LeBron James Wins Most Valuable Player
It's official. The Heat held a press conference this afternoon in Miami to present LeBron James with his third career MVP trophy. The 27-year-old averaged 27.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 6.2 APG with 53% shooting from the field in yet another brilliant campaign.
James was in a two-horse race for the award with Kevin Durant for the bulk of the season but pulled away as the year wore on. James had 85 first-place votes while Durant was the runner-up with 24 first-place votes. After that, Chris Paul finished in third place, Kobe Bryant in fourth, and Tony Parker in fifth.
Only seven other players in the history of the game have won MVP honors at least three times: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Moses Malone. Abdul-Jabbar won the trophy six times, Jordan and Russell five times each, and Chamberlain four times.
New York Notes: Williams, Nets, Bogdanovic
Yesterday, we learned that Nets point guard Deron Williams was set to meet with owner Mikhail Prokhorov and General Manager Billy King in Istanbul, Turkey. Here's more on the pow-wow and other items out of the New York area..
- Williams spoke with Prokhorov at the Euroleague game yesterday and had "a good conversation", but there was no formal meeting as other reports suggested, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
- King tweeted that he had a good meeting with 2011 second-round pick Bojan Bogdanovic. The swingman is currently under contract with Turkey's Fenerbahçe Ülker and came to the Nets through a pair of draft day trades.
- Phil Jackson's girlfriend Jeanie Buss told “Mason and Ireland” on ESPN 710 that she believes the former Lakers coach will eventually return to the sidelines, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. League sources told Kennedy that the Knicks haven’t contacted Jackson as of yet, but they’re expected to reach out to him in the coming weeks.
Hoops Links: Blazers, Knicks, Delfino, Hill, Paul
On this day in 1985, the Knicks won the first ever draft lottery, enabling them to select center Patrick Ewing out of Georgetown. This not only gave birth to a new era of Knicks basketball, but to one of the biggest conspiracy theories in sports. Some wondered if the NBA fixed the lottery in order to steer the top talent in the draft to the league's premier market. Was the Knicks' envelope frozen prior to being placed in the drum? Or was the envelope just bent slightly at the corner? Earlier this year, Charles Barkley proved that lottery conspiracy theories are alive and well as he suggested that the Brooklyn Nets could be in line for the top pick in this year's draft.
Do you have a great blog piece that you think we should feature in Hoops Links? If so, send me an email at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. I swear, I won't give preference to the bigger, more profitable blogs. This week's links..
- Blazers Edge doesn't think that the Trail Blazers need an elite one-guard to contend.
- The Basketball Post isn't sure how the Knicks are going to build around their core.
- Bucksketball says that it was a tough year for Carlos Delfino on defense.
- NBA Dimensions doesn't see a bright future in New York.
- Bullets Forever looks at potential trades around the league for the Wizards.
- Red94 is happy for Lakers big man Jordan Hill.
- NBA 24 7 365 breaks down Chris Paul in the fourth quarter.
- RealGM spoke with Orlando Johnson of UCSB.
- Valley Of The Suns reflects on Phoenix's season with advanced stats.
- Cowbell Kingdom evaluates Tyreke Evans' 2011/12 campaign.
- NBA Draft Blog caught up with Old Dominion's Kent Bazemore.
- Hornets 24 7 identified the safest prospects in the 2012 draft.
- Rufus On Fire cranked up the tunes for a Bobcats year end retrospective.
- Hoopinion didn't like what they saw out of the Hawks in Game 6.
- Swish Appeal looks at the New York Liberty's first-round pick.
- Brew Hoop doesn't want the Bucks to overpay for Ersan Ilyasova.
- Raptors Republic hopes to see Steve Nash come north of the border this summer.
- A Stern Warning misses the NBA of twenty years ago.
- SB Nation reflects on the Knicks' season with a look at New York Post back pages.
- Truth About It grades JaVale McGee's season in Washington.
- Piston Powered is intrigued by French forward Evan Fournier.
- Queen City Hoops gives their report card on Derrick Brown.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
NBPA Wants Perks For Age Limit Change
The NBA's players association wants the draft age limit to return to 18 years old from 19 but will listen to commissioner David Stern's desire to increase it to 20 only in exchange for significant concessions, writes ESPN.com's Andy Katz. For that to happen, the union will seek changes to the rookie wage scale and an incentive program for players who stay in school longer.
"The NBPA's position on the age limit has been consistent," said union spokesperson Dan Wasserman. "An overwhelming majority of the NBPA's members support the ability of potential NBA players to freely pursue their livelihood by allowing high school graduate-age players to apply for the draft. As a practical matter, we recognize that any change to the current rule must sufficiently balance both the league's and players' interests."
The NBPA would love for the minimum age to return to 18 but knows that it would have to concede something to the owners. Because that is unlikely to happen, they will look to gain ground in other areas if they agree to the age being bumped up to 20. The NBPA wants the owners to give first-year players more money and a quicker path to free agency if they stay in school.
The minimum age for draft eligibility was raised from 18 to 19 in the 2005 collective bargaining agreement.
Odds & Ends: Blazers, Hibbert, Bulls, Farmar
Tonight we saw the 76ers and Celtics advance to the second round in a pair of closely-contested Game 6s. Here are some links from around the Association as we wait to see if the Lakers can put the Nuggets away in Denver..
- The Blazers hope to bring former first-round picks Joel Freeland and Victor Claver on to the roster for next season, writes Joe Freeman of The Oregonian.
- The Rockets could have interest in Pacers big man Roy Hibbert as he enters restricted free agency, writes Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld. However, it seems that Indiana is prepared to match any offer that isn't unreasonable.
- When asked if the Bulls should keep their core in tact this summer, Joakim Noah responded, "I'm not the GM," tweets Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com.
- Nets guard Jordan Farmar wants to be a starter and wasn't terribly happy with his role last season, tweets Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. However, it's unlikely that Farmar will decline his $4.25MM player option.
- Most agree that the Pistons' main need in the draft is another big man to pair alongside center Greg Monroe, but team president Joe Dumars says that isn't neccessarily the case, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. Ellis writes that it wouldn't be a shock to see Detroit tab a shooter like North Carolina's Harrison Barnes if they don't like any of the big men on the board.
- One Western Conference exec told Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (via Twitter) that there is no way that Columbus will land an NBA franchise. Earlier today, we learned that the mayor of Columbus has informed David Stern that his city is interested in adding an NBA team.
Southeast Notes: Nelson, Magic, Howard, Bobcats
A few items out of the Southeast division as the Hawks' offseason gets underway..
- Magic point guard Jameer Nelson has until June 15th to notify the team of whether he will opt out of contract, tweets John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com. The language in Nelson's contract in Jameer's contract says that he must notify the team of his intentions by three days after the team is eliminated or by June 15th, whichever is later, Denton tweets.
- In an interview on 610 The Fan in Charlotte, Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops discussed Patrick Ewing interviewing for the Bobcats head coaching job. Sheridan points out that if Charlotte lands the No. 1 pick, Ewing could be a solid pick to help groom big man Anthony Davis.
- Magic center Dwight Howard needs to let the club know what his intentions are ASAP, opines Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
Knicks Rumors: Woodson, Lin, Amare
The Knicks’ season may be over but we have a summer full of intrigue out of MSG to look forward to. Here’s the latest on the orange and blue..
- At the urging of Garden management, head coach Mike Woodson has decided to drop agent Joe Glass as he negotiates a new deal, writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. Glass is also the agent for Larry Brown and the Knicks are still bitter over the coach’s tumultuous season with the club. Woodson, who has denied that he is in talks for a new contract, is believed to be signing with CAA.
- Woodson’s refusal to name Jeremy Lin as the team’s starting point guard next season indicates that he would like a veteran at the helm, writes Al Iannazzone of Newsday.
- Despite the criticism that he has endured as of late, forward Amare Stoudemire insists that one couldn’t ask for a better core than himself, Carmelo Anthony, and Tyson Chandler, Iannazzone writes.
- Earlier today we rounded up another batch of Knicks notes and Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated had some news on what may be in store for the franchise.
Amick On Woodson, Smith, Fields, Lin, Amare
After being bounced by the Heat in five games, the Knicks' offseason is now underway. The club will have a lot of important decisions to make in the coming months, and Sam Amick of SportsIllustrated.com has the goods on what might be in the club's immediate future..
- Even though Mike Woodson shot down a report that he has had extension talks with the Knicks, a source close to the situation said that the coach has been telling people that he has had preliminary discussions with team officials about his return. Although anything can happen when it comes to the Knicks, the signs are strong that the Knicks will keep their coach rather than chase big names such as Phil Jackson or John Calipari.
- Retaining Woodson would help the Knicks in their effort to retain J.R. Smith. The guard will likely turn down his $2.5MM option for next season.
- Jeremy Lin's return seems like a foregone conclusion at this point as the Knicks can use their mid-level exception to match any offer. However, that could have a ripple effect on the rest of the club's roster. If the Knicks use the exception on Lin, they wouldn't be able to go $4MM above the luxury-tax threshold. Interested parties and CBA expert Larry Coon have indicated to Amick that Landry Fields would be on the outside-looking-in while retaining Steve Novak would also be a challenge.
- Can the Knicks move Amare Stoudemire this summer? One Western Conference exec said, "I can't think of anyone who has less trade value." The internal sentiment, according to one source close to the situation, is that this group can get it done with a core of Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and Tyson Chandler with a three-year window to make a title push.
- Even though Anthony and Stoudemire didn't play particularly well with Lin this season, the Knicks' front office is more focused on making it work than they are on considering any major changes, according to sources close to the situation.
- The Knicks were among the teams that asked the Hornets about Chris Paul before he was traded to the Clippers in December, according to sources.
Prospect Profile: Moe Harkless
The commitment of Queens native Moe Harkless to St. John's kickstarted a surprisingly talent-rich recruiting class for Steve Lavin & Co for 2011. While the speedy small forward was seen as a big get for the Red Storm, the program probably wasn't expecting him to break out in his freshman campaign and declare for the draft. However, after scoring 25 in a losing effort against Pittsburgh in the Big East Tournament, it quickly became evident that Harkless would be a first-round pick.
As a fairly raw but intriguing talent, Harkless' draft status is based largely on upside rather than what he can contribute to an NBA team in 2012/13. The 6'8" forward was charged with the task of playing at the 4 for St. John's this past season, not unreasonable for a player of his size but still out of place for someone with his skill set. Harkless, for the most part, did just fine in this role and averaged 1.4 blocks and 1.6 steals per contest as he played out of position. On an NBA court, Harkless undoubtedly projects to the small forward position.
There were plenty of games in 2011/12 where Harkless looked like an elite scorer. Just ask the Duke Blue Devils, who watched the forward drop 30 points off of 13-of-21 shooting (plus 13 boards) in late January. Harkless put together this and other strong offensive performances with his ability to slash to the basket. Meanwhile, he has yet to show that he has much in the way of range. If Harkless hopes to produce consistently at the next level, he'll have to develop his jumper in order to keep defenders honest.
So where does a hyper-athletic small forward with significant upside fit on this draft board? Likely just outside of the lottery and behind the likes of Baylor's Quincy Miller, who offers similar promise but with a sweet shooting stroke. Currently, DraftExpress has Harkless going at No. 22 while the latest mock draft from Chad Ford of ESPN.com pegs him at No. 24. Wherever Harkless lands, you can expect the partisan crowd at New Jersey's Prudential Center to give their nod of approval.
Odds & Ends: Mavericks, Terry, Anthony, Spurs
Tonight at the American Airlines Center, the Mavericks will look to stave off a first round sweep at the hands of the Thunder. Barring a miracle turnaround and subsequent deep playoff run, things figure to look rather different in Dallas next season. Here’s more on the Mavs and other notes from around the league..
- Guard Jason Terry is worried that tonight’s game could be his last wearing a Mavericks uniform, writes Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com. Terry will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and reportedly won’t take a discount to remain in Dallas.
- If the Mavericks don’t land Deron Williams this summer, then the team’s mission to clear cap space will be a disaster, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com.
- Howard Beck of the New York Times opines that the Knicks can only go so far with a Carmelo Anthony-centric offense. Beck also adds that Phil Jackson would demand a much more team-oriented game if he were coaching in New York, though that seems unlikely to come to fruition.
- As the Spurs and the Jazz do battle in their first round series, Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune points out that the two franchises have emulated each other quite a bit over the years.