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NBA
Aug 3, 2021 20:00:24 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 3, 2021 20:00:24 GMT
I don't know if I would call it a major move, but Dwight Howard returned to the Lakers. Howard did an adequate to good job last year as Joel Embiid's backup, and with Embiid's health, that's a key role. I was kind of hoping Howard would return this year. Turnabout is fair play as Philly signs former Lakers backup center Andre Drummond.
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NBA
Aug 3, 2021 20:09:26 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Aug 3, 2021 20:09:26 GMT
I don't know if I would call it a major move, but Dwight Howard returned to the Lakers. Howard did an adequate to good job last year as Joel Embiid's backup, and with Embiid's health, that's a key role. I was kind of hoping Howard would return this year. Turnabout is fair play as Philly signs former Lakers backup center Andre Drummond. I'll take it, er, him! That's a big upgrade from Dwight Howard isn't it? But, first, Drummond and Joel Embiid will have to have dinner together.
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NBA
Aug 4, 2021 14:27:29 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 4, 2021 14:27:29 GMT
Well, that did take Brad Stevens long:
The thing is, OKC has been making great moves during their past few rebuilding seasons. They keep taking on these older and/or big-contract guys that other teams decide are anchors (and getting picks in the process), let them play a little and rest a lot, then deal them to teams who think those same vets might help put them over the top (and getting picks in that process, too).
Just like they got a 1st to take, then to move Horford, I'll bet you anything they'll get a pick when they trade Kemba, too. Probably the year after next, which will be the final season of his deal and some playoff team will think it's worth a midseason acquisition on an expiring deal.
I wasn't quite right: OKC didn't trade Kemba again for a pick; they bought him out. However, they already swapped the 1st they got to take him for two future 1sts. So they did get another pick out of the trade!
As for Kemba Walker, he's reportedly going to sign with the Knicks. Very interesting. I'm curious to see the contract length and amount. He's not a great defender, but he is a great leader and still-good player. He should help, and Thibs loves vets.
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NBA
Aug 4, 2021 16:36:00 GMT
Post by B.E. on Aug 4, 2021 16:36:00 GMT
Loving this FA for the Knicks!
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NBA
Aug 6, 2021 19:01:11 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 6, 2021 19:01:11 GMT
Tonight I'm heading to Target Center to get a look at the Wolves ... kind of. They're opening up their summer league roster scrimmage before officially beginning summer league in Vegas this weekend.
Obviously, as is increasingly common, the vast majority of the guys won't make the roster, though some will be on the D-League team, probably. The centerpiece is 2nd-year forward Jaden McDaniels, who was a late 1st rounder in the '20 draft and was surprisingly effective especially as a defender as a rookie. Fellow youngster, combo guard Jaylen Nowell, will also play. However, no Anthony Edwards or Jarrett Culver, and Leandro Bolmaro hasn't been signed yet so he's not going to be there.
There are a couple of other guys of interest: McKinley Wright IV is a local kid; Brian Bowen is a talented young wing; Nathan Knight is a bouncy young big who played for Atlanta last year. So there are five or six guys who will be fun to catch a glimpse of, even in this setting.
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NBA
Aug 6, 2021 19:53:16 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Aug 6, 2021 19:53:16 GMT
Sounds like fun. Is it competitive?
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NBA
Aug 6, 2021 19:59:44 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 6, 2021 19:59:44 GMT
Sounds like fun. Is it competitive? I'll tell you afterward. I haven't been to one before (if they've even had them). I've seen plenty of summer league, and that can be fantastic or terrible, just depending on each franchise's philosophy, the interest they have in the guys on those temporary rosters, and the professionalism of the players. (Some guys seem not to realize summer league is an audition for them...others go all-out the whole time.) But I've never gone to a Wolves intrasquad summer league scrimmage.
My guess is it'll be relatively competitive, considering most of these guys only have summer league contracts and will be looking to parlay them into real NBA contracts, whether here or elsewhere.
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NBA
Aug 7, 2021 12:39:05 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 7, 2021 12:39:05 GMT
We ended up skipping it. Shockingly, there were lines literally extending several blocks through the skyways! We tried at doors-open, and again about 30 minutes later (still before the scrimmage was to begin). It was insanely long lines that didn't seem to be moving. We decided a free scrimmage of summer leaguers wasn't worth that kind of wait.
I don't know if it was a matter of limited doors open, or covid-related precautions on entry, or what. But wow.
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NBA
Aug 7, 2021 13:03:58 GMT
via mobile
Post by B.E. on Aug 7, 2021 13:03:58 GMT
I’m glad USA men’s basketball bounced back from early losses to win the gold medal. I stayed up to watch the end of the game. It was fairly close!
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NBA
Aug 7, 2021 13:05:43 GMT
B.E. likes this
Post by Kapitan on Aug 7, 2021 13:05:43 GMT
Absolutely, always great to see Team USA win the gold. I watched Australia beat Slovenia this morning, too. Quite a game by Patty Mills! Dante Exum played really well, too. And that Luka character? That kid might have a future
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NBA
Aug 7, 2021 13:13:48 GMT
via mobile
Kapitan likes this
Post by B.E. on Aug 7, 2021 13:13:48 GMT
I love Patty Mills. I see he’s heading to your favorite team...the Nets. It’s fun to see some of the huge games non-All Stars can put up in international play when they are the focal point of the offense. Rubio had a monster game against team USA. Fournier did too when France beat us.
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NBA
Aug 8, 2021 16:02:33 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 8, 2021 16:02:33 GMT
Vegas Summer League kicks off today, including games being televised on ESPN2 and 3.
I'm going to try to watch NYK v TOR, which includes three Minnesotans! Reid Travis and rookie Jericho Sims (for whom I have high hopes, if not expectations) on the Knicks and Freddie Gillespie, who stepped in and produced surprisingly well, for the Raps.
The Knicks have at least half a dozen guys I'm interested in seeing. Toronto doesn't have quite as many guys I want to watch, but it's got several.
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NBA
Aug 9, 2021 15:01:36 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 9, 2021 15:01:36 GMT
Hey B.E., how about Jericho Sims in his NYK debut yesterday? 12 pts on 6-6 FG and 8 reb. He looked a little lost sometimes, but he sure fits in when it comes to size and athleticism. Honestly he reminds me of a slightly smaller Mitchell Robinson to some degree, and I'd imagine his role (if he makes the real roster) to be similar: defense, rebounding, and rim-running/dunks.
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NBA
Aug 21, 2021 15:41:04 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 21, 2021 15:41:04 GMT
NBA schedules have been released. Anybody check out their teams' and have impressions?
The Wolves open with seven of their first eight games at home, so it's possible that we'll have a promising start that turns out to be fool's gold. Then again, while those games include hosting Houston, NOP twice, and Orlando, they also include hosting LAC twice, Denver, and a road game at Milwaukee. So honestly even 4-4 would be a pretty reasonable outcome despite seven home games.
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NBA
Sept 2, 2021 17:21:23 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Sept 2, 2021 17:21:23 GMT
NBA is looking at some pretty drastic differences in treatment for vaxxed and unvaxxed players for the coming season. And I'd say it makes sense.
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