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It's a commonly held opinion that NBA referees are pretty bad. While claims of complicated conspiracies have always seemed a little off, if only because it takes a huge level of competence to make one work, most observers of the league agree that the officials could stand to improve. Sure, the sport can be very tough to call at its highest levels, but certain things seem a little obvious.
Among those who chirp about the officials, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has stood out as the most vocal and most willing to risk his own money in service of pointing out a bad call (or a series of them). Cuban is no stranger to NBA-issued fines for criticizing the officials, and he doesn't seem ready to stop any time soon.
However, Cuban is now the one in a position to react to commentary on the league's officiating. As noted on this site several times, the NBA has issued several apologies and clarifications to ostensibly incorrect calls throughout this season. On Tuesday, the NBA said that Mavericks guard Monta Ellis should have been issued a foul on a non-call that helped Cuban's team to a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite the fact that this correction pointed out a decision that should not have gone in favor of Dallas, Cuban thinks the practice is a very good thing. From Tim McMahon for ESPNDallas-com:
"I love the transparency," Cuban said Monday. "Now if I could just get them to do the same level of transparency for the other 47 minutes and 55 seconds, I'd really be making progress."
Cuban, whose team benefited twice in the last two weeks from last-second no-calls the league office later acknowledged should have been fouls, is lobbying for a list of blown calls to be published for every NBA game. [...]
"No one ever wants or expects perfection, but when you're not transparent, people tend to think you're hiding something," Cuban said. "And I think that hurts us. That hurts just the connection we have with our fan base. That's my opinion." [...]
"It's not so much the missed calls I get upset about," Cuban said. "It's the communication after the fact." [...]
"Why not? What's to hide?" Cuban said. "All you've got to do is just do a tweet search for 'NBA refs' during any multi-game night and it's an interesting source of knowledge. I think the more transparency we have, the stronger connection we make with our fans."
I'd be willing to bet that Cuban is bothered by the missed calls, too, but his points about communication are in keeping with his long-held beliefs on the subject. Throughout his crusade against the NBA's officiating, Cuban has argued that the league's unwillingness to respond to criticism creates a credibility issue that has wide ramifications. In his view, fans develop a general distrust of all the NBA's policies and actions. Although there's no obvious way to test this argument, it makes intuitive sense: flopping is especially reviled in pro basketball despite the fact that every American sport has its form of cheating or willful obfuscation, the draft lottery is still a source of conspiracy talk, etc. At the very least, not responding to concerns about referees doesn't help much.
This take is part of a change in image for Cuban, who is now seen as more of a forward-thinking businessman after his days as the NBA's petulant boy-king. He has even cast himself as a kindred spirit to longtime antagonist David Stern, with Cuban recently praising the commissioner for his foresight regarding international markets and digital platforms. His case for transparency in officiating decisions is part of this same general idea — Cuban wants to expand the league's reach and considers anything that impedes that progress as a negative. He doesn't just want what's good for the Mavs, but what's good for the business that allows his franchise to exist in the first place.
Whether intentionally or not, Cuban may have happened upon the most effective way to change the quality of the NBA's officiating. Discussing ideas of competitive fairness can often be a fool's errand, both because it's difficult to agree on definitions for those terms and because incorrect calls mostly even out over time. When it comes to a billion-dollar organization, though, the profit motive tends to force action.
Y! SPORTS
Among those who chirp about the officials, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has stood out as the most vocal and most willing to risk his own money in service of pointing out a bad call (or a series of them). Cuban is no stranger to NBA-issued fines for criticizing the officials, and he doesn't seem ready to stop any time soon.
However, Cuban is now the one in a position to react to commentary on the league's officiating. As noted on this site several times, the NBA has issued several apologies and clarifications to ostensibly incorrect calls throughout this season. On Tuesday, the NBA said that Mavericks guard Monta Ellis should have been issued a foul on a non-call that helped Cuban's team to a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite the fact that this correction pointed out a decision that should not have gone in favor of Dallas, Cuban thinks the practice is a very good thing. From Tim McMahon for ESPNDallas-com:
"I love the transparency," Cuban said Monday. "Now if I could just get them to do the same level of transparency for the other 47 minutes and 55 seconds, I'd really be making progress."
Cuban, whose team benefited twice in the last two weeks from last-second no-calls the league office later acknowledged should have been fouls, is lobbying for a list of blown calls to be published for every NBA game. [...]
"No one ever wants or expects perfection, but when you're not transparent, people tend to think you're hiding something," Cuban said. "And I think that hurts us. That hurts just the connection we have with our fan base. That's my opinion." [...]
"It's not so much the missed calls I get upset about," Cuban said. "It's the communication after the fact." [...]
"Why not? What's to hide?" Cuban said. "All you've got to do is just do a tweet search for 'NBA refs' during any multi-game night and it's an interesting source of knowledge. I think the more transparency we have, the stronger connection we make with our fans."
I'd be willing to bet that Cuban is bothered by the missed calls, too, but his points about communication are in keeping with his long-held beliefs on the subject. Throughout his crusade against the NBA's officiating, Cuban has argued that the league's unwillingness to respond to criticism creates a credibility issue that has wide ramifications. In his view, fans develop a general distrust of all the NBA's policies and actions. Although there's no obvious way to test this argument, it makes intuitive sense: flopping is especially reviled in pro basketball despite the fact that every American sport has its form of cheating or willful obfuscation, the draft lottery is still a source of conspiracy talk, etc. At the very least, not responding to concerns about referees doesn't help much.
This take is part of a change in image for Cuban, who is now seen as more of a forward-thinking businessman after his days as the NBA's petulant boy-king. He has even cast himself as a kindred spirit to longtime antagonist David Stern, with Cuban recently praising the commissioner for his foresight regarding international markets and digital platforms. His case for transparency in officiating decisions is part of this same general idea — Cuban wants to expand the league's reach and considers anything that impedes that progress as a negative. He doesn't just want what's good for the Mavs, but what's good for the business that allows his franchise to exist in the first place.
Whether intentionally or not, Cuban may have happened upon the most effective way to change the quality of the NBA's officiating. Discussing ideas of competitive fairness can often be a fool's errand, both because it's difficult to agree on definitions for those terms and because incorrect calls mostly even out over time. When it comes to a billion-dollar organization, though, the profit motive tends to force action.
Y! SPORTS
Join:
2006/12/07
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29893
Javaris Crittenton is already in trouble, awaiting a murder trial. But now he's piled on more.
According to ESPN-com, Crittenton was indicted Wednesday on drug charges in Atlanta where he awaits a murder trial for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of a woman.
Crittenton and 13 other people were named in the indictment that was initially the result of an investigation conducted by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, according to a source close to the investigation. According to that source, Crittenton conspired to deal cocaine and marijuana in the months before he was indicted last year for his alleged role in an August 2011 Atlanta shooting death.
Shortly after 6 a.m. ET Wednesday, DEA agents, federal marshals and local police descended on Crittenton's home on a cul de sac in Fayetteville, a suburb just south of Atlanta. Crittenton was led away in handcuffs and was booked into the Fulton County Jail. A call to Crittenton's Atlanta-based attorney, Brian Steel, went unreturned.
Crittenton, a former first round draft pick, played two seasons with four teams (Lakers, Grizzlies, Wizards and Grizzlies again). He's probably most famous for the locker room gun incident involving Gilbert Arenas.
Report: Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton caught in drug probe - CBSSports-com
According to ESPN-com, Crittenton was indicted Wednesday on drug charges in Atlanta where he awaits a murder trial for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of a woman.
Crittenton and 13 other people were named in the indictment that was initially the result of an investigation conducted by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, according to a source close to the investigation. According to that source, Crittenton conspired to deal cocaine and marijuana in the months before he was indicted last year for his alleged role in an August 2011 Atlanta shooting death.
Shortly after 6 a.m. ET Wednesday, DEA agents, federal marshals and local police descended on Crittenton's home on a cul de sac in Fayetteville, a suburb just south of Atlanta. Crittenton was led away in handcuffs and was booked into the Fulton County Jail. A call to Crittenton's Atlanta-based attorney, Brian Steel, went unreturned.
Crittenton, a former first round draft pick, played two seasons with four teams (Lakers, Grizzlies, Wizards and Grizzlies again). He's probably most famous for the locker room gun incident involving Gilbert Arenas.
Report: Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton caught in drug probe - CBSSports-com
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2006/12/07
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29893
No one can pinpoint precisely what’s wrong with the Miami Heat, losers of three in a row after being drubbed in Washington on Wednesday. It’s probably a combination of both of those factors but to think there’s long-term issues with the two-time defending champions is folly.
This time of year means nothing to the Heat, they are going to win their division, they don’t seem overly concerned about getting the top playoff seed overall in the East and there is plenty of time left to rid themselves of any bad habits that might be creeping into their play.
After three very long seasons — each finishing in June, each exactly a large toll on bodies and psyches — it’s likely the Heat know just how much time they’ll need to round into near perfect form to be playoff-ready in April.
Giving Dwyane Wade nights off to rest his knees is prudent, losing games to Brooklyn, New York and Washington not at all a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Any team with LeBron James on it will be dangerous when things count for real and no matter what anyone connected with the franchise says, games in mid-January don’t matter a lick.
When it’s mid-April, you know they’ll be ready.
But just in case, and proving that one thing they are still quite adept at is saving money when they can, the Heat could be in line to add a player if need be.
The three-team deal they swung with Boston and Golden State on Wednesday was purely a financial move for the tax team; they’ll save somewhere in the neighbourhood of $10 million after swapping out Joel Anthony and a couple of inconsequential draft picks for Keith Bogans, who many expect they will waive.
That would create enough savings, and a much-needed roster spot, if they were to be serious about investigating the addition of Andrew Bynum to an undersized roster.
So any fears that the Heat are somehow slipping and not ready to make a run a third title need to be put aside. The recent losing streak is titillating but basically inconsequential in the bigger picture and the table could be set for a mid-season move to bolster an already impressive team.
Miami Heat: What’s wrong with the defending NBA champions?: Smith | Toronto Star
This time of year means nothing to the Heat, they are going to win their division, they don’t seem overly concerned about getting the top playoff seed overall in the East and there is plenty of time left to rid themselves of any bad habits that might be creeping into their play.
After three very long seasons — each finishing in June, each exactly a large toll on bodies and psyches — it’s likely the Heat know just how much time they’ll need to round into near perfect form to be playoff-ready in April.
Giving Dwyane Wade nights off to rest his knees is prudent, losing games to Brooklyn, New York and Washington not at all a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Any team with LeBron James on it will be dangerous when things count for real and no matter what anyone connected with the franchise says, games in mid-January don’t matter a lick.
When it’s mid-April, you know they’ll be ready.
But just in case, and proving that one thing they are still quite adept at is saving money when they can, the Heat could be in line to add a player if need be.
The three-team deal they swung with Boston and Golden State on Wednesday was purely a financial move for the tax team; they’ll save somewhere in the neighbourhood of $10 million after swapping out Joel Anthony and a couple of inconsequential draft picks for Keith Bogans, who many expect they will waive.
That would create enough savings, and a much-needed roster spot, if they were to be serious about investigating the addition of Andrew Bynum to an undersized roster.
So any fears that the Heat are somehow slipping and not ready to make a run a third title need to be put aside. The recent losing streak is titillating but basically inconsequential in the bigger picture and the table could be set for a mid-season move to bolster an already impressive team.
Miami Heat: What’s wrong with the defending NBA champions?: Smith | Toronto Star
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2006/12/07
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Superstar LeBron James added fuel to rumours he might leave NBA giants Miami Heat in a birthday message he sent over Instagram on Friday to teammate Dwyane Wade.
James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, left the Cleveland Cavaliers to join Wade, 32, and Chris Bosh in Miami in 2010.
But James, Wade and Bosh - each set to make more than $US20 million ($A22.75 million) next year - all could opt out of their contracts after this season.
"I came to Miami for 2 reasons. To play with U and to win championships and I can't thank u enough for the sacrifice you've made since I arrived homie!" said James.
"No matter what happens in the future we stuck together like brothers for life."
James has not discussed his potential free agent status while Wade has said he wants to stay with the Heat for the remainder of his NBA career.
But there has been speculation that the Heat's dominant NBA dynasty might be coming to an end.
The Heat have made the NBA Finals in each of the past three seasons, winning the title the past two years.
This year, the Heat could become only the fourth NBA club to win three championships in a row, following the 1960s Boston Celtics, 1990s Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-02 and 1952-54, the first run coming when the Lakers were based in Minneapolis.
James adds to uncertainty on NBA future
James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, left the Cleveland Cavaliers to join Wade, 32, and Chris Bosh in Miami in 2010.
But James, Wade and Bosh - each set to make more than $US20 million ($A22.75 million) next year - all could opt out of their contracts after this season.
"I came to Miami for 2 reasons. To play with U and to win championships and I can't thank u enough for the sacrifice you've made since I arrived homie!" said James.
"No matter what happens in the future we stuck together like brothers for life."
James has not discussed his potential free agent status while Wade has said he wants to stay with the Heat for the remainder of his NBA career.
But there has been speculation that the Heat's dominant NBA dynasty might be coming to an end.
The Heat have made the NBA Finals in each of the past three seasons, winning the title the past two years.
This year, the Heat could become only the fourth NBA club to win three championships in a row, following the 1960s Boston Celtics, 1990s Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-02 and 1952-54, the first run coming when the Lakers were based in Minneapolis.
James adds to uncertainty on NBA future
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2006/12/07
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29893
Paul George scored 36 points and Lance Stephenson added 22 points and 12 rebounds, leading the Pacers past the Los Angeles Clippers, 106-92, on Saturday night in Indianapolis.
Indiana (32-7) has won four straight, all by double digits, though it missed a chance to win four in a row by 20 or more points for the first time in franchise history. The Pacers retained the league’s top record and improved to 21-1 at home before heading West for a five-game road trip.
Jamal Crawford scored 22 points for the Clippers, who had their five-game winning streak snapped. Blake Griffin had 19 points and DeAndre Jordan added 12 points and 17 rebounds.
After falling behind, 13-6, in the first 4½ minutes, the Pacers cracked down and gave up only 14 points over the next 14 minutes as they took a 45-27 lead. The Clippers never got closer than 9 after that.
Indiana did all that despite David West getting ejected at halftime for a flagrant 2 foul and with his backup, Luis Scola, and All-Star center Roy Hibbert watching the entire fourth quarter from the bench.
How did the Pacers do it? The same way they've won all season.
They held the high-scoring Clippers to 39.8 percent shooting from the field, beat them on the glass, outscored them in the paint and thwarted the Clippers’ momentum every time they started to get some.
Heat 104, Bobcats 96 — LeBron James had 34 points and eight rebounds, and visiting Miami beat Charlotte in overtime for its 15th straight victory over the team.
James scored 6 points in the extra period, including two driving layups to lift the Heat to their second win in two nights.
Chris Bosh added 25 points and seven rebounds for Miami.
Trail Blazers 127, Mavericks 111 — LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 points and 12 rebounds, and visiting Portland ran past Dallas for its fifth consecutive victory.
The NBA’s highest-scoring team reached 30 points in the first quarter for the 14th time in 2013-14, and 100 points in three quarters for the fourth time.
Nicolas Batum scored 21 for the Trail Blazers. Robin Lopez added 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Rockets 114, Bucks 104— Terrence Jones had a career-high 36 points, including 25 by halftime, and 11 rebounds, and host Houston led from the start in its win over Milwaukee.
James Harden added 22 points in the win.
Warriors 97, Pelicans 87 — Stephen Curry scored 28 points and David Lee added 22 as Golden State sent host New Orleans to its eighth straight loss.
Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes.
Timberwolves 98, Jazz 72 — Nikola Pekovic had 27 points and 14 rebounds in three quarters, and reeling Minnesota blasted visiting Utah.
Kevin Love had 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Kevin Martin scored 20 points to help the Wolves snap a three-game losing streak that included losses to Sacramento and Toronto.
Bulls 103, 76ers 78 — Joakim Noah had 21 points and 16 rebounds, Carlos Boozer added 15 points and 13 boards, and host Chicago beat Philadelphia.
Noah extended his streak of double-digit rebound games to 12.
Pistons 104, Wizards 98 — Josh Smith overcame a slow start to score 22 points and Rodney Stuckey added 20 as Detroit won in Washington.
NBA roundup: Pacers put down Clippers - Sports - The Boston Globe
Indiana (32-7) has won four straight, all by double digits, though it missed a chance to win four in a row by 20 or more points for the first time in franchise history. The Pacers retained the league’s top record and improved to 21-1 at home before heading West for a five-game road trip.
Jamal Crawford scored 22 points for the Clippers, who had their five-game winning streak snapped. Blake Griffin had 19 points and DeAndre Jordan added 12 points and 17 rebounds.
After falling behind, 13-6, in the first 4½ minutes, the Pacers cracked down and gave up only 14 points over the next 14 minutes as they took a 45-27 lead. The Clippers never got closer than 9 after that.
Indiana did all that despite David West getting ejected at halftime for a flagrant 2 foul and with his backup, Luis Scola, and All-Star center Roy Hibbert watching the entire fourth quarter from the bench.
How did the Pacers do it? The same way they've won all season.
They held the high-scoring Clippers to 39.8 percent shooting from the field, beat them on the glass, outscored them in the paint and thwarted the Clippers’ momentum every time they started to get some.
Heat 104, Bobcats 96 — LeBron James had 34 points and eight rebounds, and visiting Miami beat Charlotte in overtime for its 15th straight victory over the team.
James scored 6 points in the extra period, including two driving layups to lift the Heat to their second win in two nights.
Chris Bosh added 25 points and seven rebounds for Miami.
Trail Blazers 127, Mavericks 111 — LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 points and 12 rebounds, and visiting Portland ran past Dallas for its fifth consecutive victory.
The NBA’s highest-scoring team reached 30 points in the first quarter for the 14th time in 2013-14, and 100 points in three quarters for the fourth time.
Nicolas Batum scored 21 for the Trail Blazers. Robin Lopez added 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Rockets 114, Bucks 104— Terrence Jones had a career-high 36 points, including 25 by halftime, and 11 rebounds, and host Houston led from the start in its win over Milwaukee.
James Harden added 22 points in the win.
Warriors 97, Pelicans 87 — Stephen Curry scored 28 points and David Lee added 22 as Golden State sent host New Orleans to its eighth straight loss.
Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes.
Timberwolves 98, Jazz 72 — Nikola Pekovic had 27 points and 14 rebounds in three quarters, and reeling Minnesota blasted visiting Utah.
Kevin Love had 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Kevin Martin scored 20 points to help the Wolves snap a three-game losing streak that included losses to Sacramento and Toronto.
Bulls 103, 76ers 78 — Joakim Noah had 21 points and 16 rebounds, Carlos Boozer added 15 points and 13 boards, and host Chicago beat Philadelphia.
Noah extended his streak of double-digit rebound games to 12.
Pistons 104, Wizards 98 — Josh Smith overcame a slow start to score 22 points and Rodney Stuckey added 20 as Detroit won in Washington.
NBA roundup: Pacers put down Clippers - Sports - The Boston Globe
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Nick Young and the Los Angeles Lakers got the Toronto Raptors to play it their way Sunday afternoon.
Young had 29 points while Pau Gasol added 22 to lead the short-handed Lakers to a 112-106 win at the Air Canada Centre, halting Toronto's six-game home win streak. Los Angeles (16-25) used an attacking style to rally from deficits of 19 and 17 points and earn its second straight road victory but just its third in 15 games overall.
"We didn't get defence into the game," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. "We played their game . . . it was pretty but we didn't get defence into the game.
"That allowed those big runs and that's not who we are. We have to be a defence-first team, not a three-point shooting team . . . we got caught up in their quick threes, which we're not very good at."
The Lakers hit 12-of-22 (54.5 per cent) three-pointers but also made 26-of-28 free throws. Toronto finished 9 of 30 (30 per cent) from beyond the arc and held a 47-31 edge in rebounding but only attempted 11 free throws, making nine.
"That tells us either we're not getting the calls or we're not driving to the rim," Casey said. "They were the aggressor going to the basket. We had some bonehead fouls on some three-point shots, that's something you shouldn't do.
"But it starts on the defensive end. We didn't get up into people and when we did react we reacted late and subsequently you get fouls called."
DeMar DeRozan had 23 points while Kyle Lowry added 21 for Toronto (20-19), which lost the chance for its first-ever season sweep of the Lakers. The Raptors won the first meeting 106-94 on Dec. 8.
Kyle Lowry added 21 points for Toronto while Patrick Patterson added 17 points coming off the bench.
Lowry's three-pointer pulled Toronto to within 102-101 with just over two minutes remaining. Ryan Kelly's three free throws made it 105-101 before Young's three-pointer put the Lakers ahead 108-103 with 1:15 left. Young's two free throws with 20.5 seconds made it 110-104 and effectively cemented the win.
Kelly said Young was a difference-maker for the Lakers.
"The one thing Nick does is score, especially at the end of clocks," said Kelly, who finished with 17 points. "There are not many people in the league who can do what he does.
"We have seven seconds on the clock and you get Nick the ball and he finds a way to get a shot or get to the line . . . we need that."
The Lakers were without all-stars Steve Nash of Victoria and Kobe Bryant. Nash, a two-time NBA MVP, is out with a back injury while Bryant, a five-time league champion and Los Angeles's all-time scoring leader, is sidelined with a fractured left knee.
"After not feeling it in the first half, we just got a bit more aggressive on defence and they felt us," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said. "You have to give them credit, they hit a lot of good shots to start with but our guys somehow found the resolve to stay into them and it worked out."
'No team is going to lay down'
The Lakers improved to 27-8 all-time against Toronto, including 13-5 at the ACC.
"We've got to understand no matter now big the lead is no team is going to lay down," DeRozan said. "They're going to play extremely hard to try and get back and we've got to understand that and withstand the runs they're trying to make. We didn't do that.
"We gave up too many threes. We know they're a three-point shooting team and we left them in their comfort zone and they knocked them down."
Lowery couldn't hide his disappointment about Toronto's inability to twice put the Lakers away after surging into commanding double-digit leads.
"Yeah, it sucks," he said. "They did a good job of playing the way they wanted and making us play that way also.
"They attacked us a lot more. We settled for a lot more jumpshots and we didn't attack as much as we could've to get to the free-throw line as much as they did."
L.A. took an 82-81 lead into the fourth, thanks to three Young free throws with 27.3 seconds left. Young converted a technical on Terrence Ross, then hit two-of-three from the line after being fouled by Ross on a three-point shot.
The resilient Lakers overcame a 17-point deficit to take the lead. Toronto opened the third on a 14-2 run to go ahead 73-56 but the Lakers tied it 79-79 on Manny Harris's three-pointer with under three minutes remaining after both Kendall Marshall and Young connected from beyond the arc.
Gasol's two free throws with 3.4 seconds remaining cut Toronto's half-time advantage to 58-54. The Raptors surged into a commanding 50-31 lead in the quarter before being outscored by the Lakers 23-8 the rest of the way.
DeRozan was a one-man show for Toronto, scoring 12 of his 16 first-half points in the second. The Raptors were 5 of 16 (31.3 per cent) from three-point range in the half while L.A. was 6-of-10.
Toronto led 36-29 after the first, erasing a 24-20 deficit by outscoring L.A. 16-5 over the final 2:58. Patterson led the way for the Raptors with eight points, including two three-pointers as the home team hit on 14-of-19 field goals and 5-of-6 three-pointers in the quarter. Gasol played a big part in leading the Lakers to their early lead with 10 points.
Los Angeles vs Toronto - Recap - NBA - Sports - CBC.ca
Young had 29 points while Pau Gasol added 22 to lead the short-handed Lakers to a 112-106 win at the Air Canada Centre, halting Toronto's six-game home win streak. Los Angeles (16-25) used an attacking style to rally from deficits of 19 and 17 points and earn its second straight road victory but just its third in 15 games overall.
"We didn't get defence into the game," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. "We played their game . . . it was pretty but we didn't get defence into the game.
"That allowed those big runs and that's not who we are. We have to be a defence-first team, not a three-point shooting team . . . we got caught up in their quick threes, which we're not very good at."
The Lakers hit 12-of-22 (54.5 per cent) three-pointers but also made 26-of-28 free throws. Toronto finished 9 of 30 (30 per cent) from beyond the arc and held a 47-31 edge in rebounding but only attempted 11 free throws, making nine.
"That tells us either we're not getting the calls or we're not driving to the rim," Casey said. "They were the aggressor going to the basket. We had some bonehead fouls on some three-point shots, that's something you shouldn't do.
"But it starts on the defensive end. We didn't get up into people and when we did react we reacted late and subsequently you get fouls called."
DeMar DeRozan had 23 points while Kyle Lowry added 21 for Toronto (20-19), which lost the chance for its first-ever season sweep of the Lakers. The Raptors won the first meeting 106-94 on Dec. 8.
Kyle Lowry added 21 points for Toronto while Patrick Patterson added 17 points coming off the bench.
Lowry's three-pointer pulled Toronto to within 102-101 with just over two minutes remaining. Ryan Kelly's three free throws made it 105-101 before Young's three-pointer put the Lakers ahead 108-103 with 1:15 left. Young's two free throws with 20.5 seconds made it 110-104 and effectively cemented the win.
Kelly said Young was a difference-maker for the Lakers.
"The one thing Nick does is score, especially at the end of clocks," said Kelly, who finished with 17 points. "There are not many people in the league who can do what he does.
"We have seven seconds on the clock and you get Nick the ball and he finds a way to get a shot or get to the line . . . we need that."
The Lakers were without all-stars Steve Nash of Victoria and Kobe Bryant. Nash, a two-time NBA MVP, is out with a back injury while Bryant, a five-time league champion and Los Angeles's all-time scoring leader, is sidelined with a fractured left knee.
"After not feeling it in the first half, we just got a bit more aggressive on defence and they felt us," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said. "You have to give them credit, they hit a lot of good shots to start with but our guys somehow found the resolve to stay into them and it worked out."
'No team is going to lay down'
The Lakers improved to 27-8 all-time against Toronto, including 13-5 at the ACC.
"We've got to understand no matter now big the lead is no team is going to lay down," DeRozan said. "They're going to play extremely hard to try and get back and we've got to understand that and withstand the runs they're trying to make. We didn't do that.
"We gave up too many threes. We know they're a three-point shooting team and we left them in their comfort zone and they knocked them down."
Lowery couldn't hide his disappointment about Toronto's inability to twice put the Lakers away after surging into commanding double-digit leads.
"Yeah, it sucks," he said. "They did a good job of playing the way they wanted and making us play that way also.
"They attacked us a lot more. We settled for a lot more jumpshots and we didn't attack as much as we could've to get to the free-throw line as much as they did."
L.A. took an 82-81 lead into the fourth, thanks to three Young free throws with 27.3 seconds left. Young converted a technical on Terrence Ross, then hit two-of-three from the line after being fouled by Ross on a three-point shot.
The resilient Lakers overcame a 17-point deficit to take the lead. Toronto opened the third on a 14-2 run to go ahead 73-56 but the Lakers tied it 79-79 on Manny Harris's three-pointer with under three minutes remaining after both Kendall Marshall and Young connected from beyond the arc.
Gasol's two free throws with 3.4 seconds remaining cut Toronto's half-time advantage to 58-54. The Raptors surged into a commanding 50-31 lead in the quarter before being outscored by the Lakers 23-8 the rest of the way.
DeRozan was a one-man show for Toronto, scoring 12 of his 16 first-half points in the second. The Raptors were 5 of 16 (31.3 per cent) from three-point range in the half while L.A. was 6-of-10.
Toronto led 36-29 after the first, erasing a 24-20 deficit by outscoring L.A. 16-5 over the final 2:58. Patterson led the way for the Raptors with eight points, including two three-pointers as the home team hit on 14-of-19 field goals and 5-of-6 three-pointers in the quarter. Gasol played a big part in leading the Lakers to their early lead with 10 points.
Los Angeles vs Toronto - Recap - NBA - Sports - CBC.ca
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Kobe Bryant said it's been hard to watch the Los Angeles Lakers as they've struggled in his absence, but it turns out he doesn't like watching the NBA in general with the way it is currently being played and officiated across the league.
"It's more of a finesse game," Bryant said before the Lakers played the Chicago Bulls on Monday. "It's more small ball, which, personally, I don't really care much for. I like kind of smash-mouth, old-school basketball because that's what I grew up watching. I also think it's much, much less physical. Some of the flagrant fouls that I see called nowadays, it makes me nauseous. You can't touch a guy without it being a flagrant foul."
Bryant said that the hand-check rule that was introduced nearly a decade ago during the 2004-05 season has made it easier for less-talented players to succeed. Bryant said Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni is at least partially responsible for the shift in style of play across the league. "I like the contact," Bryant said. "As a defensive player, if you enjoy playing defense, that's what you want. You want to be able to put your hands on a guy. You want to be able to hand check a little bit. The truth is, it makes the game [where] players have to be more skillful. Nowadays, literally anybody can get out there and get to the basket and you can't touch anybody. Back then, if guys put their hands on you, you had to have the skill to be able to go both ways, change direction, post up, you had to have a mid-range game because you didn't want to go all the way to the basket because you would get knocked ass over tea kettle. So I think playing the game back then required much more skill."
Of course, Bryant has scored close to 5,000 points on free throws since the '04-05 season, but he said he doesn't think the rule change has benefited his career in any tangible way.
"Probably not," Bryant said. "Us players, upper-echelon players, are going to do what they do no matter what the rules are. It's not going to make any difference."
Is there any chance the league could revert back to the no harm, no foul ways of the 1980s?
"Kids might be a little too sensitive for that nowadays," Bryant said with a smirk.
Bryant, who was a kid himself when he signed with the Lakers out of high school at age 17, also took aim at the league's controversial one-and-done rule that was introduced in 2005-06 that requires high school players to either attend a year of college or wait until they turn 19 years old before they become NBA eligible.
"We probably see players that came out of high school were much more successful on average than players that went to college for a year," Bryant said. "It seems like the system really isn't teaching players anything when they go to college. You go to college, you play, you're showcased and you come to the pros. That's always been the big argument: As a player, you have to go to college, you have to develop your skills and so forth and so on and then come to the league. So, we kind of got sold on that, sold on that dream a little bit and, fortunately, I didn't really listen too much to it. Neither did [Kevin Garnett], neither did LeBron [James] and that worked out pretty well for our careers."
Speaking of James, Bryant doesn't believe there will be a torch passed from him to the four-time MVP -- or any other player for that matter -- when he retires, which could happen as soon as the 2015-16 season, when his current contract with the Lakers expires. "I've never looked at it as the torch is being passed," Bryant said. "Even when the Magic [Johnson], Michael [Jordan] or [Larry] Bird, that kind of transition from Dr. J [Julius Erving], as a kid growing up I always looked at it as athletes represent different things. It's like what Magic represents to the game, what Bird represents to the game is different than what Michael represents to the game. It's not the same torch. They're picking up their own thing and they're carrying their own generation their own way.
"So, I don't look at it as a passing of the torch. I look at it as different athletes doing different things. What LeBron does is different than what [Kevin Durant] does. What they both do is different than what I do and so forth and so on."
Bryant, sidelined since Dec. 17 when he suffered a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee during the Lakers' 96-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, said he has "zero" doubt that when he returns to the lineup -- perhaps as soon as early February -- he'll still be the same player he's always been.
"There was [doubt] before I came back the first time because I didn't know how my Achilles was going to respond to playing and changing directions," Bryant said. "The game in Memphis I had a pretty good feel for it. I felt like I was getting back to being able to what I normally could do. So, I feel pretty confident. I feel pretty confident about it. I did play that second half with a fractured leg and a [formerly] torn Achilles and I played pretty well, so I feel pretty good about my chances."
Bulls coach and USA basketball assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, who worked Bryant out back when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers and Bryant was playing at nearby Lower Merion High School, said there was a chance he'll convince Bryant to play in the 2016 Olympics.
"You always try to talk him into it," Thibodeau said with a smile.
Bryant, who won back-to-back gold medals with Team USA in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London, said he won't be reuniting with Thibodeau in Rio.
"Nope," Bryant said. "I'll go and spectate. Maybe I'll go watch Pau [Gasol] win another silver."
Bryant also reiterated his stance that he appreciates the fans who have voted for him to play in the All-Star Game in New Orleans on Feb. 16, but with him having only played six games this season, there are others who are more deserving.
"I'm always looking forward to playing in All-Star Games," Bryant said. "It's always
"It's more of a finesse game," Bryant said before the Lakers played the Chicago Bulls on Monday. "It's more small ball, which, personally, I don't really care much for. I like kind of smash-mouth, old-school basketball because that's what I grew up watching. I also think it's much, much less physical. Some of the flagrant fouls that I see called nowadays, it makes me nauseous. You can't touch a guy without it being a flagrant foul."
Bryant said that the hand-check rule that was introduced nearly a decade ago during the 2004-05 season has made it easier for less-talented players to succeed. Bryant said Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni is at least partially responsible for the shift in style of play across the league. "I like the contact," Bryant said. "As a defensive player, if you enjoy playing defense, that's what you want. You want to be able to put your hands on a guy. You want to be able to hand check a little bit. The truth is, it makes the game [where] players have to be more skillful. Nowadays, literally anybody can get out there and get to the basket and you can't touch anybody. Back then, if guys put their hands on you, you had to have the skill to be able to go both ways, change direction, post up, you had to have a mid-range game because you didn't want to go all the way to the basket because you would get knocked ass over tea kettle. So I think playing the game back then required much more skill."
Of course, Bryant has scored close to 5,000 points on free throws since the '04-05 season, but he said he doesn't think the rule change has benefited his career in any tangible way.
"Probably not," Bryant said. "Us players, upper-echelon players, are going to do what they do no matter what the rules are. It's not going to make any difference."
Is there any chance the league could revert back to the no harm, no foul ways of the 1980s?
"Kids might be a little too sensitive for that nowadays," Bryant said with a smirk.
Bryant, who was a kid himself when he signed with the Lakers out of high school at age 17, also took aim at the league's controversial one-and-done rule that was introduced in 2005-06 that requires high school players to either attend a year of college or wait until they turn 19 years old before they become NBA eligible.
"We probably see players that came out of high school were much more successful on average than players that went to college for a year," Bryant said. "It seems like the system really isn't teaching players anything when they go to college. You go to college, you play, you're showcased and you come to the pros. That's always been the big argument: As a player, you have to go to college, you have to develop your skills and so forth and so on and then come to the league. So, we kind of got sold on that, sold on that dream a little bit and, fortunately, I didn't really listen too much to it. Neither did [Kevin Garnett], neither did LeBron [James] and that worked out pretty well for our careers."
Speaking of James, Bryant doesn't believe there will be a torch passed from him to the four-time MVP -- or any other player for that matter -- when he retires, which could happen as soon as the 2015-16 season, when his current contract with the Lakers expires. "I've never looked at it as the torch is being passed," Bryant said. "Even when the Magic [Johnson], Michael [Jordan] or [Larry] Bird, that kind of transition from Dr. J [Julius Erving], as a kid growing up I always looked at it as athletes represent different things. It's like what Magic represents to the game, what Bird represents to the game is different than what Michael represents to the game. It's not the same torch. They're picking up their own thing and they're carrying their own generation their own way.
"So, I don't look at it as a passing of the torch. I look at it as different athletes doing different things. What LeBron does is different than what [Kevin Durant] does. What they both do is different than what I do and so forth and so on."
Bryant, sidelined since Dec. 17 when he suffered a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee during the Lakers' 96-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, said he has "zero" doubt that when he returns to the lineup -- perhaps as soon as early February -- he'll still be the same player he's always been.
"There was [doubt] before I came back the first time because I didn't know how my Achilles was going to respond to playing and changing directions," Bryant said. "The game in Memphis I had a pretty good feel for it. I felt like I was getting back to being able to what I normally could do. So, I feel pretty confident. I feel pretty confident about it. I did play that second half with a fractured leg and a [formerly] torn Achilles and I played pretty well, so I feel pretty good about my chances."
Bulls coach and USA basketball assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, who worked Bryant out back when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers and Bryant was playing at nearby Lower Merion High School, said there was a chance he'll convince Bryant to play in the 2016 Olympics.
"You always try to talk him into it," Thibodeau said with a smile.
Bryant, who won back-to-back gold medals with Team USA in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London, said he won't be reuniting with Thibodeau in Rio.
"Nope," Bryant said. "I'll go and spectate. Maybe I'll go watch Pau [Gasol] win another silver."
Bryant also reiterated his stance that he appreciates the fans who have voted for him to play in the All-Star Game in New Orleans on Feb. 16, but with him having only played six games this season, there are others who are more deserving.
"I'm always looking forward to playing in All-Star Games," Bryant said. "It's always
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Spike Lee can now talk about his beloved New York Knicks, or any other basketball topic, all he wants.
The director and passionate Knicks fan will host a show on SiriusXM NBA Radio beginning next week, discussing topics from around the league.
‘‘Spike Lee’s Best Seat in the House’’ debuts Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. EST on Channel 217 and will air every other week, featuring guests from both the sports and entertainment worlds.
Lee has courtside seats at Madison Square Garden, where he famously exchanged trash talk with Indiana’s Reggie Miller during a playoff game. He also wrote and directed ‘‘He Got Game,’’ which starred Miami’s Ray Allen and is one of basketball’s best-known films.
‘‘While he’s well known for his courtside allegiance to the Knicks, he knows the league and its history inside and out and can bring together the worlds of basketball and entertainment like no one else can,’’ SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein said in a statement.
Lee will also host a non-sports show featuring long-form interviews every two weeks. Details are still being finalized.
NBA Radio debuted last month, with former players and coaches hosting shows and the broadcast of at least 14 live games a week.
Spike Lee to host show on SiriusXM NBA Radio - Television - Boston-com
The director and passionate Knicks fan will host a show on SiriusXM NBA Radio beginning next week, discussing topics from around the league.
‘‘Spike Lee’s Best Seat in the House’’ debuts Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. EST on Channel 217 and will air every other week, featuring guests from both the sports and entertainment worlds.
Lee has courtside seats at Madison Square Garden, where he famously exchanged trash talk with Indiana’s Reggie Miller during a playoff game. He also wrote and directed ‘‘He Got Game,’’ which starred Miami’s Ray Allen and is one of basketball’s best-known films.
‘‘While he’s well known for his courtside allegiance to the Knicks, he knows the league and its history inside and out and can bring together the worlds of basketball and entertainment like no one else can,’’ SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein said in a statement.
Lee will also host a non-sports show featuring long-form interviews every two weeks. Details are still being finalized.
NBA Radio debuted last month, with former players and coaches hosting shows and the broadcast of at least 14 live games a week.
Spike Lee to host show on SiriusXM NBA Radio - Television - Boston-com
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2006/12/07
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DJ Augustin scored 27 points in a start for Kirk Hinrich while Taj Gibson matched a career high with 26 filling in for Carlos Boozer as the Chicago Bulls improved to 7-2 since trading Luol Deng with a 98-87 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night (local time).
Augustin and Mike Dunleavy hit three-pointers down the stretch to pace the Bulls, who at 21-20 moved over .500 for the first time since November 22.
Deng went just two of 11 from the field in his first game against Chicago. The Bulls dealt the two-time All-Star forward to Cleveland on January 6 for future draft picks.
Kyrie Irving scored 26 to lead Cleveland, who have dropped the first two games of a five-game homestand.
THUNDER 111, SPURS 105
Kevin Durant scored 36 points to offset Tony Parker's season-high 37 as the Thunder survived a testy victory over the Spurs for their third win this season over the defending Western Conference champions.
Reggie Jackson had 27 points and Serge Ibaka added 14 for Oklahoma City (33-10), who reclaimed the West's best record.
Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw scored 14 points each and Duncan added 13 rebounds, but San Antonio (32-10) struggled to overcome the loss of their top defensive stopper, Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard left the game late in the first half after sustaining a non-displaced fracture in his right hand. His status was not yet known.
SUNS 124, PACERS 100
Gerald Green scored 23 points against his former team, leading six Phoenix players in double figures, and the Suns snapped Indiana's five-game winning streak by handing the Pacers their most one-sided loss of the season.
Indiana, who have the NBA's best record (33-8) and are league leaders in scoring defence and field goal percentage defence, gave up the most points they have done all season.
Goran Dragic scored 21, Markieff Morris 20, PJ Tucker 13, Miles Plumlee 11 and Channing Frye 10 for the Suns.
Paul George scored 26, George Hill 16 and David West 13 for Indiana.
HAWKS 112, MAGIC 109
Paul Millsap scored 24 points and Jeff Teague added 23 as the Hawks hung on to beat the Magic.
Atlanta opened a 19-point lead in the third quarter, but lost it in the fourth before coming back to hit six free throws in the final 40 seconds for the win.
Victor Oladipo led Orlando with 24 points. Tobias Harris had 19 points and 12 rebounds while Jameer Nelson finished with 17 points.
The Magic have lost 12 of 13, and fell to 1-14 this season without starting centre Nik Vucevic, who continues to recover from a concussion.
RAPTORS 93, MAVERICKS 85
DeMar DeRozan scored a career-high 40 points and Greivis Vasquez had 17 as the Raptors snapped a two-game skid by beating the Mavericks.
Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who overcame a 21-point first-quarter deficit.
Monta Ellis had 21 points and Jose Calderon and Brandan Wright each had 13 for Dallas, but the Mavericks hurt themselves with 21 turnovers, including nine in the fourth quarter.
Dallas played without forward Dirk Nowitzki, who got the night off to rest as the Mavericks.
BOBCATS 95, CLIPPERS 91
Al Jefferson had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bobcats to their first win over the Clippers in their last seven attempts.
The veteran centre was 12 of 23 from the field as the Bobcats won for the third time in their last four home games.
Gerald Henderson scored 13 points and put the Bobcats ahead for good with 22.5 seconds left with a dunk off Ramon Sessions' air ball.
Blake Griffin was dominant early on and finished with 27 points, but was 0 for 4 from the field in the fourth quarter. Jamal Crawford had 20 points for the Clippers, who fell to 11-12 on the road.
CELTICS 113, WIZARDS 111, OT
Gerald Wallace made a driving layup with 2.5 seconds remaining in overtime as the undermanned Celtics broke a 10-game road losing streak with a win over the Wizards, who wilted yet again in their long and laborious quest to get above .500.
Jeff Green scored a season-high 39 points, including career highs in three-pointers attempted (16) and made (8), while rookie Phil Pressey added a career-high 20 points for Boston. The Celtics played without Rajon Rando, Avery Bradley and Jerryd Bayless and blew a 19-point first-half lead before winning for only the second time in 14 games.
John Wall had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double for the Wizards, who haven't won a game to move above .500 since Halloween 2009.
76ERS 110, KNICKS 106
Evan Turner scored a career-high 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, leading the 76ers to a victory over New York that snapped a three-game skid and sent the Knicks to a fifth straight loss.
Michael Carter-Williams and Thaddeus Young each added 19 points for the 76ers, who won for just the second time in nine games. James Anderson finished with 18 points.
Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points after a slow start for the Knicks, who were at least competitive after losing their previous four games by a combined 75 points.
ROCKETS 119, KINGS 98
Dwight Howard and James Harden combined for 50 points in just three quarters to help the Rockets cruise to their third straight win.
Howard had 26 points and 13 rebounds and Harden added 24 points with nine assists before the pair went to the bench for the fourth quarter.
The Rockets took the lead midway through the first quarter and didn't trail again. The Kings struggled after losing top scorers Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins to injuries before halftime.
Gay, who tied a career high with 41 points on Tuesday night, injured his left Achilles tendon in the first quarter and Cousins sprained his left ankle in the second.
Derrick Williams scored 22 points with 11 rebounds and Isaiah Thomas added 20 points for the Kings.
BUCKS 104, PISTONS 101
Caron Butler scored 30 points as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter for a victory
Augustin and Mike Dunleavy hit three-pointers down the stretch to pace the Bulls, who at 21-20 moved over .500 for the first time since November 22.
Deng went just two of 11 from the field in his first game against Chicago. The Bulls dealt the two-time All-Star forward to Cleveland on January 6 for future draft picks.
Kyrie Irving scored 26 to lead Cleveland, who have dropped the first two games of a five-game homestand.
THUNDER 111, SPURS 105
Kevin Durant scored 36 points to offset Tony Parker's season-high 37 as the Thunder survived a testy victory over the Spurs for their third win this season over the defending Western Conference champions.
Reggie Jackson had 27 points and Serge Ibaka added 14 for Oklahoma City (33-10), who reclaimed the West's best record.
Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw scored 14 points each and Duncan added 13 rebounds, but San Antonio (32-10) struggled to overcome the loss of their top defensive stopper, Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard left the game late in the first half after sustaining a non-displaced fracture in his right hand. His status was not yet known.
SUNS 124, PACERS 100
Gerald Green scored 23 points against his former team, leading six Phoenix players in double figures, and the Suns snapped Indiana's five-game winning streak by handing the Pacers their most one-sided loss of the season.
Indiana, who have the NBA's best record (33-8) and are league leaders in scoring defence and field goal percentage defence, gave up the most points they have done all season.
Goran Dragic scored 21, Markieff Morris 20, PJ Tucker 13, Miles Plumlee 11 and Channing Frye 10 for the Suns.
Paul George scored 26, George Hill 16 and David West 13 for Indiana.
HAWKS 112, MAGIC 109
Paul Millsap scored 24 points and Jeff Teague added 23 as the Hawks hung on to beat the Magic.
Atlanta opened a 19-point lead in the third quarter, but lost it in the fourth before coming back to hit six free throws in the final 40 seconds for the win.
Victor Oladipo led Orlando with 24 points. Tobias Harris had 19 points and 12 rebounds while Jameer Nelson finished with 17 points.
The Magic have lost 12 of 13, and fell to 1-14 this season without starting centre Nik Vucevic, who continues to recover from a concussion.
RAPTORS 93, MAVERICKS 85
DeMar DeRozan scored a career-high 40 points and Greivis Vasquez had 17 as the Raptors snapped a two-game skid by beating the Mavericks.
Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who overcame a 21-point first-quarter deficit.
Monta Ellis had 21 points and Jose Calderon and Brandan Wright each had 13 for Dallas, but the Mavericks hurt themselves with 21 turnovers, including nine in the fourth quarter.
Dallas played without forward Dirk Nowitzki, who got the night off to rest as the Mavericks.
BOBCATS 95, CLIPPERS 91
Al Jefferson had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bobcats to their first win over the Clippers in their last seven attempts.
The veteran centre was 12 of 23 from the field as the Bobcats won for the third time in their last four home games.
Gerald Henderson scored 13 points and put the Bobcats ahead for good with 22.5 seconds left with a dunk off Ramon Sessions' air ball.
Blake Griffin was dominant early on and finished with 27 points, but was 0 for 4 from the field in the fourth quarter. Jamal Crawford had 20 points for the Clippers, who fell to 11-12 on the road.
CELTICS 113, WIZARDS 111, OT
Gerald Wallace made a driving layup with 2.5 seconds remaining in overtime as the undermanned Celtics broke a 10-game road losing streak with a win over the Wizards, who wilted yet again in their long and laborious quest to get above .500.
Jeff Green scored a season-high 39 points, including career highs in three-pointers attempted (16) and made (8), while rookie Phil Pressey added a career-high 20 points for Boston. The Celtics played without Rajon Rando, Avery Bradley and Jerryd Bayless and blew a 19-point first-half lead before winning for only the second time in 14 games.
John Wall had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double for the Wizards, who haven't won a game to move above .500 since Halloween 2009.
76ERS 110, KNICKS 106
Evan Turner scored a career-high 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, leading the 76ers to a victory over New York that snapped a three-game skid and sent the Knicks to a fifth straight loss.
Michael Carter-Williams and Thaddeus Young each added 19 points for the 76ers, who won for just the second time in nine games. James Anderson finished with 18 points.
Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points after a slow start for the Knicks, who were at least competitive after losing their previous four games by a combined 75 points.
ROCKETS 119, KINGS 98
Dwight Howard and James Harden combined for 50 points in just three quarters to help the Rockets cruise to their third straight win.
Howard had 26 points and 13 rebounds and Harden added 24 points with nine assists before the pair went to the bench for the fourth quarter.
The Rockets took the lead midway through the first quarter and didn't trail again. The Kings struggled after losing top scorers Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins to injuries before halftime.
Gay, who tied a career high with 41 points on Tuesday night, injured his left Achilles tendon in the first quarter and Cousins sprained his left ankle in the second.
Derrick Williams scored 22 points with 11 rebounds and Isaiah Thomas added 20 points for the Kings.
BUCKS 104, PISTONS 101
Caron Butler scored 30 points as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter for a victory
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Kobe Bryant called for younger players in the All-Star game, and the fans listened.
They still want Bryant, too.
Stephen Curry, Kevin Love, Paul George and Kyrie Irving were voted NBA All-Stars Thursday, putting four first-time starters in the Feb. 16 game in New Orleans.
Bryant was elected by fans to his 16th All-Star game, second-most in NBA history, but this one is shaping up as a kids' game.
Curry, perhaps the biggest snub last season, will join him in the Western Conference backcourt. Love passed Dwight Howard in the final days of voting and will start in the frontcourt along with Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and the Clippers' Blake Griffin.
"Hey, I'm popular now," Love joked. "It's very humbling to me to be starting in the All-Star game. I tip my hat to the fans in the Twin Cities and all over Minnesota and beyond."
The four first-time starters are all 25 or younger. Curry went to All-Star weekend as a kid when his father, Dell, competed in the 3-point contest, and now he'll finally get to play in the game.
"It's kind of just a surreal feeling," Curry said. "I saw Kobe come on the screen and you knew that next person on the screen was going to be me or I was going to get left off that list. Just when I saw my name it was a real emotional kind of experience and glad my wife and daughter were here to watch it with me."
LeBron James was the leading vote-getter with 1.4 million and Miami teammate Dwyane Wade also was voted in Thursday. George, who has led Indiana to the league's best record, and New York's Carmelo Anthony are the other East forwards, and Irving will start at guard.
Bryant has been limited to just six games this season because of injuries and will be out until at least early next month. He said recently he hoped fans wouldn't vote for him and would instead look toward younger, more deserving players.
Fans picked him anyway. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with 19, was selected to more All-Star games.
A 'big deal' for Curry
But even Bryant could finish only second to Curry among West guards, a remarkable turnaround for the Golden State sharpshooter. He was the highest-scoring player not chosen last year, but moved past the Clippers' Chris Paul in the third returns of balloting, then passed Bryant in the final days to finish with more than a million votes and become the Warriors' first All-Star starter since Latrell Sprewell in 1995.
"I understand how big a deal it is to be selected on the team," Curry said. "And just how different the feeling was from last year, having gone through that experience and just trying to get back healthy, first and foremost, to give myself a chance come All-Star selection time."
Love also made a late move to surge into the top three, finishing about 8,000 votes ahead of Houston centre Dwight Howard to become Minnesota's first All-Star starter since Kevin Garnett in 2007.
"I was hoping for the best and preparing for the worst, and knowing the worst was I was going to still probably end up in the All-Star game (as a coach's pick) and represent the West and the Wolves and the Twin Cities." Love said. "Right now, I'm very happy."
Indiana hadn't had one since Jermaine O'Neal a year earlier, but now George will get to play for Pacers coach Frank Vogel, who has already clinched the East's coaching spot.
"It means a lot because that means the fans are really watching us as a team," George said. "For us to have the No. 1 record in the league, and playing at a high level, I think the fans are starting to follow us as a whole and I think that's the biggest thing with me being a starter."
The reserves will be announced next Thursday. Head coaches in each conference will vote for two guards, three frontcourt players and two players regardless of position.
4 first-timers voted to NBA all-star game - CBC Sports - Basketball - NBA
They still want Bryant, too.
Stephen Curry, Kevin Love, Paul George and Kyrie Irving were voted NBA All-Stars Thursday, putting four first-time starters in the Feb. 16 game in New Orleans.
Bryant was elected by fans to his 16th All-Star game, second-most in NBA history, but this one is shaping up as a kids' game.
Curry, perhaps the biggest snub last season, will join him in the Western Conference backcourt. Love passed Dwight Howard in the final days of voting and will start in the frontcourt along with Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and the Clippers' Blake Griffin.
"Hey, I'm popular now," Love joked. "It's very humbling to me to be starting in the All-Star game. I tip my hat to the fans in the Twin Cities and all over Minnesota and beyond."
The four first-time starters are all 25 or younger. Curry went to All-Star weekend as a kid when his father, Dell, competed in the 3-point contest, and now he'll finally get to play in the game.
"It's kind of just a surreal feeling," Curry said. "I saw Kobe come on the screen and you knew that next person on the screen was going to be me or I was going to get left off that list. Just when I saw my name it was a real emotional kind of experience and glad my wife and daughter were here to watch it with me."
LeBron James was the leading vote-getter with 1.4 million and Miami teammate Dwyane Wade also was voted in Thursday. George, who has led Indiana to the league's best record, and New York's Carmelo Anthony are the other East forwards, and Irving will start at guard.
Bryant has been limited to just six games this season because of injuries and will be out until at least early next month. He said recently he hoped fans wouldn't vote for him and would instead look toward younger, more deserving players.
Fans picked him anyway. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with 19, was selected to more All-Star games.
A 'big deal' for Curry
But even Bryant could finish only second to Curry among West guards, a remarkable turnaround for the Golden State sharpshooter. He was the highest-scoring player not chosen last year, but moved past the Clippers' Chris Paul in the third returns of balloting, then passed Bryant in the final days to finish with more than a million votes and become the Warriors' first All-Star starter since Latrell Sprewell in 1995.
"I understand how big a deal it is to be selected on the team," Curry said. "And just how different the feeling was from last year, having gone through that experience and just trying to get back healthy, first and foremost, to give myself a chance come All-Star selection time."
Love also made a late move to surge into the top three, finishing about 8,000 votes ahead of Houston centre Dwight Howard to become Minnesota's first All-Star starter since Kevin Garnett in 2007.
"I was hoping for the best and preparing for the worst, and knowing the worst was I was going to still probably end up in the All-Star game (as a coach's pick) and represent the West and the Wolves and the Twin Cities." Love said. "Right now, I'm very happy."
Indiana hadn't had one since Jermaine O'Neal a year earlier, but now George will get to play for Pacers coach Frank Vogel, who has already clinched the East's coaching spot.
"It means a lot because that means the fans are really watching us as a team," George said. "For us to have the No. 1 record in the league, and playing at a high level, I think the fans are starting to follow us as a whole and I think that's the biggest thing with me being a starter."
The reserves will be announced next Thursday. Head coaches in each conference will vote for two guards, three frontcourt players and two players regardless of position.
4 first-timers voted to NBA all-star game - CBC Sports - Basketball - NBA
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The NBA has only one team based outside the U.S., but it's a huge global entity now, with fans stretching to all parts of the world, including China and India, thanks mainly to Stern's vision. The pot for the owners and players should continue to rise with a new TV contract coming in a couple of seasons and expected to top the current pacts that are worth $930 million annually.
Stern's successor, Adam Silver, can expect an easy transition into the No. 1 chair on Feb. 1, with the only major issues centering on the next TV deal that will start in 2016-17, which franchises need new arenas and if there will be any international expansion.
But after all the heavy lifting that Stern has done, Silver will have a very hard act to follow.
Here's how we see the NBA shaping up, from top to bottom:
1. Indiana (33-8) - Last Week: 1
The Pacers close out their current West Coast swing against the Kings, Nuggets and Lakers. They won't get to see Kobe Bryant, who was thought to be coming back for the Indiana game off his broken kneecap, but now isn't expected back until Feb. 4, at the earliest, against Minnesota.
2. Oklahoma City (33-10) - LW: 6
Kevin Durant has never been better than he's been this month. He's averaging 37 ppg while leading his team - minus Russell Westbrook - to wins in the past week alone over the Rockets, Warriors, Blazers and Spurs. What's he trying to do, unseat LeBron James as MVP?
3. San Antonio (32-10) - LW: 2
You think Gregg Popovich is a little concerned, and not just because he's now lost Kawhi Leonard to a broken hand for a month? His Spurs are 1-8 against the other top teams in the West, going 0-3 vs. the Thunder, 0-2 vs. the Blazers, 0-2 vs. the Rockets, 1-1 vs. the Clippers. They're also 0-1 vs. the Pacers.
4. Portland (32-11) - LW: 3
The Blazers have cooled appreciably, going 8-6 since Dec. 26, after winning 24 of their first 29 games. But they still haven't lost three straight games all season, and not many teams can say that.
5. L.A. Clippers (29-15) - LW: 4
Doc Rivers' point guard position is a mess, with Chris Paul out for another month with a shoulder separation and his replacement, Darren Collison, limping around on a sprained left big toe.
6. Houston (29-15) - LW: 7
After beating the Blazers, the Rockets' next four games are not very easy. Starting Friday night they've got a home-and home against Memphis, then games against Texas rivals San Antonio at home and Dallas on the road.
7. Golden State (26-17) - LW: 5
The Warriors are in a key stretch when they're playing nine of 11 games at home. It isn't helping Mark Jackson that two of his top big men, Andrew Bogut (knee) and David Lee (shoulder), are now ailing.
8. Miami (31-12) - LW: 8
Dwyane Wade missed his fourth straight game on Thursday with his usual knee problems when the Heat defeated the Lakers. Nobody seems to be making a big deal out of it in South Beach, but you can bet it's making Pat Riley more than a little nervous.
9. Phoenix (24-17) - LW: 10
When they sent the Pacers to a surprising 24-point loss by racking up 124 points against the NBA's top defensive team, the Suns won their 24th game. They had all of 25 wins last season.
10. Dallas (25-19) - LW: 9
Dirk Nowitzki returns Friday night in Brooklyn after sitting out the Mavs' loss in Toronto to get some rest, when Dallas was playing its 11th game in only 18 days.
11. Atlanta (22-19) - LW: 13
With Al Horford lost to another shoulder injury, Paul Millsap has assumed Horford's go-to role and has emerged as a team leader. The Hawks will especially need Millsap over the next few days when they host the Spurs Friday night and then visit the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Monday.
12. Toronto (21-20) - LW: 11
The Raptors will try to stop their four-game road losing streak Friday night in Philly. Dwane Casey's team hasn't won on the road since Jan. 3 in Washington.
13. Chicago (21-20) - LW: 16
The Bulls are 12-4 since falling a season-low seven games below .500 on Dec. 19, and it's as if they don't even miss Luol Deng since he was traded off to the Cavs.
14. Nets (18-22) - LW: 17
There's no reason why Jason Kidd's team can't keep rolling in the next four days against the Mavs, Celtics and Raptors. Their next big statement game a week from tonight vs. Durant and the Thunder in Barclays Center.
15. Denver (20-21) - LW: 12
Ex-Knick Danilo Gallinari is done for the season after his non-traditional surgery to repair his torn ACL from last spring failed to work. So he had to undergo traditional knee surgery just this week.
16. Memphis (20-20) - LW: 14
The Grizzlies are the only winless team within its own division (0-10), including a pitiful 0-3 mark vs. the Pelicans. They'll try to break through with a pair of games vs. the Rockets this weekend.
17. Minnesota (20-21) - LW: 19
The Timberwolves need to beat either Golden State on Friday or Portland on Saturday to make people take them seriously.
18. Washington (20-21) - LW: 15
They're now 0-for-4 when they've had a chance to go above the .500 mark, with losses to Milwaukee, Dallas, Detroit and Boston. They haven't been above .500 since Oct. 31, 2009.
19. Utah (14-29) - LW: 20
After a pair of losses to Minnesota by a combined 41 points, the Jazz tries to get back on track with home games against the Wizards, Kings and Warriors over the next week.
20. Charlotte (19-25) - LW: 27
Steve Clifford's Bobcats come to the Garden Friday night, looking to stay among the playoff contenders in the JV Conference against the reeling Knicks.
21. Knicks (15-27) - LW: 18
They're on a five-game losing streak and now Andrea Bargnani is probably gone for the season with an elbow injury. And the sniping at Mike Woodson's X's and O's shows that despite winning 54 games last season, there still isn't a winning culture in place in the Garden. Frankly, there hasn't been one since the 1990s.
22. Sacramento (15-26) - LW: 21
The Kings were starting to rol
Stern's successor, Adam Silver, can expect an easy transition into the No. 1 chair on Feb. 1, with the only major issues centering on the next TV deal that will start in 2016-17, which franchises need new arenas and if there will be any international expansion.
But after all the heavy lifting that Stern has done, Silver will have a very hard act to follow.
Here's how we see the NBA shaping up, from top to bottom:
1. Indiana (33-8) - Last Week: 1
The Pacers close out their current West Coast swing against the Kings, Nuggets and Lakers. They won't get to see Kobe Bryant, who was thought to be coming back for the Indiana game off his broken kneecap, but now isn't expected back until Feb. 4, at the earliest, against Minnesota.
2. Oklahoma City (33-10) - LW: 6
Kevin Durant has never been better than he's been this month. He's averaging 37 ppg while leading his team - minus Russell Westbrook - to wins in the past week alone over the Rockets, Warriors, Blazers and Spurs. What's he trying to do, unseat LeBron James as MVP?
3. San Antonio (32-10) - LW: 2
You think Gregg Popovich is a little concerned, and not just because he's now lost Kawhi Leonard to a broken hand for a month? His Spurs are 1-8 against the other top teams in the West, going 0-3 vs. the Thunder, 0-2 vs. the Blazers, 0-2 vs. the Rockets, 1-1 vs. the Clippers. They're also 0-1 vs. the Pacers.
4. Portland (32-11) - LW: 3
The Blazers have cooled appreciably, going 8-6 since Dec. 26, after winning 24 of their first 29 games. But they still haven't lost three straight games all season, and not many teams can say that.
5. L.A. Clippers (29-15) - LW: 4
Doc Rivers' point guard position is a mess, with Chris Paul out for another month with a shoulder separation and his replacement, Darren Collison, limping around on a sprained left big toe.
6. Houston (29-15) - LW: 7
After beating the Blazers, the Rockets' next four games are not very easy. Starting Friday night they've got a home-and home against Memphis, then games against Texas rivals San Antonio at home and Dallas on the road.
7. Golden State (26-17) - LW: 5
The Warriors are in a key stretch when they're playing nine of 11 games at home. It isn't helping Mark Jackson that two of his top big men, Andrew Bogut (knee) and David Lee (shoulder), are now ailing.
8. Miami (31-12) - LW: 8
Dwyane Wade missed his fourth straight game on Thursday with his usual knee problems when the Heat defeated the Lakers. Nobody seems to be making a big deal out of it in South Beach, but you can bet it's making Pat Riley more than a little nervous.
9. Phoenix (24-17) - LW: 10
When they sent the Pacers to a surprising 24-point loss by racking up 124 points against the NBA's top defensive team, the Suns won their 24th game. They had all of 25 wins last season.
10. Dallas (25-19) - LW: 9
Dirk Nowitzki returns Friday night in Brooklyn after sitting out the Mavs' loss in Toronto to get some rest, when Dallas was playing its 11th game in only 18 days.
11. Atlanta (22-19) - LW: 13
With Al Horford lost to another shoulder injury, Paul Millsap has assumed Horford's go-to role and has emerged as a team leader. The Hawks will especially need Millsap over the next few days when they host the Spurs Friday night and then visit the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Monday.
12. Toronto (21-20) - LW: 11
The Raptors will try to stop their four-game road losing streak Friday night in Philly. Dwane Casey's team hasn't won on the road since Jan. 3 in Washington.
13. Chicago (21-20) - LW: 16
The Bulls are 12-4 since falling a season-low seven games below .500 on Dec. 19, and it's as if they don't even miss Luol Deng since he was traded off to the Cavs.
14. Nets (18-22) - LW: 17
There's no reason why Jason Kidd's team can't keep rolling in the next four days against the Mavs, Celtics and Raptors. Their next big statement game a week from tonight vs. Durant and the Thunder in Barclays Center.
15. Denver (20-21) - LW: 12
Ex-Knick Danilo Gallinari is done for the season after his non-traditional surgery to repair his torn ACL from last spring failed to work. So he had to undergo traditional knee surgery just this week.
16. Memphis (20-20) - LW: 14
The Grizzlies are the only winless team within its own division (0-10), including a pitiful 0-3 mark vs. the Pelicans. They'll try to break through with a pair of games vs. the Rockets this weekend.
17. Minnesota (20-21) - LW: 19
The Timberwolves need to beat either Golden State on Friday or Portland on Saturday to make people take them seriously.
18. Washington (20-21) - LW: 15
They're now 0-for-4 when they've had a chance to go above the .500 mark, with losses to Milwaukee, Dallas, Detroit and Boston. They haven't been above .500 since Oct. 31, 2009.
19. Utah (14-29) - LW: 20
After a pair of losses to Minnesota by a combined 41 points, the Jazz tries to get back on track with home games against the Wizards, Kings and Warriors over the next week.
20. Charlotte (19-25) - LW: 27
Steve Clifford's Bobcats come to the Garden Friday night, looking to stay among the playoff contenders in the JV Conference against the reeling Knicks.
21. Knicks (15-27) - LW: 18
They're on a five-game losing streak and now Andrea Bargnani is probably gone for the season with an elbow injury. And the sniping at Mike Woodson's X's and O's shows that despite winning 54 games last season, there still isn't a winning culture in place in the Garden. Frankly, there hasn't been one since the 1990s.
22. Sacramento (15-26) - LW: 21
The Kings were starting to rol
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You guys didn't listen to Kobe Bryant. He told you to vote for Damian Lillard or some other young player, but you didn't. With 988,884 votes, you voted him into the All-Star Game, his 16th selection.
But he says you shouldn't have. And he plans to sit out. Via ESPN LA:
Having only played in six of the Los Angeles Lakers' first 43 games this season, Kobe Bryant does not feel he is deserving of his starting All-Star bid and plans to sit out the Feb. 16 game in New Orleans.
“With all due respect to the fans that voted me in, I certainly appreciate that, they know how much I appreciate that, but you got to do the right thing as well,” Bryant said before the Lakers' 109-102 loss to the Miami Heat on Thursday night. “My fans know you got to reward these young guys for the work that they've been putting in.”
Bryant spoke to the media just minutes after the league announced the starters for the 63rd annual All-Star Game next month.
Kobe hasn't played since Dec. 17 when he fractured his lateral tibial plateau, and before that he missed the team's first 19 games recovering from his torn Achilles.
He says he plans to return to the lineup before the All-Star Game, but still doesn't think that should put him in the game.
“It wouldn't be enough to have me be deserving to play in the All-Star Game,” Bryant said.
Here's the complication: Kobe said in the collective bargaining agreement, there's a clause that says if you're on an active roster and are elected to the team, you have to play if you're healthy enough to do so. Kobe plans on being healthy enough. He just doesn't think he deserves it.
“If I played [for the Lakers] before [the All-Star Game], the rule is you got to go in there and play or miss the next two games,” said Bryant. “So, that just means somebody would have to lose a spot, unfortunately and the back-ups would be playing a lot, because I'd go in there and do my two minutes and sit out.”
According to ESPN LA though, no such clause is believed to actually exist. So Kobe may be in the clear.
The easy fix: Kobe sits, James Harden -- who will likely be a reserves when announced Jan. 30 -- starts, thus opening up an extra spot for a very deserving young player who might otherwise be cut, like Lillard, or Anthony Davis or whoever.
Come on guys. What Kobe wants, Kobe should get.
Kobe thinks NBA should replace him in All-Star Game - CBSSports-com
But he says you shouldn't have. And he plans to sit out. Via ESPN LA:
Having only played in six of the Los Angeles Lakers' first 43 games this season, Kobe Bryant does not feel he is deserving of his starting All-Star bid and plans to sit out the Feb. 16 game in New Orleans.
“With all due respect to the fans that voted me in, I certainly appreciate that, they know how much I appreciate that, but you got to do the right thing as well,” Bryant said before the Lakers' 109-102 loss to the Miami Heat on Thursday night. “My fans know you got to reward these young guys for the work that they've been putting in.”
Bryant spoke to the media just minutes after the league announced the starters for the 63rd annual All-Star Game next month.
Kobe hasn't played since Dec. 17 when he fractured his lateral tibial plateau, and before that he missed the team's first 19 games recovering from his torn Achilles.
He says he plans to return to the lineup before the All-Star Game, but still doesn't think that should put him in the game.
“It wouldn't be enough to have me be deserving to play in the All-Star Game,” Bryant said.
Here's the complication: Kobe said in the collective bargaining agreement, there's a clause that says if you're on an active roster and are elected to the team, you have to play if you're healthy enough to do so. Kobe plans on being healthy enough. He just doesn't think he deserves it.
“If I played [for the Lakers] before [the All-Star Game], the rule is you got to go in there and play or miss the next two games,” said Bryant. “So, that just means somebody would have to lose a spot, unfortunately and the back-ups would be playing a lot, because I'd go in there and do my two minutes and sit out.”
According to ESPN LA though, no such clause is believed to actually exist. So Kobe may be in the clear.
The easy fix: Kobe sits, James Harden -- who will likely be a reserves when announced Jan. 30 -- starts, thus opening up an extra spot for a very deserving young player who might otherwise be cut, like Lillard, or Anthony Davis or whoever.
Come on guys. What Kobe wants, Kobe should get.
Kobe thinks NBA should replace him in All-Star Game - CBSSports-com
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Tom Gola, the Hall of Fame basketball player who led La Salle to the 1954 NCAA title, still holds the Division I record for career rebounds and helped the Philadelphia Warriors win the 1956 NBA championship, died Sunday. He was 81.
Gola's wife, Caroline, said he died at St. Joseph's Manor in Meadowbrook. Gola was seriously injured in 2003 after he fell and hit his head on a curb and was in a coma for several days.
Gola also led La Salle to the 1952 NIT title and a runner-up finish in the 1955 NCAA tournament. He set the NCAA Division I record for career rebounds with 2,201 and scored 2,461 points. He and former George Washington player Joe Holup are the only players in NCAA Division I history to top 2,000 in both points and rebounds.
Gola averaged 11.3 points and 8.0 rebounds in 10 NBA seasons with Philadelphia/San Francisco and New York.
"I am deeply saddened to hear the news about the passing of Tom Gola, a former teammate and one of the true gentlemen of the game," Warriors teammate Al Attles said in a statement Sunday night. "He was a Hall of Fame player, but an even better person. His nickname was 'Saint' and for good reason. He had a huge impact on the Warriors' early success in Philadelphia and, of course, was part of the original team that moved West to San Francisco in 1962. My sympathy goes out to his entire family. He will be missed."
Gola later coached at La Salle, where the arena is named after him.
"Tom was a Philadelphia icon whose name is synonymous with basketball," said Brother Michael J. McGinniss, La Salle's prsident. "His legacy will live on at La Salle forever and in the university's Tom Gola Arena."
A Philadelphia folk hero whose legions of fans screamed "Go, Gola, Go!" whenever he touched the ball, was one of only two players to win an NIT, NCAA and NBA championships.
"When I was growing up, you whispered the name Tom Gola, because he was like a saint," late Warriors teammate Wilt Chamberlain once said.
Late UCLA coach John Wooden called Gola the "greatest all-round basketball player" ever.
Part of his popularity stemmed from the fact that Gola, the eldest son of a Philadelphia policeman, chose to play at a hometown college despite receiving more than 50 scholarship offers.
A three-time All-American, the 6-foot-6 Gola averaged nearly 21 points and 19 rebounds for La Salle from 1952-55. He then helped lead the Warriors to the 1956 NBA title as a rookie.
The five-time NBA All-Star concentrated on defense, rebounds and assists because the Warriors already had proven scorers in Chamberlain, Paul Arizin and Neil Johnson.
"My job was to guard the opponents' best guard — Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Bill Sharman — and be a playmaker," said Gola, who entered the Hall of Fame in 1976.
Gola's career was interrupted from 1956-58 when he served in the Army.
Gola coached La Salle from 1968-70 and finished with a 37-13 record. His 1968-69 team went 23-1, achieving a No. 2 ranking, but was ineligible for postseason play because of NCAA violations under a previous coach.
Gola also was involved in politics. He was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1966 and became Philadelphia city controller in 1970 as then-District Attorney Arlen Specter's running mate.
He was regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Reagan administration in the early 1980s, then lost the Republican mayoral primary in 1983.
Gola ran an insurance agency for many years.
"I don't regret anything," Gola said in 1998. "Your body parts wear out, and you move on to something else. That's life."
Tom Gola Dead: Legendary NCAA, NBA Basketball Player Dies At 81
Gola's wife, Caroline, said he died at St. Joseph's Manor in Meadowbrook. Gola was seriously injured in 2003 after he fell and hit his head on a curb and was in a coma for several days.
Gola also led La Salle to the 1952 NIT title and a runner-up finish in the 1955 NCAA tournament. He set the NCAA Division I record for career rebounds with 2,201 and scored 2,461 points. He and former George Washington player Joe Holup are the only players in NCAA Division I history to top 2,000 in both points and rebounds.
Gola averaged 11.3 points and 8.0 rebounds in 10 NBA seasons with Philadelphia/San Francisco and New York.
"I am deeply saddened to hear the news about the passing of Tom Gola, a former teammate and one of the true gentlemen of the game," Warriors teammate Al Attles said in a statement Sunday night. "He was a Hall of Fame player, but an even better person. His nickname was 'Saint' and for good reason. He had a huge impact on the Warriors' early success in Philadelphia and, of course, was part of the original team that moved West to San Francisco in 1962. My sympathy goes out to his entire family. He will be missed."
Gola later coached at La Salle, where the arena is named after him.
"Tom was a Philadelphia icon whose name is synonymous with basketball," said Brother Michael J. McGinniss, La Salle's prsident. "His legacy will live on at La Salle forever and in the university's Tom Gola Arena."
A Philadelphia folk hero whose legions of fans screamed "Go, Gola, Go!" whenever he touched the ball, was one of only two players to win an NIT, NCAA and NBA championships.
"When I was growing up, you whispered the name Tom Gola, because he was like a saint," late Warriors teammate Wilt Chamberlain once said.
Late UCLA coach John Wooden called Gola the "greatest all-round basketball player" ever.
Part of his popularity stemmed from the fact that Gola, the eldest son of a Philadelphia policeman, chose to play at a hometown college despite receiving more than 50 scholarship offers.
A three-time All-American, the 6-foot-6 Gola averaged nearly 21 points and 19 rebounds for La Salle from 1952-55. He then helped lead the Warriors to the 1956 NBA title as a rookie.
The five-time NBA All-Star concentrated on defense, rebounds and assists because the Warriors already had proven scorers in Chamberlain, Paul Arizin and Neil Johnson.
"My job was to guard the opponents' best guard — Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Bill Sharman — and be a playmaker," said Gola, who entered the Hall of Fame in 1976.
Gola's career was interrupted from 1956-58 when he served in the Army.
Gola coached La Salle from 1968-70 and finished with a 37-13 record. His 1968-69 team went 23-1, achieving a No. 2 ranking, but was ineligible for postseason play because of NCAA violations under a previous coach.
Gola also was involved in politics. He was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1966 and became Philadelphia city controller in 1970 as then-District Attorney Arlen Specter's running mate.
He was regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Reagan administration in the early 1980s, then lost the Republican mayoral primary in 1983.
Gola ran an insurance agency for many years.
"I don't regret anything," Gola said in 1998. "Your body parts wear out, and you move on to something else. That's life."
Tom Gola Dead: Legendary NCAA, NBA Basketball Player Dies At 81
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Australian phenom Dante Exum has decided to declare for the 2014 NBA draft, his family and agent told ESPN-com on Tuesday.
Exum has agreed to hire agent Rob Pelinka and Brandon Rosenthal of Landmark Sports Agency. Pelinka's clients include Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Andre Iguodala and Andre Drummond. "We are excited to be working with Landmark Sports," Cecil, Desiree and Dante Exum said in a statement to ESPN. "Our family felt The Landmark Team represented our style and manner of treating people, and in doing businesses. We also all shared a common commitment to achieving excellence in all things. The fit is just great and we are really pleased to now begin the work."
Exum and his family met eight different agents in Melbourne over the past month and narrowed their decision to Pelinka on Tuesday morning.
"We are thrilled and honored to be working with Dante and his family," Pelinka said in an statement to ESPN. "As the NBA continues to expand its brand around the world, we feel like Dante's international story comes at a perfect time. We also believe that, with continued hard work and focus, Dante is destined to be a 'franchise' point guard in this next generation of great NBA players."
Exum is widely regraded as a top-five draft pick by NBA scouts and GMs. He is currently ranked No. 4 in ESPN's Top 100 and is ranked as the No. 1 point guard on the Big Board.
Exum's star rose with a terrific Nike Hoop Summit performance in April followed a big performance last summer at the FIBA U-19 championships, where he averaged 18 PPG and nearly 4.0 APG. He had a 33-point game against Spain in the quarterfinals and a 28-point game vs. Lithuania in the bronze-medal game.
Exum returned to Australia this fall to finish his high school career and led his team, Lake Ginninderra, to the national schools basketball title last week. Exum had 15 assists in the championship game.
Exum can play both guard positions and has the ideal blend of athleticism and skill. However, scouts believe that ultimately he'll be a NBA point guard with elite size as he is very quick with the ball and gets to the rim almost effortlessly.
His jump shot is still a work in progress -- the primary weakness in his game. If he were playing college ball in the U.S., many NBA scouts believe he would be a serious contender for the No. 1 overall pick.
Dante Exum declares for 2014 NBA draft - ESPN
Exum has agreed to hire agent Rob Pelinka and Brandon Rosenthal of Landmark Sports Agency. Pelinka's clients include Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Andre Iguodala and Andre Drummond. "We are excited to be working with Landmark Sports," Cecil, Desiree and Dante Exum said in a statement to ESPN. "Our family felt The Landmark Team represented our style and manner of treating people, and in doing businesses. We also all shared a common commitment to achieving excellence in all things. The fit is just great and we are really pleased to now begin the work."
Exum and his family met eight different agents in Melbourne over the past month and narrowed their decision to Pelinka on Tuesday morning.
"We are thrilled and honored to be working with Dante and his family," Pelinka said in an statement to ESPN. "As the NBA continues to expand its brand around the world, we feel like Dante's international story comes at a perfect time. We also believe that, with continued hard work and focus, Dante is destined to be a 'franchise' point guard in this next generation of great NBA players."
Exum is widely regraded as a top-five draft pick by NBA scouts and GMs. He is currently ranked No. 4 in ESPN's Top 100 and is ranked as the No. 1 point guard on the Big Board.
Exum's star rose with a terrific Nike Hoop Summit performance in April followed a big performance last summer at the FIBA U-19 championships, where he averaged 18 PPG and nearly 4.0 APG. He had a 33-point game against Spain in the quarterfinals and a 28-point game vs. Lithuania in the bronze-medal game.
Exum returned to Australia this fall to finish his high school career and led his team, Lake Ginninderra, to the national schools basketball title last week. Exum had 15 assists in the championship game.
Exum can play both guard positions and has the ideal blend of athleticism and skill. However, scouts believe that ultimately he'll be a NBA point guard with elite size as he is very quick with the ball and gets to the rim almost effortlessly.
His jump shot is still a work in progress -- the primary weakness in his game. If he were playing college ball in the U.S., many NBA scouts believe he would be a serious contender for the No. 1 overall pick.
Dante Exum declares for 2014 NBA draft - ESPN
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Australia’s Dante Exum is headed to the NBA draft and has hired the same agent as Kobe Bryant.
The 18-year-old point guard has decided to bypass the US college system and head straight to the professional bigtime in the NBA, signing with Rob Pelinka of Landmark Sports Agency following visits to a number of elite American colleges and meetings with several different agents.
Pelinka's stable of basketball clients include NBA stars Bryant, James Harden and Andre Iguodala.
"We are thrilled and honoured to be working with Dante and his family," Pelinka said in a statement. "As the NBA continues to expand its brand around the world, we feel like Dante's international story comes at a perfect time. We also believe that, with continued hard work and focus, Dante is destined to be a 'franchise' point guard in this next generation of great NBA players."
Exum is projected to be a top five pick at the next NBA draft. He had contemplated a year playing with a US college, but risked injury and his top tier draft status.
Should he go in the first round Exum can expect to earn around $US5m ($A5.71m) in his rookie NBA season, it will be up to his agents to secure multi-million endorsement deals. Exum recently graduated from the Australian Institute of Sport and is a member of the Australian men's squad.
His US-born father Cecil Exum moved to Australia to play in the NBL before settling and raising a family. The Exum family said they were excited to be working with the agency.
"Our family felt the Landmark team represented our style and manner of treating people, and in doing businesses," they said in a statement. "We also all shared a common commitment to achieving excellence in all things. The fit is just great and we are really pleased to now begin the work."
Dante Exum will skip college to enter NBA Draft | Sport | theguardian-com
The 18-year-old point guard has decided to bypass the US college system and head straight to the professional bigtime in the NBA, signing with Rob Pelinka of Landmark Sports Agency following visits to a number of elite American colleges and meetings with several different agents.
Pelinka's stable of basketball clients include NBA stars Bryant, James Harden and Andre Iguodala.
"We are thrilled and honoured to be working with Dante and his family," Pelinka said in a statement. "As the NBA continues to expand its brand around the world, we feel like Dante's international story comes at a perfect time. We also believe that, with continued hard work and focus, Dante is destined to be a 'franchise' point guard in this next generation of great NBA players."
Exum is projected to be a top five pick at the next NBA draft. He had contemplated a year playing with a US college, but risked injury and his top tier draft status.
Should he go in the first round Exum can expect to earn around $US5m ($A5.71m) in his rookie NBA season, it will be up to his agents to secure multi-million endorsement deals. Exum recently graduated from the Australian Institute of Sport and is a member of the Australian men's squad.
His US-born father Cecil Exum moved to Australia to play in the NBL before settling and raising a family. The Exum family said they were excited to be working with the agency.
"Our family felt the Landmark team represented our style and manner of treating people, and in doing businesses," they said in a statement. "We also all shared a common commitment to achieving excellence in all things. The fit is just great and we are really pleased to now begin the work."
Dante Exum will skip college to enter NBA Draft | Sport | theguardian-com
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Each week, USA TODAY Sports asks its NBA experts from around the country three questions about a current hot topic. This week, we take on the Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game Wednesday night that pits top MVP candidates LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Which team is this game more important to?
Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports: The Heat. After their impressive win over San Antonio on Sunday, they have a chance to send another message to an elite team while defending their home floor and, quite possibly, reminding MVP voters everywhere that LeBron isn't out of that race just yet. What's more, they're only three games back of the Pacers in the East and haven't given up on that race for the top spot and homecourt advantage either. As for the Thunder, they're still playing far better than anyone imagined without Russell Westbrook even if they fall tonight.
Ian Levy, Hickory-High-com: The Thunder, without question. The Heat have already ridden this train to its last stop two years in a row. They've been struggling lately, but are still far too grizzled to get caught up in the sights at any particular stop along the way. But the Thunder have statements to make and cases to prove. Like it or not, their Finals loss in 2012 still hangs over this matchup and Russell Westbrook's injury prevented them from opening up a new chapter last season. This year, despite getting just 25 games from Westbrook, they have the third best point differential in the league, just a hair behind the Pacers and Spurs. Kevin Durant's nightly barrage of fireballs and thunderbolts has been breathtaking, but it also gives the impression that this team is somehow playing above their heads. The truth is they have been as good as anyone in the league this season and this is the perfect opportunity to make sure everyone knows it.
Sean Highkin, USA TODAY Sports: Oklahoma City. With the minutes play the Heat have Dwyane Wade on, they've essentially conceded the No. 1 seed in the East to the Indiana Pacers, and nobody else in the conference is a real threat to surpass them for No. 2. They'll be fine as long as they're healthy for the playoffs. The Thunder have the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors to fend off for the top seed in the West, and seeding could play a much bigger role in determining which teams advance.
Jason McIntyre, The Big Lead: It's January. No games are important in January. Forced to pick a side, I suppose Miami, which doesn't want to fall 3½ games behind Indiana in the East.
Amick: I'll give it a 3. This game can create a lasting memory for voters, to be sure, but the totality of their respective seasons will obviously be what matters most.
Levy: The bottom line is that there are still two and a half months to be played before voters cast their ballots, plenty of time to overshadow or underscore anything that happens on any one particular evening. This might be a punctuation mark on the campaign of either player, but ultimately it's just one out of 82 pieces of evidence in their case.
Highkin: About a 3. There's still time for LeBron to go insane like he did in the second half of last season, but from a narrative perspective, Durant pretty much has the award already locked up in my mind. Unless Durant goes 0-fer and James drops 40 with a triple-double, this singular matchup won't have much impact on the vote.
McIntyre: They still have another meeting. What if in February, LeBron goes on a 10-game tear like the one Durant's on now? Then what? The season is a marathon. There are about 40 games left. It's not how you start, or who takes the lead in the middle, but how you finish. I'd rate Durant ahead now, but one game isn't going to vault LeBron back into the lead.
Amick: Considering the recent data, Wade's health is more vital. The Heat are just 7-6 when playing without D-Wade this season, while the Thunder are 13-5 since Westbrook was forced to have yet another knee surgery.
Levy: Call it a draw. Without Westbrook or Wade both teams fade into the growing pack of championship contenders. Kevin Durant has been exquisite but asking him to carry this load through June seems like a recipe for disappointment. Without Wade the Heat would have to continue dialing back their signature blitzing defense and their offense gets pulled, ever so slightly, back towards Earth. Both teams could certainly win a title without their complimentary stars, but it also props the door wide open for a handful of other equally talented teams to take advantage.
Highkin: Wade. Neither team is likely to win a title without its secondary star, but the Heat are a much older, more fragile team beyond its big three. Reggie Jackson has played well in Westbrook's absence, and the Thunder still have a capable bench scorer in Jeremy Lamb. Miami has no reliable full-time replacement for Wade, unless you like the idea of a 38-year-old Ray Allen in the Finals.
Jason McIntyre: Wade. The East will come down to Indiana or Miami, and the Heat aren't getting by the Pacers without a healthy Wade. Despite the Thunder's incredible play and their position atop the West, I'm not sold on them as the favorites in the West with Westbrook and Durant. I still wonder about a 3rd scorer in the playoffs, and what happens if Durant actually has a bad game (he is human ... I think). Right now, the Thunder would have to go through Dallas (sweep), then Clippers/Rockets (not a guaranteed win) and then Spurs/Blazers/Warriors just to get to the Finals.
NBA Caucus: Who needs win more, Thunder or Heat?
Which team is this game more important to?
Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports: The Heat. After their impressive win over San Antonio on Sunday, they have a chance to send another message to an elite team while defending their home floor and, quite possibly, reminding MVP voters everywhere that LeBron isn't out of that race just yet. What's more, they're only three games back of the Pacers in the East and haven't given up on that race for the top spot and homecourt advantage either. As for the Thunder, they're still playing far better than anyone imagined without Russell Westbrook even if they fall tonight.
Ian Levy, Hickory-High-com: The Thunder, without question. The Heat have already ridden this train to its last stop two years in a row. They've been struggling lately, but are still far too grizzled to get caught up in the sights at any particular stop along the way. But the Thunder have statements to make and cases to prove. Like it or not, their Finals loss in 2012 still hangs over this matchup and Russell Westbrook's injury prevented them from opening up a new chapter last season. This year, despite getting just 25 games from Westbrook, they have the third best point differential in the league, just a hair behind the Pacers and Spurs. Kevin Durant's nightly barrage of fireballs and thunderbolts has been breathtaking, but it also gives the impression that this team is somehow playing above their heads. The truth is they have been as good as anyone in the league this season and this is the perfect opportunity to make sure everyone knows it.
Sean Highkin, USA TODAY Sports: Oklahoma City. With the minutes play the Heat have Dwyane Wade on, they've essentially conceded the No. 1 seed in the East to the Indiana Pacers, and nobody else in the conference is a real threat to surpass them for No. 2. They'll be fine as long as they're healthy for the playoffs. The Thunder have the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors to fend off for the top seed in the West, and seeding could play a much bigger role in determining which teams advance.
Jason McIntyre, The Big Lead: It's January. No games are important in January. Forced to pick a side, I suppose Miami, which doesn't want to fall 3½ games behind Indiana in the East.
Amick: I'll give it a 3. This game can create a lasting memory for voters, to be sure, but the totality of their respective seasons will obviously be what matters most.
Levy: The bottom line is that there are still two and a half months to be played before voters cast their ballots, plenty of time to overshadow or underscore anything that happens on any one particular evening. This might be a punctuation mark on the campaign of either player, but ultimately it's just one out of 82 pieces of evidence in their case.
Highkin: About a 3. There's still time for LeBron to go insane like he did in the second half of last season, but from a narrative perspective, Durant pretty much has the award already locked up in my mind. Unless Durant goes 0-fer and James drops 40 with a triple-double, this singular matchup won't have much impact on the vote.
McIntyre: They still have another meeting. What if in February, LeBron goes on a 10-game tear like the one Durant's on now? Then what? The season is a marathon. There are about 40 games left. It's not how you start, or who takes the lead in the middle, but how you finish. I'd rate Durant ahead now, but one game isn't going to vault LeBron back into the lead.
Amick: Considering the recent data, Wade's health is more vital. The Heat are just 7-6 when playing without D-Wade this season, while the Thunder are 13-5 since Westbrook was forced to have yet another knee surgery.
Levy: Call it a draw. Without Westbrook or Wade both teams fade into the growing pack of championship contenders. Kevin Durant has been exquisite but asking him to carry this load through June seems like a recipe for disappointment. Without Wade the Heat would have to continue dialing back their signature blitzing defense and their offense gets pulled, ever so slightly, back towards Earth. Both teams could certainly win a title without their complimentary stars, but it also props the door wide open for a handful of other equally talented teams to take advantage.
Highkin: Wade. Neither team is likely to win a title without its secondary star, but the Heat are a much older, more fragile team beyond its big three. Reggie Jackson has played well in Westbrook's absence, and the Thunder still have a capable bench scorer in Jeremy Lamb. Miami has no reliable full-time replacement for Wade, unless you like the idea of a 38-year-old Ray Allen in the Finals.
Jason McIntyre: Wade. The East will come down to Indiana or Miami, and the Heat aren't getting by the Pacers without a healthy Wade. Despite the Thunder's incredible play and their position atop the West, I'm not sold on them as the favorites in the West with Westbrook and Durant. I still wonder about a 3rd scorer in the playoffs, and what happens if Durant actually has a bad game (he is human ... I think). Right now, the Thunder would have to go through Dallas (sweep), then Clippers/Rockets (not a guaranteed win) and then Spurs/Blazers/Warriors just to get to the Finals.
NBA Caucus: Who needs win more, Thunder or Heat?
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For a league that's always been larger than life, the NBA keeps trending toward the little guys.
Relatively speaking, of course.
The historically notable center-less starting lineups for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game won't be the only sign of this downsizing league that weekend. According to separate reports, at least two of the open slots in the 2014 NBA Slam Dunk Contest could be filled by point guards.
Washington Wizards floor general John Wall, who was recently named to his first All-Star team, told CSNWashington-com's J. Michael that's he's received invitations to both the Slam Dunk Contest and the Skills Competition.
The 23-year-old said he's still weighing his options.
"I'll make decisions (Friday) or sometime next week," he said, via Michael. "They have asked me. I'm not sure. I don't know what I'll do yet."
Wall isn't the only floor general with a choice to make. Portland Trail Blazers first-time All-Star Damian Lillard could have a very eventful weekend.
He told CSNNW-com's Chris Haynes that he plans on defending his title in the Skills Challenge, in addition to already being on both the Rising Stars Challenge and All-Star Game rosters. A league source said the dunk contest is another possibility he's considering, per Haynes, but Lillard would not comment on it.
Both players would be more than capable performers. Dunking isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of either one, but it's not due to a lack of high-flying highlights. The two also may not be league's first choices, either.
Indiana Pacers star Paul George said earlier this month he'd declined an invite for the event, via Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star. And Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan reportedly wanted to see if he would be selected for the All-Star game (he wasn't) before deciding on his dunk contest invitation, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. If the league has moved down its list of targets, it's refreshing to still hear notable names being mentioned. No offense to the 2013 contest participants—Gerald Green, Terrence Ross, James White, Eric Bledsoe, Jeremy Evans, Kenneth Faried—but there wasn't a name that carried the same weight as Lillard or Wall.
The quality of actual dunks hasn't suffered, but interest has waned in recent years for the lack of star power. Lillard and Wall won't bring it back on their own, but they could represent a step in the right direction.
John Wall, Damian Lillard Reportedly Invited to 2014 NBA Slam Dunk Contest | Bleacher Report
Relatively speaking, of course.
The historically notable center-less starting lineups for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game won't be the only sign of this downsizing league that weekend. According to separate reports, at least two of the open slots in the 2014 NBA Slam Dunk Contest could be filled by point guards.
Washington Wizards floor general John Wall, who was recently named to his first All-Star team, told CSNWashington-com's J. Michael that's he's received invitations to both the Slam Dunk Contest and the Skills Competition.
The 23-year-old said he's still weighing his options.
"I'll make decisions (Friday) or sometime next week," he said, via Michael. "They have asked me. I'm not sure. I don't know what I'll do yet."
Wall isn't the only floor general with a choice to make. Portland Trail Blazers first-time All-Star Damian Lillard could have a very eventful weekend.
He told CSNNW-com's Chris Haynes that he plans on defending his title in the Skills Challenge, in addition to already being on both the Rising Stars Challenge and All-Star Game rosters. A league source said the dunk contest is another possibility he's considering, per Haynes, but Lillard would not comment on it.
Both players would be more than capable performers. Dunking isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of either one, but it's not due to a lack of high-flying highlights. The two also may not be league's first choices, either.
Indiana Pacers star Paul George said earlier this month he'd declined an invite for the event, via Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star. And Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan reportedly wanted to see if he would be selected for the All-Star game (he wasn't) before deciding on his dunk contest invitation, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. If the league has moved down its list of targets, it's refreshing to still hear notable names being mentioned. No offense to the 2013 contest participants—Gerald Green, Terrence Ross, James White, Eric Bledsoe, Jeremy Evans, Kenneth Faried—but there wasn't a name that carried the same weight as Lillard or Wall.
The quality of actual dunks hasn't suffered, but interest has waned in recent years for the lack of star power. Lillard and Wall won't bring it back on their own, but they could represent a step in the right direction.
John Wall, Damian Lillard Reportedly Invited to 2014 NBA Slam Dunk Contest | Bleacher Report
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Australian teenage NBA prospect Dante Exum has declared he wants to be drafted to a team where he can make an immediate impact.
Since announcing last week he would skip the US college system to go directly into the NBA, the guard from the Australian Institute of Sport has jumped to fourth on ESPN's influential mock draft board.
While there's still months of hard training and workouts with prospective NBA teams ahead of the draft on June 26, Exum wants to be picked up by a club with big plans for him.
"I don't want to go to a team, somewhere like the (Los Angeles) Clippers, that have Chris Paul and I'll be kind of stuck behind him," the 1.98m Exum said on Monday.
A primary case in point is countryman Patty Mills, who is more famous for his enthusiastic towel-waving from the sidelines after finding himself behind Tony Parker, Cory Joseph and Nando De Colo on the San Antonio Spurs' point guard pecking order.
"I really want to go to a team that's going to want me, need me, and hopefully I can get minutes in the first season," said the 18-year-old Exum.
He admitted his decision to leap straight into the NBA draft was to mitigate future risk.
"The main thing was definitely some players don't perform at college. It is a different game - also injuries and stuff," he said.
"I would be under the microscope and all the scouts would be watching me (in college basketball). So I think it was just a smart move."
He relied on his father Cecil, himself a former NBA player, as well as Boomers teammates Mills, Joe Ingles and Andrew Bogut for advice on the "daunting" decision.
"It's only going to get crazier when I head over to the States," Exum said.
"But I'll take it one day at a time and that's how I stay at ground level."
Becoming an instant millionaire is another lifestyle change Exum will have to come to terms with, as he's tipped to earn around $US5 million ($A5.71 million) for a first-year rookie contract plus millions more in shoe and other endorsement deals.
"It's crazy to think that two months ago I was at the school championships playing with just my friends having fun and now it's going to turn into a business," he said.
"But I'll definitely be smart with my money and my mum's there to smack me in the head if I buy something stupid.
"The good thing about that is that I don't have my licence, so I won't be buying cars anytime soon."
Dante's peak: Exum wants NBA court time | SBS News
Since announcing last week he would skip the US college system to go directly into the NBA, the guard from the Australian Institute of Sport has jumped to fourth on ESPN's influential mock draft board.
While there's still months of hard training and workouts with prospective NBA teams ahead of the draft on June 26, Exum wants to be picked up by a club with big plans for him.
"I don't want to go to a team, somewhere like the (Los Angeles) Clippers, that have Chris Paul and I'll be kind of stuck behind him," the 1.98m Exum said on Monday.
A primary case in point is countryman Patty Mills, who is more famous for his enthusiastic towel-waving from the sidelines after finding himself behind Tony Parker, Cory Joseph and Nando De Colo on the San Antonio Spurs' point guard pecking order.
"I really want to go to a team that's going to want me, need me, and hopefully I can get minutes in the first season," said the 18-year-old Exum.
He admitted his decision to leap straight into the NBA draft was to mitigate future risk.
"The main thing was definitely some players don't perform at college. It is a different game - also injuries and stuff," he said.
"I would be under the microscope and all the scouts would be watching me (in college basketball). So I think it was just a smart move."
He relied on his father Cecil, himself a former NBA player, as well as Boomers teammates Mills, Joe Ingles and Andrew Bogut for advice on the "daunting" decision.
"It's only going to get crazier when I head over to the States," Exum said.
"But I'll take it one day at a time and that's how I stay at ground level."
Becoming an instant millionaire is another lifestyle change Exum will have to come to terms with, as he's tipped to earn around $US5 million ($A5.71 million) for a first-year rookie contract plus millions more in shoe and other endorsement deals.
"It's crazy to think that two months ago I was at the school championships playing with just my friends having fun and now it's going to turn into a business," he said.
"But I'll definitely be smart with my money and my mum's there to smack me in the head if I buy something stupid.
"The good thing about that is that I don't have my licence, so I won't be buying cars anytime soon."
Dante's peak: Exum wants NBA court time | SBS News
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The NBA trade deadline is now just 17 days away. It's the last chance for teams to either improve their tanking strategy or to move off this list all together.
And it's the final arbiter, if you will, to show a team's true colors.
And it's the final arbiter, if you will, to show a team's true colors.
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Particularly if the team intends to rebuild through free agency.
Beyond the immediacy of a 14-23 record, 10 losses in 11 games, persistent injury problems for Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash and the collapse of the supporting cast—none of which is entirely shocking by any means—the Lakers must concern themselves with what happens next. How can the Lakers get back to their usual business of competing for championships? And how can they do so in short enough order to satisfy Bryant, whose desire to win at least one more title (to match Michael Jordan's six) is anything but a secret?
The stock answer, it seems, is free agency. With a serious perusal of the NBA's annual "hot stove," L.A. should be able to find a superstar to both buoy Kobe's hopes of contention now and carry the organization's mantle going forward.
Especially now that the Lakers are due to be flush with cap space—even when taking Bryant's hefty extension into account—to a degree that feels foreign to a franchise with an established track record of free spending.
Trouble is, this summer's stock of top-notch sidekicks for the Black Mamba isn't likely to yield a singular talent "worthy" of the Lakers' fiscal admiration. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh appear to be all but locked into a successful future with the Miami Heat. Carmelo Anthony has been witness to a frustrating storm that's engulfed his New York Knicks on multiple occasions this season but still seems unlikely to leave behind his team of choice—and the millions more the Knicks can pay him.
Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph could be available if they opt out of their existing contracts, though neither fits the profile of someone who could propel the Lakers to a Larry O'Brien Trophy, with or without an active Kobe. The same goes for Luol Deng, whose time as an unrestricted free agent might not even come if he inks an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
At this point, the summer of 2015 seems like a much better bet as an opportunity for the Lakers to reload. Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, Marc Gasol, Tyson Chandler and DeAndre Jordan are among the most prominent players slated to hit the market that July.
But of those big names, only Love, who some NBA executives believe has his sights set on a leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves for L.A. per Ken Berger of CBSSports-com, seems at all destined to ditch his incumbent club. Aldridge has led the Portland Trail Blazers' renaissance, Rondo might soon spearhead his own with the Boston Celtics, Gasol figures to be a cornerstone of the Memphis Grizzlies for the foreseeable future, and Chandler and Jordan are both the lynchpins of their respective squads' defensive aspirations.
As for the Lakers, it's tough to imagine them being a haven for star free agents if the state of the franchise doesn't shift in some dramatic way over the next year-and-a-half. For all the glitz and glamour that's part and parcel of being a Laker, there seems to be a growing understanding among the game's most marketable players that winning trumps all else in terms of building a personal brand.
LeBron James was a burgeoning global brand before he left Cleveland and cemented his status as an icon once he started winning championships in Miami. That change of address constituted a jump from the No. 19 media market in America to the No. 16 media market for James, per Nielsen.
Which is to say, market size likely had very little to do with the growth of LeBron's own brand.
Read More: Can the Los Angeles Lakers Still Lure NBA Superstars? | Bleacher Report