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Iman Shumpert had a second, unreported knee surgery during summer

The New York Knicks season is off to a rough start. Even taking Tyson Chandler’s injury into consideration, and the assumption that J.R. Smith will play better soon, the team could be in need of a shakeup. One of their prime pieces to trade is young athletic guard Iman Shumpert. Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on some interesting new developments:

Iman Shumpert had a second left knee operation over the summer, the Daily News has learned and it is unclear if the unreported surgery could impact his trade value with the desperate Knicks trying to package Shumpert in a number of proposed deals including one for Boston’s Rajon Rondo.

According to a source, Shumpert had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last July that the Knicks never reported. In September, the Daily News reported that Amar’e Stoudemire had knee surgery over the summer which the Knicks also elected not to make public.

Shumpert originally tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee against the Miami Heat during Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Playoffs. Shumpert didn’t return until Jan. 17, 2013 and has experienced soreness on several occasions, including the Knicks second round playoff series against Indiana. In October, Mike Woodson cryptically said that Shumpert “battled this summer with some of his injuries” and added that Shumpert did experience knee pain but left it at that.

After 9-0 start to season, Indiana Pacers finally lose

They had to lose sometime. After starting the season winning nine games in a row, the Indiana Pacers finally fell. Here’s the Associated Press:

Luol Deng scored 23 points, Derrick Rose added 20 points and the Chicago Bulls knocked off the NBA’s last unbeaten team with a 110-94 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.

Taj Gibson had 15 points and eight rebounds for Chicago (5-3), which won its fourth straight game behind 11-of-19 shooting from 3-point range…

Roy Hibbert led Indiana (9-1) with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Paul George, who averaged 24.6 points per game coming in, was held to 12 points.

Dwight Howard speaks on Omer Asik`s frustrations

Omer Asik and the Houston Rockets are in a tough situation. Asik wants a bigger role, but Dwight Howard is the bigger talent. And while the two have spent time playing next to each other, that does not appear to be a long-term solution. Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting:

Dwight Howard and Chandler Parsons said they understand Omer Asik’s frustrations with his role with the Rockets this season. Asik has started eight of the 10 games this season. He didn’t play on Thursday in New York amidst reports that he was requesting to be traded.

Howard said that understands that Asik is in a tough situation.

“Totally, I understand where he is coming from – his frustration, sharing the floor,” Howard said. “I understand it’s tough for him. The only thing I can do is be his friend off the floor and help him anyway I can. I understand its a tough situation for him, but we are all family and we have to learn to fight through frustrations.”

Deron Williams sick of being injured

Lots of fans complain when certain NBA players seem to keep getting injured and missing games. And that’s understandable. But what fans should remember is, no player actually wants to be injured. It’s in all likelyhood more frustrating for them than for anyone else. As for Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams, here’s the New York Post:

The $100 million point guard sprained his left ankle in the first quarter of Friday night’s 100-98 overtime victory over the Suns, landing on Miles Plumlee’s foot and rolling his ankle. Williams then collapsed to the ground, and lay motionless in pain. He limped to the locker room, ending his night after just five minutes, two points and one assist.

X-rays were negative, according to the Nets.

“It’s frustrating,” Williams said after the game. “That’s the only way to describe it. I’m sick of being injured, sick of being hurt. I just want to be healthy so I can help my team.”

The good news for Williams is he said the sprain is “not even close to as bad” as the injury he sustained in the offseason to his other ankle.

Mike Woodson and Iman Shumpert appear to have some disagreements

Players often have heated disagreements with other players or their coaching staff. It doesn’t necessarily indicate that something bad is up. Sports are competitive, and in the heat of the moment, players/coaches can disagree about certain things, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that something particularly bad is brewing. But when trade rumors are brewing, it does make you wonder what’s up. With that said, here’s the New York Post:

Coach Mike Woodson and Iman Shumpert barked at each other on the Garden court Thursday during the Knicks 109-106 loss to Houston at the Garden.

After the exchange, Shumpert walked away from the coach with noticeable disgust and sat on the bench. If their suspect relationship is improving, it wasn’t apparent during the back-and-forth.

Shumpert is on the trading block, and Woodson hasn’t exactly eased the combo guard’s nerves — even after their meeting when the Knicks played in Atlanta on Wednesday. The Knicks face the Hawks again on Saturday at the Garden.

Carmelo Anthony would not mind a reduction in minutes

Carmelo Anthony, like any NBA star, is ready and willing to play as many minutes as needed to help his team win. That doesn’t mean that he actually wants to be out there on the floor almost nonstop all game long. Here’s the New York Post:

Carmelo Anthony doesn’t lead the NBA in scoring, but he does lead the league in minutes, and that’s something he would prefer not to do, especially after spending so much of the summer rehabbing a torn left shoulder.

Anthony scored 45 points in the Knicks’ 109-106 loss to the Rockets on Thursday night, but also logged 45 minutes. Anthony, who is averaging 40.8 minutes per game, said he realizes with Tyson Chandler out at least another three weeks and J.R. Smith still feeling his way, he has to carry the load.

“I don’t want to play 45 minutes every night,’’ Anthony said Friday at the Boys Club in The Bronx, where he distributed free food as part of the Carmelo Anthony Foundation. “At this rate if that’s what I have to do to try to help this team, then I’m all for it.’’

Mario Chalmers suspended for striking Dirk Nowitzki

Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers has been suspended for one game without pay for throwing a forearm and making contact with the head of Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Chalmers was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, occurred with 5:01 remaining in the fourth quarter of Miami’s 110-104 win over Dallas on Friday, Nov. 15, at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Chalmers will serve his suspension tonight when the Heat visit the Charlotte Bobcats.

To view the play, click on this link.

Pelicans center Greg Stiemsma out 6-8 weeks with knee injury

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that center Greg Stiemsma suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee. An MRI confirmed the injury, which occurred during the second quarter of Tuesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Stiemsma is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

The Pelicans are off to a 3-6 start. From an efficiency standpoint, their offense is fairly average for the league, but their defense has been a disappointment. Their star so far has been Anthony Davis, who is playing like an all-star this season, averaging 21.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.

Luke Ridnour should return soon for Bucks

Here’s the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the Bucks backcourt getting a bit more healthy:

Veteran guard Luke Ridnour participated in the Bucks shootaround Friday morning at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

And if Ridnour has his way, he will be on the court Friday night when Milwaukee (2-5) meets the unbeaten Indiana Pacers (8-0).

Ridnour has not played this season due to a herniated disc in his back, an injury that cropped up just before the Bucks played the season opener in New York on Oct. 30.

His return would be welcome news for the Bucks, who have relied on rookie Nate Wolters for huge minutes at the point guard spot. That’s because 21-year-old point guard Brandon Knight is sidelined again due to a right hamstring injury he suffered in the season opener.

Diante Garrett off to great start for Jazz

Here’s the Deseret News on a nice surprise the Utah Jazz got to enjoy the other day.

Diante Garrett, a suddenly familiar name in Utah, didn’t hit an unbelievable 3-point shot to beat LeBron James’ team. He didn’t end up celebrating on the scorer’s table at EnergySolutions Arena, either.

He hasn’t quite reached Sundiata Gaines status as a D-League call-up legend.

But the 25-year-old made one heck of a first impression with the Utah Jazz and fans Wednesday night in the team’s 111-105 victory over New Orleans.

“I’m shocked,” Jazz center Enes Kanter admitted. “He came (Tuesday), and then he played (Wednesday). … He played unbelievable. I appreciate him. He stepped up big time and played big.”

And he did it only hours after signing with the Jazz.

Not long after telling media about how he learned of his new opportunity while shopping at Wal-Mart late Monday night, Garrett scored seven points, had five assists and played a key role in Utah’s first win of the 2013-14 season.