OFFICIAL 2010-2011 NBA PLAYOFFS THREAD : VOL. MOST. ANTICIPATED. PLAYOFFS. EVER?

[JD617]

Why is Kobe reverting back to his chucking ways?


[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][th=""]Usg%[/th][th=""]Season[/th][th=""]Tm[/th][/tr][tr][td]1.[/td][td]Kobe Bryant[/td][td]38.74[/td][td]2005-06[/td][td]LAL[/td][/tr][tr][td]2.[/td][td]Michael Jordan*[/td][td]38.29[/td][td]1986-87[/td][td]CHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]3.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]37.78[/td][td]2001-02[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]4.[/td][td]Dwyane Wade[/td][td]36.22[/td][td]2008-09[/td][td]MIA[/td][/tr][tr][td]5.[/td][td]Michael Jordan*[/td][td]36.00[/td][td]2001-02[/td][td]WAS[/td][/tr][tr][td]6.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]35.92[/td][td]2000-01[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]7.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]35.78[/td][td]2005-06[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]8.[/td][td]Kobe Bryant[/td][td]35.61[/td][td]2010-11[/td][td]LAL[/td][/tr][tr][td]9.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]35.34[/td][td]2003-04[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]10.[/td][td]Tracy McGrady[/td][td]35.24[/td][td]2002-03[/td][td]ORL[/td][/tr][/table]

That's way too high on a team as offensively talented as this year's Lakers.

 

[chester the cheetah]

Kobe.

 

[chester the cheetah]

Kobe.

 

[JD617]

Just saying, 9 out of 10 of those teams were severely limited in talent and needed their star to carry the load. This year's Lakers team sticks out like a sore thumb on that list.

 

[JD617]

Just saying, 9 out of 10 of those teams were severely limited in talent and needed their star to carry the load. This year's Lakers team sticks out like a sore thumb on that list.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Originally Posted by JD617

Why is Kobe reverting back to his chucking ways?


[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][th=""]Usg%[/th][th=""]Season[/th][th=""]Tm[/th][/tr][tr][td]1.[/td][td]Kobe Bryant[/td][td]38.74[/td][td]2005-06[/td][td]LAL[/td][/tr][tr][td]2.[/td][td]Michael Jordan*[/td][td]38.29[/td][td]1986-87[/td][td]CHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]3.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]37.78[/td][td]2001-02[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]4.[/td][td]Dwyane Wade[/td][td]36.22[/td][td]2008-09[/td][td]MIA[/td][/tr][tr][td]5.[/td][td]Michael Jordan*[/td][td]36.00[/td][td]2001-02[/td][td]WAS[/td][/tr][tr][td]6.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]35.92[/td][td]2000-01[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]7.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]35.78[/td][td]2005-06[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]8.[/td][td]Kobe Bryant[/td][td]35.61[/td][td]2010-11[/td][td]LAL[/td][/tr][tr][td]9.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]35.34[/td][td]2003-04[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]10.[/td][td]Tracy McGrady[/td][td]35.24[/td][td]2002-03[/td][td]ORL[/td][/tr][/table]

That's way too high on a team as offensively talented as this year's Lakers.

He's just mad since Pau is the best player on the lakers now.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Originally Posted by JD617

Why is Kobe reverting back to his chucking ways?


[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][th=""]Usg%[/th][th=""]Season[/th][th=""]Tm[/th][/tr][tr][td]1.[/td][td]Kobe Bryant[/td][td]38.74[/td][td]2005-06[/td][td]LAL[/td][/tr][tr][td]2.[/td][td]Michael Jordan*[/td][td]38.29[/td][td]1986-87[/td][td]CHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]3.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]37.78[/td][td]2001-02[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]4.[/td][td]Dwyane Wade[/td][td]36.22[/td][td]2008-09[/td][td]MIA[/td][/tr][tr][td]5.[/td][td]Michael Jordan*[/td][td]36.00[/td][td]2001-02[/td][td]WAS[/td][/tr][tr][td]6.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]35.92[/td][td]2000-01[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]7.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]35.78[/td][td]2005-06[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]8.[/td][td]Kobe Bryant[/td][td]35.61[/td][td]2010-11[/td][td]LAL[/td][/tr][tr][td]9.[/td][td]Allen Iverson[/td][td]35.34[/td][td]2003-04[/td][td]PHI[/td][/tr][tr][td]10.[/td][td]Tracy McGrady[/td][td]35.24[/td][td]2002-03[/td][td]ORL[/td][/tr][/table]

That's way too high on a team as offensively talented as this year's Lakers.

He's just mad since Pau is the best player on the lakers now.

 

[jsindaa]

A clear instance of not watching games smh

 

[jsindaa]

A clear instance of not watching games smh

 

[proshares]

MEMPHIS -- I guess we better hit the panic button. A preseason championship contender has lost three straight and five of its past 10 games, including a loss at the buzzer in Memphis, a home loss to Indiana, and a big blown lead against Utah.

Sound familiar?

Only this isn't Miami we're talking about -- it's the Los Angeles Lakers. And you'll forgive them if they're not exactly flustered by the recent mini-slide, even though they've betrayed some bad habits in the process. Suffice it to say nobody is wondering whether Mitch Kupchak will replace Phil Jackson.

With good reason. Unlike the Heat, the Lakers have been in all 18 games they've played this year, with their greatest defeat coming by a meager six points. Even on Tuesday night, with as many mistakes as they made, they had a chance to win at the buzzer, and lost largely because the Grizzlies were an unsustainable 8-of-12 on 3-pointers.

Throw in injuries to Andrew Bynum and Theo Ratliff and the inevitable grind of the far-flung Western Conference schedule (this trip, for instance, is basically a cross-country jaunt just for a Memphis-Houston back-to-back before returning to Cali on Thursday), and one can understand how L.A. has struggled to maintain the momentum from its 8-0 start.

Jackson, in fact, felt giddy enough pregame on Tuesday to utter a few classic Jackson lines -- saying he wouldn't watch Thursday's Cleveland-Miami game because Cleveland's PA announcer is too loud, and describing the battle between Marc and Pau Gasol as a "mesomorph-ectomorph relationship" (um ... sure, OK).

Nonetheless, the bar is set rather high when you're the two-time defending champion. A 13-5 record sounds great to most teams, but for L.A., being fourth in the Western Conference this "late" in the season grates.

Moreover, Lakers fans who like to worry will find plenty of fodder from this recent stretch, and from the defeat in Memphis in particular.

Four problems stand out from L.A.'s three-game losing streak that bear watching as the season goes on:
[h3]Kobe doing (too much) work[/h3]
Jackson said, "We're talking about playing our system a little more. We've been playing a lot of individual basketball."

And he said it before Tuesday night's game, when Kobe Bryant seemed to respond to a brief Tony Allen cameo a little too personally and threw up a series of wild heaves in the second and third quarters. At one point Kobe missed 11 straight shots, and few of them were quality attempts.

"That's OK when Kobe's going great," said Jackson of the one-on-one play, "but our transition balance isn't there, the offensive rebounding isn't there, those things that are created by playing in a system are missing."

The last three defeats have essentially been offensive losses, with L.A. scoring 96, 92 and 96 points and Bryant (79 shot attempts, 12 assists) having the ball stick in his hands a bit too much. While this creates the inevitable chicken-and-egg question of whether he's forcing it because nobody else is playing with enough energy, or if nobody else has any energy because Kobe is dominating the ball too much, the end result is the same: forced shots and empty trips.
[h3]Forgetting the 7-footer[/h3]
A series of three possessions in the fourth quarter may ultimately have cost L.A. Tuesday night's game. I'm going to highlight this stretch because it's indicative of a larger problem that the Lakers run into periodically: forgetting about Pau Gasol.

In the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies bizarrely kept Marc Gasol on the bench with four fouls (that's a whole other story) and played Hasheem Thabeet on Pau. Thabeet was probably more qualified to do this than you or me, but not by much.

L.A. got Pau Gasol the rock on two straight possessions. On the first, he spun past Thabeet on the baseline and drew a foul; Gasol should have had a 3-point play but blew a left-handed layup. On the next trip, he went to the middle and beat Thabeet just as easily for a basket-and-one.

Want to know what the Lakers did on their next three trips? They shot long jumpers. Pau never touched the ball again against Thabeet. Instead, O.J. Mayo goaded Matt Barnes into taking a J rather than feeding Pau on the block. Empty trip. Lamar Odom launched from 18 feet. Empty trip. Kobe got in on the act by forcing a contested 3 that missed everything. That would have been an empty trip, too, were it not for a bailout 30-footer by Shannon Brown at the shot-clock buzzer.

Brother Marc checked in and the moment passed. L.A. had let Memphis off the hook with a huge mismatch against Gasol, something the Lakers allow to happen entirely too often.
[h3]They can't check quick guards[/h3]
The Achilles heel of L.A.'s defense the past few seasons has been an inability to stop small, quick guards. Derek Fisher and his new backup, Steve Blake, aren't exactly speed demons, and L.A.'s frontcourt doesn't offer enough of a deterrent at the rim when Bynum isn't in the game.

Cue the highlight reel put together on Tuesday night by Mike Conley -- a small, fast guard who scored a season-high 28 points on just 13 shots. Sound familiar? It should to Lakers fans who have seen players like Ty Lawson, Aaron Brooks, Chris Paul and Darren Collison accomplish similar things against the LA blue and gold.

"Defensively, we had trouble keeping in front of him," Jackson said of Conley. "A lot of that's help from the big guys, and a lot of it's his talent."

You're too kind, Phil. Conley is a middle-of-the-pack point guard at best, and the Lakers made him look like an All-Star. Moreover, the vulnerability to backcourt speed could be a more pressing issue this year. L.A.'s road to a third straight title may require defeating Lawson, Paul, Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo in succession. If so, their defense at the point of attack is going to need to match their ability to guard the other four positions.
[h3]Wearing out the big guy[/h3]
With no Bynum and no Ratliff, Pau Gasol is playing a ton of minutes. He played 45 on Tuesday night, and for the season he's averaging 39.4 a game -- the most of any frontcourt player in the league, and the fourth-most overall. While it hasn't seemed to affect him too much yet, Gasol did miss several short-range shots versus Memphis, and this pace is almost certainly unsustainable over 82 games.

Jackson keeps alluding to the need to cut back on Gasol's minutes but has to keep him on the floor due to game situations. Particularly against opponents with quality size (such as the Grizzlies), the drop-off for L.A. is staggering when Gasol is out of the game -- Derrick Caracter is the closest thing that passes for another center. I never thought I'd say this, but the Lakers actually miss .J. Mbenga.

"We've been trying to get Caracter in the first half," said Jackson, "if he can stay in the game and [we can] keep a lead."

On Tuesday night, that stint lasted all of three minutes, with Caracter pulled after his entry immediately engendered a 6-0 Grizzlies run.

The good news on this front is that it shouldn't be a season-long issue. Bynum is expected back in 2-3 weeks, and at that point the Lakers can dial back Gasol's workload significantly.

Moreover, Pau is in condition to handle it. I mentioned to his brother Marc, after the game that the Lakers were really pushing it with his minutes, but Marc said Pau would be fine because he took the entire summer off and was well-rested for the start of the season.

Nonetheless, it's a worry for L.A. And while their problems seem minuscule compared to those of many other teams, the hurdles outlined above are ones the Lakers must clear if they're going to stop their mini-slide and resume their charge toward a three-peat.

 

As we enter the holiday season, thoughts of gift giving and receiving are forefront on the minds of many people. And, for many adults, the biggest question is:

"What do they need or want?"

The same can be asked of our rookies, who need many things, for the most part, in order to take big steps toward becoming permanent fixtures in their teams' rotations. Only seven rookies can be considered starters as of now, and a few of them might lose that status if a veteran playing their position recovers from injury or starts playing better.

While every rookie needs to improve in many areas, let's focus on what our top 10 rooks need a healthy dose of as soon as possible before the trials of a long winter begin.

1. Blake Griffin, Clippers
More than a better and more consistent jumper, Griffin needs to develop a thick skin when it comes to playing with fire despite his team's record. It's easy now, since he's both excited just to be playing and the season is only five weeks old. But the Clippers will likely be favored in only one game for all of December (home versus the Kings), and they have only a few wins to this point.

It's hard to stay super hungry when playing on a bad team, but the Clippers are the rare bad team that has a bright future without having to do much restructuring. They just need to age well together.

Griffin is the heartbeat of the team and the franchise. If he can stay motivated and continue to play with an edge, the Clips can be a vastly improved team after the All-Star break, in no small part because he will force his fellow rookies and some of the veterans to do the same.

2. John Wall, Wizards
Wall wants to win as badly as I've ever seen a rookie want to win; he reminds me of Chris Paul in that way. It's clear he hates to lose even more than he wants to win. Like Blake Griffin, though, he will lose a lot more than he ever thought possible this season. And he has some veteran teammates who have never showed the kind of competitive spirit it takes to thrive in the NBA consistently.

[h4]ROOKIE 50 RANKINGS[/h4]

We're keeping track of every NBA rook. Here are the latest Top 50 rankings.
[table][h2][/h2][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][th=""]Stock[/th][/tr][tr][td]1[/td][td]Blake Griffin[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]2[/td][td]John Wall[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]3[/td][td]Landry Fields[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]4[/td][td]Derrick Favors[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]5[/td][td]Al-Farouq Aminu[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]6[/td][td]Tiago Splitter[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]7[/td][td]Eric Bledsoe[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]8[/td][td]Gary Forbes[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]9[/td][td]Gary Neal[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]10[/td][td]DeMarcus Cousins[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][/table]
• Click here for the complete rankings »





Sure, Wall needs to improve a great deal on his shooting, but he can still excel all season without a sure shot. Dealing with the potential fracture of his team, however, will take all of his focus. He cannot let the causal nature of some of the Wizards cause a break in the locker room. Instead, he must continue to lead by example and be vocal.

It's easy for a point guard to abandon his teammates and just look to score when they don't meet a certain standard, but that would be against everything Wall has already shown as a player. Sticking with who he is, I think, is the best plan for future success.

3. Landry Fields, Knicks
Fields has been a great surprise as a rebounder and defender for a team desperately needing both, but I'd like to see him gain one skill that would propel him to a much higher place than he's already at: 3-point shooting.

For a player who is below average athletically for a shooting guard, having a great outside shot would work wonders for his game and his team's chances at winning. Fields is such a heady player, and if defenders had to run out at him faster than they do know, he'd be able to incorporate all sorts of shot-fake moves into his arsenal. That would help him earn a lot more free throws than the two per game he's averaging now.

His true shooting percentage is already at an excellent 64 percent; imagine what a better perimeter shot and a few more made free throws a game would do for him.

4. Derrick Favors, Nets
It's easy for young talents like Favors to get stuck doing little because they're trying to do too much. Better to focus on mastering one thing, then building on it. And for Favors, much like fellow one-and-done big man Kevin Love, I'd suggest that one area be rebounding.

Love entered the league rebounding and has blossomed into an All-Star candidate this season because he added shooting and scoring to his game while building on his rebounding talents. Favors can do similar things. He's active and athletic, but oftentimes can end up outside of the good rebounding zones because of it.

If he entered each game with the thought of grabbing every rebound available, and then played to that plan every night, he'd end up being a top-rate board man. And he'd have an excellent foundation to build upon for next season.

5. Al-Farouq Aminu, Clippers
Let's begin with this: His 3-point shooting has been a revelation. From Nov. 20-28, he made 7-of-13 3s; on the season, he is shooting 54 percent on 3s (after Sunday's game). Wow. But his PER is below 13, which is surprising because of just how good a shooter he's been.

Why so low?

He does not earn free throws. (He's also a turnover machine, but we'll touch on that another time.) In that same five-game span, he took a total of five free throws. He is making just about one per game this season. Part of the problem is his willingness to settle into a Rasual Butler-type of clone -- floating outside and looking for the jumper. But that game suits Butler, who also was not a top-10 pick.

I'd like to see Aminu play with more fire, make stronger basket cuts, loiter around in the paint longer on offense, and find ways to use his length and shooting ability to create free shots from the line. He has it in him, without question.

6. Tiago Splitter, Spurs
Hmm, the Spurs are the best team in the NBA as of today, and Splitter is playing a key role in that effort. Not much else to ask for from him, save one thing: rebound the basketball.

As long as Splitter does a little better in this area than he's doing now, his rotation spot will be secure and the possibility of earning a starting spot will remain. But he has to rebound on both ends of the floor. His role is well-defined and his game well-honed, so he can channel his energy into this one area.

7. Eric Bledsoe, Heat
I'm still impressed with Bledsoe's progress overall. And it's hard for a rookie point guard to focus on himself in an effort to get better, because it often comes at the expense of running his team (unless his focus is to move the ball better). For a point guard more than any other player, the game is about we, not me.

But, there is an area that I think Bledsoe can make a much bigger impact in, without hurting his ability to run the show. It's on defense, and specifically, it's about creating a lot more havoc.

His length, power and quickness can be a nightmare for opponents. Too often, that doesn't happen. Opposing point guards are killing the Clippers. In fact, no position is hurting the Clippers more than this one. Bledsoe has played in nine games where he's gotten major minutes and produced only one steal at best. He has the talent to do a lot more on this end.

8. Gary Forbes, Nuggets
There are two things that Forbes could use to solidify himself as a long-term NBA player. The first is better decision-making with the ball in his hands. His assist-to-turnover ratio is even, although he has gotten better in this area. Reading the defense and making the easy pass is the best plan for him. He is in the game to score and defend, not really to make plays for others. In fact, he's the Marcus Thornton of this class thus far (without the draft-pick status), as he brings energy to both sides of the court when he comes in.

But Thornton, who has gone from having a bright future to one of uncertainty in just one season, is a good example for the second thing Forbes needs: a daily reminder that nothing is permanent in this league until a long-term contract is signed. Forbes is said to be the kind of guy who's "in first, out last" at practice each day, and any success he's realizing now should not change that effort.

9. Gary Neal, Spurs
Neal is fortunate to be in a role he can handle and one that is expertly defined. He's asked to make 3s, be clean with the ball, and give effort when defending. He's doing all three of those things while coming off the bench, playing a role similar to what Courtney Lee did as a rookie in Orlando. And as long as Neal keeps doing what he's doing -- flirting with 40 percent from 3 and averaging less than a turnover a game -- he should keep getting those chances to shine each night.

The challenge for Neal is to accept his role, which is easy when you are first just trying to make an NBA team as a rookie free agent with a few years of pro experience overseas. But it gets tougher as the season evolves. All players think they can do more than what they are showing, and it might be true in Neal's case. But it's largely irrelevant, as his terrific team needs him to do only what he's already doing. Trying to do more would be a mistake.

10. DeMarcus Cousins, Kings
This supremely talented young man is not unlike many other players who have entered the league with huge expectations and even bigger question marks. And the truth is many of them failed initially but came around over time as they grew up. So it can be with Cousins, who is failing now as it relates to being an impact player and a pro.

More than anything, I'd love to see Cousins mature as a person, even more than anything he can do on the court. Because as his emotional IQ increases, so will his statistics. He seems to be a loving guy, but rarely shows that side consistently. There's nothing wrong with having fun while you play, especially if it keeps you focused and energized (two areas of weakness for Cousins).

I'm not sure Paul Westphal is a good coach these days, but I am certain he knows an awful lot of ways to help Cousins play better basketball. If Cousins would just give himself to his coach and his team, and show nothing but smiles and effort through good times and bad, my guess is he'd fly up my rankings and help the Kings win more games in the process.
[h3]Other rookie observations[/h3]
Evan Turner, 76ers
There's no other way to say it: Turner is just a mess on offense right now. He's struggling to get good shots and struggling even more to make them. His situation reminds me some of J.J. Redick's rookie year, though at least Turner is getting playing time. Redick had a bad summer, and he just could not get things turned around. The same can be said about Turner now.

Wes Johnson, Timberwolves
At first blush, you'd think Johnson is having a great start, or maybe just a good one. High-flying dunks and a nice-looking shooting stroke that's hitting on 35 percent of his 3-point attempts. But look deeper and you'll see a PER below 10 and a wing player who has made more 3s than free throws. That sounds like a 36-year-old spot shooter, not a vibrant No. 4 pick. All is not lost, however, as he's a locked-in young man who likely will get better quickly.

Xavier Henry, Grizzlies
Henry has moved ahead of a struggling O.J. Mayo into the starting lineup, though it's not because he's doing so well on the offensive side of the ball. He did, however, make his first 3 of the season, and now stands 1-for-12. But he's starting to get things a bit on defense, and keyed a big defensive effort on Kobe Bryant in the Grizzlies' upset win on Tuesday.

Trevor Booker, Wizards
Thanks to injuries and poor play by the guys in front of him, Booker has played in every game the past two weeks. He has not had any kind of breakout performance and will likely lose minutes as guys get healthy/learn their roles better, but it still marks quality learning experiences for Booker.

Damion James, Nets
James started getting into the rotation last week, and though he's not done much on offense, I like how he found ways to grab at least four rebounds in each game. Plus, he blocked a pair of shots in two games. Hustle and energy are talents that every team needs.

Sherron Collins, Bobcats
Every few games, we see Collins for just a few minutes. He has yet to make a basket, but he's been steady with the ball. It seems that Larry Brown prefers developing him this way as opposed to sending him to the D-League where he'd play the bulk of the minutes against inferior competition.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Before the season, a consensus emerged that the Oklahoma City Thunder would have the league's 2010-11 MVP, or at the very least, one of the top vote-getters. Indeed, that seems to be happening, but with one little catch.

Right team, wrong player.

Our preseason expert panel picked Kevin Durant to win the MVP, with 15 of our 25 panelists liking his odds. And he's hardly been chopped liver this season. Durant leads the league in scoring, and Monday night he racked up 26 points and 11 boards in a win over the New Orleans Hornets -- he even chipped in two crucial blocked shots that sparked a 14-0 game-turning run.

Yet Durant hasn't managed to regain the lofty standard he set last season, nor has he showcased the ridiculous long-range accuracy he displayed in a one-man highlight film known as the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Apparently his jumper never cleared customs on the flight back from Istanbul, because Durant is shooting only 26.7 percent on 3s -- barely half the 45.6 percent he converted from the shorter line in Turkey -- and 41.9 percent overall. He shot 7-for-22 on Monday night, and several of the misses weren't even close.

At the end of the third quarter, for example, he isolated for a 3-pointer that would have been dead on, if only the basket had been 2 feet higher and 3 feet to the left. Earlier in the game he was left wide open -- I mean wiiiiiide open, all by himself -- beyond the 3-point line and shot an air ball. (By the way, Durant's net-scorching partner in crime on Team USA, Eric Gordon of the Clippers, is at an even more feeble 23.2 percent on 3s.)

As a result, a funny thing happened. Russell Westbrook, who was a distant second banana last season, has taken over down the stretch of games. On Monday night, for instance, Westbrook made nearly every key offensive play in the fourth quarter. He finished with 25 points and 11 assists, one of which set up Durant's only basket of the period.

While Durant leads the league in scoring, Westbrook is on his heels at seventh, plus he's seventh in assists. Overall, he's been superior to Durant as a go-to guy this November, with a slightly higher usage rate and far greater efficiency through the first 18 games.

And as for my MVP suggestion, consider this: After outplaying New Orleans' Chris Paul on Monday night, Westbrook is third in the league in player efficiency rating behind Paul and Orlando's Dwight Howard. And if you factor in minutes played, the league's top mark in estimated wins added belongs to -- yes -- Russell Westbrook.

"He's an All-Star," said Hornets coach Monty Williams. "He probably won't get the votes unless [the commissioner] puts him in the game. But that guy is playing at a level that you scout for him about 10-15 minutes of your practice because of his pick-and-roll, [how] he's shooting the ball now, [and] he gets to the free throw line about 10 times a game. If you said that and just left the name blank, you'd say that's an All-Star."

Williams is correct that the crowd of quality at the point guard position in the West could work against Westbrook -- Paul, Deron Williams, Steve Nash and Tony Parker all have legitimate claims on an All-Star berth, to name a few others.

Westbrook's résumé, however, demands inclusion. Not only is his highlight reel getting awfully long -- Monday night's show included a torpedo-like drive through the lane that culminated in a wicked slam over Emeka Okafor -- but he's crowding it with substance.

Formerly a shaky shooter, his percentages (44.5 percent from the floor, 88.8 percent from the line) have risen enough to give him one of the better true shooting marks at his position. And while he's still not much of a long-range marksman, he was confident enough to bust a crucial 3 on the Hornets late in the fourth quarter -- and then promptly blow imaginary smoke off his scorching hands before placing them in imaginary holsters.

Oklahoma City has needed every bit of his production, too, after a choppy first month of the season that has them at 12-6 as much by fortune as by skill. The Thunder have outscored opponents by only 0.2 points per game but are 6-1 in games decided by five points or less.

While it's highly likely that Durant will regain his summer mojo and retake the conch from Westbrook as the Thunder's offensive centerpiece, that doesn't mean Westbrook will shrink into the background. He's too aggressive and has the ball too often for that to happen.

"Russell attacks," said Williams. "He had eight turnovers, but I thought it worked in his favor because he attacked the whole night."

Instead, the takeaway for the Thunder's slow-but-steady-wins-the-race approach is that they've found their second star. Westbrook will be eligible for a contract extension after the season and seems headed toward the same max deal that Durant garnered -- whatever "max" means in the next collective bargaining agreement.

Fortunately for the Thunder, no alpha-dog battles appear to be brewing in their still-harmonious clubhouse. With both young stars in the league's top six in usage rate, there are plenty of touches to make each happy.

As for my MVP speculation at the top of this column, it's unlikely that Westbrook would actually win it. Fans and media alike got way ahead of themselves on the Thunder this season, when the reality is that the ages of their top eight players are 21, 21, 22, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27. They'll make the playoffs again and maybe even win a round, but it's pretty much inevitable that they'll hit some speed bumps along the way. Unfortunately for Westbrook, his season is likely to be viewed through a prism of mild disappointment, given what I would argue were unreasonable expectations for the Thunder overall at the start.

Regardless, there's a certain irony to having Westbrook as a centerpiece of the franchise's incredibly patient approach under GM Sam Presti, with the latest plank being last week's farsighted move of using its current cap space not to trade for a grizzled vet but to extend Nick Collison at a very favorable number in future seasons.

The irony is that the team is winning right now precisely because of Westbrook's youthful, attack-now impatience (deftly broken down here by our Jackie MacMullan). He makes mistakes because of his aggression, but his constant push has kept opponents on their heels, especially late in games, and allowed the Thunder to overcome a surprisingly rough start from Durant.

That may not be enough to earn an MVP trophy, especially when other candidates are likely to own much gaudier win totals and compare more favorably with people's preseason expectations. But Westbrook's ascension to superstardom has allowed Oklahoma City to weather Durant's early shooting slump -- not to mention a host of lesser ills -- far better than anyone would have expected.

 
http://[h3]

[h3]Friday return for Przybilla?[/h3]
11:48AM ET

[h5]Joel Przybilla | Trail Blazers [/h5]


Joel Przybilla (knee) was expected to make his season debut last week, but a battle with the flu has delayed his return.

According to the Oregonian, he's expected to join the team in Boston on Wednesday night. Yet, he needs to get a workout in before playing, so Friday against the Wizards could be when he returns to action.

Marcus Camby has been starting at center for the Blazers in Przybilla's absence with Sean Marks playing a reserve role. Marks sat out Portland's loss to the Sixers on Tuesday night with an ankle injury, and he could miss more time. So Przybilla returning Friday might give a struggling team some needed depth in the frontcourt.

-- Ryan Corazza

http://[h3]Roy says he'll play[/h3]
11:39AM ET

[h5]Brandon Roy | Trail Blazers [/h5]


Brandon Roy has been battling two bad knees. There's been some talk he might be missing the second night of back-to-backs going forward this season because of them.

But after the Blazers' loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday night, Roy told the Oregonian he expects to play Wednesday night against Boston.

If Roy indeed plays, it'll be worth monitoring how many minutes Nate McMillan gives his star. Since taking a few games off due to the knees, Roy has played 33 or more minutes in three contests.

On the second night of a back-to-back, though, McMillan may limit his minutes a bit more and use Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum -- who's struggled of late and is coming off the bench now -- for perimeter scoring.

-- Ryan Corazza

http://[h3]Morey looking long-term[/h3]
10:53AM ET

[h5]Houston Rockets [/h5]


The Rockets are only 5-12 so far this season and that disappoints general manager Daryl Morey, but he's not about to make a deal, if it only helps the team in the short-term.

"Every move we make is very long-term (oriented)," Morey told the Houston Chronicle. "The most we might focus is medium term, but we still keep the long term in mind. You have to (ignore the record). Our goal is to win a championship. It's not to be 7-7 versus 4-10.

"We have to maintain our championship hopes. Obviously, some of that is maintaining a winning approach. Maybe that's where (seeking immediate improvement) creeps in. But I think everything we do move-wise is focused on how do we get closer to being a championship roster."

Morey has the expiring contracts of Yao Ming, Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes and Jared Jeffries that could be used to help with a blockbuster trade.

There have been plenty of reports that Houston is interested in Carmelo Anthony and they have enough assets, players and draft picks, to make a quality offer to Denver for the small forward.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Raptors could have a new owner[/h3]
10:38AM ET

[h5]Toronto Raptors [/h5]


The Toronto Star reports Rogers Communications is in talks to buy majority interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and the Marlies, which is the Maple Leafs' minor league hockey affiliate.

"I know it's real," said one top sports industry executive. "I've heard it from Rogers at a high executive level and from MLSE at a (the highest) level."

Reportedly, Rogers is offering $1.3 billion to the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan for the 66 percent stake they hold in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]T-Mac not ready to retire[/h3]
10:22AM ET

[h5]Tracy McGrady | Pistons [/h5]


Tracy McGrady is playing fairly well for the Pistons this season after dealing with several surgeries to his left knee over the last few years. McGrady is feeling good these days and is not ready to retire after the season.

"I'm not what I once was, but I think I'm a smart enough basketball player to be able to modify my game," he told the Orlando Sentinel. "It's just working on fine-tuning what I can and what I can't do on the basketball court. Everything is an adjustment. As long as I'm healthy, I feel good about my future."

"There's no doubt," McGrady responded when asked if he could play a few more years in the NBA.

McGrady is making the veteran minimum with Detroit this season.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Orton going to New Mexico[/h3]
10:09AM ET

[h5]Daniel Orton | Magic [/h5]

• 

Scott Schroeder of FanHouse reported Tuesday that rookie center Daniel Orton will be sent to the D-League's New Mexico Thunderbirds.

Magic president of basketball operations Otis Smith confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday night that Orton will play for the Thunderbirds and he could there for a few weeks.

Orton, the No. 29 pick in the June draft, has been dealing with a bad knee and has yet to play for the Magic this season.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Nothing on the table for Hamilton[/h3]
9:56AM ET

[h5]Richard Hamilton | Pistons [/h5]


Richard "Rip" Hamilton is having a difficult time adapting to John Kuester's offensive scheme and has a career-worst 40.2 shooting percentage and is averaging just 13.1 points per game.

There has been plenty of scuttlebutt that the shooting guard is on the trade block, but president of basketball operations Joe Dumars says he has no plan to deal Hamilton.

"We don't have anything whatsoever on the table in terms of a trade, or anything even remotely close to a trade, for Rip Hamilton," Dumars told FanHouse on Tuesday. "Nothing."

Dumars doesn't have any offers for Hamilton because the shooting guard makes $12.5 million this season and has $21.5 million guaranteed for 2011-12 and 2012-13.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Harris hurt; may miss just one game[/h3]
9:34AM ET

[h5]Devin Harris | Nets [/h5]


Point guard http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2382Devin Harris hurt his left knee on Tuesday during the Nets' 111-100 loss to the Knicks. He will have an MRI on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury.

"It's just a little bit stiff right now, a little bit swollen. But all in all it's not too bad," Harris told ESPNNewYork.com.

Head coach Avery Johnson said Harris won't play against the http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=okcOklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

"The swelling is not that bad right now. But the area where he is injured, you know, we're just hoping and praying for good news," Johnson said.

Jordan Farmar will start in Harris' place against the Thunder.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Will Baron return against the Spurs?[/h3]
9:25AM ET

[h5]Baron Davis | Clippers [/h5]


Baron Davis has not played since Nov. 9 due to soreness in his left knee. Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro said his point guard would be returning to the lineup against San Antonio on Wednesday, but then he clarified that claim.

"I should say this: I want to see how Baron feels [Wednesday] after today's practice ... and I'll make that decision," Del Negro told the Los Angeles Times.

Davis' initial timeline was to return to game action by Thanksgiving.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Hornets future in the Big Easy[/h3]
9:10AM ET

[h5]New Orleans Hornets [/h5]


The Hornets are off to a terrific start this season, but it hasn't been enough to convince the fans to fill up the New Orleans Arena.

The Hornets are currently averaging 14,214 fans, which is 25th in the league, and they must maintain an average of 14,213 in the next 13 home games, so that an early termination in the lease agreement with the state is not triggered.

The New Orleans Arena seats 17,188 for NBA games.

"From a team perspective, we believe we have a compelling product that deserves to be playing in a full building," Hornets president Hugh Weber told The Times-Picayune. "As a staff, we're working so that becomes more of the common as opposed to the exception.

"We're continuing to do our part and put a compelling product out there. It's interesting because when we travel, fans find quality in our style of play and are filling up buildings in other cities. We know the team is doing their part."

The Hornets would be allowed to leave New Orleans if they don't hit a two-year average of 14,735. It would cost them $10 million due to a relocation fee and they would have to inform the state by March 1, 2011, if their intention is to leave Louisiana.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Lakers won't have a team meeting[/h3]
8:19AM ET

[h5]Kobe Bryant | Lakers [/h5]


The Lakers now have a three-game losing streak -- only the second since February of 2008 -- after being defeated in Memphis on Tuesday.

Some teams recently called player-only meetings in hope of resolving their issues, however, Kobe Bryant said the Lakers won't be one of them.

Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register tweeted Tuesday night this quote from Bryant: "Just win the next one. ... We're not going to have a team meeting or anything like that. Focus and get ready."

The Lakers will try to get back on the winning track when they play in Houston on Wednesday.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Udoh's debut getting closer[/h3]
7:56AM ET

[h5]Ekpe Udoh | Warriors [/h5]


Rookie Ekpe Udoh, who had surgery on his left wrist in July, was cleared Tuesday to increase his activity level.

"I'm excited, it's a blessing," Udoh told The Oakland Tribune. "I'm looking forward to just being able to go up against some bodies. I can run up and down today, but now I can really get in the jungle."

He was given an initial timeline of six months for a complete recovery from the surgery, but on Tuesday he didn't want to speculate as to when he'll make his debut for the Warriors.

"I just have to take it day-by-day and try to get better, get the wrist stronger, and just grasp everything in a practice session before it gets to a game setting," Udoh said. "It was a pretty tough injury to come back from. When it's that time, I'll know, and the coaching staff, they'll know, too."

Udoh was the No. 6 pick in the June draft.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Evans' shooting woes[/h3]
7:41AM ET

[h5]Tyreke Evans | Kings [/h5]


Tyreke Evans' shooting percentage has plummeted during his second season in the NBA. As a rookie he shot 45.8 percent overall and 25.5 percent from beyond the three-point line. This season he was just 40.8 percent from the field and 18.5 percent on three-pointers before Tuesday's game against Indiana.

Opposing defenses are giving special attention to Evans this season, but he believes his shot is being affected by his poor form.

"I think I'm leaning back," Evans told The Sacramento Bee. "Coach (Pete Carril) showed me some film where a couple of times I was leaning for no reason and there wasn't a guy near me. I've just got to stay straight up. Every shot he showed me on film, I was fading away. When I'm (shooting) off the dribble, I just have a habit of fading."

Evans had another tough night on Tuesday. He was only 4-14 from the floor and scored 16 points.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Good lesson for Cousins[/h3]
7:26AM ET

[h5]DeMarcus Cousins | Kings [/h5]


UPDATE: Kings rookie center DeMarcus Cousins said he lashed out at head coach Paul Westphal during practice on Monday because he is frustrated with how the team is playing.

"It was a good lesson for me," Cousins told The Sacramento Bee. "I'm mad and I'm frustrated about losing, and in my opinion, I think different strategies should be in the game.

"But I was being selfish. I'm a big part of this team, and coach (Paul) Westphal has been saying it. I've been terrible. It's the truth."

-- Nick Borges

----

Word came out a few weeks ago that rookie DeMarcus Cousins was being a problem child for the Kings. He has already been removed from the starting lineup and fined by the team due to an argument with the strength and conditioning coach.

Monday, he was kicked out of practice by head coach Paul Westphal.

"It was a necessary move in our continued attempt to help him develop," Westphal told The Sacramento Bee.

Westphal refused to say exactly what the rookie did to get sent home.

"I'm not going to get into details," Westphal said. "He was asked to leave early."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Cleveland will do the right thing[/h3]
7:17AM ET

[h5]LeBron James | Heat [/h5]


The Cavaliers will have extra security inside and outside Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday night when LeBron James returns to Cleveland. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert doesn't think the fans will go overboard showing their displeasure with James.

"You don't want to see anything stupid happen," Gilbert told the Akron Beacon-Journal. "I'm sure a lot of them will make their feelings known, but as long as everybody plays by the rules and doesn't go over the top, I think everything will be fine. I really believe that Cleveland people will do the right thing."

Gilbert isn't sure what will happen when James hits the floor for the first time.

"I'm sure it'll be loud and exciting and people have a lot of pent-up emotion," Gilbert said. "But I don't think it's going to be anything that's outrageous, extraordinary that we haven't seen in sports history."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Status of Gooden and Maggette[/h3]
5:49AM ET

[h5]Milwaukee Bucks [/h5]


Drew Gooden (plantar fasciitis in left heel) and Corey Maggette (sore left ankle) have missed the last few games due to injuries. Gooden is not sure when he'll return to the lineup. Maggette will play on Wednesday.

"The ankle is feeling a lot better," Maggette told the Journal Sentinel. "I'm going to go (against Denver)."

"I've got some junk going on in there," Gooden said. "I banged it in September but it went away. I've been playing on it and playing on it ... I've felt it before and after games. But as soon as I got warmed up, I was fine. It slowly caught up with me."

The Bucks have so many injuries that they could only do shooting drills and some four-on-four action during practice on Tuesday.

[/h3]

 

[proshares]

MEMPHIS -- I guess we better hit the panic button. A preseason championship contender has lost three straight and five of its past 10 games, including a loss at the buzzer in Memphis, a home loss to Indiana, and a big blown lead against Utah.

Sound familiar?

Only this isn't Miami we're talking about -- it's the Los Angeles Lakers. And you'll forgive them if they're not exactly flustered by the recent mini-slide, even though they've betrayed some bad habits in the process. Suffice it to say nobody is wondering whether Mitch Kupchak will replace Phil Jackson.

With good reason. Unlike the Heat, the Lakers have been in all 18 games they've played this year, with their greatest defeat coming by a meager six points. Even on Tuesday night, with as many mistakes as they made, they had a chance to win at the buzzer, and lost largely because the Grizzlies were an unsustainable 8-of-12 on 3-pointers.

Throw in injuries to Andrew Bynum and Theo Ratliff and the inevitable grind of the far-flung Western Conference schedule (this trip, for instance, is basically a cross-country jaunt just for a Memphis-Houston back-to-back before returning to Cali on Thursday), and one can understand how L.A. has struggled to maintain the momentum from its 8-0 start.

Jackson, in fact, felt giddy enough pregame on Tuesday to utter a few classic Jackson lines -- saying he wouldn't watch Thursday's Cleveland-Miami game because Cleveland's PA announcer is too loud, and describing the battle between Marc and Pau Gasol as a "mesomorph-ectomorph relationship" (um ... sure, OK).

Nonetheless, the bar is set rather high when you're the two-time defending champion. A 13-5 record sounds great to most teams, but for L.A., being fourth in the Western Conference this "late" in the season grates.

Moreover, Lakers fans who like to worry will find plenty of fodder from this recent stretch, and from the defeat in Memphis in particular.

Four problems stand out from L.A.'s three-game losing streak that bear watching as the season goes on:
[h3]Kobe doing (too much) work[/h3]
Jackson said, "We're talking about playing our system a little more. We've been playing a lot of individual basketball."

And he said it before Tuesday night's game, when Kobe Bryant seemed to respond to a brief Tony Allen cameo a little too personally and threw up a series of wild heaves in the second and third quarters. At one point Kobe missed 11 straight shots, and few of them were quality attempts.

"That's OK when Kobe's going great," said Jackson of the one-on-one play, "but our transition balance isn't there, the offensive rebounding isn't there, those things that are created by playing in a system are missing."

The last three defeats have essentially been offensive losses, with L.A. scoring 96, 92 and 96 points and Bryant (79 shot attempts, 12 assists) having the ball stick in his hands a bit too much. While this creates the inevitable chicken-and-egg question of whether he's forcing it because nobody else is playing with enough energy, or if nobody else has any energy because Kobe is dominating the ball too much, the end result is the same: forced shots and empty trips.
[h3]Forgetting the 7-footer[/h3]
A series of three possessions in the fourth quarter may ultimately have cost L.A. Tuesday night's game. I'm going to highlight this stretch because it's indicative of a larger problem that the Lakers run into periodically: forgetting about Pau Gasol.

In the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies bizarrely kept Marc Gasol on the bench with four fouls (that's a whole other story) and played Hasheem Thabeet on Pau. Thabeet was probably more qualified to do this than you or me, but not by much.

L.A. got Pau Gasol the rock on two straight possessions. On the first, he spun past Thabeet on the baseline and drew a foul; Gasol should have had a 3-point play but blew a left-handed layup. On the next trip, he went to the middle and beat Thabeet just as easily for a basket-and-one.

Want to know what the Lakers did on their next three trips? They shot long jumpers. Pau never touched the ball again against Thabeet. Instead, O.J. Mayo goaded Matt Barnes into taking a J rather than feeding Pau on the block. Empty trip. Lamar Odom launched from 18 feet. Empty trip. Kobe got in on the act by forcing a contested 3 that missed everything. That would have been an empty trip, too, were it not for a bailout 30-footer by Shannon Brown at the shot-clock buzzer.

Brother Marc checked in and the moment passed. L.A. had let Memphis off the hook with a huge mismatch against Gasol, something the Lakers allow to happen entirely too often.
[h3]They can't check quick guards[/h3]
The Achilles heel of L.A.'s defense the past few seasons has been an inability to stop small, quick guards. Derek Fisher and his new backup, Steve Blake, aren't exactly speed demons, and L.A.'s frontcourt doesn't offer enough of a deterrent at the rim when Bynum isn't in the game.

Cue the highlight reel put together on Tuesday night by Mike Conley -- a small, fast guard who scored a season-high 28 points on just 13 shots. Sound familiar? It should to Lakers fans who have seen players like Ty Lawson, Aaron Brooks, Chris Paul and Darren Collison accomplish similar things against the LA blue and gold.

"Defensively, we had trouble keeping in front of him," Jackson said of Conley. "A lot of that's help from the big guys, and a lot of it's his talent."

You're too kind, Phil. Conley is a middle-of-the-pack point guard at best, and the Lakers made him look like an All-Star. Moreover, the vulnerability to backcourt speed could be a more pressing issue this year. L.A.'s road to a third straight title may require defeating Lawson, Paul, Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo in succession. If so, their defense at the point of attack is going to need to match their ability to guard the other four positions.
[h3]Wearing out the big guy[/h3]
With no Bynum and no Ratliff, Pau Gasol is playing a ton of minutes. He played 45 on Tuesday night, and for the season he's averaging 39.4 a game -- the most of any frontcourt player in the league, and the fourth-most overall. While it hasn't seemed to affect him too much yet, Gasol did miss several short-range shots versus Memphis, and this pace is almost certainly unsustainable over 82 games.

Jackson keeps alluding to the need to cut back on Gasol's minutes but has to keep him on the floor due to game situations. Particularly against opponents with quality size (such as the Grizzlies), the drop-off for L.A. is staggering when Gasol is out of the game -- Derrick Caracter is the closest thing that passes for another center. I never thought I'd say this, but the Lakers actually miss .J. Mbenga.

"We've been trying to get Caracter in the first half," said Jackson, "if he can stay in the game and [we can] keep a lead."

On Tuesday night, that stint lasted all of three minutes, with Caracter pulled after his entry immediately engendered a 6-0 Grizzlies run.

The good news on this front is that it shouldn't be a season-long issue. Bynum is expected back in 2-3 weeks, and at that point the Lakers can dial back Gasol's workload significantly.

Moreover, Pau is in condition to handle it. I mentioned to his brother Marc, after the game that the Lakers were really pushing it with his minutes, but Marc said Pau would be fine because he took the entire summer off and was well-rested for the start of the season.

Nonetheless, it's a worry for L.A. And while their problems seem minuscule compared to those of many other teams, the hurdles outlined above are ones the Lakers must clear if they're going to stop their mini-slide and resume their charge toward a three-peat.

 

As we enter the holiday season, thoughts of gift giving and receiving are forefront on the minds of many people. And, for many adults, the biggest question is:

"What do they need or want?"

The same can be asked of our rookies, who need many things, for the most part, in order to take big steps toward becoming permanent fixtures in their teams' rotations. Only seven rookies can be considered starters as of now, and a few of them might lose that status if a veteran playing their position recovers from injury or starts playing better.

While every rookie needs to improve in many areas, let's focus on what our top 10 rooks need a healthy dose of as soon as possible before the trials of a long winter begin.

1. Blake Griffin, Clippers
More than a better and more consistent jumper, Griffin needs to develop a thick skin when it comes to playing with fire despite his team's record. It's easy now, since he's both excited just to be playing and the season is only five weeks old. But the Clippers will likely be favored in only one game for all of December (home versus the Kings), and they have only a few wins to this point.

It's hard to stay super hungry when playing on a bad team, but the Clippers are the rare bad team that has a bright future without having to do much restructuring. They just need to age well together.

Griffin is the heartbeat of the team and the franchise. If he can stay motivated and continue to play with an edge, the Clips can be a vastly improved team after the All-Star break, in no small part because he will force his fellow rookies and some of the veterans to do the same.

2. John Wall, Wizards
Wall wants to win as badly as I've ever seen a rookie want to win; he reminds me of Chris Paul in that way. It's clear he hates to lose even more than he wants to win. Like Blake Griffin, though, he will lose a lot more than he ever thought possible this season. And he has some veteran teammates who have never showed the kind of competitive spirit it takes to thrive in the NBA consistently.

[h4]ROOKIE 50 RANKINGS[/h4]

We're keeping track of every NBA rook. Here are the latest Top 50 rankings.
[table][h2][/h2][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][th=""]Stock[/th][/tr][tr][td]1[/td][td]Blake Griffin[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]2[/td][td]John Wall[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]3[/td][td]Landry Fields[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]4[/td][td]Derrick Favors[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]5[/td][td]Al-Farouq Aminu[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]6[/td][td]Tiago Splitter[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]7[/td][td]Eric Bledsoe[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]8[/td][td]Gary Forbes[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]9[/td][td]Gary Neal[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]10[/td][td]DeMarcus Cousins[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][/table]
• Click here for the complete rankings »





Sure, Wall needs to improve a great deal on his shooting, but he can still excel all season without a sure shot. Dealing with the potential fracture of his team, however, will take all of his focus. He cannot let the causal nature of some of the Wizards cause a break in the locker room. Instead, he must continue to lead by example and be vocal.

It's easy for a point guard to abandon his teammates and just look to score when they don't meet a certain standard, but that would be against everything Wall has already shown as a player. Sticking with who he is, I think, is the best plan for future success.

3. Landry Fields, Knicks
Fields has been a great surprise as a rebounder and defender for a team desperately needing both, but I'd like to see him gain one skill that would propel him to a much higher place than he's already at: 3-point shooting.

For a player who is below average athletically for a shooting guard, having a great outside shot would work wonders for his game and his team's chances at winning. Fields is such a heady player, and if defenders had to run out at him faster than they do know, he'd be able to incorporate all sorts of shot-fake moves into his arsenal. That would help him earn a lot more free throws than the two per game he's averaging now.

His true shooting percentage is already at an excellent 64 percent; imagine what a better perimeter shot and a few more made free throws a game would do for him.

4. Derrick Favors, Nets
It's easy for young talents like Favors to get stuck doing little because they're trying to do too much. Better to focus on mastering one thing, then building on it. And for Favors, much like fellow one-and-done big man Kevin Love, I'd suggest that one area be rebounding.

Love entered the league rebounding and has blossomed into an All-Star candidate this season because he added shooting and scoring to his game while building on his rebounding talents. Favors can do similar things. He's active and athletic, but oftentimes can end up outside of the good rebounding zones because of it.

If he entered each game with the thought of grabbing every rebound available, and then played to that plan every night, he'd end up being a top-rate board man. And he'd have an excellent foundation to build upon for next season.

5. Al-Farouq Aminu, Clippers
Let's begin with this: His 3-point shooting has been a revelation. From Nov. 20-28, he made 7-of-13 3s; on the season, he is shooting 54 percent on 3s (after Sunday's game). Wow. But his PER is below 13, which is surprising because of just how good a shooter he's been.

Why so low?

He does not earn free throws. (He's also a turnover machine, but we'll touch on that another time.) In that same five-game span, he took a total of five free throws. He is making just about one per game this season. Part of the problem is his willingness to settle into a Rasual Butler-type of clone -- floating outside and looking for the jumper. But that game suits Butler, who also was not a top-10 pick.

I'd like to see Aminu play with more fire, make stronger basket cuts, loiter around in the paint longer on offense, and find ways to use his length and shooting ability to create free shots from the line. He has it in him, without question.

6. Tiago Splitter, Spurs
Hmm, the Spurs are the best team in the NBA as of today, and Splitter is playing a key role in that effort. Not much else to ask for from him, save one thing: rebound the basketball.

As long as Splitter does a little better in this area than he's doing now, his rotation spot will be secure and the possibility of earning a starting spot will remain. But he has to rebound on both ends of the floor. His role is well-defined and his game well-honed, so he can channel his energy into this one area.

7. Eric Bledsoe, Heat
I'm still impressed with Bledsoe's progress overall. And it's hard for a rookie point guard to focus on himself in an effort to get better, because it often comes at the expense of running his team (unless his focus is to move the ball better). For a point guard more than any other player, the game is about we, not me.

But, there is an area that I think Bledsoe can make a much bigger impact in, without hurting his ability to run the show. It's on defense, and specifically, it's about creating a lot more havoc.

His length, power and quickness can be a nightmare for opponents. Too often, that doesn't happen. Opposing point guards are killing the Clippers. In fact, no position is hurting the Clippers more than this one. Bledsoe has played in nine games where he's gotten major minutes and produced only one steal at best. He has the talent to do a lot more on this end.

8. Gary Forbes, Nuggets
There are two things that Forbes could use to solidify himself as a long-term NBA player. The first is better decision-making with the ball in his hands. His assist-to-turnover ratio is even, although he has gotten better in this area. Reading the defense and making the easy pass is the best plan for him. He is in the game to score and defend, not really to make plays for others. In fact, he's the Marcus Thornton of this class thus far (without the draft-pick status), as he brings energy to both sides of the court when he comes in.

But Thornton, who has gone from having a bright future to one of uncertainty in just one season, is a good example for the second thing Forbes needs: a daily reminder that nothing is permanent in this league until a long-term contract is signed. Forbes is said to be the kind of guy who's "in first, out last" at practice each day, and any success he's realizing now should not change that effort.

9. Gary Neal, Spurs
Neal is fortunate to be in a role he can handle and one that is expertly defined. He's asked to make 3s, be clean with the ball, and give effort when defending. He's doing all three of those things while coming off the bench, playing a role similar to what Courtney Lee did as a rookie in Orlando. And as long as Neal keeps doing what he's doing -- flirting with 40 percent from 3 and averaging less than a turnover a game -- he should keep getting those chances to shine each night.

The challenge for Neal is to accept his role, which is easy when you are first just trying to make an NBA team as a rookie free agent with a few years of pro experience overseas. But it gets tougher as the season evolves. All players think they can do more than what they are showing, and it might be true in Neal's case. But it's largely irrelevant, as his terrific team needs him to do only what he's already doing. Trying to do more would be a mistake.

10. DeMarcus Cousins, Kings
This supremely talented young man is not unlike many other players who have entered the league with huge expectations and even bigger question marks. And the truth is many of them failed initially but came around over time as they grew up. So it can be with Cousins, who is failing now as it relates to being an impact player and a pro.

More than anything, I'd love to see Cousins mature as a person, even more than anything he can do on the court. Because as his emotional IQ increases, so will his statistics. He seems to be a loving guy, but rarely shows that side consistently. There's nothing wrong with having fun while you play, especially if it keeps you focused and energized (two areas of weakness for Cousins).

I'm not sure Paul Westphal is a good coach these days, but I am certain he knows an awful lot of ways to help Cousins play better basketball. If Cousins would just give himself to his coach and his team, and show nothing but smiles and effort through good times and bad, my guess is he'd fly up my rankings and help the Kings win more games in the process.
[h3]Other rookie observations[/h3]
Evan Turner, 76ers
There's no other way to say it: Turner is just a mess on offense right now. He's struggling to get good shots and struggling even more to make them. His situation reminds me some of J.J. Redick's rookie year, though at least Turner is getting playing time. Redick had a bad summer, and he just could not get things turned around. The same can be said about Turner now.

Wes Johnson, Timberwolves
At first blush, you'd think Johnson is having a great start, or maybe just a good one. High-flying dunks and a nice-looking shooting stroke that's hitting on 35 percent of his 3-point attempts. But look deeper and you'll see a PER below 10 and a wing player who has made more 3s than free throws. That sounds like a 36-year-old spot shooter, not a vibrant No. 4 pick. All is not lost, however, as he's a locked-in young man who likely will get better quickly.

Xavier Henry, Grizzlies
Henry has moved ahead of a struggling O.J. Mayo into the starting lineup, though it's not because he's doing so well on the offensive side of the ball. He did, however, make his first 3 of the season, and now stands 1-for-12. But he's starting to get things a bit on defense, and keyed a big defensive effort on Kobe Bryant in the Grizzlies' upset win on Tuesday.

Trevor Booker, Wizards
Thanks to injuries and poor play by the guys in front of him, Booker has played in every game the past two weeks. He has not had any kind of breakout performance and will likely lose minutes as guys get healthy/learn their roles better, but it still marks quality learning experiences for Booker.

Damion James, Nets
James started getting into the rotation last week, and though he's not done much on offense, I like how he found ways to grab at least four rebounds in each game. Plus, he blocked a pair of shots in two games. Hustle and energy are talents that every team needs.

Sherron Collins, Bobcats
Every few games, we see Collins for just a few minutes. He has yet to make a basket, but he's been steady with the ball. It seems that Larry Brown prefers developing him this way as opposed to sending him to the D-League where he'd play the bulk of the minutes against inferior competition.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Before the season, a consensus emerged that the Oklahoma City Thunder would have the league's 2010-11 MVP, or at the very least, one of the top vote-getters. Indeed, that seems to be happening, but with one little catch.

Right team, wrong player.

Our preseason expert panel picked Kevin Durant to win the MVP, with 15 of our 25 panelists liking his odds. And he's hardly been chopped liver this season. Durant leads the league in scoring, and Monday night he racked up 26 points and 11 boards in a win over the New Orleans Hornets -- he even chipped in two crucial blocked shots that sparked a 14-0 game-turning run.

Yet Durant hasn't managed to regain the lofty standard he set last season, nor has he showcased the ridiculous long-range accuracy he displayed in a one-man highlight film known as the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Apparently his jumper never cleared customs on the flight back from Istanbul, because Durant is shooting only 26.7 percent on 3s -- barely half the 45.6 percent he converted from the shorter line in Turkey -- and 41.9 percent overall. He shot 7-for-22 on Monday night, and several of the misses weren't even close.

At the end of the third quarter, for example, he isolated for a 3-pointer that would have been dead on, if only the basket had been 2 feet higher and 3 feet to the left. Earlier in the game he was left wide open -- I mean wiiiiiide open, all by himself -- beyond the 3-point line and shot an air ball. (By the way, Durant's net-scorching partner in crime on Team USA, Eric Gordon of the Clippers, is at an even more feeble 23.2 percent on 3s.)

As a result, a funny thing happened. Russell Westbrook, who was a distant second banana last season, has taken over down the stretch of games. On Monday night, for instance, Westbrook made nearly every key offensive play in the fourth quarter. He finished with 25 points and 11 assists, one of which set up Durant's only basket of the period.

While Durant leads the league in scoring, Westbrook is on his heels at seventh, plus he's seventh in assists. Overall, he's been superior to Durant as a go-to guy this November, with a slightly higher usage rate and far greater efficiency through the first 18 games.

And as for my MVP suggestion, consider this: After outplaying New Orleans' Chris Paul on Monday night, Westbrook is third in the league in player efficiency rating behind Paul and Orlando's Dwight Howard. And if you factor in minutes played, the league's top mark in estimated wins added belongs to -- yes -- Russell Westbrook.

"He's an All-Star," said Hornets coach Monty Williams. "He probably won't get the votes unless [the commissioner] puts him in the game. But that guy is playing at a level that you scout for him about 10-15 minutes of your practice because of his pick-and-roll, [how] he's shooting the ball now, [and] he gets to the free throw line about 10 times a game. If you said that and just left the name blank, you'd say that's an All-Star."

Williams is correct that the crowd of quality at the point guard position in the West could work against Westbrook -- Paul, Deron Williams, Steve Nash and Tony Parker all have legitimate claims on an All-Star berth, to name a few others.

Westbrook's résumé, however, demands inclusion. Not only is his highlight reel getting awfully long -- Monday night's show included a torpedo-like drive through the lane that culminated in a wicked slam over Emeka Okafor -- but he's crowding it with substance.

Formerly a shaky shooter, his percentages (44.5 percent from the floor, 88.8 percent from the line) have risen enough to give him one of the better true shooting marks at his position. And while he's still not much of a long-range marksman, he was confident enough to bust a crucial 3 on the Hornets late in the fourth quarter -- and then promptly blow imaginary smoke off his scorching hands before placing them in imaginary holsters.

Oklahoma City has needed every bit of his production, too, after a choppy first month of the season that has them at 12-6 as much by fortune as by skill. The Thunder have outscored opponents by only 0.2 points per game but are 6-1 in games decided by five points or less.

While it's highly likely that Durant will regain his summer mojo and retake the conch from Westbrook as the Thunder's offensive centerpiece, that doesn't mean Westbrook will shrink into the background. He's too aggressive and has the ball too often for that to happen.

"Russell attacks," said Williams. "He had eight turnovers, but I thought it worked in his favor because he attacked the whole night."

Instead, the takeaway for the Thunder's slow-but-steady-wins-the-race approach is that they've found their second star. Westbrook will be eligible for a contract extension after the season and seems headed toward the same max deal that Durant garnered -- whatever "max" means in the next collective bargaining agreement.

Fortunately for the Thunder, no alpha-dog battles appear to be brewing in their still-harmonious clubhouse. With both young stars in the league's top six in usage rate, there are plenty of touches to make each happy.

As for my MVP speculation at the top of this column, it's unlikely that Westbrook would actually win it. Fans and media alike got way ahead of themselves on the Thunder this season, when the reality is that the ages of their top eight players are 21, 21, 22, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27. They'll make the playoffs again and maybe even win a round, but it's pretty much inevitable that they'll hit some speed bumps along the way. Unfortunately for Westbrook, his season is likely to be viewed through a prism of mild disappointment, given what I would argue were unreasonable expectations for the Thunder overall at the start.

Regardless, there's a certain irony to having Westbrook as a centerpiece of the franchise's incredibly patient approach under GM Sam Presti, with the latest plank being last week's farsighted move of using its current cap space not to trade for a grizzled vet but to extend Nick Collison at a very favorable number in future seasons.

The irony is that the team is winning right now precisely because of Westbrook's youthful, attack-now impatience (deftly broken down here by our Jackie MacMullan). He makes mistakes because of his aggression, but his constant push has kept opponents on their heels, especially late in games, and allowed the Thunder to overcome a surprisingly rough start from Durant.

That may not be enough to earn an MVP trophy, especially when other candidates are likely to own much gaudier win totals and compare more favorably with people's preseason expectations. But Westbrook's ascension to superstardom has allowed Oklahoma City to weather Durant's early shooting slump -- not to mention a host of lesser ills -- far better than anyone would have expected.

 
http://[h3]

[h3]Friday return for Przybilla?[/h3]
11:48AM ET

[h5]Joel Przybilla | Trail Blazers [/h5]


Joel Przybilla (knee) was expected to make his season debut last week, but a battle with the flu has delayed his return.

According to the Oregonian, he's expected to join the team in Boston on Wednesday night. Yet, he needs to get a workout in before playing, so Friday against the Wizards could be when he returns to action.

Marcus Camby has been starting at center for the Blazers in Przybilla's absence with Sean Marks playing a reserve role. Marks sat out Portland's loss to the Sixers on Tuesday night with an ankle injury, and he could miss more time. So Przybilla returning Friday might give a struggling team some needed depth in the frontcourt.

-- Ryan Corazza

http://[h3]Roy says he'll play[/h3]
11:39AM ET

[h5]Brandon Roy | Trail Blazers [/h5]


Brandon Roy has been battling two bad knees. There's been some talk he might be missing the second night of back-to-backs going forward this season because of them.

But after the Blazers' loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday night, Roy told the Oregonian he expects to play Wednesday night against Boston.

If Roy indeed plays, it'll be worth monitoring how many minutes Nate McMillan gives his star. Since taking a few games off due to the knees, Roy has played 33 or more minutes in three contests.

On the second night of a back-to-back, though, McMillan may limit his minutes a bit more and use Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum -- who's struggled of late and is coming off the bench now -- for perimeter scoring.

-- Ryan Corazza

http://[h3]Morey looking long-term[/h3]
10:53AM ET

[h5]Houston Rockets [/h5]


The Rockets are only 5-12 so far this season and that disappoints general manager Daryl Morey, but he's not about to make a deal, if it only helps the team in the short-term.

"Every move we make is very long-term (oriented)," Morey told the Houston Chronicle. "The most we might focus is medium term, but we still keep the long term in mind. You have to (ignore the record). Our goal is to win a championship. It's not to be 7-7 versus 4-10.

"We have to maintain our championship hopes. Obviously, some of that is maintaining a winning approach. Maybe that's where (seeking immediate improvement) creeps in. But I think everything we do move-wise is focused on how do we get closer to being a championship roster."

Morey has the expiring contracts of Yao Ming, Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes and Jared Jeffries that could be used to help with a blockbuster trade.

There have been plenty of reports that Houston is interested in Carmelo Anthony and they have enough assets, players and draft picks, to make a quality offer to Denver for the small forward.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Raptors could have a new owner[/h3]
10:38AM ET

[h5]Toronto Raptors [/h5]


The Toronto Star reports Rogers Communications is in talks to buy majority interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and the Marlies, which is the Maple Leafs' minor league hockey affiliate.

"I know it's real," said one top sports industry executive. "I've heard it from Rogers at a high executive level and from MLSE at a (the highest) level."

Reportedly, Rogers is offering $1.3 billion to the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan for the 66 percent stake they hold in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]T-Mac not ready to retire[/h3]
10:22AM ET

[h5]Tracy McGrady | Pistons [/h5]


Tracy McGrady is playing fairly well for the Pistons this season after dealing with several surgeries to his left knee over the last few years. McGrady is feeling good these days and is not ready to retire after the season.

"I'm not what I once was, but I think I'm a smart enough basketball player to be able to modify my game," he told the Orlando Sentinel. "It's just working on fine-tuning what I can and what I can't do on the basketball court. Everything is an adjustment. As long as I'm healthy, I feel good about my future."

"There's no doubt," McGrady responded when asked if he could play a few more years in the NBA.

McGrady is making the veteran minimum with Detroit this season.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Orton going to New Mexico[/h3]
10:09AM ET

[h5]Daniel Orton | Magic [/h5]

• 

Scott Schroeder of FanHouse reported Tuesday that rookie center Daniel Orton will be sent to the D-League's New Mexico Thunderbirds.

Magic president of basketball operations Otis Smith confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday night that Orton will play for the Thunderbirds and he could there for a few weeks.

Orton, the No. 29 pick in the June draft, has been dealing with a bad knee and has yet to play for the Magic this season.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Nothing on the table for Hamilton[/h3]
9:56AM ET

[h5]Richard Hamilton | Pistons [/h5]


Richard "Rip" Hamilton is having a difficult time adapting to John Kuester's offensive scheme and has a career-worst 40.2 shooting percentage and is averaging just 13.1 points per game.

There has been plenty of scuttlebutt that the shooting guard is on the trade block, but president of basketball operations Joe Dumars says he has no plan to deal Hamilton.

"We don't have anything whatsoever on the table in terms of a trade, or anything even remotely close to a trade, for Rip Hamilton," Dumars told FanHouse on Tuesday. "Nothing."

Dumars doesn't have any offers for Hamilton because the shooting guard makes $12.5 million this season and has $21.5 million guaranteed for 2011-12 and 2012-13.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Harris hurt; may miss just one game[/h3]
9:34AM ET

[h5]Devin Harris | Nets [/h5]


Point guard http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2382Devin Harris hurt his left knee on Tuesday during the Nets' 111-100 loss to the Knicks. He will have an MRI on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury.

"It's just a little bit stiff right now, a little bit swollen. But all in all it's not too bad," Harris told ESPNNewYork.com.

Head coach Avery Johnson said Harris won't play against the http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=okcOklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

"The swelling is not that bad right now. But the area where he is injured, you know, we're just hoping and praying for good news," Johnson said.

Jordan Farmar will start in Harris' place against the Thunder.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Will Baron return against the Spurs?[/h3]
9:25AM ET

[h5]Baron Davis | Clippers [/h5]


Baron Davis has not played since Nov. 9 due to soreness in his left knee. Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro said his point guard would be returning to the lineup against San Antonio on Wednesday, but then he clarified that claim.

"I should say this: I want to see how Baron feels [Wednesday] after today's practice ... and I'll make that decision," Del Negro told the Los Angeles Times.

Davis' initial timeline was to return to game action by Thanksgiving.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Hornets future in the Big Easy[/h3]
9:10AM ET

[h5]New Orleans Hornets [/h5]


The Hornets are off to a terrific start this season, but it hasn't been enough to convince the fans to fill up the New Orleans Arena.

The Hornets are currently averaging 14,214 fans, which is 25th in the league, and they must maintain an average of 14,213 in the next 13 home games, so that an early termination in the lease agreement with the state is not triggered.

The New Orleans Arena seats 17,188 for NBA games.

"From a team perspective, we believe we have a compelling product that deserves to be playing in a full building," Hornets president Hugh Weber told The Times-Picayune. "As a staff, we're working so that becomes more of the common as opposed to the exception.

"We're continuing to do our part and put a compelling product out there. It's interesting because when we travel, fans find quality in our style of play and are filling up buildings in other cities. We know the team is doing their part."

The Hornets would be allowed to leave New Orleans if they don't hit a two-year average of 14,735. It would cost them $10 million due to a relocation fee and they would have to inform the state by March 1, 2011, if their intention is to leave Louisiana.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Lakers won't have a team meeting[/h3]
8:19AM ET

[h5]Kobe Bryant | Lakers [/h5]


The Lakers now have a three-game losing streak -- only the second since February of 2008 -- after being defeated in Memphis on Tuesday.

Some teams recently called player-only meetings in hope of resolving their issues, however, Kobe Bryant said the Lakers won't be one of them.

Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register tweeted Tuesday night this quote from Bryant: "Just win the next one. ... We're not going to have a team meeting or anything like that. Focus and get ready."

The Lakers will try to get back on the winning track when they play in Houston on Wednesday.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Udoh's debut getting closer[/h3]
7:56AM ET

[h5]Ekpe Udoh | Warriors [/h5]


Rookie Ekpe Udoh, who had surgery on his left wrist in July, was cleared Tuesday to increase his activity level.

"I'm excited, it's a blessing," Udoh told The Oakland Tribune. "I'm looking forward to just being able to go up against some bodies. I can run up and down today, but now I can really get in the jungle."

He was given an initial timeline of six months for a complete recovery from the surgery, but on Tuesday he didn't want to speculate as to when he'll make his debut for the Warriors.

"I just have to take it day-by-day and try to get better, get the wrist stronger, and just grasp everything in a practice session before it gets to a game setting," Udoh said. "It was a pretty tough injury to come back from. When it's that time, I'll know, and the coaching staff, they'll know, too."

Udoh was the No. 6 pick in the June draft.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Evans' shooting woes[/h3]
7:41AM ET

[h5]Tyreke Evans | Kings [/h5]


Tyreke Evans' shooting percentage has plummeted during his second season in the NBA. As a rookie he shot 45.8 percent overall and 25.5 percent from beyond the three-point line. This season he was just 40.8 percent from the field and 18.5 percent on three-pointers before Tuesday's game against Indiana.

Opposing defenses are giving special attention to Evans this season, but he believes his shot is being affected by his poor form.

"I think I'm leaning back," Evans told The Sacramento Bee. "Coach (Pete Carril) showed me some film where a couple of times I was leaning for no reason and there wasn't a guy near me. I've just got to stay straight up. Every shot he showed me on film, I was fading away. When I'm (shooting) off the dribble, I just have a habit of fading."

Evans had another tough night on Tuesday. He was only 4-14 from the floor and scored 16 points.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Good lesson for Cousins[/h3]
7:26AM ET

[h5]DeMarcus Cousins | Kings [/h5]


UPDATE: Kings rookie center DeMarcus Cousins said he lashed out at head coach Paul Westphal during practice on Monday because he is frustrated with how the team is playing.

"It was a good lesson for me," Cousins told The Sacramento Bee. "I'm mad and I'm frustrated about losing, and in my opinion, I think different strategies should be in the game.

"But I was being selfish. I'm a big part of this team, and coach (Paul) Westphal has been saying it. I've been terrible. It's the truth."

-- Nick Borges

----

Word came out a few weeks ago that rookie DeMarcus Cousins was being a problem child for the Kings. He has already been removed from the starting lineup and fined by the team due to an argument with the strength and conditioning coach.

Monday, he was kicked out of practice by head coach Paul Westphal.

"It was a necessary move in our continued attempt to help him develop," Westphal told The Sacramento Bee.

Westphal refused to say exactly what the rookie did to get sent home.

"I'm not going to get into details," Westphal said. "He was asked to leave early."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Cleveland will do the right thing[/h3]
7:17AM ET

[h5]LeBron James | Heat [/h5]


The Cavaliers will have extra security inside and outside Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday night when LeBron James returns to Cleveland. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert doesn't think the fans will go overboard showing their displeasure with James.

"You don't want to see anything stupid happen," Gilbert told the Akron Beacon-Journal. "I'm sure a lot of them will make their feelings known, but as long as everybody plays by the rules and doesn't go over the top, I think everything will be fine. I really believe that Cleveland people will do the right thing."

Gilbert isn't sure what will happen when James hits the floor for the first time.

"I'm sure it'll be loud and exciting and people have a lot of pent-up emotion," Gilbert said. "But I don't think it's going to be anything that's outrageous, extraordinary that we haven't seen in sports history."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Status of Gooden and Maggette[/h3]
5:49AM ET

[h5]Milwaukee Bucks [/h5]


Drew Gooden (plantar fasciitis in left heel) and Corey Maggette (sore left ankle) have missed the last few games due to injuries. Gooden is not sure when he'll return to the lineup. Maggette will play on Wednesday.

"The ankle is feeling a lot better," Maggette told the Journal Sentinel. "I'm going to go (against Denver)."

"I've got some junk going on in there," Gooden said. "I banged it in September but it went away. I've been playing on it and playing on it ... I've felt it before and after games. But as soon as I got warmed up, I was fine. It slowly caught up with me."

The Bucks have so many injuries that they could only do shooting drills and some four-on-four action during practice on Tuesday.

[/h3]

 

[doublejs07]

Check this out....

The Orlando Magic have engaged the Washington Wizards in an ongoing trade dialog centered around Wizards shooting guard Gilbert Arenas, Orlando Pinstriped Post has learned. What Orlando would send Washington in return for the three-time All-Star is less clear, but the proposed deal likely includes shooting guard Vince Carter, according to a source. Wizards big man Andray Blatche, Magic forward Rashard Lewis, and Magic center Daniel Orton could also be involved. Both teams have a mutual understanding of what the trade might include, the source says, and it's unclear what factors are holding up the trade. What is clear around the league, however, is that Magic President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith has his eye on Arenas. If Orlando is to make a major trade this season, Arenas will likely be the target.


http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.co...-discuss-gilbert-arenas-trade-with-washington

 

[doublejs07]

Check this out....

The Orlando Magic have engaged the Washington Wizards in an ongoing trade dialog centered around Wizards shooting guard Gilbert Arenas, Orlando Pinstriped Post has learned. What Orlando would send Washington in return for the three-time All-Star is less clear, but the proposed deal likely includes shooting guard Vince Carter, according to a source. Wizards big man Andray Blatche, Magic forward Rashard Lewis, and Magic center Daniel Orton could also be involved. Both teams have a mutual understanding of what the trade might include, the source says, and it's unclear what factors are holding up the trade. What is clear around the league, however, is that Magic President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith has his eye on Arenas. If Orlando is to make a major trade this season, Arenas will likely be the target.


http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.co...-discuss-gilbert-arenas-trade-with-washington

 

[proshares]

Before going that route, the least they should do is give Denver a call...

 

[proshares]

Before going that route, the least they should do is give Denver a call...

 

[JD617]

A clear instance of not watching games smh
It's amazing that you know which games other people watch...

 

[JD617]

A clear instance of not watching games smh
It's amazing that you know which games other people watch...

 

[bittersweet]

Originally Posted by Nowitness41Dirk

Originally Posted by bittersweet

Why do people keep saying when BOS and LA get old?

Then you have the next generation. OKC and CHI.

By then, boyyyyyy.

Chicago? They're not nearly in that discussion yet... Not even close.

But OKC is right?

Sit down.

 

[bittersweet]

Originally Posted by Nowitness41Dirk

Originally Posted by bittersweet

Why do people keep saying when BOS and LA get old?

Then you have the next generation. OKC and CHI.

By then, boyyyyyy.

Chicago? They're not nearly in that discussion yet... Not even close.

But OKC is right?

Sit down.

 

[bhzmafia14]

Originally Posted by bittersweet

Originally Posted by Nowitness41Dirk

Originally Posted by bittersweet

Why do people keep saying when BOS and LA get old?

Then you have the next generation. OKC and CHI.

By then, boyyyyyy.

Chicago? They're not nearly in that discussion yet... Not even close.

But OKC is right?

Sit down.

 

[bhzmafia14]

Originally Posted by bittersweet

Originally Posted by Nowitness41Dirk

Originally Posted by bittersweet

Why do people keep saying when BOS and LA get old?

Then you have the next generation. OKC and CHI.

By then, boyyyyyy.

Chicago? They're not nearly in that discussion yet... Not even close.

But OKC is right?

Sit down.

 

[doublejs07]

Originally Posted by Proshares

Before going that route, the least they should do is give Denver a call...

that's what I'm saying.....

Going off of the article, what's holding up the trade is Rashard Lewis.  Yeah, he's got one year less on his contract than Arenas, but he makes more.  If there is any way to get a third team involved and the Wizards find a solution to NOT take on Lewis, then they'd be good....

Arenas + Blatche + 2011 first round pick

for

Melo + Andersen


* What people are guessing on the Wizards MB is the Wizards want Carter for Arenas straight up....Orlando then asked for Blatche to be included in the deal.  Obviously the Wizards balked, but the final counter was Lewis for Arenas, which makes little to no sense.  At the end of the day, I'm guessing that Carter will be traded for Arenas (with some filler)....
    

 

[doublejs07]

Originally Posted by Proshares

Before going that route, the least they should do is give Denver a call...

that's what I'm saying.....

Going off of the article, what's holding up the trade is Rashard Lewis.  Yeah, he's got one year less on his contract than Arenas, but he makes more.  If there is any way to get a third team involved and the Wizards find a solution to NOT take on Lewis, then they'd be good....

Arenas + Blatche + 2011 first round pick

for

Melo + Andersen


* What people are guessing on the Wizards MB is the Wizards want Carter for Arenas straight up....Orlando then asked for Blatche to be included in the deal.  Obviously the Wizards balked, but the final counter was Lewis for Arenas, which makes little to no sense.  At the end of the day, I'm guessing that Carter will be traded for Arenas (with some filler)....
    

 

[proshares]

I'm saying they don't need Arenas or Blatche to make a trade for Melo, they have plenty of assets to go that route now if they wanted to.

 

[proshares]

I'm saying they don't need Arenas or Blatche to make a trade for Melo, they have plenty of assets to go that route now if they wanted to.