Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/13/15
Former NBA great Moses Malone passed away in his sleep at the age of 60 today. Many around the league have expressed their condolences to the Malone family, and we at Hoops Rumors are also saddened to learn about Malone’s death.
A member of the Hall of Fame, Malone, a ferocious rebounder, was named one of the 50 greatest NBA players in 1996.
He was named league MVP in 1978/79, 1981/82 and 1982/83.
Our topic today is in honor of Malone. The question: Where do you think Moses Malone ranks as one of the league’s all-time big men?
Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say.
Hoops Links: Malone, Wolves, Allen
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 Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown…
- Hooptrends.com took a look at what a current NBA Jam team would look like for the Wolves.
- The Love Of Hoops recapped Game 7 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals between the Bulls and Pacers.
- Pistonpowered.com discussed whether or not the Pistons should trade for Markieff Morris.
- Poundingtherock.com looked into David West‘s fit with the Spurs.
- Grizzlybearblues.com discussed Tony Allen‘s capabilities on offense.
- Hardwoodparoxysm.com wrote about Moses Malone‘s legacy.
Please send submissions to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Eastern Notes: Bullock, Pistons, Pacers
Reggie Bullock, a solid shooter who was traded to the Pistons during the summer, believes it will be his defense that helps him stick with Detroit, Keith Langlois of NBA.com writes. Bullock is one of 17 players with a fully guaranteed deal with the Pistons, as our roster count shows. In a crowded wing field, Langlois adds, Bullock is likely the best shooter of those on the bubble for the last spot or two.
Here’s more news from around the Eastern Conference:
- Speaking of Detroit, the Pistons, after some decisions during the summer, now resemble the team coach/executive Stan Van Gundy wanted to create when he took over two years ago, Shaun Powell writes in his 30 teams in 30 days series for NBA.com. By subtracting Greg Monroe and, perhaps, overspending on Reggie Jackson, the Pistons have a very athletic and young core. With that, Powell believes the Pistons are in position to make a decent playoff run this season.
- Continuing his series with a look at the Pacers, Powell writes that Indiana is likely in what’s considered no-man’s land in the league: in between good and really bad. While the Pacers’ addition of Monta Ellis should help, Powell writes that Ellis is only a temporary solution. That’s because, as Powell points out, Ellis is not the most efficient shooter and he’s with his third team in four years.
And-Ones: Leonard, Lawson, Kings
Kawhi Leonard, who re-signed with the Spurs in July for five years and an estimated $90MM, ranks favorably among the best small forwards in history at similar stages of their careers, according to advanced stats, Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News writes. For example, in his fourth year, Leonard had a better Player Efficiency Rating (22.0) than Scottie Pippen (21.5), Bernard King (19.8), Alex English (19.7) and John Havlicek (19.2) did in their fifth, as McCarney points out. What’s more, he had more win shares per 48 minutes (.204) than those four as well as Rick Barry (.155) and Dominique Wilkins (.197), McCarney adds.
Here’s more news and notes from around the league:
- The Kings‘ decision to sign Rajon Rondo to a one-year deal worth $10MM was a bad move because Rondo is a limited player and even if he does post a quality season, the contract does not provide any future control for the team, writes SI.com’s Ben Golliver in an analysis of Sacramento’s offseason. On the other hand, the Kings’ deal with Kosta Koufos is a good one, Golliver writes, because Koufos is a dependable, unselfish producer.
- Ty Lawson, in reply to a comment on his Instagram account, criticized Nuggets GM Tim Connelly, owner Stan Kroenke and president Josh Kroenke (h/t Jeffrey Morton of Denverstiffs.com). Lawson was traded to the Rockets during the summer after continued alcohol issues. In response to a comment that labeled Lawson a disappointment in Denver, Lawson replied, “lol I wasn’t a disappointment…. I did my job.. Tim Conelly [sic] and the kronke [sic] are bad owners and gm’s.”
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Knicks, Sixers
Subtracting Deron Williams, who was waived after he agreed to a buyout of the final two years of his contract, paying him roughly $27.5MM of the $43.5MM he was owed, allows the Nets to be under the luxury tax for the first time since moving to Brooklyn in 2012, but without Williams, the Nets enter the season with one of the league’s weaker point guard rotations, the New York Post’s Tim Bontemps writes on Facebook. That’s one reason why the Nets will likely fall short of making the playoffs, Bontemps adds.
Here’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
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Knicks first-round draft pick Kristaps Porzingis was the team’s best addition this summer, writes Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders, because size and shooting ability of Porzingis gives the rookie superstar potential. Kevin Seraphin, who signed a one-year deal with the Knicks, was also a good addition, Beer adds, because Seraphin should be able to provide the team with some much-needed rim-protection.
- Sixers GM Sam Hinkie‘s unconventional approach should allow the team to land multiple cornerstones and become one of the better up-and-coming teams in the league after this season, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders opines in a season preview of the team. As Kennedy notes, Hinkie has been able to stockpile several draft picks and young assets by being willing to take on bad contracts and help teams free up cap space.
Northwest Notes: Mitchell, Wolves, Jazz
New Wolves interim coach Sam Mitchell left the Raptors in 2008 after more than four seasons as head coach with the reputation of a man who demanded too much, but now at 52 he believes he is better prepared to replace Flip Saunders as coach, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune writes.
It was announced earlier in the week that Mitchell would take over as Saunders battles cancer.
The Wolves, as Zgoda points out, have a blend of youth and experience. Mitchell takes over a team built around consecutive No. 1 overall draft picks Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. The roster also includes veterans Kevin Garnett, Andre Miller, Tayshaun Prince and Kevin Martin.
Here’s more out of the Northwest division:
- In its season preview of the Wolves, Basketball Insiders lists Karl-Anthony Towns as the team’s best addition. The Wolves now have a dangerous one-two punch with Towns and Andrew Wiggins that they will be able to build around, the piece adds.
- Utah isn’t a destination place for A-list free agents, so the Jazz must keep adding help mainly from the draft, writes Shaun Powell in his 30 teams in 30 days series for NBA.com. The Jazz did that — and pretty much only that — this summer, Powell adds. When the season tips off, the Jazz starting five will all be under 25, as Powell points out.
Pacific Notes: Morris, Lakers, Warriors
The wild offseason for Suns disgruntled power forward Markieff Morris continued when the league issued Morris a $10,000 fine for “a public statement detrimental to the NBA,” and more specifically, “Morris’ desire to be traded by the Suns,” Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic writes. Morris has yet to back off his trade demand. The situation will likely get more interesting very soon because the Suns are required to report on September 28th, as Coro mentions.
Here’s more news on the Pacific Division:
- Landing Roy Hibbert in a trade with the Pacers was the Lakers‘ best offseason move, but the summer was another total failure for the franchise, from the perspective of the “championship-or-bust” mentality, SI.com’s Ben Golliver opines. The Lakers flopped in their pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge, as Golliver points out. Acquiring Hibbert was a worthwhile gamble, however, because the center, who will earn $15.5MM this season in the final year of his contract, cost only unused cap space and a minor draft asset, Golliver writes.
- Despite not making any splashy additions, the Warriors had a solid summer because they were able to re-sign players like Draymond Green and should have a very strong chance at repeating as champs, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders writes. Power forward Jason Thompson was the Warriors’ biggest addition, but the team did not have to do much tinkering because the roster was already loaded, Kennedy adds.
Pacers Notes: George, D-League, Ellis
Owning the D-League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants gives the Pacers a notable advantage because the affiliate is only about two hours away, Scott Agness of VigilantSports.com writes. The Pacers want uniformity, Agness adds, and by now owning the team, they’ll be in charge of decisions and be able to have a coaching staff that runs a similar scheme. The Pacers made the purchase official earlier this week.
Here’s more out of Indiana:
- The success of the Pacers‘ upcoming season largely hinges on whether or not Paul George can be the player he was before he broke his leg, Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders writes. Monta Ellis, who signed a four-year deal with the Pacers, is likely more talented than anyone who George previously played with , Hamilton adds. Therefore, the addition of Ellis should help George have a big season and the pairing of the two will likely lead the Pacers back to the playoffs, Hamilton writes.
- The problem with the Pacers, however, as the New York Post’s Tim Bontemps points out on Facebook, is a lack of depth up front. The Pacers face a gaping hole in the frontcourt without Roy Hibbert, who is now with the Lakers, and veteran leader David West, who turned down a $12.6MM player option to sign with the Spurs for the minimum, Bontemps adds.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/7/15
Despite the Suns seemingly wanting to work things out, it seems inevitable that Markieff Morris will be playing elsewhere this season. He hasn’t backed off on his trade demand. The four-year, $32MM extension that Morris signed last fall kicks in for this coming season. The contract might be an obstacle for a trade, but a lack of communication between Morris and the team indicates that the relationship will be extremely difficult to repair.
With Morris’ days in Phoenix apparently numbered, there are a few teams that come to mind as potential new homes. Personally, I think the Magic are a good fit, given Orlando’s lack of talent at the power forward position. Morris would be an intriguing fit because he would further allow Tobias Harris to play small forward.
There are other teams that make sense, of course. Thus, our topic of the day: Where do you think the best landing spot for Markieff Morris is?
Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say.
Note: Since these Shootarounds are meant to be guided by you the reader, we certainly welcome your input on the topics we present. If there is something you’d like to see pop up here for a discussion, shoot us a message at hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com.
And-Ones: Porzingis, Pistons, Harrington
Kristaps Porzingis has gained 11 pounds so far this summer after Knicks president Phil Jackson expressed concern over the rookie’s frame last month, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Jackson previously told ESPN.com’s Charley Rosen that he was concerned Porzingis may have trouble putting on enough muscle to play in the low post. Porzingis has shown a strong work ethic in trying to alleviate those concerns, Berman adds after speaking with Audie Norris, who coached Porzingis last season in Spain.
In other news around the league:
- Eric Griffin, who reportedly agreed to a deal with the Pistons, expects to see some minutes in Detroit, Seth Ferranti of Slamonline.com writes. It won’t be easy for the 25-year-old to remain on the roster for the beginning of the regular season, however. Detroit currently has 18 players on its roster aside from Griffin.
- Croatia’s Dragan Bender is the most highly-touted international player in the 2016 draft class, according to Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders. The 7’1” power forward has a nice mix of back-to-the-basket moves and outside range and could be a top five pick, Brigham continues. Bender is expected to play in a battle of Euroleague powers in two exhibition games on American soil next month. Shooting guard Furkan Korkmaz of Turkey could also be a lottery pick, according to Brigham, who writes that Korkmaz plays with a swagger and can shoot from virtually anywhere on the floor.
- Longtime NBA power forward Al Harrington is still looking for work as a coach, J. Michael of the Wizards Insider reports. Harrington had a brief stint with the Nuggets late last season, serving under interim coach Melvin Hunt, but was not retained when Michael Malone was hired as head coach. Harrington last played in the NBA with the Wizards two seasons ago.
Dana Gauruder contributed to this report.