2017-18 NBA Bric-a-Brac (Week 24)

Injuries
Tom Benson, owner of the Pelicans (and Saints), is out for the rest of the year (and all future years). He was a dancing fool and a beloved soul in the most soulful town in the world. Godspeed.

Michael Carter-Williams (Hornets) out for the year after shoulder surgery.

Wes Matthews (Mavs) likely done for the year with a broken leg.

Daniel Theis (Celtics) likely done for the year with knee injury. (Will Theis be playing in Summer League?)

Kent Bazemore (Hawks) out for the year with knee bruise. (Shut him down, no need to risk accidentally winning games down the stretch)

Raul Neto (Jazz) out for the season with fractured wrist. (Would've provided depth in the playoffs)

Avery Bradley (Clippers) likely done for the year with a sports hernia. (Do the Clippers have any interest in re-signing him?)

Marcus Smart (Celtics) out for the year with a thumb injury. (Ouch! Smart is the ultimate eye test player: his numbers are not impressive but when you watch the Celtics, you can't help but notice that they're better when he's in there. I assume he won't be back with the Celtics next year, curious to see how they'll replace him)

Tyronn Lue (Cavs) has missed the last 8 games with unspecified health concerns. Is expected to return any day now.

Antonio Blakeney (Bulls) out for the year with wrist injury.

Kyrie Irving (Celtics) is out indefinitely after knee surgery. Should be back for the playoffs.

Steph Curry (Warriors) is out indefinitely with sprained knee (and nagging ankle injury?). Likely to miss the 1st round of the playoffs.

Dennis Shroder (Hawks) out for the year with a sprained ankle. (Shut him down!)

Moe Harkless (Blazers) out indefinitely after knee surgery. (Hmmm, back for the playoffs? They'll need everyone to throw at the Warriors)

Alexis Ajinca (Pelicans) out for the year after knee surgery.

Milos Teodosic (Clippers) out for the year with plantar fascia. (Isn't that what he had at the beginning of the year?)

Isiah Thomas (Lakers) out for the year with that hip injury. (Buzz is the Lakers want him back, kinda doubt they'll pay him what he wants)

Joel Embiid (Sixers) out indefinitely with fractured orbital bone. (Hate to see any kind of injury but it was probably time to ease back his minutes heading into the playoffs. Should be back for the 1st round)

Troy Williams (Knicks) out for the year with a broken jaw.  (Ouch)

Just today it was announced that Kyrie Irving (Celtics) will not be returning this season. (The Celtics are already without Marcus Smart and relying heavily on Jayson Tatum--having a helluva season but still a rookie--not surprising that the Celtics figure it was best to shut Kyrie down and come back strong next year)


Signings
Derrick Rose (Wolves) signed for the rest of the year. (I dunno, man, I don't think he's got much to offer here but Coach Thibs is loyal to his soldiers)

Wade Baldwin (Blazers) signed for the rest of the year. (I thought he was intriguing draft prospect a coupla years back but if he couldn't catch on with the Guard-desperate Grizzlies, doesn't feel like he's gonna hang around)

Troy Williams (Knicks) signed 2yr/$1.8m. (Uhhhh....I don't know who he is or what the Knicks expect of him)

Shaq Harrison (Suns) signed 2yr/$1.5m. (Another PG in Phoenix? Is this a roster manipulation move?)

Antonius Cleveland (Hawks) signed for the rest of the year. (Already bounced around quite a bit for a rookie. Hawks need bodies for now)

Ramon Sessions (Wizards) signed for the rest of the year. (PG depth for the playoff run)

Georgios Papagiannis (Blazers) signed 2yr/undisclosed. (A castoff from the Grizzlies and another from the Kings to round out the Summer League squad?)

Jaylen Morris (Hawks) signed 2yr/undsiclosed. (The Hawks really need bodies)

Sean Kilpatrick (Bulls) signed a 3yr/$6.2m. (Hmmmm, not sure this was necessary. Either they found a player they really like or this is a roster manipulation)

Travis Wear (Lakers) signed for the rest of the season. (I kinda liked Wear with the Knicks a while back, nice to see him back in the league)

Rodney Purvis (Magic) signed 2 yr/undisclosed. (I haven't understood anything the Magic has done in at least 3-4 years now)

Tim Quarterman (Rockets) signed 2yr/undisclosed. (Now this I'm certain is a roster manipulation, Daryl Morey being the master of such moves)


Waivings
Rashad Vaughn (Magic), Mirza Teletovic (Bucks), Derrick Williams (Lakers), Brandan Wright (Rockets), James Young (Sixers), CJ Fair (Bulls), Brice Johnson (Grizzlies), Le'Bryan Nash (Rockets) have all been waived. (Le'Bryan Nash was in the NBA?)


Debuts
Up to 115 debuts this year: Chris Boucher (Warriors), Jameel Warney (Mavs), Damion Lee (Hawks), Rodney Purvis (Magic), Justin Patton (Wolves).


NCAA Final (Michigan 62-79 Villanova)
I slacked off the last 4 weeks giving my attention to the college game for a while. In the championship game, Michigan hit shots early on and kept pace with Villanova (who quickly blew out Kansas in the semi-final game), felt like we were gonna get a competitive game. But Nova was up by halftime and dominated the 2nd half. Throughout the season I thought Virginia was the best team, while Duke and Arizona had the most talent top to bottom. But Villanova was top quality, too, and in the tourney they tightened up and made quick work of Alabama, West Virginia and Texas Tech--all quality squads--in addition to Kansas and Michigan. Another impressive tournament run. Villanova is starting to get on my nerves (that's how you know they're good).