The 7-17 Sixers are only 3.5 games out of first place in the Atlantic Division, but Tom Moore of The Intelligencer says they should pump the brakes. After all, he argues, the Sixers won’t be able to do much of anything in the playoffs against the likes of the Heat. Improving their draft position, however, could set them up nicely for years to come. More from the Atlantic..
- Knicks guard J.R. Smith was criticized by coach Mike Woodson for his poor shot selection in last week’s game against the Bulls and the guard responded by taking just one shot in 27 minutes against the Celtics, writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. “Mike said that after all I’ve done for you I can’t have you talking back to me like that,” the source claimed. The same source added that Smith made a lewd comment that angered Woodson.
- Anthony Reiber of Newsday sat down with Knicks veteran Metta World Peace for a wide-ranging interview in which he said that he wouldn’t be hurt if he was traded from New York just months into his time there.
- The Raptors are winning without Rudy Gay and playing more like a team, but coach Dwane Casey told reporters, including Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, that it isn’t a case of addition by subtraction. “It has nothing to do with Rudy whatsoever. I think just the pieces fit more from that respect. It has nothing to do with Rudy personally. Rudy’s a talented player, he’s a big-time wing player. Just the fit is a different thing. If you were on a different team that needed a wing, you’d definitely have Rudy Gay on your team,” (via these Twitter links).
- First-year Nets forward Mirza Teletovic is playing well but without a real open spot in the rotation, he may not see consistent minutes, writes Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.
has Smith also been criticized by Woodson for his shot selection during his entire career? If not, he should be