HoopsHype.com Rumors

Five days after shuffling out of Pepsi Center on crutches, Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried reported improvement in his sprained left ankle and remained optimistic about playing Denver’s playoff opener Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Kenneth Faried, Golden State 

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who injured his left Achilles tendon late in the fourth quarter of last night’s 118-116 victory over Golden State, had an MRI exam this morning which confirmed a torn Achilles tendon. After confirmation of the injury, Bryant elected to have surgery to repair the torn left Achilles tendon. The successful surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and Dr. Stephen Lombardo of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Group. Recovery time is expected to be a minimum of six to nine months. NBA.com

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles, Golden State 

The Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics are among the teams that have had conversations with the Grizzlies about Gay, according to league sources. The Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors have shown interest in Gay in the past and could be potential trade partners as well. HoopsWorld

Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay, Golden State 

Mike Brown has been fired by the Los Angeles Lakers, according to his agent Warren Legarie. The Lakers are off to a 1-4 start and will play Golden State tonight at the Staples Center. USA Today

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles, Mike Brown, Warren LeGarie, Golden State, Staples Center 

The Golden State Warriors have signed Harrison Barnes, whom the club selected with the seventh overall selection in last week’s NBA Draft, to a contract, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released. NBA.com

Golden State Warriors, Golden State, Transactions 

The NBA on Wednesday announced the members of the league’s new competition committee, including Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor. The announcement follows a decision by the league’s board of governors last month to change the committee’s composition. The committee will now include two owners, four general managers, three head coaches and one representative from the NBA Players Association. Joining O’Connor are fellow GMs Bryan Colangelo (Toronto Raptors), Mitch Kupchak (L.A. Lakers) and Sam Presti (Oklahoma City); owners Dan Gilbert (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Joe Lacob (Golden State); and coaches Rick Carlisle (Dallas Mavericks), Lionel Hollins (Memphis Grizzlies), and Doc Rivers (Boston Celtics). Salt Lake Tribune

Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Doc Rivers, Mitch Kupchak, Sam Presti, Bryan Colangelo, Dan Gilbert, Joe Lacob, Lionel Hollins, Rick Carlisle, Golden State 

Gery Woelfel: I wonder who's happier tonight: Andrew Bogut or Scott Skiles? Let's just say they won't be getting together any time soon ... If ever. Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Andrew Bogut, Scott Skiles, Golden State 

Rusty Simmons: Ellis offered this gem, "I knew they weren't going to trade me to a playoff team." Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Trade, Monta Ellis, Golden State 

Marcus Thompson: Monta Ellis: "It's not a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all." Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Trade, Monta Ellis, Golden State 

Rusty Simmons: Monta Ellis looked as happy as he has in years while addressing the media about being traded to Milwaukee. Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Trade, Monta Ellis, Golden State 

Mark Jackson: I miss Mike Breen, JVG, Doris, and the whole crew. They were the BEST! Twitter

Coaching, Mark Jackson, Media, Golden State