Author: Inside Hoops

Denver Nuggets guard Nate Robinson underwent surgery this afternoon to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Nuggets General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced tonight.

“It’s always tough to see one of your players go down with an injury,” Connelly said. “Nate is known for his heart and determination, so I have no doubt he will work hard to get back on the court as soon as possible. He has the full support of our team and organization.”

The procedure was performed by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steve Traina at Midtown Surgical Center.

Robinson, signed by Denver as a free agent on July 26, 2013, averaged 10.4 points and 2.5 assists in 44 games with the Nuggets this season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling this season. Here’s the Akron Beacon Journal reporting on Cavs star point guard Kyrie Irving:

Kyrie Irving conceded this season has been more difficult than he imagined, he’s upset so much attention has been placed on his contract and he admitted he doesn’t always have all the answers to what is plaguing the Cavaliers this season.

“I needed this. It was more or less a wake-up call,” Irving told the Beacon Journal following practice on Friday. “I got away with so much my first two years. It wasn’t a breeze, but everything came easy. This is the first year where every single night it’s going to be a challenge. That’s one of the things I’m getting used to and I’ve accepted.”

Irving has come under fire throughout the past week, particularly after a Beacon Journal story last Sunday questioning the progress he’s made this season, followed by an ESPN report on Thursday that Irving wants out of Cleveland.

“Everybody has all these rumors and stories they’re coming out with and it’s all based on me,” Irving said. “It’s not really about me. It’s about the team and what we’re going through as a team together. Obviously some things will be put on me and I take responsibility for that, but all that extra stuff that comes with it… It’s the business. I understand that. But that’s one of the things I wish I could change. It’s definitely not about me, it’s about my teammates and what we can accomplish.”

Here is the Indianapolis Star reporting on Pacers guard Lance Stephenson, who has steadily emerged as a legit force in this league. And was deemed worthy by the basketball masses of perhaps being named an All-Star this season, but was not named a reserve by NBA head coaches:

“I’m mad,” Stephenson said. “I feel like I had my breakout year last year. I showed I can play with anyone on the floor and I felt like this year, I brought a little bit more to my game.

“But other people saw it differently. I’m just going to keep working hard and prove everyone wrong.”

Stephenson not being included among the All-Star reserves was the talk of the league when they were announced Thursday night. Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley chimed in with: “That’s a joke. I see why they’ve got so many crappy teams in the East because the coaches don’t know what they’re doing.”

No Pacers player thrives off emotion more than Stephenson. He plays with an edge. Some, including Vogel, thought that emotion may have turned off coaches and convinced enough not to vote for him.