Jerry Zgoda's short takes: Feb. 3

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: February 2, 2008 - 2:00 PM

Golden State forward Matt Barnes played the part of emissary in the unlikely reunion that brought Chris Webber back to the Warriors and Don Nelson, Webber's formerly estranged coach, last week.

At Nelson's request, Barnes wooed his close friend Webber with what he called "hints and text messages" as well as recruiting phone calls from Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson.

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New Jersey forward Richard Jefferson on the latest Jason Kidd trade rumors: "Maybe it will be a distraction. Maybe it will distract us from losing all these damn games."

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Baron Davis returned to New Orleans for the first time since forcing a trade in February 2005 and delivered a 23-point, nine-rebound game Wednesday that helped Golden State end the Hornets' nine-game winning streak.

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Denver has two starters -- Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony -- in an All-Star Game for the first time since Alex English and Fat Lever in 1988.

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The Lakers opened their longest trip ever Thursday in Detroit, the first of nine games away while the Grammy Awards invade Staples Center.

Coach Phil Jackson calls it a test of how good his team can be.

"I'm curious," said Jackson, whose team acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis on Friday.

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