According to Jackson, Lee “thanked” Jackson for making Lin available so that the Knicks could pick him up. “I got a text message from Spike Lee this morning,” Jackson said after Warriors’ practice on Saturday. “I had nothing to do with Jeremy Lin. I never saw him do a layup. So for the people … stop asking me. He never practiced for us so leave me out of it.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Of course, the New York Knicks’ superfan, director Spike Lee, has a funny take on Jeremy Lin.

After all, Lee, also known as Mars Blackman, once took on the entire Indiana Pacers -in particular Hall of Fame two-guard Reggie Miller. Who can forget Reggie flashing the infamous choke sign at Lee in the mid nineties?

For better or worse, this is who Lee is. It’s no surprise he texted Mark Jackson, ‘thanking’ the Golden State Warriors’ coach for waiving Lin, the Knicks’ newfound saviour at point guard.

In Jackson’s defense, he already has two talented, smaller guards: Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. No minutes were available for Lin, who would have languished on the Warriors’ bench.

Bottom line: every NBA-er has talent. Lin’s success, like many players, is about finding the right opportunity. And he has his opportunity in New York.

Just don’t tell Lee. Why spoil the fun?

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Stephen Curry bounces back from fight with 54 points (video).

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: This kids got touch for days. It's a beautiful thing to watch.

The legend of Stephen Curry keeps growing.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Is he already better than his dad, Dell Curry?

The Denver Nuggets came out on top with a 107-100 win against the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night, a game in which Warriors coach Mark Jackson said the Nuggets played "dirty."

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Dirty or not, the Nuggets played better.

Ellis allegedly texted Smith "several times in a single day, late at night or in the early morning hours," using a "secret" telephone that was kept by an equipment manager with the team, the suit claims. The texts from Ellis included phrases like "I want to be with you," and "Hey Sexy," to which Smith responded with, "What do you want?" and "I am sleeping," the suit alleges.

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Christmas is upon us. I bet you crazies are recovering from the annual Black Friday or Thanksgiving. I’m not. I’m whatever at this point because I’m keeping tabs as the era of great point guards gets even crazier around the NBA as they reign supreme. Stat tracking gets somewhat difficult because I just want to watch them play. Quality point guards are not difficult to find anymore compared to years’ past. Even if you do not land anyone listed among the top 10 in your fantasy draft, there are more good point guards hidden in the waiver wire depending on the league’s depth. Stats are up to date as of December 1, 2010.

“I don’t know about the talks he had with the front office or where they ended before the lockout, but as of right now, he’s still a Warrior,” Curry said of Ellis. “We want him with our team. He makes us better. And I think with a fresh start and all the new faces with the organization that will help him forget about the past and not really affect what is going on right now.

“I know there has been a lot of turmoil with him and the organization in the past. I can’t speak for him, but I think the new look of our organization will help him make a difference.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It would have been easy for Stephen Curry. Very easy.

Nearly two years ago, Monta Ellis ‘welcomed’ Curry to his first pro' training camp by telling reporters the two couldn’t form a backcourt for the Golden State Warriors.

Today, the Warriors have a new owner and coach. And today, they’re also shopping Ellis around the league.

Ellis has been linked to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic, Andre Iguodala and the Philadelphia 76ers, and Lamar Odom and the Los Angeles Lakers.

He recently grew tired of the rumors and requested a trade.

Now Curry could have extracted a little revenge and kicked Ellis when he’s down. Or, he could have offered a terse 'no comment' when asked about the situation

Instead, Curry had Ellis’ back. He explained how the Warriors’ core want him to return and are inviting him to training sessions during the lockout.

Such maturity is the difference between Curry and Ellis. And such maturity is the reason the Warriors prefer Curry over Ellis.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
 

Without major roster changes in Oakland, Warriors' new lead assistant coach Mike Malone will be working with two guards who haven't consistently proved willing or able to stop dribble penetration, a center who hasn't shown up for the past two seasons and little depth. "Can you play defense with two small guards? It's a very interesting question, and I don't have a definite answer," Malone said. "Can they defend? Are they willing to defend? It could be hard to break those habits, but, if they want to win, they'll be willing."

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Warriors General Manager Larry Riley said the team is not planning to trade Monta Ellis.“We are not shopping Monta Ellis,” Riley said.

The Warriors, who struggled defensively last season, could be looking for a defensive addition and might be willing to part with Ellis because guard Stephen Curry has blossomed into a legitimate NBA scorer.

The deal: A straight-up trade of Ellis ($11 million a year through 2013-14, with that last season being a player option) for Iguodala (approximately $56 million remaining through the 2013-14 season, with the last season being a player option).

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The Warriors are strongly considering hiring former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown, who demands air-tight defence from players.

If Brown is brought in, he’ll look to change the miniature backcourt of Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. These two score in bunches, but opponents have a field day posting them up.

(Of course, there’s executive Jerry West and owner Joe Lacob. The Warriors’ new advisor might want to change things, while Lacob already mentioned breaking up this undersized duo.)  

Who should go: Curry or Ellis?

Well, reports indicate the Warriors would move Ellis, despite posting impressive scoring numbers and displaying a newfound maturity in 2011.

Forget Curry’s mediocre sophomore campaign. He can play. Most importantly, he’s more of a natural table-setter than Ellis.

This would surely matter to Brown, as he sees Curry and Ellis as point guards because of size.

 In 2011, the Warriors used an unorthodox backcourt. A new coach will bring changes. Time will tell if it is for the better.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Golden State general manager Larry Riley expects the strong scoring but small backcourt of 6-foot-3 guards Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry to be in tact when next season begins, he told Yahoo! Sports.

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He also agreed with coach Byron Scott, who called Davis one of the NBA's top five point guards when healthy. "I believe so," Davis said from Thursday's practice. "I love the game, I study the game, I see the game with a different set of eyes than a lot of other guys."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: There’s little doubt Baron Davis -when motivated, fit, and healthy- can play.

Unfortunately, Davis is rarely motivated, which means he’s hardly ever fit. Of course, an unmotivated and out of shape player is an often injured player.

After all, Davis has spent most of the last few years sulking about playing for the lowly Los Angeles Clippers, a team he picked as an unrestricted free agent.

He seemed more interested in making movies with his Hollywood buddies. He often had a ‘generous’ physique. And his play suffered.

Sadly, after teasing fans in Golden State, Davis has been a bust. He’s withered away his talent, content to take advantage of the perks that come with a plush, guaranteed contract.

None of this has impacted Davis’ confidence. After all, Davis –even when at full strength- isn’t a top five point guard.

Not anymore and not now. The one-spot currently belongs to up-and-comers like Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and Deron Williams.

There’s also established heads like Chauncey Billups, Steve Nash, and Tony Parker. And what about talented youngsters and veterans like Darren Collison, Stephen Curry, Ray Felton, Jason Kidd, and Andre Miller?

All have performed at a higher level than Davis. In fact, Davis, who was recently traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, might have trouble beating out Ramon Sessions for the starting table-setter job –if all things are equal.

Hopefully, Davis gets motivated, fit, and, as a result, stays healthy. Hopefully, he salvages whatever he can of his career. At 31, the clock is ticking.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at us in the comment box below.

 "It was great to practice every day against the best young talent in the league, a veteran like Chauncey Billups and play for a Hall of Fame coach [Mike Krzyzewski]," Rondo said. "But some of these guys hadn't played since April. Lamar [Odom] and I had just got out of Game 7. And next season is right around the corner. I feel like I had to take advantage of the opportunity I have right now to win another championship. It's not often you get to play with four Hall of Famers. Another couple of years and I won't have that."

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s hard to criticize Rajon Rondo’s decision to step away from Team USA.

Rondo hadn’t recovered from the Boston Celtics’ crushing seven-game loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. He was drained and needed rest.

The emerging table-setter understands the championship window is closing on the green-and-white. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce – also known as The Big Three - are hitting the end of their careers.

Rondo knows he needs to be at full strength in 2011 and 2012 because opportunities to win championships are rare. Playing in the World Championship would be tiring.

Fortunately, Stars and Stripes had talented floor leaders in Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, Eric Gordon, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook. His departure wasn’t an issue and, in fact, eased the log-jam at point guard. 

Rondo’s choice may be a win-win for all involved.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

It's not my call. That's on them," Jennings said. "But if you want to get technical about it and you really want to look at it, half of the guys there are Nike guys. I'm not saying it's a Nike thing, but Nike is kind of running a lot of things right now. To have a guy like myself on the USA team that's flashy and really outgoing, you don't want Under Armour to get all that [publicity]. "I'm just telling you how it is." 

The Celtics point guard withdrew from Team USA yesterday, sensing the writing on the wall as coach Mike Krzyzewski began to test different backcourt combinations minus Rondo.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Did he withdraw? Or, did he get cut?

These are the questions surrounding Rajon Rondo’s departure from Team USA on Tuesday afternoon. Yesterday’s news may have been sudden, but it wasn't surprising.

Rondo swallowed his first career DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coaches Decision) against Spain. While his poor outside range and inconsistent free-throw shooting were rarely exposed with the Boston Celtics, it would have been a liability in international play.

Clearly, Rondo didn’t fit Coach Mike Krzyewski’s plans, so parting ways made sense.        

After losing the championship in heartbreaking fashion to the Los Angeles Lakers, Rondo needed time off to heal his mind and body. A death in his extended family wouldn’t have helped, either.

Team USA is also point guard heavy, with table-setters Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook. All are better shooters than Rondo.  Even if he made the final roster, there would have been few minutes available.

Bottom line: whether he withdrew or got cut, Rondo and stars-and-stripes are better off after yesterday’s decision.

--Oly Sandor.   

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison is among "more than a dozen" suitors who have submitted non-binding bids for the Warriors, a source close to the negotiations said Tuesday.

"He is a part of it," the source said.

According to another source, so are the San Francisco Giants, 24 Hour Fitness owner Mark Mastrov, an NFL owner, a former Lakers star and a group of prominent Chinese businesspeople, among others. Galatioto Sports Partners and Warriors owner Chris Cohan will choose the best prospects in the next week.

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HoopsVibe's Call: Give Larry Ellison a cape, tights, and Dwight Howard/Shaquille O'Neal's phone booth because he could be Superman and save the sorry Golden State Warriors.

Ellison, if approved as Golden State's owner, would bring something to The Bay that has been in short supply: sanity. Simply put, Cohan and Coach Don Nelson have ruined the Warriors. There's zero plan. Players, both past and present, have had significant issues with the club (see Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, and Al Harrington). Even their loyal fans are disgusted.

The right owner, Ellison, would surely hire the right basketball people -not Nelson and his group of faithful lackeys on the bench and in the front office. Talented youngsters like Andris Biedrins, Stephen Curry, and Ellis could then blossom with proper mentorship.

A change at the top would do Golden State good. It starts with Cohan cashing out as owner and being replaced with someone such as Ellison.

Is Cohan the problem with the Golden State Warriors? Does he have to sell for the team to turn things around? Get at us in the comment box below with thoughts.

Evans received 67 first-place votes (491 points) from a panel of 123 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Golden State’s Stephen Curry finished second with 391 points and Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings finished third with 204 points. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

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NBA spokesman Tim Frank says Dell Curry will be allowed to vote for all the other postseason awards, but the league did not want to put him in an awkward position with the rookie award. 

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