Pop’s plans, scrimmage woes and more big Team USA takeaways

— Bucks forward Jabari Parker is taking nothing for granted as he works his way back from a second major knee injury in his brief NBA career. The 22-year-old Parker practiced Tuesday with Milwaukee’s G League affiliate for the second straight day. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in left knee

Julius Randle and the Knicks look to shake off their recent loss and maintain their success through a daunting remaining regular season schedule. On this week’s episode of The Putback with Ian Begley presented by 888sport, SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley and Chris Williamson are joined by writer for BasketballNews.com and host of The Dunker Spot podcast’s Nekias Duncan to break down a variety of topics. What exactly does Tom Thibodeau see in Elfrid Payton? What are the factors behind Julius Randle’s meteoric rise and can he sustain it? Ian and Chris also discuss the daunting but crucial upcoming schedule for the Knicks and Ian reports on how the Knicks are rewarding their G-League guys financially. All that and more on this week’s episode of The Putback with Ian Begley presented by 888sport.