SH Blog: NBA Draft Lottery Recap, Cleveland Hits the Jackpot (Again); Howard Bashes D’Antoni; Coach K To Return To Team USA?
Colangelo is however optimistic that Mike Krzyzewski will return as the head coach of Team USA, more from Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today: “What I’ve said along is, with what he has contributed to the USA Basketball program and what’s he accomplished and what he means to it, he was entitled to be given the time to make a final decision,” Colangelo told USA TODAY Sports. “Time has worked to our mutual advantage.” Now, Krzyzewski is close to committing to another three-plus years with the men’s team, which includes the 2014 FIBA World Cup of Basketball in Spain and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. “Within a few days, we’re going to know for sure,” Colangelo said. “It’s pretty evident by some of the things he said – where at one time there was no shot he would return, it’s a long way from that now.””
It’s sure to be an interesting offseason for the New York Knicks, and it is not starting off on a positive note. Carmelo Anthony will have his injured shoulder examined, with surgery possibly on the horizon. More from ESPN New York: “Anthony first injured his shoulder on April 14 against the Indiana Pacers. He said on Monday that it affected him throughout the postseason. “It was bothering me since it happened,” Anthony said. “To be able to play with that and get through the pain, it just came a point where you just try not to think about it. That’s where I was at mentally.” Anthony shot 40 percent from the floor in 12 postseason games. He shot 45 percent in the regular season. He doesn’t think he will need surgery to repair the shoulder injury. He said team doctors determined his shoulder was “stable” in an examination on Monday.”
Another key player on the Knicks is undecided on whether he will return to the team, although it is unlikely that Jason Kidd will turn down the remaining dollars on his contract: “Asked if Kidd hinted at all about having to reevaluate his future despite having two years and $6.2 million left on his pact, Grunwald said, “Not yesterday. It sounded like he was coming back.’’ However, Mike Woodson piped in, “I thought he was based on our conversation. But that could change, you never know.’’ Grunwald stopped sort of guaranteeing the Knicks will re-sign J.R. Smith but said his policy this offseason is not to say specifically they will definitely re-sign a player, probably because of the Jeremy Lin fiasco. Grunwald sounded as if Smith was in the plans.”
Another team with major decisions to make this offseason is the Philadelphia 76ers. Namely, will they bring Andrew Bynum back? All-Star point guard thinks they should…if he’s healthy: “He’s an awesome teammate even though he didn’t get the chance to play. He showed me a lot of perspective from the big men aspect of the game. I do think he’s one of the best big men in the league and having him on the bench and in the locker room helped me to improve my game.” … I think during the year when he was with us, he was there for us. He was there every day, he was rehabbing, working on his knee, came in on time… Every time I saw him he was working hard, it wasn’t like he didn’t want to play, he always wanted to play and you could see that.”…”I’d love him to… obviously, if he’s healthy. If he’s healthy I think he’s the best big in the league, but like I said it’s tricky because of the knee injuries.”
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