Hooped Up

In the famous words of Tony Montana “In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women”. Besides the prize money Dwight Howard won in this years dunk contest he didn’t need, the power he already has as one of the NBA’s elite, and the women he’s already got going his way. The only thing he took that Tony forgot to mention, was the respect. The respect factor has been all but gone until Howard stepped it up this year to finally win, which made this edition of the dunk contest way better that previous years.

Now imagine the creativity that would happen if a few D-League talents had a chance on a big stage to take the dunk crown from guys accepting NBA paychecks. The respect factor would take on a whole new level of importance and guys who need the money, power, women and respect would definitely bring in the next level.

With Ronnie Price out, and usual starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko (lower back inflammation) also out tonight, the Jazz recalled rookie Morris Almond from the NBA Development League’s Utah Flash. Price injured his left ankle during practice Monday, and thought he was going to be okay, but by Tuesday morning, the ankle joint had swelled considerably. Price did not take part in Tuesday’s shootaround and instead was seen wearing a walking boot. He is being listed as day-to-day.

Deseret Morning News

The San Antonio Spurs today announced the signing of 27 year-old swingman DerMarr Johnson who has played with the D-League’s Austin Toros and Benetton Treviso in Italy this season. After a brief stint with the Italian powerhouse, Johnson joined the Toros, the Spurs’ NBA Development League affiliate on Nov. 29. In 11 games with the D-League team he posted averages of 16.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 33.8 minutes of action. Johnson is the eighth Gatorade Call-Up this season and the third by the Spurs this week. He is preceded by guard Keith Langford (Dec. 28) and forward Marcus Williams (Dec. 26).

OurSportsCentral.com

Second-year forward Steve Novak will be sent to the Rio Grand Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League on Monday, marking the first time the Rockets have used the option to send first- or second-year players to the D-League. Novak, 23, a second-round pick out of Marquette, played in 35 games last season, averaging 1.5 points on 35 percent shooting. He has not been on the active roster this season.

Houston Chronicle