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Just read this attack on Amare article, by big Steve Aschburner over at CNNSI.com; what a fool.    Listen Steve; Amare Stoudamire  is a stud of a baller.  You saying anything otherwise simply exemplifies how difficult it must be for these young talented players to deal with know-it-all old guys like yourself in management.  The guy is literally averaging over a Steal and a Block a game.  He is a big man that can shoot free throws.  He averages over 20 points per…and oh… just 8 rebounds.  Why don’t you go sniff around some GMs for their take on where the game of basketball currently is.  This league has passed you by!
Mr. Brown, you did get LeRobbed on that called.  It is a tough one to take, but you must remember that many referees are in pursuit of the coveted 6th man of the year award.  Look at all the phone calls Timmy and his officiating pals made over the course of the season.  You know what they talk about, don’t you?  BTW, it is a good think you don’t care if you get fined… because you are going to get fined.
Harrington is an absolute me-first athlete, but it is nice to see him reaching out to the youth around the league.  Lessons in deflection are always easy to pass along.  Question: How many times has Nellie watched Blue Chips?   In a follow-up performace, you just know that Nick Nolte would make a great Don Nelson in any direct-to-DVD movie.
Mo Williams, from the small-market Cavs, is in the all-star game.  Who the heck is Mo Williams?
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Cavaliers coach Mike Brown stormed out of the locker room and launched a tirade against NBA official Joey Crawford in the wake of his team’s wild 96-95 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night in Canseco Fieldhouse. Although Brown did not call Crawford by name, he was incensed over a foul Crawford called on LeBron James with .1 of a second left that sent All-Star Danny Granger to the line for what turned out to be the game-winning free throw. It was the first time this season the Cavs lost back-to-back games. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Brown alleged that after referee Bennie Adams called Granger for a foul on James on an inbounds play with .4 of a second left that allowed James to make two free throws and tie the score at 95, Crawford responded by deliberately calling a foul on a similar play on the other end. Cleveland Plain Dealer

“I don’t care if I get fined,” Brown said. “It is what it is. I saw the two plays. It was a bad call. He determined the outcome of the game. If they want to fine me for telling the truth, they can fine me for telling the truth.” Cleveland Plain Dealer

Harrington: “I talk to B-Wright every once in a while. I just tell him to keep his head, try to stay positive and try to weather this Nellie Storm. Because he’s been known to, you know, ruin guys’ careers. So hopefully that won’t happen to those guys.” Contra Costa Times
In Philadelphia on Monday, 76ers forward Reggie Evans called Suns guard Steve Nash the “brain of the NBA.” But the team needs a pulse. “If he’s the brain, I must be the heart, huh?” Suns forward Amaré Stoudemire said. The Suns can use some heart right now, whether it is from Stoudemire or shown in a hearty finish to their past month of erratic play. Arizona Republic
 

 

An NBA source said Cavaliers guard Mo Williams is replacing injured Toronto forward Chris Bosh on the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Boston Globe

NBA Rumors amare, Steve Aschburner, williams

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Buford, you are a great GM and have built a model of international scouting and team-building that is copied league-wide, but please understand this - Vince Carter is not a winner.  If you acquire him from the Nets, you will crush any hope you have of getting out of the West.  Poll your players, they will not want him around.  His stats come from being on bad teams that defer to a guy willing to take shots.

Paxson, if the Suns are open to that package and you have not offered it to them officially, you should be dragged through the streets of Chicago naked.  Have you seen Amare run the pick and roll?  You have too many good players and need a really good player, like Amare, especially as you push into the playoffs.  Tyrus Thomas is very athletic.  He could be a great competitor in several sports, but is he half as offensively gifted on the basketball court as Amare?  Go start Amare, Hinrich, Rose, Deng and Nocioni and understand what an inside out game is all about.  You made your entire Chicago career behind the arc, John, why are you so reluctant to empower others to do the same?

 Avery “Pinball Johnson, stop being such a loud mouth.  Your spouting off has gotten old, and active players have tuned you out.  There is no doubt that Amare has problems with authority.  He has undoubtedly been exploited as a basketball man-child since he was a boy.  He may very well be a bad locker room guy, but his disrespect is likely aimed at authority, not his athletic peers.  It could be that Porter is handing over too much authority to Nash, and Amare feels stupid as a result.  Regardless, have you seen this guy run the pick and roll?
Paxson, did you pause the VCR and hear what Derrick Rose said about Amare?  What is it with you NBA GMs, afraid to make trades this year?  We are talking about Amare!  

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The Spurs will be watching Vince Carter closely for another reason: Sensing an opportunity to grab a fifth title with the Lakers experiencing some injury problems, the Spurs recently called the Nets to inquire about Carter’s availability. A deal would be extremely difficult to make, however, because among those players San Antonio is making available, the Nets have interest in only Roger Mason — now arguably the game’s top 3-point shooter, and one of its best closers — and backup point guard George Hill. Newark Star-Ledger

 

It appears the Suns are open to a package of Thomas, Thabo Sefolosha, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and undetermined draft picks for Stoudemire. One question now is whether better offers will come at the Suns in the days leading up to the Feb. 19 trade deadline. Arlington Heights Daily Herald Blog

Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo very publicly has proclaimed he isn’t trading Chris Bosh, who is due to become a free agent in summer 2010, along with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. San Francisco Chronicle
The Bulls are far from the only team talking to the Phoenix Suns about a deal for Amare Stoudemire. The Golden State Warriors haven’t hidden their interest, and the New Jersey Nets admitted their talks with the Suns were unproductive. Bulls general manager John Paxson declined to comment on Stoudemire. Chicago Sun-Times

“I heard (ESPN analyst) Avery Johnson say one time that I was a bad locker-room guy or whatever,” said Amare Stoudemire, who also named ESPN analyst Tim Legler. “That’s total BS. We get along so well outside the locker room. We hang out with each other probably more than any team in the league as far as camaraderie, as far everyone hanging out together. We try to enjoy ourselves.” Arizona Republic
Count Derrick Rose among those enthused by the possibility of Phoenix Suns power forward Amare Stoudemire joining the Bulls. “Of course, anybody would want him,” Rose said following Monday’s practice at the Berto Center. “He could go anywhere, but if he comes here, we’ll love him. Great player, great teammate, plays hard, a force on the inside. So he’d be a good fit.” Arlington Heights Daily Herald
 D’Antoni raised the possibility that Gallinari could start for the rest of the season. NY Daily News

NBA Rumors amare, avery, buford, carter, paxson, tyrus

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Suns, Suns, Suns.  With one of the league’s best point guards and Shaq-Fu Legend, it is odd to see so much talk of uncertainty and unrest in Phoenix.  Marion and Amare have both been highly paid stars wanting out of  Nash’s passing lanes to see just how green it might be on the other side of the fence.  Perhaps Marion is just a malcontent?  Maybe Amare genuinely does not appreciate or understand how lucky he is to be playing on a playoff team with proven leadership?  Both stars should remember to be careful exactly what it is they wish for…
As far as the Pistons go, they’ve got the greatest executive in the league, and will have no problem getting out of the first round again this year.  If Iverson gets hot at the right time…. they may even have enough firepower to push their way into the Eastern Conference finals.  The reality of course, is that trading Chauncey was an admission of the slow rebuild that is now underway in Detroit.  This natural evolution will center around a youth movement that includes Stuckey, Johnson and Maxiell but most certainly some eager new recruits as well.  If another deal does happen for Detroit, there is little doubt that Rasheed will be the one packing up his WWE props. 
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Amare Stoudemire has made no attempt to hide his frustration with the 180-degree change in offensive approach from D’Antoni to Terry Porter, who has had little choice but to run the offense through Shaquille O’Neal in the post. As the high pick-and-roll man with Nash in the D’Antoni system, Stoudemire put up massive numbers last season — his second full year since returning from microfracture surgery — averaging 25.2 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 59 percent. CBS Sports

 

 

But Shawn Marion may have trumped Pat Riley on Friday with his own version of cryptic messages. Asked if he appreciated the long talk Riley said he had with Marion and his agent through this difficult time, Marion offered his own version of talk that didn’t really say much. “What’s done is done,” Marion said. “It is what it is.” Huh? What’s been done? And if it is what it is, then what’s it? “I have much respect for Pat, and that’s it.” Miami Herald Blog

Marion is caught between a team president and an agent who would rather not deal with one another. And because Marion is still here and not in Toronto or Dallas or Sacramento or New York, he’s facing questions he’d rather not answer. No one is really a victim, yet no one’s hands are completely clean in this. Trust on all sides is breaking down. Or was it every really there? Miami Herald Blog
Pistons: But there is no urgency to deal. Dumars has made one blockbuster trade this season, acquiring Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups. The Pistons took the court Friday against the Dallas Mavericks with their ninth different starting lineup, three-fifths of which was different from last year. Detroit News

 
So would Ben Gordon consider signing with the Knicks? “Who wouldn’t be interested in playing here full time?” he said. “I think the changes they’ve made have been really good. (New president of basketball operations) Donnie Walsh has been good for them. It’s good for the city, too, and the league. New York is one of those teams that should be in the playoffs every year.” Journal News

Steve Nash on his feelings on the trade that dealt his good friend, Raja Bell: “I’m over that. I love having Jason and Jared on our team. I’ll always be friends with Raja and Boris. Life goes on. It was tough on me because they were close friends. It was tough and maybe blown out of proportion because I found out boarding the bus on the way to a game. It’s a business and they like where they are and we like our new additions.” Arizona Republic

NBA Rumors amare, marion, nash

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Not to be insensitive… but seriously… how many times is Alonzo going to retire?  He literally looks at life though a pair of rose-coloured glasses, and sees a world where his game actually matters.
You simply must be pumped for Amare and this nod to start in the All-Star game.  He is without a doubt a sample PF of the future NBA, and an inspiration to rehabilitation (physical) patients across the country.
Larry Hughes actually said he would prefer higher FGAs over a shot at playing for a ring?  How can any team in the NBA look at this guy in any trade scenario that doesn’t involve a reduced sentence or 500 virgins?  
Funny thing about Phoenix, and currently J-Rich, is inconsistent play from week to week.  Look at year over year averages for a guy like Chauncey in Detroit - and you see the exact opposite.  The guy’s Career stats, at least in Detroit, show exactly the same numbers across the board.  On the flip side- looking at guys like Barnes, Hill, Raja, Diaw, Shaq etc.. in Phoenix - you just don’t always know what you are going to get.  J-Rich is no exception.
It is true - Eurpoean players are a different breed; They don’t seem fussed by the American spotlight.  Maybe what Beno needs to get out of this self-professed funk is just a good old fashioned key party over at the Kirilenko mansion?  Errant shots and multiple turnovers might actually improve his confidence, in such a scenario…
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Alonzo Mourning, perhaps the greatest player in Heat history, announced his retirement Thursday afternoon in a news conference at AmericanAirlines Arena. Mourning, 38, is a likely Hall of Fame selection who spent the majority of his career - roughly 11 full years of his 15 seasons - with Miami.  Palm Beach Post

 

Suns star Amaré Stoudemire rallied to a personal victory this week, passing Denver’s Carmelo Anthony in fan voting to earn his first start in an NBA All-Star Game. Stoudemire edged Anthony for the second forward spot alongside San Antonio’s Tim Duncan and Houston’s Yao Ming in the Western Conference frontcourt for the Feb. 15 game in Phoenix. The official announcement of the All-Star starters will be at 5 tonight on TNT’s pregame show. Arizona Republic

 

 

The Nets did their due diligence on Hughes weeks ago, and one instance on March 4 was widely interpreted as telling: Three weeks after he was traded from Cleveland to Chicago, the 11th-year vet essentially said that he’d rather get shots with the Bulls than play in the NBA Finals for the Cavs, as he did the year before. Newark Star-Ledger

 

 

A deal that would send Jermaine O’Neal to Miami and Shawn Marion to Toronto is progressing. According to a league sources, the two teams have exchanged medical records, usually a precursor to a deal. The Knicks had talked to Miami about a Marion-for-Eddy Curry deal, but Curry has appeared in only one game this season due to a knee injury. NY Daily News

 

“Larry’s aware that we’re trying to get something done,’’ Paxson said. “He’s been very professional. We’re obviously trying to get our younger guys playing time. If we can get something done, we’d rather do that sooner than later.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Suns guard Jason Richardson has been quiet of late. He has scored single digits in three of the past five games. He isn’t a lock to be in the game down the stretch. He has made 9 of 36 3-pointers in the past eight games (Suns are 4-4) after once leading the NBA in 3-point accuracy. In the past three games, he has five rebounds after averaging 5.0 per game in his first 13 games as a Suns player. He hasn’t got to the free throw line for more than one trip since Dec. 20. Arizona Republic

 

For weeks, there’s been conversation about Kings point guard Beno Udrih’s lack of confidence. And Udrih often has been the guy talking about his confidence wavering. Geoff Petrie, we have a problem. A long time ago – like 10 years – I had to understand how European players express themselves differently. They address personal issues in ways Americans virtually never will. Often, those expressions are not understood by their teammates or the media. However, Udrih has made it crystal clear for all to see. Sacramento Bee

NBA Rumors alonzo, amare, hughes, kirilenko, marion, richardons, udrich

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 Golden State is F’ed.  Is it possible to trade a coach?  They supposedly have a young stud in Anthony Morrow… but…Nelson plays the guys he likes in a half-baked coaching system that just doesn’t work.  Sam Mitchell had this same -out-alpha the players problem; it is not the sign of an intelligent coach.

Sasha V. needs to let some love into his heart.   He is getting more minutes with the Farmar injury, he should be an ecstatic unathletic player in the NBA!

Is Larry Bird a better executive than Kevin McHale? - Yes.  Does that mean anything? No.

Free agent bonanzas never live up to the hype.  most of these guys will be locked up for the long term with existing teams, even if they get over-paid.  Money talks.
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It could be a contract-negotiation motto, too, but Stoudemire said he is convinced that the club is making moves to meet his goal of winning a championship. An extension might keep him with the Suns for the rest of his career. Arizona Republic

 

Very painful. Very frustrating. Inexcusable. Those were just a few of the words Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird used to describe how the season has gone so far. Expectations surrounding the Pacers this season were minimal after they overhauled their roster last summer. What has Bird frustrated is that he’s watching a team that doesn’t know how to close out opponents. He cringes as veteran players continue to make mistakes down the stretch of games. Indianapolis Star

Without going into detail, Celtics president Danny Ainge said, “There is a lot of [trade] discussion throughout the league, which can mean something or nothing.” Boston Globe

 Adamant in his stance that he’s a high-minutes starter since the February day the Bulls traded for him, Hughes expressed frustration over his playing time for the second time in five weeks Saturday as Thabo Sefolosha started for the injured Luol Deng in the 129-117 loss to Atlanta. “I don’t accept it, but I deal with it,” Hughes said. When Hughes last spoke out Nov. 18 in Los Angeles, it prompted a meeting among himself, coach Vinny Del Negro and general manager John Paxson. Chicago Tribune

“I’ve said what I needed to say,” Hughes said. “Hopefully, it gets better moving forward. If it’s justified, it’s justified. But you can look at whatever you need to look at as far as production. I think it’s in my favor. “I’m not a spot-minute guy. I don’t play well in that situation. If you want me to produce, I have to be out there. I can make a difference at both ends if I play.” Chicago Tribune

“Larry has been great,” Vinny Del Negro said. “He has practiced and played hard. He wants to play more, like everyone else. He has won some games for us. He has been productive. No problems there.” Chicago Tribune

 

Donnie Walsh’s first offer - $3 million off Marbury’s prorated $21.9M wage - was flatly rejected. In response, Marbury took his $1M giveback off the table and ended negotiations. NY Post

There is urgency now because the Knicks are looking to sign a player (perhaps Patrick Ewing Jr.) when 10-day contracts become an option Jan. 5. Walsh needs a second roster spot - Marbury’s - to do so. Walsh is saving his first roster spot, created by Cuttino Mobley’s retirement, either to make a 2-for-1 trade or use the anticipated $4.5 million trade exception. NY Post

If the Knicks receive the $4.5M disabled player exception from the league because of Mobley’s retirement, they may be able to hold onto it until next October, according to Walsh. NY Post

But as the Celtics continue to search for some length to complement Leon Powe and Glen Davis off the bench, there was nothing encouraging on the Dikembe Mutombo front. The free agent said he’d be making a decision on a team soon, but the Celts may be holding off for someone with a more balanced game as they mainly see Mutombo as a contributor on the defensive end. “No, I don’t think we’re going to get him,” said Rivers. “We talked to David (Falk, Mutombo’s agent) and I would say it’s a no. “We would love him, but we’re going to wait it out.” Boston Herald

The Celts haven’t given up on P.J. Brown coming back, but at this point Danny Ainge believes Brown’s not coming out of retirement. Then again, Ainge thought the same thing at this time last year. Boston Herald

 

A Monta Ellis sighting on the JumboTron in the first quarter of Golden State’s 99-89 win over the Celtics Friday night brought cheers from the sellout crowd. While seeing Ellis on the bench for the first time this season added optimism about his return from an offseason injury, there is no timetable for when he will even practice. “I don’t think he’ll be ready to play in a game for a month still,” said Warriors coach Don Nelson. “And that could be even when he starts to practice. I don’t know. I’m really not sure.” Boston Globe

Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin said Ellis’s recovery is going smoothly. “There is a healing process on both sides, mentally and physically,” Mullin said. “The key is having him totally healthy. When that happens, it will be smooth sailing. Trying to come back early physically is not a smart thing to do. When [he returns], we’ll wait and see. But I don’t think you can deny that there is a process on both sides.” Boston Globe

When asked if he still hated the Celtics after being part of a Christmas win over them, Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic said, “More than that. I can’t even imagine what more than hate is. You have to go to vocabulary and find out.” Vujacic has refused to wear anything green since the Celtics beat the Lakers in last spring’s Finals. Boston Globe
After hearing about LeBron James’ comments in The Plain Dealer last weekend that he will consider signing an extension next summer, the New York tabloids reacted quickly and started asking Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni if there was a backup plan if James stayed with the Cavs. D’Antoni didn’t mention James’ name — NBA teams were recently sternly warned by the league office to avoid tampering — but did talk about targeting a wide range of free agents and not just obvious names. Cleveland Plain Dealer

The NBA players who left for Europe already appear to be attempting to come back. Last week, Nenad Krstic signed an offer sheet with the Oklahoma City Thunder after quitting his team in Moscow. Jannero Pargo, also playing in Moscow, appears to be shopping for an NBA job again. Also, despite playing well, Internet reports suggest Earl Boykins has run afoul with his Italian team over time off for Christmas and he may be released from his contract and be headed back home. Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Celtics were relieved forward Glen Davis escaped serious injury after a scary three-car crash in suburban Boston last week that landed him in the hospital with a concussion and whiplash. Davis was going down the highway when his SUV hit a patch of slush, causing him to lose control and spin out of his lane. His head smashed the windshield. But what didn’t make the Celtics happy was the accident happened at 3:10 p.m. when the Celtics were supposed to be on the court for a shootaround at 3:30 p.m. Davis was running late and may have been hurrying to get there on time when the accident occurred. Cleveland Plain Dealer

It appears the Dallas Mavericks will head into this afternoon’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers with leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki available for service. The 7-footer faced a possible league suspension as a result of the Flagrant-2 foul called on him Friday night for striking Utah Jazz forward Matt Harpring in the face during the fourth quarter. A Flagrant-2 foul carries an automatic ejection and review by the league. But with no word filtering out of the NBA’s New York offices Saturday night, it appeared Nowitzki had escaped further penalty. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

A Mavericks official said Nowitzki was in contact with NBA officials Saturday afternoon, but that he was not made aware of a decision. Nowitzki atypically refused to talk about the play after Friday’s game, which was generally viewed as his displeasure with the call. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Friday night, Nowitzki was immediately hit with a Flagrant-2. The referees reviewed the play courtside and upheld the original verdict. Carlisle said he was told Nowitzki received the harsher penalty because his fist was closed when it struck Harpring. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Kirilenko can take some blame for Nowitzki’s retaliation against Harpring. Kirilenko’s tight defense frustrated Nowitzki throughout the game. At one point, Nowitzki picked up an offensive foul for lowering his shoulder into Kirilenko’s chest. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Saturday night passed with no word from the NBA on possible sanctions against Nowitzki, who was assessed a flagrant foul Friday night in Utah, and it looked increasingly likely that he would play today against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the league is still reviewing the play and could render some punishment today. Dallas Morning News

While nobody from the league or the Mavericks commented, it appears the league took several factors into account. The Jazz was aggressive throughout the game in guarding Nowitzki, and the referees were letting most of the physical play go without calling fouls. Nowitzki grew more frustrated as the game moved along and finally reached the breaking point with 9:48 left in the fourth. Dallas Morning News

Utah center Kyrylo Fesenko had beaten Nowitzki for a rebound and followed with a layup. After the game, Fesenko admitted pushing Nowitzki in the back to get rebounding position. Dallas Morning News

“My mind changed a little bit on how we could do because I feel he’s our best all-around player,” Bird said about Dunleavy. “Obviously Danny (Granger) is having a great year, but as far as ball movement and hitting guys off the cut and rebounding his position, I thought with him in there we could be pretty darn good.” Indianapolis Star

The Pacers’ struggles don’t have Bird frantically trying to make trades. He and coach Jim O’Brien knew it was going to be a work in progress after acquiring seven new players. Bird also said he knows the team needs a low-post presence if it expects to compete for an NBA title. Indianapolis Star

One player Bird is still trying to trade is point guard Jamaal Tinsley. The hill the Pacers have to climb to trade Tinsley, who remains away from the team, is getting steeper by the day because the trade deadline (Feb. 19) is less than two months away and there appears to be no interest around the league for the point guard. Indianapolis Star

Bird is still adamant that he will not buy out the remaining three years of Tinsley’s $21.5 million contract and teams are leery of acquiring him because of the third year of his deal and his history of injury problems. Indianapolis Star

Amare Stoudemire: “Everywhere I go, from New York to LA, they’re all saying, ‘Come here,’ ‘Come to LA,’ ‘Come to New York,’ ‘We want you here,’ ‘We want you there,’ ” Stoudemire said before adding a qualifier to ease those who don’t want him to leave Phoenix. “But I like it here in Phoenix,” he said. “Phoenix is a beautiful city. I’ve grown here, and my family has as well. Hopefully I can remain here, but only the future can tell. “Right now I’ve got a Phoenix Suns jersey, and that’s where my loyalty is.” Arizona Republic

Stoudemire will be eligible for a Suns contract extension this summer because he will have two contract years remaining, one of which he could opt out of to be part of the 2010 NBA free-agency bonanza. If he does, he would pass on a $17.7 million salary in 2010-11. It is a decision he might face, because it is not a given that Phoenix would extend his contract. Arizona Republic

 

(In response to a fan question): I think Antawn Jamison is exactly the type of player the Cavs would want for his abilities, his size and his character. However, I highly doubt Washington would trade him just for expiring contracts. Even if Jamison was off their books next year they would still be well over the salary cap. If they were going to break up their core they would want young players and draft picks. I’m not sure the Cavs would be willing to offer a package they’d want. Cleveland Plain Dealer Blog

 

The word going around the NBA is the Clippers aren’t looking to trade any of their big men right now. Plus, Kaman is currently hurt. But you really never know what the Clippers are going to do, quite often they make decisions that are not based on winning. Cleveland Plain Dealer Blog
The Grizzlies’ decision to swap their top first-round draft pick along with Mike Miller last summer is looking better with every pass, timeout, foul, free throw and dribble. Monday will mark the first meeting between Griz guard O.J. Mayo and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, players who will forever be linked because their draft rights were traded in an eight-player, draft-night deal in June. While a third of a rookie season does not make an NBA career, the Love-Mayo get-together leaves a lot to be desired. One guy (Mayo) is constantly in the first sentence of early Rookie of the Year narratives, while the other (Love) is struggling to become a footnote. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Heading into the weekend, Miami rookie Michael Beasley had played 18, 15 and 13 minutes. The Heat also won all three of those games. Coach Erik Spoelstra said there is no specific issue with Beasley except for the growing pains expected from a 19-year-old power forward. Spoelstra insists there is no loss of faith in the No. 2 overall pick from the June NBA Draft. Memphis Commercial Appeal

The worst-scoring team in the NBA is benefiting from giving up its best scorer. Charlotte’s trade with Phoenix is working out just fine, thanks to forward Boris Diaw. Despite giving up 20 points per game in Jason Richardson, the Bobcats are enjoying offensive continuity. One explanation is that Diaw’s skills in the post — as a scorer and passer — are making everything easier for a team with a bunch of players addicted to hoisting quick jump shots. Memphis Commercial Appeal

There are rumblings the Thunder will trade veteran forward Joe Smith after adding Krstic. The Raptors, Heat and Magic are three teams believed to be interested in Smith. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Knicks center Eddy Curry might be ready to play this week. The 300-pound center has been out all season with a bone bruise in his left knee. There’s talk that the Knicks will showcase Curry in hopes of trading him. Memphis Commercial Appeal
What is Brad Miller doing? Seriously. What is he doing? He is sabotaging his career. He is disappointing his teammates. He is frustrating Kings fans, most of whom bit their cheeks and swallowed their tongues, resisting the urge to blast him with boos when he returned from the five-game suspension earlier this season. Sacramento Bee

Now we learn that, with the erratic production and uninspired performances, Brad Miller is setting a lousy example for Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson and Donté Greene. On Tuesday, the veteran center who is supposed to be the team leader was fined for arriving late to practice. “I was just at home playing with (daughter) Anniston,” Miller explained, sheepishly, “and I lost track of time. I told Kenny (Natt) it won’t happen again.” Sacramento Bee

Brad Miller: The 11th-year pro earns $10.5 million this season and $11.4 million the next, not a bad haul in any economy. Yet unlike last season, when he recovered from a physically and emotionally difficult 2006-07, when he snatched rebounds and absorbed physical punishment, positioning his 7-foot, 260-pound frame to prevent the layup drills that opponents have been running of late, he is here one night and invisible the next. Even his superb passing has been inconsistent, and often uncharacteristically sloppy. Sacramento Bee

“I hate losing, hate it,” said Miller, who is engaging, insightful and funny when not immersed in one of his funks. “I’m a real competitive person, and I get real grouchy and hard to be around. It’s tough to get up mentally for games. I’m not a vocal person, but I’m trying to help Spence and Jason with the little things. … There is a fine line between being successful or being out of the league, or being on the bench your whole career.” Sacramento Bee

“I do my job, Geoff does his job,” said Miller, asked about the prospect of joining a contender. “I understand this is a business, and I want to win. I’m not going to walk in and demand a trade, but who wouldn’t want a chance to win a championship?” Sacramento Bee
“[Thabeet] can block shots like me,” Mutombo said. “He reminds me of myself. I want him to be the next great shot-blocker from Africa. First Hakeem Olajuwon, then me, and then [Thabeet].” Boston Globe
When word came down shortly before tip-off that leading scorer Caron Butler would not be able to play due to a sprained left ankle, Andray Blatche, Nick Young and Dominic McGuire got together in the locker room and talked about forming what they call “the future three.” Indeed, solid efforts by that trio of young Washington Wizards, 29 points from Antawn Jamison and a strong fourth quarter sparked a sorely needed 104-95 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder last night at Verizon Center. Washington Post

Butler, who rolled the ankle during the first quarter of Thursday’s loss at Cleveland, is day-to-day and will be re-evaluated at practice today. Oklahoma City dropped to a league-worst 3-28. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, there had never been an NBA game matching teams who had played at least 25 games combining for worse records. “It feels real good,” Blatche said. “We knew we had to have this game.” Washington Post
Greg Oden’s not a bust. This isn’t saying the team should give up on him, but developing him doesn’t mean he has to start. I know Joel Przybilla deserves to start at center. You know he does. Your spouse knows. Your children know. Your dog knows. Even Oden knows. The Blazers rookie center said Friday, “Whichever one of us is playing better should be starting. If Joel is playing better than me, he should be starting. And I think he is right now.” Oregonian

Joel Przybilla has been terrific this season. He has great instincts. He’s shooting 77 percent from the floor. When Oden was in foul trouble (Dec. 23) against Denver, Przybilla had 19 rebounds. And best of all, he doesn’t find himself out of position, or wandering around, as Oden does too often. In his last four starts, Oden has 22 points and 20 fouls. He’s averaged three rebounds. And the Blazers are 2-2 in those games. Oregonian
Rick Carlisle has milked Brandon Bass and J.J. Barea as a pick-and-roll tandem in the fourth quarter of recent games, and the Mavericks have prospered because of it, although it was largely ineffective Friday at Utah. Carlisle put James Singleton into the rotation after he’d been inactive for six games, and Singleton ripped down 13 rebounds at Washington. Antoine Wright and Shawne Williams also have played key roles. It’s something the Mavericks’ big guns notice and appreciate, but it’s not as if Carlisle has some sort of Midas touch. He calculates everything. Dallas Morning News

Indeed, it doesn’t work if the players don’t buy into it. They have to embrace the fact they won’t always play. Gerald Green is in that situation now. So is Wright. Earlier, it was Singleton and Williams. If a player shows up strong in a particular practice, he might get a few minutes the next game. If he plays with passion and efficiency in that game, his role might grow in the following game. Dallas Morning News

There may come a time when Carlisle narrows his rotation to eight or nine players. But for now, the nine or 10 who play on a given night might change from week to week. Dallas Morning News
Pau Gasol heard last spring’s cries of “Gasoft.” He heard Lakers fans accusing him of disappearing under the weight of Garnett and green. He heard himself being blamed for the NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics. He stopped rocking and stared down at me, his soft eyes quickly turning hard. “I heard it a lot,” he said, his voice rising. “I heard it too much.” LA Times
The Cavaliers now have point guard Mo Williams, acquired in an August trade, to share some of the scoring and playmaking load. The team has bought into coach Mike Brown’s defense-first philosophy, and that includes James, who has never been considered a top defender. The Cavaliers are thinking championship, and the Heat is trying to reach its uncertain potential. Wade said he and James never would not lose site of those team goals, but that there is still room for a competitive, if friendly, rivalry. “Friends want to beat friends,” Wade said. South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Dwyane Wade said he and LeBron James still often talk about their meeting on April’s Fools Day, 2006 in Cleveland. James scored 47 points as part of a triple-double and Wade had 41 points as Cleveland won 106-99. It was perhaps the best chapter yet in the Wade-James rivalry that continues today. “No matter what, our names are going to be mentioned in the same breath,” Wade said. “We understand that. We enjoy it.” South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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