Business as usual, says Kyle Lowry

For a long time, the Raptors were Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, and company. Now they’re Lowry, Kawhi Leonard and company. How does Lowry feel about the change? Here’s the Toronto Star from Raptors media day:

[Lowry] was hurt by the trade which sent DeRozan packing last July in return for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. But in his first public utterances about it Monday, the 32-year-old said he’ll simply do what he does.

“You know how it is, I come to work, no matter what,” Lowry said at the team’s annual media day at the Scotiabank Arena. “This is a business. I understand the business. I’ve been traded before, I’ve had a point guard drafted (supposedly to take his job) on draft night. It’s a business. I’ve always understood that.

“We come in here, come to work, and understand that’s what it is. Me, I have to come in and be in the best shape I can be, the best player I can be, the best individual talent I can be to help my teammates and to help our team win a championship.” …

That Lowry didn’t speak on the DeRozan trade until Monday isn’t surprising — he never does a lot of summer time media in any circumstances, and as long as he performs when practices and games arrive, what else matters?

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Melo says all is good with Mike D`Antoni

Mike D’Antoni coached Carmelo Anthony in New York. It didn’t work out too well. Now D’Antoni will coach him in Houston. Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting Melo’s positive-minded words at media day today:

Any issues the two had with each other in the past are staying there though, Anthony said Monday at Rockets media day.

“I think when Mike was trying to run his system in New York , the timing wasn’t right,” Anthony said. “That’s something that we both acknowledge.”

Anthony said he and D’Antoni had a conversation about their time in New York. Both admitted the problems they’d had and made the decision to move forward. Neither anticipate any issues as they pair up this season with the Rockets.

“The good thing… I liked about having that conversation with Mike was the simple fact that he made it very loud and clear – I am much more mature, he is more mature. He’s older, I’m older. We both are out of New York, which could be a very intense situation and now there’s opportunity to start a new chapter.”

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Donovan Mitchell undecided on trying to defend dunk title

Nobody is thinking about 2019 All-Star weekend yet. But when the guy who won the 2018 dunk title is in front of you, it makes sense to ask if he’s thinking of trying to defend it. Here’s the Deseret News reporting on young Jazz star Donovan Mitchell:

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell is certainly focused on reaching new heights in his sophomore campaign, but the rising star hasn’t decided on whether or not he’ll be defending his slam dunk title.

“I don’t know … that’s a good question,” Mitchell said during Monday’s Utah Jazz Media Day. “I don’t know, we’ll see. I’ll leave it there.”

All-Star Weekend 2019 will be played in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Feb. 15-17.

As a rookie, Mitchell reached a new level of popularity after winning the slam dunk crown at Los Angeles’ Staples Center as a late addition.

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Grizzlies sign Ismaila Kane

Grizzlies sign Ismaila Kane

The Memphis Grizzlies signed forward Ismaila Kane today.

The signing is probably a non-guaranteed deal that merely brings Kane to Grizzlies training camp.

Kane (6-9, 200) appeared in 13 games last season for Atlanta Metropolitan of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and averaged 14.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.69 blocks. The Senegalese native went unselected in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Brandon Knight will miss preseason with injury

A new Rocket who will likely have a big role off the bench will be out at least for preseason, reports the Houston Chronicle:

Rockets guard Brandon Knight, who missed last season with the Suns because of a knee injury, will be out for the preseason and likely beyond.

Acquired along with Marquese Chriss for Ryan Anderson and De’Anthony Melton, Knight was expected to compete for a role as a third point guard behind James Harden and Chris Paul, and could be in the mix to earn a role playing with Harden, Paul or Eric Gordon in small lineups.

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Pacers keeping eye on waiver wire

Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting on the Pacers, who are open to adding another player this season, and not just somebody brought in only to be said goodbye to once training camp wraps up:

Training camp doesn’t start until Tuesday but the Pacers already find themselves with an unexpected open roster spot after C.J. Wilcox went down with an Achilles tear during a workout at the team’s facility.

Wilcox, a 6-5 shooting guard taken in the first round by the L.A. Clippers in 2014, was on partially guaranteed two-way contract. Edmond Sumner is the Pacers’ other two-way player…

“What we’re going to be doing is watching the waiver wire,” Pacers president Kevin Pritchard said.

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LeBron James meets media as a Laker

Here’s ESPN.com reporting on Lakers forward LeBron James. That’s right. LeBron’s on the Lakers. The signing really happened this summer. It wasn’t all a dream. LeBron is a Laker. Accept this. Anyway:

Speaking with an all-business tone in his first press conference with his new team, LeBron James said the Los Angeles Lakers have “a long way to go” before getting on the same level as the Golden State Warriors.

James says he is excited to play alongside multiple ballhandlers but understands the Lakers may have to take their “bumps and bruises” early with so many new pieces.

“We got a long way to go to get to Golden State,” James said when asked if the Lakers can challenge the two-time defending champs. “They can pick up right where they left off, starting with training camp. … We are picking up from scratch so we got a long way to go. We can’t worry about what Golden State is doing. … They’ve been together for a few years now.”

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Atlanta Hawks injury updates

Guard/forward Justin Anderson continues to progress in his rehabilitation from surgery on June 29th to address recurring tibial stress syndrome in his left leg. He is currently symptom free and progressing as expected. He will be listed as out for the beginning of training camp on Tuesday, Sept. 25th and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Center Dewayne Dedmon, diagnosed with an avulsion fracture in his left ankle on Sept. 4th, continues to progress in his recovery as he enters his second week of weight-bearing rehabilitation. He will be listed as out for the beginning of training camp and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Guard/forward Daniel Hamilton presented with symptoms of a shoulder injury earlier in September. An MRI taken at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex on Sept. 11th revealed a tear in his right rotator cuff. He has elected a non-surgical treatment plan, and has begun a rehab plan on court. He will be reviewed by the medical team in one week and his rehab/return to play will progress as tolerated.

Guard Jeremy Lin continues his recovery from a ruptured patella tendon of the right knee suffered on Oct. 18th, 2017. He has returned to regular basketball activities with limited restrictions and is expected to participate in training camp.

Forward Omari Spellman experienced left shin soreness during a workout last week. An MRI taken at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex confirmed soft tissue inflammation. He will be listed as out for the next 7-10 days followed by a gradual return to activity, and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Thunder hire new TV play-by-play announcer

Today, Monday, features lots of NBA team media days around the league. Tons of news will come out, especially on which players gained or lost weight, bulked up, plus rotational news, etc. But there are also specific roles that various organizations must still fill, often in the broadcast department. Here’s the Oklahoman with some Thunder news:

On Thunder Media Day, the team fittingly unveiled its next television voice.

The Thunder has hired Chris Fisher as its new television play-by-play announcer. Fisher will be the lead voice for the Thunder’s 70 game broadcasts on Fox Sports Oklahoma during the 2018-19 season.

Fisher spent the last eight seasons as the play-by-play announcer for University of Southern California men’s basketball, as well as the halftime and postgame show host for USC football. The Los Angeles native’s play-by-play career spans more than a decade, with experience in Pac-12 sports as well as minor league baseball.

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Rockets made moves with Warriors in mind

Here’s the Houston Chronicle with an interview that provides some insight on Rockets decision-making:

Question: You mentioned an obsession with beating the Warriors last season? They remain the team to beat. How much do your roster decisions or Mike D’Antoni’s rotation decisions consider a potential matchup with the Warriors as opposed to decisions that might be made in general?

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey: I’d say a lot, a very high percentage. A lot of those decisions work against every team. Same as last year, it’s very likely to win the title we’re going to have to beat the Warriors at some point. We’re doing what we can to prepare for them. To me, that’s what any rational person would do. I’m intrigued by some thinking it’s odd that we say that. Maybe because it’s not a norm. Ask any fan, ‘Who do you have to beat to win the title?’ They’re going to say ‘the Warriors.’ It seems like GM speak or coachspeak to not say that.

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