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Wednesday, March 10

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The superstars recognize that their support and solidarity are vital if the players are to prevail in the negotiations. For their part, James, Wade and Carmelo Anthony all showed up to the bargaining table as the two sides met over All-Star weekend last month. Could a further show of solidarity tip the balance of power? What if this handful of players plied its trade elsewhere? Is Europe the players’ trump card? New York Times

If these players sign European contracts, then they aren’t coming back until at least 2012, no matter how short the lockout. Even if it lasts only a week, once the players are gone, they’re gone. So for the owners, it comes down to a simple equation: by initiating a lockout, do they stand to gain enough in the new agreement to offset the lost revenue from a superstar defection? It’s not so clear cut anymore. Another team executive did not see Europe as a viable threat. “The economics in Europe are just as bad, if not worse than here,” he said. “If a team paid more than the N.B.A., they wouldn’t be in business long.” But making less in Europe beats making nothing while locked out of their N.B.A. jobs. The players also stand to lose more money in the long run if they let the owners roll over them in negotiations. They’ll take a financial hit whether they stay or leave — but by threatening to leave en masse, they at least stand to gain a foothold in the negotiations. New York Times

But the team executive was not overly concerned about the prospect of losing players. “The goal is to fix the economics of the league so it is sustainable for all franchises,” he said. “This is far less a star-driven league than you think. Losing guys to Europe would not change anything, any more than it changes things for European teams when they lose guys to us.” The Lakers’ Derek Fisher, president of the players association, said the union isn’t thinking in those terms yet. “It’s a long way away,” he said. “I can’t speak for what guys might do individually, but we’ll have some things planned — some things we’ll need to fall back on if things go a certain way. Right now we’re trying to stay focused on the positives and take advantage of there being a year and a half before we get down to doomsday.” New York Times

One agent sees China as a potential wild card. Bernie Lee, who represents John Lucas III of the Shanghai Sharks, envisions the Chinese Basketball Association joining together with shoe companies to create a viable business model to attract premier N.B.A. players. “You’d have guys making huge money, and open up marketing opportunities that just don’t exist in North America anymore,” he said. “I can’t imagine what would happen if you put Dwyane Wade in Beijing or Chris Bosh in Shanghai — the opportunities would be endless.” New York Times

The war of words between Orlando Magic forward Matt Barnes and Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom took a gross, but sarcastic, turn this morning when Barnes posted this message on his Twitter account: “Morning yall up early w/ the babies watchn Dora. Seems Lamar can’t keep my name out his mouth maby I need 2 put my sons shitty diaper n it” Orlando Sentinel

The Lakers had lost three consecutive games before Tuesday night. "Our disposition as a team gives like some of these dudes, they feel like they have the right," Odom said about the Raptors. "The way we're playing as a unit, they got dudes on their team that are talking …. They are like .500. "But our aura comes off like ‘soft'. This was the second game I almost got thrown out. So I see one coming. I'm just going to take one, like, ‘hold up?' Our energy, we are so laid back right now that these teams are like… "That … that [Orlando's] Matt Barnes pulled, that ain't never going to happen again," Odom said. "He's lucky it was a close game." Los Angeles Times

When asked if Odom was right about the trash the Raptors were talking, Derek Fisher was slow to respond. "I guess a little bit, certain guys," Derek Fisher said. "I think [Odom] is right in terms of it's a byproduct of what [opponents] see or what they feel. "So when a giant appears vulnerable and there is a chink in the armor or there is an open wound, people have a tendency to kind of go at that. Thus far we haven't come across as invincible or unbeatable. So of course teams, their chests are going to be up a little bit more because they really believe that they can win." Los Angeles Times

Matt Barnes on being called a “Kobe Killer:” “I just kind of laugh at it. When he has an off night it’s because of what he is doing and not what I am doing. There’s no such thing as a “Kobe Stopper,” a “Kobe Killer” or a Kobe anything. He’s the best player in the game and you just got to make him work for everything he gets, but you know you’re not really going to stop those guys. He still scored 34 points. It’s kind of getting blown out of proportion. I just go out there and play hard. You don’t get in those guys’ heads. Those guys are just so tuned into the game. I wasn’t trying to get in his head. You just go out there and try to meet their intensity.” Sports Radio Interviews

The most ill-fated move came Nov. 3, 2008. Billups, believed by Pistons brass to have lost a step at 32, was shipped to the Nuggets in a deal that brought Allen Iverson and 2009 salary-cap room. The Iverson experiment was a disaster, and Detroit wasted its cap room last summer faster than a kid blowing all his allowance at the candy store. "I don't think they (Pistons brass) ever thought that I would have done what I've done nor they do what they've done,'' Billups said of having earned two All-Star berths with the Nuggets and leading the team to the last spring's Western Conference finals. "I don't think they ever thought that.'' FanHouse

"I thought obviously we made a change too early as far as the guys that we moved,'' said Prince, touching upon the dealing of Billups. FanHouse

"When I was there, we embodied the city of Detroit,'' Billups said. "Tough and rugged, like blue collar. Our team embodied that so the city got behind us. And that's how we played. We hung our hat on stopping teams and offense just kind of happened. We had great players. You just don't see that same commitment. You don't see that desire with the team they have right now.'' FanHouse

Interim coach Kim Hughes made the move when Davis missed the morning shootaround because of an upset stomach. Hughes said Davis didn't see a doctor and pointed out that it wouldn't have been fair to those who were on hand at the shootaround and, and besides, they needed to plan for the game. "I know he's upset," Hughes said in a telephone interview on Wednesday afternoon with The Times. "He played his best game in three months. If I had to go through the season where he's mad at me - if he plays with that energy ... I'm good with that." Uh, best game in three months? "By far--not even comparable," Hughes said. Los Angeles Times

"Kim told me what he was planning on doing," Olshey said in an interview on Wednesday morning from New York. "I don’t know what the coaching policies are when you miss a shoortaround or a practice, but I haven’t talked to Baron. I'm sure I’ll talk to him. "Look, Kim is the head coach and he’s going to handle his players how he sees fit. It's Kim's team to coach and if he felt Baron missing shootaround merited not starting him, then that's absolutely his decision." Los Angeles Times

Mark Followill: Ryan Hollins suspended 2 games for hitting both Stevenson and Dirk Monday night. No doubt that should have happened. Twitter.com

So why not a story on Norris, he insisted. Why, the writers countered. "Amazing Chuck?'' Fesenko said. "Haven't you heard the jokes? He uppercut a horse and that's how a giraffe was made.'' Deseret News

Kidd also has been the Dallas player most responsible for integrating the talents of three former Washington Wizards (Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, DeShawn Stevenson) dropped into the Mavericks' laps over the All-Star break. He has done it with scant practice time, too, ignoring what some coaches or players would use as a crutch or alibi. "We're too old to be practicing," forward Shawn Marion said after the Mavs beat Chicago 122-116 Saturday for No. 11 in their streak. They bumped it to 12 Monday in Minnesota. "The way we play, with J-Kidd out there forcing the tempo of the game and pushing the ball, and everybody trying to help each other, it's easier." NBA.com

Kidd laughed when it is noted that he's playing well at an age when most point guards are wearing suits or headsets. "I feel great. My body feels good, and mentally I'm fresh," he said. "They gave me the night off the other night [March 3 vs. Minnesota], which was nice. But I'm ready to go. I'm very lucky and thankful that I'm able to play at this high level at ... 36 1/2." On March 23, Kidd will turn 37. But he's sticking with "36 1/2" as long as possible. "I feel 26 1/2," he said. "The biggest thing is the knowledge of the game. I know a little more than I did at 26. I'll take that any day of the week ... With the younger guys, they keep me young, they tease me. But my job is to teach Roddy [Beaubois] and J.J. [Barea] how to be successful. I enjoy that part of the game, too." NBA.com

"I've played with two Hall of Famers, basically," Dallas MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki said. "I've been very fortunate. What separates them from the rest of the point guards is they see plays develop. Some point guards get you the ball when you're open, but with Kidd and Nash, they just read plays -- their basketball IQs are out of this world -- and they see stuff going on. Obviously, there are some differences: Kidd is a bigger body, better post-up player and rebounder and defender. Nash is a better shooter. But their passing skills, they're both guys who are fun to play with." Is Nowitzki surprised to see them both excelling so late in their careers? "Yeah, it's amazing," he said. "Both of them obviously take good care of their bodies. Kidd is in there lifting every day. Nash, he does the same thing. They eat right and do all the good things you've got to do to play long in this league. They both have fun playing -- I think that's an important thing. And they're both still chasing a dream, that's winning a championship." NBA.com

The Atlanta Hawks are on pace for 52 wins and their fifth straight season of improvement under coach Mike Woodson. The key to their success has been the addition of Jamal Crawford, which has led to a big jump in offensive efficiency. Through Tuesday, the Hawks rank fourth in the league, scoring 108.6 points per 100 possessions. Only the Suns, Nuggets and Cavs have been more efficient offensively. Defensively, though, the Hawks have basically stayed put. They rank 15th in the league, making this the first season that they haven't moved up the charts since Woodson's first season as coach. Despite the addition of Crawford and another increase in wins, the Hawks still stand exactly where they were a year ago: in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. And it's their defense that separates them from the top three. Cleveland ranks seventh in defensive efficiency, Orlando ranks second, and Boston ranks first. NBA.com

"As we near the playoffs, we're going to have to get better defensively, without a doubt," Woodson said. "Because those are the teams that win playoff basketball, the teams that defend and rebound." The Hawks' starting lineup has actually been very good defensively. But, overall, the Hawks are better when they bring Crawford off the bench and team him with Joe Johnson and either Mike Bibby or Williams, because they're gaining more on offense than they're losing on the other end of the floor. NBA.com

It's a spot made tougher still by Popovich, who uses the touch of a wire brush to handle his point guards. He berated a young Parker so loud and so often and so harshly when he first arrived in San Antonio that the young Frenchman might have preferred being can-can kicked down the center stripe of the Champs Elysees. "Yeah, I've heard the stories," said Hill. "I don't know. Maybe it's just that Tony and I are two different people. I can take all that stuff because my high school coach was like that and my college coach was like that, really hard on you. I'm sure if you're not used to it then, it's kind of different. It could throw you off, affect your confidence if you think, 'He's always on me.' But I'm used to it. I just put my head down and play." NBA.com

Matt Steinmetz: Andris Biedrins succesful surgery but he'll officially miss rest of season, according to Warriors. Twitter.com

Brewer's rehabilitation took a giant step Tuesday afternoon when he participated in his first noncontact practice since suffering the injury Feb. 19. Brewer won't be available tonight when the Grizzlies play at Boston against the Celtics. But his return is imminent. Brewer is expected to join the team's contact practices by the weekend, exactly three weeks after he was sidelined. The Grizzlies' most established and trusted bench player sounds determined to return in time to make a significant contribution with 18 games remaining. Memphis Commercial Appeal

"If I push it, I might be (back) this weekend. If not, early next week," Brewer said. "I plan on getting out there and helping this team. I have to get the OK from the doctors but I'm trying to come back soon. But 31/2 games out (of the eighth playoff spot) is not unachievable with the talent level on this team. Memphis Commercial Appeal

It said that Stuckey underwent "a completely negative cardiac evaluation" under the direction of doctors at the University of Michigan, the Cleveland Clinic and the Detroit Medical Center. "The combined opinion is that Rodney may return to a progressive exercise program," the statement read. Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars told The Associated Press late Tuesday that Stuckey will not play tonight against the Utah Jazz. Booth Newspapers

USF guard Dominique Jones came up short in his hopes of leading the Bulls to the NCAA Tournament, but he said he still hasn't decided as to whether he will return for his senior year or enter the NBA Draft. "It's a lot of thinking. I wanted to take this team to the NCAA Tournament," he said after scoring 21 points in a 69-49 loss to No. 22 Georgetown. "If it doesn't work out that way, I just have to weigh my options." TambaBay.com

Peter Luukko, president and COO of Comcast-Spectacor, said Wednesday morning that Sixers management hasn't already decided to fire coach Eddie Jordan. A report in Wednesday's Inquirer claimed management is "ready to fire Jordan" and that "Jordan could be fired before this season ends - if it becomes obvious he has lost the team - but more likely after the season." phillyburbs.com

The story also cited sources as saying that getting rid of Jordan already was a consideration but the Flyers' firing John Stevens during the season may have prevented it from happenin, which Luukko denied. "It has nothing to do with Stevens," Luukko said. phillyburbs.com

To say that the Clippers are snakebitten doesn't do justice to the word. They seem to be in a perpetual state of three steps back for every half-step forward. "It's just hard to comment on anything another organization does because you don't know why or how," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said, "and multiply that by about 10 with the Clippers." NBA.com

Still, the Clippers (25-38) have lost four straight and 15 of their last 20. The problems that Dunleavy couldn't cure from either post, according to Davis, are deep and varied. "It's rotation, it's chemistry, it's lack of identity," he said. "It's a lot of things going on right now during this four-game losing streak that shouldn't really be going on." Davis didn't pin the struggles on Hughes, acknowledging it's hard for a coach to make significant changes in the middle of the season. But it also doesn't sound as if Davis believes Hughes has pushed the right buttons, either. "We've been doing things to half-effort, I think, at times, confused a lot," Davis said. "Right now I think guys on this team are just confused, and the best way to work out of a slump is to play hard." Dunleavy is still owed $5.4 million through the end of next season. "I knew he was here for another year, and all I know is he was my coach, and from that point, now he's gone," Davis said. "It's a crazy season." NBA.com

PJ Carlesimo told a source that he's interested in the job, and I'm told by a UO insider that he's on the short list of candidates. They like PJ, and I like him... he'd be a winner there... but I also like that the Ducks are interested in talking with some others. Oregonian

Peter Luukko, the chief operating officer and president of Comcast-Spectacor, told the Daily News this morning that the company has not made a predetermined decision to fire 76ers coach Eddie Jordan. Luukko, in essence, denied a report in the Inquirer saying that a decision has already been made about the Sixers' first-year coach. Jordan is holding a contract believed to be for four years, with the first three guaranteed. ''No, we haven't,'' Luukko said. ''We have not done any of that. I've had a lot of people telling me things, and I'm getting calls, but we have not made a predetermined decision.'' Philadelphia Daily News

The Sixers are 23-40 and have lost six of their last seven games going in to tonight's game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the Wachovia Center. Luukko was upset that today's initial report indicated that the Sixers did not yet change coaches because the company had already fired Flyers coach John Stevens earlier in the hockey season. ''John Stevens is a good man; he is not a factor in any of this,'' Luukko said. Philadelphia Daily News

A source familiar with the Sixers' situation said that management was more likely to make a change after evaluating things at the end of the season rather than try and finish with an interim coach. ''That would only change if the wheels really fell off,'' the source said. Philadelphia Daily News

Cheeks was the 76ers coach a lifetime ago. His firing in December of 2008 was, likewise, no shock, not with a 9-14 record as a season of high expectations spiraled into great disappointment. But to jump right back in as an assistant only months later, rather than sit out 2009-10 to scout the next move? To go where just making the playoffs would have made the season a success, to where a first-year coach would have a learning curve? Hardly a high-rise pedestal that Cheeks could use as advertising for his next job. Brooks had the very same thoughts. He called anyway. "I didn't know what he would think," Brooks said. "I didn't know how he would feel because he's still pretty fresh from the situation in Philadelphia. "But when I talked to him, I knew he was ready. It was good to hear that he was interested and excited about coming to Oklahoma City. He loves the game. Not a lot of head coaches -- I look at him as a head coach -- would do it right away. Three months after he was let go, he's back in it as an assistant. Our guys are benefitting from it." NBA.com

Cheeks turned out to be an advertising genius. Taking an assistant's job, going to Oklahoma City, was the ideal positioning for the next head-coaching opportunity. "I understand where I'm at," he said. "I appreciate where I'm at. I appreciate the organization, because this organization is great. And the fact that we have so many young players that are growing up quickly. They're rapidly growing. If I can offer some of the knowledge that I've had as a player, some of the knowledge that I've had as a head coach, to help them out, I'm very satisfied with that." NBA.com

Jonathan Abrams: Neil Olshey, #Clippers new gm, here for big east tourny. Asked if he knew he would be promoted: "Well, I'm here, so no." Twitter.com

Tim Kawakami: With Jerry West indicating he's not interested in running Clippers, I'll re-iterate: West has had past discussions with Larry Ellison but Ellison & West haven't talked lately.. West also is believed to be talking/consulting with another group looking at buying Warriors. Twitter.com

Now, Sterling has a chance to make a bid for one of basketball’s best minds, and that ultimately has to be a precursor to hiring a coach and luring a max-out star this summer. Sterling did meet with Jerry West a year ago, but a source close to West says there are two reasons he wouldn’t consider a comeback with the Clippers: His loyalty to the Lakers and the lawsuit his old teammate Elgin Baylor is chasing against Sterling. Yahoo! Sports

As for West’s interest should Oracle CEO Larry Ellison purchase the Golden State Warriors? “Now that would be different,” the source said. They’ve been in contact, but there’s still no assurances Warriors owner Chris Cohan will sell. Yahoo! Sports

And here’s a most absurd fact: He still hasn’t been offered a contract extension. Sources say his agent Steve Kauffman was told that talks would start over the summer and never did. Amazingly, Denver owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh have yet to reach out. “So far, Denver hasn’t done anything to try and keep him,” a league source said. Yahoo! Sports

Warkentien spent most of his childhood in Southern California, graduated from Cal State Fullerton and sources insist that Denver’s puzzling reluctance to engage in extension talks has left him prepared to move on. It would be a crushing blow to a Nuggets franchise that Warkentien helped elevate from a perennial first-round loser into a Western Conference finalist and championship contender. There’s always been something of a power play in Denver’s front office, a fight for ownership’s ear, but most league executives and agents consider Warkentien one of the sport’s shrewdest talent evaluators and negotiators. Yahoo! Sports

As the Jazz have enjoyed success on the court, the franchise has also enjoyed success with TV ratings. Big wins against Dallas, Portland, Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers has led to some of the highest TV ratings in the NBA. Utah Jazz television broadcasts on FSN Utah have garnered an average cable HHR of 6.0 in 2010 with a 7.0 since February 1 announced Chris Baum, senior vice president of broadcasting for the Utah Jazz. This ranks the Jazz second in the league among all team regional sports network ratings behind only the Cleveland Cavaliers. NBA.com

A contingent of NBA players and coaches led by NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo will travel to Dakar, Senegal Aug. 5-8 for the eighth edition of Basketball without Borders Africa it was announced today by the National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Senegalese Basketball Federation (FSBB). The four-day camp that combines high level basketball instruction and extensive community outreach efforts, will unite the top 65 young basketball players (19 and under) from across Africa as selected by the NBA, FIBA and participating federations. Having previously taken place in Johannesburg since 2003, this will be the first time the event is held in Senegal. "I am proud to welcome Basketball without Borders Africa to my home country of Senegal," said Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA Vice President of Development in Africa. "The Basketball without Borders program has a long tradition of helping create positive change through the values of our game and I look forward to assembling the top basketball talent on the continent as we continue to help grow the game of basketball in Africa." NBA.com

Lamar Odom has heard all the talk about his marriage with reality TV star Khloe Kardashian. Some say he married her to become more famous or promote his new clothing line (which got picked up by boutiques such as Kitson after his marriage). Others say he married her to be on a hit TV show. Odom laughed off such talk as he got ready to play the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. "They can say what they want but I don't pay too much attention to it and neither does she," Odom said. "I guess to a lot of people it's interesting or entertaining but I don't pay too much attention to it. When I married her I knew what I was signing up for. "I'm a good dude. I've made a good living playing basketball. I don't have to date someone or marry someone to make a better living. I do pretty well for myself. It's too bad that people say stuff like that. I don't think she's hurt by it. I still love my wife." ESPN.com

"I don't mind people. I can read somebody really quick; the angle that they're coming at me. If I take a picture with a woman ... I'm going to put my hands to my sides. I'm not going to let them put their hands around my waist or anything like that." Although Odom isn't crazy about the "Mr. Kardashian" nickname, he says he loves the other nickname he's gotten since becoming a married Laker. "When I married Khloe I turned into a Laker beau, which I've never been called before," Odom said. "Now, I'm a beau. ... I didn't marry her to sell T-shirts but I'd probably marry her to be called a beau. That's the one thing I do want out of the relationship, to be called a beau." ESPN.com

Former sprinter Marion Jones has signed on to play with the WNBA's Tulsa Shock, hoping to launch a new career after losing five Olympic medals for using performance-enhancing drugs. Jones was a star at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney but admitted two years ago that she had taken a designer steroid known as the "clear." She was stripped of her medals, including three golds. The Canadian Press

Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo joined the show to talk about the NBA and the USC scandal. Mayo denied that he ever got paid for playing at USC. "It's a big mess," Mayo said. "I think I had the wrong type of people around me and maybe they had some things going on that I didn't know about. Maybe not." Mayo said the whole thing has been difficult. "I almost want to say I wish he did," Mayo said of Floyd paying to have him play with the Trojans. SI.com

Mayo said that he didn't need any extra incentive to go to USC. "It's the best babes in the world. Sunny weather. Academically it's great there," Mayo said. SI.com

Officials are deciding where former NBA star Jayson Williams will serve his prison sentence. Williams arrived at the Corrections Department's central reception and assignment facility here. Corrections Department spokeswoman Deirdre Fedkenheuer said Williams will be treated the same as any other inmate. Williams was sentenced last month to five years in prison for fatally shooting a hired limo driver in 2002. He will be eligible for parole in 18 months and could be released as early as the summer of 2011. Newark Star-Ledger

Last update: 10:00 am ET

Comcast-Spectacor is ready to fire 76ers coach Eddie Jordan, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. Several other sources also indicated that the organization will "seriously evaluate" Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski, who hired Jordan less than a year ago. Philadelphia Inquirer

One of these sources indicated that the company had considered terminating Jordan earlier, but likely was "deterred" by the early- season firing of former Flyers coach John Stevens. Comcast-Spectacor owns both franchises. These sources indicated that Jordan could be fired before this season ends - if it becomes obvious he has lost the team - but more likely after the final game of this dismal season. Philadelphia Inquirer

One of these sources also characterized Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider as "up in arms" about Jordan's coaching effort, with another source with intimate knowledge of the management's thinking calling Jordan's coaching "baffling." An NBA source said Jordan's philosophy, which is overloaded on the offensive side with his high-IQ "Princeton" offense, was a mistake at its inception. Philadelphia Inquirer

According to sources close to the team, the players "no longer believe in Jordan's coaching system or philosophies" and are trying to finish this season strong for pride and contractual obligation. Philadelphia Inquirer

A source close to upper management within Comcast-Spectacor indicated that it's possible Jordan has only survived until now because the company already pulled one trigger, firing Stevens in early December and replacing him with Peter Laviolette. According to team sources, the players have struggled all season with Jordan's "poor decision-making" during games and "no longer believe" in what Jordan is teaching. Philadelphia Inquirer

Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski, asked yesterday about a report by Howard Eskin that the organization will fire Eddie Jordan at the end of the season, said: "I don't comment on rumors." Philadelphia Daily News

During his Sunday night show on NBC-10, Eskin reported that the Sixers will get rid of Jordan. Eskin also reported that Jordan's replacement would be one of four coaches - Jeff Van Gundy, Jay Wright, Doug Collins and Avery Johnson. Philadelphia Daily News

The Clippers, according to another source within the organization, are hoping to persuade James to come if he also can pick his coach, and possibly his general manager. Aside from the franchise's reputation for one blunder after another, the Clippers will have some attractive assets to offer a free agent like James. Kaman is one of the league's best centers. Power forward Blake Griffin, who missed this season with a knee injury, is considered a sure-bet star on the rise. Davis is a former All-Star, and young guard Eric Gordon has great potential. FanHouse

The Clippers lost their fourth consecutive game Tuesday, and all of them were blowouts. On Tuesday, the game was over before halftime. During the game, the Magic were joking both on the court and on the sideline, showing none of the intensity they had when they beat the Lakers on Sunday. Outlaw likely will be their most sought-after free agent this summer, and he shrugged when asked about the chances of his returning. He talked about finishing the season strong, but it didn't show during the game. "I just want to finish the season, and maybe show a little more ball handling skills,'' he said. "This has helped me out. Everyone knows I can score. This is about showing some other aspects of my game.'' FanHouse

Olshey will have to decide the future Baron Davis. While Baron is undeniable talented and at his best, one of the top point guards in the league - he otherwise provides questionable leadership and needs an inordinate amount of pampering. He over-dribbles, doesn't look for Gordon enough on the perimeter and hasn't met a shot he won't take. Baron is also owed $41.7 million after this season. "I've got three more years here and I just know that the futures going to get brighter," said Davis Tuesday night. "I play for the opportunity to play for a better future . . . here. Will Olshey stick with Baron? That's a decision that probably can't come until the "franchise-changing summer," even if the odds remain long that LeBron will actually come. More likely LA scrambles to find the next best thing with free agent (or trade) options Joe Johnson, Rudy Gay, Andre Iguodala or Tayshaun Prince. A number of prize power forwards are available; the Clippers aren't expected to be interested with Griffin anticipated to be a force at the four. Olshey will need the right hire at head coach - be it LeBron's selection - or the alternative. Not everyone can coach Baron Davis but then does Baron's temperament matter moving forward? HoopsWorld

Chris Kaman was openly disturbed by the news asking, "I wonder who made that decision?" "It's a weird situation," said Kaman. "The whole year has been kind of messed up. It's been frustrating for me and frustrating for the guys but hopefully we're moving in the right direction." Chris said he thought Dunleavy did a nice enough job clearing money for the summer but then that wasn't all Mike's doing. Baron tried to put a positive spin on his disappointing two-year run with the Clippers. "I want to be be here. I came here and I know they brought me here for a reason. This being the second season and everything that went on (last year was injury plagued . . . this year has a been a roller coaster and a circus)." "Third year is the charm is the way I'm looking at it. I'm very optimisitc and I'm just going to continue to work hard throughout the season and come back as a Clipper next year with a much better focus and a much better path to get us in the playoffs." HoopsWorld

The Magic actually will have interest in signing Blake this summer as they search for another point guard to play behind starter Jameer Nelson. The Magic have used both journeymen Jason Williams and Anthony Johnson in the role this season, but both are in the final year of their contracts and already slowing down. Blake, 30, has shown an ability to play effectively as either a starter or reserve in his career. FanHouse

The Magic, well over the salary cap, will have only a salary cap exception to offer once the free agency period begins July 1. "I have a lot of respect for the Magic and their coach (Stan Van Gundy),'' Blake said. "But I'm not going to worry about that until this summer. I take pride in being able to give a team what it needs in any role.'' FanHouse

Chris Tomasson: Agent Mark Bartelstein: Nothing to report today whether client Brian Cook might sign with Denver Said also talking to other teams about Cook. Twitter.com

Chris Tomasson: If Nuggets want him, Brian Cook said he obviously wants a deal for rest of season but would take 10-day contract. "I need a job,'' he said. Twitter.com

Rafer Alston is content with his decision to leave the Miami Heat, because it wasn't about losing his starting job. It was about being told he was no longer going to play and deciding that looking after a twin sister who tried to take her life just a few days earlier was more important. "The way I handled it was wrong," Alston said Tuesday in his first public comments since leaving the team last Friday. "I didn't really tell [team officials] why I was leaving." ESPN.com

"There was no argument or anything like that," Alston said. "I've never been a quitter and I still want to go back and tell them face to face. But after I had a little time to think about the fact that I wouldn't be playing any more, I felt the best thing was for me to be with my loved one. I just knew if I'd gotten on the phone and they said the wrong thing, voices would've been raised. I know myself. It would get bad." ESPN.com

(Baron) Davis also was fuming about being taken out of the starting lineup Tuesday. He missed Tuesday morning's practice, staying back at the hotel with a "stomach ailment.'' "I'm upset. I don't think it's fair,'' Davis said after the game. "If my health caused me to miss a one-hour, walk-around practice, and that determines my position on the team, then I'm not going to be happy. I didn't know I wasn't going to be able to start. I guess that is a new rule that was put in today.'' FanHouse

According a Clippers source, Hughes and Davis had been at odds for some time about his attitude toward the team, and that missing practice was just the latest incident. "He missed the shootaround with some kind of stomach ailment. I wasn't sure if he would be ready to play,'' Hughes said. "I went with the group that was there (at practice) getting ready to play.'' FanHouse

Coach Flip Saunders again explained why he criticized Andray Blatche for "wolfing" at Kevin Garnett in the fourth quarter of the Wizards' 86-83 loss on Sunday. Blatche and Garnett exchanged words for most of the final period and at one point, Blatche appearing to throw an elbow at Garnett when Garnett approached him to shout taunts. After the game, Saunders said he and Blatche had a lot to say about the incident. Saunders coached Garnett for 10 years, has the utmost respect for him, and understands what Garnett uses to motivate himself. Trash talking from an opponent is right up there. But Blatche told Saunders that he was merely standing up for himself and didn't "worship" Garnett they way others might. Washington Post

"We talked, screamed, talked, did a little bit of everything," Saunders said. "His argument was, 'I'm not going to let anyone talked like that.' I said, 'You've got to understand one of the keys at this level is understanding your opponent. Understanding what they try to do and as much as anything, this game becomes mental.' "That's what Garnett does, he talks. He's talked for his whole career," he said. "He tries to get into people. He gets more frustrated with guys like Tim Duncan that don't talk back. Guys that talk back, he feels like he's getting through to him and it kind of motivates him, gets his juices kind of flowing. One thing you don't want to do with a guy with a high motor, a high-energy guy like Garnett. You don't want to force them to go to the next level." Washington Post

When asked if he should've defending Blatche for standing up for himself, Saunders said, "The bottom line is the win the game. You might have personal agendas during the game, but the proof in the pudding and the eating is, Garnett won. The last six minutes, Dray didn't score. He got to him. From that standpoint, that was my argument. I'm always going to defend my player, but the argument was to be above those types of things." Washington Post

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With allegations of heavy drinking and gambling swirling around Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony said he never observed such behavior when the two were teammates for two years on the Denver Nuggets. "No, man. I haven't seen any of that,'' Anthony, Iverson's teammate on the Nuggets from December 2006 to November 2008, said Tuesday after Denver's practice. "When I hear stuff like that, I just be wondering, 'Where is it coming from?' I want to hear it from him. So I'm pretty sure in a couple days I'll get him on the phone and talk to him.'' FanHouse

Anthony, who called Iverson "one of my close friends,'' has kept in touch regularly with Iverson since he was traded from the Nuggets 1 1/2 years ago, beginning an odyssey that has taken him through disappointing stints in Detroit, Memphis and Philadelphia. But Anthony said he hasn't talked with Iverson for a few weeks, wanting to give him some space as he left the 76ers due to his 4-year-old daughter, Messiah, battling an undetermined illness. The 76ers announced last week Iverson wouldn't play again this season. Since then, his wife, Tawanna, has filed for divorce and the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Iverson's life is spiraling out of control due to drinking and gambling, a contention Iverson vaguely touched upon in a Twitter message in which he said people are saying "things about me that aren't true.'' FanHouse

"I don't want to see nobody ... go through what he's going through,'' said Anthony, who last spoke to Iverson when his family issues first surfaced last month. "I know he's had his issues out there in Philly whether he was playing, whether he was hurt or whether he had to deal with family issues. Having to deal with family issues is one thing, but having to deal with all the other stuff that is going on ... Nobody wants to deal with that stuff ... I wish he could just deal with his family issues, and then that would be it.'' FanHouse

Kobe Bryant has been there before in his career –ball in his hands, time running down, game on the line. And more often than not, he has knocked down the game-winner, much like he did Tuesday against Toronto. After moving to the baseline, Bryant buried a 17-foot fade away jumper with 1.9 seconds left to lift the Lakers to 109-107 victory. “In Orlando, I had the same shot but didn’t make it,” Bryant said. “It’s kind of my job to bail us out …. that’s why in baseball they have closers.” Orange County Register

While Bryant was flattered by Triano’s comments, he was less-than-impressed with his team’s overall play. The Lakers needed Bryant’s bailout shot to avoid their first four-game losing streak in three years. Did you see any positives tonight? “None. This was… garbage,” he said. Nothing? “Nothing. Our defense in Orlando was much better,” Bryant said. “The effort we had in Orlando would make it tough for a team to beat us four times in a series. This thing tonight was garbage.” Orange County Register

Evans, who made comments critical of teammate Andres Nocioni to The Bee after Sunday's loss to Oklahoma City, apologized in a Tuesday afternoon radio interview with KHTK's Grant Napear and Mike Lamb and reiterated his stance at the Rose Garden later. The players had exchanged words during the fourth quarter, with the rookie frustrated at the veteran's shot selection in the most crucial of times. Sacramento Bee

Evans said he and Nocioni resolved the matter after Monday's practice, shaking hands and putting it behind them. "We're like a family," he continued. "We've been together for a long time, and it wasn't a good time at the end of the season to point him out like that. It was my bad. I made a mistake, and it's over with now." Westphal said there will be no discipline for Evans' comments. "We addressed it," he said. "The thing is, on one hand it's no big deal because players get a little bit too impatient with each other a lot. It's the nature of a competitive business. "But when you do it, and it draws enough attention that somebody has to ask you about it, and then you don't comment on it in a way that it protects the other player, it's something you should apologize for. He realized that, and he did. That's all it was." Sacramento Bee

Afterward, Evans told The Bee, "We were in the game, and you come down and take bad shots?" That's not team basketball. Coach (Paul Westphal) didn't say nothing, so I thought I had to step up (and say something)." "I apologize," Evans said in the visitors' locker room before facing the Blazers. "It was me being frustrated and wanting to win. But me as a rookie, I should have pulled him over on the side and said, 'You know, that wasn't a good shot,' instead of putting him on blast in front of a crowd like that." Sacramento Bee

Matt Barnes: Morning yall up early w/ the babies watchn Dora. Seems Lamar can't keep my name out his mouth maby I need 2 put my sons shitty diaper n it. Twitter.com

Coach Jim O'Brien wasn't too happy with the league handing down a one-game suspension to Granger. "I think we're all very surprised," O'Brien said. "(President) Larry Bird and I were baffled, but there's not a lot a franchise can do. The NBA is very strict on any altercations on the court. "They made it known awhile ago that even a minor altercation, which is what I would say happened in Phoenix, they are going to frown upon that and suspend players and fine players. So they're very strict on that." Indianapolis Star

Granger was to sit out a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. "Go figure," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. "We'll line up and play a game without him and we'll get him back and go from there. "The league is going to do what they think they have to do. We'll abide by it and move on." Frye said again that he did not intend to hit anybody, but he said he understands that it looked as if he did. "I think they made the right decision," he said. "I agree with it. I think it's fair around the board. For me, it's just a disappointment. I wanted to play for the team. "You know, it's just not a good look for the Suns or NBA. It's just one of those incidents that happen in the game. You hope it doesn't, but stuff happens sometimes. "It's a highly emotional game. I think both teams wanted to win and then people just took things the wrong way." Arizona Republic

Indiana's Earl Watson was fined $30,000 for instigating and adding to the escalation of the incident. Indiana's Roy Hibbert and Suns guard Jason Richardson were fined $25,000 for escalating the fight. "I thought it was the correct ruling and . . . in all seriousness, I think you have to be aware of situations," Gentry said. "That's a black eye for the league anytime something like that happens. And I think they want to do everything they possibly can to deter that from happening. "I do think sometimes you have to look at individual cases, and if you know Channing Frye, obviously he's not a guy who's going to throw a punch." Arizona Republic

SLAM: Why do you think the transition works for some and not others? JJ Redick: I think there is 420-450 jobs available and there is probably twice that many players who can play in the NBA. So the guys who stick with it find good situations and really work. There are guys Like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwight Howard that are naturally unbelievable. But for a lot of guys, you have to set yourself apart by your work ethic and what you can contribute. SLAM: How do you feel about getting labeled as a pure jump shooter in the NBA? JJR: Everyone gets a label. I don’t really care about what category I am in to be honest. I just want to fit in and play my role. I appreciate what I have and love my job. SLAM

His offseason, Brand said, will be about learning to do more things that the Princeton offense needs him to do. Of course, that is provided the Princeton offense will be a part of the team next year. "There are definitely things I'll need to work on during the offseason to be a better player in this offense. I've got to learn to pass a little better, like off the dribble and from different positions. Catching the ball at the three-point line. Different things that I have never done in my entire career. I've never been accustomed to getting the ball as far out, around the three-point line, as I have this year. There are different things I need to improve upon and I'm looking forward to it." Philadelphia Daily News

The Cavaliers finally got some good injury news on Tuesday. An MRI on Antawn Jamison's left knee at the Cleveland Clinic revealed nothing serious. Jamison was pulled from the Cavs' 97-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter when the back of the knee tightened up. Jamison said he's been bothered by soreness in the knee earlier this season and was able to get through it with treatment. The Cavs said his status for Friday's game at Philadelphia will be updated later. He's considered day-to-day at this point. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Stuckey, 23, said numerous tests have been done on his heart, his blood, and everything checks out OK. "I'm good, everything is good," said Stuckey, who is questionable for tonight's game against Utah. "They ran a lot of tests on me and everything came back good. My heart's good. I'm just taking it day by day. "Right now, I'm just chilling." Detroit News

But when asked if he'll play again this season, Stuckey said, "I don't know," saying it'll be up to the doctors. "I got to talk to the doctors and figure that out," Stuckey said. Stuckey is scheduled for more tests the next couple of days. Stuckey remembers walking back to the bench Friday and gradually feeling ill. When asked if he felt sick, weak or shaky, Stuckey said "all of the above." Detroit News

The pain in Luke Walton's back is easing up, he said, and for the first time he's set an ETA for his return. "Maybe by the beginning of April," he said, noting his back pains are lessening as he increases his work. "I've gotta' start amping up the work," he said, to hit his April 1 target date. "I hope my back agrees with it." Riverside Press-Enterprise

Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown side-stepped a question about SI.com's report that he inquired about whether the Los Angeles Clippers would be interested in hiring him as coach. Charlotte Observer

I followed up with this question: Are you committed to being here long-term? "It's up to Michael,'' Brown replied, suggesting -- as Brown has in the past -- that he'd like to be here as long as he's working for Michael Jordan. Charlotte Observer

Adrian Wojnarowski: Larry Brown had been pushing for Sixers job too, but hard to believe MJ will let him out of contract to leave for Philly or Clips. Twitter.com

Ric Bucher: On Larry-Brown-to-Clips innuendo: source says LB checked weeks ago when MJ buying Bobcats was shaky. LB, nor Clips, are going there now. Twitter.com

Mike Dunleavy still doesn't know exactly what happened. Tuesday afternoon he got a haircut, packed for a scouting trip to the ACC tournament, then went out to a local golf course for a couple hours. Unbeknownst to him, and still unexplained to him as of late Tuesday night, during that time he was being fired as general manager of the Clippers. "I come back to my locker around 7 p.m. and there's a million messages on my phone," Dunleavy said, when reached by ESPNLosAngeles.com late Tuesday night. ESPN.com

"This guy comes up to me and said, 'What's going on? They just said on TV that the Clippers severed ties with you?' "I had no idea what they were talking about. I'm like, 'Wow. I haven't even talked to the Clippers.'" ESPN.com

Barely a month after Dunleavy relinquished his head coaching duties to focus solely on being general manager, the team announced his departure in an e-mailed statement. Assistant general manager Neil Olshey will take over Dunleavy's job. "The team has simply not made sufficient progress during Dunleavy's seven-year tenure," the statement said. "The Clippers want to win now. This transition, in conjunction with a full commitment to dedicate unlimited resources, is designed to accomplish that objective." ESPN.com

Dunleavy said he left a message with Clippers owner Donald Sterling, thanking him for the opportunity to work with the franchise the last seven years, but he has not heard back from the owner. "I left a message saying, 'I have no idea what caused this. I'm disappointed I don't get to finish the job, but I want to thank you for the opportunity you've given me,'" Dunleavy said. "I had a great time in L.A." ESPN.com

Sources around the league maintain that with Dunleavy focused primarily on his coaching responsibilities, Olshey has been the main pipeline into the Clippers' organization for a while now. Though Dunleavy -- and Clippers president Andy Roeser above him -- had veto power over any personnel moves, Olshey was the guy you called when you wanted to discuss deals. If that premise is correct, then Olshey had a big hand in getting the Clippers where they want to be financially heading into the summer. ESPN.com

Chris Mannix: An NBA source tells SI this was an outright firing. Dunleavy was not looking for a way out, was gearing up for free agency. Twitter.com

"Had no clue!" Dunleavy said in an e-mail to The Times. Dunleavy, who had dinner with Sterling last week, said he did not hear the news from the Clippers, learning of his dismissal only when he turned his cell phone on around 7 p.m., getting it out of the locker at his club. "I'm kind of surprised like everyone else," he said in a telephone interview. "I found out being on the Internet and people calling me, saying, 'Mike, what's going on?' I said, 'I have no idea what you are talking about.' I tried Mr. Sterling and left him a message. "...That's the story." Los Angeles Times

The big question to analyze: Why now, and not a clean sweep in February? Team President Andy Roeser was not available to answer that specific question, but did provide insight into the decision making. "With all due respect to Mike, we arrived at the realization that we weren't going to be able to move forward together in the long term, and we felt that, in order to give us the most flexibility as we approach this opportunity-filled off-season, making a clean break was our best option at this time," Roeser said in an e-mail to The Times. "We think Neil is well prepared to meet the mandate to lead us to a 'win-now' mentality, and to take advantage of the many opportunities that lie ahead." Los Angeles Times

Brian Mahoney: Baron Davis' mixed metaphor on Dunleavy's departure as GM: "It's just like another monkey wrench in a roller- coaster season for us." Twitter.com

The first name that came to mind after the Clippers' rude and unceremonious news release came out Tuesday night announcing Mike Dunleavy's firing was none other than Jerry West. The Logo had been long rumored to be a candidate to take over the Clippers' woebegone basketball operations if -- and, as it turned out, when -- they finally "severed ties" with Dunleavy. From West himself Tuesday night: Not gonna happen. "No contact, no interest, not looking to work anymore," West said by telephone after the Dunleavy news broke. "Time for someone younger to have an opportunity to do something. I have not been contacted, nor would I have any interest." CBSSports.com

West, who was at the center of speculation to take over the Knicks' basketball operations when Isiah Thomas was deposed two years ago, left the door open ever so slightly to returning to a front office in some capacity. "Unless there was something that was along the lines of a consultant job -- a working consultant," West said. "I don’t want a title or need a title. It was fun to be involved. It's a tough business. But I'm not looking for a job nor am I putting my name out there for any job. I've always felt we all have a lifespan with what we’re doing. Mine has been served." CBSSports.com

John Ireland: I think the Clippers should offer the GM job to Jerry West, and if/when he turns it down, offer it to @sportsguy33. I'm serious. Why not? He's a long time season tix holder, there is a lockout coming. Give him one year--could he be worse than anybody they've had? Twitter.com

West was a self-described “solitary person,” someone who gravitated, especially as a youth, to activities where he could be alone. Basketball, a game that can be mastered by ones lonesome, provided something deeper. It was a way to simultaneously release a build-up of anger, bring the serenity and peace of being alone, and provide the ideal outlet for an unusual amount of nervous energy. West had his insecurities; just bring up Oscar Robertson and West will give you a detailed list of how and why Robertson was a better player. Such is his way. And yes, as has been well documented, he was a perfectionist. Finding flaws in a 40-point night was too easy for West, as he would just find something wrong with the rest of his game. Good enough was never enough. Immortal wasn’t even enough. The nature of the disappointments, ones that left him feeling mocked by circumstance, were of a sickening nature: West had, as Lazenby notes in the book via the legendary Frank Deford, fallen a total of 10 points shy from owning one NCAA title and four NBA titles. You would think Jerry West – Jerry West – could’ve found 10 points somewhere, anywhere. And thus, he was a tortured soul. SLAM

In just a couple of weeks, the New York Knicks have taken deposits on 1,800 new season tickets. For those keeping score at home, that's the fastest the team has sold this many new season tickets in its storied history. Considering the team is heading for another losing season and hasn't won a playoff series in a decade, it can be assumed that all this excitement has to do with the anticipation of the free agents the team is going to sign for next season. CNBC.com

"We didn't hit this number until about August 15 of last year, which was a record year," said MSG Sports president Scott O'Neil. "We are on fire." CNBC.com

"There's certainly anticipation of adding two superstars to New York," O'Neil said. "I think there's also a sense of, most of us remember the 90s when you couldn't get a ticket to a Knicks game." CNBC.com

Brian T. Smith: An upbeat Bill Walton said he has begun the processing of starting his new life, prior to tonight's game vs. #Kings. Twitter.com

Kelenna Azubuike: They put what i said about acting on hoops hype. Let me clarify. I am NOT goin to pursue acting. I just meant if i was an actor I think I would be good at it. Twitter.com

Kelenna Azubuike: I love playing basketball so ill keep my day job thanks. Don't want there to be any confusion there. Twitter.com

Rudy Gay: Yo this dude on animal planet keep gettin hurt by these sharks! Pure comedy. Twitter.com

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