Empty the Bench

Phoenix Suns Photo Credit: Mark Goldman/Icon SMI

- The team has thus far taken a “mum is the word” approach towards Amare Stoudemire’s excused absence from Sunday’s practice, but is there trouble brewing in Phoenix? It’s rarely a good thing when players start talking about team chemistry, or lack thereof, so I can’t help but arch an eyebrow at recent comments by Steve Nash, in the same article: “You can’t win at this level if you don’t have great chemistry and you don’t pull for each other and if you’re worried about your shots or worried about yourself or making excuses or pointing fingers at other players. That’s for losers. We’ve been a winning ballclub here and if we want to take that next step that has to be a big part of our character.”

- Nobody likes flopping in today’s NBA, and the Houston Chronicle’s Dan Feigen has some well-thought out ideas on how to help get rid of it. Bonus points later in his column for the nod towards Detroit Pistons reserve forward Jason Maxiell, who should garner some votes for Sixth Man of the Year this season (but won’t win).

- The Detroit News‘ Chris McCoskey wasn’t keen on Paul Pierce’s celebratory mood after the Boston Celtics marched out of the Palace with a 92-85 win over the Pistons Saturday night: “I wish Paul Pierce would act like he’s been here before. You know, the guy is a vet. He has been in the playoffs. Granted, he went through a lot of lean years, but the way he was popping and doing his best Ali impression walking off the court Saturday — “We’re the best team in the league” — it came off as boorish, immature. It’s January, Paul. Relax.” (More on the Celtics’ celebration.)

- Statistical backing for the argument that the New Orleans Hornets, who are truly flying under the rader with an impressive 23-11 record (despite little to no production from the bench, mind you), are one of the NBA’s most improved teams from last season.

- I caught some flack earlier this season in the ETB fantasy hoops league for cutting bait on Gilbert Arenas and sending him to the waiver wire after he underwent knee surgery, and maybe it was a bit early to outright drop my first-round pick (one in which I begrudgingly, through gritted teeth, felt I had to make at 9th overall). Knowing Arenas’ contract situation–he’ll opt out after this season and probably still thinks he deserves a max contract–and the Wizards’ slim-to-nil chances of competing for the Eastern Conference crown, however, I felt there was at least a 50/50 chance he wouldn’t return at all. No need to risk further, career-threatening injury when your team isn’t going anywhere. Now, early indications that, perhaps, he may indeed decide to shut it down until next season.

- It’s the Day of Reckoning for those with non-guaranteed roster contracts: will your favorite end-of-the-bench player make it through alive? (Caveat for rookie Jamario Moon, who as a starter for the Toronto Raptors is most definitely not a near-afterthought.)

- In case you’re just now putting down the pigskin and tuning into the NBA (shame on you), a fairly accurate list of the league’s top 10 contenders so far. My picks right now: Boston vs. Detroit in the East, San Antonio vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the West.

- I can’t shake the feeling that my dental hygiene would reach new, stratospheric heights under the gentle nurturing of Peja Stojakovic’s bristles. (Promo video at With Leather.)

- Scottie Pippen isn’t a fan of Ben Gordon’s shot selection, but I wonder how his new/temporary Helsinki ToPo teammates felt about him jacking up 16 three-pointers in two games–and making just two of them.

- Paul Pierce isn’t the only one from Green Nation beating their chest and declaring the season, or at least the race in the Eastern Conference, over after the Celtics’ regular-season win in January. After two games between the Pistons and Celtics, with each winning on the other’s home court, one truth has been made clear: drawing a definitive conclusion as to which is the better team will be impossible until May, after they meet in the Conference Finals. Only then will be chest-beating by the victor be warranted.