This article is part of our NBA Waiver Wire series.
When last we met, Derek Fisher was still coach of the Knicks, George Karl was about to be fired by the Kings, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was in the midst of a remarkable comeback from injury, Dwight Howard was a cornerstone of the Rockets, and Tyreke Evans, Marc Gasol and Jimmy Butler were still valuable options in fantasy NBA games.
It was a simpler time.
Let's survey the damage.
The Knicks
In last week's column, I suggested that the Knicks' ice-cold streak might lead them to dump a veteran or two for cap space and give the Langston Galloway/Jerian Grant combo an extended look running the team. Instead, they dumped Derek Fisher, replacing him on an interim basis with Kurt Rambis. And in their first game under Rambis, Grant received the dreaded DNP-CD.
Several explanations for Fisher's departure have been floated, ranging from his dust-up with Matt Barnes earlier this season to other… personal indiscretions. But the most plausible basketball reason is that he wasn't doing much in-game coaching. I don't think the problem was as simple as "they were playing too much pick-and-roll and not enough triangle." It seems Phil Jackson was more concerned that the Knicks weren't playing enough structured basketball in general.
It also seems that Jackson believes his team should be in the mix for the Eastern Conference playoffs, though their current record (23-32, 4.5 games behind the eighth-place Hornets) implies otherwise.
So what happens next? If game one of the Rambis era was any
When last we met, Derek Fisher was still coach of the Knicks, George Karl was about to be fired by the Kings, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was in the midst of a remarkable comeback from injury, Dwight Howard was a cornerstone of the Rockets, and Tyreke Evans, Marc Gasol and Jimmy Butler were still valuable options in fantasy NBA games.
It was a simpler time.
Let's survey the damage.
The Knicks
In last week's column, I suggested that the Knicks' ice-cold streak might lead them to dump a veteran or two for cap space and give the Langston Galloway/Jerian Grant combo an extended look running the team. Instead, they dumped Derek Fisher, replacing him on an interim basis with Kurt Rambis. And in their first game under Rambis, Grant received the dreaded DNP-CD.
Several explanations for Fisher's departure have been floated, ranging from his dust-up with Matt Barnes earlier this season to other… personal indiscretions. But the most plausible basketball reason is that he wasn't doing much in-game coaching. I don't think the problem was as simple as "they were playing too much pick-and-roll and not enough triangle." It seems Phil Jackson was more concerned that the Knicks weren't playing enough structured basketball in general.
It also seems that Jackson believes his team should be in the mix for the Eastern Conference playoffs, though their current record (23-32, 4.5 games behind the eighth-place Hornets) implies otherwise.
So what happens next? If game one of the Rambis era was any indication, Sasha Vujacic is ahead of Grant in the guard rotation for the time being, which means neither of them is worth owning. Rambis has suggested that he'd like to play a shorter rotation down the stretch, which could mean a playing-time boost for the likes of Derrick Williams, Lance Thomas and Galloway.
The Kings
This time last week, George Karl's firing was a matter of "when." Then Vlade Divac had a conversation with his coach, they cleared the air, and now everything is just spiffy.
Yeah, I don't believe that either.
The situation in Sacramento seems similar to the one that got David Blatt fired in Cleveland. The star player (in this case, DeMarcus Cousins) has a direct line to management and ownership. The coach doesn't feel empowered to correct the star when he makes a mistake. The rest of the team sees the star getting away with uninspired-at-times play and loses respect for the coach.
Rinse. Repeat.
So what happens next? More of the same. Figure the Kings will limp through the remainder of this season with their rotation more or less intact – though a Rudy Gay trade is always a possibility.
The Rockets
The anti-analytics set – and Laker fans – are undoubtedly gleeful after hearing the "Dwight Howard is being shopped" rumors. Me? I admire Daryl Morey's willingness to pivot away from a roster that clearly isn't working.
I've been high on Clint Capela all year, but this rumor makes Capela a must-add.
The Hornets
This story is just awful. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – the super-promising 22-year-old defensive wing with an improving outside shot – tore the labrum in his left shoulder and was expected to miss the bulk of the season. But he made a miraculous recovery, re-joined the Hornets rotation, and was expected to be a major factor in their playoff push.
This week he re-injured the shoulder.
The Hornets will reportedly re-assess the injury after the all-star break; the hope is that it isn't as serious this time. But I'll be surprised if we see MKG on the floor again this season. This will open up additional playing time for some of Charlotte's other wing players, Jeremy Lin and Jeremy Lamb in particular.
The Pelicans
Tyreke Evans had season-ending surgery on his knee – the third time he's gone under the knife with right knee issues. The injury probably doesn't impact the Pellie's plans at all – they weren't going anywhere with him and they won't without him. Jrue Holiday and Norris Cole will be asked to pick up the slack.
New Orleans could be active at the trade deadline; quite a few teams have interest in Ryan Anderson, and some of those (Detroit?) might have a guard to send back in a deal.
The Grizzlies
A largely disappointing season in Memphis took a turn for the grim with the news that Marc Gasol has a broken foot. With a 4-6 month recovery estimate, Gasol will be sidelined for the rest of this season and much of the summer as well.
Zach Randolph is expected to take over at center, with Jeff Green moving up to the starting four spot. But this injury could force Memphis to accelerate the schedule on a much-needed roster retooling. Mike Conley will hit free agency this summer, as will Green, Courtney Lee and Mario Chalmers. Any or all of them could be moved at the deadline now.
The Bulls
Jimmy Butler will miss the next month with knee problems, and Chicago may very well miss the playoffs as a result. Some combination of E'Twaun Moore, Tony Snell, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Doug McDermott will be asked to pick up the slack - a thoroughly uninspiring prospect. Moore is probably the best fantasy option of the bunch.
