“But could the preseason have been an indicator the 38-year-old Nash’s numbers are set to take a dip this year? Is it possible that with all the talent around him, his points per game average could drop to single digits for the first time since 1999-2000, when he was only a part-time starter with the Dallas Mavericks? “It would surprise me a little bit if he averaged single-digit points,” Lakers coach Mike Brown said. “Is it a bad thing if he did? No. He’s just such a good shooter and playmaker that, with all the other guys we have on the floor, if he’s just out there with them, he should get six to eight points alone by somebody getting double-teamed or somebody over-helping on somebody else and now the ball gets kicked to him. … And then he can go get his shot three to four times a game, and that should put him right at that 10- to 12-point range with a few free throws here or there.”
Is Anthony Davis the next Tim Duncan? Some believe so, but perhaps not Duncan himself, from Jeff McDonald of San Antonio Express-News: “He’s got the whole package,” Spoelstra said. “A lot of qualities that were similar to Tim Duncan when he was young.”… Duncan got his first in-person glimpse at Davis in September, when the teenage phenom was among a handful of Hornets invited to San Antonio for informal workouts. The verdict? “I think he’s going to be his own type of player,” Duncan said. “I didn’t have that kind of athleticism. I didn’t have the kind of speed that he does.” Duncan believes the biggest transition for Davis, still reed-like at 220 pounds, will be adjusting to the nightly meat-grinder that is the NBA circuit. “He’s going to find out the NBA puts a beating on your body real quick,” Duncan said. “He’s going to have to grow up a little bit.”
Dwight Howard’s back is not where it needs to be yet, according to Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register: “He’s not 100 percent,” Lakers coach Mike Brown said of Howard, “in terms of his play and timing and stuff.” Howard focused more on possible “fatigue” and the muscles in his back that are still learning again how to fire properly for long periods of time. “My back’s strong enough, but it’s not about strength at this point,” said Howard, who had spinal surgery for a herniated disk on April 20. “It’s about endurance.” Howard compared himself to a new house with “a foundation, walls and everything. But there’s no carpet on the floor. There’s no heating.” “There are still days where it’s real achy,” Howard said, “and hard to move. And I just try to fight through it.”
- Gilbert Arenas’ career is really starting to wind down, as talks over his contract with a team in China is breaking down. Wojnarowski has the story: “Gilbert Arenas’ contract to play Guangdong of the Chinese Basketball Association is falling apart, sources told Yahoo! Sports. Arenas and Guangdong reached a verbal agreement, but have now hit an impasse over completing a signed contract. The snags may ultimately keep Arenas from joining Guangdong for the upcoming CBA season, sources said. Guangdong and Arenas have had disagreements over a payment schedule, and the organization has started to have increasing questions over Arenas’ fitness to make an impact in the league.”
Nikola Pekovic is prepared for more possessions and will demand the ball, according to Ray Richardson of Pioneer Press: “In his thick Montenegro accent, Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic says he is planning to speak up more in games this season, even yell if necessary. The message will be much clearer than last season: Pekovic wants the ball when he’s got good position in the lane for a post-up move. “You don’t want him to get mad at you,” Wolves guard J.J. Barea said after practice Monday, Oct. 29. “Every time you see him in the paint and he’s open, you have to get it to him.”… Love’s absence puts most of the Wolves’ inside load squarely on Pekovic’s muscular shoulders. “The guys are smart enough to see me if I’m in good position,” Pekovic said. “They will pass me the ball, but sometimes if they don’t see me and I’m open, I might yell or something.”
- Here is another one of Blake Griffin’s Kia commercials. These are starting to become quite entertaining, yes?: