Odds & Ends: Lakers, Bulls, NBPA, Suns
So far, the 2012/13 Lakers season has been packed with one low point after another, with repeated promises of fresh starts and silver linings. However, according to Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register, the nadir may still be on the way for the Lakers, if not this season, then down the road. Ding reports that Jerry Buss' children, Jim and Jeanie, haven't been on speaking terms since the Lakers chose to hire Mike D'Antoni rather than pursue a reunion with Phil Jackson. Jerry Buss turns 79 this weekend and won't be around forever, making the long-term future of the Lakers' ownership, which includes Buss' 66% share, uncertain, writes Ding.
Here are a few more Friday afternoon odds and ends from around the NBA:
- Appearing on ESPN Chicago 1000, Bulls executive VP John Paxson said he remains open to exploring potential trades, but expects the return of Derrick Rose to be the team's impact "move" (link via ESPNChicago.com).
- Bulls fans still have plenty of ideas about possible deals for the team, and Sam Smith of Bulls.com addressed many of them in his latest mailbag.
- The New York Attorney General's office is looking into the reports released last week on Billy Hunter and the NBPA, reports Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.
- ESPN.com's Chad Ford (Insider link) examines possible targets for the Suns in June's draft, concluding that Ben McLemore of Kansas may be the perfect fit.
Lakers Not Considering Dismissing D’Antoni
Despite a 17-25 record that has them ahead of only the Kings, Hornets, and Suns in the Western Conference, the Lakers don't seem to be considering making another coaching change. Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register reports that buying out or firing Mike D'Antoni isn't currently an option for the Lakers.
The Lakers' stance comes as no surprise. If the team had entered the season with D'Antoni on the bench, he may have already been let go, but since he replaced Mike Brown in November, the odds are against another change happening so soon. The Lakers are already on the hook for Brown's remaining salary, and inked D'Antoni to a long-term deal himself, which the club would have to pay if it brought in another replacement.
Regardless of the guaranteed money still owed to D'Antoni, ESPN.com's Chris Broussard believes the club needs to let him go, replacing him with interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff, who led the team to a 4-1 record in between Brown's and D'Antoni's stints. While Broussard acknowledges that Bickerstaff probably isn't a long-term solution in L.A., he believes Bickerstaff would give the team its best chance to finish the season on a high note.
Responding to the argument that Jim Buss likely won't dismiss D'Antoni because it would mean admitting a huge mistake, Broussard points out that it would be a bigger mistake to let the season continue spiraling out of control, leading to the possibility of losing Dwight Howard this summer. According to Broussard, a few Lakers are "fed up" with D'Antoni and his system, and Kobe Bryant is the only one keeping those players from tuning out the coach.
After going 1-4 under Brown and 4-1 under Bickerstaff, the Lakers have won just 12 of D'Antoni's 32 games as head coach.
Dwight Howard Links: Friday
Sources close to the respective situations "adamantly denied" reports of Dwight Howard being involved in a locker-room altercation with Kobe Bryant earlier this month, as well as reports that the Nets have discussed a three-team trade to acquire Howard. But Sam Amick of USA Today wonders if the return of these kinds of Howard-related stories are an indication that something is amiss in Los Angeles (besides the obvious). There aren't many real Howard trade rumors out there today, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of links from around the internet discussing D12's situation. Here are a few of them:
- Amick also notes within his piece that there are "very real indications" that Howard may be thinking about free agent options besides the Lakers. As Amick notes, the All-Star center was talking much more openly earlier in the season about a long-term future in Los Angeles than he is these days.
- The decision on whether to trade Howard or try to keep him will be one that could affect the Lakers for years, writes Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times.
- Eddie Sefko and Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News discussed the possibility of the Mavericks pursuing Howard, with Gosselin opining that "[Mark] Cuban has got to be on the phone talking" about it.
- If the Mavericks have the opportunity to land Howard via trade or free agency, they have to take that shot, argues Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com, even though he believes Howard has developed a "loser mentality."
- One NBA player to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (Twitter link), on Howard: "I wouldn't want to be Dwight Howard's teammate. Like, ever. Too much clowning for a guy with maybe one post move."
- In an Insider-only piece, ESPN.com's Kevin Pelton examines seven teams that could make realistic trade offers for Howard.
Western Notes: Jazz, Lakers, Pelicans, Suns
Kyrie Irving, Paul George and Jrue Holiday (all Eastern Conference players) all have become the first players born in the 1990s to make an NBA All-Star Game. Here's what's happening right now in the Western Conference.
- The Jazz and the Lakers are headed in different directions in the standings even though Los Angeles boasts a vastly more talented roster than Utah, writes Jody Genessy of the Deseret News.
- There's much more to the story of why the Benson family elected to change the name of New Orleans' professional basketball team from the Hornets to the Pelicans, says Henry Abbott of ESPN.com.
- Suns GM Lance Blanks faces a franchise in turmoil after making a head coaching change that saw the departure of two assistant coaches, writes Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports. "In this business, you can't wiggle your nose and manufacture success, or rub rocks together. You've got to roll up your sleeves and do the things that are necessary to be successful."
Lakers Rumors: Trades, Job Security, Howard
Here's the latest news and notes making headlines at the Staples Center…
- While Lakers fans may expect the franchise to move either Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol or both before the trade deadline, one GM says it's more liklely that the team retains both players, writes Sam Amico of FOXSportsOhio.com.
- After already having three head coaches man the bench for the Lakers this season, don't look for Los Angeles to consider a buy-out or firing of Mike D'Antoni, says Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register (via Twitter).
- Struggles have dominated the first half of the Laker's season but the unlikely performance of Earl Clark has been a bright spot for Los Anglees, writes Alex Kennedy of Hoops World.
- Arash Markazi and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com consider whether trading Dwight Howard now in hopes of the Lakers winning a championship is worth sacrificing the future of the franchise for the long-term.
Western Notes: Suns, Turner, Clark, Baynes, Mavs
The Suns' decision to name Lindsey Hunter their interim head coach after letting Alvin Gentry go has now resulted in the team losing two assistant coaches. According to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, lead assistant Elston Turner and the Suns have agreed to part ways. The decision came on the heels of assistant Dan Majerle, upset that he didn't receive a shot at the head coaching job, leaving the organization.
Let's check in on a few more updates on the Suns and a handful of other Western Conference clubs….
- Suns owner Robert Sarver remains confident in his staff and his long-term plan for the team, as Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic writes.
- Earl Clark, who is in the last year of his contract, has raised his stock with his recent play for the Lakers, but he's not looking ahead to the summer quite yet, as he tells Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. "It's not like I'm this big free agent where I'll be at SportsCenter and people are asking me where I'm going," Clark said. "I'm focusing on the game and trying to continue to play well."
- The newest Spur, Australian center Aron Baynes, spoke to David Pick of Sportando about his decision to sign with San Antonio and what Spurs fans should expect from him.
- In his latest column for the Dallas Morning News, Eddie Sefko explores whether coach Rick Carlisle's ability to connect with players could help the Mavericks in recruiting free agents.
Lakers Rumors: Nash, D’Antoni, Howard, Gasol
The Lakers' disastrous first half has been one of the major stories for most of the NBA season, but the situation has somehow seemed to get even worse within the last few days. Yesterday, the Lakers "went at each other a little bit" in a team meeting, and then lost in Memphis to fall to 5-15 on the road and 17-25 overall, closer to the Western Conference basement than the eighth playoff spot. What's next? Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has the latest on the Lakers….
- The biggest issue Lakers vice president Jim Buss had with the possibility of choosing Phil Jackson over Mike D'Antoni as the team's head coach was the idea that offseason signee Steve Nash would be marginalized in Jackson's Triangle offense, says Wojnarowski. "The way this turns out," one league source told Wojnarowski. "You've chosen not only Steve Nash over [Pau] Gasol, but maybe over Gasol and Dwight [Howard]."
- The Mavericks and Hawks have called the Lakers to inquire on Howard, and have been told the big man isn't available, and that the stance won't change before the trade deadline.
- Sources tell Wojnarowski that the only reason Howard might hesitate about re-signing with the Lakers is the presence of D'Antoni. According to the Yahoo! scribe, the Lakers coach "fundamentally doesn't believe in post play."
- When he was coaching the Knicks and a possible pursuit of Howard was discussed, D'Antoni told the Knicks front office that USA Basketball preferred Tyson Chandler to Howard, and that "the Knicks would be wise to adopt that thinking," according to Wojnarowski.
- Gasol, who has been marginalized in D'Antoni's system, is upset and privately expects to be traded, says Wojnarowski.
- The Lakers are very unlikely to fire D'Antoni, since it would leave them paying $25MM to coaches no longer in Los Angeles (D'Antoni and Mike Brown). But if they did make a change, Wojnarowski suggests that Bernie Bickerstaff may be the Lakers' best option, since he simplified the offense and had the club playing solid defense during his interim stint.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Lakers, Nachbar, Gomes
Here's tonight's look around the Association as the Heat find themselves in a battle with the 15-26 Raptors..
- When asked about his impending free agency earlier today, Dwight Howard said "We're not discussing that," tweets Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel. Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak might start feeling uneasy if the star big man has the same stance a few weeks from now when the trade deadline comes and goes.
- Bostjan Nachbar told Beko BBL that he will likely stay with his team in Germany next season, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. The forward was a prominent bench player for the Nets in 2006/07 and 2007/08.
- Former NBA forward Ryan Gomes has parted ways with Germany's Artland Dragons, according to David Pick of Sportando (on Twitter). Gomes, who played for the Celtics, Wolves, and Clippers, averaged 11 PPG in ten games for the German club.
Lakers Notes: Howard, Trade Rumors, Hill
As the Lakers look to improve upon a 5-14 road record tonight against the Grizzlies in Memphis, we'll check in on a few of today's updates out of Lakerland….
- After complaining earlier this week about not getting enough touches, Dwight Howard apologized today, accepting responsibility for his struggles and saying he needs to work harder, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. "I've just got to go out there and dominate defensively and make it tough for teams," Howard said. "I just have to get back to doing that and not worry about the offense."
- Howard, on the return of the trade rumors that followed him everywhere last season: "I understand why they're saying that because they feel like I have an opportunity to just walk away. That is my choice at the end of the season but right now my focus is tonight and us doing something real special in L.A. We have that opportunity and we can't close the door on the opportunity that we have in front of us. We can turn this thing around."
- Bresnahan also reports that the Lakers had a sort of "clear-the-air" team meeting before today's shootaround, and that the players "went at each other a little bit." The meeting included Steve Nash saying he was open to any style of play, as long as everyone was comfortable with the system, and Kobe Bryant directly asking Howard if the All-Star center dislikes playing with him.
- According to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard, the Clippers would offer Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan for Howard. However, even if the Lakers were considering moving D12, Broussard admits it's unlikely they'd send him to their L.A. rivals.
- Jordan Hill underwent successful surgery on his left hip today and is expected to be sidelined for six months, the team announced in a press release.
- Earlier today, we looked at a few of Mitch Kupchak's comments on the team, Mike D'Antoni, and trade options.
Mitch Kupchak Talks D’Antoni, Lakers, Trades
It should be a fun few weeks in Lakerland as the trade deadline approaches. After the Lakers struggled through the first half, the team sits in 12th place in the Western Conference, four games out of a playoff spot. Trade rumors are already swirling around Pau Gasol and even Dwight Howard, but the club doesn't appear ready to make a major splash at the moment. General manager Mitch Kupchak spoke to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com about the team's coach, its problems, and the possibility of a trade, so let's check out the notable quotes from Kupchak….
On the job Mike D'Antoni has done with the Lakers:
"Without a doubt, we have utmost confidence in Mike as a coach. I think if you spoke to him, his vision on day one was dramatically different than it is today. It's the coach's job to adjust and to make changes. Sometimes a player is just not going to fit. Sometimes a coach has to make changes and compromise in the way he's done things and I think that's what Mike is going through right now is just the process.
"It's not like he started a week or two ago trying to figure this thing out He's been searching for combinations now for probably six to eight weeks. Understandably, I think the longer the season goes the more is at stake and the bigger hole you dig, the more dramatic your adjustments or your take on coaching has to become. I think that's what he's doing. He's grabbing every rabbit out of the hat trying to look for something that works."
On Kupchak's own concerns about the Lakers:
"I'm a little bit concerned about our effort. I'd like to see better effort on the court. When the ball is not bouncing your way, when shots aren't going in, you just can't seem to get a break, the one thing you can control on the court is your effort and loose balls and running the floor, defending, offensive rebounding. I think back to the Miami game and I have that vision of Lebron [James] diving on that ball at midcourt. That's effort. It's natural when things get tough to hesitate and be unsure, lose confidence. That's one thing that we can't let happen. We have to maintain our confidence and our effort more than anything has to be at an all-time to get through this period."
On the timeline for a possible trade:
"Typically, it's unusual, although there was a trade [Tuesday], it's unusual if things heat up five or four weeks out. Typically, as you approach the trade deadline, people get serious and they really begin to understand and know their team and they have a pretty good feel of what's out there. So, I don't think we're at the point where you say, 'It's time for a trade,' and a trade happens in three or four days. That's just not how this league works. I read somebody somewhere a week or so ago said, 'This is a deadline-oriented league,' and I think that's true even though there are exceptions. That's certainly one way to address the problem, to look into changing players."
On whether a trade is the answer:
"Part of the frustrating thing about this season to date is that I just can't, or we just can't, put our finger on the problem. We mentioned a bunch of them and even getting through the injuries and the (roster) changes and the coaching changes and you just try look at the players and how they fit together, is there something that's missing? I could look at our group and nitpick and say that we could use something here or a better shooter there, but the bottom line is that the group as whole, we have not performed to the level of our ability.
"It's not like we don't have a player at a certain position and if we added a player — an eighth guy or a ninth guy — all of the sudden our record is going to go from 17 and whatever it is to 30-11. That's not going to happen by adding a bench shooter or a defensive player. You know what I mean? That's not going to happen. We're underachieving for other reasons, not because we're missing a bench player. Certainly you can add a bench player and become a better team, or hopefully a better team, but that's not the reason why our record is what it is. We should be better than our record says we are. But there's a saying in this league, and I'm sure you've heard this saying, 'You are what your record says you are.'"