Western Conference

[Kings113]

Sports Illustrated - The Memphis Grizzlies ' big victory was dampened by an even bigger loss.

Guard Damon Stoudamire ruptured his right patella tendon and left the court on a stretcher in the Memphis Grizzlies ' 93-90 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

"We just lost a big, big part of the heart of this team by losing Damon," said coach Mike Fratello.

The 32-year-old Stoudamire will undergo surgery pending an examination by team doctors in Memphis and will likely miss the rest of the season, said team spokeswoman Stacey Mitch.

"It's really painful for the team to lose Damon," said Pau Gasol. "He's been a great leader for us and we'll miss his great finishes down the stretch."

Stoudamire, who was originally said to have sprained his knee, ruptured the tendon while driving to the hoop in the second quarter.

"I had a layup, but when I went up it felt like a sniper shot me," he said. "It was just a feeling I've never had."

Stoudamire, who played more than seven seasons for the Blazers, was making his first appearance in his hometown after leaving to sign a four-year deal with Memphis in the offseason.

He lay motionless with his head buried in his arm for a few minutes until being wheeled off the court.

"What's crazy is that when I went from the court to the Blazer locker room, I cried. And I cried upstairs," Stoudamire said.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_a.../stoudamire_done_for_season_with_knee_injury/

*sigh*

That guy really came on after a slow first week or so for the Grizz, hitting big shots and bringing his experience and swagger. Pretty big loss for Memphis.

B-Jax now the starting PG, who just returned from injury. Unless they alternate between B-Jax/Burks (who's starting to play pretty solid). Which I'd rather and think they might do.

 

[Kajun]

Pistons are due to cool off here sooner or later. They have a great Pt Differential of 8.5, but that's a far cry from the gaudy 12.3 the 95-96 Bulls were carrying around. Pistons will eventually drop a few close ones, hit a little slump, lose somebody for afew weeks etc.. Break 60 I would think. But 72? Highly unlikely.

That point differential suggests they'll end up 63-19.

 

[Kings113]

54-40 Cavs at half of Pistons/Cavs.

 

[KP]

Lookout, here comes Detroit.

 

[KP]

LeBrons too much, this game is over.

 

[kingsville]

Only 4 really good teams

spurs
mavs
grizz
suns

 

[Kings113]

AK47 vs. Kobe-less Lakers tonight: 14 pts, 8 boards, 9 ast, 6 stls, 7 blk - WOW. And the Jazz have won 5 straight.

Lakers boxscore is wild: http://www.nba.com/games/20060103/LALUTA/boxscore.html

B-Jax in his first start tore it up in a blow-out over the Warriors (for basically the whole game) - 19 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl. Along with Eddie Jones and Gasol. Love the Grizz:

http://www.nba.com/games/20060103/GSWMEM/boxscore.html

 

[Kings113]

Press Release - Memphis Grizzlies guard Damon Stoudamire underwent successful surgery today to repair a ruptured right patellar tendon. The surgery was performed by team physician Dr. Fred Azar at the Campbell Clinic Surgery Center.

Stoudamire is expected to miss the remainder of the 2005-06 season, concentrating on recovery and rehabilitation. An exact timetable for his return has not been determined.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38550/20060103/stoudamire_undergoes_successful_surgery/


Good to hear it went fine, shame he'll likely be out for the year though. He was playing quite well.

 

[BMiller52]

AK47 vs. Kobe-less Lakers tonight: 14 pts, 8 boards, 9 ast, 6 stls, 7 blk - WOW. And the Jazz have won 5 straight.

Lakers boxscore is wild: http://www.nba.com/games/20060103/LALUTA/boxscore.html

B-Jax in his first start tore it up in a blow-out over the Warriors (for basically the whole game) - 19 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl. Along with Eddie Jones and Gasol. Love the Grizz:

http://www.nba.com/games/20060103/GSWMEM/boxscore.html

Man I would kill to trade Peja for Lamar Odom. Odom is pretty good, he's just not a good fit with Kobe Bryant.

Nice to see Bobby&the griz killin the warriors, too bad we couldn't capitolize on it tonight.

 

[captain bill]

Random note, Boozer and Amare are both close(r) to returning, both should be back sometime in february. Jazz and Suns are def 2 teams to watch out for down the stretch and in the post-season. I'd say those two have the best chance of beating the Spurs. (I have no faith in Dallas)

 

[Kings113]

I agree, but I don't know about the Jazz and their unpredictable health, especially AK47.

 

[Bonzinator]

AK47 vs. Kobe-less Lakers tonight: 14 pts, 8 boards, 9 ast, 6 stls, 7 blk - WOW. And the Jazz have won 5 straight.

Lakers boxscore is wild: http://www.nba.com/games/20060103/LALUTA/boxscore.html

B-Jax in his first start tore it up in a blow-out over the Warriors (for basically the whole game) - 19 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl. Along with Eddie Jones and Gasol. Love the Grizz:

http://www.nba.com/games/20060103/GSWMEM/boxscore.html

those stats dont really look like he tore it up

 

[Kings113]

those stats dont really look like he tore it up

k.

It's how he played, in his third game back from injury (heard his hamstring problems still aren't gone) along with the others mentioned. If you saw the game, you'd know what I mean. It was quite a whipping, indeed.

 

[Kings113]

Radmanovic to start at PF for the Sonics:

Seattle PI - Although his admiration for Bob Weiss was apparent, Bob Hill promised wholesale changes in the lineup and rotation. He said Vladimir Radmanovic is likely to start at power forward while point guard Luke Ridnour will return to his starting position.

Also, centers Robert Swift and Johan Petro will get increased playing time and Swift will not go to the NBDL as speculated earlier this week.

Radmanovic, who was unhappy with Weiss and his lack of playing time, said it feels like a new season.

"We're playing really bad basketball right now and we have a chance to do something this season," he said. "We had to do radical changes. Hopefully, Hill will put us on the right track. It's everybody's fault. You can't fault coach for the results. The stuff we did on the court is what we did. Unfortunately, (Weiss) didn't make the corrections to change this thing."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38560/20060104/radmanovic_to_start_at_power_forward_under_new_coach/

So, Lewis/Vlad/Potapenko or Collison or Petro. That is one hell of a front-court, in any conference.

Allen/Lewis/Vlad all on the floor at the same time is great for shooting, though.

Other Sonics news, Cleaves waived:

Press Release - The Seattle SuperSonics today waived guard Mateen Cleaves, Sonics General Manager Rick Sund announced.

A 6-2 guard out of Michigan State, Cleaves averaged 4.1 points, 1.9 assists and 10.7 minutes per game in 19 appearances for the Sonics this season.

Cleaves, a five-year veteran, has averaged 3.8 ppg, 1.9 apg and 1.1 rpg in 159 NBA career games. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the first round (14th pick overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38558/20060104/sonics_waive_mateen_cleaves/

 

[Kings113]

Fun little stat:

Dalembert's rebounding game vs. Suns: 22 boards, including 14 rebs at half. He had quite a beastily game in the loss.

Orlando's total rebounding vs. Toronto: 21 boards. 2nd game of a back-to-back (played Detroit first), but damn...

 

[BMiller52]

Radmanovic to start at PF for the Sonics:



http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38560/20060104/radmanovic_to_start_at_power_forward_under_new_coach/

So, Lewis/Vlad/Potapenko or Collison or Petro. That is one hell of a front-court, in any conference.

Allen/Lewis/Vlad all on the floor at the same time is great for shooting, though.

Other Sonics news, Cleaves waived:



http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38558/20060104/sonics_waive_mateen_cleaves/

Won't make much of a difference, they're still a lottery team just like us.

 

[Kings113]

Never said it would, just was saying they'd be better offensively.

 

[BMiller52]

Never said it would, just was saying they'd be better offensively.

I know. Do you think this makes them WORSE defensively?

 

[Kings113]

Indeed it does, hence my comment about their front-court.

 

[BMiller52]

Indeed it does, hence my comment about their front-court.

Yeah I agree, I think I heard that their Defense is the worst in the league. Putting Vlad Rad up there just hurts them even more.

 

[Kings113]

Yeah I agree, I think I heard that their Defense is the worst in the league. Putting Vlad Rad up there just hurts them even more.

It is. Their last in every defensive catergory but one I think, including points allowed at 105.something.

 

[Kings113]

Newsday - Quentin Richardson is available and teams around the N.B.A. are aware that the swingman and three-point gunner can be acquired via trade. Denver has been mentioned as a possible destination because Nuggets assistant GM Jeff Weltman drafted Richardson. Plus the Knicks are interested in backup point guard Earl Watson. But the players’ salaries don't match. The Knicks would need to take back additional salary commitments to make it happen.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38566/20060105/richardson_on_the_block/

Along with a mostly healthy Camby, just what the Nuggets would need to push them back. Q is having it rough in NY with the injury or two, and probably Brown's system, even though he's good in the post.

AP - Nuggets coach George Karl wants guard Voshon Lenard to get traded soon.

Lenard, who is making $3.2 million, hasn't played much this season because his skills don't lend themselves to Karl's preference for a fast-paced style and the 11th-year pro also irritated management last month when he asked for a trade and refused to go into the game in the final seconds of a lopsided loss.

"I said it on my radio show this morning and I'll say it again: the one guy I hope is traded soon is Vo, for him and for us," Karl said before the Nuggets' game against Indiana at the Pepsi Center on Wednesday night.

"For him because I think he deserves an opportunity to play. He's worked hard to get back from his injury (torn Achilles' tendon). He's definitely a good enough basketball player to be given an opportunity to play."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38567/20060105/nuggets_hope_to_trade_lenard_soon/

 

[BMiller52]

We should try to get QRich for KT. Maybe we could get ariza too. KT played under LB before...

 

[LPKingsFan]

Richardson to Denver makes a lot of sense actually. But is this a rumor, or just another one of those "makes a lot of sense" musings out there?

 

[Kings113]

Some lil' bits from 1/7:

"Mike Barrett talked about the Spurs' interest in Blazer rookie Jarrett Jack during last night's TV broadcast. Barrett said San Antonio made an offer for Jack but were apparently rebuffed. The offer reportedly included 6-3 point guard Beno Udrih." Oregonian

"Also, Mike Rice said Theo Ratliff's name has been mentioned in all kinds of trade ideas, and one in particular had him going to Boston." Oregonian

"Question: Do you think you have a shot at Miller's 3-point record? Ray Allen: As long as I stay healthy and play (a lot of) games. That's the variable in any sport with any record -- the longevity." Indianapolis Star

"Forward Carlos Boozer, out all season with a strained hamstring, did not accompany the Jazz to Memphis. He probably will not be with the team again until after the Jazz return from Philadelphia next Wednesday but may be able to play before the end of the month." Deseret Morning News

"New (Sonics) coach Bob Hill said forward Reggie Evans will see a decrease in playing time -- he did not play in Wednesday's 101-97 victory at Chicago -- and that center Vitaly Potapenko will remain on the inactive list until he gets in shape." Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"The Seattle SuperSonics have told new coach Bob Hill that he has until the end of the season to convince the team to hire him for the long term. At the same time, one of the first things Hill decided was that rookie Johan Petro will start at center. He also decided Robert Swift, in his second season, would get significant playing time." Tacoma News Tribune

"(Johan) Petro hated being on the inactive list so much, Hill said, that he had begun intentionally failing to bring the proper clothes to games. That way, if he was inactive, he was in violation of the league’s dress code and had to sit in the locker room during the game. It was a form of protest." Tacoma News Tribune

"Meanwhile, Reggie Evans did not play Wednesday against Chicago in Hill’s debut game as coach of the Sonics, despite recording three double-doubles in his previous six games. (Reggie) Evans left practice on Thursday without speaking to reporters, but a source said his camp is convening to decide how to handle the situation." Tacoma News Tribune

http://www.insidehoops.com/nba_rumors.shtml

Utah could well make a 2nd half push, hopefully they stay healthy.

Wild about Reggie Evans... get him to Sac . He's even got a bit of a post-game now.

 

[Kings113]

Jazz beat the Pistons again, the final time in OT at Detroit. Check the rebounding result..

http://www.nba.com/games/20060107/UTADET/boxscore.html

http://www.nba.com/games/20060107/UTADET/recap.html

Jazz seem to indeed, have the Pistons' number.

 

[Kings113]

Houston Chronicle - Damon Stoudamire's season-ending knee injury has forced the Memphis Grizzlies to look for a new point guard. Bobby Jackson doesn't think they need to look far.

On the day Stoudamire had surgery for his ruptured right patella tendon, Jackson made his second start of the season Tuesday and scored 19 points in a 104-94 victory over the Golden State Warriors .

Jackson has been a top backcourt reserve, winning the Sixth Man Award in 2002-03 for Sacramento. But he started more than 10 games only once in the previous six seasons and has been injury prone, thus leading to thinking he isn't the Grizzlies' answer.

"I've been hearing that all my life. It's nothing new to me. The media, you all are going to say what you want to say," Jackson said. "On this team, we know what we've got to do."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38606/20060108/jackson_says_hes_the_man_for_memphis/

Understandable with how both the office and B-Jax thinks. But I think they're fine right now at the point, local 2nd-year PG Antonio Burks has been playing well off the bench, and showed he could start vs. the Lakers (I think)/Seattle/Chicago. I'd say long-term this season, they should probably make a move to get a third PG in there (Roberson is an undrafted rookie who isn't a true PG).

 

[Kings113]

Sports Illustrated - Houston star Tracy McGrady left Sunday night's game against Denver with a recurrence of severe back spasms.

The 6-foot-9 McGrady, who missed eight games earlier in the season because of back spasms, missed a deep jumper near the top of the key in the final seconds of the first half. He started backpedalling, stopped abruptly, bent over and crumpled to the floor, screaming in pain as the buzzer sounded.

McGrady was lifted onto a stretcher and rolled off the floor, surrounded by several team officials and owner Les Alexander. An ambulance took McGrady to the hospital.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38615/20060108/t_mac_carted_off_on_stretcher_with_back_injury/

I feel for T-Mac...

Yao is also out till after the all-star break.

edit: Jeez, I forgot the AS game is in Houston this year, and with the T-Mac/Yao injuries, they could both miss it.

 

[Kings113]

Denver Post - Despite little action this season, Kiki Vandeweghe has read more than his share of trade rumors. The Nuggets' general manager denied the latest two involving his team Wednesday.

Sports Illustrated reported that Vandeweghe had offered Kenyon Martin and Voshon Lenard to Indiana for Ron Artest and Scot Pollard, as well as Nene and two first-round picks to Atlanta for Al Harrington.

While the Nuggets have discussed scenarios to bring Artest or Harrington to Denver, Vandeweghe said he has not offered Martin - who had not been linked publicly to the Artest trade - to the Pacers.

"A number of teams called and asked about Kenyon, and I said I like our group," he said. "I'm not going to trade any of them."

Vandeweghe added that just because names regularly surface in conversation between GMs does not mean a trade will soon take place.

"Teams call and inquire about players," he said. "To me, I always take that as a compliment to our players that they have interest around the league. They call about Marcus (Camby) and Andre (Miller) and all our players. They do it all the time.

"Regarding both Nene and Kenyon, these are turned into something it's not. I call GMs all day and I ask about their players."

Martin's agent, Brian Dyke, declined comment on the report.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38661/20060112/kiki_not_going_to_trade_martin/

Memphis Commercial Appeal - The Grizzlies were going "nowhere" down trade avenues to replace injured guard Damon Stoudamire as of Wednesday afternoon, according to league sources.

Serious dialogue with Washington for the services of point guard Chucky Atkins yielded nothing. The Grizzlies, according to sources, were heavily interested in Atkins but eventually balked at going deeper into expected luxury tax debt.

Salary-cap implications may dictate how soon, if ever, the Griz consummate any deal for a veteran to shore up the point guard position.

Atkins is in the final year of a deal that pays $4.5 million this season. To acquire Atkins, the Griz considered using trade exceptions totaling about $5 million ($4.4 million and $671,748) they received Aug. 2, 2005 in the five-team transaction that sent Jason Williams, James Posey and Andre Emmett to Miami for Eddie Jones.

Those trade exceptions expire Aug. 2, 2006.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/38659/20060112/griz_still_looking_for_help_at_point/

 

[Kings113]

Didn't even realize this, but the Warriors are winless in 2006 so far.