Hoops Links News & Rumors

On this date in 1993, Chuck Daly became the 15th coach in NBA history to register 500 career victories, after his Nets defeated the visiting Lakers 106-91.  Daly, who passed away in 2009, enjoyed a remarkable coaching career punctuated by back-to-back world titles with the Pistons and winning the gold medal with the 1992 Dream Team.  

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 looks at trade candidates that can help the Celtics.
• True Sports Blog turns in their breakout players for 2012/13.
• NBA247365 turns in their Eastern Conference All-Star team.
• Utah Sports Net brings the entertainment.
• The NBA Geek stands up for Mike D'Antoni.
• The Basketball Post talks Tiago Splitter.
• Red94 asks if the Rockets should make a run at a prominent big man.
• Hoops Addict is worried about DeMar DeRozan.
• 3 Shades Of Blue feels for Marc Gasol.
• Bucksketball doesn't see a great deal of difference between Jim Boylan and Scott Skiles.
• Hardwood Paroxysm delivers some dual point guard analysis.
• Bright Side Of The Sun gets philosophical.

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

Yesterday, the Suns announced that they have decided to part ways with coach Alvin Gentry.  Phoenix owns the worst record in the Western Conference at 13-28 and team president Lon Babby says that he expected considerably more out of the club in 2012/13.  "I think we gave him a team that was better than the way they were playing," Babby said. "But I don't put that all on him. I don't even put the lion's share on him. That's not what this is about. It's not about winning enough games." 

While Babby exonerated Gentry from much of the finger pointing, he says point blank that he believes that his team is capable of achieving more as assembled.  That's an interesting take, considering that many NBA scribes predicted that the Suns would finish the year in the league cellar.  The Suns made a splash over the summer when they signed unrestricted free agent Goran Dragic, but their second-biggest signing in the post-Steve Nash era was troubled forward Michael Beasley.  So far, that three-year, $18MM pact has yielded them 9.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and a 10.08 PER, good for 50th amongst small forwards.  Gentry might not have been the right man for the job, but it's important to remember that he's wasn't the man in charge of filling out the roster.  The next time the ax swings in Phoenix, it won't land on the bench.

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 examines the Celtics' bench.
• True Sports Blog previews the February trade deadline.
• The Basketball Post sees the Bucks at a crossroads.
• The NBA Geek presents the all-unsung team.
• Rufus On Fire is skeptical of the Bobcats' rise in attendance.
• Blog A Bull isn't thrilled with Tom Thibodeau's playcalling in the fourth quarter.
• Hardwood Paroxysm talks Gentry.
• Hoops Addict looks at the rebuilding era in Orlando.
• SLC Dunk is pleased with the passing in the Jazz frontcourt.
• Truth About It caught up with Bradley Beal.
• Utah Sports Net sat down with C.J. Miles.
• Bright Side Of The Sun says that change was necessary in Phoenix.
• Celtics Life plays 5-on-5.
• The Brooklyn Game remembers Anthony Morrow's time with the Nets.
• Red94 tries to quantify effort in the NBA.

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

On this date in 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored 15 points to become the first player in NBA history to surpass 32,000 career points, as the Lakers topped the Warriors, 131-107.  Kareem would keep that mantle as he continued playing until 1989 and amassed 38,387 in total.  Will we see anyone approach that number anytime soon?  Kobe Bryant is fifth on the all-time list with more than 30,500 points, but the Lakers guard has made it clear that he wants to leave the Association on a high note, before his high-mileage catches up with him.  LeBron James has nearly 20,000 points to his credit and a lot of basketball in front of him, but he still has a tall mountain to climb.

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 likes what they're seeing out of the Celtics.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports has a checklist for the Kings.
• The Basketball Post likes the Spurs' latest pickup.
• The NBA Geek looks at Detroit's youngsters.
• Utah Sports Net talks life without Mo Williams.
• Truth About It asks if the Wizards are ready.
• The Brooklyn Game examines the Nets' coaching bump.
• Long Distance Jayhawk ranks the Big XII.
• Red94 doesn't see the Rockets swinging for the fences.
• 3 Shades Of Blue goes behind the arc with the Grizzlies.
• Hoops Addict likes the edge that Kevin Durant is showing.
• Blazer's Edge educates us on Damian Lillard's Oakland roots.
• NBA247365 had a tough time doling out Thursday's award.

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

In 1995, the NBA took a giant leap forward in international growth when they established a pair of franchises north of the border in Toronto and Vancouver.  Almost eighteen years later, commissioner David Stern says that we will see multiple international teams within the next twenty years.  This isn't the first time that we've heard one of the big four leagues talk about franchises on another continent, but the NBA might be the one to really see it through.

The NFL started playing one game per season in London, England in 2007 and they will stage two at Wembley Stadium in 2013.  The UK games have drawn an average of more than 82,000 fans and subsequently the idea of international expansion is floated about every fall.  However, even the most hopeful proponent for football in England knows that they're a long way away from gaining enough of a foothold in Europe to make that happen.  Hockey is massively popular in parts of Europe, particularly Russia, but the NHL obviously has some much bigger fish to fry at home.  Baseball is expanding its international presence beyond Latin America through the World Baseball Classic, but the tournament is still in its infancy.  Some may scoff at Stern's proclamation, but I like Adam Silver's chances of bringing a team or two overseas further into his tenure as commish.

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 sees some issues with the Celtics acquiring DeMarcus Cousins.
• Bucksketball writes that there is a method to Scott Skiles' madness.
• Wages Of Wins has a few criticisms of George Karl.
• Blog A Bull looks at the Bulls' one-guard situation.
• Hoops Addict talks about the Blazers' surprising turnaround.
• A Wolf Among Wolves tackles the Kevin Love hate.
• Pounding The Rock is encouraged by Manu Ginobili.
• Rufus On Fire isn't sure about trusting the Bobcats' rebuilding effort.
• NBA 24 7 365 has the goods on Rutgers alum Quincy Douby and his 75 point effort in China.
• The NBA Geek is surprised by the Pistons.
• The Basketball Post gives their pick for the best coach in Europe.
• Celtics Green wants no part of Rudy Gay.
• Utah Sports Net says that assists are the key to the Jazz winning.
• Truth About It thinks the Wizards can land Cousins.

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

Earlier this week, the Nets decided that the NBA's Coach of the Month in November was no longer deserving of his job in December.  Yes, the Nets skidded to a 14-14 record behind repetitive play calling and questionable lineups in recent weeks, but a few missteps from Avery Johnson shouldn't have cost him his job just past the quarter-mark of the season.  The dismissal of Johnson is also a dismissal of the club's 11-4 record in the opening month and quality wins over the Celtics (twice), Knicks, and Clippers.

The Nets' offseason acquisition of Joe Johnson not only raised expectations for the club, it completely changed the dynamic of the team's offense.  Johnson is best served by a good dose of isolation sets, allowing him to get a clean look at the basket.  Deron Williams voiced his displeasure over the playcalling, but even he publicly admitted (albeit, after the firing) that Johnson's game demanded extra space on the floor.  

Johnson is just one player, but it was obvious from the get-go that his addition would drastically alter the look of the offense.  We all knew that adding him to the mix meant less pick-and-roll plays, less touches for former staples of the offense (like Kris Humphries), and much more shooting from the outside.  The Nets didn't tune the offense to Johnson at the start of the year, and his play suffered.  When the rest of the team's play started to dip, the Nets swung the pendulum back towards their sweet-shooting two-guard.  One has to think that given some more time, Johnson and his staff would have found the happy medium and found the right mix to get all of the main offensive contributors in sync. 

Now the Nets reportedly see Phil Jackson as the answer and, as I outlined on Thursday, this isn't their first flirtation with the Zen Master.  Plenty of things have changed for the Nets in the last 13 years – they now have a new home, new color scheme, and, hey, they actually draw a decent crowd.  But they shouldn't be surprised when they get the same answer as they did in 1999: No.

If you've had your fill of Nets talk for the week, you're in luck – this week's edition of Hoops Links covers issues from every corner of the Association.  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..

• The Brooklyn Game reflects on Johnson's tenure with the Nets.
• The True Fan's Sports Blog looks at four trade candidates, including Kevin Love.
• The Basketball Post says its decision time in Utah.
• Pounding The Rock breaks down the Spurs' D.
• Bright Side Of The Sun wonders if Phoenix is a good fit for Richard Hamilton.
• 3 Shades Of Blue talks Grizzlies and references my favorite comedy of all-time.
• Long Distance Jayhawk comes to the aid of Jim Boeheim.
• NBA 24 7 365 appreciates a good windmill.
• Red 94 has a holiday wish list for the Rockets.
• Celtics Life looks at the dynamic between Rajon Rondo and Jason Terry.
• The NBA Geek has a bone to pick with DeMarcus Cousins.
• SLC Dunk has perfect Christmas gift ideas for the Jazz player in your life.
• Hoops Addict discusses the Rockets' strong play as of late.
• Hardwood Paroxysm doesn't think Avery was the problem in Brooklyn.

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

Before there was Hack-A-Shaq, there was Hack-A-Maravich.  It wasn't nearly as catchy as Hack-A-Shaq and it turns out that it wasn't as effective either.  On this date in 1969, the Oregon State Beavers decided that they would get physical with LSU's "Pistol" Pete Maravich.  In a dirty game filled with personal and technical fouls, Maravich set the NCAA Division I free throw record, making 30-of-31 attempts on his way to 46 points.  Pistol Pete and the Tigers won, 76-68.

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..

• Know Hitter attempts to make sense of the Suns.
• Bucksketball doesn't envision Brandon Jennings getting traded.
• NBA 24 7 365 is impressed with the Knicks' double pick-and-roll.
• The NBA Geek wonders if O.J. Mayo is really the most improved player in the NBA.
• The Basketball Post writes that the Thunder are about to be tested in the post-Harden era.
• Wages of Wins revists the NBA's all-time leading scorers.
• Red94 talks Greg Smith.
• SLC Dunk says size equals more money.
• Hardwood Paroxysm builds a win share hall of fame.
• Blog A Bull wonders if Chicago will be buying or selling.
• Bright Side Of The Sun has trade ideas.
• Rufus On Fire examines Kemba Walker.
• Hoops Addict looks at the woeful Wizards.
• The Brooklyn Game looks at the Nets' systemic problems.

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

Hoops Links would like to send out a hearty congratulations to John Hollinger, the former ESPN.com scribe who was hired earlier this week as the Grizzlies' new Vice President of Basketball Operations.  Hollinger was a pioneer in bringing advanced statistical analysis to the hardwood despite criticism from naysayers, not unlike the forefathers of baseball sabermetrics.  Rockets GM Daryl Morey got his position thanks to his analytical abilities and T'Wolves President David Kahn ascended to his role after starting out as a sportswriter.  Considering that Hollinger boasts both backgrounds, maybe his new gig isn't so suprising after all.

This week's edition of Hoops Links has more on Hollinger and much more from around the Association.  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..

• The Sports Banter offers up three trades that make sense.
• Wages Of Wins explains the similarity between a shot and a turnover.
• The NBA Geek has Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as their rookie of the year.
• Hardwood Paroxysm sees an underdog in Jonny Flynn.
• 3 Shades Of Blue looks at who Hollinger may not be wild about in Memphis.
• NBA 24 7 365 is concerned about the Lakers.
• Pounding The Rock believes that the Spurs' offense has more to offer.
• SB Nation looks at the future of analytics in hoops.
• At The Hive reviews the Trevor Ariza–Emeka Okafor trade.
• Bright Side Of The Sun wonders if better three-point defense will result in more wins.
• Red94 is enthused about Jeremy Lin.
• Blazer's Edge goes to the mat with David Stern.
• A Wolf Among Wolves breaks down the J.J. Barea assist.

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

This past week, the Heat lost to the Wizards (!), Pau Gasol dominated headlines with the trade talk surrounding him in Los Angeles, and the Knicks won their fifth-straight game as they get set to take on Chicago tonight.  However, the biggest attention getters in the Association this week were the 5-13 New Orleans Hornets, who are reportedly pushing to change their team nickname to the Pelicans.  Fans rushed to Twitter and seemingly every other corner of the internet to mock the proposal, including the club's hometown fans who reside in the Pelican State.

The reaction to the proposed idea brought to mind another name change that nearly took place in the mid-90s.  The New Jersey Nets, struggling with attendance and a fan base that seemed to care infinitely more about the cross-river Knicks, pushed to change their nickname to the Swamp Dragons.  Think that's bad?  Check out the logo that they wanted to run with.  I'm not sure what I like better – the dinosaur or the Microsoft Word Joker font that would have accompanied it.

Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record ran down the particulars of the name change that almost was earlier this year and the folks over at NetsDaily dug up pictures of the proposed alternate logos and a central element of the proposed uniforms.  So, listen, the name Pelicans may not roll off the tongue for some of you, but please keep in mind that it could be worse.  A lot worse. 

This week's edition of Hoops Links has more on the Hornets' possible re-branding and much more from around the Association.  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..

• Know Hitter explains why Adam Morrison isn't one of the biggest busts in draft history.
• Stepien Rules puts Anderson Varejao's play in perspective
• Red94 sings the praises of James Harden.
• SLC Dunk looks at trade possibilities for the Jazz.
• Pounding The Rock wonders what the price for Varejao might be.
• Celtics Life defends Danny Ainge.
• The Basketball Post talks Real Madrid.
• Blog A Bull rolled out their latest episode of the Bulls Show.
• HoopTalent previews the Big Ten.
• Hardwood Paroxysm goes into the paint with J.O. Applegate.
• Rufus On Fire examines Ramon Sessions.
• NBA 24 7 365 remembers their favorite Kobe Bryant moment.

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

On this date in 1991, Isiah Thomas became the Pistons' all-time leading scorer, with 15,493 points, after scoring 22 points in a 94-87 win over the Rockets at the Palace of Auburn Hills.  Thomas passed previous leader Bob Lanier on Detroit’s all-time scoring chart, but longtime teammate Joe Dumars would eventually leapfrog the legendary center himself to take the No. 2 spot on the Pistons' leaderboard. 

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

• Know Hitter spins the trade machine to find a new home for Pau Gasol.
• The True Fan's Sports Blog looks at five underrated players on struggling teams.
• Hardwood Paroxysm talks Royce White.
• Wages Of Wins is high on the Grizzlies.
• Bucksketball is worried about the offense in Milwaukee.
• The Basketball Post sees another lost season in Toronto.
• SLC Dunk wants the Jazz to keep giving Randy Foye the green light.
• The NBA Geek visits the bad shot Hall Of Shame.
• Red94 sees a breakout candidate in Chandler Parsons.
• Celtics Life reacts to the C's skirmish in Brooklyn.
• A Wolf Among Wolves is worried about Kevin Love's future in Minnesota.
• Smooth's Hoops has much to be thankful for.
• NBA247365 tackled a number of topics, including the No. 1 team in the Big Apple.
• Fear The Sword breaks down the Cavs' defensive breakdown.
• At The Hive believes that Austin Rivers is starting to redeem himself.
• Bobcats Baseline plays armchair GM for Charlotte.

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

On this date in 1971, the Knicks sent Mike Riordan, Dave Stallworth, and cash to the rival Bullets for Earl Monroe.  The trade shocked the basketball world as The Pearl was a thorn in the Knicks' side in six consecutive postseason showdowns from 1969 through 1974.  The trade put Monroe and Walt Frazier in the same starting lineup, giving the Knicks one of the most exciting and potent backcourts of all-time.  With Monroe in the fold, the Knicks beat the Lakers in five games to capture the 1973 NBA Championship. 

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

• Blog A Bull is happy with the way Coach Tom Thibodeau is managing the rotation.
• Red 94 looks at how James Harden is doing early on with the Rockets.
• Hardwood Paroxysm feels for the Pacers in the wake of Danny Granger's injury.
• Bullets Forever looks at the Wizards' $43MM problem.
• The NBA Geek wants to know why John Bryant isn't in the Association.
• HoopTalent looks at the Italian players in the NBA.
• Bobcats Baseline predicts next year's Charlotte preview from ESPN's John Hollinger.
• SLC Dunk has ten reasons to be happy in Utah.
• The Basketball Post is waiting for the Kings to do a 180.
• Stepien Rules is excited after the Cavs' win over the Clippers.
• Bucksketball is high on Mike Dunleavy.
• NBA 24 7 365 puts the spotlight on Shannon Brown.
• Celtics Green is glad to see Keyon Dooling stay in the Celtics organization.
• 82 Games looks at the least successful teams in the postseason across the last ten years.
• Ball Or Nuthin wants the Lakers to let Steve Nash do his thing.
• Pounding The Rock wants you to know that the Spurs are more than a regular season team.
• Celtics Life talks about Rajon Rondo's quest for leadership.

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