Daily Dunks: 10/26-11/1/15

                                                  (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source) 

     Here is my Daily Dunks page for Monday, October 26 through Sunday, November 1, 2015. Throughout the week, this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week. (Note: This is the final Daily Dunks page. At least for a while. This page was getting tiring to create every week! Haha. This blog will be solely focused on generating good opinion pieces)

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. A former Bucks team dancer is suing the team for wage violations (Click here for details).

#2. After being cut by the Kings, Marshall Henderson will join the Reno Bighorns of the D-League (Click here for details).

#3. Andrea Mazzon is joining the Delaware 87ers as an assistant coach (Click here for details).

#4. Meyers Leonard hopes to stay with the Trail Blazers (Click here for details).

#5. Wizards center Marcin Gortat will donate $200 to charity for every shot he blocks this season (Click here for details).

#6. Kings rookie Willie Cauley-Stein will start at power forward (Click here for details).

#7. NBA coaches will wear a lapel pin to honor the late Flip Saunders (Click here for details).

#8. Glen Rice, Jr. was shot in the leg out of an Atlanta restaurant (Click here for details).

#9. Rick Carlisle and the Mavericks are reportedly close to an extension (Click here for details).

#10. The Heat have unveiled new uniforms (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Click here to get caught up on all the cuts from the NBA in the past couple of days. A key one was the Pistons waiving Danny Granger.

#2. Harrison Barnes and the Warriors have closed talks regarding an extension (Click here for details).

#3. The Lakers plan to transition Metta World Peace into an assistant coach (Click here for details).

#4. Hawks small forward Thabo Sefolosha has officially decided to sue the NYPD for $50M (Click here for details).

#5. Sam Mitchell will take over as the Timberwolves' head coach. Milt Newton as GM (Click here for details).

#6. John Stockton is joining Montana State as an assistant coach on their women's basketball team. His daughter Lindsay is a senior on the team (Click here for details).

#7. Bucks forward Jabari Parker is targeting a November return (Click here for details).

#8. Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday didn't play on opening night. He is day-to-day (Click here for details).

#9. The Utah Jazz will now be playing in the "Vivint Smart Home Arena". Same building with a new name (Click here for details).

#10. The Spurs exercised their 2016-17 option for Kyle Anderson (Click here for details).

#11. The Pelicans signed guard Ish Smith (Click here for details).

#12. The Suns exercised their options for T.J. Warren, Alex Len, and Archie Goodwin (Click here for details).

#13. 76ers guard Nik Stauskas is hoping to play on Wednesday (Click here for details).

#14. The Grizzlies exercised their 2016-17 option for guard Jordan Adams (Click here for details).

#15. The Hawks exercised their fourth year, 2016-17 options on guard Tim Hardaway, Jr. and guard Dennis Schröder (Click here for details).

#16. The Clippers exercised their 2016-17 option on guard C.J. Wilcox (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA Final Scores: 

Pistons 106 Hawks 94. Bulls 97 Cavaliers 95. Warriors 111 Pelicans 95.

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban doesn't give a **** about the Clippers (Click here for details).

#2. Stephen Curry is getting a wax figure at Madame Tussauds in San Francisco (Click here for details).

#3. The Warriors hope Steve Kerr is hoping to return by January 1, 2016 (Click here for details).

#4. Thanasis Antetokoumpo will play in the D-League for the Westchester Knicks (Click here for details).

#5. Michal Frissdahl is named President and CEO of MLSE (Click here for details).

#6. The idea for Joakim Noah to start coming off the bench actually came from Joakim Noah (Click here for details).

#7. Carmelo Anthony on the Knicks: "I believe in this team" (Click here for details).

#8. Craig Sager has returned to TNT sidelines (Click here for details).

#9. The Cavaliers called a players-only meeting in the preseason (Click here for details).

#10. Chris Paul wants to retire with the Clippers (Click here for details).

Wednesday's NBA Final Scores: 

Pistons 92 Jazz 87. Cavaliers 106 Grizzlies 76. Timberwolves 112 Lakers 111. Wizards 88 Magic 87. Celtics 112 76ers 95. Heat 104 Hornets 94. Bulls 115 Nets 100. Raptors 106 Pacers 99. Nuggets 105 Rockets 85. Knicks 122 Bucks 97. Thunder 112 Spurs 106. Mavericks 111 Suns 95. Trail Blazers 112 Pelicans 94. Clippers 111 Kings 104.

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Lance Stephenson is starting at the 3 for the Clippers (Click here for details).

#2. The Nuggets have some new"Whitegold" uniforms (Click here to see them).

#3. The Utah Jazz are starting rookie Raul Neto at point guard over Trey Burke (Click here for details).

#4. Derrick Rose says he is still battling blurred vision (Click here for details).

#5. The Rockets won't extend the contracts of Terrence Jones or Donatas Motiejunas (Click here for details).

#6. Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler is likely out two weeks (Click here for details).

#7. Linda Luchetti is now the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Utah Jazz (Click here for details).

#8. Wizards forward Martell Webster may need season-ending hip surgery (Click here for details).

#9. Pistons shooting guard Jodie Meeks is out indefinitely due to a Jones fracture in his right foot (Click here for details).

#10. Clippers point guard Austin Rivers has been fined $25K for throwing a seat cushion that hit a fan (Click here for details).

#11. Pacers forward Paul George has been fined $10K for criticizing officials (Click here for details).

#12. Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons is targeting a Sunday return (Click here for details).

#13. Warriors center Andrew Bogut is out indefinitely with a concussion (Click here for details).

#14. The Pelicans waived point guard Nate Robinson (Click here for details).

Thursday's NBA Final Scores: 

Grizzlies 112 Pacers 103. Hawks 112 Knicks 101. Clippers 104 Mavericks 88.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Mavericks point guard Deron Williams is out indefinitely (Click here for details).

#2. NBA Global Games London 2016 has already sold out (Click here for details).

#3. The NBA plans to put a sponsored Kia logo patch on NBA All-star Game jerseys (Click here for details).

#4. ESPN has suspended Grantland (Click here for details).

#5. Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov is buying control of Nassau Coliseum (Click here for details).

#6. The Cavaliers may or may not use their $10.5M trade exception this season (Click here for details).

#7. Jeff Ayres, Jimmer Fredette, and Perry Jones were picked in the Top 3 of the D-League draft (Click here for details).

#8. Pistons' head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy isn't happy with his team's early schedule (Click here for details).

#9. Click here to view the NBA's Christmas jerseys.

#10. LeBron James says he plans to play in all 82 games this season (Click here for details).

#11. Lakers head coach Byron Scott calls his team "soft" (Click here for details).

#12. Terrence Ross is hopeful that the Raptors will give him an extension (Click here for details).

#13. Erica McKinley is the NBAPA's new Chief Operating Officer (Click here for details).


Friday's NBA Final Scores: 

Jazz 99 76ers 71. Timberwolves 95 Nuggets 78. Warriors 112 Rockets 92. Cavaliers 102 Heat 92. Thunder 139 Magic 136 (2OT). Raptors 113 Celtics 103. Pistons 98 Bulls 94 (OT). Hawks 97 Hornets 94. Wizards 118 Bucks 113. Spurs 102 Nets 75. Kings 132 Lakers 114. Suns 110 Trail Blazers 92.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Bulls exercised their contract options for Ton Snell and Doug McDermott (Click here for details).

#2. The Celtics exercised their contract options for Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk, and James Young (Click here for details).

#3. Pistons guard Jodie Meeks is expected to miss 12-16 weeks after surgery on his right foot (Click here for details).

#4. The Pelicans signed guard Toney Douglas (Click here for details).

#5. The 76ers exercised their contract options for Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel, and Nik Stauskas (Click here for details).

#6. Grizzlies guard Tony Allen has been warned for flopping (Click here for details).

#7. Pacers legend Mel Daniels has died (Click here for details).

Saturday's NBA Final Scores: 

Jazz 97 Pacers 76. Warriors 134 Pelicans 120. Grizzlies 101 Nets 91. Knicks 117 Wizards 110. Suns 101 Trail Blazers 90. Clippers 114 Kings 109.

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Steve Nash was inducted into the Suns' ring of honor earlier in the week (Click here for details).

#2. 76ers center Joel Embiid grew two inches during the off season (Click here for details).

#3. Terrence Ross and the Raptors are still discussing an extension (Click here for details).

#4. Click here for an update on Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving.

#5. Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich is dealing with a sore toe (Click here for details).

#6. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker are the winningest trio in NBA history with 541 wins and counting (Click here for details).

#7. Jeremy Lamb and the Hornets are closing in on a three-year, $21M extension (Click here for details).

#8. Kobe Bryant isn't happy with how he is playing (Click here for details).

#9. 76ers center Joel Embiid is reportedly recovering ahead of schedule (Click here for details).

#10. Rick Carlisle (Mavericks) and Dwane Casey (Raptors) have set franchise records for all-time wins (Click here for details).

#11. Chandler Parsons returned for the Mavericks (Click here for details).

#12. Pelicans center Kendrick Perkins is out indefinitely with a right pectoral injury (Click here for details).

#13. Kings center DeMarcus Cousins is day-to-day with a right Achilles strain (Click here for details).

#14. The Nets are declining Sergey Karasev's option (Click here for details).

#15. The Wizards won't be giving Bradley Beal an extension (Click here for details).

#16. The 76ers dealt J.P. Tokoto to the Thunder (Click here for details).

#17. The Rockets signed forward Chuck Hayes to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#18. The Thunder and Dion Waiters won't agree on an extension (Click here for details).

#19. The Rockets picked up Clint Capela's option (Click here for details).

Sunday's NBA Final Scores: 

Hawks 94 Hornets 92. Spurs 95 Celtics 87. Heat 109 Rockets 89. Raptors 106 Bucks 87. Bulls 92 Magic 87. Thunder 117 Nuggets 93. Mavericks 103 Lakers 93.

Saturday Slam: Jimmer Fredette's arrogance may be his downfall

     Among the mass of cuts that have taken place in the NBA over the last couple of days, Jimmer Fredette is by far the biggest name. The former college basketball sensation at BYU was released by the San Antonio Spurs earlier in the week and has once again failed to prove he belongs in the NBA. While there are a lot of reasons for why he may not be making it in the NBA, one possible explanation surfaced this week that might silence the Jimmer Fredette believers.

     That explanation is that Jimmer is arrogant and thinks his lack of NBA success has to do with the rest of the NBA being too stupid to recognize his amazing basketball abilities.

     Via Yahoo! Sports: 

"Jimmer thinks everybody is stupid," said an NBA assistant who worked with Fredette. "He thinks everybody needs to come and just turn over their offense and let him shoot it anytime he wants. That's not how the league works."

     There are one of two ways to interpret this quote. You can either say the assistant coach isn't telling the truth or you can say that this is the missing piece to the Jimmer Fredette NBA bust puzzle. I tend to think it's the latter. The only reason an NBA assistant coach would say this is if he was frustrated with Jimmer for the very reasons that he is saying. In addition, a poor attitude would certainly indicate why Jimmer Fredette hasn't been able to stay in one city for very long.

     If Jimmer Fredette is indeed an arrogant, cocky dude, then it's no surprise he keeps getting cut given the fact that he isn't a great defender and is really more of a shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body. While I wouldn't identify as a Jimmer Fredette fan in the same way that BYU fans are, I would identify as one who has believed that if he finds the right system he can succeed in the NBA. But with this report surfacing from one of his former assistant coaches, I've not only given up on Jimmer; I finally feel like I understand why no team has given him a chance.

     If Jimmer Fredette had a humble attitude and was willing to do whatever his coach asked of him, even if the role was small, he would have stuck in Sacramento, Chicago, or New Orleans. There's always a place in the NBA for guys who can stretch the floor and knock down threes.  Even if that is all they do. Those guys are called "specialty players" because they only play when their specific skill set is needed.

     Taking this report at face value, it sounds like Jimmer could have carved out a nice NBA career for himself as a specialty player if he had the right attitude. However, he has instead insulted his coaches and carried himself like he's a superstar when in reality, he's just another guy fighting for a roster spot.

     The most important quality a player can have is being coachable. If a player is coachable, he can maximize his potential and contribute to a team in a positive way. If a player isn't coachable and instead believes his coaches are "stupid", then he won't last for very long. Especially in a league as ruthless and cutthroat as the NBA. In the NBA, if there are two players of equal skill and one player is coachable and the other player is arrogant, then it'll be the coachable guy who makes the team every time.

     I don't blame Jimmer Fredette for having confidence coming out of college. He had one of the most sensational college basketball careers we've ever seen. However, he failed to recognize that when you get to the NBA, you have to hit the reset button. Nobody cares what you did in college. Nobody cares how many points you scored or how many highlight reels you were on.

     In the NBA, the only thing teams care about is what you can do right now. Instead of putting his nose to the grindstone and having the humility to recognize this, Jimmer instead decided to behave like a prima donna and alienate himself from anybody who told him he wasn't an NBA superstar. It's sad that he had to have this approach to his NBA career, but at the end of the day, he's the only one to blame.

Daily Dunks: 10/19-10/25/15

                                                   (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source) 

     Here is my NBA Daily Dunks page for October 19, 2015 through October 25, 2015. Throughout the week this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Warriors signed small forward Xavier Henry (Click here for details).

#2. The Heat signed guard Briante Weber and waived guard Corey Hawkins (Click here for details).

#3. The Magic waived guard Keith Appling and guard Jordan Siebert (Click here for details).

#4. Bucks forward John Henson alleges that a jewelry store discriminated against him (Click here for details).

#5. Mike Krzyzewski will retire from USA Basketball after the 2016 Olympics (Click here for details).

#6. The Cavaliers actually did not pull their 5 year, $80M offer from Tristan Thompson (Click here for details).

#7. Tim Duncan says Manu Ginobili looks the best he's seen in years (Click here for details).

#8. Lamar Odom is improving and starting to do some physical therapy (Click here for details).

#9. Knicks owner James Dolan says the woman who sued Isiah Thomas over sexual harassment made it up (Click here for details).

#10. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr remains out indefinitely (Click here for details).

#11. Chris Webber will teach a masters class at Wake Forest University (Click here for details).

#12. Cavaliers head coach David Blatt says LeBron James "absolutely" will be good to go on opening night (Click here for details).

#13. Clippers guard Austin Rivers is recovering from a hard elbow to the mouth (Click here for details).

#14. Mavericks center JaVale McGee remains out indefinitely (Click here for details).

Monday's NBA preseason scores: 

Hornets 94 Bulls 86. Cavaliers 103 Mavericks 97. Celtics 111 Nets 105. Rockets 120 Pelicans 100. Lakers 104 Trail Blazers 102.

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Celtics waived Levi Randolph, Coty Clarke, and Malcom Miller (Click here for details).

#2. The Utah Jazz waived Bryce Cotton and Treveon Graham (Click here for details).


#3. Report: Gregg Popovich is the number one choice to be the new USA Basketball head coach (Click here for details).

#4. Jim Buss believes the Lakers have "turned the corner" (Click here for details).

#5. Bucks forward John Henson accepts the jewelry stores' apology (Click here for details).

#6. Andre Drummond won't sign an extension with the Pistons (Click here for details).

#7. Wizards forward Martell Webster is still out with a hip injury (Click here for details).

#8. GMs have voted James Harden, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Marc Gasol as the best last their positions (Click here for details).

#9. NBA GMs vote Anthony Davis the player they would prefer to start their franchise with (Click here for details).

#10. NBA GMs voted the Cavaliers as favorites for the title and LeBron James for MVP (Click here for details).

#11. Lance Stephenson likes the Clippers' chances to win a title (Click here for details).

#12. Nuggets center Jusuf Turkic could return in November (Click here for details).

#13. The Magic plan to exercise Shabazz Napier's third year option (Click here for details).

#14. Boban Marjanovic says Tim Duncan has helped him a lot (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA preseason scores: 

Bulls 103 Pacers 94. Bucks 106 Timberwolves 88. Suns 104 Spurs 84. Thunder 113 Jazz 102. Clippers 130 Warriors 95.

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Knicks head coach Derek Fisher confirmed today that Kristaps Porzingis will start opening night (Click here for details).

#2. The Utah Jazz signed forward E.J. Singler (Click here for details).

#3. The Timberwolves exercised their contract options on Zach LaVine, Adreian Payne, Andrew Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng, and Shabazz Muhammad (Click here for details).

#4. Stanley Johnson may or may not start for the Pistons (Click here for details).

#5. Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian are calling off their divorce (Click here for details).

#6. The Spurs waived Jimmer Fredette, Youssou Ndoye, Keifer Sykes, and Deshaun Thomas (Click here for details).

#7. The Bucks waived Jorge Gutierrez, Marcus Landry, and Josh Powell (Click here for details).

#8. The Bulls may use Joakim Noah as a reserve (Click here for details).

#9. The Lakers waived Michael Frazier II and Robert Upshaw (Click here for details).

#10. The Nets waived Ryan Boatright, Quincy Miller, and Chris Daniels (Click here for details).

#11. The Cavaliers signed power forward Tristan Thompson to a 5 year, $82M deal (Click here for details).

#12. Pelicans shooting guard Tyreke Evans is out 6-8 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee (Click here for details).

#13. Hornets center Al Jefferson is confident that he'll bounce back with better shooting around him (Click here for details).

#14. Suns center Tyson Chandler thinks the Mavericks have painted his departure from Dallas in the wrong light (Click here for details).

#15. Hawks point guard Dennis Schröder will look for other places to play if he can't be a starter (Click here for details).

#16. Hawks small forward Thabo Sefolosha is suing the NYPD (Click here for details).

#17. In light of the sexual assault allegations against him, Kevin Johnson isn't seeking reelection as mayor of Sacramento (Click here for details).

#18. Carmelo Anthony says the Knicks will use their 27-win projection as motivation (Click here for details).

#19. John Calipari is seeking the USA Basketball head coaching job (Click here for details).

#20. Byron Scott says Marcelinho Huertas has "pretty much solidified a spot" on the Lakers (Click here for details).

Wednesday's NBA preseason scores: 

Grizzlies 82 Hawks 81. Magic 110 Pelicans 107 (OT). Hornets 99 Pistons 94. Heat 110 Wizards 105. Suns 99 Mavericks 87.

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The NBA and the NBA Players Association will begin new Collective Bargaining Agreement talks in November (Click here for details).

#2. LaMarcus Aldridge says the Trail Blazers did everything they could (Click here for details).

#3. The Kings waived guard David Stockton. Eric Moreland will make the team (Click here for details).

#4. Mavericks small forward Wesley Matthews hopes to play on Friday (Click here for details).

#5. Nike is opening a Jordan Brand only store in Chicago (Click here for details).

#6. Lamar Odom underwent two emergency surgeries, but he is doing better (Click here for details).

#7. Jason Kidd really likes Giannis Antetokounmpo's versatility (Click here for details).

#8. Derrick Rose admits to still having double-vision. He hopes to play on Friday (Click here for details).

#9. To make room for Tu Holloway on their roster, the Mavericks waived Jarrid Famous (Click here for details).

#10. Pistons shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is day-to-day with a sore foot (Click here for details).

#11. The Magic waived forward Melvin Ejim (Click here for details).

#12. The Magic waived center Greg Stiemsma (Click here for details).

#13. The Bulls waived guards Jordan Crawford and Marcus Simmons (Click here for details).

#14. The Cavaliers waived forward Nick Minnerath (Click here for details).

#15. The Hawks waived small forward Terran Petteway (Click here for details).

#16. The Thunder waived four players (Click here for details).

#17. The Spurs signed forward Julian Washburn to a non-guaranteed deal (Click here for details).

#18. The Thunder signed Michael Cobbins and Mustafa Farrakhan to non-guaranteed deals (Click here for details).

#19. The Jazz waived forward E.J. Singler (Click here for details).

#20. LeBron James is still not practicing after his back injection (Click here for details).

Thursday's NBA preseason scores: 

Pacers 98 Hornets 86. Celtics 99 Knicks 85. Jazz 98 Nuggets 78. Warriors 136 Lakers 97. Clippers 115 Trail Blazers 109.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Jimmer Fredette reportedly treats everybody on his team like they are stupid (Click here for details).

#2. Deron Williams and Wes Matthews played for the Mavericks in their preseason finale (Click here for details)

#3. LeBron James may not play in the Cavaliers' season opener (Click here for details).

#4. Pacers forward Paul George is adjusting well to the power forward position (Click here for details).

#5.  The NBA now offers direct access to game streams on Twitter and Facebook (Click here for details).

#6. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose played on Friday, returning from an orbital bone fracture (Click here for details).

#7. Rick Carlisle believes the Mavericks should retire Tyson Chandler's number (Click here for details).

#8. NBA commissioner Adam Silver expects a shorter preseason in the future (Click here for details).

#9. Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson injured his shoulder (Click here for details).

#10. The Thunder exercised options on Steven Adams, Andre Roberson, and Mitch McGary (Click here for details).

#11. The Hornets waived Sam Thompson, Jason Washburn, Damien Wilkins, and Elliot Williams (Click here for details).

#12. The Cavaliers waived Austin Daye, D.J. Stephens, Dionte Christmas, and Jack Cooley (Click here for details).

#13. The Lakers waived forward Jonathan Holmes (Click here for details).

#14. The Warriors waived Chris Babb, Jarell Eddie, Xavier Henry, and Chris Udofia (Click here for details).

#15. The Trail Blazers waived Phil Pressey and Omari Johnson (Click here for details).

#16. The Knicks waived Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Darion Atkins, DaJuan Summers, Travis Trice II, and Wesley Saunders (Click here for details).

#17. The Pistons waived Cartier Martin, Adonis Thomas, and Jordan Bachynski (Click here for details).

#18. Heat small forward Gerald Green has been fined $25K for gun gestures (Click here for details).

#19. The Rockets waived Chris Walker, Jeremy Tyler, Will Cummings, and Denzel Livingston (Click here for details).

#20. The Pelicans waived Sean Kilpatrick and Chris Douglas-Roberts (Click here for details).

#21. Gregg Popovich is the new head coach of USA Basketball (Click here for details).

Friday's NBA preseason scores: 

Magic 86 Grizzlies 76. Timberwolves 112 Bucks 108. Celtics 81 76ers 65. Pistons 115 Hawks 87. Raptors 92 Wizards 82. Pelicans 93 Heat 90. Bulls 103 Mavericks 102. Spurs 111 Rockets 86.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. A whole bunch of guys were waived from across the NBA as teams have to get their roster sizes down to 15 guys by Tuesday. Rather than littering the page with all of them, which takes up time for me, I have provided four links that will give you all the information you need as to who was waived this weekend. (Click here for link 1. Click here for link 2. Click here for link 3. Click here for link 4.)

#2. Knicks guard Arron Afllalo is expected to miss two weeks with a hamstring strain (Click here for details).

#3. The Hornets' D-League team will play in Greensboro, North Carolina (Click here for details).

#4. 76ers forward Robert Covington is out two weeks with a sprained MCL & bone bruise in his right knee (Click here for details).

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Timberwolves president Flip Saunders passed away at the age of 60 (Click here for details).

#2. Robert Upshaw has cleared waivers and will play for the Lakers' D-League affiliate (Click here for details).

#3. The Pelicans hope to sign point guard Ish Smith, but the 76ers may snatch him (Click here for details).

#4. The Utah Jazz claimed point guard Phil Pressey off waivers from the Trail Blazers (Click here for details).

#5. The Utah Jazz signed guard Eric Atkins (Click here for details).


---Ben Parker: Follow me on twitter @nba_lord to keep up with the NBA. Also, like my NBA Facebook page NBA Lord Nation and follow my NBA google plus page NBA Lord. 

Saturday Slam: Joel Embiid is becoming an embarrassment to the 76ers

         In the 2014 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers rolled the dice on Kansas center Joel Embiid with the 3rd overall pick. Over a year later, the decision to select Joel Embiid looks more than just a bad decision. It looks like an embarrassing decision.

     Two troubling reports about Joel Embiid have surfaced this week. The first report is that Joel Embiid was hostile towards the team's strength coach last season. The second report is that Embiid was sloppy in his rehab from foot surgery, which has subsequently resulted in his foot needing a second operation.

     It's one thing for a guy to be physically frail. It's another thing for a guy to be getting paid millions of dollars to attack a strength coach and only wear his walking boot when he wants to wear it. That appears to be what Joel Embiid has been doing and as a result, he has embarrassed the entire Philadelphia 76ers organization.

     What makes Embiid's behavior embarrassing for the organization is the fact that going into the 2014 NBA Draft, he was already viewed as a risky pick based on his health alone. For him to have attitude problems in addition to his physical problems really does make it appear as though the 76ers really did not do their homework.

     I understand that in principle, the 76ers made the best choice based on Embiid's potential as well as the fact that both Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker were off the board. But knowing what we know about him from both a physical and mental standpoint, choosing to select him really does appear to be an idiotic and foolish move.

     In an even more embarrassing twist, the 76ers appear to have already given up on Embiid by selecting Duke center Jahlil Okafor with the 3rd overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. The 76ers are banking on Okafor being their franchise centerpiece while Joel Embiid continues to giggle on the bench, collecting money that he doesn't rightfully deserve. By selecting Okafor, the 76ers essentially admitted that selecting Embiid was the wrong decision.

     In conclusion, unless Joel Embiid never has another serious setback with his body and changes his attitude, which at this point seems highly unlikely, he will go down as one of the most disappointing picks in recent memory. He was getting comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon and sadly, he appears to be an even bigger failure than both Sam Bowie and Greg Oden.

     76ers GM Sam Hinke's get rich quick scheme by piling up high draft picks will only pay off if he makes the right picks and correctly evaluates talent. So far, he doesn't appear to be doing a good job of that and might be out of a job before he ever sees his maniacal plan pay off.

     ---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord to keep up with my NBA updates 

Daily Dunks: 10/12-10/18/15

                                                   (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source) 

Here is my Daily Dunks page for Monday, October 12 through Sunday, October 18, 2015. Throughout the week, this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Nets forward Andrea Bargnani hopes to play in the team's final three preseason games (Click here for details).

#2. Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson has a new agent (Click here for details).

#3. Magic forward Aaron Gordon has participated in a full contact practice (Click here for details).

#4. The NBA rookie extension deadline has been moved to November 2 (Click here for details).

#5. The Warriors have officially purchased land for their arena in San Francisco (Click here for details).

#6. Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis has suffered a minor quad injury. He should be ok (Click here for details).

#7. Pistons' Andre Drummond and Warriors' Harrison Barnes are expected to get extensions (Click here for details).

#8. The NBA has a new ad campaign called "This is why we play" (Click here to see it).

#9. Lance Stephenson speaks out on his experience in Charlotte (Click here for details).

#10. The Mavericks may be interested in Larry Sanders  (Click here for details).

#11. Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum got ejected for a flagrant foul on Gordon Hayward (Click here for details).

#12. A Sacramento Kings documentary airing has been delayed over Kevin Johnson sexual assault allegations stemming from 1996 (Click here for details).

#13. UNLV, Kentucky, and LSU are doing a combine for NBA scouts (Click here for details).

#14. The Lakers want Julius Randle to push the ball in transition (Click here for details).

#15. The Wizards expect Nenê to come off the bench this season (Click here for details).

#16. The Rockets claimed Arsalan Kazemi off waivers from the Hawks (Click here for details).

#17. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose could be back doing basketball activity within a week (Click here for details).

#18. Wizards point guard John Wall will play assistant coach Howard Eisley $100 for every game in which he has more than 2 turnovers (Click here for details).

#19. The Warriors waived forward Tony Mitchell (Click here for details).

#20. Pelicans point guard Norris Cole is out indefinitely with a high left ankle sprain (Click here for details).

Monday's NBA preseason scores: 

Grizzlies 91 Cavaliers 81. Knicks 94 76ers 88. Raptors 112 Timberwolves 105. Heat 97 Spurs 94. Pelicans 123 Bulls 115. Trail Blazers 88 Jazz 81.

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Lamar Odom has been hospitalized due to a drug overdose (Click here for details).

#2. Kings guard Rajon Rondo said his relationship with George Karl isn't very good, but then George Karl said it's fine. It's also possible Rondo was just joking (Click here and here for details).

#3. Thunder small forward Kevin Durant is tired of talking about his foot (Click here for details).

#4. Danilo Gallinari crossed up Stephen Curry (Click here to watch).

#5. Warriors point guard Stephen Curry apologizes for all the good fortune his team had (Click here for details).

#6. Clippers point guard Chris Paul has returned from his finger injury (Click here for details).

#7. Click here for an update on the Celtics' rotation.

#8. Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard says his relationship with LaMarcus Aldridge was always fine (Click here for details).

#9. The Trail Blazers consulted Damian Lillard about their rebuilding process (Click here for details).

#10. Byron Scott hopes the Lakers shoot more three-point shots (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA preseason scores: 

Magic 95 Heat 92. Bucks 110 Cavaliers 101. Pacers 101 Pistons 97. Thunder 100 Mavericks 88. Rockets 135 Suns 129 (OT). Kings 107 Lakers 100. Nuggets 114 Warriors 103.

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks 

#1. Pops Mensah-Bonsu is retiring (Click here for details).

#2. Lakers head coach Byron Scott thinks the four-point line is a good idea (Click here for details).

#3. Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha wants to move on from what happened with the NYPD (Click here for details).

#4. Click here for an update on the health of 76ers rookie Jahlil Okafor

#5. LeBron James is the betting favorite to win MVP (Click here for details).

#6. Marko Milic has retired at the age of 38 (Click here for details).

#7. The Bulls waived  guards Stefhon Hannah and Jake Anderson (Click here for details).

#8. Wizards forward Alan Anderson is out indefinitely following a procedure on his left ankle (Click here for details).

#9. The Jazz waived forward Jack Cooley and forward J.J. O'Brien (Click here for details).

#10. Warriors forward Harrison Barnes is day-to-day with a sprained right knee (Click here for details).

#11. Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant is dealing with a bruised calf. It's nothing serious (Click here for details).

#12. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is questionable for opening night (Click here for details).

#13. The Warriors waived guard Ben Gordon (Click here for details).

#14. The Pelicans signed center Mirza Begic (Click here for details).

#15. Carmelo Anthony wants the Knicks coaching staff to hold him more accountable (Click here for details).

#16. The Mavericks signed point guard Tu Holloway for training camp (Click here for details).

WNBA Finals Game 5: Lynx 69 Fever 52. Lynx win series 3-2 and win the 2015 WNBA Championship.

Wednesday's NBA preseason scores: 

Hornets 113 Clippers 71. Timberwolves 89 Raptors 87. Celtics 109 Nets 105. Pistons 114 Bulls 91. Hawks 100 Spurs 86.

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Kings waived guard Marshall Henderson and forward Vince Hunter (Click here for details).

#2. The Pelicans signed guard Bo McCalebb (Click here for details).

#3. Thabo Sefolosha has returned to action for the Hawks (Click here for details).

#4. The Jazz waived forward Grant Jerrett (Click here for details).

#5. The Pelicans waived guard Corey Webster (Click here for details).

#6. The Spurs have revealed some new black alternate uniforms (Click here for details).

#7. Nets guard Jarrett Jack was ejected for a flagrant foul on Celtics forward Jonas Jerebko (Click here for details).

#8. Pelicans head coach Frank Vogel is confident that Paul George will have a career year (Click here for details).

#9. The Thunder and Dion Waiters are discussing an extension (Click here for details).

#10. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose says he gets double-vision (Click here for details).

#11. Michele Roberts says the NBA Players Union will support Thabo Sefolosha if he sues the NYPD (Click here for details).

#12. Click here to see Jeremy Lin's cameo from "Fresh off the Boat."

#13. Nuggets rookie guard Emmanuel Mudiay believes watching film will help him improve a lot (Click here for details).

#14. Hawks forward Tiago Splitter says getting traded from the Spurs to the Hawks was the best option for a trade (Click here for details).

#15. The Suns waived guard Terrico White and forward Kyle Casey (Click here for details).

#16. Joel Embiid reportedly acted hostile to the 76ers' strength coach last season. 76ers head coach Brett Brown denies this report (Click here for details).

Thursday's NBA preseason results: 

Pacers 107 Cavaliers 85. Warriors 123 Rockets 121.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Jazz forward Gordon Hayward is day-to-day with a lower back contusion (Click here for details).

#2. Nets center Willie Reed is out 6-8 weeks after undergoing thumb surgery (Click here for details).

#3. The Pelicans waived center Jerome Jordan (Click here for details).

#4. The Lakers have hired Tracy Murray as a shooting coach (Click here for details).

#5. The Lakers exercised their 2016-17 team option on power forward Julius Randle (Click here for details).

#6. The Warriors waived guard Juwan Staten (Click here for details).

#7. The Pelicans signed guard Nate Robinson to a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum (Click here for details).

#8. Click here for an update on the Heat's starting lineup, which now appears to be healthy.

#9. The Pelicans waived center Mirza Begic (Click here for details).

#10. The Hornets have signed small forward Damien Wilkins (Click here for details).

#11. Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt is out indefinitely with a hamstring strain (Click here for details).

#12. Click here for an update on Lamar Odom.

#13. Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard says "I'm not going to be the hero" of this team (Click here for details).

#14. The 76ers are reportedly unhappy with Joel Embiid. 76ers head coach Brett Brown denies this report (Click here for details).

#15. Mark Cuban is offering former Mavericks players free heart exams (Click here for details).

#16. Knicks head coach Derek Fisher doesn't like to think of his team as rebuilding (Click here for details).

#17. Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love will play in Sunday's preseason game (Click here for details).

#18. The Cavaliers have pulled their 5 year, $80M offer to Tristan Thompson (Click here for details).

#19. Warriors center Andrew Bogut is out indefinitely with a broken nose (Click here for details).

#20. Report: 76ers' head coach Brett Brown and team president Scott O'Neil were unhappy with GM Sam Hinke's decision to trade Michael Carter-Williams (Click here for details).

#21. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is nearing a return (Click here for details).

#22. LeBron James received an injection in his back that will cause him to miss the final two weeks of the preseason (Click here for details).

#23. 76ers executives belive Joel Embiid was sloppy with his rehab and thus led him to his 2nd foot surgery (Click here for details).

#24. NBA teams could have $1.07B in 2016 Cap Space (Click here for details).

#25. Damian Lillard hopes Terry Stotts stays as his head coach in Portland (Click here for details).

#26. The Warriors signed forward Chris Udofia (Click here for details).

#27. James Harden says he wants to retire with the Rockets (Click here for details).

#28. Heat center Hassan Whiteside has returned from his calf injury (Click here for details).

Friday's NBA preseason results: 

Wizards 127 76ers 118. Knicks 101 Celtics 95. Grizzlies 94 Thunder 78. Hawks 91 Mavericks 84. Nuggets 106 Suns 81.

Euroleague Scores from Week 1: Click here to view scores from Regular Season (Round 1) of Euroleague.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. There are no talks between Tristan Thompson and the Cavaliers (Click here for details).

#2. Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis feels great about his team (Click here for details).

#3. Mark Cuban likes the Mavericks' chances to be better than last season if they stay healthy (Click here for details).

#4. Craig Sager will work opening night on TNT (Click here for details).

#5. The Pistons hope Brandon Jennings will be back by Christmas (Click here for details).

#6. Jeremy Lin says he was open to a Knicks return this summer, but the Knicks weren't (Click here for details).

#7. Click here for an update on Lamar Odom

#8. Dirk Nowitzki has made his preseason debut (Click here for details).

#9. The Utah Jazz exercised their options for Trey Burke, Dante Exum, Rodney Hood, and Rudy Gobert (Click here for details).

#10. The Cavaliers waived center Chris Johnson and signed forward Jack Cooley (Click here for details).


Saturday's NBA preseason scores: 

Magic 90 Rio De Janeiro Flamengo 73. Hornets 97 Knicks 93. Kings 107 Pelicans 98. Heat 105 Rockets 100. Wizards 105 Bucks 101. Lakers 85 Warriors 70.

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Derek Fisher says the Knicks are trying to win "right now" (Click here for details).

#2. Lakers forward Julius Randle says Warriors forward Draymond Green can't guard him (Click here for details).

#3. Michael Jordan says Jeremy Lin will be the Hornets' biggest acquisition of the offseason (Click here for details).

#4. Mavericks rookie Maurice Ndour is out indefinitely with a stress reaction in his left leg. This might cost him a roster spot (Click here for details).

#5. Mavericks point guard Deron Williams will miss the entire preseason and is questionable for opening night (Click here for details).

Sunday's NBA preseason scores: 

Nets 92 76ers 91. Spurs 96 Pistons 92. Grizzlies 90 Timberwolves 68. Raptors 87 Cavaliers 81. Thunder 111 Nuggets 98. Heat 101 Hawks 92. Trail Blazers 116 Jazz 111 (OT).



---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for my NBA updates. Also, like my Facebook page NBA Lord Nation and follow my NBA Lord Google Plus page for NBA updates. 

Daily Dunks: 10/5/-10/11/15

                                                  (Credit Andy Melton: Click here for source) 

Here is my Daily Dunks page for October 5, 2015 through October 11, 2015. Throughout the week this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new  Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The 76ers have a lot of injuries (Click here for details).

#2. The Hawks' co-owner made more money by exposing Danny Ferry's comments about Luol Deng (Click here for details).

#3. Thabo Sefolosha's trial regarding his confrontation with the NYPD is underway (Click here for details).

#4. Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will undergo shoulder surgery and be out 6 months (Click here for details).

#5. The Rockets plan to bring Alessandro Gentile over in 2016 (Click here for details).

#6. Nets forward Andrea Bargnani's MRI on his hamstring came back negative (Click here for details).

Monday's NBA preseason scores: 

Warriors 95 Raptors 87. Kings 109 Trail Blazers 105 (OT). Fenerbahçe Ülker 101 Nets 96.

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Lakers have some injuries (Click here for details).

#2. Click here for an update on Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao

#3. DeMarcus Cousins hopes to enter the MVP race (Click here for details).

#4. Doc Rivers admits the Clippers may blow up their roster after this season (Click here for details).

#5. Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer urged Danny Ferry to resign (Click here for details).

#6. The Pistons are interested in trading for Markieff Morris (Click here for details).

#7. Nets swingman Markel Brown is done for the preseason (Click here for details).

#8. Click here for an injury update on Knicks guard Aaron Afflalo

Tuesday's WNBA Finals results: 

Lynx 77 Fever 71: Final.  Sylvia Fowles led the Lynx with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Best-of-five series is tied 1-1.

Tuesday's NBA preseason scores: 

Celtics 124 Olimpia Milano 91. Wizards 129 76ers 95. Pacers 115 Pistons 112. Bulls 105 Bucks 95.
Grizzlies 92 Rockets 89. Nuggets 96 Mavericks 86.

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Raptors don't have high expectations for Anthony Bennett (Click here for details).

#2. Kevin Love will practice with the Cavaliers on Saturday (Click here for details).

#3. Mark Cuban suggests the NBA has a supplemental draft for undrafted free agents (Click here for details).

#4. Craig Sager has been cleared from cancer according to his son (Click here for details).

#5. Former Rutgers star Kadeem Jack has joined the Pacers for training camp (Click here for details).

#6. Matt Barnes reportedly attacked Derek Fisher for dating his ex-wife (Click here for details).

#7. Jazz forward Trevor Booker punched Lakers center Roy Hibbert and got ejected (Click here for details).

#8. The Suns waived guard Deonte Burton (Click here for details).

#9. Jimmy Butler doesn't like Derrick Rose's work ethic according to a rumor (Click here for details).

#10. Zach LaVine is the Timberwolves' starting shooting guard (Click here for details).

#11. The Grizzlies signed center Alex Stepehson and waived center Michael Holyfield (Click here for details).

#12. The Bucks waived forward Jon Horford and guard Charlie Westbrook (Click here for details).

#13. The Pistons waived forward Eric Griffin (Click here for details).

#14. Pelicans center Omer Asik is out 3 weeks with a right calf stain (Click here for details).

Wednesday's NBA preseason scores: 

Knicks 100 Paschoalotto Beru 81. Thunder 122 Timberwolves 99. Hawks 98 Cavaliers 96. Magic 100 Heat 97. Rockets 109 Mavericks 82. Suns 102 Kings 98.

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. LeBron James is investing in a new franchise called "Blaze" (Click here for details).

#2. If you want to here Matt Barnes' version of what happened between him and Derek Fisher, click here.

#3. No criminal charges will be filed against Matt Barnes (Click here for details).

#4. Jimmy Butler says all is well between him and Derrick Rose (Click here for details).

#5. Derrick Rose will rejoin the Bulls on Monday (Click here for details).

#6. 76ers guard Scottie Wilbiken hit the game winning three against the Cavaliers (Click here to watch)

#7. The Cavaliers signed guard Dionte Christmas to their preseason roster (Click here for details).

#8. Rockets center Dwight Howard says he played through a torn MCL and torn meniscus in the playoffs (Click here for details).

#9. Jazz forward Trevor Booker has been suspended 1 game in the regular season for his altercation with Roy Hibbert (Click here for details).

Thursday's NBA preseason scores: 

Celtics 111 Real Madrid 96. Trail Blazers 118 Warriors 101. 76ers 115 Cavaliers 114. Pacers 97 Magic 92. Nets 93 Pistons 83. Nuggets 112 Bulls 94. Raptors 105 Lakers 97. Kings 95 Spurs 92.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard is day-to-day after re-aggravating a left ankle sprain (Click here for details).

#2. Former NBA and UCLA player Dave Meyers has passed away (Click here for details).

#3. The Pelicans have signed center Jerome Jordan (Click here for details).

#4. Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love is unsure about an opening night return (Click here for details).

#5. Power forward Greg Smith failed his physical with the Pelicans. He will not join the team (Click here for details).

#6. Dwayne Wade is teaching Heat rookie Justise Winslow post moves (Click here for details).

#7. Former NBA All-Star and champion Bill Bridges has passed away (Click here for details).

#8. Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha has been found not guilty of resisting arrest (Click here for details).

#9. Tony Parker wants to play six more seasons with the Spurs (Click here for details).

#10. 76ers owner Josh Harris says he gives head coach Brett Brown an 'A' for the job he has done (Click here for details).

#11. The NBA and the NBAPA are setting up a cardiac screening for retired players (Click here for details).

#12. The Trail Blazers named C.J. McCollum their backup point guard (Click here for details).

#13. Click here to read Thabo Sefolosha's statement on his vindication.

Friday's WNBA Finals results: 

Lynx 80 Fever 77: Final. Lynx lead series 2-1. Click here to watch Maya Moore's game winner.

Friday's NBA preseason scores: 

Thunder 111 Fenerbahçe Ülker 81. Suns 101 Jazz 85. Hawks 103 Pelicans 93. Knicks 115 Wizards 104.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Doc Rivers corrects himself and says the Warriors weren't "lucky" to win the NBA Finals (Click here for details).

#2. LeBron James says he doesn't ride motorcycles (Click here for details).

#3. Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas wants to be in a Space Jam 2 (Click here for details).

#4. Thabo Sefolosha could make his preseason debut with the Hawks on Wednesday (Click here for details).

#5. The Raptors have unveiled a new court design (Click here for details).

#6. Wizards point guard John Wall says he wants to be the number one point guard in the NBA (Click here for details).

#7. The Cavaliers won't waive guard Joe Harris (Click here for details).

#8. The Cavaliers expect Kevin Love to play on October 15 (Click here for details).

Saturday's NBA Preseason Scores: 

76ers 97 Nets 95. Bulls 114 Timberwolves 105. Pistons 117 Bucks 88. Kings 94 Trail Blazers 90.

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Rockets guard James Harden is day-to-day with a right knee contusion (Click here for details).

#2. The Hawks waived power forward Arsalan Kazemi and point guard Edgar Sosa (Click here for details).

#3. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is out indefinitely following a rare spinal fluid leak occurrence during his firs back operation (Click here for details).

#4. An assault lawsuit  against Scottie Pippen has been dropped (Click here for details).

#5. Clippers point guard suffered a fractured left index finger. He shouldn't be out long (Click here for details).

#6. Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is out  for the remainder of the preseason due to a sprained right ankle (Click here for details).

#7. The Nuggets exercised their 2016-17 options for Jusuf Nurkic and Gary Harris (Click here for details).

#8. Hip-hop artist Rich Homie Quan will perform on opening night in Atlanta (Click here for details).

Sunday's NBA preseason final scores: 

Hornets 106 Clippers 94. Magic 123 Rockets 119. Lakers 126 Maccabi Haifa 83. Wizards 134 Bauru Pashoalotto 100.

WNBA Finals update: 

The Fever forced a Game 5, defeating the Lynx 75-69.


---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news