Odds & Ends: Spurs, Thunder, Bobcats, Hornets
French guard Nando De Colo is ready to join the Spurs as his contract with Spanish team Valencia BC is up at the end of the month, according to a report from Encestando passed along by Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News. The 25-year-old combo guard was the taken by the Spurs with the 53rd pick in the 2009 draft and will play for the French team with current Spurs Tony Parker and Boris Diaw next month. More links from around the web..
Prospect Profile: Jeff Taylor
Confidence is everything in life, and that includes basketball. Despite being blessed with a whole lot of natural talent, Vanderbilt forward Jeff Taylor could never seem to produce consistently. This season, head coach Kevin Stallings sat down with the 6-foot-7, 225-pound senior and explained to him that he wasn't expected to be perfect each and every night.
"I just told Jeff that he couldn't allow great to be the enemy of good," Stallings told Chris Dortch for NBA.com. "And that good was more than acceptable a lot of the time. We would take great when we could get it, but we didn't want to feel bad about good."
Hoops Links: Lewis, Warriors, Thomas, Sefolosha
On this date in 1996, the SuperSonics topped the Jazz 90-86 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, putting them in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1979. Shawn Kemp led the way with 26 points while Gary Payton had 21. The Sonics would of course succumb to Michael Jordan's Bulls in the Finals but earned the distinction of being only the second team in NBA Finals history to battle to a Game 6 after trailing 3-0 in the series.
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. This week's linkage..
Odds & Ends: Pacers, Lakers, T’Wolves, Howard
Pacers president Larry Bird has yet to decide whether he will return to the club next season but he is apparently open to staying on if he and owner Herb Simon are on the same page. Today, Bob Kravitz of the Indy Star writes that Bird's conversation with Simon will center around the owner's willingness to spend on payroll. Predictably, point guard Deron Williams would be Bird's top target if Simon is willing to open up his wallet, but landing him would appear to be a longshot. Here's more from around the league..
Amick On Bobcats, Sloan, Magic, Walsh, Blazers
Earlier this evening, we learned that former Lakers and Bulls coach Phil Jackson was approached with an offer from the Magic to join their front office. The basketball legend was reportedly considering the offer right up until this afternoon, when he informed Orlando that he would instead be taking another opportunity. As we anxiously await to see where the Zen Master lands, here's a look at the latest from Sam Amick of SportsIllustrated.com on other possibilities for the Magic and other news..
Phil Jackson Set To Return, Not With Magic
Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson was interested in the possibility of joining the Magic's front office for the past few days but bowed out late this afternoon, writes Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel. Magic CEO Alex Martins was formally presented on Wednesday with a scenario involving Jackson by Sam Vincent, who played for the Magic and Jackson. Ultimately, however, the former coach will be re-joining the NBA with an unknown club in an unknown capacity.
Southeast Notes: Bobcats, Davis, Draft, Magic
The Heat are the Southeast division's horse in the championship race but plenty is going on outside of South Beach. The Bobcats didn't land the top selection in the 2012 draft and went from what could have been a slam dunk decision at No. 1 to a very difficult one at No. 2. The latest from the division…
Eric Gordon To Test Market Despite Lottery Win
Hornets guard Eric Gordon says that the team's draft lottery win last night won't affect his plans to test the free agent market this offseason, writes Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. Gordon has met with the club's new owner Tom Benson but they have not engaged in contract negotiations.
Kyle Lowry Frustrated With Rockets
MONDAY, 10:15am: Sources close to Lowry tell Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld (Twitter link) that the point guard hasn't officially asked for a trade, but that he's frustarted with the direction of the Rockets. Kyler adds that Lowry doesn't want to be a distraction or a source of negativity, and would like to win in Houston if possible (Twitter link).
SATURDAY, 8:37am: Point guard Kyle Lowry has soured on the Rockets organization and told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle that he doesn't believe that both he and Goran Dragic will return to the roster next season. Lowry also doesn't seem to think that he could get along with coach Kevin McHale.
“I don’t think so,” the 26-year-old said. “I honestly think it would be tough. Things have to be addressed. The situation would have to be addressed. If things aren’t addressed coaching-wise, I guess I have to be moved.”
For his part, McHale told Feigen that he doesn't feel that there was a significant rift between him and Lowry this season. The two clashed during a late-season game against the Nuggets when Lowry reacted angrily on the court and McHale pulled him back toward the huddle during a timeout.
The Villanova product doesn't believe that he and Dragic can remain in Houston as both players badly want to start. McHale, meanwhile, says that the two can play well together in the same lineup.
Lowry, who recently underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia and torn abductor muscles, is set to earn $5.75MM next season and $6.2MM in 2013/14.
Odds & Ends: Lin, Thunder, Bobcats, Magic
Links from around the league as the Spurs and Thunder kick start the Western Conference Finals..
- Jeremy Lin's ability to play to the level of elite point guards such as Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook in a playoff series will dictate his level of success with the Knicks, says Jared Zwerling (Twitter links). Zwerling adds (link) that one of the best things going for Lin is that he's healthy now and has the entire offseason to prepare for a bump in minutes.
- Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter) praises Thunder GM Sam Presti's draft record. While drafting Durant was a no-brainer, Russell Westbrook (4th overall, 2008) and Serge Ibaka (24th overall) weren't exactly slam dunks.
- The Bobcats could interview Pacers assistant Brian Shaw as soon as next week and plan to meet with Lakers assistant Quin Snyder in Chicago before the NBA pre-draft camp, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard.
- Matt Moore of CBSSports.com tips his cap to the Magic for targeting Thunder vice president Troy Weaver and Spurs assistant GM Dennis Lindsey.