Magic Notes: Nelson, Howard, McRoberts
Last night in Los Angeles, the Magic pulled off a stunner with their 113-103 victory over the Lakers. The win was understandably emotional for Orlando as they proved their worth against their former franchise anchor Dwight Howard. Guard Arron Afflalo led the way with 30 points and also chipped in five rebounds and five dimes. Glen Davis was also key in the win with 23 points and 12 boards to help power his young team. Here’s more on the Magic..
- Nelson made sure after the game to point out that he could have left Orlando as a free agent, but stayed because the Magic organization and fans have been true to him, tweets John Denton of NBA.com. “I definitely want to be in Orlando. I could have gone somewhere else, but this organization has been so, so true to me,” said Nelson (Twitter link). Nelson signed a lucrative three-year deal with the Magic in the offseason that could pay him more than $25MM.
- Last night’s focus was obviously on Howard facing off with his former team, but former Lakers forward Josh McRoberts has fit in well with his new team in Orlando, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. McRoberts’ numbers have improved across the board even as he is being asked to guard three different positions. The former Duke product didn’t see much playing time in L.A. but is averaging 16 minutes per game for the Magic.
- The Magic have put the drama of the Dwightmare in the rear view mirror, writes Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. Glen Davis admitted that Howard’s potential departure dominated the locker room conversation last year but says that the cloud no longer hovers over the team.
- Nelson also confessed that last night’s win meant a little extra to the Magic after the drama that they went through at the end of Howard’s run, Denton tweets.
Warriors Recall Kent Bazemore
A fine performance in his D-League debut was apparently enough to earn Kent Bazemore a return trip to the big club, as the Warriors have recalled the rookie from their D-League affiliate in Santa Cruz, according to an announcement from the team. Golden State sent Bazemore down yesterday in time for Santa Cruz's game against Reno, and he put up 27 points, nine rebounds and five steals in 33 minutes of action.
The Warriors seem to have plans for the 6'5" swingman who went undrafted out of Old Dominion this June, since they're reportedly unwilling to cut him to bring back former Warrior Dominic McGuire, whom the Raptors let go earlier this week. Bazemore is on a minimum-salary contract that's partially guaranteed for $25K.
Still, this might not be Bazemore's final trip to Santa Cruz this season. We heard this week that the Warriors may shuttle him and Jeremy Tyler back and forth between the D-League and the NBA, given the proximity of Santa Cruz to Oakland. The Warriors bought the former Dakota Wizards last year and moved them to California.
Spurs Assign Cory Joseph To D-League
The Spurs announced that they have re-assigned guard Cory Joseph to the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League. Joseph was first assigned to the Toros on November 15th and was recalled days later on November 21.
Joseph, 21, appeared in four games for Spurs, averaging 1.8 points and 1.5 assists in 7.8 minutes. In three stints with the Toros last season, the 6’3″ guard averaged 13.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.1 APG, and 1.29 steals in 14 games. Joseph also spent 29 games with the Spurs in 2011/12, averaging 2.0 PPG in 9.0 minutes per contest.
Hawks Assign Jenkins, Scott To D-League
The Hawks are sending rookies John Jenkins and Mike Scott to their D-League affiliate in Bakersfield, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter). The length of stay for both players is to be determined.
Jenkins was taken with the 23rd overall pick in the 2012 draft out of Vanderbilt. The 21-year-old guard saw just 13 minutes across four games this season and figures to see more action in the D-League. Scott, a 6'8" forward, was tabbed in the second-round (43rd overall) and saw 16 minutes of burn in five games.
Be sure to check out our complete list of D-League assignments and recalls to keep track of the latest moves.
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Brewer, Raptors, Bargnani
The Nets and Knicks remain at the top of the Atlantic divison after picking up Ws on Friday night. The Nets got their fifth-straight win with a 98-86 victory over the Magic. The Nets were without center Brook Lopez but were able to pull out the win behind 22 points from Joe Johnson and 20 from Gerald Wallace. Meanwhile, the Knicks cruised to a 108-87 win over the Wizards thanks in large part to J.R. Smith‘s 20 points and six dimes. Here’s more on the Knicks and the rest of the Atlantic..
- Ronnie Brewer has proved to be a fantastic pickup for the Knicks and a more-than-adequate replacement for Landry Fields, writes Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. The Knicks picked up Brewer for the minimum this summer while Fields inked a three-year, $18.7MM deal with the Raptors.
- The best solution for Andrea Bargnani‘s career would be for him to move on from the Raptors as soon as possible, opines Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (via Twitter). Toronto reportedly isn’t looking to move the big man just yet, but they believe there would be a market for him if they had a change of heart.
- The Knicks are anxiously awaiting the return of point guard Jason Kidd, but they have been doing just fine without him thanks to the play of Pablo Prigioni, write Zwerling and Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. The 35-year-old rookie had eight points, five assists, and no turnovers in 25 minutes off the bench last night against the Wizards.
Gibson Hopes To Remain With Cavs
Cavs guard Daniel Gibson is excited about having moved his way up the franchise record book in 3-point shooting. However, he knows that in order to catch up to LeBron James and Mark Price in the category, he’s going to need to spend more time in Cleveland. Yesterday in Atlanta, Gibson told reporters, including Jason Lloyd of the Beacon Journal, that he intends to do just that.
“That’s going to take another contract with more years,” Gibson said. “But I’m game. I would love to be here for my entire time and then see where I finish up…I just feel like I’m becoming part of the Cleveland history, and to me, that’s what it’s all about. It’s that longevity and being with that one team and building something there. I appreciate that.”
Gibson, 26, is in the final year of his contract and making a shade under $4.8MM. It stands to reason that the Cavs would look to retain Gibson has coach Byron Scott has long considered him to be one of the best perimeter defenders on the squad. They’ll also have the roster space for him as there are just six guaranteed players under contract for next season. Of course, Gibson will earn considerably less than he is now on his next deal.
The seventh-year vet has averaged 8.2 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 2.0 APG across his NBA career. Gibson underwent surgery on his left foot and ankle over the offseason but hasn’t shown any ill effects from the procedure thus far.
Hoops Links: Gasol, White, Bucks, Raptors
On this date in 1991, Isiah Thomas became the Pistons' all-time leading scorer, with 15,493 points, after scoring 22 points in a 94-87 win over the Rockets at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Thomas passed previous leader Bob Lanier on Detroit’s all-time scoring chart, but longtime teammate Joe Dumars would eventually leapfrog the legendary center himself to take the No. 2 spot on the Pistons' leaderboard.
If you have a great blog piece that you think we should feature in Hoops Links, then send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the blogosphere..
- Know Hitter spins the trade machine to find a new home for Pau Gasol.
- The True Fan's Sports Blog looks at five underrated players on struggling teams.
- Hardwood Paroxysm talks Royce White.
- Wages Of Wins is high on the Grizzlies.
- Bucksketball is worried about the offense in Milwaukee.
- The Basketball Post sees another lost season in Toronto.
- SLC Dunk wants the Jazz to keep giving Randy Foye the green light.
- The NBA Geek visits the bad shot Hall Of Shame.
- Red94 sees a breakout candidate in Chandler Parsons.
- Celtics Life reacts to the C's skirmish in Brooklyn.
- A Wolf Among Wolves is worried about Kevin Love's future in Minnesota.
- Smooth's Hoops has much to be thankful for.
- NBA247365 tackled a number of topics, including the No. 1 team in the Big Apple.
- Fear The Sword breaks down the Cavs' defensive breakdown.
- At The Hive believes that Austin Rivers is starting to redeem himself.
- Bobcats Baseline plays armchair GM for Charlotte.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Odds & Ends: Gordon, Lakers, Kobe, Jackson
There was a great deal of anticipation for the first ever "clash of the boroughs" after Hurricane Sandy postponed it for nearly a month and the Nets and Knicks did not disappoint. In a close contest throughout, the Nets ultimately pulled out a 96-89 overtime win on their home floor. Brook Lopez – who has taken flack for his inconsistent rebounding in the past – pulled down 11 boards and led the way with 22 points. Star guard Deron Williams also turned in a strong effort, putting up 16 points and dishing 14 dimes. Here's more from around the Association..
- Hornets guard Eric Gordon says that his knee is improving, but declined to give specifics about the mysterious injury, writes Jimmy Smith of the Times Picayune. "It's almost like a disorder. There was a little bit of a bone bruise, and, you know, kind of like some of these other guys like [Andrew] Bynum and [Danny] Granger. Luckily my process will be shorter than that," said the guard. There was speculation earlier this year that Gordon's insistence on sitting out stemmed from displeasure with the club, but Gordon insists that he's committed to the Hornets.
- Kobe Bryant has been playing extremely efficient basketball as of late and credits the system of new coach Mike D'Antoni for his improved play, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- Speaking of the Lakers, former coach Phil Jackson told TMZ (video link) earlier today that the chances of him returning to coach again are "slim to none". Jackson, of course, was widely believed to be the frontrunner for the Lakers vacancy earlier this season before D'Antoni was tabbed to replace Mike Brown.
West Notes: Warriors, Aldridge, Blazers, Jazz
Here's a look at some items out of the Western Conference..
- Stephen Curry says that the Warriors' trade of Monta Ellis to the Bucks has significantly changed his approach to the game, writes Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld. Now more of a playmaker, Curry has embraced his adjusted role in Golden State. “The backcourt that we have, we mesh well together, especially with Jarrett [Jack] coming off the bench, so it’s been a different look, but we are getting used to each other and we are playing well," Curry explained. The club's acquisition in that trade, Andrew Bogut, figures to give them a major defensive boost upon his return.
- John Canzano of The Oregonian opines that the Blazers need to ease the burden placed on star big man LaMarcus Aldridge in order to help guard against his potential departure. Aldridge is under contract for $60MM through three more seasons and has yet to win a playoff series in Portland.
- For guard Kevin Murphy to return to the Jazz, General Manager Dennis Lindsey says that he hopes to see the rookie operate as a team player rather than a "pig scorer", write Brian T. Smith, Steve Luhm, and Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune. Murphy was demoted to the D-League earlier today and will be in Reno for a minimum of five games.
- One of the Blazers' biggest problems is that they have been unable to develop their recent draft picks into true contributors, tweets Mike Tokito of The Oregonian. The new CBA places extra emphasis on teams being able to get strong production out of their reasonably-priced younger players, which is obviously essential for a smaller-market team.
Aldridge On Bobcats, Pacers, Hibbert, Lakers
After 2011/12's historically awful season, the Bobcats are quietly turning things around, writes David Aldridge of NBA.com. After finishing the campaign with a .106 winning percentage and dropping their last 23 games, the club is finding success with a defense-first approach under first-year coach Mike Dunlap. After already matching their win total from last year, the team even feels for the winless Wizards who are in the NBA's cellar at 0-11. Here's more from Aldridge..
- It's early in the season, but it's evident that Pacers center Roy Hibbert isn't playing with the same intensity that netted him a four-year, $58MM contract. Some have speculated that the big man is pressing in order to live up to his newly-raised expectations, and even he acknowledges that might be the case. "Before, I would say I wasn't," Hibbert said. "But if I look myself in the mirror, maybe I'm thinking too much. I wouldn't say it's totally because of the contract, but it possibly could be."
- The Pacers' problems obviously extend beyond Hibbert's slow start, beginning with the absence of star forward Danny Granger. The summer trade of Darren Collison for center Ian Mahinmi has left the club to rely on one-guards George Hill and D.J. Augustin, who don't provide the same type of tempo. Head coach Frank Vogel is already re-tooling the offense to help accommodate the new-look backcourt.
- Aldridge wonders if it might be time for the Lakers to pull the trigger on a Pau Gasol trade. Often linked to trade rumors in Los Angeles, it's clear that management is less-than-thrilled with Gasol's conditioning as of late. There's no indication that the Lakers are shopping Gasol just yet, but Aldridge wonders if a three-team deal with the Wizards and Timberwolves could be a fit. Gasol could return to his natural center position in Minnesota while the Lakers could receive Chris Singleton and Trevor Ariza from the Wizards with Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea coming from Minnesota. Aldridge's hypothetical would also see Minnesota send Derrick Williams to the Wizards, giving the former No. 2 pick a chance at a new start.