Dec 23, 2000
NBA BASKETBALL on
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Around the
NBA
By INSIDEHOOPS.COM
A shakeup in Philly. The 76ers are struggling lately,
and this was punctuated by a 20 point loss to the Knicks Friday night.
Iverson dislocated his right shoulder late in that loss and will be out
2-4 weeks. Iverson was already feeling badly because his best friend on
the team, Vernon "Mad Maxx" Maxwell, was just cut by Larry Brown. The 76ers
have to be the least happy looking winning team around. A great record,
winning basketball (not lately, but season-long they've been the East's
best), and it's rare that any of these guys smile. The Knicks used to keep
guys Ewing was good friends with, even when they contributed nothing that
a good fan or assistant coach couldn't provide (David Wingate, Herb Williams),
so unless Maxwell was harming the team (he wasn't), why not keep him around
to keep The Answer happy?
The Jazz shot 21 for 22 from the stripe last night
vs Indiana. The Pacers, even better, were 40 of 41. I bet the fans loved
watching a 3 hour long free-throw shooting exhibition! We at InsideHoops
are saddened that we missed that one!
The Hornets want to move Derrick Coleman. That's
known. For the record, it should also be known that no one wants him or
his contract. Now, everyone stop wasting time discussing it.
The Cavs have stepped up their defense in 4th quarters,
and that's why they're winning so much these last few weeks. Coach Randy
Wittman still has no regular rotation. He picks whoever appears able to
do what needs to be done. Against the Pacers recently, Cedric Henderson
and Wesley Person played the entire 4th quarter. Against the Hawks, it
was all Lamond Murray and Andre Miller. As long as they keep bumping and
bruising, they'll keep beating up the East and competing with the West.
Since boycotting that Dec 11th practice, the Nuggets
are on a roll. Morale is high, and the team is feeling good. Antonio McDyess
declares that issue is over and done with, pointing out that if they really
didn't want to play for Issel they would have tanked it against the Spurs,
Rockets and Pistons (they won all three of those games).
Only two guys have scored 40 points and grabbed
20 rebounds in the same game this season - Shaq, and McDyess.
There were 11 technical fouls called in last week's
Mavs vs. Blazers matchup.
Dirk Nowitzki, as expected when any tall white
guy who can shoot and pass gets recognition, is being called "the next
Larry Bird." We invite you to come up with your own responses to that.
Least supportive fans in the NBA? Houston Rockets
fans. Sorry to those of you who do support your team, but Houston is last
in home attendance (under 12,000 per game), and fans who do attend do their
best to make as little noise as possible. Fine, the NBA is in a transition
state right now (almost no active legends, mostly just young legends-in-training),
but at least watch Steve Francis and Cat Mobley and cheer for them.
Jerry Sloan is pissed off. He's pissed at the refs
(for sucking, basically - whoops, please don't fine us, Dave), he's pissed
as his players (for not giving it their all), and he's probably pissed
that Jeff Hornacek had the nerve to get old and retire.
Best Games of the Weekend
Saturday, Dec 23
Spurs @ Hornets 7:30pm ET
Jazz @ Timberwolves 8pm ET
Nuggets @ Suns 9pm ET
Sonics @ Kings 10:30pm ET
Sunday, Dec 24
No games.
Monday, Dec 25
Magic @ Pacers 3pm ET (not great teams but first
NBC game)
Blazers @ Lakers 5:30pm ET (also on NBC)
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