O.J. Mayo is expected to test free agency over the summer, according to Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld: “Mayo wanted a big payday last summer, but he was underwhelmed by all of the offers that he received. Rather than settling for a smaller long-term deal, the 25-year-old decided to sign a shorter contract with the Mavericks in an effort to showcase his game. While Mayo signed a two-year deal with a player option for the second year, it’s all but guaranteed that he’s going to opt out and test free agency this summer, especially after having an excellent year with the Mavericks. Mayo has averaged career-highs across the board so he shouldn’t have any problem finding that lucrative, long-term deal this offseason.”
Monta Ellis may be looking to join a contender over the summer, from Kennedy: “Like Iguodala, Ellis can exercise his Early Termination Option after this season to become an unrestricted free agent. Most people around the NBA expect Ellis to leave that final $11 million of his contract on the table to test free agency, and there’s no guarantee he’ll re-sign with Milwaukee. Some league sources believe Ellis wants to join a contender this summer. Ellis has only made the playoffs once in his career, and it was during the 2006-07 season when he was still coming off of the bench for the Golden State Warriors. He has had plenty of individual success and impressive statistics, but he wants to experience the postseason and have the opportunity to perform on the league’s biggest stage.
Gerald Wallace is trying to play through pain and has been slowed by mental slump, from Stefan Bondy of Daily News: “Wallace’s main contributions have been on defense, where he’s frequently hounding the opposing team’s greatest threat. Still, he was benched for the entire fourth quarter in Sunday’s loss to the Grizzlies, while the Nets attempted a comeback that fell short. “What can you say? I was playing like (expletive). I didn’t deserve to play in the fourth quarter,” Wallace said. “The main thing is just rebounding and playing defense. The main thing I’ve been focusing on with my offense struggling is trying to play good defense. They’re putting me on some of the other guys, some of the tougher guys that are on hot streaks or whatever. And my main thing is I just have to go out there and control them and not let them have a big night.”
The Knicks may have beat the Warriors, but they were still mesmerized by what Stephen Curry did. Al Iannazzone has details: “The Knicks were in awe after Curry lit them up, almost singlehandedly erasing a 14-point deficit with 23 second-quarter points. “He hit a couple of shots that I don’t think he looked at the rim,” said Tyson Chandler, who grabbed a career-best 28 rebounds. “Me and Tyson had one play where we both were in his face, jumped at the ball, there’s no way this kid seen the basket and he hit nothing but net,” Felton said. The Knicks (34-20) swarmed Curry, trapped him and forced him to give up the ball some in the second half. But when he did, he found his teammates for open looks. Curry finished with seven assists, and scored or set up the Warriors’ final 20 points. But the Knicks held Golden State scoreless over the last 2:04. “We made the defensive stops that we had to make coming down the stretch run,” Mike Woodsons aid. “We made plays, but boy, you got to tip your hat. Curry was pretty good.”
Lee Jenkins of SI believes the delay of Derrick Rose’s return, despite practicing since Christmas, may have something to do with his humility: “Even the six-episode documentary that Adidas filmed around Rose’s rehab, “The Return,” is over. Yet the actual return date remains uncertain, with Rose maintaining that he’s far from full strength and leaving open the possibility that he will sit out the entire season. Only Rose can attest to the health of his knee, just as only Dwight Howard can attest to the strength of his back, and there is no sense in disputing either of them. But there’s also no question Rose has a history of underestimating himself. Humility is the most endearing quality in a superstar, but it’s not all that helpful when the superstar is planting on a reconstructed knee and trying to summon an air of invincibility.”
Kevin Durant discussed his friendly relationship with the scorer’s table, from John Rohde of The Oklahoman: “Told afterward his lead over Anthony had dwindled to nothing, Durant was typical Durant. “Nah, it’s all good,” he said, after trying to at least act upset for roughly 0.3 seconds. With his team leading the NBA handily in point differential, Brooks wisely continues to sit his starters whenever possible this season… “KD has the potential to get a triple-double many nights.” Durant sheepishly admitted he knew what he needed to seal the double-digit trifecta thanks to his ever-growing friendship with the game’s stat crew. “I’ve got a good relationship with those guys at the scorer’s table,” Durant said with a grin. “We laugh and joke all the time and tonight they told me I was one assist away. “When you’ve got a triple-double, people think it’s just about the guy who gets it. Teammates make so many great plays to put you in position to do that. It’s not just me. My teammates made me look good tonight.”
Steve Nash went into detail about why he wouldn’t change his mind about choosing the Lakers, from Sam Amick of USA Today: “Ten out of 10 times, I make the same decision again,” Nash told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. “I’ve gotten to see my kids probably four times as much as I’d seen them if I’d have gone back East. That’s first and foremost. Second of all, it’s a great experience to play for the Lakers organization. … I’m happy here… “It’s been different. It’s been an adjustment,” Nash says. “But I want to embrace these challenges. I’m at a stage of my career with a new club where I’m playing with Kobe — he’s a great player — and finding that balance and accepting and embracing that opportunity is key. It’d be nice, in some ways, to have a bigger impact on the game. You have to balance it with all the guys, all their needs and personalities. I embrace it. “I really appreciate it. I could still be in Phoenix and have the ball in my hands the majority of the time and probably be out of the playoffs again, so it’s worthy of trying something new — especially since the upside here is potentially great.”
Enjoyed every bit of your post.Thanks Again.
This “let’s all have fun” routine from Howard is getting old. You want to have fun – go play pick-up somewhere in the park. You’re in the NBA, son – wake up.