NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog – Page 843 – NBA Blog: The NBA basketball news blog section of Inside Hoops

Brook Lopez getting a Star Wars bobblehead

This is pretty awesome. Here’s the New York Post reporting what might possibly be the greatest news ever in Brook Lopez’s life:

The Force is with Brook Lopez.

The noted “Star Wars” fan and comic book aficionado was over the galactic moon the Nets have made a bobblehead doll of Lopez dressed up as a Jedi Knight, to given away for the Dec. 14 game against the Magic.

“[Did you] see that it’s a Jedi?” Lopez asked after Friday’s practice at Duke University. “Pretty sweet.”

Lopez said he was happy he now is even in bobbleheads with his twin brother, Robin, after their hometown Fresno Grizzlies – a Triple-A baseball team – honored Robin with a bobblehead this summer.

Preseason: Rondo acting as leader for Kings

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the Kings, whose new point guard Rajon Rondo is reportedly trying to step up early as a leader and mentor. Rondo is coming off an extremely disappointing season, so it’ll be interesting to see how he bounces back, especially in a new environment:

Even on a day at training camp when he sat out because of an injury, Rondo couldn’t be still or keep quiet. He walked around the court at UC San Diego’s Rimac Arena, pointing out spots on the floor where David Stockton might be able to better execute a play.

After Saturday’s practice, Rondo asked assistant coaches to help him show teammates how to run a set properly.

The Kings signed the four-time All-Star to a one-year deal to help them solidify the point guard spot and boost an offense short on players adept at passing.

Rondo already has taken the reins as a vocal leader, something the Kings have lacked for years.

“He’s a guy who just talks, talks, talks and tries to make the team better,” said forward Rudy Gay, who has known Rondo since high school. “That’s what you need out of your point guard.”

On the Bulls offense this season

Here’s CSN Chicago reporting on the Bulls offense this upcoming season:

[Pau] Gasol and fellow Spaniard Nikola Mirotic will be key pieces in the diversity of the Bulls offense this season, as the Bulls will employ the popular “four-out, one-in” offensive set many teams use to maximize floor spacing for drivers and open 3-pointers for shooters.

“We’ll run some four out and one in,” Hoiberg said. “We’ll run some four out and one in with two bigs on the floor, especially with Pau out there. He has proven he can make shots and he can also make plays. If you swing it to him and he doesn’t shoot it, you can get into a second side action.”

Mirotic, in theory and form, is a good 3-point shooter but the numbers say he’s a 31.6 percent shooter. Teams won’t be so quick to run out and defend a shooter with those numbers, no matter his skill set.

Apparently it’s been a point of emphasis in camp, as the Bulls hope to improve on their 35 percent efficiency last season, but they were middle in the pack in terms of attempts.

JaVale McGee a wildcard for Mavericks

JaVale McGee a wildcard for Mavericks

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on new Mavs center JaVale McGee, whose ability to contribute to the team in the near future is unknown:

The 7-footer who has been plagued by leg problems the last two seasons has always been a little bit of an “out there” kind of person. He’s made lots of highlight reels, but often times for the wrong reasons, such as passing the ball to nobody on the other end of the court.

He’s been a blooper-reel editor’s best friend.

But at 27, he’s still a very young center who has more athleticism than the rest of the Mavericks’ center hopefuls put together. If he ever gets healthy – and that’s admittedly a big if – and if he can stay focused on the court, he’s got oodles of talent and could be a starting center for years to come.

But he’s a long way from that right now. He hasn’t been cleared to do any real basketball work, other than take some jump shots and his ballhandling.

He’s played just 28 games the last two seasons and if he makes the Mavericks’ roster – something that everybody expects – he’s probably not going to be ready to contribute until the regular season has already begun.

Early report: Paul Pierce fitting in with Clippers

Early report: Paul Pierce fitting in with Clippers

NBA preseason is just getting started, so it’s super early, but right off the bat the Clippers have reasons for optimism. Here’s the Orange County Register reporting:

Even though it was his first start as a Clipper and even though he was joining a starting group that was one of the NBA’s best, Pierce had few problems fitting in during the Clippers’ preseason opener.

That was especially evident on a possession in the second half, where the Clippers zipped the ball around the perimeter, finding Pierce open in the corner for a 3-point shot.

“That’s what we’ve got to kind of emphasize,” Pierce said. “When you have the weapons that we have, we don’t care who gets the shot, who gets the credit, it’s tough to guard. These guys make the extra pass when it’s there; everyone is being selfless. Those are the teams usually standing at the end of the day.”

Pierce, 37, is able to fit so seamlessly partly because of his smarts, partly because of his 17 years of NBA experience and partly because a huge chunk of that experience came while playing for Doc Rivers.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffers dislocated right shoulder

Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffered a dislocated right shoulder in Saturday’s preseason contest at Orlando. The injury occurred with 46 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Kidd-Gilchrist was taken to Florida Hospital South for x-rays and additional evaluation. X-rays taken at the hospital were negative. He will remain in Orlando overnight and is out for Sunday’s game at Miami. Kidd-Gilchrist will be further evaluated by Hornets team physicians in Charlotte on Monday. An update on his status will be provided when available.

Kings exercise 2016-17 contract option on Ben McLemore

The Sacramento Kings announced today they have picked up the 2016-17 option on guard Ben McLemore’s contract, according to Kings Vice President and General Manager Vlade Divac.

Entering his third NBA campaign, the 6-5 guard averaged 12.1 points (.437 FG%, .358 3pt%, .813 FT%), 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 32.6 minutes per contest in starting all 82 games he played in last season.

Clippers waive Nikoloz Tskitishvili

The L.A. Clippers announced today the team has waived free agent forward/center Nikoloz Tskitishvili.

Tskitishvili did not appear in a preseason game for the Clippers. The former fifth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, Tskitishvili has appeared in 172 career games (16 starts) for Denver, Golden State, Minnesota and Phoenix averaging 2.9 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.3 minutes of play. The Tbilisi, Georgian native has played in Spain, Italy, Iran, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates post-NBA. The 32-year old played for Champville of the Lebanese Basketball League last season.

Jordan Clarkson and D`Angelo Russell developing chemistry

Jordan Clarkson and D`Angelo Russell developing chemistry

Here’s ESPN Los Angeles with an early look at chemistry development between key members of the Lakers’ future:

Part of the reason the two players seem to mesh well is that they believe their skill sets complement each other more than they overlap.

“His mentality is more [to] score,” Russell said. “I’m looking to pass, and he’s in a position to score most of the time.”

Said Clarkson: “We’re two totally different players. He’s an excellent passer and I’m real aggressive and it just kind of comes together.”

The players also come together outside of basketball.

“We hang [out] a lot off the court,” Clarkson said, “so it kind of makes it easy on the court.”

“We just relate to each other,” Russell said. “He’s not one of those real serious vets that you can’t crack a smile around. He’s a young dude, second year, still learning, still growing. Me, the same way. I’m a goofy guy, he’s a goofy guy. So we kind of complement each other.”

On how Kosta Koufos will help the Kings

Here’s the Sacramento Bee providing insight on a key Kings big man:

One player whom coach George Karl has raved about during training camp says he can help the Kings’ offense without scoring or making an assist.

Kosta Koufos says a good screen can be just as important as finding an open shooter, which he learned by dedication to his craft.

“Patience, experience and just being efficient – those little things (translate) to big things.” Koufos said after Friday’s practice at UC San Diego. “If you’re rolling to the basket and you’re not getting the ball, you’re still getting other guys open on the wings. Little things like that carry over in the long run.”

Koufos wasn’t Sacramento’s flashiest free-agent signing during the offseason. The 7-foot, 265-pound center enters his eighth season averaging 5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds. But Koufos’ patience in refining his game could prove to be exactly what the Kings need. His presence on offense could allow DeMarcus Cousins more freedom to play away from the basket.