Jabari Parker suffered a torn left ACL (knee). He will miss the rest of the season.
This is a terrible blow for the third-year forward. He worked extremely hard to overcome his left ACL tear from back in 2014 and was trending up as one of the best scoring power forwards in the NBA. Parker’s first ACL tear was in December of 2014, and he finally had his minutes restriction lifted in early December 2015. That suggests he’ll likely be limited for the first two months of next season. His season will end with averages of 20.1 points, 6.2 boards, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.3 treys and 0.4 blocks on 49.0 percent from the field. Without him for this season, the Bucks may shift Khris Middleton to the three little more than expected while Malcolm Brogdon benefits. Michael Beasley and Mirza Teletovic will split the remaining power forward work, but neither are great adds in standard leagues. Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to have to take over more than ever.

Source: rotoworld-jabari

According to New York Daily News, Lebron James might be pushing Cavaliers to acquire Carmelo, even if that meant Kevin Love to be included in the trade.
The Cavs, though, have denied that Lebron is forcing them to go for Carmelo.

Everybody knows that Carmelo and Lebron are good friends, but it is not clear what benefits would bring Anthony in the case of using Kevin Love in the trade.
Though the Knicks player has a no-trade clause in his contract, rumours say he would agree to lift that clause in case of being traded to Cavs, a strong contender for the NBA ring and current champion. Besides, being a 32 year old player, it seems that this might be one of his last opportunities to catch a train bringing him to an NBA championship.

Source: Carmelo-trade

Yesterday Paul Pierce made his last basket in Boston.
Here the best moments of this unforgettable player:

Just when Lavine was having the greatest numbers of his career, averaging 18.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 37.2 minutes per game in hist third NBA season, he had a torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in his left knee last night, after having an MRI this morning at Mayo Clinic.

The injury occurred during last night’s 116-108 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

He received a lot of support on the media, as for example from his teammates Towns and Rubio on Twitter:

Towns:
Would be lying if I said I didn't cry when I got the news. Wishing a speedy recovery to not just my teammate, but my brother "

Rubio:
I haven't met a harder worker than him. I know you will come back stronger than before

The NBA Trade Deadline matters quite a bit this season. Sure, the odds of any team making a deal which vaults them into the Finals, or becomes the difference in beating the Warriors or not are slim, but expectations for this season could hinge on what deals teams are able to make.
For example, the Raptors are in a bit of a tailspin. They need a power forward to help regulate their defense and give them another weapon offensively to counter how defenses attack them. The Celtics are on a tear, but they know that if they want to get by Cleveland, they're going to need something extra. The Thunder are still poking around the league trying to find a small forward that can stabilize their offense, especially when Russell Westbrook isn't on the floor. The Knicks need to deal Carmelo Anthony. The pack of teams in the middle of the East are all headed in two directions at once.
MORE NBA
Love expects to be in Cleveland 'a long time'
Report: Knicks don't want Crawford in Melo/Clips deal
Deals need to be made.
And yet, it's starting to seem more and more like there's not going to be much action at the deadline.

Read the whole article at: cbssports-trade-deadline

I do not think we should say Gregg Popovich became a legend yesterday with the win of Spurs againts Nuggets (121-97). He already was a legend since a long time ago, but the truth be told, numbers must be put there for those to come in the future. Popovich reached 1.128 wins with the Spurs and he overcame Jerry Sloan (Utah) as the coach with more wins for a single franchise.

He has been Spurs head coach for a while (since 1996/97 season), having conquered 5 NBA rings. He is charismatic in and out of the court.
Long live the Popovich!!

Willy Hernangomez had another great game against the Cavs on Saturday and he scored 16 points with five rebounds, five assists and two blocks in 36 minutes of action.

He is getting hot and getting his numbers up. If there are any positive things this year in New York, he is one of them.
Consider him for your fantasy team.

You can never get tired of watching this:

Nikola Jokic, a regular among the top bargains in NBA Fantasy League this year, posted the first triple-double of his career in a 121-117 win over the Bucks on Friday, scoring 20 points with 13 rebounds, 11 assists, one steal and two 3-pointers in 32 minutes.

He was supposed to have a minutes limit in the 25-28 range, but so much for that. Jokic was apparently happy about the lifted limit from coach Mike Malone, who also gave him the game ball with awkward timing. "I hugged him, I was naked and I hugged him," Jokic said. He also said he wants to play him 49 minutes on Saturday. "Just put Wilson [Chandler] on the bench," he said. Trust the Jokic, and hope for OT in San Antonio.

His head coach, Mike Malone stated a while ago that "Nikola Jokic will not only be an all-star, he’ll be an all-NBA player one day. I believe that in my heart."

Jazz head coach Quin Snyder echoed Malone’s comments about Jokic and added how impressed he is with his passing skills: "You’d pay to see him play … He anticipates who’s open before they’re open. And he’s able to catch and deliver with one hand. We were joking around. It looks like he’s playing water polo."

Yogi Ferrell. Remember the name, because he is the new hero in NBA. He has been in our game bargains list for a while, actually.
He is a rookie playing for the Mavs, hired a week ago and has a 10-day contract.

Ferrell stayed 4 years in Indiana university and was not drafted this year.
He played 10 games for the Nets in November until leaving the team.

The injuries in Mavs roster have cracked a hole open and he have not missed the opportunity.

Let's summarize yesterdays numbers.
Yogi Ferrell went off in a 108-104 win over the Blazers on Friday, scoring a career-high 32 points with nine 3-pointers, five assists, two rebounds and two turnovers in 39 minutes while Lillard struggled and was eclipsed by a 10-day contract player.
Where do we begin? He tied a franchise record for threes made by a rookie, he's the youngest Mav with a 20-point game since Roddy Beaubois in 2010, and this was the most points by a player within their first 15 games since Blake Griffin had 44 back in 2010. Ferrell has now made four straight starts and is averaging 17.8 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 boards, 1.8 steals and 3.3 triples in that span, and it's no coincidence that the Mavs have won four straight. Deron Williams (toe) is a slow healer and could be a trade candidate or shut-down candidate (if he remains in Dallas), so adding Ferrell if you don't like the guy on the end of your bench seems like a risk worth taking.

Stephen Curry explained his decision to skip the 3-point contest on All-Star weekend:
“I’ve done it six times I think,” Curry said. “I told myself I was going to do it until I won. Then I won. Then I had to defend. And then Klay beat me. So it’s a little bit of an internal battle. But honestly, this All-Star weekend is the slowest schedule-wise I’ve had and I wanted to capitalize on that rest. So it was a tough decision. I love the spotlight being out there shooting, competing with the field, it’s so much fun — the lights, the atmosphere, just you and the rim — but I put a lot of equity into that contest and it’s time to kind of move on.”

1. Celtics (via Nets). Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
   The fit couldn't be better. Fultz next to Isaiah Thomas in that backcourt is a study in complements, taking the sixth-ranked offense in the league to untold heights.

2. 76ers. Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
   While Ben Simmons conceivably can be the point guard, he shouldn't have to be, and bringing in the kind of distributor Ball is -- generational -- is going to unleash Simmons, Joel Embiid and the cast of rapidly emerging Sixers on an expedited timetable. Ball will thrive with talent around him and the Sixers suddenly have plenty of that.

3. Lakers. Jonathan Isaac, SF, Florida State
   Have seen him going lower, I don't think that holds. Not when he's turned so many of his tools into skills already, stands 6-foot-11, and offers both a high floor and possibly the highest ceiling in the entire draft.

4. Heat. Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona
   A stretch four to pair with Hassan Whiteside at the five will allow Miami to let Markkanen develop on a more reasonable time frame, not asking him to guard fives or rim protect.

5. Pelicans. Dennis Smith, PG, N.C. State
   Is Jrue Holiday the true second option to pair with Anthony Davis? Buddy Hield has improved since his awful start, but he profiles more as a secondary shooter than a legit wingman to AD. If the Pelicans don't think Holiday can be that guy, they have to take a chance on letting Smith elevate the Davis Era to where it deserves to be.

6. Suns. Robert Williams, PF/C, Texas A&M
   Here's what you do with Williams: you let him learn from Tyson Chandler, split time with Alex Len, and if Williams becomes what I think he will, he probably supplants them both.

7. Mavericks. Frank Ntilikina, PG, France
   The Mavs take the plunge on the international star who could be their cornerstone, since there aren't many other obvious paths for them to navigate the post-Dirk era that's coming, sooner or later.

8. Magic. Malik Monk, PG/SG, Kentucky
   Time to give Elfrid Payton a legit running partner in that backcourt.

9. Nuggets. Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke
   The Nuggets don't seem sold on Kenneth Faried, and Tatum makes more sense in terms of building around Nikola Jokic anyway, which is the only timetable that should matter in Denver.

10. Kings. De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
    Think the 25th-ranked defense could use a stopper at the one for a league already overrun with top point guards, with more on the way? Fox can be that kind of defender right away. The shooting is an issue, but he's a blur in the open court, a legit playmaker and can score and create in a variety of ways.

More on: cbsssports-mock-draft

Luka Dončić (born February 28, 1999). Slovenian. Plays for Real Madrid (Spain) at the moment. His height is 2.01 m/6'7". His height is 99 kg/218 lbs.

Remember his name, because he is considered one of the most promising young talents of European basketball, and one of the best international players of his generation.
His stats this year in Real Madrid are 8.2 points, 3.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds.
On January 20th (2016), he achieved the award of being the youngest MVP player in Euroleague tournament in history.

All this considered, there are people in USA on the alert for him. More specifically, Jonathan Givony from DraftExpress, stated in Yahoo Sports that Doncic has emerged as a candidate to be the No. 1 pick in 2018.

Ok, let's write the title again. We honestly do not agree with that, but ....

Former NBA player Stephen Jackson admitted recently in a podcast that he smoked weed sometimes before playing. According to him, he played great games after that and his coach back then, Don Nelson, knew about this.

He also said: "It's been some games where I smoked before the game and was on the bench after three minutes sitting on the sideline, 'Please calm down. This high has to calm down' -- I done shot three shots that went over the backboard, like, I'm going to be honest, like, 'Ahh, I gotta calm down.'"

"We're in Utah, and the [league's] drug test people are around, you know, to get our last drug test so we can smoke, right? Don Nelson, we talked about weed all the time. He was cool with talking about weed. We got our last test in Utah, right? So me and [teammate] Baron [Davis] are coming out the locker room just screaming, excited with our last pink slip saying we could smoke for the rest of the season, and Don Nelson hauls ass down there giving us high-fives, like, 'Yeah, we can smoke now!'" Jackson recalled. "It was cool, the fact that he knows what's going on off the court with his players, which was great, man. We enjoyed it. That's why we were a great team."

Maybe he thinks he played great on those games. The truth could be much much different from his memories. Or maybe he does some great interviews after smoking some weed too, we don't know.

NBA MVP Race

Halfway through the NBA season, one of the more exciting storylines has been a deep, diverse MVP race.

This year, reasonable arguments could be made for several players, a far cry from years past, like last year, when Stephen Curry wrapped up the award in the first month, or in seasons when LeBron James was far and away the most devastating player in the league.
This season there seems to be a consensus of the top three candidates, and it must come as a cruel irony for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Complete article on:
Business Insider: NBA MVP Race

With the trade deadline now less than tree weeks away, the Suns and Kings have reportedly had discussions involving a trade for DeMarcus Cousins.

Phoenix is reportedly offering T.J. Warren, Alex Len, their 2017 first-round pick and they may also include some of the Miami future first-round selections that they have in their back pocket from the Goran Dragic deal. The Kings are looking for a quality starting point guard, and with impressive freshmen Lonzo Ball of UCLA set to enter the 2017 draft, the Kings may be able to finally secure that PG they desire with what will likely be a high lottery selection from the Suns. Phoenix would be a particularly good landing spot for DMC, as they play at the fourth-highest pace in the league.

Note that Eric Bledsoe and DeMarcus Cousins are good friends after having played together in Kentucky for one season in 2009-10. The two also played with Washington Wizards star John Wall, the three having very public discussions this past off-season about their wish to all play with one another again in the NBA.

Boston guard Isaiah Thomas is playing really great, and being a big killer in the last quarter of the games.
But when you look closer, it seems with his strengh comes also his weakness. All his teammates defensive rates gets worse when Thomas is on the court. Look at the graph:

You can read more on: cbssports-thomas

Carmelo walking on thin ice

Carmelo Anthony scored 18 points on 8-of-26 shooting with 11 rebounds, one triple and a block, on Knicks victory over Hornets 110-107 on Friday.

Prior to the game, a report by ESPN indicated that the Knicks are actively searching for a third team to help facilitate a trade, so the chances of him being moved are rising by the day. Some Knicks fan were chanting "Trade Carmelo!" during the Nation Anthem, but to his credit he hit a clutch shot in the closing moments over the outstretched arm of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

There were even rumours of the willing to trade him to Clippers even if not getting one of the three big guys from there (Paul, Griffin or Jordan). What is sure is that Knicks fans want him out.

Top salaries season 2016-2017

1. LeBron James - $30.963.450
2. Kevin Durant - $26.540.100
3. James Harden - $26.540.100
4. Russell Westbrook - $26.540.100
5. Al Horford - $26.540.100
6. Mike Conley - $26.540.100
7. DeMar DeRozan - $26.540.100
8. Carmelo Anthony - $24.559.380
9. Damian Lillard - $24.328.425
10. Dirk Nowitzki - $24.096.386
11. Chris Bosh - $23.741.060
12. Dwyane Wade - $23.227.384
13. Dwight Howard - $23.180.275
14. Chris Paul - $22.868.828
15. Andre Drummond - $22.116.750
16. Chandler Parsons - $22.116.750
17. Harrison Barnes - $22.116.750
18. Bradley Beal - $22.116.750
19. Hassan Whiteside - $22.116.750
20. Anthony Davis - $22.116.750

Rondo replies back

After Wade and Butler criticized their teammates regarding the lack of effort and work ethic, Rondo replied back on Twitter:

My vets would never go to the media. They would come to the team. My vets didn't pick and choose when they wanted to bring it. They brought it every time they stepped in the gym whether it was practice or a game. They didn't take days off. My vets didn't care about their numbers. My vets played for the team. When we lost, they wouldn't blame us. They took responsibility and got in the gym. They showed the young guys what it meant to work. Even in Boston when we had the best record in the league, if we lost a game, you could hear a pin drop on the bus. They showed us the seriousness of the game. My vets didn't have an influence on the coaching staff. They couldn't change the plan because it didn't work for them. I played under one of the greatest coaches, and he held everyone accountable. It takes 1-15 to win. When you isolate everyone, you can't win consistently. I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a bad teammate. My goal is to pass what I learned along. The young guys work. They show up. They don't deserve blame. If anything is questionable, it's the leadership.