True Blue Pistons (official team blog by Keith Langlois) reports: It’s appearing more and more likely that the Pistons will open training camp with 14 players under contract, one under the league maximum. That’s Joe Dumars’ preferred mode, giving him roster flexibility as the season unfolds in the event of injury or opportunity to add a veteran free agent – maybe one who gets bought out, a la Chris Webber two seasons ago, or someone who comes out of retirement late in the season for a playoff run – to fill a niche role.
Category: NBA Teams
NBA teams blog
Why is Kobe delaying finger surgery?
Kobe Bryant needs surgery to fix ligament damage in his right pinkie finger. This has been known for a long time.
For reasons I cannot even guess, he still hasn’t had the surgery, and is instead just making announcements. First he made an announcement as to when he’ll announce what he’s doing to do about the surgery. Now he’s announced that he will have the surgery, and announced that he will announce a date, sometime soon.
What the hell is going on?
Am I missing something?
Is there a medical reason for not having the surgery as quickly as possible? If so, I haven’t seen it mentioned by anyone covering this. It’s just weird.
Training camps open in a bit over three weeks.
–Jeff
Z-Bo almost went to Clippers in July
The New York Daily News (Frank Isola) reports: Donnie Walsh has been actively trying to trade Zach Randolph and nearly had a deal with the Clippers in July. It is still unclear why Walsh passed on a trade that simply would have involved moving Randolph and his contract to Los Angeles without having to receive a player in return. Once Walsh passed, the Nuggets stepped in and traded Marcus Camby to the Clippers. Randolph had a strong year statistically with the Knicks, averaging 17.6 points and 10.3 rebounds. However, his presence in the low post rendered C Eddy Curry useless and the Knicks feel that Curry is more valuable to the club.
Fan Poll Results: 8 East playoff teams
InsideHoops.com ran a poll for the last week asking fans to pick the eight Eastern conference teams they feel will make the playoffs in 2008-09.
The voting for the first four teams was pretty close, with the Celtics (592 votes), Cavaliers (588), Pistons (582) and Magic (578) taking the home-court seeds.
The Raptors (504) came in 5th, though from our experience Toronto fans, being very enthusiastic, tend to bump their team up slightly higher than tends to be expected. Though, if new Raptor Jermaine O’Neal can stay healthy and play anything like his old former All-Star self, this is a very reasonable prediction.
One vote later, coming in 6th, was the 76ers (503), who played better than expected last season and now add star power forward Elton Brand, who is returning from injury, to their mix.
The Wizards (459) came in 7th. They welcome a healthy Gilbert Arenas back.
And now, a dropoff.
Fans feel that last year’s #8 seed, the Hawks, won’t do as well in 2008-09. Rather than pick them to return to the playoffs, fans went with the Heat (294 votes). This is reasonable. Miami welcomes a healthy Dwayne Wade back, alongside Shawn Marion, who needs a contract, and superkid rookie Michael Beasley. The supporting cast is still weak, but slightly improved from last year.
The Bulls (195) finished 9th, just outside the playoff seedings. The Hawks (180) were 10th.
Here are the complete final results:
1) Celtics 592 votes
2) Cavs 588 votes
3) Pistons 582 votes
4) Magic 578 votes
5) Raptors 504 votes
6) Sixers 503 votes
7) Wizards 459 votes
8) Heat 294 votes
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9) Bulls 195 votes
10) Hawks 180 votes
11) Bucks 83 votes
12) Nets 68 votes
13) Knicks 53 votes
14) Pacers 53 votes
15) Bobcats 43 votes
Opinion: Knicks not for Allan Houston
If Allan Houston truly is attempting another comeback, as New York Newsday today reports, I don’t see why the Knicks make any sense for him. Considering his age and how long he’s been out of the league, at this point the best H20 could be is a poor man’s version of what he was before, and not contribute much more than nailing open outside shots.
Even in his prime, back in the 1920’s, perimeter shooting was the only truly exceptional aspect of Houston’s game.
If he’s going to join a team in 2008-09 he should join a winning team who can use a gunner for a few minutes off the bench to come in, shoot two or three 3-pointers, hit one or two of them and sit down. The Knicks are a team of the future. They need to worry about finding a legit superstar or two to build around and don’t need a player like Houston now.
Still, all the best to H20. I liked him a lot in his prime and hope he does find what he’s looking for now.
–Jeff
Cavaliers sign Darnell Jackson
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Darnell Jackson to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Cavaliers acquired the rights to Jackson during the 2008 NBA Draft from the Miami Heat in exchange for the lower of the Cavaliers two second round picks in the 2009 NBA Draft. The 22-year-old, 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward averaged 11.2 points on .626 shooting and a team-high 6.7 rebounds in 40 games (35 starts) in 24.3 minutes per game his senior year at Kansas, playing a key role in the Jayhawks winning the 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.
Jackson played for the Cavaliers’ team during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. In five games (four starts) he averaged 5.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game.
“Darnell has showed us he is a young, smart, hard working player,” said Ferry “And we are excited to see his development continue now.”
Monta Ellis admits he lied about injury
Monta Ellis couldn’t handle the truth. Or, to be more accurate, he reportedly couldn’t handle telling the Warriors the truth about how he hurt his ankle. I’m assuming he did it while doing something that his contract forbids. That’s the only logical reason to not be honest about it. Here’s the Contra Costa Times (Marcus Thompson II):
The Contra Costa Times has learned that Ellis has admitted to the Warriors that he wasn’t truthful about how he hurt his ankle, and the two sides are in talks about how to put the situation behind them. According to a team source, the Warriors now know that Ellis’ ankle injury _ which was repaired during surgery on Aug. 27 _ was not sustained “in a gym,” and “it happened out doors and not while playing basketball.” The source did not reveal what Ellis told Warriors management he was doing when he got hurt, only that he “was scared to tell the truth at first,” but eventually did.
If he did violate his contract, Golden State could terminate it, but unless he suddenly turns out to be totally insane, it’s highly unlikely. Chances are, Ellis will say he’s sorry, the Warriors will fine him, and that’ll pretty much be the end of it.
Discuss this with other fans here.
–Jeff
Clippers physician dies at 74
The AP reports: Dr. Anthony F. Daly, the longtime team physician for the Los Angeles Clippers, has died. He was 74. Daly died at his home Friday following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer, said Dr. Robert S. Bray Jr., the executive director and founder of DISC Spine and Sports Center, where Daly was the director of sports medicine. Daly served as the Clippers’ team physician since the club moved to Los Angeles in 1984.
Thunder have new operations director
The Oklahoma City Thunder promoted longtime employee Marc St. Yves, it was announced today by the team’s General Manager Sam Presti. St. Yves, entering his 30th year with the franchise, will assume the role of Director of Team Operations for the Thunder.
“We are pleased to reward Marc for his years of service for our team and in the NBA,” Presti said. “He is an invaluable part of the operation we are building in Oklahoma City and expect him to further enhance our organization with his professionalism and diligence.”
In his new role St. Yves will oversee all of the day-to-day team operations including facilities, equipment, travel and logistics for all team functions.
St. Yves previously held the position of Equipment Manager for the club, a title he had held since 1985. The Seattle native began his association with the franchise as a 13 year-old ball boy during the team’s 1979-80 season.
Cavs sign Lorenzen Wright
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed veteran center Lorenzen Wright to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Wright, 32, played 13 games last season with the Atlanta Hawks and five games with the Sacramento Kings. The 6-foot-11, 255 pound center was drafted by the L.A. Clippers with the seventh overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft and has played in 761 career games (445 starts) with averages of 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game.
“Lorenzen brings us valuable size and experience and adds depth to our front court,” Ferry said. “We think he’s a good fit for us and look forward to him joining our team.”
The 12-year veteran has appeared in 15 postseason games (11 starts) and averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 24.2 minutes per game.