Month: October 2012

Dwight Howard strikes back at Shaq

Dwight Howard strikes back at Shaq

After all this time, everybody still falls for Shaq’s Don Rickles act.

I mean, everyone: Shaq’s intended target, the media, the fans.

O’Neal said when he broke into the league making outrageous statements and jabbing opponents that it was all “entertainment,” like pro wrestling.

Shaq continues to throw barbs, especially Dwight Howard’s way. He says Andrew Bynum and Brook Lopez (Brook Lopez!) are better offensive players than Dwight.

“I don’t care what Shaq says,” Howard said. “Shaq played the game and he is done. It’s time to move on. He hated the fact when he played that older guys were talking about him and how he played. Now he’s doing the exact same thing. Just let it go. There’s no sense for him to be talking trash to me. He did his thing in the league. Sit back and relax. Your time is up.”

— Reported by Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel

New shooters give 76ers an outside chance

Jason Richardson

Doug Collins couldn’t have asked for a more fitting backdrop.

Moments after watching his 76ers play a spirited scrimmage at St. Joseph’s Hagan Arena that required an overtime period to settle, the coach discussed a favorite topic: spacing on the floor for his shooters.

Behind him, newly acquired sharpshooter Jason Richardson launched three-pointers, getting in some extra practice at training camp.

One key to the offense is having a big man capable of commanding a double team, drawing would-be perimeter defenders away from good shooters who are capable of making opponents pay.

In center Andrew Bynum, the Sixers feel they have that covered.

The other component is shooters, something the Sixers were woefully short of last season. They believe they have addressed the issue with the acquisition of players like Richardson, Dorell Wright, and Nick Young.

— Reported by John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer

John Andariese retires from Knicks booth

Knicks legendary broadcaster John Andariese, a team radio staple for 40 years known around the Garden as “Johnny Hoops,’’ has stepped down from his color analyst position, the Knicks announced Friday. Andariese called the Knicks’ last championship — in 1973 with Marv Albert.

Andariese will be replaced by Hubie Brown’s son, Brendan Brown. The Knicks had reduced Andariese’s role last season, having him do just home games.

The decision comes on the heels of The Post reporting Wally Szczerbiak will replace Kelly Tripucka on MSG Network’s telecasts, teaming with Alan Hahn in the studio. Last season, radio play-by-play man Spero Dedes took over for veteran Mike Crispino, who remains as a backup.

— Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post

Thomas Robinson impresses with hustle, skills

Thomas Robinson

It was a simple game of 4-on-4 in his second day of practice.

But it only took a few seconds for Thomas Robinson to show why the Kings are so happy to have him.

There was a missed shot and a rebound to be had, and the rookie from Kansas made sure no one else would grab the basketball.

Robinson sprinted toward the basket and snatched the ball off the rim for a powerful dunk.

Hustle, athleticism and enthusiasm all in one fell swoop.

The Kings have needed someone to play like that for a while.

— Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee

Dwyane Wade cited by NBA video as flopping violator

Dwyane Wade cited by NBA video as flopping violator

The NBA Friday offered video clarification on the parameters of its impending crackdown on “flopping,” citing Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade among the players who would have been penalized had the new policy been in place last season…

The play in question with Wade did not cite the Heat All-Star guard by name, nor did any of the sequences in the video cite players by name.

Instead, on a play when Wade released a shot and then attempted to draw a shooting foul on Boston Celtics forward Mickael Pietrus during last season’s Eastern Conference finals at AmericanAirlines Arena, the narrator says:

“After releasing the jump shot, the shooter, No. 3 in the white uniform, extends his right leg, attempting to draw a defensive foul call. While there is marginal contact on the play, the flail and spin to the floor by the offensive player is an over-embellishment and it is inconsistent with marginal contact. This is a flop that will be penalized.” …

Among those other than Wade cited in the video for “flopping” are San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari, Clippers center Ryan Hollins and Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Evans.

— Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Phil Jackson says D-Rose will become a more vocal leader

Phil Jackson on Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose has always let his play set the tone for the Chicago Bulls, but as the newly-turned 24-year-old star matures in his game, he will learn to become a more vocal leader, Phil Jackson said Friday.

“You see him do his leading mostly by his athletic prowess and his spirit that he plays the game with, his undaunting spirit,” Jackson said on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000. “But as he grows older he will become more of a vocal leader, and I think that’s an important aspect for a guy who wants to lead his team into the NBA championship level. And that’s the direction they’re headed now.”

Rose, who turned 24 on Thursday, first has to work his way back from a torn ACL suffered in the first round of the playoffs last season.

— Reported by ESPN Chicago

Joe Johnson says he did not ask Hawks for trade

Joe Johnson says he did not ask Hawks to trade him

Joe Johnson wanted to set the record straight on Thursday, telling reporters that he never asked out of Atlanta.

“Everybody thinks I made this trade,” the Nets’ shooting guard said. “I had nothing to do with it.

“Every time I run into somebody when I’m in Atlanta, they ask me, ‘Why did you leave?’

I didn’t have nothing to do with it. I’m just glad that I came to a great organization and a team who wants to win.”

Johnson, who was acquired by the Nets in a blockbuster trade, was originally asked if he thought he’d be booed when he returned to Atlanta. The Hawks host the Nets on Jan. 16.

“It’ll probably be some boos, it’ll probably be some cheers,” he replied. “I have no idea, man. What do you think?”

— Reported by Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York

Kurt Thomas has not thought of retiring

Kurt Thomas has not thought of retiring

The body is fine and the mind is still sharp. In fact, the only time Kurt Thomas feels old is when he’s wearing his Knicks uniform. After all, No. 40 just turned 40.

“I feel the same as yesterday,” Thomas says. “No difference.”

The Knicks really are aging right before our eyes. On Tuesday, Tyson Chandler celebrated his 30th birthday and on Thursday, Thomas celebrated his milestone with a three-hour practice with his teammates in Greenburgh. Thomas is the NBA’s oldest player, but he not only feels that he can contribute this season, he still believes he has a few good years left in him.

“I never think about retiring,” Thomas said. “Until no one wants my services anymore, then I’ll start thinking about that. But until then I’m always focusing on the next season.”

— Reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News

Bulls rookies sing happy birthday to Derrick Rose

Other than wishing him good health, most Chicago Bulls players were stumped when asked what they would get Derrick Rose for his 24th birthday, which the star guard celebrated on Thursday.

“I made the rookies sing,” Kirk Hinrich joked after practice. “I hope that’s enough.”

After the basketballs were picked up at the end of practice “Happy Birthday” could be heard throughout the Berto Center. But just a few minutes later Rose was back rehabbing, unavailable to discuss his big day.

“We should make him go (rehab) twice,” coach Tom Thibodeau said of a birthday gift.

— Reported by Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago