To keep Dwight Howard, the Lakers will have to sell him on a vision for 2014 and beyond. As a result, if championships are his goal, the Rockets are the safer bet for a whole host of reasons. Read More. Written by Jonathan Tjarks on May 23, 2013
The event gives front offices the opportunity to evaluate D-League players with the possibility of offering Summer League or training camp invites. Read More.
Tyus Jones, the No. 2 overall recruit for 2014 and an excellent point guard, was selected by Paul Biancardi, Adam Finkelstein and John Stovall. Read More.
Jeremy Lin played one-on-one on Saturday and may return for the Knicks’ first-round playoff series against Miami.
There has been no official update to Lin’s estimated return date, but with Iman Shumpert out after tearing his left ACL and Baron Davis’ back ailing, the Knicks may be tempted to activate Lin.
Lin averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 assists in 26 games with the Knicks this season.
Andrew Bynum is ready to put the regular season behind him and focus on the postseason.
"The season's over. It's the postseason and we know we have to go far," Bynum said. "L.A. expects us to do big things and we expect it of ourselves. So, the test is here."
Bynum is looking to set the tone with a dominant performance in Game 1.
"I think we're well aware that we need to come out here and make a statement with the first game," said Bynum. "We need to win it in a good way."
Jerry Colangelo said that he will consider expanding the pool of finalists for this summer's Olympics in London.
Colangelo made the decision in response to the loss of Derrick Rose, who suffered a torn ACL in Game 1 of Chicago’s opening round series against the Sixers.
"What I said [previously] was that we didn't plan to do any additions, but we had to continue to monitor the injury situation," Colangelo said. "Obviously this is a big loss. [Point guard] seems to be, at this point, still a pretty strong position. But at this stage, quite honestly, I think all bets are off."
Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge have also been removed from consideration due to injury, leaving the United States perilously thin in the post.
"We've said that the strength of the team is going to be athleticism, wing players, the backcourt, but we'll see," Colangelo said. "We're going to have to consider a lot of things. The good news is that so many people wish and desire to play that we will be very deep regardless of what happens here -- unless there's another rash of things happening here. I pray that it's over."
Justin Dentmon scored a team-high 30 points to lead the Austin Toros to its first-ever NBA Development League Championship with a 122-110 victory over the Los Angeles D-Fenders Saturday night.
Eric Dawson scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while six Toros, including all five starters, scored in double figures. Julian Wright netted 19 points, while Brad Wanamaker poured in 18.
“We expected to win every game,” said Toros head coach Brad Jones. “We beat one heck of an L.A. D-Fenders team and we did it as a group so I’m really really excited for our guys.”
Mardy Collins finished with a game-high 31 points off the bench for the D-Fenders, while teammate Elijah Millsap scored 26. Malcolm Thomas recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.
Iman Shumpert suffered a non-contact knee injury during the third quarter of New York's Game 1 loss to Miami.
Shumpert twisted his left knee while dribbling up the court and had to be carried off by two teammates. Shumpert was later taken to a Miami hospital for tests.
The Knicks are already thin in the backcourt due to Jeremy Lin's injury and were counting on Shumpert to help defend Dwyane Wade.
Derrick Rose is out for the remainder of the 11-12 season after tearing his ACL in Game 1 against Philadelphia.
The Bulls were up by 12 points with 1:12 remaining in the fourth quarter when Rose was injured.
"It's part of the game," said Tom Thibodeau. "There are going to be injuries. … You can get hurt any time. You've got to deal with it. He's had a lot of injuries this year, it's unfortunate. But we'll deal with it."
Derrick Rose suffered a left knee injury with 1:10 remaining in Chicago's 103-91 win over the 76ers in Game 1.
Rose needed to be helped off the court.
"He's going to be examined and they'll know," Tom Thibodeau said. "He started moving his leg, but they have to do an MRI and all that, so I would be guessing."
"I hope he's not seriously hurt," 76ers coach Doug Collins said. "I admire him so much. I think he's one of the young, bright lights in this NBA. And I hope he's going to be back and he's going to be able to play, because I admire greatness, and he's a great player."
Michael Gbinije has committed to transfer to Syracuse.
Gbinije played one season at Duke while receiving limited playing time.
Gbinije played with Syracuse freshmen Rakeem Christmas and Michael Carter-Williams in the 2011 Jordan Brand Classic. He also knew Trevor Cooney from the 2010 Nike Global Challenge.
Jim Boeheim and Mike Krzyzewski have known each other for years, with the former assisting the latter on the Olympic teams.
“They talked to each other about me,’’ Gbinije said. “Coach K’s a really good person. He gave a good word for me.’’