NBA News
‘Melo Deal Dead
After a two-month courtship, things have turned for tumultuous to torn-up after the New Jersey Nets announced they were walking away from trade talks for Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony. This conclusion had been a long time coming involving a lot of shady actions by both sides. Not only was Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov undermining his GM, Billy King, by demanding that the trade be made, but the Russian billionaire declined to tell him that the deal was off before yesterday’s press conference. The Nuggets were not entirely squeaky clean either as they had first demanded two first-round picks, a can’t miss prospect (Derrick Favors) and a couple other players before ramping it up to three first-round picks all while denying New Jersey the opportunity to talk to ‘Melo directly to work out a contract extension. With the deal dead it is uncertain where Anthony might go but rumours have New York searching for a trade that would get them first-round picks, Houston shopping their prospects, Nuggets talking to Chicago and you can never count out Mark Cuban, especially with his team coming off a 6-game losing streak.
The Clippers?
Ya, I know what your thinking but look out for those Los Angeles Clippers. Winners of their last three, and six of eight games in 2011, the perennial basement dwellers are on the verge of breaking out. Behind rookie sensation Blake Griffin’s January averages of 27.8 points, 13.6 boards and a surprising 4.3 assists the Clippers have beaten both the Nuggets, Lakers and Heat in the past seven games and have a chance of having the best January record of Staple Center residents. No, I’m not kidding. The Clippers take a 6-2 record into Portland tonight to face a Blazers team who are debating building a wing on their knee rehabilitation clinic now that Marcus Camby becomes the fifth player this season and eighth in the past two seasons to undergo knee surgery. If the Clips come out of Oregon at 7-2 they will have five games left, Milwaukee, Golden State and Charlotte are very winnable games and a back to back against Dallas and Houston. It is entirely possible for the Clippers to head into February at 11-3 or 10-4. This would challenge the Lakers for best January record as the two-time defending champs have looked very mortal even with an 8-3 record and will be in tough with games against Boston, Sacramento, Utah and in Denver to close out the month. Whether the Clippers do beat hte Lakers or not, they are on the right path for the first time in… lets just say ever. Being 7 and 8 games behind the banged up 8th seeded Blazers and a 7th place Nuggets team that might get blown up, a playoff run isn’t out of the question with half the season still to go. And just for kicks here is a highlight reel for the Blake show in case you have been hiding under a rock. At 1:40 and 1:55 try and remember this guy is 6’10″ and 250lbs.
DeRozan Gets Second Chance
After losing to former Knicks guard Nate Robinson in last years competition, DeMar DeRozan has a chance to redeem himself in this year’s Slam Dunk contest. With the All-Star festivities being held mere miles from his home town of Compton, CA., this would be a great setting for the second-year guard to become just the second Raptor to win the contest, Vince Carter being the other in 2000. It took an injury to another Compton kid for the opportunity to come as Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings pulled out of the event after breaking a bone in his foot in December. He will be the only guard in the field which includes Clipper ROY candidate Blake Griffin, OKC’s Serge ‘Air-Congo’ Ibaka and Washington’s 7-foot centre Jevale McGee.
Peja Out
Small Forward Peja Stojakovic is rumoured to be on the verge of agreeing to a buy-out with the Toronto Raptors. The Yugoslavian deep-threat’s contract is up at the end of the season and he has only played in two games since being acquired in late November from New Orleans due to a lingering knee injury. With the Raptors infirmary almost full, his departure would open up a roster spot for another 10-day contract and most likely the signing of G Sundiata Gaines for the rest of the season.
