Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony won't play tonight vs. Houston

HOUSTON — Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony gave it a go in the team's shootaround this morning, but will not play tonight against Houston, coach George Karl said.

"I don't think he'll go tonight," Karl said. "I think right now we're going to hold him off until Friday."

It means Anthony will miss his second straight game because of a sprained left ankle.

Anthony, the NBA's second-leading scorer at 29.7 points per game, is on the road trip. But with an important division game against Oklahoma City on Friday, followed by a showdown against San Antonio on Sunday — which in the long run could determine playoff seeding — the team is playing it safe in hopes he'll be ready for those two games.

Anthony has had an injury-riddled January. He missed five games at the beginning of the month with a knee injury. But he returned from that with few issues.

Still, he's played in just six of the Nuggets' 12 games this month.

The Nuggets are 3-2 when Anthony is out of the lineup, but they might miss him a lot here in Houston, where they rarely win in recent years.

This season, in the only meeting between the two teams until today, Anthony also scored 38 points with nine rebounds to lead the Nuggets to a win over the Rockets on Dec. 16.

Ben Gordon, Will Bynum could be ready for Pistons tonight

Kuester hopes to have guards Ben Gordon and Will Bynum available tonight against Memphis. Gordon has been out with a groin injury, Bynum with a sore left ankle.

"They both play with energy," Kuester said. "As we've found out the hard way, it takes time."

Gordon said he has tried to help the youngsters from the bench, but as Kuester pointed out, he was brought in to play, not to watch.

Bynum didn't seem optimistic about playing after Tuesday's practice.

"I can deal with the soreness. It's the sharp pain I get when I make a cut," Bynum said. "I'm still testing it. ... I think the last time I came back too early and tried to compensate. I don't want the same thing to happen."

Gilbert Arenas won't face lifetime ban from NBA for pleading guilty to carrying a pistol

Gilbert Arenas isn't going to get a lifetime suspension from the NBA.

The Wizards star guard is expected to learn of his suspension in the coming days for breaking the league's gun rules and pleading guilty to carrying a pistol in Washington, D.C. While giving Arenas, who is currently on an indefinite suspension without pay, a permanent ban was seen as a way to prevent a potential tragedy involving players and guns, he won't be thrown out for good, according to league sources.

Speculation has Arenas, 28, being sidelined for the rest of this season and all of next season. That would be contested by the NBA Players Association.

Slow down on Stoudemire-to-Bulls rumors

SAN ANTONIO -- Last year, the rumors that Amare Stoudemire would be traded were unexpected and, ultimately, Phoenix opted not to make a financial purge.

This season, they are expected, although recent talk of the Bulls being strongly interested should be tempered.

The Arizona Republic reported recently the Suns are amping up efforts to deal the All-Star power forward, mindful that attempts to reach a deal on a long-term contract extension haven't gone far. The newspaper reported Golden State, Minnesota and Cleveland have shown interest in Stoudemire, but noted that the forward's ability to opt out to become a free agent and not re-sign with any team he is traded to could serve as a deterrent.

Yahoo! Sports, citing sources, listed the Bulls as one of several teams showing "major interest" in Stoudemire. However, just like last season, the Bulls have reservations over acquiring Stoudemire, who will seek a maximum contract at a time questions remain about his defensive play and recovery from microfracture surgery on his knee.

The Bulls could've traded for Stoudemire last season, but opted not to. He's certainly on their radar and discussions between now and the Feb. 18 trade deadline will take place. However, to label him the Bulls' top priority is overstating matters.

Timberwolves GM: Rubio won't go to Knicks

Timberwolves eccentric GM David Kahn is friends with Donnie Walsh, serving as understudy to Walsh with the Pacers. They had dinner together Monday night in Manhattan.

But Kahn won't do Walsh any favors and bluntly said before last night's 132-105 Knicks rout at the Garden the Knicks president does not have the pieces to trade for 19-year-old Spanish point guard sensation Ricky Rubio, who's playing this season in Barcelona.

With Walsh a few yards away, Kahn, prone to grandstanding, stood on the Garden sidelines and told reporters the chances of Rubio becoming a Knick anytime soon are almost nonexistent because of the Knicks' lack of prime-time assets.

"Donnie and I have talked a grand total of three times in the last nine months (about Rubio)," Kahn said. "From the moment we talked, I said to him -- and I mean no disrespect to the Knicks or Donnie -- what kind of trade can they possibly propose?"

Kahn said their first conversation took place right after the draft and another one came when the Wolves signed another point guard, Ramon Sessions, in September. Kahn said his remarks to Walsh occurred as Danilo Gallinari was coming off back surgery, but the Minnesota boss still feels the same way.

Kahn believes Rubio would be the second pick of this year's draft behind John Wall.

"There is just no way," Kahn said of a deal happening with the Knicks' current roster state.

The Knicks are still in the market for a backup point guard by the Feb. 18 trade deadline and are looking at point guards with expiring contracts. There are a good handful who fit the bill. The Knicks are holding scouting meetings this week to evaluate the point guard bounty.

Sources indicate the Blazers are willing to deal Steve Blake. Detroit's Chucky Atkins and Washington's Mike James can also be had. Other point guards the Knicks could pursue who have expiring pacts include Miami's Carlos Arroyo, Indiana's Travis Diener, Golden State's C.J. Watson, Oklahoma City's Kevin Ollie and Memphis' Marcus Williams.

The Knicks have long coveted Rubio as their point guard of the future. Kahn contends he expects Rubio to play two seasons with Barcelona, which is one of the top teams in Europe. A person familiar with the situation said if Rubio somehow signs with Minnesota this summer, Kahn will shop Sessions.

Arenas, Crittenton to meet with Stern

Wizards guards Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton both are scheduled to be in New York this week to meet with NBA commissioner David Stern and are expected to soon learn their league punishment stemming from their Dec. 21 gun confrontation in the team locker room.

Crittenton reportedly met with Stern on Tuesday.

"I think we're all pretty much numb to the whole thing right now," said Wizards head coach Flip Saunders when asked prior to Washington's game against Los Angeles about Crittenton's guilty plea and sentencing on Monday. "We understand that it is what it is, and we knew it got to the point that it had gotten to that nothing good was going to come out of it."

Los Angeles guard Derek Fisher, the president of the National Basketball Players Association, said he understands the NBA will want to send a message but is also wary of the growing length of Arenas' currently indefinite suspension.

"To this point, it hasn't been overly concerning to us," said Fisher. "But it's creeping toward that area."

New York Knicks won't try to trade for Phoenix Suns' star Amare Stoudemire

It's looking like Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire could join a team in the area, but the New York Knicks won't be it.

Here's what you learned going to the Garden Tuesday night: The Timberwolves aren't as good as their 9-37 record indicates, and the Knicks aren't going to join the Amare Stoudemire sweepstakes.

"It's up to us to keep this going for another 35 to 40 games, whatever it is," said Mike D'Antoni after his team's 132-105 victory. "Every once in a while, there should be an egg laid, but it can't be very often."

D'Antoni's team laid a big egg Sunday, getting hammered by the Mavs by 50. Makes you wonder what the final margin would have been if Jason Kidd had played. This one wasn't as one-sided, but it was not competitive from the opening tip.

"It's definitely tough when you're losing," said Minnesota's Jonny Flynn, the former Syracuse star who had a nightmare of a game with as many turnovers as points (six), while missing eight of 11 shots.

Flynn can expect another long night Wednesday, as the T-Wolves will be in Cleveland to take on LeBron James. Only a Cavs-Nets game would provide a bigger mismatch. "You're not only losing, you're not even in games," Flynn said of his rookie season. "That's something a lot of us are not used to. So you just have to use it as fuel and try to get past it."

Enough about the game.

This was a night to seek out Knicks president Donnie Walsh to pop the big question: Are you getting into the Stoudemire sweepstakes?

Across the Hudson, the Nets are trying to work a deal for Stoudemire because they're resigned to the fact that they're not going to be able to get James or Dwyane Wade this summer. That's the word from inside the Meadowlands, anyway. On this side of the Hudson, the Knicks aren't going to be players, from the looks of it. "I haven't talked to them," Walsh said. "Maybe now I will."

Walsh laughed at his own comment. He has his scouts in, from near and far, for meetings, and there will be lots of talk in the coming weeks about potential trades before the Feb. 18 deadline.

But it's a longshot that the Knicks could even get into the discussion with the Suns about Stoudemire, who can be a free agent this summer. Why not?

Ask yourself this: Who would the Suns want off the Knicks' roster?

A few weeks ago, Nets president Rod Thorn went on record saying he thought that one of this summer's marquee free agents would be moved by the deadline. Since James and Wade are not going anywhere in the next few weeks, that leaves Stoudemire and Toronto's Chris Bosh. Thorn wouldn't say who he thought would be moved, but the prospect of getting Stoudemire and ending up with John Wall in the draft has to be enticing for the Nets.

Part one involves Stoudemire getting moved.

"I could see it happening," Walsh said. "But usually, with a player like that, a trade doesn't happen at midseason. But if (the Suns) are not happy with their team, or they think they're going to lose him this summer, then maybe it could happen."

Just not to the Knicks. It's not that they don't have the money for a long-term deal for Stoudemire. They could sure use his scoring and athleticism up front, too.

But there's always been a question as to whether a team should make Stoudemire its highest-paid player when he's not a complete player, a true No. 1 star, or a leader. In that sense, he's risky, as D'Antoni could tell Walsh from personal experience.

In the meantime, Walsh has to investigate other opportunities. Tuesday night's laugher doesn't change the fact that the Knicks probably aren't going to make the playoffs. They've got a lot of ground to make up, the schedule gets more difficult after this easy stretch of six games and they've got a few teams ahead of them in the East for the final playoff spot.

Everything looks better, everybody plays better, when the opponent is Minnesota.

In any trade, Walsh isn't going to jeopardize the Knicks' No. 1 asset: Salary-cap space. "The way it's set up now, we're gonna have over $20 million for this summer," he said. "And we can get another guy next summer."

The money will be there, but not for Stoudemire.

He's all New Jersey's - if the Nets can just make a deal.

Joe Dumars says he's not running for Michigan governor; Pistons are more important

Despite earlier speculation that Joe Dumars would be pursuing a run for Michigan's governor, the Detroit Pistons' head of basketball operations says his team is more important.

"I am flattered by and very much appreciate those who strongly believed I would make a formidable candidate and an effective governor for the state. But I am not a politician and do not have plans to run for public office. While I certainly will consider new and different business opportunities that come before me on the business front, my attention now is squarely focused on the Detroit Pistons," Dumars said in a statement.

Dumars said he is "optimistic" about the state of Michigan and wishes the best for any potential candidate.

The former shooting guard was said to have been courted by Michigan Democrats after Lt. Gov. John Cherry dropped out from the race for governor. Political analyst Tim Skubick said Dumars was an attractive candidate because of his celebrity, business sense and lack of current ties to Michigan's current administration.

On the political front, sports magnate Denise Ilitch has emerged as a strong possibility for a Democratic candidate. Regarding the Pistons, the team could go up for sale if owner Karen Davidson has her way.

Stifling the Heat big deal

It will be difficult to match the intensity, excitement and raw emotion that came pouring out of the Air Canada Centre stands in the dramatic final seconds of the Raptors' upset win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Chris Bosh, however, expects the same thing Wednesday night for a game against the Miami Heat.

Because that game holds far more significance in the Eastern Conference standings than the once-a-season visit from the Lakers did.

"It's really going to be fun," Bosh said. "We're playing well at home, Miami's playing well. Any time Dwyane Wade is here a lot of Dwyane fans come out and there's a lot of hype behind the game.

"The significance of the game (Wednesday) is going to make it a very intense environment, and that's the best basketball to play."

The significance isn't lost on anyone connected with the Raptors.

With a 23-22 record, they trail the Heat by just half a game in the race for fifth place in the conference, and win Wednesday vaults them past Miami.

And in the broader picture, a win gives Toronto no worse than a season split of the four-game series with the Heat, and head-to-head results are the first tiebreaker should the teams finish with identical records.

"It's got a little bit more value than maybe even the Laker game," said Raptors coach Jay Triano.

There is a strong likelihood the Raptors will go into the game missing at least one starter.

Rookie shooting guard DeMar DeRozan limped out of practice on Tuesday on what team officials said was a sprained right ankle. He had come down on the foot of teammate Hedo Turkoglu during a drill and was scheduled to see team doctors later Tuesday.

There was no suggestion it was a long-term issue – Bosh hoped DeRozan might be able to play Wednesday – but since the rookie also tweaked his left ankle during Sunday's game with the Lakers, chances of him playing Wednesday have to be considered slim.

"I said, `Hey DeMar, the best thing is you have to look at things positively. If you're going to have two ankle sprains, might as well have them at the same time, get them out of the way,'" said Triano.

The coach said he hadn't thought about a possible starter in place of DeRozan who, with Bosh, are the only two Toronto players to have started each of the team's 45 games.

Antoine Wright, who the Raptors consider their top perimeter defender, is the most likely fill-in to help try to corral Wade, but Triano also suggested Sonny Weems could see some playing time.

Aside from worrying about Wade, the Raptors will pay much closer attention to Miami's Michael Beasley, who torched them for 28 points in a 115-95 Heat victory in mid-December.

"He's definitely playing better now and we have to make sure we're aware of where he is all the time," Triano said.

"He's a guy who can score, rebound. Dwyane is the focal point but (Beasley's) a very, very good second option for them."

Nuggets' Smith says recent actions "not really a big deal"

Nuggets guard J.R. Smith finally gave an interview Tuesday after practice to address Saturday's pouting on the bench, which caused the Denver front office to discuss a possible suspension.

"I've got to work on some things with myself," Smith said after practice. "Just my attitude toward the game. I've got to control my body language. And stay focused."

Smith and Karl had a talk, and the reserve guard described it as a good meeting. Karl told Smith that the great players make the simple play 100 percent of the time.

"We got a lot of things off our chests," Smith said. "I'm just glad we're on the same page."

Asked if the experience is something he'll learn from, or is it really not a big deal, Smith said: "It's not a big deal. We've been through this stuff before but we always came back and got the best out of it for both of us, so it's not really a big deal."

And asked what he would say to his fans, Smith said: "They know my heart. They know how hard I play when I get out there. They know I'm a great person, no matter what people say."

New Orleans Hornets get below luxury tax with trade of Bobby Brown

OAKLAND, CALIF. -- The New Orleans Hornets shipped seldom-used backup point guard Bobby Brown to the Los Angeles Clippers for a conditional 2014 second-round draft pick Tuesday and are now under the expected luxury-tax threshold.

Since the season began, the team has trimmed more than $7 million from its payroll via trades.

Brown has not been part of rotation of late. He has played in two of the past 12 games. The trade cut $736,420 off the payroll.

Monday's trade of shooting guard Devin Brown and his $1.1 million salary had left New Orleans approximately $425,000 over the expected tax limit of $69.9 million, for which the Hornets would have had to pay a dollar-for-dollar penalty to the NBA at season's end. Now by being under the cap, the Hornets will be in line for a $5 million bonus paid by the league to teams that are fiscally responsible and stay beneath the cap.

Bobby Brown, who averaged 6.6 points and 2.1 assists in 22 games this season, was obtained in late summer along with forward Darius Songaila from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for backup point guard Antonio Daniels, who is now out of the league.

"With today's move, we put ourselves in a position that is under the luxury-tax threshold while preserving our ability to maximize our results on the court and keeping our core intact, " Coach/General Manager Jeff Bower said in a statement released by the Hornets.

At one point last summer, the Hornets had the highest payroll in the league at more than $77 million, with a roster that was heavy with guards after the drafting of rookie Darren Collison and the acquisition of rookie Marcus Thornton in a draft-night deal with the Miami Heat.

But they successfully dealt shooting guard Rasual Butler ($3.945 million) to the Clippers, then two weeks ago shipped reserve center Hilton Armstrong ($2.801 million) to the Sacramento Kings.

Harris won't play in Nets' next game

Devin Harris didn’t practice with the Nets today, except for taking some free-throws left-handed, Bo Kimble-style, due to an injured wrist.

Though the Nets point guard wasn’t ready to rule himself out of tomorrow's game with the Clippers, coach Kiki Vandeweghe said Harris wouldn’t play.

"I don't expect Devin. He did not practice today,'' Vandeweghe said.

Harris was squeezing on what he claimed was some therapeutic putty. (I have a 4-year-old, and I say it was just Silly Putty, but whatever).

"We’ll see how I feel tomorrow. Just call it a sprain," Harris said. "Obviously, it’s on me, at this point. And when it starts (healing) I can play, definitely suit it up.

"It feels pretty good today, been squeezing this putty for the last two days. I haven’t done any flexion stuff, so we’ll tape it up, see how it feels tomorrow. If not tomorrow, it could be possibly on Friday.''

Courtny Lee (wisdom tooth) and Jarvis Hayes (stomach virus) are questionable.

Hardin to take on Nuggets player in court of law

Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith will have more than the Rockets waiting for him tonight at Toyota Center.

Famed Houston attorney Rusty Hardin, who has long represented sports stars in Houston including his recent high-profile representation of former Astros pitcher Roger Clemens, is suing Smith for nonpayment of legal fees with a process server expected to serve Smith at tonight's game.

Hardin said he represented Smith in 2007 when Smith was accused in a civil lawsuit of assaulting another player in a summer basketball game at Fonde Recreation Center in Houston. In the lawsuit filed Tuesday by Hardin's attorney, Dale Jefferson, Smith is accused of not paying remaining legal fees of 22,753.

Jefferson said he does not believe it will be necessary “to serve him during a 20-second time out or in the pregame introductions, but he will be served at Toyota Center while he is here.”

Nuggets officials reached on Tuesday said the team and Smith would have no comment. Smith's agent, Thad Foucher, also had no comment.

Smith was suspended for three games to begin the 2007-08 season because of his role in an incident in a Denver nightclub. He served 24 days in a New Jersey prison in July after pleading guilty to reckless driving in a 2007 car crash.

“I've never sued a client before over legal fees,” Hardin said. “When we represented J.R. Smith in a civil lawsuit, the case was settled in mediation. ... He was sued for breaking a guy's jaw in an incident in Fonde. He never paid. It's the principle. He has a multi-million contract (worth $6,171,426 million this season) and refuses pay his bill.”

Warriors notebook: Anthony Morrow probably won't play vs. Charlotte Bobcats on Friday

Morrow likely won't be back in time for Bobcats

SACRAMENTO — Warriors guard Anthony Morrow said he doesn't think he will be back by Friday, though he's hoping to be on the court for the return of his former teammate, Charlotte swingman Stephen Jackson.

"That is going to be an exciting game," Morrow said with a smile.

The Warriors said Morrow would be out one to two weeks with a sprained right knee. Friday makes two weeks since he sustained the injury against Milwaukee on Jan. 15. But Morrow has done little more than light jogging and shooting, although he started doing lateral work on Tuesday.

Morrow said he expects his knee to be sore for a while even after he returns. Still, he said he would be ready for the Three-Point Contest on All-Star Saturday (Feb. 13) if he's invited. He still hasn't heard from the NBA, which will announce the participants a week from today. Morrow said he would even be ready for the Rookie Challenge on All-Star Friday, which pits the league's notable rookies against notable sophomores. He said he and second-year Warriors forward Anthony Randolph deserve an invitation but acknowledged it was unlikely.

But Morrow's focus is on the 3-point contest, which he thinks he can win. If Morrow doesn't get invited, forward Vladimir Radmanovic said he's going to retire in protest.

"At some point," Radmanovic said, drawing laughs from his teammates. "I'll retire eventually."

Speaking of Radmanovic, he returned to the lineup Tuesday. He'd missed the previous five games with a sore right Achilles tendon. He said he still feels pain but that he's sat out long enough.

He wound up starting and playing seven minutes in the first half, going scoreless on one field goal attempt.

"I'm happy when anybody comes back," Warriors coach Don Nelson said before the game.

Warriors rookie guard Stephen Curry is expected to get an invitation to participate in the Rookie Challenge. The teams will be announced today.

Curry said he isn't worried about missing out on downtime, pointing to the four off days he'll have after the game.

"It's going to be fun," Curry said, "and I can still get rest."

Curry entered Tuesday's game ranked in the top five among rookies in six categories: fourth in scoring average (13.4), third in assists (4.6), first in steals (1.88), second in 3-point field goal percentage (43.5), second in free throw percentage (85.0) and third in minutes (33.7).

Tuesday was the last day of forward Anthony Tolliver's 10-day contract. The NBA Development League call-up is expected to sign a second and final 10-day contract with the Warriors today.

Ray Allen wants to stay a Celtic

WALTHAM - His name already has been floated as a trade possibility, but this drill is nothing new for Ray Allen.

The Feb. 18 trade deadline accelerates everything at this time of year - perhaps even more than usual this season because of next summer’s unprecedented free agent class - and the Celtics [team stats] guard is strapped in for the ride.

“I can’t say I get worried, because it’s not like you say you’re getting traded and you have to move to Mars,” Allen, a prime candidate because of his expiring max contract, said after yesterday’s practice. “I don’t look at it like that. I’ve been there before. I’ve been in a situation where I expected to be traded and I was traded. If one day I’m traded and told I have to move, then there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s the nature of this job, but the family is something I obviously have to deal with first.”

It just so happens that Allen’s family has grown accustomed to the Boston area, including the proximity of the Joslin Diabetes Center for his 2-year-old son, Walker.

“That’s part of the job,” Allen said. “You have to figure out the best to do with them, and then I have to do my job.”

Allen should be a simple re-signing for the Celtics. He wants to return, will play for a contract worth far less than the one he has now, and will embrace a reduced role if asked.

“Have you ever known me to worry about being in the game or playing less minutes?” he said. “I’ve always said I would love to see Tony Allen play more. I would love to see Marquis (Daniels) in there playing more minutes. It means a great deal to this team.

“We’re in a great position on the floor and we definitely plan to play a long time, going into June. It does spare me. It spares me a great deal, but the one thing I can say is that I’m in great shape. I never feel winded when I’m on the floor. I’m going to come out and I’m going to need a break, and to get guys in there who are just fresh, period.

“This is what I do for a living, so I live my life according to it - how I’m going to play when it’s game day,” he said. “Forty minutes is a lot of minutes as you get older, but whatever comes up next year and however it comes, I’m ready for whatever it is, whatever Doc (Rivers) needs me to do, whatever this team ends up being. I could fit right in with what needs to be done.”

And he would do it in a way that fits this team’s financial picture.

“At this point, what I’m making now, I made a great living throughout my career,” he said. “I know going into next year I won’t make the money I’m making now. I know that.

“I’m ready to be here. I’d love to retire with this organization. That’s up to the team, but I want to be here. This team has proven over decades to be a winner in sports. I’m committed to it, and that’s what I would like to do.”

In the spotlight

The Celtics are about to embark on one of their most glamorous three-game stretches of the season, starting tomorrow in Orlando, continuing Friday in Atlanta, and culminating in a home game Sunday against the Lakers. The only problem is the turnaround time.

“Go ask TV,” Rivers said. “It’s an unbelievable three games; I just wish we had some days in between them. But you’ll get that in the regular season.

“You want to win them. They’re special games because they’re against those teams and they’re a lot of fun. Having said that, you can’t use that as a measuring stick. You don’t know what those teams are going through. The Lakers are on a long road trip, Orlando could be playing well or not well, and the same with Atlanta. In the playoffs you are getting their best. You could say it’s a measuring stick for this moment, but it won’t matter until you get to the playoffs.”

Rivers still is cringing at talk about Glen Davis’ nickname change from Big Baby to Uno Uno, in honor of his uniform.

“How about Glen?” the coach suggested. “That would be nice instead of Shanaynay or Mookie or Spooky. Just call him Glen.”

Scal’s back

Brian Scalabrine, after missing two games because of a separated right shoulder, practiced without any complications. Rivers said the big forward should be available against Orlando.

“Scal practiced today and showed no signs of injury,” Rivers said. “He shot two airballs and I was like, ‘Scal’s back.’ He’s good. He’ll play. Everybody will play minus Marquis, who did some passing plays today.”

Baby names

Celtics forward Glen Davis wants to move on from his “Big Baby” moniker, and we asked Herald readers to come up with suggestions for a new nickname. The response was tremendous, and here are the best of the best:

• Badder Baby
• Bambu
• Banger
• The Beast
• Big Baby
• Big Banger
• Big Booby
• Big Easy
• Big Man
• Big Toddler
• The Bison
• Cry Baby
• The Dish
• Dope Slap
• Earthquake
• The Feed
• Green Monsta
• Immature Big Baby
• Joey Joe Joe Jr. Shabadoo
• Knockdown
• Little Ticket
• Mr. Irrelevant
• Spoiled Brat
• The Wall

On road to recovery, Lakers win

The Los Angeles Lakers broke out of their road funk by showing the distracted Wizards what hustling, focused, never-let-up basketball is all about, shooting 59 percent and forcing six turnovers during a crucial second-quarter run in a 115-103 win last night in Washington.

Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant scored 26 points apiece for the Lakers, who had lost six of their previous eight road games and pulled to a 2-2 record midway through their current eight-game swing. Lamar Odom said before the game that the reigning NBA champs had become “a little too overconfident,” but it didn’t show as he and teammates chased down loose balls and kept their hands all over the passing lanes.

“Offensive rebounds, getting loose balls, turning teams over,” Bryant said. “Especially when you play on the road, that’s some of the things you need to have happen.”

Antawn Jamison scored 27 points to lead the Wizards, who lost the last four games of a six-game homestand. The game came one day after guard Javaris Crittenton received probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge, the latest fallout from last month’s locker room confrontation between Crittenton and Gilbert Arenas.

Crittenton’s probation means that 40 percent of the Wizards roster has now received some sort of punishment in connection with the guns investigation. Arenas, who has pleaded guilty to a felony gun charge and will be sentenced in March, is expected this week to learn the length of his punishment after receiving an indefinite suspension Jan. 6.

“I think we’re all pretty much numb to the whole thing right now,” coach Flip Saunders said.

Bobcats 114, Suns 109 - Stephen Jackson scored 30 points and Charlotte scored nine of the first 11 points in overtime to lift the Bobcats to their first victory in Phoenix in their six seasons in the NBA.

Jackson, who tied the game at 98 on a 3-pointer with 19.9 seconds remaining, hit a 20-foot jump shot on the Bobcats’ first possession of overtime to give Charlotte only its second lead of the game.

Phoenix guard Leandro Barbosa underwent surgery to remove a ganglion cyst in his right wrist. He’s expected to miss up to six weeks.

Knicks 132, Timberwolves 105 - David Lee had 28 points and 10 rebounds, and host New York rebounded from a lopsided beating by administering one, routing Minnesota.

Al Harrington scored 26 and Wilson Chandler had 20 despite a strained left groin for the Knicks, who were dealt the worst home loss in franchise history Sunday when the Dallas Mavericks beat them, 128-78. The Knicks become the third team in NBA history to win by 20 or more the game after losing by 50.

Mavericks 108, Bucks 107 - Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points, Jason Terry added 21 and host Dallas held off Milwaukee, which saw Carlos Delfino’s potential game-winning, running 10-footer in the lane miss before the buzzer.

Kings 99, Warriors 96 - Beno Udrih scored 24 points off the bench and host Sacramento beat Golden State.

Elsewhere in the NBA - Injured Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden is apologizing for nude photos of himself that surfaced on the Internet. . . .

Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin fined $35,000 for being ejected from Denver’s game Monday night against Charlotte.

Gilbert Arenas, Javaris Crittenton suspended for rest of season

NEW YORK — Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton were suspended without pay for the remainder of the season on Wednesday by NBA commissioner David Stern, who said guns in the workplace "will not be tolerated."

Stern delivered the punishment after meeting with Arenas, turning his indefinite suspension into a suspension without pay.

Both players have admitted taking guns into the Wizards’ locker room, a violation of the collective bargaining agreement, following a dispute on a team flight. Stern said the players expressed remorse, but added, "nevertheless, there is no justification for their conduct."

"The issue here is not about the legal ownership and possession of guns, either in one’s home or elsewhere," Stern said in a statement. "It is about possession of guns in the NBA workplace, which will not be tolerated."

Arenas, who is forfeiting about $147,200 per game, had already been suspended indefinitely this month. Crittenton, who met with Stern on Tuesday, will lose about $13,435 per game.

Arenas pleaded guilty on Jan. 15 to a felony gun charge after an alleged confrontation with Crittenton in the Verizon Center. Arenas, who is scheduled to be sentenced March 26, is in the second season of a six-year, $111 million contract.

He has asked the players’ association not to contest the penalty, while Crittenton’s plans are unclear. His agent, Mark Bartelstein, told The Associated Press that, "David Stern has done what he thinks is right for the league. We’re going to look at it and talk about it with Javaris and the players’ association."

The Wizards have 38 games left in a woeful season that was thrown into turmoil when news of the confrontation involving the guns broke on Christmas Eve. The team has distanced itself from Arenas since Stern indefinitely suspended him, removing his posters from the Verizon Center. Crittenton has been injured and wasn’t playing, anyway.

The team said it supported Stern’s ruling.

"Their poor judgment has also violated the trust of our fans and stands in contrast to everything (former owner) Abe Pollin stood for throughout his life," the Wizards said in a statement.

"It is widely known that Mr. Pollin took the extraordinary step of changing the team name from ’Bullets’ to ’Wizards’ in 1997 precisely to express his abhorrence of gun violence in our community. We hope that this negative situation can produce something positive by serving as a reminder that gun violence is a serious issue."

Piper Hall, a spokeswoman for Arenas’ lawyer, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press that neither Arenas nor his lawyer, Ken Wainstein, would comment "at this time."

Lakers’ Pau Gasol keeps his priorities on winning teamwork

WASHINGTON — When they introduce the Wizards’ starting lineup here, they turn up the volume and call this "the most powerful city in the world!"

(It’s not the most powerful team in the world, so you do what you can to stoke the crowd.)

The Lakers created some great new Washington memories with their visit to the White House on Monday — and Kobe Bryant’s additional 20-minute private meeting with his family and President Barack Obama in the Oval Office on Tuesday morning. Bryant especially enjoyed how much his daughters got to chat with the president and said they batted around the idea of some pickup ball this summer on the White House basketball court.

"That’d be great," Bryant said.

But everywhere you go in life, there is context. There’s compare and contrast to what happened before, and the Lakers have some interesting history here in Washington.

Most notably, as Phil Jackson mentioned Tuesday night after an impressive victory over the Wizards, the Lakers first met Pau Gasol here two years ago.

"We really didn’t know what to expect," Jackson said.

The Lakers were here on a trip when Gasol joined the team after the Feb. 1 trade with Memphis. He arrived into Washington late at night and met with a group of reporters in a suite at the Lakers’ team hotel.

Some first impressions of Gasol that first night in the hotel suite still hold: He was clearly nice in the considerate, polite way that few look-at-me NBA players understand. Gasol, who is from Spain, comes across as a regular guy who is eager to please, and even in his second language of English, his intelligence comes across just as much.

Bryant referred to him the other night as "so intelligent" — and then followed up with "very intelligent" and "highly intelligent." Jackson mentions that the key thing is that Gasol was "a very willing student" upon joining the team.

But what was most memorable about talking to Gasol that first night was his earnestness about just how sick he was of being a loser in Memphis.

"You get into a mindset that is not really positive," Gasol said that night. "You kind of sink."

And right after that session, Gasol went to have a much more important sit-down with Bryant — when that particular topic of needing to win was further emphasized. It has turned out that Gasol’s drive to win has been greater than could be understood two years ago.

"Pau is underrated," Lamar Odom said Tuesday, "for his aggressiveness and his will to win — his ability to do anything to make the team better."

Let’s go back further to another day in Washington.

Four years ago, the Lakers blew a 16-point lead and lost by three points to the Wizards. It was Bryant’s second season with Odom, the supposed second star. Odom lined up on the wrong side of the court for the final play — costing the Lakers and Bryant a shot at a tying 3-pointer.

Bryant was enraged. He berated Odom the entire time they walked off the court, all the way to the locker room — and later Odom rushed out of there.

Bryant had sprained his right thumb that night and still scored 31 points. Odom, though, missed a tying 3-point shot with 41 seconds left off Bryant’s pass and then undermined that last play, which wound up in a Bryant turnover.

Bryant’s fury so rattled Odom that night that Odom denied there was even an argument, nervously repeating as he rushed from the locker room: "I didn’t hear anything."

Moved into a bench role by Jackson last season, Odom has never measured up to all that Bryant wanted for him and from him. Yet it has worked out just fine — because of Gasol, whose 26 points Tuesday night mirrored Bryant’s 26, with Odom contributing, too.

"A-plus," Odom said when asked about Gasol. "Plus-plus-plus."

Odom is satisfied with Gasol having gotten the Lakers to be defending champions.

Bryant still is not.

"I just think he can get better," Bryant said of Gasol, whom Bryant gave a brief talking-to Tuesday night in the fourth quarter upon sensing a late-game letdown. "I get on him a lot because he’s a great player already, but I don’t want him to be comfortable just being a great player.

"I want to see him take another step."

After that on-court talking-to from Bryant, Gasol definitively nodded.

Unlike Odom, Gasol does want more . . . so both he and Bryant might just get it.

Celtics show their class with kiddos

The Boston Celtics [team stats], fresh from their 95-89 victory over the Clippers at the TD Garden, were back in school yesterday.

Ray Allen, Tony Allen and Shelden Williams had an early wake-up call to lead a stay-in-school assembly with the kids at the Rogers Middle School in Hyde Park. After the sage wisdom, they shot hoops with kids in the gym.

Later in the day, captain Paul Pierce [stats] and Rasheed Wallace entertained kids from the Ellis Memorial After School Program in Roxbury with their performances in “The Clever Boy and the Terrible, Dangerous Animal.”

After the play, one little fan asked ‘Sheed about his height.

“I’m 6-feet-11, one inch shy of 7 feet,” No. 30 told the curious kid.

The little guy looked up and said, “Well, maybe in seven months you’ll be seven feet!”

Growth spurt at age 35? Stranger things have happened . . .

Completing All-Star reserve ballots no easy task for coaches

Hornets coach Jeff Bower (right) thinks Chris Paul is one of the few no-brainer All-Star picks.

Nate McMillan didn't agonize over it. But it wasn't exactly easy, either. Sifting though the choices to come up with seven Western Conference All-Star reserves isn't a chore for the frivolous.

"It's really a tough process," the Trail Blazers coach said after turning his list into the league office earlier this week. "With so many guys playing well and so many teams playing well, it makes it difficult. I really look at what a player is doing, as well and how successful his team has been."

The benches for the West and East will be announced Thursday night on TNT. Fan voting is usually good for a dustup or two each year when it comes to the starters. Though the coaches take plenty into account when filling out their ballots, they're equally vulnerable when it comes to second guessing.

"No matter how many players you're asked to pick, there are always one or two more that could be there," Hornets coach Jeff Bower said. "I think it's a difficult thing to have a cutoff point."

McMillan referenced the turnarounds taking place with the Clippers, Thunder and Grizzlies, leading to viable candidates from each team. Then he brought up the old standbys, such as the Spurs, Suns, Lakers and Mavericks, who each have players worthy of an extra trip to Dallas next month.

"There are a number of guys who feel cheated out of an All-Star because there are so many good guys out there," McMillan said.

He didn't put together the reserve list alone. McMillan made it a collaborative effort with his coaching staff, weighing different criteria before narrowing the list to seven. Paring down the guards -- Brandon Roy is among the favorites -- proved especially tough.

Just take the point guards. Chris Paul (Hornets) and Deron Williams (Jazz) head the list of possibilities.

"They both are playing well," McMillan said. "They both are All-Stars in this league, even though Deron hasn't made it. He's played like an All-Star for a long time. You don't make it to the Olympic team if you're not a great player.

"There are a lot of guys. Look at what Dallas and Denver are doing. Jason Kidd has to be doing something. Chauncey Billups has to be doing something. And we're not even talking about Tony Parker and other guys who have been there."

There's no question where Bower stands on Paul. (Coaches, remember, aren't allowed to vote for their players.)

"He's an All-Star," Bower said. "I think he's the best point guard in the game. That's my own opinion and is an outstanding representative for the NBA. Sure hope he's on the team and talking part in game both for himself and the city of New Orleans."

Roy has made the last two All-Star teams via the coaching vote. He definitely respects the process.

"No matter which way it goes, I respect it no matter what happens because [the coaches] are in a tough position," said Roy, currently out with a hamstring injury. "It's not fair for me to say if I get left out that one of those guys should be left out.

"I respect their decisions no matter what because it's such a talented conference, especially when you look at the guards, and the bigs are good, too. It's really hard to pick. I respect the coaches no matter what because they're put in a tough situation and it's so loaded."

Roy isn't one of those who'd like to see the players have a say in the selection of the reserves.

"No, I'm cool," he said. "I'd rather leave it to the coaches."

Roy opts for new procedure

In an effort to get back on the court sooner, Brandon Roy flew to Seattle last week for a cutting-edge procedure on his strained right hamstring that didn't involve a cut. He received an injection of platelet-rich plasma into his strained right hamstring.

The procedure is popular with NFL players and track and field athletes, though others, such as Tiger Woods, have had it done. It involved taking blood from Roy, placing it in a centrifuge for 15 minutes, which separated red blood cells from platelets to form a gel. That gel was injected back into the hamstring to aid the healing process.

Roy's hamstring flared up last Wednesday in Philadelphia, so he decided to head straight to Seattle to meet with the Seahawks' team doctor. Blazers owner Paul Allen also owns the NFL team and the Seahawks' doctor was the University of Washington's team doctor when Roy was in school.

There is some medical debate on the benefits of the procedure, but Roy felt comfortable after learning more about it. While it's supposed to speed the recovery process, he knows he can't push the timetable.

"We're trying to be patient with it," Roy said, "but I the same time I have to be honest with how I'm feeling. We've got to make sure it's right."

The earliest Roy could return is a two-game road trip Friday and Saturday at Houston and Dallas, though that might be pushing it. The Blazers are part of a jumbled playoff picture in the West.

"I want to help this team," Roy said. "We're in a tight race."

Lakers took care of business

Halfway through a season-long eight-game road trip that included a White House visit, the Lakers have to be ready to come home. It's not easy being on the road, especially when home is Southern California.

The defending champs hold a comfortable, though not overwhelming, 3 1/2-game lead atop the Western Conference standings. That lead was built by a season-opening run that saw the Lakers play 17 of their first 21 games at Staples Center.

They emerged from that stretch a healthy 18-3. Many said before the season that such a start gave a team that didn't need any extra help an advantage.

"One could look at it that way, I guess, or you can take the other tact that it gave them the opportunity to also not take advantage of that," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "If they had lost a lot of those home games, then they'd pay the price doubly later on when they go on the road.

"They get credit for looking at their schedule and taking advantage of the fact that they were home a lot and won all those games to help build confidence and build the lead. And they could have gone the other way and it worked against them, so they get credit for making it work for them."

Quotable

"We don't do blowouts. We don't believe in them."
-- Hornets guard Chris Paul

Starting 5

1. When it comes to the league's favorite films, GMs are much bigger on Amar'e Stoudemire right now than Avatar.

2. J.R. Smith couldn't commit to a name change. Think Earl will stick to a pledge to adjust his attitude and focus?

3. Streaks: Mavs 10-0 in one-point games since 2007. Knicks 0-1 in 50-point games since Sunday.

4. Word is T-Mac pulled a calf muscle trying to step back onto the trading block.

5. Greg Oden ... I'm not gonna touch that. I mean, I'm not going near there. Never mind.

Give-n-Go: Chris Paul and a Portland locker room attendant

CP: There's cheese on this chicken sandwich. I'm allergic to cheese.

PLRA: You didn't say no cheese.

CP: I didn't think I had to say no cheese. It's a chicken sandwich.

PLRA: (Picks up menu) It says right here it comes with cheese. Wouldn't you expect cheese on a hamburger?

CP: No, I would expect cheese on a cheeseburger. A hamburger shouldn't have cheese. Neither should a chicken sandwich. I've been dealing with this my whole life.

PLRA: Do you want to order something else?

CP: Do you have chicken strips?

PLRA: Yeah.

CP: Can you make sure I get them without cheese?

Rookie Rankings: A good start to 2010 for this trio

Hasheem Thabeet is making a bigger impact in Memphis of late.

The new year has been good to several rookies.

The new decade has brought new opportunities for many first-year players, thanks to increased playing time with their respective teams.

Even guys who were seeing plenty of playing time already are seeing their roles increase. Stephen Curry, a fixture at the top of these rankings has averaged 39.2 minutes in the new year, raising his season average to 33.8. Curry has certainly made the most of it. In January, Curry is averaging 19.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 47.9 percent from the field (50.9 percent on 3s) and 87.5 percent from the line.

But Curry isn't the only one making the most of the new year. Here's a look at just three of the many rookies whose minutes -- and production -- are up.

• Hasheem Thabeet has been more aggressive in January -- especially on the defensive end, where the Grizzlies need him most. In the Grizzlies' recent 86-84 win over the Thunder, the UConn center had nine rebounds and four blocks in a career-best 23 minutes, drawing praise from teammates. "I told him, 'That's what you're here for. That's what you're going to get paid to do,'" Zach Randolph told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "He just has to control that paint. He doesn't have to score the basketball. He just has to do what he did the last game. It's the best I've ever seen him play."

• A.J. Price has seen his role, and minutes, increase in January. The Pacers point guard has averaged 20.4 minutes in 14 games this decade, averaging 10.4 points (ninth among rookies this month) while helping the Pacers go 7-7. His emergence as the backup to Earl Watson has made T.J. Ford expendable.

• Jordan Hill is finally starting to get playing time for the Knicks, averaging almost 13 minutes per game in January. He's been aggressive on the boards and had one of his best games against the Lakers with eight points and seven rebounds. "Every time we've given him minutes he's responded pretty well," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni told The Record last week. "He's surprised us a little bit."

NBA.com's Rookie Rankings are just one man's opinion and are released every Wednesday during the season. If you've got an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for Drew Packham, send him an e-mail. You can also follow him on Twitter. For past week's rankings, click here.

1. Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
40	37.1	20.8	4.8	4.9	1.5	0.5	.458	.253	.791

Last Week: 1 | Drafted: 4
Not even Evans thought he would be this good, this fast. "I thought I'd probably come in and average 10 or 11 points (per game) and make sure I get better and better every year," Evans told Chris Perkins of Hoopsworld.com. "I can get better if I keep working hard. The sky is the limit for me." Evans stepped up Tuesday to help the Kings stop a seven-game slide with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists.

2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
43	34.1	14.0	4.0	4.5	1.9	0.3	.455	.428	.849

Last Week: 2 | Drafted: 7
With Monta Ellis on the bench with a sprained ankle, Curry has taken over as the team's leader. In the three games since Ellis was injured, Curry has averaged 28.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Ellis is a fan favorite in Golden State, so it's unlikely the Warriors will deal him before the trade deadline, but Curry's recent play proves the team has a bright future with Curry in the backcourt if management were to go that route.

3. Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
43	34.3	17.7	3.6	6.3	1.2	0.4	.382	.390	.827

Last Week: 3 | Drafted: 10
In his second showdown with Wolves rookie Jonny Flynn, Jennings once again got the last laugh. The first meeting, Nov. 6, Jennings struggled from the field, going 4-for-16, but the Bucks pulled out the 87-72 win. Saturday, Jennings had a career-high 13 assists to go along with 18 points as the Bucks once again ripped Minnesota, this time a 127-94 win. "Tonight, everybody was clicking," Jennings said. "I was getting assists early, and it just opened up the whole game for everybody."

4. Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
46	29.8	14.2	2.4	4.2	1.1	0.0	.420	.339	.824

Last Week: 4 | Drafted: 6
Before Tuesday's blowout loss to the Knicks at MSG, Flynn had been having a pretty good week (back-to-back 20-point games on 57 percent shooting). Unfortunately, Flynn had a clunker Tuesday with as many turnovers (six) as he had points while going just 3-for-11 in the field. Granted, no one played well for the Wolves in the 132-105 loss, but you'd think the Syracuse product would have been a little more ready for the Big Apple.

5. Marcus Thornton, New Orleans Hornets

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
38	19.1	9.7	1.9	0.9	0.6	0.1	.433	.362	.750

Last Week: 8 | Drafted: 43
The Hornets showed their confidence in their rookie Monday by shipping Devin Brown to the Bulls for Aaron Gray. Brown had started 37 games for the Hornets, and Thornton, who has played well of late, will likely see an increased role. In his first game as a starter, Thornton had 19 points while going 8-for-12 from the field (3-for-5 on 3s) in the Hornets' 98-97 win over the Trail Blazers on Monday.

6. James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
44	23.1	9.9	3.3	2.2	1.0	0.2	.391	.377	.813

Last Week: 7 | Drafted: 3
Harden may be coming off the bench, but he's continuing to be one of the biggest reasons for the Thunder's turnaround this season. In three games this week, Harden averaged 10.3 points and 4.7 rebounds and had a steal in all three games. It's easy to forget about Harden among all the Thunder talent, but coaches obviously recognized his play by giving him the nod for the Rookie Challenge.

7. Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
42	27.6	12.2	4.8	1.4	0.7	0.3	.475	.396	.633

Last Week: 5 | Drafted: 23
The Kings ended their seven-game losing streak Tuesday night, but Casspi didn't have much of an impact. Casspi has been mired in a shooting slump, especially from three-point land. During the Kings' seven-game slide, Casspi was just 3-for-24 from beyond the arc, a paltry 12.5 percent average. In the Kings' win Tuesday, Casspi played just 12 minutes, scoring one points and missing all four shots from the field.

8. Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
43	24.5	8.5	6.3	0.6	0.6	1.0	.489	.000	.625

Last Week: 9 | Drafted: 26
The Bulls have won three in a row, and Gibson is a big part of it. As I've noted in the past, Gibson is fighting through a case of plantar fasciitis, but it hasn't slowed him down. In the three wins, Gibson is averaging 10.0 points and 9.7 rebounds. In the Bulls' 104-97 win over the Rockets, Gibson played a season-high 43 minutes, finishing with 16 points and 14 boards for his fifth double-double.

9. DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
43	18.3	7.1	6.6	0.7	0.5	0.6	.540	.000	.506

Last Week: 6 | Drafted: 37
In the six games since Blair's breakout 28-point, 21-rebound game on Jan. 13, the Spurs' center has hit double digits in rebounding in four of the games. Unfortunately, the Spurs have lost five of the six games. What's worse is that Blair -- a 54 percent shooter on the season -- has struggled with his shot, going 21-for-50 from the field (42 percent) and 3-for-10 from the line. The Spurs have three more games at home this month to figure things out before heading on a brutal eight-game, three-week road trip.

10. Jonas Jerebko, Detroit Pistons

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
41	27.8	8.4	5.4	0.7	0.6	0.3	.474	.250	.687

Last Week: 10 | Drafted: 39
It's been apparent throughout the season that Jerebko has won over Pistons coach John Kuester with his production. So with Tayshaun Prince's recent yelling match with Kuester over playing time, it's worth comparing the two players' stats. Jerebko: 41 games, 27.8 mpg, 8.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 0.7 apg, .474 FG, .250 3PT; Prince: 11 games, 31.5 mpg, 8.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, .398 FG, .167 3PT. Prince has been fighting injuries and it's only an 11-game sample size, but this is clearly one of Prince's worst seasons, while Jerebko has done nothing but hustle and prove he's worth every minute Kuester gives him.

Honorable Mention: DeMar DeRozan, Raptors: Averaged 11.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in last two games, but his exlusion from the Rookie Challenge (as I predicted last week) will certainly irk his fans; Rodrigue Beaubois, Mavericks: Filling in for Jason Kidd, who was out for personal reasons, Beaubois had 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals in the Mavericks' 50-point rout of the Knicks.

New class ready to reverse Rookie Challenge history

Rookies Tyreke Evans (left) and Stephen Curry will team up for the Rookie Challenge.

The Sophomores own the Rookie Challenge. Seven consecutive wins and an 8-2 overall records suggests that one year of NBA seasoning makes plenty of a difference when the league's brightest youngsters clash each All-Star weekend.

This rookie class, though, isn't about to accept the status quo. They didn't accept all the talk that they would make up one of the weakest drafts in recent memory. And they're not going to accept defeat before the ball is tossed for the opening tip Feb. 12 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

"I know the Sophomores have a strong roster," Warriors rookie guard Stephen Curry said, "but my teammates and I will work hard to put on a great show for the fans and hopefully come away with a win."

Rookie Team Roster breakdown

Player Buzz Omri Casspi League's first Israeli-born has shown steady improvement so far. DeJuan Blair Second-round steal has lottery talent and a 20-20 game already. Stephen Curry Can flat out shoot it and Nellie said he's playing some 'D.' Tyreke Evans Rookie scoring leader also shoulders his share of responsibility. Jonny Flynn Doesn't Ricky Rubio want to come over and play with this guy. Taj Gibson Fought through injuries and continues to deliver at both ends. James Harden Solid and steady as the Thunder's first guard off the bench. Brandon Jennings Proved 55 wasn't a fluke, even if he's not the ROY favorite. Jonas Jerebko Who said Swedes aren't tough? This second-rounder starts.

Sophomore Team Roster breakdown

Player Buzz Michael Beasley Scoring and rebounding numbers up after strong rookie year. Marc Gasol Family legacy lives on and half of NBA's best rebounding frontline. Danilo Gallinari One of the few nice surprises in the Big Apple this season. Eric Gordon Lighting it up again after returning from early-season injuries. Brook Lopez If nothing else, the Nets have a big man to build around. Kevin Love Double-double machine doesn't get outworked no matter the score. O.J. Mayo Adds a dynamic element to the rapidly improving Grizzlies. Derrick Rose Quarterbacking the Bulls back into in playoff contention. Russell Westbrook Coming into his own as a floor general and leader.

Curry is one of the nine first-year standouts selected to Rookie Team roster, which was announced Wednesday. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, the reigning Rookie of the Year, heads up the competing nine on the Sophomore Team squad.

The rest of the Sophomores: Heat forward Michael Beasley, Clippers guard Eric Gordon, Timberwolves forward/center Kevin Love, Nets center Brook Lopez, Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, and two Grizzlies: center Marc Gasol and guard O.J. Mayo.

Rounding out the Rookie roster: Kings guard Tyreke Evans and forward Omar Casspi, Bulls forward Taj Gibson, Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko, Bucks guard Brandon Jennings, Timberwolves guard Jonny Flynn, Thunder guard James Harden and Spurs forward/center DeJuan Blair.

The 18 players were selected though voting by the NBA's assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot. The two teams will be coached by the lead assistant of the All-Star Game coaching staffs. The team with the best record in each conference as of Jan. 31 gets that honor, though Phil Jackson (Lakers) and Mike Brown (Cavaliers) aren't eligible after coaching last year.

Last season, the assistant coaches for the teams were actual All-Stars themselves. Orlando's Dwight Howard was the assistant for the Sophomore Team while Miami's Dwyane Wade was the assistant for the Rookie Team.

Curry likes the Rookies' chances despite a roster that's void of the top two picks -- injured Clippers forward Blake Griffin and Grizzlies center Hasheem Thabeet -- and five of the top 10. The first-year squad isn't hurting for star power with scoring whiz-kids Evans and Jennings. Blair and Jerebko -- a pair of second-rounders -- also made it, further illustrating the depth of last June's haul.

"It's really a great honor to be selected to play in the Rookie Challenge, especially when the rosters were selected by the assistant coaches around the league," Curry said. "I'm looking forward to representing the Warriors and having the opportunity to play with some of the talented rookies in the NBA."

Halftime of the Rookie Challenge also features the inaugural NBA All-Star Slam Dunk-In between Gordon and Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan. The winner of the single-round slam competition advances to the Slam Dunk the following night.

Stern, Wizards' Arenas have meeting

NEW YORK (AP) -- NBA commissioner David Stern planned to meet with Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas on Wednesday and an announcement on the full length of Arenas' indefinite suspension could follow.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass confirmed the meeting to The Associated Press.

It was first reported by ESPN.com.

On Tuesday, Stern also met with Wizards guard Javaris Crittenton, who was sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation after pleading guilty Monday to a misdemeanor gun charge.

Arenas pleaded guilty Jan. 15 to a felony gun charge after an alleged confrontation with Crittenton in the Wizards' changing room at Verizon Center in Washington. Arenas, who is in the second season of a six-year, $111 million contract, is scheduled to be sentenced March 26.

Kidd, Dampier back in Mavs' lineup

DALLAS (AP) -- Jason Kidd has returned to the Dallas Mavericks' lineup after missing one game.

Kidd started at point guard Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks after sitting out Sunday against the New York Knicks because of personal reasons.

Mavericks center Erick Dampier is also back in the starting lineup against the Bucks after missing Sunday's game with a left knee injury.

Suns' Hill ends streak of 128 straight games played

PHOENIX -- Suns forward Grant Hill's consecutive game streak of 128 will end tonight when he misses the home game against the Bobcats because of a bruised heel.

Hill had played in all 46 games this season and all 82 games last season, a streak in which he took much pride. Earlier in his career, he'd missed huge chunks of time because of injuries.

Hill's resurgence as an injury-free player was a big reason he re-signed with the Suns, who have a highly regarded medical and training staff, instead of signing with an elite team such as the Celtics.