Monday, February 1, 2010

Paul to have surgery on left knee

New Orleans Hornets All-Star point guard Chris Paul(notes) will undergo arthroscopic surgery for a cartilage tear in his left knee and could miss one to two months, sources close to Paul told Yahoo! Sports on Sunday night.

Paul injured the knee in the final moments of regulation in a loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Paul was injured after he fell into a photographer on the baseline after trying to catch an errant inbounds pass from Hornets forward David West. Paul came up limping after the play, which led to the Bulls tying the game with .2 seconds left.

Paul also told reporters he had initially twisted the same knee in a win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.

Test results revealed a partial tear to Paul’s meniscus. There is still some doubt as to the extent of the injury, one source said, but it is not believed to be season-ending.

Paul is expected to miss the All-Star Game because of the injury. Once the NBA confirms Paul’s unavailability, commissioner David Stern will appoint a replacement to the Western Conference roster. Denver Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups likely will be among the leading candidates to replace Paul.

The Hornets will lean on rookie point guard Darren Collison during Paul’s absence. Paul also missed eight games earlier this season because of a sprained left ankle.

Raptors rip Pacers for 5th straight win

Hedo Turkoglu’s night lasted all of 61 seconds.

In Raptors year’s past, that wasn’t just cause for concern, it was reason for all-out panic.

But this year’s panic-free Raptors is a team that is playing with the type of confidence not seen around these parts since the 2006-07 version won 47 games.

A big reason for that is that they employ a bench that is not only capable of filling the void in time of need, but in doing so, offers little drop-off from the staring unit.

Turkoglu’s absence was a mere footnote by the end, because his replacement Antoine Wright came on to score 15 points, six rebounds and apply his traditional shut-down defence on Danny Granger just when the Pacers needed him most.

That would be the final quarter when Granger, despite seeing his team crawl all the way back from a 16-point deficit to tie it, and admittedly shackled with foul trouble, managed to play the entire 12 minutes and not score a single point.

The formula may not have been the one the Raptors started out with, but it was more than good enough for a fifth win in a row, this one by a 117-102 score.

Turkoglu took a Mike Dunleavy elbow in the face just as the game turned a minute old and did not return. X-rays during the game revealed a slight non-displaced fracture of the orbital bone under his right eye. The team was already investigating the use of a mask for future games.

But the way this team is rolling and overcoming injuries, the concern level is surprisingly low.

The timing couldn’t be worse for Turkoglu personally, who was coming off his best game as a Raptor two nights earlier when he hit for season highs with 26 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the New York Knicks.

Sonny Weems made his third start in a row in place of the injured DeMar DeRozan and had a career-high 13 points, six rebounds and three assists.

“We are getting good production from a lot of guys,” head coach Jay Triano said in the understatement of the night.

Including Wright’s 15, the Raptors got 45 points from their bench and that was with Marco Belinelli having a rare off night in which he was held pointless.

Strong bench

“We have a strong bench and I think that is one of the keys to our success this year,” Chris Bosh said. “We will need them to continue to play well. Just play hard, play with passion and play defence every night. Amir (Johnson) does a great job, Antoine stepped in and did a great job , and of course Jose (Calderon) is always solid.”

Bosh was no shrinking violet himself, finishing with a team high 26 points, 15 rebounds and even seven assists.

As happy as the Raptors were with the play from their bench, it was Bosh who got the lions’ share of the accolades from Indiana’s dressing room.

“We’ve tried over the years to put big guys on him, it doesn’t work” Pacers head coach Jim O’Brien said. “We’ve tried to put small guys on him; that doesn’t seem to work either. I don’t know if we have somebody to play Bosh to tell you the truth.”

The Pacers will get another shot at it on Tuesday when the same two teams do battle in Indianapolis.

Injuries: Good news for Beasley, not for Chalmers

The Miami Heat received mixed results from MRIs taken Sunday on ailing forward Michael Beasley and sidelined guard Mario Chalmers.

The test on Beasley's hyperextended right knee came back negative, with the starting power forward possibly to return as soon as Monday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks at AmericanAirlines Arena.

The MRI on Chalmers, however, showed a partial tear in his sprained left thumb, putting the backup point guard out indefinitely, quite possibly through the NBA All-Star break, which ends Feb. 15.

Beasley was injured during the first quarter of Wednesday night's road loss to the Toronto Raptors, missing Friday night's road victory over the Detroit Pistons and Saturday's loss in Milwaukee.

Chalmers was injured during the second quarter of the loss in Detroit.

Joel Anthony has started in Beasley's place the past two games, the only games Beasley has missed due to injury during his two seasons since being taken with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Heat.

Chalmers' place in the rotation was taken Saturday in Milwaukee by former starting point guard Carlos Arroyo.

Guard Dwyane Wade, who has been battling back spasms, took treatment Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena and is expected to continue in the starting lineup, having yet to miss time this season.

Suns' Steve Nash playing through lower abdominal strain

HOUSTON - There was some question Sunday whether Suns guard Steve Nash was going to play against Houston after being held out of Friday's and Saturday's practices with a lower abdominal strain.

Nash did not make a shot until 4:38 of the third quarter but he ran the Suns offense well (16 assists), hustled (a season-high eight rebounds) and helped contain Brooks, who went 8 for 22 from the field. Nash did not have one of the Suns' 19 turnovers and tied an arena opponent assists record that he also tied in November.

"I'm a little stiff," Nash said after the game. "But I got through the game and it's not worse so at least I could contribute."

The abdominal strain and some of his chronic back discomfort made shooting most difficult. Nash was 2 of 10 from the field but plans to play again Monday night.

"I was trying my best not to shoot," Nash said. "Maybe it was because I stayed in the room and laid on my back about 14 hours. But I got through it. Most of my shots off the dribble so trying to control myself with the soreness and the pain weren't the best part of my movement. I tried to do other things, hustling and defense, save some energy for some other things I usually don't do much of."

Boozer says calf getting better

Carlos Boozer continued to express optimism Sunday about his recovery from a moderate right calf strain and suggested that it was possible he might be able to play by the end of the week.

"I think I have a shot at it if it continues to get better," Boozer said.

He appeared on the court before Jazz practice, but said he was planning only to ride a stationary bike and possibly work out on an elliptical machine and lift weights. Boozer suffered the calf strain in the third quarter of Wednesday's victory in Portland.

"I think soon -- I mean, I'm not going to put a date on it -- but I think soon I'll be back out there if it keeps progressing the way it has," Boozer said. "It's gotten a lot better really fast, so that's good news."

Boozer noted that he no longer needed to use crutches -- calling it "progress" -- and that he is able to walk now, as opposed to limp before.

Turnaround artist

Sundiata Gaines admits that he didn't follow the Jazz before he was called up last month from the NBA Development League. As a result, he has little knowledge of the tough times that preceeded his arrival.

"It was pretty much up and down," Gaines said. "That's all I really knew."

The Jazz had lost back-to-back home games to Denver (minus Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups ) and New Orleans and fallen out of playoff position. All Gaines has known, though, is a 10-2 team that has surged up the standings.

"I'm glad to hear that turnaround," Gaines said. "We're winning right now, so we just want to keep it going."

Gaines also was happy for the praise he received from Jazz chief executive Greg Miller after Friday's game. Miller shared on Twitter that he told Gaines "I hope he's with us for a good long time and got a great big smile."

"Obviously, he likes my game and I guess likes the things that I do," Gaines said, "so I've got to stay consistent in what I'm doing and develop my game and get better so I can hopefully stay around for a long time."

Briefly

Deron Williams wasn't due back from his uncle's funeral in West Virginia until Sunday afternoon, forcing him to miss practice, although he is expected to play tonight. ... Kyrylo Fesenko went through practice and could return tonight after missing seven games with a sprained left ankle.

Pistons' Charlie Villanueva: 'I can't even straighten out my back right now'

AUBURN HILLS -- Forward Charlie Villanueva could not stand up straight Sunday night while discussing the back spasms that kept him out of the Detroit Pistons' 91-86 loss to the Orlando Magic.

"When I tried to go out there in the layup line, it just didn't feel right," Villanueva said after the game. "It doesn't feel right now. It doesn't feel good at all.

"I can't even straighten out my back right now."

Pistons coach John Kuester had to make some adjustments to the rotation at the last moment.

"Right before the anthem," Kuester said when asked when he learned Villanueva was unable to play.

Villanueva said his back had bothered him for a couple of days, but that it got worse Sunday morning. He worked to stretch his back out in hopes he could play.

"That was my goal," Villanueva said. "I came in about an hour earlier than expected and did some treatment, and it just didn't feel good at all."

Pistons guard Will Bynum (left ankle) sat out the game as well.

D'Antoni: Knicks continue to look for trade possibilities

MINNEAPOLIS -- Coach Mike D'Antoni said the reeling Knicks continue to search for trade opportunities before the Feb. 18 deadline, but with the club starting to fall out of the playoff race, they might be more inclined to do a deal that opens up more 2010 cap space.

D'Antoni said the 2010 free-agency plan is a major factor in any deal, and the Knicks continue to shop Jared Jeffries, whose trade could open up more cap room. Whether a Jeffries trade turns into a roster upgrade is debatable because he's having a good season.

"The key is it's got to fit into the plan," D'Antoni said before the Knicks' 112-91 loss to the T'wolves last night. "It's got to be right. I think we as an organization, we're looking all the time, trying to better the team without messing up the long-term plan. It's a tricky thing to do.

Palace doesn't haunt Magic this time as Orlando tops lowly Detroit

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons and the voodoo that envelops the Orlando Magic any time they enter The Palace of Auburn Hills tried their best to derail the Magic Sunday evening.

Instead, in a rare feat, the Magic beat the Pistons in Detroit.

Orlando (32-16) beat Detroit (15-31), 91-86, after leading by 15 in the first quarter, then trailing in the third. The Magic picked up the franchise's 11th regular season win in Detroit out of 40 tries. The win sent Van Gundy and his coaching staff to the All-Star Game where they will coach the Eastern Conference all-stars.

"This place is just a house of horrors for us," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "…Crazy stuff always happens in this building for us I'm just glad we're done here for the year, and quite frankly I hope they don't make the playoffs and get into a position where we have to play them. … I think if they put five 10-year-olds out there in Pistons jerseys we'd struggle."

Orlando didn't emerge unscathed. Starting point guard Jameer Nelson hyperextended his left knee during the first quarter, reaggravating the joint on which he had surgery in November. Magic general manager Otis Smith and Nelson both said the injury wasn't serious. Shooting guard Mickael Pietrus turned his ankle and said he will probably miss a week. The team will know more for sure in the next few days.

After big wins at home against two of the Eastern Conference's best teams, the Magic travelled up north to face one of the conference's worst. Still, they knew going into the game beating Detroit on the road wouldn't be easy.

In addition to the franchise's historical ineptitude at The Palace, the Pistons were coming off an embarrassing loss to the Miami Heat and were eager to atone.

The Magic started strong, shooting 61 percent in the first quarter. They made four of five three-pointers. They took a 15-point lead after Vince Carter took a lob from Matt Barnes and slammed it through the hoop, prompting one Pistons fan to say, "Now they're just showing off."

That didn't last long.

By the end of the quarter, the Pistons cut the lead to eight.

With zero points from its starters in the second quarter, the Magic slipped further. They were outhustled as the Pistons picked up more rebounds and more points in the paint.

"I thought our guys really competed tonight," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "I thought they did a nice job other than the first quarter when we gave up 29 points and the fourth quarter when we gave up 27."

Detroit trailed by three at halftime and led, 65-64, after three quarters.

"They had a small lead and we felt the whole way that we were gonna win this game," Howard said. "We just came out and did it. Teams are going to make runs. Teams are going to score. Teams are going to take leads. You can never give up on a game, doesn't matter if you're up 20 or down 20."

With Nelson out most of the game and shooting guard J.J. Redick playing well, Van Gundy relied on a lineup that included Redick and veteran reserve point guard Anthony Johnson for most of the second half.

After scoring in the teens in the second and third quarters, Orlando's offense revived in the fourth. The Magic shot 63 percent and scored 27 points.

Redick led the team with 17 points and Johnson scored six and had three assists. His final contribution might have been his biggest.

With the Magic leading by three points with nine seconds left in the game, Detroit tried to set up a three. Guard Ben Gordon aimed a pass at his teammate Tayshaun Prince, but Johnson got in the way.

"I'm just happy to help when my number is called," Johnson said. "We got a much needed road victory."

Knicks on life support after disastrous 21-point loss to Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS -- Call it "The Lost Weekend." And now it looks like "The Lost Season."

Following up a pitiful showing in Washington Saturday, the Knicks crashed and burned in Minnesota in worse fashion last night at Target Center.

The Knicks got blown out in the second half by the even more pitiful Wolves, 112-91, as they removed themselves from the playoff race until further notice.

After building a 15-point lead in the first quarter against the 11-38 Timberwolves, the Knicks showed no heart and gave up 63 points in the second half.

Their bench -- minus injured Al Harrington -- gave the game away as the Knicks dropped 11 games under .500, tying their 3-14 record for their lowest descent.

And the Knicks have dropped six games behind the eighth and final playoff spot. Bring on July 1.

"It's frustrating losing ground," Jared Jeffries said. "Charlotte and the Bulls are jockeying for position. We have to keep pace."

The Knicks (18-29) finished up a once-promising January at 6-9 after an 3-0 start.

Last night, they capped a miserable week that began last Sunday with a record 50-point home loss to Dallas. It also included David Lee being shut out of the All-Star Game, a heartbreaking Garden defeat to Toronto and this rock-bottom weekend -- back-to-back road stinkers against league dregs, Washington and Minnesota.

The Wizards notched a team record 24 offensive rebounds Saturday. The Timberwolves secured 16 last night and pounded the Knicks on the glass, 58-36.

There is no excuse for falling behind by as much as 23 points in the fourth quarter to Minnesota -- even if Harrington was missing for the second straight night with a swollen left knee.

It was Harrington's call to miss the last two games. Indications were the coaching staff hoped he would give what he had.

"Obviously they want me to play, but I can't stop," said Harrington, referring to pulling up on drives. "I wouldn't be effective."

Harrington is playing for a new contract and perhaps is thinking subconsciously about protecting his statistics. Ironically, Harrington said before the game, "Everybody should be hitting the panic button at this point, doing whatever it takes to get wins."

The panic button has been slammed and now a Feb. 18 trading-deadline deal is probably about clearing out more 2010 cap space -- with rumors the Knicks are trying harder then ever to ship Jeffries' long-term deal.

The Knicks got off to a great start -- grabbing a 22-7 lead, six minutes into the game -- just like last Tuesday when they rolled over the Timberwolves 15-0 at the outset and cruised to a 132-105 victory at the Garden -- the lone bright spot of the week.

But the Knicks' bench gave it all back, and their rotation is in shambles.

Nate Robinson rushed shots and missed most of them, finishing a dreadful 1 of 10 for four points, with two turnovers and one assist.

Coach Mike D'Antoni's three chief, pre-garbage-time bench guys -- Robinson, Jonathan Bender and rookie Jordan Hill -- combined to shoot 2 of 17 for six points.

Even if Harrington misses Wednesday's game vs. Milwaukee, D'Antoni said he still is not inclined to dust off Larry Hughes, who's played just two games and 15 minutes in January but was a key to their 9-6 December.

"Once we went to the bench, it seemed the energy came out of us," D'Antoni said. "We didn't get a whole lot of play from the bench and gave them hope."

Like Mike Miller did to them Saturday night, Kevin Love hurt the Knicks from inside and outside, racking up 25 points, and Al Jefferson damaged them inside with 22 points.

"We got soft on defense," Jeffries said. "They got deep post-ups, got easy layups and we fouled them too much."

After Wayne Ellington hit a 3-pointer at the shot-clock buzzer and Jefferson scored on a jump hook with 8:37 left, the Knicks called timeout and Lee showed his frustration, picking up a technical foul, throwing the ball, hitting the referee, who had turned away.

Lee denied it was intentional.

"If it was throwing it at him, it wouldn't have bounced five times," Lee said.

Time to C’s another day

It was one of the great scenes in one of the great sports movies of all time.

Toward the end of the original “The Longest Yard,” Burt Reynolds is faking an ankle injury and allowing the guards to beat up on the inmates because Eddie Albert, the evil warden, threatened him with more prison time.

Paul Crewe, the character played perfectly by Reynolds and butchered years later by Adam Sandler, is contemplating his cowardly decision when he asks the advice of Pop, the old trainer tending to his alleged injury. In an earlier scene, we learned that Pop had punched a guard and earned an extra 30 years behind bars, and now Reynolds wanted to know if that one clean shot was worth 30 years of his life?

The old man thinks for a moment, and says, “For me it was.”

An inspired Burt Reynolds laughs and says, “Then give me my damn shoe!” and leads the Mean Machine to the dramatic victory against Ray Nitschke and the rotten guards.

Was it worth it?

It is a question Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, Wyc Grousbeck and everyone else in the Celtics [team stats] organization will hear a lot in the coming years, and we can only hope they answer as promptly as the old man in the movie. Worth it? Damn right it was worth it.

Smart Celtics fans never, ever will utter the words, “You mean we could have Al Jefferson [stats] right now?”

Smart Celtics fans never will wonder what Jeff Green would have looked like in Celtic green.

Three years ago, smart Celtics fans thought they would die without ever seeing a 17th championship banner. It looked hopeless. Hell, it was hopeless, wasn’t it? To this day, the Celts’ most recent title seems surreal and unimaginable, like Charlie Bucket finding the Golden Ticket.

In the summer of 2007, Ainge took a wrecking ball to the NBA’s most storied franchise, and he did it with one goal in mind: Win a title. To be more precise: Win a title before it all breaks down.

From the moment Kevin Garnett joined Ray Allen, Paul Pierce [stats] and Rivers for the famous Duckboat ride in August of ’07, everyone understood the clock was ticking and the window was closing. The core members of the Celtics were hungry and determined; none even had played in the NBA Finals before they joined forces, but they already had more miles on them than Melanie Griffith.

The title came in Year 1 for the new Big Three, and it was a good thing because it started unraveling just as quickly. You want an exact time and place? Feb. 19 in Utah. Garnett landed awkwardly, and the defending champs began their slow, steady descent from the throne. They started the year 27-2. They finished it with a Game 7 home loss to Orlando.

In the offseason, the Celtics signed free agent Rasheed Wallace and insisted Garnett was healed. They started hot again, beating Orlando on Christmas to move to 23-5, but soon we could see it was just an illusion. A new decade brought a new reality. They are 6-11 since Christmas. The Celts now trail Cleveland, Orlando and Atlanta in the East, and it’s hard to imagine them beating any of the three in the playoffs without home-court advantage.

On Thursday night in Orlando, Fla., the Celtics lost to the Magic when Rashard Lewis drove past Garnett for a layup with 1.3 seconds left. Garnett did not deny Lewis the baseline. Wallace did not bother to help. Even Lewis seemed surprised with how easily he got to the rim.

Two nights later, the cocky young Hawks completed a four-game sweep of the Celtics this season.

Finally, Sunday afternoon, the Celtics [team stats] blew an 11-point lead with 9:17 remaining and lost to the Lakers at the Garden. The Celts were 6-8 in January, and in the 14 games, they were outscored in the fourth quarter 12 times. They are running out of gas, which happens to teams that have four guys who have logged more than 30,000 minutes apiece.

And now the real problem: There is no bye week, no chance for the Celtics to rest their sore and tired legs. Even All-Star weekend won’t help; Garnett and Pierce (along with Rajon Rondo [stats]) will suit up for the East.

The Celtics have played 46 games this season. They have 36 to go, and then the playoffs. They look old and banged-up now. How exactly are they supposed to get young and spunky while grinding out the last three months of the season?

Answer: They can’t. They won’t. Not this time. They’ve had a nice run, but now it looks more like a limp.

When his team takes the field each week, Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell tells his players to be the hunter not the hunted. There is no doubt about these Celtics: They were the hunters for a while, but no more. They are the hunted now, and the rest of the league is moving in for the kill.

It had to happen sometime. Ainge put this team together for a good time not a long time, and now that time has passed. The window is just about closed. Time for Danny to blow it up and start over again.

Reformation project

WASHINGTON - For much of last night, the Celtics [team stats] were looking like the health-care reform bill - a good idea on paper months ago at the start, but barely recognizable in the present form.

Finally, however, the Celtics had a fourth-quarter flashback and realized what they were in the nation’s capital to do (fill in your own line about our elected officials). Playing best when it mattered most, the Celts put the Wizards in a vise and squeezed out a 99-88 victory.

“Tonight’s game was much needed,” said Kevin Garnett, who provided a team-high 19 points. “Damn near do-or-die, if you want.”

The Celtics were coming off losses to Orlando, Atlanta and the Lakers, and their followers have been doing swan dives off the bandwagon. Last night, they were able to exhale.

“When you lose three, you need any kind of win you can get,” said captain Paul Pierce [stats], who sat out the last quarter with a sprained left foot.

Said Ray Allen: “When you lose a couple in a row, the next time you win is definitely a relief. It’s exorcising demons definitely for us. You get back to that feeling of winning and finishing out fourth quarters and doing some of the things that you want to do down the stretch.”

The Celtics had fallen into a problematic pattern, getting outscored in the fourth quarter 11 times in 14 January games.

Trailing by four entering the final period last night, the Celts held the Wizards to 10 points on 2-for-18 shooting (11.1 percent) the rest of the way. The visitors made half their shots and gave the ball away just once.

“Honestly that’s what we haven’t done,” coach Doc Rivers said. “Our offense has been sketchy in the fourth and our defense has been worse. Today I thought both things came through for us. I told our guys with five minutes left. I said, ‘OK, if we don’t score again, we’ve got to win the game. Let’s just lean on our defense.’ I didn’t literally mean that, but I thought they had to focus on the defensive end.”

The focus was evident all through the lineup. Allen and Rajon Rondo [stats] put up 17 points apiece, and Rasheed Wallace and Tony Allen came off the bench for 14 and 10 points, respectively. Tony Allen switched onto Caron Butler in the last quarter and delivered the kind of defensive performance that had the Celts thinking it was all right to let James Posey walk before last season.

“(Tony Allen’s) defense was terrific, and we really needed it obviously,” Rivers said.

Glen Davis got into the act in the fourth. Davis fed Tony Allen for a dunk two minutes in to break the scoring ice and, after Wallace followed two Nick Young free throws with a jumper, found Ray Allen for an open 3-pointer that gave the C’s their first lead since early in the second.

The defense held the Wizards without a field goal for the game’s last 3:43 (0-for-5 shooting with two turnovers), while the offense produced 12 of the game’s last 14 points.

After four games in five days, the Celtics went home happy. Sort of.

“Looking back on the three losses,” said Rivers, “three of them came down to a couple of possessions. You know, you have a couple of (successful) possessions and we’re probably 3-1 in these last four. Instead we’re 1-3 and the sky’s falling - and it really isn’t.”

Signs point to improved Kevin Garnett

WASHINGTON - When Kevin Garnett dunked with 22.2 seconds left, it was a small step for a Celtic - but a giant leap up the ladder of legends.

The points were Garnett’s 18th and 19th of the night, giving him 21,792 for his career. That moved him to 24th on the NBA’s all-time list, one ahead of Larry Bird.

The milestone was largely lost in the aftermath of the Celts’ 99-88 triumph against the Wizards last night and in the re-examination of Garnett’s health.

There is word he is dealing with a slight groin problem in addition to the shin splints and general discomfort as he comes back from offseason surgery on his right knee.

After this one, he finally let on that he’s working through some issues. But this was a good outing, with Garnett hitting 8-of-9 shots in 31:34 and being noticeably more assertive on offense.

“It felt good, man,” he said. “It felt good to win. I’m out here playing just like anybody else is playing. Everybody’s beat up. I’m no different from that. Hell, P (Paul Pierce [stats]) is no different from that. Ray (Allen), Rajon (Rondo), everybody’s dealing with something.

“At the end of the day I’m not going to point at that as anything. My grit and my effort is going to stand for me or is going to be pointed out at the end of the day. We’ve just got to be consistent with what we’re doing.”

Garnett continued to try to turn the conversation to the team, but it was noted that if he plays to his capabilities it helps the overall effort greatly.

“You see me every day,” he replied. “You deal with me every day. I see me. I know what’s going on with myself. I can always get myself ready when I’m asked to, to be a certain level. Some nights it’s more difficult than others, but I worry about other guys on this team and I make sure that collectively we’re ready to go out and display great basketball. Sometimes that’s a task within itself. But it’s my role on this team. I never worry about myself.”

Danny Ainge laughs off rumors

WASHINGTON - For what it’s worth, Danny Ainge seemed genuinely perplexed yesterday at further reports the Celtics [team stats] are trying to trade Ray Allen.

The general manager laughed at a couple of the rumors and was trying to understand how some that have been knocked down from both sides continue to get play.

Ainge repeatedly has put off questions about the coming offseason and how much change there could be in the C’s roster, but he was pointed with regard to the current campaign.

“Let me just put it this way: We’re doing everything we can to win a championship now,” Ainge said. “We’re not going to do anything that might hurt our chances of winning.

“There’s no question we need to play better, but we’re not going to panic.”

There is no question the Celtics players don’t seem as sure of themselves after squandering leads in recent losses to good teams, but they are quick to point out they haven’t had their full rotation together this season.

Barring any further injuries, that could be accomplished if, as the Celts hope, Marquis Daniels makes it back next week from left thumb surgery.

With the trade deadline Feb. 18, the Celts still are checking out the marketplace to see what might become available. They do have an available roster spot and are seeing if anyone of value gets bought out or placed on the trading block.

According to one opposing general manager who has spoken with the Celts recently, “I’m pretty sure they’re going to be looking at a lot of things in the summer, but for now Danny doesn’t want to do anything that doesn’t make them better right away.”

Pierce forced to sit

Paul Pierce [stats] tried to play through an early left foot injury, but by the last quarter he was resting on the pine as the Celts closed out a 99-88 win against the Wizards. He suffered the injury in the first quarter and came out with 2:01 left.

“It just rolled over when Caron (Butler) landed on it,” he said. “I think I’ve got a mild foot sprain. I’ll check it out (today), get an X-ray.”

Pierce finished the night with 12 points in 28 minutes, but it didn’t help that he had a hard collision with Butler at the end of the first half, banging knees.

“I thought we were playing football for a minute,” he cracked.

Coach Doc Rivers eventually decided to pull Pierce late in the third quarter.

“I just didn’t want him to take a chance,” Rivers said. “I shouldn’t have even played him in the second half, in my opinion. I think I messed that one up. He wasn’t playing bad; I just don’t think he was moving well enough. And why take a chance? That’s the way I looked at it. It’s nothing bad, but I just sat him.”

He’s got a shot

Former Boston College star - and perhaps budding reporter - Jared Dudley of the Suns tweeted yesterday that he’s heard Pierce will be in the NBA’s 3-point shootout on All-Star Saturday in Dallas.

Pierce said last night he’s received no official word from the league, but he’s made no secret that he wants to participate.

Said one Celts type, “He’s (third in) the league in 3-point shooting and he’s on the All-Star team, so it kind of makes sense.”

Pierce entered last night’s game shooting 46.6 percent on treys. . . .

One Celtics [team stats] All-Star issue was solved with Sunday’s loss to the Lakers. That clinched a quick break for Rivers, who was in line to head the Eastern Conference.

Stan Van Gundy got the job when the Magic beat Detroit Sunday night. Had Orlando lost, Atlanta’s coaching staff would have gone. (Cleveland had the best record in the East, but Mike Brown couldn’t go in consecutive years.)

Rivers plans to spend the time in Orlando with his family. He will head to Florida after the Celts play in New Orleans next Wednesday and rejoin the team for practice in Sacramento the following Monday.

“That is vacation for me,” Rivers said. “I’m just going home, so that’s good. Very good.”

Kobe Bryant sets mark in LA loss

Kobe Bryant had 44 points and passed Jerry West for the top spot on the Los Angeles Lakers’ career scoring list, but it wasn’t enough as the Grizzlies got 22 points and 17 rebounds from Zach Randolph in a 95-93 victory last night in Memphis, Tenn.

Rudy Gay led Memphis with 25 points, including a key 3-pointer with 29.5 seconds left.

Ron Artest’s 3-point attempt from the right side bounced high off the rim as the horn sounded, ending the Lakers’ four-game winning streak.

Bryant passed West’s mark on a breakaway dunk in the third quarter. Bryant made 16-of-28 shots, including 4-of-7 outside the arc. Artest added 18 points, and Pau Gasol had 10 points.

Lester Hudson had 13 points for Memphis, and Marc Gasol finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Suns 109, Hornets 100 - Amare Stoudemire scored 25 points and Grant Hill hit two late key baskets to help visiting Phoenix get past New Orleans.

The Hornets played their second straight game without All-Star Chris Paul, who is out indefinitely with a left knee injury that coach Jeff Bower said could require surgery. Paul was injured on Wednesday against Golden State. He got hurt again when he collided with a camera while chasing an errant pass on Friday against Chicago.

Marcus Thornton led New Orleans with 25 points. Darren Collison, Paul’s replacement at point guard, had 16 points and 14 assists.

Bucks 97, Heat 81 - Andrew Bogut had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Carlos Delfino finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Milwaukee beat host Miami for the second time in three nights.

The Bucks pulled within two games of the slumping Heat for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.

Charlie Bell and Hakim Warrick each scored 12 for the Bucks, who outscored Miami 54-27 over the final 19 minutes of the first half.

Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 23 points, including single-handedly scoring the first 11 of the game. From there, the Heat went shockingly cold, setting season worsts by shooting 17.6 percent in the first quarter and 27.5 percent in the half.

Jazz 104, Mavericks 92 - Deron Williams had 18 points and 15 assists and Utah increased its longest winning streak of the season to six by beating Dallas in Salt Lake City.

The Jazz held the Mavericks scoreless for more than three minutes during an 11-2 run that put Utah in control in the fourth quarter and handed Dallas its first three-game losing streak of the season.

Elsewhere in the NBA - Gilbert Arenas insists he now understands that “guns and violence are serious problems, not joking matters.”

In an op-ed piece written for The Washington Post and put on the newspaper’s Web site, the suspended Washington Wizards guard pledges to be a better role model and says a “message of nonviolence will be front and center as I try to rebuild my relationship with young people in the D.C. area.”

Gilbert Arenas Posts apology

WASHINGTON - Gilbert Arenas insists he now understands that “guns and violence are serious problems, not joking matters.”

In an op-ed piece written for The Washington Post and put on the newspaper’s Web site yesterday, the suspended Washington Wizards guard pledged to be a better role model and said a “message of nonviolence will be front and center as I try to rebuild my relationship with young people in the D.C. area.”

He continued: “I know that won’t happen overnight, and that it will happen only if I show through my actions that I am truly sorry and have learned from my mistakes. If I do that, then hopefully youngsters will learn from the serious mistakes I made with guns and not make any of their own.”

Wizards coach Flip Saunders supported Arenas’ decision.

“If he wants to get active in his community and try to help out kids, then he probably needed to say something. . . . He’s got to go with what he feels in his heart,” Saunders said before last night’s game against the Celtics [team stats].

“In talking to him, I think he understands the seriousness of what he did,” Saunders said. “He’s trying to let people know - kids, especially - that he had done something wrong and try to take what was really a negative and try to somehow have a positive impact.”

Arenas pleaded guilty Jan. 15 to a felony charge of carrying a pistol without a license. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 26.

Last week, Arenas was suspended without pay for the rest of the season by NBA commissioner David Stern for bringing guns into the Wizards locker room as part of a dispute with teammate Javaris Crittenton stemming from a card game. Crittenton also brought a gun to the locker room - and he also was handed a season-ending suspension by Stern.

Bryant set to pass West, join elite NBA scoring company

Who was the best team in the month of January?

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets had the best records, each going 12-3. The Charlotte Bobcats (12-4), Los Angeles Lakers (12-5) and New Orleans Hornets (12-5) each piled up the wins as well. But statistically, none of them was the best team.

The Oklahoma City Thunder were the best defensive team of the month, allowing just 97.7 points per 100 possessions. The Portland Trail Blazers were the best offensive team, scoring 111.0 points per 100 possessions. But overall, neither was at the top of the list.

That spot belonged to the Utah Jazz, who went 10-4 in January and outscored their opponents by 9.5 points per 100 possessions, the best differential of the month.

The Jazz ranked second offensively (109.9) and fourth defensively (100.4) in January. And they didn't do it against a light schedule. Eleven of their 14 opponents currently have a winning record.

When the month started, the Jazz were tied with the Thunder for eighth place in the West. When it ended, they were all alone in fourth.

Of course, if they want to stay there, Utah has to keep playing at a high level. Four of its next five games are against the Mavs, Blazers, Nuggets and Lakers. Fortunately for the Jazz, all four are at home, where they have won seven straight.

• Last Week: Cavs make another statement

Hero Team of the Week: Chicago (3-0) - Finished their trip strong, with wins in San Antonio, Oklahoma City and New Orleans.
Zero Team of the Week: L.A. Clippers (0-4) - Lost to the Nets and Timberwolves in the span of three days.

High jumps of the week: Chicago (+4), Oklahoma City (+4), Utah (+4), Washington (+4)
Free falls of the week: Boston (-4), Houston (-4), Phoenix (-4)

East vs. West: The West is 158-121 (0.566) in inter-conference games, but the East was 12-10 this week.

Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)
Off: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Def: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
The league averages through Sunday are 95.3 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 104.1 points scored per 100 possessions.

NBA.com's Power Rankings are just one man's opinion and are released every Monday during the season. If you've got an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail. You can also follow him on twitter.


TEAM (LAST WEEK) REC. BREAKDOWN
1 Cleveland (1) 38-11 Pace: 93.3 (27), Off: 108.1 (5), Def: 99.9 (5)
The Cavs have won eight straight and just began a stretch of seven straight games at home, where they've won 17 of their last 18. Daniel Gibson is averaging 13.0 points and shooting 47 percent from 3-point range in five games as a starter.
2 L.A. Lakers (2) 37-11 Pace: 96.2 (7), Off: 106.5 (9), Def: 99.3 (2)
Kobe Bryant hit another game-winner, and the Lakers are now 5-2 on their eight-game trip, with their defense improving over the last three games. The trip ends Monday in Memphis, when Bryant (points) and Phil Jackson (wins) can both set franchise records.
3 Denver (3) 32-15 Pace: 97.7 (5), Off: 108.9 (3), Def: 103.4 (13)
A season-high 23 turnovers in Oklahoma City on Friday resulted in the Nuggets' worst offensive game of the season and an end to their eight-game winning streak. But they recovered for a big win in San Antonio on Sunday and are now 6-3 without Carmelo Anthony.
4 Orlando (7) 32-16 Pace: 95.0 (15), Off: 106.7 (8), Def: 99.8 (4)
The Magic won the Atlanta-Boston-Orlando round-robin this week, have won six of their last seven and made basketball writers happy by sending the ever-quotable Stan Van Gundy to the All-Star Game. But they've still got issues with their starting backcourt.
5 Utah (9) 28-18 Pace: 95.4 (14), Off: 106.0 (12), Def: 102.2 (10)
Shooting 53 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range, the Jazz have won nine of their last 10. Six of the wins were over teams with winning records and another (Friday over the Kings) coming without both Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams.
6 Atlanta (5) 30-16 Pace: 93.5 (26), Off: 108.4 (4), Def: 103.5 (14)
Sometimes, it's about matchups. The Hawks completed a season sweep of the Celtics on Friday, but lost their sixth straight game to the Magic on Saturday. They've shot just 39 percent in three games against Orlando this season with one more to go.
7 Oklahoma City (11) 26-21 Pace: 94.9 (17), Off: 102.9 (19), Def: 100.2 (6)
It was against the Warriors (there's a Golden State Conversion Rate for scoring), but Kevin Durant was ridiculous on Sunday: 45 points on 16-for-21 shooting as the Thunder shot better than 50 percent as a team for the second straight game.
8 Boston (4) 29-16 Pace: 93.9 (22), Off: 105.3 (13), Def: 98.7 (1)
The Celtics' offense has been pretty bad (101.6 rating) as they've gone 6-11 since Christmas. And how Kevin Garnett looked on Rashard Lewis' game-winning layup on Thursday was not a good sign for their defense. They get the Magic again on Sunday.
9 Dallas (6) 30-17 Pace: 94.1 (21), Off: 106.4 (10), Def: 102.3 (11)
The Mavs haven't lost three straight all season, but after blowing games to the Suns and Blazers, they visit the red hot Jazz on Monday. They continue to struggle defensively, allowing each of their last three opponents to shoot 53 percent or better.
10 Memphis (10) 25-21 Pace: 95.9 (9), Off: 106.4 (11), Def: 107.5 (25)
Blowing a 21-point lead to the CP3-less Hornets is not the way you want an 11-game home winning streak to end, especially when you've got a back-to-back against the Lakers and Cavs coming up. Rudy Gay has shot just 34 percent in the last four games.

TEAM (LAST WEEK) REC. BREAKDOWN
11 Portland (8) 28-21 Pace: 90.0 (30), Off: 107.7 (6), Def: 104.5 (17)
After dropping three straight, the Blazers needed Saturday's overtime win in Dallas, and they needed every one of Andre Miller's 52 points to get it. Their defense has allowed opponents to shoot 50 percent in the nine games Brandon Roy has missed.
12 San Antonio (12) 27-19 Pace: 93.7 (24), Off: 107.1 (7), Def: 102.1 (9)
At 8-8, the Spurs were unable to take advantage of a home-heavy month. It was just the third time in Tim Duncan's career that they didn't have a winning record in January. Now, with Tony Parker out with a sprained ankle, they head out for the eight-game rodeo trip.
13 Toronto (15) 26-22 Pace: 95.5 (11), Off: 108.9 (2), Def: 109.3 (30)
The Raptors have won five straight and are now 17-9 with Jarrett Jack in the starting lineup. Better yet, they get to face the Pacers, who just allowed them to shoot 60 percent, again in Indiana on Tuesday. Then they play the Nets, Kings and Sixers.
14 Charlotte (17) 24-22 Pace: 93.6 (25), Off: 100.6 (25), Def: 99.3 (3)
The Bobcats finished January with three straight road wins. They were the ninth-best offensive team for the month after an ugly start to the season. They finish their six-game trip with visits to the Blazers and Lakers this week.
15 New Orleans (18) 26-21 Pace: 94.3 (20), Off: 104.8 (14), Def: 105.4 (19)
Darren Collison was terrific (17 points, 18 assists) in Saturday's win in Memphis, but he might not be able to keep that up for a month or more, which is how long Chris Paul is reportedly out after injuring his knee. The Hornets' playoff chances just took a hit.
16 Chicago (20) 23-22 Pace: 95.5 (12), Off: 99.0 (27), Def: 101.2 (7)
The Bulls finished their road trip with five straight impressive wins and are 13-5 since Christmas. Derrick Rose earned his All-Star selection with that stretch, but defense has been the key, as they've held their opponents to just 42 percent shooting.
17 Phoenix (13) 28-21 Pace: 98.7 (3), Off: 111.3 (1), Def: 108.5 (29)
The Suns have won two straight, but they have the same record as they had after 49 games last season, when Terry Porter was two games from being fired. Statistically, they're the same (+2.8 points per 100 possessions) too, though not as good defensively.
18 Houston (14) 25-22 Pace: 95.5 (13), Off: 103.7 (16), Def: 104.4 (15)
The Rockets have lost four of their last five (all at home), as well as their spot among the West's top eight. Their defense suffered a greater drop-off as they went 5-9 in January, but they shot 40 percent or lower in three of the four losses in the last nine days.
19 Miami (16) 24-23 Pace: 93.1 (28), Off: 104.7 (15), Def: 102.7 (12)
Though they have have fallen to eighth in the East standings, the Heat have a three-game cushion over the Bucks. But they lost in Milwaukee on Saturday, play the Bucks again Monday, and then play eight of nine on the road, starting with the Celtics and Cavs.
20 Milwaukee (22) 20-25 Pace: 95.6 (10), Off: 101.1 (24), Def: 102.1 (8)
Finishing the month off with two straight wins, the Bucks went 8-7 in January. It was their best offensive month of the season thus far, in part because they've cut down on turnovers. They averaged just 12.3 per game this month, down from 14.0 in the first two months.

TEAM (LAST WEEK) REC. BREAKDOWN
21 New York (21) 18-29 Pace: 96.2 (8), Off: 103.6 (17), Def: 106.4 (21)
The Knicks' nine losses in their last 12 games made it an even better month for the Jazz, who hold New York's first round pick this June. David Lee had 10 double-doubles in that stretch, but his team was outrebounded by almost eight boards per game.
22 L.A. Clippers (19) 20-27 Pace: 94.5 (19), Off: 101.4 (23), Def: 104.5 (18)
When you let the Nets shoot a season-high 53 percent, you've got problems with your defense. When you shoot 41 percent against the Timberwolves' defense, you've got problems with your offense. Combine the two and you've got a really bad week.
23 Washington (27) 16-30 Pace: 95.0 (16), Off: 102.3 (22), Def: 106.5 (22)
The Wizards learned the duration of Gilbert Arenas' suspension on Wednesday, giving them some closure on that situation, but closure on trade rumors won't come for another 17 days. At least they were able to escape New Jersey with a win on Friday.
24 Indiana (24) 16-32 Pace: 100.0 (2), Off: 98.6 (28), Def: 104.5 (16)
In the Pacers' current three-game losing streak, they've been outrebounded by 55 and have attempted 51 fewer free throws than their opponents. Troy Murphy has shot 16-for-29 from the field, but is a sobering minus-73 over the three games.
25 Philadelphia (23) 16-31 Pace: 93.7 (23), Off: 102.9 (20), Def: 106.0 (20)
Their three wins are by a total of 10 points, but the Sixers haven't lost to the Nets yet. They managed to win Sunday's game in New Jersey while shooting 36 percent from the field and 62 percent from the line. Friday's loss to the Lakers was more impressive.
26 Sacramento (28) 16-30 Pace: 97.3 (6), Off: 102.6 (21), Def: 107.3 (24)
The Kings are probably glad to turn the calendar, as only the Nets had a worse record -- or were worse offensively -- in January. Their February schedule is a little easier, but not until after they start the month with games against the Nuggets, Spurs and Suns.
27 Minnesota (29) 11-38 Pace: 98.6 (4), Off: 97.9 (29), Def: 107.6 (27)
The Timberwolves have won two straight, playing well offensively. Al Jefferson and Kevin Love combined for 47 points and 22 boards in Sunday's win over the Knicks, but four other guys scored at least 20 points over the two games. That's balance.
28 Detroit (25) 15-31 Pace: 90.9 (29), Off: 99.6 (26), Def: 106.7 (23)
The Pistons haven't cracked 100 points in regulation in their last 23 games. They've lost five straight and have shot 20 percent from 3-point range over the last seven. They got Ben Gordon back again on Friday, but he scored just five points in 25 minutes on Sunday.
29 Golden State (26) 13-33 Pace: 103.0 (1), Off: 103.5 (18), Def: 108.0 (28)
Grabbing less than 45 percent of available boards, the Warriors are the worst rebounding team of the last 20 years. The last team that was worse on the boards? The 1989-90 Warriors, coached by Don Nelson and featuring Run-TMC.
30 New Jersey (30) 4-42 Pace: 94.6 (18), Off: 94.8 (30), Def: 107.5 (26)
The Nets got win No. 4 over the Clippers on Wednesday, but faltered down the stretch against the Wizards and Sixers. It's been their best three-game defensive stretch since Lawrence Frank was fired, but the opponents have a lot to do with that.

Futures of Arenas, Wizards still up for grabs

0201arenas608.jpg
A contract buyout isn't out of the realm of possibilities for Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards.

The dust, being dust, finds all kinds of uncomfortable places to settle. In the eyes, in the heart, in the guts, where the Washington Wizards will have one of the toughest decisions any organization has ever had to face this summer:

How do you solve a problem like Arenas?

How do you catch a now-admitted felon and pin him down?

How do you find a word that means Arenas?

A passer of sorts? A will of his own? A clown!

Oh, how do you solve a problem like Arenas?

How do you keep a goofball on your cap?

Last week's announcement of a season-long suspension by the NBA for both Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton did nothing but kick the can down the road a piece for Washington.

No matter what else happens the rest of yet another desultory season, the Wizards will still have to deal with the question of Arenas. There's his $80.1 million remaining salary, the supposed insurmountable ill will between the team's former franchise player and his employers (more on that later), a fan base that is split more or less down the middle on bringing Arenas back for the 2010-11 season and, finally, a team vacillating daily between blowing up its underachieving bunch, sending it off piecemeal or keeping most of this bunch together.

If Washington could get a steady diet of Gotham teams, as it had this weekend in wins over the Nets and Knicks, a turnaround in the horrible East might still be possible. But barring the emergence of primates from body orifices, the Wizards are looking at yet another date in Secaucus, with the question of what to do about Arenas front and center.

There are four choices, none good:

1) Bring Arenas back next season.

2) Try to find someone that will trade for him.

3) Work out a buyout with him, allowing him to become a free agent -- though he'd remain on the team's books for four cap-killing years.

4) Try to void the rest of his contract -- which, if successful, would give Washington a chance to get under the cap next summer after having a $78 million payroll this season.

Right now, from what is whispered around the nation's capital, the Wiz are looking hardest at Nos. 3 and 4.

Would it be hard in the extreme to bring him back next season? Absolutely. Explaining that Arenas was, again, the face of the franchise after all that has transpired and all that has been discovered since the initial disclosure of the incident with Crittenton would be next to an impossible sale. Selling Arenas as the leader of a locker room that has tired of his act would require UN-type diplomacy.

Arenas has told his media confidantes that he can't play for team president Ernie Grunfeld anymore. But ... who cares what Arenas thinks of Grunfeld? Is Grunfeld the coach?

I'm fairly certain that Michael Jordan didn't care for Jerry Krause. It seemed to work out.

Last time I checked, Grunfeld was the one who had OK'd $170 million guaranteed for Arenas since 2004 -- including $111 million when Arenas was coming off of microfracture surgery in 2008 -- and has gotten exactly one second-round series out of his franchise player. Until last Christmas, what exactly had this franchise done to Arenas other than let him get away with everything -- rehab on his own, play when he wanted, given him the rights and privileges of a great player even though he hadn't been great for more than two years?

So, after what he's put the Wizards through, a comeback at Verizon Center almost certainly isn't in the cards.

So, is there a trade out there? The Wizards have three trade goals: immediate tax relief for next year, young players and/or cash and Draft picks. The only team that can provide immediate tax relief is Houston, if it sends Tracy McGrady to Washington for Caron Butler and a couple of spare contracts like those of guard Mike James -- and it's more likely Washington would hold out for the Rockets taking DeShawn Stevenson instead of James. A Washington-Houston deal is a possibility, but the Rockets will have other options as well.

Further complicating a potential deal for Arenas is the uncertainty of what will constitute a maximum contract under the new collective bargaining rules. Currently, player maximums are dependent on how many years the player has been in the league, and run from 25 to 35 percent of the team's cap total. That figure is sure to be opposed vehemently by owners, who will seek significant reductions in player maximums. But players with existing contracts, like Arenas, will be grandfathered in. In a new CBA with a lower cap and maximums, a player with a deal similar to Arenas' could take up a prohibitively large chunk of a team's cap room.

At any rate, no one is going to be interested in Arenas until it's clear he won't miss part of next season while he's in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for March 26, and it's hard to imagine he'd want any delay in the jail term, since a six-month sentence would get him out of prison just in time for training camp. And the Wizards, along with others around the league, think there could still be a few teams interested in dealing for Arenas.

Consider:

He will be 28 on opening day next season.

He will be three years removed from his microfracture surgery in November, 2007, and two years removed from his third and final knee surgery in 2008.

We won't know what an unrestricted free agent will cost next season until the final cap number comes in in July, but by way of comparison, the three-year extension the Cavaliers have had on the table for LeBron James since last summer (which he has, so far, turned down) is for $65 million. Kobe Bryant can get a three-year extension for more than $90 million from the Lakers starting in 2011. Arenas, obviously, is not in James' or Bryant's class. The point is that teams will have to clear that kind of money in order to even make a run at James or Bosh or Wade, and every team isn't going to get that summer of 2010 superstar. Some teams will have to move to Plan B.

Such as (odds of a deal, in my view, in parenthesis):

Miami (100-1): I don't believe the Heat has any interest in Arenas at the moment. I doubt Miami will have any interest in Arenas this summer. But Riles is playing big-time poker with his franchise player, Dwyane Wade. I've never known Riles to have cap room burning a hole in his pocket without finding someone worthy on which to use it. But if he strikes out on LeBron, Bosh or any of the blue chippers, Wade is going to skip his loo right on back to his hometown of Chicago. And that would leave Miami with a big, empty building, one that the Heat has had increasing trouble filling since the championship season of 2006.

That season, the Heat was fourth in the NBA in attendance.

The next season, Miami was fifth.

The next season, Miami was eighth.

The next season, Miami was 15th.

The next season -- this one -- Miami is 12th.

Sense a trend?

It's much more likely Miami would wait for the Wizards to buy Arenas out before making a move if they ever become interested. And it's much more likely Miami isn't going to ever be interested. But stranger things have happened. And that's a big arena.

Golden State (30-1): The Warriors made a run at Arenas in 2008 after losing Baron Davis to the Clippers, offering him $100 million. But since then, Golden State has given Monta Ellis $66 million and drafted Stephen Curry in the first round of last year's draft. The Warriors no longer have the need, nor the money, to go after Arenas.

Except, despite the Warriors' frequent denials -- including one to me on Friday -- many around the league still don't believe that Ellis is completely off the trade block. One executive of a team that has had discussions with Golden State about potential deals says that the Warriors have put only three players -- Curry, Anthony Randolph and Anthony Morrow -- on trade ice.

I don't think the Warriors are shopping Ellis, but that doesn't mean they might not be persuaded. If the Wizards and Warriors got serious, Washington would have to take Corey Maggette's massive (three years and $30.8 million remaining after this season) contract, and probably one other tax-busting deal (perhaps Vlad Radmonovic's $6.8 million for next season) to get Golden State to even think about taking on Arenas.

Orlando (25-1): The Magic has a championship-caliber team and would certainly be skeptical about bringing in a volatile player like Arenas. On the other hand, general manager Otis Smith's affection for and strong relationship with Arenas is no secret; the two got together when the Magic visited Washington in early January. That doesn't mean Smith is going to make a move for Arenas, but if anyone is likely to be able to reach him, it would be the no-nonsense, quiet Smith.

A deal with Washington would have to include Vince Carter (two years and $35.8 million left after this season). I know that the Wizards do not consider taking on Carter's salary an impediment if Orlando was willing, especially because only $4 million of the $18.3 million due Carter in 2011-12 is guaranteed. That means Carter might only play next season for any prospective employer, and that employer would be on the hook for only $21.5 million. If Orlando flames out in the playoffs, and Carter doesn't make people forget Hedo Turkoglu, and the Wizards were willing to ease the Magic's luxury tax pain by taking on another big contract (Brandon Bass, anyone?), well, consider the coffee pot heated.

Philadelphia (25-1): Do Arenas and Eddie Jordan like each other? Not very much. But Arenas became a star playing Jordan's Princeton offense, and Jordan made the playoffs three straight seasons letting Gil be Gil, and last time I checked, the Sixers were struggling to adjust to Jordan's sets and were ADBL (Almost Dead Bleeping Last) in the East. Are you telling me Philly would have no interest in ridding itself of, say, Elton Brand's deal? Or Samuel Dalembert's? The Wizards aren't big Dalembert fans, but beggars can't be choosers.

New York (25-1): There's much more chance the Knicks would make a play for Arenas than, say, Amar'e Stoudemire. (The antipathy between STAT and Mike D'Antoni was thick by D'Antoni's last season in Phoenix, and nothing I've heard suggests it has dissipated on either side.) If the Knicks whiff on the A-listers, they will have to find someone to appease the angry masses, sportswriters and cab drivers that will be demanding action. And New York has enough 2010 contract chattel, including Eddy Curry and Jared Jefferies, to send Washington's way without having to give up any of its youngsters -- though Washington would certainly ask for one of them.

Yet, as noted above, a buyout is much more likely than a trade.

There have been a lot of buyouts over the last 10 years or so, from Alonzo Mourning to Stephon Marbury, but the situation that most reminds me of what Washington faces with Arenas is Portland, and Shawn Kemp, in 2002.

The Blazers owed Kemp $46.5 million in the final two years of his seven-year, $107 million contract. But Kemp had left the team the year before to check into a rehab clinic for cocaine abuse, and had been suspended by the league for not complying with his after-care program in February of 2002, and was out of shape when he returned. Portland wanted to sever ties. The Blazers broached the idea to Kemp's representatives at the end of the season, and it took three months of negotiations, but Kemp finally agreed in August of '02 to take about $30 million of what he was owed -- a little less than two-thirds of his contract -- and was waived. He then played one season with the Magic -- making a little more than $1 million -- before basically retiring from the NBA in 2003.

The issue isn't which is worse -- substance abuse or bringing guns to the workplace -- but how similar the existing circumstances were in creating an atmosphere where it was both in the team's and the player's best interests to make a deal. That's where we are now with the Wizards and Arenas.

If the Wizards ultimately can get Arenas to agree to a buyout, it would save the team millions in luxury tax payments the next four years. But Arenas would not come off of the team's cap. Under the rules, Washington can work out a lower cap number for Arenas, but it can't, say, pay him $40 million in a buyout for next season and then have him come off the cap for 2011. He'll remain on the team's cap for four more years -- even with a buyout, and a reduced number -- unless he's traded. Or, if the contract is voided.

That last option has gotten a lot of play, but perhaps in inverse proportion to its likelihood. For reasons I've explained several times, the language in the Collective Bargaining Agreement and recent legal history will make it extremely difficult for Washington to make a successful argument to void Arenas' contract. The Wizards have not contacted league attorneys about the various complexities that would be involved, and those who would know in the organization say that voiding has not been broached yet as a serious possibility. (I can also tell you that it isn't an idea yet supported by Lincoln Holdings, Ted Leonsis' group that already owns 44 percent of the team and is seeking to gain a majority share from the estate of the team's late owner, Abe Pollin.)

That's it. That's the list of options.

"We're a better team with him," Antawn Jamison told me last month.

They might have been. But this group is on its last legs, and Agent Zero is on his way out.

Dribbles

A few days ago, the Lakers were happy to see President Obama, but they weren't very happy about how they were playing.

"I think we got a little overconfident," Lamar Odom said.

"I think the road is good," Phil Jackson said. "I think we got stagnant, I think, at home a little bit. We didn't do as well at home as we'd like. We'd like to have a loss or two, and we had more than that."

The Lakers started their eight-game eastern road swing by losing two of three in Cleveland and Toronto, but they righted things with wins at Washington, Indiana, Philadelphia and Boston -- where Kobe Bryant dropped the hammer on Boston with a ridiculously tough game-winner over Ray Allen Sunday. They have a chance to end the trip 6-2 with a win Monday night in Memphis. Whether they played harder, as Ron Artest said they had to do, or not, they got things straightened out -- leaving the Celtics, who've dropped three in a row heading into Monday's game at Washington, to figure out why their energy level has dropped so dramatically in the last few games.

L.A. is back on top in the Western Conference by a comfortable margin -- and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs is a key to the Lakers' chances of repeating. But the Lakers have lost twice to Cleveland, once to Orlando and once to Denver -- the only teams, at the moment, who have a realistic chance against them in the postseason.

"We have to understand that we're no longer the hunter," Odom said. "Now we're the hunted. We just have to recognize that and play with a certain type of, I wouldn't call it urgency. I guess we have to carry ourselves a certain way in this position. I think if we do that, with the talent we have, even the games that we play ugly, we'll find a way to win."

Top O' the World, Ma!

(Last week's ranking in brackets)

1) Cleveland [1] (38-11): Cavs home for six straight, where they're 19-3.

2) L.A. Lakers [2] (37-11): Got rolling on their long road trip.

3) Denver [3] (32-15): Nuggets don't fear anyone, including Lakers.

4) Orlando [5] (32-16): Magic seem to have gotten their sea legs back.

5) Atlanta [4] (30-16): Don't want any part of the Magic any more.

6) Boston [6] (29-16): Does KG look like KG to you? Me, neither.

7) Dallas [7] (30-17): Can Mavericks afford to hold on to Josh Howard?

8) Portland [8] (28-21): Didn't think Andre Miller could score 52 points in a week, much less a game.

9) Utah [9] (28-18): Jazz depth getting it through injuries.

10) San Antonio [10] (27-19): Home losses beginning to pile up.

11) Phoenix [11] (28-21): Stoudemire rebounding numbers plummeting.

12) New Orleans [NR] (26-21): Keep shedding players, but they're winning.

13) Toronto [14] (26-22): Raps 19-9 since early December.

14) Charlotte [NR] (24-22): Stephen Jackson has been everything he said he'd be.

15) Oklahoma City [NR] (26-21): Here's hoping more people can see Durant before April.

Team of the Week

(1/25/10-1/31/10)

Chicago (3-0): Wins at San Antonio, at Oklahoma City and at New Orleans constitute getting it done, in a week where Derrick Rose (23.7 per game this week) made the first of what will be many All-Star teams. Bulls have won five in a row overall and nine of their last 11 to get back above .500 and solidify their playoff position as the All-Star break approaches. Putting rookie Taj Gibson into the starting lineup at power forward has also paid dividends for Vinny Del Negro, who has beaten back the calls for his noggin.

Team of the Weak

Golden State (0-4): Playing just well enough to compete and lose to better teams like Charlotte, New Orleans and Oklahoma City, a pattern that's repeated itself over and over while the Warriors have dropped nine of 11 overall. I know GS is determined not to have a fire sale, but something has to give sooner or later, doesn't it?

Nobody Asked Me, But ...

Why can't Tracy McGrady play in the NBA D-League while he waits to be traded?

The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the union prohibits players with more than two seasons of NBA experience from being sent down to the NBA's Development League. Only rookies and second-year players can be assigned there, and then, they can only be sent down a total of three times a season, so obviously, the 30-year-old McGrady, in his 13th season, is currently not eligible to play for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston's affiliate.

I know all the arguments: the union doesn't want coaches to use the NBA D-League as punishment for veteran players. The union fears coaches would opt to send "knucklehead" or problem players that they feel need to be taken down a peg or two to the NBA D-League, where they could be gone for quite a long while; there's no limit to how long an assignment lasts. The NBA doesn't want its development league clogged with veterans as a de facto taxi squad, taking minutes and opportunities away from the young players that comprise the whole reason for the league's existence.

And veterans certainly don't like the idea of playing in a league many still feel is beneath them, despite the NBA D-League producing the likes of Denver's Chris Andersen, Detroit's Will Bynum, Houston's Chuck Hayes, Minnesota's Ramon Sessions and Golden State's C.J. Watson since 2001. (Not to mention my man Sundiata Gaines, in Utah. Currently, there are 70 players in the NBA with D-League experience; there have been 152 callups to the NBA over nine years.)

mcgrady300.jpg
Would a stint in Rio Grande help Tracy McGrady?
Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images

But there are, occasionally, special circumstances, such as T-Mac's. The two sides have agreed that McGrady won't play again in Houston. The Rockets are still actively looking to deal him, and he is still working out diligently in Chicago, where he trains eight days at a time with trainer Tim Grover at Grover's Attack Athletics facility. But right now, there's no one for him to play with, because everybody with pro level talent is playing in a pro league somewhere, either domestically or abroad.

Why couldn't every NBA team have a "special dispensation assignment" it could use for NBA D-League veteran use, say, once every two years, for emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances? It would allow the NBA team to send a veteran with more than two seasons of experience to the NBA D-League to get some work. I'm thinking, obviously, of veterans coming off of longterm injuries -- like, say, Portland's Travis Outlaw, who'll be out until March following foot surgery. But there is the occasional tough nut like McGrady's situation. If you want to limit the time of the assignment to two weeks or so, fine with me.

How would it hurt to give McGrady a place where he can knock off the rust that was evident in his game during his brief stint with the Rockets? How would it hurt to give McGrady a place to show what he can still do (and give Houston a showcase for him, so that prospective teams have some fresh intel on which they can make a decision)? How would it hurt McGrady's teammates in Rio Grande to have a few games playing with an NBA star, who can give them some subtle hints about the pro game and display what a player at the next level really does? How would it hurt Rio Grande's opponents to have a chance to show their "A" game for potential NBA employers?

... And Nobody Asked You, Either

As always, send your comments, questions and snark to daldridgetnt@gmail.com..

Obviously, he doesn't know my history with Caribana. From Daniel B:

It's unfortunate that you, and most U.S. media, disrespect Chris Bosh and his efforts. He leads the NBA in double doubles. [Editors' note: Bosh is second to Dwight Howard in double-doubles.] He is much more worthy than KG for the starting position. CB4 is a 20 and 10 player and should be recognized as such. Yes, he is from here in Toronto, but it's not a small market by any means. I know that if it wasn't a popularity contest and it was left up to coaches and media, then CB4 would be a starter (I mean .. Allen Iverson over Rondo?). I guess what I'm trying to say is keep in mind CB4's efforts on a team that will make the playoffs, a team who has a favourable schedule on their midst.

Daniel, did you read my column last week? I picked Bosh for my Eastern reserves. I don't pick the starters; you and other fans do. But even if I did, I'm not sure I'd pick CB over Garnett. A team's record does matter to me.

gasolbosh300.jpg
Who's more All-Star worthy: Gasol or Bosh?
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

Only the Chuckster works half the year and gets away with it. From Julius Martinez:

Pau Gasol doesn't even have his nose to the window? The Lakers easily have the best record in the tough Western Conference and have only one All-Star? OK, if that's the case ... what does that tell you about how good Kobe is that he can take his team to the best record without an All-Star and playing with numerous injuries?

Not hating on Gasol, Julius. But he's missed 18 games, and that's a huge chunk of the schedule. Just can't consider someone who's missed that much time. If he'd been healthy all year, he'd obviously be the pick. But it's not fair to Randolph and Landry to consider someone that's been on the DL that long.

I'm guessing Casual Fridays are on hold at this guy's office. From Fred Chiuppi:

...I completely agree with what Stern did and it is exactly what is necessary to avoid this from happening again...

The Players Union support should simply state: thanks for embarassing the league and our players, and be glad you still have an opportunity to play in the NBA. Lets not sugar coat it or dance around the issues. These are men, not children. Nobody's perfect and everyone makes mistakes, but these acts were deliberate and are inexcusable.

When will people start accepting responsibility and being accountable for their actions? I see these same issues in my own business and its quite disturbing that people will place blame elsewhere before looking in the mirror and confronting themselves. Arenas and Crittenton should tell the Players Union, thanks for your support but we simply accept the punishment.

The union, I think it's safe to say, is not offering full-throated support of Arenas or Crittenton, but will handle Crittenton's appeal if he asks for one.

MVP Watch

(1/18/10-1/24/10)

1) LeBron James (24.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 9.8 apg, .394 FG, .708 FT): Not the best week shooting, but dimed opponents up and Cleveland didn't miss a beat.

2) Kobe Bryant (24.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg, .500 FG, .741 FT): For a guy that couldn't grab a ball cleanly at the start of the week because of his jacked-up hand, Bryant shot the ball pretty well, and finished the week like there was nothing troubling him at all. There isn't a will like his anywhere else.

3) Dirk Nowitzki (25 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, .455 FG, .962 FT): Another All-Star appearance, this time at home, for -- we can all agree on this, right? -- the best foreign player to ever play in the NBA. I never want to minimize the impact that Drazen Petrovic and Vlade Divac had on the game when they came over, for they helped usher in a true global age of basketball. But Dirk has been so great for so long we almost take him for granted.

4) Tim Duncan (17.8 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 4 apg, .381 FG, .958 FT): No, that's not a misprint. TD made 23 of 24 free throws last week. Unfortunately, the Spurs can't seem to get anything going during their huge homestand that precedes the Rodeo Trip.

5) Kevin Durant (34.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, .593 FG, .875 FT): The Thunder from Over Yonder makes his MVP Watch debut this week; it's folly not to include someone who is beasting as thoroughly as Durant is for Oklahoma City. Everyone knows he's going to get the ball, yet he rarely forces shots, includes his teammates in the offense and is giving a good night's effort at the defensive end most of the time.

Dropped out: Carmelo Anthony

By the Numbers

12 -- Years since the Spurs had lost three straight home games.

533-- Career victories with the Lakers for Phil Jackson after Sunday's last-second win over Boston, leaving him one shy of Pat Riley as the franchise's all-time winningest coach.

$7,500,000 -- Amount that New Jersey's new governor, Chris Christie, wants the Nets to pay if they break their existing lease at the Izod Center in order to play their games the next two seasons at the Prudential Center, home of the NHL's New Jersey Devils, according to a report issued by the governor's Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Committee that was obtained by the New York Times.

I'm Feelin' ...

1) Let's just call this The Kobe Spot and be done with it.

2) First-time All-Stars Durant, D-Wil, Rondo, Rose, Wallace, Horford and Z-Bo. Congrats.

3) Of course there's some political stagecraft involved, but I still think it's cool to have a president and Veep that can just drop in unannounced to a big basketball game, and look like they're having fun there instead of waiting for the photo op to end.

4) That's a pretty good performance subbing for CP3 Saturday in Memphis -- 18 assists, the game-clinching rip of O.J. Mayo and the final flush -- Darren Collison. In leading New Orleans back from a 21-point deficit and breaking the Grizzlies' 11-game home winning streak, you broke the franchise rookie record for assists. Is it a bad time to point out that I said the Hornets should have taken Sam Young with the 21st pick in the first round last June instead of you? (And you may be starting for a while; Yahoo! Sports reported Sunday that Paul is undergoing knee surgery for a torn meniscus and will miss at least a month.)

5) Kenyon Martin, whose reputation has preceded him for years. But that's no longer fair or relevant. Martin's leadership in Denver the last couple of seasons, as evidenced by the 27 and 11 he posted Sunday in leading his team -- without the injured Carmelo Anthony -- past San Antonio.

6) Toronto's unheralded depth. The Raptors got a lot of ink for getting Hedo Turkoglu, but they've turned it around of late in part because of reserves like ex-NBA D-Leaguer Sonny Weems (shooting 57 percent as a starter replacing the injured DeMar DeRozan), veteran Antoine Wright (15 points Sunday against Indiana) and former Piston Amir Johnson (double figure scoring off the bench in three straight games).

7) Beyonce. Oh, you know why.

Not Feelin' ...

1) Someday, down at the bottom of a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue, I'll ask Mike Woodson what precipitated this.

2) I like you, Paul Shirley. But you're wrong on Haiti. Way wrong. Stupid wrong. Ignorant wrong.

3) Danny Granger's Blues. You're not forgotten. Keep ya head up.

4) You too, Al Jefferson.

5) Chris Kaman, officially Snubbed.

6) Didn't really care who won Album of the Year at the Grammys, but you were looking around for Kanye after Taylor Swift won, weren't you?

7) Are you serious, NFL? Because the word "football" is in your company's name, have you trademarked and copywritten that, too? Do I owe you $20 for just saying the word "football?" Oops, I just said "football" again! Another $20! D'oh! (Which reminds me -- did anyone watch the Pro Bowl? Anyone? Bueller?)

Tweet of the Week

But really, I'm just Glen Davis -- not uno-uno or anything else. I'd rather let my play on the court be what I am known for, not some nickname.
-- Celtics forward Glen Davis (@GlenDavisNBA), Thursday, 9:46 a.m., on his request that he no longer be called "Big Baby," his nickname for almost all of his 24 years.

Mr. Fifteen

This week's Mr. Fifteen is Lakers forward Adam Morrison. The 25-year-old Morrison is in his second season in Los Angeles after a midseason trade last year from Charlotte, the team that took him third overall in the 2006 Draft after his storied collegiate career at Gonzaga. But after playing in 78 games and averaging almost 30 minutes per game for the Bobcats his rookie season, Morrison has struggled to find significant playing time. A torn ACL ended his second season before it began, and Larry Brown didn't find much time for him through the first half of last season in Charlotte before he was dealt west -- along with Shannon Brown, who has become a signficant role player for the Lakers -- for Vladmir Radmanovic, in what the Lakers acknowledged was more a trade to lessen their luxury tax burden than to improve their talent level.

With the Lakers, it would take some kind of miracle for Morrison to find run behind Ron Artest and Luke Walton at small forward, and Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom at power forward. Morrison (2.5 points per game in 8.1 minutes per game this season) will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and will almost certainly have to go elsewhere if he wants to get on the court again.

Me: How are you holding up?

Adam Morrison: Oh, it's the best team in the world. I'm lucky to be on this team.

Me: In most places, you learn by playing and doing. On this team, can you learn through osmosis?

morrison300.jpg
Adam Morrison is averaging 8.1 mpg this season.
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

AM: A hundred percent. You know, we've got, obviously, Kobe, Ron (Artest), new addition. We've got a lot of good players, and obviously it's a championship caliber team. I learned a lot just from last year, just going through that playoff run, on how guys take care of themselves. It's a long season, that type of stuff. How they play the game.

Me: You had such a good summer in Vegas (Morrison was the star of the Lakers' Summer League team that played in the Vegas Summer League in July). What, if anything, did you think would come from that?

AM: I knew it was going to be tough to find minutes, anyway. You know, the season's only halfway through. Anything can happen. That was more for, they wanted me just to play and then show other teams that I'm healthy, can still play in a sense. So they did me a favor by giving me that opportunity. Obviously I want to play more, but I'm happy to be on this team, honestly.

Me: What's a typical day like for you? When do you get the mental reps that you need if you're not playing?

AM: One thing that Phil (Jackson) does a very good job of is he makes sure that the guys who don't play a lot of minutes, we try to play every day. We play three-on-three, two-on-two, four-on-four full court. And that, at least, keeps a rhythm, somewhat of a rhythm of playing, and you feel like you're part of the team. You're practicing. So that's where I usually try to get them. And usually some of the guys will go in and shoot the night before. Stuff like that.

Me: You said last summer that you'd lost some of your confidence. Is it still in the back of your mind, 'Hey, I was a damn good player in college; I know I can play in this league?'

AM: Yeah. I had an okay season my rookie year, and then I got hurt, obviously. So I just view it as I had a tough go. I've just got to stay confident, which I am. Certainly it would help to get some run and feel good about myself. I'm still confident, very much so.

Me: How do your teammates try to keep you involved?

AM: The guys are great. That's the best thing about being on this team. From top to bottom, you get treated pretty much the same. And all the guys are cool with each other. There's no disrespect because you don't play, or they look at you different. That's the best part about it. Like I said, you get to play in practice, go hard. That stuff's key.

Me: Can you do another year of this, or do you have to go somewhere and play?

AM: Hopefully we can win another one, so I want to be a part of that. I have no idea what's going to happen this summer. But like I said, I really am blessed to be a part of this. They helped me rehab last year, and got me right for the summer, and just to be part of this team is pretty cool.

They Said It

"I think we match up well with anybody else except this team."
-- Hawks guard Joe Johnson, after Orlando defeated Atlanta Saturday night for the third straight time this season and sixth straight time overall.

"My heart dropped."
-- Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, telling reporters in Portland his reaction when he found out that nude pictures he'd taken of himself in 2008 and sent to a lady friend had wound up on the Internet.

"I'm trying, I'm trying. Unfortunately, you can't have a hostile takeover of a basketball team."
-- Billionaire Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, according to MarketWatch.com, confirming the years old, poorly-held secret that he is interested in buying the Golden State Warriors.