THE END OF CIVILIZATION AS WE KNOW IT: Joseph Lombardo, the founder of Prim Capital Corporation, which handled the investments and finances of the NBA Players Association, allegedly used a stamp to forge the signature of a dead former union lawyer to net himself $3 million over a five-year period.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert, on the difference between this team and previous Pacers squads:
“Some guys on this team before were just trying to get a paycheck and go home and then chilling on the beach and sip mojitos or something like that. That’s not us.”
TANKAPALOOZA!: Despite finally notching their first win this week, the Utah Jazz already hold a three-game lead in the loss column in the race for the worst record, most ping-pong balls and best shot at the top pick in the 2014 draft. The anticipation of Andrew Wiggins playing for a small-market team in the Mountain Time Zone is almost palpable. Of course, they could placate their fan base and take Mormon Jabari Parker instead.
LINE OF THE WEEK: Tony Wroten, Philadelphia vs. Houston, Nov. 13: 41 minutes, 7-18 FGs, 0-2 3-pointers, 4-7 FTs, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, one block, four turnovers, 18 points in a 123-117 overtime win. No, not scintillating numbers – until you realize that Wroten was the first player since starts became an official stat in 1970 with a triple-double in his first career start. “I never had a triple-double at any level, not middle school, high school, anywhere,” he said.
LINE OF THE WEAK: Josh Smith, Detroit at Golden State, Nov. 12: 19 minutes, 1-6 FGs, 0-2 3-pointers, 0-0 FTs, zero rebounds, two assists, one steal, one foul, two points in a 113-95 loss. Smith was so bad he was pulled late in the first quarter and didn’t return until midway through the third period. To his credit, Smith bounced back in his next game, missing a rare “five by five” by one block.
TRILLION WATCH: Rockets center Omer Asik says he wants a trade, and GM Daryl Morey may want to 
comply after watching his 4 trillion in Wednesday’s loss at Philadelphia that tied four others for the best impersonation of an invisible man this season. Honorable mention to Rockets swingman Ronnie Brewer, who had a 3 trillion Thursday at New York, and Knicks rookie Toure Murry, who also had a 3 trillion Saturday vs. Atlanta.
GAME OF THE WEEK: Indiana at New York, Nov. 20. The first meeting between the clubs since the Pacers bounced the Knicks from last season’s playoffs is on national TV. It is also Indiana’s first game since its first loss of the season Saturday at Chicago. And it could be a sixth straight home loss for New York.
GAME OF THE WEAK: Charlotte at Milwaukee, Nov. 23. Is there anyone on either team who really makes you want to watch?
TWO MINUTES: Hawks forward Kyle Korver will lead this section until his 3-pointer streak – a phenomenal run which gets buried in notes or the 84th paragraph of game stories – comes to an end. It is up to 83 games, giving him sole possession of second place all-time and within six of the record by Dana Barros. Korver has six straight games with at least two 3-pointers and is shooting 50 percent from the arc but faces a tough hurdle Tuesday in Miami with the Heat’s frenetic perimeter closeouts. Korver can tie the record Nov. 27 in Houston and break it Nov. 29 vs. Dallas. … Clippers center DeAndre Jordan missed 10 straight free throws over parts of four games last week. That matched the 10 in a row he missed from March 29-April 12 of last season as the worst stretch of his career. … A scheduling quirk produced this tidbit: On Friday, Pau Gasol faced Marc Gasol, Tyler Zeller played against Cody Zeller and Mason Plumlee took on Miles Plumlee. According to Elias, it was the first time in NBA history three sets of brothers went against each other on the same night. … After playing just four minutes in Miami’s first six games, Heat forward Michael Beasley is averaging 12.5 points on 23-of-38 shooting over the last four games. … On Monday vs. Toronto, the Rockets held a three-point lead in the final seconds of overtime, didn’t intentionally foul and watched Rudy Gay make a tying 3-pointer. (They still won.) On Wednesday at Philadelphia, the Rockets held a three-point lead in the final seconds of regulation, 
didn’t intentionally foul and watched James Anderson make a tying 3-pointer. (They lost.) On Thursday in New York, the Rockets held a three-point lead in the final seconds of regulation and this time they did intentionally foul – although almost too late as Carmelo Anthony’s 3-point launch after the whistle went in. (They won.) “It seems like that has happened a lot to us lately,” James Harden said. “The first two times you know we didn’t foul and they made big threes. Tonight a foul and they still made a big three.” … In the absence of Kobe Bryant, the Lakers already have started four shooting guards – Nick Young, Xavier Henry, Wesley Johnson and Jodie Meeks. … Wizards coach Randy Wittman isn’t going to survive the season, and we will miss him, because no coach does a better job of lighting up his team in the media. Wednesday’s home loss to San Antonio produced this gem: “After 60-57, we came down and took six of the worst shots you could possibly take. Six. It might be more after I look at the film. Zero or one pass. All of a sudden, we’re going to play hero. We can’t do that. We don’t have a hero here.” … The Knicks aren’t the only team being booed at home. The Grizzlies also heard the birds late in Wednesday’s loss to Toronto. Memphis, which will never be confused for the Showtime Lakers, is 25th in scoring, 26th in 3-point shooting and 25th in free-throw differential. But it also is 24th in opponents’ shooting, 25th in steals and 28th in blocks, which shouldn’t be confused for “Grit and Grind,” either.
Trivia Answer: Portland’s last playoff series win was in 2000. … Happy 44th Birthday, Sam Cassell. … How did the director get Amar’e Stoudemire to run in the NBA tickets commercial?
Chris Bernucca is the deputy editor of SheridanHoops.com. His columns appear Monday during the season. You can follow him on Twitter.
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As you said, the Nets problems are correctable, but the Knicks have ISSUES.
I don’t no why, but there was no excuse not to have Lawrence Frank coaching the team for the 1st two games, and having a bigger role (when the camera is running). Finally after some complaints (I’m sure Billy King spoke with JKidd) Kidd has been standing up and being more vocal during games. The team shouldn’t feel embarrassed to see Frank involved. Noone should have expected Kidd to be at full speed in the first few months. It became more difficult when JKidd was sitting, because that required Frank to be passive too.
However, where I disagree with the analysts, is that I see no Chemistry issue with the Nets, other than players occasionally overpassing because there are so many Star teammates. These players are unselfish and don’t even think about personal statistics.
The first, second and third most important problem with the Nets has been injuries, which has been exaggerated by the most conservative trainer in the NBA.
Even with all the shortcomings, if everyone was healthy, Nets should have been able to win every game this season.
On Saturday AM, Brook Lopez told a reporter he expected to play. He wasn’t allowed to play vs. LAC. Meanwhile Derek Rose can have a slight groin sprain and he gets to play vs. Indiana, and plays a big role in the victory!
Deron Williams complained about the trainer at the end of preseason, then quickly shut his mouth. Clearly DWill has wimpy ankles. His elevation hadn’t returned before the recent sprain. Last year he received Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections during the All Star break and it seemed to do the trick. Now there is another opportunity while he isn’t playing, and no mention of PRP treatment.
Andrei Kirilenko was an All Star too. He has only played about 53 minutes over 4 games this season. He’s their best defensive player and also every time he has played, Nets score more in the paint. If only AK could play 25 mpg, I’d rate his as the most valuable Net.
No wonder they aren’t winning. It all can reverse if healthy.
Where are all the Nets fans who were bitching about not being picked as preseason favorites?