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Thursday, March 11

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Last update: 7:11 pm ET

Michael Lee: Agent Zero to Agent Six? Doesn't have the same ring, but Gilbert Arenas has submitted paperwork to change jersey from No. 0 to No. 6. Twitter.com

Although a Suns source I talked to recently thinks that Amare staying in Phoenix is now the most likely outcome, it is still also quite possible that he will opt out of his contract and test the 2010 free agent market. If that happens, the Phoenix Suns hope the demand from available teams with cap space is greater than the supply of free agents. That competition for Amare's services creates more teams willing to do a sign-and-trade with the Suns to get him. Bright Side Of The Sun

But according to two sources with knowledge of the Wizards' thinking, the team is considering re-signing Howard, albeit a price less than his option when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The sources were encouraged with Howard, who averaged 14.5 points and 3.3 rebounds and brought a positive attitude and enthusiasm to a locker room in desperate need of a jolt. Howard said he would like to return to Washington next season, citing the Wizards' two first-round picks and significant cap room this summer. Washington Post

"I feel like I'm in a good place right here in Washington if they give me a shot. Great city, fans support. Another top-notch organization. Can't beat it. And I'm close to home," said Howard, a North Carolina native. The Wizards "gave me a fresh start. Being able to come to an organization that's great, leaving another great one where I learned a lot. I'm hoping that I can still teach people what I learned there." Washington Post

Howard added that he is not concerned about joining a rebuilding situation with the Wizards. "Not at all. I had my opportunities to go through rebuilding before, in college [at Wake Forest]. It's nothing new to me. I'm looking forward to the challenge, if it's for me," he said. "You never know. Just got to wait and see. One way or another, I'm going to try to play somewhere, if not here, somewhere. It's up in the air right now. "I guess we'll wait until after the season is over," he said. "Right now, that's not something I'm concerned about. Right now, my No. 1 focus is this knee." Washington Post

It often takes a star to get a star, which is why point guard Derrick Rose believes his Bulls are on course to land one of the big-name, high-profile free agents this summer. Either Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh or Joe Johnson could be coming to Chicago soon. "It would be huge for us. It would make us a serious contender,'' Rose told FanHouse Thursday afternoon before the Bulls played the Magic in Orlando. "I think we can get one of them. We have other things to worry about right now, getting into the playoffs, but I can't wait for that day (landing another star) to come.'' FanHouse

"I'd be fine with any one of them,'' Rose said. "One of them would be great. They'd all fit well here. I think we've got a good shot. Why wouldn't they want to come to Chicago? It's a great market with loyal, die-hard fans.'' Rose bases his belief on several factors: The championship history of the franchise, the team's popularity, the salary cap space that will allow roster flexibility, and the team they already have assembled -- including him as the point guard. FanHouse

NBA sources told FOX 26 Sports Thursday Houston Rockets guard Will Conroy is returning to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA Developmental League. Conroy's second ten-day contract with the Rockets has expired and he can only be re-signed by Houston for the rest of the season. Sources with knowledge of the situation indicate the Rockets will leave that roster spot open for now. MyFOX Houston

It’s typical for guys in this league that once they get traded to a new team, they refer to their former teammates as “family”. That’s how it goes when players are around each other for eight months out of the year, and sometimes more. They become court kin. I’m just not sure how many of those guys are checking their former team’s box score on the regular. Carl Landry sure does. “Every day…..every day,” said Landry, who religiously keeps tabs on the Houston Rockets even now while in Sacramento. “I check the box score every day. They are like my brothers. I even check my own brother’s box score (Marcus Landry with the Boston Celtics)." Beyond the Beat

Tyreke Evans joined Grant Napear on KHTK in Sacramento to discuss the incident with Nocioni, the Rookie of the Year award, hitting the rookie wall, and what he needs to improve to become an All-Star. On blowup between Evans and Andres Nocioni: “It was an argument going on between me and him. He came down and took a couple bad shots and, me being a rookie, I lost my composure. I said something to him I shouldn’t have said. I was just frustrated because I wanted to win. We shook hands. It’s over with. I had to realize you can’t put your teammate under the bus like that. I should have just told him how I felt for everyone to see. I apologized to him yesterday after practice and it’s cool… I came at him wrong, so I learned a lot. We are a family. We have been together since the start of the season. You can’t just break a guy down. I told him sorry to the team and I was sorry. Everybody was cool with it and they accept my apology.” Sports Radio Interviews

When Jennings compared his season to the rookie campaigns of Evans and Curry, he didn't mince words. According to the most recent rookie rankings on NBA.com, Jennings was recently quoted saying the following: "Right now, I'm playing for something bigger. I don't even care about the Rookie of the Year. Forget it. Whoever gets it, who cares? Both of their teams suck, so whoever gets it, it doesn't matter." NBC Sports

Kerr admitted that late in his career, he used Vioxx, and found it to be a performance enhancer. They cycled the doses, so he was on it sometimes, and off other times. He found that when he was on it, he was a better player. Admitting that gives him some credibility. This was not going to be a whitewash. ESPN.com

Kerr was notably terrified when Tom Gugliotta nearly died after some amateurish supplementing with combinations of things he bought for himself at GNC. Gugliotta collapsed, and the proper treatment was only discovered once his wife had been consulted, and was able to supply a precise list of the things that he had been taking, which informed the doctors in how to treat the collapse. ESPN.com

From that moment on, Kerr says he has been convinced that, for safety reasons, he is adamant that the team's medical staff needs to know everything every player is taking. He's convincing on this point, I think he really believes that. ESPN.com

In a poll published this week, Sports Illustrated asked players, “Which team is least likely to win a title in the next five years?’’ The Knicks garnered 11 percent of the vote, which could be construed as a vote of no-confidence in their plan to sign two superstar free agents this summer. The Nets, who are pursuing a parallel strategy, drew 31 percent of the vote, the highest of any team. The Minnesota Timberwolves (16 percent), the Memphis Grizzlies (15 percent), the Los Angeles Clippers (5 percent) and the Charlotte Bobcats (5 percent) were the other teams listed most often. New York Times

Smith said those conversations would probably happen, “but at the end of the day, they’re great players and they really believe they can do it without each other.’’ In other words, James, Bosh and Wade may talk about the idea of joining forces but will ultimately prefer to have their own team. The Knicks would have a better shot of recruiting star players if David Lee, their lone All-Star, were guaranteed to return, Smith said. But Lee is also a free agent. That leaves Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler as the Knicks’ only drawing cards. “I don’t think you can sell Gallinari and Chandler” as a championship-caliber supporting cast, Smith said, “because they are unproven.’’ New York Times

Howard's season came to an end just two games later on Feb. 22, when his left knee bent awkwardly while receiving an outlet pass from Mike Miller in the first quarter of a 101-95 win over Chicago. He said he immediately knew "something wasn't right" but didn't find out until a day later that he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament. "It was devastating," said Howard. "No guy wants to find out they're not going to finish out the season. I had high expectations of taking this team to the playoffs, which I thought we was on our way, too. It was an unfortunate situation to happen." Washington Post

Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley has a bruised left thigh and is listed as a game-time decision for Miami's key game against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Beasley is Miami's second-leading scorer behind Dwyane Wade, averaging 15.3 points per game. He got hit in the thigh in the third quarter of Wednesday's win against the Los Angeles Clippers. ESPN.com

Not only did Rodney Stuckey return to the basketball court Thursday, he was the final Detroit Pistons player to leave it. Stuckey, who collapsed during Friday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, did not participate fully in practice but did some work on the side, then shot baskets for a good length of time after all his teammates had left the court. Booth Newspapers

Here’s what you need to know about the latest sideshow that is unfolding in Philly: The most likely scenario, according to a person involved in the decision-making process, is that Jordan is gone after the season and Stefanski stays. Does that make sense? Well, sort of, but that’s not really the point. The point is, as one rival general manager put it to me recently: “There are only two things you can sell. Success and hope.” With rare exceptions, the Sixers have been selling a steady diet of the latter to their success-starved fan base – a fan base that would show up and make Philly one of the NBA’s prized markets again if given sufficient reason. CBSSports.com

Here’s what completely sabotaged what almost certainly will be Jordan’s lone season in Philly: The team hired a coach whose intricate offensive system required experienced, unselfish guard play. A month later, the team made no effort to re-sign the only experienced, ball-moving guard on the roster. Andre Miller signed a rather modest three-year, $21 million deal with Portland – modest, because the third year is completely non-guaranteed. Even with Miller’s differences with coach Nate McMillan, the Blazers are in the hunt for a playoff spot despite a litany of injuries. The Sixers are in the hunt for another lottery pick, and soon will be in the market for another coach. One person familiar with the situation described Jordan’s dismissal after the season as “virtually a slam dunk.” CBSSports.com

Something else of note: While Comcast’s Peter Luukko has soared up the Sixers’ hierarchy, it would be a mistake to assume that chairman Ed Snider is no longer calling the shots. This quagmire belongs on Snider’s resume, and now it is up to him to fix it. And by that, I don’t mean repackaging it with a new coach and trying to pass it off on Sixers fans as hope. They’ve been down that road too many times already. CBSSports.com

For good reason, Larry Brown’s name has been linked to the Sixers. His roots are in Philadelphia, and as recently as a few weeks ago there were strong indications that Next Town Brown was sniffing around to see if he could arrange a return engagement. CBSSports.com

But with Michael Jordan’s ownership bid for the Bobcats expected to receive swift approval – an ownership committee performed the perfunctory interview with His Airness this week in New York – it is believed that Brown’s loyalty to Jordan will trump his wanderlust. CBSSports.com

Sixers players don't live in a cocoon. They've listened to and read the rumblings that head coach Eddie Jordan may be fired at the end of this disappointing season. "It’s just tough being in a culture with a lot of losing and a lot of uncertainty," said Andre Iguodala. "As players, we have to expect that. You have good teams that change coaches out of the blue because they didn’t get over the hump and bad teams change coaches because they didn’t get where they need to go. It can happen on any level. It’s a part of the business. You have to be ready and mentally prepared for it." phillyburbs.com

“There are coaches who are a lot better than I am that have gotten fired, I know that for a fact,” said Sloan. “I don’t know if [teams] have the staying power to try and keep a guy as long as I’ve been able to keep my job in Utah. Our ownership has been supportive and when y’all [the media] get a little rough on coaches, a lot of [owners] cave in. Ours never caved in.” SLAM

“[Winning] is a lot easier when you have good players. I lost 56 games when we didn’t [have good players]. That’s common sense. You can’t be a good team unless you have good players. You have to have good players. I’ve been fortunate to have good players for a long period of time and when we lost those guys [John Stockton and Karl Malone] we had to start all over. But the job still remains the same. That doesn’t change. You have to coach whoever’s there and try to get them to play as well as they can. And that’s why sometimes, you have losing teams.” SLAM

According to sources, Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke has made no efforts to negotiate an extension for Warkentien, whose contract runs out after this season. Three situations bear watching if the Nuggets make the ill-fated decision to let Wark walk: The Knicks, Clippers, and Pacers. Although the Clippers have a bright young executive in Neil Olshey taking over for Mike Dunleavy, Olshey would benefit from an experienced hand to help him navigate a crucial draft and free agency period. CBSSports.com

The Knicks? Warkentien and Donnie Walsh are buddies, too, and according to sources, Walsh finally has the go-ahead to hire a No. 2 basketball man and heir apparent now that the spinoff of Madison Square Garden from parent company Cablevision has been completed. In fact, if Walsh doesn’t hire Warkentien, it is believed that he’d recommend that Pacers owner Herb Simon do it. The Pacers are badly in need of someone with Warkentien’s shrewd eye for talent and negotiating skills as they try not to waste the prime of Danny Granger’s career. CBSSports.com

Sources told FOXSports.com that former Arkansas star and NBA player Corliss "Big Nasty" Williamson among finalists for Central Ark. opening. Twitter.com

Arizona’s Loren Woods held the NCAA record for most blocks in an NCAA Tournament (21) from 2001-06. Once considered an NBA prospect, today he’s playing for Iran’s Mahram, who recently won its league championship. But a writer admonished Woods for kicking a basketball at an opposing team during the semis and stomping on an opponent’s chest during the finals. Lost Lettermen

Another day, another apparent dose of drama off the court for the Miami Heat. The latest episode came early Thursday morning, when forward Dorell Wright was arrested in South Beach and charged with DUI and driving with a suspended license. According to the arrest report, Wright, 24, was stopped at 3:37 a.m. in his 2005 Bentley near the intersection of Alton Road and 12th Street. Officers witnessed Wright driving erratically and, upon approaching the vehicle, observed ``red and watery eyes, order of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and low and slurred speech.'' Miami Herald

Shaquille O’Neal and his estranged wife, Shaunie, right, have finalized their divorce, TMZ reports. The legal closure comes less than two years after Shaq faced a somewhat related stack of court documents here in Atlanta. In that case, an Atlanta woman accused O’Neal of stalking her and threatening her with bodily harm, but ultimately withdrew a request for a permanent restraining order against the NBA star. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Last update: 10:03 am ET

Iowa State junior Craig Brackins and Cyclones teammate Marquis Gilstrap are both expected to declare for the NBA Draft. A source close to the situation told FOXSports.com that both players will make an announcement in the next few days. FOXSports.com

According to NBA executives, Brackins' stock has fallen this season, but he could still be a first-round pick in the June NBA Draft. The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Gilstrap came into the program this season from the junior college ranks and averaged 14.8 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc. FOXSports.com

When asked if he considered that the SEC tournament might be the final week of his college career, he said: “Not at all. It’s not even on my mind, to be honest with you. We’ve got practice right now and Arkansas tomorrow. That’s what I’m thinking about. “I haven’t made my decision yet. I’ve actually given it very little thought. Somebody said recently that I was seriously thinking about leaving, but that’s just not true. I’m not paying much attention to the talk.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Neither Thompkins nor Leslie are listed on 2010 mock drafts. That’s not surprising because usually only underclassmen projected as potential lottery picks are listed. Neither is considered in that group right now. Fox said he and Thompkins have spoken “a couple of times” about the process. But he added: “He has been remarkably focused on the season and we’ll deal with that part of it after we’re done. We had a couple of kids who left early at Nevada, and that attention and that process can get to even the greatest of kids. But Trey has handled it very well.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

There’s been plenty of whispers about whether the Oklahoma freshmen Tommy Mason-Griffin, a point guard, and Tiny Gallon, a power forward, could leave for the N.B.A. But Sooners Coach Jeff Capel made it clear after his 10th-seeded team’s 81-67 opening-round loss to No. 7 seed Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament that he didn’t think either was N.B.A. ready. “That’s an insult to players in the N.B.A. for anyone on our team to be or for anyone to think those guys are N.B.A. players right now,” Capel said. New York Times

Yet as blunt as Capel was, he didn’t rule out that his team had players who could eventually end up being N.B.A. players. “They possibly can be at some point,” he said. “But not right now.” New York Times

After Tuesday's practice, Stoudemire said he'd love to stay in Phoenix if the Suns meet his number. No hard feelings or hometown discounts, just good business moving forward. It's shaping up as a decision with major consequences, and the Suns must wonder: What's real? What's temporary? And once Stoudemire gets his money, how long until his knees scream for a doctor? This much is tangible: Stoudemire has grown considerably in 2009-10. He is no longer a lone wolf on the road. He is an engaged teammate who hangs out with the entire group, a noticeable change that began in training camp. The stoic manner in which he handled a recent wave of trade rumors earned him much respect in the locker room, turning him into an empathetic figure. Arizona Republic

The center Robert "The Tractor" Traylor signed a contract with Puerto Rican champions Vaqueros Bayamon. Former NBA player started the season in Italy with NSB Napoli, he left in December for the financial problems the club was facing. Sportando

Art Garcia: Mark Cuban admitted before game he considered "blowing up" Mavs during early-season struggles. Wonder how he felt in 1st half vs Nets. Twitter.com

John Schuhmann: When Cuban talks of trading players who "don't get it," I believe that Kris Humphries is on that list. Good energy, but not much upstairs. Twitter.com

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban got a laugh at the Izod Center fans chanting “Thank you, Cuban,” toward the end of a game last season in which Devin Harris badly outplayed Jason Kidd in his East Rutherford return and the Nets won. “I hated losing that game, but the chant cracked me up,” Cuban said. “I always prefer that fans give me a hard time rather than heckle our players.” Bergen Record

Cuban still is laughing, but for different reasons. Harris was an All-Star last year, but has struggled this season until recently. Kidd, meanwhile, is playing at a high level and has the Mavericks thinking championship this season. When asked what he thinks of the Kidd-Harris trade now, Cuban said, “I would do it again.” Bergen Record

Alex Kennedy: I recently asked Okafor if he ever wonders what would have happened if Orlando had picked him over Dwight. He wasn't too happy. Shook his head and said he doesn't think about things that he had no control over. Didn't want to talk about it much. Twitter.com

Despite word that personal turmoil contributed to Rafer Alston's departure from the Miami Heat last week, coach Erik Spoelstra said Wednesday that "our stance is the same" when it comes to the guard's indefinite suspension without pay. In breaking his silence about a departure that came a day after he was stripped of his starting role last Thursday, Alston told ESPN.com that his abrupt exit from the team came amid the emotional strain of his twin sister Racine's recent attempted suicide. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Spoelstra said the Heat still has yet to hear from the veteran guard beyond a single text message last Friday informing the team's trainer of his departure. "My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, but we still have not talked to him," Spoelstra said. "I think we're all curious just to find out more." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Sources close to the situation have told Ridiculous Upside that Sweetney will join the NBA Development League and is expected to clear waivers at noon today. Ridiculous Upside

Rondo said he didn’t realize Allen had gone the entire game with so few shots. Allen said the offense was stagnant, and that there is no way the Celtics should score just 84 points. “I told him, ‘I look at you, you’re the point guard,’ ’’ Allen said. “I know Doc [Rivers] is making a lot of calls offensively, but I said, ‘Rondo, you’ve got to make sure that we come down the floor, that ball goes from one side to the other. I’m touching the ball and Paul [Pierce] is touching the ball. We’re all capable of making plays.’’’ Boston Globe

Since the trade deadline, Allen has led the Celtics in scoring seven times, doing most of his damage in signature fashion, coming off screens and drilling catch-and-shoot jumpers. He has mixed in dunks on the fast break as an additional sign of newfound energy. “Offensively, I feel like if I’m not touching the ball, scoring, shooting the ball, getting the ball in transition, that means the ball’s stagnant,’’ Allen said. Boston Globe

Among the league leaders in steals (first) and assists (fourth), Rondo has blossomed in his fourth season, reaching the All-Star Game for the first time. The line between good and great point guard, however, is drawn at the ability to get players involved. “I believe that’s where you go to the next level,’’ Allen said. “He’s finding his way, and he’s done a great job of it, but the point guard is the quarterback. His awareness has to be at 100 percent when he’s out there because how he’s playing offensively, how we’re passing the ball offensively, the shots that everybody’s getting, he’s really initiating offense. “A lot does fall on him, and I told him, ‘You’ve got to make sure you know that.’ ’’ Boston Globe

Iverson is now out of basketball for the rest of this season to tend to his ill, 4-year-old daughter, Messiah. Recent reports also have painted the former Sixers star as struggling with alcohol and gambling problems. "I feel terrible because I think everybody's forgetting what he did," said Brown, now in his third season with Charlotte and 26th overall, a career that has produced a 1,077-878 record, after his team defeated the Sixers last night, 102-87. "What a special player he was. Unfortunately, he's got some things to cope with now. A lot of people have a tendency to beat guys up when things aren't going good, but I know in the 6 years I coached him that everywhere we went, people came out to see him. Probably the most popular player I ever coached. And I don't think there was a greater competitor that played in our league. I think if maybe he can get some things straightened out, maybe we [the league] can get him another chance. Maybe he won't play at the same level I saw him play, but I still thi k he can help somebody. He needs that. And I believe the league needs to take care of guys who have made a contribution. "Allen's always been Allen, regardless of what he did off the court, you know when the lights went on you knew what to expect." Philadelphia Daily News

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They reflected the mood in a Lakers locker room in which nobody was particularly happy with what it took- more Kobe Bryant heroics- to dispatch a middle-of-the-road Eastern Conference team coming into the game with a 10-19 mark south of the Canadian border. The normally gregarious Odom spoke while seated and facing his locker, often in what came off as an angry, occasionally muttering rant. It was tough to discern every word perfectly, but the meaning each was perfectly clear. "We’ve got dudes on the Raptors talking (trash)," he said, noting Toronto hasn't exactly arrived as an NBA powerhouse. "But our disposition as a team gives some of these young cats, these dudes, the right. They feel like they got the right. A couple of dudes talking to me today, if I’d have talked to Charles Oakley like one of those dudes like that, I probably would have been smacked in my face." ESPN.com

The season didn't start this way, he noted. "I felt like we were [taking it to teams] at the beginning of the year," he said. Odom then made a sound almost like a steam engine, driving and pushing relentlessly, demonstrating how they attacked teams. "(Opponents) are like, “Man, it’s too hard.” Whatever it was the Lakers had, that extra edge of a champion causing the opposition to flinch at important times, Odom said it was gone. "Now, at this point of the season, teams watching are like “Yeah, we can beat (those guys.)” ESPN.com

When I asked Coach Phil Jackson whether this team had the same consistent urgency of last season, he said, "I don't think so … We don't have that … Not that we can't reclaim it at some point … That's what we're trying to do." Jackson later added, simply, "The urgency of playing well has not struck us yet." Los Angeles Times

On the court, he clearly benefits from the hulking presence of Robin Lopez, who is now the starting center and occupies the other team's biggest player. That could be a powerful combination in the future. And after all these years, Stoudemire never runs out of surprises. "I'm on a vegan fast right now," Stoudemire declared. "With my four days off, I'm really taking time off to purify my body, and get my body in top shape for these last 16-17 games. So right now, I'm on a vegan fast." Arizona Republic

Curry had tightness in his right calf, forcing him to scuttle his planned comeback against the San Antonio Spurs. He has not played since Dec. 17. It was a torn muscle in Curry’s right calf that caused him to miss most of training camp, derailing his season. “There’s no need to push it if it’s going to have the same kind of outcome,” Curry said after the Knicks’ 97-87 loss to the Spurs. “So just pretty much going game by game, see if I can get it warmed up.” New York Times

Since his arrival in New York in October 2005, Curry’s career has been measured in fits and starts, stalling more times than a 1970s station wagon driving uphill on a frosty winter morning. He has been stymied by injuries and weight gains, personal trauma and coaching whims. “I try not to think about it,” Curry said, reflecting on five years of misfortune. “It’s depressing.” New York Times

Bryant has made 26 of the 89 potential game tying or game-winning field goals he has shot over the last decade. That's 29.2%, which is slightly above League average. ESPN.com

The best field goal percentage, on potential game-tying or game-winning field goals in the last 10 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime, belongs to Chris Paul. He has hit three of his four shots. Chris Bosh, Chris Duhon, Tim Duncan, Raymond Felton, Rudy Gay, David Lee, Rashard Lewis and O.J. Mayo are all two of three. This season, the League as a whole makes just 26.7% of its shots in that situation. Over the last decade, by field goal percentage the best shooters in this setting have been Carmelo Anthony (13-28, .464), Pau Gasol (9-22, .409), Tony Parker (11-29, .379), Chris Paul (9-24, .375) and Shawn Marion (10-28, .357). Bryant over the same period is 26-89 (.292). ESPN.com

New Orleans Hornets starting small forward Peja Stojakovic will be sidelined for a minimum two weeks with a lower abdominal strain, the team announced Wednesday morning. Stojakovic suffered the injury in the third quarter of Monday's 135-131 victory against the Golden State Warriors. The Hornets play at Oklahoma City tonight and Julian Wright will start in place of Stojakovic, team spokesman Dennis Rogers said. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Jamison said if it was up to him, he'd face the 76ers on Friday at the Wachovia Center. He said it was a "no-brainer" he'd play in Sunday's contest against Boston on ABC. He had an MRI at the Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday. "(A) little cyst in the back of my knee has some fluid in it," Jamison said. "No surgery is involved. I know my body. It's something that occurred early in the season and after proper treatment, it went away. I don't see it lingering." News-Herald

Asked how his first platelet rich plasma therapy session felt on his left knee, Kenyon Martin used an expletive in quite a descriptive way — alas, you won't read it in newsprint. The power forward said Wednesday he isn't sure when his next PRP therapy session will be and said "we'll see how it works," in reference to the first session Monday. The therapy takes place at Vail's Steadman Hawkins Clinic, and it's possible Martin could be out for a couple of weeks. Johan Petro again started for Martin on Wednesday at Minnesota (Petro, Denver's only 7-footer, took the tipoff). Asked what he brings with Martin out, reserve post Chris Andersen deadpanned: "I bring some more injuries. My back and my knee, man, I've been trying to get the necessary treatment and strength and conditioning to get it back to 100 percent." Denver Post

The big injury talk surrounding the Nuggets is about Martin, but Ty Lawson's injured shoulder is still a big issue — it kept him out Wednesday and possibly Friday at New Orleans. "It's day to day now," the reserve point guard said. "It doesn't hurt a lot, I'm moving it now, there's just one spot (in my shoulder) that catches every time I dribble and make a move. So I'm trying to work it out. . . . Once it stops catching, then I'll be able to play." Denver Post

Stuckey, 23, expects to play again this season. "Yeah, I want to," Stuckey said before Wednesday's game against Utah. "I just have to see what happens. Right now, I'm just taking it day by day." Stuckey is through with the necessary medical tests. "I'm done talking about this stuff," he said. "I did all the tests and everything was good. I got cleared. I'm good, man. I feel good. The doctors did a good job. "I did every possible test I could and everything came back good. We'll go from here. "I'm normal. It was a little freak accident." Detroit News

Stuckey hasn't talked with Pistons medical staff yet, but given the okay to exercise, he expects to return to practice soon. "If they say I'm cleared to exercise, I'm pretty sure I'm cleared to practice," he said. Said coach John Kuester: "He's been cleared to practice and work out. We'll have a clearer picture (Thursday, as to whether he can practice)." Detroit News

Eddie Jordan's job reportedly is on the line, with Comcast-Spectacor supposedly already having decided to fire him in the first year of his 4-year contract to coach the 76ers. Peter Luukko, chief operating officer and president of the company, denied that a decision has been made. "No, we haven't [made a decision]," Luukko told the Daily News yesterday. "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

Eddie Jordan spent the pregame media session with reporters talking about the published reports that he will be fired at the end of the season, if not sooner. He pretty much said that he doesn’t pay attention to the rumors, that he’s focusing on preparing the players for each game. He went so far as to compare him and his staff to an oak tree, saying “We’ve been around long enough, done enough diligence that our roots grow deeper than you can see.” Delaware News Journal

But Jordan bristled when asked if he had lost the team, like it was suggested by anonymous sources in those published reports. This was his response: “We just won a game against the fifth [actually, 6th] seed in Toronto. You guys push that aside like it’s nothing. We split a road trip. I know we lost to an Indiana team that’s probably not going to be in the playoffs. … We had a poor third quarter. I had a unit in there (in the fourth quarter) that was very competitive. We didn’t get it done like we did in Toronto. So our team is working hard. They’re good character guys. Like all teams, every once in a while they need a kick in the pants and motivation and positive thoughts. I don’t know where that [rumor] comes from. [The media] just puts it out there: ‘The team’s not listening.’ They’re full of crap.” Delaware News Journal

Which is a far cry from this season, when fans don't know what the Sixers will do night in and night out. And now there is wide speculation coach Eddie Jordan's job could be in danger. "I look at their roster and I look at their coach, I like their owner. Things can change very quickly," (Larry) Brown said. "They've got a lot of assets on this team. They're in a good situation financially. I don't think they're very far. A lot of teams have struggled and bounced back quickly. Philadelphia Daily News

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl stayed at home to receive treatment for cancer and did not make the trip to Minnesota for the Nuggets' game against the Timberwolves on Wednesday. It has long been planned that Karl would remain in Denver for this trip to the Twin Cities. Assistant Adrian Dantley filled in as head coach for the fourth time in his career and second time this season. ESPN.com

A defiant Mike D'Antoni vowed Wednesday that he won't make changes to his Knicks coaching staff. "We're not throwing anybody under the bus," D'Antoni said. "That's not going to happen." New York Daily News

However, sources close to the Knicks president say that Walsh is concerned about the team's defensive woes. The best way to solve the problem is to acquire defensive-minded players. But the culture also needs to change, and yesterday D'Antoni, who has a reputation for being rigid, made it clear that his system works. New York Daily News

Greg Miller: Just got this text from a friend in Detroit: "Well, this has been suitably ugly. You guys look good. Add a high lottery pick and watch out." Twitter.com

Lapo Elkann has offered an apology to fans of the Toronto Raptors after his ‘defensive play’ cost the NBA side defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Lapo, who is the nephew of former Juventus patron Gianni Agnelli and often tipped to become the club’s President, was sitting courtside during the match at the Staples Center. Goal.com

The Lakers were awarded possession and went on to win by a two-point margin. “Having two Italians on the team and being Italian, I wished for them to win,” Elkann told ESPN, referring to Raptors’ duo Marco Belinelli and Andrea Bargnani. “I saw the ball coming on me and I pushed it. I’m not an expert in basketball. I know more about soccer than I do about basketball,” he concluded as he pulled up his sleeve to show a tattoo of the Juventus logo. Goal.com

Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith will assist over the next six months with living expenses for the family of Rajaan Bennett, a Vanderbilt football signee who was shot and killed last month, the team announced in a news release on NBA.com Wednesday. Tennessean

Many in Squad 6 haven't forgotten Noah's dissing of the Bucks and greeted the pony-tailed Noah with a stinging rendition of "Dude looks like a lady.'' Squad 6's highly-entertaining performances have certainly gotten the attention of Bogut, who picked up the tab for the season tickets. Racine Journal-Times

"They've come up with some real good stuff,'' Bogut said. "The other teams have definitely noticed, especially when they're making chants against some players. "Sometimes you even see their teammates laughing at the chants. So they've definitely made an impact.'' Racine Journal-Times

With the Bucks seemingly on their way to the playoffs, there has been some rumblings that Squad 6 might be on their way out, too, and their pricey lower-level seats will be sold at a higher, post-season price. But Bogut squelched such speculation, saying he fully intends Squad 6 being a part of the Bucks' playoff plans. "It's been a huge success,'' Bogut said of Squad 6. "A lot of people have noticed it and not just here but in Australia and everywhere. "I've gotten a lot of positive feedback. Obviously, there's some negative Nellie's lying in the weeds who don't like it, maybe 10 percent of the fans. But so be it. Racine Journal-Times

The dude who owns the Indiana Pacers basketball team is being sued by his former nanny -- after she got the chop ... when she was ready to pop. In a lawsuit filed yesterday in L.A. County Superior Court, Herb Simon and his Thai supermodel wife Bui are accused of firing Claudia Leite after she told her bosses she became pregnant last month. In the suit, Leite claims the family "feared" that she would want to take a "brief or limited medical leave of absence" around the time the baby was due -- and according to Leite, that wasn't gonna cut it. TMZ.com

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