Odds & Ends: Gooden, Aldridge, Gasol, Bulls
With most of the Bench Mob gone, this year's version of the Bulls isn't built for 48 minutes, opines Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com. However, Luol Deng seems to disagree with that view, as he told reporters today.
"It's not fair to the guys that are here, the new guys, to be compared to the guys from the last two years," Deng said, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "They’re still getting used to it. Even the Bench Mob, the first year we had them, it took a while to get going. When we got going, it clicked. The year after that, last year, what helped us a lot was we had a lot of guys returning so we knew how we play and how to play with each other. We’re still learning how to play with each other."
Here are a few more Tuesday afternoon odds and ends from around the NBA:
- While the Bucks would like to move Drew Gooden's contract, there's no urgency to "dump" him, since he's still a mentor and leader in Milwaukee, says Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld.
- Dwight Jaynes of CSNNW.com makes his case for why the Trail Blazers should consider trading LaMarcus Aldridge. Blazers GM Neil Olshey reportedly told Aldridge last month that the team has no intentions of dealing him.
- Although Pau Gasol has a 15% trade kicker, he'd actually only receive about a 3.4% bonus if the Lakers dealt him, as Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times explains.
- Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman believes Derrick Williams could be a realistic target for the Thunder if GM Sam Presti gets involved on the trade market again this season.
- Several NBA scouts told Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv that it's unfair to compare Kentucky freshman and potential 2013 No. 1 pick Nerlens Noel to former Wildcat Anthony Davis. "I think Anthony Davis’s IQ is so high that he’s unique that way," said one scout. "This is a guy that was a small player, a two guard, who could handle the ball, do all those things. I mean, Nerlens could never be a ball-handler. He’s not a passer, ball-handler guy."
Western Notes: Bell, Lakers, Rockets, Jackson
As we prepare for an evening that includes at least one Western Conference team in every game on the NBA schedule, let's round up a few notes from out west:
- Raja Bell's camp indicates the veteran forward would love to end up with the Lakers, but there's a long way to go before that's a real possibility, tweets Shams Charania of RealGM.com.
- In his latest column for Grantland.com, Zach Lowe examines the Sixers' acquisition of Andrew Bynum and notes that if Philadelphia had decided not to facilitate August's Dwight Howard blockbuster to land Bynum, it could have had a huge impact on a number of Western Conference teams. Lowe suggests the Magic may have traded Howard to the Rockets instead, which would not only have affected the Lakers, but also the Thunder, since James Harden wouldn't have been sent to Houston in that scenario.
- Appearing on Slate's Hang Up and Listen podcast, Rockets GM Daryl Morey discussed Jeremy Lin, Royce White, and Houston's need to gamble on high-upside players.
- Brian Shaw, a current Pacers assistant and former member of Phil Jackson's staff in Los Angeles, was surprised the Lakers didn't hire Jackson to replace Mike Brown. And as he told Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, Shaw was particularly taken aback by the Lakers' handling of the situation. "Under the circumstances," Shaw said. "Phil Jackson, who's been there and done that and put a lot of money in everybody's pockets around here, the way it was done… it's mind-boggling."
Lakers Not Looking To Trade Pau Gasol
Despite a flurry of new trade speculation that surfaced when new head coach Mike D'Antoni arrived in Los Angeles, the Lakers aren't actively looking to trade Pau Gasol, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. The team is waiting to see what the roster looks like when Steve Nash returns from the small fracture in his leg that has sidelined him for most of the season.
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld reported a similar sentiment yesterday, noting that the Lakers would simply like to see Gasol play better, rather than trying to move him. According to Bresnahan, D'Antoni believes the Spaniard can be a solid fit in his system, though there's been an up-and-down adjustment period so far.
"He can easily play our system and he's going to be a very important player for us," D'Antoni said of Gasol after he recorded 13 points and nine boards against the Mavericks on Saturday.
With Nash, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard obviously not going anywhere, Gasol represents the most likely trade candidate of the Lakers' stars, given his declining numbers and his sizable contract ($38MM+ over the next two seasons). For now though, without having seen those four star players together on the court under D'Antoni, the Lakers have no interest in exploring a deal.
Odds & Ends: Gordon, Lakers, Kobe, Jackson
There was a great deal of anticipation for the first ever "clash of the boroughs" after Hurricane Sandy postponed it for nearly a month and the Nets and Knicks did not disappoint. In a close contest throughout, the Nets ultimately pulled out a 96-89 overtime win on their home floor. Brook Lopez – who has taken flack for his inconsistent rebounding in the past – pulled down 11 boards and led the way with 22 points. Star guard Deron Williams also turned in a strong effort, putting up 16 points and dishing 14 dimes. Here's more from around the Association..
- Hornets guard Eric Gordon says that his knee is improving, but declined to give specifics about the mysterious injury, writes Jimmy Smith of the Times Picayune. "It's almost like a disorder. There was a little bit of a bone bruise, and, you know, kind of like some of these other guys like [Andrew] Bynum and [Danny] Granger. Luckily my process will be shorter than that," said the guard. There was speculation earlier this year that Gordon's insistence on sitting out stemmed from displeasure with the club, but Gordon insists that he's committed to the Hornets.
- Kobe Bryant has been playing extremely efficient basketball as of late and credits the system of new coach Mike D'Antoni for his improved play, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- Speaking of the Lakers, former coach Phil Jackson told TMZ (video link) earlier today that the chances of him returning to coach again are "slim to none". Jackson, of course, was widely believed to be the frontrunner for the Lakers vacancy earlier this season before D'Antoni was tabbed to replace Mike Brown.
Aldridge On Bobcats, Pacers, Hibbert, Lakers
After 2011/12's historically awful season, the Bobcats are quietly turning things around, writes David Aldridge of NBA.com. After finishing the campaign with a .106 winning percentage and dropping their last 23 games, the club is finding success with a defense-first approach under first-year coach Mike Dunlap. After already matching their win total from last year, the team even feels for the winless Wizards who are in the NBA's cellar at 0-11. Here's more from Aldridge..
- It's early in the season, but it's evident that Pacers center Roy Hibbert isn't playing with the same intensity that netted him a four-year, $58MM contract. Some have speculated that the big man is pressing in order to live up to his newly-raised expectations, and even he acknowledges that might be the case. "Before, I would say I wasn't," Hibbert said. "But if I look myself in the mirror, maybe I'm thinking too much. I wouldn't say it's totally because of the contract, but it possibly could be."
- The Pacers' problems obviously extend beyond Hibbert's slow start, beginning with the absence of star forward Danny Granger. The summer trade of Darren Collison for center Ian Mahinmi has left the club to rely on one-guards George Hill and D.J. Augustin, who don't provide the same type of tempo. Head coach Frank Vogel is already re-tooling the offense to help accommodate the new-look backcourt.
- Aldridge wonders if it might be time for the Lakers to pull the trigger on a Pau Gasol trade. Often linked to trade rumors in Los Angeles, it's clear that management is less-than-thrilled with Gasol's conditioning as of late. There's no indication that the Lakers are shopping Gasol just yet, but Aldridge wonders if a three-team deal with the Wizards and Timberwolves could be a fit. Gasol could return to his natural center position in Minnesota while the Lakers could receive Chris Singleton and Trevor Ariza from the Wizards with Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea coming from Minnesota. Aldridge's hypothetical would also see Minnesota send Derrick Williams to the Wizards, giving the former No. 2 pick a chance at a new start.
Odds & Ends: Saric, Draft, Murphy, Collins, Lakers
Let's check out a few items from around the Association as we prepare for an eight-game evening slate….
- Although we heard on Friday that Dario Saric's contract in Croatia wouldn't have an NBA out until 2014, Saric confirmed today that his new deal will include an NBA out after every season. Saric, who ranks 16th on DraftExpress.com's big board for 2013, indicated that he'd declare for the draft next season if he receives a top-10 guarantee, as Emiliano Carchia of Sportando writes.
- NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper notes (on Twitter) that one NBA executive has Saric in his current top 10, but that he's hardly a lock, and plenty can change between now and next June.
- In an Insider piece at ESPN.com, Jay Bilas and Chad Ford debate which college prospect is the early favorite to be picked first overall next June, and discuss a few more draft topics.
- Kevin Murphy, who was assigned to the D-League today, will be with the Reno Bighorns for at least five games, according to Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey (Twitter link via Jody Genessy of the Deseret News).
- Chris Bernucca of Sheridan Hoops fills out a hypothetical roster made up of the NBA's worst contracts.
- Mardy Collins, who played in parts of four seasons for the Knicks and Clippers after being drafted 29th overall in 2006, has reached an agreement to play for Israel's Maccabi Ashdod, reports David Pick of Sportando.
- Lakers offseason acquisitions Jodie Meeks and Antawn Jamison have begun to thrive under new coach Mike D'Antoni, says Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. Medina adds that there's still no set timetable for Steve Nash's return.
Kyler On Gasol, Rockets, Celtics, Knicks, Gortat
In his latest piece for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler addresses the Pau Gasol trade rumors that have been floating around recently, and touches on a couple other topics around the league. Let's dive in and round up the highlights….
- From a financial standpoint, the Lakers would love to move Gasol's contract for younger players and smaller deals, says Kyler. However, having explored his market value for the last couple years, the Lakers realize there's not an obvious fit out there. The Lakers aren't actively looking to move Pau — they just need him to play better.
- Although the Rockets have had interest in Gasol in the past, that depended in part on the players they felt they could add around the Spaniard. With those players no longer available, Houston's interest in Gasol has lessened.
- The Celtics have also had previous interest in Gasol, but aren't currently motivated to pursue him, according to Kyler.
- Lakers and Knicks sources both tell Kyler that a Gasol/Amare Stoudemire swap is highly unlikely.
- Following up on news that Marcin Gortat turned down an extension offer from the Suns, Kyler says that sources close to the Suns big man jokingly asked this summer: "If Brook Lopez is worth $62MM, what’s Gortat worth?"
- Despite some indications that Gortat has been frustrated in Phoenix this season, the Suns are far more inclined to try to make him happy and keep him long-term than to trade him.
Western Notes: Lakers Assistants, Maynor, Watson
Comcast's Ric Bucher tweets that the Lakers are expected to keep their coaching staff intact, as many of the players have personal favorites among the current assistants. A few days ago, head coach Mike D'Antoni spoke favorably of the coaches that had carried over after Mike Brown's firing, telling ESPN LA: "They're good coaches. I know almost all of them anyway. They work extremely hard. We are in a lot. I just felt like, 'They're here, they're good, why change it?" The list includes former interim-head coach Bernie Bickerstaff, Steve Clifford, Chuck Person, and most notably Eddie Jordan, who had been originally hired by Brown to install the Princeton offense. Here's the rest of what we're hearing out of the Western Conference tonight:
- Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK focuses on the struggles of Eric Maynor and wonders if it will open up an opportunity for the Thunder's Reggie Jackson at back-up point guard.
- Jazz point guard Earl Watson told reporters that he's been feeling more comfortable and is getting his rhythm back after returning from a seven month recovery following knee surgery (Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune reports). Head coach Tyrone Corbin remains focused on limiting Watson's minutes accordingly.
- In this video from CSNNW.com, Damian Lillard acknowledged that there are "multiple leaders" on the Trail Blazers when asked if he considered himself the leader of the team.
- Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe writes about how the Spurs have been able to adapt to the league as their core players have gotten older.
- Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times has taken notice of the Lakers' increased production from their second unit led by the emergence of Antawn Jamison.
- While Kelvin Sampson and several Rockets players offered their condolences to Kevin McHale after the tragic passing of his daughter during today's practice, Jonathan Feigen of Ultimate Rockets also took note that McHale had been constantly in touch with the team over the last several weeks to check on them and offer his guidance.
- Yannis Koutroupis of Hoopsworld discusses the promise that Donatas Motiejunas has been showing in the with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and writes that Rockets GM Daryl Morey has to make a decision on whether or not the rookie big man is ready to be a contributor in Houston.
Lakers Re-Assign Johnson-Odom To D-League
The Lakers have re-assigned Darius Johnson-Odom to their D-League affiliate, the D-Fenders (according to a tweet from Mike Trudell of Lakers.com). The 6'2 guard has only appeared in four games and played a total of six minutes thus far. Trudell adds that with no limit on how many times a player can be sent or recalled from the development league, the Lakers may often consider this option.
This will be the second time since November 10th that Johnson-Odom has been sent to the NBDL, and it could certainly provide him with an opportunity to continue developing with ample playing time. During a pre-season game between the D-Fenders and the Bakersfield Jam just over a week ago, Johnson-Odom tallied 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and went 6-for-6 from the free throw line in 39 minutes of play.
Lakers Rumors: Gasol, D’Antoni, Jamison, Nash
A day after criticizing Pau Gasol, coach Mike D'Antoni was quick to reaffirm his support for the big man Saturday after the Lakers blew out the Mavs, as Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times chronicles. Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register notes the 7'0" Spaniard has also been slowed by tendinitis in his knees. The Gasol situation bears watching, but after his 13-point, nine-rebound performance last night, it doesn't seem like there's too much wrong with him or his fit on the team. There's more on the purple and gold, and we'll round it up here:
- In the same piece, Ding also points out the uptick in performance from offseason signee Antawn Jamison since D'Antoni moved him from small forward to power forward.
- The Lakers are banking heavily on the idea that Steve Nash, who turns 39 in February, can help turn around the team's slow start when he returns from injury, writes HoopsWorld's Derek Page. Yesterday, I asked whether the Lakers should make a move or wait until Nash returns, and so far, a majority of readers aren't believers in a patient approach.
- Lakers training camp invitee Greg Somogyi may sign to play in his native Hungary for the club Szolnoki Olajbanyasz, Sportando's David Pick reports.