The West Coast hasn’t been kind to the Celtics, they lost again last night. So did the Lakers.
We’ve got that, an interesting read from the Sentinel about StanVan Gundy on Urban Meyer’s situation , the latest on Tracy McGrady and a look at Kevin Durant’s big night.
Onto the Mid-Morning Buzz:
1. Magic’s Stan Van Gundy says Urban Meyer’s plight hits home, Orlando Sentinel, Brian Schmitz
The Buzz: Van Gundy admitted to Schmitz that he’s thought about how the job can kill you. Said he doesn’t see himself “dying on the sideline.”
2. Stan Van Gundy calls small forward Michael Pietrus a “key piece” for the team, Orlando Sentinel, Josh Robbins
The Buzz: Robbins also takes a look at Dwight Howard’s mounting technicals.
3. NBA Insider: With parity reigning atop the Eastern Conference, Boston Celtics saw Christmas Day game against the Orlando Magic as a benchmark game, Orlando Sentinel, Josh Robbins
The Buzz: The Celtics did what the Magic rarely ever do in admitting that game meant something more than one win or loss.
4. Magic vs. Larry, NBA style, began 30 years ago today, NBA.com, Steve Aschburger
The Buzz: The two legends played against each other for the first time in the pros on Dec. 28, 1979.
5. Celtics fall once again on trip, Boston Globe, Gary Washburn
The Buzz: Another day, another loss to a mediocre/bad West Coast team.
6. Suns cut Lakers down to size, Los Angeles Times, Mike Bresnahan
The Buzz: After being tossed around twice by the Lakers, the ’small and stubborn’ Suns fought back.
7. Sources: Rockets to seek McGrady deal, ESPN.com, Marc Stein
The Buzz: Tracy McGrady gets to take an indefinite leave of absence, presumably to play with all the money he’s made sitting on the bench and at home, while the Rockets figure out how to trade him.
8. Vinny Del Negro hanging in with no verbal support from management, Chicago Tribune, K.C. Johnson
The Buzz: Bulls management no-commented on the coach’s future.
9. Crowd-pleasing Kevin Durant scores 40 in win over Nets, The Oklahoman, Darnell Mayberry
The Buzz: Terrific game story taking us to New Jersey where even the home crowd wanted to see Durant do it big, a Nets employee among them.
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