HoopsHype.com Rumors

Wednesday, January 20

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Colangelo is not actively seeking to trade Bosh, but he’s bracing for an avalanche of offers between now and the trade deadline. If it becomes apparent that Bosh is intent upon leaving, Colangelo can maintain control by brokering a sign-and-trade next summer, which would be a win-win because it would bring back assets in return and get Bosh an extra year and more money on his deal. CBSSports.com

Despite speculation that the Wizards will seek to void the four years and $81 million left on Arenas’ contract, such a nuclear option has yet to rise to the level of serious discussion within the Wizards’ basketball department, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Legal experts believe that a contract termination would be extremely difficult to achieve under the collective bargaining agreement, which protects players from being sanctioned by the league and the team for the same offense. Further clouding the issue is the fact that such a drastic move likely would be dictated by the new ownership group led by Ted Leonsis, the successor to late owner Abe Pollin. CBSSports.com

With the Feb. 18 trade deadline less than a month away, the Wizards are incapable of trading Arenas until the length of his suspension is known. Sources say the sticking point in the league office’s completion of its investigation has been its inability to interview Javaris Crittenton, the other player involved in Dec. 21 locker-room dispute. Under provisions of the CBA, Crittenton eventually will be required to speak with league investigators, but is not required to do so until he is out of criminal jeopardy in the case. Crittenton has not been arrested or charged, in part because the firearm he allegedly wielded during the argument with Arenas has never been found. In a puzzling twist, sources say the three players who were in the locker room at the time of the dispute – Randy Foye, Mike Miller, and DeShawn Stevenson – have given different accounts of the incident. CBSSports.com

So the Wizards can do nothing but wait. With rival executives sensing their desperation, sources say the Wizards have not received any realistic offers for their most tradable assets, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, and Brendan Haywood. In the end, everything hinges on Arenas – which is why it’s so crucial for him to reconcile with the team, thus restoring management’s negotiating leverage and giving himself the best chance to eventually return to the court. CBSSports.com

I can tell you having been through the last Tracy McGrady fiasco, there is no chance T-Mac lands in Orlando again... Too many things said and done for there to be a reunion, even to clear out capspace.... would Otis move Vince? He keeps saying he won't but its hard to see how it works with Vince on the floor... Trading Vince for ending deals conceeds the season and admits failure in the move to get him... not sure Otis is ready to do either. HoopsWorld

I can tell you that after Bill wrote that piece, Mavs sources clarified a few items... #1 - they have zero interest in Sammy D for many of the reason listed above... #2- they'd love to get their hands on Andre Iguodala and his salary is not much of a concern if they could obtain him. The Mavs have shopped Josh Howard, Matt Carroll and Drew Gooden... they will not move Erick Dampier... while he's got short comings as a player, he plays hard, they like his toughness and he has a lot of value because of how his contract is structured and the Mavs are not giving that up. - they view that as a sizable chip in a sign and trade deal next summer. HoopsWorld

Kevin Pritchard and assistant GM Tom Penn are traveling with the team on its current East Coast trip, and rival execs expect the Blazers’ brain trust to soon make a recommendation to ownership about whether to trade for a big man or ride it out with Howard. The Wizards’ Haywood, whose $6 million contract expires after the season, would be a major upgrade. Haywood also would be a close match in a deal that included point guard Andre Miller. But as noted above, any move by the Wizards to acquire a point guard is hamstrung by the uncertainty surrounding Arenas’ suspension and criminal sentence. CBSSports.com

While no deal is imminent between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks regarding Nate Robinson, multiple league sources confirmed the C's are "very high" on the diminutive guard. Robinson signed a one-year, $4 million deal last summer which makes him a base-year player. That means the Knicks can only take back a contract or contracts that total no more than half of Robinson's salary, plus up to an additional $100,000. CSNNE.com

A league source close to both sides of the situation shot down rumors today that the Celtics have renewed talks with the Knicks concerning a possible trade for guard Nate Robinson. “Don’t waste your time,” said the source. “The Knicks are looking for quite a bit for him.” The source said that both sides did have discussions earlier this season but that nothing came of it. Robinson’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, denied any knowledge of these discussions. “If anyone would know, I think it would be me,” he said. Boston Herald

Alan Hahn: Celtics are willing to move Scalabrine and Tony Allen. Knicks have no use for either player now. A third team would have to step in here. Twitter.com

Alan Hahn: From a good source in Boston: Ainge usually does pretty quick deals and you don't hear about them. Might indicate the Nate stuff has fizzled. Twitter.com

While the Lakers have been mentioned as a possible Western Conference partner for the Knicks, Memphis, Houston and Oklahoma City are among the teams that have expressed some interest in acquiring the 5-foot-9 guard. CSNNE.com

The Bucks announced Wednesday that they have assigned forward Joe Alexander to the Fort Wayne franchise of the NBA Development League. Alexander is scheduled to report to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on Thursday and play in their game Friday at Iowa. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Here is the best evidence I’ve seen as to why Stephon Marbury’s decision to sign with Shanxi Zhongyu of the Chinese League won’t end well. Jason Rabedeaux, who has coached in China since 2008, told HoopsHype: “If you are looking to be pampered, spoiled or subject to superstar treatment, you might want to miss that connection to Shanghai.” CBSSports.com

While Wallace may not be basketball royalty in Detroit, he does deserve accolades for his impact on the franchise’s resurrection. “It was cool,’’ he said. “I didn’t even know I was going to end up in Detroit. But once I did, guys panned out to be cool on the defensive mind-set and we were just riding that wave, riding that high, and took it home.’’ Boston Globe

Under new coach Flip Saunders, the Pistons remained an upper-echelon team, losing to Miami, Cleveland, and Boston in the next three Eastern Conference finals. “Yeah, we could have [won more],’’ Wallace said. “Things didn’t go our way. It wasn’t our time after that, even though we went back next year to defend it. It all goes in one motion.’’ Said Prince, “We should have gotten two or three but, hey, things happen in this league and you always live for the moment when you are playing those games.’’ Boston Globe

Boston's Rasheed Wallace has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for comments critical of the officiating in the Mavericks' 99-90 win over the Celtics Monday in Boston. Wallace had said that the refs "don't like no tough defense on (Nowitzki), so of course I get a whole lot of (expletive) calls, but that's how the story goes.'' Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Vince Carter was shaking his head "no,'' before the question was even finished. Returning to the NBA Slam Dunk contest -- even in the name of raising funds for charity -- at the urging of Shaquille O'Neal was not something he would consider. "No. Dwight (Howard) can do it,'' Carter said after Wednesday morning's practice. "Nobody should feel obligated to do anything they don't want to do.'' FanHouse

While Howard was making promises, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was railing on his team's disappointing mid-season struggles, tracing the problem directly to what most consider a non-negotiable issue. "I'm not into that psychological crap,'' Van Gundy said. "We're having to spend too much time, quite honestly, just on emphasizing the need to play harder and with more energy. That should be a given by now.'' FanHouse

"Right now, it's such a teamwide thing -- not playing hard enough or well enough -- that making any (lineup) change would be like throwing something against the wall,'' Van Gundy said. "If it was one guy, I'd make a change, but it's not one guy. It's teamwide. We're not playing hard enough.'' FanHouse

So during the Tuesday film session the coach called on his veterans to lead the defensive effort. “I put it right on them,” Woodson said. “And that’s how it should be. They should want more. Thy should want more from each other, and hold each other accountable, but they are not getting it done.” Joe Johnson agreed. “It’s definitely on guys like me, Mike (Bibby), and Jamal (Crawford) to get us all on the same page, especially on the perimeter,” Johnson said. “We’ve had a lot of breakdowns and that puts our ‘bigs’ in tough positions.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

I'm around Rose enough to know he'd prefer to be the second scoring option. Management is basing its entire philosophy moving forward on acquiring a star. If it succeeds, Rose is in the perfect role. He's only scoring at the clip he is now because he has seen an offensive void and is trying to address it. So I agree that a shoot-first point guard may not be conducive to winning. But I don't think that description fits Rose. Chicago Tribune

The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant has retained the top spot on the NBA's Most Popular Jerseys list, the ranking he has held since the start of the 2008-09 season. The rankings are based on sales at the NBA Store in New York City and NBAStore.com since the start of the 2009-10 NBA season. NBA.com

Adidas paid $450 million for an 11-year deal in 2006 to provide licensed materials... so that's $40 million a year from Adidas for the right to make and sell NBA jerseys... the NBA also has other licensing deals... plus their own retail business - NBA Store, NBA.com - teams also operate their own retail businesses too... so like every store, they get product at a pre-determined cost and mark up as they set fit to turn a profit. Houston its self doesn't sell millions of Yao jerseys... Adidas does.... Houston keeps the profits from the jerseys they themselves sell... Keep in mind the bulk of NBA aparel is not actually sold by the league... its sold by Champs, Foot Locker, Eastbay and Dicks' Sporting Goods. HoopsWorld

The NBA's retail business - items they license, charge and sell generates about $2.2 billion of the NBA's $3.3 billion in revenue... But individual teams don't profit as much - the Mavericks have one the best retail business in the league, mainly because they have more retail items than just about anyone. HoopsWorld

Brian Windhorst: LeBron named top 25 most stylish by GQ. He & Shaq have great wardrobes but best dressed Cav is actually...Jawad Williams believe or not. Twitter.com

You're perceptive because there is. I remember when the trade went down, one Knicks beat writer told me, "Too bad James never plays. He's one of the best quotes ever." It's true. I've talked to the guy maybe five times in my life and each time he acts like I'm his long lost best friend. He's incredibly nice, funny and seems smart since any conversation with him can go in any number of directions. The last time I talked to him, we ended up talking about how he'd like to go the fish markets when he played for Seattle and throw fish. Fun guy. Chicago Tribune

According to NBC Miami affiliate WTVJ-TV, Philadelphia 76ers center and Haitian native Samuel Dalembert and former NBA star Alonzo Mourning were instrumental in bringing some orphans out of earthquake-torn Haiti to unite with their prospective U.S. adoptive parents. As part of the Project MediShare relief group, Dalembert and Mourning helped deliver the orphans to their new parents Tuesday at Miami International Airport. "There's thousands and thousands of kids out there, many of which I saw today at the orphanage, that are in dire need of a home," Mourning told WTVJ. "Deplorable conditions that they do live in, and it's truly unfortunate." USA Today

A new Atlanta-based basketball league is looking to launch this summer as a whites-only federation. According to a release received by the "Augusta Chronicle," the All-American Basketball Alliance plans on using only natural-born U.S. citizens of Caucasian decent as players. Commissioner Don "Moose" Lewis says it has nothing to do with hate, and that the focus is to play "fundamental" basketball over "street-ball." Lewis said fans are upset with the NBA because of incidents like the Gilbert Arenas situation, where the Washington Wizards star allegedly drew a gun on a teammate in the team's locker room. MyStateLine.com

The league is hoping to start play in June in 12 cities over the Southeast. Lewis says he's received threats from people that don't agree with the whites-only mentality. Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver said while he wants to bring a team to the city, he couldn't support it in this situation. MyStateLine.com

The trade rumors swirling around Nate Robinson had appeared to calm down in recent weeks, but Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports has reported today during an interview with Tanguay and Zolak on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, that he has knowledge that the C’s have made an offer to the Knicks for the ever controversial guard Nate Robinson. Celtics Hub

According to a person with ties to Doc Rivers, the Celtics coach wouldn't mind getting the chance to coach Robinson, even if he's high-maintenance. "Doc thinks he can connect with anybody," said the source. New York Daily News

Sources close to the thinking in Boston say that the C's plan is to allow Allen's deal to expire and look to re-sign him to a much more manageable number this summer using his "Bird Rights". However with so many major named players expected to be available at the trade deadline, it's been surprising that the Celtics have not been mentioned more as they have been among the more active "buyers" in the League. HoopsWorld

Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown said Tuesday night that he hopes LeBron James remains with the Cavaliers. James, the NBA's reigning MVP, can leave Cleveland as a free agent after this season. He has never indicated he will sign elsewhere, but speculation has centered on him signing in a new, long-term contract in a larger market. Brown, who played his entire NFL career in Cleveland, would like to see James do the same. "Looking at the fact that it is a business, I put that first," Brown said. "But having said that, I would love to see him be here. I think it's a terrific marriage." ESPN.com

Geoff Petrie finds a trade that's to his liking, it's up to Westphal to deal with the jam. "Geoff knows the roster," Westphal said with a laugh. "We're always available to try to improve the team (via trade), but it is what it is, too." Sacramento Bee

League sources continue to indicate Nocioni is the likely log to leave – by a long shot. Sacramento Bee

The six-year veteran is owed a combined $21 million during the next three seasons, and the Kings could either trade him for expiring money and gain $6.85 million in salary-cap room this summer, or include him in a deal for the additional big man they need. It bears watching whether Chicago shows any interest in re-acquiring the player they traded last February. The Bulls are believed to still think highly of Nocioni, and they just so happen to have a defensive-minded big man in Tyrus Thomas who they are reportedly open to trading. Thomas is owed $4.7 million this season and is a restricted free agent this summer, meaning the Kings could give him a long look before deciding whether or not to keep him. Sacramento Bee

Yet while Nocioni would likely welcome a return to the Windy City, he's not nearly as unhappy as a King this season as he was upon his arrival last February. "Noc is a real pro," Westphal said. "He said to me the first meeting we had (in the summer), and he has been true to his word, that whatever we want and whatever role he has, he's fine with it and he'll come as a pro and handle it. "I don't know that I'd say 'It's not fair to him,' but it's the not the way that it should be at this stage of his career for him. But it's an unsolvable problem. Whatever we decide, a good player is going to get left out." Sacramento Bee

With a Feb. 18 trade deadline looming, the Heat is conflicted over keeping Dorell Wright or trading him (perhaps to Memphis). At stake is a $7 million swing factoring in luxury-tax issues. ``It's just my luck my money matches what we are over the tax,'' Wright said of his $2.7 million salary. ``I understand whatever'' Miami decides. Miami Herald

Since then, Alexander's played in 59 games with zero starts, became the highest pick to have his rookie option turned down (only other two? Patrick O'Bryant and Reno's Yaroslav Korolev) and has missed all of this season with a lingering hamstring injury. He will get a chance to show what he's able to do soon, however, as league sources tell Ridiculous Upside that Alexander will be assigned to the D-League's Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Ridiculous Upside

The move, though, makes some sense for Marbury. On the business side, playing in China can help him market the Starbury brand, which had been one of his focuses as of late. Besides, salaries are getting better and better in the Chinese Basketball Association – to the point that Chinese clubs are competing with Euroleague squads for American talent. “The money comes from affluent business people who are trying to improve their social status through these teams, similar to Europe,” Jonathan Givony, president of the famed draft website DraftExpress.com. “There is a lot of money flowing in China right now.” HoopsHype.com

Still, Marbury would be taking a massive paycut. The former Knick guard made close to $21 million in his last NBA season. With Shanxi Zhongyu, he would be cashing in $100,000 per month, according to Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times. And that’s in case he’s fully paid. HoopsHype.com blogger Gabe Muoneke claims the Yunnan Honghe Running Bulls owe him $100,000 from his time in China one year ago. Jason Rabedeaux, the American head coach of the Jiangsu Nanjing Dragons since 2008, considers this an isolated incident, though. “The Chinese basketball market is very stable and the clubs pay their employees on time,” Rabedeaux said. HoopsHype.com

“(The Chinese League) is still very much the Americans doing whatever they please on the court,” Givony said. “Going out and creating their own shot on every other possession, with pretty much zero defense being played, and the fundamental skills of the locals leaving a lot to be desired. The coaches and local players don’t know how to assert themselves on the kind of imports they bring in in order to play ‘normal’ basketball, and that hurts the product big time.” HoopsHype.com

While the opportunity to play in China has some upside for Marbury, it will obviously be no cakewalk for him. And looking at his track record, there’s no telling how much he will be able to put up with. Like Rabedeaux said, “If you are looking to be pampered, spoiled or subject to superstar treatment, you might want to miss that connection to Shanghai.” HoopsHype.com

In an interview posted on Shanxi's website, Marbury said he wasn't daunted by the language barrier. "I'll communicate with the fans through my basketball," he said. "I think this will be a unique experience. To go overseas to play ball, to live, for me it's a challenge." Winnipeg Free Press

After playing the first 23 minutes, 8 seconds of the second half Monday in Minneapolis, Iverson sat out the final 52 seconds of regulation, including the last possession in which Andre Iguodala missed a long jumper at the buzzer, and all of overtime in a disheartening 108-103 loss to the Timberwolves. "Throughout my career, that's something that's never happened to me," said Iverson, a 10-time all-star, after Tuesday's practice. "Four seconds on the clock, I'm pretty sure I could at least be a decoy or something like that." phillyburbs.com

While saying the left knee arthritis that kept Iverson out of five games over the past month is "not an issue," Iverson insists he's not going to make waves like he would've as recently as earlier this year with the Grizzlies when he believes he's being underutilized. "As bad as I want to play, whatever decision coach (Eddie Jordan) and the training staff make, I'm with it," Iverson said. "I'm not going to be a problem. I'm not going to be disruptive around here. When my number is called, I'm going to try to contribute the best that I can. "I don't do everything right on the basketball court. Sometimes coach has that gut feeling and goes with it. I'm all in in this situation. I'll sit right on the sideline and be the biggest cheerleader that I can." phillyburbs.com

Iverson is second in voting among Eastern Conference guards for the All-Star Game. If the voting holds, Iverson will be a starter for the Feb. 14 game in Dallas. There has been some frustration vocalized around the NBA that Iverson - and the Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady - would be starters in the game despite seeing limited action. Iverson, who has played 18 games, scoffed at that notion. "It don't bother me at all," Iverson said. "If the fans want to see me, they want to see me." Philadelphia Inquirer

Despite being unworthy of being All-Stars when it comes to statistics and playing time, Philadelphia guard Allen Iverson and Houston guard Tracy McGrady are in line to be named starters. If either or both get the nod, some potential All-Stars figure to be moaning. "You end up having guys that are in that position that are taking away from some deserving guys,'' Denver guard Chauncey Billups said in an interview with FanHouse about the possibility of Iverson getting elected in the East or McGrady in the West. FanHouse

"You probably want to give the fans some kind of something to do with it, but I just think that's way too much,'' said Billups, the latest player to be critical of Iverson and McGrady being in position to start. "I would rather it be something like the players vote (for the starters). Everybody knows who should be there or who is playing good enough as far as your peers go. ... The fans probably should affect something. But I think that's a bit too much.'' FanHouse

"I think the commissioner (David Stern) should make a statement and probably talk about it and give it the guys who deserve to be there,'' said Nuggets coach George Karl, referring primarily to the possibility of McGrady being voted a starter. "I don't think it should be a popularity contest. I have no problem with someone being a popular guy who plays. A.I.'s playing. McGrady would be kind of sad.'' FanHouse

"If Yi's agents put a marketing campaign together for him in China, he'll probably make it as a starter,'' said Brown, referring to Chinese forward Yi Jianlian of New Jersey, who actually isn't on this season's ballot but was third in East balloting last year. 'That's just how people vote. It's the way it is.'' FanHouse

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However it happened to go up, the new gym did the trick. This season Kaman is averaging 20.4 points -- first among NBA centers -- to go with his 9.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. In my opinion, he belongs on the All-Star team for the first time in his seven-year career with Los Angeles. But Kaman didn't want to dwell on the possibility of an All-Star breakthrough. "I don't ever count my chickens before the eggs hatch," he said. "I'm not that kind of guy. I don't like crying over spilt milk either." SI.com

"I'm not here to please other people, I'm here to play basketball and help my team win," he said when I returned to the possibility of an All-Star appearance. "My coach was old-school. It was all about positioning and footwork and pump-shot and step-through. It was not about jumping over the top of somebody back then. That's who taught me. I learned from him, that's how it happened to be and I wouldn't change it." SI.com

Here's one way you can raise your profile, I told him. Grow your hair long, the way you used to wear it. Ben Wallace, Johnny Damon, Troy Polamalu -- many players have done the same thing to raise their profile. "Johnny Damon, he looked like a wild man," said Kaman, as he rubbed at his dirty-blond scalp. "As you can see, my hair's pretty thin on the top. If I grow it long, it's terrible. I look like Hulk Hogan." That's exactly the look that would put you on television. "The hair's not coming back, man," said Kaman. "I can't do nothing about it." SI.com

During a Martin Luther King Day telecast, a crew from TNT's NBA Tipoff said that James should participate for the good of the league. Analyst Charles Barkley criticized James. ''LeBron said he would be in it and he should be in it,'' Barkley said. ''I think there are certain things that guys should do just for the good of the game. ''Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins didn't have to be in the slam-dunk contest but they understood they were trying to push the game. It would be great for the game if [LeBron] was in it.'' Akron Beacon Journal

Following Tuesday night's win over Toronto, O'Neal was asked if he would like to see teammate LeBron James participate in this year's event. That's when he offered his idea. He would like to see former dunk champion Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant and others take part along with James. "As his manager, I will only allow 'Bron to do the dunk contest if Vince Carter comes back out," O'Neal said. "If Kobe comes back out and if another big name comes back out. If we could get a big prize and have half of the money go to the people of Haiti and the other half to the winner. "The guys that are in it, no disrespect to them, but there won't really be any competition for LeBron. I want to see Kobe. I want to see Vince and I will allow my client to enter." ESPN.com

Could he make it happen? "I'm saying it now," O'Neal said. "So tweet it. Facebook it. E-mail it and hopefully it gets out. Vince, we're calling you out. Kobe, we're calling you out. We're calling everybody out. If those guys step up in the dunk contest, then I will allow my client to step up." ESPN.com

On Tuesday, James said he enjoys watching All-Star Saturday night but that he doesn’t feel like taking part. He said he has no regrets for going back on his statement from a year ago. “I’m not a regretful guy,” James said. “I don’t know, I’m just not high on [the contest].” Cleveland Plain Dealer

Dwyane Wade: Dunk contest is not my strength ppl. I do appreciate the love but no way. Twitter.com

Andre Miller, asked what he sees in the current 76ers, invoked an all-too-familiar memory. "Basically, they're in the same position they were before I got there [in 2006]," the Trail Blazers point guard was saying after practice yesterday afternoon at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "That's why I got traded [from Denver] to Philly." Philadelphia Daily News

"You take certain things for granted," Miller said. "[The NBA] is getting younger and younger. You need solid veterans, whether it's a point guard or a big man, who can help the young guys out. That's not a slap in the face at the young guys; older guys can also offer a little bit of knowledge here and there." Philadelphia Daily News

Chris Tomasson: Karl on J.R. Smith slumping and missing way right on recent shot: “The (basketball) gods are now pissed off. They’re tired of him too now.’’ Twitter.com

Chris Tomasson: Karl on J.R. Smith's recent play: "It's when J.R. dribbles 16 times and shoots a fadeaway. What play was that?'' Twitter.com

The last few weeks have been bleak. Marred by injuries, poor effort, and underwhelming performances, the Boston Celtics have suffered through an 11-game stretch more fit for the Minnesota Timberwolves than one of the NBA’s elite. The 4-7 drought that has followed Boston’s gutsy Christmas-Day performance in Orlando has even left some declaring the Celtics window of opportunity closed. Count the Celtics unconvinced. “I’m not worried about it at all, man,” said Rasheed Wallace, “because each team in this league goes through some pitfalls at some point during the season. No one has a perfect season where everything goes right for them on defense or offense. “It’s not like that. You know you’re going to have some pitfalls and some trials and tribulations throughout the season. But the key of a good team is [to] focus on the main goal and make it better.” Connecticut Post

Miller said a playoff push is realistic, with the Wizards just 4 1/2 games out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. "We understand that with the team we have right now, we realize that we're capable of winning games," he said. "We're still on the outside looking in. We still have a lot of games left and ground to make up, but we're capable of doing it. We've got a lot of firepower in that locker room." Washington Post

There are no easy answers, though, for what has led to Okur's slump. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said, "I think he's just got to pick his tempo up a little bit and get himself involved a little bit more on defense and in our rebounding." "Teams have gotten to him out on the perimeter," Sloan added. "They get used to playing against a guy. He probably needs to pass the ball and cut to the basket a little bit more instead of pass the ball and stay out on the perimeter and look for that shot." Salt Lake Tribune

Carlos Boozer came to the defense today of starting center Mehmet Okur, the subject of Wednesday's advance story in the newspaper prior to Utah playing the Spurs. "I wouldn't say his numbers are down like 'he's not playing.' I think Memo's playing great,'' Boozer said. "You know, he has a tough job of guarding centers in the NBA and he has that same responsibility to come out and score points for us. "He's our best 3-point shooter and he plays the center position,'' Boozer added, "so in my opinion I think he's playing great. I think he's gonna play even better. … I've been with him for six years, and I'm proud to be with him for six years.'' Deseret News

The league today denied the Hawks’ protest of their Dec. 20 loss at Cleveland due to a shot clock error. “From the time we filed our protest, we indicated that we would allow the process to run its course, and today, the commissioner’s office has reached a decision,” Hawks GM Rick Sund said in a statement. “We abide by the league’s decision and will have no further comment regarding this matter.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Upon league review, New Orleans' James Posey has been retroactively awarded a flagrant foul 1 for undercutting Duncan during Monday's game, an NBA source said. Officials initially called no foul on the play, which came on a Duncan layup with nine minutes to go. San Antonio Express-News

Jerry West on Kobe Bryant: "I've watched him grow up (from) kind of an out-of-control young player who had this enormous skill and burning desire to excel to where he had to tone his game down a little bit. Now what you see is a very finished product, and still a relatively young man in terms of age. He's one of the great, great players I've ever seen, and more importantly he's one of the players I'd pay to see play... It's fun for me to watch him play, and know I was a small part of his life. He and I, we don't interact anymore but I do, from a distance, I admire him greatly." ESPN.com

Jerry West on Pau Gasol: "He hasn't grown a bit as a player. He was that good in Memphis." ESPN.com

What do you do on a long flight to the West Coast? Derrick Rose: We joke. We watch movies. Sleep. Mess with people while they sleep. Listen to your iPod. And some more stuff (Laughs) ESPN.com

Chris Ballard: Some Durant tidbits that didn't make the mag... Said three defenders who give him the most trouble are Marion, Tayshaun and Mbah a Moute. Twitter.com

Chris Ballard: ....Says before growth spurt he looked like Rondo. "You seen Rondo? How he walks with his arms touching his knees? That's not normal." Twitter.com

Chris Douglas-Roberts: Wade & Kobe both workout with Tim Grover DURING the season. Even with practice & traveling. So I've decided to do the same w/Jerry Powell. Twitter.com

Deron Williams shut down his Twitter account (@D_will_8_4real) Tuesday, with Williams and his representatives at McClaren Sports focusing their efforts on the launch of deronwilliams.mobi. Williams is the first NBA athlete to work with a Plano, Texas, company that has developed technology compatible across all smartphone platforms. The hope is to expand the reach of deronwilliams.com to anyone with an Internet-enabled cell phone. Salt Lake Tribune

The election was yesterday, but there will be a debate today. Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers appear headed for a lively discussion on whether the power forward will play tonight against the Pistons after nine games out with a hyperextended right knee. Garnett went through his first full practice since the injury yesterday and was on the Celtics’ flight to Michigan later in the afternoon. But Rivers said he is still looking at Friday (at home vs. Portland) for KG’s return. “No chance (tonight),” the coach said. Boston Herald

Asked if there’s a chance Garnett will talk him out of that position, Rivers said, “No means no.” Will Garnett fight the decision? “It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t, you know?” he replied. “But I try to listen at this stage that I’m at in life and try to preserve as much as I can and be smart about injuries so that they don’t get worse. I think I learned that last year the hard way (a knee injury that required surgery). So I’m just trying to be patient and actually listen. When he says I’m able and they give me the green light, then that’s what it is.” Boston Herald

Richard Jefferson had a string of 232 games started snapped when he missed Monday's win at New Orleans with back spasms. Coach Gregg Popovich doesn't think it will be too long before Jefferson is cleared to start a new streak. “I think he'll be fine,” Popovich said. “I don't think it's any big deal.” Jefferson is listed as day-to-day. San Antonio Express-News

At least that's the answer Evans, the defensive specialist who hasn't played a game on account of a pre-season foot sprain, was giving on Tuesday. And even if the date is a goal more than a set-in-stone promise, it's better than the previous stock answer to the question of when he'd return – specifically, that nobody in the organization had any real idea. "That's my goal, the game after all-star," Evans said. "My spirit's real high. My energy is getting there. ... But don't congratulate me just yet." Toronto Star

Caja Laboral tried to sign Ante Tomic when knew of the agreement between the center and Real Madrid. TuBasket.com

Obscure fact of the day: Former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy completed the Houston Marathon on Sunday with a time of 4:14:29. Twitter.com

Jordan saved his legs before games, using that time to stretch, practice specific shots and butter up referees. LeBron can't pace himself. Even when he walks from Point A to Point B, there's no loping or strolling. He prances. He hops up and down. And if all these people are staring at him anyway, why not rile them up with a couple ridiculous dunks? You never forget he's on the court. Not for a second. Even his teammates are enamored with him; they jockey for his attention like Octomom's kids. ESPN.com

Feldman told Crain's he sold his stake in the Pistons to the Davidson estate in October. Feldman did not return messages from the Free Press. The Free Press contacted Tim Frank, NBA vice president of basketball communications, regarding a report that Karen Davidson had a discussion with NBA commissioner David Stern about selling the team. Frank, who handles media inquiries for Stern, wrote in an e-mail: "I am not aware of anything on this." Detroit Free Press

Samuel Dalembert was scheduled to land in Haiti yesterday, although the specifics weren't immediately known. As of yesterday at noon, Marc Cornstein, Dalembert's agent, knew only that the 76ers center was trying to get to his native country with Project Medishare, an agency on the ground in the capital of Port-au-Prince, taking medical relief after last week's devastating earthquake. Cornstein said Dalembert has worked previously with Project Medishare, even before the earthquake. Philadelphia Inquirer

James was one of several dozen NFL and NBA players who joined in to collect more than $800,000 for the Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti. James announced that he gave $100,000 to the effort. Browns players Josh Cribbs and Donte Stallworth also contributed. "I feel fortunate to be in such a position to provide support and my heart and prayers continue to be with the people of Haiti," James said in a statement. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Jordan's supporting cast interacted with him warily, like lower-level executives tiptoeing around their CEO. You were always aware of the pecking order. With LeBron, it's a team in the truest sense. Everyone takes part in every joke. Nobody is excluded. They feed off him. Of all the superstars we have seen, there can't be a better or more beloved teammate. There just can't. ESPN.com

Oscar Feldman, a former minority owner of the Pistons, told Crain's Detroit Business that Karen Davidson is making an attempt to sell the team. "Karen is inquiring into selling the team, and her limited partners concur in that decision," Feldman said in a story posted online Tuesday afternoon. Detroit Free Press

Chris Douglas-Roberts: I STILL laugh when I watch Jerry Springer. I'm going to go to the show & be in the audience one day....& ask a question. Jerry Jerry Jerry! Twitter.com

The late Detroit Pistons owner Bill Davidson helped create the Jewish charity Areivim -- a term that means "those who are responsible." In 2006, each of the dozen or so founders pledged to contribute $5 million each to promote Jewish living. But Davidson died after contributing only $200,000, and now the charity, based in New York, is seeking the rest in a lawsuit filed in Oakland County Probate court. Named in the suit are representatives of the estate who are refusing to pay the charity the remaining $4,800,000 owed. Detroit Free Press

Two representatives of the estate named as defendants in the suit, Jonathan Aaron and Eric Garber, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. But according to their response filed last week, they notified the charity that "your claim is disallowed as there is not supporting documentation to establish the claim." They also pointed out that, according to charity records, the "pledges would not be final until" 20 families had committed to the charity. The representatives estimated that there are currently only 13. Detroit Free Press

Tyreke Evans, a Chester native, three-time All-Delco basketball player and Sacramento Kings star, is among those facing wrongful death action in a civil suit filed by the parents of the victim of a 2007 shooting in Chester Township. The suit seeks in excess of $50,000 from four defendants, including admitted shooter Jamar “Mar-Mar” Evans and his cousin, Tyreke Evans. Tyreke Evans, according to the legal action, was the driver of the car from which the fatal shots were fired. Tyreke Evans was never criminally charged in connection with the shooting, for which Jamar Evans pleaded guilty. Delco Times

Hayes Hunt, an attorney with the law firm of Cozen O’Connor in Philadelphia recently retained to represent Tyreke Evans in this suit, said Tuesday he was reviewing the civil complaint and expected to respond within the next few weeks. “Tyreke Evans did nothing wrong related to this incident involving Marcus Reason,” Hunt said. According to Hunt, his client and his client’s family were surprised by the civil action. “Tyreke was fully cooperative. He gave a statement and he testified on behalf of the commonwealth,” Hunt said. Delco Times

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