March 2021 Basketball Wiretap

Hollinger & Duncan: Playoff War of Attrition; Combine Scuttlebutt; Portland Drama

Jun 30, 2021 8:02 PM

These NBA playoffs are unprecedented from an injury perspective, what should we take away from everything that’s happened so far and who is the favorite going forward?

Portland’s last few weeks have been a PR nightmare.  How much does all this matter with the future of Damian Lillard?

John gets into some of the trade rumors from the draft combine, and we take listener questions via Spotify Green Room.

With @JohnHollinger and @NateDuncanNBA.

Subscribe now via iTunes, RSS Feed, or search "Hollinger" in your favorite podcast player.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: NBA

Discuss
Giannis Antetokounmpo Has No Structural, Ligament Damage; Timetable For Return Unclear

Jun 30, 2021 6:13 PM

While an MRI showed no structural or ligament damage to the left knee of Giannis Antetokounmpo, a timetable for his return is unclear.

Antetokounmpo is doubtful for Game 5 with the Eastern Conference Finals tied at 2-2. Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee in the third quarter of Game 4.

Antetokounmpo immediately fell to the floor and stayed down on the ground for several minutes.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 15 games during the playoffs this season.

Adrian Wojnarowski, Zach Lowe, Malika Andrews/ESPN

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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LeBron James Likely Won't Play For United States Again

Jun 30, 2021 1:00 PM

Jerry Colangelo believes LeBron James has likely already played his last game with the United States.

"You know, Father Time takes its toll," Colangelo said of James. "... If you're a human being, your body is built to go so long depending on what your sport is, and then it's a downhill situation. LeBron made choices these last couple of Olympics not to participate because he's got a lot of things going on in his life. So he put in his time, he made a contribution that is appreciated, but I think his time is over."

James has opted out of the past two Olympic cycles, though he told ESPN's Rachel Nichols in 2016 that "Every time I watch 'em, I wish I was out there," while Team USA won gold in Rio de Janeiro.

James has 68 games and three Olympics of international experience with Team USA.

James last played for the United States in 2012 in London.

ESPN

Tags: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, United States, NBA, National, National Teams

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Scott O'Neil Steps Down As CEO Of 76ers, Devils

Jun 30, 2021 12:42 PM

Scott O'Neil has stepped down as CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils.

“I’m not riding off into the sunset,” O’Neil said in an interview. “I like big opportunity.”

O'Neil said he would like to build another platform in sports, entertainment, media and technology. 

O'Neil and HBSE partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer reached an agreement on a buyout of that stake.

During O'Neil's tenure, the value of the 76ers rose from $415 million in 2014 to $2.5 billion. 

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams/Sportico

Tags: Philadelphia Sixers, NBA

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Lakers Hire David Fizdale As Assistant Coach

Jun 30, 2021 12:37 PM

The Los Angeles Lakers will hire David Fizdale as an assistant coach to replace Jason Kidd.

Fizdale had been pursued for several lead assistant openings this summer and will join Frank Vogel's staff.

Fizdale previously worked with LeBron James with the Miami Heat organization. Fizdale subsequently became head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Duane Washington Jr. Stays In Draft, Will Not Return To Ohio State

Jun 30, 2021 1:24 AM

Duane Washington Jr. told ESPN that he will stay in the upcoming NBA Draft, forgoing his senior season at Ohio State.

Washington received positive feedback from the G League Elite Camp and the NBA draft combine.

Washington averaged 16.4 points on 37.4% shooting from three last season.

He is currently ranked No. 82 on ESPN's draft rankings. 

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: Duane Washington, Jr., NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Clint Capela To Be Re-Evaluated On Wednesday, Trae Young Likely Game Time Decision For Game 5

Jun 30, 2021 1:21 AM

Clint Capela will be re-evaluated on Wednesday after taking an elbow to the eye late in Game 4. 

Sources told Tim Bontemps of ESPN that the team is optimistic that Capela has avoided a significant injury, and will be available for Game 5.

Nate McMillan added that he has no updates on Trae Young's status, but that Young will probably be a game-time decision on Thursday. 

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Tags: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Penny Hardaway To Stay At Memphis, Adds Larry Brown As Assistant Coach

Jun 30, 2021 12:02 AM

Penny Hardaway has announced he will remain at the University of Memphis as head coach.

Hardaway interviewed for the head coaching job with the Orlando Magic.

Memphis will also hire Larry Brown as an assistant coach.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Memphis Tigers, NCAA, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Giannis Antetokounmpo Exits Game 4 With Hyperextended Knee

Jun 29, 2021 11:23 PM

Giannis Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee during the third quarter of the Milwaukee Bucks' Game 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. 

Antetokounmpo was on the floor for several minutes in obvious pain when he landed awkwardly with his knee buckling.

Antetokounmpo was helped to his feet by his brother and teammate, Thanasis.

Antetokounmpo will undergo further imaging of the knee on Wednesday. 

Malika Andres/ESPN

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

Discuss
Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out For Game 6, Ivica Zubac Questionable

Jun 29, 2021 8:10 PM

Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out for Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals with a knee injury.

Leonard hasn't played since Game 4 of the second round.

The Los Angeles Clippers trail the Phoenix Suns 3-2 in the series. 

Ivica Zubac, meanwhile, is listed as questionable. Zubac missed Game 5 with a MCL sprain in his right knee. 

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Carmelo Anthony Wins First-Ever Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Trae Young Out For Game 4 With Bone Bruise In Left Foot

Adrian Wojnarowski, Malika Andrews/ESPN

Mavericks To Retain Keith Grant As Capologist

Brad Townsend/Dallas Morning News

Victor Wembanyama Signs Three-Year Deal With ASVEL

EuroHoops.net

Chauncey Billups Briefly Addresses Allegations In Press Conference With Blazers

Royce Young/ESPN

Jacque Vaughn Withdraws Name From Consideration For Head Coaching Jobs

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Zach Collins Out Indefinitely With Re-Fracture Of Foot

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Kevon Looney To Exercise $5.1M Player Option With Warriors

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Scottie Barnes Has Momentum To Go In Top-5

Jonathan Givony, Mike Schmitz/ESPN

Kenny Atkinson, Terry Stotts Considered Frontrunners For Orlando Job

Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

Blazers Were Surprised Damian Lillard Supported Jason Kidd Instead Of David Vanterpool

Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

Paul George: I'm Beyond Worrying About Criticisms

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Collin Sexton Has 'Impression' He'll Remain With Cavaliers Long-Term

Chris Fedor/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Knicks Front Office Doing Homework On Possibility Of Damian Lillard Availability

Ian Begley/SNY

Ben Simmons Won't Play In Tokyo Olympics

ESPN

Warriors May Hire Lloyd Pierce As Assistant Coach

Monte Poole/NBC Sports

Danny Ainge Meets With Jazz, Could Join Team In Advisory Role

Tony Jones/The Athletic

Jazz Ownership Made Decision To Replace Dennis Lindsey With Justin Zanik

Andy Larsen, Eric Walden/Salt Lake Tribune

Ivica Zubac Out For Game 5 With MCL Sprain

Andrew Greif/Los Angeles Times

Trae Young Questionable For Game 4 With Bone Bruise In Left Foot

RealGM Staff Report