Headband Silliness - NBA Basketball News And Picks

Headband Silliness
By Marty Gitlin
Posted 5:00 am PDT 2006-11-30

The Great Headband Flap adds a new chapter to Chicago's early-season struggles.

Call it "Bulls Bull."

Don't Coach Scott Skiles and General Manager John Paxson have more important things to concern themselves with than Ben Wallace wearing a headband? How about his lack of consistency? How about a 3-9 start? OK, the Bulls are 5-9 now, only because they were fortunate enough to play the lowly Knicks the last two games.

NBA players don't simply wear headbands for show. They also prevent sweat from running into their eyes. The Bulls would have been wise to bend or simply eliminate this silly team rule rather than risk making their huge free agent investment unhappy. And according to close friend and former Pistons teammate Chauncey Billups, Wallace is indeed unhappy. "I've been talking to Ben every day, and I know he's frustrated -- highly frustrated," Billups said Monday. "You know how Ben is: When he's frustrated, things like this are going to happen. For the most part, he don't bother nobody and don't say nothing to nobody. When he does say something, you know he's at his boiling point. I feel for him, man, I really do."

STILL NO THRILL FOR HILL: Seattle coach Bob Hill criticized his bench for a lack of production after a 99-78 loss to San Antonio on Sunday.

Hill would like to cut down on star guard Ray Allen's minutes and prevent double-teams of high-scoring Rashard Lewis, but doesn't feel comfortable with his reserves. Nick Collison, Earl Watson and Damien Wilkins are all shooting under their career percentages.

Collison and Watson are making more than 10 percent fewer shots from the field than they had previous to this season.

They'll try to improve those statistics Wednesday night when the Sonics host Orlando. Strangely, the Sonics are 2-5 at home, but 4-4 on the road. WagerWeb.com lists Seattle as a 2.5-point favorite despite the Magic (11-4) boasting a four-game winning streak and the best record in the Eastern Conference.

SLOW START FOR SPEEDY: Not that a 5-7 record has anyone turning cartwheels, but Atlanta has played like one of the most improved teams in the NBA. The Hawks have at least hung around in most games, as their 96-95 loss to Washington on Tuesday night attests.

But one can just imagine what that record would be if free agent point guard Speedy Claxton was healthy and providing, well, anything.

Claxton is shooting a dismal 22 percent from the field and averaging a meager four points and 2.4 assists a game. He has battled knee soreness all season.

Meanwhile, Joe Johnson has tried to be a one-man gang. He is averaging 27 points a game and was the lone starter in double figures against the Wizards with 33. Claxton managed two points and two assists in 17 minutes.

According to WagerWeb.com. the Hawks are 4-point favorites when they host the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night.

SIZZLING IN DALLAS: Folks figured the Mavericks would heat up after an 0-4 start.

But this is ridiculous.

Dallas hasn't lost since, racing to an NBA-best 10-game winning streak. And it has certainly been a community effort.

Center Erick Dampier is averaging 10.6 points and 9.4 rebounds a game since unseating DeSagana Diop as the starter.

During the 10-game winning streak, every starter is averaging in double figures. Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 27.0 points a game in that streak, during which time he didn't score fewer than 24 until a 15-point performance Monday night against Minnesota.

WagerWeb.com figures the Mavericks will make it 11 in a row Wednesday night. They are 10.5-point favorites at home against improving Toronto.

PHILLY FREEZE: With disgruntled and injured Chris Webber out, the 76ers have no consistent scorer to back up superguard Allen Iverson.

The result has been performances such as the 103-91 loss to Miami on Monday night. Iverson scored nearly half (45) his team's points while the front line of Andre Igoudala, Shavlik Randoph and Samuel Dalembert combined for 17 points (15 for Igoudala) on 6-of-30 shooting from the field.

Yet the 76ers are just a half-game out of first place in the woeful Atlantic Division with a 5-9 record.

DRIBBLES: Cavaliers shooting guard Larry Hughes will miss his seventh consecutive game with a high ankle sprain Wednesday night against visiting New York. WagerWeb.com lists Cleveland as a 10-point favorite.... Minnesota guards Mike James and Ricky Davis have scored a combined 31 points in the last two games, losses in Dallas and Houston.... The Jazz will try to break a two-game losing streak Wednesday night, but it won't be easy against visiting San Antonio, which is 7-1 on the road. According to WagerWeb.com, the game is a pick'em.... The New Jersey Nets have lost six consecutive games and are still tied with Boston atop the Atlantic at 5-8. The Nets received a whopping seven points from their bench in a 96-92 home loss to lowly Charlotte on Tuesday night. They will have a "showdown" for first place at Boston on Wednesday night. WagerWeb.com lists the Celtics as 2.5-point favorites.... Joel Pryzbilla has returned from injury to take over the starting center spot from rookie LaMarcus Aldridge in Portland.... Rookie Randy Foye tallied a career-high 17 points Monday night for Minnesota against the Mavericks.... NBA leading scorer Carmelo Anthony has racked up 30 points or more for Denver in 10 of his last 11 games.... When San Antonio yielded 111 points in a loss to Golden State on Monday night, it marked the first time an Spurs opponent scored in triple figures in nine games.

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