The point guard race in Houston seems to be closer than some may think between Jeremy Lin and Patrick Beverley: “As questions continue to swirl about who the Rockets’ starting point guard is this season, Jeremy Lin and Patrick Beverley played several minutes together Monday night. Lin started at point guard and played 33 minutes. Beverley came off the bench and played 26. “I thought (Lin) did a lot of nice things,” coach Kevin McHale said. “He broke people down; he had eight assists. Between he and (Beverley), they had 13 assists and four turnovers. I liked when they were both in the game.” Lin finished with six points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals. Beverley had 10 points, five assists and two rebounds. McHale praised both for their defense. “I thought they were both really solid,” he said. “Any mistakes that they do make are mistakes because they’re trying really hard and getting after it. They stay in place. They use their hands. They’re both diligent guys.””
The Grizzlies and Ed Davis are talking extension: “The Grizzlies’ Davis ranks as the sleeper of this extension class after he was barely used by former coach Lionel Hollins upon arriving in Memphis in late January in the Rudy Gay trade. Extensions are historically rare for role players, but Davis is regarded in some corners as the heir to Zach Randolph’s frontcourt spot alongside Marc Gasol, with Z-Bo down to this season and next season’s $16.9 million option left on his contract at 32. Though it remains to be seen if negotiations progress to the serious stage, sources say that Davis’ camp and the Grizzlies have been discussing a deal this month.”
The rift between Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade continues: “Guard Dwyane Wade is done responding to anything Oklahoma City Thunderforward Kevin Durant has to say about him. Durant recently said it was time for Wade to “pass the torch” to younger players. When asked about it, Wade declined comment. “I’m not talking about that,” Wade said. It was the second issue between the players. Last month Durant said Wade didn’t belong on the list of the NBA’s top 10 players. LeBron James also declined to comment on Durant’s statements.”
With Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the Brooklyn Nets eye a championship this season: “Now Pierce and Garnett play for the Brooklyn Nets, whose roster is even more accomplished – and certainly more expensive – than those Celtics. ”The potential is definitely there for us to be one of those teams that can be talked about in NBA history,” Pierce said. ”But it’s up to us to go out there and show it, be healthy and make a great run, and then win a championship to be in those talks.” Every member of the starting lineup has been an All-Star, and the Nets have a combined 36 All-Star selections. Whereas the Celtics were still unproven around their Big Three, Pierce and Garnett join a first five with Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez, with players such as Andrei Kirilenko and Jason Terry coming off the bench.”
The Golden State Warriors expect Harrison Barnes to play in the season opener: “Barnes has not played since Oct. 7 because of inflammation in his left foot. “I don’t think it’s too much of a concern, right now, of him not playing opening night,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson told reporters, according to CSNBayArea.com. “We have some time left.” Barnes, 21, did not participate in the Warriors’ team practice Monday, but he did practice shooting at the team’s facility. “We’re taking steps toward him getting on the floor,” Jackson said. “Today, it’s shooting the basketball. We’ll see how his body responds and we’ll make a decision moving forward.” The 6-foot-8 Barnes averaged 9.2 points and 4.1 rebounds as a rookie last season. He was a key contributor during Golden State’s postseason run, averaging 16.1 points and 6.4 rebounds in 12 games as the Warriors reached the second round before losing to the San Antonio Spurs in six games.”
Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.