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» Update: 08:41 PM ET |
 As the Phoenix Suns try to reshuffle their roster for the future, their front office remains motivated to try to acquire New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports The Suns are willing to give New York a package that includes forward Jared Dudley and possibly a future first-round pick for Shumpert, but the Knicks have so far shown no inclination to do such a deal, sources said. After tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament in the Knicks' opening game of last season's playoffs, Shumpert returned in January and has started the past 11 games. While Shumpert is still working himself back to the high level with which he performed as a rookie, the Knicks' front office remains a strong proponent of his talent, sources said. Yahoo! Sports After regretting they passed on Shumpert in the 2011 NBA draft, the Suns pushed the Knicks to include him in sign-and-trade scenarios discussed for Steve Nash in July. In the past week, the Suns have scouted Shumpert in person, sources said. Yahoo! Sports  Q: Anything new on the trade front? Donnie Nelson: No. It’s a little bit before All-Star (break), and then of course (the deadline) after that. But you know us. We’re always going to be active. There’s certainly nothing to report. We like the boys in blue. We like the guys in our locker room. And we’re at a real critical point right now. Dallas Morning News Q: Do you anticipate making a deal? Donnie Nelson: It’s hard to say. I don’t think this team needs more change, unless there’s good reason for it. We’ve got nine new faces and Dirk’s kind of been in and out of the lineup. We need to really kind of settle things down if we’re going to make a solid run at this thing. We’ll be opportunistic and educated on what’s going on out there, and if there’s something that’s an over-the-top-type move, you know us, we’re not afraid to pull the trigger around here. Dallas Morning News Q: Do you think Memphis’ trade of Rudy Gay is an indicator of the new collective bargaining agreement and the financial climate? Donnie Nelson: I think that’s kind of testament to the belt-tightening that Mark’s been predicting for a while. That’s a reality that’s coming up. So you’ll definitely see teams that are looking to be more flexible. Dallas Morning News Donnie Nelson: We’ve had a special run. We’re fighting to protect that. I think it’s a product of the West being so top to bottom thick. I’d love to petition the commissioner to slide over to the Eastern Conference for a couple of years. That might be nice. Are we concerned? Yes. Because we’re used to performing at a high level. Mark starts off every discussion and meeting with ‘championship.’ The good news is we’ve done it twice. Those two teams, in 2006 (and 2011) were completely different teams. You talk about re-dos. And so, with Mark’s creativity and ability to have flexibility in the marketplace, I think we’ve gained the trust of our fans over a period of time. We’re going to get back there. With Mark, my bet is it’s going to be sooner rather than later. But there’s no guarantees. That’s why every year, we try to put ourselves in position to make deep playoff runs and compete. Because once you get in the playoffs, anything can happen. And that’s our focus this year. We’re certainly fighting for our playoff lives, we understand that. Dallas Morning News  But the involved parties don’t have any interest on the idea. Instead, the Lakers (24-27) say they’re strictly focused on Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat (33-14) at American Airlines Arena. “Honestly, I’m done talking about it,” Bryant said. “There’s nothing to talk about it. There’s nothing to discuss. It’s silly.” Los Angeles Daily News “That’s cool,” D’Antoni said. “He’s his father. He should defend his son. But I thought we had that in Memphis. We’re good.” Howard also had little interest in adding to the storyline. “I don’t want to get into it,” Howard said. “My dad is a grown man. That’s how he feels. We’ll leave it at that.” Los Angeles Daily News For the first time since 1993, the Dallas Mavericks will not have any representation in the NBA All-Star game. Part of that is because Dirk Nowitzki, who made the All-Star team the past 11 years, missed the first 27 games this season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. The good news is that all of the Mavs will be able to receive the same amount of rest during the Feb. 15-17 All-Star break. "It's unusual that there's no (All-Star Weekend) representation,'' coach Rick Carslisle said after this morning's shoot around at American Airlines Center. "But with Dirk's health situation, that threw us out of whack with all that stuff. "It's OK. Whatever the situation is, we'll make the best of it.'' Fort Worth Star-Telegram |
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» Update: 02:46 PM ET |
 Marc Stein: Dime addendum: Milwaukee now in mix for Magic's JJ Redick. Bucks, I'm told, assessing their ability to retain sharpshooter long term Twitter @ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein: To meet asking price for Redick -- expiring(s) and a future first-round pick -- Bucks naturally wanna know they can retain free agent-to-be. Twitter @ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein: Redick did tell @RealGM this week that ORL has "become a home" & that he'd like to stay if Magic end up passing on all these calls coming in Twitter @ESPNSteinLine  What happens after the season? Howard’s father still thinks the center will re-sign with the Lakers. When asked about Brooklyn, he said, “Oh, I doubt it. That would surprise me.” What about the Hawks? “Dwight hasn’t said anything about Atlanta, either. But he likes home. I think he would love to end his career here, even though he hasn’t said that publicly.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution The bottom line is that Howard’s credibility has taken a major hit, but at least one person believes that’s unfair. Granted, Dwight Howard Sr., his father, can’t be completely objective about his son, but he makes some fair points when he criticizes Bryant for publicly questioning a teammate's toughness and desire. He also said of his son, “In his heart of hearts, I’m still not sure he was really sold on leaving Orlando.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution When asked about the unfolding soap opera in Los Angeles, Dwight Sr. defended his son and criticized both Bryant and Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni. “I told him before he said it publicly, ‘It’s your career. No person can say what you need to do or not do. You can’t worry about what Kobe or anybody else says,’” the elder Howard said. “Nobody can say what Kobe said -- that’s stepping into another man’s shoes. I understand what Kobe was trying to do, but he went about it the wrong way. He’s trying to win a championship. But Dwight has to tell Kobe, ‘I appreciate your opinion, but that doesn’t matter. We’re two men on this team. We need to be reasonable about this.’” Atlanta Journal-Constitution He believes Howard received some bad advice from representatives last year: “I don’t think he realized some of the things he was being blessed with in Orlando.” The Lakers’ situation, he said, has worn on Howard. “L.A. has been like humble pie for him," he said. "When you go from being the man in one city (Orlando) to second or third tier, it takes a toll on you mentally.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard Orlando teammate, believes Howard will re-sign with Lakers this summer as free agent. “My gut feeling is I think he will,’’ Lewis who is now with the Heat and will face Howard on Sunday, told FOX Sports Florida. “I think he will be in L.A. … He most definitely likes the city, likes the organization. It’s one of the first-class organizations. The Lakers have a history of winning championships, and that’s what he wants to do is win championships. So we’ll see what happens at the end of the season, but my gut feeling is I think he’ll stay there.’’ Sulia  And while Mozgov has been one of the most inquired-about Nuggets, there remains huge question marks as to whether the team will deal anyone at all. Karl emphasized that point after today’s shootaround at Quicken Loans Arena. “(Nuggets general manager) Masai (Ujiri) and I have had one conversation about what’s going on in the trade world,” Karl said. “I’m really very happy with the team. Masai, it’s his job to figure out what makes us better and bring that to us. Right now, I don’t think there’s a lot of urgency for me to think about it very much. I used to read HoopsHype this time of year. I don’t even read HoopsHype anymore. I just look at some stats and some scheduling stuff.” Denver Post Karl acknowledged this time of year is a period of “solid anxiety…for players. It’s a small, small percentage a trade could happen. It would be different if you knew there was a contract, but we’re happy with our salary structure, we’re happy with our contracts, we’re happy with our players… And we’re happy with our record.” Denver Post Then there’s this: In the middle of the trade conversation, Karl said he shrugs his shoulders at the rumor mill because “I think we’re reporting fibs and lies,” Karl said. How can he be so sure? “I know we are because I used to give out the lies,” Karl said, chuckling. “I used to have bets with guys in the league to see who could get something in the paper fastest. We’d make up some trade that was never presented in a hundred years and all of a sudden it’s on ESPN.” Denver Post "I don't think this team needs more change unless there's good reasons for it,'' said Nelson, the Mavs' president of basketball operations. "We've got nine new faces and Dirk (Nowitzki) kind of in the lineup, then out of the lineup, then in the lineup. "We need to really kind of settle things down if we're going to make a real solid run at (the playoffs). We'll be opportunistic and educated on what's going on out there and if there's something that's an over the top type move, you know us, we're not afraid to pull the trigger around here.'' Fort Worth Star-Telegram  He is now 31 and maybe, if you believe the scouts, has lost a step. He's a free agent this summer. He's on a team that, after the Rudy Gay trade, suddenly needs scoring at his position. Memphis could re-sign Allen, for something in the $5 million range, or change course and find some offense at the two-guard spot next season. "I'd like to stay but whatever happens I'm cool with it," he said. "I'll get what's coming to me. At least I hope. They say defense wins games, right? They say it's all about how you play defense, right?" He hesitates. "That means I'll be fine, right?" SportsonEarth You wait for him to flash an I'm-kidding smile or jab an elbow into your ribs. Nothing. He can be quite funny and quirky and always seems to be cutting someone up. But about defense? Serious as a stroke. "I take pride in this," he said. "This is what I do. And not too many people want to do what I do. It's high risk and low rewards. There ain't no glamour, magazine covers, hype and definitely no money." SportsonEarth "He reminds me at times of a free safety in football," said Chris Wallace, the Grizzlies' general manager, "with his ability to zero in and focus on the ball. He's all about getting the ball back." Here's what else sets him apart: Allen owns an extensive video library with footage of almost every guard and small forward and watches it constantly. He calls it "going to the movies" and it's a pregame ritual. "If you check, my fingerprints might be on every player in the league," he says. SportsonEarth Finally, a dozen players are almost impossible to guard one-on-one for 48 minutes. Good luck sticking with Kobe and Durant and LeBron and Paul and Carmelo Anthony, and try to avoid fouling out in 10 minutes. "The prolific scorers are going to score," Allen said. "With me, I try not to beat my head up if a guy scores on me. I know the more I compete and the harder I play, those shots will become difficult for them late in the game. I get judged on getting key stops. If I can get a few key stops down the stretch to help my team win, that won't show up on the scoreboard but it doesn't really matter. I know I did my job." SportsonEarth Liz Mullen: SBD: Brandon Jennings terminated contract w agent Bill Duffy last Saturday. 15 days until he can sign with new agent under NPBA rules. Twitter @SBJLizMullen Included in ESPN's interview with Kobe Bryant was an interesting comment from the Los Angeles Lakers guard on LeBron James' refusal to get involved in trash talk. "I say everything to LeBron. He says nothing back. He just laughs," Bryant said, with the teams to meet Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena. "There's no banter back and forth. I guess it's a generational thing. When I first came into the league, the trash talk was downright cutthroat." South Florida Sun-Sentinel Leandrinho Barbosa: I just heard that @usainbolt will be "Lightning" at the NBA-All Star Celebrity Game!! Can I call him The Jamaican Blur on bball?? ... Lol Twitter @TheBlur_Barbosa Earl K. Sneed: Carlisle also says at this point Mark Jackson is the favorite for Coach of the Year honors and the Warriors have taken on his personality. Twitter @EKS_MavsNBA If you’ve got a spare $100,000 lying around and are reading this website, you are probably OK with spending all that money on something basketball-related, just so long as it’s awesome. And though, as a Bulls fan, I might be biased, I’m fairly certain that this fits the bill — it’s the structural blueprint for the United Center’s Michael Jordan statue that everyone takes a picture with whenever they go to a Bulls game. And it’s on eBay. The Score |
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» Update: 08:45 AM ET |
 The Sixers, sources say, are open to a shakeup as they continue to wait for the return of Andrew Bynum to give All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday some badly needed help. And I'm told Philly, as such, is shopping (or at least making calls to gauge the value of) swingman Evan Turner. ESPN.com It's still a tricky call for the Hawks, given their longstanding reluctance to take on money and squander the copious salary-cap space they're on course to have this summer, but here's the subsequent scuttle I heard from one interested party: Atlanta wants a quality young center in return in the event it does decide to part with Smith before the deadline. ESPN.com  The whispers of optimism emanating from Staples Center about how confident they are that Paul will commit to sign for the long term when free agency hits in July have been rampant for months. And if the Clips' co-tenants can continue to get away with saying they're convinced Dwight Howard will choose to stay, no matter how the Lakers' increasingly nightmarish season turns out, maybe they have a right to act so sure. As one source close to the situation put it this week when asked to grade the Clips' chances of retaining CP3, keeping in mind his well-chronicled love of the Hollywood scene and the fact that this team was good enough to reel off 17 wins in a row earlier this season: "I'm saying 99.5 percent." ESPN.com Expect the Clippers to keep searching for trade partners if the Boston Celtics, as it increasingly appears, dial back their willingness to surrender Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett in exchange for a package headlined by CP3 protégé Eric Bledsoe. ESPN.com As much as the Clippers dread the thought of parting with Bledsoe before they have Paul's signature on a new deal, sources close to the situation acknowledge that the Clips know it's just as dangerous (or maybe even more so) to leave the current roster as is and expose themselves to an early playoff exit because DeAndre Jordan's offensive limitations or free throw woes (or both) render him a playoff non-factor. Or because Lamar Odom proved too small and ground-bound to close games alongside Griffin when it mattered most. Word is there's frustration on both sides when it comes to Jordan, with the 24-year-old center unquestionably hungry for more playing time and a expanded role from Del Negro, amid presumed skepticism from the coach that he'll ever be able to produce like the third-highest paid Clipper should. ESPN.com  To clarify some tweeting from earlier this week, Milwaukee was indeed shopping center Samuel Dalembert before his 35-point, 12-rebound eruption in just 27 minutes Tuesday night at Denver. The reality, though, is that the Bucks could end up moving any number of players before the Feb. 21 trade deadline, with Beno Udrih -- like Ellis -- also available out of the Bucks' backcourt. ESPN.com The Grizz don't want to make any more significant moves, sources say, hoping to restore some calm to the locker room in the wake of the Rudy Gay deal that has clearly sent Gay's old teammates -- and especially his former coach -- into a woe-is-me funk. ESPN.com  Maybe there is enough time before this month's trade deadline for Indiana to find a trade partner willing to gamble on Danny Granger. This much we do know, though: It's not going to be Houston. One source with knowledge of Houston's thinking left little doubt that recent reports portraying the Rockets as a potential suitor for Granger, as they were in the past long before James Harden showed up, were inaccurate. ESPN.com Is the following mere posturing or the real-deal stance in Denver? Only time will tell, but one source plugged into the Nuggets' plans insisted this week that Russian center Timofey Mozgov -- widely presumed to be a lock to be dealt before the deadline -- will not be moved unless the return is "crazy good." ESPN.com  A league source confirmed a report the Nets and Bobcats have had preliminary discussions about swapping power forward Kris Humphries to Charlotte for guard Ben Gordon. No deal is imminent, however. The Feb. 21 trade deadline is less than two weeks away. “You don’t pay attention to it,” Humphries said after scoring two points and grabbing three rebounds in last night’s 89-74 loss to the Wizards. “You have to just play and make the most of the situation. It is what it is.” New York Post Kris Humphries has been a disappointment this season, and the power forward soon could find himself in another uniform. ESPN reported Friday that the Nets have discussed trading Humphries for Charlotte's Ben Gordon, though no deal is imminent. Does it bother Humphries to hear his name come up in trade talks? "Not really,'' he said. "I wouldn't really hear about it unless you guys came over here and started talking about it. So it's you guys' fault.'' Newsday Stefan Bondy: Kris Humphries on if he'd be disappointed if traded: "It's hard to tell." Twitter @NYDNInterNets Stefan Bondy: Joe Johnson on whether the Nets need to make a trade. "I’m not sure. We’ve shown signs that we can be one of the best teams in the league with what we’ve got. And then there are times when you kind of question everything." Sulia Stefan Bondy: PJ Carlesimo on whether team needs a trade: "Billy and I will talk about that. Especially after a game like this, I’ll keep my mouth shut." Twitter @NYDNInterNets Alex Kennedy: Source says the New York Knicks have some interest in Jared Dudley. No word on who they would offer or if talks have taken place. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA The 6-foot-11, 281-pound center from Montenegro can become a restricted free agent after the season, but he said he definitely wants to remain in Minnesota. "I like everything about Minnesota," Pekovic said. "First of all, I like the team. I think we can do a lot when we're healthy. I like the coaching staff." St. Paul Pioneer Press  Hold off on that retirement talk While some believe this might be his last season, Los Angeles Clippers forward Grant Hill stressed before Friday night's game against the Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena he could be back in 2013-14 for a 20th year on an NBA roster. "There's definitely a chance," Hill told FOX Sports Florida. "I'm under contract for another year." FOXSports Florida Hill, 40, is under contract for a guaranteed $2.045 million. He'd walk away from that amount if he retired this summer. "The end is near," said Hill, who wouldn't figure to play past 2013-14. "I understand and respect that I'm no spring chicken. But I'm like I've been for the last four or five years. It's year to year." FOXSports Florida Aside from the occasional hazards that come with the increased Daddy Duty, Frye is loving the new ways of his world. The married father of two learned in September that a virus in his heart was causing it to grow to a life-threatening size, and his career as a sharpshooting big man came to a scary halt as a result. He is "95 percent positive" that he'll be healthy enough to return for next season, yet still acknowledges that there's a slim chance he may never play again. For now, though, he follows the sort of doctor's orders that have his mental health – if not his physical – at an all-time high: Rest and relaxation, with a focus on being a more peaceful, healthier person en route to having a normal-sized heart. USA Today Sports Still, it might be Johnson who has the best chance to stick with the team long term, because of his size (6-11) and jumping ability. "We don't have somebody like that," Kahn said. Kahn indicated both players would be given the chance to work into the team's future plans. "I think in both cases there is a pathway to being here next year," he said. "It's not a done deal, but there is a pathway. Chris may be in a little bit of a different instance because [of his size]. So I would say he probably especially has a chance." Wolves coach Rick Adelman made clear that signing the two shouldn't preclude the team from trying to improve the roster more. "We'd better be hoping to do something," he said. "We have to improve this team." Minneapolis Star-Tribune It was a big week for former Sixers general manager Brad Greenberg. Coaching Maccabi Haifa in Israel since leaving the college ranks, Greenberg and NBA prospect Gal Mekel had Haifa leading mighty Maccabi Tel Aviv with six-plus minutes to go in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's State Cup final before the perennial European powerhouse with the far bigger budget rallied to pull out a 76-68 triumph. Mekel had 28 points on the big stage and remains on course to get his NBA shot in summer league. ESPN.com  Q: What were your realistic expectations when you got traded to the Warriors? Jarrett Jack: With me, I'm never one to put ceilings on anything, because I think the best part about playing basketball and playing sports in general is the unknown. Who knows what can possibly happen? Nobody knows where you're gonna be at the finish line. Once I got familiar with the team and [spent time] around the guys, I thought we had a lot of people that were capable. A very deep team. This is obviously when Brandon Rush was healthy and looking at it from the standpoint that [Andrew Bogut] was going to play opening night, but I knew we had an opportunity to do something special if we could just change that mindset or that stigma that we're just a team that only plays offense. ESPN.com Does he regret his decision? "Even though we are where we are right now, at least I got this opportunity," Jamison said. "It could've been, `What if I had an opportunity and I didn't take advantage of it?' It always would've been in the back of my mind." Los Angeles Daily News  James scored 30 points in another efficient performance, Dwyane Wade scored 20 and the Miami Heat dominated the middle two quarters on the way to an easy 111-89 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. James shot 9-for-11, giving him 37 makes on his past 47 attempts, and sat out the fourth quarter. It was his fourth consecutive 30-point game, tying him with Wade as the only Heat players with such a streak in the franchise's 25-year history. "He's off the planet right now," Wade said of James. "He's not even the best basketball player on the planet. He's surpassed the planet. He's somewhere else. He's playing phenomenal." USA Today Sports Bryant, in response, asked if James wanted a cookie. Miami beat the Lakers on Jan. 17, but no one ever asked James about the cookie comment. (I take responsibility for the oversight.) James, however, clearly heard it — or perhaps read it on Twitter. That was evident late Friday night, after the Heat’s dismantling of Los Angeles’s other team, the Clippers, and in advance of the Lakers’ Sunday visit. Did he have Lakers’ ever-worsening saga? “Um, I don’t know if I want to comment on the Lakers’ saga again,” James said. “The last time I commented, Kobe said, do I want a cookie? So I’m going to leave it alone. Leave it alone. I like cookies, by the way.” And, as he walked away, he added: “Chocolate chip.” Palm Beach Post LeBron James was asked if he's buying it that Kobe Bryant has become a distributor. He said "no'' and added more. “Do I buy that?" James sasid. "No. He told you all before, he’s a scorer. He said it every day, ‘I’m a scorer and this is what I do.’ So I don’t buy it. No. You guys buy it, though. I see how you all go, ’49 assists in four games,' whatever. You guys are going crazy about that. I don’t buy that. He’s a scorer.’’ Sulia Maurice Williams: What the hell Bill Simmons talking about the jazz need a point guard. What the hell position have I been playing all yr? #smh #espn #cmon Twitter @mowilliams Dalembert admitted it wasn't easy to go from starting center at the beginning of the season to not playing in 20 games due to coach's decision. Ekpe Udoh and rookie John Henson moved ahead of Dalembert in the rotation under former Bucks coach Scott Skiles. "It's been a down side in my career, the lowest in my career," Dalembert said. "It takes a lot of dedication, a lot of focus to not be angry. You're upset, but you step back up and say, 'It's a new day. Let's get to practice. Let's be professional. Let's go, let's support.' Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel "A lot of guys in my situation can relate to that. It's not easy. When you're in it, in any business, you go crazy. But I feel like it was a blessing where you learn to mature. "Everything in life is a test. . . . I wait, I wait and my opportunity shows up. I will continue to be a professional and continue to support a good team of guys." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel But then again, neither are Harden’s four-game averages of 27.5 points, 8.5 assists and 8 rebounds per game, all racked up while posting a robust true shooting percentage of 78.3 percent. That sort of efficiency is superhuman, which sort of makes sense given that it’s only been rivaled of late by the NBA’s other resident alien, LeBron James. “He can score,” said Chandler Parsons, delivering an early frontrunner for understatement of the year. “I wish I could say he should pass the ball more but he’s also got a lot of assists. He’s taking good shots, he’s getting to the rack, he’s getting free throws – he can hurt you in so many different ways it’s incredible. He’s so strong and can really finish. “I’ll tell him during the game: ‘You’re ridiculous.’ I’ll literally look at him and be like, ‘You’re coldblooded.’” NBA.com Except, you know, that whole Melo thing, those minutes where he grabbed the game by its neck and squeezed until it turned Knicks blue. That's the difference. In the locker room postgame, Derrick Williams couldn't help but smile as he said the name. Carmelo. Superstar. Carmelo. Superstar. The kid is still a little bit (a lot) in awe, and it's hard to blame him. He's 21 and has watched Anthony for the past decade, watched him win each season, over and over. And now he's going up against him, getting on the wrong side of the refs in the process, because who is he other than a 21-year-old who's still grasping at his potential? "It's a little tough," he said. "It's just, he's a superstar, man. You can't really say too much about it. You can't really complain." Fox Sports North  Friday, while talking about his happiness at being a late addition to the Rising Stars Game over the All-Star break, Rubio stated his intention to mimic what Kidd has done as a shooter. "You can work on that," Rubio said. "And you can become a shooter." Kidd is confident that will happen. "You rely on your strengths when you come in the league," he said. "It's just a matter of time. He'll work on shooting the ball and at that point he'll have the total package.'' Minneapolis Star-Tribune Jason Kidd: Thank u for the congrats. Just been lucky to play with some great teammates Twitter @RealJasonKidd James White won't jump over a car, a couch or even Iman Shumpert's flat top in the slam dunk contest. But he said this will be one of the best contests ever, despite everyone being skeptical with the underwhelming field of dunkers. "I think it's going to be real good because it's going to be a battle," White said. "You just have to have people who actually want to do it. They're excited to do it. I think that's what we have this year." Sulia The brief exchange took place just before halftime with the Heat leading 62-45. Heat guard Dwyane Wade kicked a ball into the stands on defense and James went to retrieve the ball, gesturing and clapping in the fan’s direction. The fan, dressed in a white James jersey, passed the ball to James, who decided to whip it back to him rather than continue play. James then asked for the ball back again and the fan obliged, before receiving cheers and high-fives from the other fans around him. “I just wanted to show my appreciation to the fans that we have here,” James explained on the ESPN broadcast, according to USA Today Sports. “They’ve been great all night.” The fan, also interviewed on the ESPN broadcast later in the game, admitted that James’ actions confused him at first and that he briefly thought he was going to be able to keep the ball. Eventually it dawned on the fan, who said he was visiting Florida from Honduras, that James was just giving him his 15 seconds of fame. “This is the most exciting thing I’ve ever lived in my life,” he said. SI.com Ethan J. Skolnick: Jamal Crawford: "You tip your hat to @Dwyane Wade. He's been the man his whole career. He's let LeBron come in and get the shine." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick Q: And what about your chances of winning the Sixth Man Award? Jarrett Jack: Just getting mentioned for an award is gratifying in itself. I think, with me, I'm a little bit different than your typical sixth-man candidate, because usually the guys mentioned with that award are instant-offense kind of guys who come in and straight get buckets, like J.R. [Smith] or Jamal [Crawford]. I'm more of a playmaker who comes in and provides offense but I make plays as well. A lot of people may look at my numbers and say, well, he's only averaging 13 and 6, but I think if you combine the two together, I'm having a pretty good impact as well. ESPN.com Clark, in short, is keeping the game simple and playing to his strengths. And he's making nearly half of the 3s he does take because he doesn't go hunting for them, wisely choosing to let them fly only when his feet are set. It's an approach that makes Clark, in his fourth season, one very rare source of feel-good for a team that has been churning out seemingly endless amounts of Shaq-and-Kobe-level drama, going all the way back to that 0-8 record in the exhibition season. Surely you heard how TNT's Charles Barkley downgraded the Lakers' chances of rallying into a playoff spot from zero percent to "negative 17" percent in the wake of Gasol's foot injury and looming six-to-eight week absence as a result. If Chuck is right, no one will be blaming Clark. After coming over with Howard from Orlando for the purposes of satisfying the salary-cap math in the four-team Dwight blockbuster last August, Clark averaged only 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in his first 19 appearances in the Lakers' lineup. In the Lakers' recent 6-1 surge before Thursday night's splat in Boston, by contrast, Clark averaged 12.4 points and 8.9 rebounds, ringing up four double-doubles. ESPN.com Midway through the fourth quarter of Friday’s game between the Pacers and the Raptors, Tyler Hansbrough got a little more physical than the rules should allow while battling for position under the basket with Jonas Valanciunas. Hansbrough literally throws Valanciunas to the ground near the end of the play, but the officials on the floor didn’t deem there to be enough contact to whistle him for even a personal foul, much less a flagrant for his actions. NBCSports.com The NBA announced Thursday that rookie forward Terrence Ross (@T_DotFlight31) has been selected to participate in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm. Ross is the fifth Raptor invited to participate in the event, joining Vince Carter (2000), Tracy McGrady (2000), Jamario Moon (2008) and DeMar DeRozan (2010 and 2011). This year’s contest will take place Saturday, February 16 at the Toyota Center in Houston and will be broadcasted on TSN2 and TNT beginning at 8:30 p.m. (ET). Raptors.com Dwelling on how the labrum tear is limiting him or how dangerous it feels or whatever fears he has isn't helping him do his job, so letting go of that in his head should help him play more freely -- as he did in the fourth quarter Friday night in Charlotte. "It’s not going to change," he said. "It’s torn. There’s nothing I can do about it. Hopefully I don’t have an issue where I re-aggravate it." Sulia Kahn said there is a chance Brandon Roy could start doing some basketball individual workouts this weekend, but the decision will be left up to Roy. "My sense is he's starting to feel a little better," Kahn said. "But as I said in late December, if it happens, it happens, and we're not planning on it." Minneapolis Star-Tribune  "As for being better than Miami? Well, if Rose is 80 percent, they've definitely won the point guard matchup. Rose at 60 percent does that. That's no disrespect to Mario Chalmers. It's more out of respect for Rose. He's among the elites at that position. That's all there is to it. ESPN.com "Looking at the Chicago-Miami matchup, the Bulls are going to have some problems with Dwyane [Wade] and LeBron [James]. When Miami plays small with LeBron at the 4 and Chris Bosh at the 5, that's going to be a struggle for Chicago because Chicago is going to have to adjust. ESPN.com Another team executive chimes in: "I'm always leery of guys in their first year back from an ACL injury because they're never 100 percent, never as good as they normally are. [Tom] Thibodeau is such a good coach that the Bulls will certainly be a threat in the East, but I wouldn't say they'll be the biggest threat to Miami because it's going to take Rose awhile to get back to being himself. I tell you just about any personnel guy in the league [if he was running the Bulls] would want Rose to sit out the whole season because you put yourself in position to be second-guessed. If he gets hurt or if he doesn't play well, people will say you brought him back too soon or you should've waited." ESPN.com  Then a three-team deal sent leading scorer Rudy Gay to the Toronto Raptors. The Grizzlies are on a two-game slide. That led to speculation the team's chemistry was damaged and Hollins was not on the same page with the Grizzlies' new front office staff under owner Robert Pera. "There's been a lot of negativity around our team, and me and my feelings about the trade and my feelings about management," Hollins said. "Most of it is as far from the truth as it can be." USA Today Sports On the Gay trade: “Was I disappointed? Of course I was disappointed. ... But that doesn’t mean I love Rudy Gay more than I love Zach Randolph. It doesn’t mean that I can’t go on without Rudy Gay. “Life goes on. Me as a leader has to move forward and bring a spirit of work, a spirit of togetherness and let our players know that this is the business of basketball. I’m sure our players had a hangover as well. . . “Do we have emotions about certain things? Yes, we do. When you raise somebody from a child to manhood, like these guys who have been together when they were winning 20 t0 22 games and now getting up to 45, 48 games, there’s always a letdown when something like that happens. . . Memphis Commercial Appeal Once a decision is made, Hollins said, it is his job to do the best he can to coach the team. And he is on board with the new ownership. "It seems like a lot of my comments are taken in a context that I'm trying to be against management," Hollins said. "I'm not against our management and our ownership. In the trade process — both trades that were made — I was in communication. They kept me abreast of what was coming on." USA Today Sports  Johnson doesn't find it the least bit strange that Sloan frequently attends games as a fan. "I think he'd like to coach again, so he keeps watching the games," Johnson said. "I think he'll get some jobs offered." ... Johnson on whether Boozer would hears boos as he did two years ago: "That's the best part of his game — he can't tell the difference. But he's a great guy, a great competitor." USA Today Sports Joseph Goodman: SPOELSTRA: “When the lights are bright and the popcorn’s popping, our guys come to life." Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr Sloan's former top assistant, Phil Johnson, now works as a Jazz broadcaster but said he has no regrets about stepping down with Sloan, especially since he gets to stay in the game without all the travel. Recalling that night, when the Jazz lost to the Bulls, he said: "It was just time. It had stacked up during the course of the year and when he left I decided to go, too." USA Today Sports Hill talked about another possibility while throwing in a jab. "I might join the dark side and become a member of the media," said Hill, who has a 4.3 scoring average on pace to be a career low but is still rounding into form after missing the first 38 games due to a bone bruise on his knee. FOXSports Florida So could Hill one day run for office? "We'll see," said Hill, who entered the NBA in 1994 after having won two NCAA titles. "My mom (Janet Hill) wants me to." FOXSports Florida The group assembled in suite 35 on the Krieg DeVault Club Level of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Pritchard, who sat in the front of the room on a bar-style high chair, highlighted the key points of being a GM and explained the fundamentals of drafting, signing, and acquiring players. “It was amazing how educated the people were in the room,” Pritchard said afterwards. “The people had great questions. That’s what it’s ultimately about, trying to help them get in this business.” The number one job of a general manager, he said, is to communicate with the owner. It’s integral to constantly keep the team owner in the loop so that priorities are aligned, it’s understood what’s fiscally possible, and a culture is defined. NBA.com  Jordan turns 50 in about a week on Feb. 17. What would happen if he traded in his ownership stake in the Charlotte Bobcats for one more chance to lace up his Air Jordans in the league? Could he do it? "I wouldn't doubt that in the right situation with a LeBron (James) on his team or with a Kobe (Bryant) on this team, he could get you about 10 or 11 points, come in and play 15-20 minutes," said Antawn Jamison before the Lakers played the Bobcats on Friday. "I wouldn't doubt that at all, especially if he was in shape and injuries were prevented and things of that nature." ESPN.com "He wasn't joking," said Jamison of Jordan's declaration at the HOF ceremony. "You hear stories still to this day, especially last year, him going to the practice facility and playing 1-on-1 with the guys and still they can't stop him." According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Matthew "Nat" Hickey was the oldest player in NBA history when he played one game for the Providence Steam Rollers at 45 years, 363 days old on Jan. 28, 1948. Jamison, who used to play during the summer months in Chapel Hill, N.C., against his fellow University of North Carolina alum in Jordan, said the former six-time NBA Finals MVP has the confidence to pull it off. "He still believes he can do it," Jamison said. ESPN.com A lawsuit that could derail a Seattle group's plans to build an arena and buy the Sacramento Kings has been set for a Feb. 22 hearing in King County Superior Court. The suit, brought by a Seattle longshoreman's union, contends the arena financing agreement between local government officials and a potential team ownership group violates state environmental law. Longshoremen and other workers brought the suit saying they fear they could lose thousands of maritime and industrial jobs if a basketball arena and entertainment district were built in the port area south of downtown Seattle. Attorney Peter Goldman, representing the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 19, said the city of Seattle and King County unlawfully committed to a plan to build the arena at that site prior to studying alternatives sites. The suit seeks to nullify the arena financing "memorandum of understanding" between city, county and the private group, led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen. Sacramento Bee As of Friday, that Sacramento group has not surfaced to state its intentions or offer a plan. However, sources close to the Sacramento effort said Southern California billionaire Ron Burkle and Bay Area entrepreneur Mark Mastrov are actively assembling an ownership group and formulating an arena plan. Burkle previously attempted to buy the Kings, but was rebuffed by the Maloof family, the current team majority partners. Meanwhile in Sacramento, fan groups are working to sell out Saturday's home game in hopes of sending a message to the NBA that Sacramento supports the Kings. Sacramento Bee I don't know all that went into Brandon Jennings' decision to drop BDA for Excel as his representation, but it's shocking in light of all that it appeared BDA did for him -- a deal in Italy that paid him $500,000 rather than going to college for a year, being drafted 10th even though he didn't play all that well overseas and landing one of the top five shoe deals for point guards with Under Armour. Whispers are that not making the All-Star team and anxiety about being one of the few guards in his class not to lock up an extension last summer drove Jennings' decision. Sulia |
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