The Golden State Warriors traded Monta Ellis. But not to the Orlando Magic for Dwight Howard. And not to the Magic to play with Howard. And Howard doesn’t want to be traded. But that doesn’t mean he is re-signing with the Magic. After Howard again reminded everyone why this mess is a really big deal – annihilating the big, bad Heat for 24 points and 25 rebounds in a 104-98 home overtime win – he said he would like to play out the season
Trade talk: Beasley, Ellis, Rondo being shopped
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
Bernucca: These players have to be traded
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
Hubbard: Don Nelson should head this year’s Hall of Fame class
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
Rondo replaces Curry in Skills Challenge
Two days ago, Rajon Rondo had nearly a week off for the All-Star break. Now he’s an extremely busy man. The star point guard of the Boston Celtics, added Wednesday to the Eastern Conference All-Stars as an injury replacement for Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, will also fill in for injured Stephen Curry of Golden State in the Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday. The NBA announced the move Friday, hours before media availability begins in Orlando, Fla. Sheridan Hoops is on site and will
Golden State Warriors reportedly keen on trading for Dwight Howard
The Dwight Howard trade chatter has died down over the past couple weeks, with most of the NBA believing the Orlando Magic will wait until the March 15 trade deadline to decide what to do with their soon-to-be-unrestricted free agent franchise center. But there is a piece of news out of the Bay Area this morning that should jump-start the rumor mill. Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle says the Golden State Warriors are going to be aggressive in trying to
Utah wins at Denver, joins two-thirds club
Prior to last night, nine of the 30 NBA teams had won at least two-thirds of their games. Now, there are 10. Welcome to the club, Paul Millsap and the Utah Jazz. When you think of players who can reel off 14 consecutive fourth-quarter points for their team in the hick of a tight contest, certain names come to mind: Kobe, D-Wade, LeBron, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Dirk Nowitzki. It is what they do and what they’ve done, which is why all of them
Howard sets FT record; Horford, Melo hurt
// Thursday was a painful day in the NBA. Painful for the fans, who had slim pickings from the five-game slate of snoozers and blowouts. Painful for a handful of teams who lost key players to injury. And painful for the purists, who watched Dwight Howard historically distort the sport. Repeatedly sent to the line through intentional fouling, Howard broke Wilt Chamberlain’s 50-year-old record for free throws in a game, attempting 39 and sinking 21 as the Orlando Magic edged the Golden