Around the League: Week 13 1/19-1/25

[carey]

Nationally televised games this week.

Monday: Chicago @ Cleveland 7:30PM EST TNT, L.A. Lakers @ Phoenix 10:00PM EST TNT
Tuesday:OKC @ Miami 7:30PM EST NBATv
Wednesday: OKC @ Washington 8:00PM EST ESPN, Houston @ Golden State 10:30PM EST ESPN
Thursday: San Antonio @ Chicago 8:00PM EST TNT, Brooklyn @ Los Angeles Clippers 10:30PM EST TNT
Friday: Chicago @ Dallas 8:00PM EST ESPN
Saturday: Detroit @ Milwaukee 7:30PM EST NBATv, Washington @ Portland 10:00PM EST NBATv
Sunday: Miami @ Chicago 1:00PM EST ABC, OKC @ Cleveland 3:30PM EST ABC, Washington @ Denver 8:00PM EST NBATv

NBA News.

Larry Sanders determined to end marijuana use & resume NBA career: SURE
Why not the Hawks? Why not Zoidberg?
Kareem, Why I have mixed feelings about MLK day: LINK
Is Draymond Green a max player? Uh....
Kobe told Plaschke that retirement has crossed his mind: LINK
Why do the Nets want to move Brook Lopez? Plumdog Jr?

[INFORMER]

Is Draymond Green a max player?

(Groan)

[carey]

https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/557352727270146048

[Xylus]

I love Amare.

[LazarusLong]

Nice article in USA Today about Larry Nance Jr.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... /22006799/

[Sunsfan4life]

I love Amare.

I still laugh thinking about him yelling "AND 1" After every shot he took. There could be like no one within like 20 feet and he'd still yell it.

[carey]

I'm actually kind of sad that we don't have a roster spot to snatch him up after the inevitable Knicks buyout. I would so enjoy having him back in Phoenix on a minimum deal. He would definitely add some swagger cause one thing that guy doesn't lack is confidence.

[Mori Chu]

I still wouldn't pick him up. I'm not sure he would adapt well to getting very few minutes here and not being important here any more. But I do like the dude a lot and miss having him here back in the day.

[Shabazz]

I'm actually kind of sad that we don't have a roster spot to snatch him up after the inevitable Knicks buyout.

I don't think it's inevitable at all.

[Superbone]

Nice article in USA Today about Larry Nance Jr.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... /22006799/

Great find, Laz. I really enjoyed reading that. I had no idea Nance had a son playing basketball let alone what he's been through. He has his dad's hairline too. The kid is funny also:

He said he looked like a shorter version of Kevin Durant, "except without the dribbling, jump shot or any of the skill."

[SDC]

I still wouldn't pick him up. I'm not sure he would adapt well to getting very few minutes here and not being important here any more. But I do like the dude a lot and miss having him here back in the day.

i would do it. what does he expect? get another 10mil per year contract? i'd pick him up for the minimum and then re-sign him to a 2yr, 8mil deal (4mil per) after the season.

[INFORMER]

I love Amare.

You have a soft spot for power forwards that don't rebound or defend, don't you?

[INFORMER]

Nice article in USA Today about Larry Nance Jr.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... /22006799/

Great find, Laz. I really enjoyed reading that. I had no idea Nance had a son playing basketball let alone what he's been through. He has his dad's hairline too. The kid is funny also:

He said he looked like a shorter version of Kevin Durant, "except without the dribbling, jump shot or any of the skill."

I started noticing him last season; seems like a solid prospect. I have a Wyoming game on the DVR that I've been meaning to watch.

[carey]

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/557746740401414144

[Furlanfufi]

Ernie Johnson for the win!!!!!

[Ring_Wanted]

Nerlens Noel is making a real impact on defense. Best defensive +/- box score every by a 20 year old.

http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/150120-fun-with-sportvu

...12th in the NBA in blocked shots, at 1.6 per game.
...1.6 steals per game
...sixth in the NBA in rim protection, holding opponents to a 47.5%
...fifth in the league in defensive box +/-... 3.4 (less) points for every 100 possessions

This guy had KG-esque terror on D written all over him.

[Ring_Wanted]

Yet I am more than happy with Len anyway. He is just a different animal. One who can defend the likes of Duncan and Marc Gasol one on one, who still alters a ton of shots and who has much more potential on offense.

[carey]

This was cool, but they should have mic'd them up a little better.

[youtube][/youtube]

[Xylus]

I love Amare.

You have a soft spot for power forwards that don't rebound or defend, don't you?

I like my power forwards to put up points. Leave the dirty work for the Centers to deal with.

[carey]

So there's a rumor going around the Rockets are worried Howard needs microfracture surgery. The knee is bone on bone and they are concerned it is deteriorating. That's why they are reticent to include any big men in a trade & are actually trying to acquire one.