- Nov 22, 2006
- 9,086
- 11
He doesn't fit the triangle though.
Offical 2009-10 NBA Season Thread
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by mateen cleaves,
- Start date
- Dec 10, 2008
- 11,385
- 31
He can't shoot
- May 5, 2009
- 12,536
- 39
let me rephrase this
pick up miller cut sasha!
pick up miller cut sasha!
http:// [h3][/h3]
http:// [h3]Could Wiz become free-agent players?[/h3]
2:17PM ET
[h5]Washington Wizards[/h5]
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Currently, the Wizards are on the hook for around a $53 million payroll next season, meaning they'll be at the high end of the salary cap, which is expected to be around $50.4 million to $53.6 million next year.
Right now, they aren't among the seven teams with money to go after the big-name free agents this summer. But could that change?
If the Wizard void Gilbert Arenas' contract, that's a staggering $17 million off their books next season. Add in a potential trade of Antawn Jamison to Cleveland in exchange for Zydrunas Ilgauskas expiring contract, and perhaps even Caron Butler getting dealt for some ECs, and the Wizard suddenly could have some cash to spend come this summer.
http:// [h3]If Smith's out, who's in?[/h3]
1:52PM ET
[h5]Josh Smith | Hawks[/h5]
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Despite pleas from Hawks great Dominique Wilkins, it doesn't seem like Josh Smith has much interest in this year's dunk contest.
"I just haven't had the interest of doing it," Smith told FanHouse. "I'm kind of past that at this stage of my career."
So if Smith's out, who's in? Well, not Dwight Howard or Nate Robinson, as they've both declared they're done. LeBron James said he was in during last year's competition, but he's since gone back on that stance.
Shannon Brown has thrown down some silly dunks this year, and should garner some consideration. And a rookie, such as Toronto's DeMar DeRozan, could also get the nod.
http:// [h3]Knicks after Mickeal?[/h3]
12:36PM ET
[h5]New York Knicks[/h5]
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According to FC Barcelona forward and former NBA player Pete Mickeal on his blog, the Knicks have inquired about him.
"I was very surprised to hear this week that the Knicks have inquired about my situation with FC Barcelona," he writes. "Or maybe not so much. I go way back with the Knicks."
The inquiry doesn't make much sense, because the Knicks are maxed out at a 15-man roster right now. But as Alan Hahn of Newsday notes, the NBA will eventually rule on the removal of Cuttino Mobley from their roster, as he's now retired.
Thus, an open roster spot would be there for Mickeal. He's a small forward, so he may come in and play behind Danilo Gallinari in the rotation.
http:// [h3]Johnson's options[/h3]
12:07PM ET
[h5]Joe Johnson | Hawks[/h5]
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[h5]Possible Johnson destinations[/h5]
Joe Johnson, one of this summer's biggest names in the free-agent market, told FanHouse before last night's game against the Nets that he wants to play for a winner.
So don't count New Jersey as a possible destination for Johnson.
"It matters, man," Johnson told FanHouse. "It matters. A lot comes into play. Nobody wants to go to a tough team. But you've got to keep everybody in consideration."
Though Atlanta has struggled a little lately, Johnson certainly can count his current squad as a winner, and it's possible he'll re-up with the Hawks this offseason. But there are also a few other teams with cap space that could attract Johnson, teams his presence could make into winners.
http:// [h3]Fines coming for Wizards?[/h3]
11:40AM ET
[h5]Washington Wizards[/h5]
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For their participation in Gilbert Arenas' finger-pistol salute before the Wizards' win over the 76ers on Tuesday night, fines might be coming for the host of Wizards players who participated in the stunt.
"One source with knowledge of the Wizards' thinking said Arenas' teammates who joined in pre-game gun simulation vs. Philly have told they'll be fined," tweets ESPN's Marc Stein.
http:// [h3]Crittenton suspension coming as well?[/h3]
11:23AM ET
[h5]Javaris Crittenton | Wizards[/h5]
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According to two eye witness reports of the locker room gun incident between Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton speaking to Mike Wise of the Washington Post, after Arenas laid out his guns in front of Crittenton's locker, he responded "by brandishing his own firearm, loading the gun and chambering a round."
Wise also reports that Arenas talked about this during his interview with police and federal prosecutors Monday, though he initially tried to cover for Crittenton. Wise notes Crittenton's gun was never found, so it might be hard to have a case against him.
But with a severe suspension likely on the way for Arenas after the investigation is over, it's no stretch to say Crittenton's alleged actions might also warrant him a suspension as well.
http:// [h3]Bosh in play for Chicago?[/h3]
11:09AM ET
[h5]Chris Bosh | Raptors[/h5]
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According to Boers and Bernstein, an afternoon radio program on 670 The Score in Chicago, a trade shipping Chris Bosh to the Bulls for Kirk Hinrich, Tyrus Thomas and at least a draft pick is "something that is out there as a possibility".
This would obviously be a huge coup for Chicago. With Bosh and Joakim Noah in the frontcourt, the team becomes a rebounding force, as both rank in the top five in the league in rebounding. Bosh will make an anemic offense better, and the Bulls' defensive efficiency -- which is a solid 10th in the league right now -- likely gets a boost as well.
The danger here for Chicago is if Bosh decides to walk in free agency this summer instead of signing with the Bulls, possibly to a team like Miami. But if the Bulls can lock Bosh up long-term, something they'll have money to do this offseason, this team becomes a lot more relevant in the East going forward.
We checked in with ESPN the Magazine's Ric Bucher for his take.
[h5]Ric Bucher[/h5]
Thomas fits, but Hinrich?
http:// [h3]Billups fit, what about Melo?[/h3]
10:52AM ET
[h5]Denver Nuggets[/h5]
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Chauncey Billups has missed eight of the past nine games with a sore groin. Billups told The Denver Post Wednesday that he's well enough now and he'll play Friday against the Cavs.
Carmelo Anthony has missed three consecutive games with a bruised right knee and it's still unclear whether he will play when the Nuggets face LeBron James.
http:// [h3]NBA had Arenas' photo removed[/h3]
10:43AM ET
[h5]Gilbert Arenas | Wizards[/h5]
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The photo of Gilbert Arenas pretending to shoot his teammates during the announcement of the starting lineups in Philadelphia was removed by Getty Images archives Wednesday at the request of the NBA.
"The image was pulled from our site because of the NBA," Getty official Cynthia Edorh told The Washington Post. "Legally, the NBA has the right to pull any of their images as part of the contract with Getty."
Getty's asked the NBA to change its decision and the photo was eventually restored to the archive.
Tim Frank told the newspaper: "It was taken down because we thought the actions depicted in the photo were insensitive given the circumstances. Upon the request of news organizations, we made the photo available for their editorial use and it will remain available."
http:// [h3]Will Ford ask for a trade?[/h3]
10:37AM ET
[h5]T.J. Ford | Pacers[/h5]
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T.J. Ford has been demoted from a starter to the third-string point guard recently, but he won't ask for a trade.
"I've never requested a trade, and I won't request a trade," Ford told The Indianapolis Star Wednesday. "It's my job to come out and do what they pay me to do. Right now it's limited, but it doesn't stop me from continuing to improve myself and my game."
Ford is making $8.5 million this season and has a $8.5 million player option for next season, which he'll pick up.
"I think we could all do things different and better," Ford said. "Fortunately I think both parties hate that it came down to this. I think there's a better light at the end of tunnel. I think for me, it's keeping my spirits high, continue to smile. I just try to be the same person and not let these things affect me."
http:// [h3]No target date for Griffin?[/h3]
10:36AM ET
[h5]Blake Griffin | Clippers[/h5]
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There was a report Wednesday that the Los Angeles Clippers had targeted Jan. 20 as the day Blake Griffin would finally play. The Clippers say the report is false and that no date has been picked.
"We have no target date," the team said in a statement. "The final stages of this process are yet to unfold, and it's not possible for anyone to predict its precise outcome."
Clippers general manager/head coach Mike Dunleavy told the Los Angeles Times that the date was "the first we've heard of it" and that a Jan. 20 debut "seems pretty optimistic."
http:// [h3]Jamison to Cavs more likely now?[/h3]
10:32AM ET
[h5]Antawn Jamison | Wizards[/h5]
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There has been a lot of talk that the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make a big trade if they want to have a legit shot at a championship. The scribes in Cleveland are all over the idea of bringing in Antawn Jamison, especially in the wake of Gilbert Arenas' suspension.
Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon-Journal writes: "Jamison is a man that might help bring Cleveland its first championship in a major sport since the 1964 Browns. Moreover, there seems to be a reasonable chance that the Wizards would be willing to send him to the Cavs before the February trading deadline. Not only is Jamison apparently available, but he also might be the ideal addition to the Cavs, that is, a power forward who scores from inside and out and rebounds."
Brian Windhorst of The Plain Dealer writes: "The Wizards now owe it Antawn Jamison to trade him and give him a chance with another team. ... Could Jamison end up in Cleveland in the type of power-shifting midseason All-Star trade like the one that sent Rasheed Wallace to Detroit in 2004 and Pau Gasol to the Lakers two years ago? It looks like a stronger possibility now than ever."
http:// [h3]Magic missing a fiery guy?[/h3]
10:25AM ET
[h5]Orlando Magic[/h5]
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The Magic have been struggling lately. A reporter asked Dwight Howard last night if the Magic need a fiery guy out on the court.
"Have you seen anybody be fiery since you've been here?" Howard asked. "We don't play like that. We go out there and just fight hard."
"Whether we need that or not, I don't know but I know that's something that you can't contrive," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel. "You can't make that up. People are who they are. It's never been a real vocal group of people. That's pretty much been me."
http:// [h3]Short-term injury?[/h3]
10:24AM ET
[h5]Deron Williams | Jazz[/h5]
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Deron Williams missed last night's game with a bruised and sprained right wrist, but he doesn't envision being out that long.
"It's one of those things where overnight it just stiffens up, tightens up, starts hurting a little bit more," Williams told The Salt Lake Tribune. "I don't think it's going to be something serious," Williams said. "It's just real sore right now and it's on my shooting hand, so I can't really follow through or do a dribbling motion, which is important."
http:// [h3]Jackson doesn't want to be a GM?[/h3]
10:00AM ET
[h5]Phil Jackson | Lakers[/h5]
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Lakers head coach Phil Jackson isn't sure if he'll return to the bench next season, but one place he won't go is the front office.
"I'm just thankful I've never had to do that," Jackson told the Los Angeles Times. "No interest. I don't want to deal with agents. I don't want to have to lie. You have to do a little bit of negotiating with truth a lot of times in that situation."
http:// [h3]Mayo didn't take money or gifts?[/h3]
9:52AM ET
[h5]O.J. Mayo | Grizzlies[/h5]
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On Sunday USC announced self-imposed sanctions on the men's basketball program, citing rules violations involving O.J. Mayo and Rodney Guillory.
USC believes Guillory received money from an agent and then gave some of it and other gifts to Mayo. A friend of Mayo's says he was unaware of the cash payments.
"O.J. Mayo was totally in the dark about anything happening inappropriately at USC," LaPoe Smith told the Los Angeles Times. "He always wanted to go to USC, and it had nothing to do with Rodney Guillory. ... O.J. just wanted to come to California, and whatever Rodney did to manipulate the situation he did on his own."
http:// [h3]Quick healer?[/h3]
9:29AM ET
[h5]Marquis Daniels | Celtics[/h5]
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Marquis Daniels had a new cast put on his surgically repaired left thumb Tuesday. The general opinion was that he would come back after the All-Star break, but he might return sooner.
"Maybe before then. It all depends. When I go back and get this removed again, I hope everything will be good. ... It's healing really good," Daniels told the Boston Herald
http:// [h3]Will C's bring back Hudson?[/h3]
9:23AM ET
[h5]Lester Hudson | Celtics[/h5]
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The http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bosBoston Celtics waived http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3996Lester Hudson Wednesday. President of basketball operations http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3622Danny Ainge says they could sign him to a 10-day contract once he clears waivers on Friday, or they could leave the 15th spot on the roster open.
"This just gives us a roster spot that we don't feel we need to use right now," Ainge told the Boston Herald. "We do save some money with this, but that wasn't why we did it."
http:// [h3]Is Chalmers a combo guard?[/h3]
8:31AM ET
[h5]Mario Chalmers | Heat[/h5]
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Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel was asked if the Heat should look at Mario Chalmers as a one-two (combo guard), rather than a pure one (point guard).
Winderman responded: "That's actually not a bad thought, since that is what Mario is. The issue is that the Heat has spent these past two seasons trying to sell Mario as somewhat of its point guard of the future, and as a starter. But, yes, with Daequan Cook having gone south, there is something to your notion. Then again, with Dwyane Wade playing so much point, the Heat's other guard essentially is a combo guard, anyway. The story now is whether Mario still is viewed as a significant part of the team's future. In the preseason, Pat Riley said he would not add a veteran to inhibit Mario's growth. Now he has brought in two, when counting Carlos Arroyo and, soon, Rafer Alston."
http:// [h3]Yi hurting Lopez's development?[/h3]
7:41AM ET
[h5]Brook Lopez | Nets[/h5]
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Has the return of Yi Jianlian affected Brook Lopez? Dave D'Alessandro of The Star-Ledger writes that "the Nets are starting to neglect his development for the purpose of getting Yi Jianlian going" and Lopez agrees with the assessment.
"Yeah, I think it's just been a tough adjustment having another post guy out there -- reading when and where he is, and where I need to be, I guess," Lopez said.
"I talked to Roy Rogers," the assistant coach, Lopez said after a laugh. "He just said stay aggressive and post earlier. I don't know what else to say about it."
http:// [h3]What direction will the Hawks go?[/h3]
7:25AM ET
[h5]Mike Woodson | Hawks[/h5]
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The Hawks roster stands at 12 after waiving Othello Hunter on Tuesday. They must add another player, but head coach Mike Woodson doesn't care who they bring in. The Hawks will watch D-League games and check the waiver wire for options.
"We've got two or three weeks to play it out and see what direction we decide we want to go," he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
http:// [h3]Will the Blazers make a trade?[/h3]
6:16AM ET
[h5]Portland Trail Blazers[/h5]
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The Blazers need help at center since http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3225Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla have been lost for the season, but general manager http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2710Kevin Pritchard at this time is unwilling to trade http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3204Rudy Fernandez, http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2015Travis Outlaw, or http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=557Andre Miller.
"You look at the long-term picture -- and we always have -- we don't want to give up on our future," Pritchard told The Portland Tribune. "We feel like it's pretty good."
"I like the way our guys are stepping up. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=4008Jeff Pendergraph has done a good job, and http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3974Dante Cunningham is in there competing. We're playing hard. We know we're undermanned right now, but guys are sort of embracing that. ... You never want to be in a position where you have to make a trade. You do a deal when it's a win-win situation. We'll look at that. We've never been opposed to it. But it has to be right for us."
http:// [h3]Fracture won't sideline Deng?[/h3]
5:07AM ET
[h5]Luol Deng | Bulls[/h5]
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Luol Deng fractured his left thumb on Dec. 21. The injured thumb is affecting his shooting, but he's says he won't miss any games.
"The injury is affecting me a lot, mostly my shot and dribbling, and there are times I've thought about not playing," Deng told Chicago Tribune. "It's tough. I'm catching passes without using my thumb and then when I'm shooting, it's almost like an adjustment with my form because my guide hand is affected. I can't do now what I was doing at the start of the year. But I've been playing and we've been winning a little more. So I just help where I can, even though there are rebounds where sometimes I don't go for them because of my thumb."
"Last year when I was sitting (with a stress fracture in my right tibia), I made a commitment to play all 82 games this season," Deng said. "Even though it wasn't my fault last year, I didn't want anyone to say anything about me being soft anymore. That's why I don't want to take any game off all year. I just want to do my job."
http:// [h3]Alexander set to practice[/h3]
4:40AM ET
[h5]Joe Alexander | Bucks[/h5]
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Joe Alexander has been sidelined all season with a strained right hamstring. The Journal Sentinel reports he'll finally practice today, which will include doing some contact drills.
"I don't make unrealistic expectations for myself," Alexander said Wednesday. "That's just going to set me back. What I am actually able to do is contribute at least a little bit, at least enough where coach will be able to say, 'I might be able to use Joe a little this game.' That's all I'm looking to do, really. I just hope to be another piece to the puzzle that he can use."
Alexander, who will be an unrestricted free agent in July, wants to show he belongs in the league.
"It will mean everything to me," he said of the initial step of practicing against his teammates. "It's being in the NBA again. I felt like I haven't played in so long and even when I did play I haven't really established myself at all. I'm really looking forward to playing again."
[h3]Miller back on block?[/h3]
3:31PM ET
[h5]Portland Trail Blazers[/h5]
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Looks like coach Nate McMillian and Andre Miller got in a war of words at practice today.
Part of the exchange, via Brian T. Smith of the Columbian:
Miller loudly disagreed with McMillan, at one point stating, "I ain't going to take this (stuff)."
McMillan later fired back: "You don't play the way we want to play."
Miller, an offseason acquisition by the Blazers, has struggled to find a role with the team at times, further complicated by the fact that Brandon Roy prefers to run with Steve Blake.
In his chat earlier this week, ESPN's Chad Ford noted that if anyone was to get traded from the Blazers, it would be Blake. But Miller's name surfaced in trade rumors earlier this season, and if he's at odds with his coach, he could potentially be back on the block.
http:// [h3]Grizzlies near breaking point?[/h3]
3:23PM ET
[h5]Memphis Grizzlies[/h5]
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Since dropping Allen Iverson, the Grizzlies have arguably been the most surprising team of the year, as they're now 17-17 after starting out the season 3-8.
But their entire starting lineup is nursing injuries. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, O.J. Mayo has a sore hip, Mike Conley has a tender right shoulder, Rudy Gay is still feeling the affects of a sprained right ankle, Marc Gasol has a bruised right elbow and Zach Randolph has a sore right knee.
None of them are expected to miss any time, but if any conditions worsen, the Grizzlies might become shorthanded.
And as ESPN's John Hollinger noted in his chat today, if any one of their top four goes down, it could be tough to eek out the last playoff spot in the West.
[h5]John Hollinger[/h5]
Grizzlies shouldn't trade picks for an expiring contract
http:// [h3]Could Wiz become free-agent players?[/h3]
2:17PM ET
[h5]Washington Wizards[/h5]
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Currently, the Wizards are on the hook for around a $53 million payroll next season, meaning they'll be at the high end of the salary cap, which is expected to be around $50.4 million to $53.6 million next year.
Right now, they aren't among the seven teams with money to go after the big-name free agents this summer. But could that change?
If the Wizard void Gilbert Arenas' contract, that's a staggering $17 million off their books next season. Add in a potential trade of Antawn Jamison to Cleveland in exchange for Zydrunas Ilgauskas expiring contract, and perhaps even Caron Butler getting dealt for some ECs, and the Wizard suddenly could have some cash to spend come this summer.
http:// [h3]If Smith's out, who's in?[/h3]
1:52PM ET
[h5]Josh Smith | Hawks[/h5]
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Despite pleas from Hawks great Dominique Wilkins, it doesn't seem like Josh Smith has much interest in this year's dunk contest.
"I just haven't had the interest of doing it," Smith told FanHouse. "I'm kind of past that at this stage of my career."
So if Smith's out, who's in? Well, not Dwight Howard or Nate Robinson, as they've both declared they're done. LeBron James said he was in during last year's competition, but he's since gone back on that stance.
Shannon Brown has thrown down some silly dunks this year, and should garner some consideration. And a rookie, such as Toronto's DeMar DeRozan, could also get the nod.
http:// [h3]Knicks after Mickeal?[/h3]
12:36PM ET
[h5]New York Knicks[/h5]
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According to FC Barcelona forward and former NBA player Pete Mickeal on his blog, the Knicks have inquired about him.
"I was very surprised to hear this week that the Knicks have inquired about my situation with FC Barcelona," he writes. "Or maybe not so much. I go way back with the Knicks."
The inquiry doesn't make much sense, because the Knicks are maxed out at a 15-man roster right now. But as Alan Hahn of Newsday notes, the NBA will eventually rule on the removal of Cuttino Mobley from their roster, as he's now retired.
Thus, an open roster spot would be there for Mickeal. He's a small forward, so he may come in and play behind Danilo Gallinari in the rotation.
http:// [h3]Johnson's options[/h3]
12:07PM ET
[h5]Joe Johnson | Hawks[/h5]
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[h5]Possible Johnson destinations[/h5]
- Atlanta. His current team is 22-12, young and have entered the discussion of the East's elite.
- Chicago. If Bulls are unable to land Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade or LeBron James, Chicago may come calling.
- New York. If the Knicks can find themselves a legit point guard, Johnson could make a nice shooting pair with Danilo Gallinari on the wing.
Joe Johnson, one of this summer's biggest names in the free-agent market, told FanHouse before last night's game against the Nets that he wants to play for a winner.
So don't count New Jersey as a possible destination for Johnson.
"It matters, man," Johnson told FanHouse. "It matters. A lot comes into play. Nobody wants to go to a tough team. But you've got to keep everybody in consideration."
Though Atlanta has struggled a little lately, Johnson certainly can count his current squad as a winner, and it's possible he'll re-up with the Hawks this offseason. But there are also a few other teams with cap space that could attract Johnson, teams his presence could make into winners.
http:// [h3]Fines coming for Wizards?[/h3]
11:40AM ET
[h5]Washington Wizards[/h5]
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For their participation in Gilbert Arenas' finger-pistol salute before the Wizards' win over the 76ers on Tuesday night, fines might be coming for the host of Wizards players who participated in the stunt.
"One source with knowledge of the Wizards' thinking said Arenas' teammates who joined in pre-game gun simulation vs. Philly have told they'll be fined," tweets ESPN's Marc Stein.
http:// [h3]Crittenton suspension coming as well?[/h3]
11:23AM ET
[h5]Javaris Crittenton | Wizards[/h5]
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According to two eye witness reports of the locker room gun incident between Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton speaking to Mike Wise of the Washington Post, after Arenas laid out his guns in front of Crittenton's locker, he responded "by brandishing his own firearm, loading the gun and chambering a round."
Wise also reports that Arenas talked about this during his interview with police and federal prosecutors Monday, though he initially tried to cover for Crittenton. Wise notes Crittenton's gun was never found, so it might be hard to have a case against him.
But with a severe suspension likely on the way for Arenas after the investigation is over, it's no stretch to say Crittenton's alleged actions might also warrant him a suspension as well.
http:// [h3]Bosh in play for Chicago?[/h3]
11:09AM ET
[h5]Chris Bosh | Raptors[/h5]
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According to Boers and Bernstein, an afternoon radio program on 670 The Score in Chicago, a trade shipping Chris Bosh to the Bulls for Kirk Hinrich, Tyrus Thomas and at least a draft pick is "something that is out there as a possibility".
This would obviously be a huge coup for Chicago. With Bosh and Joakim Noah in the frontcourt, the team becomes a rebounding force, as both rank in the top five in the league in rebounding. Bosh will make an anemic offense better, and the Bulls' defensive efficiency -- which is a solid 10th in the league right now -- likely gets a boost as well.
The danger here for Chicago is if Bosh decides to walk in free agency this summer instead of signing with the Bulls, possibly to a team like Miami. But if the Bulls can lock Bosh up long-term, something they'll have money to do this offseason, this team becomes a lot more relevant in the East going forward.
We checked in with ESPN the Magazine's Ric Bucher for his take.
Thomas fits, but Hinrich?
http:// [h3]Billups fit, what about Melo?[/h3]
10:52AM ET
[h5]Denver Nuggets[/h5]
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Chauncey Billups has missed eight of the past nine games with a sore groin. Billups told The Denver Post Wednesday that he's well enough now and he'll play Friday against the Cavs.
Carmelo Anthony has missed three consecutive games with a bruised right knee and it's still unclear whether he will play when the Nuggets face LeBron James.
http:// [h3]NBA had Arenas' photo removed[/h3]
10:43AM ET
[h5]Gilbert Arenas | Wizards[/h5]
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The photo of Gilbert Arenas pretending to shoot his teammates during the announcement of the starting lineups in Philadelphia was removed by Getty Images archives Wednesday at the request of the NBA.
"The image was pulled from our site because of the NBA," Getty official Cynthia Edorh told The Washington Post. "Legally, the NBA has the right to pull any of their images as part of the contract with Getty."
Getty's asked the NBA to change its decision and the photo was eventually restored to the archive.
Tim Frank told the newspaper: "It was taken down because we thought the actions depicted in the photo were insensitive given the circumstances. Upon the request of news organizations, we made the photo available for their editorial use and it will remain available."
http:// [h3]Will Ford ask for a trade?[/h3]
10:37AM ET
[h5]T.J. Ford | Pacers[/h5]
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T.J. Ford has been demoted from a starter to the third-string point guard recently, but he won't ask for a trade.
"I've never requested a trade, and I won't request a trade," Ford told The Indianapolis Star Wednesday. "It's my job to come out and do what they pay me to do. Right now it's limited, but it doesn't stop me from continuing to improve myself and my game."
Ford is making $8.5 million this season and has a $8.5 million player option for next season, which he'll pick up.
"I think we could all do things different and better," Ford said. "Fortunately I think both parties hate that it came down to this. I think there's a better light at the end of tunnel. I think for me, it's keeping my spirits high, continue to smile. I just try to be the same person and not let these things affect me."
http:// [h3]No target date for Griffin?[/h3]
10:36AM ET
[h5]Blake Griffin | Clippers[/h5]
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There was a report Wednesday that the Los Angeles Clippers had targeted Jan. 20 as the day Blake Griffin would finally play. The Clippers say the report is false and that no date has been picked.
"We have no target date," the team said in a statement. "The final stages of this process are yet to unfold, and it's not possible for anyone to predict its precise outcome."
Clippers general manager/head coach Mike Dunleavy told the Los Angeles Times that the date was "the first we've heard of it" and that a Jan. 20 debut "seems pretty optimistic."
http:// [h3]Jamison to Cavs more likely now?[/h3]
10:32AM ET
[h5]Antawn Jamison | Wizards[/h5]
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There has been a lot of talk that the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make a big trade if they want to have a legit shot at a championship. The scribes in Cleveland are all over the idea of bringing in Antawn Jamison, especially in the wake of Gilbert Arenas' suspension.
Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon-Journal writes: "Jamison is a man that might help bring Cleveland its first championship in a major sport since the 1964 Browns. Moreover, there seems to be a reasonable chance that the Wizards would be willing to send him to the Cavs before the February trading deadline. Not only is Jamison apparently available, but he also might be the ideal addition to the Cavs, that is, a power forward who scores from inside and out and rebounds."
Brian Windhorst of The Plain Dealer writes: "The Wizards now owe it Antawn Jamison to trade him and give him a chance with another team. ... Could Jamison end up in Cleveland in the type of power-shifting midseason All-Star trade like the one that sent Rasheed Wallace to Detroit in 2004 and Pau Gasol to the Lakers two years ago? It looks like a stronger possibility now than ever."
http:// [h3]Magic missing a fiery guy?[/h3]
10:25AM ET
[h5]Orlando Magic[/h5]
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The Magic have been struggling lately. A reporter asked Dwight Howard last night if the Magic need a fiery guy out on the court.
"Have you seen anybody be fiery since you've been here?" Howard asked. "We don't play like that. We go out there and just fight hard."
"Whether we need that or not, I don't know but I know that's something that you can't contrive," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel. "You can't make that up. People are who they are. It's never been a real vocal group of people. That's pretty much been me."
http:// [h3]Short-term injury?[/h3]
10:24AM ET
[h5]Deron Williams | Jazz[/h5]
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Deron Williams missed last night's game with a bruised and sprained right wrist, but he doesn't envision being out that long.
"It's one of those things where overnight it just stiffens up, tightens up, starts hurting a little bit more," Williams told The Salt Lake Tribune. "I don't think it's going to be something serious," Williams said. "It's just real sore right now and it's on my shooting hand, so I can't really follow through or do a dribbling motion, which is important."
http:// [h3]Jackson doesn't want to be a GM?[/h3]
10:00AM ET
[h5]Phil Jackson | Lakers[/h5]
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Lakers head coach Phil Jackson isn't sure if he'll return to the bench next season, but one place he won't go is the front office.
"I'm just thankful I've never had to do that," Jackson told the Los Angeles Times. "No interest. I don't want to deal with agents. I don't want to have to lie. You have to do a little bit of negotiating with truth a lot of times in that situation."
http:// [h3]Mayo didn't take money or gifts?[/h3]
9:52AM ET
[h5]O.J. Mayo | Grizzlies[/h5]
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On Sunday USC announced self-imposed sanctions on the men's basketball program, citing rules violations involving O.J. Mayo and Rodney Guillory.
USC believes Guillory received money from an agent and then gave some of it and other gifts to Mayo. A friend of Mayo's says he was unaware of the cash payments.
"O.J. Mayo was totally in the dark about anything happening inappropriately at USC," LaPoe Smith told the Los Angeles Times. "He always wanted to go to USC, and it had nothing to do with Rodney Guillory. ... O.J. just wanted to come to California, and whatever Rodney did to manipulate the situation he did on his own."
http:// [h3]Quick healer?[/h3]
9:29AM ET
[h5]Marquis Daniels | Celtics[/h5]
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Marquis Daniels had a new cast put on his surgically repaired left thumb Tuesday. The general opinion was that he would come back after the All-Star break, but he might return sooner.
"Maybe before then. It all depends. When I go back and get this removed again, I hope everything will be good. ... It's healing really good," Daniels told the Boston Herald
http:// [h3]Will C's bring back Hudson?[/h3]
9:23AM ET
[h5]Lester Hudson | Celtics[/h5]
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The http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bosBoston Celtics waived http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3996Lester Hudson Wednesday. President of basketball operations http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3622Danny Ainge says they could sign him to a 10-day contract once he clears waivers on Friday, or they could leave the 15th spot on the roster open.
"This just gives us a roster spot that we don't feel we need to use right now," Ainge told the Boston Herald. "We do save some money with this, but that wasn't why we did it."
http:// [h3]Is Chalmers a combo guard?[/h3]
8:31AM ET
[h5]Mario Chalmers | Heat[/h5]
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Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel was asked if the Heat should look at Mario Chalmers as a one-two (combo guard), rather than a pure one (point guard).
Winderman responded: "That's actually not a bad thought, since that is what Mario is. The issue is that the Heat has spent these past two seasons trying to sell Mario as somewhat of its point guard of the future, and as a starter. But, yes, with Daequan Cook having gone south, there is something to your notion. Then again, with Dwyane Wade playing so much point, the Heat's other guard essentially is a combo guard, anyway. The story now is whether Mario still is viewed as a significant part of the team's future. In the preseason, Pat Riley said he would not add a veteran to inhibit Mario's growth. Now he has brought in two, when counting Carlos Arroyo and, soon, Rafer Alston."
http:// [h3]Yi hurting Lopez's development?[/h3]
7:41AM ET
[h5]Brook Lopez | Nets[/h5]
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Has the return of Yi Jianlian affected Brook Lopez? Dave D'Alessandro of The Star-Ledger writes that "the Nets are starting to neglect his development for the purpose of getting Yi Jianlian going" and Lopez agrees with the assessment.
"Yeah, I think it's just been a tough adjustment having another post guy out there -- reading when and where he is, and where I need to be, I guess," Lopez said.
"I talked to Roy Rogers," the assistant coach, Lopez said after a laugh. "He just said stay aggressive and post earlier. I don't know what else to say about it."
http:// [h3]What direction will the Hawks go?[/h3]
7:25AM ET
[h5]Mike Woodson | Hawks[/h5]
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The Hawks roster stands at 12 after waiving Othello Hunter on Tuesday. They must add another player, but head coach Mike Woodson doesn't care who they bring in. The Hawks will watch D-League games and check the waiver wire for options.
"We've got two or three weeks to play it out and see what direction we decide we want to go," he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
http:// [h3]Will the Blazers make a trade?[/h3]
6:16AM ET
[h5]Portland Trail Blazers[/h5]
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The Blazers need help at center since http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3225Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla have been lost for the season, but general manager http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2710Kevin Pritchard at this time is unwilling to trade http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3204Rudy Fernandez, http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2015Travis Outlaw, or http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=557Andre Miller.
"You look at the long-term picture -- and we always have -- we don't want to give up on our future," Pritchard told The Portland Tribune. "We feel like it's pretty good."
"I like the way our guys are stepping up. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=4008Jeff Pendergraph has done a good job, and http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3974Dante Cunningham is in there competing. We're playing hard. We know we're undermanned right now, but guys are sort of embracing that. ... You never want to be in a position where you have to make a trade. You do a deal when it's a win-win situation. We'll look at that. We've never been opposed to it. But it has to be right for us."
http:// [h3]Fracture won't sideline Deng?[/h3]
5:07AM ET
[h5]Luol Deng | Bulls[/h5]
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Luol Deng fractured his left thumb on Dec. 21. The injured thumb is affecting his shooting, but he's says he won't miss any games.
"The injury is affecting me a lot, mostly my shot and dribbling, and there are times I've thought about not playing," Deng told Chicago Tribune. "It's tough. I'm catching passes without using my thumb and then when I'm shooting, it's almost like an adjustment with my form because my guide hand is affected. I can't do now what I was doing at the start of the year. But I've been playing and we've been winning a little more. So I just help where I can, even though there are rebounds where sometimes I don't go for them because of my thumb."
"Last year when I was sitting (with a stress fracture in my right tibia), I made a commitment to play all 82 games this season," Deng said. "Even though it wasn't my fault last year, I didn't want anyone to say anything about me being soft anymore. That's why I don't want to take any game off all year. I just want to do my job."
http:// [h3]Alexander set to practice[/h3]
4:40AM ET
[h5]Joe Alexander | Bucks[/h5]
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Joe Alexander has been sidelined all season with a strained right hamstring. The Journal Sentinel reports he'll finally practice today, which will include doing some contact drills.
"I don't make unrealistic expectations for myself," Alexander said Wednesday. "That's just going to set me back. What I am actually able to do is contribute at least a little bit, at least enough where coach will be able to say, 'I might be able to use Joe a little this game.' That's all I'm looking to do, really. I just hope to be another piece to the puzzle that he can use."
Alexander, who will be an unrestricted free agent in July, wants to show he belongs in the league.
"It will mean everything to me," he said of the initial step of practicing against his teammates. "It's being in the NBA again. I felt like I haven't played in so long and even when I did play I haven't really established myself at all. I'm really looking forward to playing again."
- May 5, 2009
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why would washington trade jamison to a rival squad?
- Dec 10, 2008
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I can see that, but who will replace him as a big guard. Walton?
- Oct 9, 2008
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Miller
I'm gonna be pissed if he gets traded this fast.... I justgot a free hat signed by him last month.
Miller, Outlaw, a grip of money and a 1st round pick for Granger?
Miller, Outlaw, a grip of money and a 1st round pick for Granger?
- Jun 24, 2005
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Originally Posted by 18key
Miller, Outlaw, a grip of money and a 1st round pick for Granger?
I don't think Indy would want Miller's contract in terms of years.
- May 5, 2009
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walton plays sf...sasha is just a waste of space
miller and sasha basically play the same position
- Aug 12, 2008
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I mean of course Sergio isn't the best player on the Kings. But it so happens that the best players on the Kings happen to have negativeratings too... It happens though with these unique approaches to stats.Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh
Originally Posted by nicedudewithnicedreams
Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh
Marc Gasol is +13
http://basketballvalue.co...r=2009-2010&team=MEM
BTW this is adjusted for your teammates and the competition you face, so bench players don't get an advantage because they play 2nd unit guys.
It's not fool proof, it's noisy so you need a decent sample size before you draw any conclusions, so don't get gassed up about Hasheem Thabeets +9
Sergio is the best player on the Kings!
Who said that? All it means is when Sergio was on the court the kings played better than they usually do, that doesn't mean he is the best.
Sergio a back up point guard who has played limited minutes,the two year rating of basically 0 is probably more accurate, he is an average to slightly above average point gaurd imo.
- Aug 2, 2006
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http://insider.espn.go.co...%26page%3dPERDiem-100107
anybody got this insider article, props in advanced.
anybody got this insider article, props in advanced.
- Dec 10, 2008
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Yeah i know, but LA has to have someone put up some garbage minutes while Kobe is resting. That's why i would say Walton even though he is aSF
- Oct 9, 2008
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Originally Posted by bhzmafia14
Originally Posted by 18key
Miller, Outlaw, a grip of money and a 1st round pick for Granger?
I don't think Indy would want Miller's contract in terms of years.
Yeah I know
D
Deleted member 38182
Guest
Granger injury prone? yes
One Dimension? No. The guy is a very good scorer, knows how to rebound and initiate the offense, plays solid D. Possibly the Pacers' best defender. When Ithink one dimensional I think Kevin Martin.
Sarcasm?Originally Posted by 18key
Miller, Outlaw, a grip of money and a 1st round pick for Granger?
Richard is make %%%@ up.
- Mar 3, 2006
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- Oct 9, 2008
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Complete. I read the article on the last page saying Pritchard wasn't looking to trade Miller or Outlaw, and yeah, made up my fantasy trade.Originally Posted by rck2sactown
Sarcasm?Originally Posted by 18key
Miller, Outlaw, a grip of money and a 1st round pick for Granger?
- Nov 11, 2007
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[h2]Top under-the-radar performers[/h2] [h3]PER Diem: Jan. 7, 2010[/h3]
NBA regular-season games come pretty fast and furious, and in the tumult sometimes we miss a few details. While certain stories race to the forefront (I can think of a current one in D.C., for instance), others get left behind.
That applies to players' performances, as well. Some exploits have leapt to the fore -- many of you, for example, have already read and heard about Gerald Wallace's outsized rebounding exploits this season. But how many of you have noticed what his teammate, Raymond Felton, has been up to?
The same applies in Sacramento, where Tyreke Evans has deservedly become an attention sponge. However, that has soaked up any ink we might have spilled on equally compelling stories about the play of fellow rookie Omri Casspi or the renaissance of Beno Udrih.
That's where I come in. Today I'm presenting my all "under-the-radar" team. This isn't a list of players who are underrated, per se, but those whose performances this particular season aren't receiving nearly enough attention. To use an example from above, Wallace is underrated in the big-picture sense, but has gained plenty of notoriety for his work on the glass in this particular campaign. On the other hand, two perennial All-Stars are plenty famous in the big-picture sense, but strangely unheralded for what they've done this season. They're the first two players on this list, as you might have guessed, and here it is:
Steve Nash, Phoenix
I think most people realize Nash is having a pretty good season, mostly because the Suns are winning. However, very few people realize he's having the best statistical season of his career, even better than his two MVP seasons.
For a 35-year-old point guard, this is simply extraordinary. Nash's shooting percentage (54.3 percent), points and assists per 40 minutes (22.6 and 13.4, respectively) and player efficiency rating (24.64) are all on pace for new career highs. And his true shooting percentage leads all non-centers with at least 100 shot attempts.
Here's another example of how good he's been: You know the 50-40-90 club, for breaking 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent on 3s and 90 percent from the line? Nash is not only on pace for a third straight season in that esteemed group, but also has a chance to create a new one called "55-45-95" -- he's at 54.3-44.1-94.2 right now.
Tim Duncan, San Antonio
Defensively, I'm not sure he's back to being the monster he was. Offensively? He's crushing. Duncan ranks second only to LeBron James in PER -- with a 27.74 mark that exceeds what he did in his two MVP seasons.
Duncan's 55 percent mark from the floor would set a new career high; his 76.4 percent from the line is the best he's done in eight years. He isn't putting up gaudy per-game numbers because he's averaging only 31 minutes a game, but Duncan's renewed vigor is the primary reason behind San Antonio's quiet creep up to second in the Power Rankings.
Carl Landry, Houston
By all rights, Landry should be the runaway winner of this year's Sixth Man Award. He may, in fact, merit a spot on the All-Star team. He's been Houston's stealth go-to guy, averaging a staggering 25.1 points per 40 minutes off the bench and doing it with spectacular efficiency: Landry shoots 54.2 percent from the field and 86.5 percent from the line.
The only thing that might prevent Landry from winning the Sixth Man trophy is if he claims a spot in the starting lineup. The current arrangement limits him to only 26.9 minutes per game, which is a little odd considering he's been far and away the team's best player. One wonders if replacing Luis Scola or Chuck Hayes with Landry might give the Rockets an extra boost of offensive firepower.
Corey Maggette, Golden State
Everyone dumps on the Warriors for the six-year, $48 million deal they gave Maggette in the summer of 2008, but look a little closer: He's been fabulous this season. He's shooting 53.3 percent from the floor after landing in the low-to-mid 40s for most of his career. Combined with his supernatural skill at drawing fouls, the high mark from the floor gives him a 62.9 TS%, placing him among the league's most efficient scorers.
He scores a lot, too -- 26.1 points per 40 minutes -- while his rebound rate is on pace for a new career high. As a result, he quietly ranks fourth among small forwards in PER behind the holy trinity of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony.
And for those of you who complain about the whistles LeBron James and Kobe Bryant get, eat your heart out. I swear to you, nobody gets more superstar calls than Maggette, even though he's nobody's idea of a superstar. It's unbelievable but undeniable once you watch enough Warriors games, and it further pads his astounding free throw totals.
Beno Udrih, Sacramento
Udrih was disastrously bad last season but has been one of the league's most improved players this season. Like a lot of the other players on this list, he's shot the ball much better, hitting 51 percent from the floor and 41.1 percent on 3s. But an equal partner in Udrih's rise has been reducing turnovers. Despite his being mostly a midrange shooter, he had a stubbornly high turnover rate his whole career, losing the trust of coaches in San Antonio and Sacramento.
This season, however, his turnover rate is in single digits for the first time in his career. He's barely there at 9.9, but that number puts him in the top third of point guards and makes it much easier to keep him on the floor for his scoring.
Luke Ridnour, Milwaukee
Brandon Jennings has been only the second-best point guard in Milwaukee this season. Ridnour is having a career season off the bench -- a well-timed one, I might add, since he's a free agent this summer -- and of all the players on this list, he's the one who has exceeded his career norms the most.
Ridnour had never shot better than 41.8 percent from the floor; this season he's at 51.6 percent. He'd made one-third of his career 3-pointers; this season he's at 38.2 percent. He'd barely averaged a point every three minutes for his career; this season it's better than one every two, for a stunning 20.2 per 40 minutes.
Overall, Ridnour's 19.26 PER (sixth among point guards) and pesky perimeter D make him a strong candidate for the Most Improved Player award ... provided anybody notices given all the attention on Jennings' play thus far.
Kevin Love, Minnesota
Love missed the start of the season with a broken bone in his hand, but he's been ridiculously efficient since returning 18 games ago. For starters, he leads all power forwards in rebound rate -- and only Dwight Howard and Greg Oden outrank him leaguewide. Additionally, he's shown himself to be a capable scorer. Love's 19.5 points per 40 minutes make him a solid third option in Minny, especially since he's nearly doubled his assist ratio from last season.
Sum it all up, and his 23.37 PER ranks fourth among power forwards and is just 0.21 from being second. He won't make the All-Star team because his team is bad and his D remains suspect, but at age 21 Love already is an All-Star caliber player.
Andrei Kirilenko, Utah
When focusing on Utah's disappointing results the past two seasons, Kirilenko makes for an easy target. He earns $16.5 million this season and hasn't delivered on his six-year, $86 million deal, operating more as a role player than as a centerpiece. Plus, his lack of fire can be a little disconcerting at times.
That said, he's been the only Utah wing player to do anything of consequence this season. While Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Miles struggle to play decently at either end, Kirilenko is putting together a second straight solid season off the bench. Unlike the other players on this list, Kirilenko's play hasn't been wildly out of line with his career norms. But his minutes have made an impact -- the Jazz are 6.8 points per 100 possessions better with AK-47 on the floor this season, with the entire difference coming at the defensive end.
Raymond Felton, Charlotte
After four years of making virtually no improvement, I had given up on Felton. But out of the blue he's taken a big step forward in Year 5, mostly because he's finally making shots. Felton had been one of the worst finishers in basketball year after year, but this season he's making better decisions at the rim and converting 47.1 percent from the floor.
As a result, his TS% is above 50 for the first time in his career and his PER is above the league average for the first time, as well. Those two firsts may be joined by another come spring -- a first-ever playoff appearance for both Felton and the Bobcats. As with Ridnour, his timing is impeccable since it's a contract year.
Omri Casspi, Sacramento
David Thorpe stole my thunder on this one, but Casspi has been magnificent as a late first-round steal by the Kings. Mainly, the cause has been his unexpectedly spectacular shooting. He's making 47.1 percent of his 3s despite an odd under-the-chin motion, and he's been solid inside the arc as well (49.8 percent from the floor overall), averaging nearly a point every two minutes.
Additionally, he's been gaining steam of late. Casspi has four straight 20-point games and seven in the last month; he's also yanking down nearly eight boards a game in his past seven contests. Thanks to Evans' exploits, Casspi has little chance of winning Rookie of the Year, even if the vote were held in his own locker room. But it's rare to see an import light it up like this in his first year stateside. As with the other players on this list, it's an accomplishment worthy of more attention than it's received.
Wait wait wait......
John Hollinger's all under the radar team's #1 and #2 players are Steve Nash and Tim Duncan?
John Hollinger?
No way.
I'm stunned.
Not buying it.
Whaaaaaat?
This is the same as Bill Simmons MVP ballot being KG, Pierce, RayAllen, Rondo, and Doc Rivers.
Steve Nash and Tim Duncan GOT to be John's sons. Gotta be.
John Hollinger's all under the radar team's #1 and #2 players are Steve Nash and Tim Duncan?
John Hollinger?
No way.
I'm stunned.
Not buying it.
Whaaaaaat?
Steve Nash and Tim Duncan GOT to be John's sons. Gotta be.
- Mar 3, 2006
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Rafer signs with the Heat, officially.
- Sep 1, 2004
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What a moron...
he has a point tho with hedo, the type of role hinrich does for a team Hedo does also
- Dec 5, 2000
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Ehh,
UCLA is probably the worst Love had played his entire life up until that point.
Howlands system =
It did teach him great defense though....although he doesnt block shots he understands positioning on the defensive end and how to make shots tough for hisopponent.
UCLA is probably the worst Love had played his entire life up until that point.
Howlands system =
It did teach him great defense though....although he doesnt block shots he understands positioning on the defensive end and how to make shots tough for hisopponent.
- Mar 3, 2006
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he has a point tho with hedo, the type of role hinrich does for a team Hedo does also
Hedo nor Andrea play a lick of defense, the only resemblance these dudes share is the color of their skin and the ability to shoot the perimeterball, other than that, they are nothing alike. Kirk can provide defense, neither of these two dudes can.
While I say that, I'll wait for OKB to throw some stats at me to prove me wrong.
- Aug 12, 2008
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I hope Kevin Martin proves you wrong. Haha.
- May 4, 2005
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Skip signed with the heat!!! YES! The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed free agent guard Rafer Alston. Per club policy, terms of the deal werenot disclosed. "We are thrilled to have Skip back in a Heat uniform, as he brings another set of skills and experience to the point guard position,"said Heat President Pat Riley. "From his time in Miami, we know both his game and him as a person, and we had a great experience with him in the past. Weare very happy to have Skip back in the HEAT family." Alston, who was placed on waivers by the New Jersey Nets on January 5, has appeared in 27 games (13starts) this season for the Nets. He has averaged 9.7 points, 3.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.00 steals in 28.4 minutes per game.
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