Tag: Luka Garza

Luka Garza shares best NBA Finals strategy for Miami versus Denver, Nikola Jokic

Maybe the Miami Heat should just listen to Luka Garza. Garza shared his best recipe to slowing down Denver’s Nikola Jokic in the NBA Finals.

Former Iowa Hawkeye Luka Garza made an interesting prediction ahead of game one of the NBA Finals. In an interview with sports betting network VSin, Garza laid out the game plan on how to possibly contain the two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

“You live with him getting 50 and maybe 5 assists versus 30, 17, and 17,” explained Garza in the interview.

The idea has been thrown out a lot after the Heat’s success in game two where they leveled up the series. Nikola Jokic is going to feast, he’s simply too good to hope to completely eliminate him. Your hope is to contain the scoring outburst to just him, single-covering the big man while trying to stop the shooters around them.

“We’re going to let you get 50 points but we don’t want you to get 15 assists,” Garza said.

With how great of a facilitator Nikola Jokic is, especially with how the offensive system is designed to flow through him, going all out to stop Jokic can really hurt you. He will find players open. As Garza suggested, just letting Bam Adebayo do his best to try and limit Jokic on offense, while eliminating the shooters around him, seems to be the best way to go.

You could see this in action already this series. In the first game, Jokic was an expert facilitator, his 14 assists combined with 27 points led to a comfortable 104-93 Nuggets win. Then, most recently in game three, Jokic filled up every part of the stat sheet, scoring 32 points, grabbing 21 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists. It didn’t hurt that Jamal Murray had a triple-double as well, but you get the point in Denver’s 109-94 game three victory.

While Jokic went on a scoring tear in game two with 41 points, the assists numbers were down to just four. Of course, it’s not just that cut and dry. The Denver players weren’t hitting their shots from deep, but that all really played into what the Heat were trying to do defensively. Just as Luka Garza said.

It makes you wonder, when Luka Garza’s playing career is over, can he have an even bigger star as a basketball analyst?

The NBA Finals resume tonight from Miami’s Kaseya Center at 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC with Denver currently owning a 2-1 series lead.

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Iowa Hawkeyes legend Luka Garza to debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina national team

Former Iowa Hawkeyes big man Luka Garza is going to be debuting for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national basketball team.

Luka Garza lit up Carver-Hawkeye Arena as a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes during his time in the black and gold. Now, he gets to take his talents global as he will be making his debut on the Bosnia and Herzegovina national basketball team.

Garza is joining the team ahead of Olympic qualifying and hopes to be able to able to play during training camp and some international matchups.

“It is a great honor for me and my family to represent the country where my mother was born. It is an honor that fills my heart with immeasurable joy, my dream since childhood. I can’t wait for the moment when I will share the basketball court with my teammates from the national team and do my best for coach Addis, the coaching staff and Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Garza said in a statement to the website of the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Luka Garza appeared in 28 games this season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 6.5 points on a 54.3% shooting percentage along with 2.3 rebounds. Garza shot 35.9% from three-point range and 78.8% from the free throw stripe.

Garza’s illustrious career at Iowa saw him named the 2021 Naismith Trophy winner, the 2021 AP College Basketball Player of the Year, the 2021 Big Ten Basketball Player of the Year, and finish up as Iowa’s all-time leading scorer. Garza averaged 23.9 points and 9.8 rebounds in 2019-20 and followed it up with a 2020-21 season that saw him average 24.1 points and 8.7 rebounds.

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Timberwolves’ Luka Garza named MVP of G League Next Up Game

Garza on Sunday was named MVP of the G League Next Up game at All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Luka Garza on Sunday was named MVP of the NBA G League Next Up game at All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The game featured 24 of the top players in the G League, 10 of which were voted on by fans. The two players that received the most fan votes — Garza and Scoot Henderson — were named captains of the teams and were tasked with drafting their rosters.

Garza, who is signed to a two-way contract, scored 23 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes to lead Team Luka to the 178-162 win over Team Scoot. Henderson finished with 19 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals in 26 minutes.

The high-scoring exhibition offered plenty of players contributing at a high level and featured several selections from the NBA Rising Stars game on Friday, including Kenneth Lofton Jr. (11 points, eight rebounds), Leonard Miller (19 points, eight rebounds) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (11 points).

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Luka Garza signs two-way deal with Minnesota Timberwolves

Iowa center Luka Garza has found a new home with the Minnesota Timberwolves, signing a two-way deal.

Luka Garza has a new home in Minnesota.

The Athletic and Stadium NBA inside Shams Charania reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves have signed former Iowa center Luka Garza to a two-way deal. Already under contract, the real news is that they are converting the deal to a two-way contract.

Garza’s confirmed position in the Wolves’ organization comes following a strong showing in the NBA Preseason. Garza averaged 7.3 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting just over 61 percent from the floor. Minnesota head coach Chris Finch called Garza a perfect fit for the Timberwolves system following Minnesota’s 118-113 win over the Lakers.

“He’s the perfect system fit for us. Great acquisition by our front office. He’s a guy I think can really grow into our system here. He can stretch the floor and he can score around the basket. That’s a great combo. Not a lot of bigs can do that,” Finch said.

Garza displayed the three ball this preseason, hitting 66% of his 3-point attempts.

Given Minnesota’s current center situation, bringing in multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert alongside the returning Naz Reid, it seems more likely than not that Garza will spend most of the upcoming season with the Timberwolves’ G-League affiliate.

Garza was a standout performer for the Motor City Cruise, Detroit’s G-League affiliate, earning a spot on the All-NBAGL third team last season.

While the 23-year-old may not see a ton of playing time this season with some more established talent ahead of him on the depth chart, his ability to stretch the court from the center position could provide value off the bench.

Even if it is not this year though, it does seem that Finch and the Wolves are keen on building Garza’s game and keeping him around as a system fit for the future.

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Former Iowa basketball stars Luka Garza, Joe Wieskamp ink new NBA deals

A pair of former Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball stars, Luka Garza and Joe Wieskamp, inked new NBA deals.

A pair of former Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball stars just inked new NBA deals. Luka Garza signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Joe Wieskamp re-signed with the San Antonio Spurs.

Garza appeared in 32 games with the Detroit Pistons last season, averaging 5.8 points on 44.9% field goal shooting and 3.1 rebounds per game. The former Naismith Trophy winner averaged 20.6 points on 51.8% shooting and 9.5 rebounds per game with the Pistons’ G-League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise. Still, he was released by Detroit following last season and spent this summer with the Portland Trail Blazers’ summer league team.

While terms of the agreements were not released, Garza joined forward CJ Elleby in signing with the Timberwolves on Tuesday. Garza was originally drafted No. 52 overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2021 NBA draft.

Meanwhile, Wieskamp is re-signing with the Spurs. San Antonio didn’t release terms of the contract, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that it’s a two-year, $4.4 million deal.

Wieskamp averaged 2.1 points on 35.7% field goal shooting and 32.6% 3-point shooting in 7.1 minutes per game during his rookie season with San Antonio. He also appeared in 28 games for the Austin Spurs, where he averaged 15.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.11 steals in 32.4 minutes in the NBA G League.

Wieskamp was taken by San Antonio with the No. 41 overall selection in the 2021 NBA draft after averaging 13.2 points per game on 41.2% 3-point shooting during his career with the Hawkeyes.

Of course, Keegan Murray has been impressing this summer as well. Murray won the NBA 2K23 Summer League MVP and it made social media go wild. All of this was no surprise to his former head coach Fran McCaffery.

“They knew exactly what they were getting and they were excited about him from the beginning. Not only in terms of his character and his complete skill set, but I think the fit with the other guys on the team, what coach (Mike) Brown wants to do.

“I am thrilled for him in every way. I’m thrilled for the organization. I think it’s safe to say we look at this team as a playoff team. It’s not easy in the West as we know, but I think the way that this team has been put together has been really impressive. I was equally impressed today with Jordi’s workout, the stuff they were doing, the intensity level with which they approached everything and the way the young guys have picked things up that they’re trying to do. I can’t imagine a better fit for Keegan Murray,” McCaffery said of Murray’s play in the Summer League back in July.

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Luka Garza added to the Portland Trail Blazers’ summer league roster

Luka Garza was quickly picked up by the Portland Trail Blazers after being cut this offseason. How can he go about making the final roster?

It certainly didn’t take former Hawkeye center Luka Garza long to get another shot in the NBA.

Just days after being cut by the Detroit Pistons, Garza has already found another squad, at least for the summer. According to Detroit News reporter Rod Beard, the 2021 Naismith Trophy award winner will be joining the Portland Trail Blazers’ summer league squad.

Garza is hoping to stick and carve out a role in Rip City. The former Hawkeye standout will join a Portland squad that features a good mix of youngsters and familiar faces to Blazers fans.

All eyes will be on the 2022 NBA draft’s No. 7 overall pick, Shaedon Sharpe, a former No. 1 overall recruit who sat out his only year at Kentucky. Multiple players on the roster, including Trendon Watford, Keon Johnson, and Greg Brown III, saw game time for Portland last season.

On the official team release of the roster, Garza is the only pure center listed on the roster. While Kyle Alexander and Romello White may both receive some time at the five, it seems like Garza will get a real chance to show some improvements heading into his second season. He never really caught on with Detroit last year, only averaging a hair over 12 minutes per game in 32 appearances.

Garza was much more enabled to showcase his skills in the G League, making the All-NBA G League third-team. In 16 regular-season contests, the big man averaged 20.6 points and 9.5 rebounds.

The hope is that his run in this upcoming summer league will be more akin to his time spent in the G League with the Motor City Cruise. There are a few things he will need to improve on from last year to try and crack the Portland roster. While he’s been relatively reliable as a post scorer—not a surprise given that was his strength in college—the 3-point shot needs to keep improving. He averaged around 30% in both leagues, and struggled from the free throw line at 62%.

He will need to provide that shooting spark off the bench and help spread backup bigs out of the paint. That is how he will stick. He might never be a great defender, but if he can show during this summer league that he provides a spark on offense in a multitude of ways, he could make a run for a spot on the back end of the Trail Blazers’ roster.

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Detroit Pistons decline team option on former Iowa Hawkeyes star Luka Garza

The Detroit Pistons declined their team option on former Iowa Hawkeyes star Luka Garza, but his NBA journey likely isn’t over yet.

A former Hawkeyes great will be looking for a new home in 2022.

According to the Detroit Pistons beat writer for The Athletic James Edwards, Detroit will reportedly not pick up Garza’s team option. Frank Jackson and former All-Big Ten guard Carsen Edwards’ options are also not being picked up.

A second-round pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Garza played one season in Detroit, appearing in 32 games and starting five. He also spent an extensive amount of time for G League affiliate Motor City Cruise, making the NBA G League All-Rookie Team as well as the NBA G League third team.

Garza struggled to catch on in Detroit, averaging 5.8 points and three rebounds a game in only 12 minutes per contest. He was able to display more of his talent in the G League, averaging 20.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in 30 minutes of average floor time.

While he wasn’t able to stick with a Detroit squad that just added big man Jalen Duren, the NBA journey is most likely not over for the 2020-2021 Naismith Trophy winner.

There are reports that teams are already in negotiations with Luka and his dad. KCCI sports director Scott Reister said he’s spoken with Garza’s dad who said that negotiations with other NBA teams are already underway.

Garza’s father retweeted the report on his Twitter, so there has to be some truth to it. Garza could be a valuable back-end member of a roster. Don’t expect to see him on the market for too long.

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Keegan Murray leaning on Luka Garza for advice in pre-draft process

Murray that he is leaning on former Iowa teammate Luka Garza for advice during the pre-draft process.

Projected lottery pick Keegan Murray revealed this week that he is leaning on former Iowa Hawkeyes teammate Luka Garza for advice during the NBA pre-draft process.

Of course, the two were teammates last season when Murray was a freshman and Garza was named the National Player of the Year. They led the Hawkeyes to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after falling to Oregon.

Garza eventually became the 52nd pick in the draft by the Detroit Pistons. He spent much of the season in the NBA G League but played well in spurts with Detroit. As someone who spent time in both leagues, Garza has seen quite a bit in just one season.

Murray, speaking at the combine, said Garza has been a great mentor.

He has been one of the guys I talk to the most because I played with him for a year. He is on a two-way contract so he has gotten the best of both worlds. He has been a key influence on me. He has been back in Iowa City a little bit (so I’ve been) texting and communicating with him and seeing what he is going through.

Fast forward one season later and Murray is considered to be a potential top-five pick this year. With the likes of Garza and Joe Wieskamp gone, Murray took over and led the Hawkeyes to another appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Murray was named an All-American after averaging 23.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals on 39.8% shooting from 3-point range. He was the top scorer in the country (822) and helped Iowa to the Big Ten title, earning MVP honors.

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He was among the prospects invited to participate at the combine and has been training for the draft in Chicago. He is viewed as perhaps the most complete player near the top of the draft and should have an easy transition to the next level.

Murray is working hard to improve his game ahead of the draft. With the likes of Garza and others in his corner, Murray appears to be in a great position heading into the draft.

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Iowa assistant coach Billy Taylor taking over as head coach at Elon

Iowa assistant men’s basketball coach Billy Taylor is off to become Elon’s new head men’s basketball coach.

After a second successful stint at the University of Iowa, assistant men’s basketball coach Billy Taylor is back to the head coaching ranks. Elon athletic director Dave Blank named Taylor the school’s 19th head men’s basketball coach.

“I am humbled and honored to accept the head coaching position at Elon University. I want to thank President Connie Ledoux Book and Director of Athletics Dave Blank for offering me the opportunity to serve the student-athletes in our basketball program. As a program, we will pursue excellence on the basketball court, in the classroom and in the community. Our family is excited to begin this new journey, and we look forward to joining the Elon community,” Taylor said.

It’s Taylor’s third opportunity to be a Division I head men’s basketball coach. At Lehigh from 2002-07, Taylor compiled an 81-69 record and made one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2004. Then, at Ball State from 2007-13, Taylor registered an 84-99 record. He also coached at Division II Belmont Abbey for three seasons, tallying a 49-42 record. For his career as a head coach, Taylor is 214-210.

Obviously, Taylor’s hiring speaks to the type of coach he is and how his role with the Hawkeyes has been perceived nationally. It also speaks to the type of success Iowa has enjoyed. When programs find success, assistant coaches get hired.

That’s been the case with the Hawkeyes after three consecutive 20-plus win seasons and a pair of NCAA Tournament trips. It would have been three consecutive trips, but, of course, the 2019-20 season ended with the tournament being canceled.

With Taylor on staff, the Hawkeyes and Iowa head men’s basketball coach [autotag]Fran McCaffery[/autotag] enjoyed several of their best offensive seasons in school history. Iowa ranked fifth nationally in scoring offense each of the past two seasons at 83.7 points per game in the 2020-21 season and 83.2 points per game.

The Hawkeyes had national player of the year finalists each of the past three seasons in center Luka Garza (2020, 2021) and forward Keegan Murray this past season. Garza actually swept the national awards last season.

The Phoenix finished last season 10-22 overall and 7-11 in the Colonial Athletic Association.

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247Sports tabs Iowa Hawkeyes’ Patrick McCaffery as potential 2022-23 breakout star

247Sports’ Isaac Trotter listed Iowa forward Patrick McCaffery as one of his potential breakout stars for the 2022-23 basketball season.

With Kansas’ 72-69 rally over North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament’s national championship game, the 2021-22 college basketball season is officially a wrap. While Iowa’s stay in March Madness was an abbreviated one, the season itself was a big surprise to many prognosticators.

Iowa was picked to finish ninth by the league’s media entering last season. With Iowa replacing national player of the year [autotag]Luka Garza[/autotag], it made sense why some media members might be down on the Hawkeyes at the beginning of this past season.

Instead of the projected ninth-place finish, Iowa wound up ending the Big Ten regular season with a 12-8 league mark to earn the No. 5 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Of course, the Hawkeyes went on to win the Big Ten Tournament by dispatching of then-No. 9 Purdue in the championship game, 75-66.

Sophomore forward [autotag]Keegan Murray[/autotag] emerged as one of the nation’s best players, upping his points per game average by more than 16 points. Murray averaged 23.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game to place himself in the conversation for all of the major national player of the year awards.

Now, with Murray having declared for the 2022 NBA draft and guard [autotag]Jordan Bohannon[/autotag] having exhausted his eligibility, Iowa finds itself in similar circumstances to the beginning of last season. Plenty of analysts will be expecting a step backwards for Iowa given the production the Hawkeyes are losing.

That means more opportunities for those returning to campus, though, and Iowa will be hoping for a pair of forwards to make significant leaps during the 2022-23 men’s college basketball season. [autotag]Kris Murray[/autotag] and [autotag]Patrick McCaffery[/autotag] are both great candidates to make serious strides entering next season. In fact, 247Sports writer Isaac Trotter included McCaffery as one of his potential breakout stars for next season.

Kris Murray is going to be the trendy pick to step up for Iowa after Keegan Murray’s departure for the NBA. Kris Murray is going to be a star, but McCaffery could also be one, too. McCaffery really had a polished offensive game. His usage rate should get a big bump next year, and the 6-foot-9 forward will form a powerful 1-2 punch with Kris Murray. – Trotter, 247Sports.

Again, both Murray and McCaffery will be popular picks to take steps forward in their production. Murray averaged 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in just 17.9 minutes of floor time on average. Meanwhile, McCaffery was one of Iowa’s three players to average double-figure scoring last year. McCaffery averaged 10.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 24.2 minutes of floor time on average.

It’s easy to see both Murray and McCaffery seriously improving upon their averages from this past season. Beyond that, Iowa will need to add some talent from the transfer portal to go along with the pair of three-star guards the Hawkeyes are bringing in. According to 247Sports, Iowa signed three-star point guard [autotag]Dasonte Bowen[/autotag] from Brewster Academy in New Hampshire and three-star shooting guard [autotag]Josh Dix[/autotag] from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

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