Editor's notes: Good day, Hoopsters! Miss J.Moxie and I would like to apologize for being M.I.A. for the last 3 days. We were soaking in the sun at one of the finest beaches at Punta Fuego, Batangas. Now, that we're back, expect a lot more NBA and PBA news, rumors, score updates, and feature articles. Now, sit back, read on, and click on some of the ads to show your support for this site. :D
My source believes the Lakers will offer Andrew Bynum for Bosh (if they haven’t done so already) well before the deadline expires. In itself, the one-for-one swap is impossible to make. Bynum’s “base year” essentially allows L.A. to take back but half of his salary this year ($12.5M). Of course, that restriction is lifted when next year’s salary ($13.7M) activates come July 1, at which time a sign-and-trade transaction would be feasible. - New York Post
In the meantime, the languishing Lakers may only have the marginal goods to obtain the likes of, say, Hornets’ forward Hilton Armstrong. Friday night they lost again (third straight road loss) to the Blazers (nine consecutive in Portland) and continue to showcase (I’m being kind) Sasha Vujacic (one year left at $5.475M) and free agents-in-waiting Jordan Farmar and Adam Morrison. - New York Post
Wade, in fact, might have offered a clue as to where he won't land as a free agent next season, after he arrived particularly bundled up for a morning shootaround. "I didn't like the cold when I lived there," he said of his Chicago roots and collegiate days in Milwaukee, "and I don't like it now." - South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said it's not essential for the team to make a deal by the Feb. 18 deadline. Brown believes the Cavaliers have the proper pieces in place now for a run at a ring. "I like our team,'' Brown said in an interview Saturday with FanHouse. "I think we have a group of guys that can compete for a championship now. In this business there's nothing guaranteed, so that's all you can ask for." - FanHouse
Jamison has remained loyal to the Wizards, but he might believe that it's time for him to move on. A Wizards official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the power forward as being tired of what has become a sideshow-like atmosphere. ''He wants to win. He's tired of the [expletive] here,'' he said. For Jamison, that means he's amenable to being traded. ''Definitely. This stuff is wearing thin on him,'' the official said. - Akron Beacon Journal
It isn't a certainty, but several league executives said this week that the Wizards are listening to offers for every player on their roster and not ruling any sort of deal out. "If you're running a team you can either sell success or you can sell hope but that's about it," said one high-ranking executive. "They've got a new owner coming [in Washington] and right now they sure can't sell success so you can understand why they are looking at some options to have hope by the [trade] deadline. You expect them to look at all their options to do it." - Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tracy McGrady's nameplate still hangs at his locker along with assorted clothing. But the Rockets swingman is in Chicago training as the Knicks and other teams bid for his services. The Knicks will be hard-pressed to make a trade because of Houston's unwillingness to take on Jeffries' contract. However, if the Rockets can't find a deal, there is a chance McGrady could be bought out after February's trading deadline, become a free agent and then be signed. - New York Post
Darko Milicic was with the Knicks in Houston after reports suggested the team might buy out his contract — which team president Donnie Walsh called erroneous. Milicic, who hasn’t played since Nov. 13 and spent his 13th straight game Saturday on the inactive list, owns an expiring $7.5 million contract that could be used in a deal by next month’s trade deadline. - Bergen Record
Woodson said the staff will meet following the team's return from the Boston game Monday to talk about plans for the 13th roster spot, which is open with forward Othello Hunter being put on waivers. Woodson said that former Hawks guard Mario West, who played two seasons for the Hawks before being cut this season, was a "possibility." - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With one easy stroke, the Nets are going to erase those two glaring roster mistakes Sunday, when they send Najera to Dallas for Kris Humphries and waive Williams so they can acquire another lost soul with a familiar name, forward Shawne Williams. Both moves were nearing completion Saturday, but according to someone close to the negotiations who is not authorized to speak on the moves, it had yet to get full sign-off from incoming Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov. That is expected to be a formality. - Newark Star-Ledger
To create room for the two players, Sean Williams will be waived. Upon completion of the trade, Shawne Williams also will be waived. Nets coach/general manager Kiki Vandeweghe could not confirm anything had been reached since nothing is official. Sean Williams said he hadn’t heard anything, although he winked. But Najera said his agent told him to be prepared to pack his bags. “He said there’s a pretty good chance,” Najera said. “I think there’s an agreement. It’s just league paperwork.” - Bergen Record
Watching from afar as the Nets opened the 2009-10 season by setting a dubious record for the worst start in league history — 18 losses in a row before finally beating the Charlotte Bobcats on Dec. 4 — was difficult for a player who still has friends inside the organization. “You feel for them,” said Jefferson, acquired by the Nets on draft night 2001 in a swap of first-round picks with the Houston Rockets. “You feel for the people who are there. You feel for the fans.” - San Antonio Express-News
Team sources who confirmed the deal said the Nets also are looking to deal other veterans as they prep for the big free agent summer. They're shopping Josh Boone (interest, nothing close), Tony Battie (some interest) and Bobby Simmons (not much interest). Figure Boone goes next. - New York Post
The Knicks still have high hopes for Hill, but their decision to pass over Jennings continues to generate a negative backlash. The latest rumor had Knicks president Donnie Walsh telling his scouts that they blew it and can't afford another drafting mistake. "That's all a bunch of bull----," Walsh said the other day. "I never did anything like that. Any innuendo that I'm displeased with my staff, I'm not. In fact, when I got here I went through the first draft with them, I liked their work, and I re-signed most of them." - New York Daily News
If Arenas weren't already dealing with enough, he now faces the watchful eye of his shoe company, Adidas, which released a statement on Friday that is putting the three-time all-star on notice. "We are evaluating our relationship with Gilbert Arenas based on his recent conduct and subsequent suspension from the NBA," Adidas spokeswoman Lyn Famiglietti said in a statement. "We echo the Commissioner's concern for such a serious incident and will continue to follow the investigation by the league and law enforcement." - Washington Post
Foye, Nick Young, JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche were fined $10,000 each for their participation in the finger run episode, as played a premeditated role, falling down when Arenas "shot" them. "The joke wasn't meant to harm anyone, but at the same time it was wrong, period," said Blatche. "I was involved in it. I fell, and I took my consequences for it. I took the fine, which I had no problem with. What was wrong was wrong." - Washington Examiner
There is a sentiment among people close to the Wizards organization -- few of whom spoke on the record, given the sensitive nature of the situation -- that the team's upper management, team President Ernie Grunfeld in particular, covered for Arenas and coddled him for too long. "There are a lot of people responsible for this, other than" Arenas, one person familiar with the situation said on condition of anonymity because the individual could not speak on behalf on the Wizards organization. Former Wizards coach Eddie Jordan and his staff privately intimated they felt undermined by Grunfeld when it came to matters of discipline with Arenas. Arenas, a notorious practical joker, often crossed the line of acceptable decorum. The example often cited was how Arenas once defecated in teammate Andray Blatche's shoe during Blatche's rookie season. His behavior often went unchecked and unpunished, said a former team employee on condition of anonymity. - Washington Post
A person close to Arenas said Stern's suspension might have been a blessing in disguise, saving Arenas from further condemnation. He had apparently scripted an even more elaborate -- and uncouth -- opening for the next night in Cleveland, in which he would affect a gimp-legged walk like John Wayne and draw at 10 paces with Young, his also-playful teammate. "We talked about it," Young acknowledged Friday night. - Washington Post
For years, the only team that openly encouraged a ban was the Utah Jazz and veteran coach Jerry Sloan, who said gambling between players had negative effects on the floor when he was a player. "I don't have a no-card playing rule," Sloan told reporters in Salt Lake City. "I just told the players I don't want them playing for money. I've tried to legislate that a little bit because I know a lot of times players go back to the hotel and play cards." No matter what the league may say, players often play privately on their own time. Also, betting on shooting games after practices and shootarounds is commonplace. Sometimes coaches get involved in such wagers. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
The key was Davis, bummed to the max in fall 2008 after being abandoned by Brand who'd recruited him, finding everything he heard about the Clippers coming true, wishing he could be beamed out of here. Funny, Baron can't remember back that far. "It's hard for me even to remember that much because that wasn't even a glimpse of myself," he says. "I just vowed to come into this season and not be that person and get back to being the hard-working individual and the leader that I am. . . . - Los Angeles Times
The Bulls were cruising along toward an easy 110-96 victory over Minnesota on Saturday. There should have been no worries, but then Tyrus Thomas got a surprising quick hook late in the third quarter, leaving the floor after playing less than two minutes. I wasn’t watching when Thomas walked over to the bench, because I wasn’t expecting him to leave. But he remained standing on the sideline for a long time before finally pulling on his warm up and sitting down. What was this all about? Not sure and didn’t think there was any point in asking coach Vinny Del Negro after the game, because he always downplays internal issues. Thomas left the locker room quickly after the game, which isn't unusual. - Arlington Heights Daily Herald
About an hour after his coach gave him props for being one of few Pistons to give a solid effort in the team’s dismal home loss tonight to the 76ers, Ben Wallace called himself out. “I got to do a better job of leading this team from start to finish,” Wallace said in the Pistons locker room after the 104-94 loss – the Pistons’ 12th straight loss. “I know what this team is capable of doing. “I got to get this team ready from the start.” So why does Wallace blame himself? “Most of this has been on me,” he added. “I haven’t been playing the way I know I’m capable of playing. “I call myself the leader of this team and if you’re leader of the team and things not going well, then it falls on you.” - Detroit Free Press
The worst part, however, is that Hill sits while another rookie, an undrafted one at that, plays ahead of him. Marcus Landry, the Knicks' rags to riches story, has factored into Mike D'Antoni's plans recently at the expense of Hill, whose claim to fame right now is that the Knicks selected him last June over Brandon Jennings, who is now starring with the Bucks. "It's a little frustrating not playing," Hill said about his limited role. "But I understand where Coach is coming from. There are veterans in front me." - New York Daily News
Anthony RandolphA CT scan on the left ankle of Anthony Randolph indicated that the second-year forward did not endure an acute fracture, the Warriors announced Saturday night. The team will re-evaluate Randolph before today's practice in hopes of getting a further diagnosis and a timeline for his return. X-rays after Friday's 108-101 victory over Sacramento, in which he was injured in the first quarter, pointed to a sprain and a possible fracture. High ankle sprains can sideline players for as short as two to three weeks or as long as six months. - San Francisco Chronicle
It could have been John Kuester bobblehead night. When someone mentioned the doubters who suggested Allen Iverson exaggerated an injury to avoid playing against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night, Kuester shook his head. Then the Detroit coach shook it some more. “No,” he said. “That would never be the case. Allen Iverson is one of the ultimate competitors. If you’re able to turn the lights on, he’s going to go out and play. “That would never be the issue.” - Booth Newspapers
My source believes the Lakers will offer Andrew Bynum for Bosh (if they haven’t done so already) well before the deadline expires. In itself, the one-for-one swap is impossible to make. Bynum’s “base year” essentially allows L.A. to take back but half of his salary this year ($12.5M). Of course, that restriction is lifted when next year’s salary ($13.7M) activates come July 1, at which time a sign-and-trade transaction would be feasible. - New York Post
In the meantime, the languishing Lakers may only have the marginal goods to obtain the likes of, say, Hornets’ forward Hilton Armstrong. Friday night they lost again (third straight road loss) to the Blazers (nine consecutive in Portland) and continue to showcase (I’m being kind) Sasha Vujacic (one year left at $5.475M) and free agents-in-waiting Jordan Farmar and Adam Morrison. - New York Post
Wade, in fact, might have offered a clue as to where he won't land as a free agent next season, after he arrived particularly bundled up for a morning shootaround. "I didn't like the cold when I lived there," he said of his Chicago roots and collegiate days in Milwaukee, "and I don't like it now." - South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said it's not essential for the team to make a deal by the Feb. 18 deadline. Brown believes the Cavaliers have the proper pieces in place now for a run at a ring. "I like our team,'' Brown said in an interview Saturday with FanHouse. "I think we have a group of guys that can compete for a championship now. In this business there's nothing guaranteed, so that's all you can ask for." - FanHouse
Jamison has remained loyal to the Wizards, but he might believe that it's time for him to move on. A Wizards official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the power forward as being tired of what has become a sideshow-like atmosphere. ''He wants to win. He's tired of the [expletive] here,'' he said. For Jamison, that means he's amenable to being traded. ''Definitely. This stuff is wearing thin on him,'' the official said. - Akron Beacon Journal
It isn't a certainty, but several league executives said this week that the Wizards are listening to offers for every player on their roster and not ruling any sort of deal out. "If you're running a team you can either sell success or you can sell hope but that's about it," said one high-ranking executive. "They've got a new owner coming [in Washington] and right now they sure can't sell success so you can understand why they are looking at some options to have hope by the [trade] deadline. You expect them to look at all their options to do it." - Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tracy McGrady's nameplate still hangs at his locker along with assorted clothing. But the Rockets swingman is in Chicago training as the Knicks and other teams bid for his services. The Knicks will be hard-pressed to make a trade because of Houston's unwillingness to take on Jeffries' contract. However, if the Rockets can't find a deal, there is a chance McGrady could be bought out after February's trading deadline, become a free agent and then be signed. - New York Post
Darko Milicic was with the Knicks in Houston after reports suggested the team might buy out his contract — which team president Donnie Walsh called erroneous. Milicic, who hasn’t played since Nov. 13 and spent his 13th straight game Saturday on the inactive list, owns an expiring $7.5 million contract that could be used in a deal by next month’s trade deadline. - Bergen Record
Woodson said the staff will meet following the team's return from the Boston game Monday to talk about plans for the 13th roster spot, which is open with forward Othello Hunter being put on waivers. Woodson said that former Hawks guard Mario West, who played two seasons for the Hawks before being cut this season, was a "possibility." - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With one easy stroke, the Nets are going to erase those two glaring roster mistakes Sunday, when they send Najera to Dallas for Kris Humphries and waive Williams so they can acquire another lost soul with a familiar name, forward Shawne Williams. Both moves were nearing completion Saturday, but according to someone close to the negotiations who is not authorized to speak on the moves, it had yet to get full sign-off from incoming Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov. That is expected to be a formality. - Newark Star-Ledger
To create room for the two players, Sean Williams will be waived. Upon completion of the trade, Shawne Williams also will be waived. Nets coach/general manager Kiki Vandeweghe could not confirm anything had been reached since nothing is official. Sean Williams said he hadn’t heard anything, although he winked. But Najera said his agent told him to be prepared to pack his bags. “He said there’s a pretty good chance,” Najera said. “I think there’s an agreement. It’s just league paperwork.” - Bergen Record
Watching from afar as the Nets opened the 2009-10 season by setting a dubious record for the worst start in league history — 18 losses in a row before finally beating the Charlotte Bobcats on Dec. 4 — was difficult for a player who still has friends inside the organization. “You feel for them,” said Jefferson, acquired by the Nets on draft night 2001 in a swap of first-round picks with the Houston Rockets. “You feel for the people who are there. You feel for the fans.” - San Antonio Express-News
Team sources who confirmed the deal said the Nets also are looking to deal other veterans as they prep for the big free agent summer. They're shopping Josh Boone (interest, nothing close), Tony Battie (some interest) and Bobby Simmons (not much interest). Figure Boone goes next. - New York Post
The Knicks still have high hopes for Hill, but their decision to pass over Jennings continues to generate a negative backlash. The latest rumor had Knicks president Donnie Walsh telling his scouts that they blew it and can't afford another drafting mistake. "That's all a bunch of bull----," Walsh said the other day. "I never did anything like that. Any innuendo that I'm displeased with my staff, I'm not. In fact, when I got here I went through the first draft with them, I liked their work, and I re-signed most of them." - New York Daily News
If Arenas weren't already dealing with enough, he now faces the watchful eye of his shoe company, Adidas, which released a statement on Friday that is putting the three-time all-star on notice. "We are evaluating our relationship with Gilbert Arenas based on his recent conduct and subsequent suspension from the NBA," Adidas spokeswoman Lyn Famiglietti said in a statement. "We echo the Commissioner's concern for such a serious incident and will continue to follow the investigation by the league and law enforcement." - Washington Post
Foye, Nick Young, JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche were fined $10,000 each for their participation in the finger run episode, as played a premeditated role, falling down when Arenas "shot" them. "The joke wasn't meant to harm anyone, but at the same time it was wrong, period," said Blatche. "I was involved in it. I fell, and I took my consequences for it. I took the fine, which I had no problem with. What was wrong was wrong." - Washington Examiner
There is a sentiment among people close to the Wizards organization -- few of whom spoke on the record, given the sensitive nature of the situation -- that the team's upper management, team President Ernie Grunfeld in particular, covered for Arenas and coddled him for too long. "There are a lot of people responsible for this, other than" Arenas, one person familiar with the situation said on condition of anonymity because the individual could not speak on behalf on the Wizards organization. Former Wizards coach Eddie Jordan and his staff privately intimated they felt undermined by Grunfeld when it came to matters of discipline with Arenas. Arenas, a notorious practical joker, often crossed the line of acceptable decorum. The example often cited was how Arenas once defecated in teammate Andray Blatche's shoe during Blatche's rookie season. His behavior often went unchecked and unpunished, said a former team employee on condition of anonymity. - Washington Post
A person close to Arenas said Stern's suspension might have been a blessing in disguise, saving Arenas from further condemnation. He had apparently scripted an even more elaborate -- and uncouth -- opening for the next night in Cleveland, in which he would affect a gimp-legged walk like John Wayne and draw at 10 paces with Young, his also-playful teammate. "We talked about it," Young acknowledged Friday night. - Washington Post
For years, the only team that openly encouraged a ban was the Utah Jazz and veteran coach Jerry Sloan, who said gambling between players had negative effects on the floor when he was a player. "I don't have a no-card playing rule," Sloan told reporters in Salt Lake City. "I just told the players I don't want them playing for money. I've tried to legislate that a little bit because I know a lot of times players go back to the hotel and play cards." No matter what the league may say, players often play privately on their own time. Also, betting on shooting games after practices and shootarounds is commonplace. Sometimes coaches get involved in such wagers. - Cleveland Plain Dealer
The key was Davis, bummed to the max in fall 2008 after being abandoned by Brand who'd recruited him, finding everything he heard about the Clippers coming true, wishing he could be beamed out of here. Funny, Baron can't remember back that far. "It's hard for me even to remember that much because that wasn't even a glimpse of myself," he says. "I just vowed to come into this season and not be that person and get back to being the hard-working individual and the leader that I am. . . . - Los Angeles Times
The Bulls were cruising along toward an easy 110-96 victory over Minnesota on Saturday. There should have been no worries, but then Tyrus Thomas got a surprising quick hook late in the third quarter, leaving the floor after playing less than two minutes. I wasn’t watching when Thomas walked over to the bench, because I wasn’t expecting him to leave. But he remained standing on the sideline for a long time before finally pulling on his warm up and sitting down. What was this all about? Not sure and didn’t think there was any point in asking coach Vinny Del Negro after the game, because he always downplays internal issues. Thomas left the locker room quickly after the game, which isn't unusual. - Arlington Heights Daily Herald
About an hour after his coach gave him props for being one of few Pistons to give a solid effort in the team’s dismal home loss tonight to the 76ers, Ben Wallace called himself out. “I got to do a better job of leading this team from start to finish,” Wallace said in the Pistons locker room after the 104-94 loss – the Pistons’ 12th straight loss. “I know what this team is capable of doing. “I got to get this team ready from the start.” So why does Wallace blame himself? “Most of this has been on me,” he added. “I haven’t been playing the way I know I’m capable of playing. “I call myself the leader of this team and if you’re leader of the team and things not going well, then it falls on you.” - Detroit Free Press
The worst part, however, is that Hill sits while another rookie, an undrafted one at that, plays ahead of him. Marcus Landry, the Knicks' rags to riches story, has factored into Mike D'Antoni's plans recently at the expense of Hill, whose claim to fame right now is that the Knicks selected him last June over Brandon Jennings, who is now starring with the Bucks. "It's a little frustrating not playing," Hill said about his limited role. "But I understand where Coach is coming from. There are veterans in front me." - New York Daily News
Anthony RandolphA CT scan on the left ankle of Anthony Randolph indicated that the second-year forward did not endure an acute fracture, the Warriors announced Saturday night. The team will re-evaluate Randolph before today's practice in hopes of getting a further diagnosis and a timeline for his return. X-rays after Friday's 108-101 victory over Sacramento, in which he was injured in the first quarter, pointed to a sprain and a possible fracture. High ankle sprains can sideline players for as short as two to three weeks or as long as six months. - San Francisco Chronicle
It could have been John Kuester bobblehead night. When someone mentioned the doubters who suggested Allen Iverson exaggerated an injury to avoid playing against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night, Kuester shook his head. Then the Detroit coach shook it some more. “No,” he said. “That would never be the case. Allen Iverson is one of the ultimate competitors. If you’re able to turn the lights on, he’s going to go out and play. “That would never be the issue.” - Booth Newspapers
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