December 5th, 2012 at 11:20am CST by Zachary Links
The Spurs announced that they have recalled Cory Joseph from the Austin Toros. Joseph, who has been assigned to the Toros twice this season, appeared in two games with Austin, averaging 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 steals in 35.5 minutes.
The University of Texas product has appeared in four games this season for the Spurs' varsity squad, averaging 1.8 points and 1.5 assists in 7.8 minutes. Joseph also spent 29 games with the Spurs in 2011/12, averaging 2.0 PPG in 9.0 minutes per contest. The shorthanded Spurs can certainly use the help as they'll be without Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Jackson, Danny Green, and Patty Mills for tonight's game against the Bucks.
Be sure to check out our complete list of D-League assignments and recalls to keep track of the latest moves.
December 3rd, 2012 at 11:05am CST by Zachary Links
The Spurs announced that they have re-called guard Nando De Colo from the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League. De Colo’s stint in Austin lasted approximately 24 hours as he was assigned yesterday morning.
De Colo’s one-game outing in Austin was successful as he had 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in the team’s 97-82 victory over Idaho last night. The rookie appeared in 13 games for the Spurs this year, averaging 2.5 PPG on just 30% shooting in 10.4 minutes per game. The 25-year-old made his first NBA start on Thursday against the Heat as the Spurs rested their core three plus Danny Green.
The latest news and notes from the Southwest Division on Sunday afternoon:
Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News wonders whether Spurs coach Gregg Popovich cost himself the opportunity to coach Team USA at the 2016 Olympics with his controversial decision to rest several starters on Thursday.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tells Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com that he understands the NBA's decision to fine the Spurs, although he may have done the same thing in Popovich's shoes.
Hornets forward Jason Smith tells John Reid of the Times-Picayune that it is the responsibility of the veteran players to set an example for younger players on the struggling team.
Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune writes that the Hornets so far are failing to deliver on their promise of a brighter future.
In addition to the Celticssending downKris Joseph, three other teams announced D-League moves in quick succession, and we'll detail them here.
The Spurs assigned Nando De Colo to the Austin Toros. The rookie has appeared in 13 games for San Antonio, averaging 2.5 points on just 30% shooting in 10.4 minutes per game. The 25-year-old Frenchman logged his first NBA start Thursday as the Spurs rested their regulars against the Heat.
The Nuggets recalled Quincy Miller from the Iowa Energy after sending him down November 13th. The 6'10" Baylor product, the 38th overall pick in this year's draft, has yet to play in a game for the Nuggets this season, but posted 14.0 PPG and 10.7 RPG in 29.3 MPG in three contests for Iowa.
The Warriors assigned Jeremy Tyler to the Santa Cruz Warriors in a move first reported by Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group (Twitter link). Tyler played in 42 games, including 23 starts, as a rookie last season, but has seen just 10 minutes of burn in five games for the big club this year.
To keep up with all the D-League assignments and recalls throughout the year, bookmark our updated list.
Some notes from around the NBA's Southwest Division.
In his first public statement since his team was fined $250K by the league, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said he was "disappointed" with the NBA's decision, according to the Associated Press.
Mark Cuban said waiving Troy Murphy wasn't because Murphy wasn't playing well, according to a tweet from NBA.com's Earl K. Sneed.
December 1st, 2012 at 12:05pm CST by Zachary Links
The Spurs announced that they have re-assigned guard Cory Joseph to the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League. Joseph was first assigned to the Toros on November 15th and was recalled days later on November 21.
Joseph, 21, appeared in four games for Spurs, averaging 1.8 points and 1.5 assists in 7.8 minutes. In three stints with the Toros last season, the 6’3″ guard averaged 13.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.1 APG, and 1.29 steals in 14 games. Joseph also spent 29 games with the Spurs in 2011/12, averaging 2.0 PPG in 9.0 minutes per contest.
November 30th, 2012 at 10:30pm CST by Sean Highkin
The latest news from around the NBA on Friday evening:
CBSSports.com's Ken Berger reports that the NBA is considering instituting a new policy on resting players following Gregg Popovich's controversial decision on Thursday.
Howard Beck of the New York Times writes that Brook Lopez' foot is not seriously injured, despite indications to the contrary.
The New York Times' Dan Duggan writes that the Wizards are trying to put their horrific start to the season behind them.
Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Bucks have still not set a time for Luc Mbah a Moute's return.
Sam Amico of FoxSportsOhio.com writes that Hawks GM Danny Ferry has turned the team around faster than expected.
Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer writes that Cavs rookie Kevin Jones is not expected to find his way into the rotation anytime soon.
Earlier today, I asked Hoops Rumors readers whether Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was in the wrong for sending his star players home before last night's game against the Heat. Over 83% of respondents so far have sided with Popovich rather than with commissioner David Stern, who called Pop's decision "unacceptable." Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports agrees with you in his take on the subject, calling Stern's statement a "temper tantrum that left everyone around him embarrassed, humiliated and wondering why he insisted on staying until February of 2014."
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NBA as we prepare for the weekend:
While Anderson Varejao has been a popular topic of trade speculation lately, the Cavaliers have no plans to move him, writes Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio. In any case, most teams who would be interested in Varejao don't have the assets to acquire him or aren't willing to part with them, says Amico.
In his latest draft blog at ESPN.com (Insider only), Chad Ford examines a few players whose stocks have slipped early in the season, including UNC's James Michael McAdoo and Tony Mitchell of North Texas.
A pair of Dallas Morning News scribes offer up opposing takes on the Mavericks' signing of Derek Fisher, with Eddie Sefko noting that signing Fisher as a starter will make the team's bench stronger, while Kevin Sherrington says it's a patchwork move in another year "about nothing."
When I made my predictions for the 2012/13 NBA season, I anticipated the Spurs and Heat meeting in next June's NBA Finals. Given how far off the rails many of my other predictions have already gone, I don't expect that one to pan out either, but the two teams are off to good enough starts that it's still a real possibility. As such, last night's Spurs/Heat game in Miami had the chance to be a Finals preview.
Well, except for the fact that Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Danny Green weren't in the building, having been sent home by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich earlier in the day. The Spurs still managed to make things interesting, holding a lead late in the game, but the Heat eventually closed out a 105-100 victory.
Reactions around the league to Popovich's decision have been divided, with some defending his decision to rest his stars during a stretch when the Spurs were required to play four road games in five nights.
"I don’t think Pop was in the wrong,"saidLeBron James. "It’s not in the rules to tell you that you can’t not send your guys here or send your guys home. But the commissioner will make his decision and everybody else will deal with it."
Indeed, NBA commissioner David Stern took exception to Popovich's approach, releasing an official statement prior to the game to express his displeasure: "I apologize to all NBA fans. This was an unacceptable decision by the San Antonio Spurs and substantial sanctions will be forthcoming."
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel agreed with Stern, arguing that Popovich was thumbing his nose at paying fans and TNT, each of whom support the NBA and help "pay all the ridiculous salaries." On the other hand, as LeBron pointed out, there's certainly no rule that says the league has the right to step in and tell a coach how to manage his team — Popovich rested his starters on multiple occasions last season, and the NBA didn't say anything about it.
Where do you fall on this issue? Do you mind Popovich sending healthy players home?
November 29th, 2012 at 10:06pm CST by Ryan Raroque
You can count NBA commissioner David Stern among those who are none-too-pleased about Spurs coach Gregg Popovich's decision to rest his stars against the Heat tonight. Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida relayed a statement by Stern which indicated that "substantial sanctions will be forthcoming" as a consequence for San Antonio (Sulia link). Earlier, Popovich told reporters: "It has nothing to do with the Miami Heat, or TV, or anything…You deal with the schedule as best you can and do the wisest thing for your particular team” (Jeff McDonald of Spurs Nation reports). On another note, here's what we're hearing out of the Western Conference tonight:
Later in his column, Ken Berger of CBS Sports credits a source that says Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni would like to have Nate McMillan as his top assistant for the 2013-14 season if he isn't given a head coaching job by then.
Jonathan Feigen of Ultimate Rockets writes that if injury-riddled Houston isn't able to get well anytime soon, then "different remedies will be in order." While it may not explicitly imply a roster move, Feigen acknowledges that without Chandler Parsons and Carlos Delfino, the team is short-handed on the wings.
With Brandon Roy and Chase Budinger out, as well as Andrei Kirilenko dealing with back spasms, Timberwolves forward Josh Howard finds himself thrust into the starting lineup yesterday against the Clippers. Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune notes that Howard still considers himself in training camp but remains confident about handling the opportunty for more playing time.
With the Thunder going 6-1 over their last seven games, Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK recognizes Russell Westbrook's passing ability as a major component of the team's recent success.
While head coach Rick Carlisle doesn't see the Derek Fisher signing as a "cure-all" to the Mavericks' challenges, he welcomes the 38-year-old veteran's experience and leadership abilities at the point guard position, writes Earl K. Sneed of NBA.com.
Mike Trudell of Lakers.com writes about the adjustments that Pau Gasol has had to make on both ends of the floor, particularly on defense, where the power forward position in the NBA can provide significantly different types of matchups for the Lakers depending on their opposition.