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Date: 2/14/2016
Outlet: New York Daily News
Author: Frank Isola
Knicks still need point guard and Wolves' Ricky Rubio is available for trade
Zach LaVine was nothing short of spectacular in winning his second straight Slam Dunk title on Saturday and by the end of this week he may win something else; the starting point guard job for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Incumbent Ricky Rubio is readily available and the feeling is that the Spanish guard could be moved prior to Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
Phil Jackson is in the market for a point guard but it's hard to envision the Knicks having the assets to acquire the 25-year-old Rubio, whose season average in points (9.7), assists (8.6) and minutes (30.3) are down this year.
Jackson wants desperately to make the playoffs - as evidenced by his quick trigger decision to fire Derek Fisher 136 games into his tenure - but finding an upgrade in the backcourt is tricky.
Houston's Ty Lawson has been a bust with the Houston Rockets but perhaps he can turn his career and the Knicks season around over the last 27 games. Ditto for Brandon Jennings, who is also on the Knicks radar.
The Clippers are making Blake Griffin available even though the injured forward is recovering from a second surgical procedure to his right (punching) hand and may not play again this season, especially if he's traded to a team out of the playoff race.
Denver, Boston and Atlanta cannot be ruled out but if Griffin remains with the Clippers after Thursday this may be something the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony may want to consider over the summer.
A Griffin-for-Anthony trade makes sense on a number of levels including the fact that Anthony and Chris Paul have for years tried to become teammates.
And yes, that was Paul's young son playing with Carmelo's young son during the All-Star Saturday festivities.
But any deal involving Anthony still comes down to him waiving his no-trade clause and Anthony twice reiterated this weekend that he's not prepared to that just "yet." The Clippers are believed to be one team Anthony would seriously consider joining. Stay tuned.
NETS SET TO DEAL
The Nets are still on the process of hiring a general manager and yet several league executives claim that the club is willing to deal Brook Lopez and/or Thaddeus Young.
One scenario has Young being moved to Toronto for a package that could include Patrick Patterson and point guard Delon Wright. The Nets may want a first round pick and Toronto just happens to own the Knicks 2016 first round pick.
RUMORS AROUND THE LEAGUE
Boston is positioned to make a big splash this week with Danny Ainge having the assets to make a play for Al Horford, Kevin Love, Danilo Gallinari or Griffin. If the Celtics pull the trigger, Lee's expiring contract and draft picks will definitely be included in a deal.
The Rockets are open to trading Dwight Howard but one Houston report put it at "50-50" that the veteran center will be traded by Thursday.
The Denver Nuggets want to move at least one big man. Kenneth Faried and J.J. Hickson are both available.
IT'S NO, CANADA FOR VINCE
This weekend was also a celebration of basketball in Canada as well as Toronto. Vancouver native Steve Nash and former Raptor Tracy McGrady were both honored at Sunday's annual Legends Brunch. One player conspicuously absent was Vince Carter, who was invited to attend but declined.
A lot of Canadians, including Toronto native Andrew Wiggins, credit Carter for inspiring them to play basketball.
"I tried to get him to come," says McGrady, who was a judge for the Slam Dunk contest. "He should be here. I hope he realizes how much he means to this city."
Carter and Raptors fans had a nasty falling out when he was originally traded to the Nets. However, Carter received a loud ovation when he returned to Toronto last year with the Grizzlies.
There was a Carter at the Legends Brunch; former Blue Jays outfielder Joe Carter. Dave Winfield was also in attendance.
PORZING-GONE
Kristaps Porzingis bolted the Bahamas following Friday's Rising Stars Challenge. Smart move. Karl-Anthony Towns, who also played in the game and then won Saturday's skills competition, looked a tad run down at the Legends Brunch.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
Allen Iverson wore blue jeans and a Yankees cap to Friday's announcement for the Hall of Fame finalists.
Shaquille O'Neal, who is a HOF finalist, said that Rick Barry wanted him to shoot free throws underhanded."
"Sorry Rick, I'd rather shoot zero percent," Shaq said.
Honestly, he nearly did.
Garden Chairman James Dolan was spotted at Dwyane Wade's Spades Tournament on Thursday. Dolan made a brief stop to say hello to Carmelo.
Sorry, but there's too much Kevin Hart at All-Star Weekend.
Wolves Press Clippings
Date: 2/11/2016
Outlet: 1500 ESPN
Author: Judd Zulgad
In a brutal stretch, the Wolves, yes, the Wolves, present reason for optimism
The Timberwolves trailed the Toronto Raptors by 18 points during the second quarter Wednesday night inside a mostly empty Target Center and it appeared as if another defeat was inevitable.
The Raptors entered with a 35-16 record – the second-best mark in the Eastern Conference – and appeared to be on a mission to add another victory to that total before the All-Star break.
That’s what made the turn of events so surprising.
Led by uber-talented rookie Karl-Anthony Towns (35 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocked shots) and last season’s Rookie of the Year, Andrew Wiggins (26 points), the Wolves opened the second half with a 25-11 run and rallied for a 117-112 victory.
The Wolves win, and Towns in particular, were celebrated early during the Thursday edition of the “Mackey and Judd” show. The excitement only grew when ESPN NBA reporter Brian Windhorst joined to expand upon his report from earlier in the morning that linked former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau to the Wolves’ head coaching job.
Windhorst talked about just how attractive the Wolves coaching job could be, if the team decides not to retain interim coach Sam Mitchell, and how bright of future the Towns-Wiggins led franchise might have.
Windhorst’s excitement was contagious. This is a franchise that will miss the playoffs for the 12thconsecutive season this spring and is buried in last place in the Northwester Division at 17-37. Yet, the tone of the conversation made it sound as if we were discussing a contender.
The win over Toronto was the Wolves’ third in the past four games, including an impressive six-point victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles and a seven-point win over Chicago on Saturday.
Still, why the heck were we all of a sudden so optimistic about one of the NBA’s most hapless franchises over the past decade?
The answer is very simple: Because we need something, anything, good to happen on the local sports scene and, quite frankly, we’ll take what we can get.
Since Jan. 1, the men’s sports teams that we follow most closely in this town have been … how can this be put nicely? Dreadful.
The Wild would like you to believe their record in the New Year is 3-10-4 but we aren’t buying into the extra point that goes with an overtime or shootout loss. Mike Yeo’s team is really 3-14 and that’s why the coach’s job is on the line.
Remember when we discussed whether the Wild could ever get past the Blackhawks in the playoffs? The discussion now centers on whether the Wild can even qualify for the postseason in order to get bounced quickly.
The Gophers men’s basketball team dropped an 82-74 decision to visiting Michigan on Wednesday night and is now 6-18 overall and 0-12 in the Big Ten, marking the program’s worst start in conference play … ever. The 1922-23 Gophers opened with an 0-11 record.
The Vikings proved to be a pleasant surprise this season, but it still stings many that Blair Walsh’s 27-yard field-goal attempt that would have beaten Seattle in the first round of the playoffs sailed wide left.
In short, we need something to feel good about and, aside from a one-sided loss to New Orleans on Monday, the Timberwolves are making us feel a little better of late.
Towns appears to be a marvelous talent who has the potential to make this franchise legitimate and Wiggins, Zach LaVine and, even Ricky Rubio, could make for a heck of a supporting cast. They are the reasons why there will be plenty of qualified candidates pursuing the head coaching job.
Through the winter chill, we also should be buoyed by the fact that Twins’ pitchers and catchers are less than two weeks from reporting to spring training. While Towns and Wiggins are two of the NBA’s most-talented youngsters, outfielders Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano are expected to end up as the Twins’ dynamic duo at Target Field.
Afraid I’m getting too far ahead of myself? You might be right, but these days it’s hard to pass up an opportunity to express optimism when the opportunity is presented.
Wolves Press Clippings
Date: 2/11/2016
Outlet: Fox Sports
Author: Jeff Caplan
Karl-Anthony Towns is a monster, and the NBA's Rookie of the Year
While Minnesota Timberwolves fans have been a bit hesitant to fully fall in love with 2014 No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins, they are all-in on 2015 No. 1 pickKarl-Anthony Towns, who put an exclamation point on his final game Wednesday before heading to Toronto to kick off All-Star Weekend with Friday's Rising Stars Challenge.
The Toronto Raptors were the latest to witness the Towns rookie rampage: season-high 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting, 11 rebounds and three blocks in 35 minutes in the Timberwolves' 117-112 victory.
Let's just get this out of the way: Towns is the NBA's Rookie of the Year. The New York Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis has had wonderful first season, and what a story he has been after naive Knicks fans booed him on draft night. But let's make no mistake -- Towns is a monster, and he's the only sane pick for ROY.
His huge game Wednesday put the 20-year-old in some elite company, joining Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Chris Webber as the only players in their 19- 20-year-old seasons to have at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in a game.
Towns is averaging 17.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 assists for the season. He's shooting 54.4 percent overall and boasts a true shooting percentage an eyelash below 60 percent. That means the 7-footer can shoot free throws. Wednesday he was 11 of 13 from the foul line, and for the season he's knocking them down at an 85.2-percent rate, which makes him exceedingly dangerous late in games.
Towns is one of four players in the league this season averaging at least 17.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, joining Pau Gasol, Anthony Davis and Brook Lopez. He's one of just 11 players to average a double-double.
The Timberwolves aren't going to make the playoffs again this season, which will extend the longest drought in the NBA to a 12th season. But with each game, the future really is looking a little brighter.
Wolves Press Clippings
Date: 2/13/2016
Outlet: WCCO
Author: Mike Max
Timberwolves’ Zach LaVine Looks To Defend Slam Dunk Title
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is Saturday night, and that means the Timberwolves’ Zach LaVine has a chance to defend his title.
The contest is part of a weekend showcasing young talent, and part of an event LaVine relishes for his second year.
Last year’s contest was his chance to prove his worth as a rookie — and prove it he did.
“It’s fun,” he said. “Go out there and put out a show, support your teammates that are out there with you and have fun with your family
The weekend is also a chance for LaVine and the rest of the Timberwolves to recuperate and regroup.
“Yeah, the All-Star break — you got that 7 or 8 days off,” LaVine said. “I really don’t think we need one. We’re young enough to be alright.”
For the All-Star weekend participants on the team it’s even less of a break. Timberwolves head coach Sam Mitchell knows from experience.
“I’ve been a part of All-Star weekend,” he said. “With the players, they’ve got them doing so much stuff — so much PR stuff and so much charitable stuff.”
But this is where the young Wolves team can see up close what it looks like to be in the NBA elite — a prospect not too far away for some of the team.
“You meet everybody — All-Stars, people around the league,” LaVine said. “Me, Andrew, Gorgui and Shabazz had a good time at the game”
Wolves Press Clippings
Date: 2/15/2016
Outlet: ESPN.com
Author: Kevin Pelton
All-Star Grades: Rising Stars
U.S. TEAM Devin Booker, Suns | Grade: B-
Stats: 23 PTS (9-13) | 1 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: Booker, the only rookie with at least 50 attempts shooting better than 40 percent from 3-point range, made 5-of-8 beyond the arc en route to 23 points. He gets docked a letter grade for Euro-fouling Andrew Wiggins to stop a fast break during the last two minutes of an exhibition game.
Jordan Clarkson, Lakers | Grade: B
Stats: 25 PTS (8-20) | 5 REB | 5 AST | 4 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: In hindsight, Clarkson making four of his first five attempts beyond the arc might have been a negative by emboldening him to fire up nine more 3s, making only one of them.
Rodney Hood, Jazz | Grade: B
Stats: 11 PTS (5-6) | 3 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: This isn't the right setting for Hood's smooth game to shine, and he was relatively quiet but hit 5 of 6 shots, including an end-to-end score.
Zach LaVine, Timberwolves | Grade: A
Stats: 30 PTS (13-20) | 7 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: The exhibition format is perfectly tailored to LaVine's skills, and the reigning dunk champion -- who will defend his crown Saturday night -- used slams and a pair of 3s to pile up a team-high 30 points, earning MVP honors for the winning U.S. team.
Jahlil Okafor, 76ers | Grade: A-
Stats: 13 PTS (6-7) | 4 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: With few opportunities to showcase his post game, Okafor instead demonstrated his versatility by knocking down a 3 and handing out three assists in only 18 minutes.
Jabari Parker, Bucks | Grade: B+
Stats: 12 PTS (6-10) | 1 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK
Analysis: Parker made his 12 points count, including a late alley-oop from Clarkson and an impressive windmill dunk. Parker also went outside to make what should have been his first 3-pointer of 2015-16. The shot was officially ruled a 2-pointer.
Elfrid Payton, Magic | Grade: D
Stats: 0 PTS (0-2) | 1 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: It's hard to prove from the box score that Payton played at all; he finished with just a rebound, a steal and a turnover in 16 minutes of unmemorable action.
D'Angelo Russell, Lakers | Grade: A
Stats: 22 PTS (9-15) | 1 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: Russell made the most of his 16 minutes, scoring 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting and handing out seven assists. Alas, spending the fourth quarter on the bench is nothing new for Russell this season.
Marcus Smart, Celtics | Grade: D+
Stats: 3 PTS (1-8) | 4 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: Since tough defense is Smart's game, it shouldn't be surprising that he struggled in an exhibition. Smart made the USA's first shot of the game, a 3-pointer, and missed his next seven, including an air ball from beyond the arc.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves | Grade: B
Stats: 18 PTS (8-15) | 7 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: The rookie of the year favorite took a while to find his place in the game but ultimately finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
WORLD TEAM Bojan Bogdanovic, Nets | Grade: C-
Stats: 6 PTS (2-6) | 2 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: Despite getting the start, Bogdanovic played only 16 minutes and made a pair of 3s in six attempts for his only scoring.
Clint Capela, Rockets | Grade: B+
Stats: 12 PTS (6-9) | 7 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: Capela tried to flash some newfound versatility, attempting a 3-pointer and running the point at times. He unsurprisingly found more success near the hoop, making 6 of 8 2-point attempts and grabbing seven boards.
Mario Hezonja, Magic | Grade: B+
Stats: 19 PTS (8-19) | 10 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK
Analysis: The confident Hezonja felt at home in an exhibition and threatened a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. He gets docked for needing 19 shot attempts and turning the ball over four times.
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets | Grade: B
Stats: 12 PTS (6-10) | 8 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: Jokic was able to show off his playmaking skills in the open court, handing out four assists, and grabbed all eight of his rebounds on the offensive glass.
Trey Lyles, Jazz | Grade: D
Stats: 2 PTS (1-6) | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: The Canadian rookie played a game-low 12 minutes and missed five of his six shot attempts, including both of his 3s.
Emmanuel Mudiay, Nuggets | Grade: A
Stats: 30 PTS (12-20) | 3 REB | 10 AST | 3 STL | 1 BLK
Analysis: Had the World team won, Mudiay would have had a strong MVP case after scoring 30 points and handing out 10 assists. Mudiay even showed 3-point range, knocking down five triples in 10 attempts.
Raul Neto, Jazz | Grade: B+
Stats: 2 PTS (1-1) | 1 REB | 9 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: In 18 minutes, Neto took only one shot. He knew his role was to set up teammates, and he did that successfully with nine assists against only one turnover.
Kristaps Porzingis, Knicks | Grade: A
Stats: 30 PTS (12-16) | 5 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK
Analysis: Porzingis has shot an average 34.9 percent beyond the arc as a rookie, but he had the range Friday, making five 3s in eight attempts en route to 30 points. One of Porzingis' misses came from the edge of the All-Star logo at midcourt, or nearly out to Mississauga. Alas, Porzingis' fourth-quarter heroics weren't enough to get the World team a win.
Dwight Powell, Mavericks | Grade: B+
Stats: 12 PTS (6-9) | 11 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: The Toronto native acquitted himself nicely among bigger names, scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 boards in 16 minutes, including an impressive tip dunk.
Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves | Grade: A
Stats: 29 PTS (13-15) | 2 REB | 5 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK
Analysis: The hometown favorite drew "MVP" chants from fans as he made key plays down the stretch. Wiggins had seven points in the final minute and 40 seconds of a vain comeback attempt, including a highlight tip dunk, to finish the night with 29 points on 13-of-15 shooting.
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