DeMar DeRozan looking for bounce-back year

DeMar DeRozan looking for bounce-back year

Here’s the National Post (Canada) reporting on Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, who reportedly spent extra time this summer working on his 3-point shooting:

DeMar DeRozan looking for bounce-back year

“Everyday I wake up, I take pride in being the longest Raptor here. People bring up third or whatever in franchise scoring — there is so much stuff like that.”

He went on to say that he knows if he performs well, and the team performs well, the money will take care of itself, which is true. It is also where things get interesting. DeRozan remains as polarizing as any marquee player in the league.

DeRozan followed his all-star season in 2013-14 with arguably his most dispiriting season. He missed 21 games early in the year with a groin injury, and had trouble finding his form when he returned. He shot 39 per cent on pull-up, catch-and-shoot two-pointers, and 36 per cent on pull-up two-pointers — down from 47 and 37 per cent, respectively, a year ago. DeRozan’s game, in the words of new assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse, is “an aberration” in today’s NBA because he focuses on his mid-range game. He still got to the free-throw line 7.4 times per 36 minutes, but it was not enough to prop up his falling percentages to match the efficiency of a year ago.

With that in mind, he put extra work into his three-point shot this summer, and not for the first time. DeRozan has always insisted that he could shoot the three-pointer, but he has just chosen to focus on other parts of his offensive game. Whatever the reason, he has never shot better than 31 per cent from long distance.

Anthony Tolliver will keep firing 3-pointers

Anthony Tolliver will keep firing 3-pointers

Here’s Michigan Live with insight on Anthony Tolliver, a Piston who, when in doubt, is going to shoot a three-pointer:

Anthony Tolliver will keep firing 3-pointers

More than half of his career field-goal attempts have been 3-pointers, and the uptick over his last two seasons — with Charlotte two years ago, and Phoenix and Detroit last year — has been stark.

In those two analytics-friendly seasons, 89 percent of Tolliver’s attempts were either 3-pointers or within 3 feet of the rim.

A heavy majority of those, 537 of 700, or 76.7 percent of all his field-goal attempts, were 3-pointers. He made 38.7 percent.

He is a 35.6-percent shooter on 3-pointers in his seven NBA seasons, including 36.0 last year in 52 games with Detroit.

That is why, even when the Pistons are faced with some of the bigger power forwards in the league, Tolliver believes he can help to wear them down by forcing defenders to account for broad patches of floor, then sprinting to the other end to buzz around bigger players and combat size with activity and havoc.

Steve Kerr will take time off from Warriors for back rehab

The Golden State Warriors announced today that Head Coach Steve Kerr, who underwent surgery on his back to repair a ruptured disc in late July and a follow-up surgery in early September, will take a leave of absence from the team as he continues with rehabilitation and the recovery process. The length of Kerr’s absence is unknown and will be based on his progress.

“At this point, the most important thing is to make sure Steve is healthy, completely recovered and ready for not only the rigors of a long NBA season, but day-to-day life in general,” said Warriors General Manager Bob Myers. “We don’t anticipate the recovery process will be long term, but as of today we don’t know the exact timeframe. We’ll evaluate his progress daily and provide updates as necessary.”

“After the first two days of training camp, I realized I need to take a step back and focus on my rehabilitation in order to be ready for the grind of another NBA season,” said Kerr. “As I noted last week, my summer was difficult and no fun due to the multiple back surgeries. At this point, I simply want to get healthy and back to my normal daily routine on and off the court.”

Luke Walton, the team’s lead assistant coach, will serve as interim head coach in Kerr’s absence.

Warriors will receive NBA championship rings on opening night

The NBA Champion Golden State Warriors will receive their 2014-15 NBA Championship rings during a special pregame ceremony on Opening Night on Tuesday, October 27 when the team hosts the New Orleans Pelicans to tip-off the 2015-16 campaign, it was announced today.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, along with Warriors co-owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, will present last season’s players and coaches with unique diamond-clad rings crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills.

The Warriors, who won a franchise record 67 games last season and captured the team’s first NBA title in 40 years, will also unveil the 2014-15 NBA Championship banner at Oracle Arena during the pregame ceremony.

The Warriors, who became the fifth team in NBA history to win four or more NBA titles, will commemorate the team’s 2014-15 NBA Championship by wearing special NBA Championship uniforms.

Bulls sign Stefhon Hannah

The Chicago Bulls announced today the signing of free agent guard Stefhon Hannah (steff-ON). We assume this is a non-guaranteed deal just for training camp.

Hannah (6-1, 175) spent last season with both the Grand Rapids Drive and the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League. In 22 games, he averaged 5.9 ppg, 2.1 apg and 1.05 spg in 16.6 mpg.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 19.

Stanley Johnson does not look like a rookie, says coach

Stanley Johnson does not look like a rookie, says coach

There’s been a lot of buzz on Detroit Pistons rookie Stanley Johnson. He’s got our attention. Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy is singing early praises about him as well. Here’s the Detroit Free Press reporting:

Stanley Johnson does not look like a rookie, says coach

“He looks like he’s been out here before,” coach Stan Van Gundy said Wednesday after the first practice of Day 2. “He doesn’t look like a lost rookie at all. He looks like he knows what he’s doing, and he’s ready to play.”

Van Gundy was asked to expound on his comments after Tuesday’s first practice, when he called Johnson “one of the better players” during light scrimmaging.

“He’s physically strong enough obviously to play, which helps him be able to play right away,” Van Gundy said. “He is a smart guy, and he’s also got a great mental toughness. Not a lot of stuff fazes him.”

Van Gundy also elaborated on areas where Johnson has excelled.

“He did a real good job, as he did today, taking the ball to the basket,” Van Gundy said. “I thought he did a real good job of that, getting up and down the floor. Competes hard physically. Still got to do a better job on the defensive end.”

Melo, Fisher discuss expectations for Knicks

Expectations for the Knicks are… improving.

The New York Knicks should certainly be better this season than last. That’s our bold statement for today. Anyway, here’s the New York Post reporting:

Though he said Monday he held “no expectations at this time’’ for the 2015-16 Knicks, Carmelo Anthony amended the remark two days later, saying the title still is “our big-picture goal.’’ Maybe he’s seen something at West Point.

And Derek Fisher said just because they are the no-name Knicks other than Anthony, it doesn’t mean they are “rebuilding’’ and still expect to win. Fisher said he likes the notion the Knicks are filled with names not befitting the grand marquee.

“Based on the fact we don’t have a certain caliber of player on our roster other than Carmelo, people assume we’re rebuilding,’’ Fisher said after Wednesday’s second day of practices. “Was Atlanta rebuilding last year when they didn’t have quote-unquote [name] player on their roster. We think our group, as we figure it out, will be more competitive than people think. But rebuilding doesn’t mean we’re not trying to win right now.’’

It should be noted Atlanta placed four guys on the All-Star team last February — Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver.

Joakim Noah looks forward to being healthy alongside Pau Gasol

Joakim Noah is really good when healthy, in case you forgot

Here’s CSN Chicago reporting on a Bulls frontcourt that, with health, has potential to be a lot better than it’s been:

joakim noah

When the Bulls made their expected coaching change, one of the on-court changes many expected was to break up the tandem of Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol in the frontcourt.

In fact, when Fred Hoiberg had his availability on Media Day, the new Bulls coach anticipated it would be among the first three questions. The notion stemmed around Noah limping around last season and to a lesser extent, Gasol advancing in age. With Gasol being an All-Star player, the speculation was growing louder that Noah should come off the bench to balance out the floor.

But Noah feels Hoiberg should hold off on making a decision based off the tape from last year. The film doesn’t lie that the duo looked uneven last season, despite the gaudy record posted by the starting five for the few games they played together (16-5).

“I think we should give it an honest evaluation while I’m healthy,” Noah said. “Last year, I wasn’t healthy. Let’s see how it goes and then coaches can make a decision from there.”