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Howard picked up his fifth technical foul of the playoffs in Game 3. Two more, and he'll have to sit out a game.
"I didn't say anything to (official) Joey Crawford," he said. "My response was to the other team. I'm not stupid enough to get in his face and say anything, so I try to keep it to the other team."
Howard has been in constant foul trouble in the series. He fouled out of Games 1 and 3.
Phil lashes out at referees after loss
In addition to his frustration at his team's poor rebounding and inability to contain Denver off the dribble, Lakers coach Phil Jackson reserved some of his most heated post-game venom for the referees after Monday night's Game 4 loss.
The play that drew Jackson's ire the most was when Luke Walton caught an elbow to the neck from Nene that did not draw a whistle as he came across the lane with nine minutes remaining and the Lakers down 14. Walton was assessed a technical for arguing the non-call, then picked up four more personal fouls the rest of the quarter to foul out of the game in less than 13 minutes. "That's not equal refereeing, and those are the things that change the course of games," Jackson said. We don't like that. We want the game to be fair and evenly played."
Jackson also accused Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones of "unsportsmanlike basketball" by intentionally tripping Kobe Bryant late in the third quarter. Jones was belatedly assessed a flagrant 1 foul from the previous game for pushing Bryant in the back on the way to the rim.
• USA Basketball is still working through the fluidity of the FIBA 19-and-under roster that will compete at the trials next month in Colorado Springs, Colo. Trying to get a handle on who doesn't need summer school is one of the issues. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon is the team's head coach, with Purdue's Matt Painter and Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery as the top assistants.
• Texas A&M coach Mark Turgeon expects the school to make an announcement next week on the decisions of early entrants Donald Sloan, Bryan Davis and Chinemelu Elonu. But the odds are in Turgeon's favor that all three will return to College Station for next season and give the Aggies a chance to go to three straight NCAA tournaments under Turgeon (Billy Gillispie had the Aggies in the NCAA prior to Turgeon's arrival, too). The Aggies do lose top scorer Josh Carter, but would have no chance to get back to the NCAAs without Sloan, Davis and Elonu, the Nos. 2-4 scorers on last season's team. None of the three were invited to the Chicago pre-draft combine. At least one of the three has one more NBA team workout scheduled and that is apparently holding up the final announcement.
Downey, Archie still weighing options
South Carolina coach Darrin Horn has been quite calm about not knowing whether he will have two of this best players returning for next season. Point guard Devan Downey, the Gamecock's leading scorer last season with 19.8 ppg, and Dominique Archie, the third-leading scorer (10.9 ppg) and second-leading rebounder (6.4), both have declared for the NBA draft. Neither was invited to the NBA-sponsored combine that takes place later this week in Chicago. Downey has had one workout with a team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Archie had two workouts, with the Thunder and Houston Rockets.
Clearly, these are good signs for South Carolina. If Downey and Archie are paying attention to the limited workouts and the lacks of calls from the NBA, then you would think they will withdraw from the draft before the June 15 deadline. But Horn doesn't have a final answer -- not yet. This is always a sensitive topic for the head coach, especially if he didn't recruit the players declaring early. The coach doesn't want to appear as though he's politicking to get the players to return. The players and their families are almost always sensitive to the head coach and his actions. If he's helping set up workouts or working with NBA teams, the player will be more apt to see the compassionate side during his decision process.
This kind of dance is going on at Wake Forest, where Dino Gaudio is making sure he doesn't upset/offend Jeff Teague or his family as the sophomore weighs whether to stay in the draft. But Teague's situation is different. He likely would be in the first round if he stayed in. Archie and Downey probably won't get drafted. Staying in wouldn't make sense for that duo, but Horn -- understandbly so -- doesn't want to say that publicly. "I'm just going through the process," said Horn, who didn't have to deal with this issue at Western Kentucky. "I just want to help them." But it's hard for a coach not to be frustrated. If Downey and Archie return. the Gamecocks should be in the mix behind Kentucky and Tennessee in the SEC's East Division, battling Florida and Vanderbilt for a possible NCAA berth. If they don't return, South Carolina would be headed for a rebuilding season earlier than expected.
Chase Budinger
Analysis: While we were able to see most of the other players twice, Budinger was only working out the first day. The first thing you notice about him is his size—he really does have great height to play on the wing, at either the 2 or the 3. His frame also appears to be capable of adding weight, and from what we’re hearing he’s also measuring out extremely well on all the various agility tests he’s taken in the workouts he’s been at.
In the drills, Budinger was outstanding, showing picture-perfect shooting mechanics and knocking down his jumpers at an impressive rate. He was slightly less impressive in the three on three portion of the workout, though, having a difficult time matching up with the extremely strong and athletic Paul Harris, who was clearly a man on a mission in these two days. Defensively, Budinger will need to improve on his fundamentals, as he often appears too upright in his stance.
Budinger is an interesting prospect in this draft, as he brings a nice combination of upside and current productivity to the table. You know what you’re getting from him in terms of his ability to shoot the ball, operate in a team setting, and generally know how to play the game. It’s possible that a good coach in the NBA will be able to extract even more from at the next level, though, especially if he can get him to play with more toughness and aggressiveness than he’s currently known for.
Will Rubio stay in Spain?
The Ricky Rubio rumors are flying around, and some of the speculation is overheated. Let's sort out the substance from the hot air.
Over the course of the last week, I've read or heard that Rubio would be (a) withdrawing from the draft, (b) staying in the draft and being selected, according to various conflicting rumors, by the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings, and (c) staying in the draft but refusing to come to the NBA this year if he had to play for the Grizzlies or Thunder.
This comes after months of hand-wringing over whether he would even declare for the draft.
Williams guarantees Cavs win
Tinted sunglasses concealing the cuts and bandages framing his puffy left eye, struggling Cleveland guard Mo Williams plopped down on a table inside a ritzy hotel ballroom on Monday and quickly proclaimed the Cavaliers were not in any trouble.
Really? The Cavaliers, winners of 66 regular-season games and their first eight straight in the playoffs, certainly haven't looked superior to the Orlando Magic.
Williams remains confident. "They deserve respect," he said. "They are a good team. But we are the best team in basketball. I don't feel that they've had to adjust to us one time in the series."
Garnett has surgery
The Celtics announced today that forward Kevin Garnett underwent right knee arthroscopy and removal of posterior knee bone spurs today at the New England Baptist Hospital. The surgery was performed by team physician Brian McKeon. “After this successful surgery, Kevin can now begin to focus on rehabilitating his knee, returning to top physical shape, and fully preparing for the 2009-10 season,” said Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. Garnett will be sidelined from basketball activity for 6-8 weeks.
After playing briefly in four games, he then was shut down by the Celtics, who were aiming to have him available for the playoffs. But the knee tendon didn't heal fast enough. A plan to ease Garnett back into the lineup during the final three games of the regular season was abandoned, and on April 16, following a workout in Waltham, he was declared out indefinitely. He did not play in the postseason.The injury to the tendon, located deep inside the back of the knee, was unrelated to the bone spurs and will not be operated on.
The Cavs' bench has been atrocious in this series, as it has been outscored by the Magic, 61-27. There's a slight chance Brown will use Wally Szczerbiak instead of Sasha Pavlovic in Game 4 to attempt to stimulate the offense.
A media member was talking about the East finals matchup. James is the best player in this series, but the Magic have the next three best players — Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis. One could make a case Mickael Pietrus is the next-best player from either team after the top four.
Q: How about trying to go after Chris Andersen this offseason? Great energy off the bench and would add much-needed defense.
A: Love the Birdman, but so do the Nuggets. I would be shocked after his triumphant return if Chris went anywhere this offseason as a free agent. Plus, by staying with the Nuggets, he can rebuild his Bird Rights, which could lead to the type of money he forfeited with his substance suspension.
A man with a plan: Howard earned his fifth technical of the playoffs in Game 3, leaving him two shy of an automatic one-game suspension. He said Monday he has a plan going forward.
"I'm thinking about duct-taping my mouth for the game," Howard said. "That might be a good thing. I might have to duct-tape my mouth and put some elbow pads on just in case my elbows fly. But I'm gonna try to keep those down, too."
Back-and-forth: After Game 3, Williams and James bemoaned what they called a "cheap-shot" elbow from Magic guard Anthony Johnson to Williams' left eye that opened gashes needing four stitches. Van Gundy defended his player's follow-through on a drive to the basket and said he could find some things to complain about in Game 3, too.
For instance, Cavaliers players flopped often, he said, resulting in too many Magic offensive fouls.
"Ben Wallace and Mo Williams fell down more than a baby learning to walk," Van Gundy said.
Kevin Garnett has right knee surgery
The Boston Celtics announced today that forward Kevin Garnett underwent successful right knee arthroscopy and removal of posterior knee bone spurs today at the New England Baptist Hospital. The surgery was performed by Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon and was assisted by Dr. Michael Belkin and Dr. John Richmond. “After this successful surgery, Kevin can now begin to focus on rehabilitating his knee, returning to top physical shape and fully preparing for the 2009-10 season,” Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge remarked.
Garnett appeared in 57 games this season for the Celtics averaging 15.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.11 steals and 1.19 blocks in 31.1 minutes per game. Garnett became the youngest player in NBA history to have played in 1,000 career games when he played against the Bulls on October 31, 2008 at the age of 32 years and 165 days. Garnett was named to the 2009 NBA All-Defense First Team for the second consecutive season and his 10th consecutive season of being named to either the First or Second Team. The Farragut Academy product was named to his 12th All-Star game this past season and his 12 appearances are second-most among active players behind only Shaquille O’Neal. “I expect Kevin to return to active duty in full force and be that consummate two-way professional that he has shown all of us throughout his fantastic NBA career,” Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers added.
Suns, 76ers to play preseason game in Mexico
The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that as part of the league’s ongoing commitment to growing the game in Mexico, preseason basketball will return to the country when the Phoenix Suns face the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 18 in Monterrey. This marks the NBA’s second visit to Monterrey and the 18th game in Mexico overall, the most NBA games held in any country outside the United States and Canada.
Nuggets Jones Gets Flagrant
Denver Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones is on the brink of a one-game suspension after the NBA upgraded his Game 4 trip of Kobe Bryant to a flagrant foul.
The foul -- deemed a Flagrant 1 by the league office -- is Jones' third flagrant of the postseason and his second in the past two games in the Western Conference finals. That gives Jones three flagrant-foul points in the playoffs, with players who exceed three flagrant-foul points receiving an automatic one-game ban.
The league does not formally announce its rulings on such fouls, but the Nuggets confirmed Tuesday that Jones' trip has been reclassified as a Flagrant 1.
Anthony Johnson Flagrant Rescinded
The NBA has rescinded the flagrant foul against Orlando Magic guard Anthony Johnson for elbowing Cleveland's Mo Williams in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said after the team's shootaround Tuesday he was glad the league took back the call.
It wasn't so long ago that Bowen was one causing scandalous headlines across the NBA. He was labeled a "dirty" player by opposing teams, while the Spurs themselves simply called him their best defender. Bowen made a name for himself in the NBA with his ability to stop some of the league's best scorers . . .if a few ankles got twisted or ribs got bruised, that was just a side effect of being defended by the best. Sure, coaches and players alike complained to the league, but at the end of the day Bowen went right on playing that hard-nosed defense and the Spurs won three championships during his watch. The Denver Nuggets would love for Dahntay Jones to have the same kind of impact on their team over the next few years. "There's another situation out there tonight that was unacceptable by Dahntay Jones," Phil Jackson said after his Los Angeles Lakers dropped Game 4 in Denver last night. "Just unacceptable defense, tripping guys and playing unsportsmanlike basketball."
The complaint was about a sequence late in the third quarter in which Kobe Bryant cut to the basket in pursuit of a rebound, only to find himself skidding across the floor after tripping over Jones' foot. Jackson was so incensed over the lack of a foul call that he brought on an inevitable fine from the NBA by venting his frustration to gathered post-game media in Denver. Was it a foul? Did Jones intentionally trip Kobe, or was it a case of two hustling players getting tangled at floor level with one losing his footing as a result? Nature does, indeed, abhor a vacuum, and it looks like Jones is ready and will to . . .well . . . step . . . into the Bruce Bowen slot.
Kobe didn't take the bait when he was asked about the play, simply laughing it off and jokingly attributing his cross-court slide to his own clumsiness. But rest assured, we haven't heard the last of this complaint. The Lakers will no doubt send video to the league for review and they'll make their case that Jones is a dirty player, not just a solid defender. But if history holds, no action will be taken by the league. They might ask the refs to watch Jones a little closer, but at the end of the day, he's been tasked with guarding one of the most unguardable players in the history of the NBA. "Just playing hard," Jones said. "If he can't respect it, I'm sorry. I'm trying to be aggressive and give it all I have out there. My teammates appreciate it."
Coach Cassell Talks Wizards
Sam Cassell officially joined the ranks of NBA coaches recently, being named to the Washington Wizards' staff. It's a role Cassell campaigned for long before he actually retired from playing, and now he can't wait to get started. "I consider myself a student of the game," Cassell told John Thompson on ESPN 980 in DC. "I just enjoy the gym. As long as I'm in the gym, I'm fine - I don't mind working. To get better you have to work, as far as basketball. We have some guys on this ball club who don't mind working. Gilbert's one of the hardest working guys I've heard about, and I've seen a couple times, on the TV shows and everything. I know Caron personally and he's a hard-nosed kind of guy. We have to get everyone on the same page. That's our goal right now."
Cassell has already spend a great deal of time working with Wizards star Gilbert Arenas, trying to make sure he's finally ready to play a full season in 2009-10. "He's better," says Cassell. "He'll be ready for opening night. He's ready. We rely on Gil to do a lot of things for us - not just scoring, but being a leader. That's why I'm here. I'm here to show him how to be a leader. If you don't know, you don't know. There's nothing wrong with not knowing something. That means you have room to improve and learn."
Cassell also said he thinks his work ethic will be the key to his success on the other side of the basketball. He had to work for everything he got in the NBA, and he feels that will work to his advantage now that he's joined the coaching ranks. "I was a guy, when I played the game of basketball, I wasn't fast, I couldn't jump, I wasn't a great ball handler, I just knew how to get it done." That would seem to be the main thing he needs to impart to the Washington Wizards. The talent is there, they just need to finally get everyone healthy and take care of some business. If they get to the trade deadline next season without showing they can win, expect to see major changes to that Wizards roster.