It should be easy for Raptors fans to realize Jose Calderon’s struggles on the defensive end the past two seasons were due to the injuries to his hamstring and hip. However, instead of looking at the bigger picture – and realizing he didn’t turn into a bad defender overnight – Raptors fans were far too quick to criticize Calderon’s abilities on the defensive end.

With conference play underway, teams are starting to show their true colors, both in good and bad ways. As a matter of fact, the most shocking revelation of the last week, wasn’t who was playing well, but actually trying to figure out what’s wrong with two of college basketball’s most tradition rich programs: North Carolina and UConn, which combined to go 0-4 in the last seven days.

Both Flip Saunders and Nate McMillan commented on the 1pm start time for today’s game. Saunders, however, decided to go with a tactic that he used in Detroit and Minnesota: Breakfast so his players had fuel for the game.

In the seventh edition of the Hoops Addict podcast, Ryan and Rashad discuss whether the Los Angeles Clippers are cursed, the Spurs/Lakers game last week, the Wizards’ statement regarding Gilbert Arenas, their favorite NBA players to interview, and the new addition to the Hoops Addict team.

This summer Flip Saunders wanted Nick Young to master the art of catching and shooting, and Richard Hamilton is one of the best at doing just that. Considering the fact that Saunders had spent three years coach Hamilton while he was the head coach of the Pistons, this seemed like a logical fit–and Young was up to the challenge.

With the Hornets in town last weekend to play the Wizards, David West vaulted to the top of my interview wish list. I wanted to find out more about his friendship with Dr. Dyson, his thoughts on how NBA players are perceived, the ongoing situation with Gilbert Arenas, and the challenges the Hornets faced against the Wizards.

Sick of the negative news coming out of Washington? Then here’s a story about Jarrett Jack, a player born and raised in D.C., that will help renew your faith that there are still good guys left in the NBA.

Conference play is under way, and college basketball is heating up. And there’s a new No. 1 team in the Power Rankings, after four unbeaten teams last week were trimmed to just a remaining two today.

Shortly after the New Orleans Hornets 115-110 victory over the Washington Wizards, guard Chris Paul met with the media to discuss a variety of issues. He discussed how and why the Hornets were able to play so well against the Wizards, the importance of Peja Stojakovic, the upcoming game against the Philadelphia 76ers, and his new attitude for the new year.

Dodging M-80’s on the court is not what basketball players expect to do. But when you are playing in front of the rowdiest crowds in the world, you have to be prepared for anything. In his 13th year of professional basketball overseas, Derrick Alston (D.A.) has seen almost everything.