Tyson Chandler says Carmelo Anthony is playing on both ends of the court this season during his interview with Boomer and Carton, from Steven Cuce of Sports Radio Interviews (H/T: Kurt Helin): “Has Carmelo been playing both ends of the floor well? “Absolutely. He’s definitely playing on both ends and you’re exactly right. Being the star player and a key player is not just playing on one end, it’s playing on both ends. That’s really how you make a championship run and that’s what he’s done already now. He’s been an incredible leader and he’s leading by example. He’s getting out there. He’s hustling, not only with what you guys are seeing at games, but it’s the same thing at practice. He’s paying attention to film. It’s all the little things that make a huge difference.”
Steve Nash is still uncertain of when he may suit up for the Lakers, according to Mark Medina of Daily News: “In a brief interview with this newspaper after the Lakers’ 113-103 loss Sunday to the Orlando Magic, Nash said the non-displaced fracture in his left leg hasn’t healed enough for him to play in at least the Lakers’ three-game trip this week. They have stops in Houston (Tuesday), New Orleans (Wednesday) and Oklahoma City (Friday). The Lakers then have a home game Sunday against Utah. Nash said he plans to fly with the team to receive further treatment, but he hardly sounded optimistic about his return. “Another 10 days to two weeks?” Nash wondered aloud. “That’s a total guess. Since I can’t run, I’m not going to play this week.”
Richard Hamilton suffered a foot injury that will keep him out without a timetable, from K.C. Johnson of Chicago Tribune: “The Bulls announced Sunday that Richard Hamilton’s MRI exam revealed he tore the plantar fascia in his left foot. The release said the veteran shooting guard will return to play when his symptoms permit. When James Johnson suffered a partially torn plantar fascia as a Bull in 2010, he missed one game. Tearing the plantar fascia actually is better than suffering from plantar fasciitis. One treatment option for the painful latter condition actually is tearing the plantar fascia to begin healing.”
It sounds like Anthony Davis could miss another one to two weeks, according to John Reid of The Times Picayune: “New Orleans Hornets rookie Anthony Davis is expected to be sidelined for another week because of a stress reaction in his left ankle that has forced him to miss seven consecutive games, Coach Monty Williams said Sunday. “If I have to guess, I think he’s a week away from us thinking about him ramping up his conditioning; let alone playing,” Williams said. “So I just think it’s still far off.'” Davis dressed for Sunday’s practice at the New Orleans Arena but didn’t participate in any contact work. He wore a protective boot during Saturday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the New Orleans Arena.”
Raymond Felton’s hand injury scare turned out to be a minor one, according to Marc Berman of New York Post: “How does it feel?,’’ Raymond Felton said of his left thumb in the Knicks locker room yesterday. “It’s in pain. It hurts.’’ Felton jammed his thumb in the second half Sunday. He left the locker room after the game in major discomfort and took an MRI exam last night that revealed just a bone bruise/contusion and not anything major such as a break or tear. But the Knicks listed him as day to day, leaving his status unclear for the Knicks’ three-game road trip to Charlotte, Miami and Chicago. Felton said the pain is coming at the base of his thumb.”
Amare Stoudemire would not commit to a return on Christmas Day, from Al Iannazzone of Newsday: “Amar’e Stoudemire was in good spirits, laughing with Spike Lee, Suns coaches and broadcasters, and even some reporters Sunday. But he wouldn’t reveal his progress from left knee surgery or when he’ll return. Stoudemire was asked if he still is on target to return six to eight weeks after his Oct. 31 operation. “We’ll see,” Stoudemire said before laughing. It’s possible that Stoudemire, who had a procedure to remove damaged or dead tissue, won’t know until he actually practices and puts his knee to the test.”
- The Lakers announced that Steve Blake received some bad news about his abdomen injury: