http://www.sportsnipe.com NBA news headlines from all sources http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949905/galinsky-five-thoughts-about-week-2.html Kobe can still carry the Lakers, while Shaq and Iverson are dead weight. John Galinsky has five thoughts about Week 2 in the NBA. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949556/day-11-170-fall-unbeatens.html Line of the Night: Imagine if Chris Paul (1.58) actually had a real basketball team playing around him? How awesome would that be? Instead, the Hornets got blown out by the Raptors 107-90 despite Paul's 21 points, 7 boards and 18 assists. Bobby Brown was the team's second highest scorer with 16 points. Honorable Mentions: Jason Richardson (1.32) showed us it's possible to have a good fantasy game against the Celtics by scoring 34 points (on 10-16 shooting) with 6 threes and 10 boards as the Suns handed the Celtics their first loss of the year; Lebron James (1.18) pulled down a ho-hum 33/8/9 line against the Knicks; and Baron Davis (1.12) showed the world he's not quite dead yet by scoring 24 points with 7 assists and 4 steals. Waiver Wire Line of the Night: Raja Bell (0.84) - who is currently owned in a ridiculously low 11% of Yahoo leagues – went 5-6 from three and finished with 24 points off 9-12 shooting in his second game back for Bobcats. Maybe the wrist injury scared some people off, but as long as he doesn't pull a Kevin Martin, Bell will be a great source of threes and scoring for most any fantasy team. I was going to put Larry Hughes (0.84) as an honorable mention here, until I saw that he was owned in 57% of leagues. What the hell are you 57% thinking? Just joking, Hughes will have his bad moments, but he'll continue to play big minutes as long as Nate Robinson is out (probably another week). You Play with Fire and You're Gonna Get Burned: As I mentioned last night, Kevin Martin will be out for at least the next 8 weeks after opting for surgery to repair the hairline fracture in his left wrist. So chalk up another 50 game season for the most fragile man this side of Tracy McGrady. Also Tyrus Thomas will miss the next 4-6 weeks after breaking his arm in some kind of weight lifting accident. No word on whether an exercise ball was involved. The Biggest Loser: The BM player rater did not like what Thaddeus Young (-0.59) brought to the table yesterday. Young scored 8 points on 3-9 shooting with 4 turnovers as the Sixers squeaked out a win over the Nets. However, Chauncey Billups' (-0.43) line was as bad if not worse given the expectations. Billups scored 6 points off 2-7 shooting and finished with 2 assists and 5 turnovers as Miami gave the Nuggets their first loss of the year. All Eyez on Me: New York (1-5) at Milwaukee (2-2) - Get those Bucks in your lineup, especially Andrew Bogut, who has turned up the volume on his game after a slow start to the year. Brandon Jennings should also have a bounce back game after a 4-16 shooting performance against the Wolves. Denver (5-1) at Atlanta (4-2) - the real Kmart is expected to miss this game and possibly the next week with an injury to his leg. Not that anyone should be counting on Kenyon Martin for fantasy at this point in his career. This is also the last game of JR Smith's suspension, so get him in your lineup for next week if he's on your team. Sacramento (1-4) at Utah (2-3) - Beno Udrih will get the start in Martin's place. He's about half the fantasy player Martin is but will be worth an add in most leagues if you're in need of a guard. *** Don't miss a day of the Fantasy NBA. Subscribe to Give Me The Rock  right now. You can also get bonus (and easily digestible) content by following GMTR on Twitter, or join the Give Me The Rock Room on FriendFeed to get posts, Twitters, and Midnight Snacks all in one place. You can even become a fan of GMTR on Facebook! We’re so social! Related Posts:The GMTR Hot List: Top 10 Fantasy Point Guards (1)GMTR Readers League Playoff Review (10)Day 40 of 170: Doing it My Way (5)Day 16 of 170: Are the Knicks the Best Fantasy Team in the NBA? (0)Injury News: Men Made of Glass and The Weights Strike Again (8)Day 9 of 170: Chris Paul Walks Tall (15) Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949555/lebron-tastes-big-apple-you-know-he-loves.html New York brings out the big guns (celebs, Yankees) for LeBron James' only visit this season -- a 100-91 Cavs win over the Knicks. It's a preview of life for the King if he bolts Cleveland, Ken Berger says. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949550/jamison-mad-at-wiz-effort-takes-out-anger-on-snacks.html by Tom ZillerFiled under: Pacers, WizardsWizards forward Antawn Jamison hasn't been able to help his team on the court after suffering an exhibition schedule shoulder separation. But he's trying to inspire his mates in the locker room. Friday night, that meant the post-game gastronomy in Indianapolis had to suffer. Washington fell to a rather miserable Indiana team by 16 points. According to the Washington Post's Michael Lee, Jamison gave the business to his teammates in the locker room after the final buzzer. Lee reports that a tray of snacks had been "tossed into a corner, shattered to pieces, with fruit and candy scattered everywhere." Quelle horreur!Jamison Mad at Wiz Effort, Takes Out Anger on Snacks originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949549/its-early-but-kaman-breaking-out.html by Matt SteinmetzFiled under: Clippers, NBA Press BoxOAKLAND, Calif. - Anyone who has watched the L.A. Clippers so far this season, pretty much has the same question: What's up with Chris Kaman? The guy's been playing some ball and doesn't seem to resemble the player of past years. But according to coach Mike Dunleavy, nothing at all is up. "The only difference with him is he's shooting the ball," Dunleavy said before the Clippers dismantled the Warriors 118-90 on Friday night. "And I mean literally shooting the ball. He's always been able to shoot the ball but always had this kind of mentality of 'I can't take too many shots,' or 'I need to get closer to the basket.'" It's Early, But Kaman Breaking Out originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949354/second-coming.html In 1999, at 22-years-old, Antoine Walker signed a six-year $71 million deal with the Boston Celtics. It prompted Rick Pitino, then Celtics president and coach, to declare Walker, “will never have to worry about money again in his life.” A decade later, ‘Toine is broke. According to recent reports, Walker has squandered away much of his $110 million he earned over 13 seasons in the NBA. The Boston Globe recently reported, “during the last seven months, Walker has been pursued by multiple financial institutions for unpaid debts totaling more than $4 million. Court documents filed in Illinois and Florida reveal Walker was named a defendant in three recent debt-related civil cases, in addition to the ongoing check-kiting case. His former agent is also after him, citing a heap of unpaid fees.” All of this from a player who had so much potential. Check out Scoop’s story on Antoine back in Issue 15, and by the end all you can do is shake your head at the guy.–Matt Lawyue by Scoop Jackson ANTOINE WALKER DOESN’T FEEL IT. HE’S TOO CLOSE. But this is the cost of being good, possibly great. …And with the second pick of the 1986 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select…Len Bias of the University of Maryland. Ten years ago, Commissioner David Stern stood at the podium and said those words. Bias died of a cocaine overdose the day after the draft, and never played a minute for the Celtics. The decline began. Ten years later, the words are heard again. …And with the sixth pick of the 1996 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select…Antoine Walker of the University of Kentucky. Here we go again, a chance for the Celtics to reverse the flow that began 10 years ago. Still, Antoine’s too close. “Naw, I don’t feel the shadow of Len Bias. I can’t,” he says. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime dream to get to play in the NBA, play against the greatest. Against Michael Jordan. I know I’m the highest draft pick of the Celtics since Len, but I have to overlook that situation and look at the positive. This is my one chance, man. This is what you dream about when you’re a kid.” I answer, “Yeah, but they’re going to put the pressure on you. Especially in Boston. It’s almost like a compliment because of how nice Len’s game was. Doesn’t that kind of bother you?” He responds. “Oh no. I live for this type of stuff. I call this good pressure. To be successful, people need to expect that. And if you are not successful, everybody’s going to say, ‘Well, we knew he wasn’t no good.’” In life, there are times when you’re supposed to be scared to ask that question. Because just when you think everything is perfect…boom! The script gets flipped, and Len Bias and Reggie Lewis are no longer around to complete the dream. Antoine Walker is never afraid. This life that he gets to play basketball in is perfect to him. His glass is always half full, never half empty. Olympia Fields, IL. A distant, quiet south suburb of Chicago. It’s nice, clean. Modest living. Antoine Walker is at his boy’s crib, packing. Two days away from putting on his No. 8 green uniform and black signature adidas for the first time, he refuses to be nervous. He’s too close. Ask him about expectations, he’ll say, “It’s another level. You have to give yourself goals in order to make it here, but you have to go out there and work hard and earn it. It’s going to be difficult at times, but I can’t lie, I’m excited.” As the smile spreads across his face, you realize that Antoine is a 20-year-old man living a dream, happy just to be here, but not satisfied. Not yet. He’s the one rookie that truly wants to run the NBA. He wants to rejuvenate the Celtic legacy. Championships in droves. Winning the jewels last year in Blue Heaven spoiled him. That’s the difference. Being a part of an NCAA championships program is something neither Bias or Lewis were able to claim. He’s also got that arrogance. “It’s not arrogance, man!” he insists. Yet he’s got that arrogance that anybody who’s gonna make it, needs in order to make it. The Celtics need it. They miss it. There used to be no such thing as a Boston player without arrogance. That’s why you hated them, that’s why they were so loved. Ask Antoine what would have happened if he’d stayed at Kentucky for one more year, he’ll say, “We probably would have been ranked No. 1 in the country and had a good opportunity to win back-to-back.” Ask if he would have been first-team All-American, “I think I would’ve gotten that status.” But he’s quick to tell you that “going top 10 in the draft, you can’t turn down an opportunity like that.” Ask him, flat out, if he was the best player on that team last year (a team that not only won the national championship but also had three first-round draft choices): “I think I was, just because I brought a lot of things to the table. Not necessarily more than anybody else, but my size kinda made a difference. Being able to handle the ball and pass the ball made the team more versatile. It just made a lot of things easier for a lot of people. I mean we had a lot of talented players, I don’t know. A lot of people will argue, but then you can always throw in their face who went highest in the draft. “No, you’re getting me hooked up in this,” he continues. “I’m not arrogant, but I do have a lot of confidence in my ability and in myself. And you’ve got to have some type of cockiness about you; I don’t think you can make it in this game without it.” Someone who didn’t know Antoine asked me to explain him. The only answer I could give them was so simple, but so descriptive, they couldn’t understand. “He’s from Chi, that says it all.” Most people associate Chicago basketball with MJ. Only. They’re wrong. Isiah Thomas, Ben Wilson and Mark Aguirre are Chicago basketball. Levertus Robinson and J.J. Anderson are Chicago basketball. Juwan Howard and Antoine Walker are Chicago ball. Most people are confused, can’t comprehend the truth. This is how it is: Watch Juwan Howard, see Antoine Walker. Two 6-10 brothas with games of fluid. Milky. Pour it on your cereal. Both have that old-school work ethic and approach to the game that so many are missing. Days later I tell ‘Toine this and he laughs, softly. “Yeah, I see the similarities, but Juwan’s an inside player, and I think I can do more things with the ball than Juwan. I don’t know, I need at least a year under my belt before I get into all of that. It’s funny, right now people give me a lot of credit for making it. But I’m not just trying to make it, I’m trying to excel in the NBA; making it is not good enough for me.” It never should be. There is a thick clientele of Chicago ball players that just made it and didn’t do anything once they got there. This is what drives Antoine Walker to be better than his teammates, to be arrogant. He is that good. The past two summers in Chicago he has ruled the Pro-Am, leading the league in scoring at about 35 points a pop. Then, when he’d roll back to Kentucky, he’d tone everything down and play for that one common goal. Let the points drop, pick up on the assists and rebounds, cut down the turnovers, cut down the nets. The beef starts early. You know something is going to happen soon. Real soon. Maybe it’s the heat. In an overcrowded gym laced with ego and touched with pride, someone is bound to snap. Crackle. Pop. Timmy Hardaway sits on the bench, in eyepatch and sunglasses, watching everything as it goes down. Juwan Howard is maxed out on the floor behind the basket, back against the wall, legs stretched out. Randy Brown is laughing. And Snake (Ken Norman) is drippin’ sweat, waiting for the rent-a-ref to blow the whistle. A coach, dressed in Karl Kani shorts, soft-link bracelet and Air Max 2000’s, tosses anger toward blue heaven. In a typical, don’t-play-yourself move, Antoine Walker leans right, bolts left and goes baseline. The crowd goes for the move. The oohs. The ahhs. Walker’s airborne. Blue Heaven. A soft release off the glass, misses. At the other end, Michael Harmon drops one from 17. Antoine’s pissed. As he runs back on offense, coach “Kani” lets him have it. The verbals. An opposing summer-fling coach telling a future NBA player his game is off. Even weak. How does a young man respond? If you are Antoine Walker, the best player on the NCAA champions, high first-round draft choice of the Boston Celtics, Sports Illustrated’s “Blue Heaven” coverman, former Mount Carmel HS All-World, you do this: Glance at the coach giving you grief as you cross half-court with the ball, embarrass the defender checking you with a between-the-legs crossover that leaves him all shook up like Elvis, take three other men to the hole for the dunk. You never take your eyes off that coach. Make his head drop. Acton speaks louder than words. Too bad Len’s not around to see it. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949067/sanders-maineamp8217-man-this-season.html by Zach Smart Jermaine Sanders' stock as a major Divison I prospect has been growing, growing, growing, Jack and The Beanstalk Style, this fall. Coaches have hounded him down and kept tabs on his all-around game. Sky is the limit for the young gun. According to Sanders, his recruitment is an afterthought right now. Talk to him at the end of his heavily anticipated junior campaign at Rice HS-a traditional New York City basketball breeding ground-and this likely won't be the case. As of now, however, the subject of the electrifying 6-4 wing's recruitment is in the shadows. What's front-and-center for the Rice HS junior guard/forward? Carrying the torch proudly for the one of Gotham's several hoops hotbeds. Sanders must immediately fill the scoring void left by high-volume scoring machine Durand Scott. June 2009 graduation claimed Scott, one of the most exciting kids to watch on the high school level last year. Some ownership of Mo Hicks' squad is now funneled down to Sanders. Scott, now a freshman at Miami, was a highly sought item on the recruiting agora last year. He would end up spurning UConn and Pittsburgh-both of which hounded him throughout the recruiting process last year- as the 6-4 scoring buzz saw bolted for his new ACC hardwood home down south. Sanders added to his all-around game this summer. A budding class of 2011 game-changer, Sanders evolved into one of the city's most versatile ballers, handling the chore of guarding any position on the floor. He's suddenly shed his cast member role from last season when he played Pippen to Scott's Jordan, Robin to Scott's Batman, and Drake to Scott's Hov. "Everybody's looking at him,” said Hicks. "Everybody's starting to give him a look. I could name about 20 schools on his list. A lot of ACC and Big East schools have inquired.” The onus is on Sanders to take scoring matters into his own hands. He'll have help from Shane Southwell and 6-8 big Kadeem Jack, albeit they're more likely to pad the scorebook. It's Sanders' role to stuff this stat book and have a hand in everything this season. "He (Sanders) is one of the most versatile dudes I've played against,” said Christ The King guard Corey Edwards-who has also emerged into a hotly pursued prospect. "He can play anywhere from the two to the five.” Sanders shredded some fear from last year, showing a proclivity for putting the ball on the deck, penetrating, and finishing on super-sized bigs. He employs that rush-hour attitude, he loves to play in traffic. He has grown into his body and learned to jump at contact. He's a ball of athleticism and energy, frequently splitting defenders on his way to the cup. Playing in the same Division-I launchpad that produced Edgar Sosa, Kemba "E-Z Pass” Walker and Scott, Sanders has become a linchpin in the uptempo, go-go style that Rice coach Mo Hicks utilizes. In addition to bringing his track shoes to every game, Sanders also dials in from long distance. He can heat up from beyond the confines of the arc, as he proved during the Big Apple Classic and in various games. He's cleaving to grand aspirations to lead the High School situated near the famed Apollo Theater and the widely-recognized Harlem Underground fashion store on 125th St. back to the promise land. Rice has a New York State title to defend this season. After thoroughly dismantling Lincoln HS in the semis, the Raiders pulled of an epic overtime win over Newburgh Free Academy in the state championship at the Glens Falls Civic Center last spring. Down three with 15 seconds remaining in regulation, the aforementioned Scott took one look at the basket and buried a mammoth trey, sending the game to overtime. In the overtime session, Rice staved off Newburgh, which stopped Mount Vernon's heart (and gave the Westchester County perennial power an early exit) on a buzzer-beating, 55-foot prayer in the semi-final. Scott gave Sanders a memorable sendoff. Now Sanders' must author the next chapter and leave the same type of lasting legacy. Sanders, who's receiving interest from Syracuse, Villanova, UConn, Pittsburgh, St. John's, Marquette, Virginia, Virginia Tech and a slew of others, is undoubtedly the player to watch. He's the most acclaimed player on a squad that's produced plenty of Big East/ACC talent (Sosa, Walker, Scott as of late) time and time again. Offers from Villanova, Providence, and St. John's all on the table. Sanders said that those select three happen to be pushing the hardest for his services. Maryland has also popped up, but it's hard to gauge how much interest they have. These are fast times at Rice High. One walks out the door, another walks in. Sanders has seen his then Big East-bound teammates do it. It's Sanders' turn. Zach Smart has written for Big East Basketball Report, Hoops Addict and The East Coast Bias. Read more on his blog. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948275/kobe-stays-hot-as-injury-hit-lakers-beat-grizzlies.html LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kobe Bryant became the youngest NBA player to reach 24,000 points on Friday, the Lakers' guard scoring 41 to lead injury-hit Los Angeles to a 114-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948264/paul-forrester-knicks-show-lebron-shouldnt-sign.html If the Knicks were trying to get into the LeBron James sweepstakes, they didn't do themselves any favors, says Paul Forrester. James' near triple-double helped the Cavs cruise, 100-91. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948263/roy-helps-blazers-to-500.html Blazers-Spurs recap Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948027/roy-trail-blazers-keep-spurs-winless-on-road.html Brandon Roy had 24 points and five rebounds, Steve Blake added 15 points and the Portland Trail Blazers got a lift from their new-look lineup in a 96-84 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948026/roy-helps-newlook-blazers-beat-spurs-ap.html Brandon Roy had 24 points and five rebounds, Steve Blake added 15 points and the Portland Trail Blazers got a lift from their new-look lineup in a 96-84 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. Richard Jefferson had 19 points, Manu Ginobili had 17, and Tim Duncan added 14 points and eight rebounds, but San Antonio lost Tony Parker to a sprained ankle and couldn't overcome a lethargic... Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948025/blazers-get-lift-from-roy-blake-to-beat-spurs.html Brandon Roy had 24 points and five rebounds, Steve Blake added 15 points and the Portland Trail Blazers got a lift from their new-look lineup in a 96-84 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948024/kobe-scores-41-becomes-youngest-to-reach-24000-points.html Kobe Bryant scored 41 points while becoming the youngest player to reach 24,000, leading the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers ... Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948023/kobe-stays-hot-41-as-injury-hit-lakers-beat-grizzlies.html LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kobe Bryant scored 41 points to lead the injury-hit Los Angeles Lakers to a 114-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947896/kobe-reaches-milestone-in-win-over-grizzlies.html Kobe Bryant scored 41 points while becoming the youngest player to reach 24,000, leading the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers to a 114-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947895/kobe-scores-41-to-guide-lakers-past-grizzlies.html Kobe Bryant scored 41 points while becoming the youngest player to reach 24,000, leading the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers to a 114-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947894/kobe-gets-41-youngest-to-24000-lakers-cruise.html Lakers-Grizzlies recap Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947893/roy-scores-24-to-lift-newlook-blazers-over-spurs.html PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -Brandon Roy had 24 points and five rebounds, Steve Blake added 15 points and the Portland Trail Blazers got a lift from their new-look lineup in a 96-84 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947892/kobe-reaches-24-000-points-leads-lakers-past-griz.html LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant scored 41 points while becoming the youngest player to reach 24,000, leading the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers to a 114-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947891/jj-redick-finally-carving-his-niche.html by Tim PovtakFiled under: MagicORLANDO -- After three seasons of banging his head against a wall, J.J. Redick finally has proven he belongs in the NBA. He never thought it would take this long. Redick may have come into the league as one of the most celebrated college basketball players in recent history, but it has taken a complete remaking of his game and his attitude to finally carve his niche. "I've been thinking about it recently, and maybe I wasn't ready to do this last year, or my second year, and certainly not as a rookie,'' Redick said Friday night after helping the Orlando Magic hold off the Detroit Pistons 110-103. "I could not have stepped in and played well like this, but I've learned how to be a pro. And that wasn't easy.''J.J. Redick Finally Carving His Niche originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947890/suite-life.html By J.A. Adande It’s a Friday night in Los Angeles. Am I at the Laker game or the hot new club? Yes. No need to choose anymore now that Sam Nazarian, the nightlife mogul of L.A., opened an edition of his Hyde Lounge inside Staples Center. No matter that it’s located 30 rows and three decks of suites away from the court, just a few feet below the $28 seats in the 300 level. This is the new coveted real estate. Instead of scattering around the building or choosing among the court-level Chairman’s Room or the Lexus Club high above the baseline, the beautiful people now have a central location to do what they do best: hold drinks poured from $400 bottles of vodka, send text messages from their Blackberries and bask in their hotness. Watching the game is an option, too. “It’s LA, man,” said Tim Leiweke, President and CEO of AEG, the company that owns Staples Center. “We finally, finally have a place that everyone else is staring at us, saying, ‘We want one of those.’” As one clubgoer said, “You can’t do this at the Target Center.” In the course of a $20 million updating of the 10-year-old arena this summer, AEG and Nazarian’s company SBE spent more than $1 million to clear out eight suites and line them with dark padding, comfy booths, long bars, full-length mirrors and a ceiling with panels that light up (kind of like the disco floor in “Saturday Night Live”) Friday night’s Lakers-Grizzlies game served as the grand opening, with a red carpet outside the arena and coveted silver wristbands distributed to the 200 or so people who can fit inside the new club. For Leiweke the new place is an ode to the Forum Club that was the place to be at Laker games in their former home. How do you get a wristband? If you’re asking you probably aren’t getting one. You can’t buy them. You pretty have to be in the SBE circle and get invited.� Despite the various clubs for courtside denizens and suite-holders, “We didn’t have that kind of sexiness of the Forum Club,” Leiweke said. That place reeks of sexiness. And it’s a demo we weren’t quite hitting. Now we’re hitting it.” “What demo is that?” I ask. “Wait till you see it,” is all he says. “It’s unbelievable.” So just before halftime I duck into the tunnel, go down a hallway and take an elevator up to suite level C. There’s a rope, a podium and four people outside, all waiting to determine who’s in and who’s out (a couple of actors from a premium cable show didn’t make it past the rope on opening night). I hold up my wristband and get waved down to another woman. She’s busy texting away and doesn’t notice me for two minutes. But eventually the wristband does the trick, I’m past the rope, up to the large door and inside the club. That demographic Leiweke was talking about? No other way to describe it than good-looking. I just don’t expect many of them to spend the evening discussing the merits of Ron Artest v. Trevor Ariza. I glance at one of the menus set up in an empty booth. Cheapest bottle in there is Krol Vodka at $375. The price list tops out at $10,000 for a big bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne. Halftime hits, the club fills up. A guy tells his friend, “This place is dope, bro.” People still talk like that? The only clue the third quarter’s about to start comes when the dj lowers the volume on the dance remix of� “I Love LA.” Most people have their backs turned to the game far below, where the players are so small you can’t really tell that Allen Iverson has grown his cornrows back. The palce has a wow factor, but can it ake money? They’re counting on bottle service to pay the way, but half the booths were empty during the game. And as one person observed: “These people don’t look rich. They’re hot, but they’re not rich.” The biggest of the money men, the likes of Jeffrey Katzenberg, won’t be heading up there. Not their kind of scene. And the in crowd tends to move on to the next hot spot in L.A. after six months or so. But as long as the Lakers keep winning, Staples Center is going to be filled with the "right demo". And Nazarian insists Hyde@Staples Center is going to be here for a long tiem. “The best of L.A.,” he calls it. A synopsis of L.A., is more like it. Waitress, fill up the glasses. And if you happen to come across a box score, that’ll work, too. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947653/at-this-rate-theyll-be-new-jersey-nots.html by Chris TomassonFiled under: Nets, NBA CoachesPHILADELPHIA -- They just made a stop in Philadelphia, so why not be the first to throw it out. Can the New Jersey Nets make a run at the 1972-73 76ers' all-time futility mark of 9-73?The Nets are the NBA's only winless team at 0-6 after Friday night's 97-94 loss to the 76ers and every day another player seems to get hurt. Call them the New Jersey Gnats the way they're dropping like flies.OK, so it's way too early to think these Nets are going to make history for basketball badness. And, besides, Nets guard Rafer Alston gets upset when somebody calls his team the NBA's worse."That does (hurt) because you know you have a lot of pride,'' Alston said. "It hurts to be considered the worst ... when you know you have a lot of basketball and life in your game and there's a lot of pride in each man.''At This Rate They'll Be New Jersey Nots originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947152/after-tumultuous-first-week-iverson-about-to-apologize.html Allen Iverson sees no reason to apologize for a week of barbed comments when his only concern is helping the Memphis Grizzlies win, preferably from the starting lineup. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947151/lakers-big-men-gasol-bynum-sit-out-game-vs-grizzlies.html Lakers big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are sitting out Los Angeles' meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947150/nba-roundup-at-06-nets-off-to-worst-start-in-franchise-history.html Andre Iguodala scored 16 points, including a late 3-pointer to give the 76ers the lead and send the short-handed Nets to their worst start in franchise history. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947115/iguodala-76ers-squeak-past-shorthanded-nets.html Andre Iguodala scored 16 points, including a late 3-pointer to give Philadelphia the lead as the 76ers rallied past the short-handed New Jersey Nets 97-94 Friday night. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947114/lebron-cavs-show-off-against-knicks-in-msg.html LeBron James scored 33 points in his only visit to Madison Square Garden this season, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 100-91 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947113/after-tumultuous-first-week-iverson-about-to-apologize.html Allen Iverson sees no reason to apologize for a week of barbed comments when his only concern is helping the Memphis Grizzlies win, preferably from the starting lineup. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947112/lakers-big-men-gasol-bynum-sit-out-game-vs-grizzlies.html Lakers big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are sitting out Los Angeles' meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947111/raptors-use-big-run-to-defeat-hornets-ap.html The Toronto Raptors were hot from 3-point range in the second half against the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night. All they wanted to talk about, though, was their blue-collar defense. After giving up 115 points to Memphis and 125 to Orlando in recent losses, the Raptors held the Hornets to 14 points in the third quarter in a 107-90 victory. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947110/lakers-bynum-gasol-out-vs-grizzlies-ap.html Lakers big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are sitting out Los Angeles' meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies. Bynum has a strained right elbow after getting injured late in a victory at Houston on Wednesday, though he doesn't think it's serious. The Lakers' starting center is averaging 20 points and 10.6 rebounds in a strong start to his season. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947109/rockets-win-11th-straight-over-thunder-ap.html Trevor Ariza and Carl Landry scored 21 points apiece and the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak over the Oklahoma City franchise to 11 games by beating the Thunder 105-94 Friday night. Luis Scola added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets. Russell Westbrook scored 33 points and Kevin Durant added 27 for the Thunder, who've lost nine straight games in Houston. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947108/howards-22-12-get-magic-by-pistons-ap.html Dwight Howard made up for a miserable performance against the Pistons three nights earlier. Even so, he was still irked by what happened in the fourth quarter. Howard's 22 points and 12 rebounds were enough to help the Orlando Magic hold off Charlie Villanueva and Detroit 110-103 Friday night, but the win was soured by the Pistons' 35-point fourth quarter. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947107/roundup-iguodalas-late-3pointer-lifts-sixers-past-nets.html Friday's NBA roundup: Andre Iguodala scored 16 points, including a late 3-pointer to give Philadelphia the lead, and the 76ers rallied past the short-handed New Jersey Nets 97-94. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947106/frustrated-iverson-i-just-want-to-help-grizzlies-win.html llen Iverson sees no reason to apologize for a week of barbed comments when his only concern is helping the Memphis Grizzlies win, preferably from the starting lineup. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947105/wade-heat-hand-nuggets-first-loss-season.html Dwyane Wade scored 22 points, Jermaine O'Neal added 18 and the Miami Heat dealt the Denver Nuggets their first loss of the season, 96-88 on Friday night. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947104/richarson-suns-drop-first-loss-on-celtics.html Jason Richardson bounced back from his worst game of the season to score 34 points with 10 rebounds, and the Phoenix Suns rebounded from their only defeat to beat the Boston Celtics 110-103 on Friday night. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947103/lebron-drops-33-in-lone-visit-to-msg-as-cavs-top-knicks.html LeBron James scored 33 points in his only visit to Madison Square Garden this season, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 100-91 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947102/martin-to-have-wrist-surgery.html SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Sacramento Kings leading scorer Kevin Martin will be sidelined for about two months after deciding to undergo surgery on his injured wrist. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947101/rockets-collect-11th-straight-victory-over-thunder.html Rockets-Thunder recap Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947100/howards-heroics-power-magic.html Magic-Pistons recap Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947099/raptors-274-thirdperiod-spurt-dooms-hornets.html Raptors-Hornets recap Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947098/celts-lose-1st-game-season.html Suns-Celtics recap Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947097/james-gamehigh-33-points-lead-cavs-past-knicks.html King James made his only regular-season Madison Square Garden appearance a good one. James finished with 33 points in Cleveland's 100-91 triumph Friday night over New York. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947096/unbeaten-no-more-richardson-suns-hand-celtics-first-loss.html Jason Richardson bounced back from his worst game of the season to score 34 points with 10 rebounds, and the Phoenix Suns rebounded ... Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947095/lakers-gasol-bynum-sit-vs-grizzlies.html LOS ANGELES (AP) -Lakers big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are sitting out Los Angeles' meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947094/iverson-backing-down-want-to-help-grizzlies.html LOS ANGELES (AP) -Allen Iverson sees no reason to apologize for a week of barbed comments when his only concern is helping the Memphis Grizzlies win, preferably from the starting lineup. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947093/james-brings-buzz-to-garden-but-keeps-plans-murmur.html LeBron James made his only regular-season visit to New York, and at times there seemed to be more than one of him on the court. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947092/game-notes-nets-at-sixers.html By Jake Appleman/@JakeAppleman With the circus arriving–an unnecessary parade that pretends to look into the future while diminishing the integrity of the acrobatics we love–it seemed like a good night to take in a game that nobody’s paying attention to. So Ben Couch of the Nets and I jetted down to the Turnpike for the latest installment of NY metro area team vs. Philly team. Here’s how it went down. –I found out that Rutherford, New Jersey is a real place. I’m sure there are plenty of fans that have only been to the Izod Center in East Rutherford, and didn’t know about actual Rutherford. Considering the architectural albatrosses close by, it’s pleasantly quaint. –I brought up Andre Iguodala’s trick shot in the home locker room and all of the Sixers maintained that it was real, even though few had seen it. (The video loses track of the ball for a good chunk of the time after it ricochets off the wall.) Iggy lost his trademark sly grin to a little confusion when I mentioned that some people might think it was fake, but he also seemed happy and surprised to see it getting burn on the net.  For what it’s worth, Willie Green said he can make it and that he’s seen Kyle Korver make consecutive off-the-wall practice facility shots. –The Nets are trotting out Trenton Hassell, Eduardo Najera, Brook Lopez, Courtney Lee (struggling from the floor) and Rafer Alston. Not exactly a Better Basketball instructional video on shooting. –I tell a few Sixers that Hassell is starting in place of T-Will, correcting their dry-erase board out loud. None of them care. Bad move, fellas. –I saw a reporter tell longtime stat legend Harvey Pollack the exact quote from Bill Simmons’s book tour column about meeting Pollack, who was present at Wilt’s 100 point game. This was funny because I had finished reading the column literally a minute before. People started messing with Pollack, joking that he was front page of ESPN.com famous and couldn’t go outside now. –Sean Williams’s shirt is classy, suave purple. Not girlish-purple, not deep purple, not Grimace-purple–classy, suave purple. –Primoz Brezec is on the inactive list for the Sixers, under “Coach’s Decision.” It should just say “Primoz Brezec: No.” –With the Phillies two days removed from a World Series appearance, the city in the middle of another Eagles playoff push, a Septa strike negating public transportation options and the injury depleted Nets in town, anything over 10,000 actual fans in the arena tonight would be a minor miracle. –Eddie Jordan’s niece, Kimberly, belts out a wonderful rendition of the national anthem, following a deserved moment of silence for those slain at Ft. Hood. Kimberly Jordan’s shirt is girlish purple. Not deep purple, not classy, suave purple, not Grimace-purple–girlish purple. First Quarter –6-6 early. Iggy’s too in love with the three; 2 fouls for Eduardo Najera in the first minute and a half; the Nets haven’t yet been relegated to the D League. –Iggy rectifies the predisposed jumper-happiness with two dribble drives for an and-one (missed FT) and a ferocious slam. 10-6. –I have a strange affinity for Thaddeus Young’s long, loping strides. His gait effectively helps him get to the rim quicker, but it can lead to awkward shots when he jumps from strange places. –The Sixers’ mascot is a rabbit named Hip-Hop, and is in no way connected to the character from 8 Mile.  Go figure. Maybe it should go nail Brittany Murphy in the stairwell of a tire factory. –Two straight traveling calls on Thad Young. Frequent flyer miles to…Atlanta? For a Georgia Tech reunion? –Elton Brand shows off much of his repertoire early: a midrange face-up J, a driving banker against Josh Boone, a mini hook/layup underneath and a re-post flowing into a jump hook for an and-one. The strange part about this is that Eddie Jordan only played him 19 minutes. In fact, it was a relief to see him alive in the locker room after the game. As I mentioned to Couch, since he just doesn’t appear to fit in here, the Nets should consider making a run at him if they can’t sign a free agent power forward in 2010, assuming the Sixers would eat a decent chunk of his salary. –Terrence gets the best of Lou in the first possession of “ridiculously fast Williams” vs. “lightning speed Williams” with a dish to Brook. T-Will then finds Hassell along the baseline, putting the Nets up 20-18, which is, implausibly, improbably, unbelievably, remarkably, how the quarter finishes. –Boone’s been very active with 5 boards in the quarter. Second Quarter –Andre Iguodala just assured this game would make SportsCenter with a THUNDEROUS, ONE-HANDED JAM over T-Will. Seriously, he cupped the rock like it was his baby that he was about to unleash into the great blue yonder of the sky. Or something. Slamadamonth? Iggy popped? –Willie Green doesn’t shoot 22-foot twos. Willie Green is 22-foot twos. –We’re going back and forth here like it’s the Jersey Turnpike. Marreese Speights and Jason Smith are providing good interior presences on both ends. Bobby Simmons goes on a mini Bobby Simmons run. And it’s always nice watching Jason Kapono shoot. –T-Will finds Boone open underneath for a dunk with a pass from behind halfcourt. That’s the court vision folks have been raving about. –Even though he’s semi-impressive (bounding, midrange J, getting to the line, tough, etc.), I feel like Jason Smith would be better suited as a Presidential bodyguard than a basketball player. –If you had a Trenton Hassell-Eddie Najera give-and-go and a clear path foul as the answer to “how will the Nets stay afloat in the second quarter?” congratulations, you just won a reversible coupon to the Bendix Diner on Rt. 17. –The Philly crowd energizers wear tee shirts that say “Hare Raisers,” because there’s nothing quite like a hell pun rooted in bunnies. –Sammy Dalembert fires a ridiculous feed to a streaking TY for a revrese layup. Best pass of Dalembert’s life, hands down. A Lou Williams 3-ball gives the Sixers a 50-47 edge, which is where we stand at the half. –Trenton “Tennessee Tanzania Tajkistan” Hassell leads the Nets with 11 points on 5-6 from the floor. Credit Lawrence Frank for pulling the right string. Third Quarter –Courtside Celebrities: –Thad starts the quarter off of with a reverse layup. He has two baskets and two reverse layups, so I guess you could say they’re exclusive. –Courtney Lee, following a fastbreak goal-tending call on Sammy D, heads to the bench to get his knee checked out. The Nets are literally in the midst of filming Final Destination 4, Plantar Fasciitis. –You come for the pregame fried chicken, but you stay for the Brook Lopez jumpers and the melted butter Lou Williams threes. –Najera and Hassell are giving the Nets huge boosts. Eddie’s rabid energy is contagious and Tennessee’s getting buckets any way he can; if he was a pitcher, he’d be Eddie Harris in Major League, throwing spitballs and rubbing the ball with Chase Utley’s Vaseline. And the rook, T-Will, has seven assists, his passing helping offensive continuity for a group that needs it to put points on the board. Even on a bullet feed to Tennessee that ends up as a blocked shot, the vision and execution are unmistakable. –Red-Faced Fan: “You’re losing to the Nets! Are you kidding me!?!!” This elicits laughs from the Nets’ bench. The Nets open up a 67-61 lead behind Brook Lopez on O and some Philly turnovers. In honor of Bill Walton’s retirement, I’ll just note here that the Sixers look terrible. Just terrible. And Coach Wooden would never stand for such careless play. –The “Eduardo Najera Up-Fake Appreciation Society” will meet after the game. [Fourth Quarter update: Bobby Simmons and Brook Lopez are both attending. Intelligence. It's fundamental, baby!] –Nets catch a huge break: T-Will blows a layup which leads to Lou Williams faking Josh Boone out of his socks on a potentially back-breaking buzzer-beating three to end the quarter. 73-71, Nets. After a review, no good. 73-68. Fourth Quarter –Bobby Simmons and Jason Kapono exchange threes to start the quarter. If you combine those two guys, they’re actually Bill Simmons’s book tour. –A Rodney Carney three brings the Sixers within 79-76, but probably prolongs the Septa strike because he’s Rodney Carney. –Courtney Lee is out with a strained left groin. You can’t make this stuff up. Although if he had to injure a groin, you’d expect it to be his left, as his right is his stronger groin. –TRENTON HASSELL GRABBED AN OFFENSIVE REBOUND AND DUNKED ON SOMEONE WITH TWO HANDS. COUCH AND I JUST STARED AT EACH OTHER LIKE HALLE BERRY TOOK OFF ALL OF HER CLOTHES. I AM EXCITED. –After heading to Gino’s for a cheese steak for two quarters, Andre Iguodala has returned. Perhaps just in time. After the game I asked him about strong start and the lull that followed. His curt reply: “I’m just trying to go out there and attack. First half, I probably did pretty well. Second half, didn’t do a good job, as you pointed out.” –Lou Williams–the Sixers’ most effective scorer and player lately–and Skip are trading buckets. A LW jumper forces Lawrence Frank to call a timeout. 92-90, Sixers. –Following a B-Lo pair, Iggy drains a wing three and Tennessee, from the school of hard Knox, grabs a board in traffic and heads to the line, where he misses both. 95-92, Sixers. Skip silences the crowd with another driving lefty layup. Rather intense for such a small crowd. –Sammy Dalembert grabs a huge o-board off an Iggy midrange miss with 26.3 seconds left. Fouled by Skip. –Rocky music… –Nets foul Thad Young, who continues his atrocious night by splitting a pair. –Najera drives right and misses a running floater off the window. Iggy fouled. Splits the pair. 97-94. One last shot for the Netsies. –Iggy swipes at T-Will on a desperation three and gets the ball, at least according to the refs. Sammy Dalembert bounces around like the Sixers actually accomplished something, which is highly debatable. A tough one for the still-winless Nets, maybe on par with the opening night abomination in Minnesota, purely because of how hard the team fought to try and pull this one out. An “A” for effort. And a “C” for Celtics tomorrow. With Boston losing for the first time tonight, you almost expect Kevin Garnett to shelve Brook Lopez for a month with third degree burns after breathing fire on him. Postgame: –Brook Lopez, on improving during tough times: “A lot of guys have chances to step up and gain experience; T-Will, myself…guys like us who are in our first or second season, it’s a really good chance to get out there and log long minutes. –Lou Williams, on Philly’s depth: “I was in there with four guys out of the second group, and they did a great job of making shots. That makes it a lot easier, when you have guys that come in that can provide a spark off the bench and make shots and keep the game close. Those guys were able to do that, so I give a lot of credit to them…We’re going to need [depth]. A lot of these great teams, you look at the Bostons, the Orlandos, they have deep benches. We’re going to need our guys to step up in order to compete with those teams. Sport Snipe - NBA News From Everywhere