OT: Is it possible under the CBA for the Rockets to apply to have Kevin Porter Jr's contract voided entirely so they don't have to pay him the $16M they're on the hook for this season if he is convicted? (He has pleaded not guilty.) The rest of the contract is team options, so they're off the hook for those, but this season is guaranteed. If there's some sort of morals clause in NBA contracts, I'd certainly hope felony assault and strangulation (and the victim suffered a fractured vertebra in her neck!) violates it. Otherwise, if Houston cuts him, as I would expect once they have their legal team sort out the process, they'd have to pay the guarantee.
ESPN Sources: After signing JaVale McGee to a free agent deal, the Sacramento Kings are waiving centers Nerlens Noel and Neemias Queta to give them a chance to play elsewhere. Both signed partially guaranteed one-year deals with Kings this summer.
Am I the only one whose fine with the new rules as layed out by the NBA? It still takes into account rest concerns to prevent injury but also prevents teams from just resting everyone on a single day just completely invalidating that game.
Teams will still have rest days for their players, it just won't be all at once which is much better for the consumer.
When you break it down, Draymond is clearly the most impacted player in the league by the new rest rules. Luckily he has a reputation that the Warriors can use to their advantage. Just have Woj tweet out "The Warriors are suspending Draymond Green one game for 'conduct detrimental to the team'" before a rest game and then fine him an undisclosed amount (1$) and they are good. Rinse and repeat.
Only, uhh, uhh, Jordan Bell? (#20) days left until training camp. A lot of journeymen, failed trade steals (Larry Hughes), and draft disappointments (Ekpe Udoh) wore #20, but I decided none of them could hold a candle to Jordan. Unless you prefer two time NBA champion James Michael McAdoo.
Kind of telling that I can't seem to find any YouTube of Warriors highlights for Larry. Sigh.
This group did have me thinking about all the players over the last decade that weren't great, but were solid bench players on Warriors teams that got to the finals, and then did absolutely nothing after leaving the Dubs. Guys like Bell, JMM, Quinn Cook, Patrick McCaw (yeah, he did manage to win another ring, but not much since then), [Deleted: JaVale McGee,] JTA. Is this something about the Warriors system? Kerr's support for bench players that gives them confidence? Playing with Steph and Klay makes life so much easier? Whatever it is, glad to have had those guys along for the ride providing their small contribution to the dynasty run.
As I live in the country which won the world championship I - obviously completely devoid of bias - say that Kerr did little wrong and USA were just beaten by a superior basketball country.
Eg. there are no 3 second violations in FIBA, which is why going big and planting bigs in the paint is a winning strategy for other teams. Rebounding differentials and fewer put-backs (thanks to the absence of goaltending rules) tell this story. Sticking with small-ball and refusing to put Kessler and JJJ in the paint was a blatant mistake. Also, why put bigs in motion (motion offense, and switching defense) when they should be under the basket?
Also, the FIBA 3 point line is closer than the NBA, reducing the spacing that Kerr relies upon for his motion-offense and defensive switching. Less spacing suggests the need for more size, but also suggests that a pass-heavy motion offense and switchable defense just doesn’t have the same space to operate.
Shorter games also present problems for multiple passing efforts integral to Kerr’s system (eg. time of possession, and number of possessions per game). Kerr did adjust to accommodate more iso-play, but often relied upon Brunson to do so (not the best option).
Also, FIBA allows a lot more defensive contact on the perimeter in comparison to the NBA, but Kerr did not push his players to defend physically and with force on the perimeter (and again, no physicality or size in the paint).
Are all of the USA’s failures the fault of Kerr’s coaching? Obviously not. But it’s absolute silliness to think that Kerr didn’t significantly impact USA’s chances.
It's true that Team USA was not the cream of the crop. It's true that Steve Kerr tried to coach the team as if it were the Warriors. Why not? They've won 4 rings with this coach and old 'habits' die hard. What other coach is able to change the way they've coached in their career? Coach's who have won rings bring in players who fit their system. The simple solution is to get the Warrior team to play in both Olympics and Team USA. Problem solved. But wait... Wiggins, Kuminga, & Saric, are not born in the States. Who would you replace them with?
Quick FIBA games recap: STEVE KERR LET AMERICA DOWN?!
Steph and trainer Payne hold a mini camp in Vegas with Warriors (Moody, Quinones, rookies Trace and Brandin) and non-Warriors players.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rho-sJ9GfTI
OT: Is it possible under the CBA for the Rockets to apply to have Kevin Porter Jr's contract voided entirely so they don't have to pay him the $16M they're on the hook for this season if he is convicted? (He has pleaded not guilty.) The rest of the contract is team options, so they're off the hook for those, but this season is guaranteed. If there's some sort of morals clause in NBA contracts, I'd certainly hope felony assault and strangulation (and the victim suffered a fractured vertebra in her neck!) violates it. Otherwise, if Houston cuts him, as I would expect once they have their legal team sort out the process, they'd have to pay the guarantee.
Since I don’t hear Garuba anywhere on our radar, I’ll take a shot at Queta over Harry Giles Jr. with one of those 2-ways.
Edit- remembered immediately after i hit the Post button that Giles signed with Brooklyn.
ESPN Sources: After signing JaVale McGee to a free agent deal, the Sacramento Kings are waiving centers Nerlens Noel and Neemias Queta to give them a chance to play elsewhere. Both signed partially guaranteed one-year deals with Kings this summer.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1701716363704701236
NBA Rewind w/ Ahmad Rashad: Stephen Curry (FULL EPISODE) | NBA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFwmi75U34g
🚨 WHY NOT?! 🚨 Draymond Green doesn’t see why the Warriors can’t win 2 more championships | NBA Today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2eFoXrhK9k
Same as the article I linked below, but watching Dray say these things is good to see.
Am I the only one whose fine with the new rules as layed out by the NBA? It still takes into account rest concerns to prevent injury but also prevents teams from just resting everyone on a single day just completely invalidating that game.
Teams will still have rest days for their players, it just won't be all at once which is much better for the consumer.
When you break it down, Draymond is clearly the most impacted player in the league by the new rest rules. Luckily he has a reputation that the Warriors can use to their advantage. Just have Woj tweet out "The Warriors are suspending Draymond Green one game for 'conduct detrimental to the team'" before a rest game and then fine him an undisclosed amount (1$) and they are good. Rinse and repeat.
As suspected by their medical team...MRI confirmed complete achilles tear for Rodgers.
Only, uhh, uhh, Jordan Bell? (#20) days left until training camp. A lot of journeymen, failed trade steals (Larry Hughes), and draft disappointments (Ekpe Udoh) wore #20, but I decided none of them could hold a candle to Jordan. Unless you prefer two time NBA champion James Michael McAdoo.
Here's his big highlight that pretty much sums up Jordan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L663X_zhUS0
Here's Ekpe only scratching the surface of his talent his rookie season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqdretQWMMg
Kind of telling that I can't seem to find any YouTube of Warriors highlights for Larry. Sigh.
This group did have me thinking about all the players over the last decade that weren't great, but were solid bench players on Warriors teams that got to the finals, and then did absolutely nothing after leaving the Dubs. Guys like Bell, JMM, Quinn Cook, Patrick McCaw (yeah, he did manage to win another ring, but not much since then), [Deleted: JaVale McGee,] JTA. Is this something about the Warriors system? Kerr's support for bench players that gives them confidence? Playing with Steph and Klay makes life so much easier? Whatever it is, glad to have had those guys along for the ride providing their small contribution to the dynasty run.
Warriors' Draymond Green faces 'one of the most important years of my career': https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38382925/draymond-green-chris-paul-golden-state-warriors-jordan-poole-more
As I live in the country which won the world championship I - obviously completely devoid of bias - say that Kerr did little wrong and USA were just beaten by a superior basketball country.
Kerr really did seem to miss the mark with FIBA.
Eg. there are no 3 second violations in FIBA, which is why going big and planting bigs in the paint is a winning strategy for other teams. Rebounding differentials and fewer put-backs (thanks to the absence of goaltending rules) tell this story. Sticking with small-ball and refusing to put Kessler and JJJ in the paint was a blatant mistake. Also, why put bigs in motion (motion offense, and switching defense) when they should be under the basket?
Also, the FIBA 3 point line is closer than the NBA, reducing the spacing that Kerr relies upon for his motion-offense and defensive switching. Less spacing suggests the need for more size, but also suggests that a pass-heavy motion offense and switchable defense just doesn’t have the same space to operate.
Shorter games also present problems for multiple passing efforts integral to Kerr’s system (eg. time of possession, and number of possessions per game). Kerr did adjust to accommodate more iso-play, but often relied upon Brunson to do so (not the best option).
Also, FIBA allows a lot more defensive contact on the perimeter in comparison to the NBA, but Kerr did not push his players to defend physically and with force on the perimeter (and again, no physicality or size in the paint).
Are all of the USA’s failures the fault of Kerr’s coaching? Obviously not. But it’s absolute silliness to think that Kerr didn’t significantly impact USA’s chances.
Tough way to go out.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/aaron-rodgers-injury-update-jets-fear-torn-achilles-for-star-qb-with-mri-looming/amp/
It's true that Team USA was not the cream of the crop. It's true that Steve Kerr tried to coach the team as if it were the Warriors. Why not? They've won 4 rings with this coach and old 'habits' die hard. What other coach is able to change the way they've coached in their career? Coach's who have won rings bring in players who fit their system. The simple solution is to get the Warrior team to play in both Olympics and Team USA. Problem solved. But wait... Wiggins, Kuminga, & Saric, are not born in the States. Who would you replace them with?
Kuminga sounds off on his high praise for Curry(as a person) and on finally meeting his idol Kobe a week or so before his death.
https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/steph-curry-jonathan-kuminga/1653650/
https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/jonathan-kuminga-kobe-bryant/1653605/