Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

The past two NBA champs meet in Miami; Deng is on the shelf indefinitely; Wallace and Richardson shine, but are they overworked?; Clipper bigwigs bicker in public; Pachulia sits out a game to suspension; Bargnani's struggles continue; Marbury has successful surgery; and more...


FLASHES IN THE PAN? 
No one would ever suggest Dwyane Wade is a one-hit wonder when it comes to NBA stardom. But how about as an NBA champion?

Also known as 'Flash,' Miami's do-it-all combo guard continues to put up big numbers for the Heat despite still recovering from some pretty serious injuries to his knee and shoulder. Unfortunately Wade's heroics haven't done much at all this season to keep the Heat from sinking to the bottom of the NBA's standings. A dismal 8-32 after half a season, the Heat won an NBA title back in 2006 but have since tread a steady path into mediocrity.

Meanwhile the San Antonio Spurs are at the other end of the spectrum. They too recently won a title (taking the 2007 trophy) but they have proven to be a perennial contender rather than a one-shot winner like the Heat. As both teams meet Thursday in Miami to kick off the second half of the season, can Miami and Wade prove they weren't Flashes in the pan?

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BOBCATS 
A few head coaches are firmly on the hot seat, but for now it looks like Sam Vincent isn't one of them. The rookie bench boss is just 16-25 so far, but team owner Bob Johnson recently told the Associated Press that he believes Vincent is improving, citing the improved play of Gerald Wallace and Jason Richardson. That said, it's ironic Johnson mentioned those two because Vincent can be just as easily criticized for over-working Wallace and Richardson. Over the past month the two lead the NBA in minutes played, and considering their injury histories (and the fact Wallace is currently on the shelf) the Bobs may be headed for disaster if Vincent doesn't give them a break.

BUCKS 
It's becoming increasingly clear that pretty soon, the Bucks are going to have to make a decision about Charlie Villanueva. The talented forward just isn't looking like he's in their immediate plans, but Charlie V has the goods to be a starter for many other NBA teams. Villanueva's name continues to be mentioned in trade rumors league-wide, and with the Feb.21 less than a month away (and the Bucks not looking like a playoff team) he could be on the move
BULLS 
It looks like Luol Deng's Achilles injury will have him sidelined for awhile. The star forward missed three games in early January with the problem and now the Chicago Tribune reports he will be out indefinitely with the problem as the team tries to get his leg fully healed and prevent further damage. Deng's 18 points per game will be missed, but Andres Nocioni has shown he can pick up the slack. Also look for Joakim Noah to see more action as a result.

CLIPPERS 
Looks like frustrations are spilling over in Clippertown. With the team now firmly in the basement of the Pacific at 12-25 and looking like they're already out of playoff contention, team owner Donald Sterling recently went public with his displeasure. He told the Los Angeles Times he has "no choice but to make changes" if GM Elgin Baylor and head coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. don't start righting the Clip ship. Surprisingly, Dunleavy shot back in public by saying, "It would be the biggest mistake you ever made." Suffice to say things will remain tense until the team starts winning, and that Dunleavy is now on the hot seat.

HAWKS 
Losing playing time is never easy, and maybe that's why Zaza Pachulia lost his temper recently. The former starting center was suspended by the team for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets after a confrontation with head coach Mike Woodson during Monday's loss to Portland. Pachulia has been battling several minor injuries this season but also has seen his role reduced significantly with the arrival of rookie center Al Horford. After averaging 28 minutes per game last season as the team's primary starter, Pachulia is seeing just 14.4 this season.

KNICKS 
On Tuesday Stephon Marbury had surgery on his sore left ankle to remove bone spurs, and by all reports it was successful. That said, there is no timetable for Marbury's return to the Knicks, and that complicates something else for the Knicks: their trade situation. At 13-28 they look unlikely to make a playoff push, and are a prime candidate for a trade. But with Marbury now possibly off the list of candidates to be moved, New York's options have shrunk. Yet more adversity for a franchise that seems unable to shake it.

MAVERICKS 
There was a time when Jerry Stackhouse was one of the NBA's most prolific scorers. But injuries have always been a problem for the athletic swingman and have contributed to his status as a reserve in recent seasons. Now injury is a problem again, as Wednesday Stackhouse left the Mavs' game with a strained right hamstring. With Stackhouse out, sixth man Jason Terry picked up the slack in the 102-95 win over Charlotte.

NUGGETS 
Nene Hilario is expected to be out for at least several weeks due to recent news that his testicular tumor was malignant. But until he's ready to play again, head coach George Karl wants him to be with his teammates. Karl recently told the Associated Press that he believes Nene would benefit from being around friends and his team, saying it would be good for his health. Karl knows of what he speaks; he himself had prostate cancer in 2005 and his son Coby, who is now with the Lakers, had papillary carcinoma that was treated.

RAPTORS 
Will it be long before Andrea Bargnani loses his starting job again? Tough to say, especially after Wednesday night. Heading in against the Celtics the talented second-year forward-center had been held under 20 minutes in six of his past seven starts, and hadn't scored in double-figures in any of them. But Wednesday Bargnani looked great, dropping 20 points, seven boards, seven assists, and a blocked shot while playing 40 minutes in the Raps' 114-112 upset of Boston. Perhaps he's turning the corner and might have a strong second half of the season.

SUPERSONICS 
Don't look now but Wally Szczerbiak is becoming the Sonics' most consistent player. Which shouldn't come as a shock, since Wally World is a former All-Star whose star-caliber career has only been sidelined by injuries. Now healthy, Szczerbiak is still not starting for Seattle but has really been piling up the points lately. Wednesday he dropped 22 in 31 minutes against the Rockets, and he has tallied double-figure scoring in seven straight.