Good morning. Let’s hoop.
THE LATEST IN THE DERRICK ROSE SAGA: He’s back with the Knicks and was fined without being suspended. He said he had to return to Chicago to be with his family (his mother, specifically) and didn’t inform the Knicks because he needed "space" to deal with the issue.
It appears all sides are trying to move forward, but there are still tons of unanswered questions. If the issue was so serious, why did Rose immediately return to the team? Was it really impossible for Rose to take a few minutes to call the Knicks beforehand or at least send a text message? (Or, have his agent do those things?). Is the issue actually with Rose’s own state of mind? (The New York Daily News reports that Rose was "an emotional wreck" and even contemplated a longer leave of absence during his journey).
Regardless, this isn’t over. What can the Knicks do next? Paul Flannery and John Gonzalez tackled that question on the latest Drive & Kick podcast.
TUESDAY’S SCORES! There were some good games!
Bulls 99, Wizards 101
Celtics 106, Raptors 114
Hawks 117, Nets 97
Hornets 114, Rockets 121
Bucks 109, Spurs 107
Cavaliers 92, Jazz 100
Trail Blazers 108, Lakers 87
Heat 95, Warriors 107
Pistons 94, Kings 100
SACRAMENTO’S REIGNING KING: The Kings are preparing to offer DeMarcus Cousins a massive contract extension this summer and it sounds like Boogie will accept it, according to CSN California’s James Ham. As a Kings draftee who has made an All-NBA team, Cousins is eligible for the new designated veteran player exception, which allows a team to sign a player to a six-year extension for 35 percent of the cap before they hit free agency. Boogie is a free agent after next season, so the Kings could keep him for five more years beyond that. The rough number is something like $207 million, but that’s simply based on cap estimates. We won’t know the final number until the summer.
AND REPORTERS ARE THRILLED: The big losers if this news comes to pass? The local media.
MUST BE THE NIGHTLIFE: LeBron James has now lost six straight games in Utah.
WHATEVER IT TAKES: John Wall hit the game-winner to beat the Bulls, then said that Chicago rookie Denzel Valentine "woke up a monster" when he celebrated a critical made three-pointer. One would think that an 18-point deficit to a team missing Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade would also wake up a monster, but either works.
MORE LIKE DEMAR DECLOSER: DeMar DeRozan dominated down the stretch to lead the Toronto Huskies Raptors to a critical comeback victory over the Celtics. That’ll matter in the race for the East’s No. 2 seed.
SAVAGE: Jonas Valanciunas after the game: "They’re racing for second place. We’re racing for first."
PROGRESS: It’s just the Heat, but it looks like the Warriors were able to properly execute the play they messed up against the Grizzlies. No Draymond Green shouting this time.
THIS SEEMS HEALTHY: Rajon Rondo played for the first time in several games and actually looked pretty good against the Wizards. Afterwards, he revealed that a Bulls staffer explained that he was being benched to "save me from myself." Rondo’s response? "I thought that was bull***." This should end well!
YES: Tom and Paul explain why trade season is going to be especially odd this year. There are too many teams that are performing below expectations and have disappointing players saddled on so-so contracts, yet can still salvage something from this season if they so choose. Their willingness to throw caution into the wind will determine this deadline’s activity.
SPEAKING OF: The Hawks told Paul Millsap that he won’t be traded. Millsap isn’t mad they looked around, but he’s talking as if he’s off the trade market permanently. The Hawks have won six in a row, but what happens if they falter again? Will they go back on their promise?
TOO SLOW: Dwight Howard pretended to high-five Jeremy Lin, then dabbed on him instead. Kind of like what Dwight did to the Nets’ franchise a few years ago.
HE’LL NEVER LIVE THIS DOWN: Steph Curry tried to take a charge on James Johnson and that was a bad idea. Release the memes!
WHAT ABOUT DION WAITERS? LeBron James breaks down the varying tints of green lights that his teammates have to shoot three-pointers.
HANDLE WITH CARE: Lamar Odom, who is still close with Luke Walton, expressed interest in becoming a part of the Lakers’ coaching staff. Walton admires Odom, but it’s unlikely he’ll take Odom up on his interest anytime soon. Better for Odom to get right first.
NO PRACTICES: Allen Iverson will be a player/coach for a team in a new professional three-on-three league.
Until next time.