NBA Roundup: Marcus Smart Returns

It’s been a few weeks since we last checked in on the former Cowboys currently hooping it up in the NBA. The fact that none of them were actually playing was a major reason for that.

But now, the All-Star break is over and there’s some recent news to cover, including Marcus Smart’s return to the lineup and potential surgery for Jawun Evans.

Marcus Smart

With his hand injury finally healed, Smart returned to the lineup after the All-Star break and has been playing well. In wins over the Pistons and Knicks, Smart averaged 11.5 points on 64-percent shooting. But it was Smart’s defensive acumen, that the Celtics missed the most while he was sidelined. Kyrie Irving noted the importance of Smart on that side of the court, according to an article by MassLive.com.

“It just makes a lot of other guys’ jobs a lot easier because he covers up a lot of our mistakes as well as playing with unbelievable awareness on both ends of the floor. He understands spacing. He understands the little things that matter in putting a full 48-minute game together.” MassLive.com

If Smart can continue to shoot the ball effectively as well as bring his trademark defense to the court, the Celtics could go a long way this season.

Jawun Evans

While Smart is back, Jawun Evans remains out dealing with an abdominal injury, with no timetable for his return. Now, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers says Evans might require surgery.

Evans has been out since Jan. 20th, and according to a report from CBS Sports, even if he does return to the court, he will likely have a significantly reduced role on the team.

“…it seems highly unlikely that the rookie will suit up for at least this week while he has yet to resume on-court work. Now that fellow point guards Austin Rivers and Milos Teodosic are both healthy, Evans isn’t expected to have a large role for the Clippers even once he recovers from the injury.” CBS Sports

It’s a disappointing development for the rookie, who was having a nice season off the bench for the Clippers.

Tony Allen

After having his contract bought out by Chicago and following a trade from New Orleans, Tony Allen remains on the open market. That likely has to do with the injury that kept Allen out for his final weeks with the Pelicans. Not to mention his age and deteriorating abilities.

Though I find it strange that not one contender would consider adding him to their roster for the playoffs.

In the meantime, the former “Grindfather” is being featured in a funny video for the Memphis Airport, who is looking for someone to replace the former Grizzly as their spokesperson.

Despite no longer being a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, the airport has no actual plans to name a new spokesperson.

While Markel Brown isn’t playing with the Houston Rockets right now, he has been competing with their G-League team. If you missed it, he went off for 41 points last week for the Grande Valley Vipers.