Tag: NBA rumors

As trade deadline approaches, Stephen Silas keeping Rockets focused on court

Stephen Silas on the Rockets and Thursday’s trade deadline: “There are always rumors and false narratives going on. But really focusing on what you can control makes everybody’s job easier.”

As Thursday’s NBA trade deadline nears, there is a growing amount of speculation and educated guesses surrounding many players on the Houston Rockets — headlined by Christian Wood and Eric Gordon.

With Caris LeVert and CJ McCollum already traded, Gordon may now be the most attractive wing option (among realistically available candidates) for title contenders to add as they look to bolster their teams for the 2022 playoffs. Meanwhile, with Indiana trading Domantas Sabonis and potentially keeping Myles Turner, that could make Wood more desirable for teams needing bigs. This is how crazy it often gets at the deadline.

With all the madness on social media these days and with a team full of young players, head coach Stephen Silas says his job with the Rockets is to make sure that he keeps his players focused on the court — and not on all the distractions that can take place away from it.

Before Tuesday’s game, Silas spoke about making sure his players are well equipped to handle what they may see on social media:

I don’t really address it very much, but I do discuss distractions borderline every day. Whether it’s a trade or referee or somebody that thinks he should be playing more than you are, or whatever. It is our job as a coaching staff, as a management team, to make sure everybody is pointed in the direction of things that you can control.

I know that there’s other stuff out there and rumors. There are always rumors and false narratives going on. But really focusing on what you can control makes everybody’s job easier. Whatever happens, you adapt to that.

Houston takes the court at New Orleans on Tuesday night for the second game of a home-and-home series. In Sunday’s opener, the Pelicans defeated the Rockets by a 120-107 margin (recap) at Toyota Center.

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The Clippers just set themselves up pretty nicely for years to come with the Norman Powell trade

What a brilliant move.

This was supposed to be a down season for the Clippers, wasn’t it? I mean, typically after a team loses it’s star player for the season they completely fold their hand and tank for a year.

It wasn’t just one star for the Clippers, either. Not only did they lose their biggest star in Kawhi Leonard for the season with his torn ACL, but they’ve also lost Paul George for an indefinite amount of time with a shoulder injury. This team should clearly not be good.

Yet, here they are in the thick of things as the West’s 8th seed despite not having any star power to work with. And they just got a bit better.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, The Clippers traded Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and a future second-round pick for Norman Powell and Robert Covington.

This is a straight-up fleece for the Clippers.

Not only did they get the best player in this deal, but they didn’t give up much of anything to get him. And they’re going to be so good in, both, the long and the short-term because of it.

Report: ‘Widespread expectation’ Warriors will use No. 7 pick and James Wiseman to upgrade roster via trade

According to John Hollinger of The Athletic, there’s a widespread expectation the Warriors will use the No. 7 pick and James Wiseman to upgrade the roster via trade.

As the offseason quickly approaches, the NBA rumor mill is already beginning to swirl. With a pair of first-round picks in 2021, the 2020 No. 2 overall pick and a roster that features proven veterans like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors will likely be in the middle of all the chatter.

Despite general manager Bob Myers saying the team doesn’t want to move James Wiseman, the Warriors could be shopping the 20-year-old after one season in the Bay Area. According to John Hollinger of The Athletic, there’s a “widespread expectation” that the Warriors will package the No. 7 pick and Wiseman to upgrade their roster via trade.

Via @TheAthletic on Twitter:

After being selected by the Warriors out of Memphis with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Wiseman averaged 11.5 points on 51.9% shooting from the floor with 5.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 21.4 minutes per contest. Wiseman’s rookie season came to an early end after only 39 games when the center suffered a season-ending meniscus injury.

The player the Warriors could be eyeing in a deal that includes is Wiseman is Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, per Hollinger. The former All-Star averaged 21.4 points on 45.5% shooting from the field with 7.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest during the 2020-21 campaign. Siakam is currently recovering from a shoulder injury that could keep him out for the start of the 2021-22 season.

Before the Warriors hit the clock on draft day, Myers, Kerr and the rest of Golden State’s staff will likely continue assessing all their options before making the pick, including a potential blockbuster trade.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Quarantine Update: How are the Warriors staying busy with the NBA season on hold?

It’s time to check in on a trio of members from the Golden State Warriors during the NBA hiatus.

After over three weeks without a basketball game, players from around the league are finding new and creative ways to fill their time. Members from the Golden State Warriors have been checking in on social media to update how they’ve been spending their time in quarantine.

Peloton bike rides, video games, interactive fan Q&A sessions and music are just some of the options players from the Warriors have chosen to take up their time.

Take a look below to see what a few members of the Warriors have been up to during the NBA hiatus.

Stephen Curry

Golden State’s two-time Most Valuable Player has been active since game action was stopped in early March. During the NBA shut down, Curry displayed a new project he’s been working on with a well-renowned comedian.

Before the NBA season was suspended, the six-time All-Star linked up with Kevin Hart for his first-ever vlogging experience. The movie star provided Curry with tips and tricks during his debut vlog.

Along with vlogger, Curry can add substitute teacher to his list of many titles. When he was hosting a pop quiz with fellow NBA players on Instagram, Curry mentioned he’s been serving as a teacher’s assistant for his daughter’s second-grade class.

Eric Paschall

After participating in a Q&A of his own, Golden State’s rookie is turning to music.

The Villanova product was asking his followers where he can find a music production center. An “MPC” is a device that provides a variety of sounds to make beats for different types of music.

On Sunday night, Eric Paschall tweeted he was “about to pick up a new hobby!”

Ky Bowman

Another Golden State rookie is showing off his talent away from the court. With no basketball on the schedule, Ky Bowman has picked up the pen and paper.

On Saturday, Bowman tweeted about his poetry.

When the former two-way point guard isn’t busy with poetry, you can catch him streaming his video game talent on Twitch. Bowman tweeted about his expertise for the famous fighting game Tekken.

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73-win season voted greatest Warriors record by fans in NBA bracketology

In a fan vote, Golden State’s 73-9 regular season from 2015-16 edged out other accomplishments as the best record in Warriors’ history.

Over the past five seasons, the Golden State Warriors have brought a bevy of awards back home to the Bay Area. To help decide the top accomplishment in their history, the Warriors released a bracket of 16 moments for fans to vote between individual and team records.

After days of voting, “Warriors Bracketology” was narrowed down to the final four:

-The 73-win season — Most regular-season wins (2015-16)
-Klay Thompson’s 37-point quarter vs. the Sacramento Kings — Most points in a quarter (2014-15)
-16-1 in playoffs — Best postseason winning percentage (2016-17)
-Stephen Curry’s 402 3-pointers — Most 3-pointers in a season (2015-16)

In the finals, Golden State’s 73-9 season edged out Curry’s 402 makes from beyond the arc.

Via @warriors on Twitter:

Although the 2015-16 season did not result in a championship for Steve Kerr and company, The Warriors’ 73 wins provided a bevy of memorable moments.

After winning the scoring title with a barrage of long-distance shots, Curry was named Most Valuable Player for the second straight season. Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were all named to the All-Star game in Toronto.

Golden State opened the season with 24 straight wins, the best start in NBA history. The final victory of their streak came in a double-overtime thriller against the Boston Celtics.

Another defining moment came in February when the Warriors traveled to Oklahoma City. With less than a second left in overtime, Curry drilled a game-winning heave from just inside half court. His now-famous “bang” shot was his 12th 3-pointer of the contest, breaking the record for most in a single game.

Despite some late-season fumble, the Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in the final game of the season to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record for most regular-season wins.

Adding another award to their historic 73-win season, the 2015-16 Warriors are bracketology champions.

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Report: NBA working to host H-O-R-S-E competition with ‘high-profile players’

With no games on the schedule, seeing Stephen Curry participate in a H-O-R-S-E competition might be the next best thing.

After three weeks of no basketball, the NBA is getting creative with finding ways to produce content during the shutdown. Taking part in interactive social media sessions with fans, along with watching games from the past have served as outlets for players with no games on the schedule.

To help fix basketball cravings, the league launched a nationally televised players-only NBA 2K Tournament. Another form of hoops could be coming soon that involves a classic basketball challenge.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, The NBA is working on bringing an edition of the game H-O-R-S-E to television that includes “several high-profile players.”

Via @wojespn on Twitter:

Players would use home gyms to compete in the classic playground basketball game, according to Wojnarowski.

Discussions have been ongoing among the NBA, NBPA and ESPN about a competition among several players in isolation — presumably using home gyms — that would include them competing shot for shot in the traditional playground game, sources said.

With the Warriors not having a current representative in the league’s 2K tournament, the H-O-R-S-E contest could be the chance to see a member from Golden State competing in a form of basketball.

While it may not be the same as live-game action, seeing Stephen Curry show off his supreme long-distance shooting in a game of H-O-R-S-E might be the next best thing.

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Today in Warriors History: Trio of All-Stars link up for 82 points vs. Trail Blazers in 2016

On April 3, 2016, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson combined for a classic performance against the Trail Blazers.

The NBA season has been suspended for three weeks. Yet, it’s been even longer since Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson suited up as a unit.

Since dropping the 2019 NBA Finals to the Toronto Raptors, injuries have limited Curry, Thompson and Green’s time on the court together.

With the NBA season on hold, Warriors Wire is looking back into signature performances from Curry, Green and Thompson. On April 3, 2016, the Golden State Warriors’ core of All-Stars were clicking on all cylinders.

April 3, 2016

With only five games left in the season, the Warriors were closing in on NBA record for most wins in the regular season. While Golden State was chasing history, the Portland Trail Blazers were fighting for playoff position.

In his hometown arena, Damian Lillard dropped 38 points — his third-highest scoring total of the 2015-16 season. However, it wasn’t enough against the Warriors.

Curry matched Lillard with 39 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field. The reigning Most Valuable Player nailed nine 3-pointers in Golden State’s victory over the Trail Blazers.

While Curry produced an electric night from beyond the arc, Green filled the rest of the stat sheet. The Michigan State product recorded his 13th triple-double of the season with 22 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

With Thompson’s 21 points, Golden State’s trio tallied 82 of the Warriors 136 points.

Watch highlights from the Warriors 136-111 win against the Blazers from 2016 via YouTube:

Quarantine Update: checking in on the Warriors during the NBA hiatus

With no games on the calendar, members of the Golden State Warriors are getting creative when trying to find ways to fill their time.

It’s been nearly three weeks since the Golden State Warriors hosted Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center in San Francisco. Since the Warriors 131-107 loss to the Clippers, the NBA has suspended play due to the coronavirus pandemic.

During the NBA hiatus, members of the Warriors are getting creative when it comes to finding ways to fill their time. Video games, social media and Q&A segments have been popular options for players without basketball on the calendar.

Take a look below to see what some of the Warriors have been up to since game action has been put on hold.

Stephen Curry

Golden State’s point guard has been busy during the NBA’s hiatus. Stephen Curry has advocated for social distancing along with setting up a meal donation plan through his foundation for out of school children.

The two-time Most Valuable Player set up an interactive Q&A with infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci. Curry and Fauci spent around 30 minutes discussing details about COVID-19.

Watch Curry’s conversation with Fauci on YouTube:

 

Klay Thompson

Curry’s fellow Splash Brother has been relatively quiet on social media. However, Klay Thompson did send a message in support of health care professionals.

The three-time All-Star thanked first responders, nurses, doctors and hospital staff for “their tireless efforts.”

Via @KlayThompson on Twitter:

Draymond Green

With no hoops on the docket, Draymond Green has been soaking up some music. On social media, the former Defensive Player of the Year had high praise for hip-hop artist Travis Scott. Green has been digging deep into the Cactus Jack catalog.

Via @Money23Green on Twitter:

Marquese Chriss

Taking in NBA film from the past has been a popular outlet for not only avid basketball fans, but players. After watching a mixtape of Markelle Fultz from the Orlando Magic, Marquese Chriss showed love for his fellow Washington Husky product.

Via @quese on Twitter:

Eric Paschall & Juan Toscano-Anderson

A pair of Warriors held separate Q&A sessions with fans on Twitter during the NBA shutdown. Eric Paschall and Juan Toscano-Anderson answered a bevy of questions that included things about the 2019-20 season, their top-five favorite players of all-time and more.

Via @warriors on Twitter:

Via @juanonjuan10 on Twitter:

Steve Kerr and Warriors coaching staff doing homework on upcoming free agents

Steve Kerr and the Warriors coaching staff are working on a project for the summer during the NBA’s coronavirus hiatus.

With the worst record in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors are already looking ahead to the 2020-21 season. With a 15-50 record, the Warriors will be in line for a top prospect at the start of the NBA draft lottery for the first time in years.

After the draft, Golden State will need to make some additions in free agency to get back to the playoffs. While the Warriors salary cap is tight for the future, the team holds a pair of exceptions to play with during the offseason.

While the NBA is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, Steve Kerr and his coaching staff are preparing for the summer.

On Thursday, Kerr shared Golden State’s free-agent homework assignment on KNBR 680 in San Francisco.

Via Tolbert, Krueger and Brooks on KNBR:

We just put our entire coaching staff on a project in the last couple of days. There’s about 60 free agents out there on our list for this summer. And so we divided up all the free agents, and we’re having all of our assistant coaches put a scouting report together on why free agent x would be a good or a bad fit for the Warriors. Every coach has four guys to watch. Everyone’s got games on their computers. Everyone’s got a chance to watch games and really focus in on one guy, which is interesting. You think you know players because you’ve seen them play for years, but until you really watch them and just only watch them during a game, sometimes you miss a lot of stuff. So, it’s kind of fun to watch a game specifically with the intention of just focusing on one guy and seeing really how intense he is on boxing out or making the right pass, making the right cut, that kind of stuff.

Next season, Golden State should have a healthy combination of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green — plus a high draft pick. Mixing in newcomers like Andrew Wiggins, Eric Paschall and Marquese Chriss gives the Warriors a formidable roster on paper.

How the front office navigates through free agency will be a factor in the Warriors run back to the playoffs.

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Former Warriors’ guard Quinn Cook announces his first children’s book

Quinn Cook is revealing his “10 recipes to success” in his new children’s book, “The Cook Book.”

While the NBA season is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, a bevy of players across the league are finding new ways to fill their free time. Players have been getting creative on social media while playing video games and watching old highlights during the league’s hiatus.

However, former Warriors‘ guard Quinn Cook is taking a unique route while there are no games on the calendar until further notice. On Tuesday, Cook announced his first-ever children’s book. The Lakers’ guard’s text is cleverly titled “The Cook Book.”

Via @QCook323 on Twitter:

According to Cook, the book will reveal his “10 recipes to success.” After winning championships at the college and pro levels, it’s safe to say Cook has some experience in the field of success.

In 2015, Cook hung an NCAA Tournament championship banner in Cameron Indoor as a second-team All-American for the Duke Blue Devils. The G League All-Star later won a Larry O’Brien Trophy coming off the bench for the Warriors in 2018.

In his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Cook is averaging 4.8 points and 1.1 assists in 10.8 minutes per game.

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