The Orlando Magic’s Jameer Nelson and the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 15, through Sunday, Dec. 21.
Nelson helped the Magic to a 3-0 week, including wins over the Spurs and Lakers. The fifth-year guard led or tied for the team lead in scoring in each game, including a career-high-tying 32-point effort in Orlando’s 109-98 win at Golden State. Shooting a blistering .593 from the field and .556 from three-point range, Nelson, who also added 5.3 apg and 4.0 rpg, has keyed Orlando’s recent success – the Magic has won eight of nine.
Paul led the Hornets to a 3-0 week, averaging 23.7 points, 10.0 assists, 5.3 steals and 4.3 rebounds. The fourth-year guard set an NBA record for consecutive games with a steal (107 and counting), surpassing the 105-game mark set by Alvin Robertson. Paul recorded eight swipes in a 99-90 win over the Kings on Dec. 20.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Boston’s Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo, Charlotte’s Boris Diaw, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Delonte West, Golden State’s Jamal Crawford, Houston’s Tracy McGrady, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, Phoenix’s Amar’e Stoudemire and Portland’s Brandon Roy.
Denver Nuggets F Carmelo Anthony will not play tonight or tomorrow night vs. Portland in order to rest his right elbow contusion.
The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard/forward Malik Hairston. Per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Boston Herald (Mark Murphy) reports: The Celtics defeated the Knicks, 124-105, to tie a franchise record originally set by the 1981-82 team with 18 straight wins. Now 26-2, they also pulled even with the 1969-70 Knicks and 1966-67 76ers for the league’s best start through 28 games. This historic run, however, doesn’t mean there aren’t imperfections. It doesn’t mean that the C’s occasionally take their eyes off the ball. “We have things that we’re talking about all the time – the bench playing better, cutting down on turnovers, a long list of things,” coach Doc Rivers said before the game. “Because you’re winning games, people think you’re throwing stuff out there when you talk like this. But it’s true.”
LeBron James said Saturday that he is going to consider signing an extension with the Cavaliers this summer, well before he can become an unrestricted free agent. “You play out this season of course; I will consider it,” James said Saturday before the Cavs practiced at the Pepsi Center. “The direction we are headed is everything I expected and more.” This is the first time James has publicly talked about signing this summer instead of waiting until 2010. It is an indication of how pleased James is with the progress the Cavaliers have made this season as they are off to a 22-4 start, the second-best record in the NBA. In 2006, James signed a three-year, $43 million deal with the Cavs through 2010 and it included a player option for 2010-11 worth $17.4 million. There has been a general assumption that James will forgo his player option, but no one has been paying attention to the other choice, which is to extend his contract with the Cavs early. There is still a good chance James will not sign early and let things play out in 2010. Waiting will give him a chance to evaluate the entire scene before making a decision.
The Bay Area News Group (Marcus Thompson II) reports: The Warriors have a new defensive coordinator. No, Monte Kiffin will not be joining the bench. Warriors Coach Don Nelson announced after Friday’s 115-99 loss to the Atlanta Hawks that assistant Keith Smart will be a “defensive coordinator” and that assistant Sidney Moncrief will be Smart’s assistant. Nelson said he is relinquishing the defensive duties because he has grown too lax. “I’ve decided to identify one of my weaknesses at this point in my life, which is I’m not tough enough anymore,” Nelson said. “I’m a little soft as I get older, and I feel like I haven’t done a very good job defensively this year. … They will be handling all of the defensive training, the game plans defensively and, during the game, the switching of situations. They’re in charge of the defense now.” Smart and Moncrief will have to start their upgraded roles without arguably the Warriors’ best man-to-man defender as swingman Stephen Jackson’s sprained left hand has forced him out of action again.