- Chris McCosky of the Detroit News for this one:
The consensus among the Nets is that their new point guard, Devin Harris, is faster than their old point guard, Jason Kidd.
“I thought I had seen the fastest person on the basketball court in Jason, but I think Devin’s quicker,” Josh Boone said. “He’s definitely quicker.”
Harris completely agrees: “I think I’m a little bit faster than he is,” he said. “Obviously, we both run the break. I think I can shoot it just a little bit better. I think he has better vision than I do. But ultimately I think defensively is where I earn my money.”
SJ: Really Devin? You think you’re faster than Jason Kidd? How long and hard did you have to think about that one? He’s definitely not old or anything no worries. You think he has better vision than you….really? One of the best point guards to ever grace the league and you think he might have better vision than you. Thanks for the hard-hitting analysis and mind-blowing discoveries you made with your thoughts. You’re lucky I’m a nice guy and let you slide with the defense thing. Let’s see what would happen if you tried to guard Kobe ever. Exactly.
- Marc Narducci from the Philadelphia Inquirer on Samuel Dalembert:
The 76ers were concerned enough about Samuel Dalembert’s comments before and after Friday’s win over Seattle that coach Maurice Cheeks talked to his veteran center about the situation.
Pregame and postgame, Dalembert went on a rambling diatribe, wondering about his playing time and his role with the team.
SJ: Really Sam? You’re complaining about your playing time and role? Let me get this straight…you’re complaining about being the starting center on a surprisingly hot team that’s moving up the ranks in the East? What? You played 39 and 37 minutes the last two games, two blowout wins where you had double-doubles…and you complain??? What??? Actually I’m sorry I probably shouldn’t be so hard on you I’m sure you have a decreased role since last year….wait. You’ve started each game and are averaging a career high 33 minutes per game. Wow. I’m pretty sure your playing time is good money and your role is pretty well set. I hope your teammates make fun of you for this for the rest of your career.
- KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune on Tyrus Thomas:
Tyrus Thomas finished serving his team-imposed, two-game suspension on Friday night in Boston and is expected to dress for Sunday night’s game against the Pistons.
Thomas’ absence was unexcused and premeditated. Sources said Thomas told two teammates “see you Thursday” after playing just nine minutes in last Tuesday’s victory over Memphis.
SJ: Really Tyrus?? Skipping practice after a win because you only played 9 minutes? That doesn’t even make any sort of sense. I can’t even make fun of him for it..that’s just plain dumb.
- John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times on Chris Duhon:
As punishment for missing the Bulls’ shootaround on Sunday morning, Bulls coach Jim Boylan fined Chris Duhon and held him out of the game against the Detroit Pistons in the Palace of Auburn Hills.
For millionaire players, fines are merely nothing more than slaps on the wrists. Playing time is where a coach can really make a statement, but Duhon apparently didn’t consider that much of a penalty, either.
”I haven’t been playing the last six or seven games,” Duhon said before the game even though he played 25 minutes Friday at Boston. ”I don’t plan to even be in the rotation. The Boston thing happened because of foul trouble and guys were off and I guess he wanted to try something new.
”Usually, I don’t play anyway, so it doesn’t have that much of an effect on me.”
SJ: Gotta love that positive attitude coming from Chris Duhon. I do admire the honesty and bluntness even if they make his situation a bit worse. I thought Duke guys were good guys? What I’m shaking my head is…how do you go to the Duke/UNC game, get the charter all the way about to Detroit, get to the hotel that night….and miss the wakeup call? Really?? You went through all the trouble, did all the steps and you end up missing shoot around because you couldn’t wake up?? Not because of a missed plane or anything like that. That would be like sneaking a girl into your house, having all the “fun” in the world except getting busted because you forgot to tell her to put her shoes back on and they’re lying at the front door the next morning. Silly guy.
Also really to LeBron for saying that the fan visiting him at MSG on the bench was one of the most amazing things to ever happen to him. We’ll see how amazing it is when Roscoe and his 5 kids come to say what’s up.