Receive the NBA Daily via e-mail!

Print this page

NBA Headlines Around the League

1. Suns' Stoudemire Rings In '05 With 50
2. Sonics Brace For 'Superman'
3. Sit or Start? LeBron Faces Painful Decision
4. Forget Offense, Kings' Webber Turns Defensive
5. Hamstring Could Sideline Celtics' Payton
6. Nuggets Fall As Cooper Goes Back To L.A.
7. Top 10 Dunkers Today

1. Suns' Stoudemire Rings In '05 With 50
In the ARIZONA REPUBLIC, Paul Coro writes that "Amaré Stoudemire's Christmas present to Suns fans arrived a week late, but his first career 50-point night was well received Sunday." Stoudemire "skipped right over his first 40-point game in the Suns' 117-98 win over Portland, making him the fourth Suns player to hit for 50 in the regular season."

2. Sonics Brace For 'Superman'
In the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, Danny O'Neil writes that the "Sonics' strategy in a nutshell for tonight's game against the Miami Heat" is to "hold Shaquille O'Neal off as best you can" and "if that fails, foul him with everything you've got." It's the "same old story, just a different city after O'Neal was traded to the Heat this summer. It was a move that made the Heat (25-7) instant title contenders, and Miami has more victories than any team in the East."

3. Sit or Start? LeBron Faces Painful Decision
In the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, Brian Windhorst writes that "despite some lingering soreness and some puffiness under his left eye where Dikembe Mutombo's elbow cracked his cheekbone, LeBron James is hoping it won't cause him to miss a beat." James is "planning on giving it a try against the Bobcats tonight in Charlotte." Still, "if James decides he's not ready to play, Lucious Harris or Sasha Pavlovic would likely start in his place."

4. Forget Offense, Kings' Webber Turns Defensive
In the SACRAMENTO BEE, Joe Davidson writes that "Chris Webber may not be explosively quick anymore, but his hands are still there." The Kings forward "didn't have the most glorious statistical line Sunday night with the game-high seven turnovers, but he had a hand in the 86-81 victory over the Spurs. Defending Tim Duncan on two fourth-period plays, as difficult a chore as there is in the NBA, Webber knocked the ball loose and then tied up the former MVP to force a jump ball."

5. Hamstring Could Sideline Celtics' Payton
In the BOSTON HERALD, Steve Bulpett writes that "Gary Payton suffered a strained left hamstring last night, but Doc Rivers may be feeling more ill this morning as he awaits the prognosis." At this point, "the possibilities range from Payton playing tonight against the Hornets at the FleetCenter to missing an extended period." If Payton can't go, "the bulk of the burden will fall on Marcus Banks, who had three points, two assists and three turnovers in 18 minutes last night."

6. Nuggets Fall As Cooper Goes Back To L.A.
Mike Bresnahan writes in the LOS ANGELES TIMES that "Michael Cooper put the ghosts-of-the-Lakers talk to rest right away at Staples Center." The Denver Nuggets' interim coach "acknowledged the 'specialness' of seeing the jerseys of Magic Johnson and James Worthy hanging below the ceiling, and made reference to the two championships he won here as the coach of the WNBA's Sparks, but as far as a chills-and-tears check, there were none."

7. Top 10 Dunkers Today
Over the next few days, NBA.com will run a three-part series from the latest edition of Inside Stuff magazine highlighting the top dunks and dunkers in the game today. Starting off the dunk-fest was a look at the top five dunks of all-time. Now, we'll move on to the top 10 dunkers on the court today. Check out photos of some of the highlight-reel dunks. Finally, Vince Carter will provide the keys to being a good dunker as well as what it feels like to dunk on somebody.