NBA Teams – Page 904 – NBA Blog

Carmelo Anthony finds himself in a tough situation

Here’s the New York Post reporting on the banged-up and possibly soon to be shut down star of the 10-43 Knicks, Carmelo Anthony:

In his latest flip-flop, Anthony backtracked slightly on his impending shutdown, saying he’s not “100 percent’’ sure he is finished after Sunday, and still has to talk to Knicks officials on whether he will play against Miami Friday at the Garden. Eventually, Anthony will need surgery on tendon damage in his left knee.

Anthony said it was “important” to represent the Knicks Sunday for the team’s fans.

“It’s like a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t situation,” Anthony said. “Because if I would have said I’m not participating, I’d have gotten backlash about it. I’m saying I’m participating, I get backlash. I’m happy. I’m here participating. It’s here in New York. The fans voted me in and I’m going to play in the game.’’

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook doing big off-court things

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook doing big off-court things

Here’s the Oklahoman reporting on Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who are stars on the court but also in the world of marketing and sponsorship opportunities:

In addition to his NBA responsibilities, Durant served as host of an outdoor concert with Kanye West as the headliner Thursday night, was the guest of honor at a Manhattan shoe store Friday afternoon as part of his partnership with Nike and had Good Morning America Weekend host Paula Faris riding along with him nearly every step of the way for a feature that is scheduled to air Sunday. Westbrook, meanwhile, took part in a Wall Street Journal subscriber event, made an appearance at Barneys New York, home to his clothing line and filmed a promotional spot for an upcoming major motion picture.

Westbrook is quickly shooting up the list of the NBA’s most sought after players. In addition to his clothing line, Westbrook XO, and his signature eyewear, Westbrook Frames, he also has a signature Jordan Brand shoe set to release in June. Westbrook also has partnered with Subway, U.S. Cellular, Mountain Dew, Zenith Watches, True Religion, Six Star Pro Nutrition and King and Jaxs, a designer underwear company. He’s also endorsed Ozarka Water and BancFirst.

When entering league, LeBron James did expect to participate in NBA Dunk contest

Here’s NBA.com’s Blog reporting on long-running debate about LeBron James and top NBA stars in general tending to avoid entering the league’s Slam Dunk contest:

The list of accomplishments a dozen seasons into his career is longer than LeBron James’ arm — two NBA championships, five trips to The Finals, four MVP awards.

But not one time in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

“When I first came into the league, I expected that I would do it,” James said at Friday’s All-Star Weekend media day. “I did. I did for sure. But it just never happened. I don’t know why. There was times when I wanted to do it and didn’t do it and there was times when I just didn’t really care about it too much. But it definitely would have been pretty cool to do.”

Two-time Slam Dunk champion (1985 and ’90) Dominique Wilkins, who squared off against Michael Jordan and every other big name of his day, doesn’t criticize today’s marquee stars. But Wilkins does admit that he doesn’t understand their reluctance to participate in the event.

LeBron James elected VP of Players Union

LeBron James elected VP of Players Union

Here’s Yahoo Sports reporting that LeBron James has accepted much more responsibility in a league-wide role working on behalf of all players:

LeBron James was elected first vice president of the National Basketball Players Association on Friday, moving him into the union’s second-most powerful leadership position beneath president Chris Paul, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Paul had been pushing James to join him in a senior position on the NBPA’s executive committee for several months, and James made himself a candidate for Friday’s union meeting in New York, sources said. The NBPA’s player representatives voted on the new executive committee members in a meeting on Friday afternoon, sources said.

Mark Cuban reacts to Charles Barkley analytics comments

Here’s the Dallas Morning News quoting a Mark Cuban interview from KRLD-FM 105.3:

What’s your reaction to the Charles Barkley analytics debate?

Mark Cuban: He’s half right; the Mavs have been using analytics since the day I bought the team. The fun story behind that is I took graduate level statistics at Indiana University, and after I graduated, never thought about it again, and then after I had bought the team, I’m watching Jeopardy and who should be on but my old stats prof. And then a month later, we’re in Indiana playing against the Pacers, and who should be in the stands screaming “Hi” to me, my stats prof, Wayne Winston. I met with him and pretty much hired him then. We started using advanced plus/minus to help us, and it started to help us quite a bit…it eventually helped us come back from a 2-0 deficit in the playoffs against Houston, based on what the numbers said. Putting JJ (Barea) in the mix in the championship run had a lot to do with analytics. What happens is when a couple teams are using it, you have an advantage, but now that everyone is using it, that advantage is pretty much gone, and that’s where analytics has gotten to now.

Kevin Hart says Russell Westbrook wears pants that are way too tight

Kevin Hart says Russell Westbrook wears pants that are way too tight

Here’s the Oklahoman with a fun item featuring some hard-hitting analysis from funnyguy Kevin Hart about Russell Westbrook’s fashion decisions:

Comedian Kevin Hart jumped on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike on Friday morning, and in one part of his interview with Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic was asked about the funniest guys in the NBA.

Hart said he’s spent some time with Thunder All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

“The funniest? I was with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook last night. We had a good time,” Hart said. “Russell had some pants on that I believe made his butt bleed. I’ve never seen jeans tighter in my life.”

Gorgui Dieng interview

Gorgui Dieng interview

A few quick words with Gorgui Dieng of the Minnesota Timberwolves:

Q. Thinking back to when you were a kid, picking up a basketball for the first time, do you remember that, when this sport kind of hit you and that was your thing?

GORGUI DIENG: I think I started playing at 16. I played basketball late.

Q. How did it happen? How did you start?

GORGUI DIENG: My sister and my brother, they were playing basketball. And I watched basketball court in the soccer field was like (Inaudible) they said that’s a good sport. Because, you know, they don’t want I didn’t know. One day I guess I started paying attention more to the game and it started getting fun.

Q. And growing up like that, starting late, did you ever think that the NBA was actually a possibility for you?

GORGUI DIENG: Yes. When I went to basketball camp, I got a chance to meet Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh. We were pretty much they were a little bit taller than me. And they were like, wow, I can be just that excuse me, I believe in it and I made it.

Q. How happy are you now waking up maybe in a different hotel out of home, wherever you are, realizing you’re an NBA player, making money playing basketball?

GORGUI DIENG: I think it’s just luck. I’m maybe not the best player coming from Senegal, but I’m just lucky to be that guy.

Bulls beat Cavs, 2015 NBA All-Star set to begin

Former NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose didn’t garner an All-Star berth, but he starred on Thursday in the league’s last game before the mid-season showcase.

Rose scored 30 points and handed out seven assists to lead the Bulls to a 113-98 victory over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tony Snell contributed 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting for the Bulls and Pau Gasol — who did get an All-Star nod — notched his 14th straight double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Joakim Noah added 10 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists for Chicago, who head into the All-Star break leading the Cavs by 1 1/2 games atop the Central Division.

— AFP

Sacramento Kings, George Karl have head coaching job agreement

Sacramento Kings, George Karl have head coaching job agreement

The Sacramento Kings today have reached an agreement in principle with George Karl, the sixth-winningest coach in NBA history with 1,131 career victories, to become the team’s head coach, according to General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

A press conference formally introducing Karl will be scheduled when the agreement is finalized.

Kings remove Tyrone Corbin as head coach, keep him as advisor

Kings remove Tyrone Corbin as head coach, keep him as advisor

The Sacramento Kings announced today that Tyrone Corbin has been relieved of his head coaching duties, according to General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

Corbin will continue working with the organization and has chosen to serve as an advisor to the front office.

“I have the utmost respect for Tyrone as a coach and person,” said D’Alessandro. “He’s a man of great integrity, a consummate professional that managed a difficult situation with class and professionalism. I look forward to continuing to work with Tyrone moving forward.”