SPOELSTRA ON THE ROPES

Things are really bound to get ugly when a team starts to struggle after all the hype and high expectations in the NBA, especially if it’s the Miami Heat. First, the unexpected early season defeats, then came the Phil Jackson prediction, followed by the LeBron James bump during the Dallas Mavericks game and now comes the wavering support of Dwyane Wade. Taking all the punches is the Heat Fil-Am mentor Erik Spoelstra. If this is a boxing match, Spoelstra is clearly clinging to his dear life as he finds himself on the ropes absorbing all the combinations of left and right. Everybody knows and it is no secret that if the Heat continue to perform below expectations, the inevitable will finally happen (remember Stan Van Gundy in 2005-06 season?): Spoelstra out, Heat President Pat Riley in. It seems Spoelstra is alone in this crusade and the coming days or weeks will see if he will be able to turn things around. Here are the latest statements from Spoelstra and D-Wade according to Fox Sports and Sun Sentinel, respectively.

Erik Spoelstra: “It is so easy for everybody to push the panic button right now. We’ve gone through a tough stretch right now; panic is probably at an all-time high on the outside. My job is to prepare this team and get us ready for the games and continue to help us get better. That keeps my days full. And nights. And when I’m not preparing and working to make us get better I’m actually trying to take some moments away where I’m not thinking about this team or the game, which is tough.”

Dwyane Wade: “In this league, and in sports in general, you really don’t look at it and say a coach is your guy. A coach is a coach and he has to take hard stances at times, more times than not. Players and coaches, it’s always that kind of weird type of relationship. You don’t look at him and say, ‘That’s my guy right there,’ in the sense of me. Yeah, I came in when Spo was early in his coaching career. He wasn’t even on the bench when I first came in. He’s grown to know me; I’ve grown to know him.

“He’s a different person and I’m a different player than when we came in. So, I’m not going to say he’s my guy, but he’s my coach, you know. We listen to him and try to execute a game plan and sometimes players and coaches get into disagreements. In general, that’s life with people. It’s the nature of sports. Right now, in my opinion, no one is doing a good job, we’re 9-8. We’re all in this together. Players not doing a good job; coaches not doing a good job. As a whole. When success comes, we win as a whole. We win four in a row, Coach is going to look great.”

IT’S A 48-MINUTE GAME

Manu Ginobili (AP Photo).

The New Orleans Hornets learned their lesson the hard way in a 109-95 home defeat to the San Antonio Spurs. The loss was the Bees’ first this season at Ford Center. The crowd were on their feet the whole of the first half as the Hornets surged to a 17-point lead at halftime. Then it was an all-Spurs show in the next 24 minutes as they outscored the Hornets by 31 points. That’s is what champions are made of. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich credited their defensive adjustments and aggressiveness for the big turn-around for the league-leading Spurs in the final half. First-year Hornets head coach Monty Williams on the other hand, says he was simply out-coached by this former mentor, the veteran Spurs drill master, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Gregg Popovich: “I saw a 17-point deficit, so we changed up the defense and it helped us. We made shots and got more aggressive, got a little more physical and just competed better in the second half.”

Monty Williams: “The bottom line is I got outcoached. Coach Popovich made a great move, going small, and I didn’t make the immediate adjustments to put us in position to hang on. … It was just an old-school whipping from a coaching standpoint.”

STICKING TOGETHER

Brandon Roy (AP Photo).

After three successive defeats and their fifth in the last seven games, the Portland Trail Blazers says enough is enough. The Blazers are currently playing .500 ball with an 8-8 win-loss card. To arrest the skid, a team meeting was immediately called upon by the Rip City outfit. Blazers star Brandon Roy says it’s a difficult time for the team but they are sticking together on this one, according to The Oregonian.

“We're at a tough point right now. It's a young season. We've lost three games in a row and we're .500, so it's a difficult time. But we have to stick together and really see what we're made of.”

Video: SA SPURS HAND NO HORNETS THEIR 1ST HOME DEFEAT, 109-95

Video: INDIANA PACERS HAND LA LAKERS 2ND STRAIGHT DEFEAT, 95-92

TIGHT SECURITY FOR LEBRON’S RETURN TO CLEVELAND

Mark the date, December 2, 2010 (December 3, Manila Time). This will be the very first time in which Miami Heat swingman LeBron James meets his former NBA team, the Cleveland Cavaliers in a nationally-televise game at the Quicken Loans Arena. Expect tight security to be provided by the NBA, Cavaliers and the Cleveland Police Department for James safety to avoid any untoward incident that could occur. The Cavs diehards are still fuming mad in what they perceived as total betrayal by James when he left Cleveland for South Beach last summer, according to ESPN.

“The Cavaliers, the league and the Cleveland Police Department have had conference calls discussing the proper way to secure the game, which will be televised nationally on TNT. To ensure James' safety, there will be dozens of extra police officers on hand, both uniformed and undercover. Officers will be stationed inside and outside the arena, and many will be positioned by the Heat bench and at the tunnel where the Heat players will enter the court.

“The team has done research on the various crude and offensive James T-shirts in circulation locally, and officials will be stationed at entrances to make sure no fans enter with such shirts or signs that disrespect James or his family members. They'll also be in the stands, authorized to take away inappropriate apparel. Fans who have such shirts will be required to remove them and then will be given a Cavaliers-branded T-shirt to wear instead. All inappropriate signs also will be confiscated and officials will be on the lookout throughout the game for inebriated fans or fans who are preparing to throw things onto the court.”

EURO OPTION FOR NBA LOCKOUT, IS IT POSSIBLE?

Brandon Jennings

With the looming work stoppage due to NBA lockout next summer, league players are now looking into the possibility of playing overseas to generate income. But is it possible considering that they are under contract with NBA teams? Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks started it off by saying he would return to Europe if ever the lockout pushes through. Here are thoughts of some players from the Chicago Bulls, according to NBA Fanhouse.

Luol Deng: “I would, (but) maybe because I know Europe. A lot of guys are going to want to play (overseas). It's a way to stay in shape. Financially, a lot of guys have got families and everything, so I see a lot of guys doing it. I think if you can, a lot of players will.”

Kyle Korver: “There might be three guys that do that (in the entire league). I think everybody thinks they're going to get some crazy contract over there, and it's not going to happen. If you're going to get like $10 million, then yeah do it. But no one is going to get that. There are no guys in the NBA who will go over there and play for a million dollars.”

Carlos Boozer: “I'm going to have to have my (agent) look into that. If your contract says that you can only play basketball with (your current NBA team), then there's no gray area. That's black and white. You can't (do it) unless you want to breach that contract. But if that language isn't in there.”

Video: AMARE'S KNICKS UNIFORM BLOOPER

Video: D-WILL WINS FIRST ROUND DUEL VS. CP3

Video: CAREER-OVER FOR GREG ODEN?

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=c92101ad-7744-46de-8708-f70969c95fcc" target="_new" title="">Marques' Mailbag: Oden's out</a>

“THE ANSWER”: NO MORE NBA

Allen Iverson (left) in action for
Besiktas in the Turkish pro league.

If people think that the Turkish League stint of Allen Iverson is a springboard for a future NBA comeback, the answer is a big no. For Iverson, the NBA is a thing of the past and all of his focus right now is to make Besiktas a better team. Iverson says he is done with the NBA and he is happy with his life as his heart now belongs to Turkey, where he hopes to end his storied basketball career, according to HeinNews.

“No, that’s not a goal of mine. That’s a goal I have already accomplished. I already accomplished being an NBA basketball player. I’ve done a lot of things in that league that not too many people have had a chance to do and have the luxury to perform at that level. I’ve done a lot of things that I’m proud of in the NBA for the years that I was there. I’ve accomplished so many things. And my heart is here now. This is what I want to do. Obviously this team gave me an opportunity and gave me a chance. And I think I would be letting them down if I was just focused on getting back to the NBA. My focus is on getting this team better and doing everything I can for this club. If I can have it my way I would finish my career right here.

“Just to win. With me, scoring and breaking records and doing all those things and being an All-Star, I’ve done those things and accomplished those things on the highest level. So I’ve been there and done that. My whole thing is team orientated. When the contract was made I didn’t want any individual things put into the contract that I had to accomplish. I wanted all the goals to be team-orientated. That’s the only thing I’m thinking about, winning basketball games. And just coming here and losing my first three games gives me a bad taste in my mouth. But the only thing it does is encourage me to get better and learn the system and fit in better than I am.”

NO RIFT

Jarret Jack (left) and Jose Calderon
during their tandem days with the
Toronto Raptors.

The trade of Jarret Jack to the New Orleans Hornets has further triggered rumors of a rift between the former and Jose Calderon during their days together with the Toronto Raptors. It all started after Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo was quoted that one of the two guards had to go. But the Spanish guard quickly denied of any friction between him and the departed Jack, according to the Toronto Sun.

“There’s nothing there, we worked together here, no problems at all. It’s like being with Jerryd (Bayless) now, (we’re) going to compete for minutes, that’s all. I just want to win (and) compete for the Raptors. I was happy before.”

RECONNECTION

Erik Spoelstra has a lot of
thinking to do for the Miami Heat.

It is too early to push the panic button for Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. But the youthful Fil-Am mentor knows very well that they have to work hard, actually very hard, and definitely a lot harder than the first 14 games of the season. The Heat needs to reconnect and talk about the things that will make them overcome their current struggle. Spoelstra says it’s time for the team to reconnect once again, according to NBA Fanhouse.

“Today was about reconnection. Reconnecting with our identity and getting back to work. We know no other way then to get in here, sweat and grind a bit, push and get back to the fundamentals of our game.

“The second part of it was to reconnect with each other while we're going through some adverse times where we did not play well last night. None of us felt good about the game. We are much better than that and that's why we came in here today and got some work done.”

Video: HIGHLIGHTS OF ORLANDO MAGIC WIN OVER THE MIAMI HEAT, 104-95

Video: HIGHLIGHTS OF DALLAS MAVERICKS WIN OVER OKC THUNDER, 111-103

Video: IS RILEY TAKING OVER THE STRUGGLING HEAT?

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=bb3115fd-1158-4c17-ab34-a7f041ce0a27" target="_new" title="">Heat or 3Peat: Riley taking over?</a>

Video: THE MAGIC MEN

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=ed5983d4-9f4f-493d-8a18-a0e86cd2e0b0" target="_new" title="">In the Paint: Magic Men</a>

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE HAWKS

Josh Smith (left) and Marvin
Williams of the Atlanta Hawks.
(AP Photo)

The Atlanta Hawks were a pitiful sight in their 99-76 home defeat to the Boston Celtics and head coach Larry Drew can only bow and shake his head slowly after the game. And here comes another loss, this time to the New Jersey Nets, 107-101 in overtime. It was their third straight defeat and seventh in their last ten games. The Hawks started the season soaring high with five consecutive victories. Drew says he want to get to the bottom of what is currently ailing the team, which he describes as lacking in energy, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“We are playing like we are coming off a back-to-back-to-back. I told the guys I don’t know what you are doing the night before we play, I don’t know what you are doing away from the floor. Something is going on that is not allowing us to play with an energy and passion that we should be playing with. As a head coach, I’ve got to find out what it is. Something is going on and I’ve got to get to the bottom of it. Players have to know themselves. They have to know their bodies. They have to know how to get physically and mentally ready for every game, especially at the start. First four minutes of the game, when I see my players bending over grabbing their shorts because they are winded, something is going on. Something is wrong.

“I am disappointed that we are not playing with a hunger. We are looking to point fingers. We are playing the blame game. More importantly, our energy level is not good at all. We are not doing things quick, we are not doing things with speed, we are not doing things with urgency.”

NO HARD FEELINGS FOR STACKHOUSE

Jerry Stackhouse (right) at the Miami
Heat bench with LeBron James in
file photo.

Jerry Stackhouse is now officially out of the Miami Heat roster. The 16-year veteran was released by the Heat to make way for big man Erick Dampier. The 6-6 former North Carolina star appeared in seven games for the Heat this season and posted career-low averages of 1.7 ppg and 1.0 rpg. Stackhouse says he has fully accepted and understand the decision of the Heat management, which is to primarily address the immediate need for a frontliner to replace the injured Udonis Haslem, according to ESPN.

“I never really got a chance to have any impact on what was happening one way or the other. They know that. I really feel they had full intentions of [providing that opportunity], but the injury to [Udonis Haslem] coupled with being outrebounded and losing the paint game in all of the losses -- and even a few of the wins -- put the onus on addressing those issues as opposed to finding out how I could complement what was going on, which I fully understand.

“The business is the business. I have no complaints. I thank Pat Riley and the Miami Heat organization for giving me the opportunity, which allowed me to get in NBA condition [and] will definitely benefit me when another opportunity arises.”

IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT

Dwight Howard of the
Orlando Magic. (AP
Photo)

Despite their 106-97 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, the Orlando Magic remains on top of the heap in the Southeast Division with a 9-4 win-loss card and Magic General Manager Otis Smith is not tinkering of any player movement, not even by a longshot. Smith says the Magic has all the tools to make it big in the post-season and there is no reason to add another marquee player at this time, according to Hoopsworld.

“I like our team. I don't think there's anything on our team that I would add at this point of time. We're as flexible as you can get. We can play big or small. I don't think I necessarily need to add anything to it in order to play certain ways. I think the season is a process by which you play good teams, get over exposed to your weaknesses, just as we will over expose other teams to their weaknesses and you learn from that to get ready for the postseason. I don't' make one game bigger than the other. When you play good teams they're going to have a tendency to expose you and those are the things you need to work on in the postseason because in a seven-game series teams are going to expose your weaknesses more often than not, so that's what it's about for us.”

ELEVEN STRAIGHT AND COUNTING

The Spurs Big 3: (from left) Tim
Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony
Parker. (AP Photo).

Is there no stopping the San Antonio Spurs express? Well, for a change, the Spurs are riding high early in the season with an incredible 11-game winning streak that propelled them to an NBA season-best 12-1 win-loss mark. The Alamo City outfit used to take things easy during the early months of the regular season and then step up their game during mid-season for a fiery windup. That is not the case anymore this season. The Spurs made the Orlando Magic their latest victims, by winning at home, 106-97. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is glad to win their last outing, which he describes as an incredible game, according to Yahoo! Sports.

“Both teams, for a stretch there, it was like a three-point contest and no one was going to give in. That was pretty incredible. It was a heck of an NBA game.”

A GOOD FIT

KG (left) and Shaquille O'Neal of
the Boston Celtics.

Shaquille O’Neal thinks his frontline partnership with Kevin Garnett is doing wonders for the Boston Celtics. O’Neal and KG combined for 30 points and 22 rebounds in a 99-76 rout of the Atlanta Hawks. O’Neal says the thing that is working for both of them is their mutual respect which they have gained from their countless battles in the past, according to The Boston Globe.

“I think it’s a relationship of respect. We’ve both had many battles over the years. We both have seen what each other can do over the years. So we basically can say anything to each other. Being that they’ve got to respect him, it leaves a lot of room for me. And since they respect me, it’s a lot more room for him. So we’re going to use each other and I think it’s a good fit.”

Video: HIGHLIGHTS OF BOSTON CELTICS WIN OVER THE ATLANTA HAWKS, 99-76

Video: HIGHLIGHTS OF INDIANA PACERS WIN OVER THE MIAMI HEAT, 93-77

INJURY BUG HITS MIAMI

Udonis Haslem

When it rains, it really pours. With Mike Miller still out and Dwyane Wade coming in and out of the roster, now comes the most severe of all as hardworking forward Udonis Haslem maybe out of commission until the All-Star break. Bad news indeed for the powercast Miami Heat. The team is clearly struggling, no thanks to all these injuries. Haslem, who is currently averaging 8.0 ppg and 8.2 rpg in 13 games so far, suffered a torn ligament in his left foot during the Heat’s recent heartbreaking defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN.

“An MRI exam Sunday confirmed that Udonis Haslem indeed has a torn ligament in his left foot, which will rob the Miami Heat of their ever-reliable power forward for at least six weeks and likely much longer.

“One source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Sunday night that there are fears Haslem will be sidelined until at least the All-Star break depending on whether he needs surgery.

“Haslem suffered the injury Saturday in the third quarter of Miami's loss at Memphis after he collapsed while defending the Grizzlies' Zach Randolph in the post. Teammates were told Haslem had a dislocated toe in addition to the torn ligament.”

BILLUPS TRADE, A POSSIBILITY

Chauncey Billups

At 34, Denver Nuggets veteran guard Chauncey Billups wants to end his pro career in the Mile High City but the recent turmoil and uncertainties within the franchise may lead him elsewhere soon. Billups says he will not be surprised at all if he find himself on the chopping board because that is the nature of pro basketball, it is all business, according to The Denver Post.

“I never want to leave here again. I want to be a Nugget for the rest of my career, whether that's four, five years, whatever. They know that. But I also know the business of basketball. Nothing really surprises me in this game. People talk about Carmelo (Anthony), the possibility of me being moved, the J.R. (Smith) situation — there are a lot of uncertainties around here. I don't like being part of the uncertainty. But that's what it is, that's the nature of the beast. I've been down the road.”

Video: BLAKE GRIFFIN'S AMAZING ELEVATOR DUNK AGAINST THE KNICKS

A MAGICAL DECISION

J.J. Redick

If you think college ball legend J.J. Redick regretted his decision to stay with the Orlando Magic after being offered a three-year lucrative deal by the Chicago Bulls last summer, the answer is a big no. Redick says he is thankful for the Bulls for showing interest in him but he still thinks he made the right decision by staying with a good team, according to Hoopsworld.

“It wasn't really much of a decision. I was a restricted free agent, so teams weren't lining up to sign me. It was a good offer from Chicago, a chance to start and play a lot of minutes. They were a playoff team, so it was a no-brainer, but if the Magic matched I knew I was coming back to a good team, too.”

NO SACRIFICIAL LAMB

Derrick Favors (Reuters Photo)

New Jersey Nets rookie Derrick Favors is one name that is frequently mentioned in the never-ending Carmelo Anthony trade rumors. And if there is one person who will veto such transaction, it is no other than Nets head coach Avery Johnson. The outspoken mentor has come to the open that he wants the 6-1o former Georgia Tech standout to remain with the Nets and be a big part of the future for the franchise, according to the Denver Post. Favors is currently posting norms of 7.6 ppg and 6.4 rpg in 13 games for the Nets.

“We want him here with the Nets and we love having him here. You know he heard his name mentioned quite a bit and it didn't affect him at all. We talked about it and that was the end of the story. Whenever you hear your name in trade talks, you should look at it as 'I am wanted somewhere else.”

THERE’S NO EASY WAY

LeBron James (AP
Photo)

LeBron James must have loved the hit song in the 80’s, “There’s No Easy Way” by James Ingram. This is how “King James” describes the present predicament of the Miami Heat following another setback against lightweight Memphis Grizzlies, 97-95. James believes all these things happen because it is part of the growing pains, which hopefully will make them better in their aspirations for a strong finish this season, according to ESPN.

“You don’t want anything easy, especially as a professional athlete; nothing is easy. This wasn’t something I thought was easy … I would rather it not be easy because you have to go through growing pains to be great at the end when you face those challenges you had early in the year. The easy button is not for us. Record-wise you want to be better, there’s some games we could’ve won and we didn’t come out and play well. My expectation is to get better every day. Even though we lost this game tonight I feel we got better.”

BEGGING FOR ONE LAST SHOT (FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME)

Penny Hardaway

At 39, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway still dream of having a graceful exit from the game he loves most and has given him so much, NBA Basketball. He last saw action three years ago with the Miami Heat, submitting averages of 3.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg and 2.2 apg in 16 outings. The 6-7 swingman thinks he still has it and can still contribute to any team even on a limited playing time, according to the Boston Globe. And he wants to do it not for the money, but simply, for the love of the game.

“Why couldn’t I have finished my career in grace? It’s not about money. I saved my money, have all the money that I want. God has blessed me with that. It’s really just the love of the game. I still love the game and I feel like I deserve that chance, but at 39, everybody’s looking at the age. They’re not looking at it as if I can still play.

“I don’t have a lot of miles on my body because my knee was hurt for so long. But I feel like I can play a minimal role on anybody’s team and help out. Role players now are playing 10-12 minutes a night. That’s simple, man. My knowledge, my playmaking ability, I can still knock down an open shot. I watch the game and still see things out there I can do to help teams, but who knows if that will ever happen? I doubt it, but I’ll be ready if the situation did occur.

“I think about how he (Shaq) can still help the Celtics and what they do. Grant Hill is still helping the Suns. Jason Kidd is still helping the Mavericks. You got veteran guys who are still doing a great job. Small minutes, you can do it on a nightly basis easily. It has to be a veteran team, a team that understands basketball for me to play. It can’t just be a young team that’s just trying to play.

“You know I had six knee surgeries, so that took my athleticism away. That was my major component. When you win a championship, it definitely changes and molds you to a different spectrum because you’re a champion. Not winning [in Orlando] and also getting injured, it definitely put a lot of stress on my career and it made teams feel like I wasn’t who I was.

“It’s very frustrating because I still love this game. I still know I can play this game. Nobody wants to pay a veteran the $1 million exception or whatever, but still I would love to be in that situation one more time. That’s the problem with getting back in the league. I never thought it would have been this hard, but that’s just how it goes.”

COMPETITION FIRES UP KG

KG finishes one in file
photo.

Kevin Garnett has finally spoken. The 6-11 one-time NBA MVP has come up with a strong message to his detractors which includes some young turks in the league like Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls, Andrew Bogut of the Milwaukee Bucks, Charlie Villanueva of the Detroit Pistons and lately, Andray Blatche of the Washington Wizards. Garnett says he has the same approach in playing all of them and the competition with these young big men fires him up, according to The Boston Globe. KG wants to remind these kids that it is all part of the business.

“My mentality is to play each person in front of me the same. I’m not trying to be your buddy. I’m not trying to be your friend. I’m very to the point. I couldn’t care less about what type of name you’re trying to make off of me. That’s what it is. It’s competition. If you’re not out here trying to defeat me, I’m figuring why are you out here. I’m understanding that.”

MEDAL OF FREEDOM FOR BILL RUSSELL

Bill Russell (6) blocks a shot
in file photo.

Hall-of-Famer and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell was named one of the fifteen recipients of the 2010 Medal of Freedom. It is the highest civilian honor in the United States of America. The medal is presented to  individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors, according to The White House Blog. Russell is one of two sports luminaries among this year’s recipients, the other is Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals. 

“Bill Russell is the former Boston Celtics’ Captain who almost single-handedly redefined the game of basketball.  Russell led the Celtics to a virtually unparalleled string of eleven championships in thirteen years and was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player five times.  The first African American to coach in the NBA—indeed he was the first to coach a major sport at the professional level in the United States—Bill Russell is also an impassioned advocate of human rights.  He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and has been a consistent advocate of equality.”

ROOKIE KICKS OUT J.R. SMITH FROM NUGGETS ROTATION

Denver Nuggets rookie swingman
Gary Forbes. (AP Photo)

Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl did not think twice of playing rookie Gary Forbes ahead of veteran J.R. Smith in his rotation. The 6-7 Forbes is playing impressively so far for the Nuggets while Smith has his usual off-court problems and below-par performances. Karl says he expects more professionalism and better play from Smith, who saw action for only more than a minute in his last two games, according to The Denver Post. Smith is currently averaging a career-low of 8.6 ppg and 3.2 rpg in ten outings for the Nuggets while Forbes is submitting norms of 8.5 ppg and 3.0 rpg in eight games as a pro. 

“I think J.R. knows exactly where we're at. I think right now, it's J.R. and me, and I think J.R. should understand what's going on. I've got a kid playing better than he is playing. And I don't have minutes to share.”

WASTED TALENT

Greg Oden stuffs one in
file photo.

It is like the 1980’s all over again for the Portland Trail Blazers. In the 1984 draft, Portland selected Sam Bowie of the University of Kentucky over North Carolina’s Michael Jordan with the second pick over-all. Two decades later, Jordan was hailed as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All-Time) while the 7-1 Bowie goes down in history as one of the biggest draft day busts. Bowie was bugged by various injuries throughout is career and never have the chance to reach his full potential as an NBA player. 

Fast forward to 2007, the Blazers had made Greg Oden of Ohio State University the top over-all pick of the draft (ahead of Kevin Durant of Texas, who is currently the Oklahoma City Thunder’s top gun and one of the favorites to win the MVP plum this year). The 7-0 center was being hailed as the second coming of Hall-of-Famer Bill Russell but after three years, he resembles more of Bowie. Oden missed the whole of his rookie year due to an injury, then came back to see action in 61 games the following season. Last season, Oden was limited once more to only 21 games due to another injury. He was expected to suit up soon for the Blazers this season until a new episode in his never-ending series of misfortune popped-up again recently. Oden will undergo another season-ending microfracture surgery in his left knee. The 22-year old, New York native is devasted anew. The Blazers Head Athletic Trainer Jay Jensen said they were all taken aback by this very sad news, according to The Oregonian.

“He doesn't deserve this. He's worked his tail off. It was like we all got kicked in the stomach. It was like someone close to us had died. We didn't know what to say. We were shocked.”

IGGY IS STRUGGLING

Andre Iguodala of the
Philadelphia 76ers.
(AP Photo)

A long and busy summer, which includes a gold-medal finish in the FIBA World Basketball Championship, is now taking its toll on Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers. Iguodala has already missed three games this early in the season because of tendinitis in his right Achilles. He has a tremendous run of 252 consecutive games before sitting out the game against the New York Knicks almost two weeks ago. 76ers head coach Doug Collins says it is important for Iguodala to stay healthy, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

“I was talking to him [yesterday morning] and he really feels like he's been banged up all season. Whether it's been his wrist or whether it's been his Achilles'. I told him, 'You've got to get yourself right.' There's no reason to come back for one game or two games and not be yourself and then be back out for four or five games or whatever. He's got to get healthy, that's the whole key. I think from his standpoint it's a little disconcerting when you've played your whole career and you've only missed about seven games or so. He told me this morning when we spoke, 'I have not felt good for one game yet this year.'”

ONE FRUSTRATED WARRIOR

Louis Amundson

Louis Amundson describes his transfer to the Golden State Warriors as a career move. But so far, his career has been put on hold since October 18 due to injury. He is struggling and beginning to get frustrated. The 6-9 former UNLV star was initially told that the injury will sideline him from four to six weeks but now he feels it maybe longer than that, according to NBA Fanhouse. Amundson, who was hotly pursued by five teams last summer before eventually joining the Warriors, has career averages of 4.0 ppg and 3.6 rpg in his four year NBA Career. He has previously seen action with the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns.

“It's tough, man. It's just been tough. This is the longest I've been hurt. I want to get out there, because I haven't really played much with the guys. It's hard to stay positive. They'll see how the bones look, and it just kind of depends on how I feel. They can tell if the bones are fused and what not, so if it's all stable in there then I can start playing again but I'm going to have to have it taped for a while.”

DERON IS AVERY’S MAN

Deron Williams of the
Utah Jazz (AP Photo)

Avery Johnson is one of the cockiest but disciplined guards in NBA history. Remember his game-winning jump shot against the New York Knicks that gave the San Antonio Spurs their first NBA title in 1999? Surely, he knows a great guard is in the making if he sees one. Among the current crop of point guards in the league, the one he has his eyes on is Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz. The New Jersey Nets head coach admits he is a big fan of Williams and says he is very impressed with the latter’s multi-dimensional game, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Coach Avery Johnson of
the New Jersey Nets.

“He's a guy I'd pay to see and that's a strong statement from me. He's big and strong and physical.

“He's a guy that's multi-dimensional. If you play him too soft, he burns you with the jumper. If you get up on him, he's got the quickness and strength to get by you. He can post you up. Like John Stockton, he's another good screen setter. He knows their offense. He's been in their system for awhile. He plays with a lot of confidence -- you know, national team. He's been in some tough playoff series against some really good teams. So he knows what he's doing.”

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