Nov. 21 -- ElevationMag.com lists the NBA's top five stories of the day, Game of the Night, Line of the Night, Quote of the Day and Fact of the Day ...
Today's Top NBA Stories
1. Brand hasn't spoken to Dunleavy since Clips' split
While the hurt feelings linger in Los Angeles, Brand moved on to Philadelphia and a five-year deal worth nearly $80 million. Brand still occasionally chats with Clippers assistants and keeps in contact "quite often" with former teammates Cuttino Mobley and Chris Kaman, but the All-Star forward hasn't reached out to Dunleavy. "There's nothing really to talk about," said Brand after 76ers practice Thursday. Dunleavy wouldn't mind a chat before Friday's game in Philadelphia to figure out why Brand bailed on the Clippers. "We had a great relationship the whole time he was here," Dunleavy said. "It's surprising, some things you can't figure out. I don't know why he left. All the e-mails we exchanged were positive. All of a sudden, it just fell off a cliff." -ESPN
ElevationMag's Take: Brand took that money and ran. Okay, it wasn't about money because he could've gotten an extra year in L.A., but can you blame the guy for wanting to win?
2. KG's return to Minnesota with Celtics is a big ticket
That Garnett did not play in his one and only game back in 'Sota, as he loves to call his former home, was a tremendous disappointment not only to the fans who paid to see him, but to the Timberwolves he left behind. The young group charged with rebuilding the franchise after Garnett left badly wanted to play against "The Big Ticket" in the house that he built. "It was tough. You wanted to get that feeling of him being back out there," forward Craig Smith said. "This year, he's definitely going to play so we're definitely going to be ready." The rematch comes Friday night. Garnett is healthy this time around, though Wolves coach Randy Wittman joked he wouldn't mind seeing him head back to the locker room after the pregame once again. "Actually, if he doesn't want to play (Friday) night, that's fine," Wittman said with a smile. -ESPN
ElevationMag's Take: Now this is how a franchise and its superstar are supposed to part way: on good terms and respect for each others decision. Brand should've taken some notes
3. Wizards' record may influence Arenas' plans
Gilbert Arenas continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired left knee but remains limited to non-contact basketball activities, and neither the team nor the three-time all-star has established a firm timetable for a possible return to game action. Arenas has watched the Wizards stumble to a 1-8 start from the bench and said the team's progress or lack thereof could impact his plans. Yesterday after a practice at Verizon Center, Arenas said he and center Brendan Haywood, who is expected to miss four to six months following wrist surgery, are hoping the team can rebound from the poor start and remain in playoff contention. -Washington Post
ElevationMag's Take: The last thing Arenas should do is rush back again from an injury, especially if there's no shot at the postseason. But for all the money he's getting paid, he should play if he's ready no matter what. Think about the fans, Gil.
4. Boozer out after quad strain
Though it wasn't revealed if he received presents, a cake or a surprise party, Carlos Boozer did get something for his 27th birthday. Magnetic resonance imaging tests for his injured left leg. Just a guess, but that's probably not what he asked for. The results could've been worse, though. Thursday's MRI confirmed that the All-Star power forward strained his left quadriceps tendon late in the Jazz's 105-94 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday night, adding another player to Utah's ever-expanding medical chart. Boozer traveled to San Antonio for tonight's game, but he is considered "doubtful" to see any playing time against the Spurs or at Memphis on Saturday. He didn't practice with the team Thursday. -Deseret News
ElevationMag's Take: And the injuries continue in Utah...
5. Injured Curry's 'lack of desire' concerns Knicks
Eddy Curry pedaled on a stationary bike in cool-down speed, watching teammates run up and down the floor in a scrimmage. The 6-11, 300-pound center got off the bike, plodded down the sideline with a slight limp and headed toward a back door that leads to the Knicks' locker room at the MSG Training Center. Curry, who has a "sore right knee," according to the team, has not practiced in more than two weeks and hasn't played in a game this season. That trend will continue when the Knicks (6-5) visit the Bucks tonight. There has been frustration within the organization that Curry is not pushing himself hard enough to get back on the court. A person with intimate knowledge of the situation noted "lack of desire." Two other sources agreed. Curry, according to one source, has been warned and has since picked up the effort level. -Newsday
ElevationMag's Take: Curry is a big big guy and he needs to start doing more than running on a treadmill if he wants to keep up with D'Antoni's offense. But the Knicks desperately need a big man like Curry, even if he's not the greatest defender.
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Rumor of the Day
Reports: Warriors trading Harrington to Knicks
Al Harrington appears on the verge of getting his wish of escaping Don Nelson and the Warriors. Several media outlets are reporting that the Warriors and the Knicks have a deal in place that could be announced Friday morning.
There are conflicting reports on who Golden State would be receiving in exchange for Harrington, who has been sidelined with a bad back shortly after news broke that he demanded a trade. Both ESPN and Newsday are reporting that the Warriors are set to acquire guard Jamal Crawford, the Knicks' leading scorer at 19.6 points per game. The New York Post has Golden State receiving Malik Rose, a seldom-used backup frontcourt player whose main attraction is an expiring contract ($7.6 million). -Contra Costa Times
Check Out ElevationMag's Rumors and Notes
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Game of the Day
Even with Iverson, Pistons routed by Celtics
The Pistons' body language spoke volumes as they dragged themselves through another whipping from the Celtics, 98-80 on Thursday. They are nowhere near ready to compete with the reigning defending champs and they know it. They might get there, eventually. But there isn't a gap between the two teams right now, there's a gulf. Right now, the Celtics are too fluid, too cohesive and too efficient at everything they are doing. They move the ball around so crisply on offense, they make the Pistons look two steps slower. If they weren't getting straight-line layups Thursday (13 in the first three quarters), they were splashing uncontested 3-pointers (6-for-10 through three quarters). -Detroit News
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Line of the Day
Pau Gasol, Lakers - 4 pts, 9 reb, 9 ast in a 105-92 win at Suns
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Quote of the Day
"I don't want to see them struggle, but if this is one of those years where we don't make the playoffs or we finish in last place ... that's what happened to San Antonio and that's how they got Tim Duncan and look at them now ... and that's for the better."
- Gilbert Arenas on teh struggling Wizards
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Fact of the Day
The Nuggets are 7-1 since acquiring Chauncey Billups.