Inside Hoops – Page 250 – NBA Blog

Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley out with elbow injury

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie forward Evan Mobley left Monday night’s game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse against Boston in the third quarter with a right elbow injury and did not return to action.

Initial examination postgame and an MRI administered today at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health confirmed a right elbow sprain.

Mobley will now undergo a period of treatment and rehabilitation and his return to play will be approximately 2-4 weeks.

The Cavs are 9-6 so far this season, which is the 5th best record in the Eastern conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2021-22 are Darius Garland at 16.8 points per game, Collin Sexton at 16.0 ppg, and Ricky Rubio, Mobley and Jarrett Allen who are all scoring between 14-15 ppg.

Mobley is averaging 14.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.6 bpg. He’s an early leader along all rookies in the league.

Charlotte Hornets promote Buzz Peterson, Larry Jordan and David Duquette within basketball operations department

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today the following promotions within the team’s basketball operations department: Buzz Peterson to Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations & Assistant General Manager, Larry Jordan to Vice President of Player Personnel and David Duquette to Assistant General Manager.

“The promotions for Buzz, Larry and David are very well deserved as all three of them possess a wide array of talent, experience and basketball knowledge,” said Kupchak. “They have all played an integral part in our team building process since I arrived in Charlotte. I’m excited to continue to work with them in the future as we build around our young, talented core of players and look to take the next step in our growth as a team.”

Peterson is in his 10th season with the Hornets, having served the past four seasons as Assistant General Manager. He has been involved in all aspects of the team’s basketball operations, including professional and collegiate scouting, draft preparations, player acquisitions, G League operations and salary cap management. During his tenure with the Hornets, Peterson has also served as a Senior Advisor of Basketball Operations, Director of Player Personnel and a scout. Prior to the NBA, Peterson held college head coaching positions at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Coastal Carolina University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Tulsa and Appalachian State University (twice), compiling an overall coaching record of 267-227.

In his 10th season with the organization, Jordan has spent the prior seven seasons as the team’s Director of Player Personnel. Jordan’s responsibilities include scouting college, G League and NBA games to identify and evaluate players, as well as providing results and analyses to assist in building and improving the roster for both the Hornets and its G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. Additionally, he oversees the team’s scouting department. Previously, Jordan spent two years with the organization as Director of Special Projects, working closely with various departments across the organization.

Duquette enters his 11th season with the Hornets, having served as Director of Basketball Strategy/Team Counsel for the previous three seasons. Among the variety of basketball operations matters he oversees, Duquette advises on the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, salary cap management and player contracts. During his time in Charlotte, Duquette has also served as Director of Basketball Affairs and a Basketball Operations Assistant. Before joining Charlotte, Duquette started his NBA career as an intern and later a Basketball Operations Assistant with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Timberwolves assign Leandro Bolmaro and Nathan Knight to G League

The Minnesota Timberwolves have assigned guard Leandro Bolmaro and transferred two-way forward Nathan Knight to the Iowa Wolves, the team’s NBA G League affiliate.

Bolmaro has appeared in five contests for the Timberwolves, has scored a total of five points and grabbed four rebounds.

In three games with the Timberwolves, Knight has totaled four points and two rebounds.

Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter out with wrist injury that requires surgery

Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter suffered a right wrist injury during the Hawks’ game at Golden State on Nov. 8.

An MRI taken at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex revealed a tendon injury that will require surgery.

He is expected to return in approximately eight weeks.

Per the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “this is not Hunter’s first injury that will keep him out long-term, as he struggled with swelling and soreness in his right knee for much of last season, playing in 23 regular-season games. He played in the Hawks’ first-round playoff series vs. the Knicks before undergoing meniscus surgery in June, missing the Eastern Conference semifinals and finals.”

Sixers assistant coach Dave Joerger steps away from team for cancer treatment

STATEMENT FROM PHILADELPHIA 76ERS ASSISTANT COACH DAVE JOERGER

I will be stepping away from the bench, effective immediately, as I was recently diagnosed with a treatable form of cancer. I will take this time to focus on my health and I look forward to rejoining the team once I’ve completed the treatment process.

Over the last few months, I learned the importance of self-evaluation and care, early detection and annual medical exams. I know I will beat this diagnosis with the help of my world-class medical team at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Jefferson Health, under the direction of Dr. David M. Cognetti, Dr. Voichita Bar Ad and Dr. Jennifer Johnson. I would like to thank the entire medical team and support staff at Jefferson Health for their extraordinary care. I would also like to acknowledge Josh Harris, David Blitzer, Doc Rivers, Daryl Morey, Elton Brand and the entire 76ers organization. Their unwavering support has allowed me to concentrate all of my efforts towards beating cancer. Most importantly, thank you to my wife Kimberly and my loving family who continue to provide me with strength.

The game of basketball has given me so much, highlighted by the extended support system and lifelong friendships I have been able to form. I look forward to using my platform to continue to raise awareness and help support the fight against cancer.

STATEMENT FROM PHILADELPHIA 76ERS HEAD COACH DOC RIVERS

Dave is not only one of the most talented and respected coaches in the NBA, but he’s a great friend, colleague, husband and father. The same positivity, enthusiasm and grit that have made him a successful coach will also carry him through his fight against cancer. I know I speak for everyone at the 76ers when I say, “Get well soon, we love you and we’ll be with you throughout this entire process. Your battle is our battle.”

STATEMENT FROM PHILADELPHIA 76ERS MANAGING PARTNER JOSH HARRIS

Since he arrived in Philadelphia last year, Dave has been more than a great coach. He’s a well-respected leader who has become a trusted member of the 76ers family. He has our full support as he focuses on his health. We know he’ll approach the coming months with the same determination that has made him one of the NBA’s top coaches, and we’ll be by his side every step of the way.

Evan Fournier discusses the Knicks offense

Here’s Knicks forward Evan Fournier discussing the Knicks offense, via the New York Daily News:

“We started really well, shooting the ball well, sharing the ball, et cetera,” Fournier said Friday. “Now it’s not as good. So are we playing not as well because we are missing shots or are we missing shots because we aren’t sharing the ball? It’s always that question that you’ve got to ask yourself. In my opinion, it’s because we aren’t getting good shots and we aren’t working the defense well enough.”

In their last eight games leading up to Friday, the Knicks were tied for last in assists with the miserable Rockets and Thunder. Overall, they were 22nd in assists and 26th in assist percentage, which contrasts their high ranking (6th) in points per game…

“The main difference between the second unit and the first one is ball movement, body movement,” Fournier said. “At times it feels like we’re very stagnant. And we have to find that rhythm that we had early on, those first five games of the season. So just make sure we share the ball. Sometimes you pass the ball just to pass the ball and the rhythm is going to come back. Once we all touch the ball, you get a good rhythm, you get better shots. And then we all feel good. I think that’s the main thing going forward.”

The Knicks are on the road tonight, in Charlotte to face the Hornets (6-7).

Chris McGowan steps down as Trail Blazers president and CEO

Today the Portland Trail Blazers announced Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) & Executive Vice President (EVP) Dewayne Hankins as the organization’s new President of Business Operations. He is succeeding Chris McGowan, President & CEO, who will step down from the role after nine successful years, effective November 26, 2021.

Per the Blazers, “under Hankins’ leadership with the team, the Trail Blazers achieved franchise records in ticket sales and corporate sponsorships, specifically in digital media revenue. He also played a key role in signing the first cryptocurrency company, StormX, to an NBA jersey patch deal in 2021, as well as in the negotiation of the broadcast deal with ROOT SPORTS, which brings Trail Blazers games to more fans than ever before across Oregon, Washington and Alaska.”

“Since joining the Trail Blazers in 2013, Dewayne has been crucial to our success and growth,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Trail Blazers. “Now in his ninth season with us, we’re thrilled to have him lead the organization.”

“It was a pleasure to work with Chris, and I want to thank him for the last decade of mentorship,” Hankins said. “I also want to thank Jody and Bert for their continued trust in me as I take on this new role.”

“We are grateful for Chris’s contributions since joining the Trail Blazers nearly a decade ago,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Trail Blazers. “I appreciate his dedication to the organization and to our fans, and we wish him well in his next chapter.”

“I want to thank Paul Allen, Jody Allen and Bert Kolde for giving me the opportunity to lead this great organization over the past nine years,” McGowan said. “In addition, I want to thank our amazing staff for their tireless dedication to creating extraordinary moments at Moda Center and in the community and thank our players who represent everything that is good about Portland.”

Bulls center Nikola Vucevic has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19

The 8-3 Chicago Bulls are off to a terrific start this season, but they’ll reportedly be without their starting center for the (hopefully) very short term. Via ESPN.com:

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic tested positive for COVID-19 and entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols on Thursday, sources told ESPN.

The Bulls listed Vucevic in the protocols, but the positive test means he will be sidelined for 10 days or once he has two negative PCR tests in a 24-hour period.

Huge offseason trade looks great for Wizards early in 2021-22 season

The Wizards, featuring Bradley Beal and some returnees from last season but also a big stack of new players, are off to a fantastic start in 2021-22. Via the Washington Times:

This offseason, Washington traded Westbrook, reportedly at his request, to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return, the Wizards got Kuzma and a package of other players.

And, perhaps surprisingly, the early returns have been nothing but favorable for the Wizards.

While the Wizards are off to their best start since the 2014-15 season, Westbrook has yet to find his groove alongside stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles. The 32-year-old’s 18.8 points per game are his lowest scoring average since the second year of his career and he again leads the league in turnovers. Westbrook, with a field goal percentage of 41.1, has shot worse just once — his rookie season.

The Lakers are just 6-5.

“Most people probably thought we lost the trade,” Wizards guard Aaron Holiday said. “But I think we won it.”

Holiday was one of six players the Wizards got in the deal — which ballooned into a complicated five-team swap by the time it was finalized. Of those six players, five were legitimate NBA role players: Kuzma, Holiday, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Spencer Dinwiddie and Montrezl Harrell.

Carmelo Anthony has been a good addition to the Lakers

The Lakers are still finding their way this season, but one bright spot has been the addition of reserve forward Carmelo Anthony. Here’s the Los Angeles Times on it:

Fans’ cheers were still echoing in Staples Center when Carmelo Anthony, wearing street clothes, tinted glasses and a thoughtful smile, came backstage to meet the media Monday night.

The sellout crowd of 18,997 roared at his every move, soaking up the energy Anthony brought off the Lakers’ bench and into the game against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday and reflecting it back at him in cheers and chants. He was in his element, putting the Lakers ahead for good in overtime by scoring the last three points of his season-high 29 as they held on for a 126-123 victory, a game that will make few highlight films except those that preserve the best moments of Anthony’s stellar career.

There were so many good moments on Monday — the seven-for-10 shooting from three-point range, the warm bond between him and the crowd, the boost he gave a team that still hasn’t figured out how to mesh without the injured LeBron James — that it was difficult to imagine Anthony’s career appeared to be over not so long ago.

Released by the Houston Rockets 10 games into the 2018-19 season, Anthony was out of the NBA until the Portland Trail Blazers signed him in November 2019. “I honestly never understood it. I really didn’t,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said.

Anthony gave Portland two solid seasons coming off the bench before he signed with the Lakers in August. “He’s obviously got a lot in the tank and we’re excited to have him,” Vogel said. “I just never understood it.”

The Lakers are 6-5 this season, which is the 8th best record in the Western conference.

Their leading scorers early in the 2021-22 season are LeBron James at 24.8 points per game, Anthony Davis at 23.9 ppg, Russell Westbrook at 18.8 ppg, then Anthony at 17.6 ppg.

Anthony is hitting 50% FG, and 52% from three-point range.

LeBron is currently injured and has played in just six of the team’s first 11 games.