Thursday report
The way he's played the past couple of weeks, Deron Williams has to be considered the leading candidate to be selected as an injury replacement to the All-Star Game in New Orleans. He just might get that chance thanks to Kobe Bryant's hurt pinkie.
Bryant suffered a dislocated right pinkie in the L.A. Lakers' victory over New Jersey on Tuesday and managed just 11 points on 4-for-16 shooting in a loss Wednesday at Atlanta. Bryant played with his pinkie and ring fingers taped together in the game.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Bryant offered a "maybe" answer when asked Thursday in Orlando, Fla., if the injury might cause him to skip either the All-Star Game or the three-point shootout.
"We have to see how it goes," Bryant added. "You've got to do the right thing. If I can't play, if I can't go out there, I won't. Can't do anything about that."
Hard to imagine Bryant would skip the All-Star Game for an injured finger - - certainly Nike wants him out on the floor - - but maybe Williams will get his chance. Williams is averaging 18.4 points and 11.6 assists during the Jazz's 10-game winning streak.
* * *
Back when he was coach of the Chicago Bulls, Jerry Sloan's relationship with Reggie Theus might have been described as strained at best.
Just consider that when Sloan was told Thursday at practice by a Sacramento television station that Theus speaks highly of his time playing for him, Sloan shot back: "[Shoot], he's lucky to be alive."
But Sloan praised the "excellent" job Theus has done in leading the Kings to a 22-25 record even with Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin both missing substantial time with injuries and the constant turmoil with Ron Artest.
"I've kind of watched him because I wondered what Reggie would do," Sloan said. "I think he's done a very good job. I'm on the outside looking in, you know, but their team hung in there pretty well whenever they had guys out."
Sloan has commended Theus for trying to work his way up the coaching ladder instead of having a job handed to him. Theus did make an enormous jump from New Mexico State to the Kings this season.
* * *
It's going to be a tough call at All-Star weekend in New Orleans between going to Pat O'Brien's for a Hurricane (or three . . . long story from my first season covering the Lakers) or going to the NBA Development League's Dream Factory Friday night.
As part of the event, Jazz rookie Morris Almond will play a game of H.O.R.S.E. against the likes of Lance Allred, Jeremy Richardson and Kasib Powell. There also will be a dunk contest and three-point shootout.
My favorite part of the press release was this line: "Participants will be outfitted with a wireless microphone in order for fans to hear the player call his shot."
Can't wait to watch that D-League All-Star Game at 1 p.m. Saturday after the players have been out all night on Bourbon Street.
--Ross Siler
Bryant suffered a dislocated right pinkie in the L.A. Lakers' victory over New Jersey on Tuesday and managed just 11 points on 4-for-16 shooting in a loss Wednesday at Atlanta. Bryant played with his pinkie and ring fingers taped together in the game.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Bryant offered a "maybe" answer when asked Thursday in Orlando, Fla., if the injury might cause him to skip either the All-Star Game or the three-point shootout.
"We have to see how it goes," Bryant added. "You've got to do the right thing. If I can't play, if I can't go out there, I won't. Can't do anything about that."
Hard to imagine Bryant would skip the All-Star Game for an injured finger - - certainly Nike wants him out on the floor - - but maybe Williams will get his chance. Williams is averaging 18.4 points and 11.6 assists during the Jazz's 10-game winning streak.
* * *
Back when he was coach of the Chicago Bulls, Jerry Sloan's relationship with Reggie Theus might have been described as strained at best.
Just consider that when Sloan was told Thursday at practice by a Sacramento television station that Theus speaks highly of his time playing for him, Sloan shot back: "[Shoot], he's lucky to be alive."
But Sloan praised the "excellent" job Theus has done in leading the Kings to a 22-25 record even with Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin both missing substantial time with injuries and the constant turmoil with Ron Artest.
"I've kind of watched him because I wondered what Reggie would do," Sloan said. "I think he's done a very good job. I'm on the outside looking in, you know, but their team hung in there pretty well whenever they had guys out."
Sloan has commended Theus for trying to work his way up the coaching ladder instead of having a job handed to him. Theus did make an enormous jump from New Mexico State to the Kings this season.
* * *
It's going to be a tough call at All-Star weekend in New Orleans between going to Pat O'Brien's for a Hurricane (or three . . . long story from my first season covering the Lakers) or going to the NBA Development League's Dream Factory Friday night.
As part of the event, Jazz rookie Morris Almond will play a game of H.O.R.S.E. against the likes of Lance Allred, Jeremy Richardson and Kasib Powell. There also will be a dunk contest and three-point shootout.
My favorite part of the press release was this line: "Participants will be outfitted with a wireless microphone in order for fans to hear the player call his shot."
Can't wait to watch that D-League All-Star Game at 1 p.m. Saturday after the players have been out all night on Bourbon Street.
--Ross Siler
10:17 PM
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