ShowtimeForum: “I’m told DeMarcus Cousins plans to remain with the Lakers for the remainder of the season to continue rehabbing his torn ACL.” Via: @Shams Charania | #Lakeshow
Storyline: DeMarcus Cousins Injury
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Melissa Rohlin: Alex Caruso on Cousins: “DeMarcus has been here rehabbing and been a great member of this team behind the scenes that nobody gets to see because the only thing he can do is be a good teammate and travel, and show up to every game and have a good attitude. And he’s done that.”
Chris Haynes: Yahoo Sources: DeMarcus Cousins was informed yesterday by the Lakers that he would be waived. He plans to continue rehabbing ACL injury into the offseason.
DeMarcus Cousins knows now that he shouldn’t have played for the Warriors in last year’s NBA Finals, but the center said Thursday that he doesn’t regret his decision to rush back from a torn left quadriceps. “I was terrible in the Finals. I was a one-legged bandit on the floor, but I wanted to be a part of it,” Cousins said on Showtime’s “All the Smoke” podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. “In the Finals, you play hurt. If you can go, you can go. That’s when you lay your body on the line. I went out there and gave it what I had. The results were unfortunate. … I wasn’t supposed to be on the floor.”
Although he averaged just 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in the championship series, Cousins said he doesn’t regret his decision. “I had no business on the floor. None, whatsoever,” he said. “… I just kept telling myself: ‘This is what I’ve played for my entire life: to be on this stage and have this opportunity. Whatever I’ve got to do to be a part of that, I’m going to do it.’ I don’t even know how I did it, honestly.”
Kyle Goon: Frank Vogel said today that DeMarcus Cousins is “not close” to return, and acknowledged a playoff return would be difficult: “It’s a big challenge. It’s not ideal. That’s why we’re keeping expectations tempered. Not ruling it out.”
One Los Angeles Lakers storyline that was overshadowed by the festivities surrounding NBA All-Star weekend is news of a potential return this season for DeMarcus Cousins. The 29-year-old four-time All-Star signed a one-year contract with the Lakers during the offseason before suffering an ACL injury in August. But according to coach Frank Vogel–who spoke with reporters in Chicago during All-Star weekend–DeMarcus could be back providing an added punch to the Lakers lineup by the playoffs. “He’s on track to get healthy by the playoffs,” Vogel said. “We’ll have to see where he’s at with rhythm and conditioning and timing and all that stuff. But there’s a possibility he returns this season, yes.”
One Los Angeles Lakers storyline that was overshadowed by the festivities surrounding NBA All-Star weekend is news of a potential return this season for DeMarcus Cousins. The 29-year-old four-time All-Star signed a one-year contract with the Lakers during the offseason before suffering an ACL injury in August. But according to coach Frank Vogel–who spoke with reporters in Chicago during All-Star weekend–DeMarcus could be back providing an added punch to the Lakers lineup by the playoffs. “He’s on track to get healthy by the playoffs,” Vogel said. “We’ll have to see where he’s at with rhythm and conditioning and timing and all that stuff. But there’s a possibility he returns this season, yes.”
Mere hours before taking the court in Chicago to do just that, however, his coach made a surprising announcement about the player he replaced. Frank Vogel explained during his media availability Saturday that Cousins could come back and play for the Lakers before the end of the season. “He’s on track to get healthy by the playoffs” and we’ll have to see where he’s at with rhythm, and conditioning, and timing and all that stuff,” Vogel said. “But there is a possibility he returns this season, yes.”
Vogel provided an update about Cousins on Friday, and said that the center had recently been cleared for “a little bit of light warmup stuff” by the training staff. “But that’s just like light jogging and those types of things. There is still a long way to go,” Vogel cautioned, but he added that he thinks there is also still a chance of Cousins coming back. ”As far as I know he’s still on track. He’s still a possibility to play this year, but I can’t really go into more detail,” Vogel said.
Dave McMenamin: F. Vogel says that DeMarcus Cousins’ criminal charges that were dropped today have “definitely been present in my mind but it’s really a legal matter and I’m not really allowed to comment on it further than that.” He added that the team is still “hopeful” Cousins plays in ‘19-20
Bill Oram: Frank Vogel says the Lakers “have not closed the door” on the possibility of DeMarcus Cousins returning before the end of the season if the Lakers make the playoffs.
NBA grants disabled player exception to Lakers
Shams Charania: The Lakers have been granted a disabled player exception worth $1.75M from the NBA for the expected season-ending ACL injury to DeMarcus Cousins, league sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium. It expires on March 10, 2020.
DeMarcus Cousins didn’t let a torn ACL hold him back on the biggest day of his life … so says Matt Barnes, who tells TMZ Sports the NBA superstar was dancing and in great spirits at his wedding over the weekend!!!
The 29-year-old Lakers center married his longtime girlfriend, Morgan Lang, in Atlanta on Saturday — just 2 weeks after seriously injuring his left knee in a Vegas training sesh. The event looked like NBA All-Star Weekend with huge stars like Barnes, Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and more in attendance. As for the dancing, Boogie didn’t do anything stupid — he was cautious — and left the wild dance moves to his new wife!!!
We talked to Barnes about DC’s morale during his big day … and while Matt says he’s sure the guy is frustrated about the recent bad luck, Cousins didn’t show it on Saturday. “He’s been through a lot of late, so I’m happy to see him smile, be able to take his mind off his injury and enjoy his day,” Barnes told us at LAX.
David Thorpe: I saw the video last week of DeMarcus Cousins falling down with a reportedly torn ACL. He was not touched. But as someone who has been involved with summer basketball since 1988, I must admit that I’m confused to see so many professionals playing full-court 5-on-5 in the summer. Players would be better off not playing these games. If we can agree that the in-season schedule is at least part of the reason for some of the injuries players have absorbed, can we also agree that in general, games themselves come with more risk than workouts?
“I’m devastated for DeMarcus,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who is serving as a Team USA assistant under national team coach Gregg Popovich. “It’s been a couple years of hell for DeMarcus with the injuries, first the Achilles and then last year in the playoffs with the quad. I was really hoping that this would be a year for him upcoming with the Lakers where he could get healthy, get his rhythm, get his conditioning and really start his comeback. We’re all crushed for him, everybody in this gym, all these fellow players and coaches. This is a small community. Everybody’s been talking about it. We’ve all reached out to him. We all just feel terrible for him.
“I’m devastated for DeMarcus,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who is serving as a Team USA assistant under national team coach Gregg Popovich. “It’s been a couple years of hell for DeMarcus with the injuries, first the Achilles and then last year in the playoffs with the quad. I was really hoping that this would be a year for him upcoming with the Lakers where he could get healthy, get his rhythm, get his conditioning and really start his comeback. We’re all crushed for him, everybody in this gym, all these fellow players and coaches. This is a small community. Everybody’s been talking about it. We’ve all reached out to him. We all just feel terrible for him.
“It’s super unfortunate because just how much he loves basketball, throughout all these injuries, he’s kind of fought back to get in as soon as possible,” Kuzma said. “That’s just kind of how the ball goes sometimes. You never really know, and you kind of (have to) count your blessings sometimes, take it at that and be grateful.
“It’s super unfortunate because just how much he loves basketball, throughout all these injuries, he’s kind of fought back to get in as soon as possible,” Kuzma said. “That’s just kind of how the ball goes sometimes. You never really know, and you kind of (have to) count your blessings sometimes, take it at that and be grateful.
Jared Greenberg: In the wake of the DeMarcus Cousins news a high ranking member of the Lakers tells me that they do not expect nor do they want Anthony Davis to play “big minutes” at center this season @NBATV
Draymond Green had just told DeMarcus Cousins that he hadn’t seen him look this fit and slim since his college days at Kentucky. He was ready to see the big man wreak havoc on the NBA this season. That was just last week. On Thursday, Green and the rest of the NBA learned that Cousins had suffered yet another crushing setback with a torn left ACL, leaving Green uncertain of what to say or text to his good friend and former Golden State Warriors teammate.
“One of my goals coming into this season was for DeMarcus to destroy everybody and come back and show how great of a player he is and get what I think he deserves,” Green told The Undefeated’s Marc Spears. “I’m really at a loss for words about it. It’s one that really hurt me for sure.”
Green says that if anyone can overcome this series of injuries, it’s Cousins. “He made it out of Mobile, Alabama,” Green said. “The NBA is tough, very tough to get to, very tough to stay in. “But he made it out of Mobile, Alabama. If he can do that, he can do anything.”
Ben Golliver: Steve Kerr on DeMarcus Cousins: “You’re talking about a player who has dealt with the 2 most feared injuries for NBA players – the Achilles & the ACL – in 2 or 3 years, it’s unheard of. What a blow for him and the Lakers. Hopefully he can get back on the bike and start riding.” pic.twitter.com/QB8KwgcK9I
Ben Golliver: Warriors’ Steve Kerr on DeMarcus Cousins’ knee injury: “I’m devastated for DeMarcus. It’s been a couple of years of hell. I was really hoping this season would be a chance to get healthy. We’re all crushed for him.” pic.twitter.com/qa0BmQhAFJ
DeMarcus Cousins' ACL tear official
Adrian Wojnarowski: Test results are conclusive today in Los Angeles: Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins has suffered a torn left ACL, agent Jeff Schwartz of @excelsm tells ESPN
Tim Reynolds: DeMarcus Cousins has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, as confirmed by his agent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management. The timeline for surgery is currently being discussed.
Richaun Holmes: Prayers up for @DeMarcus Cousins sick for bro right now
Luka Doncic: fast recovery!!! 🙏🙏 @DeMarcus Cousins
Enes Kanter: Pray for my brother @DeMarcus Cousins 🙏
DeMarcus Cousins suffers torn ACL
Shams Charania: Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins has suffered a torn ACL in his knee, league sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Bradley Beal: 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 @DeMarcus Cousins
Isaiah Thomas: Praying for my brother @DeMarcus Cousins 🙏🏾🏁
DeMarcus Cousins hurts knee
Adrian Wojnarowski: Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins has suffered a possible knee injury and will undergo further testing today in Los Angeles, league sources tell ESPN. Cousins was working out in Las Vegas on Monday when he had to leave the court, sources said. He signed a one-year deal in July.
The four-time All-Star is expected to meet with Lakers team physicians, sources said. Cousins, 29, was working out in Las Vegas on Monday when he had to leave the court after what one source described as “bumping knees” with another player.
Ryan Ward: The news about DeMarcus Cousins’ “possible knee injury” is pretty vague, which probably isn’t a good sign for the #Lakers. The team can only hope it is a minor issue after an offseason in which he dropped weight and was determined to prove his worth in 2019-20.
Marc Stein: Jordan Bell gets the Finals Game 1 start at center for the Warriors. DeMarcus Cousins is active and available
Connor Letourneau: Steve Kerr said that he doesn’t think DeMarcus Cousins’ conditioning coming off the quad injury will allow him to play big minutes, but Cousins should help in bursts.
Connor Letourneau: Kerr declined to say what Cousins’ workload would be tonight.
Marcus Thompson: Cousins is sounding like someone who wants to play
Marc J. Spears: Injured center DeMarcus Cousins will be available at #Warriors Media Day at the #NBAFinals today but injured forward Kevin Durant is not listed.
Cousins appeared rusty and told The Undefeated that his conditioning needs work. Warriors coach Steve Kerr listed Cousins as questionable for Game 1 against the host Toronto Raptors. But just the possibility of Cousins being available for Game 1 is stunning. “It’s just about getting my body in shape, my quad muscle in shape and go through the different phases and ups and downs of the game,” Cousins said. “It has been a tough week. I’ve been working my tail off to get to this point. But I am healthy enough.”
In regards to his upcoming free agency, Cousins said he plans to “take it one step at a time.” His focus right now is on winning his first championship and playing a role in it. “All I can do is make sure I do what I can control and that is to get better each and every day, whether it’s my health, me as a basketball player, me as a person,” Cousins said. “Whatever the case may be, I have to make sure I better myself each and every day.”
Mark Medina: Steve Kerr said DeMarcus Cousins is “making good progress.” But Kerr outlines complexities of Cousins’ return pic.twitter.com/9A5SpobWb6
Nick Friedell: Cousins on injury — “Initially I thought it was worse than what it was.” Said it took him a couple days to get over another injury, but was glad it wasn’t as serious as it could have been. Cousins isn’t sure yet exactly what his role will be if and when he returns.
Mark Kreidler: Warriors announce that Durant hasn’t been cleared to return to on-court activity. Team says it’s “hopeful” that “at some point” he plays in NBA Finals. Cousins is more likely at this point.
Mark Medina: Warriors say they “anticipate” DeMarcus Cousins will play at some point in the NBA Finals. Warriors they are “hopeful” Kevin Durant plays at some point in the NBA Finals. But nothing is certain. Warriors will re-evaluate both players on Wednesday
“I think it’s very motivating for us to try to sweep this series and have that time off,” Green said on Sunday. “Obviously we’re a little banged up so nine days off would be great for us. Allow Andre [Iguodala] time to heal, Shaun [Livingston]’s old — but also allow the possibility of Kevin [Durant] and DeMarcus [Cousins] to get healthy and come back as well. So I think it’s very important for us to come out tomorrow with the right mindset. We didn’t do that against the Clippers. “
Logan Murdock: Steve Kerr on DeMarcus Cousins’ status: “He’s working really hard. He’s been in the training room religiously. … So he is ahead of Kevin, as far as getting onto the court.”
DeMarcus Cousins is pretty obsessed with returning at some point in these playoffs. It’s easy to understand. He’s extremely competitive. This is basketball at the highest level. It’s the first time he’s been around it. But he’s frothing for an actual taste. “I’m built different,” he told The Athletic. “He wants to play so damn bad,” one team source said.
DeMarcus Cousins back for West Finals?
Marc Stein: Another reward for the victorious Warriors: League sources say that DeMarcus Cousins — if he maintains his recent progress from a torn quad — is on course to make a return to the Warriors’ active roster during the Western Conference finals
DeMarcus Cousins returning this season?
Golden State Warriors injured center DeMarcus Cousins said he expects to play again this season after suffering a partially torn quadriceps muscle and envisions a “very nice ending” to the 2018-19 campaign.
“For me, my goal is I ain’t planning on sitting,” Cousins told The Undefeated after the Warriors’ shootaround in preparation for Monday’s Game 4 against the Houston Rockets in a second-round playoff series. “I don’t know the reality of it. But for me, that is not what I’m planning on doing…It’s definitely some type of bad movie. But I think it will have a very nice ending. Just wait for it.”
When asked about potentially returning in the Rockets series or at a future time, Cousins answered, “We will see.” “I’m taking it day by day,” Cousins said. “I’m in better spirits, for sure. I kind of shut the world out. There are a lot of opinions out there. I shut the world out, went to my little zone and I’m taking it a day at a time. There were too many opinions. Everybody thought they knew what was going on. Everybody is a doctor. Just sit back and watch. I will do the rest.”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is leaving open the possibility of centers DeMarcus Cousins and Damian Jones returning at some point during the playoffs. “It’s a possibility he could be back,” Kerr said of Jones. “Same with DeMarcus. He’s coming along pretty well. We’ll just wait and see.”
Mark Medina: DeMarcus Cousins is here with the team rehabbing
Marc J. Spears: Warriors coach Steve Kerr says DeMarcus Cousins is “progressing with his rehab but not enough to report.”
Connor Letourneau: Good sign of progress: DeMarcus Cousins is getting up shots after practice.
Anthony Slater: DeMarcus Cousins on the bench today. First time since the injury.
Center DeMarcus Cousins is unlikely to return this postseason for the Golden State Warriors yet won’t require surgery on his torn left quadriceps muscle. Coach Steve Kerr has named Andrew Bogut as his starter in place of Cousins for Game 3 Thursday night of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Clippers in Los Angeles. Playing in just his second career postseason game after a nine-year wait, the 28-year-old Cousins went down in the first quarter of a 135-131 Game 2 loss Monday night. He fell in front of the Golden State bench after swiping a ball from Patrick Beverley in the back court. Cousins immediately grabbed at his left quad then hobbled to the locker room at the 8:09 mark.
Marc J. Spears: Hornets guard Tony Parker tore his quad muscle and returned in eight months. Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins’ camp is holding out hope for a much faster prognosis if he responds well to treatment.
Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins, who exited last night’s Game 2 against the Los Angeles Clippers with 8:09 remaining in the first quarter, underwent an MRI exam earlier this morning in the Bay Area. The MRI confirmed that Cousins has suffered a torn left quadriceps muscle. The injury will sideline Cousins indefinitely and he will begin rehabilitation immediately
DeMarcus Cousins done for the playoffs
Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins has a torn left quad, a source told The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears on Tuesday. Doctors are still determining the severity of Cousins’ quad tear, which will determine the length of the recovery process, league sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It is unclear whether he will need surgery or how long he could be out. An MRI confirmed the team’s fear of a tear on Tuesday morning.
Shams Charania: Warriors All-Star DeMarcus Cousins has been diagnosed with a torn left quad, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Devastating for Cousins, who had MRI early this morning.
Anthony Slater: Another playoffs spent watching his team while his left leg is immobilized, another summer of intensive rehab, another free agency where he’ll find the market depressed. An agonizing last 15 months (and next 9 or so) in DeMarcus Cousins career.
DeMarcus Cousins done for the playoffs?
Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins is expected to miss the remainder of the postseason with a significant left quadriceps injury, but there’s faint optimism that he could possibly return for the NBA Finals, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Cousins, 28, will undergo an MRI on Tuesday morning, which should reveal if the Finals are a realistic target for the four-time All-Star, sources said.
He refused assistance to the locker room by teammates and walked off on his own power to be examined with cameras catching what appeared to be a noticeable injury to his quad. The Warriors’ big man is only a few months removed from returning from a left Achilles tear that sidelined him for a year, and for the first time in his nine NBA seasons, he was experiencing his first taste of a long playoff run. “It’s tough, for sure,” Stephen Curry said. “You feel for him, considering what he’s been through this last year. This is a big stage, the playoffs. He’s been looking forward to this. I don’t know the extent of the injury at this point. Hope he gets back sooner than later. Just man to man, in terms of him, what he’s been through, it’s tough for sure. There’s no sugarcoating it at all. You hate seeing that opportunity again on this big stage taken away from him like that.”
Connor Letourneau: If DeMarcus Cousins is done for the postseason, his chances of re-signing with the Warriors would go up significantly. Have to think the free-agency market for an injured Cousins would be tepid, at best.
May 29, 2020 | 12:56 pm EDT Update
Even in the middle of a pandemic, when nobody is playing, Bradley Beal’s name still emerged in trade rumors. The New York Daily News last week reported that the Brooklyn Nets have had “internal discussions” about pursuing the 26-year-old Wizards guard, who signed a two-year, $72 million extension in October. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard this kind of talk,” Beal told ESPN. “It’s interesting. To me, I look at it as a sign of respect, that I’ve been doing good things and guys want to play with me.
“That’s an unbelievable feeling. When you hear that Kyrie [Irving] and KD [Kevin Durant] want you, s—, that’s amazing. At the same time, you don’t know how much there is to it, or how easy it would be to do. And I’ve put down roots in D.C. I’ve dedicated myself to this town, this community. I love it here, and it would feel great to know I could grind out winning here instead of jumping to another team. “But I’d be naive to say that I don’t think about it when these stories come up.”
“My biggest thing right now is that I want to play with John [Wall] again,” Beal said. “I want to see him get back to that level where I know he can be, especially since my game has grown so much [while he’s been out]. What can we accomplish together? I’m so happy he’s healthy, working his tail off.”
Prior to Leon Rose taking over, other areas of need identified by New York’s front office/scouts included a forward who can stretch the floor. One person in touch with members of the organization at the time said part of the thinking for the club’s offseason was centered around finding players who complement rookie RJ Barrett. “If you want to complement Barrett, that’s where I’d go,” one opposing front office member said. “Adding (a guard and big man who can shoot from the perimeter), you space the floor and make things easier for him. The floor was so crowded for them this year.”
If the Knicks decide to look for a forward via free agency who can shoot, Danilo Gallinari, Carmelo Anthony and Christian Wood are potential options. Some members of the Knicks front office were enamored with Wood over the course of the season. Regarding Anthony, prior to free agency last summer, the Knicks strongly considered signing the ex-Knick if they were able to land two other stars. They missed out on the stars in free agency, which took Anthony out of their plans. Rose, the current team president, was Anthony’s agent. The two remain close. Worth pointing out: the Knicks being open to looking for a big who can shoot doesn’t necessarily reflect a desire to move on from Randle.
May 29, 2020 | 11:55 am EDT Update
Shams Charania: Sources: NBA has sent GMs the results from GM survey: – 53% of GMs chose advancing directly to playoffs; 27% for resuming abbreviated season with play-in – 60% voted for 72-game season – “Playoffs Plus”: 83% voted 20 or more teams – Non-playoff teams split on resuming season
Shams Charania: Additional results from NBA’s GM survey, per sources: – Most GMs want season to end no later than Oct. 1 – GMs want larger roster/more flexibility to manage their roster – 53 percent voted to maintain traditional playoff seeding; 47 percent for reseeding
Sirius XM NBA: “That was kind of blown out of proportion.” @Georges Niang has no concerns about reported tensions in the Jazz locker room following the positive COVID-19 tests. #takenote pic.twitter.com/5kddhj4zHf
Adam Zagoria: Former Louisville F @JordanNwora has done Zoom calls with about 20 NBA teams, including the Knicks and Nets, per source. The former @NYRhoops F averaged 18.0 ppg and 7.7 rpg last season and is a projected 2nd-round pick. The Knicks have two 2nd-round picks in the Draft. pic.twitter.com/ISeBHH7dWt
May 29, 2020 | 11:26 am EDT Update
ON A SUNNY day in mid-April, the sun crested over Los Angeles, but Paul wished to be over a thousand miles away: poring over film in Oklahoma City, preparing for Game 2 or 3 of a first-round series. He wanted to be hooping. Instead of getting up shots in his team’s practice facility, Paul has been having direct conversations with Silver more than once a week as the liaison between the commissioner and the players. Paul has served as a sounding board for those looking for advice, ideas or an outlet for their frustration.
“Hell, I need to vent at times,” Paul said. “I just look at it as guys are actually concerned and they want to know what’s going on. They should have a say in their future.” Between homeschooling his kids and finding time to take online Spanish classes (“I’m trying to get better at something,” he said.), Paul has had calls almost every morning — most often union-related — and more in the afternoon.
“He’s never said, ‘Can I get back to you?’ Never,” Roberts said of Paul, who will often surprise Roberts’ staff by jumping on a conference call to offer encouragement and share ideas. “Being accessible has been a godsend.”
As rumblings of restart options and hypothetical scenarios have dotted their social media timelines, players across the league have been peppering Paul with the same questions curious basketball fans might have. “When are we going to play? How are we going to play? Where are we going to play?” said executive committee member Anthony Tolliver, outlining what’s being posed to Paul. “Are we going to try and finish the regular season? Is it worth it? Is it going to be too much? Are we going to bring guys back and possibly be subject to a bunch of injuries because of the circumstances? Just walking through and talking through all that stuff.”
PAUL’S VOICE CARRIES weight in conversations with the players’ union, but he doesn’t look to dominate them. He approaches a conference call much in the same way he approaches the game. “I frequently joke about this, he’s obviously a point guard and his claim to fame in terms of skill set is his ability to read the room, read the floor and pass the ball,” Roberts said. “He does that in meetings too. “If Chris sees a player who has not said much, he’ll ask, ‘John, what do you think about this? Come on, weigh in.’ That’s what he does. It’s a delight.”
NBA Central: Brian Windhorst says the NBA wants to make sure Zion Williamson is involved in the playoff plan, per @GetUpESPN pic.twitter.com/QuSWmRj2DI
Rudy Gay: Tough times don’t last, tough people do!! Honored to visit the staff at @chasebrexton Health Care in my hometown of Baltimore & present a 50k check via @directrelief to those working tirelessly to treat patients throughout the pandemic. Thank u to all on the frontline, be safe 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/v4Y5MMCB0c
May 29, 2020 | 9:29 am EDT Update
But I do cover sports, and the NBA is a huge, global league, that millions of people care about. And I respect that this is important to you. So, I’m going to concentrate on that below. After speaking to a couple dozen folks at all levels, from owners on down, the past few days, here’s the lay of the land, with the league’s Board of Governors set to meet with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Friday, a day after Silver spoke with the league’s GMs: The GM meeting, per a source, focused on the different potential playing formats after the restart, and the impacts of each on the final regular-season standings and other issues. But no definitive dates or decisions were made.
“I’m fairly certain that Disney is going to work,” a high-ranking official with knowledge of the union’s thoughts said Thursday. “Vegas had some of the logistical things we needed but didn’t have the environment that could enhance our health protocols. Vegas scared me to death. Florida worried me a little bit because of the state opening up so early, but having a venue that can basically be closed off, I do think we can check off the venue issue off our list. I think we’ve got that down.”
There is a lot of support among teams and agents to include as many teams as possible. “I’m pushing for all,” one prominent agent said Wednesday. “I’m hearing the league wants to go to directly to the playoffs and I personally don’t think that’s fair to all the players who missed this season and want to participate. My suggestion for a format has always been 3-4 games for everyone, (a) play-in tournament for the eighth seed and then (a) regular playoff format.”
Problem is, Antetokounmpo has trademarked his “Greek Freak” nickname. Eady, in a series of tweets in March aimed at Antetokounmpo, said he stopped selling the shirts after getting a cease-and-desist letter last October from the player’s lawyers. That led to more legal wrangling, none of which Eady wanted to discuss in specifics other than to say he has taken out a small loan to cover a cash settlement to the lawsuit. The situation is an example that experts say is one the risks that star athletes face: Protect their trademarks using the legal system or face the loss of those protections that allow them to control their image, brand and related monetization – which can be worth millions of dollars.
And therein lies further image peril: The risk of going to court is that it can be seen as a famous rich person being greedy and cruel in trying to squash an entrepreneur. “Making an example of a few unauthorized vendors can ward off others. But trademark overreach can also alienate athletes from their fans — especially if those devoted fans are the ones imagining and creating the apparel,” said Stephen Stanwood of Campbell, Calif.-based Stanwood Law that specialized in such cases. Antetokounmpo has filed 13 trademark infringement lawsuits in federal court since July in the Southern District of New York, of which at least five have been settled, court records show. A lawsuit filed Wednesday was the eighth filed this month, and it’s unknown many cease-and-desist letters halted sales of knockoff merch before they came to become lawsuits.
Enes Kanter: Are you freaking kidding me? State police in Minnesota arresting @CNN reporter @OmarJimenez while he’s on air Meanwhile, the cop who murdered #GeorgeFloyd continues to walk free. They arrested a @CNN reporter before the killers of #GeorgeFloyd 🤦🏻♂️ 🤦🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/WFJYVEC15X
May 29, 2020 | 7:50 am EDT Update
When the season was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, multiple players were approaching eligibility for contract bonuses. With basketball likely to return this summer, the league and the NBPA have to negotiate what will happen to that money. Sources told ESPN that the most likely outcome will be similar to how the league handled bonuses during the lockout-shortened season in 2011-12. Contract incentives initially intended for 82 games were prorated to account for the 66-game season. For example, a player with a $500,000 bonus in his contract for playing in 70 games qualified for the bonus if he played in 56 games. However, performance bonuses based on averages — such as shooting percentages — were not adjusted.
Fournier has $1.1 million in incentives, with $600,000 broken down into four categories: first-round appearance in the playoffs, second-round appearance, conference finals and Finals. Fournier will also need to appear in 75% of the games played per round. Likely outcome: There will be a negotiation when it comes to Fournier’s incentives. The guard has already met the required number of games (60), but the Magic might have to win a play-in game to make the postseason. When the season was postponed, Orlando was 5.5 games ahead of Washington for the final playoff spot in the East. If Orlando loses a play-in, does that mean Fournier doesn’t get his first-round appearance bonus?
Between homeschooling his kids and finding time to take online Spanish classes (“I’m trying to get better at something,” he said.), Paul has had calls almost every morning — most often union-related — and more in the afternoon. “He’s never said, ‘Can I get back to you?’ Never,” Roberts said of Paul, who will often surprise Roberts’ staff by jumping on a conference call to offer encouragement and share ideas. “Being accessible has been a godsend.”
As union president, Paul possesses the rare ability to gather the league’s top stars — LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant — on conference calls. That buy-in wasn’t there before, and high-ranking union members view Paul’s long-time superstar status as a big reason for the change. Players are more invested in their futures. They want more say. They want more power. “Our meetings are much more engaged now. That’s because of Chris,” Roberts said. “He won’t allow an issue to be presented and then not discussed.”
Paul’s competitiveness spills over into the role, but any beefs he has across the league don’t carry into meetings with players. “Pretty much everybody that I can imagine would have an on-court beef with him,” Tolliver said. “I’ve never seen any sort of negative confrontation [off the court]. “Most people’s experience with him is he’s so competitive … but that also is good for whenever he’s your president and he’s fighting [for] the things you want.”
Tim MacMahon: Anytime Luka (Doncic) goes overseas and people don’t see him there’s going to be these rumors, ‘He’s beefing up again, he’s looking puffy. That rumor’s out there. I asked. I was told that he looks looks fine on their Zoom calls, he’s been working out and he’s actually been playing pickleball over Slovenia.
Spencer Dinwiddie: … so here we go, I’ll explain this again for hot take Twitter. The question was revolving around what a less athletic KD could possibly look like because of how serious an Achilles injury is, especially for Bball players. Let me also first preface this with I don’t know what stage of rehab he’s at, I don’t have insider information, I don’t know when he’s going to return to play or any of that. This is my personal speculation from a basketball fan perspective. (Yes I appreciate HOFs, which he is) At 80% athleticism or so, which takes away his hyper mobility/dexterity for a 7fter. Who has a game that was built around mid post iso, pick/pop, a unblockable left foot turn around fade and overall extreme revolutionary proficiency in terms of a jumper/touch at that size. Sounds a lot like Dirk to me… and at the end of the day we’re comparing clear cut HOFs. Y’all acting like I said dirk was a bum or something
Georges Niang: In this time we need to come together as humans regardless of race, gender and enthicity! And do the right thing and try our best to spread love and positivity! What is happening to our country is devastating and we need to come together and change that now!
May 29, 2020 | 2:57 am EDT Update
A source said no vote has been scheduled on that yet after Commissioner Adam Silver had a conference call with team general managers on Thursday, but momentum seems to be building for a return-to-play scenario that includes only teams in playoff positions — and possibly ones just on the outside to give them a chance to earn a way in the postseason. But teams like the Wolves would be out in those scenarios.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver held a conference call with NBA general managers on Thursday to review the results of the survey delivered to teams last week regarding potential formats to resume play. “There was zero commitment to any one plan,” a general manager told me over the phone. “But it was a call to gather more information.”
Half of the league’s general managers voted to go straight to the playoffs and cancel the rest of the regular season, sources said. Just over half of the league voted to reseed the playoffs 1 to 16 without factoring in conference affiliation.
General managers were surveyed about a “playoffs-plus” format—either a play-in tournament between the bubble teams to determine the final seeds in the playoffs, or a World Cup–style group stage, which would replace the end of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs with a round-robin format. About 75 percent of teams voted in favor of a play-in tournament, sources said, while 25 percent of teams voted in favor of the group stage.
Teams with top seeds, such as the West-leading Lakers and East-leading Bucks, are in favor of a play-in tournament, not a group stage, multiple league sources say.
Even if teams vote in their own best interests, it’s still noteworthy that there is leaguewide support behind more dramatic changes that were balked at in the past—such as playoff reseeding and play-in tournaments. My personal impression from conversations with sources across the league is that Silver is surveying teams to see if there is hunger for a new format the league may be able to use beyond this summer’s restart. Perhaps
But rumblings across the league suggest the NBA will require teams to arrive at Disney World around July 16, at which point they’ll quarantine for a to-be-determined amount of time before group workouts resume and scrimmages begin. And then, games could begin on Friday, July 31. But all of that will be determined in the coming days and weeks, and anything as of now is simply tentative or speculation.
As for what the Wolves would like to see? A source said they will go along with whatever scenario is in the best interest of the league. Wolves coach Ryan Saunders has often said he wished he had a training camp to install systems instead of having to do it on the fly with a team that was largely assembled at the early February trade deadline.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective, the league may dismiss the idea of playing as many as 90 regular season games and go right to group-stage type opening round because it will give Zion Williamson and the Pelicans a better chance of making the 16-team playoffs. “I’ll tell you one thing: that scenario gets Zion Williamson in,” Windhorst said. “Look, I’ve just heard… I’m not saying the NBA is going this route, I’m just saying I’ve already heard this scenario that no matter what happens, the cutoff line will be the Pelicans. They’ll be in. It will be the first time in the history of the NBA that the league kicked the ball into the fairway for New Orleans.”
Wizards have zero interest in trading Bradley Beal
Do you think the Nets will trade for Bradley Beal. What do you think they would have to give up? David Aldridge: No. At least not this summer. Wizards have zero interest in moving Beal, and certainly aren’t going to even think about doing so until he and Wall play together again for a season.
Lillard sees longtime teammate CJ McCollum going through his routine with Blazers player development coach Jon Yim, but the backcourt runningmates won’t get a chance to chop it up, at least not face-to-face. There exists a cardinal rule: one guy, one coach, one basket. Then for the first time in what feels like an eternity, Lillard runs through his greatest hits, the barrage of long-range bombs, the floaters, the repertoire that makes him Damian Lillard. “The whole first week was a breath of fresh air,” Lillard says. “On a certain level, it was exciting. You’re finally back on the court and you’re seeing everyone’s faces again.”
Though Lillard’s workout is abbreviated and restricted, he can finally release the pent-up energy accumulated while being locked out of the gym for nearly two months. The return for Lillard and his teammates comes with both anticipation of what he hopes will be more basketball ahead, but also some disorientation. “There’s so much stuff you never realize or appreciate you have access to until you’re without it,” Lillard says. “But it was still good to be back.”
BY MAY 15, one week after the Blazers reopened, the novelty of returning to the facility has worn off for Lillard. While he still values the opportunity to get some portion of his work in, the restrictions are becoming onerous and, truthfully, just strange. “The second week everyone is like, ‘All right, this is kind of weird,'” Lillard says. “The excitement is gone and now it’s, ‘What going on?'”
