NEWSLETTER
Drama in Los Angeles is a phrase that I’ll never tire of hearing. Seriously, I’m always here for a heaping serving when it comes to the Lakers. And that’s where we’re starting our little trip around the Association today.
Lakers Drama
The Los Angeles Lakers may have beaten the Jazz on Monday night, but the drama is at an all-time high. According to The Athletic, head coach Frank Vogel is on the hot seat. The organization almost considered letting him go after the team’s blowout loss to the Nuggets on Saturday, and they are now evaluating him on a “game-to-game basis.”
Frank Vogel narrowly avoided being fired in the wake of the 37-point loss in Denver on Saturday, sources tell @billoram and @sam_amick.
It’s unclear how much Monday’s win over the Jazz relieved the pressure that surrounds him.
More: https://t.co/RF7kDUhdQp pic.twitter.com/IVe5K8LtCV
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) January 18, 2022
I got to admit … this sounds pretty bogus for Vogel. I’m not going to sit here and pretend I know what’s happening behind the scenes, but it isn’t Vogel’s fault that he got dealt an old roster with a hard-to-fit Russell Westbrook. The personnel seems to be the biggest problem, and Vogel, the fall guy, likely will not fix anything.
NBA Power Rankings (Look Away, Bulls Fans)
The latest NBA power rankings have dropped, and there is a new No. 1 on the list, and no, it’s not the Chicago Bulls (I sadly kid). It’s the team that most recently embarrassed the Bulls on national television on Monday, the Memphis Grizzlies.
The @memgrizz climb to the No. 1 spot in the latest power rankings 📶
📰 https://t.co/uGMZoaVPQI pic.twitter.com/rUE10a3x1h
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 17, 2022
On the other hand, the Bulls have fallen four spots in this week’s power rankings, checking in at No. 8 after losing four of five last week, including lopsided losses to Brooklyn, Golden State, and Memphis. Look, power rankings are what they are, a list of teams curated by a human being that has no bearing on the on-court product moving forward. But it still stinks to see the Bulls tumble out of the top five after a tough week.
Myles Turner’s Injury Complicates Potential Trade
Myles Turner has been considered one of three Indiana Pacers to draw serious trade interest before the upcoming February 10 NBA trade deadline. Still, a stress reaction in his left foot adds a layer of uncertainty to his trade value and what type of return the Indiana Pacers might be able to get back for Turner.
Pacers center Myles Turner is expected to be sidelined beyond the February 10 NBA trade deadline, sources tell ESPN. Team says he will be re-examined in two weeks, but teams interested in trading for Turner will have to do due diligence on injury as they weigh offers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 18, 2022
According to a recent report by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Pacers are seeking either two first-round picks or one first-round pick and a “promising young player” in return for Myles Turner’s services, but now that price might be too rich for the blood of potential suitors looking to land Turner next month. Despite the injury, could the Pacers still get their asking price (or close to it) for Turner? Sure they could, but if I’m a contender looking to land Turner for a stretch-run and the playoffs, knowing that his injury will keep him sidelined beyond the trade deadline would give me pause. The Pacers plan to re-examine Turner in two weeks ahead of the trade deadline, and that will be a significant development for trade talks between Indiana and other teams.
You can read more on this in Eli’s post from Monday:
Report: Pacers Set Asking Price for Myles Turner, Caris LeVert Tradeshttps://t.co/tMj02HEBIn pic.twitter.com/UyfVSl6mnW
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) January 17, 2022
Spurs’ New Minority Ownership Stake
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the San Antonio Spurs added a new minority owner in Airbnb, co-founder Joe Gebbia on Tuesday.
Breaking: The Spurs added a unique minority ownership stakeholder on Tuesday — Airbnb co-founder and billionaire Joe Gebbia.
Gebbia has a new strategic partnership role with San Antonio, he tells @ShamsCharania https://t.co/4mJPLRmtgf
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 18, 2022
Shams reports that Gebbia is joining Michael Dell, the founder of Dell Technologies, and San Francisco-based investment firm Sixth Street as new investors in the Spurs with a new strategic partnership role that continues reconstruction of the organization under Peter J. Holt since he took over as managing partner in June. As a kid, Gebbia grew up an NBA fan in Atlanta and was a ball boy for the Atlanta Hawks. Now, he’s a part-owner of an NBA franchise, something that he told Charania is beyond his wildest dreams:
“Kind of crazy to think that the 16-year-old kid that one day to actually be an investor and partial owner of an NBA team,” Gebbia said. “I mean, that was beyond my wildest dreams as a kid.”
And Ones…
• Kevin Durant will be sidelined for four-to-six weeks with a sprained MCL:
ESPN story on Kevin Durant's MCL injury and 4-to-6 week timeline on a return: https://t.co/RvYnyTT88m
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2022
• Draymond Green continues to deal with a calf issue related to a disc in his lower back, according to Shams. The Warriors will re-evaluate Draymond Green again in two weeks.
Warriors‘ Draymond Green will be re-evaluated again in two weeks due to calf issue tied to a disc in his lower back, team says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 16, 2022
• The Dallas Mavericks have waived willie Cauley-Stein in a move that allows them to sign Marquese Chriss to a two-year deal. Chriss has averaged 6.8 points and 3.9 rebounds for the Mavs in 12 games. Cauley-Stein has not played for Dallas since November 27.
The Dallas Mavericks are waiving center Willie Cauley-Stein and signing Marquese Chriss to a new two-year deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Chriss has averaged 6.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 12 games for the Mavericks, impressing the team with his energy.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 15, 2022
• Chandler Parsons has retired from the NBA:
Nine-year NBA veteran Chandler Parsons has retired from basketball and his lawsuit from career-ending injuries via car accident in January 2020 has been settled for a substantial amount.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 18, 2022
• I’ve been the conductor of the Ja Morant-Memphis hype train in the ATA’s the past few weeks, but Ja better take it easy before I have a change of heart.
"I can fight… I can fight"
Ja after his confrontation with Tony Bradley pic.twitter.com/sNwQBeK2iq
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 17, 2022
• This does remind me of a different day and age in the NBA:
https://twitter.com/HoopsNostalgia/status/1483272319183519751?s=20
• ESPN is adding Kendra Andrews to their NBA coverage. Kendra is the sister of current ESPN-er Malika Andrews:
https://twitter.com/ESPNPR/status/1483490769134624772?s=20
• We’ll part with this must-read of the day by Shams:
Stephen Curry at @TheAthletic: “I’ll get tagged on something on social media, like, ‘You ruined the game.’… People are going to talk sh–. Hate and love and criticism and celebration – everything. That’s why I stay so even keel."
1-on-1 w/ the GSW star: https://t.co/L9cm4KMLbH
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 18, 2022
