- Britt Robson of Secrets of the City: "So, how many accounts of today's Timberwolves' shakeup are leading with the news of Jim Stack becoming the go-to guy for the team's personnel decisions? At this afternoon's lengthy press conference announcing the ouster of Randy Wittman, Wolves' owner Glen Taylor and new coach Kevin McHale went to great lengths avoiding the elephant in the room, the thing that only an accretion of increasingly blunt questions made even partially clear: Taylor has demoted McHale. He will no longer have the clout of being the lead guy in determining how this franchise's roster is assembled. If you don't think that is significant, consider that the last time McHale's hand wasn't directly on the rudder of this team, Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury were still in high school, Sean Rooks was the starting center, and Glen Taylor was best known for printing wedding invitations while original owners Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner still held on to the ballclub. That's right, McHale has been running the show longer than Taylor has owned it. For that matter, McHale has been making personnel decisions for the Wolves longer than he played basketball for the Celtics. Never one who has been able to conceal his mood -- his face has always been a weather map of sun, clouds, and storms -- he walked into today's press conference looking exceptionally downcast. By contrast, there was a firm calmness and clarity to Taylor's mien."
- Kevin Arnovitz of ClipperBlog on what's happening with the Magic: "How good is Orlando? I can't quite tell. This clearly isn't their finest performance of the season, but there are flashes of Conference Finalhood. When a team has a big man on the low block as the focal point of its offensive attack, it will succeed or fail on its ability to exploit the double-teams on that big man. Orlando is beginning to master that science. Having a forward tandem with a versatile skill set is a powerful asset, especially after they've played together for a little while in the confines of a coherent system. Turkoglu and Lewis allow the Magic to play a much more varied and nuanced game with Howard. Both Turkoglu and Lewis can spot up. They both know how to play that two-man game where they tease the help defender and try to get him to commit to Howard [similar to that set we saw with Brian Cook who, in effect, is an indigent man's Lewis/Turkoglu]. Both Lewis and Turkoglu know how to move off the ball and use Howard on the block to work themselves open shots with cuts. ... More than anything, Dwight Howard has elevated his game. His post moves still lack refinement, but they're much, much improved. Howard has also developed that instinct of knowing instantly where his best pass is -- and his delivery of that pass has become more precise."
- Charles Barkley makes it rain, and somehow it's good for the Salvation Army and Hyundai.
- Remember when Michael Jordan reached a certain point in his career and started campaigning for inclusion on the NBA's All-Defensive team? LeBron James is getting to that point already.
- Ryan Schwan at Hornets247 made a point about Chris Paul: "CP3 had 21 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and only one turnover. In thirty minutes. He shot 8-11. It seems almost ho-hum now, so I should point this out: Chris Paul now has 13 games where he had at least 20 points and 10 assists. The rest of the league's Point Guards combined have 16: B. Davis (3), Billups (2), Nash (2), Augustin (1), TJ Ford (1), Ridnour (1), Bibby (1), Devin Harris (1), Foye (1), Calderon (1), Duhon (1). Paul is insane."
- Nene's three straight dunks. Whoa. My favorite is the second, when everyone was on guard for that kind of play, but he did it anyway. Via FanHouse, where it's part of a fascinating Tom Ziller study about how Allen Iverson's arrival and departure changes teams.
- Have you seen this chatter that Gerald Wallace may or may not be on the trading block? He's a good player. Win-now teams, take note.
- It's happening again. They're talking about Dirk Nowitzki as an MVP candidate. I'll tell you right now that somebody will comment somewhere that maybe he should earn the one he already has first. (That'll be unfair -- it's a regular season award and he was right there in the regular season.)
- Matt Steinmetz of the Examiner just watched the Celtics' Bill Walker, who is playing for the D-League's Utah Flash: "He is a big-time talent, and was a level above almost everyone, if not everyone, on the court. He's only 6-foot-6, but he's got a lot of bulk and natural skill. At times, Walker has had too much bulk, apparently, sometimes battling weight issues. I'm not sure he's in tremendous shape right now. He's also a wildcard in terms of his demeanor and attitude. In his short stay with the Celtics earlier this season, he got into a an altercation with Kevin Garnett at practice and Tracy McGrady in a game against Houston. Celtics broadcaster Tommy Heinsohn referred to Walker as the 'most combative of the Celtics.' Without trying to read too much into body language, etc., Walker didn't appear to be pumped about being in Bakersfield and doesn't appear to be thrilled about playing in the D-League. It's that attitude, apparently, that is keeping him from the NBA."
- Derrick "I sat on a knife" Rose, you have company in the stupid Chicago sports injury department. Remember when Michael Jordan misfired his cigar cutter and missed six weeks?
- Dave from BlazersEdge explains in detail what the Blazers are doing to win so far. And he has some player reviews, including this line about Rudy Fernandez: "Big Question Entering the Season: How long will it take him to adjust to the NBA game? Answer So Far: Done and done. Oh, and I cleaned your gutters, changed the oil in the van, and taught your daughter some Chopin on the piano. Did you have anything else for me to do this afternoon?"
- Fantasy Junkie from Golden State of Mind on the Warriors' victory over the Thunder: "I can't believe that counts as a win. I felt like I was watching a summer league game half expecting Marco Belinelli to go off for 37 points. It was the NBA equivalent of a game featuring the Detroit Lions vs Cincinnati Bengals, somebody has to win, but nobody really cares. It was just two teams playing because the schedule says so. For the Warriors, it was a gift from the scheduling gods to mercifully end their nine game losing streak. For the Thunde
r, just another loss, they're used to it." - Big Baby.
- Kurt from Forum Blue and Gold: "I take back anything I said about Iverson maybe fitting in with Detroit."
- Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel: "When it comes to missing short shots, Shawn Marion does have a bunch of Antoine Walker in him."
- The Wages of Wins numbers say Mario Chalmers has been almost as good as Derrick Rose.
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