Latest NBA News from December 2, 2012: Kobe sounds off on Pau Gasol

Steve Blake will undergo laproscopic surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle. It is expected that Blake will miss a min of 6 to 8 weeks.

December 3, 2012 3:19 pm via Tweetbot for iOS ReplyRetweetFavorite

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Los Angeles Lakers

Suns free agent signee Michael Beasley

Michael Beasley is not happy about being benched late in games, and doesn’t think there’s anyone else good enough to supplant him on the team. Paul Coro of Arizona Republic has the story: “Not good,” Beasley said. “If I’ve got to sit in a trash can at the end of the bench during crunch time for us to win games, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do. But if we’re not winning games, and I feel like I can contribute, it’s just discouraging. We don’t have problems. I just feel like we could’ve won the game. I feel like I played, not well, but decent and definitely better than how I have been playing.”… “I feel like I’m playing pretty decent defense,” Beasley said. “I’m not grip pliers. I’m not going to clamp, but who does? The NBA is about scoring points. I don’t feel like anyone is playing head and shoulders above me. I feel like I’m getting into my rotations and doing what I’m supposed to do on the defensive end. I don’t feel like I’m that far, or far at all, behind everybody else.”

Dwight Howard is still very happy to be in Los Angeles, despite the team’s early struggles. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles has the story: “Orlando will always be my home. That’s where I grew up, really. The fans were great to me for eight years. I have some unbelievable memories,” he said. “But like I told you guys when I got here, this is a new chapter in my life. This is my home now. And I’m looking forward to making a lot of great memories here.”… When the subject turned to his new team, Howard’s mood noticeably brightened, and he offered his strongest comments to date about the likelihood he’d sign a long-term extension with Los Angeles in the summer. “From one to 10? I’d give it a good 12. I love it. It’s been a lot of fun,” Howard said. “Just everything here, from the practices, the motivation of everybody here is championship, that’s what we need. “I like the direction we’re headed. We’ve had some tough losses but we’ll learn and we’ll grow from it. We’re going to stick together.”

Is Derrick Rose way ahead of schedule? Some believe he may be ready to practice within weeks, from Joe Cowley of Chicago Sun-Times: “It now looks like it was no coincidence that Adidas showed the final episode of Derrick Rose’s ‘‘The Return’’ ad campaign last week. According to an NBA source, while ‘‘The Return’’ to the court for NBA games is still up in the air for Rose, the all-everything point guard could be just weeks away from practicing with the Bulls again after surgery on his left anterior cruciate ligament last May. ‘‘That’s the belief that a couple of [the Bulls’] players are under,’’ the source said. Rose has been expected to be able to play in games by February, but that has been inferred more than actually stated. Even if the Bulls receive the ultimate Christmas present of getting him back on the practice court just before Dec. 25, it doesn’t mean he’s necessarily ahead of that February schedule — or behind it.”

Kobe Bryant went off on a rant about what Pau Gasol has to do to improve his play, from Joe McDonnell of Fox Sports West: “I’ll kick everybody’s ass in this locker room if it doesn’t happen,” Bryant said after a 113-103 loss to the Orlando Magic at Staples Center. Yes, the 6-10 Orlando Magic. “It’s the attitude you have to have. Metta (World Peace) is the same way. Dwight (Howard) has it in him as well. Even though he smiles a lot, he cares a lot about this. Come hell or high water, this has to get done.”… “The reality is, I’ve adjusted. I’ve never run this many screen-and-rolls in my entire life. But I’ve worked on it. I’ve worked on handling the ball; worked on coming off screens and making plays. I’m used to being in the post much, much more. You have to adjust; you have to master what it is we’re trying to do here. Pau’s talented enough and good enough to be able to do that.”… “Put your big-boy pants on,” Kobe said with a trace of disgust in his voice. “C’mon . . . just adjust. You can’t whine about it or complain about it. Heck, I’m 34 years old, and I’m running screen-and-rolls out there because Steve (Nash) is out, and my ass is running up and down the court more than I ever have in my entire career. But you have to adjust to it.”

Bryant continued his thoughts on Monday, from Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles: “Kobe had some interesting things to say about what the Lakers need to do to get back on track … “You just got to do it,” Bryant said following Monday’s practice. “No meetings. No sitting around the campfire. None of that s— is going to get it done. Just do your job. It’s as simple as that … “We just got to do our job. It’s not rocket science. It’s not solving world hunger. You just got to go out there and do your job. It’s as simple as that.”

How bad was the Lakers defense against the Magic? Coach Nick of Bballbreakdown has the answer:

Jason Smith blasted his team for not playing the right way, from Reid: “You can say it’s not a big problem and some people shrug it off, but it’s a problem,’’ Smith said. “We’re going a little bit one-one-one too much, not moving the ball. We get a stop or a rebound and we don’t pass the ball and we get up a shot. I think we’re letting defenses off the hook when we just go down make one. Smith said their lackluster performance against the Thunder is what prompted the Hornets’ veteran players to meet after the game so they can try and set a better example for the younger players on the roster. The Hornets were outscored 30-13 in the third quarter. It was reminiscent of their third-quarter performance this past Wednesday when the Jazz outscored them 31-17 on its way to a 96-84 victory… “We’re making all these mistakes and we have to give a better example to the younger guys,’’ Smith said, referring to the team’s veteran players. “They’re looking at us to see what we’re doing out there. We have to hold ourselves accountable on both offense and defense on and off the floor.’’

Ricky Rubio practiced for the first time on Sunday, from Jon Krawczynski of The AP: “At one point in his first real practice in nine months, Ricky Rubio zipped a pass through defender Josh Howard’s legs to an open teammate. It may take some time for his surgically repaired left knee to get back up to speed. The instincts and court vision that made him such a crucial part of the resurgent Minnesota Timberwolves haven’t gone anywhere as far as Rick Adelman is concerned. Rubio practiced on Sunday for the first time this season and said his knee responded well. There is still no timetable for his first game, and Rubio is trying to be patient to make sure that he is completely ready when he does return after the first major injury of his career. “After a long time, I’m on the court again,” Rubio said. “It felt pretty good to start knowing my teammates again.”

Tyson Chandler is working on a jump shot, from Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York: “Chandler: I’m trying to develop a short jump shot. I feel like Melo’s going to be double-teamed every night, so if I flash to the high post, I can either take that jump shot and become a threat, or create for my teammates. If my defender’s going to lay off, I’m going to start taking that shot. Before, I just wanted to make sure we stayed in our offense and get guys touches, and get guys the ball in the right spot. But if they’re going to lay off me like that, I feel like I can knock it down. Then if my guy starts running at me, then we’re really in good offense. I knock it down in practice all the time. Now, I’ve just got to bring it to the court.”