LeBron did not agree with some of the calls that went against him that ultimately had him foul out of the game, from Ken Berger of CBSSports: “”I don’t believe it was an offensive foul,” James said of his moving screen against Stephenson, on which he was trying to free Dwyane Wade for a clean look with Indiana leading 96-92. “I was going to set a screen, and I felt like I was stationary. And D-Wade rejected the pick-and-roll. Lance actually ran into me.”… “I believe I was straight up-and-down on Paul George’s drive — the and-one,” James said. “Hibbert, they reversed a call on Hibbert, called a foul on me on that one. And at the end of the third, they called a push off [against] David West. “It was a couple of calls that I didn’t feel like were fouls, personal fouls on me,” James said. “That’s how the game goes sometimes.”
According to Marc Berman of New York Post, Carmelo Anthony wants more help come next season: “Carmelo Anthony agrees with the sentiment of Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim regarding the state of the Knicks’ roster — he needs help. According to a source, Anthony has told a confidant he is concerned management will stand pat this offseason and said he believes the team needs to add a bona fide secondary scorer for the Knicks to take the next step and win a championship. The source said Anthony, who turns 29 today, loves combo guard Iman Shumpert, 22, and projects him as a superstar, but not for two seasons. The source also said Anthony privately wishes the club will add a significant piece to the roster and not be status quo. Boeheim’s remarks last week criticizing the roster’s strength hit home with Anthony, who values his former coach’s evaluations.
Here’s a great back story about Paul George and how he ended up with the Indiana Pacers, from Lee Jenkins of SI: “Mintz sent him to train with another client in L.A., Indiana forward Danny Granger, and they grew so close that George celebrated his 19th birthday at Granger’s house. The Pacers held the 10th pick and were interested in George, even though he played the same position as Granger and represented a potential quarterback controversy. “He was raw,” said former Pacers general manager David Morway, “but you saw his athleticism and agility. He has all the attributes you want to build a team around.” Seeking a scouting report from one of his own, Bird asked Mintz to have Granger call him. But by the day of the draft, at 1 a.m., Bird still had not heard from Granger, and he’d left two messages himself. Mintz called Granger and told him to put his phone on mute. Then he dialed George, and without telling him, looped Granger into the call. Mintz asked George, “Where do you want to go in the draft tomorrow?” “Indiana,” George replied. “Why?” Mintz asked. “I think I can learn so much from Danny.” Mintz hung up on George and asked Granger, “Can you call Bird now?” Against his self-interest, Granger gave a glowing endorsement, and until this season George was little more than his tenacious sidekick. When George claimed over dinner as a rookie that he would be an All-Star by his third season, a teammate snickered.”
Karl Malone will work with the big men of the Utah Jazz in the offseason, according to Jody Genessy of Dereset News: “In a surprise, The Mailman announced that he’s accepted a part-time job to help coach the Jazz big men. “We as a Jazz organization have got a great stable of big guys,” the Hall of Fame power forward said Wednesday on the team’s radio station during an interview with CEO Greg Miller. “I’m excited.” “I think your involvement with our bigs,” Miller replied, “is going to help us win more ball games.”… “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Malone said during the 1280 The Zone interview. “I know a lot of people are going to have a lot of questions about how much time it’s going to take, but … I think we’ll all have a lot fun with it. I’ll be looking forward — time and schedule permitting — to working with the big guys.”… “We haven’t discussed nothing other than that I’ll be coaching the bigs,” Malone said.”
Chad Ford of ESPN has details on possible offseason interests of some teams that involve players like Eric Bledsoe and DeMarcus Cousins (via RealGM): “The Orlando Magic are considering Trey Burke with the No. 2 overall pick, but sources say they are not sold on him with that high of a pick and could instead target Eric Bledsoe via trade. The Magic would be willing to trade Arron Afflalo for Bledsoe and the expiring contract of Caron Butler. Afflalo would give the Los Angeles Clippers a more traditional shooting guard to pair with Paul in the backcourt. With the No. 2 pick, the Magic could then target Victor Oladipo or Ben McLemore.”… The Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Bobcats and Dallas Mavericks are three teams that have interest in trading for DeMarcus Cousins if the new ownership of the Sacramento Kings decide to part ways with their most valued asset, according to sources. The Bobcats are motivated to turnaround their long rebuilding situation and would surely be willing to build a package for Cousins around the No. 4 pick. Cousins would be ‘Plan C’ for the Mavericks if they are unable to sign either Chris Paul or Dwight Howard. Cousins is entering the final season of his contract before reaching restricted free agency.”
Phil Jackson says Kobe Bryant is very sensitive to criticism, from Mark Medina of Daily News: “But underneath such alpha male traits lies a player with plenty of insecurities, according to former Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Namely, that Bryant doesn’t always take kindly to criticism. “He’s very sensitive,” Jackson said Wednesday to ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd. “I had to be really careful in criticizing him. I learned immediately as I started to deal with him as a young man how sensitive he was in particular if it was done in a group setting. My criticism was best done if it was in my office or alone.” Bryant has conceded feeling such a way in recent seasons. The Lakers star acknowledged earlier this season in a tweet that he felt “self doubt” on whether the team could turn around its struggles. Immediately after he suffered a season-ending left Achilles tendon, Bryant admitted that “it’s pissing me off” on the inevitable skepticism on whether he could return and still play at an elite level. Bryant also scoffed at Jackson’s favoring Michael Jordan over him revealed in his latest memoir “Eleven Rings.”
Already Cleveland seems to be dangling the #1 pick for Kevin Love, but more realistically, the #1 pick for DeMarcus Cousins makes sense.
The most telling response by the Memphis GM, despite trying to be careful with his words:
“Certainly Lionel WAS a great asset for us”.
Hollins clearly won’t be back with Grizz, at least not at the $5-7 million range.
However, I don’t believe the statement by Hollins, that Grizz will delay until July 1. They want to resolve their coaching situation quickly too.
However, HOLD ON, if people think Billy King has Hollins as his #1 choice:
RT @PeterVecsey1 Cannot envision BK hiring Hollins. His personality is to dominate players. That worked w Conley & Gasol. Not so with Deron & Lopez.
Peter Vecsey has a good relation with Billy King, and usually knows his thinking.
Nets can certainly pay at least $7 million per year for Hollins, if he is their target.
Byron Scott would be a much more inexpensive option for the Clippers than Hollins.
Still, makes little sense that Nets won’t at least discuss coaching with Jerry Sloan. The rumors that Jerry left Utah because of Deron Williams, or his excuse that he was “tired” of coaching, is just False. Sloan left because he didn’t like the direction that the new ownership in Utah was going.
Deron Williams has said multiple times he would like to play for Sloan again, and Jerry Sloan has said he is open to Nets. We shall find out pretty soon what the Nets are up to.