Author: Inside Hoops

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JR Smith replaces Rudy Gay in dunk contest

Denver Nuggets G J.R. Smith has been chosen to replace the injured Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2009 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix, Ariz. on Feb. 14, the league announced today.

Smith, in his third season with Denver, is averaging career-highs of 13.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 2.7 apg in a career-best 27.7 minutes per contest through 50 games this season.

The Nuggets’ high-flyer will be making his second appearance in the annual Slam Dunk Contest. As a member of the New Orleans Hornets, he finished third in the 2005 Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Smith will become the fifth Nuggets player to appear in an official NBA Slam Dunk Contest, joining Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (sixth place in 1993), Robert Pack (second in 1994), Darvin Ham (fourth in 1997) and Chris Andersen (third in 2004).

Frederic Weis signs in Spain

The Hoop (a trusted fan blog which quotes official sources) reports: Menorca announced the signing of french center, Frederic Weis (2.18-C) who was recently released by Bilbao, until the end of the season. Weiss will add power and height to the frontcourt of Menorca and he also has 8 seasons of experience in the ACB as a player of Malaga and Bilbao.

Kings may be losing big money

The Sacramento Bee (Ailene Voisin) reports:  Responding to speculation about the Kings’ future in Sacramento, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof on Monday reiterated the family’s commitment to the community. However, he expressed concern about projected financial losses and an urgency regarding plans for a new arena. Though he refused to cite a figure, sources close to the team estimate the franchise could lose up to $25 million this season, making it seem more likely that the Maloofs would be receptive to offers from officials in other markets – with more profitable arenas – who are interested in acquiring an NBA franchise. One league executive identified representatives from Anaheim and San Jose as particularly aggressive suitors.

Paul Millsap is worn out

The Deseret News (Tim Buckley) reports: The gritty Paul Millsap, however, readily admits to being a snapshot of personal exhaustion. “The physicality of the game, a lot of dirty work that I do, the licks I take — I mean, I think it’s all just taking a toll on me right now,” he said. “In particular, my knee,” added Millsap, who has been playing extensively despite a still-bruised right knee and a previously strained left. “You know, physically, mentally — that’s still something I’ve got to learn (to) deal with. I’m still learning.”

Jason Terry has hand surgery

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that Mavericks guard Jason Terry had successful surgery to stabilize the fourth metacarpal fracture in his left hand.  The surgery was performed by Dr. Scott Oishi and Dr. T.O. Souryal at Texas Sports Medicine.  No timetable has been set for his return.

Terry (6-2, 180) has played in all 50 Mavericks games this season and has averages of 19.9 points, 3.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.38 steals.

Jason Kidd must score more

With Dallas Mavericks scoring guard Jason Terry out, point guard Jason Kidd needs to step up in the points department. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (David Moore) reports: Kidd doesn’t look to score. Now, he doesn’t have any choice. Kidd doesn’t have to transform himself into a 15-point a night player. But he must do more than the 8.8 points he’s giving the Mavs. “It’s not really his nature to score big,” Dirk Nowitzki said. “His nature is to get other guys open and fill up the stat sheets in the other columns. But he needs to shoot a little more.” Kidd has taken 10 or more shots only three times in the last 19 games. He must make himself more of a threat.

Jim O’Brien: LeBron better than Kobe

LeBron James enters tonight’s game averaging 28.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists, the third season he has topped 25-7-7. He had his 20th career triple-double taken away last week when he was incorrectly given a rebound in his 52-point, 11-assist, nine-rebound performance against the New York Knicks. “He’s the best player in the league,” Pacers head coach Jim O’Brien said. “I don’t even know if it’s close right now. Certainly, Kobe Bryant is a great player and there are other great players in the league. But he is so big, so strong, so quick, so good off the dribble and so powerful, when he’s hitting 3-point shots, he’s unguardable.”

Nuggets stars to ignore beatdown

The Denver Post (Chris Dempsey) reports: Asked how the Nuggets expect to bounce back from their last game, a 44-point pounding at New Jersey, forward Carmelo Anthony had a simple response. “What game?” he said, smiling about Saturday’s game that at the time was no laughing matter. Said guard Chauncey Billups: “I forgot all about that game. I didn’t even know we played Saturday. As a matter of fact, we didn’t play Saturday.” Amnesia might be the best way for the Nuggets to move on from their worst loss this season, but as they practiced Monday at American Airlines Arena, they mixed forgetting with equal parts humor and trust.

Banged-up Bucks beat Rockets 124-112

The AP reports: Charlie Villanueva scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Ramon Sessions had 26 points and seven assists to give Milwaukee a 124-112 victory over Houston on Monday night that snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Rockets… Yao Ming finished with seven points on 2-of-8 shooting and Tracy McGrady had three points on 1-of-9 shooting… Richard Jefferson added 25 points, reserve Charlie Bell had 21 and Keith Bogans 13 as Milwaukee (25-29) moved within one win of its season total last year… Aaron Brooks scored a career-high 23 points, Luis Scola and Ron Artest had 20 points apiece and Carl Landry added 16 for the Rockets.