Three things to know: James Harden, Nets brings ‘Scary Hours’ to Bucks, East

By Kurt HelinJan 19, 2021, 9:50 AM EST

The NBA season is in full swing, and we will be here each weekday with the NBC Sports daily roundup Three Things to Know — everything you might have missed in the Association, every key moment from the night before in one place.

1) James Harden, Nets brings “Scary Hours” to Bucks, East

What is the mood in Brooklyn?

SCARY HOURS!

— James Harden (@JHarden13) January 19, 2021

It should be after a dramatic win in a showdown atop the East on Monday, one hoop fans can only hope becomes a playoff series if this is what it’s going to look like.

Brooklyn — still without one-third of its big three (Kyrie Irving missed his seventh straight game) — announced its presence with authority in a showdown of teams atop the East Monday. James Harden and Kevin Durant both had 30 or more points, ran their pick-and-roll to continue to confound defenses, and when it came time to stick the dagger in the Bucks Harden made the hustle play, found Durant, and he buried it.

KD's clutch go-ahead three is your @MaimonidesMC play of the game! 🎥 pic.twitter.com/fOiSkYGMmS

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 19, 2021

Brooklyn’s offense with Durant and Harden is nearly impossible to stop — it put up a 120.1 offensive rating in this game against a top-10 defense in Milwaukee (the Bucks defense has improved after a rough start to the season). Brooklyn’s passing and ball movement have jumped to an elite level. Harden finished with 34 points and 12 assists — he’s the first player in NBA history with 30+ points and 10+ assists in his first two games with a new team — while Durant had 30 and nine. The role players also stepped up big: Joe Harris had 20 points and a clutch three late, and DeAndre Jordan shot 6-for-6 on his way to 12 points, 12 rebounds, and he was strong on the defensive end.

The Nets were merciless in hunting mismatches all game (and the Bucks switching more on defense this season made that job easier). When Jrue Holiday got a rest in the fourth, Harden and Durant hunted Pat Connaughton and Dante DiVincenzo and pushed their lead up to eight until Holiday returned. Add another brilliant isolation player in Irving to the mix and the Nets will be unguardable.

It’s just one early-season game, but doubters about these Nets will now have to admit this team has a real shot to come out of the East.

So do the Bucks, who got 34 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo, 25 from Khris Middleton, who took over down the stretch, and watched Jrue Holiday show why he will make this a more dangerous playoff team. Their offensive tweaks this season — playing someone in the dunker spot more, giving Antetokounmpo more passing options if teams form a wall in front of him — make this team more dangerous.

The questions are there still for both sides. Will Brooklyn’s offense keep the ball moving and continue to be this selfless when Kyrie Irving is added to the mix, and once the honeymoon of this superstar trio wears off? More than that, the Nets defense continues to be an issue — they won their two games with Harden by putting up incredible offensive numbers, not by getting a lot of stops, and that could be a real problem come the playoffs.

On the other end, the Bucks are still very reliant on the three, and when it goes missing — Milwaukee was 11-for-37 (29.7%) from deep in this game — they are vulnerable. And it goes missing too much in big games. Milwaukee’s depth and newfound defensive strategies are both still being tested. Ultimately, the Bucks and their coach’s real questions are about performing under pressure in a playoff series, questions that cannot be answered until the second round of the playoffs and beyond — we know the Bucks are good in the regular season.

This showdown saw 20 lead changes, 10 in the fourth quarter, and might be the early leader for the most entertaining game of the season.

If that’s a playoff preview, sign me up for seven games.

2) Curry, Warriors will not go quietly into that good night (at least against L.A. teams)

This edition of the Warriors may not be contenders in the West this season, but this team still fights like a champion. And, it still has a weapon — the Stephen Curry/Draymond Green pick-and-roll — that was the heart of a couple of titles and remains nearly indefensible.

Golden State leaned on that Curry/Green play in the fourth quarter as the Warriors came from 14 down in the fourth quarter to beat the Lakers 115-113.

The Warriors trailed the Clippers by 22 in the third quarter 10 days before and came back to win. There’s something about the water in L.A. that Golden State likes.

“It was similar to the Clippers game. We’ve done it twice now, but want to get leads early,” Curry said postgame.

For the Lakers, this is a one-off loss where they got complacent up early. It happens over the course of 72.

Golden State is not a contender this season; it’s more about getting James Wiseman experience, finding where Andrew Wiggins fits, and building up a foundation that can contend next season when Klay Thompson returns.

Except the Warriors don’t see it that way — this team still has weapons and will be a tough out for whoever lands them in a playoff series.

3) Kevin Porter Jr. on his way out in Cleveland after locker room tantrum

There comes a point where the talent is not worth the trouble. Kevin Porter Jr. has reached that point in Cleveland.

Porter showed real promise as a rookie, averaging 10 points a game in a limited role, and he looked like he could be a third part of the long-term backcourt rotation with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland for the Cavs. Porter had been out for the start of this season due to personal reasons and hadn’t been around the team much, but was working his way back (he had been arrested in the offseason on a weapons charge, but it has been dropped).

When Porter showed up Friday, he found his locker had been moved, his old spot given to veteran Taurean Prince, who came over with Jarrett Allen in the four-team James Harden trade. Porter had his locker moved over to the part of the room with younger, end-of-the-bench guys.

Porter lost it and threw a tantrum — and reportedly even threw some food, according to reports.

GM Koby Altman came in the locker room, confronted Porter, and would not back down. Reportedly words were exchanged (and not just food).

Now the Cavaliers are reportedly looking to trade Porter, and if that doesn’t work, they are going to cut him outright. Porter, the No. 30 pick in the 2019 draft, has a guaranteed contract for this season and next, totaling $4.1 million. Cleveland may be willing to eat that to get him out of the locker room.

Getting rid of a talented young player is not something the Cavaliers should do lightly, but there comes a point when the talent isn’t worth the distraction and problems. If Porter is there for Cleveland — and trying to start the food fight scene from Animal House might cross that line — it’s time to move on.

You can be sure Porter will get another chance with another team. If a franchise has strong veteran locker room leadership, it should consider adding Porter Jr. The talent is there, and talent is too hard to come by in this league.

Malone’s message clear to Nuggets, ‘I don’t think we played well in Game 1’

By Kurt HelinJun 3, 2023, 8:19 PM EDT

DENVER — Game 1 was a coach’s dream in some ways for Michael Malone and the Nuggets staff.

They got three-quarters of dominating play — the Nuggets were up by 21 entering the fourth quarter — and they got the win. But they also have one quarter of struggling, sloppy play that gives Malone a valid reason to call guys out and have a candid film session.

“I don’t think we played well in Game 1,” Michael Malone said, despite his team picking up an 11-point win. “I watched that tape, and they were 5-of-16 on wide-open threes. As I told our players this morning, the fact that they got 16 wide-open threes is problematic, and if you think that Max Strus is going to go 0-for-9 again or Duncan Robinson is going to go 1-for-5 again, you’re wrong. The fourth quarter, we gave up 30 points, 60% from the field, 50% from three, 6-of-12 from the three-point line.”

Malone added he thought the Nuggets offense struggled in the fourth quarter because they didn’t get stops so they were constantly going up against the Heat’s set defense.

“That fourth quarter, you know, we came out in the flat,” Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said. “We had a great looks at the basket, we just didn’t knock them down. But we want to get into our offense a little bit earlier than like :14 seconds on the clock and just play normal basketball, our basketball.”

It was all part of a theme Malone wanted to drive home: They are still three wins from a title and those will not be easy to get.

“I told our players today, don’t read the paper,” Malone said (do any of those 20-somethings get an old-school paper?) “Don’t listen to the folks on the radio and TV saying that this series is over and that we’ve done something, because we haven’t done a damn thing.”

There were positives for the Nuggets to take away from Game 1, particularly on the defensive end.

“I think when you see the last game, us against Miami, in the first three quarters, they score 65, 68 points [Ed. note: it was 63]. I think that’s really amazing,” Nikola Jokić said. “And then you can see the fourth quarter, they scored 30-something. When we are collectively really good, then I’m really good [defensively], too. But when we are collectively not good, I’m not really good.”

Jimmy Butler had praise for Jokic’s defense.

“He moves his feet well. He’s constantly making guys make decisions whenever they get into the paint. Then his outlet passes from a defensive rebound are very, very elite; that, he’s been doing his entire career,” Butler said. “As much as everybody looks at what he does on the offensive side of the ball, he’s a hell of a defender, as well.”

“I think overall, I think Nikola’s defense has been a real positive,” Malone said. “I think you have to get past the eye test with Nikola because I think most people just think of great defensive players as a guy who is blocking a shot or just making a great athletic play. Nikola does it differently. He has a tremendous IQ. He’s got great anticipation. He’s got unbelievable hands for deflections, blocks. He’s got unbelievable feet for deflections.”

In the postseason, the Nuggets have held their own in the non-Jokić minutes and that continued in Game 1 — the Nuggets were only -3 in the non-Jokić minutes in that game (-1 in the first half and -2 in the fourth quarter).

“Defense,” Aaron Gordon said of the focus in non-Jokić minutes. “So, when he’s sitting on the floor we need to lock in on defense. That’s probably the most important, crucial aspect of the non-Nikola Jokic minutes because that’s how we get our offense, as well.”

In its last couple of series, the other team had to be aggressive with adjustments because the Nuggets were forcing them to. The Finals may prove a little different, we could see some defensive tweaks early from the Nuggets.

Denver’s offense is going to get points, if its defense can be as good as Game 1, Malone is going to have to look hard to find things before the Game 3 film sessions.

Heat look for ways to make Nuggets uncomfortable in Game 2

By Kurt HelinJun 3, 2023, 7:33 PM EDT

DENVER — One thing was clear from Game 1 of the NBA Finals: The Nuggets are not going to assist in their own demise the way the Celtics and Bucks did against the Heat. When Miami made their fourth-quarter run Thursday, the Nuggets showed poise, got the ball to Nikola Jokić, and got the comfortable home win.

If Miami is going to win Game 2 and, eventually, this Finals series, they have to make Denver a lot more uncomfortable.

The Heat need to be the team applying pressure.

“I think I’ve got to be more aggressive putting pressure on the rim,” Jimmy Butler said, echoing his comments after Game 1 when he didn’t get to the free throw line once. “I think that makes everybody’s job a lot easier. They definitely follow suit whenever I’m aggressive on both sides of the ball. So I have to be the one to come out and kick that off the right way, which I will, and we’ll see where we end up.”

Jokić only had to defend two shots at the rim in Game 1. The Heat want that number to go up exponentially in Game 2. To a man Heat players discussed playing with more “intention” or “force” on Sunday.

It would also help if they hit their jumpers.

The Heat as a team were 5-of-16 on open 3-pointers (using the Second Spectrum tracking data). Max Strus, Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin combined to shoot 2-of-23 from 3 in Game 1.

“We did see some things that we liked and we got some great looks, myself included,” Strus said. “We’ve got to knock those down.”

“In terms of the shooters, that’s pretty simple. Let it fly. Ignite. Once they see two go down, it could be three, it could turn into six just like that,” Erik Spoelstra said, snapping his fingers, when asked what he told his shooters heading into Game 2. “As long as we are getting those clean looks, that’s what matters.”

One of those shooters, Martin, was not at practice due to an illness on Saturday, but he likely plays on Sunday.

Another shooter the Heat could use is Tyler Herro, but his status remains “unchanged,” Spoelstra said. Herro has been out since fracturing his hand in the first round of the playoffs, although he is nearing a return. Spoelstra would not rule out Herro for Game 2, but he wasn’t making it sound likely.

The hard part of making the Heat uncomfortable is slowing Jokić, and just as important is not letting the Jokić and Jamal Murray pick-and-roll get flowing. Heat players across the board talked about needing to tighten up on the defensive end as they adjust the off-ball movement and the more untraditional style of play the Nuggets use.

“I think it’s an opportunity to learn,” Robinson said of going against the Nuggets offense in Game 1. “You watch the film, go to school on it, try to take away some things that you did well, and then certainly learn from some things that you can do better. I think in that sense there are some encouraging aspects of it.”

One thing the Heat have done better than their opponents in every round is adjust — Miami got better faster than the teams they beat along the way to the Finals. That won’t be easy against a Nuggets team with a strong coach and a high-IQ MVP in Jokić.

Expect a much more aggressive Heat team in Game 2. Whether that is enough to make the Nuggets uncomfortable remains to be seen.

Coach, front office moves update: Pistons make Williams hiring official, Borrego or Stotts to Bucks bench?

By Kurt HelinJun 3, 2023, 12:38 PM EDT

There are far from settled across the NBA in both the coaching and front office circles, with news still leaking out daily. Here’s an update on things which have come to light in recent days.

• The Detroit Pistons made the hiring of Monty Williams official.

“A week ago, I was not sure what the future would hold,” Williams said in a statement, referencing reports he had planned to take a year away from coaching. “But, after talking with Tom [Gores, team principal owner] and Troy [Weaver, Pistons GM], I was excited hearing their vision for the Pistons going forward. They had a thoughtful plan and I am so appreciative of the emphasis they placed on the personal side of this business. They showed tremendous consideration for me and my family throughout this process.

“They also showed a commitment to success and doing things the right way,” he said. “As we discussed the team and expressed our collective goals, I realized that this would be a great opportunity for me to help a talented young team and build a strong culture here in Detroit. This is obviously a special place with a deep basketball history, and my family and I are looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of this city and organization.”

Williams has a six-year, $78.5 million contract with the team and that reportedly could grow to more than eight years, $100 million if incentives are hit. He was brought in to help build a culture of defense and discipline for a franchise with some nice young players but many questions.

• Kevin Ollie, the former NBA player and UConn coach who was in the mix for the Pistons’ job before Williams was hired, will be on the bench in Brooklyn next season.

Kevin Ollie is joining the Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2023

• While Adrian Griffin has not officially signed his contract as the new Bucks head coach, he is sitting in on meetings running up to the draft and has essentially started the job, reports Eric Nehm and Shams Charania at The Athletic.

More interestingly, The Athletic reports the Bucks plan to put an experienced, veteran head coach next to the rookie Griffin, and are speaking to former Hornets head coach James Borrego and former Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts. Bringing in an experienced staff to put around Griffin is the smart move, with what we saw this season with Joe Mazzulla in Boston as an example of why this is the smart path.

• The Wizards have hired former Hawks head of basketball operations Travis Schlenk to be the right-hand man next to new Wizards president Michael Winger. This is a quality hire. Schlenk was rumored to have questioned Atlanta’s trade for Dejounte Murray to put next to Trae Young — a move ownership wanted — and by mid-season he was pushed out the door. Having Winger and Schlenk in the Washington front office is a lot of brain power, the question remains will they be given true freedom by owner Ted Leonsis to make moves for the long term and not prioritize just making the playoffs? The Wizards have a big offseason coming up with questions about new contracts/extensions for Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis.

• Aaron Nelson, the training staff guru hired by the Pelicans away from the Suns in 2019 to help Zion Williamson and others, appears to be out of the mix in a restructured staff, reports Christian Clark at the Times-Picayune. Zion did not have a great relationship with Nelson, but the question is was Nelson the scapegoat for players issues beyond his control? From Clark’s article:

Williamson’s relationship with Nelson became strained during his rookie season. At different points, Williamson refused to work with him…

Brandon Ingram sat out 29 consecutive games with an injury the team described as a left toe contusion. Ingram kicked the back of a Memphis Grizzlies player’s foot in November. Two days after the injury, Pelicans coach Willie Green said Ingram was “day to day.” Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. Ingram did not play again until Jan. 25 — exactly two months after hurting his toe…

Ingram has sometimes seemed unwilling to play through minor discomfort, to the point where some of his teammates have become frustrated with him over the past two years. The Pelicans thought they had solved their player care and performance problem by hiring Nelson. Four years later, Nelson’s time in charge of the department is over.

When the Pelicans have all their stars on the court, this is at the very least, a playoff team in the West and potentially a dangerous one. I’m not going to speculate on the internal dynamics of the Pelicans front office and training team, but after years of injury issues it’s fair to ask if this is a matter of the training staff, or is this on the players themselves?

Knicks’ Julius Randle undergoes ankle surgery, should return for training camp

By Kurt HelinJun 3, 2023, 11:51 AM EDT

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The Knicks’ Julius Randle sprained his ankle with two weeks to go in the regular season. He returned from that in time to face the Cleveland Cavaliers and their massive front line in the playoffs, but he struggled in that series — 14.4 points a game on 33.8% shooting — and injured his ankle again in Game 5. He did make it back for the Heat series after missing Game 1 but was never fully himself.

Now, as he hinted at during the playoffs, Randle has undergone offseason arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Randle is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in the fall.

Randle had an All-NBA season, averaging 25.1 points and 10 rebounds a game, and was part of the reason, along with Jalen Brunson, the Knicks were the No. 5 seed in the East last season.

Randle’s name has come up in trade rumors, mostly with him going out if the Knicks get in the mix for a superstar who becomes available this offseason. If someone such as Karl-Anthony Towns or Bradley Beal hits the market and New York wants to be in play, sending out Randle — set to make $25.6 million this season, with two more seasons on the books after that — is the way to match salaries.

Randle should be healthy and ready for training camp for whatever team he is on come September.

1) James Harden, Nets brings “Scary Hours” to Bucks, East

2) Curry, Warriors will not go quietly into that good night (at least against L.A. teams)

3) Kevin Porter Jr. on his way out in Cleveland after locker room tantrum

Check out more on the Cleveland Cavaliers

Check out more on the Nuggets

Check out more on the Heat

Check out the latest on the Nuggets

Check out more on the Knicks