Jared Dudley explains why the Los Angeles Clippers will not have the weaknesses they had against the Memphis Grizzlies in the playoffs, from Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld: “I definitely think we’re one of the deepest teams,” Dudley added. “I think people saw some of the Clippers’ flaws last year. I think Memphis kind of exploited them a little bit. Their bigs would sometimes clog the lane and they needed shooting. I think Byron Mullens is kind of a sleeper that nobody is talking about. I played with him on the Bobcats and he can stretch the floor. You’re not going to see him really stand out, especially on a team like the Bobcats since they were losing, but [he could thrive] with someone like Chris Paul. He kind of reminds of me of Channing Frye. Channing wasn’t playing in Portland, but then with Steve Nash, he was top five in threes made and three-point percentage. Byron Mullens can do that. I think that’ll help our spacing when we play these bigs. When Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are picking-and-rolling, the lane won’t be clogged anymore.”
Jamal Crawford believes the success of the Clippers will depend largely on the play of Blake Griffin, from Kennedy: ““We’re going to go as far as Blake can take us,” Crawford said. “I don’t want to put pressure on him, but he’s that good. Obviously, Chris is one of the top players in the NBA, but he’s unselfish and wants guys around him that can get it done. I think with myself and Blake, we have two of the better offensive players in the league. I think Blake is ready to take that next step. He’s our hardest worker. He’s always adding something different to his game. When he was playing in my pro-am, he was much more comfortable stepping out to the elbow area and knocking down shots. If he masters that, that’ll just open the court even more and it’ll demand double teams. Nobody can guard him when he’s knocking down that shot consistently. He’s so athletic, but he also makes great decisions and great passes. I think this will be a big year for him.”
John Havlicek believes Paul Pierce is the best one-on-one player in Celtics history, from Gary Washburn of Boston Globe: “”Well I think he wanted to (stay) but circumstances changed and he was able to sort of give himself another shot (at a championship) so you can’t blame him for that,” the all-time great Celtic said after the Hall of Fame ceremonies Sunday. “It’s like Bill Sharman years ago, left the Celtics and became a Laker of all things. So I wish (Pierce) will and hopes that he gets that ring.” Havlicek said Pierce ranks highly among the Celtics’ greats. “That’s what free agency does, it doesn’t allow you to have that continuity,” Havlicek said about Pierce’s departure. “We never made a trade in 10 years (with the Celtics) and all the people remained the same. It’s a lot different today but I wish him well. He’s one of the best all-around players and the thing I marveled at was his one-on-one ability. I think he’s the best one-on-one player of all Celtics.”
Health willing, Dirk Nowitzki will consider playing in the 2016 Olympics for Germany, according to Marc Stein of ESPN: “In the Olympic summer of 2016, Dirk Nowitzki will be 38 years old. But Nowitzki says he’ll indeed consider a return to international basketball that summer if he thinks his return to the German national squad can clinch a spot for his homeland in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. “If I’m still healthy enough and we have a chance to qualify, then I’d consider it,” Nowitzki told ESPN.com late Monday. Nowitzki was responding to statements made earlier Monday by Germany coach Frank Menz, who told ESPN.com’s Mark Woods after Germany’s elimination from the EuroBasket tournament in Slovenia that the face of the Dallas Mavericks has left open the possibility of a national-team return if the squad continues to progress.”
The Brooklyn Nets will retire Jason Kidd’s jersey in the upcoming preseason, from Mike Mazzeo ESPN NY: “The Brooklyn Nets will retire Jason Kidd’s No. 5 jersey prior to their Oct. 17 preseason game against the Miami Heat at Barclays Center, the team announced Monday. Kidd, hired as Nets coach June 12, formerly starred as a point guard with the team. “This is a very humbling honor and one that I will always cherish,” Kidd said in a statement. “There can be no greater recognition of an athlete’s time with any team than to have his number retired, and this gesture by the Nets organization validates a very significant portion of my career that was spent as a player with this franchise.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks are looking to get their loyal fan names on the hardwood, according to Sports Business Daily: “Two NBA teams are awaiting league approval of a plan that would put the names of season-ticket holders on their playing floors. The teams, Cleveland and Milwaukee, intend the plan as another benefit tied to their year-round membership and fan-loyalty clubs. Details are still being finalized and must be approved by the league, but the program would allow for the names of the season-ticket holders who are part of the loyalty clubs to be placed on the apron that surrounds the playing floor — or possibly even on the playing floor itself.”
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