Listen: ’93 Notre Dame Star Shares Lou Holtz Motivational Stories

In this time of there being no games to react to we checked in on Pete and discussed what it’s like have teenage kids at a time like this and got a couple of Lou Holtz stories out of him (those come towards the end of the interview).

If you’re at all familiar with the 1993 Notre Dame football team, the name Pete Bercich means something to you. He returned an interception for a touchdown on the first play of that season, and, well, didn’t intercept a Glen Foley pass late in the Boston College game later that year.

Pete played in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings and now does their radio broadcasts each fall. The radio show, I work on as a producer each weekday, “The McNeil and Parkins Show” on 670 The Score in Chicago, has established a pretty good relationship with Pete over the years. In this time of having no games to react to, we checked in on Pete and discussed what it’s like have teenage kids at a time like this and also drew a couple of Lou Holtz stories out of him (those come toward the end of the interview).

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Lou knew how to put on a happy face for the camera, but he’s also clearly not a guy you’d want to tick off. Fun stuff from a fun guest and a helluva football mind.

Notre Dame Football: Iconic T-Shirt Gets Reworked to Benefit Charity

CATHOLICS VS. CONVICTS

Just reading the words brings back memories of one of the most-heated rivalries college football has ever seen and the 1988 classic that is on the short list of most exciting games anyone has ever seen.

Now the t-shirt is getting reworked in order to benefit the United Way COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.

It’s the most famous T-shirt in the history of college sports. Heck, perhaps all of sports for that matter.

CATHOLICS VS. CONVICTS

Just reading the words brings back memories of one of the most-heated rivalries college football has seen, and the 1988 classic is on the short list of most exciting games anyone has seen.

Now the T-shirt is getting reworked to benefit the United Way COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.

Started by four Notre Dame undergraduate students, the Catholics vs. Corona shirt is a fresh reimagination of a classic piece of college football history. It couples the lore of the Notre Dame-Miami rivalry with the altruism and solidarity so desperately needed in these difficult times.  CatholicsVsCorona.com

Shirts are available for $19.95 and benefit the United Way. If you want the new edition of the college football classic, you can purchase the shirt (s) and help a great cause in the process here.

 

Rudy Gobert, the last guy who should have done this, liked an Elon Musk tweet criticizing Dr. Fauci

Rudy Gobert has previously apologized for his careless behavior in 2020.

Rudy Gobert is quite literally the last player in the NBA who should feel comfortable making jokes about COVID-19.

It was March 2020 and the three-time Defensive Player of the Year (who played for the Jazz at the time) was discussing coronavirus during a press conference in Utah.

The big man then made a point to touch every single microphone from each reporter in attendance. It wasn’t a very good idea, and you likely remember what happened next. But it was (somehow) nearly three years ago already, and these were strange and uncertain times.

So here is a refresher: Days later, Gobert was ruled questionable with an illness. Right before tipoff on March 11, the Jazz-Thunder game was called off. We learned Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, and the NBA season was suspended indefinitely.

That is why it was particularly surprising to see that he “liked” a tweet from Twitter CEO Elon Musk critical of the chief medical advisor to the president, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

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To be fair, we don’t know exactly why Gobert chose to like this tweet.

Remember: Retweets do not equal endorsements (which is now officially the case, as decided by a judge) and perhaps the same can be said of liking a post on Twitter.

The big man, who lost his sense of taste and smell and didn’t fully recover it for months, said he wishes he would have taken warnings (many of which were directly from Fauci) more seriously.

The three-time All-Star has apologized for his careless behavior back in 2020 and he has donated more than $500,000 to support coronavirus relief. But if any NBA player should be careful of associating himself with any eyebrow-raising comments on COVID, it is Gobert.

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CJ McCollum enters health and safety protocols, listed as out against Grizzlies

Shams Charania: Pelicans guard CJ McCollum has entered health and safety protocols and is listed out vs. Grizzlies on Friday. Source: Twitter @ShamsCharania What’s the buzz on Twitter? Will Guillory @ WillGuillory CJ McCollum has been placed in …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Will Guillory @WillGuillory
CJ McCollum has been placed in Health & Safety Protocols – 5:39 PM
Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
CJ McCollum out, Trey Murphy listed as questionable by #Pelicans for Friday’s game at Memphis. @MorrisBartLLC injury report: https://t.co/UhIwz2YtkO pic.twitter.com/aQ7N84Uen45:37 PM

Christian Clark @cclark_13
CJ McCollum has been placed in the health and safety protocol. – 5:36 PM
Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Pelicans have officially placed CJ McCollum in health and safety protocols. pic.twitter.com/tbSXf1qG8O5:34 PM

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Pelicans guard CJ McCollum has entered health and safety protocols and is listed out vs. Grizzlies on Friday. – 5:32 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Pels coach Willie Green had his team fly back to New Orleans after winning at San Antonio last night to enjoy Thanksgiving at home instead of flying straight to Memphis for tomorrow’s game. @CJ McCollum talks about coach’s gesture & much more in @andscape. bit.ly/3URCMfI9:10 AM
Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
CJ McCollum (non-Covid illness) is out for tonight’s game at San Antonio. McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas had started all 17 games for #Pelicans6:56 PM
Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
No CJ McCollum for the Pelicans tonight.
Team says he’ll miss for a non-COVID illness. – 6:53 PM
Will Guillory @WillGuillory
The Pelicans just announced that CJ McCollum will miss tonight’s game vs San Antonio with a non-COVID illness. – 6:49 PM

More on this storyline

CJ McCollum: Naturally, things started to come back. But I feel like s— and I’m playing like s—. Thankfully my wife and son didn’t get sick. It was rough. It felt like I had COVID, but I took COVID tests, and I didn’t have it. We ended up losing a couple games. We lost to the [Portland Trail] Blazers; that’s never fun losing to my old team in a game where Dame [Damian Lillard] and Nurk [Jusuf Nurkic] don’t play at all. We bounced back nicely winning a tough back-to-back. We’re playing well as a team. Young guys are playing really, really well. I’m really proud of the growth that they’re showing. Even when I wasn’t playing well, we were able to win games. -via Andscape / November 24, 2022
The line of cars stretched about a mile long in pouring rain five days before the arrival of Thanksgiving. As each car arrived, New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum walked out from a tent to personally deliver bags filled with groceries that totaled 500 meals. While the turkey with all the sides and then some will be meaningful for the less fortunate, McCollum felt just as blessed to be able to use his platform to provide it. “It means a lot to me to be able to come out here and physically help the people and take advantage of the blessings I have been given here in the community,” McCollum told Andscape from Joe W. Brown Memorial Park. “Around the holidays, it’s important to share the love and spread the love. To be able to give it back with food is something that I’m thankful for. Everybody is happy to be here and thankful to be a part of it. But I’m thankful for them coming out because the weather is not too great, people have jobs, people are busy in their lives. For people to be able to come out means a lot to me, too.” -via Andscape / November 24, 2022

Commanders Taylor Heinicke went from quarantine QB to starter

Taylor Heinicke’s journey in less than two years is a heckuva story. And it ties back to an undrafted wide receiver for the Denver Broncos.

Commanders fans, do you recall Kendall Hinton?

Hinton is a good percentage of the reason why you have Taylor Heinicke today in 2022.

On Nov. 22, 2020, the Broncos defeated the Miami Dolphins 20-13, raising their record to 4-6. But that was the last good news for the Broncos that week.

Suddenly, Jeff Driskel tested positive for COVID-19, and Drew Lock and Brett Rypien were also declared ineligible, having been with Driskel without wearing masks.

The Broncos were unprepared for such a disaster of suddenly losing, not one but all three of their quarterbacks on the roster. But the (NFL) show must go on. So taking snaps that day was Kendall Hinton.

Hinton was not an NFL quarterback, and he certainly didn’t have enough time to prep, to make much of a difference in his performance. He was only age 23 at the time and was an undrafted wide receiver from Wake Forest.

Yet there he was being forced to play quarterback in an NFL regular season game having no previous NFL experience at quarterback. The Broncos attempted to run the ball as much as they could gaining 100 yards on their 33 rushes.

Hinton attempted nine passes, completing one for 13 yards. He was sacked once and intercepted twice for an NFL passer rating of 0.0. It was a disaster; the Broncos of course lost badly to the Saints 31-3.

With the Minnesota Vikings staff, Scott Turner got to work some with Taylor Heinicke an undrafted quarterback out of Old Dominion. Heinicke had seen some action in the preseason, never appearing in a regular season game over two seasons (2015-16).

The Patriots signed and released Heinicke in 2017, as did the Texans, although he did attempt one pass for the Texans in 2017.

Turner and Ron Rivera signed Heinicke for the Carolina Panthers, and he started one game in 2018.

In December 2020, Turner called Heinicke, and Washington signed Heinicke to be its quarantine quarterback. He would study the offense, work out and pretty much be isolated initially.

Suddenly, Alex Smith’s leg was injured again, and Dwayne Haskins was not taking responsibility. Heinicke was brought up to the practice squad, then the roster appeared against the Panthers on Dec. 27, and got the start against the Bucs in the playoff game.

In 2022, Washington has won four of five games Heinicke has started, and he was named the team’s starter (not Carson Wentz) moving forward.

As Rivera said Monday, “It’s a heck of a story.”

 

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray upgraded to questionable against Detroit

Harrison Wind: Nuggets just upgraded Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray (COVID protocols) to questionable tonight. Source: Twitter @HarrisonWind What’s the buzz on Twitter? Katy Winge @ katywinge Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray have been upgraded to …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Katy Winge @katywinge
Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray have been upgraded to questionable (health and safety protocol) – 6:48 PM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nuggets just upgraded Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray (COVID protocols) to questionable tonight. – 6:39 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
On/off net rating differential by top 10-ish players
Curry: +29.5
Jokic: +26.1
Morant: +15.3
Embiid: +11.4
Butler: +9.0
SGA: +8.6
Giannis: +7.9
Tatum: +7.4
AD: +7.1
Luka: +5.6
Booker: +5.3
Dame: +1.4
Durant: +1.1
LeBron: -9.6
What stands out? – 4:45 PM
Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
I can’t tell you how excited I am to share A HUNDRED INVISIBLE THREADS.
And for people to discover the rich, interesting, and largely untold history of basketball in Serbia. Jokic didn’t just happen. There is a reason so many basketball players have come from ex-Yugoslavia. pic.twitter.com/9hi5h1AAHm2:34 AM

TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
DEN injury report:
Bones Hyland (L hip soreness) is probable.
Aaron Gordon (non-COVID illness) is questionable.
Ish Smith (R calf strain) is questionable.
Jamal Murray & Nikola Jokic (health & safety protocols) are upgraded to doubtful.
Jeff Green (R knee contusion) is out. – 8:37 PM
Katy Winge @katywinge
Injury updates for the Nuggets:
Bones Hyland (left hip soreness) – probable
AG (non-covid illness) – questionable
Ish Smith (right calf strain) – questionable
Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić (health and safety) – doubtful
Jeff Green (right knee contusion) – out – 5:30 PM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Injury report for Tuesday vs. Pistons:
– Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray – Doubtful
– Aaron Gordon – Questionable
– Ish Smith – Questionable
– Bones Hyland – Probable
– Jeff Green – Out
More Zeke Nnaji minutes incoming. – 5:28 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Both Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray have been upgraded to DOUBTFUL (health and safety protocols) against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.
Jeff Green is OUT (right knee contusion).
Aaron Gordon remains QUESTIONABLE (non-Covid illness) as is Ish Smith (right calf strain). – 5:24 PM
NBA Math @NBA_Math
Western All-Stars, determined by RPR MVP score:
STARTERS
Luka Doncic
Stephen Curry
Lauri Markkanen
Anthony Davis
Nikola Jokic
BENCH
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Devin Booker
Karl-Anthony Towns
Domantas Sabonis
Mikal Bridges
Ja Morant
De’Aaron Fox
ALTERNATE
Paul George pic.twitter.com/kirsfYCLiC11:44 AM

BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Luka Doncic and the Mavericks lost to:
– Nuggets without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.
– Wizards without Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis.
– Pelicans without Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.
– Magic without Paolo Banchero.
(via @Tim MacMahon) 😬 pic.twitter.com/Mygei98C384:55 AM

Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Tonight’s one-point win moves Denver back to a total +/- of 0.
+112 with Jokic ON
-112 with Jokic OFF – 12:35 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
After tonight’s win, DeAndre Jordan has a -3.9 net rating through 14 games played.
It’s still early, but the Nuggets can clearly work with that if it persists upon Joker’s return. – 12:27 AM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Mavs have now managed to lose to the Nuggets with Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon; the Wizards without Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis; the Magic without Paolo Banchero; and the Pelicans without Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. – 9:59 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nuggets were down Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon and pulled off an improbable win against a team they were just blown out by a couple of days ago.
Bones Hyland set a new career high of 29 points in the game to lead the way. – 9:55 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Add the Jokic-less, Murray-less Nuggets to the list of teams Mavs have lost to despite best opposing players out.
That’s 5 instances in 16 games, by my count. – 9:54 PM
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Home against Denver without Jokic or Murray. That’s a rough L for Dallas. – 9:53 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
With 27 points, Bones Hyland has matched his career-high.
Still 5 minutes to go here as he has the Nuggets tied up at 93-93 down Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.
Tough competitor. – 9:39 PM
Jamal Murray @BeMore27
VLATKO!!!!! He works on that! – 8:53 PM
Mark Followill @MFollowill
Mavs and Nuggets about to tip off on BSSW. Mavs won the opener of this two game series 127-99 on Friday. The Mavs shot 73.3% on 2pters in the game. The 3rd best 2pt FG% in a game in team history. Denver still without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. – 7:37 PM
Michael Singer @msinger
Latest injury report for tonight’s #Nuggets game: Bones Hyland has been added. He’s probable with left hip soreness. Ish Smith is now questionable with his calf strain. AG still questionable, and Joker/Jamal are both out due to health and safety. – 4:38 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Knicks again catch a break. Missed Nikola Jokic and now missing Chris Paul, who is out of this afternoon’s game with a sore heel. – 10:52 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic is listed as out for Sunday at the Mavericks. So is Jamal Murray. Both still in health and safety protocols. – 8:39 PM

More on this storyline

Michael Singer: #Nuggets injury report vs. Detroit (deep breath): Jeff Green is out with a right knee contusion, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are doubtful due to health and safety, Aaron Gordon and Ish are both questionable, and Bones Hyland is probable with left hip soreness. -via Twitter @msinger / November 21, 2022
Michael Singer: Aaron Gordon (questionable due to a non-Covid illness) isn’t in Dallas for tonight’s game, I’m told. Once again, #Nuggets will be down Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Gordon. -via Twitter @msinger / November 20, 2022

Jamal Murray enters health and safety protocols

Denver: Jamal Murray (health and safety protocols) has been downgraded to out for Friday’s game against Dallas. Aaron Gordon (non-COVID illness) has been upgraded to questionable and Ishmael Smith (right calf strain) has been upgraded to doubtful. …

Denver: Jamal Murray (health and safety protocols) has been downgraded to out for Friday’s game against Dallas. Aaron Gordon (non-COVID illness) has been upgraded to questionable and Ishmael Smith (right calf strain) has been upgraded to doubtful.

Source: Alberto De Roa @ HoopsHype

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Michael Singer @msinger
Jamal Murray articulated last night’s fourth-quarter collapse vs. New York better than anyone.
“We got a little discombobulated,” he said.
Unless they want a repeat performance in Dallas, Denver’s going to have to manage without their two-time MVP.
denverpost.com/2022/11/17/nug…4:11 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Asked Jamal Murray about how much not having Jokić and Gordon may have affected Denver’s offense down the stretch.
He said of course they would have helped, but that Denver had enough guys to win tonight.
He was most frustrated about his missed shots. – 12:54 AM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Knicks get two massive stops on Jamal Murray inside the final minute: one from Jericho Sims, who comes off the bench for a possession, gets switched onto Murray and deters a shot. And then one at the buzzer from Quickley, who did not relent one-on-one and forced an airball. – 12:28 AM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Jericho Sims on Jamal Murray is the new Kevin Love on Steph Curry, obviously. – 12:25 AM
Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Jamal Murray appears up for the challenge, tonight. – 11:41 PM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Jamal Murray has looked great for Denver tonight. That’s about it. – 11:31 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
KCP just got a technical with Jamal Murray at the free throw line. – 11:26 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Jamal Murray has been really impressive tonight. Doing a bit of everything and keeping the Nuggets in this. – 11:25 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Jamal Murray looks to be playing at half speed and the Knicks defenders seem to have no chance at stopping him.
Incredible footwork and creating just enough space to finish. He’s leading Denver with 12 points in the first half. – 10:43 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nuggets starters vs. Knicks
Jamal Murray
KCP
MPJ
Jeff Green
DeAndre Jordan
Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon are OUT. – 10:07 PM
Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
The Nuggets will start Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Jeff Green and DeAndre Jordan tonight against the Knicks. – 9:32 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Nuggets starters tonight vs New York:
Jamal Murray
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Michael Porter jr.
Jeff Green
DeAndre Jordan – 9:31 PM

More on this storyline

Led by Julius Randle’s best game of the season, and the defense standing tall with the game on the line, the Knicks rallied from 10 down in the fourth quarter to knock off the Nikola Jokic-less Nuggets, 106-103, on Wednesday night at a stunned Ball Arena for the franchise’s first win in Denver in 16 years. Randle’s free throw with 50.6 seconds left gave the Knicks the lead for good, and Immanuel Quickley played lock-down defense on Jamal Murray in the final seconds to preserve the win. “It’s us sticking together, staying together and believing,” said Randle, who like several other Knicks, played despite being under the weather. -via New York Post / November 17, 2022
TJ McBride: Had a quick chat with Jamal Murray after the Nuggets win tonight and he told me that his comfort level has grown. He is getting back up to speed and feels closer to in rhythm thanks to an assist from Michael Malone. I’ll have words on our talk up tomorrow on @denverstiffs. -via Twitter @TJMcBrideNBA / November 6, 2022
Michael Singer: Nikola Jokic, tongue firmly in cheek, on Jamal Murray: “He did a good job today. He didn’t suck.” -via Twitter @msinger / October 23, 2022

Rudy Gobert returns to practice after missing last two games

Jon Krawczynski: Rudy Gobert back out here at Wolves practice. Hope that’s a good sign for how he’s feeling Source: Twitter @JonKrawczynski What’s the buzz on Twitter? Christopher Hine @ ChristopherHine Rudy Gobert here at practice for the Wolves – …

Jon Krawczynski: Rudy Gobert back out here at Wolves practice. Hope that’s a good sign for how he’s feeling

Source: Twitter @JonKrawczynski

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
Rudy Gobert here at practice for the Wolves – 2:37 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Rudy Gobert is at Timberwolves practice getting shots up – 2:37 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Rudy Gobert back out here at Wolves practice. Hope that’s a good sign for how he’s feeling – 2:36 PM
Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
Would’ve been easy to blow it up, but this is why you stay the course when you have a core like Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. pic.twitter.com/7myB8nQGAx7:21 AM

Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Knicks 10 for 19 from 3 in the first quarter.
This shouldn’t be confused as shooting variance because it is almost completely a product of playing a different scheme with Gobert not playing — the corner is consistently open, for either a shot or swing back up above the break. – 9:42 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Kyle Anderson starting again tonight with Gobert out. Wolves moved the ball really well with him in the lineup. That will be key tonight. – 8:54 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Gonna sound the small sample size siren🚨 but the early returns on the Timberwolves big ball are interesting:
— Gobert/Towns lineups this seasons are -6.4 points/100 possessions (via @Ben Falk)
— Towns lineups without Gobert are -2.5
— Gobert lineups without Towns are +2.2 – 5:03 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
– How it looked w/out Gobert
– KAT’s best pairings w/ Gobert out
– DLo’s explanation of shooting slump
– JMac adding consistency
– What would be the most likely starting lineup change, if there were one?
– Anderson’s role
Today’s show w/ @Christopher Hine
open.spotify.com/episode/0UKOZX…1:09 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Rudy Gobert is listed as out for Monday’s game against New York. Still in health and safety protocols. – 6:05 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Wolves say Rudy Gobert remains out for Monday’s game against New York while in the league’s health and safety protocols.
More NBA from me: marcstein.Substack.com5:41 PM
David Thorpe @coachthorpe
It’s a red flag to me that an athlete like Anthony Edwards has no dunks when playing with Rudy Gobert. And remember, the goal is for the TWolves to score, not AE. Drawing help and lobbing to the guy who always leads the lead in dunks is worth the same amount of points. – 7:37 AM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
This doesn’t mean the Rudy Gobert trade is a failure/mistake, but this game is affirming the idea that the rest of this roster is currently and clearly far more comfortable playing in a 5-out offensive set up and in an aggressive, at the level defensive coverage. – 9:00 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Sengun draws a charge on Towns, his second foul in the first five minutes. Could be significant with Gobert out. Town with seven quick points. Does Chris Finch keep him in? – 8:18 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Paolo Banchero has more 20/10 games this season than
Bam
Embiid
Gobert
Vucevic
Sabonis
The only rookie with a 20/10 game. pic.twitter.com/O6RafFCGo76:53 PM

Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Chris Finch on playing without Rudy Gobert:
“We do know Karl’s aggressiveness to score has gone up when Rudy has been out, so I would expect an extremely aggressive KAT tonight from the start.” – 6:33 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Chris Finch when asked if he has concerns about Rudy Gobert being sick prior to Friday’s game and then showing up in health and safety protocols on Saturday, and the potential for other teammates to be impacted:
“No, no concerns.” – 6:29 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Finch says it will be Reid or Prince in the starting lineup for Gobert. Unsure of how long Rudy will be out. The protocols “are like the tax code,” Finch says, so he will take his cues from the league. – 6:24 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Wolves net ratings with Towns on the floor, Gobert off the floor thus far this season…
+ Russell on the floor: -27.7
+ McDaniels on the floor: -14.8
+ Edwards on the floor: -12.2
+ Prince on the floor: -0.4
+ Nowell on the floor: +7.9
+ McLaughlin on the floor: +36.3 pic.twitter.com/8nlTjPAlgw6:12 PM

More on this storyline

Steve Popper: Timberwolves have Rudy Gobert listed as OUT tonight vs. Knicks (health and safety protocols). Quentin Grimes is still questionable right now for Knicks. -via Twitter @StevePopper / November 7, 2022
Chris Hine: Rudy Gobert remains listed as out for tomorrow’s game, but a reminder that according to the (very complicated) protocols, if he turns in 2 negative PCR tests on a game day, he can be cleared. At least as far as I read it. -via Twitter @ChristopherHine / November 6, 2022
Dane Moore: Rudy Gobert is in health and safety protocols, the Timberwolves say -via Twitter @DaneMooreNBA / November 5, 2022

Bradley Beal out tonight due to health and safety protocols

Chase Hughes: Bradley Beal will miss tonight’s game in Memphis due to health and safety protocols, the Wizards announce. Source: Twitter @ChaseHughesNBCS What’s the buzz on Twitter? Chase Hughes @ ChaseHughesNBCS Bradley Beal has entered health and …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal has entered health and safety protocols and will miss tonight’s game at the Grizzlies nbcsports.com/washington/wiz…10:50 AM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Wizards say Bradley Beal has entered the league’s health and safety protocols and will miss tonight’s game at Memphis.
More NBA from me: marcstein.Substack.com10:15 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Bradley Beal enters NBA’s health and safety protocols sportando.basketball/en/bradley-bea…10:15 AM
Josh Robbins @JoshuaBRobbins
Bradley Beal has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and will not play in tonight’s game in Memphis, the Wizards announced. Beal was in the protocols once during the preseason, but that illness turned out to be a case of strep throat. – 9:17 AM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Bradley Beal has entered health and safety protocols, Wizards announce. – 9:05 AM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Wizards say Bradley Beal has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and will be out for tonight’s game at Memphis.
He will return to the team upon receiving clearance under the current NBA guidelines. – 9:01 AM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal will miss tonight’s game in Memphis due to health and safety protocols, the Wizards announce. – 9:00 AM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Morning from Memphis. Bradley Beal is in health and safety protocols according to the Wizards injury report. He’s listed as OUT for tonight’s Grizzlies game. – 8:35 AM
Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Bradley Beal is listed as OUT at Grizzlies on Sunday due to health and safety protocols. – 3:38 AM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis are averaging career-highs in efficiency. The Wizards seem to have decent scoring depth.
Yet, their offense is among the worst in the NBA largely because of their 3-point shooting. nbcsports.com/washington/wiz…11:48 AM
Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Dillon Brooks is talking about how he looks forward to 1-on-1 matchups.
“I’m thinking about Bradley Beal right now.” – 10:58 PM
Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Dillon Brooks: “I’m thinking about Bradley Beal right now. How I’m going to stop him. How I’m going to guard him.”
The Grizzlies play the wizards on Sunday – 10:57 PM
Wayne Cole @waynec0le
Brad Beal, on the loss vs. Brooklyn, said, “Let down and step back on the defensive end; no pride on that end of the floor. [defensive side] – 10:13 PM
Wayne Cole @waynec0le
The Washington Wizards fall to the Brooklyn Nets and drop to (4-5).
#NetsWorld 128
#DCAboveAll 86
The wizards shot 36.6% from the field. Brad Beal led the team with 20. Kevin Durant led all scorers with 28. – 9:19 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Final: Nets 128, Wizards 86
Brooklyn shot 55.6% fg. Durant had 28p, 9r, 11a
Beal: 20p
Porzingis: 14p, 10r
Kuzma: 19p
The Wizards are 4-5 – 9:17 PM
Josh Robbins @JoshuaBRobbins
Final: Nets 128, Wizards 86
Beal: 20p, 3r, 3a
Kuzma: 19p, 5r, 2a
Durant: 28p, 9r, 11a
FG%: Nets 56%, Wizards 37%
3-pointers: Nets 14/28, Wizards 8/33 – 9:16 PM
Josh Robbins @JoshuaBRobbins
With the Wizards trailing by 23 points late in the third quarter, Wes Unseld Jr. just experimented with a Bradley Beal, Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija, Anthony Gill and Rui Hachimura lineup. (Then Kispert, on a minute restriction, was replaced by WIll Barton.) – 8:44 PM
Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Down 23 late in the third quarter, Wes Unseld Jr. goes small
Bradley Beal
Corey Kispert
Anthony Gill
Deni Avdija
Rui Hachimura – 8:43 PM
Josh Robbins @JoshuaBRobbins
Halftime: Nets 69, Wizards 57
Durant: 19p, 4r, 8a
Kuzma: 16p, 3r, 1a
Beal: 12p, 1r, 2a
Porzingis: 14p, 4r, 1a
3-pointers: Nets 9/16, Wizards 8/20 – 8:08 PM
Wayne Cole @waynec0le
The Washington Wizards trail the Brooklyn Nets at halftime.
#DCAboveAll 57
#NetsWorld 69
The Wizards Big 3 leading the way in scoring with Kuzma 16, Porzingis 14 and Beal 12. Durant leads all scorers with 19. – 8:07 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Bradley Beal just forced the Nets’ first turnover of the game with 4:35 left in the first half, he poked the ball away from Durant. The Wizards promptly gave the ball right back – 7:59 PM
Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Bradley Beal continuing his nifty reverse layup finishes from Wednesday. – 7:17 PM

More on this storyline

Per Second Spectrum, when Maxey shares the court with Harden and Joel Embiid he averages 16.7 shots per 100 possessions. When he’s out there with just Embiid that number nearly doubles to 32.3. “It’s amazing how he’s in year three now and he’s confident, he’s running his team, he’s playing like an All-Star,” Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal said Wednesday after beating Maxey and the 76ers. “He’s super talented and the game is only going to continue to slow down more and more for him, which is even scarier.” -via ESPN / November 4, 2022
Following Wednesday night’s game against the Washington Wizards, three-time All-Star Bradley Beal acknowledged Maxey’s growth in the game. “It’s amazing how he’s in year three now, and he’s confident,” said Beal regarding Maxey. “He’s running his team. He’s playing like an All-Star. He’s super talented, and the game is only going to continue to slow down more and more for him, which is even scarier.” -via Sports Illustrated / November 4, 2022
“Teams gotta make a choice, man. If a big is gonna switch out on me, I can go by the big, I can get whatever shot I want. And if a small is gonna be on him, he can literally stand over you and shoot the ball, so like Doc [Rivers] said, man, we’re gonna be a duo to reckon with.” -via NBC Sports / November 3, 2022

Rudy Gay, Simone Fontecchio enter health and safety protocols

Sarah Todd: Rudy Gay and Simone Fontecchio will miss tomorrow’s Jazz game against the Nuggets (health and safety protocols) Source: Twitter @NBASarah What’s the buzz on Twitter? Ben Anderson @ BensHoops Looks like the @Utah Jazz got hit by a bug. …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Ben Anderson @BensHoops
Looks like the @Utah Jazz got hit by a bug.
OUT – Rudy Gay (health & safety protocols)
OUT – Simone Fontecchio (health & safety protocols)
OUT- Johnny Juzang (G League – Two Way)
QUESTIONABLE – Walker Kessler (illness)
QUESTIONABLE – Collin Sexton (left oblique contusion) – 6:29 PM
Ryan Miller @millerjryan
Jazz injury report is a long one:
OUT – Rudy Gay (health & safety protocols)
OUT – Simone Fontecchio (health & safety protocols)
OUT- Johnny Juzang (G League – Two Way)
QUESTIONABLE – Walker Kessler (illness)
QUESTIONABLE – Collin Sexton (left oblique contusion) – 6:19 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Rudy Gay has entered health and safety protocols and is out tomorrow night against the Denver nuggets
Collin Sexton is questionable with his oblique
Walker Kessler is questionable with illness – 6:19 PM
Sarah Todd @NBASarah
Rudy Gay and Simone Fontecchio will miss tomorrow’s Jazz game against the Nuggets (health and safety protocols) – 6:18 PM
Ryan Miller @millerjryan
Rudy Gay and Walker Kessler both woke up feeling under the weather today, and didn’t go through practice. – 1:37 PM
Sarah Todd @NBASarah
Walker Kessler and Rudy Gay are feeling a little under the weather and did not practice with the Jazz this morning – 1:37 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
K.J. Martin matched up with another player that played against his father, 16-year veteran Rudy Gay. – 10:45 PM
Eric Walden @tribjazz
Simone Fontecchio minutes! – 10:43 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
It appears THT also saw Simone Fontecchio going off on Monday night. – 9:42 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Rudy Gay and THT sub in – 9:24 PM
Eric Walden @tribjazz
Jazz coach Will Hardy down at the far court with Simone Fontecchio and Leandro Bolmaro, shooting FTs with them and trying to psych them out. pic.twitter.com/9b1dq6wLXB12:56 PM

Eric Walden @tribjazz
After a combined 1 minute, 4 seconds of playing time in the Utah Jazz’s first three games, 26yo Italian rookie Simone Fontecchio broke out in a big way Monday night in Houston. sltrib.com/sports/jazz/20…5:55 PM
Sarah Todd @NBASarah
Analysis: Utah Jazz lose for the first time this season, but Simone Fontecchio shines https://t.co/ZA4TVH3msX pic.twitter.com/crnWJoCoxh12:14 AM

Eric Walden @tribjazz
Simone Fontecchio: Definitely felt good [tonight] to get some real minutes, try to help out the team. – 10:48 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
2:38 remaining: the Jazz trail the Rockets 106-104…..Simone Fontecchio has become a huge story in the fourth quarter. Monster minutes from the rookie – 10:12 PM
Ben Anderson @BensHoops
Weird lineup to start the fourth for Will Hardy.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Talen Horton-Tucker
Malik Beasley
Simone Fontecchio
Jarred Vanderbilt
A few guys getting their first real minutes of the season. – 9:54 PM
Andy Larsen @andyblarsen
Ochai Agbaji is below both Simone Fontecchio and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in Will Hardy’s rotation, which isn’t a great sign – 9:53 PM
Eric Walden @tribjazz
Simone Fontecchio minutes! Presumably, he will play more than 9 seconds tonight. – 9:40 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Jazz grab Simone Fontecchio off the end of the bench. He’s in for Kessler with Rudy Gay at center. – 9:40 PM
Ryan Miller @millerjryan
Will Hardy speaking on the veteran influence on Walker Kessler: “We actually had a play in the Minnesota game where Rudy Gay, physically pulled him out of the lane so that he didn’t get defensive three seconds and then pushed him back into the lane to go back to help.” – 6:39 PM
Eric Walden @tribjazz
Hardy, on Walker Kessler’s learning curve: He’s got a lot of people helping him right now. There was a sequence in the Minnesota game where Rudy Gay literally grabbed him by the shoulders and moved him so he didn’t get a 3 seconds, then pushed him back in the lane afterwards. – 6:39 PM

More on this storyline

League sources say that before the Jazz sent Bojan Bogdanovic to the Pistons, the Lakers offered Westbrook, a future first-round pick, and second-rounders for Bogdanovic and others. Sources expect the Lakers and Jazz to resume talks later in the season with some combination of other players discussed. (Utah has Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, and Rudy Gay—three veterans who can all shoot.) -via The Ringer / October 24, 2022
Fontecchio, 26, was present for the Media Day previewing the new NBA season. He talked about his career stressing his willingness to become an influential part of the Utah Jazz. “Signing with the Jazz was unbelievable. It felt like a dream come true. I wanted to become an NBA player,” he introduced himself to the gathered reporters, “It has been a long journey. Now I am 26, almost 27. Sometimes, this dream felt a little bit far, but right now I am so happy and excited to be here.” “I am really thankful and grateful for this big opportunity. I am ready to do whatever I can to help this team,” he added. -via EuroHoops.net / September 27, 2022
“One time, Banja Prelevic told me something. I was upset after one game when I missed a lot of shots. He asked me how many shots you have missed in your life until now. I said I don’t know, maybe 5000. Yes, so? Banja said this is our life,” Pozzecco told the story. “That doesn’t count. How you play and how you practice make a difference. The love of the game that he has… He will be in the NBA in one month. And he will be a monster, you will see,” Pozzecco said to BasketNews. -via BasketNews / September 15, 2022