League notes, Part 2
Space in our NBA section was a little tight on Sunday, so here are a few notes from around the league that did not make it into the newspaper:
Item: In the first seven games after Chicago fired coach Scott Skiles, veteran center Ben Wallace averaged 11 rebounds. His vastly improved play has reinforced the notion that Wallace quit on Skiles, who often took him out of close games in the fourth quarter because of his woeful free-throw shooting. In a 94-93 win over Sacramento last week, Wallace made the game-winning free throw. "Somebody has to be the hero," Wallace said. "Why not me?" It should be noted that Wallace was 1-for-6 from the line against the Kings.
Item: After losing last week's Eastern Conference showdown with Boston, the Pistons were more amused than offended by the Celtics' on-court celebration, which included Paul Pierce's proclamation, "We're the best team in the world." In fact, Chauncey Billups took Boston's euphoria as a compliment: "They still look at us like we're the big dog. And that [celebration] was the validation of that. . . . When a team reacts like that, you know how they look at you." Billups added: "We have been in that situation so many times. They haven't."
Item: The race to coach the Western Conference All-Stars in New Orleans is a close one. Mike D'Antoni of Phoenix is ineligible, since he coached the team last season. So the winner will likely be Avery Johnson of Dallas, Byron Scott of New Orleans, Gregg Popovich of San Antonio, George Karl of Denver, Nate McMillan of Portland or Phil Jackson of the Lakers. If Johnson gets the job, he will be returning to his hometown: "That would be an honor. But the only thing it would really signify is that our team is playing some good basketball."
Item: Since Dec. 2, the Lakers are 16-3, including a eye-opening 7-2 record on the road. "We're playing well," says Kobe Bryant. "[But] I think we can play much better." Coach Phil Jackson remembers last season, when his team started quickly but lost 24 of its final 40 games and limped into the playoffs: "I don't think I really have to say anything because they all remember it." Surprisingly, Bryant hasn't played as well during the hot streak as he did at the start of the season. He's shooting 42 percent over the last six weeks.
Item: After watching Mike Bibby (thumb) and Kevin Martin (groin) practice at full speed after long absences because of injury, Sacramento coach Reggie Theus wondered aloud why the team's medical staff has not cleared them to play. "Contact is contact," he said. "I don't understand." Actually, the Kings' cautious approach with Bibby and Martin is explainable. No. 1, they are shopping Bibby and don't want him to re-injure himself before they pull the trigger on a trade. No. 2, Martin is vital to the team's future. Rushing his return would be foolish.
-- Steve Luhm
Item: In the first seven games after Chicago fired coach Scott Skiles, veteran center Ben Wallace averaged 11 rebounds. His vastly improved play has reinforced the notion that Wallace quit on Skiles, who often took him out of close games in the fourth quarter because of his woeful free-throw shooting. In a 94-93 win over Sacramento last week, Wallace made the game-winning free throw. "Somebody has to be the hero," Wallace said. "Why not me?" It should be noted that Wallace was 1-for-6 from the line against the Kings.
Item: After losing last week's Eastern Conference showdown with Boston, the Pistons were more amused than offended by the Celtics' on-court celebration, which included Paul Pierce's proclamation, "We're the best team in the world." In fact, Chauncey Billups took Boston's euphoria as a compliment: "They still look at us like we're the big dog. And that [celebration] was the validation of that. . . . When a team reacts like that, you know how they look at you." Billups added: "We have been in that situation so many times. They haven't."
Item: The race to coach the Western Conference All-Stars in New Orleans is a close one. Mike D'Antoni of Phoenix is ineligible, since he coached the team last season. So the winner will likely be Avery Johnson of Dallas, Byron Scott of New Orleans, Gregg Popovich of San Antonio, George Karl of Denver, Nate McMillan of Portland or Phil Jackson of the Lakers. If Johnson gets the job, he will be returning to his hometown: "That would be an honor. But the only thing it would really signify is that our team is playing some good basketball."
Item: Since Dec. 2, the Lakers are 16-3, including a eye-opening 7-2 record on the road. "We're playing well," says Kobe Bryant. "[But] I think we can play much better." Coach Phil Jackson remembers last season, when his team started quickly but lost 24 of its final 40 games and limped into the playoffs: "I don't think I really have to say anything because they all remember it." Surprisingly, Bryant hasn't played as well during the hot streak as he did at the start of the season. He's shooting 42 percent over the last six weeks.
Item: After watching Mike Bibby (thumb) and Kevin Martin (groin) practice at full speed after long absences because of injury, Sacramento coach Reggie Theus wondered aloud why the team's medical staff has not cleared them to play. "Contact is contact," he said. "I don't understand." Actually, the Kings' cautious approach with Bibby and Martin is explainable. No. 1, they are shopping Bibby and don't want him to re-injure himself before they pull the trigger on a trade. No. 2, Martin is vital to the team's future. Rushing his return would be foolish.
-- Steve Luhm
12:17 PM
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