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Both Raptors and Rockets have shown potential interest in hiring Ime Udoka for his coaching return – Basketball Insiders

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8 months ago

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It seems we might have Ime Udoka courtside again very soon, as NBA teams are starting to pile up behind him to make his coaching return for the next campaign.

It has been reported lately that the Raptors and Rockets could be interested in the former Boston Celtics trainer, yet it still depends on how their current seasons finally play out. As Houston has no chances of making it to the playoffs, the Toronto squad is currently in standing 9th to qualify for the Play-in tournament.

Back in January, The Athletic’s Shams Charania was the first on the scene to report on the fact that Toronto is seriously considering letting go of coach Nick Nurse at the end of the current championship. Later it was NBA insider Steve Bulpett who mentioned that the Raptors administration had Udoka in mind as one of the main candidates to replace him.

So, yes, there is a long list of reports made by important journalists among the league who can clearly trace the link between both franchises and the former Celtics coach. However, as some believe Udoka’s return to the NBA is hard to imagine, other greats of the game have showed him support.

It wasn’t until San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich publicly showed some love to Ime after he was suspended for “violations of team policies”, that the press got serious about him coaching again. Let’s remember that the Spurs legend trained Udoka for three season in Texas, and also had him on his staff as an assistant for seven years.

“Ime was and is and always will be a great friend, and so you can imagine that I was deeply disappointed and hurt for him, for everybody involved,” he said Sunday, referencing Udoka’s polemic suspension. “It’s a difficult situation for him, and my hope is that he will bounce back and find a home.”

Take a look at this video to recap on what were the controversial reasons over why the former Boston boss was taken off his charge as head coach:

For now Houston seems to be more possible, as Stephen Silas is losing control of his squad

Even though Udoka isn’t their only candidate, as Houston has even considered hiring Toronto’s Nick Nurse, there is still lots to be settled before we can make any real assumptions. The truth is, it’s hard to imagine Stephen Silas coaching the Rockets any longer.

ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst recently revealed that the coach once cried out of frustration after a match because he felt that he couldn’t reach his players any longer. “Houston lost 18 of 19 games at one point and 11 straight games during another stretch,” the journalist said. “At one point, Silas broke down in tears because he felt he couldn’t reach his players.

“One of the team’s then veterans, Eric Gordon, said in January ‘there’s no improvement’ when summing up the state of the Rockets — not ideal for a young player trying to find positivity in early struggles.”

The Houston squad currently sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with a depressing 18-58 record. As they’ve had no chance of entering the post-season, it’s no wonder they have started to look for a new coach already.





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Nikola Jokic has 3 career 30-point triple-double with 0 turnovers

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11 mins ago

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November 30, 2023

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Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic recorded his third career 30-point triple-double with zero turnovers, the most in NBA history since the league began tracking individual turnovers in 1977-78, in Wednesday night’s 134-124 win over the Houston Rockets.

The two-time MVP posted 32 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists, and one steal in 34 minutes of action. Jokic, 28, finished 12-of-19 (63.2%) shooting from the floor and drained a 3-pointer.

Referring to a couple of NBA betting sites, the Denver Nuggets hold third-shortest odds to repeat this season in 2024. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.

Plus, he shot 7-of-8 (87.5%) at the foul line. It was his seventh triple-double of the season, leading all other players. Entering the night, all other NBA players had combined for just eight triples.

The two other times Jokic logged at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists with zero turnovers on 60% shooting was last season and back in 2018-19.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic leads the NBA in triple-doubles, double-doubles, total rebounds, etc.

Additionally, the five-time All-Star leads the league in double-doubles with 17. Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis trails with 15, followed by Domantas Sabonis (13), Rudy Gobert (12), Joel Embiid (12), Evan Mobley (12), and Tyrese Haliburton (12).

Furthermore, Jokic has posted 94 triple-doubles on at least 50% shooting, the most in NBA history. The nine-year veteran leads NBA Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson (92) and Magic Johnson (86).

Through 18 games this season, Jokic leads the league in total rebounds (237), defensive rebounds (175), true shooting percentage (70.1%), field goals (205), player efficiency rating (34.6), win shares (4.1), box plus/minus (15.7), and value over replacement player (2.7).

According to the Basketball-Reference database, Nikola Jokic has a 90.9% chance of being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

In Wednesday’s victory, Denver outscored the Rockets 41-26 in the opening quarter. Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-high 30 points, and guard Jamal Murray added 16 points after missing 11 games.

“One of the security guards said, ‘Hey, great win tonight.’ I said it was a great outcome,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “I wouldn’t call it a great win. It was a great outcome.”

Denver had lost twice to the Rockets in November, including a 19-point loss in Houston five days earlier. The Nuggets improved their NBA-best home record to 9-0, whereas the Rockets fell to 0-7 on the road.





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Kevin Durant praises In-Season Tournament because so far it gives him a ‘different vibe’

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1 hour ago

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November 30, 2023

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The In-Season Tournament’s group stages are over and teams are getting prepared to face the quarterfinals and finally end the last rounds in Las Vegas. As the first edition unfolds, the competition is slowly earning some new fans, including basketball players.

Kevin Durant recently counted himself as a satisfied customer of the NBA’s new invention, as he reveals that the game’s atmosphere provides a different vibe from the regular-season exhibitions.

Following the Suns defeat to the Toronto Raptors this Wednesday, the superstar addressed the fact that they qualified to the quarterfinals and will face the Los Angeles Lakers next week. The winner will make it to the next round which will be played in Las Vegas.

The In-Season cup has been gathering new positive reviews lately, and Durant further explained how the new look, the customized courts, unique jerseys and branding have given an interesting feel to it. As a player, he gave his personal perspective on the tournament.

“We have played in bigger games. But obviously fans love seeing high intensity games in the regular season, that is why we got the tournament, to please the fans. They weren’t satisfied with the level of ball we were playing in the regular season,” he said.

However, the 35-year-old knows that the real purpose behind this competition is not to satisfy the athletes, but to convince the customers that this could eventually become a new, celebrated tradition in the NBA.

“It’s not really how we feel, it’s about how the consumer feels about what they see. Hopefully they enjoy it,” the Phoenix star explained. “Whatever the consumer and the fan wants, the NBA and Adam Silver will do their best to give it to them. Us as players will continue to go about our business as we always do.”

Players and coaches differ on their perspectives over the In-Season Tournament; not everyone is satisfied after competing

Even though Cleveland picked up their third win of the In-Season Tournament on Tuesday against Atlanta, they didn’t make it to the next round due to the point-difference rule. Even though they finished second in their group, the Cavs needed to score more points to qualify.

“It’s kind of different,” Darius Garland expressed. “It’s not respecting the game as much as I want it to be. I took a shot with like 25 seconds left and I didn’t feel comfortable doing it. I think the in-season tournament is really great. The point differential is the thing that people around the league would like to change I believe.”

On the other hand, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau says the competition met its intended purpose, as they earned the wild-card spot into the quarterfinals.

“I guess it’s met its intended purpose,” the New York trainer said Tuesday night following their 115-91 win over the Charlotte Hornets. His player Josh Hart said the point-differential rule is “weird”, but “it’s an interesting concept.”





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Lakers want Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso

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2 hours ago

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November 30, 2023

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According to the latest NBA rumors, the Los Angeles Lakers seem more interested in trading for Chicago Bulls guards DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso than Zach LaVine.

During a guest appearance on “Hoops Tonight,” Jovan Buha of The Athletic mentioned that Los Angeles is reportedly targeting DeRozan and Caruso instead of LaVine.

“I’ve actually heard that they’re more interested in DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. A.C., he’s the one that got away,” Buha said.

“Lakers fans, it still bothers them. Inside of the organization, it’s still a very divisive topic. And then DeMar is someone the Lakers have courted for several years now.”

Per multiple NBA betting sites, the Los Angeles Lakers hold seventh-shortest odds to win this season’s 2024 championship. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers.

LaVine, 28, is owed $129 million over the next three seasons. The two-time All-Star is earning $40.06 million this season and $43.03 million in 2024-25. His deal also carries a 2026-27 player option worth $48.9 million.

Meanwhile, DeRozan is earning $28.6 million this season. The three-time All-NBA member is in the final season of the three-year, $81.9 million contract he inked with the San Antonio Spurs as part of the sign-and-trade agreement with Chicago. Also, Caruso is making $9.46 million this season and is slated to earn $9.89 million in 2024-25.

NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers pursuing DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, not Zach LaVine trade

“Both of those guys are on more manageable contracts,” Buha added. “Alex has a partial guarantee for next season, DeMar is an expiring contract. DeMar comes in, he’s that over-the-top shotmaker that the team seemingly doesn’t really have outside of when LeBron’s jumper is falling.

“And then Alex Caruso, one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the league, one of the best perimeter [shooters] in the league, period. We’ve seen the success he’s had next to LeBron and AD in a Lakers jersey.

“So I think both of those guys make more sense within what the Lakers need. There’s real interest in all three guys, but from what I’ve heard DeMar and Alex are higher on their priority list.”

Through 18 starts this season, LaVine is averaging 21 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 35.3 minutes per game. He’s also shooting 44.3% from the field, a career-low 33.6% outside the arc, and 86.6% at the foul line.

In Chicago’s 124-97 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, he scored only two points on 1-of-9 (11.1%) shooting from the field and missed three 3-point attempts in 25 minutes of action. LaVine left with a sore right foot and did not return.

The Bulls will likely trade LaVine this season, but his new team might not be the Lakers.

More NBA rumors are on the main page.





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