Randy Wittman complained about the lack of respect his team gets from the refs, from Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News: “Perhaps it is to be expected when your team is 0-7, but Washington coach Randy Wittman was of the opinion that his team had to overcome more than the Mavericks on Wednesday night. Washington was whistled for 24 fouls, Dallas 15. Dallas shot 33 free-throws to Washington’s 11. “For whatever reason, this team doesn’t get any respect,” Wittman said. “We go to the rim and had 11 free throws tonight. These young guys just have to make a name for themselves, and it’s just baffling some of the things that are said to me by the refs for why they don’t call it. “So maybe we just have to send the game film every day to the league.”
Doug Collins was at a loss of words after watching his team get blown out by the Pistons on their own home floor on Wednesday, from John Smallwood of Daily News: “We were playing against a team that was desperate, 0-8,” Sixers coach Doug Collins said. “I don’t know how many times I asked the coaches sitting on the sidelines, ‘What’s going on?’ “I have no idea, but we were in slow motion.” Winning games at home and beating up on bad teams matters. Beating bad teams at home really matters. Last season, the Sixers laid the foundation for their playoff run by going 9-1 in an early 10-game run.”
- Dwane Casey has been more patient with his still-developing team, from Mike Ganter of Toronto Sun: “It’s early in the season,” Casey said before Tuesday’s tilt against the Indiana Pacers. “That’s what we keep telling our guys. The league hasn’t gone anywhere. We’re talking about chipping away at our resilience and we haven’t played 10 games yet. “I don’t like our record whatsoever, none. But that said, it’s still early, the Eastern Conference hasn’t gone anywhere yet.”
The Knicks will have their unbeaten record tested on Thursday and Friday, according to Marc Berman of New York Post: “Are the Knicks for real? Tune in tonight to find out. Coach Mike Woodson would like more evidence his scorching team is serious about snapping the franchise’s 40-year championship drought. It’s showdown time in Alamo City as the NBA’s lone unbeaten team, the 5-0 Knicks, squares off against the perennial power Spurs. San Antonio has the league’s second-best mark at 7-1 — reloaded with its championship coach Gregg Popovich and championship core in Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan intact. Nothing is determined in November, but Thursday night and Friday night at Memphis (6-1) — which scored a 107-97 win on the road against the Thunder Wednesday night — will be a giant barometer on how special the Knicks are.”
- Kemba Walker hit a game-winning jump shot against the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Here is that clip:
- Next Media Animation had their own view on the Phil Jackson and Mike D’Antoni situation:
- With all the injuries on the Timberwolves roster, the team went ahead and signed Josh Howard to a deal, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN:
Minnesota & Josh Howard agree to terms on 1- year, vets minimum deal, sources say
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Chris Broussard
- Shaun Livingston will join the Wizards, according to Ben Standig of CSN Washington: “The Wizards announced the free agent signing on Thursday while simultaneously releasing fellow point guard Jannero Pargo. The 6-foot-7 Livingston, the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft who played 26 games for the 2009-2010 Wizards, was released by Houston during the preseason. Now he’s returning to town as Washington seeks greater consistency at point guard while John Wall remains sidelined. “We are obviously familiar with what Shaun brings both on and off the court based on his previous time here and we’re confident that he will be a positive addition to our team,” Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement released by the team.
A possible altercation between Zach Randolph and Kendrick Perkins may have occurred after they were ejected in Wednesday’s game, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman: “Perkins and Randolph couldn’t seem to turn off their emotions. After incessant jawing during a stoppage in play with 2:05 remaining, the two were tossed by referee Ken Mauer, who had warned both players throughout the game to knock off their shenanigans. As the two were being separated, Randolph, using a closed fist and a thumb, motioned in the direction of the locker room to Perkins. After a few more barbs, Perkins apparently obliged and sprinted off the court, pass the team’s bench and into the tunnel. Perkins declined comment following the game.
- Al Jefferson was an unfortunate victim on Jeff Green’s poster:
Grizzlies, Clippers shaping identities early