It’s been an eventful few days in the NBA.
First, the Warriors got better and the Celtics got worse, which seems like a win-win.
Then Greg Oden played in an NBA game, which makes me pretty dang happy.
Most recently, Nick Young showed questionable decision-making and got suspended for a game.
Here on Sheridan Hoops, we ranked MVP candidates and the top sophomores, which are both definitely worth your time to read. Once you’re done with them, I’ve got the latest news from around the NBA waiting for you.
A couple of contrasting stories on J.R. Smith from a couple different New York papers today. First let’s go to Mitch Lawrence of the Daily News: “Trade J.R.? Good luck trying. Good luck trying to move a certified head case with two years to run on an $18 million contract, a damaged knee, an attitude problem, a penchant for getting into off-court trouble, and — how is this for the cherry on top? — he’s in the midst of a terrible season. In no time, Smith has played his way from Sixth Man of the Year to Invisible Man of the Year. “If Steve Mills can move him,” one Eastern Conference personnel man told me on Wednesday, bringing up the Knicks’ first-time GM, “then that would be one great move. Unless you’re getting him because you’ve had an injury and it’s an emergency and you need a shooting guard, how would you justify taking him on? He has to turn it around on the court, and then even if he does, you still have to deal with all of his B.S. If Steve Mills can move him, he’ll be pulling a fast one on some other team.””- Another J.R. story comes from Marc Berman of the New York Post: “Mike Woodson said Smith will play Thursday when the Knicks face the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. “I need J.R. every game, every game I need J.R.,’’ Woodson said at the morning shootaround. “And J.R. will be back in uniform today and we’ll go from there.’’ Smith hid in the trainer’s room Thursday morning and didn’t meet with writers covering the team, though it could have been on advice from the organization. The Knicks are 6-2 in 2014, and the only player not buying in so far is Smith, who has been benched twice in the past four games. “He’s going to have to be with it if he wants to be a part of it,’’ Woodson said. “As coach, it’s my job to make sure that happens. He’ll be back in uniform tonight and we expect him to play at a high level. That’s what I expect from a coaching standpoint. Just concentrate on playing basketball.’’ Smith was benched for the second time Tuesday in Charlotte, with the organization feeling he still hasn’t gotten it despite last week’s $50,000 shoelace fine and his original benching last Thursday against the Heat. Smith grumbled aloud about playing time while sitting out most of the Monday’s overtime against the Suns and reportedly was late for a team meeting Tuesday in the Charlotte hotel.”
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#Blazers having so much fun I’m told LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Damian Lillard have discussed their plans to play together long-term.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 16, 2014
The Sixers are still working the trade lines, writes Jake Pavorsky of LibertyBallers.com: “Sources have expressed to Liberty Ballers that Philadelphia is stepping back from any trade negotiations for Thaddeus Young, and attempting to push a package of Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes. The source also went on to say that a few teams have shown interest, although rather minute, and no deal is close to imminent. Both Hawes and Turner are on expiring contracts (although Turner is a restricted free agent this summer), while Thaddeus Young has two years left on his contract, with an option for a third. Young is inevitably going to get traded, as not only has the Georgia Tech product requested a move from Philadelphia, but has put up tremendous numbers this season. He’s averaging a career high 17.8 PPG, and shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc, a new found ability this season. Removing themselves from conversation of moving the 25 year-old seem like a tactic in hopes of upping trade offers, while also trying to feel out a market for Hawes and Turner.”- For once, here’s some good news about a current Sixer who’s a) not on the trade block and b) not named Michael Carter-Williams. Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the story: “The surgeon who operated on Nerlens Noel’s left knee says the 76ers rookie should be ready to play in a game in four to six weeks. The Sixers say Noel’s return isn’t that simple, and it will be on their terms. Orthopedic surgeon James Andrews told ESPN.com on Wednesday that Noel was “doing excellent, and that team is taking good care of him.” A source close to the situation added that “his knee is fine. He just needs to get in basketball shape.” … Brown said he really doesn’t know if Noel will play at all this season. “He’s [checking off] boxes at a rate that we had hoped,” Brown said. “You know he’s moving there. But to project anything or guess anything – that’s all I would be doing is taking a wild-shot guess.” Brown added that selfishly he wants Noel to play this season to get games under his belt. The Sixers just want to make sure that the rookie steps onto the court with the proper fitness. There’s also the fear of risking further injury by rushing him back too soon. “We are not going to recklessly put him on a stage and expect results,” Brown said. “To think he’s going to go from one-handed shooting [to] guarding Tim Duncan in a six-week period is kind of ambitious.”
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Prokhorov on why he has more patience w/ Jason Kidd than with Avery, whom he fired after 14-14 start: “(Jason) has support of the players.”
— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) January 16, 2014
Hedo Turkoglu is back, baby! Via Eric Patten of Clippers.com: “Already donning a gray Clippers long-sleeve shirt and black team-issued sweatpants, longtime NBA veteran Hedo Turkoglu made more than a week of speculation official. After working out for the Clippers on Jan. 9, the team finally agreed to terms with the free agent forward Thursday as they prepare to leave for a seven-game east coast road trip. “It feels great,” Turkoglu said. “I’m really excited, a little bit nervous. It’s a new chapter for me. This is my 14th year and I’m just really happy to be a part of this great organization.” Turkoglu signed around 9 a.m. Thursday and immediately left for the airport to join the team on its charter headed to New York. He is expected to practice with the Clippers Thursday night and will be available when they take on the Knicks Friday. He will wear jersey No. 8. “He’s another shooter,” Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said. “Sometimes you don’t bring a guy in because someone’s not doing something. It’s because he does something that our other guys do as well. He can space the floor. He’s very skilled and we’d like to take advantage of that.””-
GSW about $2.2M under tax line. Bob Myers said no mandate from owner Joe Lacob to stay out. Would take a special deal, but they’re willing.
— Scott Howard-Cooper (@SHowardCooper) January 16, 2014
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Dan Malone is in his fourth year as a journalism student at the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and spent this summer as a features intern at the Cape Cod Times. He blogs, edits and learns things on the fly for Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on Twitter.