With Stephen Curry taking Kevin Durant’s MVP title today, the news around the association has been largely overshadowed. But we shall take that gossip out of those shadows and into the spotlight, where it belongs.
LEBRON WANTS TO BE LIKE HIS TEAM-MATES
You might have noticed early on in the season that LeBron James stopped wearing his trademark handband.
There was a simple explanation.
Via Cleveland.com:
James never provided a rationale for ditching his branded look. He has simply stated that he chose to do so out of the blue. Recently I was able to get more of an explanation out of him.
“I did it because I just wanted to look like my teammates,” James told Northeast Ohio Media Group. “Just wanted to be one. Nothing more than that.”
CHARLOTTE WILL HAVE THEIR OWN D-LEAGUE SIDE
The Charlotte Hornets will be the latest NBA franchise to have their own D-League affiliate as of the 2016-17 season.
Via Hornets PR:
Hornets Sports & Entertainment announced today that the organization intends to launch its own NBA D-League team with the hope of beginning play for the 2016-17 season. The franchise today is sending an RFP to seven cities throughout the Carolinas seeking the best home for the D-League club, which would be owned and operated by HSE. Cities receiving the RFP include Asheville, Fayetteville, Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina, as well as Charleston, Columbia and Greenville, South Carolina.
“This is a very exciting time for us,” said Hornets Sports & Entertainment President & COO Fred Whitfield. “The decision to take steps toward launching our own D-League club is yet another example of our owner’s long-term commitment to our franchise and continues to show his willingness to invest in the resources needed to improve our basketball team. A D-League team would also allow us to continue to expand the Hornets brand regionally by having a presence in an additional market.”
Under the current D-League structure, 17 of the 18 teams have single-affiliate relationships with an NBA team. Eight are fully owned and operated by their NBA parent team. An additional eight are operated under a “hybrid” affiliation, in which the NBA team funds and manages the basketball operations while local ownership maintains control of the business aspects. The Dallas Mavericks and Texas Legends have a one-to-one relationship by way of Mavericks General Manager Donnie Nelson’s ownership of the Legends. The Hornets are currently one of 13 NBA teams affiliated with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the lone independent D-League team.
“Having our own D-League team would provide us with the best opportunity to develop our young players, which is paramount in today’s NBA,” said Hornets General Manager Rich Cho. “This move would allow us to dictate how the team is run, including using the same offensive and defensive sets, play calls and philosophies as the Hornets do. It would also provide for a seamless and easy transition when moving players between our team and the D-League affiliate.”
GREEN TO REMAIN A SPUR?
Danny Green is keen is staying with the San Antonio Spurs, even though the team are poised to change their roster in preparation for next season.
Via San Antonio Express News:
One of 10 Spurs who will become a free agent July 1, Green understands the likelihood there will be significant changes to the roster for next season. He just hasn’t allowed himself to consider how next season’s Spurs might be composed.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet, but this is a special group,” he said. “That’s why it sucks so bad, especially for Timmy (Duncan) and Manu (Ginobili). We had an opportunity to do something special for them. All I can do is hope and pray for another group like that in the future, but I have a feeling some of those guys will be back. R.C. and Pop do a great job of bringing in new guys.”
One change he hopes won’t be made: His presence in San Antonio.
“Hopefully, I’ll be back,” he said. “I love San Antonio. The fans have always supported us, from day one. It sucks that we had such a special group, and things may be changing and not be the same again.”
