The Charlotte Observer (Rick Bonnell) reports: A kinder, gentler Larry Brown? Charlotte Bobcats guard Raja Bell sure thinks so. This is Bell’s second stint playing for Brown. Bell started his career with Brown and the Philadelphia 76ers from 2000 through 2002. “More mellow,” Bell said recently. “From the first couple of days (after Bell’s trade from Phoenix to Charlotte), I could see a different guy. When he needs to yell, he will. But in day-to-day demeanor, he’s a different guy.” Bell says Brown is no less an authority figure. But he’s more collaborative, less strident, less prone to overreact and wear out players with constant criticism.
Rodney Stuckey has fallen off
The Detroit Free Press (Vince Ellis) reports: Troubles continue for point guard Rodney Stuckey after his three-point, one-assist effort against the Bucks. He also fouled out. After averaging 14.3 points at one point, his scoring average has fallen to 13.4. Stuckey is a source of concern for coach Michael Curry. “We got to find a way to get Stuckey on track,” Curry said after Wednesday’s practice. “He kind of ignites everybody else. I think he spends a lot of time trying to make sure everybody else is OK on the court, but his natural instinct is to be aggressive, and we just want him to be himself.”
Suns likely to keep Amare Stoudemire
A source familar with Phoenix Suns discussions involving Amare Stoudemire tells InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner that there’s a very good chance the star power forward won’t be going anywhere this season.
There have been rumors involving Stoudemire and multiple teams around the league for much of the last month, and especially over the last two weeks.
And, talks have taken place. But the source tells InsideHoops.com that the Suns feel that the coaching change is probably enough for now.
Of course, it only takes one team to make an offer that the Suns, or anyone else, cannot refuse. But as of now, odds are Stoudemire stays in Phoenix for the time being.
–InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner
Superstar needed to win title, says Andre Miller
The Philadelphia Inquirer (Kate Fagan) reports: Andre Miller conceded that a team without a superstar probably cannot win a championship in the NBA. “Realistically, probably not,” Miller said. “That’s how the league has been for a long time.” Miller said that while the Sixers do not appear to have any superstars, Elton Brand was brought in to change that and Andre Iguodala is on the verge. “Iguodala is getting to that level,” Miller said. “But he doesn’t get the respect like the other guys.”
Lakers score 39 in 4th quarter, beat Warriors 129-121
The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 30 points, Pau Gasol added 24 points and 13 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers roared from behind in the final 5 minutes for their 13th victory in 15 games, 129-121 over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
InsideHoops.com notes: The Lakers had 33 free throw attempts, hitting 28, while the Warriors had 19 attempts, connecting on 17. As a team the Lakers had a slight edge in rebounds and assists.
For the Warriors, Corey Maggette, coming off the bench as usual, shot 10-of-16 for 24 points and 4 assists. Stephen Jackson scored 24 but on just 10-of-24 shooting. He also had 6 assists, 9 assists and 2 blocks, but 6 turnovers. Jamal Crawford scored 23 and only needed 10 shots to do it. Monta Ellis had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. A nice story for the Warriors is Anthony Randolph, who started at power forward and shot 7-of-13 for 14 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Suns rout Clippers again, 142-119
The AP reports: Amare Stoudemire had 42 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 15-for-20 from the field and leading the Phoenix Suns to a 142-119 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. Steve Nash had 21 points and 12 assists for the rejuvenated Suns, who played their second game under interim head coach Alvin Gentry and are back to their old ways of up-tempo basketball following Monday’s firing of Terry Porter. Shaquille O’Neal had 16 points and six rebounds, helping complete a four-game sweep of the season series. Grant Hill played 21 scoreless minutes while shooting 0-for-5.
Bibby and Horford shine, Hawks beat Kings 105-100
The AP reports: Former Sacramento guard Mike Bibby scored 29 points to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the short-handed Kings 105-100 on Wednesday night. Kevin Martin had 32 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento. Earlier in the day, the Kings acquired four players in a deal that sent starters Brad Miller and John Salmons to Chicago. The Kings received Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Michael Ruffin from Chicago. The Kings then sent Ruffin to Portland for Ike Diogu. To make room for the incoming players, the Kings waived Quincy Douby and Sam Cassell, the guard acquired from Boston on Tuesday… Kevin Martin had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who have lost six straight, 14 of 15 and have the worst record in the NBA. Beno Udrih scored 18 points, Francisco Garcia had 15, and Spencer Hawes fouled out in the fourth quarter with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
B-Roy scores 24, Blazers beat Grizzlies 94-90
The AP reports: Brandon Roy had 24 points, including two key layups in the final minutes, and the Portland Trail Blazers held off the Memphis Grizzlies 94-90 on Wednesday night. After trailing by 16 points, the Grizzlies went ahead 86-84 with less than 5 minutes to go. But Roy’s layup followed by Travis Outlaw’s 3-pointer with 2:31 left put the Blazers up 90-86. Marc Gasol made a pair of free throws for Memphis before Roy had another layup to make it 92-88. Rookie O.J. Mayo’s finger-roll narrowed it to 92-90 with 5.4 seconds left. Roy, coming off his second All-Star game appearance, made a pair of free throws for the final margin.
InsideHoops.com note: Mike Conley was big for the Grizzlies with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists. O.J. Mayo had 19 but needed 19 shots to do it. Rudy Gay scored 20 on 17 shots but didn’t do a lot else.
Ex-Nets Kidd, Wright help Mavs beat New Jersey 113-98
The AP reports: Jason Kidd and Antoine Wright celebrated the first anniversary of their trade from the New Jersey Nets a day early Wednesday night, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-98 victory over their former team. Kidd opened the game with three early 3-pointers and scored 23 points, one shy of his season high. He also had 10 assists and a quick-handed steal against Devin Harris—the youngster he was dealt for—during the game-breaking third quarter.. The Mavericks improved to 7-2 since Kidd was put in charge of the offense. This one was especially impressive as four starters cracked 20 points, and all five were in double figures. Josh Howard had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Erick Dampier scored 10.
C-Paul amazing, Hornets beat Magic 117-85
The AP reports: Chris Paul had 36 points and 10 assists, and the New Orleans Hornets handed the Orlando Magic their worst loss of the season, 117-85 on Wednesday night. Rasual Butler added 15 points, and David West had 14 for the Hornets, who’ve won their first two games following the All-Star break. Rashard Lewis had 17 points, and J.J. Redick 14 for Orlando, which shot poorly from the field and free-throw line. Dwight Howard had 12 points and was a non-factor for most of the last three quarters, when he scored only two points… Reserves Melvin Ely and Devin Brown each finished with 11 points, Peja Stojakovic had 10 and the Hornets shot 58 percent (46-of-79).