Ben Maller's NBA rumors
by FOXSports.com
Lakers Bynum upset with Phil Jackson over playing time
In his own, low-key way, Lakers center Andrew Bynum was critical of Coach Phil Jackson's substitution pattern in the fourth quarter of tonight's 118-117 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Bynum was with the second unit of Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza when they blitzed the Pacers with a 17-0 run to end the third quarter to give the Lakers a 15-point lead. ... He was asked why he was taken out of the game, considering how the Pacers out-rebounded the Lakers 50-41 overall and 19-8 on the offensive end. "I don't know," Bynum said, who turned 21 at the end of October. "That's a question for Phil." Jackson spoke first to the media immediately after the game. He had walked to the bus by the time Bynum and his teammates were asked to explain how they lost to a 7-10 Indiana team. "I didn't like it at all the way we started the fourth quarter," Jackson said. "That's not the way you want to start the fourth quarter. They came out and fiddled it away. We were one for 11 on the first 11 possessions. You can't do that on the road. That gives more momentum to the home team." -- LA Times
Nice guy Theus' Kings job in jeopardy
Kings co-owner Joe Maloof shouldn't have blasted coach Reggie Theus two weeks ago, but the family owns the team and can say what it wants. Hey, the Maloofs have their Ma-loot, and I have this space. It's difficult to believe Theus is as nice a guy as he seems. But he's about to "nice" his way right out the door. Winning ugly I know about, but losing ugly is too unsightly to continue for long. Before Theus gets toasted, here's a little butter: The Kings are the softest team in the league. For a moment, there was a thought of softening that statement. On second thought, that statement is on point. -- Sac Bee
Bobcats could trade Felton?
Bobcats guard Raymond Felton has played some of his best basketball, even as rookie D.J. Augustin expands his role as this team's point guard of the future. That makes for a hard choice when Felton becomes a restricted free agent. Do you re-sign him long-term, knowing he might end up a combo guard off the bench, or do you risk losing him to an offer sheet over the summer? The alternative is trading him, either before the Feb.19 deadline or via sign-and-trade over the summer. -- Charlotte Observer
Mavs owner Mark Cuban out of race for Cubs?
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has been a potential buyer of baseball's Chicago Cubs, but a new round of bids that leaked out Tuesday did not have him among those making another run at the iconic team. At least, not officially. Cuban would not discuss stories that had three other bidders making new proposals for the team. The bids clearly have dropped significantly since the first round early last year, when Cuban's bid was presumed to be the highest at more than $1.2 billion. A source close to the situation said that the bidding process may not ultimately be the deciding factor in future ownership of the team. Other bidders, perhaps including Cuban, could use other avenues to eventually gain controlling interest of the team. -- Dallas Morning News
Hawks Josh Smith plans to start slow in return
After spending nearly every moment of the past three weeks plotting his return from a high ankle sprain, the last thing Hawks forward Josh Smith wants to do Wednesday night is rush things. It won't be easy for Smith, the Hawks' emotional and impulsive fifth-year power forward. His 12-game absence has made him eager to get back into the mix with his teammates against the Memphis Grizzlies at Philips Arena, but Smith knows better than to push too hard or try to do more than his body will allow. "That's the big emphasis right now is to try not to overdo it because I'm so excited to be back," Smith said. "That's just a part of listening to your body and knowing how many minutes your body can take the first night back. And I won't lie, my body will have to tell me because in my mind, I want it all back right now." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Source: Cooling off period needed in Marbury talks
The impasse between the Knicks and Stephon Marbury in talks to buy out his contract likely will carry into next week, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Donnie Walsh last night said both sides "would like to get it done as fast as it can happen," but after Marbury stormed out of Monday's meeting, it appears a cooling-off period is necessary. "I'm sure we'll be talking; everyone has a telephone," Walsh said before last night's game against Portland. He then paused and considered the result of the first face-to-face negotiation. "And actually," he continued, "that's probably the better way to do it." Marbury doesn't have an agent so Hal Biagas, an associate counsel for the NBA players association, represented him at the meeting Monday. Biagas was traveling yesterday because the NBPA has its annual meetings scheduled with teams. The NBPA coincidentally met with the other Knicks players on Monday. -- Newsday
Nuggets Carmelo Anthony has bad elbow
Nuggets coach George Karl said a right elbow contusion has been a factor in Carmelo Anthony shooting only 40.4 percent. "I don't think there's any question, you having a pain in your elbow, that it would affect your shooting," said Karl, who has "told my coaches he looks like he's turning his body more on the shot." Karl said other factors are teams keying on Anthony and the Nuggets emphasizing defense more in training camp. -- Rocky Mountain News
More playing time OK with Rasheed Wallace
For all the concern over Rasheed Wallace's increased minutes, there is at least one person who isn't that concerned. That would be Wallace. While the concern is that the heavy minutes could lead to tired 34-year-old legs, Wallace said at Tuesday's shoot-around that he felt fine. "It's all in your rest," said Wallace, who was averaging 12.9 points and 8.4 rebounds entering Tuesday night's game against the Spurs. "The game is only 2, 2 1/2 hours. "If you make sure you get the proper rest, then that should work out for you." -- Detroit Free Press
Charlotte looking to deal long-term contracts
The Bobcats have well over $100 million in long-term contract obligations to five players - Emeka Okafor, Gerald Wallace, Jason Richardson, Nazr Mohammed and Matt Carroll. Okafor, Wallace and Richardson are starters. Mohammed and Carroll are currently on the fringe of the rotation. It will be challenging to remake this roster without dealing one or more of these long-term deals. -- Charlotte Observer
Lakers forward Ariza to continue bench role
Trevor Ariza would start if the Lakers' needs were different. He could start and do a fine job, but their game wouldn't be the same as it is now. Coach Phil Jackson needs a long-range shooter in the starting lineup, so Vladimir Radmanovic continues to play with the first unit and Ariza maintains his role with the Lakers' Bench Mob. And Jackson is not about to change his rotation now. "He's there as relief," Jackson said of Ariza, who had 13points on 4-for-8 shooting plus five rebounds in 25 minutes during the Lakers' 118-117 loss Tuesday to the Indiana Pacers. "He's got speed and a change of pace for us. ... He's asked us not to saddle him with the starters. ... He's capable of playing (more) than just bench minutes." So, why not make the switch? Jackson said it comes down to styles of play. The starters need Radmanovic's outside shooting threat to open space for reigning league MVP Kobe Bryant, who faces a seemingly endless string of double-teams. "Spread the court," Jackson said. -- LA Daily News
Knicks fear Mobley's career may be over
Cuttino Mobley may not ever play for the Knicks. He was in Los Angeles yesterday for heart tests with his career in jeopardy, and more tests will follow. Asked if Mobley will play this season, Walsh said, "I am not going to make any announcement. Legally, I wouldn't make the announcement." And he admitted he can use the roster spot. "It's always nice to have another player," Walsh said. -- NY Post
Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro trusts Drew Gooden to score
Listed third on the goals sheet coach Vinny Del Negro taped inside Drew Gooden's locker is this: Consistently score. That says plenty about the value Del Negro places in Gooden's offensive ability, a trait often overlooked during Gooden's days as LeBron James' offensive rebounder in Cleveland. "He's one of the few guys in the league who can get a double-double without having plays called for him," said Donyell Marshall, the ex-Bull and a Cavalier teammate who is now with the 76ers. Gooden entered Tuesday night averaging 13.4 points, 1.3 points higher than his career mark. He's enjoying actually having plays called for him. -- Chicago Tribune
Miller: 76ers are playoff team
Sixers point guard Andre Miller was asked if this is still a playoff team. "Yeah, definitely," he said. "Nothing is wrong," said guard Lou Williams. "We have to make shots. . . . For us, there is no fire in the house. You look back, we always start slow. For us, this is almost familiar territory." -- Philadelphia Inquirer
Knicks could add Ewing Jr.?
With very few options at guard available, the Knicks likely will use the spot to either sign Patrick Ewing Jr. or perhaps leave it open to make a two-for-one trade. -- Newsday
Cavs center Lorenzen Wright expresses concern about former teammate Rodney Rogers
Cavaliers center Lorenzen Wright was shocked to hear that his former Los Angeles Clippers teammate, Rodney Rogers, was injured in an all-terrain vehicle accident last weekend in North Carolina. Various media outlets, including the New York Post, have reported Rogers was partially paralyzed because of the accident. Wright and Rogers, 37, played together for three seasons. Not only did they become friends, but Rogers also became close to Wright's father, Herb Wright, who was paralyzed from the waist down after a shooting accident 23 years ago. "It happened when I was 10 years old," Wright said of his father's paralysis. "He was playing professional basketball overseas. After that, he was able to spend more time with me and concentrate on my basketball career. Look where it got us." Wright said he would pray for Rogers and hoped his friend would take a lesson from his father. "He can still have a full life," Wright said. "My father still carried on his life and did everything he wanted to do - working on cars, riding jet skis. He still lives an active life." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
Suns Diaw battling to regain touch
Amid all the dissing and discomfort regarding the Phoenix Suns' offense, Boris Diaw was cruising. A new system removed Diaw from the elbow (the intersection of the side of the key and the free-throw line), the spot on the court where he has most thrived. Playing only power forward until personnel losses put him occasionally at small forward, Diaw was having fewer chances to facilitate or even touch the ball but he was giving the Suns some much-needed consistency. Yet, Diaw's inner aggressor had been channeled and his shooting has jumped from 47.7 percent last season to 56.9 this season. But that version of Diaw has been missing recently. He passed up chances to score inside and made two critical turnovers during New Jersey's decisive 11-0 run that won the game. "He's just struggled," Suns coach Terry Porter said. "What got him into trouble last game was being indecisive in the fourth quarter. He just needs to be aggressive again and make decisions. He'll be fine and respond. -- Arizona Republic
Who Knew?
The Bobcats are 0-10 when failing to score 90 points and 6-1 when they push through that barrier. -- Charlotte Observer
Wolves coach apologized for not playing Telfair
Wolves backup point guard Sebastian Telfair played just a little more than 8 1/2 minutes against the Bobcats, but coach Randy Wittman said that was a mistake on his part. "You know what, I was unfair to Bassy," he said. "I'll tell you guys that upfront. I told him that today. He didn't do anything to deserve not playing. He didn't do anything wrong." -- Pioneer Press
Did You Know?
Suns star Amare Stoudemire is fouling at a career-low rate, an average of 2.9 per game that is helping him stay on the court for a career-high 38 minutes per game. However, his blocks average has gone from 2.1 last season to 1.3 this season. -- Arizona Republic
After closing arguments, Hawks-Thrashers case in jury's hands
Lawyers for David McDavid on Tuesday pulled out e-mails and reread court testimony to convince the jury that Turner Broadcasting System cheated the Texas businessman out of buying the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena operating rights. "'The deal was done,'" one witness said. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Celts lead NBA in technicals
The Celtics led the NBA with 25 technicals (21 for players, four for coaches). Phoenix was second with 11. Kendrick Perkins is the individual leader with nine technicals. The Suns' Amare Stoudemire is well back in second with five. Rivers would like to see his team pick its spots better, but added, "The one thing I don't want to legislate on my team is part of our makeup is our energy. We're not going to stop being that. We're an emotional team. That's part of our makeup." In particular, he said that when the officials tell a player to back off, he should do so. -- Boston Herald
Heat's Dwyane Wade could play Barack Obama one-on-one
Now that he's interviewed VP-elect Joe Biden and made him his homeboy, Pahokee fifth-grader Damon Weaver is working the top of the ticket. In his latest video, the K.E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary School student and YouTube sensation vies for an interview with the president-elect. "Hello, President-elect Obama. I am Damon Weaver and I want to interview you," the video opens. Damon's already received some big-time support for his interview. The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade agreed to play Obama one-on-one if Damon gets the interview, but he wouldn't promise to let the commander-in-chief win. "Sorry kid, can't do that," Wade said. "Can't let the president beat me." -- Palm Beach Post
Bucks could sit Charlie Bell with ankle issues
The return of star Michael Redd is good news for the victory-starved Milwaukee Bucks, who played 14 games without their high-scoring guard when he was sidelined with an ankle sprain. But his return might also have implications for guard Charlie Bell, who has been playing on a bad right ankle while trying to fill in for Redd. Bell was headed for a doctor's visit after practice Tuesday and was sounding like someone who thought it might be time to shut down for a while to give his ankle a chance to heal. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Larry Hughes late to work for Bulls
Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said Larry Hughes would be fined the standard amount, typically $500, for arriving at 6:10 p.m., 10 minutes late. -- Chicago Tribune
Frank: Eddie Jordan one of NBA's finest coaches
When the Wizards fired Eddie Jordan last week, Nets Coach Lawrence Frank became the longest-tenured coach in the Eastern Conference after replacing Byron Scott in January 2004. Frank, also a former Nets assistant, worked with Jordan under Scott for three seasons and was upset to see his former colleague dismissed. "I thought the guys were playing their tails off for Eddie Jordan," Frank said. "I think Eddie Jordan is one of the finest coaches in this league. That has nothing to do with Ed Tapscott. It's just in terms of the job Eddie Jordan did in D.C. and when you compare it with what was in D.C. prior." -- Washington Post
Wife of Spurs Tony Parker a closet smoker
Who knew Eva Longoria Parker was a closet smoker? It seems the "Desperate Housewives" star has been desperate to keep her habit under wraps - only openly indulging in a cigarette - or several - while she was out of the country this week. "She hates to be photographed smoking," says X-17 owner Frank Navarre. "But we get her once in a while." Longoria Parker was caught in the act twice this week, puffing away while trolling the streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she traveled for the wedding of "Without a Trace" star Roselyn Sanchez. -- NY Daily News
Wolves Love sings again
Wolves rookie Kevin Love was forced to treat another veteran to a chorus of "Happy Birthday" after practice, this time for center Jason Collins. -- Pioneer Press
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