March 2015 Basketball Wiretap

LaMarcus Aldridge: I'll Cross That Free Agency Bridge Later On

Apr 30, 2015 12:45 PM

The Portland Trail Blazers were eliminated from the playoffs in Game 5 and they face an uncertain offseason where LaMarcus Aldridge will decide his future.

“I’ll cross that bridge later on,” Aldridge said when asked about his impending free agency.

The Blazers' playoff chances were severely compromised when Wesley Matthews ruptured his Achilles. 

“Things were looking like we were going to take over the West,” he said.

 

“We were one of the top offensive teams in the league,” Aldridge said. “We never found that rhythm. That’s disappointing for us because we know this team is a lot better than what we played.”

 

Aldridge is expected to draw interest in free agency from the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks.

Baxter Holmes/ESPN

Tags: LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Playoffs

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Kevin Love Has No Chance Of Returning In Playoffs

Apr 28, 2015 12:41 PM

Kevin Love tore the labrum in his left shoulder away from the bone and will need at least four to six weeks to heal.

A source says Love has virtually no chance of playing again this season even if the Cleveland Cavaliers reach The Finals.

If Love's shoulder doesn't heal in four to six weeks, he will need to undergo surgery.

Howard Beck/Bleacher Report

Tags: Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Kevin Love Ruled Out For Second Round Series

Apr 28, 2015 12:10 PM

Kevin Love has been ruled out for the Cleveland Cavaliers' entire second round series with a dislocated shoulder.

Love underwent X-rays and an MRI, which showed an acute anterior inferior glenohumeral dislocation with the corresponding ligament/labrum tearing and humeral head bone bruising.

Love will undergo treatments while additional treatment options are considered.

David Griffin said on Tuesday that it is highly unlikely that Love returns for the playoffs at all. Griffin said Love suffered extensive damage to his shoulder.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Mike Conley To Undergo Surgery For Facial Fractures

Apr 26, 2015 7:33 PM

Mike Conley has been ruled out for Game 4 and is already on his way back to Memphis after suffering a serious facial injury below his left eye.

Game 5 will be played in Memphis if the Portland Trail Blazers extend the series.

TNT's Lewis Johnson reports that Conley will undergo surgery to repair multiple fractures on Monday. It is unclear how much time Conley will miss.

The Grizzlies' next round opponent will be the Golden State Warriors should they get past the Portland Trail Blazers.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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J.R. Smith Ejected For Hit On Jae Crowder

Apr 26, 2015 3:31 PM

J.R. Smith was ejected from Game 4 for hitting Jae Crowder in the head underneath the basket.

Crowder suffered a left knee injury on the play.

Smith will likely receive a suspension for the hit.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: J.R. Smith, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Suspension, NBA Playoffs

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Marcus Smart Late To Shootaround, Minutes In Game 4 May Be Reduced

Apr 26, 2015 11:27 AM

Marcus Smart overslept and was late arriving for shootaround.

Smart was going to come off the bench for the Boston Celtics anyways for Game 4 with Jae Crowder in the starting five.

Brad Stevens said Smart may not come off the bench early as a result.

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Tags: Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Playoffs

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Report: Referee Would Have Called Foul On Curry Shot If He Had Missed

Apr 24, 2015 5:47 PM

Stephen Curry sent Game 3 into overtime with a game-tying three-pointer when Marreese Speights recovered Curry's previous attempt. Curry appeared to get fouled as he released the shot (Vine).

According to sources, referees explained that a foul would have been called if Curry had missed the three-point attempt. Curry would have then had to make all three free throws to extend the game.

The Golden State Warriors ultimately won the game in overtime.

The NBA said that while a foul should have been called on Anthony Davis, referees also missed a travel by Curry on his previous shot attempt.

Marcus Thompson/San Jose Mercury News

Tags: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Playoffs

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LeBron Has Hour-Long Workout Before Cavs' Shootaround

Apr 23, 2015 12:51 PM

LeBron James arrived an hour early for the Cleveland Cavaliers' shootaround on Thursday ahead of Game 3 at the Boston Celtics to get extra work in.

"I don't do it often, but that's just the mode I'm in right now," James said.

James put himself through an hour-long intense workout.

"He's a very focused guy," Tristan Thompson said. "He understands what it takes to win at this level and he leads by example for us. That's important to have. We know he's not going to tell us to do anything that he wouldn't do."

Chris Haynes/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Tags: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Playoffs

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Tony Parker Optimistic Achilles Will Be Okay For Game 3

Apr 23, 2015 12:46 PM

Tony Parker left the San Antonio Spurs' Game 2 win at the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter with an Achilles injury.

Parker was seen limping after the game, but he expects to play in Game 3.

"It's been a tough year, but I think I'll be all right," said Parker.

Parker said the injury was the same as that which he suffered in a game in Oklahoma City on April 7.

"Same thing, same thing," he said. "I think I put too much pressure on the right ankle because of the soreness in my left ankle."

Mike Monroe/San Antonio Express-News

Tags: Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Josh Smith Following 9-Assist 2nd Half: This Is Why I Came Here

Apr 22, 2015 11:26 AM

Josh Smith controlled the second half of the Houston Rockets' Game 2 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Smith had 13 points, six rebounds and nine assists in 20 minutes in the second half. Of those nine assists, six were on dunks and five were lobs to Dwight Howard. 

Toni Kukoc is the only other forward since 1985 to record nine or more assists as a reserve in a playoff game.

"This is why I came here," Smith told Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

Seth Partnow/Washington Post

Tags: Josh Smith, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ, NBA Playoffs

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Chandler Parsons Likely Out For Series Against Rockets

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Draymond: Focus Is To Just Make Anthony Davis Take Tough Shots

Tim Kawakami/San Jose Mercury News

Masai Ujiri Receives $35,000 Fine From NBA

RealGM Staff Report

Doc Rivers: Players Want To Be Like Mike, Coaches Want To Be Like Pop

Arash Markazi/ESPN

Derrick Rose On Playoff Return: It Felt Good

Nick Friedell/ESPN

LeBron Concerned By Cavs' Lack Of Playoff Experience

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

RealGM Radio: Previewing The NBA Playoffs With Seth Partnow

RealGM Staff Report

Durant, Westbrook Won't Watch NBA Playoffs

Anthony Slater/Oklahoman

Stephen Curry: Warriors In Title Or Bust Mode Entering Playoffs

Marc J. Spears/Yahoo! Sports

2015 NBA Playoffs First Round Matchups

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