Inside Hoops – Page 950 – NBA Blog

Celtics may want guard Isaiah Thomas

Celtics may want guard Isaiah Thomas

As Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline approaches, here’s CSNNE reporting on the Celtics and Suns:

When the Boston Celtics pulled off a pair of blockbuster deals to land Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in 2007, both were available for reasons that the Celtics had no control over but were in position to take advantage of.

A similar situation might be brewing with the Phoenix Suns, who are likely to unload one of two point guards — Goran Dragic or Isaiah Thomas — by Thursday’s trade deadline.

If Suns management decides to unload Thomas, the Celtics will be among the teams to look closely at swinging a deal for the 5-foot-9 guard, a league source told CSNNE.com on Tuesday.

Deron Williams struggling for Nets

Deron Williams struggling for Nets

The Brooklyn Nets are 21-31 this season and getting 12.9 points (38.4% FG) and 6.1 assists in 30.7 minutes per game from point guard Deron Williams, though the veteran’s contributions have been less than that lately. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

Though fans have been down on Williams for a long time, he was playing well early in the season, and the team was performing significantly better with him on the court than off it.

But after coming back from fractured rib cartilage that kept him out for virtually all of January, Williams has been a shell of himself, averaging 7.3 points in 28 minutes per game in the final six games before the break. He was shooting 15-for-51 (29.4 percent) and 4-for-17 (23.4 percent) from 3-point range in that span, and ducked out of the locker room in Memphis without speaking to reporters in the final game before the break.

If the Nets are going to make a run at a playoff spot, they absolutely have to get Williams going again. He’s easily the best 3-point shooter on a team without many options from deep, and gives the Nets another creator and scorer on the perimeter. But when he’s playing as he is now, he doesn’t give them much of anything.

Rondo says he and Stoudemire have wanted to play together for years

Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting on Mavs point guard Rajon Rondo and his probable soon-to-be teammate Amar’e Stouemire, who was waived by the Knicks. Once Stoudemire clears waivers he will reportedly sign with Dallas:

Point guard Rajon Rondo did say he and Stoudemire have a close connection which will finally be realized whenever Stoudemire puts his signature on the Mavs’ contract.

“Stoudemire and I have always talked throughout the years of playing against each other,’’ Rondo said. “We wanted to become teammates, and hopefully it will come true soon.

“But him as a player, I think he’s still a dominant big in our game. He’s very powerful, he can finish at the rim.’’

Rondo also thinks Stoudemire will be extremely motivated after he left a New York Knick team that’s the worst in the NBA at 10-43, to join a Mavs team that’s 36-19 and seeded fifth in the Western Conference.

Playoffs remain possible for Celtics

Here’s the Boston Herald reporting on the Celtics, who certainly weren’t expected to compete for a playoff spot, but they play in the Eastern conference:

The Celtics begin the stretch run with a game in Sacramento on Friday, and despite a 20-31 record, talk of the playoffs persists.

They are one loss out of both the seventh and eighth playoff seeds in the Eastern Conference. The weakened state of the East considered, the Celtics have a very good chance of remaining within reach of the postseason. The most telling sign of improved play is their 7-5 record over the last five games.

The trade deadline arrives on Thursday, and with it, more stability for coach Brad Stevens. He started the season with a plan based on the talents of Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green, and once those two players were traded, had to reconfigure his entire strategy.

It’s difficult for a young coach to work on the fly like this, but to Stevens’ credit, his players continue to buy into the plan.

Pistons have interest in Joe Johnson

Detroit Pistons have interest in Joe Johnson, who makes a ton of money

Here’s ESPN New York reporting discussion between the Pistons and Nets:

The Detroit Pistons reached out to the Brooklyn Nets, inquiring about swingman Joe Johnson, league sources told ESPNNewYork.com’s Ohm Youngmisuk Tuesday.

Nothing is imminent, but the Pistons talked to the Nets about a package involving injured point guard Brandon Jennings and expiring contracts, league sources said.

The Nets continue to field inquiries from other teams.

Johnson is making $23.2 million this season and is due $24.9 million next season, the final year of his deal. The 33-year-old veteran is averaging 15.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Chris Bosh has been playing hurt

Chris Bosh has been playing hurt

Here’s the Miami Herald reporting on Heat star Chris Bosh, who is averaging 21.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season:

Chris Bosh’s inconsistent offense before the All-Star break was a clear signal that the Heat’s power forward needed a few days off to reset his body.

With his All-Star obligations complete, Bosh now has five days to rest some nagging aches, including a persistent pain in his side. Heat assistant coach Juwan Howard revealed over the weekend that Bosh was playing through an injury before the All-Star break, and although Bosh downplayed the news while in New York, there’s little question something has been affecting his jump shot over the past two weeks.

“Your body will follow your mind, and sometimes it’s good to get away,” Bosh said. “You have to give credit to the commissioner and the players for coming together and actually making it a longer break, but sometimes you just have to reset.

“If things are going well, or if things aren’t going well, you have to let your body rest, you have to take advantage of the time, and when you’re stuck in the brain sometimes you have to step away from the game, and that’s when you get the most ideas.”

Kings hire George Karl as head coach

Sacramento Kings hire George Karl as head coach

The Sacramento Kings announced today that George Karl will become the team’s new head coach, according to General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. Karl becomes the 27th coach in franchise history and the 16th during the Sacramento-era. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re fortunate to be taking a step towards returning this franchise to prominence with one of the best coaches in basketball on our sideline,” said D’Alessandro. “George knows how to win, as evidenced by a lifetime track record of success and ability to maintain consistency throughout his three decades in the game. We’re excited to welcome him to Sacramento.”

“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to coach again in the NBA, and I’m thankful it’s happening in Sacramento,” said Karl. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of helping guide the franchise back to greatness. We have an owner in Vivek Ranadivé who is committed to winning, a roster with some impressive components already assembled and an exciting new development downtown. Anyone who follows basketball, even at a casual level, understands that Kings fans are renowned for their passionate support of the team. I’ve coached against the Kings in some important moments over the years and was always amazed by the level of energy they bring to the game. We’re going to provide them with more instances to display that enthusiasm.”

Karl joins the Kings as a veteran of 25 seasons on the bench for five NBA franchises (Cleveland, 1984-86), Golden State (1986-88), Seattle (1991-98), Milwaukee (1998-2003) and Denver (2004-2013), where he was named the 2012-13 NBA Coach of the Year after guiding the Nuggets to a franchise-record 57 victories and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference—marking the 22nd postseason appearance in his coaching career. His 21 consecutive NBA campaigns of .500 or better achieved from 1991-92 through 2012-13 is the longest such streak in league annals. He is tied with Lenny Wilkens for eighth all-time with 80 playoff victories and has 12 Coach of the Month nods to his credit—tied for second-most in NBA history. He joined the 1,000 win club on Dec. 10, 2010 in a victory over Toronto, adding his name to a rarified quadruple-digit coaching pantheon that includes Rick Adelman, Don Nelson, Wilkens, Jerry Sloan, Pat Riley, Jackson, Larry Brown and Gregg Popovich.

Before joining the Kings, Karl most recently spent nearly two seasons as an NBA analyst for ESPN across a multitude of network platforms, including SportsCenter, NBA Coast 2 Coast, and NBA Tonight.

A two-time cancer survivor, Karl is active in a number of cancer outreach and awareness organizations, working closely with programs such as the Cancer Care Initiative at Swedish Medical Center to provide information and assistance for patients and their families. Additionally, he and his life partner Kim Van Deraa devote energy to several philanthropic organizations. Established in 2012, the George Karl Foundation supports cancer care programs, educational platforms, animal rights advocacy and environmental initiatives.

Karl, 63, has three children, daughters Kelci and Kaci and a son, Coby. In 2007-08, Coby and George became just the third father/son duo to face each other in an NBA game and the first to do so in a postseason game as Denver took on Coby’s Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

Magic hire Igor Kokoskov as assistant coach

Orlando Magic hire Igor Kokoskov as assistant coach

The Orlando Magic have named Igor Kokoskov (kuh-KOS-kov) assistant coach, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Kokoskov, 43, has spent 14 seasons as an assistant coach in the NBA, most recently with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2013-14 campaign. During his tenure on an NBA bench, Kokoskov’s teams have made six conference finals appearances, two NBA Finals trips and captured one NBA World Championship.

Prior to joining the Cavaliers, Kokoskov spent five seasons with the Phoenix Suns from 2008-13. He also spent five seasons with the Detroit Pistons from 2003-08, reaching the conference finals in each campaign and earning the 2004 NBA title.

In 2000, Kokoskov became the first full-time, non-American assistant coach in NBA history, when he was named to Alvin Gentry’s staff with the Los Angeles Clippers. He spent three seasons with the Clippers from 2000-03. Kokoskov later became the first non-American assistant to win an NBA championship and also the first to serve on an NBA All-Star Game coaching staff. Kokoskov also owns the distinction of being the first European coach to hold a full-time position with an NCAA Division I-A school, when he served as an assistant at the University of Missouri during the 1999-00 season under Quin Snyder, now head coach of the Utah Jazz.

A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Kokoskov owns extensive international experience as a head coach and assistant coach. He was an assistant with the Serbian national team at the 2004 Athens Olympics under renowned European coach Zeljko Obradovic. Kokoskov has enjoyed seven successful summers (2008-14) as the national team head coach for the Republic of Georgia. His team has twice qualified for the European Championships during his tenure, something the nation had never done previously. In 2012, his work with the national team earned him the Order of Honour, Georgia’s highest civilian honor.

Prior to his move to the United States, Kokoskov instructed the former Yugoslavia’s top amateur and professional players for eight years, including a stint as an assistant coach for the nation’s junior national team. He has participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program and administered other clinics throughout Africa and Europe.

Will Paul George return for Pacers by mid March?

Here’s the Indianapolis Star helping to add clarity to the health status of the Pacers’ Paul George, who is injured and has not played a game this regular season:

Will Paul George be playing for Pacers by mid March?

While George made a business trip to New York City to endorse his line of hats, he also created a fuss with comments about making a full comeback by mid-March.

“March 1 isn’t when I wanted to play my first game, but when I wanted to be full-out practicing, doing up-and-down full court without any restrictions or limitations,” George said in a Friday interview with Yahoo Sports. “From there on, it’s seeing how far I can progress to where I play my first game. My hope is it’s an opponent where I feel comfortable coming back to where there isn’t too much pressure to perform, where I can ease my way back in. But I want to say mid-March, I could probably come back around that time.”

Later that night, the team released a statement to reel back these comments. While the statement repeated that George was “hopeful” and “optimistic” with that timeline of a return, the team also emphasized that the decision rests with the Pacers’ medical staff.

Jazz may keep Enes Kanter

Here’s the Salt Lake Tribune reporting the latest on the Utah Jazz and center Enes Kanter, who is averaging 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in 27.1 minutes per game this season:

Enes Kanter and his agent very publicly asked the Jazz last week to trade the young center by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

However, the Jazz are unlikely to bend to Kanter’s demand.

The Salt Lake Tribune has learned, via NBA sources, that while the team will listen to offers, Kanter is still valued highly by the franchise and very much in its long-term plans.

Following last Wednesday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks — a game in which he suffered a first-half injury and sat out the rest of the way — a frustrated Kanter told The Tribune he hoped to be dealt by the deadline. The next day, Kanter’s agent, Max Ergul, confirmed the trade request in an interview with 1280 AM.