Community Shootaround

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/7/16

March 7th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Warriors have a chance to do something unprecedented before this season’s playoffs begin. With an almost unfathomable 55-6 record, Golden State can take its place in NBA lore by breaking the 1995/96 Bulls’ record for most wins during the regular season.

A stunning loss to the Lakers on Sunday has placed their run toward history in some jeopardy, but the Warriors have shown the ability to bounce back from their most recent losses. They reeled off 11 consecutive victories after the Pistons blew them out in January, and they collected seven straight wins after a 32-point loss to the Trail Blazers coming out of the All-Star break.

Thus, that 72-10 benchmark still seems attainable, considering the Warriors are invincible at home and pretty close to that on the road. They’ve also been blessed by good health this season. Like any team, they’ve got some minor aches and pains — reigning Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry recently sat out a game with an ankle sprain — but they have all their major pieces available heading into the final 21 games of the season.

The schedule also works in the Warriors’ favor. They begin a stretch of six home games tonight, mostly against teams out of the playoff picture. They also play nine of their last 12 games at home.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr realizes the record is well within the team’s grasp, but he has other priorities. As Marc J. Spears of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports recently reported, Kerr plans to rest some of his regulars at times during the remainder of the season.

“Resting, that will take precedence,” Kerr told Spears. “We will rest guys if they need it before we will go for any kind of streak or record, that’s for sure.”

While winning back-to-back championships must be the priority for the Warriors, Kerr’s sentiment can’t be good news for the league. A sustained run toward the record would rank as the No. 1 sports story over the next five weeks, even superseding the start of the baseball season and NFL free agency.

Moreover, the Warriors have won so many games by wide margins, their starters haven’t logged a lot of minutes. None of their players is in the top 20 in minutes played and only one, power forward Draymond Green (34.4 per game) cracks the top 30.

Kerr could take another approach, such as limiting the regulars’ minutes even more rather than holding them out of games. It would be a shame if the Warriors fail to break the record because some of their best players were wearing street clothes.

This leads us to our question of the day: Will the Warriors match or surpass the Bulls’ 1995/96 NBA record of 72 regular-season victories?

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 3/6/16

March 6th, 2016 at 11:30pm CST by Arthur Hill

Some years in the NBA, more player movement happens after the trade deadline. After a relatively calm deadline passed in February, some big names have changed teams through buyout agreements. And some of the league’s best teams have improved themselves for a playoff run.

In the East, the Heat signed Joe Johnson, who was probably the most coveted player under buyout consideration. Johnson has been a consistent scorer for more than a decade and gives Miami a much-needed 3-point shooter. He averaged 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists with the Nets before they let him go and has been a valuable part of Miami’s offense in his brief time there. The Hawks added ex-Suns power forward Kris Humphries to fill in for the injured Tiago Splitter. Humphries averaged 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 28 games with Washington before being traded to Phoenix. The Pacers are gambling on former Rockets point guard Ty Lawson, who is expected to sign Monday to serve as a backup to George Hill. Lawson washed out in Houston, but he was third in the league in assists last season with 9.6 per game while scoring 15.2 points a night.

Out West, David Lee left the Celtics for the Warriors in the first major move of the buyout season. Lee has fallen out of the rotation the past two seasons with Boston and Golden State, but he was an All-Star with the Warriors as recently as 2012/13. The Spurs bolstered their backcourt with the addition of Andre Miller and the expected signing of Kevin Martin. Both had their playing time reduced in Minnesota, but they have been solid contributors over the years. The Warriors added to their bench with the pickup of Anderson Varejao, a dependable rebounder and defender during his years in Cleveland.

There have also been some smaller moves. The Bucks added Steve Novak, who was knocked out for the season shortly afterward, and the Wizards signed J.J. Hickson. Both were coming off buyouts with the Nuggets. Chase Budinger is expected to join the Suns after a buyout with Indiana. Some players were waived without buyouts, as JaKarr Sampson went from Philadelphia to Denver and John Jenkins moved from Dallas to Phoenix, among other examples.

That brings me to tonight’s topic: Which team has done the most to improve since the trade deadline passed? Does landing Johnson make the Heat a more serious playoff threat? Will Lawson rejuvenate his career with the Pacers? Did the Warriors and Spurs make themselves even more unbeatable with their moves?

Please share your thoughts and opinions on the topic in the comments section. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/5/16

March 5th, 2016 at 8:40pm CST by Arthur Hill

The NBA’s oldest team picked up more veteran help this week as the Spurs signed point guard Andre Miller and reached a contract agreement with shooting guard Kevin Martin. Both players came off waivers from Minnesota after agreeing to contract buyouts as the Timberwolves turned their eyes toward the future.

They both were experiencing reduced roles before parting ways with the Wolves. Miller averaged 3.4 points and 2.2 assists in just 26 games this season. Martin, who averaged 20 points per game last year, was down to 10.6 as the Wolves cut his playing time by 12 minutes a night.

But the Spurs won’t be looking for much more than spot duty from either player, along with the specialized skills and playoff experience they bring to San Antonio. Miller’s reliable passing and reputation as a floor general, combined with Martin’s shooting touch and ability to spread the floor, can make them valuable in a playoff series.

Turning to veterans is certainly nothing new in San Antonio. The Spurs now have the league’s two oldest players on their roster in Miller and Tim Duncan, who are both 39. In addition, they have Manu Ginobili at 38, Rasual Butler at 36 and Matt Bonner and David West, both at 35. Butler or Bonner may wind up getting waived to open a roster spot for Martin, who is a relative child at 33. The average age of the Spurs’ roster is 31.8, according to RealGM, making them the only team in the league above 30.

The Spurs, of course, were doing just fine without Miller and Martin. They are 52-9 entering tonight’s game and a perfect 29-0 at home. They are firmly entrenched in the second spot in the Western Conference, three and a half games behind the record-setting Warriors. They also have a playoff-tested roster and coaching staff that make them an extremely difficult postseason matchup.

That brings me to tonight’s topic: How much will Miller and Martin help the Spurs over the rest of the season and the playoffs? Do they make San Antonio’s bench even deeper and more dangerous? Will they adjust quickly to the Spurs’ unselfish offense and rapid ball movement? Or is San Antonio in danger of having too many old guys and not being able to keep up with a younger team in a seven-game series?

Please share your thoughts and opinions on the topic in the comments section. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/4/16

March 4th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

LeBron James famously broke the hearts of Cleveland fans in 2010 with his “decision” to take his talents to Miami and the Heat. The move paid off handsomely for James, who helped guide the franchise to four straight trips to the NBA Finals, garnering two championships for his troubles. His return to the Cavaliers last season was supposed to be a homecoming of sorts, but the team has had its struggles despite reaching the NBA Finals in 2014/15. Adding to the intrigue and turmoil in Cleveland is James’ preference to ink one-year deals that afford him the opportunity to leave Ohio once again for what he may perceive as greener pastures if he is unhappy with the state of the franchise.

James and his Cavs teammates reportedly don’t have great chemistry, which only adds fuel to the fire for those who speculate that James may end up departing after this season. LeBron turned some heads this week with his decision to take a jaunt to Miami during consecutive off days to work out with his friend and former teammate Dwyane Wade. “What do I go there for? Go there ’cause I want to,” James said. “I would love to go to L.A., but I’ll take two and a half [hour flight] over four and a half. I’ve got a house in L.A., but it makes more sense for me to go south than go west. But I go because I want to.”

If LeBron wanted to defuse the situation, regardless of whether he felt he needed to or not, he didn’t help things with a series of cryptic tweets he posted a short time later. “Can’t replace being around great friends that reciprocate the same energy back to you in all facets of life,” James wrote, in what appears to be an obvious reference to Wade. It’s unclear if this is a condemnation of his relationship with his teammates in Cleveland or just an appreciation for the Heat shooting guard’s continuing friendship. Regardless of James’ intent, it was what he posted next that is truly interesting. “It’s OK to know you’ve made a mistake. Cause we all do at times. Just be ready to live with whatever that comes with it and be with those who will protect you at all cost!”

The 31-year-old declined to explain the tweets, but he did deny they were directed at his current team. “I don’t want to explain it, and no, [it wasn’t] directed at a teammate,” James said. Whether or not you accept James’ assertion that it wasn’t directed at a teammate, it wouldn’t be the first time James took to social media to call out another player or express his displeasure.

This brings me to the topic for today: Will LeBron James leave the Cavaliers as a free agent once again?

There’s no denying that it would be a public relations nightmare for James if he were to abandon his home state team a second time, but with his career winding down, James could decide his on-court legacy is more important than upsetting and potentially alienating the state of Ohio. But what say you? Will LeBron ditch the Cavs again? More importantly, should he do so? There is also the question of what team would he go to. Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/3/16

March 3rd, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge is reportedly seeking a player who can transform the franchise and is willing to pay handsomely for the right acquisition. Boston was reportedly connected to a number of marquee players at this year’s trade deadline, including Sixers rookie Jahlil Okafor, Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony, Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler, Pacers combo forward Paul George, Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love and Hawks big man Al Horford.

Ainge was reportedly willing to include the Nets’ 2016 first-rounder in the right deal, despite the excellent chance that Brooklyn’s pick will be in the top three overall come June. The Celtics are concerned that they will have too many young players on their roster next season if they retain their entire cache of acquired picks, so it’s highly likely the team will be active leading up to the draft in its attempts to acquire a star-caliber player, according to Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. “The term I’ve heard with Danny is that he’s looking for a ‘difference maker,’” a league source told the Herald scribe. “He’s definitely willing to pay you for the right guy, but he wants someone who can move them to the next level.”

This brings me to the topic for today: Which rumored Celtics trade deadline target would have been the best fit in Boston?

Take to the comments section below to share your opinion on which player mentioned in the opening paragraph would have made the biggest impact on the Celtics organization. Who would have been worth the exorbitant cost it would have taken to acquire? Or are you of the opinion that not making a blockbuster trade and retaining Brooklyn’s 2016 first-rounder was a blessing in disguise considering the talent likely to be available at that draft slot? We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/2/16

March 2nd, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Knicks’ 2015/16 season has quickly spiraled out of control and with an overall record of 25-37, the team’s playoff chances appear to be slim at best. One reason for New York’s woeful record has been the performance of the team’s point guards, who have done little to distinguish themselves this campaign. Starter Jose Calderon has looked far older than his 34 years of age while contributing just 7.6 points and 3.4 assists per contest. Backing up Calderon are second-year playmaker Langston Galloway and rookie Jerian Grant, neither of whom appear to be the short-term answer, much less the long-term solution for the team at the one spot.

With 2015/16 all but over for the Knicks, the focus should shift toward finding players who can help the team next season. New York apparently won’t re-sign Jimmer Fredette after his 10-day contract expires at the end of today, which isn’t a surprise given his lackluster track record since entering the NBA and relative ineffectiveness during his brief run with the team. The Knicks will also take a pass on signing Ty Lawson, who’s poised to become a free agent in the wake of his buyout from the Rockets, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. The Knicks reportedly spoke with the Rockets about trading for Lawson before last month’s deadline, but New York’s playoff hopes have faded since then.

While Lawson reportedly remains a possibility in free agency this summer for the Knicks, the team currently has a specific interest in adding younger players, according to interim coach Kurt Rambis. This raises the possibility that New York could look to ink Ray McCallum, who cleared waivers today following his release from the Spurs, former Trail Blazer Tim Frazier or former Sixer Tony Wroten, whom the team recently met with. New York is more likely to ink McCallum or Frazier than Wroten, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.

This brings me to the topic for today: Which available point guard should the Knicks sign?

Should the Knicks take a chance on Lawson despite the potential baggage he brings with him, or should the team look for younger players it can develop? If the younger route is the one you’re advocating, then whom should the team target and try to develop? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 3/1/16

March 1st, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Outspoken Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban has never been shy about voicing his opinions about the state of the NBA and his latest idea involves moving back the 3-point line, as he told ESPN during Friday night’s win over the Nuggets (h/t Tim McMahon of ESPN.com). Cuban, prompted by watching the two teams launch a combined 58 3-point attempts that night, had this to say: “It’s getting too close. Guys are shooting a foot behind it anyways. That’s something we should look at. It’s worth looking at. I don’t think the number of shots would decline, but I think it would reward skill and open up the court some more. So guys would still take [3-point] shots if it’s seven inches back or whatever, but at the same time, it opens up the court for more drives, more midrange game.”

While many will automatically assume this stance is motivated by the unreal shooting range of Golden State’s Stephen Curry, the Mavs owner insisted this change would benefit players by opening up other scoring opportunities. “I think it’d open it up more so guys with different skill sets could play,” Cuban said. “It would open up play for more drives. Guys with midrange games would be rewarded and that would stay in the game. There would be more diversity of offensive action in the game. You’d see a little bit of decline in the 3. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing that we shoot so many 3s, but it’s worth it in the D-League to see what happens [with a deeper 3-point line].”

This brings me to the topic for today: Should the NBA adjust the distance of the 3-point line?

Is this simply an overreaction to Curry’s play, or is there an issue with the game that needs to be addressed? As a basketball purist at heart, I often lament the decline of the midrange jumper and miss the days when skilled big men would dominate the paint area. While I certainly appreciate the athleticism displayed by the NBA’s top stretch-fours and perimeter-oriented big men, a major part of me still longs for the days of Hakeem Olajuwan, David Robinson and Patrick Ewing battling it out in the post. The 3-point shot has never been used more freely than it has been this season, with players currently on pace to nail 58,477 in total, which would easily shatter the league record of 55,137, as McMahon notes.

But what say you? Should the 3-point line be adjusted, or is the game fine with the current layout? Are there any other changes that you suggest be made to help make a more exciting and diverse on-court product? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 2/29/16

March 1st, 2016 at 12:00am CST by Dana Gauruder

The NBA season is entering the homestretch with approximately six weeks to go in the regular season. With most teams near or at the 60-game mark, it’s not too early to call some of them underachievers.

Glancing at the standings, there are six teams that best fit that category. The Rockets certainly qualify, as they head into the week one game under .500. No one could have expected a team led by superstars James Harden and Dwight Howard to be floundering.

The other Western Conference team that easily qualifies as a major disappointment is the Pelicans. They were supposed to be on the upswing with Anthony Davis leading the way and Alvin Gentry taking over as head coach, but they’re currently 12 games under .500.

The Eastern Conference has its share of disappointments as well. The Hawks entered last season’s playoffs as the conference’s top seed but they’ve come back to the pack this year with a 33-27 record.

The Bulls are loaded with big-name veterans but it’s been a rocky campaign in the Windy City. They head into their final 24 games just two games above the .500 mark and in some danger of missing the postseason.

Any team with John Wall at the controls should be better than the Wizards’ current 28-30 mark. Washington is on the outside looking in for a playoff berth.

Entering training camp, it seemed like the Bucks were on the upswing with young pieces surrounding free agent prize Greg Monroe. Instead, Milwaukee is wallowing at the bottom of the Central Division, 11 games under the .500 mark.

This leads us to our question of the day: Which team has been the biggest underachiever this season?

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 2/27/16

February 27th, 2016 at 11:35pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Heat scored the biggest prize on the buyout market when they reached an agreement with Joe Johnson. Owner Micky Arison announced the news with a tweet shortly after Johnson cleared waivers at 4pm Central, adding that Johnson will be in uniform for Sunday night’s game with the Knicks.

Johnson hit the open market on Thursday when he agreed to a buyout with the Nets. Even at age 34, he remains a productive player, averaging 11.8 points in 57 games with Brooklyn and shooting 37.1% from 3-point range. That number is especially important to the Heat, who have been searching for long-distance shooting all season and ranked 28th in 3-pointers made entering Saturday.

The addition of Johnson brings some good news to a roster that has been beset by injury. Forward/center Chris Bosh may have to sit out the rest of the season with a blood-clot issue in his left calf. Backup point guard Beno Udrih is expected to miss three months after having surgery on his right foot. And combo guard Tyler Johnson is in danger of missing the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, though he hopes to return in April.

The signing of Johnson has been drawing praise inside and outside the organization. Shooting guard Dwyane Wade welcomed the addition, saying, “To put somebody on the floor that can shoot the ball, can score in different areas of the floor and make plays, just adds to what we’re trying to do.” LeBron James of the Cavaliers, who along with the Hawks were among the finalists to land Johnson, said, “He’s a great piece for any team.”

That brings me to today’s question: Does Joe Johnson make the Heat a real threat to win the Eastern Conference? Miami is currently fourth in a crowded East race at 32-26. They sit two games behind the third-place Celtics, but only three ahead of the ninth-place Pistons. Can Johnson spark the Miami offense with his 3-point shooting, playmaking and veteran pedigree or will the potential loss of Bosh be too much to overcome?

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

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 2/26/16

February 26th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony has been through four coaches and three general managers since being acquired from Denver five years ago in a blockbuster deal that was supposed to change the tide of New York basketball for the better. Unfortunately for the team and its fanbase, the results have been less than stellar since Anthony arrived in the Big Apple. The franchise has essentially had one standout season during Anthony’s tenure — the 54-win 2012/13 campaign that saw the Knicks reach the second round of the playoffs only to fall in six games to the Pacers. It’s hardly the return the organization envisioned when it gutted the roster to acquire the talented scorer from the Nuggets.

With the 2015/16 campaign rapidly spiraling out of control for the Knicks, there are rumblings that perhaps Anthony wants out of New York and wants greener pastures as his career winds down. The small forward hasn’t been shy about expressing his displeasure at the state of the franchise lately, which only serves to fuel the speculation that Melo’s tenure in New York is coming to an end. “It’s been tough. It’s challenging,” Anthony said. “It’s challenging to kind of stay strong and positive through all this. You can’t control that. When you look at it, how many different coaches? Four different coaches. [A lot of] different players. I mean, that’s a lot to go through.” Several teams reportedly believe that if New York doesn’t make much progress in its rebuilding by the middle of July, Anthony would be willing to waive his no-trade clause for a better chance at competing for an NBA title with another franchise.

The Knicks will have the opportunity to improve themselves via free agency this summer, though top-tier players certainly haven’t been falling over themselves to join the Knicks the past few years. This certainly casts some doubt on team president Phil Jackson‘s ability to add the second star player that Anthony has been clamoring for this offseason. Rookie big man Kristaps Porzingis certainly has the potential to evolve into a superstar, but that may take a few more seasons to come to fruition. With Anthony most certainly in his decline phase at 31 years of age, there’s no guarantee that he will still be considered a star by the time Porzingis is ready to carry the franchise.

This brings me to the topic for today: Should Carmelo Anthony waive his no-trade clause and push for a deal that would get him out of New York? What team would be the best fit?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

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