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Iman Shumpert shines in Knicks win vs Spurs

Here’s the New York Daily News on Knicks guard Iman Shumpert stepping up in an upset win on the road in San Antonio Thursday night:

Iman Shumpert steps up for Knicks in win over Spurs

If Iman Shumpert’s New Year’s resolution was to get back to be an athletic two-way player then maybe the Knicks can still make something of this season.

At the very least, the 2014 Knicks looked nothing like the Knicks from the final three months of 2013. And the same can be said of Shumpert.

“He saved us,” Carmelo Anthony said. “He saved the day. He was back to the old Shump that we fell in love with.”

Shumpert scored a season-high 27 points including the go-ahead basket with 23.4 seconds left as the Knicks opened January with an inspiring 105-101 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

The third year guard, who has been the subject of trade rumors for months and has been at odds with head coach Mike Woodson, hadn’t played this well since last May’s second round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. But on Thursday, Shumpert made 10 of 13 shots including 6 of 8 three-pointers as the Knicks overcame a nine-point second quarter deficit.

Kevin Love calls out Timberwolves bench

Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune reporting on Timberwolves star Kevin Love speaking up to rally his troops:

Kevin Love calls out Timberwolves bench

On Monday, Timberwolves star Kevin Love publicly called out his team’s bench and its five-point performance in that night’s loss to Dallas, calling the reserves’ meager output unacceptable.

Late Wednesday, backup point guard J.J. Barea said he didn’t like Love’s public comments, even though he acknowledges they might have helped inspire 42 points of bench production in a runaway victory over New Orleans.

And on Thursday, Wolves coach Rick Adelman weighed in on the subject.

“I think it’s something they need to talk out,” Adelman said. “I don’t think that anybody can deny that five points isn’t going to do it for us. It’s the way you do it. Like Kevin said, I don’t think it was malicious.

‘‘Sometimes it’s best they talk it out themselves, and that’s what we keep talking about. That’s when the leadership and chemistry come together. I think those guys know what Kevin was talking about. I saw what J.J. said. Things happen during the season.”

Rajon Rondo return date for Boston Celtics should be soon

Here’s the Boston Globe blog on Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, who may finally suit up and play in the near future:

rajon rondo return date

Rajon Rondo said Thursday he is open to a rehabilitation stint with NBADL Maine and is getting “pretty close” after missing nearly a year following tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament.

“I’m better than last week when I talked to you guys,” he said, referring to his Dec. 22 meeting with the media. “I’m still getting my endurance but I’m getting pretty close, feeling good, feeling better. Like I said, I feel better than last week.”

Rondo, who has been traveled with the team and was cleared to practice three weeks ago, has been working out arduously to approach game shape, saying he does not want to return only to suffer another injury setback.

“A like a 12-minute quarter, straight,” he said when asked whether there is one sign that he’s ready to return. “I don’t want to go out there and get fatigued and cause another injury. I want to makes sure I’m ready to go and I’m in shape.”

Trail Blazers hit 21 three-pointers vs Bobcats

Here’s the Oregonian reporting on the latest fun show put on by the Portland Trail Blazers, who continue to play like one of the best teams in the league:

Trail Blazers hit 21 three-pointers, destroy Bobcats

The Trail Blazers defeated the Charlotte Bobcats 134-104 Thursday night at the Moda Center, improving to 26-7 on the season and moving into the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Blazers, who are rewriting the franchise three-point record book this season, had another blistering night from behind the arc and threatened to establish an NBA record for long-range shooting in the convincing victory over the Bobcats.

The Blazers made 21 three-pointers — tying a franchise record they set earlier this season — as seven different players made at least one three. The starting lineup was particularly hot, making 14 of 16, but no one was cold as the Blazers shot 64 percent (21-33). Wesley Matthews went 5 for 6, Mo Williams went 3 for 5 and Damian Lillard went 6 for 6, becoming the second player in franchise history to make at least six threes without a miss. Terry Porter also accomplished the feat in 1992.

The 21 threes equaled the franchise record set Dec. 14 during a win at Philadelphia and the Blazers became the first team in NBA history to make 20 or more threes twice in the same season.

Denver Nuggets suspend Andre Miller two games

Denver Nuggets suspend Andre Miller two games

The Denver Nuggets, who have lost eight straight games and been in a free-fall lately, have suspended point guard Andre Miller for two games for conduct detrimental to the team, general manager/executive vice president of basketball operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Miller will miss Denver’s home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday and will not travel with the team for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.

Dwane Casey and Jeff Hornacek named NBA Coaches of Month for December, 2013

The Toronto Raptors’ Dwane Casey and the Phoenix Suns’ Jeff Hornacek today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in December.

Casey led the Raptors to an 8-6 (.571) record, including road wins over the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder. The six road wins Toronto posted tied for best in the conference in December (Maurice Cheeks led the Detroit Pistons to six road wins). The Raptors had five players account for double-digit scoring averages on the month, and closed December winning seven of their final nine games.

Hornacek guided the Suns to a 10-3 (.769) record, including wins over the Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers. Phoenix recorded a five-game winning streak between Dec. 4-15, the longest winning streak the Suns have had since January, 2011. The Suns, who rank eighth in the NBA in scoring at 103.7 ppg, eclipsed the 100-point plateau in 10 of their final 11 December contests.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Atlanta’s Mike Budenholzer, Golden State’s Mark Jackson, Indiana’s Frank Vogel, Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Oklahoma City’s Scott Brooks, Portland’s Terry Stotts and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.

Jrue Holiday feeling at home in New Orleans

Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer on New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday:

Jrue Holiday feeling at home in New Orleans

Holiday hasn’t missed a game for the Pelicans, who improved to 14-15 with the win and remain on the fringe of playoff contention in the loaded Western Conference. During the first 29 games he averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 34.3 minutes.

“He has the ability to be one of the very few two-way players who plays a lot of minutes,” Pelicans coach Monty Williams said of Holiday.

Williams added that it’s rare that a player who goes so hard at both ends of the court will play more than 25 minutes.

“Jrue does it 35-40 minutes a night and he is about as tough as they come,” Williams said.

Atlanta Hawks assign guard Jared Cunningham to D-League

The Atlanta Hawks have assigned guard Jared Cunningham to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

Cunningham, who was recalled from Bakersfield on December 29, has averaged 18.1 points, 5.4 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 33.1 minutes in eight games (all starts) in two stints with the Jam this season. In his last two contests with Bakersfield, Cunningham has put up 27.5 points, 9.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 34.5 minutes (.704 FG%, .700 3FG%, .714 FT%).

He has appeared in three games with the Hawks this year.