P.J. Carlesimo thinks Deron Williams needs to stop putting so much pressure on himself, according to Stefan Bondy of New York Daily News: ““He is Deron Williams. He was Deron Williams (on Monday, when he had eight points and two assists), and that’s fine,” Carlesimo said. “Honestly, I don’t want him thinking, ‘I got to get 25 points, I got to get 11 assists, I got to get this, or I have to get this.’ “I think a lot of it is the reality of what has happened to our franchise this year. It would be hard to overstate how dramatically different the franchise, the team, the expectations, the focus, everything is this year compared to last year. And he’s in the middle of the whole thing. So it’s been a big challenge. I think it’s important for me to not let him think it all revolves around him. Yes, he’s one on of our absolute best players, but he’s not the primary problem by any stretch.”
Bad news for Mo Williams’ injured thumb, from NBA.com: “The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz guard Mo Williams: Following a second magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test and a consultation between Dr. Michelle Carlson and the Utah Jazz medical staff, it was determined that Williams will undergo surgery on his right thumb on Friday, January 4. Following the procedure, his thumb will be placed in a splint for approximately six weeks, at which point he will be re-evaluated. Williams will be able to participate in conditioning and restricted weight training during this time period. Now in his 10th NBA season and second stint with the Jazz, Williams (6-1, 195, Alabama) has appeared in 24 games (all starts) this season and is averaging 12.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 31.4 minutes per game. Williams suffered the injury during the second quarter of the Jazz’s December 22 game at Miami and has not played since then.”
Kobe Bryant said his team is old in not such a nice way, but his belief in making noise in the playoffs is not wavered, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles: “Cause we’re old as s—,” said the 34-year-old Bryant when asked why a lack of energy has been a problem for the Lakers all season. “What do you want? We just got to figure out how to play when we don’t have that energy. We got to change things up a little bit defensively. We got to figure out what we want to do offensively, figure out what we want to do on nights when we don’t have those legs or have that energy… “You just saw an old damn team,” Bryant continued. “I don’t know how else to put it to you. We’re just slow. You saw a team over there that was just younger and just had fresher legs and just played with more energy, and we were just stuck in the mud. I think individually we all have to figure out how to get ourselves ready each and every game to have a high level of energy. That’s all that is.”… “I don’t think there’s a doubt about that,” he told ESPN Radio host Colin Cowherd on Wednesday when asked if the team is built for the playoffs.”
Dwight Howard denied having any setbacks with his surgically repaired back, from Mark Medina of Daily News: “The common buzz word surrounding the Lakers’ 103-99 loss Tuesday to the Philadelphia 76ers involved the team’s “lack of energy.” No one epitomized that problem more than Howard, who posted only seven points on 1 of 7. Yet, Howard insisted nothing’s ailing his back. “Has he had any setbacks? “No,” Howard said. Are there games he’s played that are tougher than others? Howard quickly shook his head no. Moments later, Kobe Bryant revealed what Howard refused to acknowledge. “It’s been frustrating for him because of the nature of the injury and trying to come back and meet the expectations we all have for him,” Bryant said. “It’s tough to deal with that when you’re not physically the same player that you were. It’s been frustrating for him. But to his credit, he’s battling through it and figuring out ways to be effective.”
Deron Williams is distraught over his poor play this season, from Roderick Boone of Newsday: “Deron Williams’ frustration level is reaching unparalleled heights. The Nets point guard conceded yesterday that he has never been as bothered and miffed with anything in his 28 years on this earth than he currently is with the dramatic dip in his production. “Probably my whole life — not just [in] the league,” Williams said Tuesday before the Nets flew to Oklahoma City for Wednesday night’s matchup with the Thunder (24-6). “I’m definitely frustrated with how I’m playing and disappointed with how I’m playing. I’ve had stretches [before] where one or two games, I had off-games. Never like this. I’ve never been consistently playing this bad.”… He’s not looking like one of the NBA’s elite point guards.”I don’t think I’m playing like one,” he said. “I think I can be. I’ve just got to figure this thing out, try not to panic, hopefully try not to talk about it too much. But it’s kind of hard because it’s a big problem right now.”
The Kings general manager insisted that DeMarcus Cousins is not on the trading block, according to David Aldridge of NBA.com: “Reached Monday morning, Petrie said Cousins is not on the block. “You can put that one to rest,” Petrie said. “He’s not going anywhere. You can lay that to rest. Some of that stuff lives in its own reality.” Petrie said the return of Cousins to the team provided “resolution” to the shouting match with Smart. “Everybody’s moving forward,” Petrie said. “He’s still a young, developing player that’s yet to reach his potential and is still a major piece of the future planning here. Everyone’s committed to working with his development as a player and his overall growth…he’s still an important part of the future. He’s like a lot of people. Some have good days, and some days are better than others. We’re going to continue to work with him to help him reach his potential, which is still very high.”