Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Kendrick Nunn will likely play increased role for Heat in NBA Finals

The Lakers lead the Heat 1-0 in the NBA Finals, and Miami has some injury concerns. One of which could result in guard Kendrick Nunn getting more minutes than previously planned. The OC Register:

Already, the Eastern Conference’s fifth seed faced a precarious uphill push against the Lakers, the top seed out of the West. But the climb got steeper Wednesday, when three of their stars were banged up in a 116-98 Game 1 throttling in the bubble in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Starting guard Goran Dragic is doubtful to play in Game 2 on Friday with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot, and dynamic big man Bam Adebayo also is listed as doubtful after a MRI revealed a neck strain…

And they’ll likely also turn to rookie Kendrick Nunn, who provided a spark Wednesday, hitting 8 of his 11 shots for 18 points in 19 second-half minutes.

Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said he enjoyed Nunn’s gutsy performance in his Finals debut not only because it offered a reeling Heat team a glimmer of hope, but because of what it meant for the 25-year-old Rookie of the Year runner-up.

Nunn proved quite capable of starting for the Heat. He did it all season long, before an injury reversed things in the playoffs.

Lakers win big in NBA Finals Game 1, beat Heat 116-98

OC Register: “Your team just got walloped in the opening game of the NBA Finals, with injuries to three of your stars added to the insult — what can you say? “Right now, it doesn’t really matter what you say,” Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said after his team dropped Game 1, 116-98, a margin that doesn’t reflect how lopsided it was. “We get to work and get together tomorrow.” The most pressing problem for the Heat has to do with personnel. Big man Bam Adebayo played only 21 minutes before he left the game with a left shoulder strain and Jimmy Butler was hobbled much of the time with a sprained left ankle.”

OC Register: “Most concerning: Standout guard Goran Dragic reportedly suffered a torn plantar fascia in his left foot, likely when he’d dribbled into the lane looking to score.”

OC Register: “Kendrick Nunn was the lone bright spot on a dim night for Miami. The Rookie of the Year runner-up, whose playing time has been limited in the bubble after recovering from having the coronavirus and subsequently leaving the NBA campus for a personal reason unrelated to the disease.
But in Dragic’s stead, he looked more comfortable than the Lakers would have liked, finishing with 18 points in 19 minutes on 8-of-11 shooting.”

South Florida Sun Sentinel: “Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic received a preliminary diagnosis of a torn plantar fascia in his left foot after leaving in the second quarter of Wednesday night’s 116-98 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals… While cortisone injections could make it possible to return to the series, which continues with Friday’s 9 p.m. Game 2, Dragic is an impending free agent, which could factor into the approach.”

LA Times: “The Lakers are too big: They outrebounded the Heat by 18. The Lakers are too unselfish:They passed their way into so many open three-pointers that they made 11 of 17 at one point. The Lakers are too deep: They came back from that early deficit with LeBron James on the bench. And the Lakers are too, too much Anthony Davis, and who wants to bet he becomes the Finals MVP in his first try? Davis had 34 points, nine rebounds and made all 10 of his free throws. He scored 11 points in the first quarter when the Lakers most needed him and never slowed.”

OC Register: “It wasn’t just Anthony Davis, because he routinely picks on people his own size. It was LeBron James finding himself guarded by Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson (0-for-3), who must have felt like lion tamers carrying hamburger meat. Kyle Kuzma (6-foot-8) had free passage throughout the court, and when Miami tried to gang up on James and Davis, the Lakers just pushed the 3-point button and activated Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Danny Green. Lakers coach Frank Vogel went with his usual two-big lineup, with Dwight Howard starting alongside Davis, because he knew Miami would run out of footage before it went to the bench. At that point either Davis or Markieff Morris (6-foot-8) would be able to handle the center spot.”

Miami Herald: “The Lakers’ All-Star duo of LeBron James and Davis combined for 59 points, 22 rebounds and 14 assists. James finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists. The Heat’s All-Star duo of Butler and Adebayo combined for 31 points, six rebounds and five assists. Butler was Miami’s best player Wednesday, finishing with 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 shooting on threes, two rebounds and five assists.”

Miami Herald: “The Heat shot just 11 of 35 (31.4 percent) from three-point range in Game 1. Crowder (4 of 7 on threes) and Butler (2 of 4 on threes) combined to shot 6 of 11 from behind the arc. Heat sharpshooter Duncan Robinson finished 0 of 3 from deep and rookie Tyler Herro was 2 of 8 on threes.”

LA Times: “With 1:23 left in the game, the Lakers had a 17-point lead and substituted in Jared Dudley, Quinn Cook and JR Smith. James sat on the bench covered in towels, then got up to shake hands with each of his teammates as the clock expired. “We always guard against [complacency], but in particular because of how much respect we have for this basketball team,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “We have great respect for those guys. We know that this is just one win. We’re happy that we got one win, but obviously we have to keep our foot on the gas.”

Goran Dragic injures foot in NBA Finals Game 1 Heat loss to Lakers

The Lakers won NBA Finals Game 1 in convincing fashion, and to make matters worse for the Heat, at least one of their key players suffered a real injury. One that can possibly be played through, but even so, it’s a tough situation. Here’s the Sun Sentinel on it:

Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic received a preliminary diagnosis of a torn plantar fascia in his left foot after leaving in the second quarter of Wednesday night’s 116-98 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

According to a league source, the Heat were considering options going forward with the 34-year-old point guard who went into Wednesday’s game leading the Heat with a 20.9-point playoff scoring average.

While cortisone injections could make it possible to return to the series, which continues with Friday’s 9 p.m. Game 2, Dragic is an impending free agent, which could factor into the approach.

The Heat started strong in Game 1. Then the Lakers woke up, took a late first quarter lead, and never looked back. Dragic, a former All-Star, came off the bench as a super-sub this season, but has been starting in the playoffs. He’s a key part of the squad.

No surprise: Miami Heat doing well in NBA jersey sales since league restart

The Heat are having themself a year. On the court, and in the jersey sales department. Here’s the Miami Herald:

The Heat ranks fourth in team merchandise sales at NBAStore.com since the league restarted the season (from July 30 through Monday), the NBA announced Wednesday.

It marks the first time the Heat has been in the top five in team merchandise sales since the final season of the Big 3 era in 2014, when the roster included Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

The Heat also has a player ranked in the league’s top 10 on the jersey sales list. All-Star forward Jimmy Butler ranks 10th, which was also determined based on NBAStore.com sales from July 30 through Monday.

And the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

The only teams with greater sales over that period were, in order, the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. The Heat and Lakers are playing for the NBA title in the league’s quarantine setting at Disney World, with the NBA Finals opening Wednesday.

Rounding out the Top 10 in team-merchandise sales, in order, were the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets.

Butler has a tall task ahead, especially if he winds up being the guy to guard Lakers superstar LeBron James in these Finals.

We’ll know in a few hours. Heat vs. Lakers NBA Finals Game 1 is tonight at 9 p.m. ET on ABC TV.

List of Referees in the 2020 NBA Finals

The NBA has announced the 12 referees who will officiate the 2020 NBA Finals. Game 1 of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat championship series is Wednesday, September 30 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Finals officials were selected by the NBA Referee Operations management team based on their performance throughout the first three rounds of the 2020 playoffs. Officials were evaluated after each round to determine advancement in this year’s postseason.

“Congratulations to this outstanding group on a well-deserved honor. A Finals assignment is the pinnacle of the profession for our officials,” said Byron Spruell, NBA President, League Operations. “We are grateful for their dedication to the game and the sacrifices they have made during an unprecedented season.”

The List of 2020 NBA Finals Referees

Tony Brothers (9th Finals)
Pat Fraher (1st)
Tony Brown (1st)
John Goble (4th)
James Capers (9th)
David Guthrie (3rd)
Marc Davis (9th)
Eric Lewis (2nd)
Kane Fitzgerald (2nd)
Josh Tiven (1st)
Scott Foster (13th)
Zach Zarba (7th)

Three of the 12 have officiated at least 10 Finals games: Foster (19), Davis (12) and Capers (10). The officiating roster also includes three first-time Finals referees, Tony Brown, Pat Fraher and Josh Tiven.

NBA officials Courtney Kirkland and Kevin Scott have been assigned as Replay Center officials for The Finals 2020.

Expect Raptors president Masai Ujiri to eventually receive contract extension

The Raptors won the NBA championship last season, were one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals this season, and clearly have a well put-together squad. Here’s the Toronto Star on what comes next:

There is a plan, and a time and a place for everything, and Larry Tanenbaum and Raptors president Masai Ujiri are working at their own pace on all of it.

The long-term future of Ujiri, whose contract runs out at the end of next season, is a growing concern among the team’s fans but Tanenbaum knows there is no need to rush. There are other priorities, as Ujiri spelled out last week.

“Our fans, they love Masai for all that he’s contributed to the Raptors franchise and to our community and to our country — and our appreciation for him, that can’t be measured,” Tanenbaum, the chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said in an interview Tuesday. “But it was his and my game plan to secure his management team extension before his own.”

That plan is halfway complete with coach Nick Nurse getting a contract extension earlier this month and plans are being finalized on a new deal for general manager Bobby Webster.

Chicago Bulls hire Todd Campbell as Head Athletic Trainer

The Chicago Bulls have named Todd Campbell as the team’s Head Athletic Trainer.

Campbell brings more than 16 years of NBA experience in both athletic training and physical therapy to the Bulls.

Prior to coming to Chicago, he spent the previous three NBA seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans as the team’s athletic trainer and physical therapist. While in New Orleans, Campbell helped stabilize the team’s medical staff and decrease the number of games lost due to injury. In his first season with the Pelicans in 2017-18, the team tied its longest postseason run to make it to the second round against Golden State. The Massachusetts native began his NBA career with the Boston Celtics as a Northeastern University student intern in 2002. In 2004, he was hired by the Celtics as a staff physical therapist. Campbell was on staff during the Boston’s 2008 NBA Championship season as well as the 2010 NBA Finals season.

His academic clinical experience as an athletic trainer in other sports includes football at Brown University in 2003 and Harvard University in 2012, and ice hockey with the Northern Cyclones junior hockey team of Hudson, NH, in 2011. Campbell has also worked with a number of famous musicians including the band Aerosmith, with which he toured as the staff physical therapist in the summer of 2009.

He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA).

Oklahoma City Thunder staff promotions announced today

The Oklahoma City Thunder promoted seven internal members of its Executive Team, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

“We are proud of the continued evolution of our Executive Team and the promotions of many long-tenured Thunder team members,” said Presti. “These individuals have demonstrated a consistent commitment to our vision for Thunder basketball on and off the floor, and we are grateful for their contributions. The continued leadership development of our entire staff is essential to our focus of sustaining an elite basketball infrastructure.”

Will Dawkins, who has been with the Thunder since its inaugural season in 2008-09, has been promoted to the role of Vice President of Basketball Operations. The Springfield, Mass. native has risen through the ranks of Thunder basketball operations, where he started as a front office intern, then spent time as Assistant Video Coordinator, Scouting Coordinator, Director of College and Player Personnel and Vice President of Identification and Intelligence before taking on his current role.

Rob Hennigan will also be taking on the role of Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Thunder. Hennigan is currently in his second stint with the Thunder (2008-2012; 2017-present), where he has held positions as Vice President of Insight and Foresight and Assistant General Manager/Player Personnel. Prior to his return to the Thunder, Hennigan served as the General Manager of the Orlando Magic for five seasons.

The Thunder is also promoting Jesse Gould to Vice President of Strategy and Analysis and Wynn Sullivan to Vice President of Strategy and Design. Gould has been with the organization since the start of the 2009-10 season and Sullivan will be entering his ninth campaign with the club. In their roles, Gould and Sullivan will work closely with Amanda Green, the Thunder’s Vice President of Strategic Alignment/Team Counsel, on future-focused initiatives for the organization.

Brandon Barnett, who has worked for the organization as a Senior Pro Scout and in a multitude of roles helping to build the organization’s G League program, has been promoted to Director of Pro Player Personnel. Barnett has been with the club since its inaugural season in 2008-09.

These long-time members of the Thunder front office have helped to oversee teams that have accumulated the second-best record in the NBA over the last 10 seasons and have reached the postseason in 10 of the last 11 years.

As part of the changes to the Thunder front office structure, Nazr Mohammed will take on the role of General Manager of the Oklahoma City Blue/Pro Personnel Evaluator. In his new position, the former Thunder center will lead the efforts for the franchise’s G League operation while also continuing his involvement in all facets of the Thunder basketball operations department. Mohammed has gone through an extensive post-playing transition program for former players with a curriculum designed by the team to prepare them for a transition to basketball operations.

Additionally, Paul Johnson, who has worked in different capacities for the Thunder front office including most recently as Pro Evaluation Coordinator, has been named the Blue’s Assistant General Manager.

As part of the most recent basketball operations staffing updates, the Thunder is also announcing the hiring of Corey Evans as Amateur Scout. Evans comes to the Thunder from Rivals.com, where he worked as a national recruiting analyst.

Clippers and coach Doc Rivers part ways

The Clippers and Doc Rivers have reached what the team describes as a mutual decision for Rivers to step down as the team’s head coach.

“Doc has been a terrific coach for the Clippers, an incredible ambassador, and a pillar of strength during tumultuous times,” Chairman Steve Ballmer said. “He won a heck of a lot of games and laid a foundation for this franchise.”

Rivers, 58, was the most successful head coach in Clippers history, compiling a record of 356-208 over seven seasons. Under his direction, the Clippers made the playoffs six times and reached the Western Conference semifinals in 2020, 2015, and 2014. Before arriving in Los Angeles in 2013, Rivers spent nine seasons with the Boston Celtics, winning a championship in 2008.

Per the Los Angeles Times:

According to people familiar with the Clippers’ situation, names that will come up to replace Rivers include Clippers assistant coach Ty Lue, who is reportedly set to interview for the Philadelphia 76ers job this week, and former NBA coach and ESPN/ABC analyst Jeff Van Gundy.

Rivers joined the Clippers before the 2013-14 season and in his seven seasons helped build the team into a championship contender, finishing with a record of 356-208. He was the fifth-longest-tenured coach upon his departure, behind San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Dallas’ Rick Carlisle and Portland’s Terry Stotts.

Rivers owned the second-highest winning percentage among all active coaches, trailing Popovich. In August, Rivers passed Red Auerbach for 11th on the all-time coaching victories list. Rivers owns a .506 postseason winning percentage.

Rivers was hired for his championship coaching experience but during his tenure became as much of a spokesman for the franchise. After former owner Donald Sterling was banned for life by the NBA after allegedly making racist comments that surfaced in 2014, Rivers became the franchise’s voice and helped guide players and the team through uncertain times.

After Ballmer bought the Clippers in 2014, Rivers was given responsibility over all player personnel decisions. Three years later, Ballmer shook up the organization’s structure by limiting Rivers to coaching duties and installing a new front office led by Lawrence Frank, a former assistant coach under Rivers.

“I am immeasurably grateful to Doc for his commitment and contributions to the Clippers and the city of Los Angeles,” Ballmer added. “I am also extremely confident in our front office and our players. We will find the right coach to lead us forward and help us reach our ultimate goals. We will begin the search and interview process immediately.”

LaMelo Ball plans to stick with his current shooting form

LaMelo Ball is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2020 NBA draft. Here’s the Charlotte Observer with an update:

In a 24-minute media session Monday, Ball said …

He doesn’t need to fix his shooting form, which was widely criticized from his play last season in Australia.

He is a fit for any NBA team — from the title contender Golden State Warriors to a starless one (such as the Hornets).

He “doesn’t really care” about numerous perceptions of him and his family, which once was the subject of a reality show.

As far as his bombastic father, LaVar, he said this in regard to dad calling the Warriors, with the second pick, a bad fit:

“I’m my own man. He’s his own man. He has his opinions. I have mine,” Ball said. “I feel like I can play on any team, and do good anywhere I go.”

All eyes will be on Ball throughout the entire process. He’s one of the league’s most fascinating prospects in years.