Central Notes: Hill, Pargo, Cavs, Hinrich
The Central Division has been the weakest in the NBA so far this year, as only the Bucks, at 6-4, have a winning record. That's encouraging news for the second-place Bulls, who are hoping to tread water until Derrick Rose returns from injury, and they can nab a high playoff seed by coming away with the division title. Chicago and Milwaukee square off tonight, and as we wait for that one, here's the day's news from the Central Division.
- George Hill admits he's not a true point guard, but HoopsWorld's Joel Brigham argues that he's still played up to his five-year, $40MM contract with the Pacers so far.
- Brigham also looks at the sudden emergence of Cavs offseason trade acquisition Jeremy Pargo, and lends his support to Royce White.
- Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio previews tonight's Cleveland-Miami matchup, and looks much farther ahead to the summer of 2014, when he thinks the Heat may begin to crumble just as the young Cavs start to deliver.
- Bulls offseason signee Kirk Hinrich hasn't put up impressive numbers offensively, but Tom Thibodeau said he evaluates him instead based on how he runs the team's offense, and the coach has been pleased so far, as Scott Powers of ESPNChicago.com observes.
- We wrapped up covering Central Division teams in our Offseason in Review series with a look at the Bucks today.
Offseason In Review: Milwaukee Bucks
Hoops Rumors is in the process of looking back at each team's offseason, from the end of the playoffs in June right up until opening night. Trades, free agent signings, draft picks, contract extensions, option decisions, camp invitees, and more will be covered, as we examine the moves each franchise made over the last several months.
Signings
- Ersan Ilyasova: Five years, $40MM. Signed via Bird rights. Fifth year is partially guaranteed.
- Joel Przybilla: One year, $1.35MM. Signed via minimum salary exception.
- Marquis Daniels: One year, $1.23MM. Signed via minimum salary exception.
Trades and Claims
- Acquired Samuel Dalembert, No. 14 pick in 2012 draft, and protected 2014 second-round pick from the Rockets in exchange for Jon Brockman, Jon Leuer, Shaun Livingston, and No. 12 pick of 2012 draft.
Draft Picks
- John Henson (Round 1, 14th overall). Signed via rookie exception.
- Doron Lamb (Round 2, 42nd overall). Signed via mid-level exception.
Camp Invitees
- Mustapha Farrakhan
- Eddie Gill
- Orien Greene
- Alando Tucker
Departing Players
Rookie Contract Option Decisions
- Tobias Harris, $1.55MM: Exercised
- Larry Sanders, $3.05MM: Exercised
- Ekpe Udoh, $4.47MM: Exercised
The Bucks entered the offseason having already made their splashy move, acquiring Monta Ellis at the trade deadline in a deal that sent out Andrew Bogut, whom the team drafted No. 1 overall in 2005. Milwaukee failed to make a charge into the playoffs after the trade, but it seemed clear the team wasn't going to evaluate the backcourt pairing of Ellis and Brandon Jennings on a brief 21-game sample. The Bucks brought back GM John Hammond and coach Scott Skiles for the final seasons of their deals in 2012/13, and with Ellis, who can exercise an early-termination option next summer, and Jennings, in the last year of his rookie deal, under no long-term commitments, this season shapes up as an 82-game referendum.
The lingering story of the offseason was whether the team would grant an extension to Jennings, and he wound up as likely the biggest name not to sign a rookie-scale extension among those eligible this year. He admitted soon afterward that he's "kind of auditioning for other teams" this season, and when Zach Links of Hoops Rumors asked whether readers thought the Bucks would trade Jennings this season, the results were almost 50-50. I think the Bucks will ride out the season with Jennings and the rest of their group to see how they play together, especially given the team's hot start, but it's clear the team isn't yet sold on the Ellis-Jennings combination. If Jennings were locked up long-term and the team failed to make the playoffs this season, it could have cost Hammond his job. Nonetheless, it might have been a more regrettable mistake to miss out on a chance to secure Jennings at less than the maximum salary, as fellow point guards Ty Lawson, Stephen Curry and Jrue Holiday all signed extensions for well below the max.
Milwaukee's decision on Jennings is particularly befuddling considering their commitment to Ersan Ilyasova, who parlayed a second-place finish for the Most Improved Player award into a five-year, $40MM deal. The Nets made a strong push for him this summer, and while the Bucks could match their offer for the restricted free agent, they had no such control over European clubs, one of which reportedly made a "big offer" to Ilyasova. A return overseas might have given him as much as $5MM in tax-free income, so perhaps the Bucks were bidding against non-NBA teams. Either way, they can't be pleased with his production so far, as his points and rebounds have been cut roughly in half, and a lengthy $8MM-a-year commitment to a disappointing player, even though the final season is only partially guaranteed, is quite an albatross for a small-market team.
Before the draft and free agency, the Bucks made a move aimed at replacing some of Bogut's basket protection skills, landing Samuel Dalembert from the Rockets in a deal that sent out three players who were waived before ever playing a regular season game for Houston. The trade also moved the Bucks back two draft slots, but they were still able to land John Henson, whom the team reportedly thought it would have to move into the top 10 to grab. Dalembert is overpaid at $6.7MM this year, but it's final season of his deal, and Milwaukee will presumably have the edge to re-sign him next summer if he pans out.
Milwaukee added veterans Marquis Daniels and Joel Przybilla, and though their minimum-salary deals won't break the bank, the willingness to give two roster spots to known commodities instead of youngsters who might develop signals how important wins and losses are to the team this year. The Bucks aren't contending for a title, but if they can show improvement and make the playoffs, they'll likely make a strong push to retain Ellis and Jennings next summer.
The question is whether simply being a playoff team will be enough long-term. There's legitimate doubt about whether the team's players on rookie contracts — Henson, Ekpe Udoh, Larry Sanders and Tobias Harris — can blossom into the kinds of pieces needed on a championship team. Other than Jennings and Ellis, the veterans on the club aren't marquee names, and Ilyasova,Drew Gooden and Luc Mbah a Moute are all under contract through 2015. Milwaukee is by no means a free agent destination, so the Bucks must build from within, or through trades. The playoff appearance the team angled for this offseason would buy Hammond and Skiles more time, but I'm not sure a championship foundation exists with this bunch.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Odds & Ends: Lin, D-League, Ilyasova, Batum
Let's round up a few more Thanksgiving Day notes from around the Association….
- With Jeremy Lin and the Rockets set to face the Knicks on Friday, most Knicks players don't have much to say about their former teammate, as Howard Beck of the New York Times writes. "I thought he made a great decision for himself, his family and his basketball career," Tyson Chandler said. "I thought the Knicks made the right decision. At the end of the day, it worked out for both parties."
- Lin, for his part, believes he and Carmelo Anthony could've thrived playing alongside each other with the Knicks, according to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com.
- When Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype asked a number of D-League executives and coaches which D-League players would next be called up by an NBA team, JaJuan Johnson's name topped the list.
- Ersan Ilyasova is at a loss to explain his early-season slump after signing a long-term deal with the Bucks this summer, writes Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- Another player that signed a lucrative long-term contract in July, Nicolas Batum is living up to his new deal so far, and tells Joe Freeman of the Oregonian that he wants to keep that up. "It’s what people say about me and what people too scared to say it think about me: ‘Yeah, he’s been good, but it’s only been 11 games. We’re going to see the old Nicolas Batum soon,'" Batum said. "But I’m going to try to avoid that. I’m not the old Nicolas Batum."
- Darko Rajakovic, who is currently coaching the D-League's Tulsa 66ers, could be just the first of many European coaches to arrive stateside, says Jenni Carlson of the Oklahoman.
Odds & Ends: Kirilenko, Draft, Mavs, Anderson
It's one of the busiest nights of the year on the hardwood in the Association, with a slate of 14 games before the league takes a one-day hiatus for Thanksgiving. There's plenty of off-court news as well, and we've got that covered here.
- Mike D'Antoni will keep all the existing Lakers assistant coaches through the season, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. It looks like D'Antoni won't hire Nate McMillan, as he indicated he would do, Shelburne adds.
- Nuggets coach George Karl believes the Wolves' signing of Andrei Kirilenko was a smart move, as Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune notes.
- Jeremy Bauman of SheridanHoops.com breaks down the top 10 draft prospects from this week's Legends Classic tournament.
- Dirk Nowitzki hopes when he comes back that he and O.J. Mayo can develop the same rhythm he had with Jason Terry, as Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram details.
- James Anderson, brought back by the Spurs today, wants to copy Danny Green's ability to take advantage of a second chance, as Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News documents.
- Jim Owczarski of OnMilwaukee.com checks in with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis as the pair tries to answer questions about their ability to play together for the Bucks.
- Sean Williams, who was waived by the Rockets over the summer, lasted just one preseason game with the Foshan Long Lions of the Chinese league after signing this week, tweets Jon Pastuszek of NiuBBall, who translated a Weibo report. The team picked up Shavlik Randolph, a Wizards training-camp invitee this year, to replace him.
Odds & Ends: D’Antoni, Roy, Fisher, Gasol, Bucks
Mike D'Antoni was expected to make his debut as Lakers coach tonight, but his balky knee forced Bernie Bickerstaff to continue as interim coach for one more night. D'Antoni, who'll try to hit the sidelines again Tuesday, has told Bickerstaff he'll remain on the staff this season, notes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. D'Antoni did make one change to the coaching staff, however, bringing brother Dan D'Antoni aboard as expected, the team announced. Here's more from an eight-game day and night around the NBA.
- Knee trouble has kept Brandon Roy out for the past 10 days, and now he'll undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, reports Jason Quick of The Oregonian (Twitter links). Quick doesn't indicate how long he'll be continue to be out, but says he'll miss what would have been his return to Portland with the Wolves on Friday.
- The Mavs aren't interested in free agent point guard Derek Fisher, since owner Mark Cuban wants to see what the current roster can do, writes Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. That means the team will continue to give backup minutes to Dominique Jones, whom the Mavs twice sought to trade earlier this season.
- Larry Coon of HoopsWorld won't rule out a Pau Gasol trade, but doesn't think the Lakers are likely to pull the trigger (Twitter link).
- "Everyone agreed" the Bucks needed a fast start with GM John Hammond and coach Scott Skiles in the final year of their respective deals, according to Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and at 6-2, the team has delivered.
- Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star calls out Roy Hibbert for his struggles this season, just months after the big man signed a four-year, $58MM deal.
- Before Damian Lillard came into the league, he watched a lot of video of fellow point guard Derrick Rose and picked up a few of the former MVP's habits, observes Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com.
HoopsWorld On Biggest Disappointments
HoopsWorld.com has a new roundtable feature in which several of the site's writers weigh in on who they believe is the biggest disappointment thus far in the 2012/13 season. Here are the highlights:
- Lang Greene pinpoints Roy Hibbert, signed to a four-year, $58MM contract this summer, as a major reason why the Pacers are underperforming early in the season.
- Alex Kennedy believes that the Raptors' strategy of targeting Landry Fields to make it harder for the Knicks to land Steve Nash backfired. He points to Fields' disappointing start to the season as a reason why the signing is a failure for Toronto.
- Stephen Brotherston writes that Ersan Ilyasova has regressed following what appeared to be a breakout season last year with the Bucks.
- Bill Ingram is frustrated by the continued inconsistent play of JaVale McGee following his re-signing with the Nuggets this summer.
- Derek Page points out that Pau Gasol's offensive efficiency has dropped this season, even more so than expected following the Lakers' addition of Dwight Howard.
- While there is still time for him to mature, Joel Brigham writes that Jeremy Lin has been a disappointment since signing with the Rockets.
Odds & Ends: Udoh, Howard, Knicks, Warrick
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Friday evening:
- Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes that Bucks center Ekpe Udoh is finding ways to contribute outside of the stat sheet.
- Josh Howard is looking forward to helping the injury-plagued Timberwolves. (AP link via NBA.com)
- Al Iannazzone of Newsday.com writes that the Knicks' age has worked in their favor so far as they've begun the season 6-0.
- The Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell believes that Hakim Warrick, acquired this week from the Hornets for Matt Carroll, can help the Bobcats this season.
- Jodie Valade of the Plain Dealer writes that the Cavs' Tristan Thompson has been more active this season.
Central Notes: Ilyasova, Stephenson, Scott
The latest news and notes from around the Central Division on Sunday evening:
- Ersan Ilyasova, re-signed by the Bucks this offseason, is off to a slow start, writes Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
- Curt Cavin of the Indianapolis Star discusses Lance Stephenson, one of the wing players the Pacers will count on to fill the void left by Danny Granger's injury.
- John Rhode of the Oklahoman examines the success Cavs coach Byron Scott is having with Kyrie Irving, and points out that Scott has had success with elite point guards both during his playing and coaching career.
Marc Stein On Lakers, Heisley, Calderon, Tax
Marc Stein of ESPN.com weighs in on the Lakers coaching situation to begin his Weekend Dime, but also drops plenty of knowledge about other issues around the league in his weekly roundup. We'll cover what he has to share here.
- Stein thinks the Lakers have to go with either Phil Jackson or Mike D'Antoni for their next coach, both of whom players would buy into. The pair are reportedly the leading candidates for the job.
- Former Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley could seek a return to the NBA if Bucks owner Herb Kohl gets a new arena or refurbishment for the Bradley Center. Heisley would then have interest in purchasing the team, which is close to his home in Chicago.
- Jose Calderon might not be long for the Raptors, but the 31-year-old is giving no thought to playing overseas, saying he wants to stay in the NBA for at least another 10 years.
- Stein breaks down the projected tax bill for the eight teams projected to be over the tax line at the end of the season. The Lakers would have to pay the most, at nearly $30MM.
Odds & Ends: Bogut, Jennings, Rose, Irving, Roy
We learned tonight that the Warriors have shutdown center Andrew Bogut for 7 to 10 days and Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News says that all signs point towards the Aussie big man's absence extending longer than that. Bogut said that he may have pushed it too much and that he would consider himself a liability on the court right now, writes Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times. There are only two games tonight, but still plenty of links from around the league:
- In the early going, the absence of a contract extension has brought out the best in Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings, writes Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen. Since he couldn't come to an agreement with Milwaukee, Jennings will hit free agency this summer.
- According to Russell Westbrook, Bulls point guard Derrick Rose will come back from his knee injury this season stronger than ever, writes Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago. Westbrook and Scott Brooks also said that while the Bulls are a different team without Rose, they still must be feared because of the way Tom Thibodeau prepares them to play, says Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago.
- Beckley Mason of the New York Times opines that it isn't too early to consider the Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving among the NBA's elite point guards.
- After sitting out last year, Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy is rusty, writes Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. Roy says his knee are fine, however, and will begin to look more for his shot to try to get his career back on track.