It was another busy week around the NBA that included the Golden State Warriors earning a measure of redemption in a 121-112 win over the Milwaukee Bucks that included some heated moments between Draymond Green and OJ Mayo. A week ago, Bucks’ fans showed up to Milwaukee’s 108-95 win over Golden State wearing “24-1” t-shirts so this time around it was Warriors’ fans that showed up with t-shirts that mocked the Bucks with their “10-18” record posted on it. In the midst of it all there was some important news that might have been overlooked along the way. Here is a recap of some of the important NBA news and notes from around the association this past week.
Kyrie Irving Makes His Return
After missing the first two months of the NBA season recovering from surgery on his fractured kneecap, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving made his season debut in Sunday’s 108-86 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Irving started in his season debut and he recorded 12 points, four assists, two steals and one rebound in just 17 minutes of action. It will certainly take some time for Irving to find his form after missing so much time but the Cavaliers and their fans had to be happy to see him healthy and back on the floor. What’s a scary thought is that the Cavaliers are already a first-place team in the Eastern Conference without him (currently holding a 2.5-game lead). Having him back along with the services of Iman Shumpert should make them the unquestioned team to beat in the East.
Derrick Williams Robbed
New York Knicks’ forward Derrick Williams enjoyed a night out on the town Friday but his night carried over in to the early hours of Saturday morning and that is when he fell victim to a robbery that included $617,000 worth of stolen jewelry and a Louis Vuitton backpack. Williams was robbed by two women that came back to his apartment following Friday night’s partying and while the investigation in to the theft is still underway the NYPD has already stated it could be part of a pattern of young women who have preyed on wealthy men in the New York area of late.
Kidd Undergoes Hip Surgery
The Milwaukee Bucks will have to work their way back in to contention following a 10-18 start to the season without head coach Jason Kidd on the sideline after he underwent hip surgery that will keep him out indefinitely. Kidd had reportedly coached the first 29 games of the season despite playing with significant pain in the hip as a result of a deteriorating condition but it became too much for him of late and now he will be forced to stay away from the Milwaukee bench until at least February with veteran assistant coach Joe Prunty serving as interim head coach until he returns.
Anthony Bennett Demoted To The D-League
It has been a rough fall from grace for the first-overall pick from the 2013 NBA Draft as he has gone from being the first Canadian to be selected with the top pick two years ago to a demotion to the D-league. Bennett is the first No. 1 pick ever to play in the D-league and he will use the demotion as an opportunity to play some big minutes and work his games. He’ll have to improve both his conditioning and production in the post before returning to the Raptors. While many people figured that a landing spot in Toronto would be the ideal spot for the Canadian – especially given how desperate they are for frontcourt help – that hasn’t been the case. This move shows they have no need for him in his current form even though they’re missing the services of Jonas Valanciunas right now.
