Dwight Howard has asked the Orlando Magic for a lot, hasn’t he? Over the past couple of years, Howard has asked management to try to acquire a handful of players, including Monta Ellis and Deron Williams. During the preseason, he asked for a trade. Then he asked that any trade be limited to a handful of teams – the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks — that his agent was given permission to talk to. Now, Howard apparently again is
Wednesday’s column mentioned a handful of players who need to be traded by the March 15 deadline. Apparently, NBA GMs are feeling the same way. No less than three players mentioned – Michael Beasley, Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson – saw their names dotting the interwebs as Wednesday became Thursday and February became March. There is some significance to that calendar observation. March 1 is the first day players signed to free agent contracts in the abbreviated offseason can be traded. So that
There’s still more than two weeks until the March 15 trading deadline, but the rumor mill already is churning. Most of the buzz is around Dwight Howard, whom the Orlando Magic don’t have to trade. Really. However, there are a handful of players who have to be traded for the greater good of their teams. Whether it be removing a problem, creating financial flexibility or moving someone one year early rather than one year late, some big names will be changing teams
We are going to learn a lot about the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Clippers in the month ahead, especially in the week ahead. What we learned last night is that the Wolves are a lot deeper than many give them credit for. After trailing for most of the first three quarters, reserves Michael Beasley and Derrick Williams led the way the as the Timberwolves made their first 10 shots of the fourth quarter and rallied to defeat the Clippers 109-97
Does Lamar Odom want out of Dallas? And if he does, will the Mavericks let him leave? Well, that depends on who you believe. It’s no secret Odom is unhappy in Dallas. The reigning Sixth Man Award winner is having by far the worst season of his career, unable to adapt his all-around game – that normally would fit almost anywhere – with the defending champions. Right now, Odom is not even with the Mavericks. He left the team midway through last week
Far be it for me to criticize the selection process for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. I was once one of the 24 voters. I served a three-year term and kept my mouth shut. I know people on various committees right now and they keep their mouths shut. That’s the way the Hall of Fame wants it. If given the chance, perhaps I would change the voting procedure. Maybe make the panel more than 24 people. Make sure it
The Los Angeles Lakers make their first trip to Dallas this season tonight, looking to prove they can win on the road as both teams’ stars are heating up for All-Star weekend. Kobe Bryant (32.3 over his last three games, league-leader at 29 ppg) and Dirk Nowitzki (29.3 points, 11 rebounds, 31-of-66 shooting over last three) face off in Dallas’ last game before a much-needed breather. L.A., 14-2 at home, beat Dallas 73-70 on a late 3-pointer by Derek Fisher January 16th
An arena grows in Brooklyn, as you can see in the photo below. The Nets released it this morning, announcing that construction is on schedule and the Barclays Center is scheduled to open Sept. 28. Of course, there is no word yet on whether Dwight Howard and Deron Williams will be playing together in Brooklyn next season. The Nets remain the prohibitive favorites to land both, unless the Dallas Mavericks can trade away Shawn Marion’s two remaining years for an expiring