ESPN.com’s panel of 93 NBA prognosticators was asked…
Which returning or new player are you most eager to see?
The correct answer in this guard-driven league is John Wall? Or maybe marquee veteran players like Yao Ming or Gilbert Arenas? Or a curio like DeMarcus Cousins?
Griffin hasn’t logged a single regular-season minute as an NBA player, but there are things he knows that rookies like John Wall can’t possibly understand yet.
ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan has this dispatch from Day 2 of Team USA training camp:
Reporters were allowed to watch the final 20 minutes of practice, and we can tell you from that small sampling that Stephen Curry looked a whole lot better than Eric Gordon, who he is presumed to be battling with for a spot on the final 12-man roster. Gordon briefly ran the point and had his pocket picked by UConn point guard Kemba Walker, leading to a breakaway, and he nearly botched a simple pick-and-pop pass to Kevin Durant on the following possession. Curry, meanwhile, stroked one 3-pointer and had a terrific 60-foot underhanded hook pass to Andre Iguodala ahead of the field for a breakaway dunk.
We’ll have more analysis later, though it’s worth noting that the team will once again play 82 games, 41 of them on their home floor at Staples Center, 41 away from home — though a pair of those games will be at Staples Center. (Hat tip: Buddhafan)
A couple of quick notes:
From the Clippers’ release:
Los Angeles Clippers forward Craig Smith underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure today on his right knee. He is scheduled to be sidelined from four to six weeks.
Smith, who averaged 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 16.4 minutes in 75 games played with Los Angeles last season, was re-signed by the Clippers as a free agent on July 20th.
If this timetable holds, Smith will be ready for the start of training camp.