NBA NOTEBOOK
Hawks face major rebuilding job, prospects of dismal season
As one key player after another departed the Atlanta Hawks over the summer, Dennis Schroeder was caught off guard.
Just three seasons ago, the Hawks won a franchiserecord 60 games, claimed the top seed in the East and reached the conference final.
Now?
“They say we’re going to be the worst team in the NBA,” Schroeder conceded Monday during the Hawks media day at a luxury hotel in midtown Atlanta.
The point guard isn’t buying that assessment, of course. He and his teammates insist Atlanta still has enough talent to make a run at its 11th straight playoff appearance, though they are certainly in the minority on that one.
The Hawks hired a new general manager (Travis Schlenk) and embarked on a major rebuilding job, the kind that normally means several dismal seasons are on the horizon.
Four-time All-Star forward Paul Millsap was allowed to depart as a free agent without so much as a contract offer. Dwight Howard was traded to Charlotte after one forgettable season in his hometown, a deal that was nothing more than a salary dump and not even a hugely significant one, since the Hawks agreed to take on Miles Plumlee’s bloated contract. Tim Hardaway Jr. returned to the New York Knicks after the Hawks passed on a chance to match his fouryear, $71 million offer.
Just like that, the Hawks lost three of their top five scorers and their top two rebounders. The entire starting five from that magical 2014-15 season — Millsap, Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll — have either left as free agents or been traded away.
“Of course, you’re wondering what’s going on,” Schroeder said. “But it’s the business. The Hawks wanted to do something different. Everybody’s got to accept it and we’ve got to go from there.”
LeBron won’t kneel, but he sure won’t back down
You won’t see LeBron James taking a knee during the national anthem.
“My voice is more important than my knee,” he said Monday.
Although he “wouldn’t be surprised” if other players around the NBA take part in some type of pregame protests this season — and believes they have every right to — he said, “I don’t believe that I have to get on my knees to further what I talk about. …
“What I do is my commentary.”
Standing for the anthem is one of precious few topics on which the world’s best basketball player and the world’s most powerful person agree.
LeBron’s war of words with the president of the United States continued Monday afternoon when the otherwise upbeat Bath resident sat on a riser in front of scores of cameras and reporters at the Cavs’ annual media day.
James wouldn’t even utter Trump’s name, referring to him consistently and disdainfully as “that guy.”
LeBron said he salutes the NFL players who have gone out on a limb to express their beliefs.
“It’s not about disrespect of the flag or our military and everybody that’s made this world free,” he said, his deep voice steady and exuding confidence. “It is about equality, and people having the option and the freedom to speak upon things that they feel are (unjust).”
Thomas feeling like his old self
With every passing day, Cavaliers guard Isaiah Thomas feels more like himself.
“I’m getting stronger,” he said.
The All-Star point guard, acquired from the Celtics this summer, has made progress with his hip injury, and the Cavaliers expect him to be playing games by January.
After doing little for months because of a torn right labrum that knocked him out of the playoffs for Boston in last season’s Eastern Conference finals against Cleveland, Thomas has increased his physical activity to the point that he’s running and shooting.
“Physically I’m in a good place. I’m making progress every day,” he said. “These last three weeks, I’ve been able to be with this training staff six days a week and focused on getting my strength back in that muscle.”
There were concerns that Thomas, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving, would be out much longer, and even some speculation that he might miss the entire season.
However, Cleveland’s training staff has been encouraged by how far Thomas has come in a short period, and the Cavaliers believe he could be back in their lineup before the end of the year.