Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Kings starting lineup still being determined

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the Kings and the lineup decisions George Karl must make:

There are things Karl still has to sort out as he implements his style of play. Though he said the full starting lineup is yet to be determined, he said some players will have to be happy as “insurance plans,” because there won’t be enough playing time for everyone.

Point guard Rajon Rondo, forward Rudy Gay and center DeMarcus Cousins are locked in as starters. Karl could go with Koufos or rookie Willie Cauley-Stein alongside Cousins and Gay in the frontcourt.

In the backcourt, James Anderson’s defense has earned him a chance at starting at shooting guard. Ben McLemore started every game for the Kings last season, but there is more competition for playing time this season than in the past two seasons. Karl is comfortable with Darren Collison and Marco Belinelli coming off the bench.

New Cleveland Cavaliers alternate jerseys

As the Cleveland Cavaliers enter their 45th anniversary season in 2015-16, they will do so with new threads that uniquely tie the team’s rich history with their electric present and exciting future. The Cavs will debut three new adidas alternate uniforms this season, each reflecting previous eras of Cavaliers basketball while also incorporating current-day trends. The new looks will rotate with four uniforms that continue from last season – home white, road wine, gold alternate and navy alternate.

Utah Jazz sign E.J. Singler

Utah Jazz sign E.J. Singler

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed free agent forward E.J. Singler. Until it’s reported otherwise, we will assume this is a non-guaranteed contract.

Singler (6-6, 215, Oregon) spent the 2014-15 season with BC Kalev/Cramo of Estonia, appearing in 60 games (19 starts) and averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 17.2 minutes of action. During the 2013-14 campaign, he played for the Idaho Stampede, scoring 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 28.2 minutes in 22 games (four starts).

Singler played four years at Oregon (2009-13), averaging 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 31.0 minutes during his senior season. His older brother, Kyle, currently plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Utah’s roster now stands at 16 players.

Timberwolves exercise options on LaVine, Payne, Wiggins, Dieng and Muhammad

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has exercised the third-year options on guard Zach LaVine, forward Adreian Payne and forward Andrew Wiggins, along with the fourth-year options on center Gorgui Dieng and forward Shabazz Muhammad.

Dieng, 25, owns career averages of 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game over 133 contests, all with Minnesota. The Wolves acquired the draft rights to Dieng, along with Muhammad, from the Utah Jazz on June 27, 2013.

LaVine, 20, posted averages of 10.1 points and 3.6 assists in 24.7 minutes per game over 77 games in his rookie season, eventually being named to the 2014-15 All-Rookie Second Team. Minnesota drafted LaVine with the 13th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Muhammad, 22, has played two seasons with the Wolves, averaging 8.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 75 career contests, including averaging 13.5 points in 22.8 minutes per contest last season. Minnesota acquired the draft rights to Muhammad, along with Dieng, from the Utah Jazz on June 27, 2013.

Payne, 24, averaged 6.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 32 games last season, including averaging 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 29 games with Minnesota. Originally selected with the 15th overall pick by the Hawks in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Wolves acquired him from Atlanta on February 10, 2015.

Wiggins, 20, registered averages of 16.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season en route to being named the 2015 KIA NBA Rookie of the Year. Wiggins was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and was acquired by the Wolves on August 23, 2014.

Stanley Johnson may come off bench for Pistons

Here’s the Detroit Free Press with an update on the Pistons, whose roster includes an intriguing rookie that has a shot at starting but for now appears likely to come off the bench as a reserve:

Stanley Johnson may come off bench for Pistons

The starting lineup you see tonight against the Charlotte Hornets — with Ersan Ilyasova and Marcus Morris at the forward spots — likely is the grouping that coach Stan Van Gundy will roll with when the Detroit Pistons open the regular season Tuesday at the Atlanta Hawks.

That means the people’s champion — rookie small forward Stanley Johnson — probably will start the season coming off the bench.

Van Gundy cited veteran presence and size as part of his reasoning for going with the 6-10 Ilyasova and 6-9 Morris.

Bucks waive Jorge Gutierrez, Marcus Landry, Josh Powell

Bucks waive Jorge Gutierrez, Marcus Landry, Josh Powell

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on guard Jorge Gutierrez and forwards Marcus Landry and Josh Powell, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

Gutierrez appeared in four preseason games and averaged 3.0 points and 2.8 assists. Landry averaged 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in four contests, while Powell also saw action in four games during the preseason.

The Bucks roster now stands at 15 players.

Will Bulls use Joakim Noah as a reserve?

Here’s the Chicago Sun-Times with interesting notes on the Bulls lineup:

Derrick Rose was hitting the pads on Tuesday, while Joakim Noah was hitting the bench.

And with the games actually counting in less than a week, Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg obviously still had more questions about his roster than answers.

“Whatever is best for the team,’’ Noah said of his temporary demotion from the starting lineup to the bench prior to the 103-94 win over the Indiana Pacers. “It’s not about me right now. It’s about this team. We have to figure out ways to get better. And we will.’’

They might want to in a hurry, especially with the Bulls scheduled to tip off the NBA regular season Oct. 27 against LeBron James and the defending Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

Nikola Jokic impressive at Nuggets training camp

Here’s the Denver Post reporting positive Nuggets center-related news:

Reporters never have to specifically broach the subject of rookie Nikola Jokic with Nuggets coach Michael Malone for him to lavish praise.

It goes something like this: Coach, how do you size up the center position?

Malone gets started on the answer. In the midst of it all, something in the neighborhood of this comment, which came earlier in camp, inevitably comes out.

“Nikola Jokic, he’s a young kid and I’m not saying he’s ready, but he does things every practice that make you say ‘Wow, this kid has a chance to be a (heck of a) player,’ ” Malone said. “For him to be that young and that skilled is really exciting to see. The fact that he’s gotten so much better even from summer league.”

Blake Griffin scores 29 in preseason win

Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News blog reporting on the Clippers and star power forward Blake Griffin, who appears ready for regular season action to begin. The Clippers on paper look like a championship contender, but the problem there is, plenty of other Western conference teams do as well. As for yesterday:

Blake Griffin scores 29 in preseason win

Clippers forward Blake Griffin led everyone with 29 points, J.J. Redick scored 15 and DeAndre Jordan had 10 points, 10 rebounds and four steals and the Clippers demolished Golden State 130-95 on Tuesday night in exhibition play at Staples Center.

Three reserves – Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford and Josh Smith – all scored in double figures with Rivers getting 16 and Smith and Crawford 13 apiece.

The Clippers – now 2-3 in exhibition play – had lost their previous three games. They lost their most recent game – to Charlotte in China – by 42 points.