
“[Early] looks more confident this year,’’ Anthony said, per Berman. “I think it was good for him to go through the season last year, this offseason and even right now he looks a lot more confident.’’
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- As the 16th player with a guaranteed contract added to the maximum 15-contract mix, Perry Jones has roughly a week to win a roster spot with the Celtics, Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald writes. Jones did not play Friday against the Knicks, as Murphy points out. “Always keep the faith. That’s part of basketball,” Jones said. “I can’t tell you why I didn’t see the floor, that’s a question for Brad, but I just have to stay ready for the next game.”
- Isaiah Thomas is adding some creativity to his offensive repertoire and Celtics coach Brad Stevens believes that is one reason why the team acquired the point guard last year, Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com relays. “First of all, I thought he’d really impact our team,” Stevens said. “I thought his ability to get into the paint would be like a shot in the arm for our team. From an efficiency standpoint, on the offensive end of the floor, both at the end of last year and through the first four preseason games, he’s just playing at such a high level; he’s such a good fit. I think that I thought he’d have a huge impact, but I think he’s probably — and my expectations were high — but I think he’s probably been at the top of those at least.”
And-Ones: Williams, Durant, Rose
Deron Williams, who signed a two-year deal with the Mavs, will miss at least the entire preseason — which ends Friday for Dallas — with a strained right calf, and his status for the season opener is unknown, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com relays. Williams, as MacMahon points out, has yet to complete a full practice with his new team. An inability to stay healthy, of course, was a big reason for Williams’ decline while with the Nets. Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters, including MacMahon, that there is no timetable yet for Williams’ return to the court.
Here’s more from around the league:
- There is not much reason for Kevin Durant to sign an extension with the Thunder that would guarantee him $70MM when he could instead wait until he becomes a free agent and potentially sign a contract guaranteeing him roughly $140MM because of his tenure and the expected rise in salary cap, Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders opines in a detailed overview of the superstar’s options.
- Derrick Rose, in response to his comments he made on media day when he said that he’s already looking toward his next foray into free agency, said he is focused on winning a championship with the Bulls this season, K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune tweets.
Western Notes: Smith, Rondo, Mavs
In order to make the team, Rockets rookie center Joshua Smith, who is 350 pounds, has to cut down on his tendency to commit fouls, notes Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com (ESPN Now link). Smith has committed 23 fouls in five games this preseason, spanning 90 minutes played, as Watkins points out. “It’s been OK, I can get a lot better, the foul trouble is one for me I got to correct,” Smith said. “It’s never good when your mom is telling you to stop hacking. I got to fix that.”
The Rockets have 14 players with fully guaranteed contracts for the regular season. Smith is on a non-guaranteed deal.
Here’s more out of the Western Conference:
- Rajon Rondo does not believe he has to defend his reputation as a bad apple in locker rooms and contends that the perception of his character is the creation of the media, Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee writes. Jones caught up with Rondo after reports that the Kings point guard is already butting heads with coach George Karl were taken seriously even though, as Jones points out, Rondo was only kidding. “When things are positive the media doesn’t make a big deal about it,” Rondo said. “When we go out here and do things for the community, we do things for charity events, it’s not a big deal. But as soon as you make a mistake or get a technical foul it’s running across the ESPN ticker. That’s the way the world is. You’ve just got to make a difference one day at a time and hopefully the media, well you have to do your job, but the world thrives on bad news.”
- Mavs rookie small forward Maurice Ndour has suffered a stress reaction in left leg and is out indefinitely, Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports reports (on Twitter). Ndour has a fully guaranteed salary worth $525,094 this season.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 10/11/15
Kevin Love took part in a full practice for the first time this weekend. He recently mentioned that he is focused on putting his difficult 2014/15 campaign behind him and he is ready to assume a larger role in the team’s offense.
Prior to that, LeBron James also discussed the idea of Love being more of a focal point to the team’s offense, adding weight to that expectation. Love is returning from a dislocated left shoulder injury that he sustained in the first round of the playoffs last season. Love is also coming off of his worst rebounding and scoring per game averages since the 2009/10 season. With Tristan Thompson still unsigned, the Cavs will need Love to post better rebounding numbers.
Thus, today’s topic: What should be expected from Love this season? What do the Cavs need out of him?
Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. Also, be sure to check back later on, as we’ll be responding to readers throughout the evening. We look forward to what you have to say!
And-Ones: Extensions, Kentucky, Lakers
The Pistons do not seem overly concerned about maximizing on cap space and waiting to the summer to strike a deal with Andre Drummond and it’s more likely than any other potential extension other than Harrison Barnes that the center secures a lucrative extension this month, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports. Stein adds that Barnes is also likely to receive a large extension from the Warriors before the league’s deadline for rookie-deal extensions on November 2nd. Stein points out — as we at Hoops Rumors have consistently mentioned where applicable as well — that the window has been pushed back two days (it usually is October 31st).
The Wizards have an opposite approach from the Pistons and instead are hoping to convince Bradley Beal to hold off on a new deal until next summer because the delay could lead to Washington having nearly $10MM in additional salary cap space next summer when it intends to make a run Kevin Durant.
You can view our Extension Candidate series by clicking here.
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- Rasual Butler likely must beat out Jimmer Fredette and Reggie Williams, among others, for the Spurs‘ final regular season roster spot, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio-Express News writes. Butler, 36, knew what the odds were when he signed with the Spurs last month, McDonald adds. Butler, as McDonald points out, has played for five teams since the start of the 2010/11 season.“Some of us have to work a little harder, and you have to be OK with that,” Butler said. “You have to pick your lunch pail up and go to work if this is what you love do to.”
- All 30 teams scouted Kentucky’s pro day, Adam Zagoria of SNY.TV reports.
- Matt Brase will finish the preseason with the Rockets before taking over as coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, their NBA D-League affiliate, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes in a worthwhile profile. Brase was announced as the Vipers’ new coach in August.
- The Lakers are hopeful rookie Marcelo Huertas, whose $525,093 contract isn’t guaranteed, can stabilize the second unit, Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times details. Huertas has been unable to practice because of a hamstring strain, Pincus adds. “He’s a very, very good floor leader,” Lakers head coach Byron Scott said. “He’s a gutsy, pesky-type guy. He doesn’t back down. He’s going to try to guard you to the best of his ability, and he’s a guy that can make plays for you.”
Eastern Notes: Knicks, Cavs, Raptors
Carmelo Anthony used to despise Sasha Vujacic back when both played in the Western Conference, but now that the combo guard is a member of the Knicks, Anthony sees it from a different perspective, Al Iannazzone of Newsday writes. The Knicks signed Vujacic to a guaranteed deal during the summer.
“We got into it a couple of times,” Anthony said. “He was one of them little dirty players, sneaky, grab your jersey, foul you after the play. He was speaking in his language and now I understand what he was saying to me — it makes me hate him even more back then. Having him on my team is a big plus, knowing how feisty he is. He’s a vet. He knows how to play the game. He knows the system. I think having him is a big plus.”
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- Joe Harris is a lock to make the Cavs‘ regular season roster, reports Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. Harris’ salary for this upcoming season is guaranteed at $845,059, as Haynes points out.
- The development of Otto Porter, who projects to be the Wizards‘ starting small forward, especially defensively for Washington this season, will be vital for the Wizards’ success, J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic writes.
- Anthony Bennett is playing with a sense of urgency and is impressing on defense for the Raptors, Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun writes. Toronto signed Bennett to just a one-year deal for the minimum salary after he was waived by the Wolves.
Western Notes: Kerr, Spurs, Lakers
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters, including Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle, that he suffered a spinal fluid leak during his July 28th back surgery on a ruptured disk, which has led to his absence from the team during the preseason. There is no timetable for his return. Luke Walton, the team’s lead assistant, is serving as the interim head coach.
“The leak is fixed, but I’m still getting some symptoms. That’s why I’m out,” Kerr said. “I wanted to be clear to you guys and the fans. I want to be upfront about what’s happened. Because I’m still having symptoms, it makes it difficult for me to be on the floor. The prospects are good. I’m going to heal.”
Here’s more from the Western Conference:
- LaMarcus Aldridge called his preseason debut with the Spurs “a little overwhelming,” Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio-Express News relays. “It doesn’t really hit you until you put on a jersey and go play,” Aldridge said. Aldridge is working on learning where to find his new teammates when he gets doubled, McDonald adds.
- The Lakers have six players — Ryan Kelly, Metta World Peace, Jabari Brown, Robert Sacre, Tarik Black and Robert Upshaw — competing for the final four roster spots and Upshaw is the “wild card” because of his talent and checkered past, Bill Oram of The Orange County Register writes. Upshaw is a talented shot blocker, but he was also kicked off teams at Fresno State and the University of Washington, as Oram points out. Lakers head coach Byron Scott said it is conceivable that the team will keep four centers, including starter Roy Hibbert, but indicated that would only be in an extreme circumstance, Oram adds.
- Wolves coach Sam Mitchell believes Zach LaVine‘s shooting woes are a product of LaVine thinking too much, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune tweets.
Atlantic Notes: Raptors, Sixers, Knicks
There is already some added intensity from Raptors head coach Dwane Casey, and the fact that he is now in the final guaranteed year of the three-year extension (the final year of the deal next season is a team option) he signed in May 2014 likely has something to do with it, Mike Ganter of the Torono Sun writes. Casey would like to see better defense out of the Raptors, who are in win-now mode, Ganter adds.
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- There is no reason to panic — not yet, at least, from the Sixers‘ perspective — about Jahlil Okafor‘s performances offensively because the team spent all of training camp working on defense and even highly-touted rookies experience a learning curve, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
- Kyle O’Quinn is comfortable playing for the Knicks because the versatile 6’10” power forward grew up a Knicks fan and lived in nearby Queens, Zach Braziller of the New York Post details. “Being in the home locker room, putting on the white jersey, it felt good,” O’Quinn said. “My mom was there, she was happy to be there. It was a good feeling being at the Garden. It was definitely a good feeling getting a win at the Garden.” The Knicks acquired O’Quinn in a sign-and-trade with the Magic during the summer. O’Quinn received a four-year, $16MM deal from the Knicks.
Central Notes: Monroe, Cavs, Pistons
Jared Cunningham, who is one of six camp invites fighting for a spot on the Cavs‘ 15-man regular season roster, is separating himself from the pack, head coach David Blatt said, Chris Haynes of The Northeast Ohio Media Group writes. Cunningham is averaging 20.5 points per game through Cleveland’s first two preseason games.
Including Tristan Thompson, who remains unsigned, the Cavs have one open roster spot, but Blatt hinted that two spots might be available, Haynes adds. While it is still early, Cunningham seems to have the advantage over the competition, according to Haynes.
Here’s more from around the Central Division:
- There’s a strong chance Richard Jefferson will be a solid backup to LeBron James and play well enough to keep the superstar fresh for the playoffs, Haynes writes in a separate story. Jefferson signed with the Cavs on a one-year deal.
- Greg Monroe, who signed a three-year, $50MM contract with the Bucks during the summer after playing last season in Detroit for a qualifying-offer salary, is quickly making strides toward fitting in on the court with his new teammates, Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel details. Monroe is fond of how the Bucks share the ball and said he is trying to get into position to get some early post-ups and kick out the ball to his teammates, according to Gardner. “I think I fit in with the guys,” Monroe said. “I know I made the right decision. I’m not questioning that. Now is just time to get better with the team so we can do something together.”
- It will be pivotal to the success of the Pistons if Ersan Ilyasova can rebound consistently, especially with Monroe’s departure, Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press writes.