Around the League: Week 22 3/23-3/29

[carey]

Nationally televised games this week.

Monday: Houston @ Indiana 7:00PM EST NBATv, Washington @ Golden State 10:30PM EST NBATv
Tuesday: L.A. Lakers @ OKC 8:00PM EST TNT, Golden State @ Portland 10:30PM EST TNT
Wednesday: Chicago @ Toronto 7:00PM EST ESPN, OKC @ San Antonio 9:30PM EST ESPN
Thursday: No Games.
Friday: Portland @ Phoenix 10:00PM EST NBATv
Saturday: No Games.
Sunday: Houston @ Washington 12:30PM EST ABC, OKC @ Phoenix 9:00PM EST NBATv

NBA News.

Paul George's return still on hold: LINK
Love talks success & challenges in Cleveland: LINK
Nick Collison out a while with ankle sprain: LINK
Zach Lowe ays we need to talk about Kevin (Durant): LINK
Derrick WIlliams still exists? LINK
Suns provided blueprint for stopping James Harden (did we or did he have an off night?) LINK
Morning tip - college basketball and the draft! LINK

[Mori Chu]

You know what's ridiculous? The Spurs are currently the 6 seed but are only a half game back of the 4 seed and only a couple of games out of the 3 seed. After their extremely bumpy and unpromising early season they could still get home court in the first round. Incredible.

http://espn.go.com/nba/standings

[ShelC]

TP had a lot of hamstring leg issues that kept him out. He looks to be hitting his stride, which is typical spurs. Save your players and play your best heading into the playoffs.

[JCSunsfan]

Just noticing the standings. There is no excuse for Minnesota being as bad as they are. They are very young, that is true, but even with young talent their record should not be that horrid.

[Shabazz]

You know what's ridiculous? The Spurs are currently the 6 seed but are only a half game back of the 4 seed and only a couple of games out of the 3 seed. After their extremely bumpy and unpromising early season they could still get home court in the first round. Incredible.

http://espn.go.com/nba/standings

Man, I'd love to get Kawhi. If absolutely max him out this summer.

[ShelC]

You'd be foolish.

[Shabazz]

You'd be foolish.

He's a max player, especially if you max him out in the current CBA. Underrated on offense and an absolute terror on defense. He rebounds, passes, can shoot and is 23 freaking years old. He will get a max this offseason and San Antonio will match and that will be that.

If Chandler Parsons and Gordon Hayward can command max deals, Kawhi's a no-brainer. Hayward may even be earning his.

I like Kawhi the best of the Leonard/Butler/Draymond RFA group this summer. All 3 will get max deals, too.

[Mori Chu]

Just noticing the standings. There is no excuse for Minnesota being as bad as they are. They are very young, that is true, but even with young talent their record should not be that horrid.

They had a ton of injuries. Rubio being out really hurt them, plus other guys were on the shelf for large portions of the season. But that said, Flip Saunders is a lousy coach and they aren't getting the most out of what they do have on the floor.

[ShelC]

Rubio, KMart and Pekovic all missed a lot of time.

[LazarusLong]

Peka is a great halfcourt guy, but the Wolves best (young) players are perfect for up tempo. If Minnesota was smart, they would look to move Non to other team.

[Mori Chu]

Man, I'd love to get Kawhi. If absolutely max him out this summer.

I think Kawhi is probably worth the 2015-max contract amount. I'd sign him to that if he'd take it. He very likely wouldn't, though. Or as others said, even if he did, the Spurs would just match it. I don't think he seems very attainable.

[LazarusLong]

I'm thinking Kawhi is part of the Spurs next core group that would eventually replace Timmy, Parker and Manu.

[carey]

Word is they want Gasol bad if Tim retires which I hear is 50/50 right now.

[Superbone]

You'd be foolish.

He's a max player, especially if you max him out in the current CBA. Underrated on offense and an absolute terror on defense. He rebounds, passes, can shoot and is 23 freaking years old. He will get a max this offseason and San Antonio will match and that will be that.

If Chandler Parsons and Gordon Hayward can command max deals, Kawhi's a no-brainer. Hayward may even be earning his.

I like Kawhi the best of the Leonard/Butler/Draymond RFA group this summer. All 3 will get max deals, too.

About time SA has to pay full price!

[Shabazz]

On Leonard:

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/claw- ... ter-class/

[SDC]

You've seen that Khris Middleton movie before, huh Goran Dragic?

[Shabazz]

This is pretty funny:

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2015/3/26 ... e-castillo

[carey]

Durant to have season ending surgery. Out 4-6 months.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/kevin-dura ... 46755.html

[The Bobster]

Former Jazz, Suns and Lakers broadcaster Rod Hundley has passed away. -

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12573 ... ies-age-80

Hundley was the first of three stars at West Virginia (followed by Jerry West and Rod Thorn) and a fan favorite for his showmanship as a player (he was the first white player invited to play for the Harlem Globetrotters).

Hunley joined the Jazz in 1974 and worked for them in New Orleans and Utah before retiring in 2009.

[carey]

I'm at the Pelican'ts game with my boys. 12th row tickets free. I'm a traitor for the day.