Around The World: April 11

04/11/12

Written by: DHawes22

April 11

Trailblazers.tv: Video: April 10 Courtside

Trail Blazers: Trail Blazers vs Warriors Preview
"Golden State (22-34) also was in Colorado on Monday, losing 123-84 to Denver two nights after winning 112-97 at Oakland in the front end of that home-and-home set. The Warriors were outscored 37-13 in the opening quarter Monday, outrebounded 60-27 and outscored 70-18 in the paint."

Oregon Live: Steve Kerr informs Trail Blazers he is not interested in general manager opening
“He likes Larry, and certainly isn’t closing any doors, but right now he loves his life at TNT,’’ said Mark Bartelstein, Kerr’s agent. “He will come back to the NBA in the future, whether it’s as a coach or in the front office, but that’s a few years down the road.’’

Oregon Live: Should ailing LaMarcus Aldridge sit out the rest of the Blazers' season?
"If shutting him down for the remainder of the year is what's best, we're going to do that," Buchanan said of Aldridge. "Because long term is what we always have to be looking at with everything, especially with a guy like LaMarcus. He's a big part of our team and we have to listen to that."

Oregon Live: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors game preview
"Golden State is coming off its worst defeat of the season on Monday, a 123-84 loss in Denver. The Warriors were outrebounded 60-27 by the Nuggets ... Since trading Monta Ellis and two other players to Milwaukee, Golden State is 4-14 ... Golden State has used 14 different players in 13 different starting lineups this season ... The Warriors are the NBA's top three-point shooting team at 38.8 percent and they are fourth best at limiting turnovers (13.8 a game) ... Golden State has five first-year players on its roster, three of whom are starting (Jenkins, Thompson and Tyler) ... In the last meeting with Portland, Jenkins had 27 points, the most in the NBA by a 2011 second-round pick this season ... Since the trade of Ellis, Thompson has moved into the starting lineup and is averaging 17.6 points in 18 games. Thompson is the son of former Blazers forward Mychal Thompson ... Golden State is 6-12 in games decided by three-points or less."

Portland Tribune: Raymond Felton: Not too little, but probably too late for him to return next season
“I’d still love to play here, without a doubt,” the seven-year NBA veteran says. “This is one of the places I’d love to play. I let everybody know I would love to play in Portland again. I have a great relationship with my teammates. I have loved every experience I’ve had through my time in the league. I have never (been a player in) one city I didn’t like, but I love it here in Portland. It rains a lot, I will say that. But other than that, I love it here. I loving playing in the Rose Garden. (Garden denizens) are some of the best fans in the NBA, if not the best. It’s been great.”

Blazersedge: Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview
"The Warriors are now milking offense out of anybody willing to hoist the ball. Power forward David Lee is still potent. San Antonio refugee Richard Jefferson seems unable to recover the scoring mojo from his Milwaukee days. though his team desperately needs it now. The two guys making hay lately are rookie shooting guard Klay Thompson and veteran point guard Nate Robinson, for whom shooting is second nature. After that you're praying that guys like Jeremy Tyler and Brandon Rush get hot. It can happen, but most of the time it won't...at least not enough to put the Warriors over the top."

Ball Don't Lie: Lamar Odom Parted Ways With Mavericks Over Argument
"The report goes on to note that Cuban has been in Odom's corner all season, defending him to the press and hoping at some point that Odom would turn the page on a frustrating season for all involved. Though we're supposed to be objective as we take on these 30 teams, Odom's versatile play and ability to turn the game around in his favor seemingly effortlessly has left us as breathless fans for years."

Ball Don't Lie: Jason Terry, Brandan Wright, Thaddeus Young and Andre Iguodala want you to start your day with alley-oops (VIDEOS)
"Hey there, friend. Having a tough time feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after a six-game Tuesday night headlined by a national doubleheader that didn't wrap up 'til after midnight on the East Coast? It's cool. We've got a double shot of video espresso to crack open those droopy eyes, courtesy of the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers."

DIME: Daily Fantasy Basketball Diagnosis: 4.11
"DeMarcus Cousins finished with 25 points, 18 rebounds, three assists, six steals and two blocks last night. He shot 52 percent (11-21) from the floor and 75 percent (3-4) from the free-throw line, and had three turnovers. Cousins has been erratic lately, but he’s still averaging 19.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 block per game so far this month."

DIME: The Top 10 NBA MVP Candidates, Week 6
"Although KD has fallen behind again by letting LeBron get the best of him in Miami, he’s not too far behind in the race. There’s still a lot of basketball left to be played. However, Durant might have done himself a disservice by what he said to the media. When’s the last time you remember an MVP saying his team is at it’s best when he doesn’t take the most shots? Sure Durant is a very efficient player, and is admirably humble and supportive of his point guard, but you’ve got to draw the line somewhere. The fact of the matter is he’s arguably the best scorer in the NBA. To say his team is better when he doesn’t shoot the most shots is taking away from his MVP argument, even though in a loss against Indiana on Friday, Westbrook only took 12 shots while KD took 24, made 15 of them, and finished with 44 points."

SLAM: Post Up: Not So Fast
"Rajon Rondo had 10+ assists for the 18th straight game, this time finishing with 15 dimes to go with 18 points, and the Celtics overcame a 36-point effort from LeBron James (who added 7 rebounds and 7 assists on the evening) to deal Miami just its fourth home loss of the year. Boston went on a 16-2 run to end the first quarter and Miami gave up 65 first-half points to the Celtics—the most they’ve given up before halftime all year. And even after the Heat got back to within single-digits, the Celtics responded by hitting their first 8 shots of the fourth quarter. Yet again, Dwyane Wade (20 points) cut the Beantown lead to 5 with just over 2 minutes remaining, but Kevin Garnett played the role of closer, putting the finishing touches on his 24-point, 9-rebound night to send the Heat home unhappy campers. Paul Pierce’s 27 points led the Cs, who shot an absolutely insane 61 percent from the field as a team—a season-high."