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NBA Rumors: Friday, Nov. 13

InsideHoops NBA rumors updated 8:30 a.m. ET. Reload this page and our front page regularly.

Already, Stephen Jackson is making it increasingly clear that he wants out of Oakland. Anthony Randolph is questioning his playing time, and Ellis and rookie Stephen Curry are struggling to find much cohesion. Now this: As the players cooled down from a practice at the Reebok Sports Club and prepared for the bus ride to the hotel, Ellis called Nelson over to the bench, where he sat alongside Jackson and Acie Law. San Francisco Chronicle

"Coach, why do I get blamed for everything?" [Monta] Ellis asked. Then, the coach and player had this heated dialogue: [Don] Nelson: "What have I ever blamed you for?" Ellis: "For everything. Everything. People not knowing their plays. I didn't do this. I didn't do that." Nelson directed a two-handed wave off at Ellis and left the facility. The guard yelled, "That's why I won't do it. I just won't do it." San Francisco Chronicle

According to a Warriors player, Nelson reprimanded Ellis in front of his teammates. The player said Ellis wasn't the only one who wasn't quite ready when practice was scheduled to begin at noon, but the guard still took the brunt of Nelson's anger. San Francisco Chronicle

Responding quickly to a mayoral call, some of the region's largest developers are rushing to draw up proposals for a new sports and entertainment arena in Sacramento. And from the early discussions, it looks like downtown is back in play. Mayor Kevin Johnson released what he called a "request for offerings" Tuesday for a new arena that could be home to the NBA's Kings, saying he is looking for local help, and looking for it fast. Sacramento Bee

By Thursday, at least two developers, including the owner of the downtown railyard, said they plan to respond, and others were expressing interest. Under Johnson's request, a volunteer task force will accept ideas between now and Dec. 24, then take 90 days choosing the best proposals. The top ideas will be presented to the City Council early next year, Johnson said. Sacramento Bee

As New Orleans Hornets players gathered at the Alario Center on Thursday morning, team president Hugh Weber met with captains Chris Paul and David West to inform them that Coach Byron Scott was fired and his replacement would be General Manager Jeff Bower. Paul wasn't happy with the decision, and he certainly wasn't pleased with being caught off guard by the announcement. He said the Hornets should have sought his and West's input before the decision was finalized. "I felt like, maybe somebody would have at least consulted with me and asked how I felt before it happened," Paul said by telephone Thursday night. "It's not to get my approval, but we feel we should know about the decision before it takes place." New Orleans Times Picayune

"You can't put all this on Coach," Paul said. Scott is the only coach that Paul has played for since coming to the Hornets as a first-round draft pick in 2005. They became golf partners this summer and Paul largely credits Scott for helping him develop into becoming a two-time All-Star point guard and Olympic gold medal winner. New Orleans Times Picayune

On Byron Scott: "To me the guy has done a great job down there," said Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry, whose Suns crushed the Hornets on Wednesday in what turned out to be Scott's final game. "You coach for two years and win 105 games, you would think you'd have an opportunity to right the ship before you're replaced, but I don't know everything that's going on down there." Press Enterprise

Hornets forward David West told reporters in New Orleans there were "philosophical differences" between Scott and some players, and hinted that Scott might have become stubborn in his beliefs. "Pride is a dangerous thing," West said. "Amongst the team there was a sense of a few guys not trusting what we had in terms of our system and our ability to know what we were going to get every single night from our system." Yahoo

League sources, however, maintain that point guard Chris Paul was not one of the players who had issues with Scott. Paul had remained loyal to Scott even during the team's struggles. "Chris Paul had nothing to do with it," said one source close to the team. Yahoo

Hornets officials told the players of the coaching change during a team meeting Thursday. Paul Pressey, Scott's lead assistant, was demoted with the change. Floyd will be the top assistant under Bower. Scott's son, Thomas, will remain the team's video coordinator. Yahoo

Although Paul has been frustrated with the team's slow start, a team insider said he was surprised and upset by the firing of the only NBA coach he's played for. Paul and Scott had a close player-coach relationship that extended off the court. The two played golf together in Los Angeles earlier this week with Hornets reserve Devin Brown and Paul's brother. Other team members weren't as shocked. David West, the team's other resident All-Star, found Scott's offensive system too rigid. Several of the team's younger players were unsure of their roles. Another knock on Scott was his handling of young talent. The team's two rookies, first-rounder Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton, have had difficulty breaking into the rotation. Former first-rounder Julian Wright, now in his third year, has yet to see his career take off. NBA.com

"I think we're all surprised," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "It's pretty early in the season, not even 10 games in that this would happen. "I had this conversation once with an owner that I knew ... commiserating with him about firing a coach. And he said, `Thanks, I know that firing's very hard on owners, but usually the players fire the coach before the owner has to fire him. "The players stop responding to the coach, and it makes it a lot easier, it's not a grudge match between the owner and the coach. So I kind of had to reconsider that a little bit." LA Daily News

Asked jokingly whether the Suns' blowout win might have contributed to Scott's demise, Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry shrugged off the suggestion. "Nah, we just play," Gentry said. "We played the best half of basketball we played by far. Them losing to us was not the straw that broke the camel's back. LA Daily News

While the coach downplayed the impact of Elton Brand's struggles and Brand's consistently limited role, the team president believes Brand is feeling the pressure. Following Thursday's practice, Ed Stefanski said he thinks the $80 million contract Brand signed on July 9, 2008, only to miss 53 games in his first season due to injury, is weighing on Brand. "It's easy for me to say, 'Go out and enjoy yourself out there. The weight of the world is not on your shoulders,' " Stefanski said. "He's such a good person. Some of those things, I think, affect him." Philly Burbs

While Stefanski said he doesn't think Brand is back to 100 percent physically in the wake of a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2007 and a separated shoulder last year, Stefanski admitted that he didn't expect Brand wouldn't be on the floor at all in fourth quarters - as has happened in four of the Sixers' last five games, including Wednesday's 82-79 win over the Nets - in his first year playing for Eddie Jordan. Philly Burbs

Brand said he's not frustrated with how the Sixers are doing - "just me, personally, because if I go out there and dominate, you've got to play. If you go out there and have 14 rebounds, five blocks and 16 points in the first half, you know you're going to play." Philly Burbs

Hollins is delivering a sterner message to the Grizzlies. Either shape up or sit. "It's up to them to decide if they want to be a good team," Hollins said. "And then they have to go out and pay the price every day. We don't see enough sustained effort, sustained second effort, sustained diving on the floor and sustained execution. ... It's just effort." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Q: Hollins tried challenging his team in huddles and holding long practices. What other means might he take to reach this team? A: Hollins didn't bite his tongue when he talked about holding players accountable Wednesday following a loss at Houston. He benched Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo early in the fourth quarter of that debacle. Hollins is prepared to do more of the same with anyone who lacks effort, doesn't execute or plays out of the team context. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Hollins hasn't trusted his bench enough, either. The rookies make mistakes but are needed, especially with Iverson sitting out because of a personal leave of absence. Living with their foibles now could mean they will be better after January. And, defensively, you'd expect to see the Griz send double teams toward a hot-shooting opposing player who is on his way to a 40-point night in the future. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Basking in the glow of a victory over the Heat, Cavs superstar LeBron James looked over at his idol sitting in the stands at AmericanAirlines Arena on Thursday night and made a command decision. Out of respect to Michael Jordan, who sat courtside and watched James score 34 points, James said he is planning on switching his number after this season from No. 23 to No. 6. It just sort of came out, but it was obvious he's been thinking about it for a while. And James wants to lead a movement to get every player who wears No. 23 in the league to give it up as a tribute to Jordan. Cleveland Plain Dealer

"I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon," James said. "There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn't Michael Jordan first. "He can't get the logo, and if he can't, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I'm starting a petition, and I've got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Both consciously and subconsciously, the Cavaliers seem to be preparing themselves for life without Delonte West. Out of respect to his problems, both mental and legal, the team continues to be vague and clipped whenever addressing his status. But the more he's not around, the more the Cavs players and coaches are showing signs they're just moving on. West did not play Thursday against the Miami Heat and was not at AmericanAirlines Arena after he was with them the night before in Orlando but not on the bench. He was simply placed on the inactive list again. It didn't even seem to make a blip in the locker room or in coach Mike Brown's plans for the game. Cleveland Plain Dealer

If West is there, he plays. If he's not, then the team just plays without him and without much comment. "At this point, it's not a distraction," LeBron James said. "At the end of the day, what he's going through is more than just about basketball. He's going to continue to work out and continue to work to get back." Cleveland Plain Dealer

After getting badly elbowed twice in his chest area last week, Anderson Varejao has joined the growing number of Cavs who wear padded vests under their jerseys to protect their rib areas. James has worn a padded vest and compression shorts for the past two seasons. "I think I'm going to wear it for a while," Varejao said. "It's been a few games, and it has been good for me." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ben Gordon knows he can score, but he wants to be a complete player. That's why his eight assists were almost as important as his 22 points during the Pistons' 98-75 win over the Bobcats on Wednesday night. More importantly, though, Gordon also wants to shed the perception he is a poor defender. He understands defense wins, and he wants to hold his own. "I think the more consistent you are out there and how you play on the ball is important," Gordon said. "It will take me some time to become a better defensive player. I have to be more consistent but it will happen." Detroit News

Under doctor's orders, Chris Kaman stayed away from his teammates Thursday. Nothing against the Clippers' leading scorer, but that may have been the best call of the week. Kaman is suffering from a virus -- not flu, the team says -- and the last thing they need is for what he has to go spreading through the squad. It's not a good thing if their numbers continue to hover around 10 and 11 players, at practice, and especially with a three-game trip coming up, starting at Oklahoma City on Sunday. LA Times

The Clippers haven't won when second-year shooting guard Eric Gordon is out of from the lineup. Gordon (sore left groin) will be out, at minimum, five more games. His value, at both ends of the floor, has only been reinforced this week. "We miss him tremendously," Camby said. "I never thought we would miss him as much as we did. Obviously he's the one guy who has to be a constant for us. A guy like Eric is sorely missed for what he brings to the court." LA Times

Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks sent a message to his team, and it resulted in a win as he stuck with bench players James Harden, Kevin Ollie, Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison much of the fourth quarter Wednesday night. The Thunder's bench outscored the Clippers' bench 26-11 to lead a come-from-behind win. Advertisement "I was rewarding the guys who played with great effort," Brooks said. "They were doing a great job. I wanted the guys who brought us back with their energy to have an opportunity to win the game." Oklahoman

Anyone who has watched the Bulls' first eight games has noticed Derrick Rose isn't attacking the rim with the same regularity as last season. He has had flashes, no doubt: The fourth quarters at home against the Bucks and visiting the Cavs come to mind. And Rose's numbers -- 13.8 points per game, 5.6 assists, 45.2 percent shooting -- actually aren't that far from his Rookie of the Year averages of 16.8 points, 6.3 assists and 47.5 percent shooting. Chicago Tribune

But first, Rose suffered a tendon injury in his right ankle that limited his preseason participation to one game and affected his game conditioning. Now, defenses clearly are playing him more aggressively this season. More often than not, guards pick Rose up fullcourt. Beyond that, double teams often come at him just past halfcourt. Chicago Tribune

Former Most Valuable Player Nash may be 35, but the Suns' recommitment to the speedy game revolves around him, and his staying healthy and fresh. Asked about protecting him, Gentry shook his head. "How many minutes should I be playing him?" he asked, adding, "He's averaging 34, which means he does not play 14 minutes. That's 14 minutes that makes me nervous as (heck)." Phil Jackson, a champion, literally, of the deliberate triangle offense is one of those who doubts that run-and-shoot can be sustained through June. "You wonder if you can get the same execution in the playoffs," he said. "The game gets more physical as you go through." Press Enterprise

The Mavericks didn't arrive in Minneapolis until about 3:30 a.m. Thursday and everybody except the low-minute players was instructed to rest as much as possible after back-to-back games and with three outings in four nights upcoming. ... As is his nature, Nowitzki was hardest on himself when recounting the loss to San Antonio. "I took a bad shot," he said of the Mavericks' possession when they had closed to within 83-79 and had the ball. "Maybe I was a little tired and just pressed too much. I just took some shots I probably shouldn't have taken." Maybe not a bad idea since he and Terry were about the only ones making any in the fourth quarter. Dallas Morning News

Nuggets newcomer Arron Afflalo will have the honors of guarding (or trying to guard) Kobe Bryant, according to Denver coach George Karl. Afflalo, an L.A. native, provides a defensive spunk the Lakers hope to counter with their newcomer, Ron Artest, who turns 30 tonight. The versatile but volatile forward has said all the right things since arriving in La-La Land, and he entered Thursday averaging 12 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Tonight's game will have enough marquee matchups to make an onlooker dizzy, but if there's one to focus on, it's Artest against Carmelo Anthony. "The Lakers have a good way at zoning (Anthony) up - he's not playing against one guy very often," Karl said. "For me, Melo is a simple theory. Big guy on him, go outside; little guy on him, go inside. Get as many baskets and touches in transitions as you can." Denver Post

Nuggets: Guard J.R. Smith will continue to come off the bench, with Arron Afflalo likely starting at shooting guard tonight. . . . Initially, coach George Karl thought he would play reserve point guard Anthony Carter more minutes than rookie Ty Lawson, but Lawson's emergence has led to 21.8 minutes per game, compared with 17.1 for Carter. . . . After six consecutive road games, Denver closes out the month with six home games and just two road games. Denver Post

Ryan Anderson, who is recovering from a sprained right ankle, had hoped he could play tonight against the New Jersey Nets, his former team. But Anderson acknowledges it would take a "miracle" for that to happen. Anderson has run and worked out at RDV Sportsplex in recent days, but he hasn't practiced with his teammates. Orlando Sentinel

Dwight Howard is the NBA's reigning defensive player of the year, but he hasn't blocked many shots lately. Howard has recorded a total of three blocks over Orlando's last five games. Howard's rebounding average has also dipped recently. He was averaging 16.0 rebounds per game after the team's first three games; now, that number since has fallen to 10.6 per game. Orlando Sentinel

Meanwhile, halfway around the globe, Casspi has accomplished the following: Forced his way into Paul Westphal's rotation. Influenced the Kings' surprising 4-4 start. Helped his brother, Eitan, improve his English. Inspired Maccabi partisans in the wee small hours. "Omri has been a shining light given the whole atmosphere of basketball right now in our country," said Eran Soroka, the premier NBA writer for the Israeli newspaper Maariv. "We are getting up at 5 a.m. to watch the games, and when Omri does something good, it's all over the TV and newspapers." Pressure? Nah, no pressure. Casspi, a former Maccabi star and the first Israeli to play in the league, says his text messages number in the thousands. His cell phone is overloaded. He intently monitors the Israeli scandal, known as "MoniGate," while maintaining an emotional distance. Sacramento Bee

As the Suns hope to keep shining on the court, one of the members of their family is seeking to do so off of it. Former Suns Dancer, Brittany Bell, who spent the last three seasons entertaining fans across the Valley, will be competing in the Miss Arizona USA pageant this weekend. If Bell should capture the crown, she will go on to represent Arizona on the national level in the Miss USA pageant. The preliminary competition will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Mesa Arts Center Theater from 7 to 9 p.m. The competition will consist of contestants participating in both evening gown and swimsuit competitions. Suns.com

The case against a former NBA star who owes $822,500 in casino gambling debts is moving forward after a brief hearing today in Las Vegas Justice Court. Antoine Walker was scheduled to appear this morning in front of Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson. His lawyer, Jonathan Powell, appeared on his behalf. Powell indicated that Walker intended to waive his right to a preliminary hearing and asked for a continuance. Another hearing in front of Andress-Tobiasson was set for 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 30. Las Vegas Sun

The father of former NBA star Jayson Williams has died. The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Home said Elijah Joshua "E.J." Williams died Tuesday. He was 76. AP

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Cavaliers seem to be preparing for life without Delonte West: Cavaliers Insider

By Brian Windhorst

November 12, 2009, 8:43PM

Joshua Gunter/The Plain DealerDelonte West has appeared in only four of the Cavaliers' regular-season games this year. West is averaging 5.5 points per game.Miami -- Both consciously and subconsciously, the Cavaliers seem to be preparing themselves for life without Delonte West.

Out of respect to his problems, both mental and legal, the team continues to be vague and clipped whenever addressing his status. But the more he's not around, the more the Cavs players and coaches are showing signs they're just moving on.

West did not play Thursday against the Miami Heat and was not at AmericanAirlines Arena after he was with them the night before in Orlando but not on the bench. He was simply placed on the inactive list again. It didn't even seem to make a blip in the locker room or in coach Mike Brown's plans for the game.

"My comfort level isn't affected," Brown said. "I have a feel that we should go certain ways when he's playing and when he's not. I'm good either way."

As is often the case in the NBA, the players' mood matches the coach's. Though they feel for West and are hoping he can at some point return to his level last season, the yo-yoing of him being with the team, then being away, then being back has seemed to desensitize the matter.

He left twice during training camp, and this is the second stretch of regular-season games he's missed. All along, the Cavs have said it isn't a distraction, and perhaps it has gotten to the point where it actually isn't -- everyone is just used to the unknown and the unexpected.

If West is there, he plays. If he's not, then the team just plays without him and without much comment.

"At this point, it's not a distraction," LeBron James said. "At the end of the day, what he's going through is more than just about basketball. He's going to continue to work out and continue to work to get back."

O'Neal/Ilgauskas experiment over: Wednesday night against the Magic, Shaquille O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas played long stretches on the floor together, but from now on, that should be considered an exception. After flirting with the pairing over the first two weeks of the season, Brown has decided to remove those two playing together from his rotation and plans only to use it when the matchups dictate -- such as against the Magic, who often will play two centers.

"For the most part, I don't have those guys playing minutes together unless I feel the matchups warrant it," Brown said. "There may be times we have to go that way against the Lakers or Portland or a couple other teams."

 Moon returns: Thursday, Moon returned to Miami, where he played 26 games last season after being traded to the Heat from the Toronto Raptors. Over the summer, Moon had some discussions about going back to the Heat before the Cavs signed him to a two-year, $6 million offer sheet Miami didn't match.

The Heat was concerned about the luxury tax this season and protecting cap space for next summer.

"They wanted to bring me back, but I don't know what their financial situation was going to be," Moon said. "I actually thought I'd be back, I thought they'd find a way, but it didn't work out."

Varejao armored up: After getting badly elbowed twice in his chest area last week, Anderson Varejao has joined the growing number of Cavs who wear padded vests under their jerseys to protect their rib areas. James has worn a padded vest and compression shorts for the past two seasons.

"I think I'm going to wear it for a while," Varejao said. "It's been a few games, and it has been good for me."

Lakers dismantle red-hot Suns for sixth straight win

LOS ANGELES -- One moment after Steve Nash threw a pass into the stands in the third quarter, Lamar Odom found Kobe Bryant with an alley-oop pass for a behind-the-head dunk.

Fast Facts

• The Lakers won their sixth straight game, improving to 21-3 in their last 24 at home.

• The Suns have lost five of their last six to the Lakers.

• Andrew Bynum scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for his third 20-point, 10-board game of the season.

-- ESPN Stats & Information

Doc talks about Sheed taking 3’s, turnovers & what he looks for in box scores

Doc Rivers had his weekly interview with Dennis and Callahan over at WEEI this morning. A few interesting excerpts from their conversation about all things Celtics:

On Rasheed’s launching up 3 pointers at a historic rate:

It’s in the context of the offense, but I tell him and Eddie [House] every time they’re open to shoot it. Don’t hesitate. I’ll be the guy that will pull them back. Early on last night you could see Rasheed pass up a couple to get to the second option, which is something we want him to do. But we want him looking for it. We don’t want him thinking about shooting [too much.]

On what the team shoots for each game, turnover wise:

Right now it’s 14 for us. Because we’re trying to run a little more we figure they’ll be up. But if we can average 14 turnovers I can live with that.

On what key stats Doc looks for in a box score:

Field goal percentage for us is misleading because we count open shots. You do glance it, but we have our own stat on field goal percentage because it counts as open shots. Offensively, we know that is we miss 10 wide open shots we’re not upset by that. Obviously we want them to go in, but we know on average they will go in. It’s the same thing defensively. We’ve had games where the other team shot 41 percent and we look at the film and look at our own adjusted field goal percentage and we don’t like the game anymore.

Rebounding, turnovers and assists: those numbers don’t lie. That’s a number we always look at. Defensively, besides field goal percentage, we look at deflections, which they don’t put on the stat sheet. That’s really important. If our deflections are up, usually that means that we’re really active.

On what Doc thinks the team needs to work on, despite it’s 7-1 record:

The discipline, our pick and roll coverage had been slipping. Our transition D had been slipping. We didn’t close out the corner 3’s, and we’ve been giving up a ton of corner 3’s in the games before that. Offensively, really timing. Timing on the second and third options. I thought we were getting impatient offensively and taking quick, uncontested shots. We did a better job last night making the extra pass that led to the assist.

A few notes on Doc’s thoughts, after the jump:

First, the Wallace 3’s. Doc clearly went to bat for his player’s shot selection here and I tend to think that confidence will continue as long as the Celtics keep winning. One key quote though: “I’ll be the guy to pull them back” Doc at least acknowledging that possibility is as good as any Celtic fan can hope for. In the meantime, Doc wants Sheed to get comfortable in the context of the offense and if that involves him launching 3’s at will, so be it. No need to ruffle any feathers this early, if the C’s are winning.

 Re: The Turnovers

Doc wants 14 a game and so far the team is right at that pace, averaging 14.3/a game through 9 contests. My question after hearing that number, was how does 14 turnovers/game compare to the overall average in the league last year?

A quick inspection of the numbers tells me that 14 turnovers a game was exactly the league average out of all 30 teams last year. So Doc wants the C’s to be an average team as far as turnovers go, a far drop from their 3rd worst in the league ranking last year. My question to everyone, especially turnover resident expert Zach Lowe? Is this feasible with this team?

Re: The Box Score

I have to say, I like Doc’s methods here by adjusting percentages based on opener jumpers. When you have a great shooting team like the C’s, it’s knowing you are getting those kind of open looks over the course of the regular season which is more important than whether they are falling in a particular game. The deflections stat is an intriguing one too. All in all, good stuff from Doc.

Bower takes over as Hornets’ coach

Struggling to stay competitive just two seasons after reaching the Western Conference semifinals, the New Orleans Hornets fired coach Byron Scott and replaced him with general manager Jeff Bower on Thursday.

The Hornets said Bower will be the full-time coach and there are no current plans to search for a replacement. Bower has never been a head coach on any level, but previously worked as an assistant for the Hornets.

The Hornets fired Byron Scott as head coach after starting the season 3-6.

(Darren Abate/AP Photo)

Former Hornets coach Tim Floyd also is returning as an assistant coach. Floyd coached the Hornets during the 2003-04 season, going 41-41 before losing in the first round of the playoffs. Bower was an assistant on Floyd’s staff that season.

Floyd will be with the Hornets on Friday for their game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Floyd “brings a teaching, strong defensive coach as well as a late-game technician,” Bower said in a phone interview. “His skills add a lot to our coaching staff and our team of players.”

Scott, whose firing was first reported by New Orleans’ The Times-Picayune, was dismissed after the Hornets started the season 3-6. Four of the team’s losses were by at least 16 points.

The Hornets also suffered a 58-point loss to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of last season’s playoffs, the biggest sign yet that the franchise had fallen from the ranks of the Western Conference’s elite.

Scott did not know of his impending dismissal when the Hornets flew back from Phoenix following Wednesday’s 124-104 loss, but had privately expressed concern to friends and peers about his job when the team struggled during the preseason. He also was concerned about the team’s overall talent level and some chemistry issues within the roster.

Hornets president Hugh Weber made it clear franchise officials disagreed with Scott’s assessment of what ailed the team.

“This isn’t about rebuilding, this is about recommitting,” Weber said during a news conference in New Orleans to announce the change. “We’ve known we’ve had confidence in our plans, we’ve known we’ve had confidence in our players.

“The way the problem was defined we don’t agree with. This isn’t an issue of trust or commitment [from the players]. This is an issue of execution.”

Weber said Hornets officials and Scott targeted areas for improvement during the offseason. The team also traded oft-injured center Tyson Chandler(notes) for Emeka Okafor(notes) to help stabilize the roster.

“We found the players we felt would help us compete at an elite level,” Weber said, “and yet the team is broken.”

The Hornets had, Weber said, “very specific, tactical goals that weren’t being achieved.”

Hornets forward David West(notes) told reporters in New Orleans there were “philosophical differences” between Scott and some players, and hinted that Scott might have become stubborn in his beliefs.

“Pride is a dangerous thing,” West said. “Amongst the team there was a sense of a few guys not trusting what we had in terms of our system and our ability to know what we were going to get every single night from our system.”

West played under Floyd during the 2003-04 season and said there would be a “dramatic difference” in transitioning from Scott to Bower and Floyd.

“We were way too predictable,” West said. “We worked way too hard to get simple stuff accomplished.

“What we had wasn’t working – the philosophy, the way we approached things just wasn’t working.”

League sources, however, maintain that point guard Chris Paul(notes) was not one of the players who had issues with Scott. Paul had remained loyal to Scott even during the team’s struggles.

“Chris Paul had nothing to do with it,” said one source close to the team.

Hornets officials told the players of the coaching change during a team meeting Thursday. Paul Pressey, Scott’s lead assistant, was demoted with the change. Floyd will be the top assistant under Bower. Scott’s son, Thomas, will remain the team’s video coordinator.

Scott was the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2008 when he helped guide the Hornets to a 56-26 record. The Hornets came within a game of reaching the West finals that season.

League sources say Hornets owner George Shinn had encouraged Bower to take over as coach as far back as the summer.

Bower has been with the Hornets since 1995, serving as everything from an advance scout to assistant coach to general manager. He was promoted to GM in June 2001 then returned to the bench as an assistant under Floyd during the 2003-04 season.

Bower said he doesn’t whether he will coach the Hornets beyond this season.

“This plan is in place so all our attention will be focused on this team right now to change the results and change some of the habits that we have,” Bower said. “That’s where all our energy is.”

Weber said accountability was one of the biggest factors in deciding to have Bower coach. Bower built the Hornets’ roster and is now tasked with getting it to win.

“I told Jeff the genie is out of the bottle,” Weber said. “There’s no way he can say he doesn’t have the right players for the right reason. Jeff has hand-selected this team and we like the idea that now Jeff will be held accountable for results.”

Weber said the Hornets expect those results to improve – sooner rather than later.

“Our expectations are high, our sense of urgency is high,” Weber said. “Our patience is low.”

Super Smash Brothers

By Dime Magazine

D-Wade vs. LeBron

You know you pulled off an incredible dunk when your team doesn’t even win the game, you lost to a team that features arguably the best/most famous (active) basketball player in the world and one of the two other most famous players in the world, the dunk itself happened way back in the first quarter of an East Coast tip-off, and it’s STILL the first everybody is talking about around the water cooler. A few minutes into Heat/Cavs, LeBron looked like he was gonna put somebody on a poster when he got a step on his defender and approached the rim with bad intentions. LBJ got stuffed by Jermaine O’Neal, though, creating a one-man fast break for Dwyane Wade. With ‘Bron trailing a little too far behind, Wade got to the paint and elevated on Anderson Varejao, went chest-to-chest and flushed home a banger that sent Varejao crashing into the basket support heels-over-head. The Heat bench turned into an Omega Psi Phi party, then Wade punctuated the dunk with an ice cold step-over. Dunk of the Year so far, with all due respect to Travis Outlaw … The Cavs were ahead most of the night, and took control about midway through the third quarter. Wade (36 pts, 15-21 FT) hit a couple threes in the fourth to get a Miami rally going, but LeBron (34 pts, 16-18 FT, 7 asts) and Mo Williams (25 pts, 5-7 3PA) always had an answer to keep it out of reach … We had a Dorell Wright sighting. Marv Albert tried to say he and the announce crew had talked to Erik Spoelstra about Wright before the game, but we’re not buying it. Dorell Wright’s bill collectors don’t even ask about Dorell Wright … It wasn’t as blatant as New York, but LeBron was being covertly courted in Miami. Not even because Michael Jordan was in the building — MJ was already in town for the launch of the Air Jordan 2010 with Wade — but Penny Hardaway and Scottie Pippen just happened to be there as well. Even the annnouncers figured the MJ/Pip thing was a subliminal message to Wade and LeBron that they should team up, and ‘Bron has said before that Penny was his favorite player growing up … The TNT studio guys were clowning the Sammy Sosa skin-lightening thing at halftime of the Heat game, which led to Charles Barkley having light makeup put on his face as a gag. “I’m tired of being pulled over for Driving While Black!” Barkley laughed. Nah, Chuck, that’s not why you got stopped. YOU got pulled over trying to watch Dome Alone on your, uh, headrest … It’s like Kobe Bryant didn’t even make a gradual transition into this new phase of his career, did he? People talk about Jordan slowly changing his game from high-flyer to smart and balanced scorer, and then again to a guy who played in the post and relied heavily on his turnaround jumper. With Kobe, it’s like he just decided this summer that he was going to be the world’s most skilled power forward, and two weeks into the season he’s leading the NBA in points in the paint … Last night, Kobe — or as Barkley calls him, “Kobeh Braaahnt” — was killing the Suns from his new favorite spot, scoring 29 points (13-21 FG) in a blowout of one of the early surprise teams in the West. Giving Jason Richardson buckets on one end and locking J-Rich (5 pts) down on the other, Kobe took out Phoenix’s X-factor and exposed their defense. Throw in Andrew Bynum (26 pts, 15 rebs, 3 blks) dominating the paint when Kobe wasn’t there, and the Suns didn’t have a chance … Did Doug Collins really call Lamar Odom’s wife an “actress” with a straight face? Actress? Is that what they’re calling it now? So the crazy guy who mumbles disgusting things at the girls on the F train every morning, is he a stand-up comedian now? … With the firing of Byron Scott in New Orleans, we’re officially past the stage in the season where coaches can use the excuse of his players needing to get used to each other. Having a (kind of) new-look roster wasn’t enough to save Scott’s job, and he’s coming off consecutive playoff appearances in the West. Who do you think is the next coach to get fired mid-season? We’re looking at you, Lawrence Frank … We’re out like Khloe’s Golden Globe award …

http://dimemag.com/2009/11/super-smash-brothers/

I'm with you also.  I hate Byron because he hates Boston and those nasty things
he said about even playing on road in Boston.  Screw him.
---- John S <js33@...> wrote:
>   Good for Byron . That's one guy I dislike . Besides being a Laker he also
made those comments about Boston
>   fans all being drunks and racists when he was coaching New Jersey.
>
>   Screw you Byron !!
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: flceltsfan<mailto:FLCeltsFan@...>
>   To:
Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com>
>   Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 2:06 PM
>   Subject: Re: [Celtics' Stuff ] Around the Jazz Boards 11/11
>
>         The coach is always the scapegoat.  Remember the Doc hate 3 years ago?
I wasn't too thrilled with him myself.   New Orleans canned Byron Scott today.
>
>         FL
>
>         -------Original Message-------
>
>         From: Joe Moriarty_2<mailto:mustyceltic@...>
>         Date: 11/12/2009 12:54:06 PM
>         To:
Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com>
>         Subject: Re: [Celtics' Stuff ] Around the Jazz Boards 11/11
>
>         ** Wow , the hate for Sloan amazes me . (John)
>
>         --------------
>
>         Those 'ankle-biters' ain't playing with a full deck.
>         Joe
>         mustyceltic
>
>
>         John S wrote:
>          Wow , the hate for Sloan amazes me .
>
>          Maybe just a couple of loud mouthed jackoff fans making noise
............................
>
>         ----- Original Message -----
>         From: flceltsfan<mailto:FLCeltsFan@...>
>         To:
Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com>
>         Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 9:59 AM
>         Subject: [Celtics' Stuff ] Around the Jazz Boards 11/11
>
>
>
>               Well, there's really not much to say about this one. It won't be
pretty.
>
>               I think we win, a very frustrating win.
>
>               Jazz by 8, book it. Jazz always win these games.
>
>               Rondo is gonna eat DWill alive
>
>               Well here comes another ass whooping for sloan Win or lose sloan
must be fired
>
>               Doc Rivers will make Sloan look like a total clown.
>
>               I hope Boston hasn't heard of the zone defense.
>
>               I'm not thinking win or loss here. I'm trying to decide if the
Jazz will reach 70 points.
>
>               Boston is tough, and this will be their first game in 4 days. I
expect them to come out fresh and super energetic on defense. Plus, it's a home
game. I don't see Jazz winning
>
>               KG and whoever is filling in at the C position, as well as the
PF position, will have career nights in blocks. Boozer is a complete puss-weed
when it comes to big men who can actually man up.
>
>               Jazz drop this one in amazing fashion, losing by 50.
>
>               We should win easily. New York and Sacramento's defense is
better than their's, I'm sure.
>
>               Utah jazz where useless players get put to use happens
>
>               Jazz win this one going away. I hope...
>
>               Jazz will not win this game. I wish I could say they would but I
know they won't. They aren't playing like a team that can go in and beat this
Celtics team on their home floor. Hell, the Jazz have a hard enough time
defending their home floor against the Kings.
>
>               Don't kid yourselves gents. This one is going to be a Boston
massacre. We will be running from the arena with our tails between our legs.
>
>               F healthy, the Celtics are going to be 2010 champs. They're our
worst nightmare right now. Size, athleticism, and shooting. Everything we have,
they have a counter for. This is going to be a rough game.
>
>               I've come to love Rondo. The guy plays with a chip on his
shoulder but he has veterans all around him to keep him in line. Jazz need more
of that.
>
>               Boston by 83
>
>               There's always the chance that Boston will come into the game
confident and underestimate our scrubs. Probably not, but I think it's the only
chance we've got.
>
>               We've all seen games where the Jazz were supposed to destroy
teams because they were missing all their good players (cough Sacramento cough)
and then the Jazz lose. Well, it's time for some payback. Jazz by 5 tonight!
>
>               If there's No D-Will = any interest likely GONE.
>
>               So, I take it you're not the type that likes to stare at the
scene of a bad car accident?
>
>               Memo has to be legally retarded. The guy is a total moron. The
ball falls out of his hands and he's literally still looking for it while the
ball is in the freakin' hoop
>
>               Boozer and Memo just beyond worthless.
>
>               You can tell Boston is in a league completely up and above us.
The way they run their plays, talk and communicate on the floor looks foreign to
a Jazz fans eyes.
>
>               This games being poorly reffed on both ends thus far.
>
>               Boston is doin a **** job of boxing us out. Too bad we can't
stop them on defense.
>
>               When you have to double Kendrick Perkins you know you're in
trouble.
>
>               Wonder why Boston didn't play any zone that 1st half.
>
>               They don't even need to. They're on another level. They can do
whatever they want.
>
>               Why did we ever extend fat a$$ Okur? He is absolutely worthless.
Funny how we were excited when the Jazz signed both him and Boozer a few years
back. Now I can't wait til they are both off this team. This franchise is so
scared of change but if they would just get rid of those two players, euthanize
Sloan and not botch the NY pick we would be a legitemate team.
>
>               Good, we'll be 3-5 after this. Well on our way to two great
lottery picks.
>
>               Do people still think Rondo is getting overpaid?
>
>               Seldon Williams is dominating Boozer. Someone needs to see if
Jerry is awake on the bench or if he is even paying attention.
>
>               This team couldn't even keep it respectable. I mean the Celtics
can't be that much better than us. We don't even have the excuse that DWill was
hurt... He played over 30 minutes.
>
>               You guys can't be THAT mad, we all knew it would end like this,
whether it happened in the 2nd quarter or in the 4th quarter, this team has no
business playing in Boston
>
>
>
>
>

Sheldon is more of what we lost in Leon Powe.  Davis gives us some bulk and can
give us the mid range jumper to keep the defense honest.  I'd like to have both.
---- John S <js33@...> wrote:
>   and even maybe be better than Davis-in different ways.  Thoughts ??
>
> ===========================
>
>  I'm proud to say that I was one of the first in the group that jumped on his
band wagon .
>
>  I think Shelden is a keeper .
>
>  and while I'm no Duke fan per se , I gotta admit that you can see that he
came from a fine program .
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Joe Moriarty_2<mailto:mustyceltic@...>
>   To:
Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com>
>   Cc: wdoyle@...<mailto:wdoyle@...>
>   Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 8:30 AM
>   Subject: Re: [Celtics' Stuff ] "Celtics host Atlanta...Shelden Williams
will...be up"-WorcesterTelegram
>
>
>
>
>   ** The Celtics host Atlanta tomorrow night, and Shelden Williams will
certainly be up for the game. Atlanta took Williams with the fifth pick of the
2006 draft, but gave up on him. Williams can only hope that tomorrow being
Friday the 13th and he wearing No. 13 turn out to be a good combination. **
(Doyle/Telegram)
>
>   -----------------------
>
>
>   This player Shelden, has shown me all I needed to know. What I didunt know
(and still don't), was why he was playing like he did at 2 other league teams,
to include Atlanta. "This NorthCarolinian" (me) , knew better stuff about
Shelden Williams-at Duke, in the ACC.
>
>   I figure since Davis sits with a broken thumb for awhile that Shelden will
come in in a rotation-there , and even maybe be better than Davis-in different
ways.  Thoughts ??
>
>
>   Joe
>   (mustyceltic)
>   Twitter=  @flitterceltic
>
>
>
>
>
>
>    
http://www.telegram.com/article/20091112/NEWS/911120715/1009/SPORTS<http://www.t\
elegram.com/article/20091112/NEWS/911120715/1009/SPORTS>
>
>
>     Find this and other fine articles at the above link.
>
>
>
>
>

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.62/2499 - Release Date: 11/12/09
14:33:00

 Wow , the hate for Sloan amazes me .

 

 Maybe just a couple of loud mouthed jackoff fans making noise .............................

 

----- Original Message -----

From: flceltsfan

To: Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 9:59 AM

Subject: [Celtics' Stuff ] Around the Jazz Boards 11/11

Well, there's really not much to say about this one. It won't be pretty. I think we win, a very frustrating win. Jazz by 8, book it. Jazz always win these games. Rondo is gonna eat DWill alive Well here comes another ass whooping for sloan Win or lose sloan must be fired Doc Rivers will make Sloan look like a total clown. I hope Boston hasn't heard of the zone defense. I'm not thinking win or loss here. I'm trying to decide if the Jazz will reach 70 points. Boston is tough, and this will be their first game in 4 days. I expect them to come out fresh and super energetic on defense. Plus, it's a home game. I don't see Jazz winning KG and whoever is filling in at the C position, as well as the PF position, will have career nights in blocks. Boozer is a complete puss-weed when it comes to big men who can actually man up. Jazz drop this one in amazing fashion, losing by 50. We should win easily. New York and Sacramento's defense is better than their's, I'm sure. Utah jazz where useless players get put to use happens Jazz win this one going away. I hope... Jazz will not win this game. I wish I could say they would but I know they won't. They aren't playing like a team that can go in and beat this Celtics team on their home floor. Hell, the Jazz have a hard enough time defending their home floor against the Kings. Don't kid yourselves gents. This one is going to be a Boston massacre. We will be running from the arena with our tails between our legs. F healthy, the Celtics are going to be 2010 champs. They're our worst nightmare right now. Size, athleticism, and shooting. Everything we have, they have a counter for. This is going to be a rough game. I've come to love Rondo. The guy plays with a chip on his shoulder but he has veterans all around him to keep him in line. Jazz need more of that. Boston by 83 There's always the chance that Boston will come into the game confident and underestimate our scrubs. Probably not, but I think it's the only chance we've got. We've all seen games where the Jazz were supposed to destroy teams because they were missing all their good players (cough Sacramento cough) and then the Jazz lose. Well, it's time for some payback. Jazz by 5 tonight! If there's No D-Will = any interest likely GONE. So, I take it you're not the type that likes to stare at the scene of a bad car accident? Memo has to be legally retarded. The guy is a total moron. The ball falls out of his hands and he's literally still looking for it while the ball is in the freakin' hoop Boozer and Memo just beyond worthless. You can tell Boston is in a league completely up and above us. The way they run their plays, talk and communicate on the floor looks foreign to a Jazz fans eyes. This games being poorly reffed on both ends thus far. Boston is doin a **** job of boxing us out. Too bad we can't stop them on defense. When you have to double Kendrick Perkins you know you're in trouble. Wonder why Boston didn't play any zone that 1st half. They don't even need to. They're on another level. They can do whatever they want. Why did we ever extend fat a$$ Okur? He is absolutely worthless. Funny how we were excited when the Jazz signed both him and Boozer a few years back. Now I can't wait til they are both off this team. This franchise is so scared of change but if they would just get rid of those two players, euthanize Sloan and not botch the NY pick we would be a legitemate team. Good, we'll be 3-5 after this. Well on our way to two great lottery picks. Do people still think Rondo is getting overpaid? Seldon Williams is dominating Boozer. Someone needs to see if Jerry is awake on the bench or if he is even paying attention. This team couldn't even keep it respectable. I mean the Celtics can't be that much better than us. We don't even have the excuse that DWill was hurt... He played over 30 minutes. You guys can't be THAT mad, we all knew it would end like this, whether it happened in the 2nd quarter or in the 4th quarter, this team has no business playing in Boston

 

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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.62/2499 - Release Date: 11/12/09 14:33:00

  and even maybe be better than Davis-in different ways.  Thoughts ??

===========================

 

 I'm proud to say that I was one of the first in the group that jumped on his band wagon .

 

 I think Shelden is a keeper .

 

 and while I'm no Duke fan per se , I gotta admit that you can see that he came from a fine program .

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Joe Moriarty_2

To: Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com

Cc: wdoyle@...

Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 8:30 AM

Subject: Re: [Celtics' Stuff ] "Celtics host Atlanta...Shelden Williams will...be up"-WorcesterTelegram

** The Celtics host Atlanta tomorrow night, and Shelden Williams will certainly be up for the game. Atlanta took Williams with the fifth pick of the 2006 draft, but gave up on him. Williams can only hope that tomorrow being Friday the 13th and he wearing No. 13 turn out to be a good combination. ** (Doyle/Telegram)

-----------------------


This player Shelden, has shown me all I needed to know. What I didunt know (and still don't), was why he was playing like he did at 2 other league teams, to include Atlanta. "This NorthCarolinian" (me) , knew better stuff about Shelden Williams-at Duke, in the ACC.

I figure since Davis sits with a broken thumb for awhile that Shelden will come in in a rotation-there , and even maybe be better than Davis-in different ways.  Thoughts ??


Joe
(mustyceltic)
Twitter=  @flitterceltic

http://www.telegram.com/article/20091112/NEWS/911120715/1009/SPORTS

Find this and other fine articles at the above link.

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.62/2499 - Release Date: 11/12/09 14:33:00

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.62/2499 - Release Date: 11/12/09
14:33:00

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Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.62/2499 - Release Date: 11/12/09
14:33:00

Looks like it might be the Lakers' year for injuries. That's why it's tough to
repeat.

--- In Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com, John S <js33@...> wrote:
>
> http://www.insidehoops.com/nba_rumors.shtml
>
> NBA RUMORS  By InsideHoops.com | Daily
>
> The web's biggest and best NBA rumors page since 1999, InsideHoops.com
> gathers the hottest rumor info from around the internet and puts it all
> together, every day. Click any NBA rumors link for the full story in a
> new window. Read by just about everyone in pro basketball, our NBA
> rumors page's main update comes each morning, with additional stories
> during the day. Also, discuss the hottest stories on the InsideHoops
> basketball forum <http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/> (free to register
> <http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/register.php>), check our basketball
> blog <http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/> regularly, and if you use
> Twitter, follow us @InsideHoops <http://twitter.com/insidehoops>
>
> NBA Rumors: Thursday, Nov. 12
>
> /InsideHoops NBA rumors updated 6:00 a.m. ET. Reload this page and our
> front page regularly/.
>
> nba rumors *Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced
> Wednesday that the team has signed free agent guard Earl Boykins and
> waived C/F Paul Davis <http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=5013>*. Per
> team policy, terms of the contract were not released. We'll post
> contract details this evening. It's probably a very short, nonguaranteed
> deal. "Earl is a proven veteran point guard who will provide us with
> leadership and stability off of the bench," said Grunfeld.
> InsideHoops.com <http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=5013>
>
> *Boykins has career averages of 9.4 points and 3.4 assists (2.8 to 1
> assist to turnover ratio) in 520 career games over 10 NBA seasons
> <http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=5013>*. Undrafted out of Eastern
> Michigan, Boykins has also played for New Jersey, Cleveland, Orlando,
> L.A. Clippers, Golden State, Denver, Milwaukee and Charlotte.
> InsideHoops.com <http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=5013>
>
> *Boykins, who signed a nonguaranteed contract, gives the Wizards a
> veteran who is familiar with a wide range of offensive systems
>
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/12/wizards-boykins-agree-to-contra\
ct/>*.
> He has played for nine NBA teams, most recently for Charlotte in
> 2007-08. He also has some chemistry with Arenas and Jamison - they
> played on the same Golden State team in the 2002-03 season. He was out
> of the NBA last season, playing for Italy's Virtus Bologna on a $3.5
> million contract. The 5-foot-5 Boykins, in his 10 NBA seasons, averaged
> 9.4 points and 3.5 assists. Washington Times
>
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/12/wizards-boykins-agree-to-contra\
ct/>
>
>
> nba rumors Add another chapter to the Stephen Jackson chronicles. The
> disgruntled swingman played only 18 minutes in the Warriors' 108-94 loss
> to Indiana at Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday night because of a
> mysterious injury. *Coach Don Nelson yanked Jackson after he missed four
> of his first five shots and didn't play him for the final 18 minutes of
> the opening half. Jackson then sat the entire fourth quarter
> <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/12/SPN01AIOS9.DTL>*
> as his teammates cut a 21-point deficit to 98-91 with 2:55 remaining but
> got no closer. San Francisco Chronicle
> <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/12/SPN01AIOS9.DTL>
>
>
> *"He's got a sore back or hip or something," Nelson said. "I didn't
> think he was moving very well
> <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/12/SPN01AIOS9.DTL>*.
> I didn't think he moved very well at the shootaround. I didn't expect
> that he'd give me very much, but he gave me what he had." San Francisco
> Chronicle
> <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/12/SPN01AIOS9.DTL>
>
>
> Jackson had five points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal in the
> third quarter. *Seemingly knowing he wouldn't return to the game,
> Jackson looked at media row and mouthed, "Do I look hurt?" as he sat
> down at the start of the fourth. "I'm fine," Jackson said postgame
> <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/12/SPN01AIOS9.DTL>*
> at the arena where he played 2004-07. "I've got a scratch. That's all it
> is. My back is not sore at all." San Francisco Chronicle
> <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/12/SPN01AIOS9.DTL>
>
>
> Before the game, *Nelson finally gave up his "I hope we don't trade him"
> and "I think we can coexist" lines. Nelson said his relationship with
> Jackson is irreconcilable and the Warriors must move Jackson
> <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/12/SPN01AIOS9.DTL>*.
> "At some point, and I don't know when, we have to," Nelson said. "He
> asked to be traded, and we'd like to trade him. That's if we can." San
> Francisco Chronicle
> <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/12/SPN01AIOS9.DTL>
>
>
> nba rumors *[Brian Scalabrine is] ticked at the person who began this
> entire mess. The ankle was sprained when he went to make an inbounds
> pass after a Knicks hoop and stepped on a cameraman whose foot was over
> the designated line
>
<http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1211322\
>*
> at Madison Square Garden. "This is the first time I've ever sprained my
> ankle in my entire life," Scalabrine said. "I watched the film. He was 6
> inches over the line, 6 inches that I needed to take the ball out of
> bounds. "We're trained to use the space that we are allowed. I've taken
> the ball out of bounds probably 10,000 times in my life, and as long as
> you're behind that line I won't hit you. But if you're over that line,
> we're trained to use that space. I went back to pivot and go, and as I
> went back, his foot was right there." Boston Herald
>
<http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1211322\
>
>
>
> *"I'm not going to do anything with it," Scalabrine said. "I'm not going
> to sue anybody
>
<http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1211322\
>*.
> I'm not a sue-happy guy or anything like that, but the bottom line is
> these guys have got to respect what we're doing out there. Just because
> this guy's 6 inches over the line, now I had to spend 10 days rehabbing
> an ankle that I shouldn't even have to worry about." Boston Herald
>
<http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1211322\
>
>
>
> nba rumors Deron Williams' day started on the sidelines at the Jazz's
> pregame shootaround, included a two-hour session with a local
> chiropractor and ended with a missile shot fired from his Twitter
> account. *"We got to change something bc [because] what we doing ain't
> working right now!" Williams wrote. "Don't know what but something?????"
> <http://www.sltrib.com/jazz/ci_13768648>* If there was any positive from
> the Jazz's 19-point loss to the Celtics, it came with Williams emerging
> from the game unscathed. Salt Lake Tribune
> <http://www.sltrib.com/jazz/ci_13768648>
>
> *[Deron Williams] decided to play only an hour before game time, after
> declaring in the morning that his strained back had worsened
> <http://www.sltrib.com/jazz/ci_13768648>*. "I felt pretty good, once I
> got in there and got loosened up," said Williams, who came out for just
> 2:53 in the first half but didn't play in the fourth quarter. "Once I
> sit, it stiffens up. It felt pretty good, compared to where I was this
> morning." Salt Lake Tribune <http://www.sltrib.com/jazz/ci_13768648>
>
> nba rumors The 76ers are struggling to put people in all those red seats
> at the Wachovia Center. Despite facing the Celtics and high-flying Suns
> among their first four South Philadel-phia dates, *the Sixers are last
> in the league in home attendance with an average of 11,537 fans
>
<http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/126/2009/november/12/sixer\
s-no-interest-in-iverson.html>*.
> The next team (the Kings) is 1,050 ahead of the Sixers. The Sixers are
> playing to 56.8 percent capacity - none of the other 29 teams is below
> 70.6. Philly Burbs
>
<http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/126/2009/november/12/sixer\
s-no-interest-in-iverson.html>
>
>
> *With that in mind, would the Sixers be interested in bringing back
> Allen Iverson to try to get some fans back in the building? The answer
> is still no, according to team president Ed Stefanski
>
<http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/126/2009/november/12/sixer\
s-no-interest-in-iverson.html>*.
> Iverson has taken a leave of absence from the Grizzlies after coming off
> the bench in three games for Memphis. He has repeatedly expressed his
> dislike for not starting. Philly Burbs
>
<http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/126/2009/november/12/sixer\
s-no-interest-in-iverson.html>
>
>
> nba rumors *A few days of public conjecture about when Tracy McGrady
> would return did not seem to draw his teammates' notice. If anything,
> they seemed to find the notion that the topic could be a distraction to
> be amusing
> <http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6716246.html>*. "We
> haven't talked about it one bit," Shane Battier said. "The good thing
> about our team is we don't pay attention to external things. That's how
> we do it here." Houston Chronicle
> <http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6716246.html>
>
> *At least for the veteran Rockets, such issues have become the norm,
> making them conditioned not to overreact. "We don't really talk about
> those things," Battier said
> <http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6716246.html>*.
> "We've had so much adversity and so many guys going in and out of the
> lineup, it's as simple as whoever is in uniform that night and is
> activated, we expect that guy to come in and play hard and play the
> right way. I think it's a culture that is our locker room now." Houston
> Chronicle <http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6716246.html>
>
> *Frustrated by the repeated questions about his future, LeBron James
> said yesterday that he won't talk about his possible free agency next
> summer until after this season
>
<http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20091112_LeBron_says_he_s_had_it_wit\
h_free-agency_talk.html>*.
> The Cleveland star and reigning league MVP said before the Cavaliers'
> game at Orlando that all the talk is "getting old." Philadelphia Daily
> News
>
<http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20091112_LeBron_says_he_s_had_it_wit\
h_free-agency_talk.html>
>
>
> *"This free-agent talk is getting old. It's getting old and I think I'm
> going to stop. Tonight will be the last time I answer any more
> free-agent questions until the offseason," James said
>
<http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20091112_LeBron_says_he_s_had_it_wit\
h_free-agency_talk.html>*.
> James can opt-out of his contract at the end of this season and become a
> free agent. He has been overloaded with questions about his plans and
> has continued to say that winning is most important. Philadelphia Daily
> News
>
<http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20091112_LeBron_says_he_s_had_it_wit\
h_free-agency_talk.html>
>
>
> Nuggets forward *Carmelo Anthony entered the game third in the league in
> scoring (30 points per game), and he tallied a hard 32, while often
> punished with hard defense and fouls. At one point in the third quarter,
> he got into a shouting match with Bucks center Andrew Bogut
> <http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_13767540>*, with each player
> earning a technical foul. Anthony also grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds
> and made all 14 free-throw attempts. "Getting to the line is huge for me
> --- that's my game, attacking the basket," said Anthony, who also had a
> game-high seven turnovers. "I got 14 free throws, but that's only
> getting fouled seven times, and I'm probably pretty sure I got fouled
> double that. But I can't (cry) over spilled milk --- we've got to get
> ready for the Lakers on Friday." Denver Post
> <http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_13767540>
>
> *"I think Melo is very frustrated with what's a foul and what isn't a
> foul," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "I think now we have a day to
> look at film, send things to the league office
> <http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_13767540>*, maybe get some
> interpretations and get him a better feel for what he needs to do to not
> feel that he's being hammered and not getting calls." A night after
> Denver faced Chicago point guard Derrick Rose, the reigning rookie of
> the year, the Nuggets saw firsthand why Milwaukee point guard Brandon
> Jennings could win the award this year. Denver Post
> <http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_13767540>
>
> *On Allen Iverson: "My experience with A.I. was always good," George
> Karl said. "What happened with him in Detroit and Memphis, what I always
> worry about is --- I know when my (playing) career was over, and I tore
> my knee up for the third time, I still thought I could play
> <http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_13767826>*. It took me at least
> six months to finally admit it. "Going from whatever level --- starter
> to bench, bench to 13th man, it takes some time, because the thing that
> makes us go is our competitive ego, our competitive energy and you can't
> have that energy if you're thinking you're not good enough. You've got
> to look at the game and believe you're going to play well --- every
> game, every practice, every drill." Denver Post
> <http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_13767826>
>
> *[Marreese] Speights, a 6-10 power forward who can play center as the
> need arises, is gobbling large chunks of the significant, clutch-time
> minutes that figured to go to Brand
>
<http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20091112_Speights__Young_lead_Sixers\
_over_winless_Nets.html>*.
> He scored 19 points, eight of which came in the final period, including
> the decisive three-point play when he rebounded a Thaddeus Young miss
> and scored on the putback with 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining. He added
> a free throw to put the Sixers ahead for the final time at 80-79. Two
> free throws - one apiece by Samuel Dalembert and Young - increased the
> Philly advantage that stood up when New Jersey's Rafer Alston had a
> brain cramp and accidentally inbounded the ball to Young with 4.8
> seconds left. Philadelphia Daily News
>
<http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20091112_Speights__Young_lead_Sixers\
_over_winless_Nets.html>
>
>
> *Thaddeus Young, whose perimeter jump shot has been absent of late, was
> encouraged that his stroke was returning
>
<http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20091112_Speights__Young_lead_Sixers\
_over_winless_Nets.html>*
> after he drained two of four three-pointers. "I've been working hard the
> past couple of weeks just trying to figure things out," he said. "It's
> close to coming back" . . . Guard Willie Green hit back-to-back jumpers
> in the fourth quarter. He finished with five points, but they were
> important. Philadelphia Daily News
>
<http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20091112_Speights__Young_lead_Sixers\
_over_winless_Nets.html>
>
>
> The Nets were missing four key players from a team that, even with its
> starters, isn't all that competitive. And still, on the game's final
> possession, New Jersey had a chance. But on its final inbounds play, New
> Jersey committed a scratch-your-head turnover that secured the Sixers'
> 82-79 victory at the Izod Center. The Sixers improved to 4-4; the Nets
> are 0-8. The Nets were without all-star point guard Devin Harris, and
> regulars Chris Douglas-Roberts, Yi Jianlian, and Courtney Lee. On the
> Nets' last-second sideline inbounds play - in front of their own basket
> - point guard Rafer Alston inexplicably threw a pass to Sixers forward
> Thaddeus Young. Philadelphia Inquirer
>
<http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20091112_76ers_hold_off_winless_Nets\
.html>
>
>
> Apparently it got so confusing, some people called Lakers spokesman John
> Black for a clarification, to which Black said Jackson was joking and
> that *[Pau] Gasol was ``day-to-day,'' which is basically a catch-all
> phrase to describe an injury that has no timetable for a return
> <http://www.insidesocal.com/lakers/2009/11/clarification-1.html>*.
> What's frustrating is that nothing Jackson said was incorrect. He was
> merely trying to convey the sense of frustration and mystery surrounding
> Gasol's injury. I believe that is what all the reporters who were at
> practice took from it, and later wrote in their stories. But sometimes,
> in an effort to draw out the one-line news nugget of a story, subtlety
> and context gets lost. LA Daily News Blog
> <http://www.insidesocal.com/lakers/2009/11/clarification-1.html>
>
> *I think that's rather clear. The Lakers don't know how long Gasol is
> going to be out
> <http://www.insidesocal.com/lakers/2009/11/clarification-1.html>*. Gasol
> doesn't know how long he's going to be out. It's silly to try and
> predict anymore, because the injury is a bit mysterious. LA Daily News
> Blog <http://www.insidesocal.com/lakers/2009/11/clarification-1.html>
>
> *Chris Duhon is about done as a starter for Mike D'Antoni. He hasn't
> been benched, but it's only a matter of time
>
<http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2009/11/12/2009-11-12_knick\
s_lose_game_locate_point_guard.html>*.
> "He's got to come on," D'Antoni said after seeing Duhon go scoreless in
> 24-plus minutes. Can D'Antoni turn the playmaking duties over to a
> rookie, Toney Douglas? If you've seen Duhon play recently, it doesn't
> look like the Knicks' coach has much of a choice. NY Daily News
>
<http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2009/11/12/2009-11-12_knick\
s_lose_game_locate_point_guard.html>
>
>
> *In his first start, Douglas shot well, although he's not beating anyone
> off the dribble
>
<http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2009/11/12/2009-11-12_knick\
s_lose_game_locate_point_guard.html>*.
> And despite scoring 23 points, his assist-to-turnover ratio (1-to-3) is
> far from acceptable. But he didn't back down against the Hawks' veteran,
> Mike Bibby. When the Knicks lost to Utah three days ago, Douglas took
> the action to Deron Williams. NY Daily News
>
<http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2009/11/12/2009-11-12_knick\
s_lose_game_locate_point_guard.html>
>
>
> *Kuester said when he arrived in Detroit, Ben Gordon approached him and
> told him he wanted to be a complete player, not just someone who shoots
> <http://www.freep.com/article/20091112/SPORTS03/911120615/1051/>*. So
> Wednesday night he passed, and defended, and communicated. He made
> shots, too, of course, scoring 22 points. "Tonight we did a really good
> job of moving the ball," he said. The team finished with 26 assists.
> Detroit Free Press
> <http://www.freep.com/article/20091112/SPORTS03/911120615/1051/>
>
> *The Raptors are still without forward Reggie Evans, who hasn't played
> in the regular season because of a left midfoot strain
> <http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2009/11/12/11717846-sun.html>*.
> He's listed as day-to-day. "He's much better. He's walking around
> without the boot now. He's got basketball shoes on," head coach Jay
> Triano said. Toronto Sun
> <http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2009/11/12/11717846-sun.html>
>
> *Kareem Abdul-Jabbar disclosed his disease -- chronic myeloid leukemia
> -- on Tuesday. This type of leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone
> marrow that produces cancerous blood cells, can be managed
>
<http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2009/11/byron_scott_stunned_to_hear_of.ht\
ml>*
> by taking daily oral medication and regular blood analysis. Byron Scott
> said he has yet to reach out to Abdul-Jabbar because it's his
> understanding Abdul-Jabbar is out of the country. Nevertheless, Scott
> said he wasn't surprised Abdul-Jabbar, who usually is reserved, went
> public with news of his diagnosis. New Orleans Times Picayune
>
<http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2009/11/byron_scott_stunned_to_hear_of.ht\
ml>
>
>
> *Abdul-Jabbar often battled debilitating migraines during a 20-year
> career that ended in 1989
>
<http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2009/11/byron_scott_stunned_to_hear_of.ht\
ml>*
> when he retired as the NBA's career-leading scorer with 38,387 points.
> In 1983, Abdul-Jabbar's Los Angeles home was destroyed by fire, which
> also consumed virtually all of his personal possessions and memorabilia.
> New Orleans Times Picayune
>
<http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2009/11/byron_scott_stunned_to_hear_of.ht\
ml>
>
>
> */Many more NBA rumors stories coming all day./*
>
> *ADDITIONAL RECENT NBA RUMORS*
>
> Today's NBA rumors <http://www.insidehoops.com/nba_rumors.shtml> |
> Yesterday's basketball rumors
> <http://www.insidehoops.com/basketball-rumors.shtml> | 2 days ago
> <http://www.insidehoops.com/basketball-rumors2.shtml> | 3 days ago
> <http://www.insidehoops.com/basketball-rumors3.shtml> | 4 days ago
> <http://www.insidehoops.com/basketball-rumors4.shtml>
>
>
> Read more: http://www.insidehoops.com/nba_rumors.shtml#ixzz0We1WxCIG
>

Now we are back to having Dvis and Powe (Williams) who seems like an adequate
replacement for Leon.
---- hytem <hytemco@...> wrote:
> Williams may have found his role in Boston--thanks to Davis' injury.
>
> --- In Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com, Joe Moriarty_2 <mustyceltic@...>
wrote:
> >
> > ** The Celtics host Atlanta tomorrow night, and Shelden Williams will
> > certainly be up for the game. Atlanta took Williams with the fifth pick
> > of the 2006 draft, but gave up on him. Williams can only hope that
> > tomorrow being Friday the 13th and he wearing No. 13 turn out to be a
> > good combination. ** (Doyle/Telegram)
> >
> > -----------------------
> >
> >
> > This player Shelden, has shown me all I needed to know. What I didunt
> > know (and still don't), was why he was playing like he did at 2 other
> > league teams, to include Atlanta. "This NorthCarolinian" (me) , knew
> > better stuff about Shelden Williams-at Duke, in the ACC.
> >
> > I figure since Davis sits with a broken thumb for awhile that Shelden
> > will come in in a rotation-there , and even maybe be better than
> > Davis-in different ways.  Thoughts ??
> >
> >
> > Joe
> > (mustyceltic)
> > Twitter=  @flitterceltic
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > http://www.telegram.com/article/20091112/NEWS/911120715/1009/SPORTS
> > >
> > > Find this and other fine articles at the above link.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>

Williams may have found his role in Boston--thanks to Davis' injury.

--- In Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com, Joe Moriarty_2 <mustyceltic@...>
wrote:
>
> ** The Celtics host Atlanta tomorrow night, and Shelden Williams will
> certainly be up for the game. Atlanta took Williams with the fifth pick
> of the 2006 draft, but gave up on him. Williams can only hope that
> tomorrow being Friday the 13th and he wearing No. 13 turn out to be a
> good combination. ** (Doyle/Telegram)
>
> -----------------------
>
>
> This player Shelden, has shown me all I needed to know. What I didunt
> know (and still don't), was why he was playing like he did at 2 other
> league teams, to include Atlanta. "This NorthCarolinian" (me) , knew
> better stuff about Shelden Williams-at Duke, in the ACC.
>
> I figure since Davis sits with a broken thumb for awhile that Shelden
> will come in in a rotation-there , and even maybe be better than
> Davis-in different ways.  Thoughts ??
>
>
> Joe
> (mustyceltic)
> Twitter=  @flitterceltic
>
>
>
> >
> > http://www.telegram.com/article/20091112/NEWS/911120715/1009/SPORTS
> >
> > Find this and other fine articles at the above link.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

http://www.telegram.com/article/20091112/NEWS/911120715/1009/SPORTS

Find this and other fine articles at the above link.