SH Blog: The clock is ticking for NBA teams to get down to 15 players

Broderick Turner of the LA Times reports that it seems unlikely that Lamar Odom will be ready for the Clippers’ season opener: “Odom, who has a bone bruise in his left foot, didn’t sound as if he would be playing in that game. ‘I don’t know,’ Odom said Thursday after sitting out the Clippers’ final preseason game. ‘I want to. But I’ve got to be a mature Lamar and realize what this team is really trying to do.’ It has been almost two weeks since Odom was hurt while playing in an exhibition game in China. He hasn’t played in the Clippers’ last five games. And it didn’t help that Odom came to training camp in poor condition and overweight.”

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that the Knicks still aren’t 100 percent sure of a timetable for Amar’e Stoudemire’s return: “According to a confidant of Stoudemire, the Knicks’ ailing power forward will have his MRI exam looked at by his former orthopedist with the Suns for a second opinion. Stoudemire is not visiting Phoenix, however. Stoudemire was holed up in the treatment room Friday at the team’s Westchester campus. He hasn’t spoken to reporters in eight days — since he made his preseason debut in Montreal and reported feeling fine. The Knicks have given a timetable of at least two to three weeks, but coach Mike Woodson said Friday he really doesn’t know when Stoudemire will be back as he battles his latest injury — a ruptured cyst in the back of his left knee.” Berman also points out that this is not the knee Stoudemire had microfracture surgery on in 2005, as that was his right knee.

Here’s some extension news via Marc Stein of ESPN’s Twitter feed: “With five days left for Class of 2009, I still only expect five extensions: James Harden, Taj Gibson, Ty Lawson, Steph Curry & Jrue Holiday” … “For the record, tho, plenty of pessimism still circulating about Harden & OKC striking deal by WED cause OKC insisting on deal less than max”. There’s lots of little tidbits on Stein’s feed, so click through above for more quick comments from Stein on the names above, plus Tyreke Evans (who Stein doesn’t think will be getting an extension).

From Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News, here’s Mark Cuban on Delonte West, who was suspended Thursday for unspecified conduct detrimental to the team: “Cuban says he has not closed the door on the possible return of suspended guard Delonte West. ‘No decision has been made one way or another,’ Cuban said, adding, ‘It’s pretty much down to me making a decision.’ Earlier this evening, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said he is under a “directive” not to discuss the West situation.”

In other Mavs news, it’s looking like Eddy Curry might break camp with them. Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com writes: “Curry probably earned the right to stick on the Mavs’ roster with his effort in the 99-82 victory to wrap up the preseason. His 11-point, seven-rebound, three-block, 25-minute outing was pretty impressive considering that he just joined the Mavs in the morning after they made a waiver claim on him.  ‘I feel like I can help,’ Curry said. ‘As long as I stay healthy and do my part when called upon, I feel like I can be very productive for this team.’ The Mavs need all the help in the middle they can get at this point, as evidenced by Curry slipping right into the starting lineup.”

Possible bad news for the Pacers regarding Danny Granger’s knee injury. Here’s Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star via Twitter: “I’m not sold Granger will play the entire season after this quote “(The knee) is testing me.” ” … “More Granger: “They’re telling me the pain can’t do anything else to my knee. I’m going to have to play through the pain, but it hurts.” “

Wolves picking up rookie contract options for '13-14 on Ricky, DWill is a mere formality, but don't expect them to do it until Wed deadline

October 26, 2012 5:31 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@JerryZgoda

Jerry Zgoda

Here’s Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune on the Jazz’s financial situation: “Eight expiring contracts, plus a player option by Marvin Williams, put the Jazz in an enviable but risky situation. If this year’s collection of veterans doesn’t work out, Lindsey & Co. have the option to let them walk away and will have the money to sign multiple players to max contracts. However, if the Jazz are successful this season, they will carry a heavy burden of re-signing key players. … While Jazz executives are going through this season with an eye toward next summer, Jazz players said they can’t let it be a distraction on the floor. ‘We don’t even know who the highest-paid guy on the team is or who the lowest-paid is,’ said DeMarre Carroll, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. ‘It’s a real unselfish team, so it really stays out of the locker room and hopefully we can keep that the whole way throughout the season.’ “

Tony Williams of the Newark Star-Ledger writes that training camp signee Chris Copeland looks like a fairly safe bet to make the Knicks’ opening night roster: ” ‘He’s proven he can score. That first game against the Celtics when he had a big night [34 points], and then came back the next game and had a big game [16 points against the Sixers] was great,’ said Woodson. ‘But he still needs work defensively and in rebounding. Overall, though, I think he’s getting better. … He plays hard — all the rookies play hard — and puts himself in a good situation.’ If Copeland is to put himself in an even better situation, like a regular contributor or even as a part-time starter while Amar’e Stoudemire recovers from his knee cyst, the rookie will need to improve his strength, particularly on the boards. His 2.8 rebounds in 24.8 minutes of action per game this preseason is unacceptable.”

Finally, here’s an awesome article by Scott McCartney of the Wall Street Journal on how NBA teams fly from city to city: “Delta takes eight of its Airbus A319 jets out of regular passenger service in October and installs special interiors designed by the NBA. Instead of 126 seats, there are only 54. The plane is segregated into three cabins—the front for players, with 16 seats that fold out into beds for 7-footers, 10 seats in the middle for coaches and 28 in the rear for team staff, security and beat reporters. Even the seats in the rear have more space than normal domestic first-class seats.” … “The airline keeps a profile on each team—preferences down to the head coach’s favorite drink, snack and superstitions. Some teams want a big-screen TV on board for playing video games. Some want a buffet laid out before departure. Others prefer in-flight plate service. “You cannot set up the Pacers the way you set up the Bobcats,” said Mr. Wernecke.”

For previous blog entries, click here.

Dan Malone is a third-year journalism student at the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He blogs on weekends for Sheridan Hoops.