October 2013 – Page 11 – NBA Blog

Anthony Randolph has been pleasant surprise in Nuggets training camp

The days became months and years, and Anthony Randolph was beginning to square himself with the fact that a legitimate chance to play significant minutes might never come again.

So forgive him if he was a little skeptical when new Nuggets coach Brian Shaw arrived in town preaching competition all over the court.

But a funny thing happened: Shaw wasn’t playing. The competition was on. And because of that, something else is happening: Randolph is playing himself into the lineup.

He arguably has been the biggest surprise of camp, though he’ll tell you he has always had it in him. Signed by the Nuggets in 2012 for depth, he’s making a serious push to be in the regular rotation when the season begins in eight days.

Reported by Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post

Phoenix Suns starting small forward spot still up for grabs

This is the sort of thing that makes NBA preseason worth watching: Position battles, even on bad teams:

The Phoenix Suns are a little more than a week away from their 2012-13 season opener against the Portland Trailblazers.

First-year head coach Jeff Hornacek is still tinkering with his roster and player rotations, but says there’s a pretty good position battle brewing.

“Probably the three spot, I’d say,” Hornacek told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 620 Tuesday. “Marcus (Morris), P.J. (Tucker) and Gerald Green all lend different things.

“Obviously, P.J. is great defensively, he’s a guy that gets physical with other teams and really pulls up the defensive energy on our team. Then you have Gerald Green, who can really light it up offensively — I think we saw that in the San Antonio preseason game. And then Marcus is kind of a combination of both guys, he can score some, he’s working on his defense at the three spot.”

Reported by Vince Marotta of Arizona Sports

Whichever player gets to start may or may not actually play big minutes. Time could be split up pretty evenly. In which case, starting isn’t a big deal.

Wolves to pick up Derrick Williams, Ricky Rubio contract options

The Wolves will pick up Derrick Williams’ $6.7 million contract option for 2014-15 and do the same with Ricky Rubio’s $5 million option as well, a team source confirms.

The decision on Rubio’s contract before next week’s season opener is nothing but a formality.

The Williams’ decision pretty much was one, too, despite all the Internet chatter whether they’d really commit to another contract that could leave them fairly handcuffed right near the luxury tax.

Reported by Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Blog)

Starting 76ers lineup appears set

There are only two definites about the 76ers’ roster.

The first thing is that Michael Carter-Williams, James Anderson, Evan Turner, Thad Young and Spencer Hawes are the clear starters. The second thing is that power forward/center Lavoy Allen is an experienced NBA talent that’s finding his way back into shape.

“And after that, who knows?” Sixers coach Brett Brown said before Monday’s 104-93 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Schottenstein Center.

“You have six NBA players and then you have a bunch of guys who are fighting for spots and want to be seen and need opportunity,” Brown added.

Reported by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer

Los Angeles Lakers will fast-break this season, but nothing crazy

Which kind of pace does D’Antoni envision the Lakers running this season?

“It won’t be crazy,” he said, “but we want to push it and get a nice pace. We want to get some easy buckets before the defense sets up, so we’ll be up in the top five probably in pace, but it won’t be breakneck speed.”

Playing at a faster tempo seems to be more of an option this season because the team got younger and more athletic with the additions of Nick Young, Jordan Farmar and Wesley Johnson.

“I think we have to utilize our wings, their speed and athleticism,” forward Pau Gasol said, “but not too much faster than we did last year because I think we still have to play at somewhat of a controlled pace and a pace that everybody’s comfortable with.”

Reported by Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times

Nets waiting for Deron Williams to get healthy

Injured Nets guard Deron Williams won’t play in Wednesday’s preseason game at Boston, and neither will ex-Celtics Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Brooklyn hasn’t had all its pieces together this preseason, but according to Pierce, health is more important than quick cohesion, the second half more important than the opener…

“Truthfully, if Deron is there at the beginning or not, the most important time is after All-Star break, anyway, to start peaking,’’ Pierce said. “We’re not going to reach our potential in the first week, second week of the season. I don’t think any team is. The only team that is [are] teams that’s already there, like the Heat. It’s important for us to just get healthy right now, and peak at the right time.’’

Reported by Brian Lewis of the New York Post

Wolves expected to exercise 2014-15 option on Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams’ $6.3 million option for 2014-15 will be exercised, Wolves owner Glen Taylor confirmed to 1500ESPN.com contributor Darren Wolfson.

Williams’ future with the Minnesota Timberwolves has been a lingering storyline throughout the preseason. For now, at least one question surrounding Williams has been answered.

The former 2011 No. 2 overall draft pick is on tap to make just more than $5 million this season. His seven-figure raise next year will put the Wolves very close to the league’s luxury tax.

Reported by Nate Sandell and Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com

Nate Robinson fined for pushing, striking Steven Adams

Denver Nuggets guard Nate Robinson has been fined $10,000 for pushing Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams from behind and striking him in the chest, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 10:59 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 109-81 loss to the Thunder on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Hasheem Thabeet suspended for headbutt against Greg Stiemsma

Oklahoma City Thunder center Hasheem Thabeet has been suspended one game without pay for head butting New Orleans Pelicans center Greg Stiemsma, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 26 seconds remaining in the second quarter of Oklahoma City’s 105-102 loss to the Pelicans on Thursday, Oct. 17, at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.

Thabeet will be suspended for the Thunder’s first 2013-14 regular season game in which he is eligible and physically able to play.

To view the play, click on this link.

Atlanta Hawks waive James Johnson

The Atlanta Hawks have waived James Johnson, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

Johnson appeared in four preseason games for the Hawks.

The training camp roster stands at 17.

It feels to us like it’s too early for Johnson to fall out of the NBA. We expect another NBA team to give him a shot soon.