Category: General NBA insight

A legend of basketball has passed away. Here’s the New York Times reporting:

Dolph Schayes, the New York University basketball star out of the Bronx who went on to gain acclaim as a Hall of Fame forward and one of the greatest players of his time with the old Syracuse Nationals, died on Thursday in Syracuse. He was 87.

His son Danny, a former N.B.A. center and forward, said the cause was cancer.

Playing for 16 professional seasons, Dolph Schayes was among the N.B.A.’s leading scorers, best known for his two-handed set shots at a time when jump-shooting came into vogue, and was a top rebounder. The NBA Encyclopedia called him “a bridge between the old game and the new one.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s statement regarding the passing of Dolph Schayes

“Dolph Schayes was one of the most influential figures in NBA history. He helped the NBA grow from its earliest days, emerging as one of the game’s first stars and displaying the kind of passion for competition and commitment to excellence that has come to define our league. Dolph was an NBA champion, a Hall of Fame player and a distinguished NBA coach and executive, as well as a proud father who relished the success of his four children, including the NBA career of his son Danny. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Schayes family during this difficult time.”

Statement from the Philadelphia 76ers

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dolph Schayes, a pioneer and iconic member of the Philadelphia 76ers organization and one of the greatest players ever to play the game of basketball,” said Sixers Chief Executive Officer Scott O’Neil. “Dolph was an integral part of the foundation on which this franchise was built – first in Syracuse and later in Philadelphia. He will be fondly remembered for the legacy he not only created on the court, but the way he represented the game off the court.

“On behalf of our entire organization, we would like to express our deepest sympathies to the entire Schayes family during this very difficult time.”

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry were today named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 22.

James helped the Cavaliers to a 2-1 week, which included wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks, behind averages of 25.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists. James shot 57.1 percent from the field, 60.0 percent from three-point range, and 87.5 percent from the foul line. During the Cavaliers’ 115-100 win over the Bucks on Nov. 19, James’ versatility and efficiency were on display as he scored 27 points (9-of-13 field goals) and added nine rebounds and six assists.

Curry led the Warriors to a 4-0 week behind 30.8 points (second in the NBA), 6.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals (third in the NBA). Curry shot 50.6 percent from the field and 96.0 percent from the foul line, and connected on a league high 17 three-point field goals. During the Warriors’ 124-117 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 19, he accounted for 40 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals. The Warriors will look to become the first team in NBA history to open a season 16-0 when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Cleveland’s Kevin Love, Indiana’s Paul George and C.J. Miles, Memphis’ Marc Gasol, New Orleans’ Ryan Anderson, New York’s Kristaps Porzingis, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor and Phoenix’s Brandon Knight.

Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond and Houston Rockets guard James Harden were today named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Nov. 2 through Sunday, Nov. 8.

Drummond helped the Pistons to a 2-1 week behind averages of 22.0 points (fourth in the East) and a league-leading 24.3 rebounds. He collected a point-rebound double-double in all three contests, and had two games where he posted 25-plus points alongside 25-plus rebounds. Drummond, who shot 68.9 percent from the field for the week, becomes the first player to open a season with consecutive Player of the Week awards since LeBron James in the 2011-12 campaign as a member of the Miami Heat.

Harden led the Rockets to a 4-0 week behind a league-best 38.5 points. He also chipped in with 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Harden scored 37 points to open the week during a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 2, and closed the week with back-to-back 40-point performances in wins over the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 6 and the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 7.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Detroit’s Reggie Jackson, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Indiana’s Paul George, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Orlando’s Evan Fournier, Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor and Portland’s Damian Lillard.