New-look lineup here to stay?
Scott Brooks said following the 91-83 win over the Raptors that he will stick with the starting lineup of Russell Westbrook, Desmond Mason, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Nick Collison.
“At the moment we like that,” Brook said. “Desmond, he’s a pro. He stays ready. He worries me a little bit because he plays so hard and has no regard for his body. But you like that. And he defends. Right now we’re very comfortable obviously. We won the game. We’re going to stay with the lineup.
Brooks said he tweaked the lineup for the fourth time since he took over on Nov. 22 in an attempt to find a five-man unit that will come out with more energy and intensity and get the team off to a better start.
“We’re still trying to figure out what’s our best lineup,” Brooks said. ”We haven’t had the good start that we would have liked so we’re just trying to figure out if we can change it up and get a spark and give us a chance to win.
“It’s important that we have good starts and play consistent. Nick has played well, and he’s played well coming off the bench. So hopefully this is an opportunity that will carry over to a starting role.”
A few notes…….
* A report by ESPN.com, citing unnamed sources, says a trade sending Earl Watson to Toronto for Anthony Parker and Joey Graham could be a possibility.
* Differing reports out of New Jersey about whether the Nets will match OKC’s reported contract offer to restricted free agent Nenad Krstic. One says the Nets won’t. Another says no decision’s been made.
* The official boxscore from Friday’s game incorrectly listed Kevin Durant with 24 points. Durant had 26 points. The scorer credited Desmond Mason with one of Durant’s baskets, a 19-footer from the top of the key. Team officials are in the process of getting the mistake corrected.
* According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the executive director of the NBA Coaches Association thinks the six canned coaches thus far is reflective of the mood of the country and fear perhaps more than OKC’s, Washington’s, Philly’s, Toronto’s, Minnesota’s and Sacramento’s combined 29-78 record at the time of their coaching firings.
* Rookie D.J. White has a doctor’s appointment scheduled for Monday to get a check up on his recovery from jaw surgery. White is expecting to get an update on when he can return to full contact practice. He’s still sidelined until at least mid-February.
* Cleveland Cavaliers reserve guard Daniel Gibson is likely out Sunday with a sprained toe.
* Sunday at 5 p.m. is your last chance to secure tickets for LeBron James’ only visit.
-DM-
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Comments
If I’m reading the Collective Bargaining Agreement correctly, Swift, who was a restricted free agent last year, can’t be traded this year without his consent. At the end of this season, he will be unrestricted and presumably not re-signed. We already know that Sene’s option wasn’t picked up, and this being Petro’s fourth season, he’ll be a restricted free agent when it’s over.
And I’d worry about that alleged Toronto deal. With Watson gone, there’s nobody to run the point but Westbrook: Graham’s a three, maybe a two, and Parker’s a two, maybe a three. Not a one in the bunch. (Maybe they should have kept John Lucas, eh?)
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That is great about Joey Graham! They will have to make the Orange a more prominent part of the uni’s! What’s the deal with Swift? Can’t we trade him for something? Surely someone out there is willing to take a chance on him. I would rather see Brooks concentrate on developing Petro into a reliable relief guy.