Around the League: Week 12 1/12-1/18

[carey]

Nationally televised games this week.

Monday: New Orleans @ Boston 7:30PM EST NBATv
Tuesday: San Antonio @ Washington 7:00PM EST NBATv
Wednesday: Washington @ Chicago 8:00PM EST ESPN, Los Angeles Clippers @ Portland 10:30PM EST ESPN
Thursday: New York @ Milwaukee 3:00PM EST NBATv, OKC @ Houston 8:00PM EST TNT, Cleveland @ Los Angeles Lakers 10:30PM EST TNT
Friday: Golden State @ OKC 8:00PM EST ESPN, Cleveland @ Los Angeles Clippers 10:30PM EST ESPN
Saturday: Golden State @ Houston 8:00PM EST NBATv
Sunday: None.

NBA News.

Nurkic talking shit to Boogie? Kid has a death wish (I like it.) LINK
Nifty Dame Lillard dunk: LINK
Phil Jackson is taking the blame for Knicks struggles: LINK
Flannery's column on why the early trade flurry: LINK
Did David Blatt just cost Cleveland a chance at signing Love? https://twitter.com/BlakeEllington/status/554503568795787264

[Mori Chu]

I think they are going to have to fire Blatt. He's causing too much friction with the players, especially the two max guys who are most dangerous to piss off.

[LazarusLong]

Roy Tarpley dies at age 50.
Terrific talent who struggled mightily with substance abuse.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports ... /21567157/

[carey]

D.A.'s Morning Tip: LINK

[INFORMER]

I don't get why Blatt would say that. Would good could come of that?

[Cap]

I don't get why Blatt would say that.

How could you, when the quote is presented with so little context?

[INFORMER]

Why would/should a coach comment on how much a player should be paid?

[Cap]

I don't know any more about the conversation than you do, so I can't answer that.

[INFORMER]

I get that you're stressing the need to know the context of the comments. But my point is that I can't imagine a context that those comments would be appropriate or advisable.

[EDC]

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/video/2015 ... ov-3488770

~2:55

[INFORMER]

Thanks. It seems like he's thinking of Love's upcoming free agency. But thing is Love is currently playing on a max contract. He'll be able to opt-out and receive and receive a higher max salary, but the deal he's playing on gave him the maximum annual salary he could receive at the time it was signed (he just didn't get the maximum number of years).

[Mori Chu]

I honestly think that Blatt remembered Love's salary incorrectly and thought that he was not yet on a max contract. I think that's all he meant by it. But under the circumstances I think it came out the wrong way and probably offended Love or others. It's a sensitive situation.

[INFORMER]

Boston helps out Phoenix, knocking off the Pelicans.

And I'm calling it now: Detroit is going to make the playoffs.

[Superbone]

Boston helps out Phoenix, knocking off the Pelicans.

And I'm calling it now: Detroit is going to make the playoffs.

What a turnaround for the Pistons. Wow!

[virtual9mm]

Josh Smith: addition by subtraction. Wow.

[Gladiator]

Boston helps out Phoenix, knocking off the Pelicans.

And I'm calling it now: Detroit is going to make the playoffs.

Detroit's got the equal best record in the league over the last 10 (9-1), which is just incredible. At the rate they're going, they'll overtake Brooklyn for 8th in the east in the next week or so.

[Sunsfan4life]

Boston helps out Phoenix, knocking off the Pelicans.

And I'm calling it now: Detroit is going to make the playoffs.

The Pels aren't making the playoffs. They don't have enough. The Suns need to be more concerned about The Mavs or Clippers falling out or OKC to suffer another injury to Durant or Westbrook.

[carey]

Celtics making all the deals. Nelson was traded for Nate Robinson: LINK

[Superbone]

Celtics making all the deals. Nelson was traded for Nate Robinson: LINK

Teams who may be interested in Robinson if he is able to secure a buyout include the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

What?!

[Superbone]

I keed, I keed.