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Thursday, March 4

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Last update: 7:11 pm ET

The agent for free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Herb Rudoy, says that the 34-year-old center wants to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers -- the team that traded him last month in a three-team deal that brought Washington forward Antawn Jamison to the Cavs -- and will enter into negotiations with the Cavs on March 22, the first day that Cleveland can officially talk with him about a contract under league rules. "It is Zydrunas' desire to return to the Cavaliers if a suitable contract can be agreed upon," Rudoy said Thursday afternoon in a text message. "He has been overwhelmed and deeply touched by the outpouring of support and affection by the fans and by his teammates. He hopes to return to bring a championship to the Cavaliers and to the city of Cleveland." NBA.com

Michael Finley, who will join the Celtics Saturday, had little problem selecting the Celtics as his new team today, according to agent Henry Thomas. Here’s what the agent had to say this afternoon after reaching agreement with the Celtics. “A couple of years ago, before Michael re-signed with San Antonio, there was mutual interest between Michael and Boston. So what’s going on there has always intrested Michael. Boston Herald

Michael Finley is not a Boston Celtic - not yet, anyway. However, a league source told CSNNE.com that both sides are working towards a deal that could be finalized as early as today. Another source indicated that the Los Angeles Lakers, believed to be the C's chief rival in acquiring the two-time all-star, are no longer in the picture. CSNNE.com

It's no secret that Finley, who won an NBA title with San Antonio in 2007, is motivated to win another one before he retires. His request for a buyout from the Spurs was made in large part because he wanted to latch on with a title contender. Although he's struggled with his shot this season - he's shooting a career-low 31.7 percent from 3-point range - his experience in big games could be a boost for the Celtics. CSNNE.com

Michigan’s Maceo Baston is headed to Ukraine after singing with the country’s top basketball team, Budivelnyk. Baston has experience with a winning franchise overseas. He spent three seasons with Israel’s Maccabi Elite Tel-Aviv and won two Euroleague titles and three Israeli championships while there. Baston now joins former UConn star Khalid El-Amin. Maceo Baston profile. lostlettermen.com

Stackhouse said he waited around for the right situation, which didn't arrive until the Bucks invited him for a workout. The Bucks (31-29) haven't complained about adding Stackhouse, not with the team going 15-6 since he arrived and making a strong push for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. They are currently sixth but trail the Toronto Raptors by just ½ game. "It feels good to be back on the court, playing again," said Stackhouse, who is averaging 8.5 points and 2.7 rebounds off the bench for the Bucks. "I just didn't want to go out on the note of being hurt and having the plantar fasciitis thing and missing almost all of last year. It was just about coming back and I thought I deserved that, from what I've been able to give the game and what the game has given to me, to be able to go out and play. I didn't really have any expectations other than to go out and play. Obviously, it's turned out well for me. I got to a good team and got a role. That's all any player wants is to have a role on a team that's doing something." Washington Post

Stackhouse has been in the unique position of being teammates with Gilbert Arenas and Josh Howard, two Wizards whose seasons have come to an end for different reasons. Stackhouse spent one season with Arenas and the previous five with Howard, and he described both situations -- Arenas and his guns; Howard and his torn ACL --as "discouraging." He has observed the Wizards from afar this season and said he can't imagine how difficult it must be -- especially for Arenas and Javaris Crittenton, who was also suspended for bringing a gun to the locker room. "They became the poster boy for negative publicity, with this season happening and it's kind of disappointing, because those guys really aren't the characters some are making them out to be," Stackhouse said. "That's the discouraging part about it." Washington Post

Asked specifically about Arenas, Stackhouse said, "Everybody at some point wishes that he'd grow up a bit, but at the same time, you knew he had a big heart and would help anybody. You can tell by the things he did for kids in the community, spend time in the hood playing and doing stuff like that. For everybody to lose sight of those things and all of sudden, he's like a gun-toting bandit or something like that; that was the discouraging part of it. But when you make light of real serious situations, that's what can happen. Hopefully, he can get back and be who he is. I think this league, our league and our society is good, if you come back and you're genuine about what you've done, then they'll forgive him and they'll love him again." Washington Post

"He brought a little bit of it on himself, with some things that he did, but for the most part, he became the scapegoat for everything that went wrong there. When anything didn't go right, it was put on Josh," Stackhouse said. "So it was good for him to get to a new situation and I was excited for him because I know he could've thrived in Washington. It's tough having that kind of injury going into a contract year, where It's basically, the team's option. The good part about it, is hopefully, he can get healthy and show a team that he's young. Somebody is going to give him a chance again." Washington Post

It's not unusual to hear coaches describe their team's fight. Players often use the phrase as well when referring to a game or their team's effort. But in the Miami locker room, many of the players are using the phrase and the team has adopted the mindset that they have to fight or go home. Currently the eighth seed in the East, Miami's playoff spot is far from locked up as the final five teams in the conference are separated by just two and a half games. "We just got to be ready for the fight," Rafer Alston told HOOPSWORLD. "In the Eastern Conference, anywhere from four to eight, it's going to be a fight to the finish. We've got to be prepared for that. We have to be ready because in the last month and a half, every game is like a playoff game for a team that's fighting for their life." HoopsWorld

Marc Spears: Jason Terry scheduled for surgery Fri to address facial injuries sustained against Minny, Mavs say. A return timetable 2 be released after. Twitter.com

I know there is a lot of interest in Ronnie Brewer, who was inured in his first game with Memphis after being traded by the Jazz on Feb. 18. Here is an update, courtesy of Ron Tillery at the Memphis Commercial Appeal: Brewer " ... sounds as if he is on pace to fully recover from a partially torn right hamstring three weeks" three weeks ago. That means Brewer likely could resume full-contact basketball activities around March 12, although Grizzly officials have not set a return date. "I didn't think I'd be moving at all for two weeks," Brewer said. "But I've been doing a lot of strength work and it's coming along. We'll see how it progresses at the end of this week, and then decide when I can do on-court work." Salt Lake Tribune

"Trey Thompkins is a guaranteed, bona fide first-round NBA draft pick," Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said earlier this season. Thompkins isn't giving an indication whether he'll find out if those words turn into reality in 2010 or 2011. "I've still got matters at hand that I need to take care of," Thompkins said. "I haven't given any thought in that." Athens Banner-Herald

Thompkins and Georgia's Travis Leslie are listed as the No. 7 and 8 picks for the 2011 draft by nbadraft.net. Leslie acknowledged Tuesday that his game needs to grow for the next level and said he plans to return next season. "Yeah, I'm coming back," Leslie said, although such statements made during a season often change. Athens Banner-Herald

A week after the Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson announced he was leaving basketball for the rest of the season to be with his sick 4-year-old daughter, the star’s wife filed for divorce in Fulton County Superior Court. In the divorce petition filed on Tuesday, Tawanna Iverson said her 8 ½-year-long marriage to the guard was “irretrievably broken.” In the petition, Tawanna Iverson asked for temporary and permanent custody of their five children as well as child support and alimony. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

On Feb. 22, Allen Iverson and the 76ers announced that he was leaving the team for personal reasons. The former NBA MVP and four-time scoring champion said he wanted to be in Atlanta to be with his daughter, Messiah, who had an undisclosed illness. In a posting on Twitter, Allen Iverson wrote: “I need to be there to hold my little girl’s hand and encourage her to get better. I wanted her to wake up every morning and see her Daddy’s face, at least until she got better. Through God’s Strength, She Will Keep Getting Better!” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Last update: 10:30 am ET

Just listen to the third-year forward talk. In an interview with FanHouse before Wednesday's game at Denver, Durant said his preference is to sign a contract extension this summer with Oklahoma City because he enjoys playing for the team so much. Why would Thunder officials even think for even one second about jeopardizing that by waiting a year? "Yeah, that's what I want to do,'' Durant said about signing an extension when he first is eligible, which would be after negotiations can start July 1 and until Oct. 31. "I want to be here. I want to be part of this organization.'' FanHouse

If the Thunder this summer offers Durant a maximum contract extension, which would be in the neighborhood of $80 million over five years, Durant will reach quickly for a pen. "If they did offer that, that would be something that nobody could turn down,'' Durant said. "I would be blessed and privileged and honored. But, at the same time, I've got to keep working. ... It would be good (to sign this summer). To know that I can be with a team for a couple (more) years will be cool.'' FanHouse

But here's a key question: Would Durant be offended if the Thunder didn't immediately offer a maximum contract extension this summer in anticipation of big possible changes after the current CBA expires June 30, 2011? Durant started out by saying, "Not really.'' Of course, he's too polite to say anything other than that. But then listen to what followed after that. "Of course, I know I'll be back the year after that, and you never know what will happen that next summer,'' Durant said. FanHouse

The modest Durant said "vibes I've been getting'' is Thunder officials "want me to be here.'' There's no doubt about that. Who wouldn't want a guy who can do just about everything on the basketball court and is a consummate gentleman off it? FanHouse

Sometimes a personal touch can make a difference. That's what could be the deciding factor when former Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas decides for whom he will play in the coming weeks. Upon arriving in the New York area Monday, Ilgauskas' former teammates Anthony Parker and Anderson Varejao along with a couple of other Cavs visited him in his Manhattan apartment, said a source with knowledge of the situation. Akron Beacon Journal

Rudoy said that he's prohibited from negotiating with the Cavs, but that point is moot because Ilgauskas hasn't even given him an answer regarding his future. ''I'm sure he's leaning toward the Cavs,'' Rudoy said. Akron Beacon Journal

Ilgauskas' agent, Herb Rudoy, also confirmed that center Shaquille O'Neal had talked to his former backup on the phone in recent days and that General Manager Danny Ferry also visited him in person. Akron Beacon Journal

A. Sherrod Blakely: Danny Ainge on talks with Finley's peeps: "They know we have interest. They've expressed some interest. They're weighing their options now." Twitter.com

With about $25 million available this summer in cap space, Prokhorov is expected to write big checks for free agents. Team executives are realistic; they don't think they can get James or any of the other marquee free agents the Knicks will be courting. That's the problem when you can't offer free agents the chance to play in a new, shiny basketball palace in Brooklyn right away. "I think it's a really, really good franchise," James said. "They've got a bright future, and we'll see what goes on in the future for this team." New York Daily News

On second thought, haven't they suffered enough? Asked about the booing after the Cavs raised their record to 48-14, James laughed. "I guess that's how much they love you when they boo you," he said. "I had a few others that got them out of their seat." New York Daily News

James fancies himself as sports' next business mogul. Already earning nearly $30 million annually in endorsements, he gets financial advice from Warren Buffett and has his own firms handling all of his business and marketing ventures. He is LeBron Inc., with dreams of taking his brand globally. But to do that to its fullest, he should play in the New York area, according to some experts. Steve Rosner, co-founder of 16W Marketing based in East Rutherford, said James can sell plenty of sneakers from Cleveland. But he can become a tycoon playing in New York. "If he would come to either the Nets or the Knicks the business opportunities for him to continue to grow his brand would be much greater in a metropolitan area as opposed to Cleveland," Rosner said. "Endorsements can always find where he lives, but living here and being the face of the franchise will give him the opportunity to enter into the type of discussions that might not be available in Cleveland." New York Post

That might sound like arrogant New Yorker talk. But Brandon Steiner of Steiner Sports thinks James never will reach his economic potential until he plays in a metropolitan area. "If he stays in Cleveland, is he ever going to get his due being in a small market?" asked Steiner, who works with 5,000 professional athletes nationwide. "Is he ever going to get what he's owed being a true mega-star without playing in a major market? New York is really the only major market that has room for him." James didn't say anything about his impending free agency last night, but had kind words for the Nets. "I think it's a really good franchise," he said. "They've got a bright future. We'll see what goes on in the future for this team." New York Post

The economic impact James would have in the metropolitan area would fatten a lot of wallets besides his own. Greater attendance means more people in the restaurants and bars before and after games; jerseys and sneaker sales would reach new highs in area sporting-goods stores, and television ratings for MSG or YES would lead to more advertising revenue. "I have this argument almost every day," Steiner said. "Someone says, 'There's no way we're getting LeBron.' I tell them, 'I don't see how we can afford not to.' There's such an upside. I sit with my fingers crossed. This kind of thing would be humongous." New York Post

Marcus Thompson: Reggie Williams might be playing well enough to eventually lead to Devean George's departure. And to think GSW wanted Courtney Sims instead. Twitter.com

And the winner of your Iowa State Lottery for Thursday, March 4, is ... Othyus Jeffers. With the Jazz required by NBA rule to add a 13th player by today, a move made necessary by the trade of starting shooting guard Ronnie Brewer to Memphis two weeks ago, the team on Wednesday announced it will add a swingman from the NBA Development League's Iowa Energy to its already crowded collection of wings. Jeffers — who won't be with the Jazz for tonight's game in Phoenix — was averaging 14.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 51 percent from the field for Iowa this season. Deseret News

And that's Landry, who said there was never any bitterness as a result of the trade that netted the Rockets the scoring threat they had coveted in Kevin Martin. “You could lose your mother tomorrow — I'd rather get traded,” Landry said, explaining how the move wasn't personal. Houston Chronicle

“Everything happens for a reason,” Landry said prior to the game. “I'm going to make the best of it. … I'm just excited to have a new beginning, hopefully change the Sacramento program (back to) the way it used to be.” Houston Chronicle

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Stephen Jackson captured the mood of a locker room that was more or less livid because of trash-talk they felt was taken to the extreme, addressing what he felt was a matter of disrespect by the Celtics throughout the course of the game. “I can take getting beat, if it’s about basketball,” said Jackson. “But when it gets to a point where yotu’re being personal and being disrespectful as a man to another man, that’s when I have a problem.” Boston Globe

Jackson got into a dust-up with Paul Pierce in the third quarter that led to double-technicals. “It turned disrespectful when certain things were said,” Jackson continued. “You can be emotional, talk to your teammates and do all that, but when it’s getting personal, and you’re directing certain things at people as far as their manhood that’s when a problem comes up. And I guarantee you, if I wasn’t in this gym that wouldn’t have said that to me.” Boston Globe

Jordan enjoyed playing with Rodman, but that doesn't mean it was always easy. Wednesday Jackson got into it with Paul Pierce, and apparently the trash-talk got very personal. Jackson implied that Pierce wouldn't have spoken that way if this wasn't in an NBA arena, where refereees and coaches and teammates would keep things from getting out of control. This reminded me of what an NBA scout told me shortly after the trade: That the last person in the NBA you'd want to get in a fight with is Jackson. Part of that is about being tough and part of it is about being, well, loco. Charlotte Observer

Acting the part of a vocal captain, Paul Pierce, speaking to the media before Wednesday’s game, had a clear message for his Celtics teammates who might be bored with the regular season. “I don’t have that mindset,” Pierce said. “If some players feel that way, then I think it’s shame on them. That’s what the regular season is about, is building for the playoffs. We haven’t been a team that has proved we coast during the season and turn it on in the playoffs. There’s no excuses. This is the build-up for the playoffs. You have to start playing well now.” WEEI.com

I can't say I was surprised by what Gerald Wallace told me, following the loss in Boston -- essentially that the Bobcats are in danger of flushing away the season. I anticipated Gerald being troubled. He managed to leave the locker room following the Dallas loss before we got to interview him. Then he declined to talk to my colleague, Ron Green Jr., following practice Tuesday. Gerald is reliably polite and accommodating with the media. For him to duck a couple of interviews said he was worried about how to express what was on his mind. I think Gerald is absolutely right that this team has lost its sense of team. There was a very cool sense of purpose and accountability about this group in January. Winning was about more than how well they made shots. They helped each other on defense and shared the ball efficiently on offense. They were more as a group than they could have been as a collection of individuals. Charlotte Observer

It's about body language and tattered communication and selfishness. It's about no longer recognizing that Bobcats squad that won nine of 10 in January. "That was a team,'' Wallace said of the Bobcats' former incarnation, following a 104-80 loss. "This one is just guys out on their own as individuals. Not talking, not communicating on defense.'' Charlotte Observer

And the implications? "Very worried,'' Wallace said of the playoff prospects. "Even if we manage to figure this out and some other team slips up, I don't know what kind of game we'd play. I'm worried if we do (make the playoffs), we'll get swept.'' Charlotte Observer

So Anthony had an IV after Wednesday morning's shootaround to help treat dehydration. One could say it was quite successful. Hours later, Anthony, the NBA's third-leading scorer, tallied a game-high 30 points and helped hold the No. 2 scorer, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, to 19 in a surprising 119-90 romp at the Pepsi Center. "I think the juices had to kick in,'' Anthony said. "Obviously, it worked.'' FanHouse

Anthony, who was impressive with 27 points in the Feb. 14 All-Star Game (his last outing before traveling to Cleveland), was asked how he got so run down. "I don't know,'' he said. "Just the traveling, losing so much weight. It happens.'' Anthony is looking noticeably thinner. So how much weight did he lose? "A lot,'' said Anthony, not revealing a number. FanHouse

Brandon Jennings: On a (personal note) I suck, I'm done I'm not shooting no more, for awhile. Smh. Twitter.com

Dirtiest player in the NBA? Reggie Evans can live with that. In fact, the fan favourite in Toronto thanks the 173 fellow NBAers who voted him that dubious honour in a recent Sports Illustrated poll. Evans was singled out by 21% of the voters as the dirtiest — never mind that he has only played eight games this season and doesn’t even qualify for fouls per 48 minutes stat. The Lakers’ Ron Artest was a distant second at 13%. Asked about the poll at practice Wednesday, Evans said he first heard about it from a fan on this Twitter account. Evans wasn’t sure what the fan was referring to until rookie DeMar DeRozan spilled the beans Wednesday morning. “I would say it’s a compliment,” Evans said. “Hey, at least they’re talking about me.” Toronto Sun

To say Solomon Jones is in O'Brien's doghouse would be an understatement. Jones returned from his one-game suspension, which centered around his displeasure over being fined for missing a lifting session, but he was the only Pacer not to play in the blowout. Indianapolis Star

LeBron James is changing his number next year from 23 to 6. Although the Cleveland Cavaliers star says it’s out of respect for Michael Jordan, who wore the number, many cynics have said that James will sell more jerseys and therefore make more money. That’s actually not the case. CNBC.com

In the NBA, unlike the NFL, the money made from jersey sales and other licensed products has been shared equally since the 1995 group licensing agreement was put together by the union. That means that LeBron’s teammate Anderson Varejao makes as much as LeBron, even though sales of James’ jersey ranks second in the league and Varejao isn’t close to the top 50. CNBC.com

One piece of business that definitely will be impacted will be James' Nike "L23" logo, which is on all his shoes and apparel. CNBC.com

Take the three-week absence the Bulls officially called for Joakim Noah on Wednesday with a skeptical eye. Even if the plantar fasciitis that plagues his left foot has subsided by March 24, there is no guarantee the third-year big man will return after adding 10 more missed games to the 10 for which he has already sat. And assuming the pain is gone, Noah has admitted many times that it's difficult for him to remain in proper condition without running up and down the hardwood floor that, currently, is causing him so much pain. Chicago Tribune

Sources said Noah recently underwent shock wave therapy on his foot favored by several leading podiatrists that basically is a very painful procedure using controlled blasts of sound waves to break up the damaged tissue. Noah continues to wear a walking boot. Chicago Tribune

Backup post player Sean Marks will be sidelined at least 10 days with a strained right shoulder, team officials said Wednesday. It's the third major absence for Marks, who has missed all but 14 games this season because of a series of injuries, including the shoulder. That problem caused Marks to miss nine games earlier this season before a strained left plantaris muscle in his lower left leg kept him out 15 games. A recent MRI exam and a visit to a specialist, Marks said Wednesday night, revealed a tear in the right labrum. "We've been battling with it for 3 1/2 months and couldn't get on top of it. It never got any better, " Marks said. "We're doing just complete rest for 10 days on it, new stretching, new strengthening routine, some different sorts of pain medications and re-visit it after 10 days." New Orleans Times-Picayune

Grizzlies swingman Ronnie Brewer had never been seriously injured, but he is already impressed by his recuperative powers. The 6-7 guard/forward sounds as if he is on pace to fully recover from a partially torn right hamstring three weeks from the day he was injured. That means Brewer likely could resume full-contact basketball activities around March 12. Team officials have not set a return date. "I didn't think I'd be moving at all for two weeks," Brewer said. "But I've been doing a lot of strength work and it's coming along. We'll see how it progresses at the end of this week, and then decide when I can do on-court work." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Luke Babbitt and Armon Johnson said Wednesday that they are considering leaving the Nevada Wolf Pack after this season for the NBA. “People ask me that all the time,” said Babbitt, a sophomore this year. “I keep saying the same thing. That will all take care of itself after the season.” Johnson, a junior, gave a similar answer. “That's not something I'm focusing on at all right now,” Johnson said. “We'll see after the season. All I'm thinking about right now is helping this team win a WAC championship.” Nevada Appeal

“I'm planning on being here (next season),” Babbitt said. “But it's something I'll look at after the season.” Nevada Appeal

Alan Hahn: Just sat Pat Ewing Jr. Says he's playing for Jamaican Nat'l Team with Roy Hibbert this summer. Knee healthy. Getting in shape now. Twitter.com

Los Angeles Lakers executive vice president of business operations Jeanie Buss responded Wednesday to reports speculating family infighting could prevent the return of head coach Phil Jackson after this season, calling them inaccurate. Speaking to ESPN Los Angeles.com during a podcast interview, she suggested older narratives written during and after Jackson's contentious departure from the Lakers following the 2004 NBA Finals are being inappropriately resurrected. "Phil, I don't think was ready to leave, I wasn't ready for him to go. There was some tension that is now being repeated in the media," she said. "It's convenient to bring all that up again because Phil is in his last year of his contract and it's almost like déjà vu, but it's nowhere near the same situation. I think that while there was some tension back in 2005, there isn't that tension that exists today." ESPN.com

Roland Lazenby authored a book about Jackson, "Mind Games: Phil Jackson's Long Strange Journey." Recently, Lazenby suggested at HoopsHype.com, that tension amongst Buss family members might prevent Jackson from returning for the 2011 season. While not addressing Jackson's contract specifically, assuming history will repeat itself would be a mistake, Buss said. "Phil got to come back and on completely different terms than when he left. That was an interesting part of the drama, and so I can see where it's convenient to bring that up again." ESPN.com

I should respond to Jeanie Buss’s recent comments about my hoopshype column. She implied that I fabricated something about the internal conflicts of the Lakers. http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/3878/new-k-bros-podkast-jeanie-buss Is there conflict in the Los Angeles Lakers’ inner sanctum? Of course. Is it wise for Jeanie Buss to play down such conflict? Yes. In fact, it’s important that they resolve it, which is the point of the two columns I’ve written about it. It was Phil Jackson, not I, who first articulated his displeasure to the New York media earlier in the season over suggestions that he take a pay cut from his $12 million per year salary. Laker Noise

Jeanie Buss said I was dredging up old stuff from my book “Mindgames” about Jackson. I did not mention my book “Mindgames.” I wrote about Jackson’s behavior in 1998 because my source drew that parallel between the circumstances then and now. The purpose of writing a column with such a smarmy tone is to cast the conflict as unseemly. I believe that if I elevate an ugly warning about this internal conflict that the participants will back off. Laker Noise

In fact, I’ll never forget sitting in a private on-the-record interview with Phil Jackson in 1998 when he began describing the bathroom habits of Michael Jordan and Bulls GM Jerry Krause. It was disgusting, and Jackson did it to embarrass Krause (and perhaps even Jordan) in the course of a fierce public relations battle Jackson was waging with Bulls’ management and ownership. It was an ugly, ugly time, and I was there to report much of it. Jackson has in the past quoted Abraham Lincoln about the better angels of our nature. Laker Noise

Phil Jackson knows that when he turns to his own better angel he’s a pretty fine basketball coach. I think he’ll also admit in his most honest moments that he’s capable of some absolutely deplorable behavior. Aren’t we all? But you could make the case that because Jackson is so bright and talented, his highs are obviously higher than those for most of us. And his lows are really low. He can be a real creep if he thinks no one is looking. Laker Noise

The agent for Avery Johnson plans to contact the New Orleans Hornets to see if they are interested in obtaining the services of the former Dallas Mavericks coach, sources close to the situation told ProBasketballNews.com on Wednesday. Johnson is a New Orleans native who has expressed an interest in returning to coaching since being fired by the Dallas Mavericks in 2008. He is represented by Tony Dutt. ProBasketballNews.com

Donnie Walsh took the heat off Mike D'Antoni Wednesday night by accepting responsibility for the Knicks' losing record while revealing that he doesn't have "much time" to turn the franchise around. Walsh, the Knicks president, still believes his plan to rebuild the club through free agency was the prudent call even though there are no guarantees the team will sign one of the top pending free agents - LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh - this summer, or that Walsh will be around to see his plan come to fruition. "I didn't say in one summer we're going to turn around and build a championship team," Walsh said. "And I'm not asking for time. I won't have that much time. But I know one thing: Now at least we have a flexible position, and whether it's next summer or the summer after, we're going to start adding players to this team that can lead you in that direction." New York Daily News

When asked if ownership continues to support the rebuilding plan, Walsh said: "Look, I want to do something this summer that makes us a much better product for the fans. That's my pressure. I explained to everybody exactly how I was going to approach it. I do it regularly, where we are in that program. They'll have to decide if I'm the guy to do it, but I'm doing what I said I'd do." New York Daily News

Before tip-off, Brooks made it a point to walk over to the Nuggets’ locker room to steal a few moments with Denver coach George Karl, who is battling cancer for the second time. Brooks, a former assistant under Karl, said he hadn’t had a chance to talk with Karl at great length since he was diagnosed with throat cancer. "He’s a great friend,” Brooks said. "That’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever been around. He’s as mentally tough as a human being can be, to not only go through what he’s been through twice with the cancer but his son (who overcame thyroid cancer). That’s probably tougher to go through than having to go through it yourself.” Oklahoman

When Bob Johnson sold the Charlotte Bobcats to Michael Jordan, he lost around $125 million dollars. According to Michael Ozanian, a National Editor at Forbes Magazine, "If NBA owners approve, Michael Jordan is going to buy controlling interest in the Charlotte Bobcats for a price that values the franchise at about $175 million." Ozanian says, "this is a big blow to the NBA because current owner Robert L. Johnson paid an expansion fee of $300 million seven years ago and the league has several teams hunting for investors." FOX Charlotte

The Detroit Pistons may become the target of an investment consortium that includes the owners of three U.S. pro sports franchises and is publicly fronted by a Rochester businessman. “It's something that we would definitely take a look at,” said Andy Appleby, chairman and CEO of marketing and management firm General Sports and Entertainment L.L.C. Crain's Detroit Business

Appleby, who was previously an executive for the company that manages the Pistons, is an investor and chairman of Derby County F.C. Ltd., an English professional soccer team (and its 33,597-seat Pride Park Stadium) that he co-owns with a group that bought the team for $100 million in January 2008. The group wants to buy a team in one of the U.S. major leagues, for $200 million to $300 million, within the next 12 months, Appleby said. He cautioned that it's still very early and a list of potential teams is still being assembled for consideration. Crain's Detroit Business

Yao's baby would automatically be an American citizen if born in the US. However, Chinese law does not recognize dual citizenship. A few say it would be a betrayal of China and that the Chinese team could be denied a future basketball star. But most support Yao and don't care which country claims the baby. "Yao Ming is an individual, not a political tool," said one comment on popular basketball Website Hoop China. China Daily

Yao spokesman Zhang Mingji declined to comment on the baby, saying it was a private matter. He said Yao was still recovering from his injury and was returning to the US to continue treatment. A number of Chinese celebrities - including actor Jet Li, actress Gong Li and director Chen Kaige - have in recent years been criticized for becoming naturalized citizens of other countries. China Daily

Daniel Gibson and his fiancee, singer Keyshia Cole, have announced the birth of their son. Daniel Hiram Gibson Jr. was born at 11:54 p.m. Tuesday. He weighs 7 pounds, 3 ounces and is 20 inches long. Gibson missed Monday's game against New York and Wednesday's game against New Jersey. Coach Mike Brown was not sure when Gibson would rejoin the team. Cole is a Grammy Award-nominated R&B performer who has starred in her own BET reality show, "Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Kevin Durant will pay homage to a former teammate throughout the rest of this season by writing "R.I.P Sean Rascoe” on his signature shoes. Rascoe was a high school teammate of Durant’s during his senior season at Montrose Christian Academy in Maryland. Durant said Rascoe was killed after being thrown from a moving vehicle and hitting his head. "I don’t really know all the details,” Durant said. "I just wanted to do that for him.” Oklahoman

It's been 20 years to the day since Gathers, a 6-7 forward and senior at Loyola Marymount, collapsed on the court and died of sudden cardiac arrest. He was 23 years old. "It feels about 10 years," Kimble remembers, looking back on that heartbreaking night of March 4, 1990, during a West Coast Conference tournament game at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles. "I've had grown men in a full cry. People come up to me all the time and remember what we've done. That's been happening non- stop." USA Today

With roughly 13 minutes left in the first half against Portland in the WCC quarterfinals, sophomore point guard Terrell Lowery threw an alley-oop pass to Gathers for his trademark tomahawk dunk. Running back on defense, Gathers slapped hands with Lowery before falling to the floor around midcourt. With his mother, Lucille Gathers Cheeseboro, and other family members standing by, Hank died. Gathers had been projected as an NBA lottery pick. He never saw that part of his dream come true. "When I think of that moment, there really isn't much sadness or sorrow. There is joy, but sadness and pain is usually last," adds Kimble, who played three years in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks. "People identified with his greatness on the court, but he was even greater as a person." USA Today

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