Pistons Notes: Johnson, D-League, Van Gundy
After falling out of the rotation partially because of some inconsistency on the offensive end, Stanley Johnson thrived Saturday night in a game for the Pistons’ D-League affiliate, Aaron McMann of MLive writes. Johnson, whom the Pistons picked up a 2017/18 option on, rediscovered his scoring ability with 26 points, as McMann relays. This was the first time Johnson was assigned to the D-League and it will be interesting to see when he can regain a spot in the rotation after McMann writes that he seemingly fell out of favor with the coaching staff.
Here’s more out of Detroit:
- Johnson’s stint in the D-League may act as a wake-up call as he was expected back with the Pistons on Sunday, Rod Beard of The Detroit News writes. Johnson, who appeared to be a solid piece of the Pistons’ long-term plans after averaging 8.1 points as a rookie last season, took a positive step forward and must use that as a building block, Beard adds.
- Unprompted, coach Stan Van Gundy squashed trade rumors involving the Pistons during a pregame presser and there has been no indication that the Pistons would be willing to surrender a talented haul in exchange for an all-star, Beard writes in a separate story.
Heat Notes: Johnson, Whiteside, Winslow
James Johnson is thriving in a reserve role with the Heat, the veteran’s fifth team in eight years, after he chose Miami in free agency following an interesting sales pitch, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel relays. Erik Spoelstra, Winderman writes, told Johnson, 29, to improve his shape and diet and in return the Heat would be afford him an opportunity to make the most out of his talents. Johnson, known as a solid perimeter defender, is averaging 9.9 points per game, which would be a career-high over the course of a single season.
Here is more out of Miami:
- Hassan Whiteside likes the idea that Pat Riley envisions the offense going through him in a year or two, but he needs to stop turning the ball over as much as has for that to work,” Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes.
- Spoelstra will have a decision or two on his hands regarding the starting lineup and minutes when Justise Winslow makes his imminent return, Jackson writes in a seperate story. The coach could opt to have Winslow return to small forward with Josh McRoberts or he can shift Winslow to power forward, Jackson notes. Jackson also floats the idea that Winslow could come off the bench.
Atlantic Notes: Raptors, Knicks, Celtics
The Raptors have raced to an impressive start this season, prompting Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun to wonder if Toronto should pull the trigger on a significant deal to improve its chances of winning a title. Wolstat clearly relays that no deal is imminent. He points out that Paul Millsap would make for an “intriguing” addition, but also cautions such a deal with the Hawks would likely risk key parts of the Raptors future. Again, this is speculation, but the Raptors look like a team to watch as the trade deadline rumor mill starts to ramp up.
Here is more out of the Atlantic Division:
- The Knicks will have a dilemma on their hands on whether or not to re-sign Derrick Rose, assuming he stays healthy, and will have to weigh how it impacts Kristaps Porzingis, Micah Adams of ESPN.com writes (Insider subscription needed). The Knicks have been better with Rose on the floor than him off it, but in losses he has often failed to get teammates involved, Adams writes in a deep-dive piece involving analytics.
- Jaylen Brown, who was thought of as a possible trade candidate earlier this season, is learning to make the most out of opportunities as a rookie on a deep team like the Celtics, Taylor Snow of NBA.com relays.
Hoops Links: Knicks, Raptors, Murray
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 argues Brandon Jennings should have a bigger role.
- Raptors Rapture weighs the pros and cons of retaining Patrick Patterson.
- Big Three Sports examines Jamal Murray‘s game at the pro and college level.
- Soaring Down South points to Dennis Schroder‘s shooting.
- The Sixers Sense offers why Sergio Rodriguez should stick in Philly.
- Mavs Moneyball is liking Wesley Matthews‘ defense.
- The Dream Shake wonders what the Rockets should do about Donatas Motiejunas.
- Welcome To Loud City explains the Thunder’s defensive problem.
- Pelican Debrief details why fans should appreciate Omer Asik.
- Clips Nation chronicles DeAndre Jordan‘s improvement from the line.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Will at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Knicks Notes: Hornacek, Anthony, Rose
Jeff Hornacek has proven that he is not afraid to take chances on lesser known players with talent, as his usage of Willy Hernangomez, who was a second round pick, or undrafted free agent like Mindaugas Kuzminskas suggests, Steve Popper of USA TODAY Sports writes. The Knicks are 8-8 under Hornacek, who is in his first season with the team. Popper credits Hornacek for being able to see the talent in Hernangomez and Kuzminskas early on despite other options.
Here’s more on New York:
- Carmelo Anthony, who re-signed with the Knicks in 2014 after experiencing free agency, said he was surprised that Russell Westbrook decided to forego free agency a full year before being eligible and re-sign with the Thunder, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes. “Yeah I was, to be honest with you, yeah, for him to do it that soon. But that’s Russ,” Anthony said. “Russ don’t give a damn about nothing. It’s all about what he want to do and when he want to do it, how he want to do it. I think he wants to show people he was loyal to OKC.”
- Westbrook’s new deal with the Thunder meant that Knicks point guard Derrick Rose, who is in the final year of his contract, moved up one spot in the rankings of the 2017 summer free agent point guards, Bondy notes in the same piece. Rose, who is averaging 15.9 points and 5.0 assists per game this season, is also set to be competing against Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, Jrue Holiday and Rajon Rondo in that class.
Hoops Links: Pelicans, Whitehead, Knicks
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 discusses what Jrue Holiday‘s return means for the Pelicans.
- Give Me Sports chatted with Isaiah Whitehead about his expectations.
- Posting and Toasting wonders if Jeff Hornacek is rounding into form.
- CelticsBlog explains how Marcus Smart is improving.
- Bright Side of the Sun breaks down the Suns’ offense.
- Pounding the Rock has the Spurs’ new Boris Diaw.
- Grizzly Bear Blues details Vince Carter‘s ability to adapt.
- Piston Powered relays some potential moves for the Pistons.
- Behind the Buck Pass opines on Jason Kidd‘s future.
- Lake Show Life analyzes Nick Young‘s trade value.
- Nugg Love debates on whether Malik Beasley deserves more time.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Will at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Lakers Notes: Deng, Young, Ingram
Luol Deng, a 13-year veteran, inked a four-year, $72MM deal with the Lakers over the summer, and has had a significant impact on some of his younger teammates for his philanthropic work, Mark Medina of the LA Daily News writes in a lengthy and worthwhile feature. Deng has been a mentor toward Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram in a variety of ways, Medina details. One of the reasons Deng joined the Lakers was because of how active in Los Angeles he can be with his philanthropy, Medina notes.
Here is more news on the Lakers:
- Nick Young has resurrected his career with the Lakers as a key contributor and he has played so well that coach Luke Walton is now expecting solid performances from the swingman, Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com writes.
- Ingram has impressed defensively and opponents have shot only 32-for-79 when guarded by him this season, the second-best mark among rookies in the league, Joey Ramirez of NBA.com relays. “He’s got a good feel for where cutters are coming from and how to use his length,” Walton said. “If he puts his mind to it in practice and the game — toward the end of games when it gets tight — and he really locks in on defense, he’s tough to score on.”
Pistons Notes: Drummond, Johnson, Van Gundy
Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy was left second-guessing himself after making the questionable decision to leave Andre Drummond, whom Detroit signed to a five-year, $125MM contract extension over the summer, on the bench during the final seconds of a loss against the Celtics, Aaron McMann of MLive.com writes.
“I could see it in his face. He felt like he made a mistake,” Drummond said. “I believe in Aron Baynes, and it just didn’t fall. You can’t fault him for that. (It’s) a game of basketball — anything can happen.”
Here is more news out of Detroit:
- Van Gundy did not play Stanley Johnson for the first time this season Saturday night in an effort to jumpstart the offense, Tony Paul of the Detroit News writes. Last month, the Pistons picked up Johnson’s 2017/18 option. Johnson, the eighth overall pick in last year’s draft, averaged 23.1 minutes per contest in 73 games for the Pistons during his rookie season, contributing 8.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.6 APG.
- There is an urgency for the Pistons to halt their losing skid before Reggie Jackson returns, but they also need time to implement any lineup changes, McMann relays in a separate piece. “If you’re going to make changes, you want to be able to talk to (your team),” Van Gundy said. “You need at least a morning walkthrough.”
Hoops Links: Randle, Thunder, Knicks
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 breaks down Julius Randle‘s leap year.
- Total Sports Live details Nik Stauskas‘ improved play.
- Brew Hoop explains Matthew Dellavedova’s increased ball-handling role.
- CelticsBlog is waiting on Boston to make a major move.
- Blog A Bull has the reason behind Chicago’s solid start.
- Daily Knicks believes Kristaps Porzingis should play center.
- Welcome To Loud City discusses another Thunder injury.
- Silver Screen & Roll relays why Luol Deng has been effective at power forward.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Will at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Eastern Notes: Vogel, Pistons, Wizards
Magic coach Frank Vogel expects the atmosphere to be emotional when he returns to Indianapolis Monday night to coach against the Pacers for the first time, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel writes. The Pacers decided not to renew Vogel’s contract in May after a first round exit from the playoffs, and president of basketball operations Larry Bird said at the time that the team needed a new voice. Vogel amassed a 253-187 regular-season record and a 31-30 postseason record with the Pacers. His teams twice reached the Eastern Conference finals. Orlando is 3-6 so far under Vogel.
Here’s more out of the Eastern Conference:
- The Pistons recalled Henry Ellenson and Michael Gbinije on Sunday from the Grand Rapids Drive, Detroit’s D-League affiliate, Aaron McMann of MLive.com relays. NBA Development League affiliate on Sunday. The two rookies will re-join the Pistons on Monday for their game against the Thunder.
- After spending more a good chunk of money over the summer to beef up the bench, frustration is mounting in Washington because of a lack of production from the Wizards‘ second unit, Candace Buckner of the Washington Post writes. The Wizards bench has a minus-11.2 net rating so far this season, as Buckner points out. Summer acquisitions Ian Mahinmi, who is out rehabbing from knee surgery, and Andrew Nicholson, who has not played in three of the last four games, have not helped the cause.