Tuesday 14 December 2010

THROUGH THE WIRE: TUESDAY (12/14/10)

Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (L) moves against the New York Knicks guard/forward Landry Fields during the first quarter at the Pepsi Center in Denver on November 16, 2010.    UPI/Gary C. Caskey Photo via Newscom

24."I just really want to focus on basketball right now - let the business take care of business when that time comes. My goal is to go out there every night on the court and continue doing what I'm doing," a certain number 15 said. Maybe it's due to his reception at Madison Square Garden. Maybe it's because the George Karl story about reaching his 1,000Th win has come to a victorious end. Or maybe it's just because another knee injury story is just boring because the debate on where Carmelo Anthony will end up next season is back on like games at MSG in mid-November. 'Melo has been linked to many teams including the Tri-State two of the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets ever since he left a three-year, $65 million contract extension from Denver on the table this Summer. Recently however when asked if he wants to continue wearing the white and blue the star has responded to press, "Of course." Other things are on the franchise players mind, mainly this knee scare. Anthony coolly shrugged rumours off this weekend when his team played the New York Knicks, "I was there and so it was a hot topic to talk about it. I'm not worrying about it. That's not my focus right now. My focus is to try to get some wins back home." Home right now is in Denver where Carmelo's heart is. He's told press, "If you're in any place for eight years, that's going to be home. That's what you call home," but will this still be the beat come next July? Will Anthony stay 'Melo in the rocky mountains? Or will he do his best LeBron James impression next Summer? Sound off in our comments section below.

U.S. President Barack Obama folds up a banner given to him by the NBA Championship Los Angeles Lakers during an event at a Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington on December 13, 2010, in Washington. At left is Kobe Bryant. Prior to the event the Lakers and the President spent time with children at the Club.  UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg Photo via Newscom

48. The Los Angeles Lakers reunited with the Larry O'Brien trophy last summer so it was only right that the two time champions had a reunion with President Barack Obama as well. This time the setting wasn't so formal. Obama honored the Lakers away from the White House (maybe it needed a spring clean) and the sharp President even donned a tracksuit at one point. The charming basketball fan even bantered with the defending champs and now his Chicago Bulls are doing better (including beating the Lake Show this weekend as Obama noted, "they (the Lakers) witnessed first hand on Friday that my Bulls are showing some signs of life.") his one liners may have had some punch. As Barack congratulated Coach Jackson he said, "It was his fifth championship with the Lakers, which I should point out is still one behind the six he won with the Chicago Bulls,". Kobe Bryant, in the background responded, "not for long". Good one Mamba. Still as Barack Obama honored the Lakers for their championship win at a local Boys & Girls Club the mood was celebratory. As part of the NBA Cares program the President and players helped children aged around 8 and 9 from the club prepare packages and write letters for wounded servicemen and women at Walter Reed Hospital and played games with them. "Now, I have to say that there is a long-standing tradition of welcoming championship sports teams to the White House," Mr. Obama told everyone. "But here's the thing: These guys have been there so often; they were just there last year". Obama also said that Bryant, Fisher and Jackson have been at the White House so much, "they could give tours". The President is no stranger to the Lakers. He played pickup games this Summer gone with Pau Gasol and Steve Blake. Gasol even set up a pick that led to Obama hitting the winning shot in one game. "It was a great shot, so that's when the game ended," Pau remembers from the next basket wins affair. Another great play from the President. WAP!

Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer takes a free throw during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at the United Center in Chicago on December 1, 2010.   UPI/Brian Kersey Photo via Newscom

82. Speaking of Obama's Bulls they really are on a stampede right now. With Carlos Boozer back the young contender are drunk with power on their charge to the top. Carlos almost had a great 20 and 20 double double as he hit 22 and 18 in a 92-73 victory against the Indiana Pacers. The Bulls raced to their sixth straight win as Boozer and Derrick Rose showed that they may be one of the best one two punches in the league (and this team also have front man Deng and leading European jersey seller Noah). The pair look like a more muscular version of Stockton and Malone...if you can believe that (sorry Karl but Stock gives up a bit of stockiness). Derrick Rose also saw double with 17 points and 12 assists as the Bulls vision of winning was 20-20. Thanks to these two guys a Bulls 10-zip run in the fourth was too much for Indiana to keep pace with. Chi-towns MVP Rose gave the crowd a scare late in the fourth as he hit the floor hard after a play against Indy's Brandon Rush. Rose hurt his wrist but then shook off the injury and flicked two crucial free throws home to reassure the United Centre faithful. "Sometimes the game is going to get physical and you have to play through it," the guard told press postgame. "It's basketball," and right now Chicago basketball is heating up in the windy city.

February 24, 2010 Milwaukee, WI. Bradley Center..Milwaukee Bucks Brandon Jennings ..Milwaukee Buck won over the New Orleans Hornets 115-95. Mike McGinnis/CSM.

O.T. Dallas where also a team on a hot streak at the moment but their Maverick play came to an end. The Buck stopped when Milwaukee overcame a 20 deficit to halt the Mavs from a W...on the opposite end of streaks the Warriors can't stop losing. They hit an even lower note dropping their seventh straight to the Utah Jazz...the Memphis Grizzlies managed to overcome the Portland Trail Blazers however thanks to Zach Randolph's double, double...in rookie news the New Jersey Nets face more problems. Their talented rookie Damion James will be out for around 8 weeks after having surgery on his foot. At least day to day, star guard Devin Harris is keeping it 24-7 after his scare last week...Minnesota have recalled their talented point youngster, Jonny Flynn from the D-League, hoping his time will have done him good... The mayor and the governor of New Orleans, Louisiana is confident that even though the Hornets are up for sale they will remain in their nest in N.O...one person who may not be staying put is Utah Jazz talent Fransisco Elson. He was a big no, no for that win against Golden State last night as the versatile well travelled player has visa issues. Hopefully this will be resolved as the star has made himself a home here in the NBA. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

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