No matter what the conspiracy theories suggest, Jerry West is out of the Grizzlies' chain of command and had no input on the league-rattling trade that resulted in his old team, the Lakers, landing Pau Gasol.
It took about five seconds from the time the lopsided deal was announced for rival front offices to privately grumble that West must have steered Gasol to Los Angeles, either to boost the franchise back into championship contention or as payback for another unproven perception, that Timberwolves personnel boss and ex-Celtic great Kevin McHale delivered Kevin Garnett to Boston.
Some within the Lakers were convinced McHale continued to live the old rivalry and would never allow Garnett to wear purple and gold.
West resigned as Memphis' president after last season, and, besides, owner Michael Heisley didn't always take his advice even when West had the job. Among other things, "the Logo" wanted to fire Mike Fratello as coach in the summer of 2006 and hire Suns assistant Marc Iavaroni, but Heisley refused. Instead, tension in the locker room grew and losses mounted before Fratello was fired 30 games into the season – and eventually succeeded by Iavaroni.
West has homes on both coasts, and friends say one of the greatest executives in league history has not ruled out a return to a front office somewhere. A return to the Lakers, though, remains very unlikely, with West rightfully concerned about how it would reflect on friend and successor Mitch Kupchak.
Smooth, Jazz
As if tearing through the recent schedule to recover from a slow start isn't enough, now coach Jerry Sloan (left) and the Jazz move into a soft part of the calendar. Utah plays one game in nine days, with the benefit of the All-Star break, and the next five opponents are the SuperSonics, Warriors, Clippers, Hawks and Timberwolves. The payback is the regular season finishes with two games against the Spurs and one each against the Hornets, Mavericks, Nuggets and Rockets.
Hedo still has an All-Star shot
Lingering injuries to Kevin Garnett and Caron Butler might create an opening for Hedo Turkoglu (above) to make the Eastern Conference All-Star team after all. The possibility for the Magic forward and former King comes with the ideal timing of a recent run of eight consecutive games with at least 20 points, a streak that ended Monday with a triple double (13 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds). Turkoglu was also the first Orlando representative chosen as the conference Player of the Week twice in a row, impressive for a franchise with Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill and Dwight Howard among the all-time roster.
Seattle's Durant improving
Kevin Durant (right) is still a volume shooter as opposed to a good shooter while averaging 19.4 points, but the improvements in his offensive game are telling. Most encouraging for the SuperSonics, the No. 2 pick and heavy favorite for Rookie of the Year has become more aggressive in going to the basket rather than being frustrated with his 40.2-percent accuracy from the field or wearing down from more games played before the All-Star break in than his entire single season in college. The other promising development: Durant is at 86.5 percent from the line, an immediate sign he will take advantage of the foul calls that will come.
Vince Carter slipping, really
Phil Jackson noted the declining game of New Jersey's Vince Carter (left), and Nets officials told the Lakers coach to mind his own business, as if that will happen. Jackson is only the latest to tweak Carter. Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson said earlier in the season on TNT that Carter had little left and his knees were shot, which, if true, would be especially troubling just months into a $66 million extension. Although his 20.6-point average is good production, it projects as his lowest output since the injury-marred 2002-03.
Hedo still has an All-Star shot
Lingering injuries to Kevin Garnett and Caron Butler might create an opening for Hedo Turkoglu (above) to make the Eastern Conference All-Star team after all. The possibility for the Magic forward and former King comes with the ideal timing of a recent run of eight consecutive games with at least 20 points, a streak that ended Monday with a triple double (13 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds). Turkoglu was also the first Orlando representative chosen as the conference Player of the Week twice in a row, impressive for a franchise with Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill and Dwight Howard among the all-time roster.
Don't-miss games this week
TODAY: LAKERS AT HEAT
Shawn Marion, acquired from Phoenix, could make his Miami debut.
TODAY: MAVERICKS AT NETS
With Dallas a potential player in the Jason Kidd Derby, Jason Kidd himself plays Dallas.
WEDNESDAY: SUNS AT WARRIORS
Shaquille O'Neal health willing) and Phoenix against Chris Webber and Golden State. Everyone saw that coming, right?
