Tom Thibodeau is not interested in bringing up any excuses, from Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago: “”Hey, we knew going in, we knew what the circumstances were going to be this year,” Thibodeau said. “We had no idea, there was no timetable, there was no doubt where we were saying, ‘OK, he’s going to be back this date.’ It’s when he’s ready, and we knew that going in. “We can’t allow (his possible return) to be an excuse for us not getting the job done. We got to get the job done. We’ve shown that we’re capable and obviously capable of playing better than we have been recently.”… “Every day you’re faced with different things that can distract you if you allow it to,” Thibodeau said. “So you have to guard against that constantly. Sometimes it’s injuries, sometimes it’s schedule, Taj (Gibson) out, Kirk (Hinrich) out, whatever it might be. A lot of games on the road, back to backs, early start, late start, whatever it is and you got to guard against all that stuff.”
Chauncey Billups will be kept at a 20-minute cap for the time being, according to Broderick Turner of Los Angeles Times: “I’m able to move around,” Billups said. “I’m still not in the type of condition that I need to be in. And just rust. “I’m missing little bunnies [layups] from just rust from being out for so long. But I can live with that. Just put me out there. I know I can help win.”… “I was finally at a point where they can increase my minutes a little bit,” Billups said. “With the exception of back-to-backs, they say they are going to keep me around 20. I’m just trying to keep pushing it up all the time and just get ready for that run.”
Here is an absolutely hysterical story about what Klay Thompson’s father Mychal Thompson does with his son’s money, from Tom Read of Believe the Hype (h/t TBJ): “I saw Klay mixed up in the beginning, tied up with George Hill,” Mychal said. “I say to myself, don’t do nothing stupid now, don’t throw a punch, don’t throw the ball at anybody.” “Then Roy Hibbert turned his back & [Klay] was like ‘now’s my chance’!” “I was like ‘you idiot’!”… This was the first time that Klay has ever been fined for an on court indiscretion in his NBA career & the consequences will be more noticeable to him than just the $35K fine. The 23-year-old doesn’t have access to his money, all cheques are paid to Mychal & Julie who take care of his accounts for him to make sure Klay’s financial situation is set up for his post NBA career… “He will [find out he’s been fined by us] when he sees that cash envelope show up a little short this week,” he said… “Rent is $3K… Walking around money $300 a week…” Mychal explained. “That’s a lot of money to go to the movies & buy pizza…”
Dennis Rodman is now friends with Kim Jong Un, according to Chris Chase of USA Today: “Dennis Rodman told Kim Jong Un he had a “friend for life” after watching a made-for-television basketball exhibition with the North Korean leader on Thursday. The eccentric basketball Hall of Famer was in Pyongyang to film an episode of HBO’s upcoming show, VICE. He sat courtside with Kim during the game and spoke to him in both English and through a Korean translator, according to the AP. Each team featured two Americans playing with North Koreans. Three of the Americans were Harlem Globetrotters. Another was a VICE producer.”
Paul Pierce says he’s been playing with nerve damage in the back of his neck, according to Celtics Hub: “Paul Pierce explains how he has been playing through potentially permanent nerve damage in his neck this year. Pierce from today at practice explains his neck issues and the pain he is playing through. “I probably won’t be fully recovered from it until the season is over…if I ever do [recover]. I probably got a little bit of nerve damage in the back part of my neck. It’s something I’ve been playing through over the last couple months…I’m probably as healthy as I’m going to be for the rest of the season right now.”
Kenyon Martin opened up about how playing for the Clippers humbled him, from Al Iannazzone of Newsday: “The Knicks traded Ronnie Brewer to the Thunder for a 2014 second-round pick last week to clear the roster spot for the edgy Martin, a former All-Star who struggled with being unemployed. “It humbles you,” Martin said. “I know it humbled me. I can’t speak on the next man. I didn’t think I played all that bad last year with the Clippers, helped them get out of the first round, was a major part of that. Stranger things have happened. “It was something that was unexpected, of course, took the time to get my mind around it. I went through every emotion — mad, sad, upset, confused. You name it, I went through it.”
Kobe Bryant thought everyone has been edgy, while Dwight Howard thinks everyone should just be happy, from Mark Medina of Daily News: “Everybody is a little edgy and we want to turn things around,” Bryant said. “We want to get to a point where we’re in the postseason and can make some noise.” Of course, that’s hardly new for Bryant. “I’m just naturally like that,” Bryant said. “I think this type of situation brings it out of all of us a little bit more and hopefully will get us to another level.” But it might be new for others. “This is the best life we could ever have,” Howard said. “So there’s no need for us to be mad. We’re not happy we’re in the position we’re in, but we still have a great life. Regardless of what happens tomorrow or the next day, we’re all blessed and we got to live one day at a time and have fun.”
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.