Chris Perkins of the Palm Beach Post: “Here’s something to consider: Dwyane Wade has played better in his past 10 games than he’s ever played in his remarkable six-year NBA career. Even better than the 2006 NBA Finals, a dominant performance that led to the Heat’s title win against the Dallas Mavericks and a Finals MVP trophy for Wade. Count Cleveland’s MVP candidate LeBron James, who edged Wade 42 points to 41 in a Cavs’ win last week, as a supporter of Wade for this season’s best player. ‘Just the things he’s been able to do this year, and getting that team to play a lot better,’ James said. ‘As long as Dwyane Wade is healthy, that team is going to win because of how good he is.’ During this current stretch Wade is averaging 35.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game. He’s shooting .566 (128-for-226) from the field, including .390 (16-for-41) on three-pointers, and .900 (81-for-90) on free throws. And if that’s not enough, Wade is also averaging 2.7 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.”
Travis Heath of HOOPSWORLD: “Chauncey Billups has been great in so many ways since he arrived in Denver and has had plenty of praise come his way in this space. However, lately his game has slipped. When Billups first arrived he was, in so many ways, a calming presence for the Nuggets. He seemed to slow the game down when it was time to slow it down. More recently, though, Billups has been taking more-and-more quick shots in transition. These kind of shots are okay from time-to-time, but he’s been hoisting up and missing too many of these shots of late. With Billups it’s never been about the numbers. That said, his shooting percentage has not been good in the past couple of weeks and neither has his shot-selection. Denver desperately needs Billups to get back to slowing the game down and getting them into some kind of offensive set when the momentum is turning against them as opposed to him trying to shoot the team back in the game.”
Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times: “His game had flourished after center Andrew Bynum went down because of a knee injury Jan. 31, Odom’s play raising eyebrows over a 14-game stretch. He averaged 16.2 points on 53.4% shooting, and 12.8 rebounds. He had a string of four consecutive games in which he increased his rebounding total, from 17 to 18 to 19 to 20. Now Odom is in a mini-tailspin, and his playing time has dwindled to 26 minutes over the last three games versus 35.9 during his upswing. He understands that fans pay close attention to his statistics. ‘But I don’t get like, ‘Oh, man, I only scored two,’ ‘ said Odom, who is in the last year of a contract that’s on the Lakers’ books for $14.1 million. ‘It’s going to hurt because they’ll say, ‘Lamar Odom averages such-and-such when Bynum went down.’ My friends be calling me, saying, ‘C’mon, man, you’ve got to score more than two. You know you’ve got to keep that up.’ Naw, I’ve got to play good basketball.’”
Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times: “Davis is bright, has a real heart — ask the kids in his old neighborhood — and is no less talented than Chris Paul and Deron Williams. All he has to show for that after 10 seasons is three playoff appearances, two trips to the second round and two All-Star selections. He’s also a multimillionaire producer who hangs out with movie stars. Of course, if that’s all Magic Johnson had after 10 seasons, he would have retired and gone into seclusion as a monk in Tibet. Engaging as Davis is, he has always wound up getting his way, and getting the story out the way he wanted it . . . until now. When The Times’ T.J. Simers skewered him (‘I know dogs, so I dropped by to see Baron Davis’), Davis came back with 25-9-10 in a win over the Warriors. ‘It’s T.J. Simers’ fault!’ Ralph Lawler announced on the air. ‘He should have written that column in November!’ Within days, the Clippers were back to going belly up, as in last week’s 23-point loss to Memphis, which had won three road games all season. In other words, Davis had proved Simers’ point.”
Mike McGraw of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald: “Vinny Del Negro must have owned a 10-speed bike when he was a kid, because he used how one works to illustrate how Derrick Rose should approach the pick-and-roll, a staple in the development of an NBA point guard. ‘Sometimes we talk about him being in gear 10 already,’ Del Negro said after the Bulls’ 117-102 victory over Milwaukee on Friday. ‘He’s got to pull it back sometimes. ‘I thought he pulled it back to gear 6 and waited a little bit, then attacked the basket when it was open. That was good.’ Rose matched his career high with 27 points against the Bucks, and all 10 of his baskets came on fastbreaks or drives to the basket. There wasn’t a single jumper in the mix. One of the reasons the Bulls were willing to trade for center Brad Miller was to be a formidable partner with Rose in the screen-and-roll.”
Jason Quick of The Oregonian: “He is fed up with it all. Fed up with the injuries, which prevent him from playing the game he insists he loves. Fed up with the media, which have portrayed him as injury-prone and a bust. And to a degree, he is fed up with himself and his performance on the court this season. In Greg Oden’s world, everything, and everyone, is seemingly against him. ‘It’s like, dang, can I ever do anything right?’ Oden says. His body has been besieged by injuries during his two seasons in Portland, the most prominent setbacks to his knees. His right knee required microfracture surgery in September 2007, forcing him to miss all of his first season. Now, his left knee is threatening to put an end to this season. On Feb.12, in what seemed like an innocuous collision near the free throw line with Golden State’s Corey Maggette, Oden suffered a chipped left kneecap. Since then, everything has been a mess. The Blazers admit they misplayed the injury, announcing Oden’s status was day-to-day, when in fact, team doctors and trainers knew from the start they were dealing with a potential long-term injury. “
Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald: “Marbury has already observed – and appreciated – some seemingly mundane points, like how serious the Celtics crowd takes the game. ‘You don’t see people finally getting into their seats at some time in the third quarter,’ he said. ‘They are in their seats from the start, watching everything. They don’t want to miss anything.’ Marbury understands that they haven’t missed anything in his game, for example. They know he is rusty, and that he has shot 1-for-10 in the three games since his adrenaline-driven, eight-point C’s debut on Feb. 27. But he has a particularly big advocate in his corner, which helps Marbury shake off the tough times. While Kevin Garnett has remained out of sight while recovering from a strained knee ligament, the Celtics forward has passed his infectious optimism on to his former Timberwolves teammate.”
Neil Paine of Basketball-Reference.com: The Top 10 Power Forwards of All Time (*according to statistical +/-)
Buck Harvey of the San Antonio Express-News: “Sitting in the second row, among average-sized humans, David Robinson always stands out. But he will look even bigger this afternoon, assuming he uses his tickets and doesn’t give them to friends or family. He’s heading to the Hall of Fame, a post-career portrait of maturity and peace. And there, on the court, will be his opposite. His former nemesis. Shaquille O’Neal might read this and feel the need to say something today. Years ago, before Shaq spread jeer around the country, he took on Robinson. Born of some contrived high school scene, where he thought Robinson had ‘dogged’ him, Shaq held up Robinson as his personal adversary. His name-calling even found its way into a Shaq book. Then, he called him ‘Punk-ass David.’ Robinson should be honored to be the first. From there Shaq branched out to a crowd that included Penny Hardaway, the Sacramento Kings, Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, the Heat medical staff, Pat Riley and anyone who has ever tried to take a charge.”
Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News: “Popovich reported Friday that Ginobili needs every bit of the two-to-three week projected recovery time for a stress reaction in his right ankle — and probably a few days longer. That’s consistent with Popovich’s core belief: The regular season is little more than a process-enabling pursuit of perfecting defensive principles that make the Spurs a potential champion. ‘We’re a team that understands we’ve got to be one of the two or three best defensive teams in the league to win a championship, or it won’t happen,’ Popovich said. ‘Whether Manu is there, or not, doesn’t change that basic understanding and belief.’ Popovich seems moderately amazed that the Spurs go into today’s game against the Suns with the second-best record in the West in a season in which Ginobili already has missed 23 games. ‘He is a player who definitely wins X number of games a year in some way, shape or form that no one can anticipate,’ Popovich said. ‘We don’t have that athleticism he gives us, and that wild card. That’s where he affects the team, but not the basic philosophy.’”
The Oklahoman: “Want to know how these guys have won four of five, in large part without Durant and Green? Look no further than that all-out scrappiness. ‘Obviously, when you’re down so many guys … the urgency is there,’ Weaver said. ‘Guys want to get out there and play.’ It would be impossible to overstate just how hard these guys are playing. ‘That’s what we have to do when we’re down in numbers,’ Russell Westbrook said. Just because that’s what teams with injured stars should do doesn’t mean that’s what they end up doing. It would have been easy for the Thunder to have packed it in, to have shut it down after Durant and Green went down. Instead, this squad is playing some of its best ball of the season.”
Curtis Pashelka of the Contra Costa Times: “Over an 82-game season, teams spend countless hours looking at videotape to try to exploit matchups, learn the tendencies of opposing players and figure out what defenses work best against their opponents’ crunch-time plays.’The one thing about all NBA coaches is that there’s a lot of work behind the scenes that most people just don’t know about,’ Warriors guard Jamal Crawford said.Even though head coaches get the attention, much of the responsibility for game-planning falls on the shoulders of the assistants. In addition to working with their own players, each NBA assistant follows a certain number of teams around the league and devises game plans for those opponents. For instance, if a team has four assistants, each one will keep up with seven or eight other teams and be responsible for knowing those team and their individual tendencies. Most of the information in those game plans revolves around formulating defenses, which are based on their team’s own strengths or what the assistant coaches perceive to be the opponent’s offensive weaknesses.”
George Willis of the New York Post: “It’s not a reach to suggest the intense coverage that has followed A-Rod could spook potential 2010 NBA free agents like LeBron James, DeWayne Wade and Chris Bosh, who may not want to play under that kind of scrutiny. ‘There are some guys who love the stage and want to be on display, and there are other guys who are really private,’ said Bell, who had 17 points last night. ‘It’s something people should consider when deciding whether to play here or not.’ Certainly, much of the controversy that follows Rodriguez is of his own doing. But that might be lost in the recruiting battle that will unfold. ‘I’m sure that’s something a team competing with New York for a player might bring up,’ said a former NBA executive. ‘It’s going to be very competitive when 2010 comes around and teams are going to use everything they can to persuade a player to sign with them.’”
Brian Windhorst of The Plain Dealer: “In less than 13 months, Ferry was able to put a plan into place to remake the supporting cast around LeBron James as he heads toward free agency in 2010. Two complex trades and a series of free-agent moves later, the Cavs have a 49-13 record and are serious contenders for an NBA title. ‘The success of the roster changes made over the last year have come from a team effort,’ Ferry said. ‘[Owner] Dan Gilbert has allowed [assistant GMs] Chris Grant, Lance Blanks and I to make some dramatic changes. Mike Brown and his coaching staff have done a tremendous job in putting all of it together. We have good guys on our team, so it’s made it more fun for all of us.’ The NBA is temperamental, and roster moves change in perception over time, which everyone in the business understands. But with the current returns from his work, Ferry is being suggested as a candidate to be named Executive of the Year.”
Ivan Carter of the Washington Post: “The Wizards are freezing the prices of season tickets for next season and offering incentives, including rebates and extended payment plans, to entice fans to renew. The Wizards (14-46) are in the midst of one of the worst seasons in franchise history, but the decision to not raise ticket and concession stand prices is a reflection of the tough economic climate — not the team’s struggles this season, according to Peter Biché, the team’s president of business operations and chief financial officer. ‘All of this is really about the economy,’ Biché said. ‘We’re not naive about what is going on out there. We’re trying to make it affordable and create some flexibility in terms of giving ticket holders more time to pay. I’m not concerned about the team. We’re not a 14-win team. When we get our guys back, we’re a much better team than that and that is what we’re pitching to our fans.’ Still, freezing ticket prices appears to be a sensible move given the fact that the team, which has played all season without three-time all-star Gilbert Arenas and starting center Brendan Haywood, has put such a poor product on the floor.”
Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal: “The Grizzlies, 16-44 entering their game Saturday night against Philadelphia, are ranked among the NBA’s worst in the standings and attendance. Heisley has taken a more active role in basketball decisions over the past two seasons. The Chicago-based billionaire didn’t apologize for his decision making and said he’s comfortable with where the team is according to his long-term plan. ‘I may fall flat on my face,’ Heisley said, ‘and if I do I’ll pay the piper. I’m the one paying the bills.’ Memphis has positioned itself well under the salary cap. The franchise has also stockpiled future draft picks, leading cynics to wonder whether Heisley is committed to spending money in free agency. Projections have the Grizzlies with as much as $20 million available to spend this summer. ‘I’m going to spend when I believe it’s going to produce a championship team,’ Heisley said. ‘Or, if it’s setting us up to go deep in the playoffs.’”
Jim Masilak of the Memphis Commercial Appeal: “Calling it a deal too good to pass up, Michael Heisley confirmed Saturday that the Grizzlies are one of 12 teams tapping into a $200 million line of credit from the NBA. Each team is entitled to borrow $13 million to $20 million and is free to use it for any purpose, including to help offset losses incurred in a worsening economy.‘You have the opportunity to borrow at a very affordable rate, and we will exercise our right to get that money,’ Heisley said before the Grizzlies’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers at FedExForum. ‘It isn’t like we definitely have to have the money. It’s because it’s available. Anyone who has a chance to get low-interest financing (in this environment) and doesn’t take it needs to have his head examined.’ Heisley wasn’t sure of the exact amount obtained by the Grizzlies. He referred that question to his lawyer, Stan Meadows, who could not be reached for comment.”
Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune: “NBA Commissioner David Stern scolded Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor and coach Kevin McHale for comments they made last week about the troubled economy and the league’s future labor agreement with its players. Taylor and McHale both candidly answered reporters’ questions Tuesday about possible changes coming when the league’s collective bargaining agreement with its players expires in 2011. Stern quickly sent word to both, telling them to shut up about such matters. ‘I have already been talked to by the league,’ McHale said. ‘I can say nothing. I think nothing. Nothing, nothing. I don’t even think anymore. I’ve shut that off completely. I think that was the last cognizant thought I had: I was thinking about thinking about nothing.’”
Brian Windhorst of The Plain Dealer: “Then there’s MIT grad and Medina native Daryl Morey, who went from Highland High School to Northwestern to MIT to STATS Inc. to general manager of the Houston Rockets. Never even a varsity basketball player, Morey’s move up the ranks with statistical analysis has pioneered the field and his MIT background has made the school the center of the movement. Now he employs a legion of interns to help him, many who live right in Cambridge and send data to Texas every day. The Cavs do not like to talk about it but they are right there, too. Their stat guru – an economics professor named Dan Rosenbaum who wrote a blog that Cavs GM Danny Ferry became a fan of when he was in the San Antonio Spurs’ front office – advises them on an array of moves. Yet, Rosenbaum is not listed in the media guide even though you can find the scoreboard animator’s name or the person in charge of mail-order merchandise in there. The team’s three-year quest to acquire Delonte West was based partially on the numbers Rosenbaum’s computer spit out. When they started trying to trade for him, West was a member of the Celtics. He was there in part because Morey, who worked for the Celtics before moving to Houston, had a computer tell him the same thing about the tough-nosed guard from St. Joseph’s.”
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com: “It’s not a perfect science, but quantitative analysis has become a focal point of the NBA business in a way that statistics have long been synonymous with baseball. The majority of NBA teams are heavily invested in using data analysis to help them make decisions — on players, coaches, trades, schemes, and the salary cap. The unofficial leader of what we’ll call the basketball geek revolution is Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, who got his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and co-chairs the conference. As ESPN.com stat guru John Hollinger joked during the panel discussion on basketball analytics, ‘Fortunately for Daryl, there’s no luxury tax on analysts. What did we learn from this conference, dubbed ‘Dork-a-Palooza’ by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban? Generally, we learned that as basketball fans, you will be hearing and reading a lot more about statistics you’ve never heard of before. As the kind of work that Morey does with the Rockets becomes more prevalent, NBA teams will become better at making informed decisions about which players to trade, which ones to draft, which ones to put on the floor together, and when. As a result, the interpretation and analysis of basketball will become a lot more intelligent.”
