Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic: “Amaré Stoudemire has a carrot for any team seeking him in a trade or one for the Suns to keep him. He pledges that another level of his play is coming. The Suns could use that from Stoudemire and his teammates as they preface the All-Star break with a three-game trip that starts Sunday in Detroit, continues Monday in Philadelphia and ends Wednesday at Cleveland, where the Cavaliers are undefeated. ‘If we have a solid trip, that would be great momentum going into the second half of the season,’ Stoudemire said. ‘Every season since my rookie, after All-Star break, my game goes up a notch because we’re closer to the playoffs and buckling down and focusing in. ‘That’s how it was last year before we acquired big fella (Shaquille O’Neal). Then we got big fella and I stayed consistent with that. It’s not going to change this year.’”
Terry Foster of The Detroit News: “One of the criticisms of the Pistons since the early-season trade of Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson is that the team lacks a true point guard. But the role has changed over the years. Today, the point guard not only sets up his teammates, but often is the first scoring option. That’s why Pistons coach Michael Curry stood on the doorstep of the Robinson dressing room and defended his second-year point guard, Rodney Stuckey. ‘He is a point guard,’ Curry said, forcefully. Stuckey has played well since taking over the lead guard spot. However, the team often appears to lack a firm hand on the floor. Since Billups’ departure, the Pistons have become a different team. They won the first three games of the season with Billups, averaging 106 points, 23 assists and 48.8-percent shooting. Since the trade, they are 23-21 and have averaged 92.1 points, 19.7 assists and 45.1-percent shooting.”
Alex Raskin of HOOPSWORLD: “The Celtics – who had a recent 12-game win-streak snapped by a surprisingly physical Lakers team – have come to anticipate this level of toughness from their opponents. ‘We have to expect the best from everybody. We have to be ready,’ said Boston’s Paul Pierce. ‘We’re a physical team ourselves and teams aren’t backing down from us. We’ve got to realize this and take on the challenge.’ But opponents should beware. If you’re a bantamweight against the other 29 NBA teams, don’t expect to fight like a heavyweight against the Celtics. ‘Some teams try to be physical that aren’t physical,’ said Boston’s Ray Allen. ‘That falters at some point throughout the game. We know who’s physical and who’s not.’ The Celtics’ attitude isn’t just about intimidation. It also promotes real results. Without the strength of guys like Perkins, Leon Powe and Glen Davis, Boston wouldn’t be leading the league in rebounding rate (percentage of missed shots rebounded) or defensive efficiency (points allowed per 100 possessions).”
Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle: “Artest’s 37.8 percent shooting is not only the worst of his career, it has been one of the only consistent things about the Rockets’ season, with Artest also hitting on 37.8 percent in the six games since his return from his sprained ankle. Though known for his defense, his shooting has been vital. In wins, he has made 42.1 percent of his shots, in losses just 29.9 percent. Some of that could be attributed to a tendency to try to take over and carry the Rockets through tough times. ‘He really forces it,’ Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. ‘He’s trying to turn something around, make something happen. Still, rather than getting Artest to shoot less often, the Rockets worked to get him more of the sorts of shots he makes.”
Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News: “Ask Tony Dileo to identify the leader of the 76ers, and the coach unhesitatingly says: ‘Andre Iguodala. No question.’ Except, of course, when Andre Miller is carefully directing the offense and bringing his teammates together in a huddle to reinforce a strategy or change one. Or when it becomes necessary for someone to sublimate his role for the good of the group, and Willie Green volunteers. The truth is, the drama that has surrounded the Sixers in recent weeks is over. Elton Brand, after a valiant attempt to continue to play, is facing shoulder surgery Monday and is out for the season. The ability of the remaining players to share the responsibility is suddenly more important than ever.”
Ivan Carter of the Washington Post: “Through 25 home dates, the Wizards (10-39) rank 20th in the league in attendance with an average of 16,552 per game. Last season, when the team overcame a rash of injuries to win 43 games and make the playoffs for the fourth straight season, the Wizards ranked 15th in attendance with an average of 17,962. The team’s poor record, injuries to three-time all-star Gilbert Arenas and starting center Brendan Haywood, and the overall economic downturn have been factors in the attendance drop, according to Peter Biche, the team’s president of business operations and chief financial officer. ‘Injuries have been huge,’ Biche said. ‘Brendan is not as high profile as Gil is but it’s hurt us, obviously. Gilbert is two things: He’s fabulous on the floor and he’s also fabulous from a personality standpoint and fans are drawn to that. A guy who can score 30, hit the game-winning shot and also has that charisma, that’s a dream for someone who is marketing him.’”
Elliott Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News: “The Lakers ended the Celtics’ 19-game winning streak with a victory Christmas Day at Staples Center. They also ended the Celtics’ 12-game streak with their victory Thursday at the TD Banknorth Garden. The Lakers certainly won’t be lacking for motivation Sunday. ‘Oh, without a doubt,’ Lakers coach Phil Jackson said after the team practiced at a Boston sports club Friday. ‘We’d love to be able to go in there and beat them in a situation like this. Many of their games they have been just wiping people out.’ Jackson then went on a riff on James’ pregame ritual of putting rosin on his hands, then tossing it into the air while standing in front of the scorers’ table. Fans seated in the first few rows of the stands mimic James’ every move. ‘All the people wear crowns,’ Jackson said, referring to the fans’ honoring ‘King’ James. ‘They all wear No. 23 (James’ uniform number). They all help him throw that (stuff) in the air when he’s at the scorer’s desk. ‘And he gets away with murder when he’s on his home court on top of it.’”
Scott Howard-Cooper of the Sacramento Bee: “It was more homecoming/family reunion/other-family reunion than number retirement, really, halftime merely the formal moment the jersey went up alongside Mitch Richmond as the only Sacramento Kings so honored. The event will last days, with former teammates returning for the festivities, numerous members of the Webber family in town, and events with fans. There was a dinner Thursday at a downtown hotel – Webber, relatives, Christie, Pollard, Divac, Petrie, spouses. A bunch of old guys swapping stories, Webber would call it. Then came Friday morning and afternoon and Webber purposely avoiding contemplating what would come hours later. ‘I didn’t want to think about it,’ he said. ‘I wanted every emotion to be true, raw emotion.’”
