Jan 7th, Peep show
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Peep Show
By Terry Brown
NBA Insider
Wednesday, January 7
Updated: January 7
9:40 AM ET
MartinNew Jersey Nets: A 26-point lead obviously wasn't enough for Kenyon Martin last night, as the New Jersey forward hammered Clippers swingman Corey Maggette on his way to the basket. Punches ensued, with suspensions forthcoming. "That was a good foul on Kenyon's part," Nets coach Byron Scott told the New York Times. "I thought Maggette overreacted, and Kenyon's a man. He's not going to back down if someone comes at him and throws a punch." Of course, the Clippers had their own version. "Kenyon took a hard foul on Corey," said coach Mike Dunleavy. "That's Kenyon Martin. He does that. He's up 26 points, and he does that. I'm not sure if it's good or bad. It depends on your perspective. He has a history."
FrancisHouston Rockets: Steve Francis doesn't know we're writing about him now, because he doesn't read the newspaper or watch the news on TV after all the negative criticism he's been receiving. But just in case they're listening to him ... "If we start winning, I want to get the same (amount of) respect as the attention I get when we're not playing well," Francis told the Houston Chronicle. "If we lose, it's going to be because of me. It's not because of anybody else. It's cool with me. I mean, I'm the highest-paid player on the team, even though I don't feel like it or act like it. I think in sports, and especially basketball, the highest-paid guys are considered the scapegoats for losses or credited for wins."
WagnerCleveland Cavaliers: Paul Silas had two words when he saw LeBron James walking with Dajuan Wagner while both were in uniform together for the first time all season. "Glory be," the coach told the Lorraine Morning Journal. Actually, he did have more words. "Wags is going to be an important part of this thing," Silas said. "I'm just happy to see him out there. He practiced well the last week or so, and I'll give him some minutes and see how he does."
HinrichChicago Bulls: Sorry, Tyson Chandler. You, too, Eddy Curry. "If I really wanted to break it all down, Kirk's our best player," Bulls coach Scott Skiles told the Chicago Tribune of rookie Kirk Hinrich. "So he stays on the court the most. All around, top to bottom, with all the things he does for the team, he has been our most consistent and best player. We're a totally different team when Kirk sits down. His defensive effort is there every minute of every game and every minute of every practice. He leads our team in taking charges from the guard position. So he deserves it." And Skiles could care less about that rookie tag. "I felt like Kirk was being too quiet," Skiles said. "And I simply said to the guys, 'Do you trust this rookie point guard to run your team?' Every guy said yes. I said, 'There you go, rook. Run the team.' "
Van ExelGolden State Warriors: There are two things bugging Nick Van Exel right now. "I'm just frustrated with losing and the way it (knee) feels from time to time," Van Exel told the Contra Costa Times. "Those are the two things I'm frustrated with. Losing really takes a toll on me. And my knee, not being able to wake up and know it's going to feel good. I don't like that feeling." Well, I guess, there's one more thing. "We start the game, and we shoot 10 jumpers in a row," he said. "Then we say we want to push the ball and get in transition. Then, every time we get ready to push it, we call a play. It's easy for you to sit there and watch that (waving off the play), but you don't really know. I definitely want to try to push the ball to get into open-court situations, because I think we've got some guys who can shoot the ball and some guys who can finish at the basket. That's what we should try to take advantage of."
HardawayNew York Knicks: Let's not forget that Anfernee Hardaway was involved in that big trade the other day. "I know other players don't overlook Penny," Knicks guard Moochie Norris told the Newark Star Ledger. "Maybe that's the way it is from a media standpoint, but everyone in the league knows what kind of player he is and what he brings to the table. Him being the 'other guy' in a deal, it is strange. But to me, we got two great players in this trade." Penny's so giddy he's talking in third-person. "Finally, after all the years with aches and pains with the knee, my knee finally feels great and I can play," he said. "My body feels good. The Knicks are getting a healthy Penny Hardaway, instead of a worn-down Penny Hardaway with the aches and pains. I'm really anxious to get out and play in a Knicks uniform, because my body feels good."
BakerBoston Celtics: With Vin Baker's play on the court faltering, those in Boston knew this was coming. "I'd like to inform everyone that although I am still on the road to recovery, I have encountered a setback in the recovery process," Baker said in a statement released late Tuesday night. "I am disappointed in myself but committed to re-focusing my efforts to stay the course." Baker has been suspended for three games and been fined $75,000. "I feel badly for Vin and our team," Celtics coach Jim O'Brien told the Boston Herald. "It's really an unfortunate thing. There's no doubt about the challenge that Vin must be facing. I'm sure it's very difficult, and hopefully the issues will help him to overcome it and get his life and career going back in the right direction."
------------------------------------------------
Peep Show
By Terry Brown
NBA Insider
Wednesday, January 7
Updated: January 7
9:40 AM ET
MartinNew Jersey Nets: A 26-point lead obviously wasn't enough for Kenyon Martin last night, as the New Jersey forward hammered Clippers swingman Corey Maggette on his way to the basket. Punches ensued, with suspensions forthcoming. "That was a good foul on Kenyon's part," Nets coach Byron Scott told the New York Times. "I thought Maggette overreacted, and Kenyon's a man. He's not going to back down if someone comes at him and throws a punch." Of course, the Clippers had their own version. "Kenyon took a hard foul on Corey," said coach Mike Dunleavy. "That's Kenyon Martin. He does that. He's up 26 points, and he does that. I'm not sure if it's good or bad. It depends on your perspective. He has a history."
FrancisHouston Rockets: Steve Francis doesn't know we're writing about him now, because he doesn't read the newspaper or watch the news on TV after all the negative criticism he's been receiving. But just in case they're listening to him ... "If we start winning, I want to get the same (amount of) respect as the attention I get when we're not playing well," Francis told the Houston Chronicle. "If we lose, it's going to be because of me. It's not because of anybody else. It's cool with me. I mean, I'm the highest-paid player on the team, even though I don't feel like it or act like it. I think in sports, and especially basketball, the highest-paid guys are considered the scapegoats for losses or credited for wins."
WagnerCleveland Cavaliers: Paul Silas had two words when he saw LeBron James walking with Dajuan Wagner while both were in uniform together for the first time all season. "Glory be," the coach told the Lorraine Morning Journal. Actually, he did have more words. "Wags is going to be an important part of this thing," Silas said. "I'm just happy to see him out there. He practiced well the last week or so, and I'll give him some minutes and see how he does."
HinrichChicago Bulls: Sorry, Tyson Chandler. You, too, Eddy Curry. "If I really wanted to break it all down, Kirk's our best player," Bulls coach Scott Skiles told the Chicago Tribune of rookie Kirk Hinrich. "So he stays on the court the most. All around, top to bottom, with all the things he does for the team, he has been our most consistent and best player. We're a totally different team when Kirk sits down. His defensive effort is there every minute of every game and every minute of every practice. He leads our team in taking charges from the guard position. So he deserves it." And Skiles could care less about that rookie tag. "I felt like Kirk was being too quiet," Skiles said. "And I simply said to the guys, 'Do you trust this rookie point guard to run your team?' Every guy said yes. I said, 'There you go, rook. Run the team.' "
Van ExelGolden State Warriors: There are two things bugging Nick Van Exel right now. "I'm just frustrated with losing and the way it (knee) feels from time to time," Van Exel told the Contra Costa Times. "Those are the two things I'm frustrated with. Losing really takes a toll on me. And my knee, not being able to wake up and know it's going to feel good. I don't like that feeling." Well, I guess, there's one more thing. "We start the game, and we shoot 10 jumpers in a row," he said. "Then we say we want to push the ball and get in transition. Then, every time we get ready to push it, we call a play. It's easy for you to sit there and watch that (waving off the play), but you don't really know. I definitely want to try to push the ball to get into open-court situations, because I think we've got some guys who can shoot the ball and some guys who can finish at the basket. That's what we should try to take advantage of."
HardawayNew York Knicks: Let's not forget that Anfernee Hardaway was involved in that big trade the other day. "I know other players don't overlook Penny," Knicks guard Moochie Norris told the Newark Star Ledger. "Maybe that's the way it is from a media standpoint, but everyone in the league knows what kind of player he is and what he brings to the table. Him being the 'other guy' in a deal, it is strange. But to me, we got two great players in this trade." Penny's so giddy he's talking in third-person. "Finally, after all the years with aches and pains with the knee, my knee finally feels great and I can play," he said. "My body feels good. The Knicks are getting a healthy Penny Hardaway, instead of a worn-down Penny Hardaway with the aches and pains. I'm really anxious to get out and play in a Knicks uniform, because my body feels good."
BakerBoston Celtics: With Vin Baker's play on the court faltering, those in Boston knew this was coming. "I'd like to inform everyone that although I am still on the road to recovery, I have encountered a setback in the recovery process," Baker said in a statement released late Tuesday night. "I am disappointed in myself but committed to re-focusing my efforts to stay the course." Baker has been suspended for three games and been fined $75,000. "I feel badly for Vin and our team," Celtics coach Jim O'Brien told the Boston Herald. "It's really an unfortunate thing. There's no doubt about the challenge that Vin must be facing. I'm sure it's very difficult, and hopefully the issues will help him to overcome it and get his life and career going back in the right direction."
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