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Chauncey Billups to replace Chris Paul on 2010 West NBA All-Star team

Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured West All-Star guard Chris Paul (meniscus injury, left knee) of the New Orleans Hornets in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game in Dallas. Billups will be making his fifth All-Star appearance.

The NBA All-Star Game will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages worldwide at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 14.

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo reports:

Paul is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Thursday to repair a meniscus tear and will miss the All-Star Game. NBA commissioner David Stern chose Billups as Paul’s replacement. Billups is averaging 19.4 points and 6.2 assists and has guided the Nuggets to the Western Conference’s second-best record. He averaged 24.2 points in January, including a career-high-tying 37 against Golden State on Jan. 20.

Billups received the news while he was resting up Wednesday afternoon for the Nuggets’ game against the Phoenix Suns.

“I’m definitely excited,” Billups said. “It’s always great to be at the best weekend with the world’s best basketball players.”

InsideHoops.com provides full coverage of NBA All-Star weekend.

George Karl to coach 2010 West All-Star team

Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl will coach the Western Conference All-Stars for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, to be played on Sunday, Feb. 14, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

With Dallas’ 112-106 loss at the Phoenix Suns Thursday, the Nuggets (31-14, .689) have clinched at least a tie with the Mavericks (30-16, .652) for the second best record in the conference through Jan. 31. The Los Angeles Lakers’ Phil Jackson coached the West in last year’s game and is not eligible for the honor this season. In the event of a tie, the coach who most recently manned the sideline in an All-Star Game is eliminated. The Mavericks’ Rick Carlisle coached the East in the 2004 All-Star Game, while Karl last did so in 1998 for the West squad. Karl also was the West All-Star coach in 1994 and 1996.

In his six seasons at the helm for the Nuggets, Karl’s 255 victories rank second in Denver franchise history (Doug Moe, 432), while his .620 winning percentage is unmatched. This season, Karl has guided the Nuggets to a tie for the best 45-game start in team history. The Nuggets have won their last eight.

The seventh winningest coach in NBA annals, Karl has amassed 964 victories in his 22 seasons in the NBA, including a streak of 17 straight seasons of .500 or better, which ranks third to Pat Riley (19, 1981-82 to 2001-02) and Phil Jackson (18, 1989-90-present) One of only 10 coaches in NBA history with 900 career wins, Karl is also only the 11th coach in league history to have coached 1,500 games. He has earned nine NBA Coach of the Month honors, fifth most in league history.

The coach of the East All-Stars will be determined by the team with the best record in the conference through games played Jan. 31. Cleveland’s Mike Brown, who coached last year’s East squad, is not eligible to coach this year’s All-Star Game.

The NBA All-Star Game will broadcast live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 14, from Arlington.

Tyreke Evans hits game-winner to beat Nuggets

Saturday in Sacramento, the Kings beat the Denver Nuggets 102-100. It was a great game, and the win came in dramatic fashion.

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reports:

With the score tied 100-100 after Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups buried a three-pointer over Evans with 11 seconds left, Kings coach Paul Westphal called for the isolation play that sparked much debate among fans and media in recent weeks…

With seven seconds left, Evans took an inbound pass behind halfcourt and slowly dribbled toward Kenyon Martin. Evans drove left, then pump-faked Martin and Nene in the lane, and spun 360 degrees before burying a 10-footer.

“Coach told me before the other games that if he had a chance to call one-four flat and put the ball in my hands, he would do it again,” said Evans, who had 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting. “I’m just glad he didn’t give up on me and he gave me that opportunity.”

The Kings not only broke a five-game losing streak, they finished in a fashion that lifted their broken spirits.

Spencer Hawes had a big game off the bench for the Kings, shooting 8-of-10 for 10 points and five rebounds.

Denver fans cheer Iverson

Dave Krieger of the Denver Post reports:

Allen Iverson could hear the tribute as he stood in the Sixers’ huddle during a first-half timeout Sunday night, but he couldn’t see the video board.

“I couldn’t really pay attention to it because it was during a timeout and Coach was talking,” Iverson said after putting up 17 points and seven assists in Philly’s 108-105 win over his former team.

“But I looked up and seen what was going on and then, just to hear the fans react the way they reacted, it was a great feeling. I kind of got beside myself.”

The video montage showed the usual A.I. magic, driving the NBA forest, slicing through the trees, somehow getting the ball up through the branches and in the net, time after time after time. Out of the timeout, the crowd rose to serenade him back onto the floor.

To the full house at the Pepsi Center, it was like he never left. The fans seemed to have no trouble cheering for the Nuggets and Iverson at the same time. Considering he played only 135 games for the Nuggets, less than two seasons’ worth, it is an extraordinary bond.

JR Smith hits 10 three-pointers

Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith went bonkers in a win over the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday.

Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post reports:

JR Smith hits 10 three-pointers, finishes with 41 points

The game ceased being a game — like, you know, with five-on-five competition — and it became one man’s crowd-rising, hair-raising exhibition (think Evel Knievel with a jumper).

In the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 124-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, J.R. Smith would collect a pass and the Pepsi Center fans would pop out of their seats, their “aaahs!” increasing until Smith’s release — for then they became capital-A “AAAhs!”

The Denver guard sank four fourth-quarter 3-pointers and was 10-for-17 on the night from beyond the arc en route to a game-high 41 points, five short of his career high.

“It’s like throwing rocks into the ocean,” said Smith, who became the first player in NBA history to tally multiple games with 10 or more 3s in his career. “I really established that (rhythm) early. They started doubling off me and going on (Carmelo Anthony). Everything else was like throwing darts.”

On Wednesday, Smith shot 15-for-25 from the field but 1-for-6 from the foul line, where he has struggled all season.

Watch video highlights here.

Have a reaction? Discuss it with other basketball fans in this forum topic.

Carmelo Anthony scores 50

Friday night in Denver the Nuggets edged the New York Knicks 128-125 in a wild shootout that featured one member of the losing squad, Al Harrington, come off the bench to shoot 14-of-24 with four three pointers and 9-of-13 free throws for 41 points and 10 rebounds.

While Harrington’s individual scoring output would normally be the best in the league on any given NBA basketball night, it was second best in this game as Nuggets small forward Carmelo Anthony erupted for 50.

Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reports:

As if turkey wasn’t enough, [Carmelo] Anthony gorged himself on a diet of open shots provided by New York. And he made them count. The Nuggets forward knocked down 17-of-28 shots to finish with a career-high 50 points.

“It feels good,” said Anthony, whose previous career high was 49 at Washington in 2008. “I have not been (to 50 points) a lot of times, and never got over that hump (in the NBA).”

Anthony had 10 in the first quarter, 14 in the second, 15 in the third and 11 in the fourth.

And a shot chart full of filled-in circles.

Anthony, so far, is having the best season of his career. MVP chants are becoming common in the Pepsi Center, and they revved up again in the fourth quarter when Anthony stepped to the free-throw line.

The AP reports:

With the game in the balance, the crowd chanting “MVP! MVP!” and Anthony’s sights set on an offensive milestone, the Nuggets forward sank a pair of free throws with 16 seconds remaining to finish off a career-high, 50-point performance and help Denver beat the New York Knicks 128-125 Friday night.

“They might have been the two toughest free throws I’ve shot in a while,” Anthony said. “We’ve got the game on the line, 50, you’re right there and you want to get it. If I didn’t say I wanted to get it, I’d be lying to you. I’m right there. But most importantly they were two big free throws.”

Matt Gagne of the New York Daily News reports:

“He’s got the total package right now,” Al Harrington said after the Knicks finished 0-3 on their West Coast swing and dropped to 3-13. “He’s hitting threes, he’s got a mid-range jumper, he can get to the free throw line whenever he wants to. Whenever you’re playing a guy like that, there’s nothing you can do. “I think our guys did a pretty good job, because if we didn’t, he would’ve had 70.”

Including Friday’s games, Melo leads the entire NBA in scoring with 30.9 points per game. Kevin Martin (Sacramento Kings), who is injured and has played in just five games this season, is at 30.6 ppg. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) is at 30.1 ppg, followed by LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) with 29.4 ppg and Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) with 27.5 ppg.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

George Karl doubts Knicks plan

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl is often quite outspoken about his opinions and it’s always worth listening to what he has to say. In this case, Karl casts doubt on what the New York Knicks are trying to do.

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

Nuggets coach George Karl said the Knicks master plan of tanking two seasons to get to the 2010 free agency usually does not work and believes it’s been grossly unfair to coach Mike D’Antoni.

Last week, Karl recommended to D’Antoni that signing Allen Iverson would be a boost, but added a caveat. Karl, who coached Iverson in Denver for nearly two seasons, told D’Antoni to sign Iverson only if he plans to start him exclusively.

With the current roster, Karl said he thinks D’Antoni has no shot of having success and believes Knicks team president Donnie Walsh should make him a front-office executive who runs practices, but has an interim coach to absorb the losses on the resume. Karl thinks a coach in D’Antoni’s situation is being “thrown to the wolves.”

It’s definitely unfair to blame Mike D’Antoni if a rebuilding team that is trying to start from scratch loses, but as long as the owner and upper management understands that is the situation, I think D’Antoni is safe. But a problem could result if the team doesn’t at least play hard and look properly coached.

No Allen Iverson for Knicks

The Memphis Grizzlies and guard Allen Iverson recently came to an understanding that things simply weren’t going to work out. Iverson was waived, and became a free agent.

There have been rumblings that the Knicks were strongly considering adding the former All-Star and league MVP, but apparently it isn’t going to happen.

Howard Beck of the New York Times reports:

The Knicks’ pursuit of Allen Iverson is dead.

In an abrupt reversal, Knicks officials decided late Thursday not to offer Iverson a contract, putting an end to their brief flirtation, according to a person close to the deliberations.

Although team officials were highly intrigued by Iverson, a four-time scoring champion, they finally decided that he posed too great a risk because of his long history of problems on and off the court.

Team officials spent three days weighing the potential merits and pitfalls of signing Iverson, and alternately talked themselves into and then out of making the move.

Iverson is obviously seen by most teams as more trouble than he’s worth right now, but it still made sense for the Knicks to consider adding him. Although he’s best as a scorer, Iverson could have been used as a starting point guard, since Chris Duhon and rookie Toney Douglas are best suited as reserves. The Knicks currently aren’t winning very often. And they don’t really have a lot of top-level youth that would be affected by Iverson being there.

But, Iverson reportedly won’t be heading to New York.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Dikembe Mutombo named NBA global ambassador

NBA Commissioner David Stern announced today that Dikembe Mutombo will join the NBA in the newly created position of global ambassador. Mutombo will report to Executive Vice President, Social Responsibility & Player Programs, Kathy Behrens.

After retiring from a playing career that spanned 18 seasons, Mutombo will now work to grow and celebrate the game through numerous international NBA events including Basketball without Borders. In addition, he will work closely on NBA Cares outreach efforts with Hall of Famer Bob Lanier who serves as Special Assistant to the Commissioner.

“Dikembe’s extraordinary accomplishments on the court and in the community demonstrate why he is one of sports’ outstanding humanitarians,” said Commissioner Stern. “His commitment to using the values of our game to improve the lives of so many is an example of the special role we have in being leaders in social responsibility. We know the impact programs such as NBA Cares and Basketball without Borders have in being catalysts for change on a global scale, and Dikembe’s continued contributions will be invaluable in our global efforts to bring attention to important social issues.”

Mutombo started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve living conditions in his native Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. His commitment to improving the health, education and quality of life for the people in his birthplace, the Democratic Republic of the Congo led to the construction and opening of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center, a $29 million, 300-bed hospital in Kinshasa named after his late mother.

His efforts as a global ambassador for UNICEF, spokesman for international relief agency CARE to further HIV/AIDS awareness, and prevention and his work with the Polio Eradication Campaign to protect African youth from childhood diseases that have virtually disappeared in developed countries yet still threaten children in the Congo everyday have earned him numerous accolades. Mutombo has been the recipient of the President’s Citizenship Award, J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award, and induction into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.

“I am looking forward to working closely with Dikembe as he enters this next phase of his brilliant career. I have seen first hand the impact and inspiration he provides,” said Lanier. “His passion for improving the lives of people in Africa and elsewhere is a great example of how NBA players understand their obligations to the global community.”

Regarded as one of the top post defenders of all time, Mutombo will also play an important role in the mentoring of current players. His on-the-court honors include four NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards through a career that also saw him named to eight All-Star Game appearances, and a place on three All-NBA teams and six All-Defensive teams.

Mutombo holds degrees in linguistics and diplomacy from Georgetown University.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

J.R. Smith almost became Earl Smith

Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post reports:

Nuggets guard J.R. Smith has made a decision — from now on, he wants to be called by his given name, Earl.

His given name is Earl Smith III, but he got “J.R.” because people would call him “junior,” even though, yeah, he’s actually a third-generation Earl.

Regardless, the Denver sharpshooter is now Earl Smith III — which should lead to some cutesy puns about “III” and “3-pointers.”

“I just felt like changing it,” Smith said Tuesday morning at the Nuggets shootaround, in preparation for tonight’s Nuggets-Bulls game, Smith’s first game back from a seven-game suspension. “It’s been a long time, and J.R. has no significance to my name. My name is Earl, so I figured – why not?”

Smith doesn’t exactly give a compelling reason for the change. Usually when someone makes a big decision, like altering the first name millions of people know you by, there’s more behind it than “just feeling like it.” But of course, it’s J.R.’s decision.

I wonder how long it’ll take fans to break the habit and call him Earl.

I remember when another J.R. — last name Rider — became “Isaiah” Rider. For years later, everyone still wanted to call him J.R. To me, he’s still J.R. Rider.

Anyway, welcome to the NBA, Earl Smith III!

NOVEMBER 11 UPDATE: NO NAME CHANGE

Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post reports: Nuggets guard J.R. Smith made a big proclamation Tuesday morning — from now on, he wanted to be called by his given name, Earl. But by game time Tuesday night, he was back to being J.R. “There was too much controversy with the switch,” Smith said after Denver’s 90-89 win in Chicago. “I got a lot of calls and text messages and e-mails. It wasn’t a good move.”