Month: January 2010

Hornets face tough schedule

John Reid of the New Orleans Times Picayune reports:

New Orleans plays 11 of its next 16 games this month on the road. Despite its 13-3 record at the New Orleans Arena, the Hornets are in last place in the Southwest Division, a half-game behind the Memphis Grizzlies based on Sunday’s standings.

Hornets Coach Jeff Bower said he addressed his players Sunday about the challenges they face this month. After Utah, the Hornets play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at the Ford Center. The Thunder, led by Kevin Durant, is a surging young team that is in the playoff hunt with an 18-15 record.

“We talked about our schedule and our ability to address our road record,’’ Bower said. “We have a lot of road games, but we view it as an opportunity to make progress and move ahead.’’

Denver fans cheer Iverson

Dave Krieger of the Denver Post reports:

Allen Iverson could hear the tribute as he stood in the Sixers’ huddle during a first-half timeout Sunday night, but he couldn’t see the video board.

“I couldn’t really pay attention to it because it was during a timeout and Coach was talking,” Iverson said after putting up 17 points and seven assists in Philly’s 108-105 win over his former team.

“But I looked up and seen what was going on and then, just to hear the fans react the way they reacted, it was a great feeling. I kind of got beside myself.”

The video montage showed the usual A.I. magic, driving the NBA forest, slicing through the trees, somehow getting the ball up through the branches and in the net, time after time after time. Out of the timeout, the crowd rose to serenade him back onto the floor.

To the full house at the Pepsi Center, it was like he never left. The fans seemed to have no trouble cheering for the Nuggets and Iverson at the same time. Considering he played only 135 games for the Nuggets, less than two seasons’ worth, it is an extraordinary bond.

D-League: Earl Barron suspended for striking Jared Reiner

Iowa Energy center Earl Barron has been suspended one game for striking Fort Wayne Mad Ants center Jared Reiner in the mouth, it was announced today by Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA Development League.

The incident occurred with 1:54 to play in the second overtime on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009 in Fort Wayne.  Iowa defeated Fort Wayne 140-137 in triple overtime.

Barron will serve his suspension tomorrow when the Energy plays at Fort Wayne.

Devin Harris thinks 75 percent of NBA players own weapons

NBA players are celebrities. The league is seen by much of the world. Everybody knows who the stars are. With 30 teams and at most 15 players on a roster, only 450 human beings on the planet can claim to be NBA players at any given time.

The select few dozen stars are household names.

And, these guys need to protest themselves.

Dave D’Alessandro of the Newark Star-Ledger reports:

Harris estimates that “Seventy-five percent” of the players own weapons. He personally said he doesn’t have one, because, as he put it, “I have a pit bull.”

If Harris was referring to the human variety of pit bull (a bodyguard), who may in turn carry his own weapon, he didn’t say.

While the NBA wants its players to get over its obsession with firearms, most gun-owning players feel justified in carrying them because they are very tall and wealthy targets.

Sometimes, through no fault of their own whatsoever, violence finds them just because of what they drive.

Life can be complicated when random strangers passing by you all know who you are, but you don’t know them.

Nate Robinson scores 41 in return for Knicks

Nate Robinson finally back on court for Knicks

After not receiving even a minute of court time since December 1, New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson returned to action in dramatic fashion Friday, scoring 41 points in a 112-108 overtime road win against the Atlanta Hawks.

Entering the game in the first quarter, Robinson quickly became hot and never cooled off. He played over 38 minutes and shot 18-of-24 (3-of-5 three-pointers) for 41 points, six rebounds and eight assists (four turnovers).

Also for the Knicks, Wilson Chandler had 24 points and played big with 17 rebounds, plus four assists. Danilo Gallinari and Al Harrington (just 5-of-16) each scored 13 points. David Lee (just 4-of-14) had a quiet night with 11 points and only seven rebounds.

For the Hawks, Joe Johnson (just 12-of-30) had 28 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Josh Smith had 24 points and 10 rebounds, with two blocks. Al Horford dominated the middle, shooting 11-of-14 for 22 points and 19 rebounds.

With a season average of 10.9 points and 3.2 assists in 22.0 minutes coming into this game, Robinson has been healthy, but coach D’Antoni simply didn’t want to use him.

Robinson was recently fined by the NBA for comments his agent made, who wanted the player traded if Nate wasn’t going to be used on the court. The penalty is being appealed.

Nate’s always been able to score. The problem D’Antoni has had with him is Nate’s defense and general decision-making on the court.

This was quite a statement in his return.

Speaking to MSG network after the game, Robinson thanked God, Allan Houston and Malik Rose for keeping him ready. He also shouted out Twitter and various friends and family.

“I’m here to stay. I want to play. I want to help this team win. Everything is in the past. 2010, it’s a fresh start,” said Robinson.

Did Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton draw guns on each other?

Wow. I’m not even sure how to react to this latest report. Get ready for some wild stuff.

It had recently been reported by several media outlets that Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas had (unloaded) guns in his locker, but nothing actually happened with them and the only investigation revolved around why they were there at all.

But things just got a lot more nasty and complicated.

Peter Vecsey and David K. Li of the New York Post report:

Did Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton draw guns on each other?

Guess they’re still the Bullets at heart.

NBA all-star Gilbert Arenas and his Washing ton Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other in the team’s locker room during a Christmas Eve dispute over a gambling debt, The Post has learned.

League sources say the pistol-packing point guards had heaters at the ready inside the Verizon Center, the Washington, DC home of the Wizards — whose name was changed from the Bullets over gun- violence concerns.

It was the three-time all-star Arenas, 27, who went for his gun first, sources said, drawing on the 22-year-old Crittenton, who quickly brandished a firearm as well.

It was not clear whether other teammates saw the shocking standoff, which happened on a practice day.

The duel in DC — unprecedented in sports history — was sparked when Crittenton became enraged at the veteran guard for refusing to make good on a gambling debt, a source said.

“I’m not your punk!” Crittenton shouted at Arenas, according to a league source close to the Wizards.

That prompted Arenas to draw on Crittenton, who then also grabbed for a gun, league security sources said.

To follow this story as it develops, read the InsideHoops.com NBA rumors page each day (as you should be doing anyway).

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.