General NBA insight – Page 132 – NBA Blog

Boozer should be big help for Bulls

John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times writes:

With Boozer as a viable option in the low post, teams no longer can gang up on Rose on the perimeter. When the ball is thrown in to Boozer, opponents now will have a choice to make — double-team Boozer or let him operate one-on-one in the post.

If teams choose to double-team Boozer, he’ll kick it out to Rose. If not, they’ll have to contend with a player who averaged 19.5 points for the Utah Jazz last season.

”[Boozer’s] versatility is a great asset,” Thibodeau said. ”It starts with his post-up game. The thing that often gets overlooked is his ability to pass out of the post. He’s a terrific passer out of the post, so when the ball goes in and we cut, those are other opportunities to get easy baskets.”

Boozer is the type of big man whose game meshes perfectly with Rose and the type of offense Thibodeau wants to run.

Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer, left, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, battle for the ball during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 4, 2010. The Lakers won 111-103 . UPI Photo/Lori Shepler Photo via Newscom

Pacers power forward job still open

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports:

Josh McRoberts, Tyler Hansbrough, Jeff Foster, Solomon Jones and Magnum Rolle are candidates. Danny Granger also will play some at the position when O’Brien goes with a small lineup.

Hansbrough is viewed as the future but is working himself into shape after missing most of his rookie season. O’Brien said he’d start McRoberts if the season opened today, but quickly pointed out that the regular season is four weeks away.

“Coach said that spot is open,” McRoberts said. “I feel good. I feel like I put in the time and the work over the summer and I deserve the opportunity. I’m excited.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: I think a month or two into the season, whoever best provides the dirty work — setting tough picks, rebounding, defending — will earn the job. If it was a few years ago, I’d go with Foster. But now, it’s anyone’s guess.

Eric Gordon loved his summer international experience

The AP reports:

Eric Gordon got a whole lot more than a gold medal from his summer in Europe with the U.S. national team.

The Clippers’ soft-spoken guard also learned with certainty that he really can play with the world’s best. Gordon was the fourth-leading scorer and a key defensive player for the U.S. team, silencing critics who wondered if the Indiana product belonged in that uniform.

“It was a good confidence-booster,” Gordon said on the first day of Clippers training camp. “It shows where I am in my career. I really know what I can do now.”

The Clippers are counting on him doing plenty for them this winter. Gordon has been a steady pro in his first two NBA seasons, averaging 16.4 points and 2.9 assists for two terrible teams, but general manager Neil Olshey wants and expects more when Los Angeles returns with a new attitude under new coach Vinny Del Negro.

“Eric’s aggressiveness at this level hasn’t been commensurate with his skill,” said Olshey, the longtime personnel executive who succeeded Mike Dunleavy. “He’s going to get that into his game now, and I’ll put him up against anybody in his draft class, and anybody with three years left on his deal. I think he’s as good as any of them, but in his first two years, he has deferred a lot to veterans.”

Grizzlies bench must step up this season

Ronald Tillery of the Memphihs Commercial Appeal reports:

It’s no secret that the Achilles’ heel for this team last season was a serious lack of bench production. Aside from Sam Young’s 7.4 points per game, the Griz couldn’t count on much in reserve.

There will be a tendency to place improved bench productivity on the shoulders of 19-year-old sharp-shooting rookie Xavier Henry in the wake of a summerlong contract dispute. Yes, the Griz will need Henry’s scoring (especially his three-point shooting), but the bench’s improvement bears watching a number of players.

If the Griz are to have a second unit that can change tempo with scrappy defense and offensive proficiency then Young must show development beyond being a one-on-one offensive player, center Hasheem Thabeet has to provide consistent shot blocking and rebounding and free agent Tony Allen should live up to his reputation as a defensive stopper on the perimeter.

Which Hedo Turkoglu will show up for Suns?

Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic writes:

The NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2007-08 who helped Orlando to the 2009 Finals? Or the one who was considered a bust in Toronto last season because of sub-par production and a dispassionate air?

It’s up to him, really. At 31, he still has game-changing skills. The spot-up shooting. The slashing through the lane. The ability to create mismatches thanks to a 6-foot-10 frame.

But he has to buy into the Suns’ system, which is really the only way the machine works in Phoenix. It’s an insiders team. You’re in or you’re out. You have to accept the reality that you might not come off the floor one night and barely get on it the next.

Coach Alvin Gentry is not afraid to buck convention. He is less about formulas and more about feel. If the bench has the hot hand, they’re staying in.

“I understand that,” Turkoglu said. “The reason (it works) here is that there’s really good chemistry and those guys accept those roles. For me, I just have to be one of them, just be the guy whenever they need me. I’m going be out there and every single night I’m trying to do my best.”

Yao Ming hopes to be ready for preseason

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports:

Rockets center Yao Ming said Friday he does not know if he will be ready for the first preseason game against Orlando on Oct. 5, but thinks his chances are good.

“When I was playing some scrimmage with some of the teammates in the last two weeks, I can’t say it (his surgically repaired left foot) is as good as the original one, the one on the right, but it feels as good as can be running on the court,” Yao said. “The foot limits me a little bit. I still have time to get it better before the regular season starts.

“I have not played a real game, even an exhibition game. I don’t know how it will react. Hopefully, we can learn as soon as possible.”

Timofey Mozgov impressing Knicks early

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports:

Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks’ new international man of mystery, may have won the starting center job even before training camp begins.

A Knicks official says that Mozgov, the 7-1 rookie from St. Petersburg, Russia, has been impressive during voluntary training sessions in Greenburgh and that coach Mike D’Antoni is already considering starting Mozgov alongside Amar’e Stoudemire, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Raymond Felton.

Mozgov’s presence is further proof that Eddy Curry’s days with the club are numbered. Curry’s expiring contract makes him a valuable trading asset that the Knicks would gladly include in a potential deal for Denver’s Carmelo Anthony. However, unless the Knicks can acquire a first-round pick to send to the Nuggets, it is unlikely that team president Donnie Walsh will have the pieces to satisfy Denver.

Bucks popularity is on the rise

Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

The Bucks were so happy with last year’s marketing slogan – Work Hard Play Hard – they’ve embraced it again this year.

That, and Fear the Deer.

So far in the selling season, the numbers look good, according to John Steinmiller, vice president for business operations, and Jim Grayson, the team’s director of sales.

Both say the season-ticket renewal rate for current season-ticket holders is near 90%, which is the league’s benchmark rate.

Even better, Steinmiller said the franchise is close to selling 2,000 new, full-season equivalent packages. That is the biggest jump in new sales since the Bucks reached the National Basketball Association Conference Finals in the 2000-’01 season.

Milwaukee Bucks Brandon Jennings drives to the basket against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter at the Verizon Center in Washington on December 2, 2009. Wizards beat the Bucks 104-102 UPI/Alexis C. Glenn Photo via Newscom

Jason Richardson must step up this season

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports:

Jason Richardson and the Suns need the same thing – a big season from him. Phoenix needs his scoring with Amar’e Stoudemire gone, and Richardson needs to play well and win to set up his next contract. He will be paid $14.4 million this season and said there has been preliminary talks about an extension that could keep him from becoming a free agent next summer.

“I feel like I’m going to college,” Richardson said. “I’ve got to pick a decision. It’s going to be fun. I’m not even worried about it. What happens, happens. If I get an extension here, I would love to be here and maybe finish my career here. It’s a business. You never know. There’s no pressure on me to go out and perform just because it’s my contract year. I’m always a firm believer that if you work hard, things will come out your way.”

Richardson said he is ready to be a first or second option again. He worked this summer on mid-range shooting and ball handling because of how he was run off the 3-point line last season.

Phoenix Suns Jason Richardson (L) heads up court on a fast break as Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (R) watches in the first quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at the US Airways Center, in Phoenix, AZ, May 23,2010. . UPI/Art Foxall Photo via Newscom

Mavericks must find help for Dirk Nowitzki

Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News reports:

The Mavericks’ future hall of famers are as dependable as any facet of the organization. And they have been durable. But addressing their roles and reducing their playing time is important because the two or three minutes per game saved would make a huge difference in the long run.

Mavericks must find help for Dirk Nowitzki

So where does the help come from? The first option likely will be Shawn Marion.

“I think something that’s been proven is that Rick is creative with the lineups, whether it’s three guards or going small,” said president Donnie Nelson. “That may lend itself to Shawn playing some (power forward) minutes. That’s certainly a strong possibility.”

Meanwhile, the emergence of Roddy Beaubois and the play of J.J. Barea and perhaps Dominique Jones will all be counted on to spell Kidd. And young big men Alexis Ajinca and Ian Mahinmi could get opportunities to help Nowitzki.