Chris Kaman was never really happy with his role last season in Dallas, prompting him to move on and join the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. With the Lakers playing the Mavericks Tuesday night, Kaman opened up about some of the issues he had in Dallas, particularly with coach Rick Carlisle.
NBA news roundup: Chris Kaman takes shots at Rick Carlisle, J.R. Smith could start Sunday
Kaman isn’t a fan of his old coach, Smith could supplant Iman Shumpert in the starting lineup and other news from around the NBA.
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Kaman said he didn’t like some of the “games” Carlisle played with certain players, and he simply got tired of it all, according to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News:
“I have a hard time with coaches who say one thing in one ear and then behind your back they’re saying something else,” Kaman said. “There was a lot that was said to me that was just misrepresentations and stories that went one way, and the next day it would be completely opposite.
“So that’s why I say he plays games with guys. He’s not going to play games with Dirk [Nowitzki]. But other guys he doesn’t know well or are new, he plays games, and I didn’t get it. I got tired of the conversations.”
Kaman went on to praise Mike D’Antoni’s more laid-back style, saying the Lakers coach is more likely to let guys play through mistakes.
What’s interesting to note is that Kaman is playing just 16.6 minutes per game this year, as opposed to the 20.7 minutes per game last year. Dirk Nowitzki’s injury factored into those bigger minutes, but Kaman did play nearly 20 minutes a game in April when Nowitzki was healthy.
Smith could start Sunday
New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith is set to return to the lineup Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs following a five-game suspension, and coach Mike Woodson said Tuesday that the reigning Sixth Man of the Year could start, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post:
"He possibly could be. Absolutely,'' Woodson said before Tuesday's game against the Bobcats of Smith starting. "He comes back Sunday, and when he comes back we'll just play it out.''
Woodson insisted throughout training camp that he would give Smith the chance to start upon his return to the lineup. If the coach decides to go with Smith, Iman Shumpert would head to the bench.
Crash on the trading block?
Boston Celtics forward Gerald Wallace has already made waves for calling out teammates on several different occasions thus far this season, and he's clearly having a hard time finding his place on a rebuilding squad, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald:
“It’s hard,” Wallace said. “It’s like starting from scratch zero with this team and trying to figure out what direction they’re headed in and what pieces they’re going to put together. For me, I’ve already been through that situation. I was on an expansion team in Charlotte. I’ve established myself. To have to start all over on a team that’s starting from scratch is very difficult.”
The Celtics have started 0-4, and Wallace has produced very little after coming over to Boston from the Brooklyn Nets. The veteran doesn't seem to have much place on the team, which is why the team is reportedly looking to trade him, although there has been little interest.
Vesely has ‘something to prove’
Jan Vesely has been nothing short of a bust after being selected by the Washington Wizards with the No. 6 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Vesely has played in just 108 games for the Wizards, and the team failed to pick up his fourth-year option before the start of the year.
While his lack of playing time is a bummer, Vesely remains mostly upbeat and says he wants to prove he belongs in the league, according to Michael Lee of The Washington Post:
“The toughest part is I’m not playing. I don’t get a chance,” Vesely said when asked about adjusting to the NBA after arriving from Partizan-Belgrade in Serbia. “Of course, I have something to prove. I have to stay ready, wait for my chance and if I have my chance, to grab it.”
Vesely has yet to play in a game this season despite being healthy, and the acquisition of Marcin Gortat from the Phoenix Suns seems to be a sign that the Wizards have little faith in the youngster to develop.
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