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Winderman: Juwan Howard, other name players could fade away from NBA
By Ira WindermanSep 10, 2012, 10:05 AM EDT
The fadeaway long has been an NBA fact of life.
While the stars hold press conferences to announce enough is enough, their fame to keep them in the spotlight (and possibly part of broadcast teams) long after their playing days — something we soon might get from Ben Wallace — for the majority of those with flickering tenures, it just ends.
Over the weekend, a pair of minute moves might have signaled such fadeaways.
With the Heat adding big men Mickell Gladness and Jarvis Varnado, the odds diminished on Juwan Howard remaining along for the ride in Miami for another championship quest.
And in Toronto, with the Raptors adding Dominic McGuire, the door apparently finally has closed for Jamaal Magloire, with even his hometown team moving on.
Which is the way it tends to happen for those who attempt to squeeze out every last ounce.
For some, it means waiting around for injuries to pile up, with big men more likely to get another last chance, something Erick Dampier, once again on the outside, has cashed in on during each of the past two seasons.
For others, the choice is to step aside instead of waiting, which is why you'll now find Brian Scalabrine wearing a headset with the Celtics, instead of waving a towel for the Bulls.
So who are most likely to simply fade away, known NBA quantities no longer with a seat at the table?
Among the prime candidates who a month from now we might be saying, "Hey, whatever happened to?" are Brian Cardinal, Mike Bibby, Mike James, Damien Wilkins, Tony Battie, Dan Gadzuric, Brian Cook and several other who not all that long again held regular rotation roles.
With the luxury tax proving more onerous, a 15-man roster no longer is as likely to remain the universal truth. Players who previously might never have considered non-guaranteed contracts now have a decision to make based on pride.
"There's a lot of guys still out here and not a lot of spots left," one agent representing a respect former rotation player said last week. "Team know that, which is why we're starting to see these make-good minimums."
Sometimes pride says enough is enough, NBA legacies valued as worth more than a game-to-game paycheck.
It happens every year. The reality is about to hit home for some known quantities.
September can be the cruelest month.
Ira Winderman writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the Heat and the NBA for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. You can follow him on Twitter at @IraHeatBeat.
Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Ben Wallace, Brian Cardinal, Brian Cook, Brian Scalabrine, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Damien Wilkins, Dan Gadzuric, Detroit Pistons, Dominic McGuire, Erick Dampier, Golden State Warriors, Jamaal Magloire, Juwan Howard, Miami Heat, Mickell Gladness, Mike Bibby, Mike James, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Tony Battie, Toronto Raptor, Washington Wizards
Cuban says the Mavericks almost traded for Kobe in 2007
By Kurt HelinAug 22, 2012, 8:38 AM EDT
The summer of 2007 was the summer of Kobe Bryant's discontent.
Since the Lakers had traded Shaquille O'Neal they had not put new pieces around Kobe that could help win a title, and Kobe let the world know. He asked for a trade, he pressured management, he ripped Andrew Bynum to random guys with a video camera in a parking lot.
And the Lakers did have serious talks with Dallas about a trade, Mark Cuban confirmed while on ESPN Radio in Dallas, as transcribed by the Dallas Morning News. Things were so serious that Cuban — who was doing Dancing With the Stars at the time — thought it would get done.
When I was doing Dancing with the Stars, I was taking breaks because I was talking to Kobe's agent because Kobe wanted to get traded," Cuban explained on the Ben and Skin Show on 103.3 [KESN-FM]. "Literally, between Dancing with the Stars practices I had thought we traded for Kobe Bryant. I even talked to their owner and thought we were going to have done deal, and [Lakers GM] Mitch Kupchak changed [Kobe's] mind and brought him back."
Not sure if the Los Angeles Lakers would've taken Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Devin Harris, Erick Dampier or Josh Howard in return but Cuban assures that Dirk Nowitzki was not in the deal.
"It wasn't Dirk for Kobe," Cuban said before admitting that the Lakers were smart by not letting it happen.
While the Lakers were exploring, I'm not sure they were as serious as Cuban thought, I'm not sure they ever would have traded Kobe until their hand was forced (ie. he could leave via free agency, the way Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard gained leverage to force a trade). Kobe is too valuable to the Lakers brand.
It's moot. At the next trade deadline the Lakers swung a deal for Pau Gasol and went to the next three NBA finals, winning two. And Kobe was happy again. A couple years later, the Mavericks and Cuban would get their rings, too. You just wonder if there would have been more with Kobe.
Tags: Andrew Bynum, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Carmelo Anthony, Dallas Mavericks, Devin Harris, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, Erick Dampier, Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Josh Howard, Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Pau Gasol, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz
NBA Playoffs: Rajon Rondo's triple-double helps Celtics to overtime victory over Hawks
By Scott SchroederMay 4, 2012, 10:43 PM EDT
The Boston Celtics looked anything but exceptional in the first half of Friday night's Game 3 against the Atlanta Hawks, but Rajon Rondo was able to find his rhythm in the second half as the hosting Celtics needed overtime to pick up a win in their first game at home in the Garden this postseason. It wasn't pretty, for the most part, but Boston took the lead in Game 3 of the seven-game series with a 90-84 overtime victory in Rondo's first game back from suspension.
Rondo finished the game with 17 points, 12 assists and 14 rebounds in his return after sitting Game 2 due to contact with an official in the waning minutes of the series' opening game. The point guard's players around him often looked overly-average for a game in the NBA Playoffs — and his six turnovers were a bit troubling — but Boston was able to win the battle thanks to the play of their heady point guard. It was a good for Boston considering they nearly gave it away after having an 11-point cushion late in the fourth quarter.
Rondo's triple-double nicely complemented the rest of the "Big Four" as Ray Allen returned from injury off the bench to score 13 points and hit a dagger free-throw in overtime while Paul Pierce added 21 points (14-of-14 from the charity stripe). Kevin Garnett was excellent on the defensive end, almost overshadowing the 20 points and 15 rebounds he was able to contribute to the box score. The rest of Boston's roster didn't add a lot — Avery Bradley missed time in the second half with a shoulder injury — but it was enough to allow them to take the series lead at home.
The Hawks played very well in the first half, but the second half and overtime were a whole 'nother story. Josh Smith was forced to the bench with a leg injury he suffered in Game 2 and, while it looked like Josh Smith and Tracy McGrady were going to pick up the slack following their first half performances, it apparently wasn't meant to be. Johnson forced overtime with five points of his own late in the fourth quarter, but made just 11 of his 28 attempts from the field on his way to 29 points. McGrady was much more effective off the bench as he apparently entered a time machine for the first half, but an ankle injury seemed to take its toll on him as he finished with just two points in the second half.
While the turning point was probably Rondo picking up his play in the second half, it could also be due to the Hawks lack of any sort of presence from the forward positions. Jason Collins was ineffective after scoring his only four points in the first two minutes of the game and Erick Dampier — who got surprising playing time due to Collins' foul trouble — certainly looked his age on both ends of the floor despite a solid six points and six rebounds.
This series is getting uglier by the game (only seven players scored in double figures on Friday night, despite the extra five minutes of overtime), but it seems that Boston has settled into being perfectly happy with picking up ugly wins and hopefully advancing. It seems that plan may work in this series, especially if injuries continue to be a problem, but that might not be the case as the NBA Playoffs roll on.
Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics, Erick Dampier, Jason Collins, Josh Smith, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady
MRI confirms Hawks' Smith has sprained knee, doubtful for Game 3
By Kurt HelinMay 2, 2012, 3:24 PM EDT
The Boston Celtics just won a game in this series without one of their key players, now the Hawks have to try and do it.
An MRI confirmed what has earlier been thought — Hawks forward Josh Smith has a sprained left knee and is doubtful for Game 3 in Boston, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
A person with knowledge of the prognosis for Josh Smith said the Hawks forward is doubtful to play in Game 3 against the Celtics Friday after he suffered a left knee injury in Game 2 Tuesday.
The person said Smith has patellar tendonitis with inflammation in the injured area but an MRI revealed no structural damage. If Smith misses Game 3 he likely would return for Game 4 Sunday in Boston, according to the person.
You know this must be pretty bad, Smith is a guy who has played through a lot of minor injuries this season and suited up for all 66 games. The knee seemed to be bothering him but he left the court with 4:20 left in a close game after he bumped knees with Kevin Garnett.
The Hawks are already without Al Horford for this series and Zaza Pachulia also will not be ready to play. This means a lot of Ivan Johnson and even possibly an Erick Dampier sighting.
Boston won Game 2 without Rajon Rondo thanks to a throwback game from Paul Pierce. Atlanta now has to find some of the same somewhere or they will be in a hole difficult to get out of in this series.
Tags: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Erick Dampier, Ivan Johnson, Josh Smith, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Zaza Pachulia
Bobcats lose 23rd straight, fall to Knicks to set record for futility
By Kurt HelinApr 26, 2012, 11:43 PM EDT
The Charlotte Bobcats are the worst team in NBA history.
Charlotte fell to the Knicks by 20 points, 104-84, on a night when the Knicks basically gave their best players a night off. On a night the Bobcats should have played with desperation, they were passive and just missed good looks.
It was their 23rd loss in a row and leaves them with a 7-59 record, a .106 willing percentage. Before the Bobcats, the 1972-73 Sixers were the worst team in the NBA with a 9-73 record — a .110 winning percentage. The Bobcats were worse. They are now the worst.
The coach of that Sixers team was right, they did have more talent.
These Bobcats were not going to be good — they rightly realized before the season started that if they kept their entire roster together and everything broke right they could maybe grab the last playoff spot in the East. But if that is your ceiling, it's a smart long term to get bad and draft high. It can work and turn a team around.
Of course, part of the reason the Bobcats are here are picks like Adam Morrison No. 3 overall six years ago, and other picks like Alexis Ajinca. They moved their 2010 first round pick for Tyrus Thomas. While they have made some decent picks, they have missed on plenty.
This season disaster came with that as the foundation. They moved Tyson Chandler for the contract of Erick Dampier and then cut him, saving owner Michael Jordan a lot of money. They traded Gerald Wallace to Portland (for two first round picks). They did not re-sign Raymond Felton. They planned to give big minutes to rookies Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo.
But they took a couple steps so the team would not be historically bad this season —it's just all of those backfired. They brought in Corey Maggette (in a trade for Stephen Jackson) to put points on the board, but he could not stay healthy. Boris Diaw won the "Shawn Kemp Memorial Award" for being the most out of shape after the lockout. Second place may have gone to teammate DeSagana Diop.
From bad decisions to bad choices by players to bad luck it all snowballed into the worst season in NBA history.
For their reward, the Bobcats will have a 25 percent chance of landing Anthony Davis with the top pick. Do that, and a lot of this will be forgotten.
Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Bismack Biyombo, Boris Diaw, Charlotte Bobcats, Corey Maggette, DeSagana Diop, Erick Dampier, Gerald Wallace, Kemba Walker, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Raymond Felton, San Antonio Spurs, Stephen Jackson, Tyrus Thomas, Tyson Chandler
Winderman: Juwan Howard, other name players could fade away from NBA September 10, 2012 10:05 am EDT Cuban says the Mavericks almost traded for Kobe in 2007 August 22, 2012 8:38 am EDT NBA Playoffs: Rajon Rondo's triple-double helps Celtics to overtime victory over Hawks May 4, 2012 10:43 pm EDT MRI confirms Hawks' Smith has sprained knee, doubtful for Game 3 May 2, 2012 3:24 pm EDT Bobcats lose 23rd straight, fall to Knicks to set record for futility April 26, 2012 11:43 pm EDT Erick Dampier signs 10-day contract with Atlanta Hawks February 9, 2012 12:59 pm EDT Thursday And-1 links: Kevin Durant raps February 9, 2012 11:01 am EDT The Nets overpaid Kris Humphries, but so what? December 21, 2011 2:51 pm EDT Dexter Pittman is Joel Anthony's biggest fan December 1, 2011 5:46 pm EDT Report: Miami players joined Dallas post-title party June 14, 2011 11:05 am EDT NBA Playoffs Bulls-Heat Game 1: Defending Derrick May 15, 2011 5:00 pm EDT NBA Playoffs: Witnessing the ascension May 12, 2011 3:22 am EDT If we can stop laughing, we'll tell you about the Heat being interested in Eddy Curry April 2, 2011 4:30 pm EDT Lakers at Heat: Five things to watch March 10, 2011 2:44 pm EDT Bosh even less clutch than LeBron as Magic finish huge comeback over Heat March 4, 2011 12:12 am EDT Video: LeBron James with the sweet no-look pass February 28, 2011 12:22 pm EDT Report: Jerry Stackhouse ends up man on the outside in Miami November 23, 2010 12:02 pm EDT Dampier to sign one-year deal with Heat Tuesday November 22, 2010 11:00 pm EDT Heat likely to sign Erick Dampier while Haslem will have surgery on foot November 22, 2010 5:54 pm EDT Heat's options without Haslem: More Juwan Howard or get another player. Yuck. November 22, 2010 11:09 am EDT The Heat don't need Erick Dampier, but they could surely use him November 15, 2010 3:54 pm EDT Report: Miami, Phoenix start talking to Erick Dampier again November 11, 2010 11:21 am EDT Erick Dampier not nearly as much of a Rocket as we may have previously thought November 7, 2010 8:10 pm EDT Rockets looking to trade Jermaine Taylor, or he'll get waived October 31, 2010 7:00 pm EDT Wojnarowski: Dampier agrees to one-year deal with Rockets October 29, 2010 4:11 pm EDT Report: Erick Dampier close to deal with Rockets October 29, 2010 1:09 am EDT Training camps is almost over, time for Erick Dampier to make a decision October 20, 2010 1:38 pm EDT Phoenix, Chicago this week's frontrunners for Erick Dampier October 6, 2010 6:55 pm EDT Dampier visits with Raptors, but no deal worked out October 1, 2010 8:25 am EDT Erick Dampier says it's down to four teams, Portland now in mix September 27, 2010 9:59 am EDT Toronto is the new, slightly gimpy horse in the race for Erick Dampier's services September 27, 2010 8:30 am EDT Miami Heat step out of Erick Dampier running September 24, 2010 6:43 pm EDT Report: Erick Dampier to the Miami Heat deal "imminent" September 22, 2010 2:59 pm EDT Erick Dampier down to Rockets, Heat, Hawks, Nuggets September 21, 2010 9:58 am EDT Today's Erick Dampier update: Heat, Rockets and Hawks (yes, it's the slow time of year) September 17, 2010 4:55 pm EDT Maybe rings, Miami winning out over money for Dampier September 16, 2010 11:57 am EDT Report: The Rockets are feeling Damp September 15, 2010 10:48 pm EDT Winderman: Celebrating all that has gone wrong in Charlotte (and still making the playoffs) September 15, 2010 2:36 pm EDT Dampier has a decision to make, and he wants it to come with a ring. And money. September 15, 2010 10:00 am EDT Bobcats waive Erick Dampier September 14, 2010 4:49 pm EDT