August 2018 – Page 4 – NBA Blog

On new Mavs center DeAndre Jordan

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on new Mavericks center DeAndre Jordan. The former Clipper is an interesting addition to the Mavs, who are rebuilding yet are giving Jordan big money to help boost their win total for one season. Whether he’ll be on the team beyond 2018-19 remains to be seen:

The Mavericks were challenged in the rebounding department, so having Jordan should immediately help that shortcoming. He also will help their offensive efficiency as he’s led the league in effective field-goal percentage five times in the last six seasons. It’ll come down to how well Jordan and Dennis Smith Jr. mesh in the pick and roll, which figures to be an even bigger part of the Mavericks’ system this year. Luka Doncic working with Jordan is intriguing, too. And you might even see the high-low post of Dirk Nowitzki and Jordan. The bottom line is that having Jordan opens up a whole new array of options for coach Rick Carlisle.

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Former NBA GM Bob Bass dies

Some sad news in the NBA world came Friday. Here’s the Charlotte Observer reporting:

Bob Bass is the one general manager ever to trade former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.

He did so much more than that in a pro basketball career that spanned five decades. He was the most impactful GM in Charlotte NBA history. Bass died Friday in San Antonio at the age of 89. He suffered two strokes recently.

Bass began as Hornets GM in 1995, working for owner George Shinn, and retired in 2004 after guiding the franchise through the move to New Orleans. Yes, he traded two future Hall of Famers in Bryant and Alonzo Mourning. He also got the Hornets to the playoffs in seven of his nine seasons, oversaw the only two seasons of 50 or more victories in franchise history, and won the NBA Executive of the Year in 1997 after the Hornets won 54 games.

Bass was as old-school as anyone I’ve covered. He grew up in Oklahoma, married a fellow coach, Pat, of Native American descent, and built a career working for pre-merger American Basketball Association teams on shoestring budgets. He once told me about selling off office furniture to pay some bills at one of his ABA stops in Denver, Miami, Memphis and San Antonio.

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Here’s a statement on Bob Bass from the Charlotte Hornets: “The Charlotte Hornets are saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Bass. After coming to Charlotte in 1995, Bob was responsible for some of the most successful teams in Hornets history and left an indelible mark on our franchise. Under his leadership the Hornets never finished a season with a record under .500, and his team building earned him the NBA’s Executive of the Year Award in 1997. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Pat, sons Kelly and Kip, and the entire Bass family.”

And here’s a statement from Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich: “Over the course of four decades, Bob Bass had a huge impact in both the ABA and NBA. BB was a true pioneer in the world of professional basketball. His knowledge, passion and dedication to the game were inspiring. We send our condolences to the entire Bass family.”

Noah Vonleh ready to bring rebounding skills to Knicks

The Knicks are in a rebuilding phase. The squad is build around Kristaps Porzingis (injured), Tim Hardaway Jr. and Enes Kanter. They’re hoping Frank Ntilikina can develop, and that new additions Mario Hezonja, Kevin Knox (rookie) and Mitchell Robinson (rookie) can be difference-makers. But another new team member, Noah Vonleh, has been in the NBA since 2014 and is still looking to get serious minutes in a rotation. One thing Vonleh is sure to bring to the Knicks is excellent rebounding ability. Here’s the New York post with more:

Noah Vonleh may be regarded as another lottery-pick disappointment on the Knicks’ roster, but the 6-foot-9, 245-pound power forward has one exceptional attribute he will bring to the Garden — rebounding.

“To be in the NBA, you have to have an elite skill and do something really well,’’ Vonleh told The Post in his first comments since signing as a free agent July 24.

“Rebounding has always been the biggest thing for me. Since I was a young kid, I was always able to rebound. I got a good eye for what angle it’s coming off and just going after it. That’s my skill that got me in the NBA. That’s what I get myself going with.’’

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Jayson Tatum enjoys workout with Kobe Bryant

Even when an NBA player gains some experience and isn’t awe-struck by anyone he’s up against, it’ll always be special for the player to work out with their sports idol. Here’s NESN.com reporting on talented young Celtic Jayson Tatum and a photo Tatum posted in late July:

Jayson Tatum has spent his offseason improving his game and his body, with a little help from his childhood idol.

The Boston Celtics rookie forward posted photos of himself working out with Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant, who Tatum has said was his favorite player growing up.

Tatum’s unique scoring ability and silky mid-range jump shot has drawn comparisons to Bryant dating all the way back to his days at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis. But there’s no doubt the Black Mamba had a few pointers for the Duke product as he prepares to embark on his sophomore NBA season.

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Tom Chambers reportedly charged with assault

Here’s the Deseret Morning News reporting on long-retired NBA star Tom Chambers:

Former Utah Jazz and Utah Utes power forward Tom Chambers was charged with assault stemming from an incident that happened in April of this year, the Arizona Republic reported.

Police said the incident happened on April 15 in a Scottsdale, Arizona, restaurant, according to the Republic. Another patron, 22-year-old Alexander Berglet, began to insult the former NBA player, TMZ reported, and Chambers told police he reacted after Berglet said, “Your mom should have killed you when you came out of the womb as ugly as you are, your arms are silly, your chest is this. Your belly is big.”

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Grizzlies sign guard Markel Crawford

The Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday signed guard Markel Crawford to the team’s training camp roster.

Crawford (6-4, 210) appeared in seven games (one start) for the Grizzlies during NBA Summer League 2018 in Las Vegas and averaged 9.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 18.4 minutes while shooting 53.1 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from three-point range. The 23-year-old Memphis native also saw action in three games as a reserve during the 2018 Utah Jazz Summer League and averaged 5.7 points in 12.8 minutes.

Unselected in the 2018 NBA Draft, Crawford started 25 of his 32 games last season as a redshirt senior at Ole Miss and averaged 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.19 steals in 30.9 minutes. He spent his first four collegiate seasons at the University of Memphis following his high school career at Melrose High School in Memphis.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “Crawford transferred to Ole Miss for his final year of eligibility, but played in 95 games for the Tigers between 2014 and 2017. He averaged 8.0 points in his three years under former Memphis coaches Josh Pastner and Tubby Smith.”

Jazz sign center Isaac Haas

The Utah Jazz have signed center Isaac Haas.

Until we hear otherwise, we will assume it is a non-guaranteed contract for training camp.

Haas (7-2, 290, Purdue) competed for the Jazz at the 2018 Utah Jazz Summer League and NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He saw action in four games at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, totaling 15 points, 19 rebounds, four steals and three blocks in those contests.

He appeared in 35 games (all starts) as a senior in 2017-18, posting averages of 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game. A finalist for the 2018 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, Haas also earned an AP Honorable Mention and All-Big Ten Third team recognition following his final collegiate season.

Playing in 139 career games (76 starts) at Purdue, the Hokes Bluff, Ala. native finished his career ranked 20th in points (1,555), 20th in rebounds (643), fourth in field goal percentage (.589), seventh in blocked shots (124) and fourth in games played.

Hornets waive Mangok Mathiang

Yesterday, the Charlotte Hornets waived Mangok Mathiang.

Mathiang signed a two-way contract with Charlotte on Aug. 2, 2017. In 2017-18, the 6-10 forward from Louisville appeared in four games with the Hornets, averaging 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 5.0 minutes per contest. He also appeared in 43 games (36 starts) for the Hornets G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, averaging 10.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 assists in 25.3 minutes per game.

Utah Jazz waive David Stockton

The Utah Jazz yesterday waived guard David Stockton.

According to the Deseret News, “this comes after German club Medi Bayreuth announced in early August it had signed the younger Stockton. His brother Michael, who played at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, also plays in Germany.”

Stockton appeared in three games with Utah, averaging 3.3 points in 3.0 minutes per contest in 2017-18. He tallied a season-high five points at Minnesota on April 1.

On Kyle Kuzma getting to play alongside LeBron James

LeBron James is bringing his basketball legacy to Los Angeles. Young Laker talent like Kyle Kuzma is sure to benefit. Here’s Michigan Live reporting:

The four-time MVP has played in the Finals for eight straight years, winning the championship with Cleveland in 2016 after capturing back-to-back crowns with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013.

Now, he’ll be wearing the same jersey as Kuzma, who will literally get to rub shoulders with one of the greatest players of all-time on a daily basis.

“I think it’s going to impact a lot,” Kuzma said Wednesday. “He’s the ultimate professional. He’s a guy that’s one of the first guys in the gym and one of the last ones to leave. Usually I say I’m the first one in the gym but he’s beaten me to the gym a couple times already.

“We’re both excited for the season. It’s going to be a great year for us. I kind of had a good hunch in my stomach he was going to come (to the Lakers). It’s good. Anytime you can play with one of the greatest players of all-time it’s going to bode well for you.”

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