Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 4/10/16
Multiple reports suggest that Knicks president Phil Jackson is pushing hard for interim coach Kurt Rambis to get the job on a long-term basis. They have a close working relationship that gives Jackson the level of day-to-day input into the coaching staff he has long wanted.
The Knicks have an opportunity to bring a big-name coach to New York, but Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote this week that Jackson isn’t impressed by several of the available candidates. The organization doesn’t believe Golden State assistant Luke Walton will leave the Warriors this summer, and Jackson doesn’t like what he hears from the Bulls’ front office about ex-Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau. Jackson also doesn’t plan a spirited run at former Nuggets coach Brian Shaw, who like Rambis was schooled on the triangle offense during his days with the Lakers.
Rambis has brief experience and little success as an NBA head coach. He guided the Lakers to a 24-13 record and the second round of the playoffs after taking over for the fired Del Harris midway through the 1998/99 season. His next opportunity didn’t come until the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons with the Timberwolves, where he led the team to 15-67 and 17-65 records.
Rambis is 9-17 since taking over for Derek Fisher in February, and the Knicks quickly dropped out of the playoff race under his tutelage. Berman reported that players don’t have the respect for Rambis that they did for Fisher. Carmelo Anthony stated this week that he likes Rambis, but he didn’t go as far as endorsing the idea of making him the long-term coach.
Rambis defended his performance with the Knicks to Ian Begley of ESPN.com (ESPN Now link), saying the franchise is in a rebuilding stage. “We’re looking at it from a standpoint of new management, new coaching staff so last year was a year that I calculate as Year Zero, just trying to clean things up and move forward,” Rambis told Begley. “This is our first year of really trying to move forward and seeing what we have and the direction that we want to go and adding pieces. This is a natural process of what happens in the NBA.”
That brings us to tonight’s topic: Should the Knicks keep Rambis as their coach or are they better off looking elsewhere? And how much influence should Jackson have over the decision, considering reports in February that the Knicks organization believes he will eventually rejoin fiancee Jeanie Buss with the Lakers?
Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the topic. We look forward to what you have to say.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 4/9/16
Houston made the playoffs in five of the previous eight seasons, including the last three, but the team has some work to do if it’s going to make it to the postseason for the fourth straight campaign. The Rockets sit one game behind the Jazz for the eighth seed in the Western Conference with three games to go.
The franchise certainly had higher expectations than an eighth seed entering the season and early today, reports surfaced that ownership would be seriously evaluating Daryl Morey’s job performance. Morey has accepted the blame for the team’s disappointing season, but an argument can be made that his moves as a GM are the reason the Rockets had the high expectations to begin with. Morey has been one of the most active front office executives in the league since becoming the GM of the Rockets in 2007. He made the shrewd move to acquire James Harden and he signed Dwight Howard to add a second star to the team.
So here is tonight’s question: Should the Rockets move on from Morey and what other changes need to be made in Houston? Let’s talk front office, player movement, Dwight Howard and more. Let us know what you think in comments below. We look forward to what you have to say!
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 4/8/16
While the NBA will always be a game that favors size, there have been a number of diminutive players who have made their mark on the league over the years. The most recent example of a player overcoming his lack of size, or physical shortcomings, if you’ll forgive the pun, is the Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging an outstanding 22.4 points and 6.3 assists per contest this season. While Thomas’ success is hardly the norm for a player standing 5’9″ in shoes, he has certainly proven that heart and talent can trump stature in the league.
One of the next players who will look to find success in the league despite being undersized is Kentucky point guard Tyler Ulis, who has declared for the draft and is reportedly going to hire an agent, a move that would eliminate the possibility of him returning to the Wildcats for another campaign. Like Thomas, Ulis also stands 5’9″, though that measurement may be a tad on the generous side for the sophomore. Ulis, who was arguably Kentucky’s best player this past season, averaging 17.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists to accompany a slash line of .434/.344/.856. The freshman is currently ranked No. 20 overall by Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, while Chad Ford of ESPN.com slots him at No. 17 overall.
Here’s today’s topic: How successful will Tyler Ulis be in the NBA?
Sound off in the comments section with your predictions for Ulis once he takes the floor in the NBA. Do you think he’ll achieve a similar level of success as the aforementioned Thomas, end up as a bench player, or is he destined to toil away in the D-League or overseas? Give us your best predictions for his career, take a guess at his stat line or share your own scouting report on the player. We look forward to what you have to say.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 4/7/16
The sudden resignation of Sixers GM Sam Hinkie on Wednesday night brought an end to one of the more controversial front office tenures the NBA has experienced in recent memory. Philadelphia went 47-195 in Hinkie’s time, its winning percentage decreasing in each of his three seasons. Now, it appears the task of rebuilding the Sixers will fall to Bryan Colangelo, whom the team is reportedly poised to hire as its new GM, and his father, Jerry Colangelo, the team’s chairman of basketball operations.
In his somewhat bizarre 13-page letter of resignation, Hinkie wrote, “There has been much criticism of our approach. There will be more. A competitive league like the NBA necessitates a zig while our competitors comfortably zag,” Hinkie wrote. “We often chose not to defend ourselves against much of the criticism, largely in an effort to stay true to the ideal of having the longest view in the room. Given all the changes to our organization, I no longer have the confidence that I can make good decisions on behalf of investors in the Sixers — you. So I should step down. And I have.”
Love him or hate him, Hinkie was certainly a GM cut from a different cloth than most. His plan of rebuilding through bottoming out was met with much derision around the league, but Hinkie was steadfast in his belief in “the process.” It remains to be seen how the young assets and future draft picks Hinkie accumulated during his tenure will pan out, as well as who will receive the bulk of the credit should Philadelphia turn things around in the near future. It does appear that better things are on the horizon for the Sixers, who are awaiting the NBA debuts of Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, both of whom were draft picks of Hinkie’s. Plus, Jerry Colangelo has indicated that the team intends to be active on the free agent market this offseason, which is likely music to coach Brett Brown‘s ears, seeing as how he’s been saddled with rosters of D-League quality throughout his time in Philly.
Now it’s time for today’s topic: How would you grade Sam Hinkie’s tenure in Philadelphia?
If you are going to judge Hinkie strictly on wins, the result won’t be pretty. After all, managing just 47 wins in three seasons is certainly not a statistic one would place at the top of a résumé. But there is far more to rebuilding a team than short-term gains, and it is in the big picture where Hinkie needs to be judged. Will the collection of young big men and future draft picks he acquired allow Philadelphia to become a perennial power in the near future? Or do you believe Hinkie squandered those picks and set the franchise back even further with the players he chose? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts, vent your frustrations or defend the former GM’s actions. We look forward to what you have to say.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 4/6/16
The NBA is giving serious consideration to allowing advertising on the jerseys of teams beginning in 2017/18 and the Raptors have reportedly suggested to potential advertisers that the on-jersey ads will cost between $4MM and $5MM per season. During their sales pitches, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment executives have discussed the prospect of ads of about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, which would be the same size as the Kia Motors Corp. ad that appeared on the NBA All-Star Game jerseys this year in Toronto, according to a report by Rick Westhead of TSN.ca. It still remains unclear just how on-jersey ads would affect the revenue sharing around the league. One possible scenario drawing mention would see teams keep 50% of the revenue they generate from such ads and put the other half into a league-wide fund that is split equally between franchises, according to Westhead.
Fans of soccer and international basketball are no strangers to on-jersey ads, but they are a relatively new concept to professional sports in the U.S.. In the never-ending search to locate new revenue sources, advertisements on team uniforms are the logical next step for the NBA. But it is also a change that may ruffle the feathers of some purists out there who believe the game should keep paid advertisements off of the players.
This brings me to the topic for today: Should the league allow on-jersey advertising?
Does the thought of potentially seeing advertisements on your favorite team’s uniforms distress and annoy you? Or do you think its no big deal and a change that the NBA should make to increase its earning power? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and feelings on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 4/5/16
Oklahoma shooting guard Buddy Hield‘s draft stock has risen markedly over the course of the 2015/16 campaign. The 22-year-old began the season as a projected second-round pick, but his stellar play now has Hield in line to be an early lottery pick this June. NBA scouts and front office personnel will have to make the call as to whether Hield’s senior season breakout was a fluke or if the scorer has the potential to be the next Stephen Curry, who is arguably the best player in the NBA right now. Curry was severely underestimated coming out of college and lasted until the No. 7 overall pick in 2009. He was selected after Ricky Rubio, Tyreke Evans and Jonny Flynn, which certainly proves that the scouts don’t always get it right when evaluating and projecting how well players will transition into professional ball.
Hield appeared in 33 games for the Sooners this season and notched career-best numbers in virtually every statistical category. The shooting guard averaged 25.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists to accompany a shooting line of .498/.462/.890 for the 2015/16 campaign. While Hield certainly has scouts buzzing about his potential, it remains to be seen if he was a one-year wonder or if he’s set to become the next big thing in the NBA.
That brings me to the topic for today: How successful will Buddy Hield be in the NBA?
There have been numerous players throughout the years who filled up stat sheets and lit up scoreboards in college but were unable to succeed in the NBA. Will Hield be the next Jimmer Fredette, or is he in line to follow in Curry’s footsteps and prove all of his doubters wrong once he hits the NBA hardwood? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and predictions for Hield’s professional career. We look forward to what you have to say.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 4/4/16
The NBA took a break on Monday, ceding the spotlight to the NCAA title game between Villanova and North Carolina. The championship is sure to attract a big audience but the ratings, compared to recent seasons, are virtually certain to drop.
Why? College basketball’s championship landed on cable this year, with TBS paying for the broadcast rights. According to a New York Times article, CBS and TBS will take turns broadcasting the title game through 2024.
While a majority of Americans have cable, it’s still somewhat controversial to not broadcast a major sports championship on network TV. Not too long ago, it would have been considered taboo to deny anyone without cable the opportunity to watch a championship game.
Of course, times have changed, with more people watching sports on their phones and computers. Yet, selling the broadcast rights for a major sports championship to a cable company still raises some eyebrows.
For the most part, top professional championships have remained on broadcast TV, including the Super Bowl, NBA Finals and World Series. But many playoff games can only be seen on cable TV.
Some other big events, such as the new College Football Playoff and top tennis tournaments, have been moved to ESPN and other cable stations.
The NBA broadcasts many of its playoff games on TNT, ESPN and even NBA TV. But the Finals have remained on ABC, allowing everyone with a TV access to the best-of-seven series.
This leads us to our question of the day: Would you have a problem with the NBA broadcasting the Finals on a cable network, like the NCAA has done with its major basketball and football title games?
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 4/3/16
Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young aren’t injured, but Nets GM Sean Marks announced today that they will be held out of games for the rest of the season. The Kings began resting their best players earlier this week, and coach George Karl said Friday that DeMarcus Cousins won’t play any more road games this season.
Sacramento has incentive to protect its first-round draft pick, which will go to Chicago if it falls outside the top 10. The Kings are currently seventh in Hoops Rumors’ reverse standings with a 31-46 record, but only one and a half games separate them from 11th-place Orlando. The Knicks, Nuggets and Bucks are also in that mix. That’s likely why Cousins, Rajon Rondo and Rudy Gay were held out of last Monday’s game, along with Marco Belinelli, who has an aching right foot.
Brooklyn doesn’t have to worry about its first-rounder, which is already pledged to Boston with no protection. The Nets are more concerned about possible injuries to Lopez and Young, who are their most productive players and best potential trade assets. “I think two people had gotten injured playing in meaningless games finishing up the season,” Lopez said to ESPN.com’s Mike Mazzeo. “So [Marks] just wanted to take sort of a precautionary angle going forward.”
Resting healthy players isn’t a new issue in the NBA. Contending teams have been doing it for years, especially once their playoff fates are sealed. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been willing to risk league discipline for giving his stars a night off when he believes a grueling schedule calls for it. In 2012, he was famously fined $250K for leaving Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green in San Antonio for a televised game in Miami.
But resting players to keep them fresh for the playoffs is different than keeping them out to avoid losing a draft pick or to prevent a late-season injury. There are ethical concerns, especially when fans pay high ticket prices to watch stars perform. That leads us to tonight’s question: Should the NBA adopt new rules to prevent the resting of healthy players and should the Nets and Kings be punished for their actions?
Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the topic. We look forward to what you have to say.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 4/1/16
Stories of unhappiness continue to emerge from Washington, and coach Randy Wittman seems most likely to pay the price. It has been a disappointing season for the Wizards, who entered tonight 10th in the Eastern Conference, three games out of a playoff spot at 36-39. With seven games remaining, they would need to leapfrog both the Pacers and Bulls just to earn a place in the postseason.
Much more was expected from a team that went 46-36 a year ago and won a playoff series. Injuries have been part of the problem, but the real reasons for the Wizards’ poor showing go much deeper, as J. Michel of CSN Mid-Atlantic details. The team is making too many poor decisions on the court, Michael writes, and there has been constant feuding between veterans and younger players. There are also charges that the backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal can be too stubborn and difficult to approach during games.
Another problem Michael addresses is communication, especially on defense where he says the team does a poor job of switching on screens. Much of the blame for that falls on Wittman, who Michael says is slow to make in-game adjustments and who has seen his authority questioned publicly several times this season.
Wittman had a dispute with Marcin Gortat in November when he criticized the center for finishing a game with just one rebound. Gortat went months without talking to his coach about the incident, and hard feelings persist between them. Michael claims they have had a “checkered” relationship since Gortat first arrived in Washington in 2013.
Wittman guided poor teams in Cleveland and Minnesota before being promoted to head coach of the Wizards midway through the 2011/12 season. His overall record in Washington is 173-197, and Washington’s back-to-back playoff appearances are the only two winning seasons of his career. He has one year remaining on his contract, but next season only carries a partial guarantee.
That brings us to the topic for tonight. Should the Wizards fire Wittman once the season is over, and who should replace him if they do? There are plenty of proven coaches on the market right now. David Blatt, Tom Thibodeau, Kevin McHale and Monty Williams all guided teams into the playoffs last season. If the Wizards believe they have a real shot at Kevin Durant in free agency, maybe former Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks should get some consideration. Or should the Wizards concentrate on the college ranks and try to duplicate the success that Billy Donovan has brought to the Thunder?
Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the topic. We look forward to what you have to say.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/31/16
A year after giving Jimmy Butler one of the richest contracts in franchise history, the Bulls are reportedly thinking about putting the All-Star shooting guard on the trading block. Back in July, Butler turned down a host of other suitors and signed a five-year, $92.34MM deal to stay in Chicago.
It was supposed to mark the continuation of a dream backcourt alongside point guard Derrick Rose, but the injury-plagued Bulls have struggled to gain traction in the Eastern Conference and are in danger of missing the playoffs as the regular season enters its final two weeks. Moreover, rumblings have emerged about a power struggle behind the scenes involving Butler and Rose.
When Butler made comments in December suggesting that new coach Fred Hoiberg was too “laid back” to be successful, Nick Friedell of ESPN.com saw it as an effort to step out of Rose’s shadow and claim leadership of the team. Friedell also indicated that Butler was speaking for several players in the Bulls’ locker room, but it wasn’t clear if Rose was among them. Rumors of a rift between the star guards had been simmering since Butler signed his new contract, and a Chicago Sun-Times report in October indicated through an unidentified source that Butler doesn’t respect Rose’s work ethic.
There’s little doubt that changes are coming in Chicago this summer, whether or not the Bulls can squeak into the playoffs. Pau Gasol has already said it’s likely that he will opt out of his contract. Joakim Noah, who has been sidelined since mid-January with a separated shoulder, is also headed toward free agency and may be leaving town.
But the most important decision for GM Gar Forman may be whether to bring an end to the Butler-Rose pairing. Butler still has four years and $72.475MM left on the deal he signed last summer, although the final season is a player option, while Rose is under contract for one more year at $21,323,250.
That brings us to the topic for this evening: If the Bulls decide to break up their backcourt, should they trade away Butler or Rose? Butler is 26 and has become the team’s most reliable scorer, putting up his second straight season with a scoring average above 20 points per game. Rose is 27 and appears to be leaving behind the effects of the ACL injury that cost him the entire 2012/13 season. Tonight’s game is his 63rd of the season, which is the most he has played since 2010/11, although his scoring and assist numbers are well below what they were five years ago.
Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the topic. We look forward to what you have to say.