DALLAS, TX - MARCH 01: Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at American Airlines Center on March 1, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Mark Cuban “absolutely” open to being Hillary Clinton’s running mate

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By Sean HighkinMay 20, 2016, 11:42 PM EDT

Mark Cuban can’t seem to stay away from the election news cycle. Last week, a group of Republicans approached the Dallas Mavericks’ owner to gauge his interest in a third-party run for president, so as to thwart Donald Trump. Cuban wasn’t interested. He did, however, say in a new interview that will air this Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press that he would be open to serving as Hillary Clinton’s running mate.

Here’s a transcript, via ESPN:

In an excerpt of an interview that will air on Sunday’s “Meet the Press” on NBC, Cuban was asked if he would listen if the Clinton campaign came to him offering the vice presidency.

“Absolutely,” Cuban responded while adding that he would seek to alter some of Clinton’s platform were he to become her running mate.

“If she’s willing to listen, if she’s willing to, you know, hear other sides of things, then I’m wide open to discussing it,” Cuban said.

Somehow, it’s hard to picture this actually happening. But Cuban’s continued openness to getting involved in politics is interesting.

Report: Stephen Silas and Mike D’Antoni are finalists for Rockets job, but interviews ongoing

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Mike D'Antoni of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 23, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 117-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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By Sean HighkinMay 21, 2016, 2:00 PM EDT

The Rockets may be set to interview James Borrego for their head coaching position, and Magic assistant Adrian Griffin is also on the list. But those interviews seem to be due diligence, according to the Houston Chronicle‘s Jonathan Feigen, who adds that Mike D’Antoni and Stephen Silas are the two likeliest candidates for the job:

Even if the Rockets are zeroed in on their top choices, it’s a smart approach to keep talking to other candidates, so they have as much information as possible. Somebody could unexpectedly blow them away in an interview, and then they’d have a candidate they hadn’t previously considered. Establishing relationships with these coaching candidates also makes it more likely they’d consider being assistants if they don’t get a head job elsewhere.

Reports: Phil Jackson will allow Jeff Hornacek to break from triangle offense

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 29: Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a call in the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 29, 2016 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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By Sean HighkinMay 21, 2016, 12:30 PM EDT

With the Knicks all but set to make Jeff Hornacek their next head coach, a big question remains: will Phil Jackson force Hornacek to run the triangle, as he did Derek Fisher? Fisher tried to make some modifications to the offense, which was one of many reasons he was let go in February. Hornacek’s hire was a little surprising because he isn’t a triangle coach and has no previous history with Jackson, but ESPN.com’s Ian Begley says it might not matter:

Several media outlets have reported that Hornacek will have the freedom to install his own offense rather than run Jackson’s preferred triangle. If this is accurate — and several people familiar with the inner workings of the team believe it to be true — it would be a shift in philosophy for Jackson.

The interesting wrinkle here: Derek Fisher attempted to tweak the triangle offense by increasing the pace, running more high ball screens and drag screens. Jackson opposed that change and it was ultimately cited as one of the primary reasons he fired Fisher in early February, when the Knicks were 23-31.

So it’s a bit surprising that Hornacek would get leeway that Fisher, who won five titles playing for Jackson’s Los Angeles Lakers teams, was not afforded.

Nonetheless, with Hornacek at the helm it’s fair to expect the Knicks to play at a faster pace, spread the floor, shoot more 3-pointers and pursue more opportunities in transition — all traits of Hornacek’s Phoenix Suns teams. The guess here is that many Knicks players will welcome these changes. Many had grown weary of the triangle and the negative perception of the offense around the NBA, per league sources.

If Jackson is willing to bend on the triangle and let Hornacek install his own offense, that’s a good sign for the Knicks’ future. So far, the only coach Jackson has been able to find who’s willing to run the triangle without any reservations is Kurt Rambis, which speaks for itself. If Jackson wants Hornacek to be successful, he has to give him the freedom to coach the team as he sees fit, and as fits the personnel. Early indications are that he’s willing to do that, which is encouraging for Knicks fans.

Cavs pour water on Tyronn Lue after he breaks rookie coaching record (VIDEO)

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 19: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the second half against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 19, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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By Sean HighkinMay 21, 2016, 11:00 AM EDT

After the Cavs’ Game 2 win over the Raptors, Ty Lue moved to 10-0 in his playoff coaching career, a record for a rookie coach. His players were pretty excited about it, and showered him with water in the locker room afterwards to celebrate:

Somehow, it’s hard to imagine David Blatt last season allowing himself to get excited about this. He took exception to his players mobbing him after his first NBA victory. But Lue had fun with it.

Jazz GM says team will look for veterans to round out roster this summer

Derrick Favors, Quin Snyder, Rudy Gobert, Gordon Hayward
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By Kurt HelinMay 21, 2016, 9:30 AM EDT

The Utah Jazz have one of the better young rosters in the NBA — Rudy Gobert, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood, Trey Lyles, Alec Burks, Trey Burke, and they should get point guard Dante Exum back from injury for next season. Despite a rash of injuries last season this team came within a game of making the playoffs in the West.

What takes them over the top and into the postseason? Veterans.

That’s what GM Dennis Lindsey told Salt Lake talk radio host Spencer Checketts (yes, the son of Dave):

It’s impossible to evaluate a potential trade of Lyles without knowing who the other player is, but this is the kind of move the Jazz are going to have to consider to push this team over the top.

In particular, a veteran at the three (behind Hayward) and some depth at the point would be good (even getting Exum back some ball handling guard depth could matter over the long grind of the season). To get those kinds of players the Jazz may need to surrender and asset or two, but that’s the next step in team building.