On a slow news day, you have to give thanks for people like J.R. Smith and Dennis Rodman.
They break up the mundane — not that the mundane has to be boring (Case in point is the latest of our team previews, this one on the Oklahoma City Thunder. For all published team previews, click here.)
Here is the lowdown:
Smith gets five game ban
J.R Smith has been suspended five games by the NBA for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
Due to the length of the suspension, it would appear that Smith did not take any sort of performing-enhancing drug. Some people seem to be of the mindset that he tested positive due to marijuana — as five-game suspensions usually result from a third positive test for the evil weed.
The reigning sixth man of the year will begin his suspension only when he is medically cleared to play. If you recall, Smith had surgery in July to repair his patellar tendon as well as his meniscus in his left knee.
The sharpshooter is coming off a career year in which he averaged 18.1 points and 5.3 rebounds a game, and if the Knicks, who re-signed him, want to have any shot of competing this season, he needs to stay healthy and stay away from the ganja.
More on the Smith suspension here.
Rodman meets with Jong Un for second time
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman traveled to North Korea for a second time on Tuesday to meet with leader Kim Jong Un. The two apparently had a “cordial talk” and according to Korean Central News Agency, Kim invited Rodman back “anytime”
The two originally met in February when Rodman went to Korea promote basketball and make a film.
It is not clear if they spoke about the possible release of Kenneth Bae, an American missionary reportedly in bad health in North Korea. In April, Bae was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for trying to overthrow the government — officially described as committing ” hostile acts against the state.”
Rodman told reporters in Beijing “I just want to meet my friend Kim, the marshal, and start a basketball league over there or something like that.”
No further meetings have been scheduled between the two.
Timberwolves hire Newton
The Minnesota Timberwolves have hired former Wizards vice president Milt Newton to be their new general manager. This according to Wolves beat writer Jerry Zgoda.
Flip Saunders will still have final say, but Newton is expected help out with scouting and personnel.
Led by all-star Kevin Love and up-and-coming point guard Ricky Rubio, the T-Wolves hope to contend for a playoff spot this season.
ICYMI, here is our Timberwolves preview.
No timetable for Rondo
There is currently no set date on when Celtic’s guard Rajon Rondo will return to the court. He is still recovering from a torn ACL that ended his 2012-13 season prematurely.
When asked about it, general manager Danny Ainge did not know when his superstar point guard would return:
“He’s not near 100 percent yet, but he’s out doing shooting drills and ballhandling drills. I really don’t have a date yet. We want to be careful with him, obviously.”
Rondo is one of the best point guards in the NBA, and without him there is a good chance the Celtics will finish in bottom half of the Eastern Conference this season.
Here is our Celtics preview.