Poll: Will Blair Finish The Season With Spurs?
Earlier today Spurs General Manager R.C. Buford confirmed that he worked to oblige DeJuan Blair's trade wishes and shopped the forward around the league earlier this summer. However, the GM says that he was unable to find a suitable deal for the former Pitt standout and reaffirmed that he believes Blair will continue to help the club win games. However, Blair's issue with San Antonio and coach Gregg Popovich doesn't stem from his role in helping to win during the regular season – it comes from his lack of burn in last year's playoffs, where he saw a total of 76 minutes of action in 10 games.
Blair is far from a superstar, but he has proven that he is deserving of significant minutes for a contender. Averaging roughly 20 minutes per contest for the Spurs over the last three years, Blair has given San Antonio major toughness and rebounding ability on the inside. And at just over $1MM for the 2012/13 season, it's hard to imagine that Buford won't be able to find a taker for the forward at some point. The question is, will that return be worthwhile enough for the Spurs to let him go? Furthermore, if Blair sees his minutes dip between now and March, will he be enough of a team player to make the atmosphere-conscious Spurs want to hold on to him?
Will Blair Finish The Year With The Spurs?
-
No 71% (164)
-
Yes 29% (67)
Total votes: 231
Clippers Sign Johnson, Plaisted, Thorns
The Clippers have signed Chris Johnson, Trent Plaisted, and Hank Thorns to non-guaranteed deals, according to Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld. The trio, along with previously reported camp invites Marqus Blakely and Courtney Fortson, all appear to be longshots to make what is already a full roster.
Johnson, a guard who starred at the University of Dayton, had interest from a handful of clubs as a second-round pick but went undrafted this June. Plaisted was tabbed by the Sonics in the second-round of the 2008 draft after his junior year at BYU and has since played for a handful of teams overseas. Thorns, a diminutive 5'9" guard, made the All-Mountain West First Team in his senior season at TCU.
Spurs Plan To Keep DeJuan Blair
Over the summer it was widely reported that Spurs forward DeJuan Blair was frustrated with his lack of playing time in last year's playoffs and would be open to a trade. The Spurs tried shopping the 23-year-old, but General Manager R.C. Buford says that the club has been unable to find anything suitable in return, writes Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News.
“We understand the way he feels,” the GM said. “If we were in his shoes we may feel similar. Having said that, DeJuan helped us win a lot of games and we have not had anything presented to us that puts our team in a better position than moving forward with DeJuan.”
Blair unquestionably helped the Spurs win games last season as he started 62 games and saw 21.3 minutes per contest. However, he was effectively squeezed out of the rotation during the postseason and averaged just 7.6 minutes in 10 games. The former Pitt star is entering his walk year and will earn just a shade over $1MM.
Hoops Links: Nets, White, Raptors, Bulls, Harden
On this date in 1993, the NBA awarded an expansion franchise to the city of Toronto. Two years later, the Raptors burst on to the scene armed with a team of expansion draft selections and some of the least attractive jerseys in league history. Of course, things would improve from there as the Raptors would welcome Marcus Camby in 1996, Tracy McGrady in 1997, and Vince Carter in 1998.
Will we see another expansion team in the near future? Given the current economic climate, it doesn't seem terribly likely. Seattle investor Chris Hansen appears to have all the pieces in place to bring an NBA team back to the city, but the team to fill the Sonics' shoes will likely be a relocated franchise rather than the Association's 31st club.
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..
- The Basketball Post is high on Real Madrid.
- Nets Are Scorching gives us a sneak peak of the Barclays Center.
- Wages of Wins looks at where teams get their stars from.
- Hardwood Paroxysm is cheering for Royce White.
- Stepien Rules doesn't see where the Raptors are going to get their offense from.
- Bright Side Of The Sun says that NFL fans can finally feel the pain of NBA fans.
- Basketball Prospectus wonders if the Bulls can be contenders this season.
- RealGM looks at the choices James Harden will face.
- A Wolf Among Wolves has a creative take on Brandon Roy.
- SLC Dunk previews the 2012/13 season for Paul Millsap.
- Truth About It talks Cartier Martin.
- Secret Rival brings us the vitals on nearly 1,000 players in the NBA and overseas.
- NBA 24 7 365 wonders what Orlando's new marketing campaign is all about.
- Rufus On Fire looks back on Bismack Biyombo's rookie season.
- Bullets Forever writes that Nene Hilario will be key for the Wizards with John Wall sidelined.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Al Thornton To Sign With Chinese Team
Forward Al Thornton has signed with the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association, according to a report from Sina.com.cn passed along by Sportando. The former 14th overall pick of the 2007 draft was in mini-camp with the Nets earlier this year and was reportedly in the mix for a roster spot.
Thornton, 28, spent last season with Puerto Rico's Guayama where he averaged 18.7 PPG. The forward's last stint in the NBA came in 2010/11 when he played in 71 games with the Wizards and Warriors, including 23 starts in Washington. For his career, Thornton has averaged 11.9 PPG and 4.2 RPG in 28 minutes per contest.
Odds & Ends: Pietrus, Johnson, Raptors, Thomas
Here's today's look around the Association..
- While the Timberwolves continue to talk with Mickael Pietrus' camp, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter) is told that there is a better chance the veteran wing winds up with a team in the Eastern Conference. This week it was reported that three teams have major interest in Pietrus with two clubs highly motivated to get a deal done. Pietrus also has a viable option overseas that would include an NBA opt-out.
- Doug Smith of the Toronto Star wouldn't be surprised to see either Amir Johnson or Ed Davis traded this season as one is likely to be squeezed out of the rotation in favor of the other. However, Smith is unwilling to handicap the odds of a trade happening or to predict which one will be on the block.
- Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld is surprised to see summer league standout Malcolm Thomas still without a guaranteed contract. Thomas posted a double-double in every Summer League game he played for the Bulls, averaging 17.9 PPG and 12.3 RPG for the week in Vegas.
- Eric Koreen of the National Post looks at how the Raptors are using advanced statistics to gain an edge going forward. Toronto has contracted KBAR Consulting to handle the analytics for the front office.
- Jim Cavan of the New York Times wonders if Adam Morrison will stick with the Blazers in his latest NBA go-round.
Heat Notes: Dooling, Darko, Miller
Yesterday, Jazz guard Raja Bell said in a radio interview that the Heat would be his first choice in free agency if he can work out a buyout with Utah. The real question is, when will the veteran finally hit the open market? Bell's buyout has been in the works for months now and should be a simple matter as he is owed $3.5MM in the final year of his deal. The conflict appears to be more personal than financial, as the 36-year-old has reportedly been at odds with the Jazz organization dating back to when Deron Williams was the face of the franchise under the coaching of Jerry Sloan. Here's more on the Heat as we wait to see if Bell finds his way to South Beach..
- Dooling's agent Kenge Stevenson says that there is no truth to the suggestion that his client wants to play for the Heat, tweets Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. Stevenson added that Dooling is at peace with his decision to retire (Twitter link).
- Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel hears that guard Keyon Dooling, who is said to be retiring, would also be interested in joining the Heat. The one-guard was waived earlier this week by the Celtics and the press release indicated that Dooling was ready to call it quits after twelve years in the league.
- In today's Q&A column, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel fields questions from readers who are disappointed that the Heat did not sign Darko Milicic. Even the Heat signed Darko, there is no guarantee that he would have received more time off the bench than Josh Harrellson. Miami may seem pressed for talented big men from the outside, but Winderman notes that in Erik Spoelstra's "position-less" system, true centers aren't a priority.
- Heat forward Mike Miller is breathing a little easier after seeing the amnesty period come and go this July, writes Winderman. "I don't look at it as an escape," Miller said. "To be honest with you, I'm just happy with the opportunity I've had. I got a championship and they stuck with me through two [amnesty periods], so it's fun to be a part of this, still."
Hoops Links: Howard, T’Wolves, Daniels, Blazers
Hoops Links would like to wish NBA commissioner David Stern a happy 70th birthday. Stern first took over as commissioner in 1984 succeeding Larry O'Brien and in the 28 years since, the Association has undergone radical change, including the relocation of six NBA teams and the introduction of seven new clubs. Stern also led the owners through the league's first lockout in 1995 and again in 1996 (lasted only a couple of hours), 1998–99, and 2011. While games were lost along the way, the NBA never lost out on a full season of action. While Stern has taken criticism over the years, there is no denying that when he decides to step aside that his legacy will be overwhelmingly positive due to the tremendous growth that the game has seen since his arrival 28 years ago.
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..
- SLC Dunk isn't high on Josh Howard.
- Hardwood Paroxysm gives their starting five for each division in the league.
- Wages of Wins is expecting some big things out of the T'Wolves in 2012/13.
- Bucksketball approves of Milwaukee's signing of Marquis Daniels.
- Saving The Skyhook looks at where Kobe Bryant stacks up against the NBA's elite.
- Blazer's Edge fields your questions in their latest mailbag.
- Basketbawful previews the 2012/13 Hornets.
- Raptors Republic takes a glass-half-full view of Toronto's prospects this season.
- Nets Are Scorching has some advice for Kris Humphries.
- Heinnews talks Euroleague financial fair play in their newest podcast.
- Bright Side Of The Sun tackles the Suns' rotation.
- Pounding The Rock asks if the Spurs are too soft.
- RealGM caught up with former UNC Greensboro standout Kyle Hines.
- Brooklyn Nets 101 stacks the Nets up against the Central division.
- The Basketball Post predicts a bright future for Tony Mitchell.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Heat To Sign Robert Dozier
SEPTEMBER 19TH: Dozier remains unsigned, but continues to work out with the Heat, says Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (Sulia link). Dozier is still expected to ink a training-camp deal with the club.
SEPTEMBER 10TH: The Heat have agreed to terms with former second-round pick Robert Dozier, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. The forward, tabbed with the 60th overall pick in the 2009 draft by Miami, has spent the past two seasons playing in Greece and France.
Dozier is expected to formally ink his contract once he returns from a family emergency. Exact terms of the forward's deal are not yet known, but it is likely a non-guaranteed minimum contract. Miami now has 16 players on the roster as they head into camp, with three on non-guaranteed deals.
Pacers Sign Luke Nevill, Ben Hansbrough
TUESDAY, 1:52pm: The Pacers have officially announced the signings of Nevill and Hansbrough in a press release.
MONDAY, 9:24pm: The Pacers have signed center Luke Nevill and guard Ben Hansbrough to round out their training camp roster, according to Mike Wells of the Indy Star. The two signings bring the Pacers' roster up to 18 players as they head into camp on October 1st.
Nevill, 26, first made a name for himself at the University of Utah where he led his squad to the NCAA tournament as a senior. Hansbrough, 24, is the younger brother of Pacers big man Tyler Hansbrough. The two-guard began his collegiate career at Mississippi State before transfering to Notre Dame after his sophomore campaign.
Earlier this month, the Pacers signed small forward Sam Young and guards Blake Ahearn and Sundiata Gaines. Wells notes that the Pacers are especially high on Young because of his toughness, even though he didn't get to display it much in Philadelphia.