The New York Daily News is reporting that although Carmelo Anthony was back to playing ball on Monday night it is not known what the actual problem with his knee is. It is also reported that it is not known how long he will be back playing for as his knee problems which include swelling, stiffness and fluid building up in the knee could come back at any time.
Speaking of knee problems, Andrew Bynum of the Philadelphia 76ers is having his own set of problems with his knees. USA Today notes that he is at present looking into arthroscopic surgery and it is also noted that because he does not want to play in pain he may not be able to return to the 76ers lineup this season.

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The Dallas Mavericks owner said in a radio interview Friday that the Lakers should consider using their one-time amnesty provision on Bryant this summer.

Bryant has one more season and $30.5 million left on his contract. He is one of four players the Lakers can waive via the money-saving device after this season.

“We’re aware of Mark Cuban’s comments and feel they are inappropriate,” Lakers spokesman John Black said. “As to the issue itself, we will not comment publicly on the amnesty issue as it relates to any of our players.”

The Lakers will not file a formal complaint with the NBA, though the league is looking into the matter and can fine Cuban for his comments.

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak declined to comment.

Pau Gasol ($19.3 million next season), Metta World Peace ($7.7 million) and Steve Blake ($4 million) are the other three players the Lakers can waive this summer to avoid paying luxury taxes on their salar

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20130223,0,5030261.story

They then backed it up with a gritty 111-107 victory Friday over the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center.

That’s two in a row for the Lakers, reason enough to throw a victory parade in a season to dismember.

Bryant was the first to back up his boast that the Lakers would play past April 17, scoring 40 points on impressive 15-for-23 shooting.

It was enough to counteract one of Steve Nash’s worst shooting games (four points, two-for-11 accuracy) and some defensive wobbles.

Guarantees are guarantees, aren’t they? Bryant’s teammates fell in line with his assertion.

“I’m not going to sit up here and say, ‘No, we’re not going to make it,’” Dwight Howard said beforehand. “We’ve got to have faith. I believe that we’re going to turn this around and we’re going to be great.”

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-blazers-20130223,0,4320794.story

“It’s not a question of if we make the playoffs. We will,” Bryant told Sports Illustrated. “And when we get there, I have no fear of anyone — Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Denver … whoever. I have zero nervousness about that.”

He didn’t mention the Clippers, but that’s another story for another day.

The most repetitive, boring question of the Lakers’ season was raised again Thursday: Was their victory Wednesday the start of a trend or a momentary burst before a relapse into the same old stuff?

They clobbered the Boston Celtics, honoring late owner Jerry Buss the best way they could on an emotional, energetic night at Staples Center.

“I don’t want to get into, like, ‘Reset: Volume 6′ or whatever we’re on now,” Steve Nash said. “But we’ve just got to keep building.”

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20130222,0,4964724.story

So when Reggie Rose does something that potentially harms Derrick, even if only his reputation, the city of broad shoulders does more than shrug. We shake our heads. And wince a little.

That’s what happened Thursday after Reggie Rose ripped Bulls management’s inactivity at the trade deadline in an ill-timed, illogical rant to ESPNChicago.com. Who’s giving Reggie PR advice, Oney Guillen?

“It’s frustrating to see my brother play his heart and soul out for the team and them not put anything around him,” Reggie Rose told ESPNChicago.com. “What have you pieced together? Have you made any moves? Have you made any trades to get better? You know all roads to the championship lead through Miami. What pieces have you put together for the physical playoffs? … Joakim Noah is a great player. Luol Deng is a great player. But you need more than that.”

Reggie’s unexpected, critical comments overshadowed the Bulls’ 86-67 loss to the Heat at the United Center and resonated so loudly that Derrick Rose felt compelled to issue a comment before tipoff.

“I have always felt that the Bulls organization’s goals have been the same as mine and that is to bring another championship to this city,” Derrick said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-spt-0222-haugh-bulls-chicago–20130222,0,5618692.column

The catch was that Garnett repeatedly refused to waive his no-trade clause, insisting that he came back to the NBA only to play for the Celtics, and that he planned to retire in Boston. Reports now show that his stance stood firm even as the Clippers went to even greater lengths to try to acquire him. Chris Paul had the ear of Clippers management and told Garnett he could make the deal happen if Garnett wanted the trade, Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald reports. But Garnett turned down the extra attention from Paul, and the Celtics moved neither Garnett nor mainstay Paul Pierce before the deadline. While earlier reports have indicated that Paul was involved in bending management’s ear in Los Angeles, it’s another issue entirely that the All-Star point guard made a direct plea to Garnett. In the end, though, he heard what everybody has heard in recent days: Garnett will be staying with the Celtics.

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2013/02/report-kevin-garnett-told-by-chris-paul-that-he-could-make-trade-to-clippers-happen-but-garnett-said-no/

Winner: Milwaukee Bucks

Acquiring J.J. Redick from Orlando will help Milwaukee’s 24th ranked offensive efficiency and should lock up a playoff spot. That’s a pretty good deal considering Milwaukee didn’t have to part with any future draft picks. Acquiring Redick is a win-now move that has a slight chance of paying off later, especially if Monta Ellis opts out and Redick likes what he sees from Milwaukee these next few months.

Loser: J.J. Redick

Of course, Redick probably won’t like what he sees — primarily because he won’t see the ball. Redick has posted career highs in points per game and assists this season in an offense designed around him, but that won’t happen with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis chucking up shots all game. Going to a potential playoff team is a good thing, but there were so many other contenders (Chicago, Memphis, Denver) that likely could have boosted his value (and stats) much more.

Winner: Los Angeles Clippers

Sacrificing a good chunk of the future by trading Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan could have been disastrous. Simply by welcoming back Chauncey Billups and getting healthy, the Clippers improved as much as any of the contenders did at the deadline. Not making a panic trade was the right move.

Loser: Chicago Bulls

They didn’t improve, and they didn’t get under the tax. Accomplishing neither of those tasks is a pretty big failure — the Bulls couldn’t afford to do nothing in either regard.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/21/winners-and-losers-from-the-trade-deadline/

https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/304667570412335104

http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/2/21/4014702/nba-trade-deadline-hawks-pull-out-of-josh-smith-deal-with-milwaukee

Nets are “done” and are officially out of Josh Smith talks, per source.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) February 21, 2013