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Wednesday, January 13

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After experiencing some discomfort during his recently-accelerated rehabilitation program, Clippers’ forward Blake Griffin was examined Tuesday afternoon by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. As a result of that examination, it has been determined that the healing in his left patella area has not improved to the expected required level. Griffin will undergo a surgical procedure in the near future, with a recovery prognosis of four to six months. Team personnel will be made available to the media. Further details will be made available as events develop. NBA.com

Griffin hasn't played a regular-season game yet for the Clippers after injuring his kneecap in their final preseason game Oct. 23, wincing in pain as he landed after a dunk. After resting the stress fracture for several weeks, the former Oklahoma star recently increased his workload in rehabilitation by running on an anti-gravity treadmill. AP

The power forward developed pain in his knee, and an examination Tuesday revealed his recovery wasn't progressing properly. The Clippers said more details would be announced soon. After a loss in Memphis on Tuesday, the Clippers will play at New Orleans on Wednesday night before returning to Los Angeles for a road game against the Lakers on Friday. AP

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said: "Obviously it's disappointing for Blake, and for us, because of the impact we think he could have had on our team. The most important thing we've considered, obviously, is how we get him healthy for the long term." Apparently, Griffin felt discomfort when he was doing some jumping in the pool, one of the steps he needed to do before proceeding to the next level of his rehabilitation. "He experienced some pain [in the pool], and obviously when I heard that, that wasn't good news," Dunleavy said. "But I didn't know it would turn into the point where he would quickly need knee surgery." Los Angeles Times

There has been speculation that the Wizards could look to void the remainder of Arenas's six-year, $111-million contract under "moral turpitude" provision of the uniform player contract. The provision gives teams that option if a player pleads guilty to a violent felony crime. "I've never seen that happen before," Hunter said. "I don't know what the Wizards' plans are. I don't want to speculate as to what we would do. My obligation is to represent the players. I intend to do that under any circumstance. What I do is always contingent on what somebody else does. So I don't know what they plan to do other than honor whatever the commissioner imposes in terms of discipline. I don't know if there is any thought or discussion beyond that. I haven't heard anything." Washington Post

The Portland Trail Blazers assigned rookie guard Patty Mills today to the team's NBA Development League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, the team announced. Mills had played just five minutes in four games since being called up by the Blazers on Jan. 3. The 6-foot, 185-pound guard out of St. Mary’s was added to Portland’s roster to fill in for guard Steve Blake, who missed four games due to pneumonia. But Blake returned to action last Sunday, and his minutes are expected to increase in future games. The Blazers want Mills — who missed all of training camp and the first two months of the season while recovering from foot surgery — to pick up as much playing time as possible, which is the primary reason he will rejoin the Stampede. Columbian

As a grand jury continues to hear the details of the gun incident involving Gilbert Arenas, WTOP has learned the Washington Wizards' star has -- at times -- owned several hundred guns. Multiple sources tell WTOP that Arenas moved those weapons out of his Virginia home within the past year, long before the incident at the Verizon Center. By all accounts, the guns in Arenas' collection were legally owned, yet it's unclear how many he actually owned or still owns. Arenas has told investigators and the NBA about the collection, sources say. WTOP.com

If Gilbert Arenas thinks things look hopeless for him, he has no idea. He couldn't possibly grasp how it must have felt to be the most notorious man in NBA history -- a monster who was surely beyond rehabilitation, who would never be reintroduced into basketball society. Gilbert, Ron Artest would like to have a few words with you. "I just pray for him because ... he just likes to have fun and he just took it really, really far," Artest said in an interview with CBSSports.com. "He's a comedian, and he just took it too ... far." CBSSports.com

Yet even today, Artest's every step on or off the court comes with the shame and trepidation that will forever haunt him due to the events of Nov. 19, 2004. Someday, half a century from now, Artest's obituary will describe him as the basketball player who charged into the stands. Arenas, facing a lengthy suspension, public damnation and possibly criminal charges for bringing firearms to the Wizards locker room, is staring down an equally daunting road to redemption. "That's life, though," Artest said. "That's life. You could put people's names with a lot of things. If people continue to try to think a person is going to be perfect in their life -- superstar or not -- they're going to continue to get disappointed." CBSSports.com

Arenas' handling of firearms at Verizon Center was foolish, inappropriate and punishable by Stern and also possibly the legal authorities in Washington, D.C. But his public mocking of the situation with his fake-guns salute in Philadelphia on Jan. 5 only served to reinforce stereotypes that the NBA and its many law-abiding citizens had worked tirelessly to assuage in the years since Auburn Hills. "I knew Gilbert," Artest said. "He's just always smiling, always having fun. A big-time, big-time comedian. And even when he got in trouble, he still did those things. He doesn't know any better than to be a comedian. And then this time, the joke was disturbing to Mr. Stern and now he regrets it. I just know more than anything, he regrets not being with his teammates. That hurts him more than anything. I know that for a fact." CBSSports.com

I asked Artest, in the visiting locker room at the Rose Garden last week, what he would do if he were in Arenas' shoes. At first, he said, "I can't see myself being in his situation." Then he paused, put his head down, and thought about it for 15 seconds. "Did he finish college?" Artest finally asked. "I would recommend that he go back to school and talk to kids in rough neighborhoods about the importance of trying to stay away from guns, the importance of staying away from drugs, the importance of getting an education and good decision making. Go back to school. And then I would advise him to raise his kids right, take them to school, take them to basketball practice, take them to recitals. Be with your family. CBSSports.com

Arn Tellem, a powerful NBA agent, remembers a time when he was robbed at gunpoint in Washington D.C. A string of such incidents in the summer of 1974 led to the very kinds of District gun laws that Gilbert Arenas violated. Tellem is, by nature and profession, an advocate of players' rights. But he's calling for new NBA rules limiting players' right to bear arms. (It's worth noting that he's also saying the Wizards should honor Arenas' contract.) Tellem writes on Huffington Post: So what is the appropriate penalty? Three years ago Stephen Jackson of the Indiana Pacers was suspended for seven games after he pleaded guilty to criminal recklessness, having discharged a firearm outside a nightclub. A year later Sebastian Telfair, then of the Boston Celtics, got a three-game suspension after copping a plea to criminal possession of a weapon -- after pulling him over for speeding, New York police searched his Range Rover and found a loaded handgun under the passenger seat. ESPN.com

In the ongoing Gilbert Arenas fallout, last week the Golden State Warriors head coach said he thinks the NBA shouldn’t allow gambling and recommended the League office “ought to think about doing something.” Now with indications looming that the NBA is considering new gambling restrictioRod Thornns for players, teams around the League have already started banning gambling on team flights. First up was the Washington Wizards – wasting no time to start the healing process — with the New Jersey Nets following suit. But not every head coach is ready to roll that dice. “No, I’m not in favor of that right now at all,” said Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson on the League possibly instituting a ban on gambling. “I think it’s a P.R. (public relations) thing personally. What do these players do when they get back to their hotels or home spaces? They are going to gamble. Maybe on flights is a better place for them to do it because they are monitored.” SLAM

Regardless, some coaches wouldn’t be surprised if some sort of mandate was issued. “It could be a lot of money changing hands with the kind of money these guys are making,” began Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan, with reports suggesting some players start bids with $100 bills. “You start playing cards on a five-hour trip; just think what you could lose in that time in Vegas. And that’s normally when it happens, on the longer trips. If you’re playing cards for four or five hours, that’s a lot of money. But our guys don’t [gamble]. Those are more your older teams. I’ve played on teams where guys got into it, when I was playing. I didn’t play cards. But it was a way to pass time for a lot of those guys. If you didn’t pay up before the next trip, then you couldn’t get in. It was never something that became an issue on the team.” SLAM

Teams like the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder have already said they would not take extreme measures to prohibit card games or gambling on team flights, on bus rides or in the locker room. Sounds like you can also add the Blazers and Lakers to that list. As for Mike Brown, the Cleveland Cavaliers head coach; he doesn’t concern himself or his team with the possibility of a mandate. “I really don’t care,” admitted Brown when asked if he anticipates a ruling on gambling. “We’ve never had a problem with any of that. If I start to worry about that, all it’s going to do is hurt me because I don’t have any control over it. I don’t worry about that situation because we have our own concerns to worry about. The commissioner is going to handle it and whatever happens, happens. We are privileged to be a part of this thing and it’s unfortunate for the League.” SLAM

Charles Barkley on Gilbert Arenas' decision to bring guns into an NBA arena: I think that's stupid to take a gun into an arena. I don't understand that at all. But you know what I really want to hear, Dan? I want to hear what really happened. Because it started out that they pulled a gun on each other, which I don't think happened because [Javaris] Crittenton has not been suspended... Gilbert is a jokester. I don't understand why he would take the guns into the arena. Should he be penalized for doing something stupid? Of course. Sporting News

But that demarcation of pace is generalized. Where were the Sixers at this point of their embarrassing crusade of crude play? I took a look at that, and added in the NBA's next three worse teams all-time: the 11-win 1997-98 Nuggets and 1992-93 Mavericks, and 12-win 1986-87 Clippers. The harmony is devastating. You can see why all these teams ended infamously: early losing streaks, bespelling eternal damage. The story for the Nets is similar, though it's worth noting that those '98 Nuggets were worse at this point -- just 2-35. But Denver rallied to win, um, nine of its final 45 games to avoid ultimate humiliation. But the Sixers and Mavericks each sat at 3-34 through 37 games. FanHouse

Magic center Dwight Howard admitted that he’s turned to a higher power to help him deal better with the NBA’s referees. Howard has already been whistled for nine technical fouls this season, and he says he’s working hard not to get so frustrated with the many hard hits he takes in the post. ``I don’t need any more techs. I’ve got to do what’s best for my team because they need me on the floor,’’ Howard said. ``I know I can’t get frustrated and I’ve spent a lot of time lately praying to myself and not get so frustrated. I’m trying to stay away from looking at the referees so much, and when they foul me I’ve just got to go knock down my free throws.’’ NBA.com

But who sees and understands more than an opposite number in a different color jersey, the player most often regarded as the fiercest competitor in the game today? "He's tough," said the Lakers' Kobe Bryant. "That's what I like about him. He's not a punk. A lot of superstar players don't like to get touched. They're kind of finicky about how they go about things. Dirk's nasty and that's what I like about him. He'll take the gloves off and go at it." NBA.com

Two nights before, Houston's Tracy McGrady had his legendary 13-points-in-35 seconds finish to defeat the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 4, 2004, T-Mac dropped 48 points in Dallas. In the same game, Nowitzki hit back and scored 53. "Dirk's not gonna back down. I like that," Bryant said. "He's not soft. Oh, no." Though he grew up trying to emulate the all-around skills of Scottie Pippen, because he's blond and tall and white and can shoot with either hand, from the time he entered the league Nowitzki has always drawn the comparisons to the legendary Larry Bird. "They're very different actually," Bryant said. "The similarity is that they're big guys that can shoot. But I think that's where it ends. Bird with the Celtics, they ran a lot of things through him to facilitate things for others. In Dallas they use Dirk more as a striker. "Hopefully the fans in Dallas can appreciate what they watch -- a 7-footer that can put the ball on the floor, can shoot it from the outside, can post. Dirk's a rare breed, man. A rare breed." NBA.com

Nowitzki will become the 34rd NBA player (38th including ABA players) to reach 20,000 points. Bryant joined the club in 2007, needing 811 games to do it. Nowitzki will play his 876th career game Wednesday. Boston's Ray Allen is the most recent to hit 20,000, doing so on Dec. 10. "Obviously, that's an unbelievable milestone. Looking back 11 years ago, none of you guys would have thought I could have scored a thousand probably. That's pretty amazing how far I got in 12 years," Nowitzki said. "But, my main goal now is to win a championship, and I think all the individual goals will be nice once my career is over. I can look back and I've scored this many points, I got an MVP, all that is nice, X amount of All-Star Games, all that is sweet, but as for now it doesn't mean that much to me. "I'm still trying to chase my dream, and that's winning the championship. All that other stuff is great once my career is over." ESPN.com

Dirk Nowitzki isn't a team cheerleader. He never has been, never will be and has never even pretended to be. So why is everyone -- fans and media alike -- waiting for the 12-year veteran to become one? "I'm just not a rah-rah kind of guy," Nowitzki said. "I'm just more of a quiet guy, always have been. But I think I've become more comfortable over the years saying a little something. As you get older, you learn how to handle situations better, on and off the floor. I still could be better I guess, but I've evolved." SI.com

"I never thought I would say this, but we've got to work on some things on offense," Nowitzki said. "We need to move the ball a little more, get it into Jason Kidd on the wing for some easy baskets, and get guys to the right spots and make sure everybody is learning the right plays." And despite their recent lapses, Dallas ranks eighth in defensive field-goal percentage (44.7) -- a skill it'll need to avenge a 35-point loss to the Lakers this week, not to mention another run at that elusive championship. But Dallas' immediate future depends on Nowitzki, who claims he's still "not as efficient" in the post as he wants to be. "I'm trying to get better at understanding the angles down there," he said. "How to attack and where to attack, and how to play against double teams." SI.com

"It's hard to recall back then but that floppy headed blonde German kid coming over here," says Donn Nelson, President of Basketball Operations for the Mavericks. "I thought he was going to be good, but we'd be lying if we thought he was going to be this good. A drink of water and the all of sudden he blossoms into this, it's really a cool thing for our fans to be a part of." Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Nowitzki met his hero, then Seattle Forward Detlef Schrempf before his first NBA game. Today in German, Nowitzki is bigger than Schrempf and just as popular as Tennis legend Boris Becker and Formula one driver Michael Schumacher. "He has tremendous respect in our country, because of his character, his work ethic and obviously his accomplishments," says German National Coach Dirk Bauermann. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The only team the Mavs held below 100 points in the last four-game span, in which Dallas is 2-2, was the hard-slumping Detroit Pistons, who scored 93 points in a five-point loss. Detroit averages more points (91.5) than only the wretched New Jersey Nets. "Once in 2½ months is a bump in the road. Twice in six days is a deep concern," Carlisle said of the Dallas defense. "Our disposition wasn't there against Utah. We got beat really in every phase of the game -- outworked, outhustled, outplayed, outcoached, everything from A to Z. That's disappointing, and we've got to remedy that and address it." ESPN.com

The Suns as serious challengers in the Western Conference; that's what the numbers indicate, with the offense back at Mach I and with Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire likely returning to the All-Star game. But the instant coach Alvin Gentry is asked if his team has proven it will be a serious threats to see June ... "No," he said, "I don't think so." These Suns ... they're quick on the draw with self-analysis too, hesitating about as much as with a shot. "I don't know if we've done that yet," Gentry said of reaching contender status. "But I think what we've done is that we've proven that on a given night we're a good basketball team and we can play against the elite teams. NBA.com

The average margin of victory for the six wins was just 4.3 points. The Hornets won four of the games by four points and two by five. They went from three games under .500 to three games over and put themselves in the race for one of the last playoff spots in the West, but the streak wasn't exactly convincing. "We've found ways to win," Emeka Okafor said before the streak came to an end Monday in Philadelphia, "whether we have a lead and lose it or come back from behind, we're just making the right plays at the right time. We're getting different contributions from different people. We're not quite where we want to be as a team yet, but in the meantime, we're getting wins." NBA.com

The Warriors have not had a representative at the All-Star game in 12 seasons. Their last All-Star? Latrell Sprewell. Ellis seems to be deserving. Beyond just his scoring, he is second in the NBA in steals -- he often guards the opponents' top scorer -- and he is tied with Charlotte's Gerald Wallace for most minutes. He has seven games in which he has played all 48 minutes, including one set of back-to-backs. "I'm pretty used to it," Ellis said. "In high school that's all we really did was run. We'd come in to practice one day and wouldn't even bring a ball out. Just ran for 2 1/2 hours. This is right up my alley." NBA.com

If Nash overtakes McGrady in the voting, which ends Jan. 18, then Ellis has a better chance, but it still will be difficult. Portland's Roy will be chosen, and arguments could be made that Paul, a starter last season, should make it on reputation alone, especially now that the Hornets have a winning record again. Williams has helped the Jazz to a 21-17 record with 19.6 points and 9.7 assists a night, and Evans could become one of only four rookies -- Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James are the others -- to average 20 points, five rebounds and five assists a game. Ellis is sidestepping the All-Star debate for now, saying that he would be honored to go but it is not his decision. That leaves the chore to others. "Chris Paul is good. Deron Williams can play," O'Neal said. "But Monta is special." NBA.com

Last Sunday, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, former resident in UCLA, didn’t shine for his return to Los Angeles. Back in December after an injury, he struggles to regain the level of his brilliant rookie season. Hoopsnotes met him a few minutes after the cold shower against the Lakers. Luc, in a game like that, is it hard to stay in the game and not let it go? It is very difficult because they were clumsy at first, too. It didn’t fall in for both teams and there was not much intensity. They took a 20-points lead and when we came back, they scored demoralizing baskets. So, yes, it is difficult but we tried to play until the end, even if tonight we don’t have much shoots which fell in. And for a guy like you, the fact that the intensity is lacking souldn’t make your task easier? Of course. I made two faults early in the game and then after I have to control and be careful not to be too aggressive. Anyway, this is the kind of loss we must to learn about to keep moving forward. Hoopsnotes

There are a lot of talents in Africa but few arrived in the NBA, how do you explain that? They arrive, we are more and more. There are me, Didier (Mbenga), Luol (Deng). We are fewer than before, it’s true but I think that the initiatives of the NBA like “Basketball without Borders”, it will open doors. Africans will be in the next draft, so you just have to wait a little. Hoopsnotes

Crawford is the longest-serving player in the NBA without playoff experience, and in three months that is going to change. He has emerged in his 10th season as a Sixth Man Award candidate for the Hawks (24-13 through Tuesday), who not only hold a 3-0 record over the Celtics but also stand just 1½ games behind Southeast Division leader Orlando. "They have Joe Johnson and now they have Crawford as well, so they have two closers,'' Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "That makes it tough, especially when you get into a one-point game with them. It's very difficult to get stops against guys that don't need a play to score. They just need the ball and they can go iso.'' SI.com

A naturally shy person, he might have receded and vanished. Instead, he emerged as one of the nation's top high school players after moving back to Seattle. Crawford is recognized today as one of the most charitable players in the NBA. "I'd rather see somebody else be happy than me, honest I would,'' he said. "That means everything. That's the greatest gift you can have as a person is to see somebody else happy or to help somebody else, especially kids.'' A lot of people in the league are pulling for him now. "This guy never complains about anything,'' said Hawks vice president Dominique Wilkins, who works under general manager Rick Sund. "I love him as a person, he's very polite and wants to get better. He wants to know what he's doing wrong or right on the floor every night. He comes and asks me questions every game. I guess that's the respect side of it for him, but he wants to win.'' SI.com

The day after Brewer scored 18 points in the second quarter at Denver, Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis on Tuesday spoke of Brewer's ability to manipulate that long, lean body with perhaps the planet's skinniest legs. He even invented a word to describe how that body can be an attribute rather than a detriment. "He can contort his body in ways that almost seem unnatural," Rambis said. "His body allows him to use his speed, his quickness, his slitheryness to get himself around people and to the basket." Slitheryness? "Yeah, that's the way I played my whole life," Brewer said. "I always try to slither around and get to spots most people can't get to 'cause I'm kinda thin." Minneapolis Star Tribune

Brewer's unique body -- 6-9 and almost all of it arms and legs -- and athleticism have made him arguably the team's best individual defender since his rookie season. His improved mechanics recently has allowed him on many nights to live up to the name of his position, shooting guard. "To be honest with you, the jump shot is all about confidence," Brewer said. "Once you get the confidence, you can make 'em all night." Mechanics and timing -- "I shoot the ball really fast sometimes and it throws my whole shot off," Brewer said -- play their parts, too. Minneapolis Star Tribune

Jameer Nelson was the last person out of the locker room following the Sacramento victory because he needed some 30 minutes of treatment on his surgically repaired left knee. Nelson had arthroscopic surgery on Nov. 18 to repair torn meniscus and missed the next 16 games. He returned on Dec. 21 and after briefly limiting his minutes, Nelson was back in the starting lineup and playing 30 minutes a night. He’s been troubled by lingering soreness and swelling of late following practices and games, causing some in the organization to wonder about the health of his knee. Nelson said he wasn’t about to use the pain as an excuse, but admitted that the knee was, ``sore, real sore.’’ NBA.com

Van Gundy, who pointed out that Nelson’s consecutive 3-pointers in Tuesday’s third quarter keyed Orlando’s second-half rally, said he’s somewhat concerned with Nelson’s knee troubles. ``All I know is that he’s cleared to play and he’s playing hard, but right now I just don’t think that he has his quickness,’’ Van Gundy said. ``That is what you notice most. I don’t think he gets to the floor without being healthy, so unless they tell me otherwise we’ll stick with him.’’ NBA.com

For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant went out of their game at San Antonio Tuesday night with a back spasm. However, the Lakers are saying Bryant is probable. "Oh, he's going to play,'' Carlisle said. Dallas Morning News

Rasheed Wallace will miss tonight's game in New Jersey, according to the Globe's Gary Washburn. Wallace complained of pain in his left forefoot following Sunday's game in Toronto. He sat out Monday night against the Hawks with the injury after warming up before the game and determining he was unable to play. The late scratch thrust Brian Scalabrine into the starting lineup. Boston Globe

Rudy Fernandez has been upgraded from questionable to probable for tonight's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Fernandez, who underwent a microdiscectomy on Dec. 8 and has not played since Dec. 1, said Tuesday that he hopes to play between 10 and 15 minutes versus the Bucks. Oregonian

A short time after Rivers wrapped up his Q&A session, Wallace returned to the locker room and told his coach that he couldn't play against the Hawks, becoming the latest member of Gang Green, an ailing group of Celtics that this month has included Kevin Garnett (hyperextended right knee), Rajon Rondo (sore left hamstring), Paul Pierce (right knee infection), Tony Allen (illness), Glen Davis (sprained right ankle, thumb surgery), Kendrick Perkins (food poisoning) and Eddie House (illness). Additionally, Marquis Daniels remains sidelined after undergoing thumb surgery last month. "I'm just happy with the way we're competing," Rivers said before finding out about Wallace, who is expected to miss as much as a week with an injury to his forefoot, which prevents him from properly pushing off while jumping. "We've had a lot of things thrown at us here in a short stretch -- injuries, illnesses -- and the fact that they're coming five minutes before gametime. Things like that are far more difficult for our staff and players." ESPN.com

Asked following Monday's loss if it bothered him that the Celtics had lost three games to the Hawks this season despite leading each game at halftime, Pierce voiced great confidence in his team. "It's a concern," said Pierce, noting that Boston certainly doesn't want to give another team confidence, particularly one the Celtics might see again in the playoffs. "But we still feel like we're a better team, [Atlanta] just got the best of us. The year we won the championship [in 2007-08], we lost four times to Washington. It definitely should bother us, but we're a better team, and it will show." ESPN.com

The devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday has athletes of Haitian descent scrambling to locate friends and relatives still on the island. There is no official death count, but President Rene Preval said he believes the death toll from the magnitude-7.0 earthquake is in the thousands. ESPN.com

The International Red Cross says a third of Haiti's 9 million people may need emergency aid, though again it could take days for a clear picture of the damage to emerge. ESPN.com

In an interview with ESPN, Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert, who grew up in Haiti, said he has been able to reach his father, but others are left unaccounted for. "I can only imagine what people there are going through," he said. "... It's really killing me right now. ... It's unthinkable. Imagine all the people just inside, and the building just collapses." ESPN.com

A native of Port-au-Prince, which has been leveled by a massive earthquake that has relief officials fearing more than 100,000 dead, Dalembert spent much of his time Wednesday waiting for his cell phone to ring. It does, but none of the calls originate from his impoverished homeland. “I am just waiting,” the Philadelphia 76ers center said in a phone interview Wednesday. “Just waiting.” CBSSports.com

But all Dalembert can do is wait helplessly for word from the families and friends he grew up with. All he can do is raise awareness through the Samuel Dalembert Foundation and let people know they can donate to relief efforts through his site and through UNICEF. With Olden Polynice, Dalembert is believed to be only the second player born in Haiti to play in the NBA. “They can contribute to whatever charity they feel comfortable, and most importantly, keep everybody in your prayers,” Dalembert said. “Hopefully, we can do something.” CBSSports.com

“They have too much resilience sometimes,” Dalembert said. “It can be our downfall. We’re a lovable people. We always make fun of bad situations, we live through tough times and we always have hope that we get out of it. That’s the kind of people we are. We fought our independence for over 200 years. We’re hard-working people, too, but there’s no opportunity for us to move forward. We make the best of things.” Now, Haiti must try to endure what officials are calling the strongest earthquake to hit the region in 200 years. The facts about Haiti’s cruel fate can be found right there on Dalembert’s web site: Approximately 80 percent of Haitians are unemployed, there is one hospital for every 100,000 people, and about 280,000 people there are living with HIV/AIDS. Now this crisis surely will eclipse the country’s already tragic record of natural disasters that includes Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 (about 3,000 dead), Hurricane Gordon in 1994 (more than 1,000 dead), and Hurricane Flora in 1963 (more than 8,000 dead). “It’s just chaotic over there,” Dalembert said. “I can’t imagine what the people are going through. I can’t imagine that.” CBSSports.com

"I feel so helpless that I have not been able to do anything," said Dalembert, a native of Port-au-Prince who has been active in raising funds to help poverty-stricken Haiti. "My father was able to e-mail me, but I haven't had any other contact yet to know how everybody is." Philadelphia Inquirer

The pictures on television are bone-chilling: dead bodies lying in the street, buildings crumpled to the ground and overall shots of mass destruction. The views of his country are almost surreal. "It's so tough because I'm here and there hasn't been much I can do," Dalembert said. "I've been trying to reach family, friends and other people to know to see if they're OK. But Haiti isn't like here. Getting a hold of people isn't always that easy. Knowing what has happened, it's even harder. I basically feel helpless." NBA.com

Dalembert was able to speak to his grandmother, who helped raise him after moving to Montreal at the age of 14. "My grandmother is so upset and I'm worried about her," said Dalembert, who hails from Port-au-Prince. "I couldn't calm her down. I don't blame her. There is so much damage done in our country. It's terrible. All we can do now is try and help as much as possible and get the information as it comes in." The earthquake hit at 4:53 p.m. ET and was centered 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince at a depth of five miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. One geophysicist called it the strongest earthquake since 1770 in Haiti. "We are such a hard-working people," Dalembert said. "We have faced disasters before like hurricane after hurricane. These people will get through it. But this earthquake was so awful. I just feel like I'm helpless here. I'll do whatever possible to help out these people. They'll get through this, but it's going to take a long, long time." NBA.com

The NBA is joining forces with our partner UNICEF, who has been on the ground in Haiti since 1949, to bring attention to the crisis and much needed emergency assistance to the victims. UNICEF is ready to provide immediate support to the estimated three million victims of the unfolding humanitarian crisis following the earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday. In coordination with other UN agencies present on the ground, UNICEF will provide supplies to allow access to adequate sanitation, safe water and basic health care. Please join the NBA Family in support of those in need. Click the link below to learn more about how you can contribute to this critical issue: SUPPORT HAITI RECOVERY EFFORTS. NBA.com

Chad Ford: Samuel Dalembert Foundation is assisting folks affected by earthquake in Haiti Donate online www.dalembertfoundation.org/index.html. Twitter.com

Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has been fined $25,000 for his conduct surrounding his ejection on Monday, Jan. 11, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, executive vice president, basketball operations. The incident occurred with 6:16 remaining in the third quarter of Boston's 102-96 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden in Boston. WEEI.com

SLAM's Lang Whitaker spent 36 hours embedded with the Atlanta Hawks, during which time they picked up a nice road win over the Mavericks. It's a fun, occasionally PG-13 for language, read. In a hotel ballroom, the morning after a game and a flight, Woodson addressed the team as Whitaker scribbled notes. Woodson said: This team has a chance to do something special if you believe in each other. If you feel like what we’re trying to do on the court isn’t going to work, speak up! I have zero ego as a coach, none. If you think you see something that’s going to work better than what we’re trying to do, speak up! Say something to me! But what I’m telling you guys is that if you guys will just consistently do what we’re asking you to do on defense, we’ll win games. I don’t give a s--- about the offense; you guys can score more than enough points to win games. The offense isn’t the problem. But you have to get stops on defense, and if you’ll listen to what we’re telling you, I promise you’ll get stops. The s--- works, okay? The s--- works, but you guys just have to have the pride and the heart to buy into it and do what we’re asking you to do every time down the court. ... ESPN.com

“Guys, great win,” Woodson rasped. “Remember what I said? You can win playing defense! We struggled with the offense but your defense was terrific.” “The shit works!” blurted out Teague, cracking up the entire room. “That’s right, it does, it works,” Woodson said, smiling. “Alright guys, let’s get home. You’ve got tomorrow off, and then we’ll come back in on Monday and get back to work. No more let ups, guys!” “No excuses!” yelled Horford. “No sir, no excuses, guys,” Woodson said. “Oh, and guys, today is Josh Smith’s birthday. Jeff Teague, get up here and sing Happy Birthday, rook.” The room erupted in applause, and Teague, shirtless, stood and launched into a surprisingly rousing rendition of the Stevie Wonder version of “Happy Birthday,” as the players all clapped along. “Do the stanky leg!” Woodson yelled, and the room dissolved into laughter. SLAM

Hornets Owner George Shinn underwent successful surgery to remove his prostate and will begin immediate rehab. The team made the announcement on Wednesday. Shinn was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early November. The Hornets said in a press release that the surgery removed 100 percent of the cancer and that Shinn is expected to make a full recovery. Shinn will complete most of his rehab out of town. AP

How much did the Great Recession whack pro sports? It depends on who you ask. Many teams have suffered downturns in revenue and valuation, but for the richest franchises, life is still good. Despite the wretched economy, the roster of clubs worth more than a billion dollars has remained stable. In fact, membership grew by one (to 25) since last January, with Germany’s Bayern Munich soccer club joining four other European soccer franchises, the New York Yankees and 19 NFL teams. Topping the list for the second straight year is Manchester United, the English Premier League soccer powerhouse that boasts a worldwide fan base. Man-U’s valuation grew 4 percent to $1.87 billion between April 2008 and April 2009 on a 9 percent increase in revenue. Other billion-dollar soccer clubs include Real Madrid ($1.35 billion), Spain’s historic power, and the Premier League’s Arsenal ($1.2 billion) and Liverpool (just over $1 billion; finishing just out of the top 10). Yahoo! Sports

Meanwhile, it’s been pretty much an equal opportunity recession in the NBA, where the majority of teams backslid. The value of the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers dropped by $6 million from a year earlier to $607 million, but still took over the top spot from the New York Knicks, who slipped even more. No doubt, the sponsorship-heavy league is getting pinched more than others right now, after going premium over the past decade with fast-rising ticket prices and expensive luxury suites. Yahoo! Sports

Former NBA forward Wally Szczerbiak is working as a college basketball analyst for CBS College Sports. On this week's episode of "Inside College Basketball," an expert panel discussed how many Pac-10 teams will receive NCAA Tournament bids. "I really like Arizona State," Szczerbiak said. "I'm a little biased. Herb Sendek was my old coach in college at Miami of Ohio, so I think they're the best team in the conference. And then I think they possibly get one more with the conference tournament." Arizona Republic

Denver Nuggets All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony and actress La La Vazquez plan to wed this summer. Vazquez, of MTV fame, announced the news on Wednesday on "The Wendy Williams Show." The two have been engaged for five years and have a son, Kiyan, who will turn 3 years old in March. Vazquez said on the show there will be plenty of people invited since "everybody has been waiting for it for so long, we might as well invite everybody to come hang out." AP

Charles Barkley on how he would feel if he found out a high profile NBA player had used steroids: First of all, I don't care, to be honest with you. It's funny how the public wants to think that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I grew up on welfare in Alabama. If somebody told me they could stick something in my ass to get me making 100 or 200 million dollars, I'm going to be the first in line. First of all, this stuff wasn't illegal at the time. They weren't even testing for it, supposedly. If I could get a needle and start making 15 or 20 million dollars a year, of course I would do it. It bothers me when everybody wants to act like they're so sanctimonious. If some of these people are out there at the job and they know they can get an injection, they're not testing for it, it's not illegal and the can make 10 or 20 million dollars a year or 2 to 300 million dollars, of course they would do it. Sporting News

In the lawsuit, Lopez -- who claims to have been in a five-year relationship with Shaq -- says it went sour after Lopez missed her period and Shaq allegedly reacted by accusing her of sleeping with another guy. Lopez says she ended the relationship, but then Shaq's large family -- and we're talkin' height -- got involved, making her fear for her safety. Lopez claims Shaq's 6'6" and 6'8" sisters made verbal and physical threats against her. Lopez claims she was especially fearful of Shaq because "O'Neal is a large, powerful, wealthy man and a professional athlete" who has law enforcement connections and the right to bear arms. And, Lopez claims, Shaq hacked into her voice mail and text messages, using sophisticated software. TMZ.com

Two people who spoke to the Heat said LeBron James is clearly the outside free agent most coveted by the Heat, but Miami does not want to risk losing out on other targeted stars by waiting too long. Re-signing Dwyane Wade remains the No. 1 priority. ``They're going to get a feel for who they have the best shot at and will craft their strategy accordingly,'' a source close to the Heat said. Miami Herald

``They will pursue more than one guy. James is their top choice, but if they get a yes from Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire, I'd be shocked if they told either to hold on so they can wait on LeBron'' -- unless Miami has strong reason to believe James is coming. ``If they get one of those three, they would feel confident they can keep Wade. Their biggest anxiety is losing Wade.'' Miami Herald

Though odds are against a James/Wade pairing, ``the way the Heat looks at it is how do you pass on a chance to try to get two of the three best players in the league?'' one source said. ``They raised the Michael Jordan/Scottie Pippen comparison.'' Miami Herald

The Heat believes Bosh could play center, and Bosh has talked about the appeal of playing with Wade. Miami's chances of signing Bosh would diminish if he is traded to the Lakers, but ESPN said Tuesday there have been no Raptors-Lakers talks. Miami Herald

Though Carlos Boozer wants to come here, the Heat sees duplication with Boozer and Michael Beasley. Miami Herald

The Heat would love to re-sign Udonis Haslem, but he should get more elsewhere. To clear room to sign outside free agents, Miami likely will need to renounce Haslem, Jermaine O'Neal and Quentin Richardson, among others. That doesn't prevent the Heat from re-signing them, but Miami could no longer exceed the cap to do it. Once a team uses cap space, it cannot use either cap exception. Miami Herald

LeBron James has it very good in Cleveland. That was the point made by Cavaliers minority owner Gordon Gund in a phone interview Tuesday with FanHouse. And that has made Gund, who was the team's principal owner when the Cavaliers drafted James in 2003 and now owns between 12 and 13 percent of the team after a 2005 sale to Dan Gilbert, quite optimistic James will remain in Cleveland. "I'm very hopeful that he will. I think it will be hard for him to find a better situation,'' said Gund, noting other top NBA teams likely won't have the salary-cap room to sign James. "I think that if something were near equal he's going to stay where he is. There's the saying, 'The devil you know is better than the devil you don't.' FanHouse

"He knows the other players on the team. He knows the way the fans feel about him. If he has a rough patch, they'll support him. He knows the coaching staff. He knows the management so he's got a real leg up on what the future looks like that he doesn't with other places. I know he's a smart young man. I'm very hopeful (James will stay).'' FanHouse

Travis Heath: Denver has inquired about Bosh but Toronto was asking for way too much. Nugs nearly nabbed Jeff Foster last week. Twitter.com

Travis Heath: I'm told by a reliable source that Denver is willing to trade anyone on the roster not named Carmelo or Chauncey for the right player. Twitter.com

The Mavs made a long-shot attempt to convince Utah to part with Carlos Boozer by proposing an all-about-money trade that would have provided the Jazz with another sizable chunk of payroll relief to follow up the significant savings from their recent swap with Oklahoma City, ESPN.com has learned. Yet sources close to the situation say that the Jazz weren’t about to be tempted. ESPN.com

The Jazz, though, have been telling teams for months that they won’t give Boozer away. A recent slump that dragged its record to 19-17 before Saturday’s thumping win over the Mavs in Dallas apparently hasn’t changed that stance. ESPN.com

An NBA source confirmed Tuesday that the Sixers and Rockets have had discussions about Tracy McGrady. Houston is looking to deal McGrady and his expiring $23 million contract by the Feb. 19 trade deadline. An ESPN.com story Tuesday claimed the Sixers "hinted at a package of (Andre) Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert for McGrady," though the source said the Sixers "didn't hint." "Houston is going through the league" seeking the best offer, according to the source. "Nothing is hot." phillyburbs.com

Tracy McGrady is in Chicago rehabbing from microfracture knee surgery. A trade to the Bulls is among the possibilities for the Rockets forward. "Tracy looks unbelievable," said Tim Grover, who has trained numerous NBA stars, including Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. "There are no physical limitations that he has. Any team that gets him is going to get a very fine-tuned and hungry player to prove himself over again." Chicago Tribune

Unhappy with his playing time and the Sixers' losing, Dalembert asked to be traded a year ago, but the team was unable to work anything out. The Sixers apparently looked to deal Dalembert again over the summer and perhaps again in the fall. "I just have to go out there and do my best," said Dalembert, a big man who is averaging 8.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in the past eight games, on Tuesday. "Whatever happens, business-wise, I can't control." phillyburbs.com

Executives around the league will be watching closely, with many teams hoping to land Martin by the February trade deadline should the Kings make him available. League sources indicate Houston, Toronto, Cleveland, Phoenix and Dallas are among those keeping watch. The Kings, who are believed to be looking for a significant frontcourt addition, have given no indication they intend to move Martin. Sacramento Bee

It remains unclear how Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie will handle the small forward spot, as swingman Francisco García is expected back from injury this month. Veteran Andres Nocioni, whose contract runs through 2012 and has $13.5 million remaining after this season, previously has drawn interest and could again. "The whole trading deadline thing is not anywhere near its full regale yet," Petrie said. "We'll see what happens on every front." Sacramento Bee

Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith said Tuesday that he likely wouldn't consider making a trade before the deadline next month unless the team was hit with a serious injury. "It would depend at what position," he said. "Right now, I don't see anything happening." Orlando Sentinel

I'd say the likeliest guy on the Cavs' roster to be moved is Daniel Gibson, and if they go for a home run with a big money guy I expect them to use Wally Szczerbiak and/or Lorenzen Wright as a piece of the puzzle through sign-and-trade means. (like the Mavs did with Keith Van Horn a couple years back). ESPN.com

Josh Boone, likely to be the next man shipped out as soon as they can find a final resting place for his $2 million contract, had a long conversation with Rod Thorn during free-throw drills. But the subject of a trade never came up, he said. “I only know what I read, and (reports) say they’re shopping me,” Boone said. “I would love to stay, but I know how the business is.” Newark Star-Ledger

Remarkably, the longest-tenured Nets player prefers to stay, even though most of his minutes will go to Humphries; and even though he’d be better off getting a head start on his pursuit of a new contract in some other team’s rotation. “We have seen a few guys leave very quickly. But when you have a team that’s 3-34, changes tend to get made quickly,” Boone said. “Still, I’d love to stay.” Newark Star-Ledger

Bower did not deny that teams have called expressing interest in trying to obtain Paul or West. One reported deal this week had the San Antonio Spurs willing to exchange point guard Tony Parker for Paul. New Orleans Times-Picayune

The Cleveland Cavaliers have expressed interest in West since November. Since last season, the Dallas Mavericks have expressed interest in obtaining Paul and taking on the remainder of Peja Stojakovic's hefty contract to make the deal more attractive for the Hornets. New Orleans Times-Picayune

According to website Sportske.net, Spanish basketball team Real Madrid is searching for a centre and currently is negotiating with the Raptors little-used Rasho Nesterovic. If the club fails to sign the Slovenian, Darko Milicic will be coach Ettore Messina's main target. Toronto Sun

Center Darko Milicic told The Post he is hoping his agent can work out an agreement with the Knicks to be released. Milicic said he doesn't want to leave money on the table, but feels it's best for him and the Knicks to part ways. Milicic said he doesn't want to play for another team, but rest for next season when he plans to return to Europe. Milicic, the Serbian 7-1 enigma, hasn't dressed since Dec. 15 and hasn't played since mid-November. "I'm just trying to find some kind of solution," Milicic told The Post. "I'm not just looking for a solution for my end, but a solution that would be good for them and me. New York Post

"We are talking to see what we're going to do," Milicic said. "Me traveling with the team and being in the locker room, I would be the happiest guy if I'm home with my baby. The situation is not going to change. We all know that." "I think for the team, why am I taking someone's spot right now?," Milicic added. "Why am I traveling, taking a spot? I'm taking someone's spot when I know I'm never going to play. I understand them, they want to save money so they can get another player. I understand that. But I'm not going to leave any money." New York Post

Milicic is in the final year of his contract, making $7.5M. "If it was just me, I'd say bleep the money," he said. "But I'm thinking about my wife and baby, and you never know what can happen tomorrow." When informed of Milicic's remarks about being so miserable he wants a release, Donnie Walsh agreed it is time they talk. The Knicks could use a roster spot to sign a young D-League player to a 10-day deal, which is now permissible, and look at him as a prospect for next season. With Cuttino Mobley still on the roster, the Knicks don't have a roster spot open. They also can use an open roster spot in case there is a 2-for-1 trade. New York Post

Milicic said he's so beaten down from a series of NBA snubs, he doesn't want to play elsewhere this season. "I told my agent, I'm not mentally or physically ready to play in any other city, to play for any other team," Milicic said. "I want to start from the beginning, go home, clear my head and get ready for next year in Europe." New York Post

Each day it seems like we hear about another trade rumor surrounding the Bulls. But, while you might think all the speculation might drive players crazy, Del Negro said that his team shouldn't feel very concerned about the rumors. "If you're a player, you need to be happy if other teams want you," Del Negro said. "Only one team needs to like you and want you. Maybe you bring something to another team that they don't have. As long as you're continually wanted in the league I think you take that as a positive. There's going to be a lot of things flying around, a lot of rumors, a lot of things that are said, [but] you just got to play through it and concentrate on what you can control. If you play well on the court, usually good things happen." ESPN.com

Joey Dorsey’s stint with the NBA Development League is over. The Rockets plan to bring their second-year center back Wednesday and will have him in uniform in time for their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey confirmed on Tuesday. Houston Chronicle

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NBA Players Association chief Billy Hunter will meet on Wednesday with suspended Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas to offer his support and gain a better understanding of the law enforcement authorities' investigation into Arenas bringing four weapons to Verizon Center last month. Hunter sat courtside for the Wizards' 99-90 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday and said he would wait until the investigation is concluded and NBA Commissioner David Stern determines Arenas's punishment before deciding what action the union would take. Washington Post

"Once the commissioner makes his decision, that will determine what extent we get involved and don't get involved," Hunter said, adding that he understood why Stern suspended Arenas indefinitely last week after he mimicked shooting his teammates before a game against Philadelphia. "I think the commissioner felt compelled to take action under the circumstances, to try to quiet things down. "But everybody is entitled to due process," he said. "The question becomes one of ensuring that the punishment fits the offense. You don't use a sledgehammer to drive a tack. That's what I'm about, to ensure due process. A lot of it depends on how quickly the investigation by the authorities gets completed." Washington Post

McGee said he sat with the grand jury for about 30 minutes, describing the experience as an episode of "Law & Order." Caron Butler, one of three players to speak with law enforcement officials Monday, said he hopes the team can get some closure soon with regards the investigation. "It's been a little chaotic around here for the most part, the past couple of days -- a big inconvenience," Butler said. "It was tough because that's something you don't want to have to keep revisiting. As a player, you want to focus on basketball only." Washington Post

I mentioned earlier in the week that Gilbert Arenas jerseys are no longer available at NBAStore.com, and that if you try to make a personalized Gilbert jersey yourself, you'll be told that "Your current entry cannot be processed. Language deemed inappropriate, derogatory, or profane will not be accepted. Please create a new entry." I asked the NBA what this was all about, and I was given this statement: "Given the circumstances surrounding his current suspension we do not feel it's appropriate to continue selling Gilbert Arenas merchandise at the NBA Store or NBAStore.com." Washington Post

Dan Steinberg: Wiz Insider comment: "whose shoe did Mike James crap in to not get a single second in this debacle season anyway" Twitter.com

"My biggest thing since coming here, I've been to four straight conference championships, I have never ever, on those teams, had a player ask about shots. And since I've been here, my main focus is to change the number of players who say, 'I've got to get shots.' In Detroit for three years, I never had one player ever ask. Same thing in Minnesota. The only player I think I ever had in 14 years, was maybe Wally Szczerbiak, a few times. And 'Dray is one of them." Washington Post

Blatche said he didn't say anything to the coaches about his lack of touches. He said the coaching staff told him to get in the low block on Sunday, but whenever he got in the post, "It's like I'm invisible." He said that's why he often drifts out to the perimeter to get the ball. Washington Post

Farmar said before Tuesday's game he still hadn't read Jennings' comments and didn't even learn about them until late Monday night. Riverside Press-Enterprise

"What can you do?" Farmar said before the Lakers played the Spurs. "I didn't have nothing to do with nothing." Los Angeles Times

Despite all those challenges, Miller feels the process of settling in with the Blazers is beginning -- at least on the court. "I'm getting into a comfort zone," Miller said. When Miller was signed as a free agent this summer, Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said the book on Miller was that he starts the season slowly, then gradually gets better, posting improved numbers by January. Oregonian

The NBA has fined two teams $10,000 apiece for violating the rule preventing players from standing for long periods of time in front of their bench. League spokesman Tim Frank confirmed a memo was sent to all teams Tuesday informing them of the fines. The teams were not identified in the memo. The fines were first reported by Yahoo! Sports. ESPN.com

SF Matt Barnes, who appealed a $20,000 fine levied by the NBA after he tossed a basketball into the stands Nov. 25, said it's likely his appeal won't be heard until after the end of the season. Orlando Sentinel

"I try to do my best, but I'm limited," Turkoglu said. "I just run on the side and expect them to just pass it to me. When for the past three years (in Orlando) I've been a point guard, too, leading the team and making decisions. ... I'm not happy how I play right now, but because of the situation, I'm limited." Toronto Star

"Does he want (the ball) more? Yes. Does everybody? Yes," Triano said Monday night, before the Raptors lost their second straight game, this one by blowing a 23-point lead to the Indiana Pacers. Triano didn't rule out a schematic "tweak" to provide Turkoglu with more ball-in-hand opportunities. But there were those who wondered aloud if maybe Turkoglu might need to re-think his assessment. Instead of this passive-aggressive push for the system to be adapted to him, how about adapting to the system? Toronto Star

It has been clear that Iverson has found a chemistry with Dalembert, involving the center in the offense, knowing Dalembert would respond at the other end of the floor. It's almost as if Dalembert, pleased with being included, doesn't want to disappoint Iverson. "I told him that," Dalembert said. "I'm so glad he got back, because he knows what I'm capable of doing, my style of game. [Our games] merge together; they fit together. I'm a finisher; he's the guy who's going to start it. "My strength is to finish around the basket, and he knows that. Sometimes he passes the ball, and as you can see, I'm expecting it. That's something I haven't had in a while, since he left." Philadelphia Daily News

"I stopped making excuses," he said. "If [I'm] going to get 20 minutes, go out there and be the best I can be for 15-20 minutes. I stopped pointing fingers at anybody else . . . If [in limited minutes] I can block two, three shots, grab eight rebounds, go ahead and do that. As I keep doing that consistently, I was able to see progress helping the team out." Philadelphia Daily News

Lisa Dillman: Memphis' OJ Mayo: "I saw everyone getting up and you start thinking of bombs and snipers, tornadoes. You don’t know what’s going on.” Twitter.com

DeAndre Jordan: Tough loss tonight Clip Nation! I have to hit those freethrows in the clutch for us. NO tomorrow, have to get this one. Twitter.com

Dynamic Dunking Duo: The chemistry on the court between Rondo and Kevin Garnett make alley-oops look effortless. But as Rondo explains, it takes a certain kind of player to pull off the dunk. “Everybody can’t do it. There are guys in the league that can do it, but it may be four or five things — you’ve got to have the athleticism, perceptiveness, the set up, knowing when to do it, you’ve got to be a good player. Part of the reason why [Garnett] gets so many lobs is because people fear him getting the ball. If he gets the ball, he’s going to score so they try to deny him the ball. He has great coordination, great timing. When he spins out, he loses track of the ball, so after he turns around he has to go up and find the ball and then find the rim. It’s not as easy as it looks. He does a great job at it.” WEEI

Paul Pierce has an all-around offensive game to the point where he can hurt teams in many ways offensively. He's shooting a career-best 46.5 percent from 3-point range this season, the kind of numbers that rank among the NBA's best this season. Although Pierce will likely be named a reserve in next month's all-star game, he's hoping to be among the handful of players selected to compete in the all-star weekend's 3-point shoot-out contest. CSNNE.com

Chris Douglas-Roberts: A lot of y'all have been asking me about the All-Star weekends Rookie-Sophmore game. For the record, I don't think they'll choose me for it. B/c they only take 9 players & unfortunately,we're not that good of a team.I don't think my stats will matter...even tho they're deserving. Twitter.com

Sitting in the corner of the locker room before San Antonio's 105-85 pull-away win over the Lakers on Tuesday, he talked about the places he's been like the University of Arizona ("I hope [former Wildcat teammate] Gilbert [Arenas] starts to 'get it.'"), New Jersey ("[Lawrence] Frank had to be let go.") and Milwaukee ("I feel so bad for Mike [Redd], I need to text him about his knee.") before settling on where he is now. "It's the best place in the world," Jefferson said, ranking the sleepy Texas city behind the bright lights of New York where he lived for seven years when he played for the Nets, earning a reputation as a bit of a socialite. "I'm done with all the other stuff. This is all about basketball for me now." ESPN.com

"Hopefully we're not that far," Tim Duncan said after going for 25 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks against Andrew Bynum, who is an inch taller, 25 pounds heavier and 11 years younger than The Big Fundamental. "Hopefully we're starting to turn the corner. Every little win counts and hopefully this solidifies something for us." ESPN.com

Fractured fingers, tweaked knees and an assortment of flu-like symptoms haven't sidelined Kobe Bryant for long this season, but there wasn't much he could do when his back flared up Tuesday against the Spurs. Back spasms sidelined him for the entire fourth quarter and his injury-ravaged supporting cast couldn't compensate, resulting in a 105-85 loss to the Spurs that extended the Lakers' road losing streak to four. Bryant first received treatment in the locker room after his back flared up on a turnaround jumper over Manu Ginobli late in the first quarter. Riverside Press-Enterprise

He gutted it out long enough to score 16 points before exiting for good with 38 seconds left in the third quarter, depriving a makeshift Lakers team also missing Pau Gasol of the firepower necessary to rally from a 12-point deficit. "I literally couldn't walk," Bryant said. "That's the only way I don't play." Riverside Press-Enterprise

The Lakers will likely have to finish their Texas two-step without Pau Gasol, but the injured big man is aiming to make his return from a strained left hamstring Friday against the Clippers. "He's kind of earmarked the Clippers game as one he thinks he can come back," Jackson said. Would Gasol come back early tonight as a result of the Lakers' other injuries? "That's up to him," Jackson said. Riverside Press-Enterprise

Dave McMenamin: For what it's worth: Despite the sprained R index finger, Ron Artest looked quite nimble handling/using his iPhone after the game. Twitter.com

Injured Bucks guard Michael Redd is planning on having surgery earlier this time around which will give him more time over the summer to get back on the comeback trail. Redd, who blew out his left knee in Sunday’s loss to the Lakers and is done for the season, plans on having surgery later this month or in February which would be about a month earlier than he had surgery last year for the same injury. “We’re going to go at it again,” said Redd. “This (earlier surgery) will give me a full summer to rehab. “It’s just the pain of going through rehab again and surgery again. That’s the frustrating thing about it. It’s been a difficult, difficult year but I believe the best is yet to come still. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Redd, who had been in and out of the lineup all season with injuries, said that the really discouraging part of the injury was that it occurred at a time when he was really starting to feel comfortable on the court again. “The shot was falling and I was moving really well,” he said. “(I was) understanding the offense and getting back in the groove with the offense … “But you know, you want to say ‘Why me? Why me again?’ We don’t know why things happen. Things happen for a reason. God has a plan for my life. I don’t know what it is totally but I’ll figure it out one way and keep fighting.” Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Marc J. Spears: Kings G Kevin Martin tells Yahoo! there is a "great possibility" he will return Friday @ Philly after missing 32 games with wrist injury. Twitter.com

Rudy Fernandez went through a full Trail Blazers’ practice without issue Tuesday and has been upgraded to “questionable” for Wednesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Fernandez, who has not played since Dec. 1, participated in his second practice since undergoing a microdiscectomy on Dec. 8. The procedure, done to relieve pressure from a nerve root in his back, has removed pain from Fernandez’ back and leg and he all but said he was ready to return. Oregonian

With Miller out, Saunders said the starters will be Randy Foye at point guard, Nick Young at shooting guard, Caron Butler at small foward, Antawn Jamison at power forward and Brendan Haywood at center. "It's a serious injury," Saunders said. "Anytime you have anything to do witih the muscle, until you start going full-go, you never know where it's at, so I mean, if we were in the playoffs, would he play? Yeah, probably. He would play in a playoff game. But we don't want to take a chance of we being where we're at, if he does pop it again, he's out another six weeks." Washington Post

Who's in/out for this summers Worlds so far? Chris Sheridan: My guess is the player of the utmost concern to you, Ali, would be Sean Marks, who told me a month ago that he is done playing with the Tall Blacks now that he is a father and wants to spend time with his toddler. ESPN.com

Before Tuesday night's game between the Lakers and Spurs, Jackson was asked if he had run out of things to do while visiting San Antonio. "I took a walk on the beautiful River Walk last night. There’s just some puddles here and there," Jackson said. "This morning, the ducks were still out playing in the puddles, so it was kind of quaint. I understand they clean it up this time of the year, get in there and dredge it a little bit. There wasn’t much beauty in San Antonio this trip." Los Angeles Times

Hornets owner George Shinn will undergo surgery this morning to remove his prostate after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in November. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Patrick Walsh at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution in Baltimore. Shinn, 68, was in good spirits Tuesday, saying he just wants to return to his normal duties in running his basketball franchise. New Orleans Times-Picayune

"I changed my whole lifestyle," Shinn said by telephone Tuesday. "I haven't had any meat in three months, neither chicken or fish. I've been eating pure vegetables and mostly raw foods. "I've been working out at least five days a week -- cycling, walking and weights. When I started, I weighed 170 pounds. Yesterday morning, I weighed 138. I've been on blood pressure medication, and I quit that." New Orleans Times-Picayune

Pete Pranica: Z-Bo donating funds to restore utilities to 15 Memphis families. Way cool. Man's an AllStar. Twitter.com

Someone told Noah that Longley, a 7-2 center, once went on the injured list because of a broken collarbone he suffered while body-surfing in Los Angeles. ''Really? That's really cool,'' Noah said. ''I like that story a lot.'' Chicago Sun-Times

Mike Bresnahan: I've now officially seen it all. A Spurs fan just got sick and vomited during a jalapeno-eating contest at halfcourt. Everybody disgusted. Twitter.com

Chris Douglas-Roberts: Is it me, or is every girl in the world making the same face when they take pictures now? The..{poking out mouth face} Twitter.com

An Orlando model linked to a lineup of NBA players claims Shaquille O'Neal harassed and threatened her after she ended a sexual affair with the married superstar in September. Vanessa Lopez, 30, filed suit in Florida late Tuesday, her lawyer Gloria Allred said. In it, she accuses the 7-foot-1 basketball behemoth of barraging her with unwanted calls and telling an associate to "shut dat bitch up" when she threatened to go to his wife if he didn't stop, Allred said. New York Daily News

The police reports, first obtained by TMZ, detail nasty breakups and allegations by Lopez that she was mistreated or harassed. Allred said Lopez was initially hesitant about dating O'Neal. "Ms. Lopez knew that he was married, but he told her that he had an open marriage and that he remained married for his image and for his children," Allred said. New York Daily News

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