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Monday, February 22

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Allen Iverson will not be with the Philadelphia 76ers on their current West Coast road trip, and there’s a strong movement within the organization to permanently break ties with him, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Yahoo! Sports reported on Tuesday that Sixers coach Eddie Jordan addressed the team on Sunday, telling players that there was a chance Iverson would not return to the team. Another league source familiar with the situation told SI.com that the team was leaning toward cutting ties with Iverson, who is averaging 13.9 points and 4.1 assists in 25 games with the Sixers this season. SI.com

Iverson is with his family to deal with medical issues concerning his daughter, but his constant in-and-out of the lineup this season has led team officials to believe a permanent break is best for the organization. Sources said Iverson went to team officials over the weekend and said he needed to leave the team again. Yahoo! Sports

Sources say Sixers coach Eddie Jordan addressed the players on Sunday, and told them there’s a chance Iverson may not return to the team. However, Sixers ownership, general manager Ed Stefanski and Jordan haven’t sat down and formally come to that decision, but sources with knowledge of the Sixers plans believe the franchise is leaning in that direction. Yahoo! Sports

Ed Stefanski, the Sixers' president/general manager, was not immediately available for comment. A source familiar with the sitautions of Iverson and the Sixers said that, in this case, ''indefinitely,'' could possibly mean the remainder of the season. The source also said, "The team is concerned about the distraction this could bring, but everyone understands it's most important for Allen to take care of his family.'' Philadelphia Daily News

Allen Iverson's second tour with Philadelphia may be nearing an end. According to an NBA source, Iverson has left the 76ers indefinitely to deal with a personal issue related to the health of his young daughter and there is no timetable for his return."At this time, we feel that it is in the best interest of the Sixers, Allen and his family that he be allowed to deal with a very serious issue that is far greater than the game of basketball," said team president and general manager Ed Stefanski. SI.com

Source tells SI that Iverson was not sent home, simply excused for personal reasons. Twitter.com

It's why I believe they aren't going there and why I think the Knicks' plan is to try to retain Lee, sign someone like perhaps Wade or maybe Carlos Boozer or Amar'e Stoudemire or Joe Johnson, and then after getting rid of Curry next season, sign Carmelo Anthony, who has a 2011 opt out about the time Kenyon Martin and Chauncey Billups will be fading. Plus, Anthony supposedly has longed for a return to the East Coast to get the attention he feels he's been denied in Denver. NBA.com

Boozer says he will consider any offer by Utah “heavily.” “It will be a huge priority to see what the Jazz do, see the other options and go from there,” Boozer said. “I’m not going to worry about it right now. “I don’t know what [the Jazz are] going to do. I’m not going to speculate. I’m going to wait to see what’s presented and make a great decision.” Yahoo! Sports

Don’t count on the Mavs being able to sign Drew Gooden. Don’t count on the Mavs being able to sign Zydrunas Ilgauskas. What Dallas hopes it can count on at center? “We told Erick Dampier to go drink from the same fountain of youth as J-Kidd is drinking from,’’ Mavs GM Donnie Nelson jokingly tells DallasBasketball.com. “And we ordered Brendan Haywood to stay out of foul trouble.’’ DallasBasketball.com

On Gooden, who we are certain – after talking to Dallas locker-room pals of his -- was absolutely hoping to make his buyout escape from the Clippers for a return to Dallas: “No, it looks like (the Clippers) are going to ride it out,’’ says Donnie of Gooden, so valuable as a backup here for the first half of this season before being dealt to Washington … and then to LAC. DallasBasketball.com

League source says NBA has had no discussions about blocking Ilgauskas return to Cleveland after buyout. No evidence of prearranged deal. Twitter.com

The Wizards, someone in the know says, are "open" to Ilgauskas' thoughts, but the buyout, the someone says, is not going to be cheap. While sympathetic, the Wiz can now hold out for more savings. NBA.com

The Bobcats have been linked to Mike James, should he be bought out by the Washington Wizards. Another possibility could be Larry Hughes, should he be bought out by the Sacramento Kings. Charlotte Observer

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced that the team has signed Antonio Anderson to a 10-day contract. Anderson, 24, is a free agent call-up from the NBA Development League’s Rio Valley Grande Vipers where he has averaged 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 39.6 minutes in 32 games (32 starts). A 6-6, 215 pound guard who went undrafted out of Memphis in 2009, Anderson went to training camp with the Charlotte Bobcats. He appeared in five games, averaging 3.4 points, 1.8 assists and 1.4 rebounds in 14.2 minutes before being waived on October 22. Daily Thunder

Miami thought the Amare Stoudemire deal would get done, but believes Suns owner Robert Sarver killed it because Stoudemire was playing so well. One four-team scenario involving New York and Memphis was close, but Phoenix objected to restrictions on first-round picks it would get. Miami Herald

The Heat's best offer included a package of multiple players (Udonis Haslem, Quentin Richardson, Dorell Wright, Mario Chalmers, Daequan Cook were floated); and two No. 1 draft picks, at least one from another team. Not only did the Heat never offer Michael Beasley, but Phoenix wasn't high on him anyway, though other teams inquired. Miami Herald

Miami refused Phoenix's plea to take Jason Richardson in the deal. Miami Herald

Before Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood were dealt from Washington to Dallas, Miami had interest in a deal bringing those two and Stoudemire here. But Phoenix said no. Miami Herald

The Heat pursued Utah's Carlos Boozer only to use him to get Stoudemire, not to keep him. Miami Herald

Boozer did get a surprise once the bus arrived at the airport, but it didn’t involve him: teammate Ronnie Brewer was told he had been traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. By the time the Jazz’s charter flight departed, Boozer was fairly confident he hadn’t been traded. Still, it wasn’t until the plane actually landed in California that he knew he’d be staying with the Jazz for the rest of the season. Yahoo! Sports

“It got close,” Boozer said. “That’s all I heard. My homies in Miami were crossing their fingers. My homies in Salt Lake were crossing their fingers. “But it was nothing I was going to worry about. If they were going to make the move, they were going to make the move. If they weren’t, they weren’t. They didn’t. I’m happy to still be here.” Yahoo! Sports

“We are starting all over,” Sloan told Yahoo! Sports in October. “Boozer has one year on his contract; Millsap is probably going to be here [in the future]. We just have to try to make the best decision to give us a chance to win, that’s all. That’s all I’m looking for.” Yahoo! Sports

Howard was scratched from the game -- a 93-92 Wizards loss in which the guy he was traded for (Caron Butler) had his game-winning attempt blocked by Shawn Marion -- with what the team claimed at the time was a "stomach illness." A person who witnessed Howard at Verizon Center before the game told me that Howard was connected to an IV. The same person brought Howard a blanket because he was shivering. Howard told the person that his illness was caused by eating some "bad chicken." Washington Post

Michael Lee: Mark Cuban to Dan Patrick on Josh Howard's partying: "You can’t be out partying the night before a game. Period. End of story." Twitter.com

Michael Lee: Cuban on how often players get hungover be4 games: "It happens, typically, once for a player & he finds himself playing for another team" Twitter.com

Michael Lee: Cuban: "He didn’t look hung over to me. He certainly wasn’t feeling well. I wasn’t mad @ him. Just wish he would’ve taken more precautions" Twitter.com

Howard has said that he won't respond to a lie, but in Toronto, he was asked if he was hurt that a story like this would come out a month later -- and after he was traded elsewhere. "It makes me wonder. It makes me wonder, what was all of the hard work for? But it was for myself at the end of the day," Howard said. "It's kind of sad, hearing all of the lies coming out of there. Especially when I'm gone. Why would you want to talk about a guy who did so much for your organization and he's gone?" Asked if he felt the situation would've been handled differently if he was having a better season in Dallas, Howard said, "They didn't really give me ... I don't want to talk about that. I only said it because they tried to fire off. ... I think that's where the other rumors came from because I basically told the truth." He added, "I loved what I did in Dallas, but it's time to move on." Washington Post

Van Gundy added that he recently heard of a comparison made between Howard and Boston's Kevin Garnett that wasn't kind to Howard. "Kevin Garnett has been in this league forever and he's won six playoff series in his career," Van Gundy said. "Dwight's won four and he's [24] years old. That's a pretty good comparison. Why is Kevin Garnett a great winner and Dwight Howard's not? I don't get it. And if you're just going to go by titles, Kevin Garnett's got one, and Dwight's got as many as LeBron's got. But LeBron's a great winner and Dwight [isn't]? I don't get it." CBSSports.com

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski called it "ridiculous" to speculate yet on whether junior forward Kyle Singler will leave school after this season for the NBA draft. Krzyzewski said Singler needs do finish his junior season and evaluate his options afterward before deciding whether to return as a senior. "I don't expect anything," Krzyzewski said Monday morning during the ACC coaches' teleconference. "We're getting ready for Tulsa [on Thursday]. Every kid after the season is over looks at things and they should do things based on guidance from appropriate people." Raleigh News & Observer

Denver's ownership knew, and that's why the Nuggets and Karl both agreed a one-year extension for next season was in order. Suddenly, it didn't matter much whether he was making $2 million or $10 million; the haggling both sides had done over the past few montns was over. When he finally told the team after practice on Tuesday, "it was very, very quiet in the room," a witness informs. "He was the only one talking," guard Anthony Carter said. "Everybody started putting their heads down. The first thing I did was call my wife and tell her we need to start a prayer chain for him, make sure all the prayers go out to him, and hopefully everything will be all right. The next day she wrote down scriptures and stuff and gave him something from Israel that she had got this past summer, just something to give him hope and keep his hopes up. That's what it's going to take. But he didn't want no sympathy or anything like that." NBA.com

Karl was emotional when he first publicly disclosed his illness, but he's been bolstered in recent days by the fraternity of NBA people that he wants to stay near and close with while he undergoes treatment. It was that extended family that reached out to him when he was first sick, and that comforted him when son Coby was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2006 while in college (it's in remission). "I got a lot of calls from coaches, a lot of calls from ex-players," he said. "The list is long. It's been very good. And the fans have been very good. It's kind of funny; when fans meet you, they kind of never look at your eyes. When fans say things to me now, they kind of look at my eyes ... we (coaches) backstab and cuss each other. But when something serious and real comes up, it's an amazing fratetnity. Not only of coaches. I think the basketball world is pretty unified, and pretty sincerely caring. I know the NBA has the NBA Cares program. They have a power to touch you. And they have touched me. And I do appreciate it." NBA.com

Donnie Walsh on the possibility of waiting until 2011 if he can’t get two max contract players in 2010: “I’m gonna do the best I can to get the best players as quick as I can. I don’t want to put the franchise in a position that it was in before where you’re signing mediocre players to make it look good when it wasn’t good. I’m gonna be conscious of that.” Sports Radio Interviews

Turner Broadcasting System Inc.’s David Levy is planning to meet with NBA officials to talk about potential changes to All-Star Saturday’s dunk contest, which has faced media and viewer complaints in recent years for lacking star power and excitement. Despite that criticism, the showcase in Dallas held earlier this month scored a 3.1 U.S. rating and almost 5.5 million viewers for TNT, making it the second-most-watched night in the event’s history. Atlanta Business Chronicle

Sacramento Kings forward Andres Nocioni has pleaded no contest to drunken driving and will serve two days of community service. Attorney William Portanova entered the misdemeanor plea Monday in Sacramento County Superior Court on behalf of Nocioni, who was not present. AP

Last update: 8:02 am ET

The Nets' record doesn't matter to Memphis small forward Rudy Gay. He will listen if and when they call this summer. Toronto's Chris Bosh has said he won't consider the Nets. "The record doesn't mean much when you're dealing with a team," Gay said before scoring 29 points Sunday. "You're thinking about yourself and how you can contribute, and that's what other teams think. "Wherever you feel like you're wanted the most, that's where you're going to be." Bergen Record

If anything, D-Wade deserves to be the patient one. He should stick with the rebuilding process through another contract extension. Loyalty is a two-way street, not a one-lane highway. To his credit, Wade relayed as much during All-Star weekend in Dallas. "I've said it so many times: That's the place I want to build," he said of Miami. "We just have to get people to come, and if we get people to come, why would I leave?" NBA.com

So why all the speculation that he might? The Windy City native could take the place of a certain No. 23 who's immortalized outside of the United Center. "I love Chicago, of course, so it's always exciting, it's always fun to think about that, but I'm really not thinking about being in another uniform," he said. "I'm thinking about building a dynasty in Miami. That would be ideal, but we don't live in an ideal world. But that's an ideal situation for me." NBA.com

Five and roughly two-thirds seasons after he arrived, Carlos Boozer — the subject of more trade rumors over the years than the New York Stock Exchange — remains in Utah. Now, again, he's talking about sticking around even longer — and he even sounds serious about it. "I think it's a great possibility," Boozer said after scoring 30 points and grabbing 16 rebounds — his 34th double-double this season — in Friday's win at Golden State. "We'll find out in July," he added. "I'm not going to think about that, worry about that. Deseret News

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, meanwhile, likes how Boozer has dealt with an unlikely sixth season in Utah — and defended, again, Boozer's lengthy injury history. "A lot of people tried to make a big deal out of the fact that he got hurt a couple of times," Sloan said, "(but) injuries are something none of us have any control over. Deseret News

Walsh can slice the new cap room up three ways. If the Knicks get James, they can divvy up Lee and a second-tier free agent such as Carlos Boozer or Jermaine O'Neal. Before the Tracy McGrady deal, Lee's future seemed bleak. If the Knicks got a max guy, there wouldn't have been enough left for Lee. "At the end of the day, it's not going to come down to money but what direction the Knicks want to go in the future," said Lee, who probably will command at least $10-13M a year. "And a lot of it is what LeBron and the top three guys, LeBron, Bosh, [Dwyane] Wade, do. "I love it here in New York," Lee added. "It's been my home for five years. . . . I hope to be here in the future." New York Post

The Knicks are expected to buy Curry out this summer to save another $1 to $2 million of cap space. New York Post

Ilgauskas’ agent, Herb Rudoy, said he was “hopeful” a buyout would be done by “Monday or Tuesday,” after having discussions with Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld over the weekend. The Los Angeles Times reported the NBA has told teams the center won’t be allowed to return to the Cavaliers, based on evidence there was a prearranged deal. The Cavs traded Ilgauskas and a No. 1 draft pick for Antawn Jamison on Thursday, and many in the NBA – including Lakers coach Phil Jackson and Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers – insisted they believed Ilgauskas was always destined to return to Cleveland. Yahoo! Sports

Rudoy insists the NBA hasn’t contacted him about any evidence of a prearranged deal, and vehemently denied anything had been arranged among the Wizards, Cavs and Ilgauskas to get the center back to Cleveland for the playoffs. “I signed off on the document that there are no other deals in place on this, and I’m not going to put my practice of representing players in jeopardy if that wasn’t true,” Rudoy said. Yahoo! Sports

According to a source close to Ilgauskas, there was progress made over the weekend in buyout talks between the Wizards and Ilgauskas. It is possible an agreement could be reached as early as Monday or Tuesday. If that happens, the Wizards would put Ilgauskas on waivers. He would easily clear, as no team in the league has enough cap space to claim his contract, and he'd be an unrestricted free agent 48 hours later. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Brian Windhorst: Is there a good chance Z will end up back in Cleveland? Yes. Was there a pre-arranged deal? Not based on anyone I've talked to. Twitter.com

Brian Windhorst: First time Z learned of trade was when it was over. Ferry did not even go to LeBron before deal was done. Twitter.com

There are at least four teams that will likely attempt to sign Ilgauskas, who has said he wants to play for a championship. One, of course, is the Cavs. The Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks will probably also make offers. Cleveland Plain Dealer

The money Washington receives from Ilgauskas, they will likely use to add some more front-court depth. The Wizards have just 11 players available and JaVale McGee played with a strained tendon in his right wrist on Saturday in Toronto. "There is a chance we might bring in one guy or make that a rotating spot" with players from the NBA Developmental League, Saunders said on Saturday. "We're pretty much open." Washington Post

"I have a problem with [Ilgauskas returning]," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said told reporters last week. "I loved it three years ago when we did it with Gary Payton if you remember, but now I think it sucks. I think it's a terrible deal." Cleveland Plain Dealer

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The Mavericks intend to sign street-free-agent shooting guard Von Wafer, Mavs GM Donnie Nelson tells DallasBasketball.com, pending a second workout, a review with coach Rick Carlisle, and medical clearance for a bulging disc problem. “We need more evaluation,’’ Nelson says, “but we’re prepared to make something work there, yes.’’ DallasBasketball.com

This weekend, he joined fellow free agent Rashad McCants in a workout in Dallas. One source close to the team says Wafer’s tryout was not especially impressive – but that is apparently due to his sore back. In any event, his work was superior to McCants’, who is no longer in Dallas’ plans. DallasBasketball.com

The Thunder is expected to waive Matt Harpring today and enter into a 10-day contract with Antonio Anderson, a 6-foot-6 guard out of Memphis who is currently playing with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League. Anderson was averaging 15.5 points, 5.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 39.6 minutes per game. He’s appeared in 32 games for the Vipers this season. Oklahoman

The Blazers are making their list and they'll be checking it more than twice this week. “We’re putting together a list of guys we at least want to discuss. We have a couple positions we feel we’re going to look at for players. A lot depends on who is being bought out,” said Mike Born, the Blazers' director of scouting. Born said over the weekend Portland is in no rush to find their 15th man, even with a March 1 deadline in place. Beyond The Beat

But while the Blazers remain "very open minded" and are looking for the best player available, they appear focused on grabbing a center or point guard at the veteran’s minimum. “If a big man became available and maybe just wasn’t playing a lot, I think we would definitely look at that. You’re always looking for big bodies. There’s nothing like having a 6’9 or 6’10, 260 or 265 pound body you can put out there,” explained Born, knowing Portland’s depth is at small forward and guard positions. Beyond The Beat

The NBDL’s Will Conroy (Rio Grande Valley) already has a place on Portland’s list while standby free agents like Jacque Vaughn and Mike Wilks could also make the cut. Recently waived Mike James (Washington) is another notable point guard worth considering. Beyond The Beat

Ford was so certain he was going to be traded that he was dancing around in front of his teammates with a big smile on his face before getting on the plane. Almost being traded just added another twist to an already bizarre season for Ford. He has gone from starting to being benched to being back in the rotation. Indianapolis Star

Blatche was mentioned in trade talks, too, with league sources confirming that the team spoke with the Charlotte Bobcats about dealing him in exchange for point guard D.J. Augustin. "I was worried," Blatche said. "I'm fortunate to still be here with the Washington Wizards. I never want to leave this town. I pretty much grew up here. The organization has been great to me. Through all my situations they stood beside me. You know, I was worried about leaving. I love this place." Washington Post

With Gilbert Arenas serving a season-ending suspension and Jamison, Haywood, Caron Butler and DeShawn Stevenson dealt elsewhere, Blatche is the longest-tenured Wizard on the active roster. He's also one of two players to represent the franchise in the playoffs -- Nick Young is the other -- and he's just 24. When reminded of his surprising senior status, Blatche couldn't help but joke about it with his teammates. "I'm like the O.G. [original gangster] around here. Everybody needs to show me some respect," Blatche shouted. Washington Post

Yet Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony still claims his team isn't getting any respect. "We still feel disrespected,'' Anthony said after the latest dispatching of an NBA heavyweight, 114-105 Sunday over Boston at the Pepsi Center. "We still go out there with a chip on our shoulder. That chip is not going anywhere.'' FanHouse

Wait a minute. Who's disrespecting the Nuggets these days? "You guys that write,'' Anthony said, referring to the media, although he didn't have any specific examples to offer. FanHouse

"If we didn't have back-to-backs, I think we'll win every game in the NBA,'' said Anthony, referring to the Nuggets often losing to lesser teams on the second game of a back-to-back situation. "If we come out focused like we did (Sunday), like we did against the Lakers (having won two games by an average margin of 19.5 points), like we did against Cleveland the other night (a 118-116 road overtime win Thursday), we're a tough team to play with.'' FanHouse

Brian Windhorst: Shaq: "Dwight is going to be Dwight, I'm sure he wants to focus on being Dwight. When I was younger I just wanted to focus on being Shaq." Twitter.com

Carter has been preaching for weeks that he was no longer concerned with stats and scoring, but that he was measuring himself by the wins his team has. Team mate Dwight Howard jokes that Carter is "half-man, half-amazing and half-retired" yet Vince continues to show that he can shine in his role as the Magic's closer in tight games. "It is business as usual for me," Carter said to HOOPSWORLD. "I feel confident in my game. I don't care how many point I have. If you don't get the job done it doesn't matter." HoopsWorld

During a pre-game interview with Michelle Tafoya on ABC before Sunday's game in Orlando, LeBron James was asked about Antawn Jamison's conspicuous debut on Friday where he went 0-12 from the floor and scored two points (two free throws in garbage time). The King's response was interesting, and painful, for Wizards' fans. LeBron: "Funny thing, Antawn said, he hadn't had an open look in about four years." NBC Sports

While the ultimate result was obviously not a desirable one, the improvement of Landry's comfort level is something that's important for the team as they rely on him for production as a key member of the starting lineup. And the fact that he's settling in so quickly -- without any real time to get to know his new teammates -- is a big plus. "Really, I've never had a practice with these guys yet," Landry said. "I was a little bit more comfortable out there, and it's only going to get better. My coach said [Saturday] it was probably one of the worst games you'll see for the remainder of the season for me. But the jitters weren't there as much today." FanHouse

Because of both his stellar production and his popularity within the organization, Landry admitted that the trade that sent him out of town was somewhat of a shock -- especially given the fact that he was in the discussion for some post-season honors while playing for the Rockets. "Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, the fans were really liking me," Landry said. "I was a fan favorite in Houston -- like you said, I was kind of blindsided. But at the same time, I think everything happens for a reason. It could be a blessing in disguise, I mean, great chemistry on this team, great group of young guys, and I'm excited to be here." FanHouse

The only downer for Nash occurred when the public-address announcer informed the crowd of the United States' 5-3 hockey upset over his native Canada. Sacramento Bee

Nash, standing near midcourt, flashed a thumbs down, grinned and shook his head. "There was a moment when I almost lost it and ran into the front row," he cracked. "But we're worried about season-ticket renewals, so I held back." Sacramento Bee

Jared Dudley: With that lost by the Cavs today I offically think we have a 2 way race for MVP.. We all know lebron number one but @KevinDurant35 is close. Twitter.com

Kevin Durant: On a personal note, I also had the chance to go up against one of my favorite players as a kid, Tracy McGrady, who the Knicks got in a trade last Thursday. It was T-Mac’s first game as a Knick, so I’m sure that had to be special for him. McGrady is a guy I really look up to. He’s been through a lot these last couple of years with getting hurt and he finally got his chance to comeback and show what he can do. Unfortunately, it was against us. As a fan of the game, though, you just like to see him back on the floor in another team’s jersey. I’m happy for him. He’s a guy who I patterned my game after when I was young. The guy who taught me how to play basketball told me every game to play like Tracy McGrady. I had to get a certain amount of stats and I had to play with a certain demeanor on the floor. I tried to play like Tracy McGrady every game from when I was 10 years old till I was 16. If I didn’t play like him I had to do extra sprints. I would get in trouble. So that was a guy who I always watched. Kevin Durant

"I really didn't know much about Sergio but he is one heck of a player," fellow newcomer Tracy McGrady said. "The basketball IQ is phenomenal. His passing ability is pretty dag on good. He seems like he is going to be a fun guy to play with." NBA.com

"I think this will be an opportunity for him to play in a system he'd probably do best in," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said. "Obviously we're sorely in need of a guy who can get the ball to people and make plays and create a fast tempo. So he's in a situation where if he can do that, this is a good opportunity for him." NBA.com

Jamaal Tinsley dressed as the Grizzlies' third-string point guard for the sixth straight game. He's taking the demotion in stride. "I understand it. I've been around," the 31-year-old veteran said. "I'll do whatever it takes to help the team. It is what it is." Griz coach Lionel Hollins promoted Marcus Williams Feb. 6 in a game at Minnesota. Williams has come off the bench to spell starting point guard Mike Conley ever since. Tinsley promised to continue to work hard in practice and help mentor until his number is called again. "I'll just go out there and play hard," Tinsley said. "I don't make decisions. I don't worry about that. I don't control it. My job is to play hard and try to help the team win." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Rookie forward Serge Ibaka has started a mini-campaign to be selected into the 2011 slam dunk contest. After watching the event live in Dallas over the All-Star break, Ibaka said he would like to participate in next year’s competition. "I hope so,” Ibaka said. "I feel like I can compete with them.” After listening to Ibaka from across the locker room, Westbrook began having some fun with the rookie. "I told you, you got to get some dunks in the game first,” Westbrook joked. "Maybe if you give me the ball first,” Ibaka quipped. Oklahoman

Juan Dixon said he made a mistake that led to his positive test for the steroid nandrolone and expects to be cleared to return to his Spanish professional team soon. "I'm a supplement junkie," Dixon said on Sunday at the Petersen Events Center, where he was watching his younger brother, Jermaine, and the University of Pittsburgh play Villanova. "I like to try different things and I made the mistake of not doing the research and making sure it was legal." ESPN.com

But the former Maryland guard said the notion that he was intentionally taking steroids is laughable. "Steroids? C'mon," he said. "I was 145 pounds in high school, 160 in college and I'm up to maybe 175 now. Look at me. Be serious. People can say whatever they want, but I've played the same way my whole life." Dixon, who was suspended indefinitely by FIBA after the positive test, said he will have a B sample test on Monday and expects to receive the results of that within the next week. "If it's OK, I should be good to go," he said. ESPN.com

The MRI on Wade's left calf Sunday revealed what the team expected, a slight left calf strain that leaves Wade's return as a day-to-day prospect. The Heat plays again Tuesday at home against the Timberwolves, but Wade's status remains unclear for that game. Wade was cleared to stop wearing the protective boot that he had on since injuring the calf against the Nets on Wednesday. Miami Herald

Pierce already has missed seven games this season with knee and foot problems, and coach Doc Rivers said he’s considering giving the forward more time off to mend. “You can see it on free throws,’’ Rivers said, alluding to Pierce’s 1-for-4 afternoon from the line. “I think the thumb, the knee, and the foot, it may have caught up to him right now. We may have to look at giving him some rest. I don’t know yet, but on the surface that’s the way it looks like it’s going.’’ Boston Globe

With his sore hip not responding well to treatment, Spurs guard Tony Parker was back on the inactive list Sunday. How long he stays there is anyone's guess. Battling a strained left hip flexor among other ailments, Parker sat out the Spurs' 109-101 overtime loss to Detroit, instead scheduling a future date with an MRI machine. Parker is set to undergo tests on his hip this afternoon in San Antonio. After watching Parker go for 28 points in the Spurs' win at Indiana coming out of the All-Star break, coach Gregg Popovich thought his point guard was good to go. “I thought he was going to be OK after the Indiana game,” Popovich said. “He scored a thousand points. In the Philly game (Friday), you could see he was hurting.” San Antonio Express-News

Forward Leon Powe said he's planning on making his season debut on Tuesday. He's missed the first 57 games recovering from left knee surgery. If he doesn't have any setbacks after a full practice Monday, he said he expects team doctors to clear him. "They want me to get another practice in and see how I respond," Powe said. "After that, they'll leave it up to the coaches. I feel ready, I feel good." Cleveland Plain Dealer

A great example of Vujosevic’s dedication to player development is our trip’s main focus, 6-11, and now top NBA draft prospect, Jan Vesely. A super athlete from the Czech Republic who did not receive a great deal of high-level coaching earlier in his career, Vujosevic nonetheless had the foresight to elect to develop him as a small forward rather than as a power forward when he arrived here two summers ago, despite the fact that he couldn’t really shoot or dribble at that time, and was severely lacking in the fundamentals department. Fast forward to today, and the results are astounding—the 19-year old Vesley is a huge part of their defensive philosophy--an active and aggressive style of pressure defense in the half-court, mixed in with spurts of trapping and pressing--which suits Vesey perfectly with his fantastic physical tools. He’s made incredible strides on the offensive end as well, sprinting the floor like a deer in transition and regularly beating opposing players down the court, crashing the offensive glass extremely well, and becoming an increasingly respectable 3-point threat and ball-handler, looking incredibly comfortable in his own skin. DraftExpress.com

The 6-foot-10 lefty might have performed admirably, but the team was a major disappointment. It lost to Puerto Rico by 19 in group play and by eight to Argentina in the semifinal game, making it the first American Olympic team composed of NBA players to fail to win the gold since the U.S. changed its strategy with the original Dream Team in 1992 in Barcelona. Odom still looks back fondly on the experience, even if it didn't come out the way he wanted it to. "Of course we would have liked to win, but just the experience being around those guys and going to different countries. ... We went to Germany, Greece, Turkey. ... Just that whole experience was amazing," Odom said. "No matter what we did, people still called us the 'Dream Team.' Just that whole experience, we were basically like a rock band." ESPN.com

"We thought we were just going to go in there and win," Odom said. "We didn't really understand that the whole world was gearing up for us. Nobody was in awe anymore. A lot of the players that we were playing against were in our league. ESPN.com

There were also reports of the players not getting along with Brown and the rest of the coaching staff that included Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and North Carolina coach Roy Williams. Brown was blamed for being too old school and demanding and for not connecting to the players. Odom says he thinks the players should shoulder just as much backlash for not accommodating the coaching staff. "It's hard for me to answer things like that because I don't understand how that happens as a player," Odom said. "If your coach is 80 years old, you can't expect him to listen to hip-hop music. … If you're being coached by someone that's a little more traditional in their ways, then I think you as a player have to adapt to that. "You have to adapt to different coaching staffs. Maybe some guys thought that it wasn't going to be as strict or disciplined because it was summertime and it was USA [Basketball], but the coaches took it serious." ESPN.com

If James isn't able to make it, he is confident that Odom's skill set will be an able substitute for his own game. "Lamar Odom is one of those rare guys that you have in the game," James said. "He's a guy that can rebound, pass the ball, score and run a team. We call them point forwards, like Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, myself, I'm one of those guys. Him being 6-foot- 10, he's able to get a rebound, push the ball, finish coast to coast or dish off to other players and you don't have too many players like that in our league. He's one of them." Said Anthony: "I think he'll be a good addition to what we have. You never know who is going to back out and who is going to come in." ESPN.com

No, a certain member of the right wing has yet to reach out. "Rush (Limbaugh) hasn't called,'' confirmed Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, known for his liberal views.But plenty of others have called or written to Karl since he revealed last Tuesday he has a form of throat cancer, including at least one from the right. Karl was asked before Sunday's game again Boston who's the most surprising person he's heard from during this outpouring of support. "The one I laughed at, George Will sent me a nice e-mail,'' Karl said about the political columnist. "I had met him a couple of times. He has some type of mentally handicapped child. Two people on the extreme ends of spectrums in politics. It made me laugh because I always thought he was the new William F. Buckley of the Republican Party or the right side of the brain thing.'' FanHouse

As far as the basketball world is concerned, Karl has heard from general managers, coaches, players, other team employees and the media. He's heard from plenty of fans. The Nuggets had a big card set up before Sunday's game that supporters could sign. "I've been amazed,'' said Karl, who last Tuesday began a 6 ½-week radiation and chemotherapy treatment for what is considered a highly treatable cancer. "I actually came in (Sunday) morning and just said, 'If this keeps up, there's no way I can respond to half of it.' "The fans are probably as sincere. Some of the letters that I got from people who have the same disease and gone through the same treatment offering their support. Strangers that have never known me before. Pretty cool.'' FanHouse

The outpouring of sympathy and support for George Karl has stretched from players and coaches in the NBA community to Nuggets fans, who signed a huge card for Karl, who was coaching at home for the first time since announcing he is fighting neck and throat cancer. “No question I’m amazed,’’ Karl said. “I actually came in this morning and I said to myself, ‘If this keeps up, there’s no way I can respond to half of the people.’ When you’re on the road, you have phone calls, you have e-mails, you have letters, you have cards. “The fans are probably as sincere. Some of the letters I’ve gotten are from people who have the same disease, gone through the same treatment, offering their support, strangers you’ve never known. It’s pretty cool. But the whole thing is somehow trying to keep the challenge a positive.’’ Boston Globe

Maybe not, but if the Thunder continues its winning ways, Brooks might have to make room on his mantle for the Red Auerbach Trophy. The Thunder is now 12 games over .500 after Sunday’s win at Minnesota bumped the team’s record to 33-21. With 28 games remaining, Oklahoma City is already 10 games better than last year’s season-ending total. "I think he should be in that conversation,” said Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant. "He’s helped us as a group this whole year, and we’ve become better.” Oklahoman

According to an NBA source, former Bulls guard Reggie Theus may be interested in becoming the head basketball coach at DePaul. Theus, who is an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves, was not available for comment on Sunday as Minnesota hosted the Thunder. He has been rumored to be on the short list of several other college coaching vacancies. Chicago Tribune

Although Mark Aguirre might be interested in becoming the head coach at DePaul, where he starred as a player, sources tell us there is no chance the school would hire someone who doesn't have a college degree. Aguirre reportedly is several classes short of his degree. Chicago Tribune

The NBA will open an office in Russia after the league approves the purchase of the New Jersey Nets by Russian oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov, which is expected this spring. The league has been interviewing executives for a managing director position for the Russian office, which will most likely be in Moscow as the NBA continues its push to grow internationally. “We are waiting for the Prokhorov deal to be completed because we want to work with him,” said Heidi Ueberroth, president of NBA International. “We see (Russia) as a strategic market, and the Prokhorov deal only serves to accelerate our plans.” Sporting News

Foot Locker Inc.’s Champs Sports stores are teaming with the NBA to put league-branded stores-within-stores in 69 Champs locations within a month and in all 486 stores by the start of next season. Sports Business Journal

As much electricity as there was Saturday night at the Garden for Tracy McGrady's Knick debut, just imagine how much more will be generated Monday night when the Knicks mark the 40th anniversary of their first NBA championship with a special halftime ceremony at the Garden. "I can't believe it's been 40 years," said Willis Reed, who won regular-season and Finals MVP honors the season the Knicks captured the first of two titles. New York Daily News

While Reed was limited by his injury, Frazier put on one of the greatest performances in NBA Finals history, with 36 points, 19 assists and seven rebounds in the Knicks' 113-99 victory. Standing on the practice court, across from two replicas of the championship banners, Reed said he still can't believe that the Knicks didn't win any titles in the 1990s. "My disappointment was that during the time when we had Patrick (Ewing) here, the team didn't win," he said. "I'm sure all of us who saw how good that team was and how good Patrick was and how close they got ... probably because of Michael Jordan, they just didn't get it done." New York Daily News

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