HoopsHype.com Rumors

Comcast-Spectacor's sale of the 76ers to a group of investors led by New York billionaire Joshua Harris is expected to close early next week, according to a source close to the situation. Terms of the sale were agreed upon in July, but the deal has been pending approval of the NBA's board of governors for more than two months. The NBA has been mired in a lockout since July 1. On Monday, the league canceled the first two weeks of the 2011-12 regular season. The new ownership group is expected to speak publicly for the first time next week, assuming the sale is officially approved, as expected. Philadelphia Inquirer

New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, New York, Joshua Harris 

Alex Kennedy: The NBPA has officially postponed tomorrow's regional meeting in Los Angeles so that the two sides can meet again in New York. Twitter

New York Knicks, Los Angeles, New York 

Privately, the most influential player agents in the business swear they won’t let Billy Hunter cut a crippling collective bargaining deal. They won’t let his parting gift to the union membership be deeper concessions, givebacks to the owners. They can’t storm the negotiating room in New York this week, but they believe they can ultimately stop the ratifying of a deal. They can deliver the percentage of players needed to decertify the union. They believe they still can unleash holy hell on this sure, steady capitulation to the NBA. “The players don’t want to make these kinds of concessions, yet the union keeps giving them,” one agent in a prominent firm told Yahoo! Sports. “The union hasn’t been listening to its players.” Yahoo! Sports

New York Knicks, Billy Hunter, New York 

Although the NBA season is in jeopardy due to the lockout, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant fueled up on a lunch fit for an athlete at Serafina on 61st and Madison the other day. James dined with girlfriend Savannah Brinson. On Friday, Bryant dined there with his wife, Vanessa, and their kids. The Laker family left before Kourtney Kardashian and baby Mason popped in for lunch with two friends and -- surprise -- a crew filming her reality show, “Kourtney & Kim Take New York.” New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, New York 

Even though Jackson will be away from home and absent from his church more than he'd like, the Warriors' job is closer than the alternatives. He had previously interviewed for positions with Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis, Minnesota and New York. "I believe that I was called to coach the Warriors and use that platform, so the pressure is not on me to do it," Jackson said. "I fully surrender and submit to God that there will be plenty of opportunities to get home to my ministry, but I'm not going to compromise my calling as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors." The Warriors have lost 155 games in the past three seasons and gone to the playoffs once in the past 17. In 2012, they'll be in the playoffs, Jackson guarantees. "I look at the talent, the upside, the draft, the coaching staff and the culture change," Jackson said. "I am not a guy who would say, 'We're going to playoffs' because it's a great headline. That's not me. In fact, people were shocked that I said only that, because that's not all I believe. San Francisco Chronicle

Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Draft, New York 

The NBA store has finally scored a new Fifth Avenue spot -- albeit for just two years. The branded apparel and memorabilia store that also hosts player visits will open later this fall at 590 Fifth Ave. in a 6,000-square-foot duplex. The location on the west side of the avenue between 47th and 48th streets is currently vacant. Rents on that stretch of Fifth Ave. from 42nd to 49th St. average about $515 a foot, according to the Real Estate Board of New York’s spring rent report, while just steps to the north retailers pay as much as $2,250 a foot. New York Post

David Stern, New York, Merchandising 

Sources said the NBA is paying more than $515 a foot but less than $1,000 for the deal, giving it time to find a permanent location. Adidas will assume operations and cover the expenses for both the temporary and next permanent store, the NBA said, although other manufact-urers will be represented. Paul Berkman, Davie Berke and Moshe Sukenik of Newmark Knight Frank represented the NBA. Joe Sitt’s Thor Equities bought the 18-story office property for $90 million in November 2007 and has since been trying to find a top tenant at a high rent. “I see the street getting stronger by the month,” said Sitt, who declined to discuss the deal specifics. “Fifth Avenue is on fire.” New York Post

David Stern, New York, Merchandising 

Burns hasn't spent a single day in the NBA and Wright, who was drafted in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft, split time between France and Croatia last season. Nearly one half of the guys that spent the first week of April 2002 in New York City for the famed game haven't even logged a single game in the NBA. That list includes Fraser, DeAngelo Collins, Burns, Daniel Horton, Dockery, Brad Buckman, Ingram, Garrison, Thompson, Eric Williams and Torin Francis. CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, Draft, New York 

Yao played just five games last season, and hasn’t been able to fully recover after having surgery in January to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. The veteran center informed the Rockets, the league office in New York and NBA China of his decision to leave the game within the past 48 hours, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, New York 

The Los Angeles Lakers star, who recently officially changed his name to Metta World Peace, I’m sure isn’t first on the list of stars NBA commissioner David Stern wants as the poster boy for his league. But for all of Artest’s faults and off-the-wall tendencies, the Queensbridge native has always remained true to himself and his roots. While other NBA players are likely enjoying the summer and the holiday weekend, Artest was on the blacktop courts of New York City playing – for free. The 6-foot-7 forward, who starred at St. John’s University and LaSalle Academy, makes a yearly stop on the streetball circuit. What makes this special is he shows no favorites and plays hard. His week started Tuesday with a stop at Nike Pro City to play with his Queensbridge team. Wednesday he was at Dyckman to help a star-studded Ooh Way club beat Team 914. Friday he headed to Rucker Park to propel Bingo’s All Stars to an 85-82 win against rival R2K. On Saturday, Artest played not just once, but twice. He took the court again for coach Bingo Cole in the afternoon at Hoops in the Sun and later that night was back at it at the Tri-State Classic. New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Ron Artest, New York 

Sunday you would think he would rest. No sir. Not Ron Ron. There was Artest walking through the rain into the St. Mary's Recreation Center to play his second Hoops in the Sun game of the week. It probably wouldn’t have taken much persuasion to get Artest to suit up for a pickup game outside later. No matter where he is he plays with a high level of intensity as Geoff McDermott learned Wednesday at Dyckman. Artest began to body him up on defense after he got by him on a previous possession and took it to him on the offensive end. His body, possible safety and career is put on the line each time he steps on the court. He’s said in the past playing all those games against this level of competition is a great way to keep in shape for the upcoming season. With a lockout in effect you might see more of Artest on the streets playing and maybe he can convince some of his NBA brethren to come with him. New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Ron Artest, New York 

The park fit hundreds of tightly packed onlookers — with just one long set of bleachers and fans lining the fences along Chrystie Street. The fans were as diverse as the high-profile athletes participating in the game: A group of Italians came to serenade Ross,i and two men yelled Polish chants for Gortat. If you’re curious: Hill and Nash showed the most talent among the NBA players, but the real soccer players were predictably dominant. English Premier League standout Demba Ba scored the white teams’ first two goals. Wall Street Journal

Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, Grant Hill, New York 

It starts at No. 2, where the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to listen to offers for their pick. Although they continue to maintain that they are comfortable taking Derrick Williams at No. 2, their preference is to begin adding veterans to the team. If they draft Williams, they'll look to move Michael Beasley and possibly Anthony Randolph. But neither player has the same trade value that the No. 2 pick has. Potential trade partners include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Draft, Trade, Anthony Randolph, Michael Beasley, Los Angeles, New York, Derrick Williams 

Vecsey’s article argued that the New York Knicks did not have a good chance of obtaining basketball player Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets and called Sheridan’s reporting the “latest fairy tale” derived from the “same fountains of misinformation that frequently play make-believe with ESPN’s Chris Sheridan.” Sheridan had reported on ESPN.com two days earlier that if Anthony were to be traded from the Nuggets, he would only agree to sign a contract extension if he was traded to the Knicks. Sheridan cited an anonymous source. Anthony was indeed traded to the Knicks in February, an event that Sheridan’s lawsuit humbly describes as “one of the most important stories in New York City basketball over the past forty (40) years.” Forbes

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Trade, Carmelo Anthony, New York 

Don't be surprised if one or more of the following teams move up in the draft: Golden State (No. 11), Houston (14), New York (17), and Charlotte (which a source says is considering packaging its Nos. 9 and 19 picks to move up). SI.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Draft, Trade, New York 

A former Duke University basketball team captain jumped to his death Tuesday from the roof of a private athletic club in Midtown, police sources said. Tom Emma, 49, jumped from atop the New York Athletic Club at 180 Central Park South shortly before 11:30 a.m. Police found his body on the second-story landing of the Jumeirah Essex House next door. He was dead, cops said. New York Daily News

New York, Duke, Tom Emma 

"I can't believe it," said Johnny Dawkins, head coach for Stanford University's basketball team and Emma's teammate at Duke. "He was a great guy," Dawkins said. "I have nothing but respect for him as a competitor. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family." New York Daily News

New York, Duke, Tom Emma, Johnny Dawkins 

Mike Wells: Brooks said Thompson got the best of him in their New York workout. Thompson gave the edge to Brooks after 2day's workout. Twitter

New York Knicks, New York 

Tony Parker will dust off his cleats later this summer when he participates in Steve Nash’s annual Showdown in Chinatown benefit soccer match. Other NBA players who will be playing in the event will include Grant Hill and Brandon Jennings. For those of you planning a vacation in New York City, the game will be played June 22 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Admission is free and proceeds from an after-hours event will benefit the Steve Nash Foundation. San Antonio Express-News

Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Brandon Jennings, Steve Nash, Grant Hill, New York 

In the wake of Phoenix Suns general manager Rick Welts' revelation that he is gay, Suns point guard Steve Nash has made a video in support of New York's marriage equality proposition. "Hi I'm Steve Nash," he says in the video, produced by the Human Rights Campaign, a national organization leading the effort to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. "I spend my summers in New York and I love playing at the Garden. A growing number of professional athletes are speaking out in support of gay and lesbian couples getting married, I'm proud to be one of them. Join me and the supermajority of New Yorkers who support marriage equality." ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, New York, Rick Welts