Kori Ellis
12-29-2005, 03:03 PM
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston Celtics
Courtship Of Baron Didn't Work Out
"The Hornets were shopping Baron Davis heavily at last February's trade deadline, and the Celts were among those at the head of the line. Everything was still up in the air when the team's charter got up in the air to fly from Denver to Salt Lake City on Feb. 24. ... Danny Ainge said yesterday that negotiations were ongoing when the Hornets agreed to take Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis from the Warriors. According to sources, the Celts would have had to give up Gary Payton, a first-round pick and perhaps a younger player (though not Al Jefferson, Delonte West or Tony Allen). ... Rivers was wistful when imagining Davis in green. 'A guy like Baron gives a team swagger,' the coach said." -- Boston Herald
Chicago Bulls
Bulls Trash-Talk Motivates Bobcats
"Did the Bulls trash-talk themselves into a loss Wednesday to the Charlotte Bobcats? The Bobcats say yes. 'They said some things like, 'We lost to the Bad News Bears.' That kind of got to us a little bit and motivated us,' said Melvin Ely, the Chicagoan from Thornton High School who had a game- and season-high 20 points. 'Anytime you win in this league, it's not luck. We lost that first game to them, but then when they got a loss (Dec. 20 in Chicago), don't go speaking about it. That motivated us a lot.'" -- Chicago Tribune
Basden Misses Team Bus, Chance To Play
"Knicks coach Larry Brown makes a habit of starting guys when the team plays in their hometowns. Bulls coach Scott Skiles was planning to give Basden special consideration in Charlotte but changed his mind. 'I gave it some thought until he missed the first bus tonight and came on the second bus,' Skiles said. 'Then the thought was over. That was the end of that thought.'" -- Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Cleveland Cavaliers
Russell Adds Hustle To Cavaliers' Post
"In 35-plus seasons, the Cavaliers do not have much to brag about -- one divisional title (1975-76) and two appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals (1976, 1992). But naming former All-Star Campy Russell to a newly created position -- director of alumni relations -- is an obvious move at recognizing some of the noted players among the 260 who have appeared in at least one game since the franchise joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1970." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
Detroit Pistons
Pistons' Rivals Are Still Heated
"It's not just another regular-season game; not when it's Miami, and Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade and now Pat Riley on the bench. It's never going to be just another game again, not after last season's knock-down, drag-out, seven-game Eastern finals. 'It's always good when the top teams play,' Chauncey Billups said of tonight's game at The Palace." -- Detroit News
Pistons Aren't Shooting For Bulls' Record
"Even the Detroit Pistons can't imagine 41-3. 'How many games?' Richard Hamilton asked Wednesday, when the Chicago Bulls' NBA-record start of 10 seasons ago was mentioned. 'Man, that's crazy. I'll tell you, that's crazy. Just to think of it, or look at it.' The Pistons have matched the record-setting Bulls through 26 games, with a 23-3 record. But there are too many games on the schedule like tonight's, a meeting with Miami at The Palace, for the Pistons to think of 41-3 ... 'Those type of things, they just happen,' coach Flip Saunders said." -- Booth Newspapers
Indiana Pacers
Skidding Pacers Look For Answers
"The Pacers' chemistry might be better without their disgruntled forward, but their record isn't. 'Right now we are just an average team,' forward Jermaine O'Neal said after Wednesday's loss, which left the Pacers at 15-11. 'Elite teams find a way to make plays.' After winning five of six games, the Pacers went on a three-game trip hoping to gain a better idea of what type of team they could be without Artest. The Pacers lost all three games. In doing so, they found out they struggle to rebound consistently, commit too many turnovers and still are searching for the right mixture on the court." -- Indianapolis Star
Miami Heat
Heat Rebuilt For One Reason: Detroit
"Seemingly every move the Heat made in the offseason, every adjustment, came with one team in mind -- the Detroit Pistons. Tonight, the Heat opens its four-game season series against the Pistons. It is the first regular-season meeting between the teams since Detroit came back in the final two minutes to win Game 7 of last season's Eastern Conference Finals. 'It is a game I'll never forget as long as I play the game of basketball,' power forward Udonis Haslem said. 'Obviously it's always in the back of our mind, how close we were last year.'" -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Zo Assists Transplant Patients
"The National Kidney Foundation has used Alonzo Mourning in two campaigns to increase disease awareness. He hit the big wallets in NBA locker rooms, and matched their funds, to raise $10 million for kidney research. He plans to raise $2 million more in a project called Zo's Fund For Life. He also just had an annual Christmas party for 500 children to which no media were invited. Why? It would take time away from the children, he says. Doesn't all that make his 9.6 points and 7.4 rebounds averages seem meaningless? Well? And yet those numbers are profound to patients like 9-year-old Alec O'Toole, who says if Mourning's dream wasn't denied by kidney problems, his won't be either." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Milwaukee Bucks
Men In Tights
"Michael Redd and Maurice Williams wore black tights on the recent road trip, joining a recent NBA trend. Redd said he donned the leggings to give his knees some added protection, not to make a fashion statement. 'I'm doing it for my knees, more than anything,' Redd said. 'It's not for show.' Among the other players to sport the look are the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Seattle's Ray Allen, Dallas' Jerry Stackhouse and San Antonio's Nick Van Exel." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ford Sidelined For Two Weeks
"T.J. Ford, who injured his foot in Tuesday night's game against the Heat in Miami, underwent a magnetic resonance imaging Wednesday afternoon. The MRI revealed no structural damage and only a sprain. ... Players who have suffered similar injuries were usually sidelined around two weeks. If Ford is sidelined that long, he would miss eight games." -- Racine Journal Times
New Jersey Nets
Patience And Sacrifice Behind Nets Streak
"It has been two weeks since Richard Jefferson pulled Vince Carter aside and told him to knock it off. You're a scorer, he told Carter, so score. Stop looking over at my side already. 'Basically, it was, 'Look, do yours,' Jefferson recalled. 'He has to stop worrying about the rest of us.' ... Since then, the Nets have become a devastating offensive team, averaging 104 points during the current seven-game win streak. And while it is Carter who is getting most of the credit, Jefferson is getting better and more efficient as the streak marches on. For Jason Kidd, it is a case of his most fervent disciple being true to the code. 'Patience and sacrifice,' the Nets captain said after Tuesday night's game. 'You got guys on this team that could average 25 or 30 points a night, call their number every night. RJ has been patient, he has waited his turn.'" -- Newark Star-Ledger
New York Knicks
Brown Bemoans Marbury's Effort
"Larry Brown also thought that, since Stephon Marbury played 41 minutes, he'd have at least one steal. He didn't have any. 'To me, by accident you can get a steal,' said the coach, whose entire team didn't record one steal. 'That shows maybe you weren't real aggressive defensively.' Marbury disputed that 'I wasn't aggressive on defense?' he said incredulously -- and he insisted that he didn't approach this game any different offensively. ... The timing of this is curious -- it came one game after Marbury spent much of the fourth quarter on the bench Monday against the Nets, while Nate Robinson played to the Garden's delight instead." -- New York Daily News
Marbury: It Was Just A Poor Shooting Night
"This isn't the first time Marbury has struggled to find his place in Brown's offense, but the coach sounded puzzled as to why Marbury wasn't more aggressive in finding his shot. 'You know, he's got the ball all the time,' Brown said. 'I ran probably as much stuff for him tonight as I have at any time. It's just one of those nights. Maybe he didn't feel like he had it. But we got three assists and no steals.' After a postgame briefing from the public relations department, a bemused Marbury looked at the crowd of reporters waiting for him and said, 'Uh-oh, something must have happened.' Then, he wrote off his performance as a poor shooting night. 'Tonight, I was just trying to do everything that coach wanted me to do as far as running the team,' Marbury said." -- Newsday
Q's Sore Back Still An Issue
"Quentin Richardson's chronic back issue continues to hover over the club, as he sat the second half. During the end of shoot-around, he seemed to be bothered during the scouting report segment with the five starters standing around, listening to Brown. At one juncture, Richardson took a seat on the bench for a few moments." -- New York Post
Orlando Magic
Hill's Latest Surgery The Most Difficult
"After a successful comeback from the ankle problems last season, Grant Hill had hernia surgery Oct. 31 and didn't return until Dec. 19. 'This last comeback was probably the hardest,' Hill said. ... Then the whole situation [with the hernia] happens, was harder. 'I think the others, maybe as weird as it sounds. ... When you know you're out for the year, you can mentally remove yourself from coming back that season and gear up for next season. But this one was sort of having to deal with it and gear up quickly.'" -- Orlando Sentinel
Hill Agrees With USA Basketball
"Grant Hill, who won a basketball gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics, said he sees nothing wrong with USA Basketball demanding a three-year commitment from the players who will compete in the 2008 Olympics. Said Hill: 'The times are different and times have changed since 10 years ago. When I played it was about a four-week commitment, and it was just a matter of how many points we'd win by. But now the rest of the world has improved so there's a sense of urgency now to go get the gold medal again.'" -- Florida Today
Philadelphia 76ers
Old-Home Day For Cheeks
"This is the way it was for most of three-plus seasons: There were the bike rides through the downtown Pearl District, the quiet lunches at sidewalk cafes, the house built up the side of the mountain, less than 10 minutes from the Rose Garden. There was jazz and blues at Jimmy Mack's, a favorite relaxation spot. There was Palleys for dinner. Maurice Cheeks was not merely the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, he was the face of the franchise." -- Philadelphia Daily News
Toronto Raptors
Peterson Comes To Play
"It was Morris Peterson's night and Raptors coach Sam Mitchell was more than happy to present him with a verbal present. The Raptors swingman set a franchise record by playing in his 418th career game last night, surpassing the injured Alvin Williams (417). Included in that record is an NBA active-high 307 consecutive games, a number that impresses Mitchell. 'It tells that Mo answers the bell every night,' Peterson said." -- Toronto Sun
Pity Poor Araujo, But Just For A Minute
"Last night's feel-sorry-for-the-stiff moment happened before the game, when Rafael Araujo was seen getting reamed out by a team employee in the Raptors locker room. His crime? It wasn't missing a defensive assignment or choking on an easy layup or picking up three fouls in five minutes. It was wearing shorts stained with the remnants of a pre-game meal." -- Toronto Star
Washington Wizards
Bench Beginning To Find a Rhythm
"The emergence of Chucky Atkins's shooting touch has helped Coach Eddie Jordan establish a solid bench rotation that also includes Antonio Daniels, Etan Thomas, Michael Ruffin and Calvin Booth, who played a season-high 22 minutes in Monday's victory over the Lakers. 'It's funny that people are starting to know their roles now that their shots are falling,' Jordan said." -- Washington Post
* * * * *
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Denver Nuggets
Camby Suffers Bad Break
"Marcus Camby's early season All-Star push hit a wall Wednesday when he learned he has a fractured right pinkie. A timetable for his return will be better known after surgery today to insert pins into the finger. Depending on the severity of the injury, fractured fingers can take several weeks to heal, and Camby likely will be out at least one to two weeks." -- Rocky Mountain News
Golden State Warriors
Dunleavy: I'm Really Tired Of The Negativity
"The crowd got all over Mike Dunleavy for kicking the ball out of the low post and passing up a shot. Dunleavy gestured to the crowd with his hands as if to say 'Relax, already!' He did the same thing moments later after he nailed an outside jumper. Dunleavy was not amused after. 'I'm really tired of the negativity around here,' he said. 'We're trying our best. We play hard. If they're going to come out as fans, they shouldn't be negative.' Dunleavy later passed up another shot in the fourth quarter and the shot clock ran out on the Warriors." -- Contra Costa Times
New Look Pays Off For Warriors, Barely
"No question, Ike Diogu helps a lot on offense -- as he did immediately in his first start Wednesday with a quick dunk and fall-away jumpers. He catches the passes from Baron Davis, which is a huge bonus for a team used to watching Adonal Foyle fumble at the rim. But Diogu playing center next to Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy gives the Warriors the worst defensive front line I can remember on a team with playoff aspirations. Maybe I'm wrong, but that 38-point, layup-line first-quarter outburst by Boston was a horrendous sign. Wait until Dallas on Friday night, when 130 points is possible." -- San Jose Mercury News
Foyle Not Wrapped Up In Self-Pity
"Ike Diogu in the starting lineup makes sense to everyone, with the possible exception of Adonal Foyle. But Foyle didn't whine, complain, lash out. Not his style. His style is class, intelligence, positive spirit, a mature presence. Foyle has a good word for everyone, a ready laugh for all occasions, even the occasion of his demotion. That's why the little group of media vultures around Foyle weren't relishing their task. All the bad stuff you hear about how modern athletes are a pain in the tush to deal with? None of that applies to Foyle. He's the anti-jerk." -- San Francisco Chronicle
Houston Rockets
Theories On Houston Teams Tanking Aren't New
"The late-game collapses against the Rams, Ravens and Titans raised a question: Did the Texans simply have one three-week stretch of rotten luck, or was there a sinister plan unfolding with the Texans tanking games to ensure they would land Reggie Bush? Another Houston franchise was once accused of committing similar acts. 'There's no explanation for that,' said former Rockets president/general manager Ray Patterson of the prevailing notion that the 1983-84 Rockets tanked games down the stretch to earn a 50-50 chance of landing Hakeem Olajuwon with the top pick of the 1984 NBA draft." -- Houston Chronicle
Los Angeles Clippers
Korolev Starting To Feel More At Ease
"Yes, in the beginning, for 18-year-old Yaroslav Korolev of Moscow, an NBA rookie, everything was scary, all right. 'Yeah, it was,' he said before Tuesday's game. 'First of all, NBA and all the big guys who go on the court. And I'm nervous. A lot of people, big crowd and everybody's looking at you, what you're going to do. You got to do something good. ... It's just nervous. You can ask anybody when they're young.' Korolev says he began getting over it in his last game against Charlotte." -- Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Lakers
Bryant Smashes TV Monitor
"The Kobe Bryant legacy lives on. Not only did the Lakers superstar throw away the ball with about five seconds remaining Monday night, he reportedly went ballistic after the game. According to several television media members at last night's game, Bryant smashed a TV monitor outside the Lakers locker room. Word is that the monitor was property of the Lakers television flagship. Also, there is photographic evidence of Bryant's handiwork." -- Washington Times
Lakers Should Emulate '93 Bulls
"Phil Jackson did find fault with Bryant's teammates for trying to force the ball to Bryant despite double- and sometimes triple-teaming. 'My biggest problem is teams overplay like Washington did the other night where they're decidedly throwing another defender on the court that we just have to go away from Kobe.' ... Ignore the league's second-leading scorer? For real? 'You have to do that. That's basketball,' Jackson said, citing Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals. 'Go back to the '93 Chicago Bulls. We had to do it. We knew that Michael Jordan was going to be doubled and we had to go away and [John] Paxson hits the three.'" -- Los Angeles Times
Odom, Lakers Not Shot Savvy
"Then Phil Jackson factored in the fourth-quarter pressure and the fact that Lamar Odom now has missed three such shots this season. He came to the conclusion that it's time to try something different. 'He hasn't shown that he makes that shot at the end of the game,' Jackson said. 'We talked about that, about the fact that he's taken a few of the 3-pointers at the end of the game. It's time to penetrate and find somebody else if that's not a shot you're making or you're comfortable with. You have to know that.' Odom, interestingly, still is shooting a better percentage from 3-point range than Kobe Bryant, Devean George and Luke Walton. The triangle offense lends itself to a spot shooter, which Odom is not." -- Los Angeles Daily News
Turiaf Ahead Of Schedule
"A representative for Ronny Turiaf said Wednesday his client will sign a contract with the Lakers within the next two weeks. But Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said there have only been preliminary discussions of 'what-ifs.' Keith Moss, Turiaf's representative, said his client will sign a three-year deal worth about $1.23 million, although Turiaf will get a prorated part of his minimum salary of $398,762 for the games he would play for the Lakers this season." -- Riverside Press-Enterprise
Minnesota Timberwolves
No Olympics For Garnett
"Wolves forward Kevin Garnett said he has 'no interest' in playing for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but wouldn't elaborate. Garnett already has a gold medal, earned at the 2000 Olympics." -- St. Paul Pioneer Press
Juiced Griffin Sparks Wolves
"Filling in for injured Wolves centers Michael Olowokandi and Mark Madsen, Eddie Griffin made his first start as a Timberwolf and responded with his best game of the season. Griffin scored a season-most 22 points and had 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. After the game, Griffin kept moving, eluding reporters with a quick exit from the locker room before he could comment. 'You'd have to say he got a little juiced up from being in the starting lineup,' Casey said." -- St. Paul Pioneer Press
New Orleans Hornets
Nachbar's Return Getting Closer
"Hornets forward Bostjan Nachbar missed his 14th consecutive game Wednesday because of a strained right knee. Initially, Nachbar was expected to return eight days ago, but after going through a workout, he experienced pain that forced the delay. 'It just didn't heal the way we thought it would,' Hornets coach Byron Scott said. 'But for the last two days, he went up and down the floor and didn't have any pain. So we know we're much closer to getting him back.'" -- New Orleans Times-Picayune
Phoenix Suns
Marion Frustrated Suns Aren't Running
"The Suns' game pace has been too slow, and Shawn Marion is clearly frustrated with not getting more shots. 'We're walking the ball down the court,' Marion said. 'We don't play like we usually play. This ain't us, honestly. Even when we were winning, we weren't pushing the ball like we're capable of.' ... Marion was adamant that his fellow captain, Steve Nash, is doing his job of trying to speed up the Suns offense, but he said nobody is along for the ride." -- Arizona Republic
Sacramento Kings
Abdur-Rahim Gets Hint Of Hope
"'Not good.' That's all Shareef Abdur-Rahim had to say Wednesday afternoon about his current state, just before he was to meet with Kings trainer Pete Youngman to decide the fate of his broken jaw. After the meeting, however, his status was upgraded to could-have-been-worse, when the Kings learned there was a small chance their starting power forward could be back in a matter of weeks instead of months." -- Sacramento Bee
San Antonio Spurs
Starting Talk On Ginobili's Role With Spurs
"Gregg Popovich said he would use Manu Ginobili off the bench for the foreseeable future, slightly increasing his minutes each game. Bringing Ginobili back slowly also gives Popovich time to evaluate whether the Spurs would be better served keeping him as a reserve and continuing to start Michael Finley. 'I honestly don't know how it's going to end up,' Popovich said. ... 'To be quite honest,' Finley said, 'whatever (Ginobili) feels more comfortable with, I'm willing to do.'" -- San Antonio Express-News
Seattle SuperSonics
Fine Looming For Lewis
"Rashard Lewis, upset after a turnover, was assessed a technical foul in the second quarter after throwing the ball and hitting Doris Webb, an older woman seated courtside, on the left cheek. She left the game with Timberwolves security to be treated, returning at halftime with an ice pack. Minnesota missed the free throw, but fans heckled Lewis for the remaining 2:47 of the half, shouting, 'No class!' Lewis apologized when the team returned to the court for the second half and gave her some autographed Sonics jerseys after the loss, but he could be fined by the league. Denver forward Carmelo Anthony was fined $5,000 for hitting a young girl with a ball earlier this month." -- Seattle Times
Fine And Suspension Looming For Fortson
"Several coaches and players were upset. And referee Sean Corbin, standing across the court from the Sonics' huddle, caught Fortson's eye. It is unclear what was said, but Corbin immediately issued a technical foul and ejected Fortson from the game, yelling, 'Get this (expletive expletive) out of here.' Fortson removed his headband and charged Corbin, who had retreated to the scorer's table. Weiss, assistant Bob Hill and Reggie Evans intervened as Fortson tried to get to Corbin. The last time Fortson was ejected and pursued an official, on Dec. 9 at Utah, he was suspended by the NBA for the following game. 'Get suspended for smiling and voicing an opinion during a timeout. That would be pretty pathetic, wouldn't it?' Fortson said." -- Tacoma News Tribune
Brunson To Remain With Sonics
"Sonics officials indicated and coach Bob Weiss confirmed that point guard Rick Brunson will not be waived or bought out because of the team's lack of point guard depth. Brunson signed a guaranteed $1 million deal Aug. 5 but has been limited to four minutes because of a torn plantar fascia. Because they have 15 players on the roster, the Sonics would have to waive a player to sign another point guard." -- Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Boston Celtics
Courtship Of Baron Didn't Work Out
"The Hornets were shopping Baron Davis heavily at last February's trade deadline, and the Celts were among those at the head of the line. Everything was still up in the air when the team's charter got up in the air to fly from Denver to Salt Lake City on Feb. 24. ... Danny Ainge said yesterday that negotiations were ongoing when the Hornets agreed to take Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis from the Warriors. According to sources, the Celts would have had to give up Gary Payton, a first-round pick and perhaps a younger player (though not Al Jefferson, Delonte West or Tony Allen). ... Rivers was wistful when imagining Davis in green. 'A guy like Baron gives a team swagger,' the coach said." -- Boston Herald
Chicago Bulls
Bulls Trash-Talk Motivates Bobcats
"Did the Bulls trash-talk themselves into a loss Wednesday to the Charlotte Bobcats? The Bobcats say yes. 'They said some things like, 'We lost to the Bad News Bears.' That kind of got to us a little bit and motivated us,' said Melvin Ely, the Chicagoan from Thornton High School who had a game- and season-high 20 points. 'Anytime you win in this league, it's not luck. We lost that first game to them, but then when they got a loss (Dec. 20 in Chicago), don't go speaking about it. That motivated us a lot.'" -- Chicago Tribune
Basden Misses Team Bus, Chance To Play
"Knicks coach Larry Brown makes a habit of starting guys when the team plays in their hometowns. Bulls coach Scott Skiles was planning to give Basden special consideration in Charlotte but changed his mind. 'I gave it some thought until he missed the first bus tonight and came on the second bus,' Skiles said. 'Then the thought was over. That was the end of that thought.'" -- Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Cleveland Cavaliers
Russell Adds Hustle To Cavaliers' Post
"In 35-plus seasons, the Cavaliers do not have much to brag about -- one divisional title (1975-76) and two appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals (1976, 1992). But naming former All-Star Campy Russell to a newly created position -- director of alumni relations -- is an obvious move at recognizing some of the noted players among the 260 who have appeared in at least one game since the franchise joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1970." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
Detroit Pistons
Pistons' Rivals Are Still Heated
"It's not just another regular-season game; not when it's Miami, and Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade and now Pat Riley on the bench. It's never going to be just another game again, not after last season's knock-down, drag-out, seven-game Eastern finals. 'It's always good when the top teams play,' Chauncey Billups said of tonight's game at The Palace." -- Detroit News
Pistons Aren't Shooting For Bulls' Record
"Even the Detroit Pistons can't imagine 41-3. 'How many games?' Richard Hamilton asked Wednesday, when the Chicago Bulls' NBA-record start of 10 seasons ago was mentioned. 'Man, that's crazy. I'll tell you, that's crazy. Just to think of it, or look at it.' The Pistons have matched the record-setting Bulls through 26 games, with a 23-3 record. But there are too many games on the schedule like tonight's, a meeting with Miami at The Palace, for the Pistons to think of 41-3 ... 'Those type of things, they just happen,' coach Flip Saunders said." -- Booth Newspapers
Indiana Pacers
Skidding Pacers Look For Answers
"The Pacers' chemistry might be better without their disgruntled forward, but their record isn't. 'Right now we are just an average team,' forward Jermaine O'Neal said after Wednesday's loss, which left the Pacers at 15-11. 'Elite teams find a way to make plays.' After winning five of six games, the Pacers went on a three-game trip hoping to gain a better idea of what type of team they could be without Artest. The Pacers lost all three games. In doing so, they found out they struggle to rebound consistently, commit too many turnovers and still are searching for the right mixture on the court." -- Indianapolis Star
Miami Heat
Heat Rebuilt For One Reason: Detroit
"Seemingly every move the Heat made in the offseason, every adjustment, came with one team in mind -- the Detroit Pistons. Tonight, the Heat opens its four-game season series against the Pistons. It is the first regular-season meeting between the teams since Detroit came back in the final two minutes to win Game 7 of last season's Eastern Conference Finals. 'It is a game I'll never forget as long as I play the game of basketball,' power forward Udonis Haslem said. 'Obviously it's always in the back of our mind, how close we were last year.'" -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Zo Assists Transplant Patients
"The National Kidney Foundation has used Alonzo Mourning in two campaigns to increase disease awareness. He hit the big wallets in NBA locker rooms, and matched their funds, to raise $10 million for kidney research. He plans to raise $2 million more in a project called Zo's Fund For Life. He also just had an annual Christmas party for 500 children to which no media were invited. Why? It would take time away from the children, he says. Doesn't all that make his 9.6 points and 7.4 rebounds averages seem meaningless? Well? And yet those numbers are profound to patients like 9-year-old Alec O'Toole, who says if Mourning's dream wasn't denied by kidney problems, his won't be either." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Milwaukee Bucks
Men In Tights
"Michael Redd and Maurice Williams wore black tights on the recent road trip, joining a recent NBA trend. Redd said he donned the leggings to give his knees some added protection, not to make a fashion statement. 'I'm doing it for my knees, more than anything,' Redd said. 'It's not for show.' Among the other players to sport the look are the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Seattle's Ray Allen, Dallas' Jerry Stackhouse and San Antonio's Nick Van Exel." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ford Sidelined For Two Weeks
"T.J. Ford, who injured his foot in Tuesday night's game against the Heat in Miami, underwent a magnetic resonance imaging Wednesday afternoon. The MRI revealed no structural damage and only a sprain. ... Players who have suffered similar injuries were usually sidelined around two weeks. If Ford is sidelined that long, he would miss eight games." -- Racine Journal Times
New Jersey Nets
Patience And Sacrifice Behind Nets Streak
"It has been two weeks since Richard Jefferson pulled Vince Carter aside and told him to knock it off. You're a scorer, he told Carter, so score. Stop looking over at my side already. 'Basically, it was, 'Look, do yours,' Jefferson recalled. 'He has to stop worrying about the rest of us.' ... Since then, the Nets have become a devastating offensive team, averaging 104 points during the current seven-game win streak. And while it is Carter who is getting most of the credit, Jefferson is getting better and more efficient as the streak marches on. For Jason Kidd, it is a case of his most fervent disciple being true to the code. 'Patience and sacrifice,' the Nets captain said after Tuesday night's game. 'You got guys on this team that could average 25 or 30 points a night, call their number every night. RJ has been patient, he has waited his turn.'" -- Newark Star-Ledger
New York Knicks
Brown Bemoans Marbury's Effort
"Larry Brown also thought that, since Stephon Marbury played 41 minutes, he'd have at least one steal. He didn't have any. 'To me, by accident you can get a steal,' said the coach, whose entire team didn't record one steal. 'That shows maybe you weren't real aggressive defensively.' Marbury disputed that 'I wasn't aggressive on defense?' he said incredulously -- and he insisted that he didn't approach this game any different offensively. ... The timing of this is curious -- it came one game after Marbury spent much of the fourth quarter on the bench Monday against the Nets, while Nate Robinson played to the Garden's delight instead." -- New York Daily News
Marbury: It Was Just A Poor Shooting Night
"This isn't the first time Marbury has struggled to find his place in Brown's offense, but the coach sounded puzzled as to why Marbury wasn't more aggressive in finding his shot. 'You know, he's got the ball all the time,' Brown said. 'I ran probably as much stuff for him tonight as I have at any time. It's just one of those nights. Maybe he didn't feel like he had it. But we got three assists and no steals.' After a postgame briefing from the public relations department, a bemused Marbury looked at the crowd of reporters waiting for him and said, 'Uh-oh, something must have happened.' Then, he wrote off his performance as a poor shooting night. 'Tonight, I was just trying to do everything that coach wanted me to do as far as running the team,' Marbury said." -- Newsday
Q's Sore Back Still An Issue
"Quentin Richardson's chronic back issue continues to hover over the club, as he sat the second half. During the end of shoot-around, he seemed to be bothered during the scouting report segment with the five starters standing around, listening to Brown. At one juncture, Richardson took a seat on the bench for a few moments." -- New York Post
Orlando Magic
Hill's Latest Surgery The Most Difficult
"After a successful comeback from the ankle problems last season, Grant Hill had hernia surgery Oct. 31 and didn't return until Dec. 19. 'This last comeback was probably the hardest,' Hill said. ... Then the whole situation [with the hernia] happens, was harder. 'I think the others, maybe as weird as it sounds. ... When you know you're out for the year, you can mentally remove yourself from coming back that season and gear up for next season. But this one was sort of having to deal with it and gear up quickly.'" -- Orlando Sentinel
Hill Agrees With USA Basketball
"Grant Hill, who won a basketball gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics, said he sees nothing wrong with USA Basketball demanding a three-year commitment from the players who will compete in the 2008 Olympics. Said Hill: 'The times are different and times have changed since 10 years ago. When I played it was about a four-week commitment, and it was just a matter of how many points we'd win by. But now the rest of the world has improved so there's a sense of urgency now to go get the gold medal again.'" -- Florida Today
Philadelphia 76ers
Old-Home Day For Cheeks
"This is the way it was for most of three-plus seasons: There were the bike rides through the downtown Pearl District, the quiet lunches at sidewalk cafes, the house built up the side of the mountain, less than 10 minutes from the Rose Garden. There was jazz and blues at Jimmy Mack's, a favorite relaxation spot. There was Palleys for dinner. Maurice Cheeks was not merely the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, he was the face of the franchise." -- Philadelphia Daily News
Toronto Raptors
Peterson Comes To Play
"It was Morris Peterson's night and Raptors coach Sam Mitchell was more than happy to present him with a verbal present. The Raptors swingman set a franchise record by playing in his 418th career game last night, surpassing the injured Alvin Williams (417). Included in that record is an NBA active-high 307 consecutive games, a number that impresses Mitchell. 'It tells that Mo answers the bell every night,' Peterson said." -- Toronto Sun
Pity Poor Araujo, But Just For A Minute
"Last night's feel-sorry-for-the-stiff moment happened before the game, when Rafael Araujo was seen getting reamed out by a team employee in the Raptors locker room. His crime? It wasn't missing a defensive assignment or choking on an easy layup or picking up three fouls in five minutes. It was wearing shorts stained with the remnants of a pre-game meal." -- Toronto Star
Washington Wizards
Bench Beginning To Find a Rhythm
"The emergence of Chucky Atkins's shooting touch has helped Coach Eddie Jordan establish a solid bench rotation that also includes Antonio Daniels, Etan Thomas, Michael Ruffin and Calvin Booth, who played a season-high 22 minutes in Monday's victory over the Lakers. 'It's funny that people are starting to know their roles now that their shots are falling,' Jordan said." -- Washington Post
* * * * *
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Denver Nuggets
Camby Suffers Bad Break
"Marcus Camby's early season All-Star push hit a wall Wednesday when he learned he has a fractured right pinkie. A timetable for his return will be better known after surgery today to insert pins into the finger. Depending on the severity of the injury, fractured fingers can take several weeks to heal, and Camby likely will be out at least one to two weeks." -- Rocky Mountain News
Golden State Warriors
Dunleavy: I'm Really Tired Of The Negativity
"The crowd got all over Mike Dunleavy for kicking the ball out of the low post and passing up a shot. Dunleavy gestured to the crowd with his hands as if to say 'Relax, already!' He did the same thing moments later after he nailed an outside jumper. Dunleavy was not amused after. 'I'm really tired of the negativity around here,' he said. 'We're trying our best. We play hard. If they're going to come out as fans, they shouldn't be negative.' Dunleavy later passed up another shot in the fourth quarter and the shot clock ran out on the Warriors." -- Contra Costa Times
New Look Pays Off For Warriors, Barely
"No question, Ike Diogu helps a lot on offense -- as he did immediately in his first start Wednesday with a quick dunk and fall-away jumpers. He catches the passes from Baron Davis, which is a huge bonus for a team used to watching Adonal Foyle fumble at the rim. But Diogu playing center next to Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy gives the Warriors the worst defensive front line I can remember on a team with playoff aspirations. Maybe I'm wrong, but that 38-point, layup-line first-quarter outburst by Boston was a horrendous sign. Wait until Dallas on Friday night, when 130 points is possible." -- San Jose Mercury News
Foyle Not Wrapped Up In Self-Pity
"Ike Diogu in the starting lineup makes sense to everyone, with the possible exception of Adonal Foyle. But Foyle didn't whine, complain, lash out. Not his style. His style is class, intelligence, positive spirit, a mature presence. Foyle has a good word for everyone, a ready laugh for all occasions, even the occasion of his demotion. That's why the little group of media vultures around Foyle weren't relishing their task. All the bad stuff you hear about how modern athletes are a pain in the tush to deal with? None of that applies to Foyle. He's the anti-jerk." -- San Francisco Chronicle
Houston Rockets
Theories On Houston Teams Tanking Aren't New
"The late-game collapses against the Rams, Ravens and Titans raised a question: Did the Texans simply have one three-week stretch of rotten luck, or was there a sinister plan unfolding with the Texans tanking games to ensure they would land Reggie Bush? Another Houston franchise was once accused of committing similar acts. 'There's no explanation for that,' said former Rockets president/general manager Ray Patterson of the prevailing notion that the 1983-84 Rockets tanked games down the stretch to earn a 50-50 chance of landing Hakeem Olajuwon with the top pick of the 1984 NBA draft." -- Houston Chronicle
Los Angeles Clippers
Korolev Starting To Feel More At Ease
"Yes, in the beginning, for 18-year-old Yaroslav Korolev of Moscow, an NBA rookie, everything was scary, all right. 'Yeah, it was,' he said before Tuesday's game. 'First of all, NBA and all the big guys who go on the court. And I'm nervous. A lot of people, big crowd and everybody's looking at you, what you're going to do. You got to do something good. ... It's just nervous. You can ask anybody when they're young.' Korolev says he began getting over it in his last game against Charlotte." -- Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Lakers
Bryant Smashes TV Monitor
"The Kobe Bryant legacy lives on. Not only did the Lakers superstar throw away the ball with about five seconds remaining Monday night, he reportedly went ballistic after the game. According to several television media members at last night's game, Bryant smashed a TV monitor outside the Lakers locker room. Word is that the monitor was property of the Lakers television flagship. Also, there is photographic evidence of Bryant's handiwork." -- Washington Times
Lakers Should Emulate '93 Bulls
"Phil Jackson did find fault with Bryant's teammates for trying to force the ball to Bryant despite double- and sometimes triple-teaming. 'My biggest problem is teams overplay like Washington did the other night where they're decidedly throwing another defender on the court that we just have to go away from Kobe.' ... Ignore the league's second-leading scorer? For real? 'You have to do that. That's basketball,' Jackson said, citing Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals. 'Go back to the '93 Chicago Bulls. We had to do it. We knew that Michael Jordan was going to be doubled and we had to go away and [John] Paxson hits the three.'" -- Los Angeles Times
Odom, Lakers Not Shot Savvy
"Then Phil Jackson factored in the fourth-quarter pressure and the fact that Lamar Odom now has missed three such shots this season. He came to the conclusion that it's time to try something different. 'He hasn't shown that he makes that shot at the end of the game,' Jackson said. 'We talked about that, about the fact that he's taken a few of the 3-pointers at the end of the game. It's time to penetrate and find somebody else if that's not a shot you're making or you're comfortable with. You have to know that.' Odom, interestingly, still is shooting a better percentage from 3-point range than Kobe Bryant, Devean George and Luke Walton. The triangle offense lends itself to a spot shooter, which Odom is not." -- Los Angeles Daily News
Turiaf Ahead Of Schedule
"A representative for Ronny Turiaf said Wednesday his client will sign a contract with the Lakers within the next two weeks. But Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said there have only been preliminary discussions of 'what-ifs.' Keith Moss, Turiaf's representative, said his client will sign a three-year deal worth about $1.23 million, although Turiaf will get a prorated part of his minimum salary of $398,762 for the games he would play for the Lakers this season." -- Riverside Press-Enterprise
Minnesota Timberwolves
No Olympics For Garnett
"Wolves forward Kevin Garnett said he has 'no interest' in playing for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but wouldn't elaborate. Garnett already has a gold medal, earned at the 2000 Olympics." -- St. Paul Pioneer Press
Juiced Griffin Sparks Wolves
"Filling in for injured Wolves centers Michael Olowokandi and Mark Madsen, Eddie Griffin made his first start as a Timberwolf and responded with his best game of the season. Griffin scored a season-most 22 points and had 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. After the game, Griffin kept moving, eluding reporters with a quick exit from the locker room before he could comment. 'You'd have to say he got a little juiced up from being in the starting lineup,' Casey said." -- St. Paul Pioneer Press
New Orleans Hornets
Nachbar's Return Getting Closer
"Hornets forward Bostjan Nachbar missed his 14th consecutive game Wednesday because of a strained right knee. Initially, Nachbar was expected to return eight days ago, but after going through a workout, he experienced pain that forced the delay. 'It just didn't heal the way we thought it would,' Hornets coach Byron Scott said. 'But for the last two days, he went up and down the floor and didn't have any pain. So we know we're much closer to getting him back.'" -- New Orleans Times-Picayune
Phoenix Suns
Marion Frustrated Suns Aren't Running
"The Suns' game pace has been too slow, and Shawn Marion is clearly frustrated with not getting more shots. 'We're walking the ball down the court,' Marion said. 'We don't play like we usually play. This ain't us, honestly. Even when we were winning, we weren't pushing the ball like we're capable of.' ... Marion was adamant that his fellow captain, Steve Nash, is doing his job of trying to speed up the Suns offense, but he said nobody is along for the ride." -- Arizona Republic
Sacramento Kings
Abdur-Rahim Gets Hint Of Hope
"'Not good.' That's all Shareef Abdur-Rahim had to say Wednesday afternoon about his current state, just before he was to meet with Kings trainer Pete Youngman to decide the fate of his broken jaw. After the meeting, however, his status was upgraded to could-have-been-worse, when the Kings learned there was a small chance their starting power forward could be back in a matter of weeks instead of months." -- Sacramento Bee
San Antonio Spurs
Starting Talk On Ginobili's Role With Spurs
"Gregg Popovich said he would use Manu Ginobili off the bench for the foreseeable future, slightly increasing his minutes each game. Bringing Ginobili back slowly also gives Popovich time to evaluate whether the Spurs would be better served keeping him as a reserve and continuing to start Michael Finley. 'I honestly don't know how it's going to end up,' Popovich said. ... 'To be quite honest,' Finley said, 'whatever (Ginobili) feels more comfortable with, I'm willing to do.'" -- San Antonio Express-News
Seattle SuperSonics
Fine Looming For Lewis
"Rashard Lewis, upset after a turnover, was assessed a technical foul in the second quarter after throwing the ball and hitting Doris Webb, an older woman seated courtside, on the left cheek. She left the game with Timberwolves security to be treated, returning at halftime with an ice pack. Minnesota missed the free throw, but fans heckled Lewis for the remaining 2:47 of the half, shouting, 'No class!' Lewis apologized when the team returned to the court for the second half and gave her some autographed Sonics jerseys after the loss, but he could be fined by the league. Denver forward Carmelo Anthony was fined $5,000 for hitting a young girl with a ball earlier this month." -- Seattle Times
Fine And Suspension Looming For Fortson
"Several coaches and players were upset. And referee Sean Corbin, standing across the court from the Sonics' huddle, caught Fortson's eye. It is unclear what was said, but Corbin immediately issued a technical foul and ejected Fortson from the game, yelling, 'Get this (expletive expletive) out of here.' Fortson removed his headband and charged Corbin, who had retreated to the scorer's table. Weiss, assistant Bob Hill and Reggie Evans intervened as Fortson tried to get to Corbin. The last time Fortson was ejected and pursued an official, on Dec. 9 at Utah, he was suspended by the NBA for the following game. 'Get suspended for smiling and voicing an opinion during a timeout. That would be pretty pathetic, wouldn't it?' Fortson said." -- Tacoma News Tribune
Brunson To Remain With Sonics
"Sonics officials indicated and coach Bob Weiss confirmed that point guard Rick Brunson will not be waived or bought out because of the team's lack of point guard depth. Brunson signed a guaranteed $1 million deal Aug. 5 but has been limited to four minutes because of a torn plantar fascia. Because they have 15 players on the roster, the Sonics would have to waive a player to sign another point guard." -- Seattle Post-Intelligencer