Around the League: Week 13 1/16-1/22

[carey]

Nationally televised games this week

Tuesday: Houston @ Miami 7:30PM NBATv EST Denver @ L.A. Lakers 10:30PM EST NBATv
Wednesday: Milwaukee @ Houston 8:00PM EST ESPN, OKC @ Golden State 10:30PM EST ESPN
Thursday:Washington @ New York 8:00PM EST TNT, Minnesota @ L.A. Clippers 10:30PM EST TNTEST TNT
Friday: Golden State @ Houston 8:00PM EST ESPN, Indiana @ L.A. Lakers 10:30PM EST ESPN
Saturday: San Antonio @ Cleveland 8:30PM EST ABC
Sunday: No games.

NBA News

Bulls, Rajon Rondo hold out hope they can still make union work (D.A.'s Morning Tip): http://www.nba.com/article/2017/01/16/m ... d-aldridge

The Only Rivalry That Matters (Flannery): http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2017/1/15/1 ... hootaround

A good Ringer piece on Murray vs. Hield and why it's important not to judge rookies too quickly: https://theringer.com/jamal-murray-vs-b ... .ym3vxxv15

[carey]

https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/821510930462707712

[Mori Chu]

Clips are really snakebit this year. Can't get a break. I don't think of them as a title team even when healthy, but they could have been in the 2nd round and maybe made life rough for some other team. They just can't ever seem to break through. Paul's destiny reminds me a bit of Steve Nash's where he would go a few rounds in the playoffs but then get eliminated for some various reasons each year.

[Superbone]

Clips are really snakebit this year. Can't get a break. I don't think of them as a title team even when healthy, but they could have been in the 2nd round and maybe made life rough for some other team. They just can't ever seem to break through. Paul's destiny reminds me a bit of Steve Nash's where he would go a few rounds in the playoffs but then get eliminated for some various reasons each year.

It's not over for them. We're just at the half way mark. He'll be back. They'll still be in the playoffs I think.

[Mori Chu]

Yeah the more I think about it, in a weird way it may actually help the Clippers to face early season injuries. Paul's injury is not to his legs or back, so he should be able to recover 100% with no lingering problems. Blake will probably be back by the playoffs (right?). Meanwhile they are forced to give more minutes to other guys and give those players valuable experience, while Blake and CP3 get a lot of rest and will be fresher for the postseason. And unlike a lot of other low-seed playoff teams, the Clips don't really fear anybody; they wouldn't mind being matched up with the Warriors or Spurs or Rockets or whoever. Overall it might be okay for them.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

Yeah the more I think about it, in a weird way it may actually help the Clippers to face early season injuries. Paul's injury is not to his legs or back, so he should be able to recover 100% with no lingering problems. Blake will probably be back by the playoffs (right?). Meanwhile they are forced to give more minutes to other guys and give those players valuable experience, while Blake and CP3 get a lot of rest and will be fresher for the postseason. And unlike a lot of other low-seed playoff teams, the Clips don't really fear anybody; they wouldn't mind being matched up with the Warriors or Spurs or Rockets or whoever. Overall it might be okay for them.

I think you are right, and that could set the table for the best match up of the first round, perhaps the only one that doesn't spells S-W-E-E-P from miles away.

[pickle]

If anything they wouldn't want to face the Warriors in round one. The other teams, I agree with you.

[Split T]

I think all but the 1-8 matchup in the west should be good this year in the playoffs. 5-7 will be some combination of Memphis, Utah, LA, or OKC. All 4 would give Houston or SA a good fight.

[Split T]

Wow, Rudy gay with a torn Achilles. He was a big trade piece this year, now my guess is he opts in for next season as he'll miss half the season. Throws off the kings plans a bit.

[Mori Chu]

Warriors trounced the Thunder tonight by 20+. Durant was an assassin; seemed like every shot he took went in. Enjoyable game.

[carey]

Wow, Rudy gay with a torn Achilles. He was a big trade piece this year, now my guess is he opts in for next season as he'll miss half the season. Throws off the kings plans a bit.

Oh no. I'm a big fan of his (I feel like the only one.) Thought he really turned it around after he was moved to Sacramento from a disastrous stint in Toronto. Such a bummer.

[Mori Chu]

Yeah, really sad for Gay. Despite his flaws he is a very talented player in the league, and the Achilles tear is really hard to come back from and ever get to 100% again. I feel for the guy.

[Split T]

He's still fairly young, so he could be OK. Probably won't be back to full strength until 2018-2019 season. When did Wesley Matthews tear his Achilles? He's just getting back to his old self now

[ShelC]

It usually takes at least a full year to recover from that. Really sucks. There was also talk of him possibly going to the Thunder, which I would have been interested in seeing. Won't happen now.

[carey]

He's still fairly young, so he could be OK. Probably won't be back to full strength until 2018-2019 season. When did Wesley Matthews tear his Achilles? He's just getting back to his old self now

March 6th 2015. Recovery seems to be 18 months. Wes did play last year though.

[Split T]

Ya, seems like you can play after 12 months, just takes an extra 6 months to get back to full strength

[carey]

Ya, seems like you can play after 12 months, just takes an extra 6 months to get back to full strength

Well Wes played 8 months post surgery & even averaged 30 minutes per game that November. He clearly wasn't himself though.

[Split T]

Hmmm, so Gay could possibly be ready by the start of next season. Probably won't see him back to his normal self until after the all star break. I wonder if he'll risk free agency? This was his shot to get one last big contract. Wes signed with Dallas while he was hurt, right?

[carey]

Hmmm, so Gay could possibly be ready by the start of next season. Probably won't see him back to his normal self until after the all star break. I wonder if he'll risk free agency? This was his shot to get one last big contract. Wes signed with Dallas while he was hurt, right?

Yes and even gave him more than the original offer once DAJ bailed on signing there.

[Split T]

Hmmm, so Gay could possibly be ready by the start of next season. Probably won't see him back to his normal self until after the all star break. I wonder if he'll risk free agency? This was his shot to get one last big contract. Wes signed with Dallas while he was hurt, right?

Yes and even gave him more than the original offer once DAJ bailed on signing there.

Just looked it up, and he got 4 years 70 million at age 29 and under the old CBA. Gay will be 31 when next season starts. Teams should have lots of cap space next year and my guess is Gay could get a pretty big deal still. Probably still worth it to opt out and try for it.