HoopsHype.com Rumors

Monday, March 1

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Last update: 6:47 pm ET

Y! Sports: Cs considering idea of trying to sign Finley, but offer has not been made. Veteran swingman shooter would be welcomed addition. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Denver and Cleveland are two contenders who will pass on Michael Finley, team sources say. Twitter.com

Forget about a reunion between the Mavericks and Michael Finley. Mavs president of basketball operations said the team is "standing pat." Finley is expected to be released by the Spurs by the midnight deadline, allowing Finley to catch on with another team for the playoffs. ESPN.com

Marc Stein: Just filed to ESPN.com: Spurs agree to release former All-Star and Stein Line fave Michael Finley so Fin can sign elsewhere before playoffs. Twitter.com

Michael Finley: To all my spurs fans, thanks 4 the luv the 4+ yrs I was representing the great city of SA. Your respect for me and what I brought to the team is greatly appreciated.Altho my time here as a player has ended, I know one place I can always call home. The team is still a gd 1, and one u should continue to support on their quest for a title. Peace & Blessings!!! Bye Spurs Bye!!!!! Twitter.com

Manu Ginobili: Mike Finley is not gonna be w/us anymore. Wishing good luck to 1 of the best teammates I've ever had. We'll miss him. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Zydrunas Ilgauskas cleared waivers at 2 p.m., today and is officially now a free agent. Twitter.com

Mike Jones: League source says Mike James and Wizards have agreed to buyout and paperwork is being finalized. Twitter.com

Jerry Zgoda: David Kahn says #Timberwolves waives Blount today as a matter of "courtesy" Twitter.com

Source tells ESPN.com that Wolves will release C Mark Blount later Monday, making Blount eligible to appear in the playoffs for another team. Twitter.com

Marc Stein: The Pacers just announced the release of G Travis Diener. Twitter.com

Marc Stein: Bobcats GM Rod Higgins confirmed at shootaround this AM that Bobs have passed on signing Larry Hughes (Hughes, remember, has finger injury) Twitter.com

Marc Stein: Blount hasn't played this season but 'Sota agreed to let him go now that trade deadline has passed. Lotta teams still looking for extra big. Twitter.com

Everybody wants to know A. if you recruited any of the free agents while you were down at the All-Star game and B. what are the chances that one of the top three guys come here next year, either Wade, LeBron or Bosh? Derrick Rose: “No I couldn’t go after them like that. I told them Chicago is a great place, if they wanna come we’ll be more than happy to take them. It’s huge if one of them comes here. One of the three, either Lebron, Wade or Bosh, one of them comes here.” Do you believe that you have a real chance to get one of them? Rose: “Definitely, we definitely have a real good chance to get them. Chicago marketing is unbelievable and I don’t see any one of the three passing Chicago up if they can come here.” If you could choose a superstar, would that guy be playing the center position or would that guy be playing the shooting guard position? Rose: “Man, I’ll take any one. Just give me a player.” Sports Radio Interviews

Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn has a message about Ricky Rubio. In a phone conversation today, he explained: Don't believe anything you read, or any kind of emotional outburst, or any kind of emoting of any sort that he will not play here. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm looking very forward to him starting his career here with the Minnesota Timberwolves in what I assume will be a year-and-a-half. Why a year and a half? He doesn't have a buyout at the end of this year. I'm assuming it will be difficult for him to leave. Barcelona paid a lot of money for his buyout, about $5.3 million, they're obviously going to want to amortize they're investment over a couple years. There is a buyout after that, however. ESPN.com

Whether he seeked a trade out of New York: Nate Robinson: “No, I didn’t seek a trade. I know these are some pretty big shoes to fill, Eddie House’s, because the Boston fans they loved him. They gave him a standing ovation. So I’m just trying to do my job and just try to help this team win as many games as we can.” What happened in New York with Coach Mike D’Antoni: Robinson: “Honestly, me and Coach had a great relationship that’s why I really don’t understand what happened. But things happen for a reason. I went through my little trials and tribulations and through my storm and I made it through it. I’m tough and I passed with flying colors. Coach is a great guy. I mean he is still a great coach. He does everything his way and as players, you’ve definitely got to respect that and that’s what I did and I respected him and his decisions. Him putting me on the bench was his decision. I couldn’t argue against it. So, I had to sit there and wait my turn and be patient.” Sports Radio Interviews

But the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies and the agent who is as big as any in the game today found that when it came to Hasheem Thabeet, they both agreed. Send him to the Dakota Wizards. Now. "Practice is important, lifting weights are important, but you learn by playing," Wallace said on the phone Friday afternoon. "You learn what you can get away with, what you can't. Players want to play. Players need to play. Most teams are carrying 14 or 15, and you can't play all of those players all the time." "He's gotta play," Duffy said by phone Friday night. "I'm less concerned with how it looks. This will give Hasheem a chance to show everybody what he can do. We were a proponent of it. No issues." NBA.com

Duffy says he's reached similar conclusions with some of his other clients, including Cavaliers rookie Danny Green, who was sent down to Cleveland's D-League affiliate in Erie this week along with second-year forward Darnell Jackson (though Cleveland recalled Green on Sunday). Duffy is in the process of discussing with the Suns whether their first-round pick, Earl Clark, should go to Phoenix's D-League team in Iowa now that Amar'e Stoudemire is sticking around for the rest of the season and frontcourt minutes are likely to dry up. NBA.com

Bird said he'd consider filling the open roster spot. "I'm not sure, but we'll take a look at it," Bird said. "There'll be some guys that are cut and some guys out there we might like. Obviously, the coach has to be involved. We don't have a lot of games left, or a lot of practice time for this year but this could be an opportunity to take a look at somebody we might think about for next year." NBA.com

There is some thought in the organization that Iverson's absence may not be the worst thing. With Lou Williams back from a broken jaw, Iverson being gone has eliminated any tension over playing time. If Iverson returns, that issue surely will arise, as it did when he was with Memphis and did not like coming off the bench behind younger players. SI.com

Chris Mannix: Pacers have suspended Solomon Jones one-game for conduct detrimental to the team. Twitter.com

Gerald Henderson’s shootaround did not go exactly as expected prior to the Bobcats game against Dallas on March 1, 2010. Following shootaround, the Bobcats rookie took on Managing Member of Basketball Operations Michael Jordan in two games of HORSE. BobcatsBreak.com

Marc J. Spears: Warriors' Biedrins will not go on 5-game road trip due to right groin injury and will be examined in Philly next Monday. Twitter.com

Marc Stein: Bucks announce that Michael Redd -- who re-injured his left knee Jan. 10 -- will undergo surgery on that knee tomorrow to repair torn ACL. Twitter.com

O'Brien took the opportunity of his weekly show on 1070 The Fan to reveal he does not believe Tyler Hansbrough will play again this season. "I'm not sure we're going to have Tyler back this year," O'Brien told host Kevin Lee. "His difficulties might last throughout this year. If he got better in three weeks, he would have to recondition and I don't know if it would be in his best interest to make a showing. "It's been a very, very difficult year for the young man and something we thought was minor turned into a lot more complicated issue." NBA.com

Tyler Smith, who was dismissed from the Tennessee basketball team on Jan. 8 following his arrest on gun charges, has found somewhere to play for the short term. The 6-7 forward has signed a two-month contract to play for Bornova in the Turkish Basketball League. The deal will allow Smith to be back in the United States for the NBA draft on June 24. USA Today

Kroenke was in lasting negotiations with Nuggets coach George Karl for a new contract when Karl informed him about three weeks ago that he had throat cancer. Kroenke responded to the news by giving Karl a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. "I think at first he was very worried," Karl said of his meeting with Kroenke. "He was very human toward me. It went from a professional relationship to he would start to look at me as a person and not an employee." SI.com

These are uneasy times in the NBA. Commissioner David Stern said more than half the teams are losing money. A new collective bargaining agreement is at the core of virtually every decision made by teams. And Karl and Kroenke were in a drawn-out discussion about what would happen once his contract expires after this season. "I had always felt the relationship with Stan was respectful and professional," Karl said. "In a lot of ways, he was standing up for the owners and I was standing up for the coaches. He is on the [owner's labor] negotiating committee, and I felt like as coaches, our territory was being cut. In general, because of the owners' situations, my optimism was feeling low." SI.com

With that in mind, somewhere in the months-long negotiations with Karl, Kroenke broached the subject of a one-year contract. It would keep Karl in his job but safeguard the organization against having to pay him or his staff during any labor dispute. That moved things along ... until Karl was diagnosed with the cancer, the second time he has had the disease. "When we were getting close, I informed them of the cancer," Karl said. "Stan and I have too good a relationship for me not to tell him. I just thought it was the ethical thing to do. I got the feeling that it was either going to make things fall apart or speed them up." SI.com

Derek Fisher doesn't dispute NBA teams will lose $400 million this season. But he isn't sure it's fair to fully blame the losses on player salaries being too high. The president of the National Basketball Players Association was asked his impressions of NBA Commissioner David Stern's state-of-the-league address during All-Star Weekend last month. It was then that Stern revealed how much money the NBA is projected to lose this season in a tough economy, and said the "level of revenue devoted to players' salaries (is) too high'' in the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement. "I think the discussion also is about, 'Are things just related to the economy,''' Fisher, a Lakers guard, said in an interview with FanHouse. "What other variables go into why teams are losing money? That's the conversations that we (the union) want to have. FanHouse.com

"Let's discuss all of the reasons why (teams are losing money). Some of it is you have some teams in bad arena (situations) that are in tough markets. You have situations where teams aren't as competitive where you know that's going to impact the fan base. You have another batch of teams this year that have dumped guys to clear salary-cap room for the summer, and that's not something that's necessarily going to raise fan support or increase season-ticket sales for next year. ... We don't necessarily agree the only fix is impacting players' salaries.'' FanHouse.com

The Albuquerque Thunderbirds basketball team is moving to the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho at the end of the season. The team will play its final game at Tingley Coliseum on March 13 when the team hosts the Los Angeles D-Fenders. The NBA Development League organization also will rebrand itself with a new name — the New Mexico Thunderbirds. BizJournals.com

Last update: 8:37 am ET

A source close to the Charlotte Bobcats confirmed Sunday that Michael Jordan made a huge personal financial commitment to cut a deal to buy the team. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the process, said Jordan's decision came just before a Friday-night deadline to make a deal or lose his right of first refusal. Had he lost that right, Bob Johnson likely would have accepted an offer from a group led by former Houston Rockets president George Postolos. Charlotte Observer

As the source said, Jordan won't want to risk possibly "losing $30 million a season," all by himself, as Johnson has of late. Recruiting partners proved difficult for Johnson in Charlotte. He had a group of about 18 minority partners but owned the vast majority of the Bobcats himself. Those partners, in recent years, declined to participate in cash calls to cover the team's financial losses. They have been told to expect "significantly less" than their initial investment in return to make this deal work. Charlotte Observer

Sunday, the Bobcats had their first practice since the announcement Jordan was buying the team. While several players said they're happy Jordan is staying involved, it was clear who owns the team is of little consequence to their jobs. "Unless he's suiting up, it isn't affecting us. Is he coming out of retirement?" Gerald Wallace joked. "That's the only way it would affect us - if he's coming out of retirement. Other than that, he's pretty much doing the same thing he's been doing upstairs - making the decisions as head of basketball operations." Charlotte Observer

If Michael Jordan listens to his customers, and potential customers, he'll seriously consider a name change from "Bobcats'' once his purchase of Charlotte's NBA franchise is complete. Too many of you have emailed me with that suggestion not to think it's an issue to many Charlotteans. You didn't like Bob Johnson naming the team after himself, and you sure don't see this as a positive once Johnson is no longer majority owner. Charlotte Observer

This wouldn't be cheap. I spoke with an NBA executive who estimated it would cost the franchise anywhere from $3 million to $10 million to rebrand the team. There are so many signs and logos that would have to be replaced, and any pre-existing merchandise gets deeply discounted or thrown away. (Example: You could have bought an Adam Morrison jersey REALLY cheap last March.) Charlotte Observer

The Knicks are in Cleveland tonight to face James and the Cavaliers for the final time this season, and yesterday McGrady said he rejects the notion that the Knicks need to prove to James that they're a worthy destination. "Do I buy into it? No," he said. "Nobody knows what LeBron James is going to do but LeBron James. No. We can't control that. We have no control over that. The Knicks did what they had to do to try to make this franchise better, and that's clear some cap space to bring some players in here to turn this franchise around." New York Post

Yesterday McGrady said he would be willing to recruit James this summer, though it's hard to envision that happening because McGrady won't necessarily know if he will be with the team. Either way, he became the latest to gush about New York City and what it offers. "I would like to play with a lot of those guys that are going to be a free agent," McGrady said. "And I'm sure this is a very attractive place to play. You have the bright lights, big stage every night. You've got the most passionate fans in basketball. And this is the mecca of basketball. This is it. So very attractive place, and I'm sure a lot of guys will definitely consider that." New York Post

James' teammates realize that they might have to win the title in June to prevent him from joining a second maximum-salary player in New York. When the Knicks created the cap space to recruit James and Toronto's Chris Bosh by trading for Tracy McGrady, the Cavs took notice. "Winning a championship can beat a lot of money," said guard Mo Williams. "The organization has been great to him. We've gotten better my last two years here. That's all you can do for a player of his stature. Teams are going to come after him this summer, not only New York, but also other teams, because he's a free agent. It happens. You've just got to lay it on the line and do what it takes to keep him." New York Daily News

Oh sure, there's probably about a 1 percent chance of LeBron playing for the Rockets next season, but it's OK to dream. Care to join the discussion, Daryl? “We're going to be aggressive,” he said. Houston Chronicle

Amid the enrollment period for 2010-11 season tickets, Heat owner Micky Arison said the hope that the team is selling resonates from within. Hope that the Heat will be more competitive, and that All-Star guard Dwyane Wade will be part of that mix going forward. "The bottom line is he has publicly and privately said that this is where he wants to be," Arison said before Saturday's game. "I believe him. I'm 95-percent sure that he would be here next year. You can never be 100." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

That said, Arison said he also respects the sense of unfulfilled expectations around this season's team. "We haven't played well at home, and I think that has a lot to do with it," he said. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Wade teamed with Shaquille O'Neal to lead the Heat to the 2006 NBA title, but it's been downhill ever since. Jermaine O'Neal, with bad knees, might have been a good co-pilot for Wade a few years ago, but he is merely a shell of what he once was. "I can't speak for him or his future, but he's frustrated. We all are,'' Jermaine O'Neal said after the game Sunday. "I believe he loves Miami, but he'll do whatever he feels is best for his career, to give himself the best opportunity to win another championship. "Dwyane wants to win, and he wants to win in a major way. A lot of guys, after they've won a championship, they kind of relax. We've talked about this a few times, and he wants to win another one. He knows what it will take to win another one. And losing wears on him. I respect that.'' FanHouse

Yao Ming remains the key to everything for the Rockets. That's the bottom line, right, Daryl Morey? “Yes,” he said. After all of Morey's precise calculations and smart moves, the most important step to making the Rockets serious contenders next season requires a leap of faith. “We have to bet on Yao,” the general manager said. “There's no other way to go at this point.” Houston Chronicle

It is unclear when or even if he will return to a Sixers team that is struggling at 22-36. Last week, Iverson left the team for the second time this season to be with his 4-year-old daughter, who is suffering an undisclosed illness. "I'm sure we will have some discussions in the next day or two about it," Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said yesterday of Iverson's status with the team. "Maybe I will talk to [Sixers general manager] Ed [Stefanski] a little bit today and certainly tomorrow while we are in the office." Philadelphia Inquirer

Jordan said Stefanski has talked with Iverson, the player's business manager, and Leon Rose, Iverson's agent. "I have no gut feeling at all" on whether Iverson will return, Jordan said. Philadelphia Inquirer

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Zydrunas Ilgauskas still hasn’t made a decison regarding his future. He is expected to talk to his agent later today. However, the Shaquille O’Neal injury will impact his decision, according to Z’s agent, Herb Rudoy. Why would Z consider a return? “Based on his loyalty and affection for his teammates,” Rudoy said. Akron Beacon Journal

But another prominent team on the list of Ilgauskas suitors has conceded that the veteran center's widely anticipated return to the Cleveland Cavaliers is all but official. Dallas Mavericks representatives declined formal comment Sunday, but one source briefed on the discussions told ESPN.com that Ilgauskas' agent, Herb Rudoy, has informed the Mavericks that Ilgauskas intends to re-sign with the Cavaliers as soon as he's eligible. ESPN.com

At least three media reports over the weekend said Zydrunas Ilgauskas will re-sign with Cleveland but his agent insisted those reports are “very premature” and said the Hawks are still in contention to sign the 7-foot-3 center. “It’s absolutely not true,” agent Herb Rudoy said Sunday. “Could it happen? Absolutely. But he has not made a decision. That will be at least a few more days from now if not more.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rudoy said he’s not sure what’s influencing Ilgauskas’ decision other than a desire to play for a team with championship aspirations. “We haven’t gotten past this whole thing of being traded away,” he said. “That was sort of expected but it didn’t make him happy. He’s got a lot of years invested in Cleveland, and that makes it a very complicated decision for him.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Reports that Zydrunas Ilgauskas has made up his mind and is heading back to Cleveland are premature, a source close to the situation told NBA.com on Sunday. Five playoff contenders remain in the mix, along with the favorite Cavaliers, for the 7-foot-3 center who was bought out by Washington last week. NBA.com

Rudoy wouldn’t discuss the specifics of the offers to Ilgauskas, but said the Hawks have been very aggressive in their pursuit of him. “(General manager) Rick Sund calls me at least once a day to talk about how Zydrunas would be helpful and would have a great opportunity there,” he said. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl told local reporters Sunday that he has not abandoned hope of convincing Zydrunas Ilgauskas to come to Denver. ESPN.com

The Nuggets, Jazz, Hawks, Mavericks and Celtics continue to pursue Ilgauskas hard, and he's considering the merits of each situation. Atlanta and Utah has easily the most to spend in the group, having a prorated portion of the mid-level exception ($4.1 million) available if Z decides to sign as soon as Monday. NBA.com

As they figured, the Mavericks were informed Sunday that they no longer have any chance of signing Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The search for big-man help will be clearer tonight, which is the deadline for players to be waived and still be eligible to play for another team and be playoff-eligible. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Brian Windhorst: Every day I get emotional emails from people who Z touched over last 12 yrs. Don't think anyone knew how beloved he is, even Z, until trade. Many of them mention Z's wife, Jennifer, who is very active in local charity work as well. Twitter.com

The Wizards have been trying to negotiate a buyout with point guard Mike James, who left the team and returned home to Houston after he was not dealt at the trading deadline. But James is not interested in giving back any of the $6.47 million he is, ahem, earning, and the chances of him taking a buyout are extremely remote, two sources told ESPN.com. ESPN.com

Tony Battie has heard nothing about a potential buyout. "Either way, I'll be happy," he said. "I always pride myself on being professional. I'm a Net and I owe them my best. It's a little weird looking at leaving money on the table." New York Post

Battie is still owed $1.7 million of his $6.3 million salary, and Nets team president Rod Thorn said he has had no conversations with Battie's agent, Lon Babby, regarding a buyout. But Babby and Thorn likely will speak Monday, and they'll have until 11:59 p.m. ET to see whether they can strike a deal. "Honestly, I'm not sure," Battie told ESPN.com. "I'm going to be professional about it, and whatever happens happens. That's kind of where I'm going to leave it because I honestly feel that way. ESPN.com

"It's not smart to leave money on the table knowing that you still have to go out and find a team that's going to be a taker, so you don't want to put yourself in limbo to leave a situation and not have a 100 percent guaranteed deal waiting somewhere else," Battie said. ESPN.com

What can Battie offer after battling a foot injury for much of the season and appearing in only 15 games? "Just what I bring: an extra big body, a guy who can come in and put in a P.J. Brown-type effort like P.J. had on that [2008 NBA champion] Celtics team, whether it's four points, four rebounds or four hard fouls in a playoff series -- that can be huge on any given night," Battie said. ESPN.com

Sources have suggested Donnie Walsh became even more desperate to do the cap-clearing T-Mac trade after the Cavs reached an agreement to trade for Jamison. Jamison said he hopes his presence will tip the scales in Cleveland's favor in the LeBron Sweepstakes. "They'll do everything possible to keep their players," Jamison said. "It would be difficult to win one and not have him stay." New York Post

Then there is Conley. The kid is always being talked about around the league, just not in ways he’d hoped. “My name being thrown around in trade talks is always tough, but that’s something I’ve grown to deal with,” said Conley, who has started 57 games for Memphis and is averaging 10.2 points and 5.2 assists per game. “That’s part of any professional’s life. I think it’s made me a stronger person and a stronger player. I don’t worry about it nowadays. I’m happy right now.” Beyond The Beat

Once again, Mike leaned on those close to him to help pull him through another season of uncertainty. “The people around you are your support system. Those are the people you can turn to, regardless what everyone else is saying. You can always talk to them and tell them how you feel. Those people keep you grounded when you are doing well, and they keep you grounded when you are doing badly. That’s the most important thing.” Beyond The Beat

The Timberwolves accepted center Al Jefferson's apology on Sunday for alleged drunken driving after Saturday night's loss to Portland, but they suspended their leading scorer for the next two games as punishment. Jefferson was arrested on Interstate 394 just outside downtown Minneapolis at 1:08 a.m. Sunday, a little more than three hours after he scored 19 points in the Wolves' 110-91 loss, and booked into jail on a charge of fourth-degree driving while impaired, said State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske. Minneapolis Star Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves star center Al Jefferson apologized to the team and fans Sunday after his arrest on suspicion of DWI following a weekend loss to Portland. The Timberwolves suspended Jefferson for the next two games without pay -- a punishment Jefferson said he accepts. ESPN.com

"I want to apologize to the entire Timberwolves organization, owner Glen Taylor, my teammates, coaches and Wolves fans everywhere for my actions last night," Jefferson said in a statement released Sunday by the Timberwolves. "I made a very poor decision and I am truly sorry for that. As a leader on this team, I know that more is expected of me, and I am disappointed in myself." ESPN.com

And so he did something about it, ramping up his aggression to grab a game-high 14 rebounds, which helped erase a nine-point first-half deficit in the Lakers' 95-89 win against the Nuggets on Sunday. "They talk too much," the normally reserved Gasol said after the game. "Way too much. I don't listen to things that don't make sense. I'm a player that likes to play and that's how I talk, by me playing. Other players can't do that." ESPN.com

The Lakers have an enemy and its name is the Nuggets, who were 2-0 against L.A. entering Sunday's clash. Lakers fans should praise the sky above the Rocky Mountains that Denver auditioned for the part. "I love that we don't like the team in particular," Gasol said. "I wish we didn't like any teams for that matter." ESPN.com

Kobe Bryant didn’t feel any need to fire back at Denver’s J.R. Smith for boasting via his Twitter account that Bryant isn’t great against Smith. “He’s one of my young boys,” Bryant said after the Lakers’ victory over Denver on Sunday. “I don’t take that real seriously. Look at the track record. I think it was something that was kind of said in jest.” Orange County Register

Dave McMenamin: PJax on J.R. Smith calling out Kobe on Twitter: "I'm sorry, I can't relate to that." Twitter.com

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: I think Pau not having tattoos is an expression of his confidence in his game in that he doesn't need 2 affirm his dominance w macho tattoos. Twitter.com

Howard was tabbed early and often, picking up five fouls against the Miami Heat, opening the door for Gortat to play 24 minutes. Howard only played 24 minutes and 53 seconds. He scored a pedestrian seven points and grabbed five rebounds. For the first time in 21 games, he didn’t pick up a double-double. “To be honest I don’t know what it is,” Howard said. “I’m a nice guy. I’ve been nice to the referees. I’ve been nice to everybody. I don’t know what to do. Only thing I can do is keep playing and try not to get frustrated. Tonight is very frustrating. Felt a lot of things didn’t go the way I would’ve liked.” Orlando Sentinel

After Howard committed his fifth foul, he held the basketball in his palm looked like he wanted to launch it into Amway Arena’s upper deck. That’s when Dwyane Wade gave him some advice. You don’t want to lose any money. You get frustrated, just take it out on the next opponent. “He made a good point,” Howard said. “At one point I felt like taking the ball and tossing it to planet Krypton. Just had to look at the big picture.” Orlando Sentinel

"It's the same old song,'' Wade said after the 96-80 loss in Orlando. "We have to find a way to be more consistent. I know what kind of team we have.'' FanHouse

Beasley scored 30 points ten days ago to power the HEAT to a 100-87 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis. Since then Beasley's production has spiraled downward to an almost embarrassing 0-for-4 showing last night in Orlando, a game in which he scored 1 point. "I don't know..," Beasley said of his struggles. "If I knew I would tell you." "I honestly felt good. I feel like I played good on the defensive side." HoopsWorld

Beasley has been putting in a lot of extra work before games and staying after in practice sessions trying to shake the funk he is in. HEAT coach Erik Spoelstra said he was pleased at how hard Beasley was working and said his struggles weren't from lack of interest in improving, saying he's working with the coaches, he's watching game film and taking advise and direction. "He's just got to fight though it," explained Spoelstra. "I just want to play," admitted Beasley. "It's hard when you're not doing what your capable of, what you have been doing all season, doing what your teammates know you can do. It's frustrating." HoopsWorld

Beasley was extremely vocal on the floor last night, talking smack to Magic forward Rashard Lewis, yelling during his first possession "you can't guard me" as he drove past Lewis for a miss at the rim. After the game, Beasley sat in his locker talking with teammate and mentor Udonis Haslem, saying he wasn't going to talk anymore. HoopsWorld

One thing you can be sure of is that Garnett won't quit. Whether or not that will be enough to get the Celtics back to The Finals with Garnett essentially playing on one leg remains to be seen. "Have you ever been in a fight?" Garnett asked in a way only he could. "A lot of times my mom would tell me, 'It's not how you start the fight it's how you finish.' If you can sustain the first blow -- and hopefully it ain't a Kimbo Slice blow for those who know Kimbo Slice -- you withstand it. You keep throwing punches and hopefully something happens." HoopsWorld

Chris Mannix: L-Frank used to tell me that J-Kidd has the strongest hands in the league. Why he's been able to sustain his D even as he has lost a step. Twitter.com

In his past seven games, Blatche is averaging 26.6 points and 11.7 rebounds and has recorded five double-doubles. Did anybody see this coming? Now, Blatche has always had talent and an impressive skill set, but if anyone says that they saw this, they wouldn't be telling the truth. "He's playing all-star type basketball," Al Thornton said about Blatche. "He's been awesome." Washington Post

Chris Douglas-Roberts: I didn't do me tonight...I played D but I'm a better offensive player.First 3 months of the season I was getting 20 a night.GET BACK DADDY!! Twitter.com

Sunday was the first game Caron Butler played without his now-famous straw chewing. He had his second-best scoring night since the trade (19 points) and had a hot start with eight points in the first quarter on four-of-five shooting. "Yeah, but I still need my straws," Butler said. And here's the agreement Butler and the league came to: he can chew the straws on the bench but he has to throw them away when he goes into the game. Butler estimated he went 15-20 straws Sunday against New Orleans. "It was cool," Butler said. "They met me halfway." Dallas Morning News

Brian Windhorst: Shaq is out of surgery. It was successful. Team says he's out 8 weeks. Twitter.com

Shaquille O’Neal will undergo surgery to repair ligaments in his sprained right thumb. O’Neal flew to Baltimore lead team physician Dr. Richard Parker to be examined at the National Hand Center. The Center’s Dr. Thomas Graham will perform the surgery assisted by Parker. Akron Beacon Journal

O’Neal injured the thumb during Thursday’s game against the Boston Celtics. It now means that abundance of big men that caused minute problems just a week ago has turned into a huge advantage. Akron Beacon Journal

They brought Shaquille O’Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers to manipulate his obsessive grudge – Dwight Howard – and thumb surgery shouldn’t stop him. The rest of the job, the Cavaliers can do without Shaq. Privately, scouts will tell you the Cavs sometimes are sleeker and sharper without him. Nevertheless, the truth has stayed unchanged: LeBron James needs Shaq to reach Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. The Cavs still need Superman to get them through Superman. “It doesn’t hurt them, except for guarding Dwight Howard one-on-one in the post,” one Eastern Conference scout said Sunday night. “Otherwise, I guess we’ll just see him in May.” Yahoo! Sports

For all the doubts about the trade for Shaq, give him this: He has gone out of his way to fit seamlessly into the Cavs. He came to camp in shape and never wavered. He never has grumbled about shots, never challenged the power structure that begins and ends with LeBron. Yes, O’Neal wants that fifth title to separate himself from Tim Duncan. Most of all, he wants it to go through Howard – a young star whom he believes has stolen his act – and the Lakers, whom he never, ever wanted to leave. Yahoo! Sports

Devin Ebanks knew the questions would come his way. With just two regularseason games remaining before the Big East and NCAA tournaments, the WVU sophomore forward knows he will have to make a decision in the coming months: whether to declare for the NBA draft or return to WVU for his junior season. The time for that decision hasn't arrived -- yet. "Right now, it's just West Virginia basketball these last two games and then the tournament, and then I will make my decision," Ebanks said Saturday, following WVU's 74-68 win against Cincinnati, at the Coliseum. "Right now, I can't give no clear-cut answer." American Chronicle

Marc Gasol: If everything goes well, I should be at the World Championship. ABC.es

Patrick Ewing Jr., the eldest son of the NBA legend who played for the New York Knicks, looks all set to represent Jamaica, revealed Ajani Williams, president of the Jamaica Amateur Basketball Association. The 25-year-old Ewing Jr last played for the Reno Bighorns in the NBA - Development league, but is currently rehabilitating after suffering an injury to his medial collateral ligament (MCL). Jamaica Gleaner News

"I can confirm that he is definitely 100 per cent interested in playing for the Jamaica national basketball team this summer, along with our other client Roy Hibbert," she said. There were concerns over Ewing Jr's knee injury, Williams explained, but those were addressed by the FAME vice-president, who told them that the player is fully recovered and will be in top shape in time for the Centro Basketball Tournament between July 5 and 11, this year. Jamaica Gleaner News

It's nearly midnight and the Mavericks have plowed out of the locker room and are headed to Love Field to catch the team charter to Charlotte. They'll arrive around 4 a.m., get some sleep and then tip it off Monday night at 6 p.m. (CST). No rest for the weary. Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who expressed his disgust with an earlier segment of the NBA schedule that had the Mavs playing something like eight games in 12 days, took to his Twitter account to pay homage to the league's schedule maker: "Thx to NBA sked maker for giving us about 3 hrs sleep before tomorrow's game." ESPN.com

Because nothing suggests "basketball" and "world record" quite like a wearable blanket, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be giving free team-branded Snuggies to upwards of 20,000 fans before the March 5 game against the Detroit Pistons. Already at the top of the NBA standings with 46 wins as of Saturday, the Cavaliers are also looking to score a Guinness World Record for "Largest Gathering of People Wearing Fleece Blankets." Guinness adjudicator Danny Girton will attend the game at the Cavs' home, Quicken Loans Arena. After he certifies the results, participating fans will receive a Guinness "commemorative magnet certificate," acknowledging their status as record setters. "It's history in the making," Girton told AOL News. "The really special thing is that it shows just how anyone, anywhere at anytime has a chance at achieving a Guinness World Record." AOL News

The team's Web site also includes a live countdown clock showing the days, hours and minutes remaining until the "world record breaking event," accompanied by an image of a supremely relaxed, Snuggie-garbed Anderson Varejao, a Cavs star power forward. More images from Varejao's Snuggie photoshoot are available on the KeyBank Snuggie Night Facebook page. "Any of the other players who want to don a Snuggie along with the fans before game time are more than welcome," KeyBank President Lisa J. Oliver said in an interview with AOL News. However, she understands that they will be in "game mode," and thus are likely to decline the offer. AOL News

Yao and his wife have headed back to the United States, where he plays for the Houston Rockets, ahead of the birth of their first child, which is reportedly due sometime between May and July. If the child is born in the United States, he or she will automatically be considered an American citizen -- a prospect that some nervous fans say could potentially deprive China of a new basketball superstar. "This will not only be a huge loss to Chinese basketball but, as far as feelings are concerned, will be something very difficult for Chinese fans to accept," the Chongqing Business Daily said, citing angry online comments. AFP

But on popular web portal sina.com, some users expressed support over the possibility of an American Yao. "To not become an American is stupid... China is a paradise for officials, but hell for ordinary people," said a poster named Limin. Another user from Shanghai named Kekeweiqi said: "We have no right to interfere in the future of baby Yao. When baby Yao grows up, he/she will have the right to choose his/her own nationality and occupation." AFP

Manu Ginobili: I Forgot my bag in the plane, realized too late and now is gone. The plane is gone, not my stuff! It flew to pick up another team. The bag is safe, but won't see it till we get back to SA. Twitter.com

Back in Lawrence, he had his doubters, too. After he had become a Christian on July 12, 2003, entering his junior year, there were plenty of folks who wanted the old Wayne back. They called him “Big Dub,” and he was once the life of the party. “As soon as I stopped doing drugs, stopped drinking, stopped treating women badly, stopped playing selfishly on the court, that’s when people were like, ‘Hey Wayne, what’s wrong with you? What’s going on? I’m worried about you,’ ” Simien says. “Now you’re worried about me? After I stopped doing all these things?” KansasCity.com

Yes, people looked at him differently after he became a Christian, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t living for them anymore. “I was living a life of fear and insecurity,” says Simien, a Leavenworth native. “I was insecure about how I performed on the court, I was insecure about what people would say about me, what they’d write about me.” KansasCity.com

During that first year in Miami, Simien would meet his wife, Katie, through some mutual friends who shared their beliefs. Wayne and Katie met in August 2005, began dating on New Year’s Eve, became in engaged in February and were married in July. In another statement about the way he was choosing to live, Wayne did not kiss Katie until their wedding day. “I wasn’t a virgin when I got married,” Simien says, “so it was just another way of wanting to honor my wife, wanting to share that with not only her but also everybody that was at our wedding ceremony.” KansasCity.com

Some of his Heat teammates, who along with Simien had just won the 2006 NBA championship, attended the wedding and were blown away that he hadn’t kissed Katie. It was just another reason to believe that Simien was walking the walk. “They were asking me why I would do that,” Simien says. “Really being able to speak to those guys, to be able to touch an area in their lives that they really hadn’t considered before, I think there was a lot of respect gained from that.” KansasCity.com

Simien hasn’t cashed a check for himself since leaving Spain. He often points out the irony that he “decided to shut it down in the middle of a recession.” But Simien says he doesn’t need the money right now. He is the same guy he was when he left Lawrence five years ago, the guy he professed to be on Senior Night. “I’m a Kansan,” Simien says. “I’ve got a Ford pickup truck, not a Mercedes. I’ve got a basic house. You don’t see any diamonds or tattoos or any elaborate clothing. That’s just a part of it. Faith and trust in God. If there’s something you’re really passionate about, you can do it for free. That’s what I’ve been doing, and hopefully we’ll be able to do that for a long time.” KansasCity.com

You mentioned that you were raised Catholic, was an altar server, and you also talked a little bit about the insecurities when you were kind of at the end of the bench in Detroit. At that time, was that a situation where you just kind of grin and bear it, or did you use your religion to kind of help you get through that and push through that? Jerome Williams: Well I use my religion and faith in the Lord to really strengthen me through all adversity. But at the same time at the end of the bench you have to also go within yourself and say, “I’m blessed to be here but there’s something else that I could be doing.” And really that’s what turned my career around. When I began to give back in the community, well that actually persuaded a lot of community leaders, a lot of people in the community that enjoyed watching the Pistons, be Pistons fans, coming to the games and demanding that I play some minutes. Lost Lettermen

And it was through a lot of that heckling that I actually got on the court because at the time the Detroit Pistons were the second best team in the Eastern Conference only to the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. So to get the opportunity to play really came from the community, I thought. And that’s really my whole basis on how I live life is that, from the top to the bottom, everybody relies on everybody else. Lost Lettermen

Jerome Williams: The Detroit Pistons relied on the fans to purchase tickets. And I never lost sight of that and I saw a first-hand glimpse of how the power of those tickets can get you out on the floor. Even if it’s for a brief moment, I got an opportunity because fans felt like they saw me in the community, they had the opportunity to meet me, they got an opportunity to know who I was as a person and they said they wanted that person on the court wearing a Pistons jersey. So everything works hand in hand in life, I believe. And you have to take your opportunity and seize the moment and not be so self-centered that you only think about yourself. Think about others, good things will happen for you. Lost Lettermen

To reach Chicago gang members, a West Side-based violence prevention group turned to a "bad boy" known for shooting and logging plenty of court time. Sound crazy? Not when said bad boy is NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who on Sunday returned to his childhood neighborhood to encourage youth achievement, to suggest adults provide guidance for youth and to appeal to gang members and youth to stop violence. "Most of the gangs started truly to do good work in the community; trying to help your brother get ahead. It wasn't always about violence and killing each other," he told the crowd of about 200 during the Searching for Peace Summit organized by CeaseFire at the Fifth City Community Center, 3350 W. Jackson. "So let's start doing good work in the community again, and let's start living by the rules of what these groups were really all about before they put drugs in our neighborhoods; before they put guns in our neighborhoods." Chicago Sun-Times

Thomas has been an owner and coach of several NBA teams and was owner of the Continental Basketball Association. He is currently head coach at Florida International University. "I've had guns put to my head. I've been shot at," he said. "But someone gave me a chance." Chicago Sun-Times

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl has undergone five radiation and two chemotherapy treatments since being recently diagnosed for throat cancer, according to his doctor. ESPN.com

Dr. Jacques Saari said Karl's tumor, which grew to be as big as the size of a walnut, has already begun to shrink in response to the treatments. ESPN.com

"I'm going to be tough,'' said Karl, who said he won't miss any of five-day-a-week treatments he will have in Denver until early April. "But I'm not going to be stupid tough.'' The last few weeks of the 6 1/2-week process are expected to be the toughest. Karl so far said he's doing OK. "Basketball is my escape,'' Karl said. "Basketball is my ability to be with my friends and my basketball family and feel supported. ... Everybody asks me how I'm feeling. There is no pain in what I'm going through. I have a cancer bug in my body that's got to be figured out how to get it out. FanHouse

"I only have been through [treatment] one week and right now I just have a little bit of a sore throat, and my taste buds are changing. The food probably doesn't taste as well as it normally does.'' Support on Sunday came from the Lakers' No. 1 fan, Jack Nicholson. He gave Karl a big embrace before the game. "He said he's with me and he's always been a fan,'' Karl said. "He's with me for whatever I have to go through.'' FanHouse

Karl can't drink alcohol during his treatment. He doesn't know when that might change. "I go home and eat,'' Karl said of what has replaced his victory beverage. "I've got to eat a lot of calories. This treatment actually creates you to burn calories. When I go home, I can have two turkey sandwiches instead of just one. "I don't know [when alcohol again will be allowed]. I'll take a glass of red wine or anything. I'm hoping I can talk my doctor into red wine.'' FanHouse

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