Sixers Notes: Okafor, Embiid, Ilyasova
The Sixers are stuck in an unenviable situation of having two big men thought to be future standout performers playing the same position who struggle while on the court together. Indeed, the roster problem that having centers Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor presents is nothing new for the Sixers, but it is now evident that the experiment is taking its toil on the franchise, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. It is obvious that the team struggles when the two players share the court, but the Sixers have had trouble trading Okafor and Noel for what it perceives as equal value, Pompey adds. What’s more, the value of Okafor and Embiid will continue to dip if they are not on the court, thus making the situation quirkier and more problematic, Pompey notes. The Sixers are 1-5 in games they have both started and for specific reasons why the duo has not meshed, it is worth giving Pompey’s piece a read.
Here is more out of Philadelphia:
- In a lineup that does seem to work, Embiid and power forward Ersan Ilyasova played well off of each other, Pompey writes in the same piece, and it will be interesting to see if Ilyasova’s role is increased. Ilyasova was acquired in a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 1st.
- Robert Covington has struggled with his shot this season, but erupted during the second half of Friday’s game after receiving a boost of confidence from Sixers coach Brett Brown, Brian Seltzer of NBA.com relays. Covington will make slightly over $1.0MM this season and the team holds an option worth roughly $1.1MM for the 2017/18 campaign.
Jazz Notes: Snyder, Mack, Favors
With all of the injuries and lineup shuffling Jazz coach Quin Snyder has had to deal with this season, it is worth recognizing that Utah has a winning record despite the adversity, Randy Hollis of the Deseret News writes. George Hill, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Boris Diaw, Rodney Hood and Alec Burks have all missed time at some point this season, as Hollis points out. In the middle of all of that, however, has been Hayward’s stellar play this season, Hollis adds. Snyder also said the Jazz very much miss Hill’s on-court leadership and are eager for his return, Hollis passes along.
Here’s more out of Utah:
- With all of the injuries, the bench that was projected to be one of the league’s best no longer exists because those reserve players have been forced into starting roles, Hollis surmises in a separate story. In particular, Hollis mentions Shelvin Mack, who has made an impact at the point guard position after injuries to George Hill and Dante Exum.
- Speaking of more wounded players, power forward Derrick Favors said he’s still making his way toward being 100 percent, after missing a chunk of games due to a knee contusion, Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune relays. Favors is rebounding well, but he is struggling to finish shots, Jones adds.
Kings Notes: Karl, Lawson, Barnes
Not many in Sacramento seem to be surprised about the content in former Kings coach George Karl‘s forthcoming book “Furious George” nor to the reaction the book has received, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes. Out of all the team’s six coaches over the past seven-plus seasons, no one ignited as much frustration and negative feelings throughout the organization like Karl did, Jones explains. Karl’s relationship (or lack thereof) with DeMarcus Cousins is well-known, but Jones adds that it was Karl’s poor treatment of quieter players that rubbed many the wrong way on the Kings.
Here is more on the Kings:
- The Kings have flourished late in games with solid performances in the fourth quarters, leading to wins, Shahbaz Khan of NBA.com writes. The resurgence of Ty Lawson and the play of other Kings reserves have a lot to do with more scoring late in games and that speaks well for the Kings looking ahead to 2017, Khan notes.
- Matt Barnes, 36, is the oldest player on the Kings, so coach Dave Joerger would like to give the veteran time off, but injuries have made that impossible lately, Jones relays in another piece. Barnes is averaging 24.8 minutes this season, four fewer minutes than he averaged playing for Joerger with the Grizzlies last season, Jones adds.
Hoops Links: Celtics, Anthony, Bulls
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown …
- NumberFire wonders why the Celtics aren’t performing better.
- The Hardwood Nation is optimistic about the Heat’s future.
- The Runner Sports examines how injuries can impact the Cavs.
- Blog A Bull is concerned about the Bulls’ reliance on Jimmy Butler.
- Bullets Forever relays why there are positive vibes around the Wizards.
- Daily Knicks discusses what makes Carmelo Anthony stand out off the court.
- Nothin But Nets argues Chris McCullough deserves more playing time.
- Mavs Moneyball does not see the playoffs in the cards for the Mavs.
- Silver Screen and Roll brings up one of the Lakers’ most critical trades.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Will at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 12/11/16
Here are Sunday’s D-League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:
- Jazz forward Joel Bolomboy was assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz’s D-League affilitate, the team announced via its website. This marks the fourth assignment this season for Bolomboy.
- The Pistons recalled forwards Stanley Johnson and Henry Ellenson and guard Michael Gbinije from the team’s D-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive, Detroit announced in a press release. That was Johnson’s first D-League stint and it lasted one day.
- The Bulls announced via press release that guard R.J. Hunter was recalled from the Windy City Bulls.
- The Lakers recalled Ivica Zubac from their D-League affiliate, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News tweets.
Thunder Notes: Horford, Westbrook, Donovan
Al Horford considered signing with the Thunder during free agency this past summer in part because of his relationship with Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan, who coached Horford at Florida, Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com relays (ESPN Now link). Horford instead signed a four-year deal with the Celtics. Horford added that his decision may have been impacted by the uncertainty around Kevin Durant‘s future at the time.
“I didn’t say this to anybody, but I was strongly considering [OKC] and just the possibilities of playing under coach again,” Horford said. “Those were realistic things, but at the end of the day I made my decision to be here with Boston.”
Here is more on the Thunder:
- Mavs owner Mark Cuban reaffirmed his belief that Russell Westbrook is not a superstar despite the guard averaging more than 30 points per game and a triple-double per game, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman relays. Cuban beleives a superstar needs to carry a team to 50 wins and a postseason series victory, per Horne.
- Donovan has used a small lineup at times featuring small forwards Jerami Grant at center and Andre Roberson at power forward, guard Anthony Morrow at small forward and a backcourt of Westbrook and Victor Oladipo that the coach beleives should help against teams that spread the floor, Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman writes. Donovan hasn’t used the lineup, which does not feature big men Steven Adams or Enes Kanter, much, but the team is on board with the idea of being more versatile, Dawson adds.
Community Shootaround: Phil Jackson
Knicks president Phil Jackson has a reputation for being blunt and, at times, offensive, and his personality has once again generated headlines lately. Jackson held a one-on-one meeting with Carmelo Anthony Saturday regarding comments that Jackson made last week. Anthony called the meeting productive, but did add Jackson needs “to be careful the choice of words he uses.”
Metta World Peace, a former Knicks forward who also played under Jackson while with the Lakers, said the situation between Anthony and Jackson is productive, in an interview with Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Still, with the Knicks playing better as of late, Jackson’s comments are an unwanted distraction at this point, Frank Isola of The New York Daily News argues. The Knicks are 13-10 after undergoing a makeover this summer that was led by Jackson.
What do you think? Is Phil Jackson helping or hurting the Knicks?
Jump into the comments section below to let us know what you think!
Los Angeles Notes: Walton, Rivers, Lakers
After suffering an injury and needing to miss time during the 2010/11 season, then-Lakers coach Phil Jackson asked then-Lakers player Luke Walton to chart plays, compile reports and break down film. It was then when Walton first realized how much work went into coaching and grew an appreciation for it, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News writes in an interesting read. The gesture itself helped enforce philosophies and styles Walton has adopted from Jackson, Medina adds.
Here’s more news out of Los Angeles:
- Jerry West‘s contract as an executive with the Warriors is up next summer and it would be foolish for the Lakers not to pursue the legendary player and successful team executive, Mark Heisler of The Orange County Register opines. West, 78, has had an impact on the Lakers, Grizzlies and Warriors and is someone Los Angeles needs to help steer the franchise back toward championship contention, Heisler writes.
- Austin Rivers suffered a mild concussion Saturday and the Clippers guard’s experience is the latest example of how difficult it is to deal with the diversity of the injury, Dan Woike of The Orange County Register relays. In the case of Rivers, he actually passed the concussion tests after suffering a blow to the head and was re-inserted into the game only to be diagnosed one minute back into action, Woike writes.
Hoops Links: Knicks, Hinkie, Blazers
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown …
- The Jump Ball examines the evolution of the center position.
- Give Me Sport is impressed with Brandon Jennings‘ role in New York.
- Almighty Baller discusses Sam Hinkie’s impact on the Sixers (podcast link).
- The Runner Sports points to one glaring question mark for the Knicks.
- Blazer’s Edge details Maurice Harkless‘ breakout season.
- Orlando Magic Daily analyzes the Magic’s defensive struggles.
- 8 Points 9 Seconds wonders how Paul George has become so clutch.
- Pounding The Rock offers another reason why Kawhi Leonard is elite.
- CelticsBlog runs down a few Boston trade scenarios.
- Raptors HQ relays how Jonas Valanciunas fits defensively.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Will at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Mavs Notes: Anderson, Barea, Injuries
The Mavs’ draft history in recent years has left a lot to be desired and that’s one reason why second-year player Justin Anderson‘s regression is alarming, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com writes. Anderson, the 21st overall pick in the 2015 draft, hasn’t seen his shooting touch translate to the NBA and seems to be battling against a confidence issue, as MacMahon points out. The Mavs, who are 5-18, were hoping for a step forward from Anderson, but his sophomore slump is one reason behind the slow start.
Here is more on Dallas:
- While there is a lot of focus on the Mavs being without Dirk Nowitzki, the absence of J.J. Barea has been detrimental to the team’s success as well, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News writes. Since Barea has been out with a strained left calf, the Mavs have been limited to 90 points or less in seven of the 13 games he has missed, Sefko points out.
- The silver lining of Nowitzki, Barea and Andrew Bogut all missing significant time in the early part of this season is that young players can make the most of their opportunities for the Mavs, Sefko writes in a separate story. Yet so far the Mavs have received mostly underwheliming results from the young group. Dallas is hoping to gain some insight on whether or not Salah Mejri and Dwight Powell should be part of a rebuilding process going forward, Sefko adds.