Kelly Olynyk isn't too worried after tweaking his wrist. (USATSI)
Offseason: Free Agency | Latest from Ken Berger | Rumors
Boston Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk left the Canadian national team in the middle of a series of exhibition games because of a wrist injury, but he downplayed the severity of it to ESPN's Chris Forsberg:
Olynyk was coy on the injury, but downplayed concerns. He wasn't wearing a brace and didn't seem cautious while distributing high-5s to the kids as they bounded off a bus in front of Canobie (one of them attaching themselves to Olynyk's leg and seemingly unwilling to let go).
“It'll be alright,” Olynyk said of his wrist. Told how even minor injuries tend to become big stories in these parts, he playfully added, “It's not career-ending.”
Olynyk said he was previously scheduled to return to the area this week (Canada played its 11th and final exhibition in Spain today) and returning early after the wrist injury was merely precautionary. He talked of being ready to go when Celtics players start filing back to Boston in early September in advance of training camp.
Before Team Canada's trip to Europe, Olynyk averaged 17.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for Boston's summer league team in Orlando, though he shot just 40 percent from the field. The 7-footer had a decent rookie year for the Celtics, but he didn't dispel doubts about his ability to protect the rim and battle stronger players for rebounds. While it was worth spending time with the national team in advance of his second season, it wasn't worth aggravating a minor injury.
(HT: PBT)
Basketball Hot News
Report: New Clipper owner Ballmer to talk contract extension with Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers already is just one of a handful of coaches with the power position to have say over players and personnel too. Gregg Popovich has it (although that’s a unique relationship with R.C. Buford). Stan Van Gundy has it. But the list is short.
Often when a new owner comes in the coach and team president should feel nervous about their job security — owners want the people they trust in the positions of power.
It’s going to be the opposite for Rivers with new Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
In the wake of owner Steve Ballmer gaining governorship control of the Los Angeles Clippers, discussions on a contract extension for Doc Rivers are expected to commence soon, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Ballmer and Rivers had been eager to forge a long-term partnership, and a California court confirming the authority of Shelly Sterling to sell the franchise on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust has cleared the way to work toward a new deal.
Rivers already was making $7 million a year, making him one of the highest paid coaches in the NBA. He’d be happy to extend that, I imagine.
When the Donald Sterling situation, um, hit the fan last playoffs, Rivers did his best to stand in front of the team and deflect as much of the storm as he could off the players. He shouldered as much as could be asked, and it wore on him and the team.
This sale is a parting of the clouds. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are happy. Rivers has a real contender on his hands and a team with a very underrated offseason pickup in Spencer Hawes (remember in the playoffs last year Glen Davis was the first big off the bench, Hawes is lightyears ahead of him).
For a few years now the Clippers have been doing things right off the court in spite of their owner (because he stepped back and let others make the decisions on the basketball side). Ballmer is smart not to fix what isn’t broken. Keep Rivers in the big chair.
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