NBA Basketball

By CHRIS TOMASSON
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
The 20th century saw The Great Train Robbery and the Brinks Job. The 21st century so far has the J.R. Smith trade.

The Denver Nuggets in July acquired Smith, a shooting guard, from Chicago, for next to nothing.

By KURT KRAGTHORPE
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
It is almost a code phrase, a kind of endorsement that what Larry Miller is about to say is something he really believes.

"I told Gail . . ."

If it's really meaningful, the Utah Jazz owner's wife hears it first, and then it's shared with the public.

By JON ORTIZ
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Envision T.G.I. Friday's blended with the Basketball Hall of Fame and you're close to the concept behind Center Court with C-Webb, the new restaurant that Chris Webber opened this week in suburban Sacramento, Calif.

By GREGG PATTON
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Maybe it's the knee.

If the Los Angeles Lakers are lucky, it's really just the new Kobe Bryant, the one completely sincere about his evolution as a team player, a floor leader and a guy who just wants to win.

By BERNIE LINCICOME
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
New NBA rules have cost the Denver Nuggets one basketball game already, the first one when Carmelo Anthony was ejected for frowning, or maybe it was gasping.

By SCOTT HOWARD-COOPER
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Few do fresh starts like the Golden State Warriors, who have the benefit of annual practice, except that even they may not be there yet.

The season started anyway with a training camp that was more like a cleansing breath and celebration of Mike Montgomery's departure as coach.

By MIKE WHITE
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
As loud music fills Quicken Loans Arena, some caged white tigers are obeying commands of their trainer. This is an afternoon practice for the Ringling Bros.

By AARON J. LOPEZ
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Western Conference preview capsules in predicted order of finish.

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

Dallas Mavericks

Last season: 60-22, second in division, fourth in West; lost to Heat 4-2 in NBA Finals.

Coach: Avery Johnson (second full season in NBA and with Mavericks, 76-24).

New to the table: G Greg Buckner (free agent, Nuggets), F Austin Croshere (trade, Pacers), G-F Devean George (free agent, Lakers), G Anthony Johnson (trade, Pacers).

Shown the door: G Darrell Armstrong (trade, Pacers), G Marquis Daniels (trade, Pacers), G-F Adrian Griffin (free agent, Bulls), F Josh Powell (trade, Pacers).

Strong cards: The Mavericks hold pocket jacks with Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse.

By RONALD TILLERY
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
When Hubie Brown arrived in Memphis on Nov. 13, 2002 the seasoned coach with a raspy voice delivered a clear and succinct summation about the team he stood to inherit.

The Grizzlies - infamously 0-8 at the time - had no style.

Brown's first order of business was to define how they would play.

So the young Griz raced up and down the court, hoisted 3-pointers, gambled defensively to create steals and ignite the fast-paced offense.

By MARLON W. MORGAN
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Kyle Lowry knew Rudy Gay was a star in the making long before Memphis Grizzlies president of basketball operations Jerry West traded away one of his most popular players to acquire his rights from the Houston Rockets.

The two were ninth graders at the time, Lowry in Philadelphia, Gay in Baltimore.