Hoops Links News & Rumors

On this date in 2001, the  Rockets defeated the Hawks, 110-97, to become the first NBA team in 18 years to sweep an entire division. The Rockets won all 16 games against the Central, becoming the first team to sweep a division since the 1982/83 Lakers swept all 12 of their games against the Central Division.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• The Dribble Drive unveils their united basketball development plan.
• Hardwood Paroxysm says you should still be excited about John Wall and Bradley Beal.
• Red94 reminds you why Greg Smith in the starting lineup is a good thing.
• The Brooklyn Game asks if the Nets should be tanking.
• Celtics Life wonders if the C's finally found a backup one-guard.
• Blog A Bull asks if the Bulls have left it all up to Derrick Rose.
• True Sports Blog looks at John Wall's breakout season.
• Pounding The Rock goes fraternizing with the enemy.
• The Basketball Post breaks down Wichita State's Final Four run.
• A Wolf Among Wolves says tanks but no tanks.
• Rufus On Fire is enthused about Tyrus Thomas.
• Behind The Buck Pass breaks down the assist distribution in Milwaukee.
• Utah Sports Net discussed Enes Kanter's injury on their latest podcast.
• 3SOB searches for the Grizzlies believers.
• Bright Side Of The Sun wonders if Lindsey Hunter's defense is too aggressive.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

In a few days, competing bidders for the Kings will go before the NBA's Board of Governors to make their cases to buy the team.  Groups from Seattle and Sacramento will both present on April 3rd and while it seemed like the Kings moving up north was a done deal a few months ago, it's no longer clear cut.  Who will come out on top?  

Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson gives the group looking to keep the team in California's capital a 90% chance, but something tells me that he might be a little bit biased.  From this outsider's perspective, it appears to be a 50/50 split with a rabid fan base in Seattle starving for basketball pit against a city that has more than 9,000 pledges to buy season tickets if the Kings stay put.  If you're not a Seattle resident or a Kings fan, it's incredibly hard to pick a side to cheer for.  It'll be infinitely more difficult for the league to make the actual call this week.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• Pounding The Rock asks if Kawhi Leonard should have a bigger role on offense.
• Hardwood Paroxysm presents small sample size theatre with Earl Watson.
• Red94 wants to see Omer Asik win Defensive Player of the Year.
• SLC Dunk tells us what the Jazz can learn from the Spurs.
• Hoops Addict praises the play of Jeff Teague.
• The Brooklyn Game looks at the best players to ever come out of BK.
• Blog A Bull captured the best moments from the streak-stopping win.
• Bucksketball talks Milwaukee pre and post-Monta Ellis.
• Bright Side Of The Sun asks if Phoenix is tanking.
• Celtics Life talks Virgil and Dante.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

This week 48 years ago, Willis Reed was named the NBA Rookie of the Year, giving the Knicks their first individual award in franchise history.  Reed, of course, would only grow from there and became the heart and soul of the Knicks' greatest teams on his way to a Hall of Fame career.  The big man's most iconic moment came in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals when he limped out of the tunnel at Madison Square Garden despite an incredibly painful thigh injury and knocked down his first two shots to start the game.  Even though you've seen the clip no less than 100 times, I dare you to watch it again on YouTube and not get goosebumps.

Reed also made an impact on the opposite side of the river with the Nets once his playing career was through, first as coach then as General Manager.  During his tenure as GM, Reed selected Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson in back-to-back drafts and landed the underutilized Drazen Petrovic from the Blazers via trade.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• The Brooklyn Game counts down the best Nets of all-time, starting with Mookie Blaylock.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports gives us some perspective on the Sonics situation.
• Dime Magazine introduces you to Dwayne Wade's secret to success.
• Bleed Green talks Jeff Green.
• HSB Camps praises the efficiency of Marcus Thornton.
• Hoops Addict says the Raptors have to finish strong.
• The Basketball Post is high on Florida as the NCAA tourney gets underway.
• Bucksketball marvels over Monta Ellis.
• Hardwood Paroxysm talks Blazers as one of their top scribes moves on.
• Red94 sat down with the author of "After Artest".
• Rufus On Fire asks if the Bobcats offense is evolving.
• Orlando Pinstriped Post says the Magic are the NBA's least athletic team.
• Blog A Bull defines the Bulls' problems.
• Life On Dumars conducted a roundtable.
• Pounding The Rock says that Tim Duncan is the DPOY.
• SLC Dunk debates which Jazz big man should stay.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

Earlier today, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe shared his chat with Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo about the state of the club.  In the conversation, Colangelo shares his optimism that mid-season acquisition Rudy Gay will help recruit free agents to Toronto.

Finally, after months of back-and-forth talks between the two sides, the Jazz finally reached agreement with Raja Bell on a buyout.  The 36-year-old is now free to go wherever he wants, but he won't be able to join a team for their postseason run as he didn't sign his name on the deal prior to the March 1st deadline.  Some might wonder if the big hold up was Utah being stingy, but that's reportedly not the case.  The team simply stood their ground and refused to give Bell what essentially would have been a reward for his difficult behavior.

In a time when the NBA is unquestionably a player's league, its extremely refreshing to see a team put their foot down and make sure that they avoid setting a bad precedent going forward.  In the Association, players always seem to get their way, whether that means getting a front office gutted, having a coach canned, or getting dealt to the team of their choice.  Bell wanted to bolt for a contender rather than play out his deal in Utah.  He'll eventually get to do that, but it won't be on his terms.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• Bleed Green reminds you why you should love these Celtics.
• Red94 looks at James Harden and the pocket pass.
• The Brooklyn Game goes three-on-three to talk Kris Humphries and more. 
• Bucksketball is waiting to see how Brandon Jennings' passing holds up.
• Always Miller Time says that LeBron James is about as good as it's going to get.
• Pounding The Rock evaluates the contenders at the three-quarters mark.
• Hardwood Houdini breaks down the Celtics' playoff run.
• The Basketball Post isn't sure about which direction the 76ers are headed in.
• Beale Street Bears sizes up the best in the West.
• Hoops Addict respects the play of DeMar DeRozan this year.
• Utah Sports Net feels for the Jazz's wing players.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

On this date in 1995, Suns forward A.C. Green moved past former NBA great Dolph Schayes and into third place on the all-time consecutive games played list, with 707, after playing 38 minutes and scoring 13 points in the Suns’ 122-118 overtime win over visiting Seattle.  Green, also known as "Iron Man", would eventually go on to claim the No. 1 spot.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send a link to your post to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• The Basketball Post tips their cap to Josh Smith and the Hawks.
• Hoops Addict isn't sold on the Grizzlies.
• Bucksketball explains why science loves Larry Sanders.
• The Brooklyn Game has the five best trades in Nets history, starting with Vince Carter.
• The NBA Geek quantifies the value of assists.
• Hardwood Paroxysm reports from the Sloan Analytics Conference.
• Hardwood Houdini is getting ready for March Madness, Celtics style.
• 3 Shades of Blue talks Dexter Pittman.
• The Sixer Sense breaks down a historically weak draft.
• Bright Side of the Sun gives their Sloan recap.
• Rufus On Fire looks at the progression of Kemba Walker.
• A Wolf Among Wolves has noticed some distinct patterns.
• Pounding The Rock asks if the Spurs can survive sans Tony Parker.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

The trade deadline came and went this week and ultimately it wasn't as eventful as we thought it might be.  Most Hoops Rumors readers said that the biggest surprise this week was that Josh Smith wound up staying put with the Hawks.  It only made sense for Atlanta to move the forward given that he is demanding a max deal and the club is unwilling to give him one.  However, the Jazz's decision to stand pat with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap was arguably more surprising.  It seems unlikely that Utah will pony up the money to keep both big men this offseason and it would have made sense to get a return on one of them at the deadline.  Hopefully, both Hawks GM Danny Ferry and Jazz decision maker Dennis Lindsey have something in mind that the rest of the NBA just isn't seeing.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send a link to your post to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• Kingdome of Seattle Sports has an idea for how the Sonics can open with a bang in Seattle.
• Bleed Green talks Celtics post-deadline.
• Bucksketball gives us some myths and truths surrounding the J.J. Redick trade.
• The Brooklyn Game looks at the Nets' five worst trades in team history.
• Always Miller Time likes the Pacers' sunny future.
• Red94 broke down the deadline in their latest podcast.
• NBA247365 bids you adieu.
• Wages Of Wins revisits their preseason picks.
• Utah Sports Net explained why the Jazz were right to stand pat.
• The Basketball Post came down hard on Dwight Howard.
• Pounding The Rock wonders if a quiet deadline benefitted the Spurs.
• Orlando Pinstriped Post crunched the numbers on the Redick deal.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

The 2013 NBA All-Star game gets underway in just a little bit, but the premier event of the weekend went down last night.  No, not the event where Jeff Teague chucked basketballs through garbage cans or where Brook Lopez had a shootaround with WNBA players.  I'm talking, of course, about the Slam Dunk contest, where some of the most iconic moments in the sports' recent history have been made.  

Last night's throwdown, however, lacked the punch and high drama that we have seen in most years.  James White had an entire Flight Crew to back him up on his attempt at a two-handed foul line dunk, but like many before him, was about a step too close to the basket.  Terrence Ross' behind-the-back maneuver was pretty sweet, if not original, but required what seemed like ten missed attempts before being completed.  (For what it's worth, I thought Jeremy Evans' dunk over his own painting stole the show.)

Every year, there's a lot of talk about how to fix the slam dunk contest.  Some people call for the game's biggest stars to enter, but that ultimately wouldn't up the ante for anyone except the most casual of fans.  In 2002, the league attempted to shake things up by introducing the dunk wheel (if you're in the mood to cringe, you can check out the YouTube video here).  So what's the solution? Perhaps the best answer is to accept that not every slam dunk contest will be worthy of texting all of your friends or telling your children about and realizing that some years will be stronger than others.  Oh, and lose Nick Cannon.  That would probably help too.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• Singh Sports News looks at Bryan Colangelo's gutsiest moves.
• Bleed Green updates us on the state of the Celtics at the break.
• Forum Blue and Gold gives us a retrospective on the Lakers and All-Star Saturday.
• Blog A Bull wishes a happy 50th birthday to Michael Jordan.
• Buckets Over Broadway grades the Knicks.
• The Basketball Post has taken notice of the Spurs' improved defensive play.
• Hoops Addict asks if the C's should trade their vets.
• Hardwood Paroxysm profiles Brook Lopez.
• Red94 wants to know the real James Harden.
• Always Miller Time wonders if the All-Star game should be held the same city each year.
• The Sixer Sense has some fun with the trade machine.
• Hardwood Houdini wonders if Jeff Green could save Boston's season.
• Bucksketball is frustrated with Milwaukee's inconsistency.
• The Brooklyn Game hands out their report card for the Nets.
• Utah Sports Net ranks the top 30 one-guard in the Association.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

On this date in 1955, the first woman to be drafted by an NBA team was born.  Yes, you read that right.  After a brilliant collegiate career at Delta State, Lusia Harris went on to be drafted by the New Orleans Jazz in the seventh round of the 1977 NBA draft.  Unfortunately, Harris was pregnant at the time and unable to attend camp.  Two years later, Ann Meyers went to camp with the Indiana Pacers but failed to make the cut.

Do you have a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• Bleed Green looks at the Celtics' addition by subtraction.
• The NBA Geek examines the low usage myth.
• The Basketball Post defends Jeremy Lin.
• Red94 breaks down the Rockets' performance in clutch time.
• Pippen Ain't Easy wants you to cool it on the Derrick Rose clock.
• NBA 247365 showcases the best of the D-League.
• Hardwood Houdini examines Boston's win over the Lakers.
• Bucksketball bows down to Larry Sanders.
• Hoops Addict writes that Jarrett Jack is a perfect fit for Golden State.
• The Brooklyn Game is concerned about the Nets in the long term.
• Wages Of Wins talks Nets, Andrea Bargnani, and bad contracts in their latest podcast.
• Utah Sports Net hits the postgame panic button.
• Pounding The Rock wonders if the Spurs will make a move before the deadline.
• 3 Shades of Blue takes a trip to the Eastern Conference.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

Earlier this week, we saw months of speculation over Rudy Gay's future in Memphis come to an end as he was shipped to the Raptors in a three-team deal involving the Pistons.  In return for Gay and Hamed Haddadi, the Grizzlies got Ed Davis, Tayshaun Prince, Austin Daye, and a whole lot of cap relief to keep them out of luxury tax territory.  It was rumored for months that the Grizzlies would part ways with Gay and the very notion that they would trade the small forward drew jeers from virtually everyone, including pundits, fans, and head coach Lionel Hollins.

"The reality is that we have a very versatile small forward that is 6'9". There aren't many guys out there like that. He can post up, shoot from the perimeter [and] he can attack the basket. He defends LeBron James, he defends Kevin Durant and all these guys that are tall, and strong, and quick and athletic. We don't have another player on our roster with that versatility, and most teams don't. That's the bottom line," the coach told Sports 56 WHBQ in January.

The coach went on to say that people tend to get "hung up on statistics too much", which appeared to be a subtle jab at the club's hiring of former ESPN scribe John Hollinger.  While it's true that Gay's PER of 14.45 (good for 26th amongst small forwards) is underwhelming, the trade had a lot to do with numbers of a different variety.  By moving Gay, the Grizzlies are now $8MM under the luxury tax, which could give them more flexibility to make other moves before the deadline or this summer.

The Grizzlies locker room may not be thrilled about Gay's departure, but it was absolutely vital in order for the franchise to stay competitive in the years to come.  In the short-term, the Grizzlies are 30-16 and can head into the postseason with home court advantage if they can stave off the Warriors and Nuggets in the standings.  Hollins may not be wild about the number crunching going on in Memphis, but there are a couple of figures he needs to zero in on over the next few months – 14 and 4.  As in, if they can finish 14 games or more above .500, they'll likely have a top 4 seed and a chance to make some serious noise in the playoffs.  Even sans Gay, this Zach Randolph-led team is more than capable of doing that.

If you have a great blog piece that you think we should feature next week, then send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the blogosphere..

• Bleed Green explains why Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce aren't going anywhere.
• Beale Street Bears reflects on the Rudy Gay era in Memphis.
• Raptors Republic wonders if Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo is gambling to save his job.
• Life On Dumars has some constructive criticism for Rodney Stuckey.
• Behind The Buck Pass tries to help Monta Ellis fix his poor field goal percentage.
• The Basketball Post talks Tiago Splitter.
• The NBA Geek applauds the Pistons for landing Jose Calderon in the Rudy Gay deal.
• Hardwood Houdini likes the play of Jeff Green.
• Three Shades Of Blue got Steve Kyler's thoughts on the Gay trade.
• Hardwood Paroxysm continues their midseason roundtable.
• The Sixer Sense approves of Thaddeus Young's hustle.
• Red94 examines James Harden's defense.
• Pippen Ain't Easy breaks down the Bulls' best set play.
• Right Down Euclid pits the rookies against the sophomores.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.