SB Nation Chicago: All Posts by Scott Schroeder

NBA Draft rumors: Ben McLemore's stock slips during workouts

2013-06-18T18:26:12Z

Ben McLemore has reportedly seen his stock slip since he started doing individual workouts, according to ESPN's Chad Ford -- leaving the Kansas Jayhawks guard in a precarious position as the 2013 NBA Draft creeps closer.

Scouting Report on Ben McLemore

McLemore hasn't been mentioned as a potential No. 1 pick since the Cleveland Cavaliers won the lottery, but the talented shooter has typically been in the discussion as one of the top two or three players available in this year's draft class. That apparently isn't the case anymore for the player rated No. 2 on SB Nation's NBA Draft big board, however, as Ford wrote about issues McLemore has been having in the lead-up to next week's draft.

His lack of preparation for the draft is hurting him. Multiple sources told me that his workout in Phoenix was not impressive. McLemore, according to sources, wasn't in shape and struggled to keep up in the workout. I heard similar things in Orlando.

McLemore is in a tug-of-war right now between advisor Rodney Blackstock and his agency Rivals. It's kept McLemore out of the gym and, for the most part, out of workouts. How much will all of this affect the draft stock? I'm told teams are worried. But how worried? Enough for one of the most talented players in the draft to slide further? Stay tuned.

It'd be very unfortunate if off-court distractions from those he trusts causes a talented player like McLemore to slip in the draft, but it sounds as though that's a very real possibility.

More from SB Nation:

• Ziller: LeBron and the age of sports skeptics

• Doc Rivers trade to Clippers is dead, says Danny Ainge

• Flannery: Finally, The Manu Game | How the Spurs won

• SB Nation's blogger mock draft

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

Doc Rivers unsure about returning to Celtics after Clippers trade dies, according to report

2013-06-18T17:37:48Z

Doc Rivers is unsure about returning to the Boston Celtics, according a report from Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, after the proposed trade that would've sent him to the Los Angeles Clippers officially fell through on Tuesday morning.

Rivers is still under contract for three years and $21 million with the Celtics, but the relationship between the coach and his franchise is likely going to be a bit rocky following everything that has come out -- by way of sources -- since the rumors surrounding Rivers to LA surfaced again last week.

For more about Rivers' future visit CelticsBlog

Wojnarowski doesn't have Rivers going on record to talk about being uncertain about returning to Boston, but the scribe does detail the reasons Doc might be unsure about his future with the Celtics.

This Clippers play was a gamble for Rivers, who has jeopardized his immense popularity in Boston with the bid to be part of a bold deal to go to Los Angeles with Garnett.

Rivers pushed for the Clippers partnership because of his desire to bypass a rebuilding process with Boston. As one source tied to Boston ownership and Rivers said, "You don't just move on from this and act like nothing happened."

The Celtics and Rivers are expected to reach a resolution -- one way or the other -- in the next few days according to the report. If that resolution doesn't involve Rivers in Boston, he'll either end up out of coaching, back in broadcasting or in another trade as the Celtics would continue to insist on compensation if any other NBA team tries to hire Rivers in either a coaching or managing role prior to his contract expiring.

More from SB Nation:

• Ziller: LeBron and the age of sports skeptics

• Doc Rivers trade to Clippers is dead, says Danny Ainge

• Flannery: Finally, The Manu Game | How the Spurs won

• SB Nation's blogger mock draft

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

Doc Rivers trade to L.A. Clippers is dead, Danny Ainge confirms

2013-06-18T16:48:50Z

A monumental trade that would have sent Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and former NBA MVP Kevin Garnett to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for prospects and draft picks is dead, according to multiple reports citing sources on both teams.

The deal, which would have sent Rivers and Garnett to the Clippers in exchange for DeAndre Jordan and at least one draft pick, plus other assets, was reported as heating up, stalling, changing and even nearly complete. None of those words can describe the proposed transaction now, though. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge went on record with an official denial to the Boston Globe on Tuesday morning:

Danny Ainge confirms to the @BostonGlobe that the proposed Clippers-Celtics deal is, in fact, dead.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) June 18, 2013

Los Angeles Times beat writer Brad Turner quoted a Clippers executive saying the deal was off because the Celtics were "asking for too much." Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski and CBS Sports' Ken Berger all reported the same, but A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England suggested the deal died due to the "ultimate cheapskate move" of the Clippers not being willing to give up a second first-round pick in exchange for Rivers and Garnett.

Other iterations of the deal included the Clippers absorbing the mid-level contracts of either Jason Terry, Courtney Lee or both, which the Clippers ultimately balked at doing. Rivers' new salary, as well as a $3 million trade kicker in Jordan's contract, were also costs the Clippers didn't want to absorb, according to Wojnarowski.

Rivers' future with the Celtics is now up in the air. Ainge has asked Rivers to return as coach, according to Wojnarowski, but it's unclear whether Rivers or Garnett wants to return for a rebuilding effort.

More from SB Nation:

• Ziller: LeBron and the age of sports skeptics

• Flannery: Finally, The Manu Game | How the Spurs won

• SB Nation's blogger mock draft

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

Tarvaris Jackson signs 1-year deal with Seahawks, per report

2013-06-13T23:36:05Z

Tarvaris Jackson will return to the Seattle Seahawks on a one-year deal, according to a report from 710 ESPN in Seattle, after being released by the Buffalo Bills earlier in the offseason. Jackson spent the 2011 season as the starting quarterback for Seattle, but was traded to Buffalo prior to last season for a seventh-round pick.

Jackson won't be the starter in Seattle this time around, as Russell Wilson has cemented himself pretty solidly in that role, but this should be a better opportunity for Jackson this time around now that the Seahawks traded fellow quarterback Matt Flynn to the Oakland Raiders.

It'll be interesting to see how Jackson responds to being a backup this time around, as he's been inconsistently used thus far in his NFL career. He played in just one game last year with the Bills after starting 14 games a year prior with the Seahawks. He also made 20 starts during his first five years in the league, all with Minnesota.

The 30-year-old quarterback has a career 59.4 completion percentage and 38 touchdowns compared to 35 interceptions.

More from SB Nation:

• Broncos release Willis McGahee

• What's next for NFL's at-risk coaches?

• Jason Peters arrested for drag racing

• DeSean Jackson wants QB question answered

• 3 reasons why signing Tebow was a smart move

• Police release 911 call from Adam "Pacman" Jones arrest

NFL OTA news: Practices canceled for some teams, QB battles heat up for others

2013-06-13T23:10:09Z

The New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals were among teams to end their OTAs earlier than planned this week by canceling practice Thursday. All of the teams had different reasons to do so, according to what the coaches told the media, but it seems that rest was likely a primary factor in each team's decision.

Bill Belichick canceled Thursday's practice for a second consecutive season, but Greg Knopping at Pats Pulpit is a bit perplexed by the decision. The Buccaneers took Thursday off too, although they were together as a team watching Brad Pitt's World War Z instead. There wasn't much regarding why the Steelers ended OTAs early, but they did it anyway. And last but not least in the world of early-ending OTAs, backup kicker Will Batson knocked through a field goal to end Cardinals practice early.

Eagles not close to deciding on quarterback

The Philadelphia Eagles will likely have a QB battle for the majority of the preseason, it seems, as they have a plethora of options. Michael Vick would seem to be the favorite, but Nick Foles, Matt Barkley, G.J. Kinne and Dennis Dixon are all still apparently at least sort of in the mix.

"[The QB competition] will be as long as you imagine. That's what Chip Kelly is," Dixon said. "He keeps everyone on their toes. As an athlete, you have to be ready. Whenever your name is called, you have to be ready."

It'll be very odd if it isn't Foles or Vick, but it sounds like anything is possible.

Jets working on wildcat formation

The New York Jets were said to be finding ways to get Geno Smith more involved in the passing game -- particularly with his legs -- and it sounds as though they found a way to do so by installing the wildcat formation during this week's OTAs.

The wildcat didn't go so well with Tim Tebow at the helm last season, but our friends at Bleeding Green Nation think it could be different this year.

I am sure the thought of more Wildcat will lead to some groans, but I think this is the right thing to do. There is just not enough talent on this offense for it to be successful playing straight up. There are going to need to be a few wrinkles, and the personnel seems better suited to playing power football than anything else.

It will be interesting to see what comes of this.

Jaguars quarterback competition wide open

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a quarterback competition brewing and things are all over the place as far as potential starters are concerned, according to a report from Big Cat Country.

Most believe that the competition is between Chad Henne or Blaine Gabbert, but the fact that Mike Kafka is said to have just as good of an opportunity as the aforementioned favorites is a good thing, BCC's Alfie Crow writes.

I still think Blaine Gabbert winds up the opening day starter, but if the Jaguars' new front office and coaching staff are willing to let a guy claimed off waivers or an undrafted free agent win the starting job if they legitimately earn it, that's a good thing.

More from SB Nation:

• Broncos release Willis McGahee

• What's next for NFL's at-risk coaches?

• Jason Peters arrested for drag racing

• DeSean Jackson wants QB question answered

• 3 reasons why signing Tebow was a smart move

• Police release 911 call from Adam "Pacman" Jones arrest

NBA Finals 2013: Heat's Mike Miller may start Game 4 vs. Spurs

2013-06-13T18:44:47Z

The Miami Heat might turn to starting Mike Miller to provide a spark in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. There hasn't been any official indication from Heat officials, but not divulging that sort of information isn't rare when it comes to games of this importance.

More: Tony Parker will play in Game 4 for Spurs

Miller -- who had a couple of nice games with the Heat in last year's championship run -- hasn't been able to consistently stay healthy enough for the Heat to rely on him for offense. With Miami's offense struggling, however, the Heat might add the South Dakota native to their starting lineup. From Windhorst:

Looking to jump-start a sluggish offense, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is considering changing his starting lineup for Game 4 of the NBA Finals and inserting the hot-shooting Mike Miller, sources said Thursday.

Miller has made eight consecutive shots from beyond the arc and has made 10-of-11 total thus far in the Finals. Combine that with Udonis Haslem struggling to get anything going for a sometimes-stagnant Miami offense and it seems as though the Heat will employ quite a bit more firepower in Game 4 of the seven-game series.

More from SB Nation:

• Comeback Kidd: Nets hire franchise's greatest player

• Deron Williams: "It's a risk" | Kidd in rare company

• Flannery: All eyes on LeBron James

• Chris Bosh tired of trade rumors, wants to retire in Miami

• Spurs role players reign | The Kawhi Leonard lesson

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

Jason Kidd admits he has a lot to learn about coaching

2013-06-13T18:26:12Z

Jason Kidd just recently talked to the media about retiring from playing basketball, but the future NBA Hall of Famer was the center of attention once again Thursday when the Brooklyn Nets held a press conference to announce their new head coach.

Kidd obviously doesn't have any head coaching experience, seeing as he announced his retirement at the beginning of the month, and acknowledged as much, saying that there might be some initial hurdles as he's transitioning from being one of the NBA's oldest players to becoming a rookie in the coaching realm.

More: Reviewing other players that went straight into coaching

The 40-year-old is confident his playing days will help him on that front, however -- specifically when it comes to his relationship with his point guard, Deron Williams.

"Yes, I have a lot to learn about coaching, but when I played the game I felt like I was an extension of the coach," Kidd said during Thursday's press conference. "Now I look to Deron to be that guy and to execute that game plan -- along with the rest of the team -- because I believe that we can win."

Nets general manager Billy King said Kidd is exactly what the team was hoping to get when hiring a head coach.

"When this process started and we talked with Mikhail and the ownership, we were looking for coach that brings great leadership, that can help build us to where we want to get to and can show us direction and help our players to compete," King said.

"We really wanted to resemble Brooklyn -- somebody that plays hard and that teaches hard to guys that play hard. Jason Kidd embodied everything that we were looking for."

Kidd talked numerous times about his excitement for the opportunity, mentioning Mark Jackson -- a fellow point guard and assists leader -- as one of those that helped paved the way so he could make the jump from playing to coaching.

More from SB Nation:

• Comeback Kidd: Nets hire franchise's greatest player

• Deron Williams: "It's a risk" | Kidd in rare company

• Flannery: All eyes on LeBron James

• Chris Bosh tired of trade rumors, wants to retire in Miami

• Spurs role players reign | The Kawhi Leonard lesson

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

NBA free agency rumors: David West preparing to return to Pacers

2013-06-13T18:01:46Z

David West is technically going to be a free agent on July 1, but both he and the Indiana Pacers' front office are hoping that he returns to the team that almost upset the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals this season.

West, a 32-year-old power forward, just completed the two-year, $20 million deal he signed with the Pacers after a successful campaign with the New Orleans Hornets. West and the Pacers didn't come to an agreement on a contract extension during the season, but comments made to the media indicate that a deal will likely come soon after the free agency period begins.

More: West's thoughts on free agency after Pacers' elimination

Team president Donnie Walsh, general manager Kevin Pritchard and West all spoke on the record with the Indianapolis Star on Thursday to talk about the upcoming free agent conversations.

"We want him back as much as you can want anyone back," Walsh said. "We think he's one of the anchors of the team." Added Pritchard: "(West) knows we're in a great position moving forward. He's priority No. 1 and come July 1 (the start of free agency) we'll have a lot of conversations."

...

"I'm not (expletive) dumb," West told The Star. "I don't plan on going anywhere. This is my team. These are my guys."

Whether or not West and the Pacers are able to agree on a new contract is going to be interesting, but the two sides seem to at least want to be able to make a deal.

More from SB Nation:

• Comeback Kidd: Nets hire franchise's greatest player

• Deron Williams: "It's a risk" | Kidd in rare company

• Flannery: All eyes on LeBron James

• Chris Bosh tired of trade rumors, wants to retire in Miami

• Spurs role players reign | The Kawhi Leonard lesson

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board