Hooped Up

Multiple sources say the Knicks – who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday – have tried since the summer to engage the Rockets in trade talks for McGrady but have been unsuccessful. However, an opportunity could present itself after the latest episode – a reported spat with Adelman about McGrady’s return schedule – that reportedly even has infuriated Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, who used to be one of McGrady’s staunchest supporters.

What would it take? The Rockets would love to get a high-end young player for McGrady and also save some money, which suggests they also would look for an expiring contract or two. It will take more than one to make up McGrady’s league-high $23.2-million salary this season.

The Knicks could offer Eddy Curry, who could make up for the loss of Yao and has only one more year left on his contract after this season; add an expiring contract such as Chris Duhon, Al Harrington or Larry Hughes, and toss in someone such as Wilson Chandler as a sweetener.
Newsday

A few minutes after Brendan Haywood blamed hubris, not lack of effort or execution, for the Wizards’ underachievement, Gilbert Arenas said “hidden agendas” are causing the team to splinter and proclaimed that if the team continues to slide, he might have to rescue it before the season is lost.

“The NBA’s a ship. It’s going to keep moving. Teams are not waiting for us,” Arenas said. “As the captain, I’ve got to steer my ship. If I’ve got to steer it to land until everybody wants to jump on, then I’m going to do it. . . . And we’ll see who comes and follows. If nobody wants to follow, then the boat’s just going to keep moving.”
Washington Post

Chris Paul now is walking without the aid of a hard, plastic boot that immobilized his badly sprained right ankle since the injury occurred Nov. 13 against the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena.

Paul attended the team’s shoot-around Saturday morning at the Arena, and he was wearing a shoe at Saturday and Sunday night’s games.

“I still don’t know,” Paul said of a timetable for his return, which has been left open-ended since the team announced results of an MRI exam that was performed on the ankle Nov. 14. “(Saturday) was my first day without the boot. As long as I’m walking, I’m good.”
Times-Picayune