- Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News: "Ordinarily, I'm opposed to anything that injects more replay review, but when the official timekeeper or scorekeeper sees that a mistake clearly has been made in the final 24 seconds of a game, it seems reasonable to use replay to get things right. I'll be surprised if the competition committee isn't asked to consider such a change when it meets this summer. Of course, if the Spurs hadn't had their second-worst 3-point shooting game of the season, Sunday's outcome might not have hinged on a timing error. That the Spurs missed 22 of 29 3-point shots wasn't the most shocking result of the day, though."
- Gerry Callahan of the Boston Herald: "The Cavs already have won 60 games and are coasting to the best record in the NBA. They are 35-1 at home. Their leader is 24 years old and about to win his first MVP. He's tossing in underhanded, 75-foot shots for Steve Kroft on '60 Minutes.' His smiling face is on all the magazines. It's LeBron's time now, which puts in the Celtics in an interesting position as they head into the playoffs. They're underdogs now. Long shots to even get out of the East. You can almost hear Garnett now: No one respects us, no one thinks we can do it, no one gives us any credit at all. He has a new rallying cry, which is good because he needs one. Winning without a healthy Kevin Garnett is not possible. Not in the playoffs. Not a chance."
- Mike Jones of The Washington Times: "Even though the 17-58 Washington Wizards have spent the second half of the season switching places with Sacramento in the basement of the NBA standings, no one can accuse the members of Abe Pollin's organization of tanking. Just after the All-Star break, team president Ernie Grunfeld said the Wizards would continue to battle as if they were in a playoff race. 'We have a standard that has been set, and it's important that we maintain that and continue to do everything in our power to win,' Grunfeld said. ... In the past six drafts, the last-place team has managed to land the top pick only twice. And even if the Wizards did get the top spot, Jamison said Arenas -- and possibly Haywood -- reacclimating to live action will have more of an impact next year than Blake Griffin would. 'One pick is not going to make the difference as far as us winning a championship or not. Gilbert being healthy is going to make a difference; Brendan being healthy is going to make a difference,' Jamison said. 'I think that's a chicken way out as far as trying to lose as many games as possible. We're competitors. We don't want to lose any more. It's been tough enough. ... So I'm not a big fan of [tanking]. And if anyone in this locker room is, I don't want to be a part of that.'"
- Frank Zicarelli of the Toronto Sun: "As much as both Pops Mensah-Bonsu and the Raptors appear to represent a perfect fit, there are no guarantees of a long-term relationship. For now, Mensah-Bonsu prefers to go about his daily routine of getting better and trying to help the Raptors when interim head coach Jay Triano looks down his bench and needs a dose of energy, athleticism and defence. On a team that will miss the post-season for the first time following back-to-back appearances, Mensah-Bonsu has been a breath of fresh air."
- Brian Hendrickson of The Columbian: "It has been more than a month since Brandon Roy and starting point guard Steve Blake agreed to forego shaving until the postseason became a certainty. Roy's fiancée, Tiana Bardwell, and Blake's wife, Kristen, have mildly protested the pact. Blazers fans have even poked fun at it: One sign at Saturday's game against Memphis showed pictures of Roy and Blake with exaggerated images of their facial hair and the message, 'Our Grizzlies are better than yours.' But Roy has remained steadfast as the beards have drawn increasing attention in recent days, keeping his mind on their purpose. 'Until they've actually said we've clinched,' Roy said, 'we're going to stay ready and focused.'"
- Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times: "Would he (Mike Taylor) rather be Chris Paul or Tony Parker? 'If I had to choose? I'd be Mike Taylor,' he said, without hesitation, after practice Monday. That answer did not surprise Bryan Gates in the least. Gates coached and mentored Taylor (as did Randy Livingston) with the Idaho Stampede last season and watched him become the first player in NBA history to be drafted directly from the Development League. 'He doesn't lack confidence,' Gates said in a telephone interview. 'He's got a lot of positive swagger to him.' Confidence, not cockiness. His self-belief sustained him in Idaho, and through the usual steep learning curve of an NBA rookie, and then a broken thumb, suffered at Indiana on Dec. 19. More recently, he let his finely tuned instincts take over and quit thinking."
- Jeff Eisenberg of The Press-Enterprise: "Maybe it takes a guy who spent almost three years with the Charlotte Bobcats to explain how one of the NBA's most hapless franchises could possibly give the Lakers so much trouble. Asked to account for Charlotte's five victories over the Lakers in their past six meetings, forward Adam Morrison attributed his former team's success to favorable matchups and heightened motivation. 'When I was with the Bobcats, I thought we matched up well with them because we were always a bit more athletic,' said Morrison, now almost two months into his tenure with the Lakers. 'It's one of those deals we were never a playoff team so this was like our playoff game. Going to LA or them coming here, you knew there was going to be a big crowd, so I think we just played up to it.'"
- Jim Armstrong of The Denver Post: "Truth is, the Nuggets in Melo's (Carmelo Anthony) first five seasons haven't been good enough to win in the playoffs. And for all we know, it may happen again this season. What then? 'I haven't been out of the first round, so I've got some unfinished business,' Anthony said. 'But regardless of what happens, it's always going to be on me anyway. I'm built for it, though. I can take it. It's all good.' But it could be great. That's the thing with Anthony. He's playing the best all-around basketball of his career, but, until he wins in the playoffs, he won't be mentioned in the same breath as Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, the other cornerstones of the 2003 draft. 'You can't compare me to those guys,' Anthony said. 'D-Wade has already won a championship. LeBron has already gotten his team to the Finals. And me, I'm over here. It's three totally different situations.' Tell you what. Just because he isn't appreciated as much as Wade and LeBron throughout the hoops world doesn't mean Melo sh
ouldn't be appreciated too. He's a great player. Not only that, he has It. He's at his best with the game on the line." - Bob Finnan of The News-Herald: "Zydrunas Ilgauskas said he's not prepared to offer a reward for the missing game ball from the night he got his 10,000th point. But he would be willing to make a trade. 'They can't do much with that ball,' he said. 'It would be nice for someone to bring it back. I can sign my jersey. I can't ask LeBron (James) to sign something. I'm not going to hold my breath. It's just a ball. The accomplishment means much more to me. My career wasn't based on that. If they want to bring it back, I'll give them something. Who knows, maybe there are some poor kids playing with it now. Maybe they need it more. Then keep it.' The ball was never recovered after the Atlanta game on March 21. Ilgauskas would like to have it back for his trophy case."
- Mike McGraw of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald: "Watching John Salmons in action the past few weeks, it appears the Bulls acquired a smooth and accomplished professional scorer. His shots from long range have fallen regularly, but he drives to the basket equally well. The 6-foot-6 swingman has a knack for knowing how to get a good look at the rim, by either pulling up, fading away or driving to the hoop. During March, since he stepped in at small forward for the injured Luol Deng, Salmons has averaged 21.3 points and shot an even 50 percent from the field. Only four NBA players have scored 20 points and shot 50 percent for the full season, and two are guards (Chris Paul and Tony Parker). The amazing thing about Salmons, though, is he never has done this before. The 29-year-old Philadelphia native averaged double figures for the first time last year, his sixth NBA season. 'I'm a late bloomer,' Salmons said. 'Some guys, they get it early. Some guys don't.'"
- Dave D'Alessandro of The Star-Ledger: "What would have happened if the Nets' rebuilding plan took a more conservative route, and they stood pat by retaining two starting forwards named Nenad Krstic and Richard Jefferson while using the draft to fortify their otherwise weak frontcourt? Yes, it was a serious question. Caveat lector: One cannot be certain whether the following is a serious answer. 'Umm ... Nenad Krstic, mentally, probably would still be struggling,' Jefferson replied solemnly Monday night, when the Bucks visited Izod Center for the final time. 'And I probably would have killed somebody by now.' Wow, he must have loved it in Jersey. 'That's 100 percent honest,' Jefferson continued. 'Yes, the team would probably be a little bit better, but ultimately would they be that contending team? Probably not. There's too many things...' By now, everyone knows what those things are, at least the issues pertaining to Jefferson himself. The serious answer would have been about relationship. To wit: The Vince Carter-RJ partnership had run its course. And, more importantly, the Lawrence Frank-RJ partnership had run its course -- hence, the homicide fantasy. ("It could have very easily been" a reporter, Jefferson added). But Jefferson was no longer compatible to the rest of group, and everybody knew it."
- Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal: "News that John Calipari could leave the University of Memphis to coach men's basketball at Kentucky was a topic of conversation Monday night for the Grizzlies as they prepared to face Golden State. The general consensus is that Calipari likely will and should change addresses. ... Griz coach Lionel Hollins said Calipari will win wherever he lands because of his ability to recruit. 'His history as a coach has always been of someone who has gotten it done,' Hollins said. 'I don't think going to Kentucky would be any different. He would go and win. I hear it written and said that he would be able to get the big-time players. He's already getting the big-time players. It's just a matter of what he chooses to do with his lifestyle. Does he want to be a big fish in a little pond in (Conference USA)? Or does he want to be in the SEC where there's big-time competition night in and night out? But I don't care where Cal goes. He's going to win. He's an outstanding coach and recruiter. He's great with the media. He's great with the fans. He's great with the players.'"
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
TRUEHOOP CONTRIBUTORS
Henry AbbottTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
J.A. AdandeTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Kevin ArnovitzTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Chris BroussardTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Chad FordTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
John HollingerTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Chris SheridanTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Marc SteinTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
