- Marc Stein’s new Weekend Dime feature is up on ESPN.com, and as usual, it’s a highly recommended read. Here’s a little note regarding the Lakers’ PG situation from Stein’s column: “Kobe Bryant spoke last week about what a “crazy year” it’s been for the Lakers, who are on their third coach and still awaiting Steve Nash’s return to the lineup. “Stability,” says Kobe, is the “thing that’s been missing.” It’s also that elusive stability, sources close to the situation say, that prompted the Lakers to pass on signing free-agent point guard Delonte West after strongly considering it during a 1-6 start to December. The Lakers decided it was wiser to wait for Nash, who’s expected to return to the lineup by Christmas Day at the latest, rather than try to incorporate yet another new piece to the puzzle. Bringing in another point guard hasn’t been ruled out, sources say, with Nash’s backup Steve Blake still out after abdominal surgery. The Lakers, though, would prefer not to rush it.”
And just in time, Nash is reportedly going to be back in the lineup tonight when the Lakers take on the surging Warriors. Sam Amick of USA Today writes: “Lakers point guard Steve Nash will play tonight against Golden State, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss his situation. Nash has been out since Oct. 31 with a left leg injury. The Lakers have struggled this season without Nash directing new coach Mike D’Antoni’s offense.”
- Things got ugly between the Knicks and Bulls Friday, but Joakim Noah doesn’t think it’ll be more than that, according to Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com: “Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah does not expect to be suspended after getting into a skirmish with New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler during the fourth quarter of Friday night’s 110-106 win. Noah and Chandler got tangled up after going for a rebound with 4:39 left in regulation. Chandler appeared to throw several elbows in Noah’s direction. Noah appeared to retaliate by trying to headbutt Chandler. The two had to be separated and ultimately were thrown out of the game. … When asked specifically about a possible suspension, the emotional center seemed incredulous. ‘Suspension?’ Noah said. ‘For what? What did I do?’ When asked about the apparent headbutt, Noah responded. ‘He headbutted me,’ Noah said. ‘Come on guys, I’m trying to play (Saturday), man. I love this game.’ Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau does not believe Noah will be suspended either. ‘No,’ he said. ‘They got tangled up.’ “
- Dei Lynam of CSN Phillygot some quotes from last year’s Sixers’ leading scorer, Lou Williams, who is now playing with the Hawks: ” ‘I think Philly did a good job of making my decision easy for me,’ Williams said. ‘They made it clear they were going in a different direction and at that time I had to find somewhere else to go, and luckily for me I landed on my feet in my hometown. Both sides moved on. It is what it is, and I am sure they are happy with what they got out of the deal and I am happy to be at home.’ … ‘We miss Lou dearly. I miss his smile, his personality and all he brought to this team,’ Sixers head coach Doug Collins said. ‘I think he has led them in scoring the last five games. They are a very balanced team, a lot like the team he played on here. Their leading scorer scores 17 points a game. I think there are eight teams like that and only three of them have winning records, and Lou has fit into that team beautifully. He is a guy that can throw up a huge night and we know that. “
- The Wizards are awful. Yes, we were already aware of that. But just how awful? Well, they just lost to the Pistons by 32. The AP game report tells the story well enough: ” ‘That was an
embarrassment, and I apologize to our ownership and to our fans,’ Washington coach Randy Wittman said. ‘I especially apologize to anyone who watched that entire game. I would have turned it off after the first five minutes.’Jordan Crawford led Washington with 20 points, but no one else scored more than 10 points. ‘This was a situation where we had some key guys out, which meant our other guys had a chance to step up and prove that they belong in the NBA,’ Wittman said in a postgame news conference that only lasted one question. ‘That didn’t happen. We may only have nine guys, but I need to find five of them who are willing to show me that they deserve to be here.’ “
- Frank Isola of the New York Daily News has an update on Rasheed Wallace’s injury situation: “Rasheed Wallace’s mysterious “sore foot” injury is really a stress fracture, according to a Knicks source. Officially, the team is listing Wallace’s status as day-to-day, but privately it is optimistic that the injury won’t sideline the veteran forward for an extended period of time. Wallace missed his fourth straight game on Friday and hasn’t practiced or played in 10 days. The hope is that he’ll be back at some point after the Knicks’ three-game West Coast trip that begins on Christmas Day against the Lakers in Los Angeles. Wallace, who has missed six games overall because of his foot injury, is using a walking boot on his left foot.”
- The Mavericks have released Derek Fisher, according to Sam Amick of USA Today: “Dallas Mavericks point guard Derek Fisher will be waived from the team at his request, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The Mavericks later announced the move. Fisher signed with the Mavericks on Nov. 29 and had been a good fit in his short time with the team, but he did not like being away from his family in Los Angeles and asked Dallas owner Mark Cuban to respect his wishes and facilitate this move. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said Fisher has already left the team and is in Los Angeles rehabilitating the right knee that he injured on Tuesday in a game against Philadelphia.”
- A source with knowledge is situation says Derek Fisher is opting for retirement due to the strain on body and family and he's done it all.
@TheRocketGuyBill Ingram
Dan Malone is a junior at University of Kings College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He blogs on weekends for SheridanHoops.
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