Rising Pistons stars Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson appear to have elevated their long-term ceilings this season, writes Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. Duren and Thompson are elite athletes, Langlois observes, but both players have also looked pretty raw at times as scorers. They look to be turning things around this month, however. Thompson has averaged 14.6 points, 6.1 … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Duren, Thompson, Lillard, Middleton, Buzelis
Giannis Antetokounmpo To Miss All-Star Game
A mild calf strain will keep Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo out of action for the next week and prevent him from participating in the All-Star Game, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since Feb. 2, but he’s expected to return shortly after the break, Charania adds. However, NBA insider Chris Haynes hears that Antetokounmpo’s … [Read more...] about Giannis Antetokounmpo To Miss All-Star Game
Bucks GM: Middleton Trade Was ‘Hardest Transaction’ Of My Career
Speaking to reporters on Monday for the first time since last week’s trade deadline, Bucks general manager Jon Horst said the decision to trade Khris Middleton to the Wizards was the “hardest transaction” he has made during his career as a front office executive, according to Jamal Collier of ESPN. Middleton, who had been with the Bucks since being acquired from Detroit during … [Read more...] about Bucks GM: Middleton Trade Was ‘Hardest Transaction’ Of My Career
Eastern Notes: Embiid, George, Nurkic, Sims
Following up on reporting over the weekend that suggested Joel Embiid might require another surgery to address a nagging left knee injury, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said during a TV appearance on Get Up (YouTube link) that there’s not necessarily a consensus among the experts the Sixers center has consulted about the best way to put that knee issue behind him. “I know that people … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Embiid, George, Nurkic, Sims
Central Notes: Schröder, Pistons, Hunter, Porter, Bulls
Dennis Schröder is playing for his third team this season. He wound up with the Pistons as part of the five-team blockbuster that landed Jimmy Butler with Golden State. Schröder, who started the season with Brooklyn before getting dealt to the Warriors, made his Detroit debut on Sunday and will continue to be part of the rotation with Jaden Ivey on the mend from a broken … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Schröder, Pistons, Hunter, Porter, Bulls