NBA Rumors: Durant vs. Smith and Injury Talk
At the end of the month, the games will start to count in the NBA, so it's important to appreciate these last few weeks in which rumors and speculation rather than baskets and rebounds are allowed to fuel the conversation around the league.
Pretty soon, Stephen A. Smith will be forced to evaluate Kevin Durant's perimeter defense rather than the status of their personal relationship. And if we're being completely honest with ourselves, that's a little disappointing.
Here, we'll indulge our thirst for NBA rumors and address some less scandalous topics along the way.
The Latest on Durant vs. Smith 2015
Durant has battled a foot injury for the better part of this year, but he's discovered a new opponent ahead of the 2015 season.
Stephen A. Smith instigated the situation last week when the ESPN personality declared Durant's "primary objective" was a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016 (h/t Steve DelVecchio of Larry Brown Sports).
Durant countered Friday by rejecting Smith's claim at the rim.
Smith took exception to the defiance, and now he's threatening to make Durant his enemy, which is apparently not a title you want to hold (h/t Samer Kalaf of Deadspin):
"The sensitivity that these guys are showing, they are making unnecessary enemies I am not one of them. I won't be. I got too much love and respect for who these guys are, and what they mean to my community. But I will say this lastly. You don't want to make an enemy out of me.
"
Smith is, at the most, third on Durant's list of problems behind the Golden State Warriors and convincing Russell Westbrook to pass him the ball. But this story doesn't feel like it's reached its conclusion.
At this point, the ball is in Durant's court. But there's a relatively high chance he doesn't entertain Smith's threat with a response. But the First Take host has a regular platform and, regardless of how maniacal his diatribe was, an encyclopedia of sources that will give him some variety of information.
Rose, Matthews and Kidd-Gilchrest Injury Buzz
Derrick Rose
The initial shock of Derrick Rose's latest injury sent the basketball universe into a familiar tailspin. But the Bulls guard's recovery is on schedule, and there's a good chance he'll be available for the team's regular-season opener Oct. 27, according to ESPN.com's Nick Friedell.
Rose will rejoin the team this week as it prepares for the Cleveland Cavaliers on opening night, but Chicago's coaches are refusing to let him fall behind before that reunion occurs.
Wesley Matthews
A ruptured Achilles tendon didn't stop the Dallas Mavericks from signing Wesley Matthews to a max contract in July, and it may not even stop the guard from suiting up for his new team in the season opener.
Last week, Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle shot down rumors that Matthews would be out for an extended period to start the season (via Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).
"I want to clarify one thing," Carlisle said. "Some idiot today had some headline saying that Wes wasn't going to be back until Christmas. I never said that."
The coach followed by saying his new signing isn't ruled out for the opener against the Phoenix Suns. Matthews averaged 15.9 points and 33.7 minutes per game in the 60 contests he participated in for the Portland Trail Blazers last season.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
In the bleakest installment of this particular injury update, Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is "likely" to miss the entire upcoming season, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
The projected starting forward tore his labrum in Saturday's preseason game in Orlando on this play.
The recovery timeline was up in the air at the time of the injury, but an MRI revealed the damage will require surgery.
