Author: Inside Hoops

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Pelicans, the final road team on last night’s schedule, head home

Yesterday, in news that materialized very quickly, the NBA season was put on hold, after the conclusion of last night’s games. And the final game on the schedule, start time-wise, was a Pelicans vs Kings matchup in Sacramento that wound up not being played. Here’s the New Orleans Times Picayune reporting:

The New Orleans-Sacramento matchup was supposed to be the final game before the NBA’s indefinite suspension kicked in, but the Pelicans had concerns about referee Courtney Kirkland, who had officiated one of Gobert’s games two days earlier. They remained in their locker room during warmups, and just as the game was about to start, the NBA decided to cancel the game.

They headed to the bus, had a meal and then eventually boarded a flight, which arrived in New Orleans a little after 5 a.m.

In a statement, the Pelicans announced they support the NBA’s decision to suspend the season and that they are working with health officials outside the organization to figure out the best course of action to deal with the coronavirus.

While we’re now in a waiting period for the NBA to resume — and that will take at least 30 days, if not more — we’ll keep posting fun basketball content each day. Some coronavirus-related items, because unfortunately that’s necessary, but mostly fun bball stuff, as usual.

In G League, Capital City Go-Go add forward Jordan Bell

The Capital City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate, added forward Jordan Bell off of waivers today. In a corresponding move, the team waived forward Stefan Jankovic due to a season ending injury.

Bell, a 6-8, 216 pound forward-center from the University of Oregon, has appeared in 29 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies this season. Originally taken with the 38th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, Bell was traded on draft night to the Golden State Warriors and played in 125 games (16 starts) for the Warriors between 2017 and 2019, averaging 3.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. In his time with Golden State, Bell also appeared in 32 playoff games and was a member of the 2018 NBA Champion Warriors team.

Bell was signed as a free agent by the Timberwolves in 2019 and played in 27 games prior to being included in a four-team trade that sent him to Houston in February. Bell was traded from Houston to Memphis the following day and appeared in two games with the Grizzlies before being waived on March 2.

Bell played three seasons at Oregon, leaving as the school’s all-time leader in blocks (235) and field goal percentage (.610). Bell helped lead the Ducks to a Final Four appearance his redshirt junior season, where he also was voted the 2017 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Warriors did uncover some talent this season

Okay, maybe it hasn’t been the Warriors’ year. It’s nice that Stephen Curry recently made his return — though a common flu quickly put a temporary stop to that — but clearly this squad, which of course also includes Draymond Green and an out-for-the-season Klay Thompson, is all about next season.

Still, here’s NBC Sports Bay Area ounding up some 2019-20 positives:

In the front court, Eric Paschall has emerged as a potential future foundational piece, sporting an offensive game that combines unique strength to go with mature finesse. Marquese Chriss might end up being the starting center next season as he has blossomed into an impactful young big man.

In the backcourt, Damion Lee has proven himself to be a high energy, reliable rotation piece that can put up points in a hurry. Jordan Poole has struggled with an inconsistent shot this season, but at only 20 years old, has grown considerably in his playmaking and ball handling, making him more valuable than just a potential future floor spacer.

It’ll be interesting to see who starts for the Warriors next season alongside Steph, Klay and Dray. And almost as importantly, who the key bench guys are. With some slick signings and key role player additions, the Warriors next year could leap high up in the standings once again.

Rockets break losing streak, beat Timberwolves

The Rockets have racked up losses lately. But the Timberwolves are in a state of rebuild, and do have D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns, but with KAT out of action, Houston suddenly remembered how to win again. Here’s the Houston Chronicle:

Facing a team with the third-worst record in the NBA and playing without star Karl-Anthony Towns, the Rockets had seemed heading to another inexplicable defeat, trailing by 10 late in the third quarter. When they finally got on the sort of roll they could not find for a week, the Rockets built a 13-point lead and finished off the Timberwolves, 117-111, Tuesday at Toyota Center.

It might have been much more difficult than they would have liked. But by the fourth quarter, much of the formula was back in place. Harden finished with 37 points, making 5 of 10 3s (including a heave from the backcourt he missed.) Russell Westbrook had 27, driving to fourth-quarter slams.

When the Timberwolves were within six, Eric Gordon, who had missed his first six 3-pointers in his first game back from a sore knee, nailed consecutive 3s to take the lead back to a safe double-digits.

The Rockets continue to play extreme “small-ball,” starting 6-foot-7, 209-pound Robert Covington and 6-foot-5, 245-pound forward P.J. Tucker at their big-man spots.

Celtics coach discusses possibility of playing NBA games with no fans in arena

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, many sports teams in various countries around the world are playing games, but with no fans in attendance. As a health safety precaution. All sports fans should consider the very real possibility that other leagues are pondering this option as well. As for the NBA? Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting:

Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens isn’t in favor of playing in front of empty arenas, saying it’s “counterintuitive” to play games without fans.

“Nobody wants to play without fans,” he said before the Celtics played the Pacers on Tuesday night. “That would be really too bad. But totally understand if those decisions are made … This thing is built on people liking it. The reason why we are where we are, and get a chance to do this for a living, and make a good living, is people are interested in it.”

Gordon Hayward, the Brownsburg alum who plays for the Celtics, said players aren’t taking precautions beyond those health officials recommend for the general public — common sense and cleanliness — but he said the situation is “certainly concerning.”

As Celtics coach Stevens said, he understands if it’s necessary. But hopes it can be avoided. Same with us. Same with everybody.

But if we were given a choice of games not being played, or being played safely with almost nobody else in the building and fans all forced to watch on TV at home, the latter is certainly preferable to the former.

Knicks, like all teams, adjusting to new health safety standards in wake of coronavirus

Like pro sports teams across the country and world, players on the Knicks are adapting to new safety standards to protect themselves from the coronavirus outbreak. Here’s the New York Post:

With the NBA closing locker rooms to the media before and after games and the threat of fan-less contests, the Knicks are making their adjustments.

No high-fives during practices and games, just elbow and forearm bumps. And the club is “rationing” hand sanitizer, according to forward Taj Gibson.

A Knicks spokesman said there’s plenty of sanitizer for the players, but some are trying to stock up sanitizer for their families.

“No fist-bumps,’’ Knicks veteran Gibson said. “Always do it with your elbow. Any little movement, you’re touching the ball, you got to cleanse, you got to wash your hands. (We) ran out of hand sanitizer. It’s insane. But you do what you got to do.”

In some other countries, some sporting events are being played without fans in the stands. It’ll be interesting to see what leagues here in the United States choose to do there. Discussions are ongoing.

No Marvin Bagley return yet for Kings

Sacramento Kings power forward Marvin Bagley III continues his recovery from a left midfoot sprain and is progressing through his reconditioning plan which includes on-court running activities and skill work in addition to his ongoing strength regimen.

The Sacramento Bee:

The Kings (28-36) are preparing to play the New Orleans Pelicans (28-36) on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center. The teams are tied for ninth in the Western Conference, four games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the playoffs.

The Kings are in an interesting place. Making a wild push for the playoffs isn’t actually so wild a concept. It’s an unusual position, but for the Kings, that’s a good thing. Things are happening. The franchise has reason to believe. Not necessarily in the current postseason push, but with a good offseason, making the playoffs in 2020-21 would be an actual realistic goal.

But for now the wait for Bagley’s return continues.

Norman Powell wins NBA East Player of Week

A surprise member of the Toronto Raptors stepped up and got himself named Eastern conference NBA Player of the Week today.

Over in the West, Lakers forward LeBron James, who averaged 29.0 points (.519 FG%), 10.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks as the Lakers finished the week 3-0 with victories over Philadelphia, Milwaukee and the LA Clippers, won the honor yet again.

James continues to lead the league in total assists (627) and assists per game (10.6), while ranking 13th in scoring (25.7). The 16-time NBA All-Star owns an NBA-record 64 career weekly awards, and he is the first Lakers player to earn three weekly honors in a season since Kobe Bryant in 2012-13.

But in the East, Powell earned the honor for the first time in his career. He became the 10th player in franchise history, joining Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Jalen Rose, Mike James, Lou Wiliams, Pascal Siakam and Kawhi Leonard.

Powell helped lead Toronto to a 3-0 record this past week, scoring an Eastern Conference-best 31.3 points. He also posted 2.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting .561 from the field. Powell began the week with 26 points during Toronto’s 123-114 win Mar. 3 at Phoenix. He then scored a career-high 37 points Mar. 5 at Golden State and tied a career-high with six three-pointers Mar. 8 at Sacramento.

Powell was selected 46th overall by Toronto in the 2015 NBA Draft and is the second-longest serving player on the team behind only Kyle Lowry. He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for April 2016.

Clippers sign veteran center Joakim Noah

The L.A. Clippers signed free agent Joakim Noah today.

“Joakim is a relentless competitor and a proven winner,” said Frank. “His experience, acumen and toughness fit well in our locker room.”

Noah, a two-time NBA All-Star (2013, 2014) and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2014), appeared in 42 games last season for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 7.1 points, 2.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds. The 6’11”, 230-pound center holds career averages of 8.8 points, 2.8 assists and 9.1 rebounds in 667 appearances across 12 NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Grizzlies.

Per the Los Angeles Times, “Noah was scheduled to work out for team officials in September, but had to postpone because of an injury. It wasn’t until last week that he auditioned in front of the Clippers.”

Before being selected by Chicago with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Noah played three collegiate seasons at the University of Florida, leading the Gators to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2006 and 2007.

Grizzlies injury updates on Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke and Justise Winslow

The Memphis Grizzlies today provided medical updates for forwards Brandon Clarke, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Justise Winslow:

Jackson Jr. (left knee soreness) and Winslow (back soreness) both are likely to return within the next week.

Clarke (right quadriceps strain) is progressing well in his recovery and is expected to return this season.

The Grizzlies are enjoying a very good season. They’re 32-32, which places them 8th in the Western conference. Rookie guard Ja Morant is the leading Rookie of the Year candidate.

Jackson Jr. and Clarke are key members of the Grizzlies rotation. Starting all 54 games he’s played, Jackson Jr. this season is averaging 16.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

Coming off the bench for 47 of his 50 games played, Clarke contributes 12.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Getting them back will give Memphis a big boost as they try to hold off the Pelicans and Kings, who are both four games behind the Grizzlies in the standings.

Winslow played 11 games for the Heat earlier this season, but hasn’t suited up for the Grizzlies yet.