Latest NBA News from January 28, 2013: Gasol still unhappy about benching, will not request trade; JVG rants about Dwight Howard on ABC

Pau Gasol, though unhappy with bench role, will not request a trade for the time being. Ken Berger of CBSSports has the story: “Not right now,” Gasol said when asked if he or anyone on his behalf would lodge a trade request before the deadline. “I don’t think now is the time for that step to happen. Right now I’m very focused and committed to our team.” “It’s hard for anybody who considers himself one of the top players in the world to say, ‘OK, I’m OK with coming off the bench,'” Gasol said. “It’s a difficult situation that we’ve been dealing with here. The last few games have been great, and we’re staying positive and we look forward to that to continue. But at the same time, we don’t need any other distractions, any more negativity. We need positive embracing, we need focus, we need to support each other. That’s where we’re at and that’s where I’m at, too. “I’ve been on this team, in this city, for six years,” Gasol said. “It’s very hard to stick around on this team, and I take pride in that. I think I’m a valuable asset and I want my role to be as big as it can be, within the well being of the team. But I don’t know if being a player that comes off the bench will be something that I’ll be able to accept long term.”

Bryant has been fighting with father time, and he has been winning the battle so far. One of his methods has been better diet, according to Trevor Wong of NBA.com: “My wind feels even better,” he said postgame after the Lakers 111-98 victory over the 76ers. “I feel like I can run all day long. A lot of that has to do with diet and being committed to it, and watching what I eat.” The advancements in sports science and medicine, particularly understanding the nature of eating and avoiding certain foods, have aided Bryant in changing his diet. Whereas some athletes might go through their usual offseason routine even as they age, Vitti said the 16-year veteran changed his habits beforehand. “Kobe never got to that point where he came in behind and had to figure it out,” Vitti said. “He saw the future before the future came and he’s already made the adjustment.””

Metta World Peace wants a hidden-camera prank show, according to Lesley Goldberg of Hollywood Reporter (via Trey Kerby of TBJ): “L.A. Laker Metta World Peace is looking to punk a few athletes. The NBA star is shopping a sports-themed hidden-camera prank series called Metta World Pranks, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. From LMNO Productions — producers behind CBS’ hidden-camera series I Get That a Lotand Fire Me — the show will feature Metta and other professional athletes playing pranks on one another — including their family members, friends, spouses and fans. The project is currently being shopped to broadcast and cable networks.”

Mike Woodson addressed the Knicks’ defense, offense and the frontcourt situation, from Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York: “”Our offense has been stinking a little bit in terms of us getting ball movement and getting back to executing how we were earlier in the season,” Woodson said on ESPN New York 98.7 FM’s “Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco” show on Monday afternoon. “A lot of the problems is that we haven’t been able to practice. That’s got a lot to do with it in terms of guys knowing rotations, knowing when we’re going to sting someone on the post. I mean, there are a lot of things that come into play when you’re talking about trying to build a defensive team, guys in the lineup based on injuries.” “I think for us in the long haul as we continue this journey is going to be the play of Amar’e, Tyson and Melo together. … Eventually we will get to it throughout the course of a game, big minutes. We’re slowly working our way there. Statistically, they are playing pretty well together. … That’s going to be pivotal for our ball club.”

Dwight Howard hopes to avoid surgery on his right shoulder, from Mark Medina of Daily News: “The moment Dwight Howard sat on a padded cushion, the Lakers center let out a huge sigh. He then conceded the aggravated right shoulder feels “pretty sore.” Howard has vowed he won’t let the pain inhibit his aggressiveness even if it causes additional pain. But could he suffer so much damage that he’d ultimately need surgery in his shoulder this offseason? “As of right now, no,” Howard said. “Hopefully it doesn’t get bad enough to where I have to have surgery. I don’t want to think about that right now.” Should Howard have surgery, he could be sidelined for at least six months. After having surgery on his back last April, Howard went through six months of rehab before seeing the court. To this day, Howard still looks limited with his explosiveness and conditioning.”

Howard also discussed how the Lakers may sometimes overlook what Mike d’Antoni has to say, from Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles:” It’s taken some sacrifice from the coach who can be stubborn, too. D’Antoni has had to relent to what his players wanted. But was it his idea? What inspired Bryant to grab control of the wheel is a little clouded. “(D’Antoni is) telling us to go but sometimes you can’t get those engines to start up that fast,” said Dwight Howard, who has been the most vocal critic of D’Antoni’s offense this season, clamoring for more post-up opportunities. Are the Lakers listening to D’Antoni’s direction? “We listen,” Howard said. “But we’re the guys out there playing. We see things that sometimes the coaches may not see. We’re an opportunity fastbreak team right now because we don’t have a lot of speed. When we get the ball in the half court, we still can move and do all the things out of the offense. He wants us to stay spread, which for the most part we do.”

Pages: 1 2 3