Here are a few rumblings from around the league:
– Stan Van Gundy isn’t pleased with Dwight Howard’s recent play on defense. Van Gundy wants Howard to be more active in his help defense and be more of a force by blocking shots.
– Sam Cassell isn’t expecting the Clippers to buy him out or trade him to the Celtics, though he’d welcome the move.
– Isiah Thomas is still in charge of the Knicks and he’s shopping two of his latest acquisitions – Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry – around the league. Isn’t it the next guy’s job to clean up Isiah’s mess?
– Heat owner Mickey Arison feels fortunate that he was able to get out of Shaq’s remaining contract. Apparently, Shaq initiated the trade by having his agent call Arison and request a buyout.
– Through his agent, Jason Kidd told the Nets that he wants to play for a contender. If New Jersey sends him to a lottery team, his agent (Jeff Schwartz) has threatened to steer clients away from the Nets in the future.
– People give the Timberwolves grief for not getting enough in the Garnett trade. In a rarity, I’m going to come to Kevin McHale’s defense. Al Jefferson has been a beast thus far, averaging 21.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. He’s just 23 and Minnesota can build around him. Given what the Grizzlies got for Pau Gasol, I’d say Minny did pretty well.
