NBA Thread

[GM Franchise]

New Charlotte Hornets logo unveiled.

[Jon]

This one is better...

[Black Death]

New Charlotte Hornets logo unveiled.

I am all for the old logo , I see nothing wrong with the new one.

[Reya Serra]

Them changing the logo from the old one was one of the conditions of them changing the team from the Bobcats to the Hornets.

The new logo looks good to me, not as cartoonish as the old one.  Now we'll have to see if the new sleeker look will translate to actual wins on the court.

[GM Franchise]

ESPN's Chad Ford: Anthony Bennett 'Looking Like' Worst No. 1 Pick in 20 Years



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1899413-espns-chad-ford-anthony-bennett-looking-like-worst-no-1-pick-in-20-years?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial&hpt=hp_t4

Anthony Bennett has been terrible.

How terrible? He's apparently the worst top pick in two decades.

Or so cautions ESPN's Chad Ford.

"It's very early, but right now, he's looking like the worst in the past 20 years," Ford explains, via The Plain Dealer's Jodie Valade. "That includes Greg Oden. Oden was injured all the time, but when he played, he at least looked like a No. 1 pick."

Band-Aids can be found down Aisle 2, Mr. Bennett. You're going to need a dozen industrial-sized boxes to dress the wounds Ford inflicts.

Stock up on some Mad Libs while you're at checkout, too. You'll need a distraction for when you realize Ford is totally serious and completely justified.

Bennett is averaging 2.2 points and two rebounds on 27.7 percent shooting in 20 games this season. He's only logging 10 minutes a night, but that's because he hasn't given the Cleveland Cavaliers any reasons to play him more.

It took Bennett five games to nail his first shot of the year. That's about the level of play Jason Kidd demonstrated near the end of his career.

In those four previous games, Bennett's stat line looked a little something like this:


Those are some pretty depressing numbers.

They also make his continued struggles far from surprising. There was an initial shock, but if he was off to a historically bad start, then it's only fitting that he should find himself the subject of notorious draft busts now.

"Still early" isn't a good enough excuse anymore. "Bust" may be a strong label, but Bennett is well on his way to deserving such a tag.

The last rookie to average under three points and 2.1 rebounds while connecting on fewer than 30 percent of his shots in at least 10 minutes per game for an entire season was Craig Brackins in 2010-11. He's no longer in the NBA.

Before him, there was Will Blalock, drafted 60th overall in 2006. He fizzled out after just one season.

See where I'm going with this?

"Hopeless" isn't an adequate word to describe Bennett. There is still time for him to turn things around. He had shoulder surgery over the offseason, and any lingering effects could be negatively impacting his play. But hope is waning.

"I'm just as surprised as everyone else," Bennett said of being drafted first overall, per the New York Times' Benjamin Hoffman.

Something tells me Bennett's surprise, then, will be surpassed by this one—the realization that he could be the worst No. 1 pick in 20 years.

As I said when he was picked, this was not a good first round pick and as a UNLV watching him play I have no clue what they were thinking drafting him first overall.

[GM Franchise]

Russell Westbrook out until All Star Break after knee surgery

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10201848/russell-westbrook-oklahoma-city-thunder-knee-surgery

Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Friday and will be out through the All-Star break, the team announced.

"Russell has been playing pain free but recently had experienced increased swelling," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a statement Friday. "After consultation and consideration by his surgeon in Los Angeles, a plan was established to monitor the swelling that included a series of scheduled MRIs.

"On the most recent MRI, it was determined by the surgeon that there was an area of concern that had not previously existed nor was detectable in the previous procedures, and it was necessary to evaluate Russell further. The consulting physician determined that arthroscopic surgery was necessary to address the swelling that was taking place. We know that Russell's work ethic and commitment will help him return to the level of play that we have all come to appreciate."

Westbrook tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee during the second game of the NBA playoffs in April. He underwent an initial surgery for the injury April 27 and had another surgery Oct. 1 to remove a loose stitch from the first procedure.

At the time, the Thunder said he would miss the first four to six weeks of the regular season, but he ended up returning Nov. 3 against the Phoenix Suns, missing just two games.

Westbrook has helped Oklahoma City to a 23-5 record and second place in the Western Conference entering Friday. He is averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game in 32.9 minutes.

In his last game out, the 25-year-old Westbrook had 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a Christmas Day rout of the New York Knicks.

The Thunder visit the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday night.

[Justin]

I will be at the Bobcats game tonight against the Thunder.

[GM Franchise]

I will be at the Bobcats game tonight against the Thunder.

That's awesome. Have fun. 

[GM Franchise]

Cavaliers suspend Andrew Bynum

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10204879/andrew-bynum-cleveland-cavaliers-suspended-trade-block

The Cleveland Cavaliers suspended center Andrew Bynum indefinitely Saturday for conduct detrimental to the team.

In addition, the Cavs will begin aggressively looking to trade Bynum, sources told ESPN.com.

Andrew Bynum was an All-Star in Los Angeles, where he helped the Lakers win two NBA championships. But the 7-foot center missed all of last season with knee injuries and has struggled this season in Cleveland.

Cleveland has until Jan. 7 to decide if it will guarantee his contract for the rest of the season. Bynum signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the Cavs last summer, but the team-friendly contract included only $6 million in guaranteed money.

The decision to suspend Bynum was made Friday, sources said. Bynum did not travel with the team to Boston for Saturday's game against the Celtics.

"It's a terrible situation internally with our team," All-Star guard Kyrie Irving said before the Cavs faced the Celtics. "It's something we have to get over."

It is unclear what led to Bynum's suspension. Cavs coach Mike Brown did not disclose any details regarding the suspension but expressed concern for his players.

"I'm worried about the guys in the locker room," Brown said prior to Saturday afternoon's game. "It's simple as that. In our business, there are a lot of ups and a lot of downs throughout the season.

"So what you do as a head coach is keep moving forward. Any time you look back on anything or dwell on anything, is wasted energy from the guys in the locker room, which is obviously very important."

After missing all of last season with knee injuries, Bynum has returned to play in 24 games (19 starts) this season, averaging 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting just 42 percent from the floor. But Brown believes that the 26-year-old Bynum, a former All-Star, still can be a high-impact player.

"Yeah, he's a good player," Brown said. "I think everybody saw glimpses of it."

Bynum has admitted on several occasions that he's struggled mentally with learning to play with less mobility and in pain with his knees. Brown also refuted the notion that the 7-foot Bynum doesn't like basketball.

"I've never heard that before," Brown said. "That's something that you'd have to catch up with him and ask."

Because of his flexible contract and that he's proven he can play again, Bynum could have some suitors in the trade market. Brown would not respond when asked if Bynum had played his last game with Cleveland.

Cavaliers spokesman Tad Carper told ESPN.com that the team has canceled a promotional giveaway featuring Bynum.

The Cavaliers had intended to give Bynum Fathead wall decorations to all childen 14 and under at Sunday's home game against the Golden State Warriors. Carper told ESPN.com that the team is working on a replacement plan. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert also owns Fathead.

There were times this season Bynum showed flashes of being a dominant post player again. But recently he has lacked energy or enthusiasm, and on Monday he missed all 11 field-goal attempts and didn't score in 22 minutes against Detroit. On Thursday night, Bynum struggled to guard Atlanta's Al Horford and was taken out in the third quarter. Bynum didn't return despite Horford suffering a torn chest muscle in the Hawks' double-overtime win.

Cavs guard Jarrett Jack said Bynum wasn't disruptive and that his quietness may have been misinterpreted.

"That's just kind of how people are sometimes," Jack said. "People like to march to the beat of their own drum. That's not saying you're a bad guy, that's just how you are. I thought we actually had a good relationship with him. He wasn't somebody that was reluctant to speak to people. I thought we had a decent bit of camaraderie and hopefully this will pass and be over and we'll be back at full strength soon."

ESPN.com's Darren Rovell, ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Ian "Wolfie" Trumps]

Probably not going to help Bennett's confidence calling him the worst draft pick in 20 years...lol

[GM Franchise]

Memphis Grizzlies have signed a new player named Charvis Brewer





http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/features/charvis-brewer-joins-grizzlies-131230

Charvis Brewer had a wish to be drafted by an NBA team. On December 29, 2013, Charvis his wish came true when he was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies. Brewer, 8, is the youngest player ever drafted by an NBA team. He will add even more depth to the Grizzlies bench.

Mike Conley and Grizzlies play-by-play announcer, Pete Pranica, surprised Brewer with a lunchtime visit prior to practice. Afterward, Charvis signed contract and attended his first practice with the entire team at FedExForum. In true team spirit, Zach Randolph took young Brewer under his wing to help the Grizzlies young gun get acquainted with his new digs at Grizzlies HQ.

According to Coach Joerger, Charvis will be active in in his first NBA game, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Chicago Bulls on December 30, 2013. His family and friends at the Mid-South Make A Wish Foundation will be in attendance as Grizz Nation will get the chance to welcome our new addition into the Grizzlies family during the game.

[GM Franchise]

Video: Nets leave court early in embarrassing end to blowout loss to Spurs

http://nba.si.com/2014/01/01/brooklyn-nets-leave-court-early-jason-kidd-san-antonio-spurs/

Brooklyn Nets leave court early during blowout loss to San Antonio Spurs

In an embarrassing end to a 113-92 blowout loss to the Spurs on Tuesday, members of the Nets simply walked off the court and headed to the locker room even though there was 0.2 seconds remaining in the game. Their absence delayed the game long enough that coach Jason Kidd was forced to call a timeout so that five Brooklyn players could be rounded up, allowing for a legal inbounding of the basketball to officially end the game.

The bizarre scene unfolded with San Antonio beginning its final possession with 24.2 seconds remaining in the game. Given that the result was well in hand  – San Antonio held a 30-point lead entering the fourth quarter — the Spurs did the right thing etiquette-wise by by allowing the 24-second clock to run out and taking a turnover rather than launching an unsportsmanlike final shot. Players from both teams shook hands on the court during the game's closing seconds and the final buzzer sounded, but the referees immediately signaled for Brooklyn to inbound the ball in front of their bench.

The only problem: virtually the entire Nets roster, including players that were in the game and those that were on the bench during the closing minutes, was already well off the court and not looking back. Without five players, Brooklyn couldn't inbound the ball and the game was stuck. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich could only smirk as the scene unfolded, and Kidd was captured on camera with a confused, glazed look on his face as he chatted with one of the officials.

As the delay continued, both the AT&T Center crowd and the Fox Sports Southwest television broadcasting crew grew restless, and Kidd was eventually forced to take a timeout. Finally, Andrei Kirilenko emerged from the locker room to help end the nightmare, and Mason Plumlee inbounded the ball, signalling the game's official end once it was touched.

The loss dropped Brooklyn to 10-21 on the season and it was Nets' sixth defeat in their last seven games. Writers covering the team saw some symbolism in Brooklyn's early exit, and the post-game quotes that followed were predictably discouraging.

From Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News...
The year ended fittingly for the Nets: They were confused and dysfunctional, symbolically quitting on another blowout defeat. With 0.2 seconds left after a shot-clock violation, most of the Nets left the court for the locker room believing the game was over. Coach Jason Kidd had to use a timeout just to get five players on the court and finish Tuesday night's 113-92 blowout to the Spurs, while the crowd in San Antonio booed Brooklyn's predicament.

Happy New Year!

"It's embarrassing. I don't know if I've ever been part of this many blowouts in one season already," Paul Pierce said.

From Tim Bontemps of the New York Post...
To add insult to injury, the Nets left the court with 0.2 seconds remaining after the clock operator initially thought the game was over and sounded the final horn, forcing Kidd to eventually call a timeout to get enough players out onto the court to throw the ball in and mercifully end the game.
"They thought the game was over," Kidd said. "There was no confusion. They thought the game was over, but unfortunately there was 0.2 seconds left."

From Daniel Savitzy of TheBrooklynGame...
The Nets tonight could not even bother to drag their sorry a—- out of the tunnel to finish the final 0.2 seconds of the game. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce seem disinterested, Deron Williams doesn't seem to care, and what's left is a smorgasbord of players who'd like to play but just can't carry a team without the primary players. This is a bleak team with a bleak outlook.
San Antonio improved to 25-7 with the win.

[Jon]

According to Doc Rivers, Chris Paul out 3-5 weeks with separated shoulder.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1910602-chris-paul-injury-updates-on-clippers-pgs-shoulder-and-return

[GM Franchise]

Yep, not good for the Clippers.

[GM Franchise]

NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Carmelo Anthony For Clippers Blake Griffin? Lakers, Bulls, Cavs Talking Pau Gasol, Luol Deng, Andrew Bynum Deals?

http://www.ibtimes.com/nba-trade-rumors-knicks-carmelo-anthony-clippers-blake-griffin-lakers-bulls-cavs-talking-pau-gasol

Set to make his return after sitting out the last three games, New York Knick Carmelo Anthony continues to be at the center of trade rumors and speculation as the new year begins.

The 29-year-old has publicly stated his intentions for the upcoming summer when he can either opt-in or out of his current deal with Knicks, and test free agency. The Knicks have spiraled to the bottom of the Eastern Conference at the worst possible time, and several reports over the course of the season have indicated that Anthony is leaning towards leaving.

However according to a report from the New York Post, Anthony still wants to play in a big market like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, and is also afraid of becoming a "scapegoat" like Stephon Marbury in the mid-2000s.

Citing sources, the Post indicated that Anthony would be more open to playing with the Clippers and friend Chris Paul over the Lakers, but that a sign-and-trade deal that includes superstar Blake Griffin would be necessary under current league salary cap rules.

Anthony would also reportedly be open to the Bulls because he respects head coach Tom Thibodeau, which could have attributed to rumors the coach was line to replace Mike Woodson.

A former teammate also told the New York Daily News that he believes Anthony won't be in New York much longer.

"I think he's leaving. I've played with Melo for a long time and he knows he can't win here," the anonymous source said. "At this stage, all he wants to do is win. That's why he'll leave."

The Knicks are obviously in a highly precarious situation, and might be inclined to consider Chicago's biggest trade chip in Luol Deng should they be forced to move Anthony before the Feb. 21 trade deadline.

Though it's been reported Chicago is hoping to re-sign Deng, whose $14 million contract expires at the conclusion of the season, the team has still been linked to several trades including one most recently for Cleveland Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum.

Before the holiday ESPN said the Cavs had approached both the Bulls and Lakers about Bynum. Since helping the Lakers win back-to-back titles, Bynum missed all of the 2012-13 season while with Philadelphia, and signed a two-year, $24.7 million deal with Cleveland this past summer.

Bynum's appeared in 24 games this season, starting 19, but was suspended on Dec. 28 for conduct detrimental to the team. As reported by Yahoo! Sports, Bynum apparently has no desire to play basketball anymore, but there has been no public statement detailing the center's fall out with Cleveland.

Chicago's interest in a Bynum for Deng deal likely begins and ends with salary cap relief. According to the Chicago Tribune, the second half of Bynum's salary, roughly $12 million, can be waived before Jan.7. With both Bynum and Deng off the books, Chicago would free up about $20 million in cap space.

The Lakers could bring back Bynum for the same reasons, if they trade the expiring contract of Pau Gasol. Talks have apparently stalled between the two teams, as L.A. reportedly wants another asset on top of Bynum's contract. According to ESPN the Lakers want a prospect or first-round pick, and waiving Bynum's deal would put them below the luxury-tax threshold for the first time