The All-Star break is finally upon us. Given the state of NBA inactive lists, it couldn’t be coming at a better time.
• Lamar Odom’s(notes) success as a starter [splits] and Andrew Bynum’s(notes) continued inconsistencies (and injuries) [splits] have led to talk of Odom replacing Bynum in the starting lineup among the team’s coaching staff. Here’s what Phil Jackson had to say:
"My coaches are kind of pushing me in that direction, but I’m not ready
yet to do that. We won last year with Andrew when he
came back at the end of the season, going out there and playing the
first quarter and starting the games. Even though he wasn’t 100 percent
when came back off his injury last year, he still gave us a lot; he
gives us a big front. So I have to measure that and see what’s going to
happen with this team in the next couple weeks."
Bynum’s psyche and overall team chemistry are the major considerations at stake here, and Jackson’s response seems to address both of those concerns. It should surprise no one if the change is not made, particularly with Odom completely deferential on the subject, but what we could eventually see if Bynum playing a few less minutes (with Odom playing a bit more) if/when this team has everyone healthy … As for Kobe Bryant(notes), his ankle is still giving him enough issues that he’s already been ruled out of the All-Star game.
• Jamal Crawford(notes) was a late scratch Wednesday because of a sore left shoulder, apparently the result of a poor sleeping position on Tuesday night. With Crawford out, Mike Bibby(notes) saw the most playing time he’s seen in six weeks (35 minutes, 12 points, 6 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 steals), but the Hawks bench scored only eight points total and the team lost to the Heat 94-76.
• Louis Williams(notes) scored 26 points Wednesday (27 minutes, 2 threes, 5 boards), the most he’s scored in a game since returning from his broken jaw. Over the past five games, he’s averaged 15.2 points, 1.2 threes, 5.4 free throws (89%), 3.2 assists, 1.8 turnovers, and 1.6 steals in 27 minutes. Of course, this has all come with Allen Iverson(notes) away from the team for personal reasons, and it’s difficult to see him maintaining this level of production once AI rejoins the team.
• Hedo Turkoglu(notes) missed Wednesday’s win over the 76ers for family reasons and should be back after the All-Star break.
• The Kings went small in their 103-97 win over the Pistons Wednesday, with Tyreke Evans(notes) (13 points, 5 boards, 6 assists, 4 steals), Kevin Martin(notes) (26 points, 9-of-15 FG, 7-of-7 FT), and Beno Udrih(notes) (22 points, 2 threes, 6 assists, 3 steals) all seeing more than 33 minutes of playing time. Donte Greene’s(notes) streak of productive games came to an end (15 minutes, 6 points) despite another start.
• Brandon Jennings(notes) scored seven points on 3-of-8 shooting in 20 minutes during the Bucks’ 97-77 win over the Nets Wednesday, punctuating an exceptionally long downward trend. In 21 games since January 1, he’s made just 32 percent of his shots attempts, although the counting numbers have been solid (13.1 points, 1.5 threes, 3.2 boards, 6.4 assists, 2.2 turnovers, 1.6 steals). For those Jennings owners out there – how many of you are regretting passing up on some great trade offer at the end of November, and how many of you are regretting making an offer at that point that was actually accepted?
• Devin Harris(notes) was solid in this most recent blowout loss, going for a season-high 27 points on 9-of-17 shooting, while making 8-of-10 free throws and adding nine assists, five turnoves, 1 three and one steal in 35 minutes. Whether or not he can get and stay healthy and productive in the season’s second half still seems to be a 50-50 proposition, at best.
• Darren Collison(notes) recorded a double-double in a bad way Wednesday, scoring 25 points but totaling 10 turnovers. He technically just missed a triple-double, as he had nine assists, and another good was that he snagged four steals for the second consecutive games. He’s now up to 15 starts on the season, during which he’s averaged 16.9 points, 0.9 threes, 3.3 boards, 7.9 assists, 3.9 turnovers, and 1.3 steals in 36 minutes … As for Chris Paul(notes), he’s looking forward to making a playoff push when he comes back.
• Paul Pierce(notes) continues to play through pain in his left foot (4-of-11 FG, 8 turnovers Wednesday), and it hasn’t changed his plans
for All-Star weekend, where he’s slated to participate in the 3-point
shootout and Sunday’s game … Ray Allen(notes) missed Wednesday’s game with back spasms, but it’s not expected to be a long-term issue at this point.
• Raymond Felton(notes) missed Wednesday’s game because of a nagging ankle sprain, clearing the way for D.J. Augustin(notes) to make his first start of the season. Augustin was useful in his 42 minutes (12 points, 3 threes, 7 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal) but clearly it was Nazr Mohammed(notes) that stole the show (40 minutes, 21 points, 20 boards, 2 steals, 1 block). Mohammed averaged 13.1 points on 64-percent shooting, 10.9 boards, and 0.9 blocks in 28 minutes over the Bobcats past seven games, but is going to give way to Tyson Chandler(notes) now that he’s back from his foot injury. Despite Mohammed’s recent success, this situation has timeshare written all over it.
• Johnny Flynn has been seeing playing time in the 20’s more than in the 30’s of late, including Wednesday, when he didn’t leave the bench in the fourth quarter and finished with 22 minutes (9 points, 1 three, 4 assists, 1 turnover). Ramon Sessions(notes) saw 26 minutes of playing time, including the entire fourth quarter, and finished with 13 points, five assists, and two turnovers. Over the past eight games, Flynn has averaged 11.1 points on 38-percent shooting, 1 three, 5.3 assists, 2.4 turnovers, and 0.6 steals in 26 minutes. During the same stretch, Sessions has averaged 10.9 points on 55-percent shooting, 5 assists, 1.6 turnovers, and 0.9 steals in 24 minutes.
• An MRI on Derrick Rose’s(notes) right hip/back showed no significant injury.
He’ll be re-evaluated Saturday and remains hopeful that he’ll be able
to defend his All-Star Skill Challenge title and participate in the
All-Star game, but that will depend on how his symptoms resolve over the next four days.
• The Warriors turned in a dream box score Wednesday, as you might expect when a team scores 132 points and four players are on the court for at least 45 minutes. Stephen Curry’s(notes) triple-double was the highlight, but there was plenty of awesomeness to go around. C.J. Watson(notes), Anthony Tolliver(notes), and Anthony Morrow(notes) will use significant usage once Monta Ellis(notes) and Corey Maggette(notes) get back, but how Don Nelson will stir this pot when that happens remains no less of a mystery.
• Something to watch for Thursday night: Delonte West(notes) will be back in the lineup for the Cavs.
• Trade deadline links: link1, link2, link3, link4, link5, and link6.
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