Bob Finnan's three points and rumor mill
Sunday, November 23, 2008 5:40 PM EST
By Bob Finnan
RFinnan@News-Herald.com
Guard Delonte West is a having a superb season thus far. Cavaliers coach Mike Brown put him in the starting lineup at the end of the preseason, but kept hinting it wasn't permanent. That's no longer the case.
West is shooting better than 50 percent from behind the 3-point arc. Most people thought Daniel Gibson was the team's best shooter, but he's been in a season-long shooting funk.
Some observers have wondered why Anderson Varejao plays so well in Detroit. He's one guy who isn't intimidated by the Pistons or playing at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
n Like just about every team in the league, the Cavs likely inquired about Clippers center Chris Kaman. There are conflicting reports coming from L.A. about whether he's available. The Clippers say they want to keep the 7-footer, along with Marcus Camby and Zach Randolph.
n League sources say the Cavs and Charlotte Bobcats are being told by agent Andy Miller that they're still in the running to sign free-agent forward Antonio McDyess. However, the overwhelming sentiment around the league is McDyess will re-sign with Detroit on Dec. 7. As one NBA executive said, "If he wasn't going back to Detroit, what's he waiting for?"
n Mavericks guard/forward Jerry Stackhouse is available, but he probably won't be coming to Cleveland.
n Scott Brooks will replace the fired P.J. Carlesimo as the head coach in Oklahoma City. Brooks played 43 games with the Cavs during the 1997-98 season.
n The agent for Jamaal Tinsley has approached the Indiana Pacers about possibly buying out the point guard's contract. The Pacers owe Tinsley slightly more than $21 million on a contract that expires in 2010-11. Pacers president Larry Bird still wants to trade Tinsley. Miami might be interested.
n Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin is quickly closing the gap on Raymond Felton for the starting job at point guard. Felton will be a restricted free agent after this season and could be dealt before the trade deadline. The Cavs were interested in Felton before they traded for Mo Williams.
n Bucks coach Scott Skiles detests the inactive list.
"I think most of the coaches (hate it)," he said. "I don't see any reason why 14 guys couldn't suit up."
n Since Allen Iverson arrived in Detroit, shooting guard Rip Hamilton's numbers have dipped. However, backup point guard Rodney Stuckey's play has dropped off considerably. He's averaged 6.5 points and has 16 turnovers and 13 assists in games he's played with Iverson. In the games prior to Iverson being on board, Stuckey was averaging 10.5 points with 14 assists and just six turnovers.
"It's to a point now, I'm just thinking a lot instead of just playing like I did last year," Stuckey said. "I just have to go out and play."
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2008/11/23/sports/nh149674.txt