Community Shootaround

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/17/16

March 17th, 2016 at 11:20pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The NBA regular season has approximately four weeks to go and two teams have created separation from the pack in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavs and Raptors are virtual locks to nab the top two seeds in the East, with the only question being whether Toronto can catch Cleveland and steal away the No. 1 seed. The Raptors are two games back in the loss column.

The real intrigue surrounds which teams will nail down the bottom playoff seeds in the conference. Entering Thursday’s action, the Pistons and Bulls were tied for the seventh and eighth spots but the suddenly revived Wizards are just one and a half games back.

Detroit has lost three of its last four but plays its next eight games at home. The Bulls, who have gone 3-7 over their last 10 games to put their playoff lives in jeopardy, have two fewer home games remaining than the Pistons. However, they do have top scorer Jimmy Butler back in the lineup after he missed 15 of 17 games with a knee injury.

The Wizards have just six home games remaining but have seemingly regained their stride, knocking off the Pistons and Bulls in blowout victories this week.

The sixth-place Pacers have built a four-game cushion on the Wizards, but they cannot feel totally comfortable with their position.

This leads us to our question of the day: Among the Pacers, Bulls, Pistons and Wizards, which Eastern Conference team currently fighting for a playoff berth will fail to reach the postseason?

Please take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/16/16

March 16th, 2016 at 10:54pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Sources close to Knicks team president Phil Jackson recently floated the notion to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com that the Zen Master would consider coaching home games and have interim coach Kurt Rambis lead the team when on the road next season. Jackson has often cited his health as he’s maintained in recent years that coaching is out of the question, but people around the 70-year-old say he appears to have more energy than usual, and he’s reportedly lost 20 of the 30 pounds he gained since taking the Knicks job, according to Shelburne.

It’s unclear what the chances of this kind of arrangement coming to pass are, but it would certainly make for an intriguing compromise if Jackson meets resistance to the idea of hiring Rambis full-time, according to Shelburne’s report. Jackson hasn’t officially committed to keeping Rambis beyond the season, but he has hinted that he’d like to see him earn the removal of his interim tag, which jibes with an earlier report that Jackson was pulling for Rambis to win the permanent job when he named him interim boss. The executive has yet to give any indication he is considering other candidates besides Rambis and many league executives believe he is the Zen Master’s one and only choice for the slot.

Knicks star small forward Carmelo Anthony wasn’t enthusiastic about the notion of Jackson coaching part time and didn’t think it was a realistic option given the executive’s age and health concerns. “Nah, nah, nah. I don’t think that should be accepted,” Anthony said. “I wouldn’t accept that if that was the case. Phil is cool man. He doesn’t need to be on the sidelines no more. He put so many years into this game. He’s cool. He doesn’t need to be on the sideline. I don’t think he’s thinking about coming back down on the sideline. I hope not. Let him ride on out. Let him sit out and be the president.”

This brings me to the topic for today: Would the Knicks benefit from Phil Jackson returning to coaching on a part-time basis?

Jackson’s coaching resume certainly speaks for itself, but he hasn’t patrolled an NBA sideline since the 2010/11 campaign. The game has certainly changed over the past few years and the jury is still out on whether or not the triangle offense, a staple of Jackson’s, is still a viable system in the league. There is also the matter of how players would respond to two coaches leading them and doling out minutes. It could cause a schism within the locker room, especially if Jackson and Rambis differed on the rotation and substitution patterns. It could also place Rambis in an extremely difficult position if players saw him as just a placeholder while on the road and his authority suffered as a result.

But what say you? Is having Jackson as a part-time coach a better alternative to retaining Rambis or hiring a new coach altogether? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/15/16

March 15th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Lakers are going to miss the playoffs for the third straight season, something that almost assuredly won’t sit well with team ownership or the fans. With Kobe Bryant set to retire, the franchise will look markedly different next season. What remains to be seen is if the team will build around its younger players or attempt to remake itself by chasing big-name free agents. Los Angeles certainly has a number of young, intriguing players, but it remains to be seen if any among them are stars who are capable of carrying the franchise back to glory.

According to an informal poll of NBA front office executives, point guard D’Angelo Russell is viewed as having the potential to develop into a franchise-player, but the same sentiment wasn’t shared in regard to 2014 lottery pick Julius Randle, according to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. The dozen executives Berger polled relayed that Randle is seen more as a piece to the puzzle or an energy guy than a bonafide franchise cornerstone. The scribe also noted that it was conceivable that the Lakers could deal one or both of the duo to land a proven star, adding that the organization’s decision-making this summer will be shaped by whether or not it retains its 2016 first-rounder. The Lakers must convey their pick to the Sixers if they fall out of the top three selections.

This brings me to the topic for today: Should the Lakers focus on building around younger players like D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle, or should the team look to deal them for an established star?

If you think the team should look to trade the young pair, who would be a realistic target? Or do you believe Los Angeles needs to take it slow and rebuild through the draft instead of chasing big names on the open market? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/14/16

March 14th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Dana Gauruder

DeMarcus Cousins was back in the news last week and, not surprisingly, it involved a disciplinary issue. The mercurial Kings big man received a one-game suspension from the team following a verbal tirade directed at head coach George Karl. Cousins then complained that Karl was responsible for the suspension, not the front office.

Cousins’ relationship with the coach has been volatile since Karl took over during the middle of last season. It hasn’t gotten any better this season as Sacramento has fallen out of the playoff race over the past six weeks. Cousins recently aired some his grievances to Yahoo Sports’ Marc J. Spears, complaining that there’s “a lot of chaos” and “extra unnecessary stuff” going on in the organization.

Of course, Cousins’ hot temper often rubs officials the wrong way as well. He leads the league with 15 technical fouls and has also received an ejection.

It’s been widely speculated that Karl won’t return next season, but that doesn’t mean Cousins will get along with his potential replacement. However, Nuggets coach and former Kings head man Michael Malone recently said it’s possible to coexist with Cousins by using as a no-nonsense approach.

“I was real with him, I was honest with him, I coached him, I disciplined him, I held him accountable,” Malone told Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post. “I never tried to be his buddy. I never tried to coach around him.”

No one questions Cousins’ talent. In his sixth NBA season, the 25-year-old is averaging a career-high 27.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. With a dearth of quality centers in the league, Cousins would certainly draw plenty of interest if the Kings decided to move him. The Kings could get plenty in return for him, despite all the baggage.

Any possible suitor would have to determine whether Cousins would thrive in another environment, or whether his abrasive personality would lead to locker room strife anywhere he goes.

This leads us to our question of the day: Will the Kings trade DeMarcus Cousins this summer? If so, where do you think he’ll end up?

Please take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/13/16

March 13th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Millions of people will be watching the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this week in hopes of hopes of filling out a winning bracket and claiming victory in an office pool. But NBA scouts, coaches and executives pay close attention to the tournament for a different reason. The pressures of “March Madness” can reveal a lot about the NBA readiness of players who hope to be selected in June’s draft.

Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress released a new mock draft today, and most of the top prospects will be on display in the tournament. One glaring exception is projected No. 1 pick Ben Simmons, whose college career is over now that LSU has chosen not to participate in any postseason tournament. Brandon Ingram, Givony’s No. 2 selection, is part of a Duke team that is seeded fourth in the West Region. Teammate Grayson Allen is also a projected first-round choice, with Givony listing him at No. 29.

The rest of the U.S. college players in Givony’s first round who made the tournament are as follows.

California: Jalen Brown [3] and Ivan Rabb [14], fourth in the South.
Providence: Kris Dunn [5], ninth in the East.
Utah: Jakob Poeltl [6], third in the Midwest.
Kentucky: Jamal Murray [7], Skal Labissiere [10] and Tyler Ulis [26], fourth in the East.
Oklahoma: Buddy Hield [9], second in the West.
Notre Dame: Demetrius Jackson [11], sixth in the East.
Michigan State: Deyonta Davis [13] and Denzel Valentine [19], second in the Midwest.
Vanderbilt: Damian Jones [15] and Wade Baldwin [17], play-in game in the South.
Maryland: Diamond Stone [16], fifth in the South.
Baylor: Taurean Prince [20], fifth in the West.
Gonzaga: Domantas Sabonis [24], 11th in the Midwest.
North Carolina: Brice Johnson [30], first in the East.

That sets up tonight’s Shootaround topic: Which of these players is most likely to improve his draft position with a standout tournament performance? Hield has been putting up jaw-dropping point totals all season; can he go on a barrage and vault himself into the top five? Can Kentucky’s trio move up the draft board with another trip to the Final Four? Can Johnson, Davis or Valentine impress by making a deep tournament run with a high seed, or is someone like Sabonis or Dunn in better position with a dark horse?

Please share your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/12/16

March 12th, 2016 at 10:03pm CST by ChrisCrouse

LSU needed a win today to keep any realistic hope of making the NCAA Tournament alive. Instead, the team suffered a 33-point loss to Texas A&M in a game that wasn’t competitive beyond the first few minutes. Ben Simmons had a double-double, accumulating 10 points and 12 rebounds, but he didn’t play with a fire that many players display while leading a team in a must-win game.

His inability to give the Tigers a shot at the Final Four, coupled with his on court demeanor, has raised questions about his ability to be a franchise player in the NBA. That leads up to tonight’s shootaround: If you were the GM of the team that wins the 2016 lottery, would you consider passing on Simmons?

The LSU product was considered a lock for the No. 1 overall pick entering the season, but one GM told Chad Ford of ESPN.com that his play this year has caused some concerns.

“As the season has gone on, I think he hasn’t improved and other guys have,” the anonymous GM said to Ford. “When guys don’t improve, I get a little nervous. I thought he’d get more comfortable with his jumper. He’d start molding this team into a cohesive unit. It’s gone the opposite direction. I still love him as a prospect, but I’ve got a lot more question marks.”

Brandon Ingram may be the only threat to take over the No. 1 spot and he will have an opportunity that Simmons does not: a chance to shine in the NCAA Tournament.

Let’s be clear. Simmons is not the reason that LSU will likely be headed to the NIT. His play this season is the only reason the team has double-digit wins, as the 2015/16 Tigers lack cohesiveness and top-level talent beyond the Australian native. While Simmons wasn’t the model of consistency, he displayed flashes of brilliance this season and showcased versatility that will be valuable in an ever-changing NBA. Is that enough to justify taking him with the No.1 overall pick regardless of how other prospects finish their seasons? Let’s us know in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say!

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/11/16

March 11th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Injuries will always be a part of professional sports. They are one of the primary risks that athletes take on in return for being compensated rather handsomely for their hard work. Most injuries are unavoidable despite the best efforts of training staffs, medical personal, coaches and the players themselves. It’s virtually impossible to play a sport at the professional level for any length of time without incurring some form of physical malady. No matter how well-conditioned a player is, nor how careful a team is with an athlete, muscles and tendons will pop and tear over the course of the long season.

Professional sports leagues, for the most part, try to look out for the best interests of the players. The overall product suffers, and revenue along with it, when the top names in the game are sitting behind the bench in street clothes instead of dazzling the crowd on the court with their athleticism. But is the NBA doing everything it can to reduce the number of injuries incurred each season? This brings me to the topic for today, with a hat tip to reader JB, whose comments in the wake of the announcement that Mario Chalmers was lost for the season sparked this idea. Thanks JB!

Should the NBA reduce the number of games played during the regular season?

There are currently 19 NBA players officially out for the remainder of the season, with three more potentially done for the campaign. New Orleans, Memphis and Milwaukee have all been hit especially hard this season, which I’m sure isn’t a whole lot of fun for fans of those teams. The 82-game NBA season can be a grind for players, and to be honest, for many fans as well. Some coaches regularly rest players to try and keep them fresh for the playoffs. That is a wise practice, but it can be a bummer for patrons. Imagine waiting all year to go to an NBA game, spending hard-earned money to purchase your ticket in order to see your favorite player in action, only to find out that he’s taking a breather on the bench that game. It’s happened to me, and I can tell you I wasn’t thrilled. Perhaps if the regular season was a tad shorter, coaches would be more hesitant to sit players for rest and recovery purposes. Reducing the number of contests would also limit the number of back-to-back games, which take an enormous toll on the players both physically and mentally.

But what say you out there? Do you think cutting down on the number of regular season matchups would reduce the volume of injuries in the NBA? If so, how many games do you believe is the proper amount? Or are you on the other side of the argument and believe that the same number of players would be injured regardless of the length of the season? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/10/16

March 10th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The NBA ownership ranks took a loss on Wednesday with the announcement that Spurs majority owner Peter Holt is relinquishing control of the team to wife Julianna Hawn Holt. The Holts jointly became the franchise’s largest shareholders in 1996, when Peter Holt ascended to the top of the organization. He’ll remain on the board of managers of Spurs Sports & Entertainment and continue as part of the ownership group, and his wife will now become the franchise’s chairman, CEO and representative on the board of governors. “Our ownership in the Spurs has always been a family affair,” Julianna Hawn Holt said in the team’s press release. “For many years I’ve had the desire to take a more active role with Spurs Sports & Entertainment. We felt this was the right time to make this transition. We are very excited about the current Spurs season and the future of the organization.”

It’s unclear how or if the change will affect the on-court product going forward. Peter Holt was a hands-off owner, allowing coach/president Gregg Popovich and GM R.C. Buford to build one of the league’s most well-respected and well-run basketball operations. The changing of the guard closes a remarkably successful era for the Spurs, who missed the playoffs only once under Peter Holt’s reign. The franchise has won five NBA titles while qualifying for the postseason for an amazing 19 straight seasons.

The success of the team, as well as the distinct lack of turmoil within the Spurs organization during his tenure, certainly should earn Holt praise as one of the best owners in the league. That’s a solid enough segue into the question/topic for today: Who is the best team owner in the NBA?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts on the subject. But don’t just limit yourself to providing a name. We’d love to know why you made the selection you did. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/8/16

March 9th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Friends of Rockets center Dwight Howard have indicated that the big man would have interest in joining the Knicks this offseason if he, as expected, turns down his player option in search of a more lucrative max deal. It’s unclear whether or not the Knicks have mutual interest in Howard, and it also remains to be seen just how highly he regards the franchise compared to other potential free agent destinations. Bucks broadcaster Gus Johnson relayed that Howard told him he likes Milwaukee and wanted to join the Bucks at the trade deadline. Discussions between Milwaukee and Houston reportedly hit an impasse because Howard wouldn’t agree to opt in for 2016/17.

The Knicks have approximately $55MM in guaranteed salary committed for next season against a salary cap projected to be set between $90MM and $95MM, though that amount doesn’t include player options for Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams. New York wouldn’t have the needed cap space to pay Howard his max of some $30MM for next season if both Afflalo and Williams opt in. Also complicating matters on the Howard front for the Knicks is the presence of Robin Lopez, who inked a four year, $54MM pact with the team this past offseason. Lopez set to earn $13,219,250 in 2016/17, and that would be a cap-crippling amount for the Knicks if they were unable to find a taker for him on the trade market. Howard and Lopez wouldn’t mesh very well on offense, and playing them alongside one another in a “twin towers” lineup would likely prove disastrous.

There’s little doubt that Howard is the superior player of the pair based on the statistical track records of both big men, but it is highly debatable that Howard is worth close to $30MM a season at this stage of his career. For the record, I say he absolutely does not warrant that sum annually, even if the cap does jump to almost $95MM. Even at his peak, I would have hesitated to pony up that amount, but with Howard’s advancing age, balky knee and back, doing so would be a huge gamble that would likely end in disappointment for the Knicks franchise and its fans. Pairing Howard with Carmelo Anthony would create an interesting tandem, but unless the Knicks add a competent point guard to the mix, the team would be unlikely to contend for a title, regardless of whether or not Anthony and Howard remain healthy.

This brings me to the topic of the day and the part where I turn this debate over to you, the readers. Today’s question is, Should the Knicks look to sign Dwight Howard this offseason?

New York has had difficulties luring star players in recent years, so there is no guarantee that Howard would jump at the chance to play in Madison Square Garden. The big man has also reportedly had issues with his diminished role on offense with the Rockets, as well as with teammate James Harden. While Anthony doesn’t dominate the ball nearly as much as Harden does, he is still a volume shooter and Howard may not want to share the spotlight alongside ‘Melo or Kristaps Porzingis, who might end up being the team’s starting center in the near future. One thing potentially working in the Knicks’ favor is that there may not be many suitors willing to sign Howard to a max deal, so New York could become an appealing option if it were to bid on him.

But what say you? Should the Knicks make a push to ink Howard no matter the cost, or are his age, injury concerns and potential cap hit deal-breakers for you? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/8/16

March 8th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons is reportedly set to turn down his $16.023MM player option for next season with the salary cap moving sharply upward, and he’s expected to receive a maximum-salary contract in free agency this summer if he does so. Dallas remains the favorite to sign Parsons, but the versatile swingman is expected to entertain an aggressive pitch from the Magic, as well as receive interest from the Heat, Lakers, Nets, Knicks, Trail Blazers, Nuggets and Thunder, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com.

The Rockets, Parsons’ former team, are also potential suitors this offseason, and the forward didn’t rule out a potential return to Houston in a recent appearance on the “Channel 33” podcast. “Houston was home for me for three years,” Parsons said. “I definitely would never count that option out. I have great memories there. They have a great crowd, a great city to live in … I have nothing but respect and love for them. I would never count that out.” Losing Parsons would sting the Mavs, especially give the organization’s difficulties in landing top-tier free agents over the past few seasons, but losing him to an in-state rival would be akin to throwing salt in an open wound.

Parsons is in his fifth season, so he’ll be eligible for the lowest of the three maximum salary tiers, with a starting salary likely approaching $21MM. Dallas will have his Early Bird rights this summer, which means that the Mavs can only offer four years instead of the five that they could with full Bird rights. The team will still have the ability to give Parsons 7.5% raises instead of the 4.5% that the Magic and others will be limited to, which would mean a difference of approximately $4MM over the life of a four-year deal.

This brings me to the topic for today: Where will Chandler Parsons be playing next season?

Will he re-sign with the Mavericks, for whom he has become a big part of the team’s culture and has also taken on the role of free agent recruiter? If you don’t think he’ll re-sign with Dallas, which team would be the best fit for Parsons’ skills, and why? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

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