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Timberwolves executive and veteran NBA head coach Flip Saunders was the guest speaker of the day, and put on a detailed clinic that showed players some ball handling and shooting drills, as well as some fundamentals and tricks of playing in the post at the professional level. Saunders was energetic and engaging, and the players seemed to respond well to his teachings. He got some assistance from both Omri Casspi and Kenneth Faried during his talk, which certainly didn’t hurt his credibility in the eyes of the young international players. NBCSports.com

Omri Casspi, Flip Saunders, Kenneth Faried 

Kenneth Faried: So we lost a GM now a coach what's next!? Twitter @KennethFaried35

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Kenneth Faried 

Serge Ibaka and Kenneth Faried will be in Treviso next weekend as special guests of the Adidas Eurocamp. Sportando

Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Italy, Serge Ibaka, Kenneth Faried, Treviso 

In response to Faried receiving a humanitarian award Wednesday, Jackson added, "Congratulations to him. Well deserved. I will not allow one action or one moment to define who he is as a person or a basketball player. I will not call one of his players an elbow-throwing blank. That won't happen." Contra Costa Times

Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Mark Jackson, Kenneth Faried 

Mark Jackson wasn't quite ready to let go of the rough treatment Curry received in Game 5 in Denver on Tuesday, specifically what he viewed as an intentional attempt by Nuggets big man Kenneth Faried to kick his star guard's ankle. "I can live with physical basketball. Taking a stab at Steph Curry's ankle is not physical basketball," Jackson said, picking up where he left off in the immediate aftermath after Game 5. "You can hit him. I was even caught on tape being asked what would happen if I played against him and he heated up. I'd be physical with him. So that's understandable. It's not hypocritical. But there's no part of me that says I'd be dirty with him. If you attempt to kick him with your foot on his foot, that's not a basketball play. That's a cheap shot." Contra Costa Times

Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Mark Jackson, Kenneth Faried 

In addition to revisiting the Faried play, Jackson also sounded like coach sending a message to the league and Game 6 referees that they need to be doing a better job protecting one of the NBA's premier players. "Steph Curry is a star basketball player, some would say he's a superstar basketball player," Jackson said. "He's on the floor for 42 minutes against a team whose game plan is to be physical with him, and he does not get to the foul line. Unheard of. That needs to be looked at." Contra Costa Times

Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Mark Jackson, Kenneth Faried 

Fran Blinebury: Denver's Kenneth Faried is winner of J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award from basketball writers for service and contribution to community. Twitter @franblinebury

Denver Nuggets, Kenneth Faried 

Eric Koreen: Faried is a member of Athlete Ally, an organization focused on ending homophobia in sports. Twitter @ekoreen

Denver Nuggets, Kenneth Faried 

Said Kenneth Faried, who Jackson accused of setting illegal screens: "They play dirty every night. They have targeted me." CBSSports.com

Denver Nuggets, Kenneth Faried 

Faried, who was raised by lesbian mothers and was an outspoken advocate for Colorado's civil unions bill this year, said he was thrilled to hear Jason Collins' revelation that he's gay. Faried said, "I think more athletes will come out. ... I'm happy for Jason Collins. I'm happy for my mom. I'm going to support every other gay person in this world until I die. " ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Jason Collins, Kenneth Faried 

"We've lost three games in a row before, so we're fine," Faried insisted. "They took care of home court. I think we need to just throw everything out the window that we've been trying to do, because it's not working. We need to go to something else, something that's going to work. Something that is going to help us win." USA Today Sports

Denver Nuggets, Kenneth Faried 

Sam Amick: The hole in the visitor locker room wall, courtesy of Denver's Kenneth Faried. http://twitpic.com/cmrju2 Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Kenneth Faried 

Sam Amick: Asked if he kicked it with his ailing left foot (ankle injury), a frustrated Faried said, "I don't know. I just kicked it." Twitter @sam_amick

Denver Nuggets, Kenneth Faried 

Faried hasn't returned to full health since suffering a sprained ankle April 14 during a game against Portland, and because of it, he has struggled in the playoff series against Golden State. Even when his numbers have been good, he has felt bad. "It's extremely frustrating," Faried said Sunday. "Especially when it's taking away my most powerful weapon — my legs. I've just got to fight through it and hopefully I'll be all right." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Kenneth Faried 

“I'm not going out there to hurt anybody or be cheap or anything,” Bogut told reporters Saturday. “I'm just playing physical like they are. If someone steps up and wants to get into it, I've got no problem with that. It’s nothing personal. They’re physical. Kenneth Faried runs around and hits people. We just have to match their intensity. If it gets personal during games and guys want to have a crack at you, that’s playoff basketball. I’m not sitting here saying I hate McGee or I hate Faried. But if they want to be physical, we’re going to be physical back. We’re not going to take a step backward.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Javale McGee, Andrew Bogut, Kenneth Faried 

Scott Howard-Cooper: Karl also said Kenneth Faried, who came off the bench in G2 after returning from ankle injury, likely returns to starting role Friday. Twitter @SHowardCooper

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Injuries, Kenneth Faried 

Kenneth Faried: I'm up & I'm ready aye.. Playoffs game 2 Feels good to be back & playing for my team its time to #PopandGo #BlueAndYellow #UNLEASHTHEMANIMAL Twitter @KennethFaried35

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Kenneth Faried 

Kenneth Faried is playing in Tuesday’s Game 2 — “There’s no ‘Will he?’ ” Faried said Monday afternoon. But — “I don’t know if he’ll start tomorrow,” Nuggets coach George Karl said Monday of Denver’s power forward. “I’ll have to see him in shootaround, see how sore he is, but my gut says he probably won’t start.” So yeah, it’s possible Karl will bring Faried off the bench (though, personally, I would think if Faried is able to go, George will start him). Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Kenneth Faried 

Nuggets power forward Kenneth Faried (ankle) didn't sound optimistic Friday that he could play in Saturday's Game 1 against Golden State. Even if Faried can play, coach George Karl said Wilson Chandler will start at power forward, because Chandler has been practicing in preparation for the Warriors. "Hopefully I can bounce back, I don't know about tomorrow, but when I do come back and play, I'll be 100 percent hopefully," Faried said Friday. "I'm not making any promises — the plan (Saturday) is to come in and be with my teammates, and even if I'm not playing, I'll bring energy on the bench for my teammates." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Kenneth Faried 

Benjamin Hochman: Faried said he's unsure if he can play tomorrow.. Either way, Chandler will start at power forward Twitter @nuggetsnews

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Kenneth Faried