Texas Notes: Spurs, Lin, Rockets, Holloway
We rounded up news from the Mavericks earlier today as they continue their European tour, but there's still more from the Lone Star state, where the Spurs, with an 18-to-1 shot, are the most likely of the three Texas teams to win the championship, according to odds released today by the Bovada sports book.
- The Spurs have announced Sean Marks as their new director of basketball operations and GM of the Austin Toros, their D-League affiliate.
- The Rockets' commitment of more than $25MM to Jeremy Lin, a player with a tiny sample size of success whom the Knicks passed on keeping, says much about the team's inability to break out of a cycle of mediocrity, Fran Blinebury of Rockets.com writes.
- With 11 players eligible to be sent down to the D-League at some point this season, Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside examines how the Rio Grande Valley Vipers will play a key role in player development this season for the Rockets, their parent club. Pilato notes Scott Machado and Kyle Fogg have given their blessing to D-League assignments this season if the Rockets want to send them down.
- Fellow Ridiculous Upside scribe Keith Schlosser wonders what's next for former Xavier guard Tu Holloway, a training camp invitee whom the Mavs curiously let go before camp even began.
Mavericks Notes: Deron, Cuban, Nowitzki
Yesterday, Nets guard Deron Williams made waves when he disclosed that Mark Cuban’s absence from his summer meeting with the Mavericks helped shape his decision to stay put. The point guard and his agent had a chance to speak with Mavs brass including coach Rick Carlisle and president Donnie Nelson, but was irked that the club’s owner was busy filming an episode of “Shark Tank” for ABC instead. Here’s Cuban’s response plus more out of Dallas..
- In an email to Howard Beck of the New York Times, Cuban quipped that he was “kind of surprised” by the remarks before adding, “I’m even more surprised that he didn’t say something to the effect of, ‘I am so excited about what the Nets did this summer. It wouldn’t have mattered what Cuban did.’“
- Before entering the NBA draft, Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki flirted with the idea of playing professionally in Spain for FC Barcelona, writes Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Despite that, the big man says that he probably doesn’t see himself playing for Barcelona when his career is through.
- Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram isn’t buying Williams’ excuse for why he chose the Nets over the Mavericks. The point guard was quick to say that Brooklyn’s acquisition of Joe Johnson helped sway him back to the club and doesn’t buy that Cuban’s absence from their meeting had a bigger impact than that.
Southwest Rumors: Mayo, Nowitzki, Leonard
Southwest Division teams haven't been shy about making cuts the past few days. The Spurs let go of Sherron Collins on Friday, and Sunday the Grizzlies waived D.J. Kennedy and Jarrid Famous. The Hornets will reportedly shorten their preseason bench as well, as they're set to waive Dominique Morrison. While the competition for space on the fringes of the roster gets more intense, more established players can plan far beyond October.
- O.J. Mayo deemed his time with the Grizzlies "a little bit of a failure," according to Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype (Sulia link). "I felt like I could have done better (in Memphis)," Mayo said. "Starting and then moving to bench would be tough on everybody. I had started all my life, so that was something I had to adjust to. It's a new opportunity in Dallas, so I have to play hard and hold my ground."
Earlier updates:
- Dirk Nowitzki, in Spain on the Mavs' European tour, said he was recruited by Spanish club FC Barcelona before he came over to play in the NBA, and didn't completely rule out playing in Europe after he completes the final two years of his contract with Dallas. He told reporters, including Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News, that he might favor the the shorter European schedule if his body no longer feels up to an 82-game season, but cautioned, "All that is a possibility, but as of now, I don’t actually see a chance.’’
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has spoken about his desire for Kawhi Leonard to spend his entire career with the team , and though the second-year player is a long way off from free agency, Leonard says he's open to remaining with the Spurs long-term, and cites Tim Duncan as his example to follow, writes Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.
- Rockets coach Kevin McHale, on KBME radio Houston with Matt Thomas, said all five starting spots are up for grabs (transcription via Eric Schmoldt of Sports Radio Interviews).
Amico On Mavs, Clippers, Hornets, Bobcats
Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio has posted some thoughts from the weekend's preseason action, including impressions of players that have changed teams this offseason:
- Amico was impressed with the Dallas debuts of Chris Kaman and O.J. Mayo, both of whom signed with the Mavs this summer.
- Out of the several veterans the Clippers signed this offseason, Amico says that Jamal Crawford and Matt Barnes made positive first impressions, while Lamar Odom looked considerably less impressive.
- Amico writes that Hornets rookies Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers had good performances in their preseason debuts.
- Second overall pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and third overall pick Bradley Beal had strong showings in the Bobcats' victory over the Wizards, Amico writes.
- New Bobcats acquisitions Ben Gordon and Ramon Sessions also had strong performances off the bench, writes Amico.
Southwest Notes: Rockets, Lin, White, Mavs
News and notes out of the Southwest..
- One person close to the Sixers believes that Rockets GM Daryl Morey must have been blinded by statistics to have given Jeremy Lin a $25MM deal, writes Mitch Lawrence of the Daily News. The Sixers are going to be using more statistical analysis under new owner Josh Harris, but the Philly insider says that the club isn't going to "be like the Rockets."
- All of Royce White's teammates offered him support in the wake of his request to travel via bus to a portion of the team's road games this year, writes Chris Duncan of the Associated Press. The Rockets rookie has been struggling with an anxiety disorder as well as a fear of flying. He was absent from the start of Rockets camp as he worked to come to an agreement with the club, but the two sides quickly worked things out.
- The newly formed Mavs frontcourt of Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman could be among the best in the league this year if both stay healthy, writes Derek Page of HoopsWorld. Also helping their cause is the addition of Elton Brand, who plans to play the role of enforcer for Dallas this year.
Odds & Ends: Dirk, Smith, Johnson, Vucevic
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Friday evening:
- Dirk Nowitzki wants to play beyond the two seasons remaining on his contract, writes Eddie Sefko of SportsDayDFW.com.
- J.R. Smith tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com that he would rather start than come off the bench for the Knicks this season.
- Stefan Swiat of Suns.com writes that Wesley Johnson has looked strong in training camp. The third-year guard was acquired by Phoenix from the Timberwolves in a three-team deal in July.
- Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel speculates that Nikola Vucevic, acquired from Philadelphia in the Dwight Howard trade, will replace Howard as the Magic's starting center.
- Raptors coach Dwayne Casey tells Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun that he expects John Lucas to be a contributor this season.
Southwest Notes: Rockets, Hornets, Mavericks
- Jonathan Feigen of Ultimate Rockets gives an injury update from Houston, writing that the team is without Donatas Motiejunas (due to an infection) and Shaun Livingston (groin muscle injury). In another piece, Feigen pointed out how Carlos Delfino's veteran experience will significantly help the team's young core of players. Lastly, Jason Friedman of Rockets.com relayed his observations from the team's third day of camp, specifically highlighting Delfino, Kevin Martin, and Jeremy Lin.
- Jim Eichenhofer of Hornets.com sheds light on New Orleans forward Hakim Warrick, who hopes to replicate the same success he had as a key reserve with the Grizzlies after recent subpar seasons in Phoenix. Separately, Eichenhofer writes about how Roger Mason will be relied on for his leadership and three-point shooting ability. John Reid of the Times-Picayune discusses his take on what will be expected from both Warrick and Mason this year.
- Earl K. Sneed of NBA.com provided a brief rundown of the sixth official day at Mavericks camp as the team prepares for its first pre-season game in Berlin. Tim Cowlishaw of SportsDay DFW thinks that while the team will be fun to watch this year, they won't be in the discussion for title contention.
- Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Edge notes his observations from the Grizzlies practice session today after an emotional Wednesday in which the team learned that VP of Basketball Operations Dana Davis had passed away.
Southwest Notes: Grizzlies, Mayo, Collison, Lin
The Grizzlies ended practice early today upon the news that Dana Davis, the team's vice president of basketball operations, had been found dead in his apartment, as Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported. The Grizzlies released a statement detailing his role with the team, in which he oversaw programs that worked toward personal, professional and social development of players, as well as his extensive community outreach work. Davis was a member of the National Civil Rights Museum Board of Directors. Here's more from the Southwest Division:
- Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle appears to have anointed O.J. Mayo as the starter at two-guard, as Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star Telegram tweets. "He’s going to be a starter for us, whereas he’s been a sixth man for Memphis," the coach said.
- Carlisle also has praise for new point guard Darren Collison, who must replace a championship-winning point guard in Jason Kidd and endure comparisons to would-be Mav Deron Williams, as HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram writes. "I always feel like in the NBA you’ve got to be your own player," Collison said. "Deron Williams is a good player, and I’m pretty sure Mavs fans would love for him to come here, but I’m my own player. I have a job to do here. My job is to win and make this team successful, and that’s it."
- Jeremy Lin told Matt Thomas of KBME radio in Houston that it was difficult to fight off complacency and keep his edge amid his sudden rise of the top. Chris Fedor of Sports Radio Interviews has the transcription.
- Jonathan Tjarks of RealGM.com gives his Southwest Division preview.
Mavericks Waive D.J. Mbenga, Tu Holloway
Just a few days after officially signing them, the Mavericks have waived D.J. Mbenga and Tu Holloway, the team announced today in a press release. With Mbenga and Holloway no longer on the training camp roster, the team now has 16 players under contract.
With the preseason still a few days from getting underway, the timing of the moves seems a little unusual. Dallas was under no pressure to reduce its roster size yet, and I would've assumed the club would at least take a look at Mbenga and Holloway in camp this week. Perhaps the pair of players is being given the chance to explore other opportunities, though that's just my speculation.
Mbenga, 31, has appeared in 234 career games for the Mavericks, Warriors, Lakers, and Hornets, and was reportedly prepared to join Dallas' D-League affiliate if he didn't earn a spot on the team. Holloway, 23, was ranked as this year's 68th-best prospect by ESPN.com's Chad Ford but went undrafted. The 6'0" point guard averaged 17.5 PPG and 4.9 APG in his senior year at Xavier before playing for the Mavs' summer league squad in July.
Odds & Ends: Jefferson, Batum, Brand, Nene
In a busy NBA offseason, the Jazz haven't been talked about a great deal on a national level after adding Randy Foye and Marvin Williams to a talented young core. However, big man Al Jefferson is certainly taking notice. Referring to former General Manager Kevin O'Connor and current GM Dennis Lindsey, Jefferson said "The GMs did a hell of a job improving our team. I feel a lot better," tweets Steve Luhm of The Salt Lake Tribune. Jefferson is also entering his walk year, but he says that he hasn't given it any thought (Twitter link). Here's more from around the league as Sunday turns into Monday..
- Joe Freeman of The Oregonian looks at the biggest questions facing the Blazers this season. Among them is whether Nicolas Batum can take the next big step and justify the $45MM contract he was given this summer. Part of that leap will be an attitude adjustment as Batum often appears to look passive on the floor.
- Mavericks forward Elton Brand says that he expects to serve as the club's enforcer in 2012/13, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. Dallas claimed the former All-Star off of waivers back in July after he was amenstied by the 76ers.
- If the Wizards hope to turn things around this year, they'll need a major contribution from forward Nene, writes Michael Lee of The Washington Post. Nene, acquired at last year's deadline from Denver, has battled back from two major setbacks in his career and will have to stay healthy in order for the Wizards to stay competitive this season.