Gene Cross Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Atlantic Notes: Sixers, Langford, VanVleet, Cross

January 12th, 2021 at 9:04pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Because so many Sixers players are absent as a result of the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, the team is currently relying on its rookies, as Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes.

Seth Curry is quarantining away from the team after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton, and Vincent Poirier are all out due to the league’s health and safety protocols. With those veterans missing, rookies Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe, and Dakota Mathias have all logged significant rotation minutes.

Though All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons returned to action tonight in the Sixers’ hard-fought 137-134 victory tonight against the Heat, wings Furkan Korkmaz and Terrance Ferguson also remained absent. Embiid scored 45 points and pulled down 16 boards.

There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:

Because the Celtics have limited wing depth, second-year swingman Romeo Langford may still break into Boston’s rotation this season, Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston writes. Forsberg notes that Langford is a solid perimeter defender, but must develop his long-range shooting to become a staple.
Though the Raptors are currently the No. 13 seed in the East with a disappointing 2-8 record, newly re-signed 6’1″ guard Fred VanVleet continues to contribute to the level of his $85MM contract, according to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. VanVleet has been the club’s most steady offensive presence, averaging a career-high 20.9 PPG through his first 10 games. “I think the game is just really slow for him right now and that’s a good thing,” fellow starting guard Kyle Lowry said. VanVleet is also averaging a career-high 9.0 three-point attempts per night.
Former Kings amateur scouting director Gene Cross has been added to the Knicks as a college scout, Marc J. Spears of the Undefeated tweets.

Pacific Rumors: Lakers, Mykhailiuk, Kings’ Hires, Teodosic

August 28th, 2018 at 9:52pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Lakers can improve their 3-point shooting in a variety of ways during the upcoming season, as Mark Trudell of the Lakers’ website details. While the Lakers didn’t add quality shooters in free agency to compliment LeBron James, they have some other options who can help them greatly improve upon their second-to-last showing from long range, Trudell continues. Brandon Ingram, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Josh Hart and Kyle Kuzma shot 38.5% or better on threes after the All-Star break last season, Trudell notes. Rookies Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Moe Wagner can help in that area, and the playmaking of James and Rajon Rondo can also facilitate more open looks from deep, Trudell adds.

We have more from around the Pacific Division:

Mykhailiuk will play for the Ukranian national team in the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament next month, according to the Ukranian Federation, Oleksandr Proshuta tweets. Mykhailiuk is paying for his own insurance in case he’s injured during the event, Proshuta adds.
The Kings announced a number of hires to the front office staff in a team press release. Teena Murray has been named Senior Director of Athlete Health and Performance. Other hires to the training staff include Mike Roncarati as Head of Prevention and Reconditioning; Joe Resendez as Head Athletic Trainer; Jesse Green as Performance Analyst. Other additions and promotions include Elizabeth Ramsey as Director of Basketball Operations and Intelligence; Gene Cross as Director of Amateur Scouting; Chris Alpert and Acie Law as regional scouts; and Robbie Lemons as Scouting Coordinator.
A decision on whether Clippers guard Milos Teodosic and center Boban Marjanovic will play for Serbia’s national team during the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in September will be made this week, according to a Sportando report. Serbia plays Greece and Estonia in the event.

Minor Moves: Julian Wright, Gene Cross

September 26th, 2012 at 7:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

A few of the training camp invitees who've been signing deals with teams this month will probably be impressive enough to earn regular season roster spots, but the majority are likely headed elsewhere. Here's the latest from the D-League and overseas:

Julian Wright, whom the Hornets took 13th in the 2007 draft, is close to a deal with the Israeli club Maccabi Rishon LeZion, reports Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. Wright last appeared in the NBA with the Raptors in 2010/11. He spent 16 games with the D-League's Austin Toros last season, averaging 15.1 points and 8.0 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game.
Tim Bontemps of the New York Post takes a look at Gene Cross, whom the Knicks hired yesterday as coach of their D-League affiliate. Cross, who'll be in charge of the Erie Bayhawks, spent last season as an assistant coach with the D-League's Iowa Energy.
Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside spoke with agent B.J. Bass of RBA Sports, who's using the tighter bond between D-League teams and their NBA parent clubs to help his clients land deals.