On other boards you had these dudes actually debating who OKC's best player was
On other boards you had these dudes actually debating who OKC's best player was
Originally Posted by ex carrabba fan
On other boards you had these dudes actually debating who OKC's best player washopefully that wasn't going on here too
Originally Posted by ex carrabba fan
On other boards you had these dudes actually debating who OKC's best player washopefully that wasn't going on here too
[h3]Udoh's remaining 2010-11[/h3]
11:46AM ET
[h5]Ekpe Udoh | Warriors[/h5]
Warriors rookie Ekpe Udoh didn't make his NBA debut until Dec. 10 due to a broken wrist that saw him miss the first five and a half weeks of the season.
But it's sounding like Udoh may be finding solid rotation minutes once his conditioning improves.
"(Warriors coach) Keith Smart said Udoh is moving up the rotation fast," tweeted Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group. "Sounds like conditioning is the only obstacle."
If Udoh solidifies 20-plus minutes a night going forward, guys like Louis Amundson and Vladimir Radmanovic could see a decline in their reserve frontcourt roles.
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]ESPN's John Hollinger[/h5]
Need to see more of Udoh
http://[h3]Rondo's return still uncertain[/h3]
11:26AM ET
[h5]Rajon Rondo | Celtics[/h5]
Rajon Rondo has missed the last four Celtics games due mostly to a sprained left ankle.
And it's now looking like a target return timetable of about two weeks or so might not be in the cards.
"He's not going to make it back in two weeks; it doesn't sound like it," coach Doc Rivers said, according to Comcast SportsNet New England. "He ran the other day, but he only ran straight. That's not his game. We're going to wait. After the (Philadelphia) game, he voiced some frustration about it. I just said, 'you just have to be patient.'"
While Rondo rests, Nate Robinson will continue to get the start at PG.
Though Robinson is playing the point, Paul Pierce has taken over the facilitator role at times for the Celtics, a strategy that may also continue in Rondo's absence.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Nets getting in mix for Miller[/h3]
11:00AM ET
[h5]Andre Miller | Trail Blazers[/h5]
As we've previously noted, the Bobcats are mulling over a trade scenario which could net them Portland PG Andre Miller in return.
But as Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported Friday, the Nets are also interested in landing Miller in a multiteam trade for Carmelo Anthony in hopes Anthony will be more inclined to sign an extension with the team should they land both.
"Anthony and Miller were teammates in Denver from 2003-06 and played well together," he wrote. "While reuniting with Miller would be attractive to Anthony, sources continue to insist the Nets would likely need to acquire an additional quality player for Anthony to seriously consider committing to a contract extension with the franchise."
So even if the Nets acquire a player Melo may look favorably upon, it's looking like him agreeing to signing a contract extension with New Jersey -- reportedly the only way the team will go through with a deal -- still isn't a sure bet.
As such, New Jersey may need to try and snag another solid player in the deal to entice Melo into signing that extension.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Bynum's role[/h3]
10:40AM ET
[h5]Andrew Bynum | Lakers[/h5]
UPDATE: Jackson indicated Friday that Bynum could be in line for more minutes in a week or two.
"I think our big lineup could [be an advantage]," Jackson said, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles. "Of course, I don't think Andrew is ready to start yet or play those kind of minutes, but hopefully he will be in another week or two."
---
Andrew Bynum is back playing for the Lakers after his recovery from knee surgery kept him out of the team's first 24 games this season.
But according to the Los Angeles Times, coach Phil Jackson has indicated he's not close to re-gaining his starting spot after playing four games so far.
"I just can't tell you until he's got that bounce in his step that says he can now play 30, 35 minutes," Jackson said, according to the paper. "Right now we're content with how we're doing it."
Bynum is also dealing with some pain in his right knee now, but he told the paper "they tell me it's just something I'm going to have to deal with."
Add it all up, and it appears Bynum could continue in a limited bench role for a while -- he's averaging 16-plus minutes so far -- meaning Lamar Odom will continue to get solid burn as a frontcourt starter.
If Bynum can prove to play more minutes once the playoffs hit, his ability to protect the basket on D will be a plus in the starting lineup. Odom, who's played very well this season, could come off the bench in a sixth-man role and be a tough matchup for an opponent's second unit.
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]David Thorpe of Scouts Inc.[/h5]
Bynum needs to get in game work
http://[h3]Fine may come for Shaq[/h3]
10:35AM ET
[h5]Shaquille O'Neal | Celtics[/h5]
Shaquille O'Neal fouled out of Saturday's Celtics-Magic game, and it's looking like he wasn't very pleased with official Bob Delany.
"I guess they came out to see number 26 (Delany's referee number) today," O'Neal said Saturday after the game, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of Comcast SportsNet New England. "He (No. 26) was a great player out there today ... They (fans) paid all that money to watch No. 26 play. If I was a fan, I would be pissed. You pay all that money for good seats, you have two of the best guys in the (NBA) sitting on the bench, out of the game. That is what happens when you have control freaks out there."
Dwight Howard also found himself in foul trouble on Saturday, the other player Shaq was alluding to here.
As Blakely speculates, it's likely Shaq will be fined by the league for these comments.
Such a fine won't affect Shaq's playing status going forward.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Melo could be back Tuesday[/h3]
10:17AM ET
[h5]Carmelo Anthony | Nuggets[/h5]
Carmelo Anthony has missed the last two Nuggets games due to the death of his sister.
Nuggets coach George Karl indicated Saturday that Melo is unlikely to return for Sunday's game against the Sixers, but that Tuesday against the Trail Blazers is a more likely return date, according to Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post.
J.R. Smith has started at small forward while Anthony has been away from the team, so that should continue on Sunday.
If Melo indeed returns Tuesday, it's possible trade talks for him will pick up again, as they were put on hold while he attends to the death of his sister.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Bulls still after SG[/h3]
10:06AM ET
[h5]Chicago Bulls[/h5]
[h5]Shooting guards for Chicago[/h5]
- J.R. Smith. He's reportedly available and they've inquired.
- O.J. Mayo. There have been rumblings he could get traded since he's moved back to a sixth-man role.
- Daniel Gibson and Anthony Parker. The Cavs could do a lot of dealing at the deadline, and one of these two could potentially be had.
- J.J. Redick. With some new pieces in place via trade, Redick may now be expendable for the team provided they get a quality big in return.
It's been reported for a while now that the Bulls are looking for an upgrade a shooting guard. And Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated tweeted Saturday that team executives are saying the Bulls, along with the Magic (who are looking for size), are the two most active teams now.
J.R. Smith is one such shooting guard the team has reportedly inquired about, and we've noted a few other possiblities in the box to the right.
One other name that could surface for the team is J.J. Redick, reasons of which we dipped into Thursday. The Bulls tenured an offer sheet to the former Duke standout this summer, but as a restricted free agent, the Magic matched the offer and he returned to the team.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Blatche, McGee suspended[/h3]
9:56AM ET
[h5]Andray Blatche | Wizards[/h5]
According to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, both Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee have been suspended for Sunday's game against the Spurs in San Antonio.
"Blatche and McGee were involved in an altercation outside of an area club early Friday morning, in which two league sources said the starting frontcourt players exchanged curse words and punches," he wrote. "Another source said police were called to breakup the disruption."
Blatche denied there was a fight in a text message to Lee, saying there was "only one push" to help them avoid some other disturbances in the club.
Whatever the case may be, the Wizards (0-13 on the road this season) will have a tough time beating the Spurs without their two starters in the frontcourt.
Newcomer Rashard Lewis could get the start at power forward, while Hilton Armstrong could get the starting center nod in their absence.
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]ESPN's Marc Stein[/h5]
Wizards have talked about trading Blatche
http://[h3]Williams out in Cleveland?[/h3]
9:40AM ET
[h5]Jawad Williams | Cavaliers[/h5]
According to Bob Finnan of the News-Herald, the Cavs will likely waive Jawad Williams before Jan. 10, which is a day the majority of non-guaranteed deals are guaranteed for the rest of the season.
"They could always sign him to a 10-day contract," he added.
The waiving of Williams would bring the Cavs' roster to 14, so they wouldn't need to add a new player to reach the minimum league roster size of 12.
Williams has been getting some decent playing time -- an average of 14.7 minutes a game -- but is shooting poorly (31.7 percent) and the Cavs have a host of players who can play small forward (Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Joey Graham and Christian Eyenga) if they waive Williams.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Diaw an option for Orlando?[/h3]
9:26AM ET
[h5]Boris Diaw | Bobcats[/h5]
As has been widely reported and talked about, the Magic are after a backup center behind Dwight Howard now that Marcin Gortat has been traded to the Suns.
And one such such player that might be offered up to them is Boris Diaw.
"Look for the Bobcats to try to gain cap relief by offering Diaw to Orlando for the expiring contract of Jason Richardson, a former Bobcat," wrote Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. "Diaw has a player option for $9 million next season, while Richardson's $14.4 million comes off the books."
While Diaw plays power forward for the Bobcats, he has the size to back up Howard at center.
But whether the Magic would want to give up their new starting shooting guard for a backup center remains to be seen, as it's been reported backups like Chris Duhon and Quentin Richardson are the trade chips they're more in favor of using.
If such a deal ever came to fruition, it's possible Gilbert Arenas would then step into the starting lineup at the 2 for the Magic, while Tyrus Thomas would likely assume the starting PF role in Charlotte.
[h3]Udoh's remaining 2010-11[/h3]
11:46AM ET
[h5]Ekpe Udoh | Warriors[/h5]
Warriors rookie Ekpe Udoh didn't make his NBA debut until Dec. 10 due to a broken wrist that saw him miss the first five and a half weeks of the season.
But it's sounding like Udoh may be finding solid rotation minutes once his conditioning improves.
"(Warriors coach) Keith Smart said Udoh is moving up the rotation fast," tweeted Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group. "Sounds like conditioning is the only obstacle."
If Udoh solidifies 20-plus minutes a night going forward, guys like Louis Amundson and Vladimir Radmanovic could see a decline in their reserve frontcourt roles.
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]ESPN's John Hollinger[/h5]
Need to see more of Udoh
http://[h3]Rondo's return still uncertain[/h3]
11:26AM ET
[h5]Rajon Rondo | Celtics[/h5]
Rajon Rondo has missed the last four Celtics games due mostly to a sprained left ankle.
And it's now looking like a target return timetable of about two weeks or so might not be in the cards.
"He's not going to make it back in two weeks; it doesn't sound like it," coach Doc Rivers said, according to Comcast SportsNet New England. "He ran the other day, but he only ran straight. That's not his game. We're going to wait. After the (Philadelphia) game, he voiced some frustration about it. I just said, 'you just have to be patient.'"
While Rondo rests, Nate Robinson will continue to get the start at PG.
Though Robinson is playing the point, Paul Pierce has taken over the facilitator role at times for the Celtics, a strategy that may also continue in Rondo's absence.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Nets getting in mix for Miller[/h3]
11:00AM ET
[h5]Andre Miller | Trail Blazers[/h5]
As we've previously noted, the Bobcats are mulling over a trade scenario which could net them Portland PG Andre Miller in return.
But as Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported Friday, the Nets are also interested in landing Miller in a multiteam trade for Carmelo Anthony in hopes Anthony will be more inclined to sign an extension with the team should they land both.
"Anthony and Miller were teammates in Denver from 2003-06 and played well together," he wrote. "While reuniting with Miller would be attractive to Anthony, sources continue to insist the Nets would likely need to acquire an additional quality player for Anthony to seriously consider committing to a contract extension with the franchise."
So even if the Nets acquire a player Melo may look favorably upon, it's looking like him agreeing to signing a contract extension with New Jersey -- reportedly the only way the team will go through with a deal -- still isn't a sure bet.
As such, New Jersey may need to try and snag another solid player in the deal to entice Melo into signing that extension.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Bynum's role[/h3]
10:40AM ET
[h5]Andrew Bynum | Lakers[/h5]
UPDATE: Jackson indicated Friday that Bynum could be in line for more minutes in a week or two.
"I think our big lineup could [be an advantage]," Jackson said, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles. "Of course, I don't think Andrew is ready to start yet or play those kind of minutes, but hopefully he will be in another week or two."
---
Andrew Bynum is back playing for the Lakers after his recovery from knee surgery kept him out of the team's first 24 games this season.
But according to the Los Angeles Times, coach Phil Jackson has indicated he's not close to re-gaining his starting spot after playing four games so far.
"I just can't tell you until he's got that bounce in his step that says he can now play 30, 35 minutes," Jackson said, according to the paper. "Right now we're content with how we're doing it."
Bynum is also dealing with some pain in his right knee now, but he told the paper "they tell me it's just something I'm going to have to deal with."
Add it all up, and it appears Bynum could continue in a limited bench role for a while -- he's averaging 16-plus minutes so far -- meaning Lamar Odom will continue to get solid burn as a frontcourt starter.
If Bynum can prove to play more minutes once the playoffs hit, his ability to protect the basket on D will be a plus in the starting lineup. Odom, who's played very well this season, could come off the bench in a sixth-man role and be a tough matchup for an opponent's second unit.
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]David Thorpe of Scouts Inc.[/h5]
Bynum needs to get in game work
http://[h3]Fine may come for Shaq[/h3]
10:35AM ET
[h5]Shaquille O'Neal | Celtics[/h5]
Shaquille O'Neal fouled out of Saturday's Celtics-Magic game, and it's looking like he wasn't very pleased with official Bob Delany.
"I guess they came out to see number 26 (Delany's referee number) today," O'Neal said Saturday after the game, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of Comcast SportsNet New England. "He (No. 26) was a great player out there today ... They (fans) paid all that money to watch No. 26 play. If I was a fan, I would be pissed. You pay all that money for good seats, you have two of the best guys in the (NBA) sitting on the bench, out of the game. That is what happens when you have control freaks out there."
Dwight Howard also found himself in foul trouble on Saturday, the other player Shaq was alluding to here.
As Blakely speculates, it's likely Shaq will be fined by the league for these comments.
Such a fine won't affect Shaq's playing status going forward.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Melo could be back Tuesday[/h3]
10:17AM ET
[h5]Carmelo Anthony | Nuggets[/h5]
Carmelo Anthony has missed the last two Nuggets games due to the death of his sister.
Nuggets coach George Karl indicated Saturday that Melo is unlikely to return for Sunday's game against the Sixers, but that Tuesday against the Trail Blazers is a more likely return date, according to Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post.
J.R. Smith has started at small forward while Anthony has been away from the team, so that should continue on Sunday.
If Melo indeed returns Tuesday, it's possible trade talks for him will pick up again, as they were put on hold while he attends to the death of his sister.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Bulls still after SG[/h3]
10:06AM ET
[h5]Chicago Bulls[/h5]
[h5]Shooting guards for Chicago[/h5]
- J.R. Smith. He's reportedly available and they've inquired.
- O.J. Mayo. There have been rumblings he could get traded since he's moved back to a sixth-man role.
- Daniel Gibson and Anthony Parker. The Cavs could do a lot of dealing at the deadline, and one of these two could potentially be had.
- J.J. Redick. With some new pieces in place via trade, Redick may now be expendable for the team provided they get a quality big in return.
It's been reported for a while now that the Bulls are looking for an upgrade a shooting guard. And Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated tweeted Saturday that team executives are saying the Bulls, along with the Magic (who are looking for size), are the two most active teams now.
J.R. Smith is one such shooting guard the team has reportedly inquired about, and we've noted a few other possiblities in the box to the right.
One other name that could surface for the team is J.J. Redick, reasons of which we dipped into Thursday. The Bulls tenured an offer sheet to the former Duke standout this summer, but as a restricted free agent, the Magic matched the offer and he returned to the team.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Blatche, McGee suspended[/h3]
9:56AM ET
[h5]Andray Blatche | Wizards[/h5]
According to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, both Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee have been suspended for Sunday's game against the Spurs in San Antonio.
"Blatche and McGee were involved in an altercation outside of an area club early Friday morning, in which two league sources said the starting frontcourt players exchanged curse words and punches," he wrote. "Another source said police were called to breakup the disruption."
Blatche denied there was a fight in a text message to Lee, saying there was "only one push" to help them avoid some other disturbances in the club.
Whatever the case may be, the Wizards (0-13 on the road this season) will have a tough time beating the Spurs without their two starters in the frontcourt.
Newcomer Rashard Lewis could get the start at power forward, while Hilton Armstrong could get the starting center nod in their absence.
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]ESPN's Marc Stein[/h5]
Wizards have talked about trading Blatche
http://[h3]Williams out in Cleveland?[/h3]
9:40AM ET
[h5]Jawad Williams | Cavaliers[/h5]
According to Bob Finnan of the News-Herald, the Cavs will likely waive Jawad Williams before Jan. 10, which is a day the majority of non-guaranteed deals are guaranteed for the rest of the season.
"They could always sign him to a 10-day contract," he added.
The waiving of Williams would bring the Cavs' roster to 14, so they wouldn't need to add a new player to reach the minimum league roster size of 12.
Williams has been getting some decent playing time -- an average of 14.7 minutes a game -- but is shooting poorly (31.7 percent) and the Cavs have a host of players who can play small forward (Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Joey Graham and Christian Eyenga) if they waive Williams.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Diaw an option for Orlando?[/h3]
9:26AM ET
[h5]Boris Diaw | Bobcats[/h5]
As has been widely reported and talked about, the Magic are after a backup center behind Dwight Howard now that Marcin Gortat has been traded to the Suns.
And one such such player that might be offered up to them is Boris Diaw.
"Look for the Bobcats to try to gain cap relief by offering Diaw to Orlando for the expiring contract of Jason Richardson, a former Bobcat," wrote Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. "Diaw has a player option for $9 million next season, while Richardson's $14.4 million comes off the books."
While Diaw plays power forward for the Bobcats, he has the size to back up Howard at center.
But whether the Magic would want to give up their new starting shooting guard for a backup center remains to be seen, as it's been reported backups like Chris Duhon and Quentin Richardson are the trade chips they're more in favor of using.
If such a deal ever came to fruition, it's possible Gilbert Arenas would then step into the starting lineup at the 2 for the Magic, while Tyrus Thomas would likely assume the starting PF role in Charlotte.
Dudes were dead serious tho.Originally Posted by JPZx
Originally Posted by ex carrabba fan
On other boards you had these dudes actually debating who OKC's best player washopefully that wasn't going on here too
Obviously that was going on here this is NT.
Dudes were dead serious tho.Originally Posted by JPZx
Originally Posted by ex carrabba fan
On other boards you had these dudes actually debating who OKC's best player washopefully that wasn't going on here too
Obviously that was going on here this is NT.
