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Building another Dream Team

by Chad Ford

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Also Below: The Grant Hill early warning system goes off again | More Bull? Crawford for Dunleavy rumors spread | Is Kwame Brown regressing? | Random Game Notes | Peep Show

George Bush may be on the verge of bombing Iraq, but he's not the only president ready to create an international blitzkrieg in the wake of a major U.S. embarrassment. USA Basketball president Tom Jernstedt, still reeling over Team USA's embarrassing defeats over the summer, is quickly mobilizing Team USA's most lethal force since guys like Jordan, Bird and Magic donned the red, white and blue.

The mission? Winning back the gold will be nice. Crushing the competition would be even better.

His task is more formidable than you think.

Call Donnie Walsh, president of the Pacers, a prophet. Two weeks before Team USA began preparing for this past summer's World Championships, Walsh raised the voice of warning.

"I think we're vulnerable this year," he told Insider back in August. "We point to the Olympics as the best basketball in the world. The rest of the world points to this. We're sending a really good team, but it doesn't help us that we don't have our best players out there. Players like [Vlade] Divac and [Peja] Stojakovic play because it's a big deal to their countries. It won't be a big deal to us until we lose."

Four losses and a sixth-place finish later, it's now a very big deal.

Last summer's team didn't have the star power. The U.S. national team was long on talent, but short on big-game experience. Only one player, Reggie Miller, had experience in an NBA Finals. Only two others, Antonio Davis and Paul Pierce, had played in a conference final. Three players — Andre Miller, Elton Brand and Jay Williams — had never played one minute of an NBA playoff game. The team got just 11 days to practice together and seemed genuinely confused by the international style of play. Team USA coach George Karl has taken most of the beating, but he didn't put the team together.

This time around, USA Basketball isn't making the same mistakes. It's aggressively going after the top-tier talent in the NBA, asking for two-year commitments, longer training camps and a host of other concessions. It's also tapped Larry Brown, a master strategist with plenty of international coaching experience, to take over the reigns of the team.

Jason Kidd

Point Guard

New Jersey Nets

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

12 21.1 6.9 8.8 .461 .896

Last year, it was tough for Jernstedt to get his calls returned from the NBA's top stars. This year, the stars are already calling him. Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady and Ray Allen have volunteered their service. Three of the four have experience in international play. Kevin Garnett and Allen Iverson are reportedly close to be added to the crew. Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber and Michael Finley are also mulling over invitations. And a host of other players such as Pierce, Steve Francis, Jerry Stackhouse and Jalen Rose are waiting by the phone, hoping for an invite.

USA Basketball plans on naming eight or nine "core" players to the squad within the next few months and then adding an additional three or four "role" players in the spring or early summer. The eight to nine core players must commit to playing in both the 2003 FIBA America Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and if the U.S. qualifies, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The other three to four players will be invited only to the qualifying tournament. If they play well, they might get an invite to Athens.

While no one doubts, even after last summer's debacle, that the U.S. has the most talented basketball players in the world, experience matters. Last summer, teams such as Yugoslavia and Argentina ran circles around the U.S. when it came to big-game savvy. That won't happen with this crew. Assuming everyone commits to Team USA, the team will have four former gold medalists and five players with NBA Finals experience.

Will that be enough? For the qualifying tournament, the answer is likely yes. The star power on Team USA will likely be at its highest since the original Dream Team. Team USA only needs to finish in the top three from the America Zone (Argentina, Brazil and Puerto Rico will be the other favorites) to get into the Olympics.

Nevertheless, there's cause for worry. Yugoslavia's and the rest of the world's biggest advantage is familiarity. Their players have been together for years. The U.S. had just a two-week summer camp to get everyone on the same page this year. While there are plans to increase the length of training camp and exhibition for the Olympics, the team still will years behind the other top international teams.

Can we get by, as we did in 1992, with a Dream Team composed of the NBA's best and brightest? Or does USA Basketball need to start picking players based on their fit in the international game. No one doubts that players such as Ben Wallace and Baron Davis were bright NBA stars. But their games didn't fit the style the USA was forced to play. By filling the team with our superstars, are we making the same mistake again?

Insider talked to a top international NBA scout and a former international coach (both of whom predicted Team USA's demise in Indianapolis) for their thoughts on constructing a team better suited for international competition. They've assumed based on Shaq's recent comments that the Big Fella won't be willing to give the two-year commitment. Here's who they picked.

STARTING FIVE:

PG: Jason Kidd, Nets — Whenever you stick a group of players on a team that's not used to playing together and give it only 11 days to prepare, you need a strong floor leader who can quickly set the tempo for the team. Team USA struggled with the offense in Indy and never took advantage of its speed and athleticism to get out on the break. No one in the NBA is better at running a team than Kidd. While he doesn't posses the requisite jump shot for international competition, he's still the teams' most important player. How important? Both sources claim that had Kidd been healthy this summer, his presence alone would have saved Team USA from their embarrassing defeats.

Tracy McGrady

Guard-Forward

Orlando Magic

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

13 33.2 6.5 4.5 .492 .845

SG: Tracy McGrady, Magic — You need a go-to guy on the team and McGrady's ability to do just about everything well makes him the top candidate. He's an excellent ball handler, likes to penetrate of the dribble, is a good shooter from the perimeter, a strong rebounder inside and has excellent floor vision. His size and athleticism at the two will make him a matchup nightmare for most of the smaller international two guards.

SF: Grant Hill, Magic — Hill was a modest surprise here. Both sources felt that his ability to run a team, do the dirty work, get the ball into transition and score from just about anywhere on the floor made him the perfect international player. Hill is relentless putting the ball onto the floor and getting to the foul line. He's the consummate team player who thrives on making his teammates better. Of course, Hill's ongoing ankle problems may throw a wrench in this. But if he's healthy, he's a slam dunk.

PF: Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves — Garnett actually goes a little bit against convention. He doesn't have the perimeter game that is usually essential for international competition. Nor does he have the devastating low-post game that would make him virtually unguardable in the paint. But Garnett's superior athleticism, defense, versatility and mastery of the open floor make him a lock. He's one of the few players in the U.S. who international teams still don't have an answer for. And he'll be counted on to guard the Nowitzkis and Gasols when the U.S. goes against the top competitors.

C: Tim Duncan, Spurs — He's a great passing big man, is comfortable facing the basket, a strong interior defender and a calming presence on the floor. The reigning MVP dominated international play the last time he played for Team USA and would give the team the consistent low-post presence on offense it missed in Indy.

NEXT FIVE:

PG: Gary Payton, Sonics — His defense alone would warrant the selection. But Payton's ability to post up smaller point guards, his big game experience and his recent conversion to team play seal the deal.

Ray Allen

Shooting Guard

Milwaukee Bucks

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

10 22.9 4.5 2.3 .488 .821

SG: Ray Allen, Bucks — He's the best consistent shooter that the U.S. has. You could make an argument for Iverson and Pierce here, but the U.S. learned a tough lesson in Indy. You can never have enough good shooters. Iverson's ability to break down the defense is valuable, but he dominates the ball too much for a team like this. Pierce is a big-time shooter, but he's streaky and his rocky relationship with the rest of the team will probably make him an outcast. Allen's ability to extend the zone, opening up opportunities down low for the likes of Duncan and Webber, gives him the nod by the narrowest of margins.

SF: Kobe Bryant, Lakers — If things do get sticky in the fourth quarter, Team USA will need someone to come in and take over the game. No one does it better than Kobe.

PF: Chris Webber, Kings — There were mixed feelings about this selection. Webber's game is perfect for the international style of basketball. He's equally comfortable playing with his back to basket or shooting from the perimeter. He's got great handles, is a top rebounder and has the athleticism the team is looking for from their big men. The only knock is his toughness and his tendency to disappear at the end of games.

C: Brad Miller, Pacers — There's a dearth of centers in the league, and when you subtract out the top international big men (Vlade Divac, Michael Olowokandi, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Rasho Nesterovic), the pickings get pretty slim. What Team USA needs is a big man who can do more than just stand around and block shots. In Indy, zone defenses were begging Antonio Davis and Wallace to hit open jumpers. They couldn't — Miller can. He's also a great passing big man.

THE FINAL TWO — Almost every top international team always invites two young players from its junior team to join it in international competition. The thinking is that they're being groomed to take over when several of the older stars are ready to retire. Team USA should be thinking the same way. Here are two young stars who could fit in nicely for years to come once older players like Payton and Hill decide to hand it up.

G: Steve Francis, Rockets — He wants to play. He deserves to play. And unlike the other two top young point guards, Andre Miller and Davis, he has the type of game that should thrive at the international level. No, he's not the playmaker that Kidd or Miller is. But his ability to break down defenses, put the ball in the basket and set a frantic tempo make him a great fit. He's also proving this year in Houston that he's got the ability to carry his teammates on his shoulders down the stretch.

F: Rashard Lewis, Sonics — There were several candidates here. Eddie Griffin has the type of all around game that is perfect for international play. Drew Gooden has the type of offensive skills and rebounding prowess that you look for in a big man. But Lewis has the abilities and the upside to be a worthy replacement to a player like Hill someday. He's versatile, athletic, unselfish and a dangerous perimeter threat. His size will create mismatch problems wherever he plays on the floor and he's starting to show signs this season that he wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line.

U.S. seeks 'very best' for Dream Team in '04

Ashley McGeachy Fox / Philadelphia Inquirer

Kidd: Must Let World Know Team USA Rules

Barbara Barker / Newsday

Stackhouse Interested in Olympic Berth

Steve Wyche / Washington Post

Pierce waves flag

Steve Bulpett / Boston Herald

USA Basketball wants Finley back

Dwain Price / Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Olympic basketball selection to change

Dave Lewandowski / Indianapolis Star

The Grant Hill early warning system goes off again

Grant Hill

Small Forward

Orlando Magic

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

12 16.7 5.8 4.5 .603 .819

Nine minutes into Wednesday night's game against the Blazers, the Grant Hill early warning system slipped to DEFCON two after Hill was forced to sit yet again because of soreness in his surgically repaired ankle.

For the third straight time, Hill could not make it through the second of back-to-back games.

"It's been crazy, man," Hill told the Orlando Sentinel. "On one hand, the bone, the fracture, is healed. I'm not having any problems with that. It's the best news in the world. Everything but the ankle bone is sore."

According to the Sentinel, Hill is having problems with a tendon in the ankle that is located closer to the back of his heel. The Magic believe he may be suffering from tendinitis because of the trauma of the regular season. Hill's left ankle is noticeably bigger than his right one because of extra calcium, and that puts a strain on the ligaments and tendons in the ankle. As the season progresses, Hill is having more trouble getting loose for consecutive days of basketball. Still, all X-rays show the bone is together.

Once again the Magic are doing their best to play off Hill's latest setback. They still maintain that the soreness is normal and just related to the wear and tear of playing in back-to-back games. Hill is expected to against the Pacers on Friday night. So far, he hasn't had any problems with the ankle that a few days rest didn't solve.

Still, the Magic have to be concerned, right? The constant X-rays, uncertainty and requisite worry have to be taking their toll.

"We're fine," coach Doc Rivers said. "You feel bad for him because he wants to play now, and he can't."

Hill reportedly wanted to return after halftime, but he agreed to wait another night.

"I hate it," he said. "Everyone assumes the worst, but the bone itself is healed."

Magic falter, but Hill is main concern

Jerry Brewer / Orlando Sentinel

More Bull? Crawford for Dunleavy rumors spread

Mike Dunleavy

Guard-Forward

Golden State Warriors

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

13 4.9 2.7 1.3 .317 .783

The Bulls' visit to the Golden State resurrected a draft night rumor that had the team swapping Jay Williams for Mike Dunleavy. While the Bulls have absolutely no intention of trading Williams, the latest variation to surface Wednesday has the team sending Jamal Crawford to the Warriors in return for Dunleavy.

Bulls GM Jerry Krause and coach Bill Cartwright were quick to issue denials Wednesday, but where there's smoke there's usually fire. The Bulls have been shopping Crawford all summer, but have admittedly been looking for a young, lottery caliber player in return. The Bulls' biggest weakness has been at small forward, where Eddie Robinson continues to struggle. Krause is close with Mike Dunleavy Sr. and had nothing but praise for Dunleavy heading up to the draft.

Jamal Crawford

Point Guard

Chicago Bulls

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

11 5.3 1.7 2.7 .338 .750

On the flip side, coach Eric Musselman hasn't been blown away with Dunleavy. While no one is disputing his talent, he doesn't have the toughness or defensive intensity that Musselman likes in his players. While it's way too early to write Dunleavy off, would Crawford be a better fit in Golden State? It's seems like Musselman is intent on leaving Antawn Jamison at the three and Troy Murphy at the four. Where does that leave Dunleavy? And despite Gilbert Arenas' strong play at the point, the Warriors are still looking for their point guard of the future. Could Crawford be it?

If the Bulls don't trade Crawford to Golden State, the chances of him going somewhere continue to grow. The latest flap had Crawford challenging captain and team leader Jalen Rose about his leadership and defensive effort against the Kings in the lockerroom after the game.

You'll have to wait awhile to find out. Rookies can't be traded until Dec. 15th, which gives the Warriors a little less than a month to gauge what they've got in Dunleavy and Arenas and what the Bulls have in Crawford.

No deal best deal for Bulls, Williams

Roman Modrowski / Chicago Sun-Times

Arenas looking to measure up

Brad Weinstein / San Francisco Chronicle

Starters' play burns Cartwright

K.C. Johnson / Chicago Tribune

Is Kwame Brown regressing?

Kwame Brown

Forward-Center

Washington Wizards

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

11 10.0 8.0 1.0 .426 .769

The quick start in preseason, the phenomenal opening night production and a newfound swagger may have pushed the expectations for Kwame Brown back outside the stratosphere at the start of the season. But lately, Brown's production and minutes are tapering off. He's still capable of putting up the occasional 15 points and 11 rebounds like he did last week versus the Heat. But more often, his performances mirror the two-point, three rebound stinker he dropped on the Jazz.

What gives?

"Sometimes it works, sometimes I'm still learning," Brown told the Washington Post.

"I knew there were going to be peaks and valleys," says coach Doug Collins. "There just has to be some nice spot in between where we can say, 'this is what we know he can bring us each night.' Right now we don't have that."

Brown's biggest problems still center around his conditioning and his confidence.

"They tell me all the time, 'you have the ability to change the whole game, and if you get in there and get 14 or 15 rebounds, then Jerry Stackhouse and [Jordan] can handle the scoring,' " Brown says. "But I feel up and down, and then there's that I'm still dealing with my body and getting adjusted to these minutes. A lot of guys played big minutes their first year, but I didn't, and I think the coaches have to be patient with me and I have to be patient with myself, learning how to play big minutes one night and then come back the next night and perform.

"It's a lot."

Brown has also been a victim of his own sucess.

"At the beginning of the season, teams basically thought I was going to be the same kind of guy from last year, so they were kind of leaving me alone," says Brown. "Before, they were like, oh, let him catch it, he's going to turn the ball over anyway. Now, they're saying we've got to guard this guy in the post, so they're fronting me a lot more, So now I'm working 10 times harder to get the ball down the court."

Charles Oakley, who has been a mentor to Brown, has also been his biggest critic. He still struggles to put the Wizards' decision to take Brown No. 1 into perspective.

"Do you want to win, or do you want to have a daycare center? The problem is that when you draft someone number one, you've got to ride him. If you pay for a Rolls-Royce, you expect it to run."

Great Leap Forward

Rachel Nichols / Washington Post

Random Game Notes

Shawn Bradley

Center

Dallas Mavericks

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

11 10.1 8.6 0.5 .615 .795

Well folks, it's finally here. The day we've all been waiting for. Yao Ming vs. Shawn Bradley. We haven't had this much excitement since Manute Bol squared off against William "the Refrigerator" Perry in Fox's Celebrity Boxing. Now here's the best part, they're already talking trash. Really.

Bradley questions Yao's claim that he's 7-foot-6. "I've met him. He's not as tall as me — unless I'm taller than 7-6," Bradley said. "If he's 7-6, then I'm 7-10." Oooh. Those are fighting words. Are you going to take that Yao?

"This is the second time I've played with a player taller than me," Yao said of the matchup. "The first time was with my father when I was a kid."

Yao Ming

Center

Houston Rockets

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

9 6.6 4.0 0.4 .684 .636

Yao then went on to say that even his mother could take down Bradley. A livid Bradley then went for Yao's throat before a small gust of wind blew into the room knocking both of them over. After the melee calmed down, bookies layed down the lines for tonight.

Bradley: 21 minutes, 6 points, 4 boards and 2 blocks.

Yao: 19 minutes, 5 points, 5 boards, 1 block.

You've got to love this game.

Jason Kidd may be the reigning runner-up MVP, but he had nothing on the dynamic Shammond Williams-Tony Delk duo Wednesday night. Sure, the Celtics don't have a clue how to run the break and their offense sometimes suffers without a point guard in the lineup. But offensively, it's tough to argue with the results. Wednesday night the two combined to shoot 9-for-10 on threes, scoring 21 points apiece in 96-79 victory over the Nets.

"Some people doubt they are true point guards," general manager Chris Wallace told the Boston Globe. "But with us, they can make it work." Do they ever. Lately, coach Jim O'Brien has been so pleased with their performance that he's playing the 6-foot-1 Williams and the 6-foot-2 Delk together.

"I see them shoot the basketball like that and I'd have to have my head examined not to keep playing them," declared O'Brien. Two months ago, we thought O'Brien needed his head examined for thinking they could run this team. Now . . . the Celtics are getting more convincing by the three.

The Jazz are the latest team to put their rebuilding on hold just a little longer. While the Nuggets played with as many as four rookies on the court together Wednesday night versus the Jazz, coach Jerry Sloan is beginning to back away from his preseason commitment to start young players like Andrei Kirilenko and DeShawn Stevenson. Lately, Matt Harpring and Calbert Cheaney are getting all the minutes. It just so happens that the Jazz have begun winning again.

"Calbert and Matt are experienced players," Sloan said before the game. "They have a little better idea what we're trying to do."

Harpring's strong defense, solid rebounding and overall tough play make him a perfect fit into Utah's offense. Kirilenko is suffering from a sore back, but he has responded well to coming off the bench with some of his best games of the season. The news isn't nearly as cheery for Stevenson, however. He has gone from an opening night starter to DNP-Coach's decision in just a few weeks.

Yao's tall tale has a doubter

Mike McAllister / Dallas Morning News

Does Yao Ming have the stuff?

Mike McAllister / Dallas Morning News

A 1 and 2 punch: Delk, Williams join forces

Bob Ryan / Boston Globe

Peep Show

Lakers: Kobe Bryant ruffled his teammates' feathers after calling them to the carpet for "their" lack of intensity. "I don't think it endears his teammates to him, but they know he drives a hard bargain, and that's typical of where he's going to stand," coach Phil Jackson told the L.A. Daily News. "I'm not totally pleased with it, to be honest. But I can't help but think that it's going to motivate his teammates a little bit, to try and step up and meet the challenge. They have a relationship, maybe five of those guys have been together now for six, seven years, so they know who he is and they know what he's talking about." Teammate Derek Fisher wonders why Kobe never criticizes himself. "I guess [the criticism] is OK as long as you're saying 'us' or 'we,' and everybody's a part of that," Fisher said. "I don't think you can get into the business of calling certain guys out. .."

Nets: It looks like New Jersey may have gotten the short end of the Dikembe Mutombo trade after all. Mutombo had four points, four rebounds and three rejections in 25 minutes against the Celtics Wednesday night. He had similar numbers the game before in a home loss to Dallas (5 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block in 24 minutes). He is averaging 7.3 ppg and 7.2 rpg while shooting an unthinkable 36 percent. "I know most of the plays," he told the Boston Globe. "But I am not playing that much and I have no control over that. That is the coach's decision. I am trying to contribute as much as I can. I understand I have a duty to fulfill, especially on the defensive end. But at the same time, I don't want to lose my offense."

T-Wolves: Once again, there's talk of an ongoing rift between Kevin Garnett and Wally Szczerbiak based on several on- or off-court moments in the past week. Once again, Garnett is wondering what all the fuss is about. "Ask anybody on this team. I'm a fiery person," Garnett told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "I get on everybody, from Kendall Gill to Marc Jackson to myself. I'm the leader of this team. If I say anything, it's not personal to anybody. I speak my peace. I don't hold back. But I have confidence in each and every last one of these guys." Wolves coach Flip Saunders' take, meanwhile, was that everybody needs thicker skin. "I've stuck a hand out and Kevin's walked by," he said. "Not only in basketball, everybody's too [censored] sensitive in this world. You don't talk to someone and they're all upset. Sometimes people have other things that are important. I think all that stuff, chest-bumping . . . I don't like when guys shoot a free throw, they've got to go slap five. What's all that about? Go out and just play."

Knicks: Latrell Sprewell ripped into Kurt Thomas for his tendency to get into foul trouble. "I've been talking to Kurt since we've arrived," Sprewell told the N.Y. Post. "He always gets the slapping-down fouls, holding, something silly. You can count on one or two game." And even though Thomas claims his reputation gets him some phantom calls, Sprewell wasn't buying it. "No, I think he's out there doing silly stuff at times. Some he doesn't commit, but at times he does things he shouldn't do," said Sprewell, adding that Thomas' mouth also gets him in trouble. "It's important to be cordial and not go in screaming and shouting at them."

Hornets: On Wednesday, Elden Campbell practiced for the first time this season. Campbell had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last month. He missed the entire training camp, eight exhibition games and the first 11 regular-season games. "Hopefully we can get him some minutes this weekend against Cleveland," coach Paul Silas told the Times Picayune. "Sometimes you forget how skillful he really is because he's a big body and can make the hook shot and do things close to the basket, and can also come out and make the jumper."

Pistons: Point guard Chauncey Billups' ankle is feeling better, but there is still no timetable for his return. "I'm taking it day-by-day," Billups told the Detroit Free Press. "I'm confident it won't be a long time. Two years ago in Minnesota I was out almost 3½ weeks. When I was getting back at Minnesota, I was getting treatment for 1½ to two hours. Like I said, I'm in here five hours. It better pay off."

Clippers: Quentin Richardson is set to practice today with his teammates for the first time since going on the injured list Nov. 12. He bumped his knee in the first half of the Clippers' loss Nov. 8 to the Nets. He also sprained the same knee running wind sprints Oct. 4 and hyperextended it Nov. 3. Richardson has had enough of sitting out. "I'm tired of that," he told the L.A. Times. "Hopefully, I'll play Friday. I'm ready to get going." Said coach Alvin Gentry when asked if Richardson will be activated for Friday's game: "We'll see. He wants to get in a hard practice anyway. It won't do us any good unless he's ready to go all out."

Bucks: Center Joel Przybilla has practiced well enough this week that he might be activated for the team's next game, against the Warriors on Friday. Coach George Karl said that Przybilla had put in a good workout with the team Wednesday. "If he has another one like that [today] we might activate him," Karl told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Hawks: Rookie point guard Dan Dickau will miss the next six weeks after arthroscopic surgery Wednesday for a cartilage tear in his left knee. Dickau will be replaced almost immediately, coach Lon Kruger told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The Hawks hope that Matt Maloney, who played with them in 2000-01, will join them today in time to make the trip to Boston.

Nuggets: Denver placed Chris Whitney on the injured list Wednesday with a sprained left ankle. "I didn't want this to linger," Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe told the Rocky Mountain News. "I don't think he was hurting his ankle, but I think he was impeding the recovery. It just doesn't make any sense." Without Whitney, the Nuggets are forced to play rookie Junior Harrington and second-year guard Kenny Satterfield at the point.

Lakers tolerate Kobe outburst

Howard Beck / Los Angeles Daily News

Mutombo at the center of the problem

Peter May / Boston Globe

Wolves notes: Garnett calls talk of a rift nonsense

Steve Aschburner / Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Spree Rips Kurt For 'Silly' Fouls

Brian Lewis / New York Post

Things looking up at center

John Reid / New Orleans Times-Picayune

Kander's touch healing Billups

Perry A. Farrell / Detroit Free-Press

Eager Richardson Set to Practice

Elliott Teaford / Los Angeles Times

Taking another step forward

Tom Enlund / Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Dickau to miss six weeks

Jeffrey Denberg / Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ankle forces Whitney to sideline once more

Aaron J. Lopez / Rocky Mountain News

[swolehawk2]

[Diesel]

In reply to:

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Lakers: Kobe Bryant ruffled his teammates' feathers after calling them to the carpet for "their" lack of intensity. "I don't think it endears his teammates to him, but they know he drives a hard bargain, and that's typical of where he's going to stand," coach Phil Jackson told the L.A. Daily News. "I'm not totally pleased with it, to be honest. But I can't help but think that it's going to motivate his teammates a little bit, to try and step up and meet the challenge. They have a relationship, maybe five of those guys have been together now for six, seven years, so they know who he is and they know what he's talking about." Teammate Derek Fisher wonders why Kobe never criticizes himself. "I guess [the criticism] is OK as long as you're saying 'us' or 'we,' and everybody's a part of that," Fisher said. "I don't think you can get into the business of calling certain guys out. .."

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[jerrywest]

I say thanks to you everyday.

[Traceman]