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[Monta Ellis #11]

Boris Diaw asks Bobcats for buyout or trade

The chances of Boris Diaw not finishing the season with the Charlotte Bobcats are growing, with his agent inquiring about a buyout that would free Diaw to sign elsewhere.

Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins told the Observer Tuesday that he met with Diaw before the All-Star break about Diaw's role and his expiring contract. Higgins said he has since had discussions with Diaw's agent, Doug Neustadt.

"Boris and I had a meeting prior to the All-Star break, maybe Wednesday before. We talked about quite a few things,'' Higgins said. "The issue with the buyout, it was raised on their side, from Doug. We haven't gone down that road any further.''

Initial attempts to reach Neustadt by telephone and email Tuesday failed. The possibility of Diaw accepting a buyout was briefly raised in the French sports daily L'Equipe. Diaw is from France.

Under a buyout, Diaw would agree to reduce his remaining guarantee by some number, in return for the Bobcats waiving him in time for him to sign elsewhere and be playoff-eligible on a new roster. Diaw would have to be waived by March 23 for that to happen.

Diaw is the Bobcats' second-highest paid player at $9 million, and his contract expires after this season. He hasn't had much impact this season and briefly lost his starting spot at power forward. He's averaging 7.7 points, the first time in his three seasons with the Bobcats he's failed to average double figures.

After Diaw took just four shots in 40 minutes against the New Jersey Nets Sunday, coach Paul Silas said invariably when Diaw passes up shots, some teammate ends up with an inferior shot.

With the Bobcats winning just four of their first 33 games and long out of playoff contention, it appears likely Silas would turn to younger power forwards Tyrus Thomas and D.J. White over Diaw the rest of the season.

However, any serious discussion of buying out Diaw's contract makes no sense until the NBA trade deadline expires March 15.

"No question,'' Higgins confirmed. "Those conversations, if they happen, would happen after the deadline.''

Diaw's expiring contract means he has some trade value, particularly to a contender who would effectively rent him the rest of the season. However, trading Diaw could be problematic since it's unlikely a team could absorb his salary under NBA trade rules without sending a similar salary to the Bobcats.

The Bobcats are committed to maintaining salary-cap flexibility next summer. They could be as much as $21 million under the cap when free-agency starts in July. They would be looking for a draft choice or a young player if they were to trade Diaw.

Asked if he'd like to be traded, or would be receptive to a buyout, Diaw was noncommittal Tuesday morning.

"We don't control that,'' Diaw said of trade possibilities. "Everybody wants to make the playoffs and win, but there is some work to do here, too. We can get this team to be better, and right now I'm trying to do that.''

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...or-buyout.html

[Monta Ellis #11]

Zach Randolph particpates in contact practice for first time
Still no timetable for Griz forward's return


Just like with his low-post game, which is deliberate and routinely yields good results, Zach Randolph is confident that taking his time to return from injury is the right move.

The Grizzlies power forward participated in a contact practice Monday for the first time since suffering a right medial collateral ligament tear on Jan. 1. The workout drew mixed reviews with Randolph being his biggest critic.

Randolph ruled out playing this week when the Griz embark on a three-game road trip that begins Wednesday at Golden State.

There still is no timetable for Randolph's return.

"It all depends on how I feel. Hopefully, it'll be soon," Randolph said, adding that his roadblock is now psychological. "It's just the mental part of it for me. You want to go out there and do what you know you can do. I just want to know that it's stable, know that I'm not going to come down and tweak anything."

Team doctors and athletic trainers insist Randolph's knee is medically sound. He'll simply need several more practices like Monday's workout and much more confidence.

"Zach is trying to get acclimated," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. "He's a ways from playing, but it was nice to see him out there and able to do some contact stuff. We'll keep evaluating him as we go forward."

Randolph will practice again today and travel with the team this week in order to continue his regime. The training staff will monitor how Randolph's knee holds up after each contact practice.

Randolph didn't look at all tentative as he banged with centers Marc Gasol and Marreese Speights under the basket.

"I felt all right. I got out there and got some contact," said Randolph, who must wear a knee brace while he plays. "It's progress. But I've got a long way to go with my conditioning and timing. I know my knee is stronger."

One of Randolph's most encouraging moments happened on a sequence when he collided with Speights. Their arms got tangled, and both players wrestled intensely for position.

"His upper body is real strong," Speights said of Randolph. "He still knows how to get position on offensive rebounds and stuff like that. All of that is good."

Another good moment for Randolph happened on defense when he tapped away a shot attempt while guarding Gasol on the perimeter.

"He looks good," Gasol said. "It's a confidence thing now. It's a process. It's going to be a mini training camp, a mini preseason for him so we just have to help him."

Randolph participated in the full-court scrimmage. He never received the ball on the low block, so his work was limited on offense. Also, Randolph took breaks at times because he was clearly winded.

"I can still shoot the ball pretty well. It's about my timing," Randolph said. "My skills and my game aren't going anywhere. I have to get comfortable with this brace, too. It's difficult because I've never worn a brace before."

Meanwhile, the Griz are 21-12 without Randolph this season.

"I expected them to be good," Randolph said. "We've got so much talent. The way Mike Conley's playing, the way Marc's playing, Rudy (Gay), O.J. (Mayo). ... Guys are playing great. I'll just come in and be able to help the team win more games."

Griz owner Michael Heisley cautioned that Randolph shouldn't be viewed as a savior whenever he returns. If anything, his recovery has shown that coming back from a knee injury requires patience for the process.

"Whenever he comes back, he's got to work himself back in and get up to speed with the rest of the guys," Heisley said. "We're going to give him as much time as he needs to come back. Don't get me wrong. We miss his leadership, and we miss his productivity. I just think we've got to be patient."



http://www.commercialappeal.com/news...-for-1st-time/

[Monta Ellis #11]

Sacramento approves arena plan to keep Kings

SACRAMENTO -- The only place the Sacramento Kings are moving to is a new downtown home in California's capital.

A year after almost being wiped off the NBA map, Sacramento cleared the most critical political hurdle late Tuesday night when the City Council approved a plan to help finance an estimated $391 million arena. The non-binding term sheet, signed off by the Kings and the NBA last week, will keep the team in Sacramento for at least another 30 years.

Cheers rang out from supporters who cramped the council's chambers when the plan passed by a 7-2 vote and pushed the city's portion of the agreement forward. Binding contracts from all sides, which are expected to be a formality, could be signed as soon as April.

"This is a culmination of a journey that started many, many years ago," said Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA All-Star who spearheaded the project. "I think this community did everything it could to put us in this position for this historic Sacramento moment."

“Tonight’s vote was an important next step in the process to construct a new entertainment and sports complex in Sacramento," the Maloof family said in a statement. "On behalf of our entire family and the Kings organization, we want to thank everyone who has helped move this forward, especially the NBA, City Council, Mayor Kevin Johnson, the Think Big Sacramento Committee, and most importantly, our dedicated employees and loyal fans. We’re all excited.”

Under the agreement, the city will contribute $255.5 million to the project, mostly by leasing out parking garages around the facility. The city is also exploring an option to establish a parking authority instead.
The Kings have agreed to pay $73.25 million and arena operator AEG will contribute $58.75 million. The remaining gap will be covered by a ticket surcharge, advertising around the facility, the sale of public lands and a sponsorship campaign to sell bricks and plaques around the complex. Construction is expected to begin in the late spring or early summer next year on the arena, which would open for the 2015-16 season in the downtown rail yards.

The meeting packed the council chambers to its capacity of about 500 and residents on both sides clogged downtown with signs, shirts and even songs.

City Manager John Shirey told the council that the decision would be "one of the toughest votes of your career" and implored members to approve the plan for the economic benefit, job creation and immeasurable notoriety of remaining a major professional sports city, saying "there are only 30 of those (NBA) franchises in all the world and we happen to have one of them."

"The status quo is not really an option before you this evening," Shirey said. "If we do nothing, the Kings will likely leave Sacramento."

Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof walked into the chamber just before the meeting to a light standing ovation. He was later joined by rookie point guard Isaiah Thomas, who also drew light cheers.

A line of residents snaked around City Hall and seemingly every TV truck and radio station in the Central Valley was broadcasting outside. One fan wore Johnson's old Phoenix Suns jersey among the scores of Kings signs and jerseys in the crowd. A group of about 120 supporters of the plan wore white T-shirts with black letters that read "5 Votes."

"This is bigger than basketball," said Michael Tavares, one of the leaders of the group called (hash)Fans, which stands for Fund Arena Now Sacramento. "It's about making Sacramento a destination."

Opponents and proponents of the plan were allowed to speak for 2 minutes. Each side was granted 45 minutes, and those who couldn't reach the lectern in the allotted time were allowed to stand in acknowledgement of their support afterward.

The four-hour plus meeting brought out some animated speakers, including a man who wore a hard hat and sang a song to start construction soon, one young woman who started to cry while arguing other public works such as schools and parks were being ignored, and others who raised their voices and pounded their fists. Most, however, remained civilized.

Those against the plan argued it steers public money toward a private company, that sports arenas don't produce enough - or any - economic benefit and that the project is being rushed. Some also asked for the plan to be put to a public vote.

"This city is on the verge of insolvency. As far as I know, we still technically qualify for bankruptcy under federal law," said Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy, who opposed the plan. She added the project "will scoop up every nickel and dime" left in the city's budget.

Proponents echoed the mayor and city manager's stances, trumpeting job creation and saying the economic loss if the Kings left would be even worse. In the end, those voices spoke to the majority.

The passage of the plan highlighted a turnaround for a town that once seemed assured of losing its only major professional sports team.

The Kings appeared determined to move to Anaheim last year before Johnson convinced the NBA to give the city one last chance to help finance an arena. At one point, Johnson seemed so certain the team was gone he called the process a "slow death" and compared the city's efforts to keep the Kings a "Hail Mary."

Johnson made a desperate pitch to the NBA Board of Governors last April, promising league owners the city would find a way to help finance a new arena to replace the team's current outdated suburban facility. He also bought time by presenting more than $10 million in commitments for new advertising, ticket purchases and other financial support from regional businesses for this season.

The NBA's relocation committee, headed by Oklahoma City owner Clay Bennett - who moved the team now known as the Thunder from Seattle in 2008 - recommended that the league give the city a shot to follow through and handed down a March 1 deadline to come up with a plan to help finance an arena. Johnson delivered the agreement last Thursday - on March 1, no less - to send the plan to the City Council.

"A year ago, this was the longest of long shots," Johnson said. "That's one heck of a comeback."


http://www.csnbayarea.com/basketball...02&feedID=2802

[Monta Ellis #11]

Wolves complain Rubio targeted

Opponents seeking to slow down Timberwolves rookie Ricky Rubio have done so by attempting to bump and muscle him at every turn.

Opponents seeking to slow down Timberwolves rookie Ricky Rubio have done so by attempting to bump and muscle him at every turn.

So much so that David Kahn, Wolves president of basketball operations, on Tuesday said the team has sent video to the NBA, seeking to illustrate what it believes are defenders playing Rubio too physically, a tactic that has affected his production recently.

The Wolves sent examples of what they deem are fouls that have gone uncalled against teams that have decided the best way to play the skinny rookie is to overpower him.

"All our young guys are learning that, Ricky especially," coach Rick Adelman said about opposing defenses adjusting to stop his team's offense.

"They're putting bigger guys on him. They're beating the hell out of him right now. The league [other teams] has figured out you have to be physical with him. And he's kind of learning on the fly."

Over his past six games, Rubio has shot 20 percent from the floor (9-for-45) while averaging 5.8 points and 7.3 assists per game. Before that, he was averaging 11.5 points and 8.4 assists, shooting 35.6 percent.

When asked how physical defenders are playing him, Rubio chuckled and said, "Tough enough. I mean, it's close to end of the season, everybody wants to get a spot in the playoff and everybody start to play more physically. We just have to play at the same level or even harder.

"In Europe, we play aggressive, too. But here you have the best players in the world. It's tougher."


http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/141693663.html

[Monta Ellis #11]

Mark Cuban: Mavericks are not making trade calls

If Mark Cuban can be believed, the Mavericks are only going to be players before the March 15 trade deadline if somebody blows them away with an offer.

It will not happen if teams are waiting on the Mavericks to start proposing deals.

"We're not calling anybody,'' Cuban said before Tuesday's game against New York. "I told Donnie (Nelson) to take calls, but we're not making any calls. There you have it.''

The Mavericks still believe their team is competitive with anybody in the Western Conference. Cuban reiterated his desire to simply worry about the playoffs, not the regular season.

"Considering all the injuries, considering no practice time, considering the compression of the schedule, I'm thrilled,'' Cuban said. "Nobody likes to lose games, but you just got to be in the mix. We had some bad losses, but we had losses like that last year, and the year before. That's why none of those teams are winless the entire year. They beat somebody. I think we were trying to conserve energy and it caught up to us.

"I don't care about our record as long as we make the playoffs. So you know you're going to lose games that you otherwise might have won. You hope the schedule balances where we get guys later in the season that are in their ninth game in 12 nights. Hopefully it will help us as well.''


http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archi...king-trad.html

[Monta Ellis #11]

Wilbon: Bulls in good shape despite Rip injury

Healthy outlook
Despite injuries Bulls remain one of NBA's elite teams and aren't in dire need of trade


You would think from the hysteria about town that the Bulls were struggling through a losing streak, that they were middle of the pack or worse, that they had issues in the locker room, or undefined roles or a problem between the star and head coach. You wouldn't know from all the screaming and crying over Rip Hamilton's shoulder injury that the team being fretted over has the best record in the Eastern Conference ... oh, make that the best record in the entire NBA. You'd never know that in the context of a season defined by injury and misfortune that the Bulls might just be living under a lucky star.

Okay, Rip Hamilton hasn't had the impact anybody hoped for ... so far. He's played 16 of the team's 40 games, and that actually includes Monday night's 90-second appearance before spraining his shoulder running through a screen set by 7-2 Roy Hibbert. The groaning and moaning is understandable, what with LeBron and D-Wade flying around like acrobats, with Oklahoma City looking formidable.

But.

Last I checked nobody is hoisting a trophy seven days into March. Or April. Or even May. There's no need for hysteria. Annoyance? Okay, fine. At some point relatively soon the Bulls need to see what they've got, the entire hand, all the cards. That day is going to get here, but it ain't here now. It's stupid to trash Hamilton, it's dumb to insist that Paxson and Forman stop what they're doing to make a deal right this instant to come up with a scorer to replace Hamilton.

For starters, the best news is Hamilton's shoulder isn't seriously injured. He's okay. Even if you ignore the "day-to-day" characterization the Bulls call everything from a dislocation to a compound fracture, Hamilton should be back fairly soon. Even if it's three weeks, fine. Perhaps you've noticed: the Bulls just beat the team that had been the hottest in basketball, the Spurs, and in San Antonio no less; with something less than their A-game they went to Philly and beat the previously troublesome Sixers; perhaps most important of all they trashed the Pacers which might actually count as a big regular season win. Three playoff teams dispatched. The Bulls, given where we are in the season, are fine.

They can't play a seven-game series with Miami in March. As disappointing as the whole Hamilton thing has been so far, he has plenty of time to be the impact player the Bulls need him to be. When he has been out there we've seen enough of the ball movement, floor spacing and offensive efficiency to know that Hamilton is the right piece. Acquiring him was the right move. The only way to accurately judge Hamilton and his impact is during or after a series with Miami. Can he help beat the Heat? We don't know the answer to that anymore tonight than we knew Christmas Day or than we'll know two months from now.

I know, we want to see Rip go a stretch of a dozen games averaging 15 points and five assists because every single night of this basketball season, wonderfully so, is viewed through the prism of Miami. That isn't a complaint; it's a statement of fact. It's pretty cool actually to follow the twists and turns of a season that in total (so far at least) has gone exactly the way most people thought ... Bulls and Heat separated by essentially nothing.

That's likely the way it's going to wind up playing out all spring, so stop thinking Paxson/Forman are going to make some huge fantasy basketball deal to save the day. That's as likely to happen as Hamilton returning to action Thursday night to record a triple-double against Orlando. So forget about a big deal for a scorer, forget about getting Stephen Jackson or Jamal Crawford. And definitely forget about Ray Allen. The Bulls don't have money or a player with a comparable contract to acquire any of the above, especially not Allen. To get anybody of consequence who can score the Bulls would probably have to give up Taj Gibson, and doing that would be plain dumb. Thankfully, Forman doesn't seem a bit tempted to do so. And as much as most scouts around the league believe Omer Asik has taken a step back this season, what's also true is that Asik can rebound and play defense and play critical minutes if Joakim Noah is in foul trouble or rolls an ankle or whatever. Dealing Asik, tempting as it might be to find that very necessary additional scorer, is very, very, very risky.

So, the Bulls are stuck, sorta. Good stuck, but stuck nonetheless. The guys they have will have to play better than they did last year against Miami because the roster is likely set. Don't get me wrong, I keep scouring the rosters of awful teams like the Hornets and Raptors trying to figure out who could score a dozen points against the Heat, on his own, during a Game 4 or 5 ... and do it cheaply. I keep coming up with one name: Nick Young, the Wizards 6-7 swing who can flat fill it up better than anybody the Bulls have now. Young comes cheap, too; he makes only $3.8 million. He doesn't hog the ball, can catch and shoot, might be a damn good compliment to Rose. And the Wizards are of no mind to hold onto him if they can get something of value in return.

Of course, there's always a "but" and here's the "but" on Young, even worse than that he doesn't play a lick of defense and averages fewer assists than a potted plant. He's a knucklehead. A very smart coach once told me of Young, "You can't fool him 'cause he's not paying attention." He seems to never ever be paying attention. But he can shoot the hell out of it. Hey, maybe.

But even more than going after a Nick Young, the Bulls and everybody thinking they can win a championship this year will have to do something that's necessary in the culture of professional basketball: shut up and be patient. NBA seasons demand patience. The championship Bulls found this out in the late 1980s and early 1990s when they had to negotiate the Detroit Pistons. It's hard, frustrating, often annoying. Why the hell do you think LeBron James bolted Cleveland after seven years and hooked up with Dwyane Wade?

Of course, there's another way to look at this.

The Bulls appear to be pretty damn lucky. Yes, lucky.I've seen that same Rip Hamilton collision, running through a 7-footer setting a screen, result in a torn labrum or worse. Yeah, the Bulls seem to have spent all their time hanging out in the infirmary but all in all (so far at least) it hasn't been all that bad.

Let's see, there was the leg injuries to Hamilton to start the season, then C.J. Watson's dislocated elbow, then Joakim Noah's ankle, then Luol Deng's wrist ... In some order there have also been Rose's back, Watson's concussion, Watson's ankle. For that matter, while you were obsessing over Hamilton's shoulder did you happen to notice Deng fall on that already bad wrist during the Pacers game? Probably not. Boozer, Brewer, Korver and Asik are the only Bulls to play in all 40 games so far, yet the team has the best record in the league despite playing (and winning) the most road games. The wins at San Antonio, at Philly, at the Lakers, at the Clippers, at Boston and at New York are as impressive as any team's list of road victories this season.

Have the Bulls, at their best, looked as dominant at any point as Miami? No. As Oklahoma City? No. But have the Heat or Thunder looked as mentally or as physically tough as the Bulls? No. Don't get me wrong, the Bulls are going to need a healthy Richard Hamilton, contributing at the highest level he can, to beat Miami in a seven-game playoff series. Even if he's able to contribute in the way the Bulls dreamed when they signed him, Miami will be favored in such a series. But the playoffs don't even begin for another seven weeks. There's plenty of time for Hamilton to get healthy and stay that way. No amount of cursing Rip or screaming for a trade that's unlikely to come is going to alter the course of the Bulls season.


http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story...amilton-injury

[Monta Ellis #11]

Report: Rasheed Wallace works out for Heat, but will he play?

Rasheed Wallace is clearly flirting with the idea of a return to the NBA. But as anyone who has met a girl in a bar can tell you, flirting is a long way from actually doing something about it.

Wallace worked out for the Heat recently, reports Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida on twitter.

"A source close to the situation confirmed Rasheed Wallace has worked out with Heat, but source said he hasn’t decided if he’ll play again."

Before that there was a report that ‘Sheed was close to a deal with the Lakers. That report — from the very reputable CSNNE.com’s A. Sherrod Blakely — clearly came from people close to Wallace. What the Lakers’ front office is thinking on any given day is anybody’s guess. But there clearly no deal.

If ‘Sheed comes back it will be to a team he thinks is a contender, and on those teams his minutes would be limited. The question for teams is does he have enough left in the tank to help in those limited windows? In either case, at best he is a fallback option for teams after the trade deadline next week.



http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...-play/related/

[Monta Ellis #11]

Reports: Minnesota making push get Crawford from Portland


There are a lot of trade rumors going to fly around the next week, but when you look at them ask yourself this: Do they help both teams? Teams only do deals they think get them closer to a goal.

Portland we know is looking to move Jamal Crawford and get something for him before he opted out this summer and walked away. Portland could use a point guard since Raymond Felton has not blown off anyone’s doors this season. On the other hand, Minnesota has point guards to spare but wants to add scoring punch to make a run into the playoffs (as of right now they are one game out of the last spot in the West).

Minnesota is “making a strong push” to get Crawford, Hoopsworld’s Alex Kennedy reports. How about Luke Ridnour for Crawford? That is one that ESPN’s Chad Ford suggested as possible in his weekly chat. It works in that it gives both teams something they need. Under the new CBA you can do that deal straight up, although Portland may want a second round pick or some other sweetener in the deal.

Not saying that exact deal is happening — Portland is going to have a few offers to sort through for Crawford — but Minnesota is a team to watch in the sweepstakes.



http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...tland/related/

[T-Snell]

Brown's X's and O's worry Lakers


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Andrew Bynum tried to take the blame for the Lakers' staggering collapse in Washington by announcing after the 106-101 loss to the lowly Wizards that "I was kind of loafing around and having a good time, and it caught up."

The Lakers' problems, however, run far deeper than Bynum's effort level in the team's loss to the Wizards, according to sources close to the situation.

Bynum publicly invited the bulk of the responsibility for the Lakers' second straight loss to a lottery-bound straggler from the Eastern Conference, but sources told ESPNLosAngeles.com this week that there is growing concern among some Lakers players as to whether first-year coach Mike Brown and his staff have the X-and-O wherewithal to fix a Lakers offense that is averaging its lowest per-game point total (94) since before the advent of the 24-second shot clock in 1954-55.

Brown's effect on the Lakers' defense has been undeniable, but sources say the team's ongoing struggles on the road -- with L.A. dropping to 6-14 away from Staples Center following a loss in Detroit and blowing a 21-point lead to the undisciplined Wizards -- have some veterans longing for a return to the trusty Triangle offense preferred by Brown's predecessor, Phil Jackson.

ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard recently reported that Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher called a players-only meeting after a win against Portland on Feb. 21 to address concerns about Brown's style, as well as persistent trade rumors involving Pau Gasol.

While that meeting might have quelled some of the tension in the short term, these two latest losses have brought the issues right back to the forefront and perhaps even exacerbated the situation as the team nears the March 15 trade deadline, continuing to languish in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference.

Sources told ESPNLosAngeles.com that multiple players have continued to meet privately since the initial team meeting to discuss running elements of the Triangle offense again.

"The players want to unify," one source with knowledge of the situation said. "They know how to win, and they want to fix this. I don't know if they can, though. "

The Lakers had gone 8-2 coming into this three-game road trip, including a win over the Miami Heat on Sunday. During that stretch, it was obvious Brown had made an effort to scale back on some of his micromanaging tendencies that have grated on players this season. He's noticeably canceled several practices and shootarounds after Bynum spoke out publicly about how the increased practice schedule, combined with an already condensed season, was affecting his play. He's settled into more consistent offensive rotations after experimenting for much of the season, and he's let the team read and react on offense instead of calling so many plays.

That effort was seen by the Lakers players as a good start toward repairing what was becoming an increasingly tense first season for the former Cleveland coach. The question now, sources say, is whether Brown and his players can get past this bump, given that Brown himself expressed some frustration after the meltdown against a Wizards team that had just eight wins going into Wednesday night's game.

After the loss to the Wizards (9-29), Brown attributed the second-half meltdown to poor ball movement, an over-reliance on individual play and inconsistent effort on the road -- critiques that have become familiar after L.A. losses.

"It's very simple," Brown said. "In the first half, we played the right way; in the second half, we didn't. We forced shots, and forcing shots is not a good thing for us."

It was easy to surmise that Brown was speaking about Bryant, who scored 30 points but did so on just 9-for-31 shooting. It was his second straight poor shooting night after making just eight of 26 shots in a loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

Asked about Bryant's shot selection -- he was 3-for-18 in the second half -- Brown said, "He was one of the guys that I did not think took great shots in the second half. I thought in the first half, our flow was there, and he got great looks and made the game easy. In the second half, our looks weren't as good."

Those comments are well-founded. Bryant did take some ill-advised shots, particularly in the fourth quarter.

However, they landed strangely with several players just a day after Brown said Bryant should be the MVP because of the way he's carried the team offensively this season despite battling through a serious wrist injury and a concussion.

"[Bryant] and I actually talked about that," Brown said Tuesday night before the loss to the Pistons. "We talked about: 'Hey, we're going to have to rely on our defense. I'm going to let you go on offense quite a bit, you're going to have to carry us offensively because there's a stretch of games that we can win, try to get us over .500, start us heading in the right direction.'

"It was, 'Go get it, I'll take care of the defense and we'll go from there.' And he went and did it."

Bryant refused to comment on Brown's criticism of his shot selection, saying only "OK" and "It's fine" when pressed on the situation.

When asked about how the Lakers could have lost on consecutive nights to teams with a combined record of 22-55, Bryant replied, "We've just got to play harder, with a little more energy to try and salvage this trip."

After the loss to the Wizards, by far the team's lowest moment of the season, sources said Brown lit into the players, calling into question their effort and challenging them to make a choice about how committed they were to the system and to chasing another championship.

Several players admitted publicly that the team had not given a consistent effort on either of the past two nights. Gasol called the loss "embarrassing with the talent that we have and the players that we have." Reserve forward Matt Barnes said the team "didn't compete."

But there was a reason Bynum seemed to be laughing as he tried to shoulder the blame for the loss. The Lakers' problems clearly stretch well beyond Bynum's nightmare (seven turnovers compared to six rebounds) or Bryant's shooting percentage.

"I tried tonight," Bynum said. "I went out and got a couple early dunks. But I didn't play much D, so I guess I kind of went through the motions myself. I could be that leader; I should step up and do that."

In some ways, Bynum was doing just that.


http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/s...ike-brown-x-os

[Monta Ellis #11]

By Adrian Wojnarowski


Magic still resisting Dwight Howard trade


The fresh-faced CEO of the Orlando Magic tries to speak to Dwight Howard daily, pushing hard to accelerate a relationship with the franchise’s most important asset. He’s late to the job, to the recruitment and understands 7½ years are difficult to replicate in his personal window of 90 days. Outside, everyone else tells Alex Martins: Give in to the inevitable, find an acceptable package and trade Dwight Howard.

“It seems that way, doesn’t it?” Martins told Yahoo! Sports.
The March 15 trade deadline is approaching, and the Magic are still telling teams to spare them the trade calls unless they’re offering a player to join Howard. Martins is a businessman, and sources say he played a part in rejecting the deal that general manager Otis Smith would’ve done with the New Jersey Nets in January. Martins has a chance to be the hero who saves the franchise star in Orlando, a fast-coming executive fighting the clock on Howard’s opt-out.

“I’ve been at this for 90 days – not seven years – and if I’m going to have an influence on the process, I need to utilize as much as time as we possibly can before we make a decision,” Martins says. “And I’ve built a good relationship with him. We’ve had good conversations with him and some of his people.

“That gives me hope.”

An NBA franchise has to always sell one of two things: hope and winning. For the Magic to have traded Howard upon his demand in the preseason, it would’ve cost them so much more than their basketball future: tickets, sponsorships, arena concessions and, ultimately, possible playoff revenue. The Magic are winning games with the deadline approaching, creating a cushion to still make the playoffs should they move Howard at the deadline.

Still, rival teams believe no one in the organization wants to tell the Magic’s 85-year-old owner, Rich DeVos, that they recommend trading him. Several sources who’ve known Howard for years believe his hesitancy with Orlando management has helped validate Martins’ hope of re-signing him. As one of those sources said, “Don’t underestimate how much it means to Dwight to be a pillar in that community. Everyone else wants to pull him out of there, but I’m not so sure that’s where his heart is.”

What makes it harder for Howard to be emphatic with Martins and his teammates that he absolutely wants out is that he disdains confrontation. He doesn’t want to be unpopular – not in that city, not in that locker room. “Dysfunctional” is the word one locker-room source uses to describe the Magic this season, and yet as Martins told Yahoo! Sports: “This team has competed incredibly well with that cloud hanging over it.”

The Magic are 25-14, third in the Eastern Conference and clearly can make a case for themselves as the best of the rest behind Miami and Chicago. Is that enough for the Magic? For Howard? In the end, probably not, but the Magic aren’t enamored with the trade options available to them.

Several teams believe the Magic won’t trade Howard, and that’s why those teams won’t bother getting involved in talks with them. The New York Knicks refuse to engage the Magic, if simply because they don’t want players like Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler affected by talks that organization officials privately believe would go nowhere anyway.

Yes, the Nets are still Howard’s desired destination, but GM Billy King still hasn’t had a substantive conversation with Smith lately. Orlando has made it clear to everyone that it’s a buyer to find help for Howard, not a seller. Yet, most teams believe the Magic will eventually realize they simply don’t have the assets to bring back a significant player to join Howard. Several executives insist forward Ryan Anderson has the most value to teams, and the Magic are determined to re-sign him to a long-term deal.

They’re going to reach a dead end here,” one rival executive said. “It’s just a matter of time.”

The Nets believe they have a clear path to sign Howard in free agency this summer, and still hold onto Brook Lopez to play alongside him. Perhaps everything changes should Dallas a find a way to unload Shawn Marion and the $18 million owed him over the next two years, because that will clear the way to amnesty center Brendan Hayward and make significant free-agent offers to Howard and Deron Williams.

The Nets are counting on Williams staying with them and recruiting Howard on July 1, but Dallas does represent home to Williams. It is appealing to him. Still, the Nets can pay the most money for Williams and Howard and, ultimately, that counts for so much. Now, the Magic promise to make everyone keep waiting on them, on the recruitment of Howard, because Plan B and Plan C and Plan D are so unappealing in Orlando. The reason’s simple. “We have to use as much possible time as can we before making a final decision,” Martins said.

Perhaps that time is March 15, perhaps it’s the end of the season. Eventually, there’s a moment of truth coming for the Magic and Howard. For now, they’re still trying to be buyers. They’re desperately trying to hold onto him. For now, Dwight Howard still plays for the Magic.


http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...gic_nba_030612

[T-Snell]

Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith still wants to be traded



Miami–Even as Josh Smith is having a strong season for the Hawks he has let the team know he wants to be traded as the March 15 deadline approaches, according to people with knowledge of Smith’s thinking.

And the reasons for Smith’s dissatisfaction with the team now have to make the Hawks wonder if they will be able to sign him to a contract extension next season.

By the end of last season Smith wanted out of Atlanta because he believed he was singled out for unfair criticism by coaches and media. Those concerns have died down for the most part this season but now Smith believes he needs a fresh start with a franchise where he can better reach his potential on and off the court, according to one of the people with knowledge of Smith’s thinking.

The person said one of Smith’s complaints is that he believes the Hawks didn’t do enough to promote him for selection to the All-Star team, which he thinks contributed to lesser players being voted to the team by Eastern Conference coaches. Smith, an Atlanta native who has played his entire seven-year career with the Hawks, also would like to play for a franchise he believes is more committed to winning a championship.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Hawks have taken calls from teams interested in acquiring Smith—Golden State is among the teams who have inquired. But the Hawks so far have given no indication that they intend to part with Smith, who likely would command a high price in a trade.

Smith, 26, is under contract through next season, after which he can become an unrestricted free agent. If the Hawks don’t trade Smith and can’t alleviate his concerns by then, they face the real possibility of him signing with another team in the summer of 2013 because there figures to be a strong market for him.

I asked Smith about all of this last night before the Hawks played the Heat but he declined to comment. This is the third season in a row he’s been at the center of trade rumors.

“I really don’t pay any attention to it,” he said. “I just go out there and play the way I play and not worry about anything else. I know this is a business. Whatever happens, happens in the long run. But I know as long as I’m with the Hawks, I have to put my best foot forward.”

This season Smith is averaging 17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals. No other player in the league can match those numbers across all categories. It’s that all-around productivity that makes the Hawks reluctant to part with Smith.

Smith’s value as a defender at the basket becomes obvious when Hawks opponents drive to rim when Smith goes to the bench.

“People look at the offensive end but defensively he changes the game,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said recently. “He is one of the few players I think that can play a defensive game and impact the game even if his offense is not on that night.”

The main knock on Smith’s game is his shooting.

After making 39 percent of his long two-point shots last season, a mark that was right at the league average, Smith is making just 31 percent of those attempts this season while attempting nearly two more per game. However, he’s attempting more shots per game at the basket and fewer 3-pointers than last season and his free-throw rate is up slightly.

Smith’s free-throw percentage has plummeted to a career-low 57.7 percent this season after he made a career-high 72.5 percent in 2010-11. His free-throw percentage has improved over the last 20 games or so.

Smith said he’s improved his free-throw shooting by taking his time at the line and expects his jump shots to start falling more often as the season goes on.

“It’s a long season but it came to you real quick,” he said. “They are throwing games at us left and right. If you look around the league most people’s percentages are down more so than usual.”

Smith’s emotional demeanor on the court has drawn fire from critics and has caused friction with teammates at times. But Jerry Stackhouse , an Atlanta resident who had developed a relationship with Smith before joining the Hawks this season, said Smith has grown in that area and Smith’s ability makes it difficult for the Hawks to trade him.

“His talent, that’s what you can’t give up on with Josh,” Stackhouse said. “It’s easy to say, ‘All right, let’s just move him.’ And then he goes and clicks at the next stop and you’ve got to look at that every night and you had it in house. That’s kind of the dilemma with Josh. You know you are going to get some uneasy moments from time to time but, for the most part, he’s really about winning. He wants to win. He’s competitive. I relate to that.

“How he handles his emotions and frustrations, sometimes he rubs people the wrong way and bruises them. But I think he’s happy-go-lucky. He thinks, ‘It was just heat of the moment’ and we can move on from it but he can bruise people. I think he’s learning that. He is learning to control his emotions a little better and it’s good for our team. The better Josh Smith is, the better the Atlanta Hawks are.”

Smith said his emotion fuels his performance but he’s made an effort to tone it down in the past couple seasons. He said he’s especially done so this year as injuries to Al Horford and Joe Johnson have increased the team’s reliance on him.

“I’m definitely an emotional player but I’m kind of bottling it up, understanding the importance of what my team needs and just trying to stay positive and have constructive criticism when possible,” he said. “Now I’m at the point of my career where I can voice my opinion a little bit more and it will be recognized more than back in the day [when] it got drowned out more so than anything else.

“[Teammates] know that I have good intentions, no matter how it’s delivered. I am saying stuff because I want to win games. It’s not nothing personal or to try to hurt or bash any one of my teammates or anyone else.”



http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2012/03/0...id=blogs_hawks

[Monta Ellis #11]

Doc Rivers doesn't expect big trade


Celtics coach Doc Rivers told Boston sports radio station WEEI on Thursday morning that while he and president of basketball operations Danny Ainge talk about possible deals, he doesn't see a blockbuster in his team's future before the March 15 trade deadline.

"I don't expect anything big to come down and I wouldn't be shocked if nothing came down," Rivers told WEEI.

Later Thursday morning, in an interview on ESPN Radio, Rivers talked about the flexibility the team will have after this season.

"We are going to make changes," Rivers told Colin Cowherd on "The Herd." "I don't think we have to make them this trade deadline. We saw this coming. Danny Ainge is a great GM and we all saw it coming. We know this summer we'll be able to get under the cap, we'll be able to do a lot of moves. This could be one of the best drafts of the last 10-15 years. There's time.

"When you look at Miami, you say 'Whoa, they're an amazing basketball team.' Are they beatable? We'll find out when the playoffs start."


http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/...s-make-changes

[Monta Ellis #11]

Postups: Free-agent frenzy, or lack thereof, all hangs on Howard

With seven days to go before the trade deadline, either this is the calm before the storm or there simply won't be a storm this year. NBA team executives are torn over what kind of frenzy the March 15 deadline will bring.

"It's all over the map," said one team executive who believes that all but the best of the best -- the Bulls, the Heat and the Thunder -- will seriously pursue trades, but perhaps only six or fewer teams actually will make one.

The obvious impediment to significant deals getting done is the uncertainty over Orlando's decision with Dwight Howard. Teams that are involved in, or on the periphery of the Howard sweepstakes, are reluctant to get involved in other deals until the Magic decide whether they're trading their franchise center in the next seven days or not.
The stalemate between Howard (who has not committed to staying in Orlando beyond this season), and the Magic (who are insisting on trying to hold onto him) has paralyzed the teams on Howard's list of preferred destinations (the Nets, Lakers and Mavericks) while also preventing other dominoes from tumbling.

The other factors are not Howard-related. For one, a significant number of teams are reluctant to take on future salary in anticipation of a more punitive luxury-tax system on the horizon. Even the perennially money-printing Lakers, with their gazillion-dollar regional TV deal, are said to be hesitant to take on money -- even if it means placating Kobe Bryant and helping him win his sixth championship.

For teams on the cusp of playoff contention, the motivation to roll the dice and acquire a high-priced veteran at the deadline is diminished by a well-stocked draft approaching in June. Also, the presence of the amnesty clause has placed a significant chilling effect on the perennial instinct of non-playoff teams to unload bad contracts. Those that haven't used their get-out-of-jail-free card yet can look forward to erasing an undesirable contract via amnesty in the offseason.

"Teams are really reluctant to do anything that's going to cost them anything beyond this year," one executive said.

So as the Dwight turns, along with other factors, this week's Postups focus on trade talk around the league based on conversations with team executives, agents and others in the know:

• The Celtics are prepared to entertain offers for Paul Pierce, whose subtraction from the Boston core would be the most advantageous to the post-Big Three rebuilding effort given his age (34) and the $32 million he's owed over the next two seasons. And for those same reasons, he'll be the most difficult of Boston's top four players to move. The Clippers, indeed, have interest in Ray Allen, but little in the way of movable salary to make a deal work. Rival executives believe Celtics president Danny Ainge would have to be blown away by an offer to move point guard Rajon Rondo.

• The Trail Blazers have been among the most active teams, seeking to move Jamal Crawford and acquire a big man -- either in the same or separate deals. The asking price for Crawford, however, includes a first-round pick in addition to Luke Ridnour (Timberwolves) or Eric Bledsoe (Clippers). Depending on what point guard the Blazers can bring back in a deal, they'd also be in a position to put Raymond Felton out of his misery. Felton's up-tempo style and Nate McMillan's deliberate offense clearly are not fitting together. "They've got to make major changes," one executive said.

• The Hawks won't find a taker for Joe Johnson and the $90 million he has coming to him over the next four years, but rival executives believe Kirk Hinrich could be on the move -- perhaps filling the gaping two-guard hole on the Clippers. That depends on the asking price, as the Clips' assets were diminished in the Chris Paul trade. Execs are torn on what strategy Atlanta ownership will pursue after the sale of the team fell through in November. With a healthy Al Horford, the Hawks almost certainly would be the third-best team in the East. But at some point down the road, a league source said, ownership may "keep Horford and try to dump the rest."

• Flush with cap space and flexibility, the Cavaliers have been actively expressing a willingness to take on money for the right assets. Cleveland already is loaded with draft picks (two first-round picks in each of the next two drafts) and has a valuable commodity in Antawn Jamison -- a veteran stretch forward with an expiring contract. The problem is, contending teams that would be the best fit for Jamison -- such as Orlando or Boston -- don't have room for his $15.1 million salary or pieces they're interested in moving to make a trade work under cap rules.

• The Rockets and Warriors continue to be open to landing Howard in a rental deal, hoping they could persuade the All-Star center to stay beyond the six-week finale to the season. Houston, whose acquisition of Pau Gasol in the ill-fated trade that would've sent Chris Paul to the Lakers, also remains in hot pursuit of the Spaniard, sources say. So are the Timberwolves, who would like to pair Gasol with Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio. The Lakers, however, are unwilling to trade Gasol unless they get a comparable All-Star in return -- preferably one who could provide the guard penetration they're so sorely lacking.

• The Bucks have fielded what one source described as an "amazing" number of inquiries about Stephen Jackson, who has clashed with coach Scott Skiles. But the offers for Jackson, owed $10.1 million next season, have included Milwaukee being asked to take on future salary or include another player or draft pick to sweeten the deal. "It's going to be hard to move him by himself," the source said.

• It's no secret that Minnesota is likely to trade Michael Beasley, with the most interested potential suitors being the Boston, the Lakers and Orlando. The Magic are pursuing multiple avenues in an attempt to improve the team in the hopes that a long playoff run could persuade Howard to stay. If Orlando holds off on trading Howard at the deadline, sources say Beasley could be a viable piece for the Nets to add as they try to upgrade their talent to make the team more attractive to Howard and Deron Williams.

• Steve Nash is said to be "pretty content" with staying with the Suns, but that's more due to his personality and "not wanting to be the bad guy" than his belief that he can finish his career on a winning note there, a person connected to the point guard said. "He'd like to go and win," the person said, "but he's not prepared to play the Carmelo [Anthony] card." It is believed that the Suns would respectfully try to honor a trade request if Nash made one, but it's not his style to ask out and he feels tremendous loyalty toward the organization.

• Teams are slowly beginning to take advantage of a provision in the new collective bargaining agreement allowing veteran players to be sent to the D-League with the union's consent. Besides Lamar Odom's ill-fated assignment to the Texas Legends, which ended before Odom played a game, the Clippers (Eric Bledsoe to Bakersfield), Spurs (Gary Neal to Austin) and Mavs (Yi Jianlian to Texas) have used the new provision for injury rehab. As long as teams don't use it as a punitive measure, the players and NBA teams benefit because the player gets to regain his health and knock off rust in an environment where the affiliate team's offensive and defensive systems are comparable. In addition, it helps the D-League generate interest and sell tickets for games involving known NBA veterans. Among currently injured players, Manu Ginobili (Spurs) and Brook Lopez (Nets) could benefit from a D-League stint in the coming weeks. All of this is a small step, but an important one toward NBA teams using the D-League as a legitimate minor league feeder system instead of a separate entity.


http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/1...angs-on-howard

[Monta Ellis #11]

Anthony’s return to Knicks has hurt team, Lin


MILWAUKEE — Carmelo Anthony has a long way to go before ever receiving the compliment Mike D’Antoni bestowed recently on Tyson Chandler as the Knicks' “most irreplaceable player.’’

On the flip side, Anthony has looked more like their most replaceable player.

It showed in San Antonio on Wednesday when the Knicks looked like all the other defense-poor teams of years past without Chandler.

In games Anthony has played this season, discounting the first five minutes of the Utah win, the Knicks are 11-17. When Anthony has been out, the Knicks are 7-4.

The Knicks limp into Milwaukee tonight on a three-game losing streak, clinging to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference at 18-21. Once the NBA’s Linderella story, Anthony’s Knicks have sunk back to mediocrity and likely face an 0-4 road trip if Chandler (hamstring, wrist) is out again tonight. The center is listed as questionable.

As feared, The Melo Effect has spoiled Linsanity.

D’Antoni has allowed the offense to revert to Anthony’s liking, where he controlled the flow in San Antonio with 24 shot attempts. Point guard Jeremy Lin did not make an impact as Anthony became chief decision-maker. Anthony’s lack of defensive instincts is also contributing to the losing as the club plays with less spirit on that end.

With the NBA trade deadline Thursday, the Knicks don’t need to add another player to their overcrowded rotation, but they could use a chemistry kit for D’Antoni.

If the Anthony/Lin combo doesn’t click into victories, owner James Dolan will have to sort out the Lin-Anthony-D’Antoni triangle this summer. Dolan will have to decide whether to seek trade offers for Anthony or just get rid of D’Antoni while figuring out if Lin, a free agent, is the starting point guard of the future or a product of D’Antoni’s speedball offense. It has become clear Anthony doesn’t agree with D’Antoni’s system and it’s become clearer D’Antoni is afraid of criticizing Anthony.

Dolan is not on the road trip, but Hank Ratner, the Garden’s CEO, and arena president Scott O’Neill were there when Anthony pouted after his six-point dud in Dallas. Ratner has more influence on Dolan than anyone in the organization.

Since Anthony’s return from a groin injury, the Knicks are 2-5. That came on the heels of the Knicks’ 8-1 surge that sent Lin onto the cover of Sports Illustrated two straight weeks.

D’Antoni talked out of both sides of his mouth Wednesday. One moment he preached a balanced attack with Lin making the decisions. The next moment, he suggested the Knicks need to find a way to get Anthony the most shots and points.

After the San Antonio loss, Amar’e Stoudemire sounded as if he was transported back to the losing ways of January when he spoke about spacing and ball movement.

“You watch San Antonio,” Stoudemire said. “They don’t have nearly enough talent to compete with us. Our talent level, personnel, is off the charts. But what they do well is they keep the floor spaced and make sure those guys execute the plays. That’s something we’ve got to do, keep the floor spaced and keep the ball moving and get everyone involved.’’

The biggest problem with Anthony is his belief the Knicks can’t win unless the ball is going through him. He complained about the adjustment of “waiting for the ball’’ in the Lin-directed offense. His increased lecturing of Lin on the court appears counter-productive. It has made Lin tentative and deferential.

After the San Antonio loss, Anthony was asked about his oncourt conversations with Lin and said he was just trying to “keep his confidence at a high level.’’

“My message to him is don’t try to put it all on your shoulders,’’ Anthony said. “It’s a learning process. It’s new for him. It’s new for us having him out there, too. We’re in this together.”

D’Antoni seems powerless in trying to get the best out of Lin while keeping Anthony happy.

“The team’s complexion did change in his absence,” D’Antoni said. “And you have to work through that. But there’s no reason why it can’t coexist. We just got to find that right balance of everybody getting into their spots. Just everybody’s got to be a little patient.’’

Anthony said D’Antoni will figure out how to blend his talents with Lin’s.

“It’s going to happen,’’ he said. “I’m not concerned about that. I believe in Coach and how smart he is as coach.’’


http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knick...QtswmbCCBWpO9I

[Monta Ellis #11]

Wizards might trade you McGee… if you take Blatche, too


There’s a lot of “we’ll give you the good if you take the bad with it” trade scenarios going around out there. You want Dwight Howard you have to take Hedo Turkoglu and his ugly contract as well. If you want Andrew Bogut you have to take Stephen Jackson on too.

Now we may have the ultimate, thanks to the fine folks with the Washington Wizards. Via Marc Stein at ESPN.

"The Wiz have been shopping Andray Blatche for months with no luck in hopes of truly changing the team culture around prized youngsters John Wall and Jan Vesely. But sources say the Wiz are now weighing whether it’s time to finally surrender JaVale McGee — who for all his potential still routinely finds himself at the heart of Washington’s ongoing turbulence — on the condition that his new team take Blatche as well."

If the Wizards can find someone that would take on the two head cases and wasted potential that is McGee and Blatche in one deal they should win executive of the year going away. However it may take hypnosis or worse to get any other GM to say yes to a deal like that.


http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...e-too/related/