The LA Lakers play-by-play voice, Bill Macdonald, and analyst Stu Lantz are usually calm and fair, quick to praise opponents and criticize the Lakers when needed.
Two weeks into last summer's free agency period, the Memphis Grizzlies added frontcourt depth by signing big man Jock Landale to a one-year minimum. Over his first four NBA seasons, Landale spent time with the Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, who waived him in July.
With Zach Edey sidelined for his third straight game, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jock Landale rose up and made the difference despite a big game from Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert (16 points, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks), one of the NBA’s top defenders.
Anyone around sports has heard stories about when preparation meets opportunity. The eventual victories have always been less about a sudden breakout and more about the simple, often overlooked, luxury of consistency.
Part of what makes the NBA, or any pro sports league, so compelling to watch is the narratives, especially those centered on rivalries. Throughout the decades, the NBA has fostered a number of rivalries, some long-lasting and others short but sweet.
When the Memphis Grizzlies signed Jock Landale in July, it barely made a ripple across the NBA landscape. The six-foot-11 Australian center has carved out a journeyman’s career since going undrafted in 2018.
Jock Landale has played four seasons in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets. The 29-year-old finished last year (with the Rockets) averaging 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 53.3% from the field in 42 games.
Following his waiver from the Rockets a week ago, former Houston center Jock Landale was announced by the Memphis Grizzlies as a recent addition to their team.
The Memphis Grizzlies have made a few big moves this offseason, headlined by the trade that sent star guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, but they continue to make minor improvements around their new-look core.
The Grizzlies have officially completed their reported deal with center Jock Landale, announcing the signing on Tuesday in a press release (Twitter link).
The Memphis Grizzlies agreed to a deal with free agent center Jock Landale, per ESPN. The move occurred minutes after ESPN reported the Grizzlies traded center Jay Huff to the Indiana Pacers.
Free agent center Jock Landale has reached an agreement with the Grizzlies, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (X link). Memphis will make room on its roster by sending Jay Huff to the Pacers in exchange for a future second-round pick and a second-round pick swap.
The Rockets have been one of, if not the most successful, team during this offseason as they have continued to make the right moves in preparation for challenging for an NBA Championship next season.
The Houston Rockets certainly possess a load of depth at the center position. They showed more of their double-big lineup in the opening round of the playoffs, playing All-Star Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams together.
The Houston Rockets have been one of the busiest teams this offseason. They have not only extended the contract of their head coach, Ime Udoka. They have signed Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams to new agreements that will keep them in Houston for the next couple of seasons.
The Rockets and big man Jock Landale have agreed to push back the salary guarantee date on his contract for 2025/26, reports Fred Katz of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Jock Landale is coming off his fourth NBA season (and second with the Houston Rockets). He finished the 2024-25 season with averages of 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 53.3% from the field in 42 games.
The Houston Rockets and the rest of the other 29 teams in the NBA are less than a week away from this year's trade deadline, where decisions regarding many futures will be made.
Houston Rockets center Jock Landale hasn't seen too much of the floor this season for the team, and that could lead to a move ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
Spain and Australia faced off in Saturday's opening men's basketball game of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Led by Josh Giddey and Jock Landale, Australia were able to secure a victory over a spirited Spanish team. Here are three takeaways from the game.
The Houston Rockets will look to make upgrades this offseason after finishing outside of the playoff picture with a 41-41 record. While the team is happy with the core they have in place, there are still adjustments to be made.
Jock Landale’s role on the Houston Rockets has been a contentious topic of discussion. During the first four months of the season up until the trade deadline, he was looked at with disdain from the Rockets faithful, reminiscent of the infamous Daishen Nix era just a season ago.
Speaking up after the 127-117 win over the Bulls on Thursday, Rockets big man Jock Landale had a message for his teammate Dillon Brooks, who was ejected from the game after 25 minutes of play.
Jock Landale spent the majority of the 2023-24 season receiving sporadic minutes in coach Ime Udoka's rotation. And when Udoka called upon his name, there were moments Landale did not play beyond 10 minutes.