- George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel: "Dwight Howard s out of control, running hot when it comes to his temper. No major tantrums, but there have been enough emotional outbursts that could force him to miss a a handful of games this season. A handful of games that Orlando may need to secure a higher playoff seeding. At 32 games, he already has 11 technical fouls -- the most in the NBA. Five more and he will be suspended for one game. A player also receives an additional one-game suspension for every two techs after he hits 16. Given that the regular-season is 82 games, Howard’s pace would give him 22 at 64 games -- meaning he is would get bounced from four games with plenty of action still remaining. Sure the math is fuzzy because it’s impossible to project just how many technicals Howard will get tagged with between now and then. But the pace is alarming. And there is only one thing he can do about it: Cowboy up and try to keep his cool. Blaming the refs, suggesting there are conspiracies or lamenting that he doesn’t get superstar treatment may all be valid frustrations in his mind, but the only minds that matter belong to the league refs. And if Howard is gaining a reputation as a whiner, you better believe that he is going to get teed-up more often. It’s human nature. ... Dwight is having another superb season and making an MVP run. There’s no need to botch his chances -- and ruin his team’s shot at winning a title -- by spending undue time in NBA detention."
- Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News: "The play of the night in San Antonio’s convincing victory over the Lakers came from perhaps their unlikeliest source of mayhem. George Hill is known by his teammates as one of the most unassuming players on the team. So it was more than a little out of character when he got into Kobe Bryant’s face and jawed with him with 4:49 left in the second quarter. 'I just wanted him to know that you might be an NBA All-Star and the MVP, but I won’t back down from anybody,' Hill said. The Lakers took the lead on the ensuing possession, but Hill’s willingness to stand up to the league’s foremost scorer and trash talker got a point across to his teammates. They responded with a big spurt to start the third quarter and cruised from there to a convincing 97-82 victory over the two-time defending NBA champs. 'George probably doesn’t look at it as inspirational for that $2,000 coming out of his pocket,' Spurs guard Gary Neal said. 'But I think it starts with Pop (Coach Gregg Popovich.) That’s where it started from. George just continued to go forward from there.' "
- Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register: "Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol each played 14:54 of the second half, standing together and sitting together, always in tandem as a two-point halftime lead became a 15-point loss Tuesday night in San Antonio. In the second half Bryant took 13 shots and scored 13 points; Gasol took two shots and didn't score a single point.
Last season, this sort of thing happened periodically, much to Gasol's aggravation -- and he vented with passive-aggressive public comments a few times after losses. Gasol made his point again late Tuesday night, painting a clear picture from where the majority of Lakers shots should've come. 'I don't think we played the smartest game, let's put it that way,' Gasol said. 'I don't think we attacked smart out there. We have to recognize what's going on and understand our strengths against certain opponents and try to exploit them.' ... If you're going to take all that Bryant gives you, you've also got to give on the occasions when he takes. Not everyone can deal with that. Gasol can. So even on a night when Bryant didn't put much trust in him or others, Gasol shook his head, swallowed his abundant despair and trusted back anyway. 'We trust his abilities and we trust his judgment,' Gasol said. 'We have to trust him as one of the leaders out there to do the right thing.' " - Howard Beck of The New York Times: "The foul was unnecessary, ultimately meaningless, but LeBron James gave it anyway, for emphasis, for the Knicks to remember in the months to come. The message: nothing will come easy against the Miami Heat, not even in the final seconds of a game in which the outcome is clear. James grabbed Amar’e Stoudemire’s shoulders, denied him one last dunk and put the final imprint on a 106-98 victory that required every ounce of the Heat’s defense."
- Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald: "Chris Bosh, who has played very well in several marquee games recently, said Tuesday, 'For some reason, people think I can't play basketball. I'm a very good basketball player. I can perform when it's time. For some reason, coming into this situation, people were just nitpicking. It gives me an added sense of motivation to do well because I know more people are watching, and just to shut them up. To be frank.' Bosh, averaging 8.2 rebounds, said, 'Ten is my number. I'm going to get there. It's going to be a little tougher than it would if I would have gotten off to a better start. Once I get to 10, I'll be happy.' He averaged a career-high 10.8 last year."
- K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune: "At this rate, the Bulls might have to resurrect a phrase from Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's other team and print some 'Winning Ugly' T-shirts. Then again, it's better than losing ugly, which is what the Bucks did Tuesday night at United Center. The Bucks proved why they're the league's lowest-scoring offensive team, shooting an opponent-season-low 32.1 percent as the Bulls pulled away late for a 90-77 victory. The Bucks also muddied up the game with their pack-the-paint defensive philosophy, which the Bulls finally solved in the fourth quarter with an impressive closing run after settling for jumpers too often earlier."
- Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun: "Given all they were up against, can anyone argue this was not the most impressive effort of the Raptors season? Maybe Raptors history? It certainly has to rank right up there with the craziest wins in the franchise’s 16 years. In the locker room afterwards, there were references to the 25-point comeback against the Detroit Pistons earlier this season. Other, more veteran followers of the team talked about a win in Lenny Wilkens’ last year in 2003 in which the Raptors had just eight healthy bodies and three of the guys on 10-day contracts. But for sheer off-the-charts craziness none could have been better than Tuesday’s win in Dallas. No Andrea Bargnani. No Jose Calderon. Only eight healthy bodies (Amir Johnson and Leandro Barbosa were both playing at well below 100% health) to begin the game with and then losing Linas Kleiza after 30 minutes to an ejection and Jerryd Bayless for the final nine minutes with a sprained ankle, and the Raptors still won?"
- Bob Young of The Arizona Republic: "When The Heat Index saw a photo in The Arizona Republic taken by Associated Press photographer Mark J. Terrill of LeBron James above a fallen Kobe Bryant during their Christmas showdown, we were reminded of an iconic sports image. It's the image captured by two photographers, the AP's John Rooney and Neil Leifer of Sports Illustrated, showing Muhammad Ali standing above a fallen Sonny Liston. Ultimately, the LeBron shot might have the same torch-passing connotation. Ali actually was defending the championship when he fought Liston in that 1965 rematch, while Kobe is the reigning champion of the NBA. But Ali pretty much put an end to Liston, who never fought for the title again after that bout. Who knows? If the juggernaut James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh conspired to build in Miami lasts, we might be seeing Kobe's day passing as well. More important, in these days of 3D, high-def and YouTube, the photo literally illustrates the value, power and impact of still photography."
- Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press: "In one corner, by way of Queens, N.Y., standing 6-feet-11 and weighing 232 pounds, is the Pistons' Charlie Villanueva. In the other corner, from Greenville, S.C., a robust 6-11 and 253 pounds, is Celtics superstar Kevin Garnett. All that will be missing is noted boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer when the Celtics visit the Pistons tonight at the Palace for rematch of the Celtics' Nov. 2 blowout victory. Afterward, Villanueva took to Twitter to accuse Garnett of calling him a "cancer patient" in reference to Villanueva's medical condition alopecia universalis, which results in hair loss. ... He stands by what he said on Twitter and doesn't expect an apology from Garnett."
- Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News: "The Pistons' game against the Celtics Wednesday might conjure up fans' memories of Rick Mahorn vs. Kevin McHale or even Bill Laimbeer vs. Robert Parish. That's because the last time the teams met, on Nov. 2, Charlie Villanueva accused the Celtics' Kevin Garnett of calling him a 'cancer patient.' ... Usually the NBA is a love fest, where opposing players trade hugs before tip-off. But don't look for Villanueva and Garnett to exchange pleasantries. For one night, two players, one in green trunks and the other in white with red and blue trim, will have genuine competitive hatred reminiscent of the old days. 'This is what you guys want to see, right?' Villanueva said. 'I'm ready to do whatever it takes to get a win on Wednesday.' "
- Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald: "Shaquille O’Neal missed the paperwork deadline for this year’s Oscars, but he went Brando all over the Celtics dressing room yesterday morning. He pretended he was just getting the news when CSN’s Greg Dickerson asked him about his $35,000 league fine for complaining about the Christmas Day officiating. Shaq, who fouled out again last night, began wailing, 'Why? Why me? Why?' as he rose and first hugged, then tackled Kevin Garnett. On the floor seconds later, O’Neal crawled toward Kendrick Perkins. 'Thirty-five thousand,' he cried. 'Why, Perk? Why me?' Later Jermaine O’Neal was speaking to reporters when a sobbing Shaq came over and hugged him. 'Jermaine,' Shaq said. 'Jermaine. They fined me 35, little brother. Why? Why-y-y?' Asked if he might help his fellow O’Neal out with the fine money, Jermaine said, 'No. Christmas is over. I can’t give to the Shaquille O’Neal fund right now. Not $35,000 anyway.' "
- Dave Krieger of The Denver Post: "Eight years later, it appears the franchise is on the verge of blowing it up yet again. It's hard to say for sure because the front office doesn't communicate with the public much, but judging by its inaction, officials of other teams are coming to the conclusion the Nuggets want as few contract commitments as possible going into the coming labor dispute. The widespread perception is that Nuggets ownership is tired of losing money, tired of paying the luxury tax and ready to usher in a period of thriftiness. On nights like Tuesday, when the Nuggets, minus Anthony, dominate a pretty good Portland team, it's not entirely clear that blowing up the current cast and starting over is really necessary. While Anthony's departure is now a foregone conclusion, the rest of it is the club's call. But the franchise has made no move to extend the expiring contracts of Chauncey Billups, Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith or Nene, which seems like a pretty clear signal of its intent. ... Some places, the notion of a fresh start might sound good. But Nuggets fans know better than most that square one sounds a lot better in theory than it looks in practice."
- Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee: "It's not true. You can't feel someone else's pain. Does it hurt? How much does it hurt? When is inflammation merely mild? As Bill Walton used to say -- and the sometime Kings analyst is a scholar when it comes to foot ailments -- minor surgery is a procedure performed on someone else. So here's Tyreke Evans. Some mornings his inflamed left foot feels fine. Some mornings the foot is tender to the touch. Most days he is so confused about medical reports contradicting his performances and the extent of his discomfort that he can't tell one foot from the other. This can't continue. It just can't. With the Kings in a 5-for-23 free fall and brutal road trips awaiting, he needs clarity and the organization needs resolution. Ease the burden on his wide, slumping, impressionable shoulders. The next time Tyreke feels as much as a twinge in his sore left foot -- even the hint of a twinge in his left foot -- he should be seated indefinitely … for his own good. One week, two weeks. One month, two months. What do the Kings have to lose but a few more games?"
- Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "As an organization the Hawks talked all summer about the importance of Jeff Teague becoming a major contributor. Then he got hurt in training camp and fell behind. It seems he’s been playing catch-up ever since and hasn’t always been afforded the opportunity to work his way through rough stretches or rewarded for his good performances. Certainly Larry Drew has given Teague more opportunities than his predecessor on the bench. But I think a fair interpretation of events is that, despite Drew’s stated desire to mold the Hawks into a defensive team and develop his young players, his decisions in this matter reflect a different tact. (Shoot, it makes me wonder how willing he’d be to stick with the promising 'big' lineup if Jason Collins were a young guy. Would it just mean more Etan Thomas?) Since Drew's actions with Teague don’t always match his words, I can only conclude that he is reluctant to reduce minutes for his two veteran 'shotmakers' with defensive deficiencies for the sake of finding more playing time for his most physically-gifted perimeter defender. This is happening even though L.D. says the team needs Teague’s skill set, Teague has shown signs of improving offensively and he is key to both the team’s fortunes this season and in the future. Drew has said that because Jamal, Bibby and Teague have such contrasting strengths and weaknesses he’s always thinking about making adjustments on the fly. He doesn’t have one guard who can do it all so he’s trying to match his available pieces to situations. But so far Teague seems to be getting lost in that equation. Stay tuned, blog people."
- Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News: "There are only so many ways you can call somebody is high maintenance without saying it directly. When it comes to Travis Outlaw, Avery Johnson is starting to repeat himself. I’m just saying. 'With Outlaw we just have to stay on his conditioning, stay on his stretching. Continue to work with him on getting up 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 shots. Shooting, shooting, shooting. Conditioning, conditioning, conditioning. Just constantly staying on top of him with his workouts.' "
- Ronald Tillery of The Commercial-Appeal: "The Grizzlies sound as though they are ready to move on to the next commandment for this season: Thou shalt consistently play with a sense of urgency against opponents with a sub-.500 record. Memphis is sitting just two games out of the Western Conference playoff standings, but there is a major difference between the Griz and those squads already on a playoff pace. Each of the nine teams ahead of Memphis in the conference standings are better in large part because of an ability to feast on weaker opponents. The Griz, however, are just 6-6 against teams with losing records. Memphis got to .500 in that category after back-to-back wins this week and now promises to take the same focus on a three-game road trip that starts tonight at the 5-23 Sacramento Kings."
- Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune: "Kevin Love doesn't need game nights to remind himself how much better this Timberwolves team shoots the ball compared with a year ago, when it ranked among the NBA's worst in three-point accuracy and shots made. He can see it daily in practice. Or at least whenever the Wolves execute a drill named after the amount of time required: The 4:15. Five players weave throughout those four minutes and 15 seconds, attempting as many shots from the free-throw line elbow and beyond the three-point arc as possible. When time's up, they add the number of twos and threes made. ... When the Wolves remove starting center Darko Milicic from the game and go smaller, they can play five guys -- Love at center, Beasley at power forward, Johnson and Webster on the wings, Ridnour at point guard -- who all are shooting 39 percent or better on threes this season. The Wolves rank fourth in the NBA in three-point accuracy (38.8 percent) and are ninth in threes made per game (7.24). Last season, they ranked 23rd and 26th out of 30 teams in each category."
- Tarik El-Bashir of The Washington Post: "Roy Hibbert's emergence as one of the Indiana Pacers' most important players - and a strong candidate to be named the NBA's most improved player -- actually began this summer at an Indianapolis hospital. The Pacers sent him there for testing after a second straight season in which he often faded late in games. 'For five hours I sat in a glass box and breathed into a tube in short bursts,' Hibbert said this week. 'It came back with a diagnosis of athlete-induced asthma.' Hibbert now uses an inhaler, once in the morning and again prior to tip-off. And as it turns out, that pocket-size device is all the 7-foot-2 center needed to unlock his enormous potential. Despite some recent struggles with his shot, Hibbert brings averages of 14 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game into Wednesday's meeting with the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center, the arena in which he starred for Georgetown from 2004 to 2008. Last season, the Adelphi native averaged 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. 'I had been playing five- or six-minute stretches,' he said. 'Now I'm playing whole quarters sometimes.' "
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