June 2013 Basketball Wiretap

NBA Acknowledges Officials Missed Late Call In Mavericks-Timberwolves

Dec 31, 2013 2:11 PM

The NBA acknowledged the officiating crew should have called a foul on Shawn Marion to put Kevin Love at the free throw line near the end of regulation in the Dallas Mavericks' 100-98 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Marion swiped down and appeared to foul Love, who was attempting a game-tying jumper from the left baseline.

“Through postgame video review, we have determined that Minnesota’s Kevin Love was fouled on the right arm by Dallas’ Shawn Marion while attempting a two-point field goal," Rod Thorn said. "Love should have been awarded two free throws with one second left on the clock.”

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Kevin Love, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Jeremy Tyler Reaches Deal With Knicks

Dec 30, 2013 9:14 PM

Jeremy Tyler reached completion on his deal with the New York Knicks on Monday afternoon, and the center is expected to receive an opportunity in the playing rotation this week, sources said.

Tyler signed a partially guaranteed contract with the Knicks in the offseason, but he was a final cut before the regular season due to a fracture in his right foot. He's healed since and joined the Knicks’ Development League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks, where he averaged 18 points and 10.2 rebounds over six games.

Tyler bolsters a frontcourt that has dealt with widespread injury issues, including Tyson Chandler missing an extended stretch and Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin on minutes restrictions.

Tyler was a second round pick in 2011, and the 22-year-old spent parts of two seasons with the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. Tyler had played in Japan out of his junior year in high school, prior to placing his name into the NBA Draft.

Shams Charania/RealGM

Tags: Jeremy Tyler, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Isiah: Dolan Will Do Whatever It Takes To Win

Dec 30, 2013 2:07 PM

The New York Knicks have struggled for more than a decade under James Dolan despite spending heavily on the players on the floor, as well as investing in renovating Madison Square Garden.

"I don't think there's an owner who wants to win more than James Dolan," Thomas said Saturday. "He commits the resources. He does everything he can for the players. He just spent $1 billion on the arena for the fans. I think he'll do whatever it takes to win."

"The people in the Garden aren't basketball people," said an unnamed veteran executive. "They think they're basketball people. They're New Yorkers, so they watch a lot of basketball, but that's a far [bleeping] cry from working in it."

The Knicks have struggled to sustain any type of success with the impetus to win now always at hand.

"The solution for every problem, whether it's in team-building or in the corporate world, is a coherent long-term strategy," said another longtime sports executive. "And the requisite follow through. Sure, you have to be nimble and flexible enough to make midcourse corrections when necessary. But if you did a good job plotting your course you can't keep changing plans every year or two."

David Aldridge/NBA.com

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Nowitzki Credits Don Nelson For Development As 'Stretch Four'

Dec 30, 2013 1:21 PM

Dirk Nowitzki was one of the NBA's first "stretch fours", which was an innovative concept developed in part by Don Nelson.

"When I first got in the league. . .I think a lot of (power forwards) and (centers) were more back-to-back basket players."

Teams now often look for big men with the ability to stretch the floor to create space.

"I've got to give Nellie a lot of credit,'' Nowitzki said. "He was an offensive genius.

"He was a coach when I first got to Dallas, and if I would have gone to any other system I don't if I would have turned out that way.''

Dwaine Price/Star-Telgram

Tags: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Thunder Notice Increased Edge In Kevin Durant

Dec 29, 2013 11:55 PM

Kevin Durant showed noticeable edginess to him in the Oklahoma City Thunder's blowout win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday, when he barked at teammates and officials, dominated throughout the game and had an increased intensity with Russell Westbrook out.

Durant also exchanged words with Dwight Howard and Francisco Garcia during the game.

“He feel like he got to come and set the tone, and he doing that,” Kendrick Perkins said. “I’m liking the mean KD; giving stare downs when he’s dunking on people. I’m rolling with that.”

Durant downplayed his performance and edge on Sunday, but he has stressed since the summer that the topic should be about the Thunder, not the Rockets.

Darnell Mayberry/The Oklahoman

Tags: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Chris Andersen: Return To Denver Will Be 'Exciting, Emotional'

Dec 29, 2013 2:55 PM

Chris Andersen is expected to return to the Miami Heat on Monday at the Denver Nuggets, playing his first game in Denver since being amnestied by the team in July of 2012.

“It’s going to be exciting, it’s going to be emotional, but I’ve got a game to play," Andersen said.

Andersen was a fan favorite while spending the majority of his NBA career with the Nuggets.

Joseph Goodman/Miami Herald

Tags: Chris Andersen, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Enes Kanter Has Best Game Of Disappointing Third Season

Dec 29, 2013 1:54 PM

Enes Kanter has had a disappointing third season in the NBA, but had 17 points and 12 rebounds while playing extended minutes in Saturday's loss by the Utah Jazz with Derrick Favors in foul trouble.

"He played a good game on both ends of the floor," said Tyrone Corbin. "He was the beast that we’re looking forward to him being."

Kanter has a PER of just 12.8 this season, down from 17.6 in 12-13.

Aaron Falk/Salt Lake Tribune

Tags: Enes Freedom, Utah Jazz, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Casey: Kyle Lowry Playing At Highest Level Of Career

Dec 29, 2013 12:00 AM

Kyle Lowry was recently involved in trade discussions and has been on a tear ever since.

Lowry had 32 points and 11 assists in the Toronto Raptors' 115-100 win over the New York Knicks on Saturday.

Dwane Casey believes Lowry is playing at the highest level of his career.

"He's playing with such force and such confidence," Casey said. "He's been playing the game the right way and he's been playing lights out. It's really good for Kyle and I'm happy for him."

Lowry was linked to a move to the Knicks just a few days after the team traded Rudy Gay.

"It is what it is," Lowry said. "I'm not really worried about it. I've said it 50 million times and I'm going to say it 50 more: Until something happens I'm a Raptor and I'm going to play for the Raptors and I'm going to play hard for the Raptors."

AP

Tags: Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Jason Kidd Isolating Himself From Players, Front Office

Dec 27, 2013 6:06 PM

Jason Kidd has increasingly isolated himself within the locker room and organization of the Brooklyn Nets as their season continues to disappoint, according to sources.

Kidd has shown an inability to manage the situation and maintain the respect of his players.

Kidd believes he can spare himself blame and responsibility for the season. 

Several players have expressed confusion to Kidd about their roles, according to sources.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Gersson Rosas Returns To Rockets With 'Unfinished Work To Do'

Dec 27, 2013 11:29 AM

Gersson Rosas officially returned to work with the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

Rosas spent three months as general manager of the Dallas Mavericks before stepping down and now he says he has "some unfinished work to do" with the Rockets.

Rosas returns for his 10th season with the Rockets largely in the role he had before he left along with Gianluca Pascucci.

“At the end of the day, they know where my heart is and they know that I’m committed to this organization, so the opportunity to come back is special.

“Being a guy who’s grown up in Houston and being around in the championship years , that was my passion to bring a championship team back. It’s going to take time and it’s going to take a lot of effort, but being in a position to impact it at that level is very special to me.”

Rosas said that his tenure with Dallas proved that "it just was the right fit."

“The name of the game is talent. We have to finish what we started. We’ve got to complete the roster. This is a year of development and maturation or this team. I think there’s major championship expectations, but it takes time.

“To come back to Houston was a special opportunity. The opportunity in Dallas just didn’t work out. To get a chance to come back to your hometown team and get a chance to continue doing what you’ve always been doing through your career, which is to give them an opportunity to be successful and win at the highest level is an opportunity that I cherish.

“It’s good to be home.”

Rosas helped Daryl Morey assemble the Rockets' roster, including the recruitment of Dwight Howard.

Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle

Tags: Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Warriors Have Only Given 10 Minutes To Curry, Klay, Iguodala, Barnes, Bogut Lineup

Ethan Sherwood Strauss/ESPN

Chris Paul Welcomes Challenge From Younger Point Guards

Broderick Turner/Los Angeles Times

LeBron James Credits Offseason Training For Good Health

Ira Winderman/Sun Sentinel

Deron Williams: Nets' Season 'Like A Nightmare'

Filip Bondy/New York Daily News

Garnett: I Don't Think We Have An Identity

Stefan Bondy/New York Daily News

Sarver: McDonough's Level Of Knowledge, Confidence Has Surprised Me

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

James Anderson Finding Solidified NBA Role With 76ers

Shams Charania/RealGM

Ford Would Take Giannis Antetokounmpo First Overall In 2013 Re-Draft

Chad Ford/ESPN

Casey: Raptors 'Fighting Like Crap For The Playoffs'

Marc Stein/ESPN

Suns Always Planned To Keep Dragic To Pair Him With Bledsoe

Sam Amick/USA Today

J.J. Hickson Continuing To Find Career Path

Christopher Dempsey/Denver Post

Bird Believes Granger Doesn't Work Hard Enough In Offseason

Bob Kravitz/Indianapolis Star

Jennings: Offseason Was 'Humbling Summer'

Gary Washburn/Boston Globe

Ford: Anthony Bennett Looking Like Worst No. 1 Overall Pick In 20 Years

Jodie Valade/Plain Dealer

Knicks Spend Night Together Ahead Of Afternoon Game Saturday

Nate Taylor/New York Times

Drummond Uses Games Against Hibbert As ‘Measuring Stick’

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Spurs Sit Duncan, Ginobili Against Warriors

RealGM Staff Report

Paul George: I Want To Go Down As My Own Icon

Tzvi Twersky/Slam

Kings Like Long Lineup Of Gay, Williams, Outlaw

Jason Jones/Sacramento Bee

Bulls Scoring Just 94 Points Per 100 Possessions Since Rose's Injury

Zach Lowe/Grantland