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Sunday, November 15

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Don Nelson laughed at the rumor of him becoming a Warriors consultant instead of their head coach as soon as next week. Nelson denied CBS Sportsline.com's report — which quoted sources saying Nelson would be replaced by assistant coach Keith Smart on the bench and moved into a consulting role. Nelson, who is 21 victories shy of becoming the NBA's all-time winningest coach, is nine games into the two-year, $12 million contract extension he signed last fall. He said he intends to finish out his contract. Contra Costa Times

"Yes, absolutely," he said before Saturday's 129-125 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, when asked if he intends to finish out his contract. Warriors president Robert Rowell categorically denied the claims in the article. He did say the team hasn't even considered replacing Nelson as coach. "It's hard to comment on an article when I have never had a discussion with the person who wrote it," said Rowell. "It is complete nonsense." Contra Costa Times

"He's definitely committed to (coaching the Warriors) as far as I can see," Anthony Morrow said. "It wouldn't surprise me at all if he comes back for a third year." San Francisco Chronicle

Most teams would dread two days off in Milwaukee, but not Don Nelson. "I spent 12 years there and loved it, I've still got a lot of friends there," said the former Bucks coach. The Warriors have to spend an extra day in town, because they couldn't get into their hotel in Cleveland, their next stop on their five-game trip. But it's fine with Nelson. He's got tickets for two Springsteen concerts in Milwaukee. New York Daily News

Marc J. Spears: nba source says don nelson job safe with warriors and hes not expected to walk away. Twitter.com

Make no mistake, the Atlanta Hawks shooting guard will cash in next summer, likely getting the max dollars initially targeted for another player. He very much will be the right player in the right place at the right time, which is why it made all the sense in the world to bypass an extension with the emerging Hawks, even if he was offered $60 million over four years. "I'm sure there will be some chaos," said Johnson, whose team Wednesday night hosts the Heat. "No one knows what's going to happen." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Asked if he finds it odd to be viewed as a fallback position, Johnson smiled and said, "Not at all. I'm going to do my part. I can't worry about the next person or what anybody else is going to do." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Before the Heat played the Hawks in its exhibition finale, Johnson sought out Wade in a hallway at Jacksonville's War Memorial Arena. The two embraced, shared a few laughs, before Wade introduced Johnson to other Heat teammates. A preview of what might follow in July? "I've got some pretty good friends on that team," Johnson said. "It's always fun to be around them." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

For those reasons, yes indeed, according to multiple league sources, the Cavs have had talks about Jackson and continue to monitor the situation. It is one of a series of conversations that the Cavs have with numerous teams at this time of year, a vast majority of which do not involve players who have made public trade demands. Cleveland Plain Dealer

In fact, say league executives, the Cavs actually have been just as active in finding out the market for good-shooting forwards as looking at shooting guards. Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Jack would be a great fit for that team, there aren't many guys who are available who play at a championship level at both ends and he does that," said a league insider who knows Jackson well. "It would only work for about two years and then he'll get restless and they'll have to trade him, but until then he'd be great." Cleveland Plain Dealer

The article also said Nelson is trying to trade guard Monta Ellis. Citing team policy, Rowell wouldn't comment on trade speculation. The rocky relationship between Nelson and Ellis has been widely reported. But a team source said Nelson hasn't been dealing with trades. That task has been solely general manager Larry Riley's, who is working hard to move swingman Stephen Jackson, the source said. Contra Costa Times

A source with knowledge of the situation said the Kings have had discussions with New Orleans about a trade involving Thomas and Hornets center Emeka Okafor. Acquiring the 6-foot-10, 255-pound big man, who is in his sixth season, would likely take the Kings out of the running for free-agent dealings next summer and maybe summers thereafter. He has five years and $62.5 million left on his contract, including this season. Sacramento Bee / November 14

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A little more than a week into Allen Iverson's leave of absence, the Memphis Grizzlies signed free agent point guard Jamaal Tinsley. ESPN.com

"Jamaal was the best available player out on the board," Wallace said. "Secondly, he's a veteran. We're a young team. He's a proven commodity as a playmaker." NBA.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Texts one former assistant coach of Tinsley's in NBA, "I bet he will play well...Best when he has something to prove." Twitter.com

"This signing had nothing to do with the Iverson situation," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan. "We had an open roster spot and felt Jamaal was the best player we could sign. He is an experienced, proven playmaker who can help us once in game shape. His current weight is close to 20 pounds less than when he last played in Indiana." ESPN.com

Marc J. Spears: nba source says tinsley signing in mem doesnt mean AI buyout on horizon. Twitter.com

"He wants to be back [in the league]," Wallace said, adding that despite the layoff, Tinsley has remained in shape and his weight is below what it was when he last played with Indiana. ESPN.com

Clippers broadcaster Ralph Lawler, on the "personal problems" that obliged Allen Iverson to leave the Memphis Grizzlies: "He has personal problems, all right. He personally doesn't want to come off the bench." Los Angeles Times

Brandon Jennings did not score a point in the first quarter Saturday night at the Bradley Center. So nobody was really figuring he would wind up with a scintillating 55-point outburst, just two off the Bucks franchise record, in leading Milwaukee to a thrilling 129-125 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

“The shots kept going in, and after a while the rim kept getting bigger and bigger and I just felt like I couldn’t miss,” Jennings said. “I guess I was in that zone, you know? But that doesn’t happen without [Andrew] Bogut down low, scoring in the post and opening things up for me. I’m not doing this alone here.” Yahoo! Sports

Almost though, almost. Jennings talked about the New York Knicks passing on him at No. 8 on draft day, about losing out on the chance to resurrect one of the league’s glamour franchises, to make Madison Square Garden his own. “I feel like I understand why teams like the Knicks passed on me, because I didn’t put up big numbers in Italy last year,” he said. “But you needed to see me in the practices, and the workouts, to see how I was coming along there. Hey, I’m a gym rat. You had to know that about me.” Yahoo! Sports

He’s on his way to becoming an improbable Rookie of the Year, but insists, “Really, I’m not thinking about that at all. What I want is to keep this team winning, and get the Bucks to the playoffs. That’s what everyone wants here.” Yahoo! Sports

"I've never witnessed anything like that," said Bucks forward Hakim Warrick. "He just really put the team on his back. Every shot he shot, you just knew it was going in. "It was just his poise and confidence and the timing. There are a lot of players who can come and put up big numbers as a rookie. But to be down and to come through the way he came through makes it even more special." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Marcus Thompson: Jackson: "I take my words back about Tyreke Evans being Rookie of the Year. I think Brandon Jennings definitely has that locked up." Twitter.com

Warriors reserve Corey Maggette said Jennings had a "special game," one he had not seen in a long time. "That was a great performance," Maggette said, shaking his head. "I don't know if anyone has done that since Magic [Johnson]. He was something pretty special tonight." AP

"Living the pro lifestyle with the traveling, no days off, coming in early — now, everything comes easy for me. Also, look at the talent I played against. In the Euroleague I played against Earl Boykins and Travis Best." Denver Post

But Jennings was clear — just because the hardening and humbling European experience worked for him, it's not like he created a blueprint for how to succeed in the NBA (and how to avoid geology midterms). "I think it's a case-by-case situation," said Jennings, who was the 10th pick in the 2009 draft. Denver Post

Stone and Jennings have had a lot of dinners together, a lot of talks, here in the States and across Italy and Europe. Everyone will tell you they believed in Jennings, that they knew, but no one invested like Stone. Everyone knows Jennings’ story now. They know about his resolve surviving the benchings and loneliness as a teenager in Italy. They know the time for NBA executives to scout him was at the practices with Lottomatica, the late nights and early mornings shooting in the gym. Everyone knows that Jennings challenged the system, defied the false gods of college basketball and pursued a trailblazing path. Yahoo! Sports

When Under Armour hired Stone to get into the basketball endorsement game, all he did was bank his career, his credibility, on a skinny lefty kid who everyone feared would be broken overseas and an afterthought in the 2009 draft. Only, Stone always believed he had a deeper understanding of Jennings. To Stone, there’s one story that tells it all. There’s a reference to which he always returns. Three years ago, Jennings had come to New York as a high school junior to play in the Elite 24 all-star game that Stone had started, and he won the MVP over players like Michael Beasley(notes) and Kevin Love. The next morning, it was Stone’s job to drive over to the Westin Hotel in Times Square and make sure the kids were awake by 8 a.m. on the way to LaGuardia for flights home. So, Stone walked into the hotel lobby at 6, the elevator doors opened and there was a vision that brought him back to his days growing up in the Bay Area. Yahoo! Sports

DeMar DeRozan: Brandon Jennings will be the best PG in the league mark my words. Twitter.com

DeMar DeRozan: I told everybody when me and Brandon Jennings was in the middle school he was gone be the best Pg. Now you be the judge. Twitter.com

Jared Dudley: I'm watching Brandon Jennings Kill the warriors... He gave them 55!!!!!! Roy I think so lol.. The knicks are prob kicking themselves. Twitter.com

Did you know you weren’t going to play much? Stephen Curry: “I didn’t hear I wasn’t going to play or whatever. I just came in with the same attitude I’ve come in with every game to this point. Just ready for my name to be called to get off the bench and play some minutes. We were playing so well the whole game, I think he didn’t want to change things up.” Contra Costa Times

Friday at New York, he totaled just shy of seven minutes of action. He played 4:24 in the first half. He checked in with 5:40 left in the third. On one offensive possession, he was out of place and had to be pointed in the right direction. The next time down, he drew a foul and made both free throws. Then Maggette checked in for him at the 4:18 mark. Randolph, in obvious disgust, walked to the bench and tossed the ball over his head in the air (it landed on C.J. Watson’s head). Randolph walked to the end of the bench and shouted some words towards the coaches before sitting down. Moments later, assistant coach Keith Smart walked to the end of the bench to talk to Randolph, calming him down. Randolph didn’t return to action until the last 35.1 seconds of the game. Contra Costa Times

Nellie gave Randolph a low five as he came off the court and told him that they noticed he hurt his shoulder. Randolph obviously disagreed with the decision. He thought his shoulder wasn’t nearly hurt enough to keep him off the court and he wanted to stay in. After the game, Randolph said “my shoulder is perfect.” It was hard to tell which was which at first, because Nellie has been known to give a guy he didn’t play a phantom injury, and Randolph has been known to downplay an injury to get on the court. Contra Costa Times

"It's tough to look at the record and see that we're 2-7 because I think we should be better," center Brendan Haywood said. "But us not being better is very hard, because late in the season, games like this, you're going to look back and say, 'Man, we really had that game. We should've won.' " Washington Post

Where was Arenas down the stretch? Before the game, he claimed that he was back to being Agent Zero and he goes and takes just three shots in the fourth quarter, which drew the ire of teammate DeShawn Stevenson. "He said, 'Before, this wouldn't have happened you would have taken over the fourth quarter, even if you had to take every shot,' " Arenas said after the game. "I feel I don't have to do that this early because of what we have here." Washington Post

I asked Butler -- who made back-to-back jumpers just before his team's drought -- what happened, and he said: "Don't know. Got into a flow for a little bit, and that's basically what you want to do; distribute the ball early and then late third quarter, fourth quarter assert yourself a little bit more and make plays. But unfortunately, just fell a little short." Washington Times

But why? He didn't quite say. "It was there," Butler said. "I've just got to make myself present a little bit more and be aggressive in this offense. ... I'm just going to continue to move the ball and and doing what's asked of me; defend, and I've been doing a great job of that as far as not gambling, staying down and taking it personal on the defensive end who I'm guarding. On the offensive end, you've got to let things come to you. We've got a real good ball club with shooters around you: Mike Miller, the addition of Earl Boykins. So many guys, so you've got to use your weapons. "The last two or three games," Butler said. "I haven't been as aggressive making plays and finding my niche in the offensive scheme of things and doing what coach asks of me but at the same time, just trying to win games." Washington Times

Gilbert Arenas had an announcement to make as walked through the locker room on Saturday. Arenas lifted his headphones from his ears, smiled and proclaimed, "I'm Zero. I'm not Gilbert no more." "Gilbert's not working out," said Arenas, who claimed that he retired his Agent Zero and Hibachi personas on media day. Asked why he decided to go back to Agent Zero, Arenas said, "It ain't working if we lost five in a row. Coach told me he didn't want the angry man no more. So, he's back." Washington Post

Mike Miller was getting dressed at a nearby locker stall and was grinning when he heard Arenas respond to the name, "Hibachi." "I've been waiting on Hibachi all year," Miller said. DeShawn Stevenson said on media day that he didn't think Arenas would be able to keep up his mad-at-the-world attitude for an entire season. When he heard that the Hibachi was back, he said, "I told you it wouldn't last." Washington Post

James has said that should he change his number, that he'd seriously consider No. 6, but even that raises questions because two other legends — Bill Russell of the Celtics and Julius Erving of the Philadelphia 76ers — both wore it. When asked why he didn't choose a number no one had worn before, James had a little fun. ''Like 76 or something like that? There's not other numbers no one has worn,'' he said with a laugh. Akron Beacon Journal

So how does Jazz rookie Wesley Matthews, one of 12 players other than James to wear No. 23, feel about giving up his number? "I'm on board," Matthews told The Salt Lake Tribune . "I mean, Jordan has influenced everybody that plays this game and he was my idol growing up. I'm ready. Whenever that time comes, I'm on board with that." Salt Lake Tribune

Derrick Rose wore No. 23 in college at Memphis. But that wouldn't have been his choice for an NBA number, even if a team other than the Bulls had won the draft lottery. "Probably not. I really wanted the No. 1," Rose said before Saturday's game. "I'm superstitious, so I really wanted No. 1 pretty bad. That was my original number, so why not wear it my whole career? "At Memphis, (No. 23) was to remind people not to forget about Chicago." Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Indiana sealed the game with a 14-4 run that became emotionally charged when the Celtics were reminded what happens when you annoy Crawford. He called two technicals in 21 seconds in a critical fourth-quarter stretch. The first was on Kendrick Perkins for keeping his hands raised high after being whistled for a foul on Granger. Crawford struck again with 6:45 left when he called one on Celtics coach Doc Rivers for waving his hand in disgust following a Kevin Garnett offensive foul. Indiana was in the bonus with six minutes left in the period and cruised to its fourth straight win. Rasheed Wallace, who drew a technical in the first half, tried to contain his anger. “I ain’t got no comment on it because I’m going to [expletive] around and get fined some more,’’ he said. “You saw it for yourself, I am glad I am almost done with this [expletive] man. This is bad for my blood pressure.’’ Boston Globe

“Picking up [Rasheed ] Wallace is going to help them, and we know Marquis Daniels, he’s going to be a major plus for them,’’ Bird said before his Pacers beat the Celtics, 113-104, at Conseco Fieldhouse last night. “I talked to [Celtics president] Danny [ Ainge] and told him if you can get him, you’d better get him, because he will make another bench player that can get a lot of things done. Boston Globe

Now, Jordan won't even play Brand in the fourth quarter. Before the Sixers' game Saturday against Chicago, Brand hadn't played in five of the previous six fourth quarters. Jordan insists he's playing the players who are playing well. Marreese Speights, for example, is averaging 13.8 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game. "Elton Brand is a leader on our team," Jordan said last week. "I respect him as a professional. I respect him for his effort. Elton Brand is not as big in my mind as he is with [the media]. It's not an issue for me." News Journal

This situation hits home, because plenty of media members, myself included, respect Brand for being one of the most solid citizens we’ve met in the NBA. As usual, he faced up to the snub in the visitors’ locker room. “It will come around, I’m confident,” Brand said. “It’s really difficult when you’re losing and you’re not playing.” Arlington Heights Daily Herald

The former No. 1 draft pick of the Bulls in 1999 missed most of the last two seasons with a torn Achilles tendon and shoulder surgery. But he insisted his health is fine. “I feel good. I’m definitely confident that when the minutes come around, I’ll produce,” he said. “I haven’t played the fourth quarter in a while. That’s winning time. That’s when you get fouled, get to the line, things like that. I could get 6 rebounds and 5 points in a quarter.” Brand is in the second year of a five-year, $80-million deal he signed to jump from the Clippers to Sixers in 2008. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Upset that foul trouble sidelined him for much of a game that was supposed to be a defensive showcase for him against Carmelo Anthony, Artest took a brief detour to speak with the referees as the rest of his teammates left the floor. Particularly galling to Artest were two offensive foul calls, one midway through the second quarter and the other in the opening minutes of the third. "I just threw my arm a little bit and they called offensive fouls," Artest said. "I wasn't even trying to be aggressive. I'm actually bigger than these guys, so they fall and they beg for mercy. These guys are begging for mercy, the officials are feeling sorry for them and that's not fair." Riverside Press-Enterprise

Anthony scored 25 points on 11-for-20 shooting against the Lakers, but Artest did a credible job defending him while on the floor, limiting him to just seven first-half points. The Denver star got in a better rhythm with some transition buckets before Artest left the game for good five minutes into the third quarter after picking up his fifth foul. "(Artest) played him fine," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "I thought there were some tough situations for him. I know he asked the referee after the game. I stayed out there on the court to see what that conversation was about. He wanted to get some clarification as to what's fair play out there." It all added up to a tepid 30th birthday for Artest, not that he seemed to mind after the game. "It's OK. I still got a chance to travel on my birthday," he said. "When I was a kid, I always used to have to stay home." Riverside Press-Enterprise

Are you upset after reaching the Finals almost no one picked the Magic to win the East again? Dwight Howard: We’ve always been overlooked, which is fine. All we want to do is to continue to win games. It doesn’t matter if people say the Celtics or Cleveland are going to be in the Finals or whatever. It just comes down to who wins games. The only people we want respect from are people we play against. How is the team adjusting to adding Vince Carter and losing Hedo Turkgolu? There are a lot of new guys, not just (Carter). The new guys need to get accustomed to the way we practice. The way we play defense is different to a lot of the new guys. It’s an adjustment period for all of us. In the long run we’ll be better once everyone learns the system and we get all our guys back. Could Rashard Lewis missing the first 10 games with a suspension help develop depth? It’s a blessing in disguise. It’s sad to see Rashard have to sit out, but it gave Ryan Anderson a chance to play some. He’s learned a lot. He spread the ball well, shot the ball well. When Rashard comes back, we’ll be an even better team. Oklahoman

But at the moment, Jordan wasn't conceding anything as perhaps the greatest basketball player of all time stood there, sizing up one of the best in today's game. ``I am bigger and taller than he is, right?'' a smiling Jordan said with his back to Wade, who is at least two inches shorter. ``That's post-up action all day, right there. I could probably average 50 points if I played now. Especially if I got all of the calls that [Wade] gets.'' It was one of the few times Wade seemed to be dwarfed - in stature, personality and legend - in any kind of basketball setting. And it didn't bother Wade one bit as he laughed and took Jordan's playful ribbing in stride. That might be as clear a sign as any that Wade is ready to handle the expectations, pressures and comparisons that come with his gig as the NBA's slashing, dunking and scoring pitchman for the Air Jordan 2010. ``I'm 27 years old, so I've been waiting since I was 2 to wear these shoes,'' said Wade, who soon will test the shoe in practice and will have creative input on potential tweaks and redesigns. ``I had to hold my tongue a long time and couldn't even show my teammates.'' Miami Herald

For nearly four years, Wade had the privilege of wearing his own signature shoe with Converse, recently purchased by Nike. It was a sense of pride, Wade said. But Wade switched because he wasn't comfortable with the marketing or the shoe's recent designs. ``We can make better use of him,'' Jordan said. But Wade is giving up his sneaker individuality to join a team that's headed by the legend he grew up idolizing. ``When we were coming out, me LeBron and Carmelo, I was looking for something to separate myself from those guys,'' Wade said. ``It was great for a while. But it's hard work having to carry a brand by yourself.'' Miami Herald

Chris Paul: Tough loss for us again 2nite but we played hard. Twitter.com

The team's top reserve and primary backup power forward is expected to be out for six to eight weeks, which translates to mid-January. If he returns in exactly eight weeks, he will miss 29 games. The injury figures to change the Blazers' playing style -- Outlaw was a key element to a small lineup that tried to push the pace and spread out defenses -- and reduce the team's scoring pop. Outlaw averaged 10.9 points and 3.8 rebounds and was a trusted late-game performer. The injury is expected to thrust 16-year veteran Juwan Howard into a more prominent role. Oregonian

There was an ominous moment before Saturday's game when Brandon Roy asked Travis Outlaw whether he thought his aching left foot had a stress fracture. "He had been complaining about his foot for a couple of games now," Roy said of his best friend. "So I was like, 'Trav, you sure you don't have a stress fracture?'" Oregonian

When asked how he was going to handle Outlaw's extended absence, coach Nate McMillan chuckled, "I don't know," before his voice cracked a bit with emotion. "I just feel so bad for (Outlaw)," coach Nate McMillan said, emphasizing the word "bad." "He was doing some good things, and all of the sudden this happens. We don't know how long he is going to be out, but it's going to be a while. It's just an unfortunate situation." Oregonian

When Outlaw was told the news, he said he was emotional. "I was cursing and everything," Outlaw said while wearing a protective boot and standing on crutches after the game. "I was down, I'm not going to lie. I love playing the game, and just the fact that I'm going to be out, it hurts." Outlaw was in better spirits in the postgame locker room, sharing laughs and telling stories with teammates. However, any time his teammates looked at him, they shook their head and cursed Outlaw's luck. The biggest impact will be felt by Roy. The two are inseparable, particularly on the road. Oregonian

The Warriors said Kelenna Azubuike on Saturday hurt his left patella, an injury that could cost the forward 3-5 months. The extent of the injury wasn't immediately available. Azubuike was carted off the Bradley Center court in the opening three minutes after a scary fall. As he sliced into the lane and tried to plant on his left knee, his leg gave out. He sprawled into the air, landed on his back and immediately grabbed his knee. San Francisco Chronicle

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he chose to be conservative with the long-term health of star guard Manu Ginobili in the second half of Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the AT&T Center. Fearful that a left hamstring strain that kept Ginobili out of practice sessions on Thursday and Friday had re-tightened, Popovich held Ginobili out of the fourth quarter of a tight game. Ginobili also banged knees with Thunder rookie James Harden in the first half, staying on the floor for several seconds after a collision. “I didn't keep him out because of his knee,” Popovich said. “I kept him out because of a hamstring that's been tight. I just thought it would be best to be conservative than to have that hamstring be worse and lose him for a long period.” San Antonio Express-News

Tim Duncan said his sprained left ankle is not yet 100 percent but was happy to come out of Saturday's game, his first all week, without re-injuring it. “I had a pretty good night,” he said. “I didn't re-injure it and came out pretty unscathed. I've still got some healing to do, and it's not 100 percent, but it feels pretty good.” Tony Parker, who missed two games after spraining his left ankle on Nov. 6 in Portland, said his ankle felt close to 100 percent. “I didn't feel totally free,” he said. “I was hurting a little bit, especially in the second half, but overall I felt pretty good.” San Antonio Express-News

Tyrus Thomas has a removable splint that runs the length of his entire left arm, but that isn't limiting his recovery from the fractured radius in his left forearm. Thomas has been cleared to run and bike and stay in condition as he recovers from the injury, which has been surgically repaired. "I'm doing something every day," Thomas said. "I'm not worried about staying in shape. Obviously, game shape is something different. But I should be alright." Chicago Tribune

Trail Blazers guard Jerryd Bayless sprained his left ankle about an hour before tip off of Saturday's game in Charlotte as he was returning to the locker room. Bayless rolled his ankle on a disguised step that is hidden by carpet. The six-inch drop off is in a dimly lit area just outside the tunnel that leads from the court to the Blazers locker room. Bayless was carried by Rudy Fernandez and Dante Cunningham the remaining 20 yards to the Blazers' training room, where he was despondent on the training table. His status for tonight's game against the Bobcats was not immediately known because the team was trying to subside the swelling. Oregonian

Robin (Lopez) isn't yet cleared to practice with the team but spent about 45 minutes working with Assistant Coach Igor Kokoskov. He worked on a variety of side pick and pops, baseline jump shots and a few post moves. Mostly it seemed to all be about getting back in shape and getting a feel for the ball and his shot. Robin worked hard and I was impressed with his focus and intensity. He would often curse and scream a bit when he missed shots in a drill that you would typical see wings and guards work on. Lopez has only been back shooting for about a week or so and says his shot doesn't yet feel like it's back to where it was but that with more work the muscle memory will come back. Bright Side of the Sun

The Nets are back to eight tonight in Miami. Bobby Simmons has left the team to return to Chicago to deal with a personal matter. So like they did in two games earlier this week, the Nets will play with the minimum amount of players allowed when they take on the Heat. Having nine was nice but it lasted just one night. No word on when Simmons will be back. Lawrence Frank also emphasized again that none of the injured players - Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, etc. - will be back anytime soon. New York Daily News

As for what's next for Scott, McInerney said he undoubtedly wants to be a head coach again. But there are no openings at the moment, meaning he'll head for the links, possibly do some ESPN television work and "go see that new movie '2012' in the next few days because he's got nothing else to do." And, of course, he'll wait for the next opportunity. "New Orleans was a terrific vehicle that will take him somewhere," McInerney said. "Let's see: He's 47 (years old), he has coached the Eastern All- Stars (team while with New Jersey), he's coached the Western All-Stars. He has been to the NBA Finals twice (with the Nets). He has won Coach of the Year. ... He'll be fine." Sacramento Bee

There was a short time in which Scott hoped the Kings would come calling and negotiate a buyout of some sort with Shinn that would put him back in the place he and his wife, Anita, enjoyed during his time as a Kings assistant from 1998 to 2000. But the Kings never called, nor did Shinn call them. And without an 11th-hour bailout for Scott and his bosses, the inevitable happened. "Unless there was some infusion of money, the (coaching change) and what has happened in New Orleans was definitely foreseeable," said McInerney, who has been Scott's agent for 24 years. "But nobody was really ever playing around with the interest in the Kings. That was serious. But I don't know that (Kings basketball president) Geoff Petrie ever saw it that way. "The odd part was you had an owner (in Shinn) who was saying things (publicly) like, 'I don't know that we want him (Scott).' And you're going, 'OK, so it's would've, could've, should've (with the Kings).' Sacramento Bee

Not surprisingly, a deal was struck that satisfied Scott's desires on the financial and length fronts. But the signing of the two-year deal led to much speculation that Scott was leaving his options open to become Phil Jackson's successor with the Lakers, a notion that McInerney insists wasn't the case. "Contrary to what the rumor was, it was a coincidence that Phil Jackson's contract was up at the same time," McInerney said. "People like to talk about it, and that's really premature because I don't think Phil Jackson is ever retiring. This was a situation where there was a lot of internal confusion as to what the culture of the team was going to be." Sacramento Bee

Woodson said he and his staff would reach out to Scott on Sunday and invite him to visit a Hawks practice, which he said was a common courtesy for terminated coaches. "He'll rebound from it," Woodson said of the 2007-08 coach of the year. "Byron's a good coach. I'm sure he'll resurface somewhere." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Westphal has thrown a fresh coat of paint on the walls, cleaned up the locker room and rid the coaching staff of the chronic sniping. The Kings and their visitors can walk around the facility these days without choking on the negativity. "There is a certain swagger he brings," said Jason Thompson. "He's been a winning coach. He was a successful player. We set goals for certain games, about rebounding, getting stops and running. The message is, 'If you don't set goals and want to be successful, you shouldn't be here.' " One question for the coach: Where ya been all these years? Sacramento Bee

Gasol isn't as passionate about acting as Fox was, but you might be surprised to know he is actually intrigued by the craft. He initiated the gig with "CSI: Miami" — Bryant's favorite TV show, by the way, which just goes to show you how well those guys click — through Gasol's agent, Arn Tellem, who used to be Bryant's agent, too. Tellem's wife, Nancy, is president of CBS and oversees all TV programming, so there you go. Gasol and Farmar were on CBS' "NUMB3RS" show last season. Orange County Register

Chris Paul: Cotto look like J.A Adande out there from espn...lol. Twitter.com

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