George Karl Comments on Book, Phil Jackson, Carmelo Anthony and More
December 28th, 2016 by Joseph Zucker No comments »
Despite being out of a job after the Sacramento Kings fired him in April, George Karl was thrust into the spotlight recently with the upcoming release of his memoir, Furious George: My Forty Years Surviving NBA Divas, Clueless GMs and Poor Shot Selection.
In an interview with New York magazine's David Marchese, Karl said the likelihood of him coaching in the NBA again is slim after the revelations in his book, but he doesn't regret airing his opinions: "No question. But I think there's too much spin going on with the game, especially from people who don't really know anything. So I wanted to tell the truth about what goes on."
In the book, Karl focused some of his scorn on Carmelo Anthony, whom he coached on the Denver Nuggets. He called the nine-time All-Star "a user of people" who is "addicted to the spotlight and very unhappy when he had to ...
Donatas Motiejunas: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation Surrounding Free-Agent PF
December 28th, 2016 by Joseph Zucker No comments »
Having finally ended his contract stalemate with the Houston Rockets, Donatas Motiejunas has more flexibility as he looks toward the next step in his NBA career.
Continue for updates.
Motiejunas Works out with Lakers
Wednesday, Dec. 28
ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein reported Wednesday that Motiejunas had a workout with the Lakers before Christmas. While showing some interest in signing him, the Lakers are still evaluating whether Motiejunas fits with their current roster.
Motiejunas' future looked to be set when the Brooklyn Nets handed him a four-year, $37 million offer sheet. Houston exercised its right to match the offer sheet but agreed to pay only $31 million of the deal, since $6 million of the Nets' offer was to be paid out in incentives, per ESPN.com's Calvin Watkins.
The Rockets renounced his contract rights on Dec. 15, which made him an unrestricted free agent.
Health is a concern for any team that may want to sign the 26-year-old. The Detroit Pistons had ...
Russell Westbrook Posts Back-to-Back 15-Triple-Double Seasons (1st Since Magic)
December 28th, 2016 by Daily Facts No comments »
Fact: Russell Westbrook had his 15th triple-double of the season on Tuesday against the Miami Heat. He became the first player with back-to-back seasons of at least 15 triple-doubles since Magic Johnson in 1981-82 and 1982-83.
Bleacher Report will be bringing sports fans the most interesting and engaging Cold Hard Facts of the day, presented by Coors Light.
Source: B/R InsightsRead more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
2017 NBA Draft: Breaking Down the Top of the Stacked Point Guard Class
December 28th, 2016 by Jonathan Wasserman No comments »
The 2017 NBA draft could potentially see five point guards selected in the lottery—the most since 1999.
Washington's Markelle Fultz, UCLA's Lonzo Ball, Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox, North Carolina State's Dennis Smith Jr. and France's Frank Ntilikina have each flashed starter upside with the necessary tools and skill sets to thrive at the NBA level.
Volume production and/or efficiency have only helped strengthen their cases.
A number of teams are also projected to pick early that could either upgrade their point guard situations (Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic) or make room for another (Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics).
I ranked each guard three separate times—in three key aspects of his game, with No. 5 being the worst—based on his current play and likelihood of improving.
Scoring
5. Lonzo Ball
Ball's skeptics can make a compelling argument about limited scoring potential.
His 15.8 points per 40 minutes rank last among the other top NCAA point guards. ...
Trevor Ariza, James Harden, Rockets Tried to Confront Salah Mejri After Game
December 28th, 2016 by Timothy Rapp No comments »
Rockets forward Trevor Ariza waited outside the Dallas Mavericks locker room for center Salah Mejri following Houston's testy 123-107 win Tuesday, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com.
Teammates Patrick Beverley, James Harden and Eric Gordon accompanied Ariza. Mejri did not leave the locker room, and the Rockets players left the area before there was a confrontation. Dallas police officers were on hand to ensure the situation didn't escalate.
The game involved a number of confrontations, including eight technical fouls and Ariza's ejection.
Shahbaz Khan of Kings.com provided a photo of Harden in the shirt he wore after the win:
Some of the skirmishes: Harden took issue with an Andrew Bogut screen, Dirk Nowitzki and Ryan Anderson got physical with one another, Justin Anderson and Nene engaged in an arm-grappling match, and Rick Carlisle had words with Ariza.
Harden spoke about the issues the two teams were having, per Watkins.
I don't know what they were on ...
Who, When, Why? The Unwritten Rules of Butt-Slaps in the NBA
December 28th, 2016 by Yaron Weitzman No comments »
NEW YORK — Few players can electrify onlookers as prolifically as Brandon Jennings. His wicked crossover routinely leaves opponents falling back on their heels. He relishes the spotlight too and has no qualms turning down the mundane to seek it out.
Jennings is someone who can bring both the crowd and teammates to their feet. Watch the New York Knicks on any given night, and chances are you'll see their bench leap out of their leather folding chairs during a timeout to commend Jennings for a highlight play.
He loves those moments. Like all players, he enjoys the praise. He does, however, have one rule when it comes to the physical embrace that often accompanies the celebration:
"Everything up high," a smiling Jennings told Bleacher Report. He then raised both arms above his head.
"I'll say, 'Up here, up here,'" he added, indicating how he requests his slaps, "and make sure everything's up top and ...
Tuesday NBA Roundup: Russell Westbrook’s Greatness Can’t Be Found in Stats Alone
December 27th, 2016 by Adam Fromal No comments »
LeBron James may be "The King," but Russell Westbrook is the undisputed master of triple-doubles.
The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar emerged with his 15th trip-dub of the 2016-17 campaign Tuesday, exploding for 29 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists during a 106-94 victory over the Miami Heat. This one was never in doubt, since he entered halftime just two rebounds shy of the statistical feat.
As we've seen so many times this year, Westbrook was nothing short of spectacular in myriad facets of the game. He routinely skied above everyone, fighting through traffic for contested boards. He exploded to the rim in transition, changing speeds to keep the defense off balance before finishing the play. And even while moving at hyperspeed, he was able to see passing lanes no one else could even imagine.
CBSSports.com's James Herbert explained this perfectly, hinting at how Westbrook's ability to play with a unique, out-of-control aggressiveness puts him ...
Golden State Warriors Moving Forward in Wake of Christmas Day Collapse
December 27th, 2016 by Erik Malinowski No comments »
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors' downtown Oakland practice facility was, by all outward appearances, imbued with the very sense of joyfulness and camaraderie that has become standard operating procedure in the Steve Kerr era.
Stephen Curry faux-karate kicking an assistant coach beyond the arc. Kerr whipping a pigskin around like he'll be backing up Matt McGloin for the Oakland Raiders in Sunday's regular-season finale. Smiles and laughs everywhere you looked.
Yes, the crushing Christmas Day collapse in Cleveland was still a fresh memory in the minds of everyone within earshot, but this team doesn't do lingering heartbreak. It acknowledges, and it moves forward.
Having come home from this brief three-games-in-four-nights road trip to hunker down for a 10-game quasi-homestand—nine at Oracle Arena plus one a bus trip away in Sacramento—the Warriors are facing the midseason slog head-on with the NBA's best record at 27-5. They have a leading MVP candidate in Kevin ...
DeAndre Jordan Involved in Car Accident on Way to Airport: Details, Reaction
December 27th, 2016 by Tyler Conway No comments »
Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan was uninjured after he was involved in a minor car accident on his way to the airport Tuesday.
The Clippers confirmed an earlier TMZ report to ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne.
Jordan, 28, was on his way to the airport to travel with the team for its Wednesday game against the New Orleans Pelicans. He was OK and flew with the Clippers to New Orleans.
There was no immediate word on Jordan's playing status.
According to the TMZ report, one person involved in the crash was taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries. A witness told TMZ one person was seen wearing a sling on their arm.
Chris Paul was on the scene of the accident, but he was not involved in the crash. Paul and team officials went to check on Jordan after hearing of the incident, per TMZ.
The Clippers have been without Blake Griffin (knee) since Dec. 18 and ...
Kevin Durant Comments on NBA’s L2M Officiating Reports
December 27th, 2016 by Tyler Conway No comments »
Kevin Durant has seen the NBA's report that says officials missed two calls that could have swung the Golden State Warriors' Christmas Day loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He just doesn't particularly care.
"The refs didn't lose us that game. We lost that game. I think it's bulls--t the NBA throws the refs under the bus like that," Durant told reporters Tuesday.
The NBA releases officiating reports from the last two minutes of close games daily. In Monday's report, the league said Durant was fouled by Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson with 3.1 seconds remaining as he gathered an inbounds pass. Durant fell to the ground, his desperation shot missed and Cleveland came away with a 109-108 comeback win in the teams' first matchup since the 2016 NBA Finals.
The league also determined LeBron James should have been issued a technical foul for "deliberately" hanging on the rim after his dunk over Durant and Draymond ...