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Bryant willing to sit to let ankle heal, might sit out All-Star game
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February 9
Orange County Register
 
"Kobe Bryant's sprained ankle wasn't much better but his mood had improved greatly. Watching teammates dismantle the San Antonio Spurs would put a smile on any Lakers face. Bryant missed out on the chance to avenge last month's loss to the Spurs on Monday, but he didn't miss the chance to support his teammates even if it was from inside the lockerroom. For the second consecutive game, Bryant sat out because of severely sprained ankle. And for a second consecutive game, the Lakers played well and won, 101-89. Does that make sitting out easier?"
Carmelo Anthony's return still questionable for Dallas game
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February 9
Denver Post
 
"Carmelo Anthony was again non-committal on Monday afternoon when asked if he would play on Tuesday against Dallas. But the Nuggets star said he continues to improve in coming back from an ankle injury. "Hopefully I can get back out there tomorrow," Anthony said after practice today in Denver. "It felt good out there today. It's getting better each day. Pretty much I was doing a lot that I could do before I got hurt." Anthony has missed eight straight games with a sprained left ankle, but does appear to be closing in on playing either against Dallas or Thursday against San Antonio."
Monta Ellis leaves game in fourth quarter with left knee injury
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February 9
Oakland Tribune
 
"The Warriors squandered a mostly dominant performance with a fourth-quarter collapse Monday, losing 127-117 to the visiting Dallas Mavericks at Oracle Arena. Adding injury to the insult, Warriors guard Monta Ellis, the team's leader in minutes, scoring, assists, steals and blocked shots, limped off the court with a left knee injury late in the game and did not return. The Warriors (13-37) have lost nine straight games. Guard Anthony Morrow led the Warriors with a season-high 33 points and 11 rebounds. Ellis had 27 points and rookie guard Stephen Curry had 25 points and nine assists. But Mavericks guard Jason Terry scored 10 of his game-high 36 points in the third quarter, and the Mavericks ..."
Chris Kaman selected to All-Star game to replace Brandon Roy
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February 9
Los Angeles Times
 
"First came the applause. Then came the pats on the back. At that point things took a truly silly turn Monday inside the Clippers' practice facility after General Manager Mike Dunleavy informed his team that center Chris Kaman has been selected as an All-Star replacement for injured Portland guard Brandon Roy. Kaman's teammates playfully wrestled him to the floor, a few piling on top. "That wasn't fun," Kaman deadpanned later. The Clippers were mostly giving the 27-year-old kudos for his first All-Star selection during a season in which he is averaging a career-high 20.2 points plus 9.0 rebounds. He's the first Clippers All-Star since Elton Brand in 2006."
Amar'e Stoudemire trade scenarios still plausible for Suns
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February 9
Arizona Republic
 
"On this final march to the Feb. 18 NBA trade deadline, there is no imminent Amar'e Stoudemire trade, but a deal with major franchise implications remains quite possible. The Suns' most frequently mentioned potential trade partners are Cleveland and Philadelphia. A trade prospect with Cleveland combines a financial windfall and a young, promising power forward replacement in J.J. Hickson, whom the Suns liked in the 2008 draft when they tabbed center Robin Lopez. Phoenix would stand to save several million dollars in a deal involving center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who received most of his salary up front and could be bought out to move Phoenix toward the possibility of being a luxury tax ..."
Roy skipped PRP treatment on Monday, hopes never to have procedure again
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February 9
Oregonian
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""My whole thing is: How can I get back faster?" Roy said. "But if the loss here is going to All-Star Weekend and hanging out with all those great players, that's fine too. There could be worse things." As for his hamstring, Roy has not tested it since participating in practice last Friday and intends to stay away from basketball activities until next week. Roy did not have another injection of Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) on Monday and said he may never undergo the procedure again. He is hopeful his hamstring heals naturally with rest and conventional treatment."
Lakers' Bynum could be out until next week
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February 9
L.A. Daily News
 
"Andrew Bynum said Monday it might take a week for the bruising and swelling to subside in his injured right hip, which means he could be sidelined until the Lakers return from the All-Star break to play the Golden State Warriors next Tuesday. The good news, Bynum said, was his bruised and swollen left knee is vastly improved after he collided with Stephen Jackson of the Charlotte Bobcats last Wednesday and was forced to wear a protective brace. "That's better now," he said before the Lakers played the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center. "The swelling is out of there." Bynum had so much discomfort in his knee that he donned a brace for the Lakers' home loss Friday against the Denver ..."
Paul Pierce's status is questionable for Wednesday
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February 9
Boston Herald
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"The Celtics' 96-89 home loss to Orlando on Sunday was the first game all season in which Rivers had his full rotation at his disposal. But that doesn't mean there are no health concerns. Rivers said he thinks Paul Pierce [stats], who has a left mid-foot sprain, will play tomorrow, although his status is questionable. Pierce injured the foot Feb. 1 in Washington and missed two games before returning and scoring 13 points in 30 minutes against the Magic."
Foster to undergo back surgery, will be sidelined rest of season
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February 9
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster will have season-ending surgery next week on his back. The Pacers announced in a statement that Foster is "expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp this fall." Foster hasn't played since logging three minutes against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 19. He was in Los Angeles getting a second opinion on his back last week and hinted that surgery was an option. "I've never really been away from the team for an extended period of time," Foster said. "It's been two months, it's been hard. It's something I'm learning to cope with. It's tough seeing these guys struggle." Foster averaged 3.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 16 games. His contract ..."
Felton, Chandler plan to play
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February 9
Charlotte Observer
 
"Injured Charlotte Bobcats Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton both plan to play tonight against the Washington Wizards, although Chandler might be the safer bet of the two. Felton sprained his right ankle at practice Monday and he showed up at shootaround Tuesday morning with some swelling in the joint. Felton said he'll play, but coach Larry Brown said he'll wait until gametime, to make sure Felton can be effective. Felton is generally one of the tougher Bobcats when it comes to playing with pain."
Trevor Ariza will not play Tuesday; out with hip pointer
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February 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"In many ways, the Rockets will look like their summer league team when they visit the Miami Heat tonight. Joey Dorsey is playing again. Chase Budinger will start. Jermaine Taylor and Garrett Temple will come off the bench. This is probably not how the Rockets wanted to go into the All-Star break. Then again, their last summer league team was undefeated. "Us young guys are going to have to step up," Budinger said. "I was telling guys they're going to get an opportunity this game. All of us have to be ready to play." With Kyle Lowry (sprained left ankle) and Trevor Ariza (hip pointer) out, Budinger likely will start at shooting guard, with Temple, Monday's NBA Development League call-up, to ..."
Corey Maggette sidelined with dislocated ring finger
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February 9
Oakland Tribune
 
"Though he's been shut down by the team's medical staff, Maggette still showed up to Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, saying, This is still my team." Maggette suffered the injury diving for a loose ball in the first quarter of Saturday's loss to Oklahoma City. He continued to play after head athletic trainer Tom Abdenour popped his finger back into its socket. Maggette said he had to pop it back in himself five times the rest of the game. "If you would've seen my face," Maggette said, recalling the agony. "My mom was like, 'I have never seen you in pain like that.'" Maggette has two reasons he really wants to play, though he said he wouldn't have been able to play against Dallas. ..."
Lowry undergoes MRI, has sprained left ankle
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February 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"The MRI on Rockets guard Kyle Lowry confirmed Saturday's diagnosis, showing a sprained left ankle but no further damage. Lowry is expected to be out for a week before he will be re-examined. The team then will be better able to estimate how much time he will miss."
Stern keeping close tabs on all things Sacramento
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February 9
Sacramento Bee
 
"NBA Commissioner David Stern didn't offer any revelations during an hour-long conversation at his office early Monday, but he continues to closely monitor arena developments in Sacramento. How closely? While watching the Super Bowl on Sunday (and pulling for New Orleans), he was interrupted by a phone call from John Moag, the arena consultant working with the Gerry Kamilos' downtown arena/land swap plan. Weather permitting (another snowstorm was approaching), the Baltimore-based Moag planned to travel to Sacramento and address tonight's City Council meeting. "The development of the Kamilos proposal was a pleasant surprise to me," Stern said. "The idea that was brought to us by the mayor ..."
Spurs seek to get nude player's pics off Web
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February 9
San Antonio Express-News
 
"TMZ.com is reporting the San Antonio Spurs are seeking to have nude photos of player George Hill taken down off a Web site. The photos allegedly show Hill's private parts and were taken with a cell phone."
Jamison misses practice in Orlando
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February 9
Washington Post
 
"Antawn Jamison was unable to catch his early morning flight out of Miami and missed the Wizards' practice on Monday in Orlando. Jamison had a suite at Sun Life Stadium to watch the New Orleans Saints defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, in the Super Bowl on Sunday night. He called the team to inform them of his problems getting out. He plans to join the team in Charlotte later in the afternoon. The Wizards will play the Bobcats on Tuesday. The Wizards finished what Saunders called "a mini-all-star break before the all-star break," with the snow in the District keeping them stranded in Orlando over the weekend. "Overall, it's probably been good. We've had some spirited practices," Saunders ..."