Trans. May 17 2:35 ET (May 17 2:35 ET ) A look around the league and the web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out.
C : YouTube.com/NBA . Dirk Nowitzki hasn’t played a game of basketball in a month, but that doesn’t mean he can’t get all of our hearts a-flutterin’ as we look forward to this year’s NBA Finals.
PF : Pro Hoops History . Curtis Harris delves into the career of George McGinnis, who put up some ridiculous statistics in both the ABA and NBA.
SF : Daily Thunder . Thunder super-scribe Royce White discusses the various options Oklahoma City has with disappointing big man Kendrick Perkins.
SG : SB Nation . It wasn’t because of a terrible mismatch, and it wasn’t because he was playing poorly, but Tim Duncan sat out the crucial stages of his team’s series-deciding win on Thursday night. Mike Prada tries to discovery why that was, exactly.
PG : Sports Illustrated . Rob Mahoney also breaks down parts of the same stretch with a focus on Kawhi Leonard, who has been playing brilliant (and somewhat frighteningly-good) ball with Duncan off of the floor.
Metta World Peace has an Early-Termination Option for 2013-14, the potential final year of his contract. This essentially means he has a player option for over $7.7 million, money that he’d have no chance of approximating should he decide to opt out of the deal and try his hand at free agency. So why is he considering opting out?
He’s considering it, because this is a move we’ve seen before, and for many players it makes quite a bit of sense. Players opt out of a lucrative final year of a contract in order to initiate talks for a contract extension that would pay less money in the (first) year an athlete opted out of, but more money than they would probably make as a free agent following your would-be opt-in year. Most of these maneuvers are initiated after a technically illegal wink-wink/nudge-nudge understanding is agreed upon between the team and player.
For instance, most thought forward Richard Jefferson a right nutter for opting out of the $15.2 he was owed for the 2010-11 season nearly three years ago. Jefferson immediately signed a four-year $38.9 million deal a few weeks later with the same San Antonio Spurs team he declined his termination option with. Had Jefferson held on to his $15.2 million for 2010-11, he would have been lucky to make half of the league’s average salary as a free agent in December of 2011, and probably would have had a hard time making an NBA roster last summer. As it stands, he’ll make over $11 million next season due to his savvy decision .
[Also: Rockets rookie Royce White slated to return to D-League ]
Metta World Peace might take such a risk this summer. Metta is due to make over $7.7 million next season in the final year of his contract, and if his discussion with NBA.com reporter Scott Howard-Cooper from Monday night is to be believed, it’s possible the veteran forward could attempt the same maneuver. At whatever cost. From the report :
White is back with the Houston Rockets' developmental league affiliate, five days after he left the team.
The Scoop:White announced on Twitter that he had returned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and that a ``miscommunication'' with the Rockets had been cleared up. He said last week that he had left the team and returned to Houston on the advice of a team doctor. The Rockets had no comment on White's departure last week or his return.
Houston Rockets rookie Royce White announced via Twitter that he's coming back to Houston on the recommendation of a team doctor, and his time with the organization's D-League team in the Rio Grande Valley may be ending.
HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston rookie Royce White is saying on Twitter that he's returning to Houston at the advice of a team doctor, and his time with the Rockets' developmental league team in the Rio Grande Valley may be over.
For months, Houston Rockets rookie forward Royce White has not been thought of as a basketball player. At odds with the franchise over the proper way to treat and handle his much-publicized anxiety issues , White sat out , advocated for his cause on Twitter and elsewhere, and came across as a person more concerned with his health than his NBA career. In fact, he made it clear that he has priorities more important than basketball .
A few weeks ago , White and the Rockets finally reached an agreement on how to handle future anxiety episodes. In keeping with that deal, White reported to the D-League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers several days ago to begin his NBA career. On Tuesday night, White played in his first game, notching totals of seven points (3 of 8 from the field), eight rebounds, four assists and one blocked shot in 18 minutes of play in a 139-122 win over the Maine Red Claws .
Check out a few highlights of White's night above. Join us after the jump for some general thoughts on his return.
Royce White is scheduled to make his pro basketball debut Tuesday night in a D-League game for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers against the Maine Red Claws.
HIDALGO, Texas (AP) -- Royce White says he is ready to focus on basketball.
The Scoop: None.
Feb 12 12:43 ET
News (various sources)
76ers' Hinkie discusses Sampson report (Comcast SportsNet Houston) (1 Day Ago | courtesy: Comcast SportsNet Houston) Sam Hinkie responded to a report from Thursday that the Sixers have received permission to speak with Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson for their head coaching job. More...
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