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Sunday, January 17

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The Milwaukee Bucks will sign veteran guard Jerry Stackhouse to a contract for the rest of the season, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources told ESPN.com that Stackhouse is expected to formally sign with the Bucks on Monday or possibly Tuesday after the Martin Luther King holiday. ESPN.com

Paul Jones: Bosh's agent Henry Thomas is in town. Why? As he says "I gotta see my guy play" Hmmm, wonder if there is anything else goin' on? Just asking. Twitter.com

Would there be a better set of forwards in the West now and five years from now than Durant and Bosh? "I've never thought about that, to be honest," said Durant, 21. "Of course I love these guys in the locker room. I feel if we keep these guys around and stick together for a long time, we'll be all right. But I've never thought about getting a guy like Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade or anyone else." NBA.com

"I trust that Sam is going to make the right move for this team," Durant said. "Whomever he brings in, I'd be totally happy with. He's done a great job so far." NBA.com

"There wasn't a lot of emotions," Brand said of his decision to leave the Clippers. "There was more emotion business-wise. You know, I had a much bigger offer somewhere else. I had to take it. I don't think about it too much now. Like you said, it's been almost two years now." HoopsWorld

He has had better numbers in seasons past, but never he has played better. He’s averaging 14.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocked shots and 3.7 assists against 2.1 turnovers. (The latter two are career bests by some distance.) He has made 51 percent of his shots. (Also an apex.) And if you see those stats and they don’t quite say, “All-Star” to you … well, hear this endorsement from the coach Smith was supposed to have slain. “I think he’s close,” Mike Woodson said. “If we continue to hang in there and win, we could have three guys. Al Horford is close [and Joe Johnson is a lock]. That would be unbelievable, especially for Smoove [Smith]. You see all the hard work he has put in, and there’s still room for improvement.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Woodson: “He was 18 years old, and he’d never really been coached. That was a major jump. He had to learn everything. He probably caught more hell than any player I’ve ever coached, but I couldn’t be more proud of any player I’ve ever had.” Told that Woodson, with whom he has had publicized dust-ups, has become his chief advocate, Smith seemed moved. “It’s like he and I have overcome stuff,” he said. Then this: “Everybody always blew it out of proportion.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Each man has a temper. Woodson can laugh when describing Smith’s early struggles: “He got hold of me!” But it’s significant that the only pro coach Smith has known no longer couches every assessment in the conditional. Said Smith, smiling: “A while ago, he’d say [to reporters], ‘He’s still got some learning to do.’ ” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

As soon as Shannon Brown's agent told him Nike apparently leaked that Brown would be in the NBA dunk contest, Brown was told just to ignore it. Brown will just wait for the official announcement on Monday instead of reacting to speculation. After all, he doesn't want to get his hopes up in case it doesn't work out. "I wouldn't cry," Brown said, regarding the possibility he wouldn't be named. "But it'll be good." Los Angeles Times

KC Johnson: NBA hasn't announced anything official yet but look for Brandon Jennings to be in Skills Challenge with DRose and two others. Twitter.com

"It's funny," Brand said. "I look at the stat sheet and I'm coming off the bench, but a lot of times I'm playing the most minutes. As long as I'm playing I'm happy. There was a time where I wasn't playing a lot of minutes, but as long as I'm out there on the floor I don't mind." HoopsWorld

"I feel great right now," said Brand. "Two years of injuries back-to-back are hard. You have to get used to the pace of the game again and things like that, but it's coming back. I'm shooting 50 percent and getting minutes. I'm happy right now. HoopsWorld

Opposing teams often have prevented Howard from receiving the basketball near the hoop, and on the occasions when he catches the ball in good position, defenses resort to fouling him. "See, right now he's just basically a dunker," TNT analyst Charles Barkley said. "So, what's going to happen is during the playoffs they're not going to double him as much, and they're going to play him one-on-one. If he gets close to the basket, they're going to grab him." Those tactics already have confounded the Howard and the Magic — and it's getting worse. Howard has posted single-digit scoring games six times so far this season — including four times since a Christmas Day loss to the Boston Celtics. During the entire 2007-08 and 2008-09 regular seasons combined, Howard had just seven games in which he scored fewer than 10 points. Orlando Sentinel

"It's not like I haven't developed some areas of my game," Howard said. "I just have to play off the defense — play off of what the defense gives me. During the course of the season, I've seen a lot of different defenses. . . I've just got to be patient. I watch a lot of film and I'm just trying to get better at it. Everything I work on in practice? It's tough to show it in a game because of the way the defense plays." Howard has tried to unveil some new wrinkles. In last weekend's victory over Atlanta, he tried a 15-foot jump shot as the shot clock expired. In Tuesday's win over Sacramento, Howard attempted two 15-foot jumpers. Each of those jumpers missed, but Howard says that General Manager Otis Smith wants him to keep shooting midrange shots. "I shoot every day in practice and hit those shots all the time in practice," Howard said. "It's going to be on me. I just have to gain confidence in that shot. I know I can shoot it. It's just getting out there in a game and shooting it when the lights are on." Orlando Sentinel

In the meantime, ESPN analyst Tim Legler views Howard as a dominant defender and rebounder who is confined to a 6-foot-by-6-foot box offensively. Indeed, dunks have accounted for 81 of Howard's 218 baskets this season, according to CBSSports.com. "You really have to get the ball to Dwight Howard extremely deep for him to be effective offensively, and against really good defensive teams, when you get that far into the playoffs, they're just not going to allow that to happen," Legler said. "He's certainly going to get his moments over the course of games, because he's too athletic, too big and runs the floor well. But what about when the game slows down and teams are forced to play them in a half-court game? "He has to have something else he can do to get himself more shots, just to make himself a more viable option. For me, the fact that he has no ability whatsoever to pick-and-pop and shoot a 15-foot jump shot, that really inhibits what you can do with him offensively." Orlando Sentinel

Call him the accidental coach. The guy who currently sits in New Jersey's lead seat recently was greeted as "Coach Vandeweghe.'' "It does sound funny,'' Kiki Vandeweghe said. FanHouse

"It was kind of a surprise,'' Vandeweghe said of when Thorn asked him to become interim coach after Frank was fired Nov. 29. "But it was an ask. It was a surprise because I hadn't really thought about (being a coach). But then it sort of made sense, and I said, 'Sure. OK. I'll do it. But I'd like to bring in Del.''' FanHouse

"I think he's doing fine,'' Thorn said of Vandeweghe. "We haven't won as many games as we'd have liked to, but some of our players are gaining valuable experience.'' FanHouse

Kidd is the type of player who will likely wear a uniform as long as he possibly can. However, he understands as well as anyone that his playing career will be coming to an end in the not too distant future. That doesn't mean that he won't stay involved in the game of basketball, though. "I would love to be a coach," said Kidd. "If that opportunity presents itself it would be awesome. It would also be fun to be a GM and try to put the pieces together. I would love to have that challenge. We've had a lot of success stories. I mean, look at Joe Dumars and guys like that who won championships as a player and also as a GM or President. I would love to be in that type of environment." HoopsWorld

The Bee's Sam Amick recently gave you a behind-the-scenes feature on Sacramento Kings rookie sensation Tyreke Evans. Though I admire the young guard's court savvy, ability to drive to the hoop and desire to have the ball at crunch time, I'm not so keen on what he does at munch time. Turns out, the 6-foot-6 player, who earns $3.6 million a year and drives an $85,000 Mercedes S550, is all about hitting the chains: He dines at Subway (presumably something involving pressed meat), gets the breakfast sandwich at IHOP before practice and, for his pregame meal, chows down on a chicken and pasta concoction from Chili's. Sacramento Bee

Meanwhile, the Griz haven't abandoned their quest to potentially add another player through free agency or trade. Memphis is one of several teams showing interest in Miami Heat swingman Dorell Wright. The Heat appears to be faced with the choice of dumping Wright or paying the NBA's luxury tax. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Wright, a 6-9 forward, is earning $2.9 million this season. A versatile and energetic player, Wright is seen as expendable only because the Heat is unlikely to be in a position to re-sign him this summer. Miami stands roughly $2.8 million over the tax threshold, after reducing its payroll by about $500,000 with last week's trade of guard Chris Quinn to the New Jersey Nets. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Brian Windhorst: LeBron on playing for the Clippers: "I have no thoughts on that." Twitter.com

Brian Windhorst: LeBron on if he knows how to spell I Love L.A.: "I know how to spell I love Akron and O-H-I-O." Twitter.com

A league source said the Cavs have also made a run at Hornets power forward David West. The Cavs are dangling center Zydrunas Ilgauskas out there for the Hornets, who want to avoid paying the luxury tax at all cost. Morning Journal

It was reported earlier in the season that the Cavs made an attempt to pry Troy Murphy loose from the Pacers. The league source said the Cavs also tried to get Jeff Foster. Morning Journal

West's contract is not fully guaranteed for next year, the Cavs owe him $500,000 of his $4.5 million salary if he's released before Aug. 2. So that means, in a way, he is fighting for his contract next season right now. He's a valuable player to the Cavs, but as of now they will have some cap space over the summer and releasing West would free up $4 million more. It will come down to his legal issues but also the decisions he makes off the court between now and then. Ultimately, if he's stable and has his legal issues taken care of the Cavs value him enough to want to keep him. Cleveland Plain Dealer

According to league sources, the Golden State Warriors are expected to call-up Anthony Tolliver from the NBA D-League's Idaho Stampede. Tolliver, who has already been called up once this season via the Portland Trail Blazers, is averaging 21.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.5 Stocks (Steals + Blocks, a statistic I'm now using courtesy of Bill Simmons). Ridiculous Upside

The Warriors, as I’ve heard so often and so often from them, could use their collection of expiring contracts–that would be Claxton, Bell and George–and acquire a useful player or two from a team that wants to cut costs heading into Summer 2010. The Warriors could ADD TALENT by trading away expiring money. San Jose Mercury News

Forward Shavlik Randolph has been informed by Blazers officials that he will not be signed to a second 10 day contract due to the return of Rudy Fernandez and the expected return of Nicolas Batum, a league source told Blazersedge today. Blazers Edge

The Spurs recently assigned swingman Malik Hairston to their Development League affiliate in Austin, hoping to find him more playing time there than he could get in San Antonio. They would have liked to do the same with third-year center Ian Mahinmi, but the NBA's collective bargaining agreement prohibits it. Players cease to be eligible for the D-League two seasons after signing an NBA contract. Mahinmi squandered all but 10 minutes of his second season while on the injured list with a variety of ankle woes. San Antonio Express-News

“I don't see any downside for a player to be able to go play,” Popovich said. “It just seems to be a good thing. This is a real good start, what we've done (with the D-League). Perhaps we can refine it a little more now moving forward.” San Antonio Express-News

Magic GM Otis Smith told the Sentinel that he has spoken twice with suspended Washington Wizards PG Gilbert Arenas, who pleaded guilty to a felony gun charge. Smith and Arenas go back to their days at Golden State in the early 2000s. Smith worked in the Warriors' front office as executive director of basketball operations and Arenas was the club's second-round pick. Orlando Sentinel

Smith has been a mentor ever since the two moved on to other teams. "First thing I told him was to end his Twitter account. Gil has to stop talking to everyone about everything," Smith said. "I told him to only talk to people he trusts and stop listening to people who aren't going to help him. "I hope eventually he gets everything right for himself." Orlando Sentinel

After some deep deliberation, seems to me, a guy who threw himself a million-dollar birthday party might be able to afford to have a locked safe in his home to stash his arsenal. I do not know the size of Gilbert Arenas' fortress, but I do know it has an elevator, and assume it's outfitted with an entertainment center, a media room, a game room, weight room, etc., and probably a half-court gym, too. New York Post

Mark Madsen: Hang in there Gilbert Arenas.....tomorrow is a new day and let's get you back on the court ASAP doing what you do best. Twitter.com

Marc Berman: Larry Hughes says he met with Donnie Walsh Thursday to find out his status. Plenty more Hughes grumbling over Mike D's communication skills. Twitter.com

Knicks management was truly impressed Lee made sure he would not miss a game despite his grandfather's death Tuesday. Lee spent his own money to rent a private charter after the Sixers' game Wednesday to make sure that happened. Lee has played in all 39 of the Knicks' games. D'Antoni praised Lee's "professionalism'' for spending the extra money despite the Knicks giving him only a one-year deal. New York Post

Of Lee's willingness to rent the charter, D'Antoni said, "That's not normal.'' D'Antoni was paying Lee the highest praise. He has truly become D'Antoni's favorite guy on the team, surpassing Chris Duhon. New York Post

Manu Ginobili: We're not playing well, I can't make a shot, but man I love doing what I do! Twitter.com

Marcus Thompson: Jennings on @StephenCurry30: "I read (Curry's) comments. That actually gave me motivation to come out and win the game. That's why that dagger (3-pointer) meant a lot. I'm taking it a little more personally because all these guys went ahead of me. Twitter.com

On the surface, it appears as if Bynum has a more advanced offensive game than Howard, who is generally considered the best center in the NBA. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, however, doesn't put much stock in that theory. "It's a difference in just their physical makeup," said Jackson, who gave his team Saturday off. "I think 'Drew has great hands, great shooting touch, [but] doesn't have that strength and quickness that Howard has, that physical makeup." Los Angeles Times

Howard has 28 double-doubles to lead all centers and is tied for the league lead. Bynum has 12 for 11th-best. "They use their particular characteristics to their advantage to play basketball right now," Jackson said. "They are just different. "I think that Andrew felt he didn't get a good shake in the playoffs last year," Jackson said. "He was in foul trouble a lot in the early parts of the game. Los Angeles Times

Carter said too often the Magic have allowed those missed shots to affect their psyches, not to mention their defensive intensity. He said this drought where the Magic have struggled has been shocking because he knows the Magic are an elite with an overflow of talent. ``It is disappointing because we know we can do better than we’re showing,’’ said Carter, who practiced in full on Saturday and lifted weights for the first time since hurting his shoulder. ``We’re trying to figure out ways to get this done. We’re a capable team that can accomplish a lot of things. Fortunately, it’s a long year and it’s not a sprint, but you also want to have a better pace in your sprint. Hopefully we’ll get this thing turned around and you’ll see a better Magic team.’’ NBA.com

Bucks forward Carlos Delfino suggested after the game that something had to be done to change the pattern of sluggish starts that has doomed the Bucks to a 1-4 record on the trip, with one game remaining on Monday in Houston. "We struggled a lot to get into the game," said Delfino, who had a season-high 28 points. "I think it's something we need to talk about. It's not easy in this league to come from the back. "On this road trip it has happened for us with the Lakers, Portland, Phoenix and now again. I don't know if it's a lack of energy because of the back-to-back. It's not about that. I think it's more about understanding how to play against these kind of teams. We weren't able to stop the fast break, and we need to talk about it." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

"There was a point where we started picking it up," Skiles said. "But in this building against this team with a point guard like Deron Williams, it's very, very difficult to come back against them. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

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Guard Delonte West caught some flak from an exuberant Clippers fan who led the fans in his section in the familiar high school cheer: ‘’U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi. You UGLY!’’ while West was at the free throw line in the second quarter. West just played along with the taunt shimmying before his second free throw. The Cavs bench howled in laughter and James defended his teammates’ actions. ‘’Absolutely. What’s wrong with it? It’s part of the game,’’ he said when asked if West should have done it. ‘’The chemistry on the court, off the court is the reason we’re so successful, why we believe in each other and that’s why we do the things we do on the court because we’re like a brotherhood on this team.’’ Akron Beacon Journal

Don't count second-year guard O.J. Mayo among those who have embraced the Twitter phenomenon. Mayo denies that the account "Juicewv32" belongs to him and goes on to say that he isn't "into Twitter" or any of the popular social media sites. "It's not my thing," Mayo said. Unlike with most celebrities, "Juicewv32" isn't a verified account. Memphis Commercial Appeal

It is something Powe has been looking forward to because it is the final stage in recovery. He's been playing light 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 with teammates after practice for the past couple weeks and has been working in some drills. Going full speed is next. "It is going to be exciting to get out there and get a feel for the game again," Powe said before the Cavs took on the Los Angeles Clippers to close their five-game trip Saturday night. "Contact practice is important to get my timing and rhythm back." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Instead of taking a red-eye flight back after playing the Clippers, the Cavs stayed in Southern California and planned to fly home Sunday afternoon. Another decision to help body clocks and get more sleep? No. Cavs coach Mike Brown agreed to players' requests to stay an extra night in L.A. "It was something they asked for, and that is part of my whole philosophy, building trust with the team," Brown said. "When there's an opportunity to go home at the end of a trip, usually you go home, but guys asked to stay, and for me, it doesn't matter either way. So we're staying." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Rasheed Wallace was feeling well enough yesterday to declare himself ready to return to action. And his Celtics teammates were in an upbeat mood as coach Doc Rivers conducted a lighthearted practice, featuring a dunk contest (won by J.R. Giddens) and shooting contests (won by Eddie House). Boston Globe

Forward/center Antonio McDyess was unavailable Saturday after suffering a pinched nerve in his neck Friday in Charlotte. He will be listed as day-to-day. McDyess suited up, but only due to a technicality in NBA rules. He did not have a jacket at the arena so he had to wear his uniform to sit on the bench. San Antonio Express-News

Lawson has missed four consecutive games since injuring his left ankle against Golden State on Jan. 5. "It feels good, so hopefully I get some minutes and play," Lawson said. "Sitting on the sidelines, sitting in the locker room is frustrating. So I can't wait to get my feet wet and get back out there." Denver Post

Second-year forward Joe Alexander believes he is ready to play. He has accompanied the Bucks on their western road swing and practiced regularly while awaiting a return to the active roster. Bucks coach Scott Skiles hinted that time could come on Monday when the Bucks conclude their six-game trip in Houston. "He had a workout (Friday morning)," Skiles said. "So far nothing has happened. More than likely we'll get through (Saturday), work him again on Sunday, and then he will have had three, four or five days of contact. "If he gets through that OK, it will be about time then." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Since being fired by Sacramento in 2007, he has been raising two sons while working college and pro games as an analyst. His name has popped up in relation to several recent job openings. "It's been great to re-connect with my sons, but I'm ready to get back into coaching," says Musselman, who is married to his second wife, TV sports reporter Danyelle Sargent. "I'm coaching Y-ball and sitting in (school) car-pool lanes, just 14 mothers and me. It's been fun, but not exactly what I had envisioned." ArgusLeader

Arash Markazi: Mike Dunleavy laughed when he heard's Phil's karma comment about Sterling. Said he wouldn't mind Phil sharing some of his karma with him. Twitter.com

Last summer Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was asked to appear in an ESPN commercial with his younger brother, Jeff, the network's NBA color television analyst. Stan at first agreed to participate if it could be shot in Orlando, given the Magic's long postseason run. Jeff has appeared in several humorous spots, including the last one which has him posing as the Phoenix Suns' gorilla mascot. He then backed out of the commercial after learning it was to be shot in Los Angeles. Stan probably had enough of L.A. after the Finals against the Lakers. Orlando Sentinel

It is possible, perhaps even likely, that within this decade the Red Wings and Pistons will partner to build and share a sports arena in downtown Detroit, sources told The Detroit News. Mike and Marian Ilitch, owners of the Red Wings, have not renewed their lease at Joe Louis Arena beyond this season, and face more than $10 million in structural repair at the dilapidated arena this summer if the team is to play there next season. Detroit News

KC Johnson: After interviewing him, Yannick Noah has to be in the team picture for coolest man on the planet. Twitter.com

Former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning Jr. arrived here Friday, catching a flight in with a medical relief group to do "anything they want me to do" to help the earthquake-shattered nation's recovery, he said. "I'll do manual labor or any other kind of labor. I'm here to help them." Miami Herald

Kate Fagan: Last night at 76ers/Kings game, fans donated $30k to UNICEF, total of which Dalembert will match, meaning Sammy D to donate $130k to effort. Twitter.com

Wesley, who was Phills' teammate and best friend, saw the accident in his rearview mirror. He was on the phone and speeding, too, in his white Porsche. It was a Wednesday morning, following an early practice for the Hornets. The two friends were on their way to meet for a late breakfast. "Ten years," Wesley said over the phone this week. "How could it have been that long?" Charlotte Observer

Phills' wife and his best friend have dealt with the aftermath of his death in different ways and in different states - one staying in Charlotte, one moving to Texas. Kendall Phills has stayed in Charlotte, become a real-estate agent and kept her late husband's crumpled-up Porsche. She has occasionally had the car hauled to high schools in the area, then shown it to students to help her visually drive home the "Speed Kills" message she wants to spread. Now, though, the wrecked car sits in the middle of a piece of land Kendall bought in the Cotswold area. She's not quite sure what to do with it. Charlotte Observer

Kendall Phills, 38, has not remarried. She has dated a little, she said. And she has moved on in other ways. She kept Bobby's clothes until she did a "big purge" about a year ago. She is preparing to sell the dream house in the Ballantyne area that she and Bobby built together 13 years ago. She wants to downsize and move closer to where the kids go to school, at Charlotte Christian. For years, Kendall drove around Charlotte with a vanity license plate that read "MISSN 13," referring to her late husband's jersey number. But she finally gave up that plate, trading it in for one that reads "I AM THE1." She believes that God chose her specifically to deal with the burden of a husband's death because she could handle it and help others more because of it. Charlotte Observer

Phills valued his family. Two weeks before dying, Phills said in an interview: "I'm very secure with myself. I have a great family. I was raised by a great family. I have the American dream." He also had one ultimately fatal flaw. He loved to speed and did so regularly. "I think, for Bobby, it was the adrenalin rush," Kendall Phills said. "He always loved a fast car." Kendall Phills and Wesley both say that the relationship between their families has stayed good throughout the past 10 years. "We still keep in touch with Kendall all the time," Wesley said, "with phone calls and Facebook. Some of the healing process for me is that she has never looked at me in a 'Look what you did to my husband!' sort of way. That was huge." Charlotte Observer

Rob Woolard is an insurance adjuster, and it's not lost on him that the crash most people know him for is the one he was in. Sometimes, life gives you these improbabilities to sort through. He was working that weekday morning 10 years ago when Charlotte Hornets forward Bobby Phills lost control of his Porsche while speeding from a practice at the old Charlotte Coliseum. Phills' car slammed into Woolard's Oldsmobile Cutlass, killing Phills and sending Woolard to the hospital with a broken hand and snapped knee ligament and aorta flattened just short of the point where he, too, would have been dead. "That close," Woolard says now. He is reminded often. His job takes him from body shops to tow yards, where he sees the results of accidents like his, most involving two cars, most with one driver at fault and the other merely present, a victim of timing. "Random," Woolard says. He hadn't thought about that much, before that day. Charlotte Observer

He never played a minute of high-school or college ball, but in the 1970s legendary Harlem hoopster Joe Hammond -- a k a "The Destroyer" -- owned the blacktop at Rucker Playground, the uptown mecca for streetballers who often made it to the pros. Hammond's cocky dunks, weaves and backboard magic earned him notoriety as New York City's greatest streetballer ever -- a rep that even rippled through the pro ranks when he scored an astounding 50 points against NBA Hall of Famer Julius "Dr. J" Erving in 1971. Now, decades later, the 61-year-old, 6-foot-3 playground legend finds himself in a different court. He's suing sneaker giants Nike and Foot Locker in Manhattan federal court for $5 million for using his name on a T-shirt without his permission. New York Post

The shirt reads: "Joe The Destroyer Hammon" -- his last named misspelled -- with a picture of a dilapidated basketball hoop. "They put a shirt of mine in Foot Locker with no contract," he grumbled outside his Harlem home last week. New York Post

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