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Sunday, February 7

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Are the Suns inching closer to a trade with Philadelphia headlined by Amare Stoudemire and Andre Iguodala? Separate sources close to both teams caution that it’s too soon to answer that question affirmatively. One source with knowledge of the Suns’ thinking, in particular, insisted that Phoenix was still evaluating several potential trade candidates. However . . . You can safely say that the Suns have ramped up their evaluation of Iguodala, whom they’ve liked dating to the 2004 draft when Iguodala turned pro after two years at Arizona. We know that because the Suns quietly dispatched one of their lead decision-makers – senior vice president of basketball operations David Griffin – to New Orleans on Friday night to watch the Sixers play the Hornets in person. ESPN.com

The Suns, though, would undoubtedly want Philly to take back Jason Richardson in such a swap. Even though the Sixers would have to surrender another player to make the salary-cap math work, such as Jason Kapono or Willie Green, they wouldn’t realize any significant savings in this trade configuration until the 2011-2012 season if Stoudemire follows through on this week’s suggestion that he will not become a free agent at season’s end and plays out his contract at $17.7 million in 2010-11. You can also expect Philly, if these talks go any further, to insist on Leandro Barbosa instead of Richardson to make it a simpler two-for-two trade: Stoudemire and Barbosa for Iguodala and Dalembert. ESPN.com

Yet we should also pass along the warning that came from one front-office executive whose team has expressed its interest in Stoudemire. The exec believes that the Suns could well choose not to move Amare before the Feb. 18 trading deadline if they start playing well again … and Phoenix just went 4-0 on a four-game road trip during which Amare averaged nearly 28 points and 12 boards. ESPN.com

With all the current trade talk going on, I asked Nash how he felt about the potential of another big mid-season deal. He initially responded by saying that it was out of their control and the team just needed to remained focused but he did go on to talk about his desire to see the current group finish out the season. "I think we've shown that we're a good team and I think we've shown glimpses that we can be a really good team and it would be nice to continue to work at it together," said Nash. Steve clearly understands the potential for any trade to be disruptive with the results being far from guaranteed, "Every time a team makes a trade it's a leap of faith." Bright Side of the Sun

Alex Kennedy: Bobcats have given Acie Law permission to talk to other teams to work out a trade. Knicks and Pacers interested - tinyurl.com/yz56oor Twitter.com

Let me remind you of what Dirk Nowitzki told a German media outlet when asked about Kevin Martin: Dirk on trades: "We won´t make a deal just to make a deal. But we are trying to get better, so we keep our eyes and ears open. We are definitely interested if someone is available that makes us better." Dirk on Kevin Martin: "Kevin Martin is a good player and has made an impressive development since he came into this league. The only problem is that he´s often injured. He missed quite a few games this season, too. The question is if he would bring us to the next level." DallasBasketball.com

I know there has been a lot of talk lately about the Wizards being reluctant to move Jamison to Cleveland given the bad blood between the two franchises. The apprehension is believed to be rooted in three hotly contested playoff series, and Larry Hughes's departure in the summer of 2005. The prevailing sentiment from people around the league is that President Ernie Grunfeld has no desire to help Danny Ferry and the Cavaliers win a championship by giving them Jamison. But I had a recent conversation with an Eastern Conference executive who made a very interesting point. The executive said the Wizards should only be concerned about interest of the organization - not what Jamison could do for the Cavaliers - and used Memphis as an example. Around this time two years ago, the Grizzlies traded Pau Gasol to the Lakers for Kwame Brown, Marc Gasol, Javaris Crittenton and two first round picks. The move was roundly panned around the league, with Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace credited with "gift-wrapping" a title for the Lakers. Washington Post

According to Bucher's report, "The owners' proposal includes a provision that would require any pre-existing deals to be revised to conform to the new deal's limits." Those limits being pushed by Commission Stern would roughly halve the current maximum deals. In other words, the difference over that six-year contract between staying and leaving for Wade would be severely, severely reduced. Of course, when Wade signs in July, he won't know what the working rules will be in 2011-12, with those negotiations likely to go into the 2011 offseason, if not longer. But that $30 million home-team advantage might not loom nearly as large. It is a game-changing prospect when it comes this summer's free agency. It is a be-afraid, be-very-afraid prospect. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Tim Kawakami: Important GSW note: They're already potentially capped out for next season. $53.1M committed to 10 players & cap could be about $53M. Twitter.com

Tzvi Twersky: Glen Davis told me on Wed. that Brandon Bass is doing very well in practice in Orlando and has no idea why he isn't playing more. Twitter.com

Larry Legend would go on to win the next two years, entrenching the Three-Point Contest as a must-see during All-Star weekend. Cook doesn't come close to Bird's megawatt star power, but the Heat reserve guard is shooting to become the seventh repeat winner in the contest's history. Cook outlasted Rashard Lewis in an overtime round last year in Phoenix. "It made people look at me different," Cook said, "as one of the best 3-point shooters in the game. It made me respected." NBA.com

The bright lights won't bother Billups or Pierce, though being a rookie doesn't faze Curry. "I like my chances," he said. Cook has the added advantage of being the last one to shoot in the first round. "It makes it a little more competitive, knowing I have the opportunity to know what I have to get to make it to the next round," he said. "It gives me an opportunity to see what is happening and know how many shots I need to make from each rack." At stake is $35,000 to the winner and a chance to follow in Bird's trailblazing footsteps. Just don't expect anyone to burst into the locker room and proclaim, "Who's coming in second?" "You've just got to go out there and have fun with it no matter what happens," Frye said. "It's just a game. Of course everybody's going to be competitive when they get out there. I understand those guys. None of them want to lose. It's going to be fun. It's going to be competitive fun." NBA.com

But with the two teams squaring off Sunday at the Garden, a week before the big game at Cowboys Stadium, he doesn’t see much point in wearing out Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo so Celtics coach Doc Rivers doesn’t have to worry too much. “He’s got a better chance of me resting his guys because we don’t play him again. So, if we played him the week after the All-Star Game, they’d all go about 42 minutes,” Van Gundy joked before Sunday’s game. “But with us not playing them again, I can’t get much out of burying them.” WEEI.com

Reggie Evans' long-awaited Raptors debut may come a game earlier than expected. Raptors head coach Jay Triano wasn't confirming anything Friday, but if Evans continues to progress the way he has the past couple of weeks, Triano said it was possible Evans regular-season debut could come Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers, his former club. Triano likes to get his players going against their former teams -- he believes it's an extra motivator -- but the fact that Wednesday's game is against the Sixers is just an added bonus. "He's doing more and more each time out," Triano said. Toronto Sun

J.R. Giddens recovery is ahead of schedule, but he isn’t rushing himself back on the court. Giddens underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus he suffered while assigned to the Maine Red Claws. Even though he predicts he could return earlier if needed, he is planning on taking the full six weeks before he is cleared to play. “I’m actually having a speedy recovery,” he said before the Celtics-Magic game. “I think if I was one of the major players on the roster, I could probably be back playing within a week-and-a-half. But I’m probably just going to take six weeks off, so probably another five weeks [from now]. I’ll start weight training next week, but everything’s good. I’ll probably start jogging, shooting free throws now.” WEEI.com

Q: I don't know, it just seems to me that the Heat players are not buying into Spoelstra's rhetoric about defense and "purity." I don't think he has their faith. If he did, there probably wouldn't be this much inconsistency, especially on the defensive end. They haven't bought into it. -- Moshe. Ira Winderman: It would be disingenuous for me to disagree after what was said in the locker room in Chicago, and just the overall lack of enthusiasm. The question is whether the issues merely are an outgrowth of losing, or whether faith in leadership has eroded. It will be very interesting to see how Pat Riley handles this. In many ways, the very things he provides as coach are what this team seemingly is yearning for. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Jeanie Buss: According to Phil Tex Winter said to Lakers B4 game: "There is no substitute for hustle and if you don't hustle there will be a substitute. Twitter.com

In the strongest comments yet by a players' union official since NBA owners made a new collective bargaining proposal, first vice president Adonal Foyle of the Orlando Magic said the offer put forth last week by commissioner David Stern's office was "ludicrous." That was the first word out of Foyle's mouth when he was asked Sunday to characterize the owners' new labor proposal, which was given to the union late last week as the sides took one of the first major steps toward replacing the collective bargaining agreement that expires at the end of the 2010-11 season. ESPN.com

"I think it's a proposal that's far-reaching," said Foyle, the union's second-in-command behind president Derek Fisher. "This [new proposal] has gone too far. It wants a hard cap, it basically will create no middle class, and which, in effect, means none of the Bird rules would apply," Foyle said, referencing the so-called Larry Bird exception that allows teams to exceed the salary cap to retain their own free agents. Foyle, who was a member of the union's negotiating committee during 2005 collective bargaining talks and was a player rep for the Golden State Warriors during the 1998-99 lockout, went on to call the owners' proposal "rash" and "unfair." ESPN.com

"I think when you look at the current CBA as it stands, it benefits both the players and owners. This is an agreement where we can quabble with different things within it, but it's an agreement that gives some things to both parties involved," Foyle told ESPN.com. "A system like that would be too restrictive, and it doesn't jibe with what we think the league is. We have been willing to negotiate a guarantee that we don't get over a certain threshold, and no other businesses do that. We hold back 9 percent of our income so that the owners can make sure they are covered on the back end. We have given up a lot of stuff, and they have given up a lot of stuff, so I think to start off a negotiation in this rash a term, I think it's unfair," Foyle said. ESPN.com

The league hasn’t yet said when the postponed game will be rescheduled. But looking at the teams’ schedules, and taking into account the Wizards share the Verizon Center with the NHL’s Capitals and Georgetown University, it’s hard to see how the Hawks can make up the game without playing on three consecutive nights. That’s what happened in 1996, when a rescheduled game due to postponement forced the Hawks to play on April 4, April 5 and April 6. Either way, Woody said the league made the right choice to postpone Saturday’s game. “It’s a mess,” he said. “Trying to travel and play under those conditions would have been tough.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Jamison caught a short flight to Miami after Sunday's practice in Orlando. He'll join the team on Monday. This will be the first Super Bowl that Jamison has ever attended, but the Louisiana native said it has nothing to do with the Saints participating. He's not even a Saints fan. He said he's a fan of individual players and thinks Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in the game. Jamison has no rooting interest in the game, but he purchased a suite at Sun Life Stadium so that he could have a good time with several of his friends. He said his wife, Ione, granted him some time with his boys to help get away; with this difficult season with the Wizards providing few opportunities for fun. Jamison made a similar trip to watch North Carolina win the national championship in Detroit last season. Washington Post

The team presented Nash a birthday cake (hazelnut from Tammie Coe - who I can personally recommend quite highly). Nash of course, was having no cake but said that plenty of his teammates would be willing to break their diets to help out. His twin girls were are practice as well and Steve said he would in fact be a hypocrite and let his kids eat cake. The entire team sang happy birthday to him with no dog pile followed by wrapping the birthday boy in tape as happened to Antoine Wright recently in Toronto. Somehow, I just can't imagine the Suns tackling Steve Nash and binding his arms and legs in tape. Bright Side of the Sun

Chris Douglas-Roberts: CD-R WON'T be Twitter active anymore. From here on out, all simple tweets. I'm really OFF Twitter. It's not that important. Twitter.com

Eric Smith: Hedo confirms on our post-game show that he's cool with "The Phantom". The Raptors win 115-104 to improve to 28-23 overall. Twitter.com

Yao Ming: I'm packing today. Flying to China early Monday for Chinese New Year, my first time back for it since signing w/Rockets. I'm back late Feb. Twitter.com

Pete Pranica: twitpic.com/11wxg0 - My sister knit Marc Gasol this lovely scarf and was able to hand-deliver it last night in Minnesota. You rock sis! Twitter.com

Kenny "The Jet" Smith, two-time NBA Champion and analyst for TNT's Emmy Award winning "Inside the NBA", along with PARISH-NATION, CÎROC VODKA and NUVO will celebrate the biggest weekend in professional basketball with The 8th Annual Kenny Smith All-Star Bash at the luxurious Deux Lounge at Mockingbird Station (www.deuxlounge.com) in Dallas, Texas on Friday, February 12, 2010 from 9:00pm – 2:00am. hiphoppress.com

The FBI investigated a series of threatening letters sent to Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly at the height of his team's success during the 1989-90 "Bad Boys" championship era, newly released government records show. The 67 pages, obtained by The Associated Press as part of a Freedom of Information Act request, detail how federal agents in Detroit ordered fingerprint, handwriting and even psycholinguistic analyses as part of an effort to determine who sent the correspondences. Daly's teams played a punishing, in-your-face brand of defense that angered opposing players and coaches, and -- based on the content of the letters examined by the FBI -- fans, too. One letter, mailed from Cleveland and postmarked April 24, 1989, arrived about two months after Cavaliers guard Mark Price suffered a concussion following a Rick Mahorn elbow and three months after Cleveland's Brad Daugherty and Detroit's Bill Laimbeer had an on-court fistfight. "God made me realize that YOU, not Laimbeer, Mahorn or any of the others are the one possessed by [Satan]," the author wrote in the one-page handwritten letter addressed to "Mr. Chuck Daly." AP

If his Lakers teams are ever awesome, it's in the playoffs when it counts . . . in theory. Every now and then, one kicks back too long, like last spring's champions who didn't zero in until Game 7 of the second-round Houston series. It turned out so well, owner Jerry Buss is wondering whether he can do it without paying Phil $12 million. Lakers sources agree on one thing: Jackson will be asked to take a pay cut. Coming off a title after banking more than $40 million in profit last season, Buss is on an austerity kick. Los Angeles Times

Amazing as it may be, Jackson, winner of a record 10 titles, may have to get No. 11 to come back. Jackson hinted as much with a recent comment about the likelihood that the Lakers would offer a new contract that seemed perplexing at the time. "People are cutting costs all around the league and coaches are obviously going to take a cut too so they may not even want to hire me," Jackson said. "They may want to save some money." Asked if he would take a pay cut, Jackson said, "Would you?" Los Angeles Times

Several league insiders said Saturday that the Mavericks are heavily involved in talks with numerous teams. As one source termed it, there are lots of flirtations but no marriage vows in sight. Still, almost everybody connected with the league expects the Mavericks to make a deal before the deadline. Most of the chatter centers on the Washington Wizards, who appear ready to clean house in the wake of the suspension of Gilbert Arenas. Caron Butler, earning $9.8 million this season and under contract for one more year, is the primary name bandied about. The obvious fit, in terms of salary, would be to ship Josh Howard and his expiring contract, since it has a team option for next season. The Wizards, Philadelphia, New Jersey and a few other teams are expected to try to cut payroll before the trade deadline. That could provide a fire sale for somebody who is lucky and savvy enough to be in the right place at the right time with the right assets to entice trade partners. Dallas Morning News

League sources say Dallas remains among the teams hoping the Kings change their stance regarding trading shooting guard Kevin Martin, and the slim chances at a deal can only be aided by each team's recent play. The Mavericks have lost four of their past five games, including Friday's loss to lowly Minnesota. The Kings have lost 19 of 22 with Martin continuing to struggle and chemistry with his teammates clearly an issue. Any deal sending Martin to the Mavericks would likely have to involve a third team. Additionally, sources say Minnesota has considered adding Martin to its backcourt. It's not known, however, whether Timberwolves general manager David Kahn would trade either member of his formidable frontcourt – Al Jefferson or Kevin Love. Sacramento Bee

Ask the players if they think they have what is needed in the locker room for success this season, and silence is the usual response. Or worse. "I'm not looking for any help anywhere else but in this locker room," Dirk Nowitzki said after the most recent collapse, a 117-108 drop-kicking by Minnesota on Friday. That was in response to a question about whether the Mavericks are good enough, as constituted, to get where they want to go this season – that is, positioned to challenge the Lakers. That seems laughable right now. "That's not for me to decide," Nowitzki said. "I play hard every night. I just work here. But we showed it earlier in the season that we got what it takes. It's just that right now we're in a little funk, a little hole." Dallas Morning News

Thomas had a couple of nice games when he first returned from a broken left arm on Dec. 26, but since then his playing time and his contributions have been sporadic. Team insiders have said coach Vinny Del Negro has made it a policy to hold players accountable, but how exactly that relates to Thomas isn't clear. As every Bulls fan knows, the fourth-year forward can make some poor decisions on the floor and he can dominate games with his defense and athleticism when plays well. I'm hearing there isn't much trade interest in Thomas right now, so the Bulls may end up just renouncing his rights this summer when he becomes a restricted free agent. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

In fact, one head coach recently suggested Stoudemire, among others, would have to take leave of his senses to opt out of such a lucrative deal to take his chances testing the free-agent market. This longtime coach's opinion: There won't be many big-money, long-term deals reached this summer because the entire salary structure is in for a sea change. He doesn't think Stoudemire will get one of them. “Stoudemire's going to opt in,” the head coach said. “Knowing what's going to come, there might be three or four (long-term deals this summer), but there's not going to be 10. It's not going to happen. “(The owners) are waiting for this redefinition of sport. I think it's interesting that it's baseball, football, everybody thinking about this now. The NHL can lock out, too, so you may have all four sports in renegotiation of how we're going to pay these guys.” San Antonio Express-News

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and, probably, Chris Bosh will get max deals in July. Players such as Joe Johnson and Rudy Gay, maybe not. Stoudemire, with a history of injury, probably will not. I've spoken to other NBA executives who disagree. Their logic is a corollary to the H.L. Mencken aphorism about nobody ever going broke by underestimating the intelligence of the American populace. In other words, there's a sucker NBA owner born every minute. San Antonio Express-News

The Nets want to see if they can move Simmons — who’s on an expiring contract that pays him $11.2 million this season — before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. If they can’t, Simmons could be released at some point after that so he can join another team. "[Nets president] Rod [Thorn] is compassionate to Bobby’s situation," Simmons’ agent Mark Bartelstein said. "He feels bad. He feels very strongly that he can help a lot of teams and we’re trying to work together to get something done." Bergen Record

Tony Battie is another prime candidate to be waived if not traded by the 18th. Bergen Record

The Nets continue to have discussions about the talented swingman, whose frustration with losing often is mistaken for discontent with his personal situation. Memphis, where Douglas-Roberts played collegiately, is one of the teams that inquired about him. Bergen Record

It is very unlikely the Nets will be able to trade Chris Douglas-Roberts, even if some believe it’s the best thing for both player and team. He is a minimum-wage player ($736,000), and you’re not likely to get any player of any ability in exchange unless it’s part of a bigger deal – and the Nets cannot make a bigger deal without obliterating their sacred cap space. So he’s trying to keep a positive outlook in this most negative of seasons. He’s just doing a good job of hiding it. “I don’t know about that,” he replied, when asked what he wants from the rest of this season. “All you can do is continue to get better as a player and help your team out the best way you can. I want to win, though. I do want to win, however that may come.” Newark Star-Ledger

Will you have to trade one of your four highest-paid players? Warriors GM Larry Riley: We’re not trading Monta Ellis, and we’re not trading Stephen Curry. And if we have to trade some of the other players, we’re going to look at it. It’s very difficult to take what we have and trade for a star. So we have to trade for a good player and get some help for our team. There will be somebody who will probably trade that the fan base won’t necessarily like. … We do have to move a guy. We do have to move a guy to get where we want to go. Contra Costa Times

Larry Riley: We’re not a winning tradition team right now and we’re not a major media market, although we’re a good media market. We’re in a situation where we’re just not going to get those guys. So our range is in that range that’s below that and we have enough players where if we find a guy that is making $12 million, for example, who is a good player that we want to acquire, we can still make a trade for that guy. If this money had taken us out of that, we would have never gone in that direction. Plus, you’re also looking down the road at managing your cap. We don’t want to give anybody away. What we’re looking at is being able to have some money this year to re-sign some of our existing players, which Morrow fits in that category, with the possibility of Raja Bell and maybe another free agent. So that’s the direction that we’re taking on that. Contra Costa Times

So you believe it was not possible to get a player in the range of $9-$12 million by using just the expiring contracts you had? Riley: It was not. In all of our discussions with the other teams, I didn’t find anyone who was willing to have a serious conversations about taking those expiring contracts and giving up a player of significance. Now there would be no point in giving up three expiring contracts, or two, for a player who is overvalued or who doesn’t add anything for our team. Contra Costa Times

Ultimately, that question is really about Ray Allen. At 34, he is the oldest of the group. And since he has a huge expiring contract, Allen is the Celtics' most likely trading chip for a major move. Simply put, if the Celtics decide that this group can't win, Allen could be shown the door. If Allen sticks around, the Celtics are not only relying on him for this season, but they may be tacitly committing to him for the future despite his impending free-agent status. So what does Ray Allen have left in the tank? In football, running backs notoriously suffer a steep drop around age 32 as the carries begin to take a toll. History tells us that shooting guards fall prey to a similar decline right around age 35. Allen will turn 35 in July. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the oldest starting shooting guard on an NBA champion was Michael Jordan in 1998, who was just 43 days past his 35th birthday. ESPN.com

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Dwyane Wade is in an interesting position in Miami. He can stay with the Heat for the long term and hope they attract a premium free agent (they are $35 million under the cap this summer). Or he could bolt for Chicago, New York, or the Clippers. It all depends on whether the Heat can return to championship form. They are below .500 and haven’t been past the first round of the playoffs since their 2006 title. “We just have to continue to grow,’’ said Wade. “Right now, we have a fairly young team. The core of our team is young, and we have to continue to keep building. It doesn’t happen overnight. “You look at Boston and say it happened overnight with them in getting players with trades. It really didn’t. It took years for them to get back to their winning ways.’’ When asked if he had that kind of patience, Wade said, “We’ll see.’’ Boston Globe

"I've said at the beginning of the summer to me it's all about winning,'' Wade said. "So I can't go off what our record is at the end of the season is all about. What direction we're going in more so than anything. So when that time comes, you know, I'll look at it.'' Wade was asked if the Heat needs to play a more up-tempo style for Wade to avoid double teams in the halfcourt game. His answer was not exactly a ringing endorsement of Spoelstra's offense. "It can be,'' said Wade, who said the Heat is "having too many lulls'' to win on the road. "But you got to have the personnel and be willing to do it. I don't know if coach wants us to do that. You got to have the confidence that guys are going to able to make the change on the go... We got to find a way also to mix it up too and stop being so, being the team that everybody knows exactly what we're going to do, and they just play us the same way.'' FanHouse

"It's ridiculous,'' said Hunter, the Chicago Bulls guard who is the NBA's oldest player at 39. "When I got up and started walking around, my ankles click when I walk. My wife asked, 'What is that.' I said, 'It's my ankles.' Seriously, my ankles click when I walk. You can't recover (at his age) the way you used to.'' That's one reason Hunter said in an interview with FanHouse he expects to retire after this season. Hunter, who was brought back for a final year primarily to serve as a mentor for Chicago's young players, realizes the NBA is no place for 40-year old guards. "It is unless something drastically changes,'' Hunter, a 17-year veteran, said of this being his final NBA season. Later, after Hunter was asked if he was pretty sure this is indeed his final season, he said, "Yeah.'' FanHouse

Soon, though, his NBA days will come to an end. "Coming into the league, I didn't plan on (playing so long),'' Hunter said. "It just kind of happened. I'm really grateful ... It's been a great ride for me. I've come full circle. I've been a major part of teams. I've been a good role player on great teams.'' When he plays his last game, Hunter said it "will be pretty sentimental for me.'' But Hunter doesn't want to go out with any fanfare. "I don't want a press conference,'' Hunter said. "I'm out of there. I'll go have dinner with my family.'' FanHouse

The Raptors' emergence in the Eastern Conference (20-10 since a 7-13 start) and recent five-game win streak has eased the pressure on the laid-back Turkoglu, who has heard boos and, coupled with his improved conditioning and performance, is starting to justify Colangelo's five-year, $50 million offseason investment. "I am handling the ball more and making plays," said Turkoglu, "mostly in the fourth quarter, like I did in Orlando. With Chris (Bosh), we pick-and-roll, and he can pop out and hit the jumper. "People were saying that my wife (Banu) didn't want to live in Portland, but it was about basketball. I thought I would fit better with this roster. We would have stayed in Orlando, but they didn't guarantee a fifth year, and Portland and Toronto did. That was a big (factor), too." Sacramento Bee

On Saturday, the Bulls suspended Tyrus Thomas for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. Thomas will serve his one-game suspension when the Bulls host the Miami Heat on Saturday. Del Negro did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding suspension, but called the situation “unfortunate” and added, “It’s an internal matter and Gar [Forman] and myself will handle it.” NBA.com

Here's what coach Vinny Del Negro said about the suspension before Saturday's game: “It’s disappointing, but I feel it’s the right thing to do. In the short run, there’s a responsibility. No one player is bigger than the team. There’s a responsibility to do things right. "I think by handling the situation the right way, which I think we are –- I know we are -- it’s not one person it’s a group. You have to be committed to what your role is on the team. You have to be committed to your teammates, your coaches, your organization. That goes for everybody. Guys know how things run around here and that’s how it’s going to be." Arlington Heights Daily Herald

On the year, the Thomas has appeared in 25 games, starting three times, and averaged 8.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.68 bpg, 1.28 spg and 1.0 apg in 22.5 mpg. “It’s a one-game suspension,” said Del Negro. “We’ll move forward and get Tyrus back here to practice with us on Monday and get ready for Indiana on Tuesday. It’s unfortunate timing in the short run, but no one player is bigger than the team and there is a responsibility to do things right.” NBA.com

Upon Thomas’ return from injury on Dec. 26, it appeared as if the fourth-year forward would receive regular minutes and be an important key to the Bulls’ success. At times, he was, but as of late, his playing time had decreased and Friday’s loss in Atlanta marked the fifth consecutive game in which Thomas played 20 minutes or less. “Minutes are up to players,” said Del Negro. “I’m going to play the guys that give us the best chance to win, that execute the game plan and play hard all the time, that get after it defensively and rebound. There is accountability in things and that doesn’t just go for Tyrus, it goes for all the players. Whatever players are going to give us an opportunity to be successful and play the right way are going to be out there the majority of the time. That’s just the way it is.” NBA.com

When asked about his most recent individual conversations with Thomas, Del Negro characterized them as “fine.” “I have an open door policy,” added Del Negro. “I’m available 24/7 for my players and that’s how I deal with it. If there are any issues, whether it is basketball or anything else, I’m there for the players, as is the organization. That’s the way we do business and that’s the way it works.” NBA.com

Monta Ellis' All-Star hopes were resurrected Saturday with the news that Portland guard Brandon Roy will skip the All-Star game. But after scoring a career-high 46 at Dallas, sending a message to commissioner David Stern (who selects the alternates), Ellis managed 15 points on 6-for-22 shooting with six assists and seven turnovers. "That was probably the worst game we've played this season," Ellis said. "We turned the ball over. Couldn't make any shots. Didn't guard on the other end. They got whatever they wanted. ... "It's been tough for us the last few games. I think tonight, we really got away from our character. We didn't take care of the ball very well. That really starts with me. I take full blame ... . I've got to find a way to get us going at a time like that. I didn't do it." Contra Costa Times

Ellis also leads the NBA in turnovers with four per game and leads the league's third-worst team record-wise. Ellis, however, joked that he might have passed up an invitation for a planned fishing trip to attend, anyway. "I'd think about it," Ellis said. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Portland announced that injured Brandon Roy will miss the All-Star Game, so commissioner David Stern will add a new player to Karl's Western Conference squad. Golden State's Monta Ellis is arguably the front-runner, but Houston's Aaron Brooks shines on a winning team. "I would say that's probably the way I would do it," Karl said of adding Brooks or a player on a winning team, "but I'm sure the coaches' vote (for reserves) will be taken into consideration, and Monta is playing great basketball." Karl said he wants the NBA to expand the all-star rosters to 15 players from 12 so "it would be fair for guys who truly have all-star years." Denver Post

He had 14 points on 50 percent shooting, six assists, two steals and one turnover Saturday night, when the Lakers won in Portland without sore-ankled Kobe Bryant. Beyond the numbers, Fisher was the undeniable leader on the court all night long – Pau Gasol might be the second All-Star, but he was the one needing counsel from Fisher during second-half warmups – with words that alternately educated and encouraged so many teammates. It was no coincidence that Fisher was more assertive in Bryant’s absence. “He and I are co-captains, and we work together to manage this team,” Fisher said. “So when he’s out, I know guys are going to look to me more than usual, so I just try to be even more vocal, more aggressive, stronger out there on the floor. They need to see me not worried about the fact that Kobe’s not playing – and I don’t think they’ll worry much about it either.” Orange County Register

The Lakers said that Bryant will be evaluated Sunday to determine if he can play Monday night against San Antonio at Staples Center and that his status is listed as day to day. Bryant is scheduled to play in the All-Star game as a starting guard for the Western Conference Feb. 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but that remains uncertain. Los Angeles Times

Bryant has taken pride in playing through his injuries, last missing a game because of one Dec. 8, 2006, against the Atlanta Hawks (sprained right ankle). He played all 82 regular-season games the last two seasons. The last time he missed a game was March 7, 2007, but that was because of a suspension imposed by the NBA. Bryant didn't speak to reporters after the game, but Lakers Coach Phil Jackson gave an account of how the decision was made. Jackson said Bryant followed him into the coaches' office before the game and said, "I'm thinking about not playing tonight." "And I said, 'It's OK if you don't,' " Jackson said. Los Angeles Times

If Bryant did skip Monday night vs. San Antonio and Wednesday night in Utah — and then the All-Star Game on Feb. 14 — he would get 10 full days without playing a game. The Lakers’ first game after the break is Feb. 16 vs. Golden State. Given Bryant’s zeal in playing every possible game the past three years, it seems unlikely he would choose to miss more games. (Bryant’s streak of playing 235 consecutive games was the NBA’s fifth-longest run; Andre Miller’s 583 is tops.) Longtime teammate Derek Fisher spoke to that in noting how much better Bryant might feel after just 48 hours of rest before the Lakers play the Spurs. “In sports, you can feel like night and day in 48 hours,” Fisher said. “But then to turn around and travel to Utah Tuesday and play Wednesday, you’re right back at it. So he may decide just to push it to the break and really get himself back to where after the All-Star break, he can be the player we need him to be and he wants to be.” Orange County Register

The Lakers play again Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center and at Utah on Wednesday night before they get five days off for the All-Star break. Bynum also is wearing a brace on the right knee after he suffered a torn medial collateral ligament last season. The previous season he suffered a partial dislocation of his left knee that forced him to miss the 2008 NBA Finals. That it's the same knee that he had surgery on didn't leave Bynum nervous. "I knew it was swollen up," he said. "But it's not anything that's going to be too bad. "It's like a pain thing [and] range of motion. I've just got to get the swelling out and get back up. I'll be getting treatment and just chillin'." Los Angeles Times

The Trail Blazers announced that All-Star Brandon Roy would miss the next three games and next weekend's All-Star game because of his strained right hamstring. Roy spoke with reporters before Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers and here's what he had to say: How did this decision come about? Brandon Roy: “This decision came with practicing yesterday and how I felt this morning when I woke up. And I just still felt a lot of soreness. I sat down with our trainer and we called the team doctor and we just felt like it was the best decision to push it back until after the All-Star break. And they said even then we don’t want to put a day on the game (I return) because this thing is taking a lot longer than I thought. But it is something that is continuing to bother me so they just want to be, not really patient, but we’re just doing what we have to do because it is taking some time to heal.” Oregonian

Has it sunk in that you’re going to miss the All-Star game? Brandon Roy: “Honestly, for me it’s been so much about this team I haven’t even thought about that. I’m sure when it comes Sunday and I’m sitting at home watching it, yeah. But I’ve been so day-to-day and game-to-game trying to play for this team that, no, it hasn’t sunk it yet. I told my parents that I wasn’t going to be playing after the All-Star break and they asked if I was down about not playing in the game and I was like, ‘Nah, I’m down about not playing tonight (versus the Lakers).’ So, yeah, this is going to be a big weekend, the All-Star game was going to be great. But it’s about this team and this is a decision I had to make to help this team in the future. And sitting out of the All-Star game is necessary right now.” So will you not travel to Dallas at all? Roy: “No, I won’t be traveling. It’s strictly rest and trying to get this hamstring right. If I was to go down there I would still be doing a lot of different things so I’m just going to try to stay off of it and get through the weekend and hopefully get back to doing something after the All-Star break.” Oregonian

Roy will also receive his second injection of Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) on Monday in Seattle. The injection is supposed to stop bleeding in the injured area and promote healing and growth in the muscle tissue. His first injection was on Jan, 22, two days after he aggravated his hamstring in a game against Philadelphia. Oregonian

Paul Pierce (left foot sprain) practiced on Saturday and expects to play on Sunday against the Magic. Doc Rivers said it will be a game day decision based on the fact that Pierce looked hesitant on live plays, but Pierce says he is ready to go. He categorized his recovery as “not quite one-hundred percent but it’s good enough for me to play.” “I think it’s my decision,” he said. “[Doc] asked me if I could play tomorrow and I told him yeah. I got out there and did some of the drills we had going on today.” WEEI.com

Not only did the Nets actually have a lead in the last seven minutes of the game – don’t get silly, they didn’t hold it – they finished the game with two guys being helped off after a demolition derby encounter at midcourt with the game still up for grabs. Call it the most poignant image of a self-destructive season: The Nets finished the game in a 2-for-11, two turnover meltdown before dropping a 99-92 decision to the Pistons at the Palace, where Devin Harris and Jarvis Hayes smashed into each other in a valiant bid to keep their slim hopes of a rare victory alive. “It’s been that kind of season,” Harris said. All X-rays were negative, and the official toll was a sprained left shoulder for Harris and a bruised left shin for Hayes. The condition of their egos after their sixth straight close loss was still undetermined, but everything is in play when you’re 4-46. “This was one we felt like we could have had,” Hayes said. “We couldn’t put it away.” Newark Star-Ledger

It’s the same shoulder Harris injured last year against the Clippers when Marcus Camby fouled the Nets’ guard. Harris missed seven games, but that was a Grade III sprain and this a Grade I. “It’s not as bad as the one I had last year and I don’t expect to be out as long as I was last year,” Harris said. “We’ll see how it feels and we’ll re-evaluate.” “It feels bad,” Hayes said. “It feels bad now.” Bergen Record

Injured Knicks center Eddy Curry, attending his first game since January arthroscopic left knee surgery, admitted to The Post he could have delayed the procedure until after the season. Curry apparently decided to go ahead with surgery because he wasn't playing. The Curry sighting at Quicken Loans Arena before the Knicks' 113-106 loss to the Cavaliers last night was a surprise, because he had not attended a game since undergoing surgery on Jan. 17. Curry, in his first remarks since the surgery, told The Post that he will know if he will be back this season after the All-Star break next weekend. The center said he feels he will be ready sometime in early-to-mid March, and he wants to play. New York Post

Eddy Curry still is about three weeks away from being ready to return to action after having knee surgery Jan. 18. But even after he is cleared, he doesn't expect to get into a game this season. "The odds are I'm not going to play," he said. "But for my own sanity, I would like to come back." Newsday

Bogut said he feels numb on the left side of his body when the migraine strikes. He said he took a shot when he went to the locker room after leaving the court at Madison Square Garden. "Sometimes it lasts for 10 hours; sometimes it lasts for 5 hours," Bogut said. "I've just got to go to a dark, quiet place and rest it out and hopefully it will be all right. "If you don't know what it is it's pretty scary, but I know what it is. I rarely ever get them during games. I've only had two in my career during games - this one and Chicago once." Bogut said the last time he suffered a migraine was about 5 months ago. He said he could have two in a week or two in a year. "I was in a good rhythm and felt I was going to have a career night," said Bogut, who had six points in 5 minutes before leaving the game. "I didn't want to come out of the game but I had no choice. "I found out we were down at halftime and I was just praying that we would win, because it was a big game for us. The boys did a great job in the second half and got a win." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

The Raptors swingman will wear a mask to protect a fractured orbital bone under his right eye and what transpires when he takes to the court Sunday afternoon is a mystery to all. Especially to him. "It's going to be fun," Turkoglu said after he practised wearing the two-strap contraption Saturday afternoon. "I'm excited about it, too. I can't wait to see and I'm going to watch the film after to see how I looked." Turkoglu was at first reluctant to wear the mask to protect an injury he suffered a week ago after running into the elbow of Indiana Pacers forward Mike Dunleavy. Team officials were equally adamant that he wear one – doctors might not have cleared him to play without it – and it looked like confrontation was on the horizon. But after discussion with his friends and family, Turkoglu relented. Toronto Star

So Hedo as Zorro it is, at least for the next several weeks. "I expected the support, but I have to be smarter, too, think about the long term," the veteran small forward said Saturday after practice, still sounding skeptical. "If I get hit again without the mask, it will take me a long time to heal, and I really don't want that. We'll see. It's going to be fun (today vs. the Kings). The pressure (of the mask). You have to keep it tight. The sweating. It moves. It slips. You have to keep fixing it all the time." Then he laughed. "I'm excited about it, too. I'm going to watch the film (afterward). How do I look?" Sacramento Bee

It was something agent Aaron Goodwin could see coming. “Early on there were indications the Celtics weren’t moving to keep him, so we got together and talked about how it was just business,” Goodwin said. “As much as he was hurt by it and some of the other players were hurt by it, it turned into motivation for him to get back. I’ve know Leon since he was in the eighth grade in Oakland, and I know he’d love to play against the Celtics in the playoffs, but it’s not personal.” Especially not in light of Powe’s most recent comeback. “I’m being told he’s much stronger than he was a year ago,” Goodwin said. Powe estimated his current state of health at 85 to 90 percent. “I’m working on my explosiveness,” he said. “Then I’ll be on my way back.” Boston Herald

A report that Bosh had committed to play for the United States in Turkey in August was premature. "I don't know where that came from, really," Bosh said Saturday. "I have not fully committed. I know there's a whole bunch of stuff going on this summer, I just want to attack that first." Toronto Star

"It depends on how fast it is," he said. "That's a quick turnaround. (NBA) negotiations start July 1, there's a (USA Basketball) mini-camp mid-July and then a month later (the worlds). "I just want to take care of my business matters first and there's no telling how long that'll take." Toronto Star

In the same story, Colangelo comes across confident that LeBron James also will eventually come on board. As for Dwyane Wade, the third member of that class of 2003 that can opt out of their contracts this summer along with James and Bosh, his position is much the same as how Bosh painted his Saturday morning: He's on the fence. "It's not smart to play and risk injury (in those circumstances)," Bosh said. "Not smart at all." Toronto Sun

The departure of Del Harris Tuesday night came only two days after his agent, Warren LeGarie, approached Nets president Rod Thorn about the possibility that his client become the team’s head coach. This exchange, according to two NBA officials privy to the conversation who requested anonymity because they are friendly with both sides, took place at Izod Center. Newark Star-Ledger

LeGarie, one of the game’s heaviest hitters, told Thorn the Nets would be better off letting Harris take over and moving Kiki Vandeweghe back to the front office, if only to begin preparation for 2010-11. According to one of the officials, Thorn interrupted LeGarie with this door-slam: “Hold it right there,” he said. “All due respect, he will not be the next head coach here. So if he has any delusions about that, you should let him know it’s not going to happen.” LeGarie relayed the conversation to Harris, who immediately decided to leave New Jersey, a decision that was reported during Tuesday night’s game. Newark Star-Ledger

There’s an old theory that says general managers should be coaches – just for a while – because it could actually help you become a better GM. Vandeweghe, who was coaching his 32nd game Saturday night against Detroit, gives it credence. “No question about it,” Vandeweghe said. “I was on the bench 10 years ago (in Dallas), and the game is very different – game preparation is very different. You see exactly what a coach has to do, you can understand how to help him better. “You see it all from a different perspective, which really helps. You also see your players and other players from a different perspective. It’s extremely valuable for any GM to do something like this.” Newark Star-Ledger

Whoever "reached out" to Isiah Thomas about taking over the Clippers, as Fox Sports reported, wasn't a Clipper, the Clippers said. Said a team official: "The Isaiah Thomas who plays for the University of Washington has a better chance of being with us than the other one." Los Angeles Times

The theory of the shootaround was to get players out of bed and prepared for the game with a light workout, but coaches are starting to question that, especially coaches with veteran players, like Boston's Doc Rivers. But some coaches, like Miami's Eric Spoelstra and Cleveland's Mike Brown, can't imagine giving up the practice. "We try to accomplish quite a bit -- to prepare, to work, to get our mindset right," Spoelstra said earlier this week. "I'm new school but [with an] old school mentality. I believe in them. I think it really helps. In the games we've had shootarounds, there's an overwhelming trend to our success. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Brown feels the same way. "We feel like we do get a lot of teaching done, even if it is without contact," he said. "We teach offensive things, we teach defensive assignments. We get some shots up. I like it from that standpoint. I think we still get a lot out of it. Maybe one day we may think otherwise, but right now I think it's good for our team, especially for the amount of practices we're having without contact. "I think this has to be the easiest year our guys have had when it comes to playing the game of basketball with contact on the floor on non-game days. "'I can't believe sometimes that I'm doing this." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Longtime Lakers assistant coach Tex Winter joined the Lakers for Saturday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. Winter, who lives in Oregon, had been recovering from a stroke he suffered last April. Los Angeles Times

The NBA will put its marquee players on display in next weekend's All-Star Game in Dallas, but the party-like atmosphere is sure to be chilled when the stars learn the details of the collective bargaining agreement offer presented at the end of January by commissioner David Stern to players' union director Billy Hunter. The proposal, a source familiar with talks said, includes rollbacks that could reduce maximum guaranteed salaries, both for veterans such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, as well as up-and-comers like Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose, to almost a third of what they would have been eligible for under the current agreement. ESPN.com

Perhaps the biggest shocker: The owners' proposal includes a provision that would require any preexisting deals to be revised to conform to the new deal's limits. The current deal is set to expire as of July 1, 2011. The league's owners have the option to extend it one more year, but they've already made it clear they don't intend to. ESPN.com

"The league has to be careful," said one agent who requested anonymity. "If the top players are united against David, that's going to make for a tough fight. It could get very ugly." ESPN.com

The total value for a veteran maximum deal would be well under $60 million and for players currently on rookie salary-scale deals well under $50 million, the source familiar with the proposal said. Fully guaranteed maximum deals also could be a thing of the past, with the proposal allowing for less than half of any contract to be guaranteed. The mid-level exception and other devices that allow teams over the salary cap to sign free agents also would be abolished, several sources said, effectively creating a hard cap. Both the league and players association declined to comment on the source's details of the proposal, as did union president Derek Fisher. "David and Billy have decided not to comment until we get to All-Star weekend and I'll fall in line with those two gentlemen," Fisher said Friday night. Both Stern and Hunter are expected to address where negotiations stand on a new labor agreement sometime during the weekend. ESPN.com

Warriors center Ronny Turiaf spent some time with the El Cerrito High School boys basketball team before Saturday's game and said he would purchase defibrillators for local high schools. Turiaf, who had heart surgery during his rookie season, also vowed to visit Gauchos sophomore David Gurganious, 15, who collapsed during a game Tuesday from an apparent heart condition. Gurganious, who remains hospitalized, is the younger brother of Larry Gurganious, who played at Gonzaga shortly after Turiaf left the Zags for the NBA. Contra Costa Times

Hey, Brian: LeBron James made another huge marketing move this week by signing with McDonald's. While I applaud the man for being able to put his name on just about everything, I can't help but wonder what it would have been like had he signed with Burger King. Imagine all the slogans. Not to mention the commercials that could have aired: King James vs. The Burger King. I must say, this is the first move LeBron has made that I am disappointed with. Please explain to me why King James and Burger King failed to realize what kind of partnership they could have had. -- Steve Zamborsky, Broadview Heights. Hey, Steve: Easy, LeBron doesn't like Whoppers. Seriously, while that seems like it would make for great commercials, it take two to tango. James and his representatives worked on and off for seven years to get the McDonald's deal put together. As it is, according to sources, it isn't one of his more lucrative deals and is for much shorter term than even the contracts he's had with companies like Coca-Cola and Upper Deck. Cleveland Plain Dealer

For us non-basketball fans, there are finally two celebs coming in for the NBA All-Star Game worth talking about. Can you say Carmen Electra and Holly Madison? Hi-yo! The two famous man-eaters are co-hosting the Playmate Playground NBA All-Star party next Saturday night at AMPM Restaurant and Lounge. For those without basic cable, Holly is the former No. 1 girlfriend of Hugh Hefner and star of the show The Girls Next Door. The 83-year-old Hef managed to gallantly dodge Holly's many marital hints, and she packed her things and left the mansion. (In December, E! showed a preview episode of the latest Girls Next Door spinoff, Holly's World.) Dallas Morning News

Holly and Carmen's party will be the crescendo of several celeb get-togethers at AMPM. Thursday night, R&B singer Monica and rapper Busta Rhymes will also host an AMPM party. And on Friday, LeBron James and actor and rapper Drake will be in the house at AMPM for a party featuring a surprise big-name performer. Dallas Morning News

Michael McGuire said as much following Friday night's wake for the Knicks fixture -- for all but 11 seasons of the franchise's 64-year NBA existence -- who died Wednesday, nine days after his 84th birthday, from an abdominal aneurysm. Nineteen years ago, the same thing nearly killed Fuzzy Levane, another former Knicks coach/scout, who will be 90 on April 11. "My father never understood the world," remarked the youngest of four children as he sat surrounded by Teri, Richard, Leslie, Scott and numerous other relatives, grandchildren and in-laws. "He didn't want to deal with all the craziness that goes on." Leslie instantly agreed. "He was a very simple man. And the reason he was able to be that way," she said, nudging her mother, "is because she allowed him to be." New York Post

Levane alerted me to Dick's death less than two hours after his stomach burst while brushing his teeth. My first phone call was to Bob Ferry, a scout for his son Danny's Cavaliers. He and Dick had roomed together in 1960 when McGuire coached the Pistons and Ferry had been Detroit's No. 1 draft pick. "Dick needed to room with someone who had a car and I had one," Ferry said. "Sometimes I didn't even have to go to practice. He told me to stay home because he was afraid Walter Dukes would hurt me with his elbow. "Man, oh, man, will I miss Dick. Running into him on the road was one of the best things about being back in the NBA. We'd tell each other the same old stories and couldn't wait to see each other to tell them again." New York Post

It will forever be remembered as the day the University of Oklahoma said its last goodbye to the greatest player in school history. The school honored the late Wayman Tisdale with videos and music, and then watched as the motivated Sooners scored a critical victory over No. 9 Texas. Tears flowed among many of the 11,101 spectators at halftime when country singing superstar Toby Keith and Tisdale's band played the song Keith wrote shortly after his close friend and fellow musician died last May at 44 after a long battle with cancer. Some of Tisdale's former teammates sobbed as highlights of Tisdale's remarkable career played on the video board above center court as Keith sang "Cryin' For Me (Wayman's Song)" which has soared up the charts in recent weeks. And then, displaying a spirt and determination Tisdale would have loved, the Sooners capped the emotional afternoon with an 80-71 win. The fact that the victory came against OU's most-hated rival left thousands of Sooner fans flashing grins almost as big as the mile-wide smile that was Tisdale's trademark. Tulsa World

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