Around The Rim

You know Portland is deep, but did you know that seven players lead the Blazers in major stats categories? Through Sunday, Isaiah Rider led in scoring (15.7 ppg) Damon Stoudamire in assists (6.9), Rasheed Wallace in field goal percentage (52.8%), Brian Grant in rebounding (11.0), Jimmy Jackson in free throw percentage (85.0%), Arvydas Sabonis in blocks (1.39) and Greg Anthony in steals (1.25)....

Naysayers who predicted Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston couldn't play together had a point. While Sprewell was out with a stress fracture in his right heel, Houston shot 51.1% from beyond the three-point line. With Sprewell in the lineup, Houston is shooting 39.6% from the three-point line through Sunday. The question persists: Will the Knicks try to deal one of them this summer—more likely Sprewell, who has ignored hints from coaches, teammates and local columnists that he consider the occasional pass?...In the waning seconds of a 115-86 loss at Milwaukee, Detroit coach Alvin Gentry lambasted his players for not reacting when Bucks guard Michael Curry shoved Pistons forward Jerome Williams out of bounds. After the game, Bison Dele second-guessed his coach's challenge, asking, "What does that accomplish? You just end up writing a fine check and looking like a fool." It would have been hard to make Dele look any worse that night. His line: 8 minutes, 5 fouls, 4 turnovers, 3 points and 0 rebounds.