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Tuesday, January 8

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» 09:12 PM ET Update » 06:58 PM ET Update » 05:21 PM ET Update » 03:13 PM ET Update » 12:55 PM ET Update » 08:12 AM ET Update

» Update: 09:12 PM ET

Phil Jackson will NOT be back as a coach this season. He said so himself Tuesday. “I have no intention of ever coaching again,” Jackson told SheridanHoops.com in a brief statement. He offered no elaboration, nor any details of how hard — if at all — the Brooklyn Nets had pushed to bring him in as the permanent replacement for Avery Johnson, who was hired last month. SheridanHoops

Phil Jackson, Coaching 

Then there was Brandon Jennings, who said he understood the business side but not the way the news was conveyed to him in particular. "Scott Skiles was my coach for four years. He was my first NBA coach. He was the guy who put the ball in my hands as a rookie and just told me to go, so I have nothing negative to say," he said. "I’m real shocked. The only thing was a little bit upset about is I had to hear from him first and not from the team. Scott called me last night and we talked for about 15-20 minutes. He was the first one to tell me that he wouldn’t be coming back. "It was tough on me a little bit, but I slept on it and I know it’s part of the business. So we just have to move on. But he told me to keep in contact with him, and I will. "To go out like this and the fact we’re still at .500 and No. 7 in the Eastern Conference is just a total shock to me. It’s going to be different for me, but I’m going to be ready." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Brandon Jennings, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

"I mean, the team didn't tell me. Scott told me," he said. "I think that's why I was a little frustrated at first -- just the fact that I had to hear it from my own coach and not from the team. If I'm supposed to be the franchise player, why don't I hear the news first? Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Brandon Jennings, Coaching, Scott Skiles 
 

» Update: 06:58 PM ET

As Rasheed Wallace's foot injury lingers, the New York Knicks are showing a renewed interest in free-agent forward Kenyon Martin, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Knicks have done some additional fact-finding on Martin in recent days, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Kenyon Martin 

Brian Mahoney: The NBA fined Mark Cuban $50,000 for his comments on Twitter on Saturday, when he asked for help fixing the officiating. Twitter @briancmahoney

Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban 

Christopher A. Vito: For those interested, Brooklyn F Andray Blatche was a no-show in Nets locker room in pregame. No surprise there. Twitter @ChrisVito

Brooklyn Nets, Andray Blatche 

John Wall could be making his season debut Saturday for the Washington Wizards after months of rehabbing his injured left knee. Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said on his blog Tuesday that "it is possible but not quite certain, for the first time all season, that we could dress all of our players'' for the game against the Atlanta Hawks. SI.com

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Injuries 

Hill, who has not played this season, was sidelined with bone bruises in his right knee. He went through a light practice Monday, but Tuesday provided him an opportunity to go through contact drills and a five-on-five scrimmage for the first time since the Clippers returned from a preseason trip to China on Oct. 15. "We'll see," Hill said when asked if he would play against Dallas. "There may be some rust, and we may wait until Saturday (against Orlando), but I feel good. Today was a good day." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Injuries, Grant Hill 

So what did Skiles think of his team? The Bucks went 16-16 under his leadership this season and were tied for the seventh playoff position in the Eastern Conference, although they had lost four straight. "There's always the normal coach-player friction that goes on," Skiles said in an interview Tuesday afternoon. "Guys at this level are great players. This is, as NBA teams go, this is a good group of guys." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Scott Skiles 
 

» Update: 05:21 PM ET

Darren Wolfson: Even w/ K-Love out many weeks, it appears the #Twolves still have no interest in Kenyon Martin. That makes them like the rest of the #NBA. Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Kenyon Martin 
 

» Update: 03:13 PM ET

According to a source, the Warriors engaged in preliminary talks with Memphis about star small forward Rudy Gay. But the talks didn’t produced much as Memphis is not interested in taking the Warriors’ less-desirable contracts (such as Richard Jefferson) and the Grizzlies want what the Warriors don’t have. Contra Costa Times

Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Richard Jefferson 

Anthony went toward the Celtics' locker room and waited for Garnett outside the team bus. He says they talked and sorted out the matter. They had exchanged words during the game and Anthony clearly was affected. He had a terrible shooting night and acknowledged on Tuesday that he "allowed some negativity to come into my circle." The NBA is investigating and has video evidence. It could decide to penalize Anthony, who says he shouldn't be suspended. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett 

Bucks general manager John Hammond confirmed this morning that he is in discussions with team owner Herb Kohl over a contract extension. Hammond spoke to reporters at the BMO Harris Bradley Center to discuss the exit of coach Scott Skiles. Hammond described it as a mutual decision after a meeting Monday and said he did not expect it to happen when he went to work Monday. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, John Hammond, Herb Kohl 

Virginia Beach, Va., today gave up its pursuit of the Sacramento Kings, acknowledging that a deal for a new arena couldn't be reached. "This just ain't gonna work at this point in time," the city's mayor, Will Sessoms, told The Bee. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Virginia 

Two men are in custody after a reported sex assault inside a hotel in Center City Philadelphia. An NBA player, who was questioned as part of the investigation, has been released. The incident happened early Tuesday morning inside a suite at the Four Seasons Hotel on the Ben Franklin Parkway. A player for the Brooklyn Nets, Andray Blatche, and several other people were questioned at the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit. abc.com

Brooklyn Nets, Law, Andray Blatche 
 

» Update: 12:55 PM ET

Among those that didn't give him a chance, Cousins said, was his own organization. The Kings tabbed Cousins with the fifth pick in the 2010 draft but, in his mind, have never made an effort to get to know him. "They wanted to get to know me but they were scared because of my reputation," Cousins said. "I felt like it was bad on their part. I'm your player and you don't take the time to get to know me? You just go by what the rest of the world says?" SI.com

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

"Sometimes I let some of the small things take over," Cousins told SI.com. "It can be a simple thing, like a call going the wrong way, and it takes me all off. I've got a real problem when I know something is wrong or I feel something is wrong, I'm going to speak about it. I get it from my mother. It's a problem I have. I don't want to say I want to change it because it helped me get where I am. But at the same time, I have to learn to be quiet." SI.com

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

Cousins is keenly aware of the perception of him. And he hates it. Badly. "I'm not going to sit here and say I'm innocent, because I've done things," Cousins said. "But to get the reputation that I've got, I don't think I've done enough. I don't have a criminal record. Some of the guys with the cleanest image in the league have a record. I don't think I was given a fair chance. I don't know what I did in college that was so bad to get that reputation. OK, there is footage of me and Coach Cal going at each other. That happens in sports. Coming into the league, everyone said I was going to be fat, I was the next Oliver Miller. I had all these red flags. I just feel I was never given a fair chance coming in." SI.com

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

Cousins scoffs at the notion that he might have anger management issues and says he was offended when the Kings suggested he seek counseling. "I took it as an insult," Cousins said. "That's another thing, our organization doesn't even know me. They were looking for an excuse. I don't believe that is the way to solve issues. I'm an emotional guy. It's as simple as that." SI.com

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

Royce White: It has become something bigger, I think. It was never my intention for it to become a big political thing or a social type of issue. I really didn’t intend for that to happen. I think it happened because the mental illness community by default is one that is (a) very quiet, and I am very unique to that group in that I’m not quiet. And (b), it’s just something that we’ve been avoiding for years and years. I mean we have players that are actually in the NBA right now with mental health issues probably even on my team. And there’s no protocol in place. So that just tells you there’s an issue out there that’s being talked about but it’s never being acted on. Now, talking about Iowa State, I think is very tough in terms of support, right? Because, you can’t even compare the two, and the reason why is because in college, the coach is the head honcho. OK, what Fred Hoiberg says at Iowa State goes. And what Kevin McHale says here in Houston is, it’s kind of neither here nor there, you know, when you’re talking about front office issues. Coach Hoiberg doesn’t really have a boss. The AD, yeah. But the AD really gives all the power back to him. I think at the end of the day, you’re never going to see the same kind of support on a professional team that you would at a college team just because there’s not the money factor involved for the players, and that adds a different dynamic, and (b) is just because the structure is set up different. Slate Magazine

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Fred Hoiberg, Royce White 

Royce White: The truth of the matter is that I don’t just deal with anxiety. And that’s something that the Rockets know, something that most people know now, is I also deal with OCD and I also deal with PTSD. A lot of us deal with PTSD and we don’t even know it. That’s the next cookie that’s going to crumble pretty soon. But those things all manifest themselves in really, really different ways. I mean with anxiety, obviously, I have a lot of uncertainties. It is very, potentially uncomfortable, not knowing. When I first started having anxiety, it was because I was very uncertain about my own health. Like, my actual physical health, like my heart and my lungs. I had a friend that collapsed and almost died due to a heart condition that they never knew about. So it was about my health. Now once I X’ed out all those issues, my anxiety has actually been pretty good. Now, I still have the occasional times where if I’m stressed out about something then it becomes hard to focus, or you get your sweaty palms. Now, the plane phobia itself is entirely different. That is independent, me not liking to fly. Probably has a lot to do with heights. Probably has a lot to do with trust. But the anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder in itself, has a lot of different symptoms. I mean it can affect your sleep, it can affect your eating habits, it can affect so many things that it’s hard to just pinpoint. It’s really, at the beginning of this, just a navigation. Like, you have to constantly be aware of it. You know, it’s like diabetes almost [laughs], you just have to be paying attention to so many things that you really have to try and eliminate the alarming stressors. Slate Magazine

Houston Rockets, Royce White 

Royce White: I watched my friend collapse and almost die, had to get a spinal tap open heart surgery. I had a friend die in a car accident. I’m very apprehensive about cars still, to this day. My mom was in an abusive relationship when I was young. There’s so many things that, you know, people go through that are very traumatic that they don’t even realize. And that’s where you talk about cause or you talk about message, is that, that’s the only message here. It’s that everybody needs to start checking in with themselves more on a mental health level and stop thinking that the idea that, Ah, whatever comes, you just push through it. Yeah, you can push through it. But are you pushing through it at 100 percent? Or are you kind of, slowly but surely, everything that happens to you that you don’t address just chips away from who you are. It just chips away, it leaves a scar, leaves a scar. And pretty soon, you’re not well. Slate Magazine

Houston Rockets, Royce White 

When Houston Rockets forward Royce White refused an assignment to the NBA's Development League last week, he also temporarily saved his fellow rookies from breaking a not-so- distinguished record: the NBA draft class with the most first-round picks in the D-League in their first season. White, the 16th pick in June's NBA draft, was suspended Sunday by the Rockets for refusing his assignment to Houston's farm team. He would have been the 11th first-round pick—including two lottery selections—from the most recent draft to be sent down to the D-League. Wall Street Journal

Houston Rockets, Royce White 

Sources close to the situation have said that the Bulls want to get Rose 100 back to 100 percent before he plays, and that they are more concerned with the long-term of Rose’s knee and body than trying to get him back for some kind of short-term, limited minute stop gap. HoopsWorld

Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

After years of talks, hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on consulting reports, and most recently an NBA team looking to re-locate, time seems to be running out on plans to build a new arena in Virginia Beach with the Sacramento Kings as the building’s main tenant. Today, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms and Peter Lukko, the president of Comcast Spectacor, will release a joint statement regarding their ongoing negotiations to get the arena deal done. Unfortunately, those negotiations are at a stand-still. Wavy.com

Sacramento Kings, Virginia 

Police say a member of the Brooklyn Nets was one of three men taken into custody for questioning after an alleged sexual assault at a Philadelphia hotel. Police tell NBC10 that a 21-year-old woman was taken from the Four Seasons Hotel on 18th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to a local hospital just before 4 a.m. The woman told police she was sexually assaulted by someone inside the hotel, according to investigators. NBC Philadelphia

Brooklyn Nets, Law 

According to sources, a 21-year-old female filed a complaint alleging that she was sexually assaulted inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Center City at about 4 a.m. Tuesday. The female complainant was taken to an area hospital for an examination. Investigators are waiting to further question the woman before any decision will be made on potential charges. As of right now, no charges have been filed. CBS Philly

Brooklyn Nets, Law 
 

» Update: 08:12 AM ET

Scott Skiles is no longer the coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The person, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the team had yet to announce the move, said it was a mutual decision between Skiles and the team. USA Today

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

A league source confirmed late Monday night that Scott Skiles is out as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks after four-plus seasons. The source said it was mutually agreed between the two parties that Skiles would no longer coach the Bucks, effective immediately. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

Jim Boylan will take over as interim coach of the team beginning with Tuesday's home game against Phoenix, the source indicated. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Scott Skiles, Jim Boylan 

But this is the shadow that will follow Jefferson throughout the remainder of the season, from city to city, as folks wonder if the nimble center has given any thought to a free-agency strategy. "No, actually," he said following Monday’s shootaround. "I haven’t thought about it because that’s something else that I don’t want on my mind right now. It’s all about taking care of this season right here with my teammates." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson 

John Mitchell: According to a source with the knowledge of the situation, the Sixers explored a trade for OKC guard Eric Maynor. Twitter @JmitchInquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Trade, Eric Maynor 

The two stars did not come to blows, according to a police source. But Anthony was still hot after getting into a confrontation with Garnett in the fourth quarter of the Celtics' win that resulted in a double technical. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett 

Tyson Chandler appeared to try to stop Anthony, but he blew by the Knicks center. According to one of the sources with knowledge of the incident, Anthony approached the Celtics' locker room and was screaming. It is unclear if his ire at the time was directed at Garnett. Anthony approached Garnett near the Celtics' team bus. MSG security and the police intervened, according to a source. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett 

Anthony left the Garden without speaking to the media, and the Knicks wouldn't confirm the initial report that he was outside Boston's locker room. When Woodson was asked about it, he cut off the question before it was asked. "I don't know anything about that," he said. "I'm not even going to comment on that. If you want to talk about the game, we can do that." Newsday

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett 

"The game just got heated. It's just basketball," Rivers said. "There's nothing wrong with getting heated. It happens. It's a fun game, it's competitive, it's rough at times. That's good, I think all that's good. It should never carry over past that. I've had my moments as a player as well. It does, but you don't want it to. And whenever it does, you feel terrible later. This is the way the game should be played, to me; it should be a competitive hard game. I thought overall the officials let us play, both teams. That's good with us." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Doc Rivers, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett 

“We just ain’t come out with the right mind-set as a team,” Perkins said. “Defensively, we had too many breakdowns. It’s not like us to give up 101 points, especially if you look and see the Wizards only average like 86 or 88 points and we gave up 101 today.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins 

The locker room was about what you would expect after the game. Silent. Long after the game players were still in uniform, sitting at the lockers staring into their iPhones. Maybe the delay had something to do with water temperatures from the showers that players said were cold. But more than likely it had more to do with the outcome. Nearly every player took so long to get showered and dressed that by the time they were interviewed the sting of the loss seemed to have worn off. Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder 

In a game that became chippy in the fourth quarter, the Utah Jazz put a physical number on the Mavs en route to claiming a 100-94 victory. Afterward, coach Rick Carlisle wasn't pleased with officials Sean Corbin, Bennett Salvatore and Eli Roe. "They went to basically thugging it up and that's when the game turned, and I thought the officiating went their way," Carlisle said. "They started to get calls and we weren't able to get the whistles. "That was probably a function of their aggressiveness. But at the same time I thought there were a couple of times where a whistle could have blown for us." Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Referees, Rick Carlisle 

Do you have any chip on your shoulder about not being drafted? Is proving the people who passed on you wrong a source of motivation for you? Greg Smith: Yes, it's a lot of motivation. I have a big chip on my shoulder for not getting drafted. You know, if I came out freshman year of college, I was tempted to leave because a lot of people said I could've went mid first round or lottery and had a lot of potential, so going into my second year and not getting drafted, I felt people took their eye off me. And right now, I'm thankful the Rockets gave me a chance, and now I want to show every other team in the NBA why they should've have passed on me and why the Rockets got a good player. DraftExpress.com

Houston Rockets, Greg Smith 

There is still no timeline, but, at least as far as Andrew Bynum is concerned, there is optimism. Bynum spoke on Monday following the 76ers practice, and, while he didn't say when he will return to the court, he indicated with confidence that things are getting better. "It's definitely moving in a positive direction," said Bynum, who has missed all of training camp and the regular season with bone bruises and swelling cartilage in both knees. "I'm feeling better every day. I'm back to the weights and on the treadmill, and I should be running here soon." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Andrew Bynum, Injuries 

Iman Shumpert was joking the other day he’d be “thirsty’’ to have been around in the 1950s to get a chance to dunk on Bill Russell. Today, the cocksure Shumpert may have to be content to dunk on Tyson Chandler. Knicks coach Mike Woodson said last night Shumpert had knee tests yesterday and was on the verge of being medically cleared for his first 5-on-5 contact scrimmage — the last step in his eight-month comeback from an ACL tear. The Knicks practice today and tomorrow. New York Post

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Tyson Chandler, Bill Russell, Iman Shumpert 

Yet, there have been rumblings Hammond may actually receive an extension — whether Kohl is or isn’t the majority owner next season. While the Bucks have made the NBA playoffs just once in the last four seasons under the Hammond-Skiles regime, Hammond was the 2010 NBA Executive of the Year and is highly respected by his peers. Hammond refused to comment on whether there have been any talks about an extension for him. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl 

But the chatter among NBA insiders has intensified in recent months with many believing Kohl could sell the team outright or bring on board a partner who would eventually become the Bucks’ primary owner. One well connected individual who has his finger on the pulse of the Bucks’ ownership situation insisted just a few weeks ago that Kohl would sell his NBA franchise, which he has owned since March 1985, to Michael Heisley, a billionaire from Chicago. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Michael Heisley, Herb Kohl 

Not even a car accident on his way to playing in the Trail Blazers game. For the second time in the last 11 months, Aldridge on Monday was involved in a car accident on his way to the Blazers game, and for the second time, he played like nothing was awry. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Last February, not far from Monday’s accident site, a car changed lanes and collided with Aldridge’s 2009 Ferrari. The two cars became interlocked, and Aldridge’s prized possession ended up beached on the curb. “I don’t know what it is, I keep getting hit by people,’’ Aldridge said chuckling. “I was like: ‘Not again.’ But this time it wasn’t as bad.’’ Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge 
 

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