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[Monta Ellis #11]

Rajon Rondo triples up again

In a season when Rajon Rondo [stats] has lit up the NBA assist chart like a pinball machine, here’s a fresh line to consider.
His 10-point, 20-assist, 10-rebound triple double in last night’s 88-86 overtime win over Atlanta is only the seventh in the NBA since 1986 with at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and 20 assists, according to CSNNE statistician and Bentley College sports information director Dick Lipe.
The last five of those belong to Rondo. Last night also marked his 19th straight game with a double-digit assist performance. John Stockton set the NBA record with 29 straight games in 1992.
This is rare ground for any point guard.

“Listen, I know he’s on a run,” said C’s coach Doc Rivers. “That’s phenomenal. I don’t even know what that means. I know he’s playing very well, but I don’t even need the numbers to tell me that. He’s been spectacular, not only in games but everywhere, and that’s why we’re winning.

“We need a locked in effort from him every night and he’s doing that. That was growth tonight because it was a fatigue game, and there’s games like that when Rondo comes in and struggles, and tonight he willed that game.”

Perhaps the most impressive part of Rondo’s performance, according to Rivers, was that the guard begged to stay in the game in the fourth quarter. He played 47 minutes, the most for any player last night, in the midst of the Celtics [team stats]’ most grueling stretch of the season.

“Just win,” Rondo said of his reason for staying on the floor. “I don’t want to be selfish, because if I’m out there tired then I’m not doing what’s good for the team. But I wanted to stay in.”

Said Rivers: “He didn’t beg long, but he stayed in. The fact he’s trying to score to me is the most impressive. Before he was just a facilitator, but the fact that he’s getting more assists is because he’s an aggressive scorer, and teams can no longer play off of him to pass.”

Bass knee scare

The Celtics, who have had enough health scares to last a decade, suffered another brief moment of doom when Brandon Bass went down in overtime and immediately grabbed his left knee. He got up, to an ovation, after approximately two minutes on the floor.

“I told him to get up,” Rondo said simply.

It was Rivers who spoke for everyone when he said, “I thought he was hurt. I’ve had that injury. You know the one I’m talking about. I don’t even like to say the word. It was where he was grabbing. I didn’t think it was going to be a good thing, so that was great.”
Bass finished the game, and had 21 points and 10 rebounds in 42 minutes.

Thoughts of family As he lay prone on the floor on March 23 in Philadelphia, Mickael Pietrus had one recurring thought, and it had nothing to do with basketball.

“To be honest, I was thinking about my kids and my life,” the returning Celtics [team stats] swingman, who has since been recovering from a concussion. “That could have been a different story for me. But today I’m young, I still have my smile, I enjoy life. But when I fell I was thinking more about my kids.

“I was a different person,” Pietrus said of the recovery, which included passing a test last week. “Concussions suck. I would rather get a sprained ankle. You can’t do anything. I was laying down for two weeks.

“I couldn’t do much. I had to rest my brain. I couldn’t watch TV, I couldn’t do anything. It’s not like if you hurt your knee or your ankle, or something like that. You have to get your brain right, because that’s your life. For some people it takes three weeks, for some people a month, and for some people three months.”

Worrying for Ray

Rivers admitted concern over the news that Ray Allen needed to miss more time last night due to his balky ankle. Rivers said he has not heard any discussion about Allen needing surgery, but the guard’s repeated swelling in the ankle has become more of a problem than anticipated.

“I don’t know what’s going on with it, but he’s not going to play tonight,” he said. “It just swells. I got a call a little while ago. I haven’t heard (surgery). I’m just more concerned it’s the second or third time it’s happened, so that’s a concern.”
Rivers is still expecting Allen to make the team’s upcoming trip through Toronto, New Jersey, Charlotte and New York, with the first three games to be played on successive nights.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/b...lt#articleFull

[Monta Ellis #11]

Saints owner Tom Benson buys Hornets from NBA

NEW YORK (AP) Tom Benson brought stability to the Saints nearly three decades ago and now plans to do the same for the Hornets in small-market New Orleans.

The Saints' owner agreed Friday to purchase the Hornets from the NBA.

''We expect this club to be one of the most outstanding clubs in the league, otherwise I don't want to get involved,'' Benson said. ''This is just a good thing and I'm just glad to be a part of it.''

A person familiar with the deal says the purchase price is $338 million. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the financial terms have not been announced.

The NBA has been trying to sell the Hornets since buying the club from founder George Shinn in December 2010. While preparing the team for sale the league negotiated a new lease for the Hornets to remain in the state-owned New Orleans Arena through 2024.

The sale of the team to Benson has to be approved by the NBA's Board of Governors, which was meeting in New York on Friday.

''The city is one of the country's treasures and we really have found the perfect owner,'' Commissioner David Stern said. ''Our goal all along has been to get the Hornets bought by somebody whose commitment to New Orleans would be unrivaled.''

The framework of ownership negotiations were handled in a way that a new Hornets owner would have to accept the lease worked out between the NBA and Gov. Bobby Jindal. The lease agreement also called for $50 million in improvements to the basketball stadium, which sits right across the street from the Superdome.

Once the NBA approves the sale of the team to Benson, the next step is for the state Legislature to approve the arena lease deal because of the funding needed for stadium improvements. But legislative leaders already have publicly voiced support for the proposed lease deal, which would take effect in July.

The 84-year-old Benson, a New Orleans-native, has owned the Saints since 1985, when he stepped in to block efforts by other prospective investors to move the NFL franchise to Jacksonville, Fla. Now Benson has made another major investment to stabilize the NBA's presence in the Big Easy on the same day that the Hornets were hosting the Utah Jazz, the very team New Orleans lost to relocation in 1979.

Benson helped bring the Saints their first playoff appearance in 1987 and finally a Super Bowl title in 2010. His ownership of the Hornets means the two small-market franchises both will be locally owned and now can work as partners in their efforts to attract corporate sponsorships, and Hornets fans can at least hope that will translate to a better product on the hardwood.

''When you have somebody like Mr. Benson, I think it makes it a ton easier because you have stability and you have a foundation,'' Hornets coach Monty Williams said before Friday night's tip-off. ''It can only be good for me as a coach, our players and especially our city.''

Hornets forward Carl Landry, who signed only a one-year deal with New Orleans this season in part because of the ownership situation, said Benson's involvement ''definitely will help.''

''That was definitely a question mark this past summer, not knowing if the team was going to stay, not having an owner,'' Landry said. ''Being a free agent again this summer, the Hornets are a team I've been with the last two years and have grown accustomed to, and with the owner now, that definitely will help with resigning with the team.''

At the very least, the move provided Benson with some refreshingly positive publicity on the heels of the Saints' bounty scandal, which led the NFL to suspend head coach Sean Payton for the entire 2012 season - the same season that will see New Orleans host the Super Bowl.

Only a day before the Saints announced Benson's purchase of the Hornets, the NFL club announced that assistant head coach Joe Vitt, who also oversees linebackers, would be elevated to interim coach for the coming football season, despite his own six-game suspension in connection with the bounty probe.

While the Saints have become a cherished institution that has become entrenched in the local culture since the club's founding in 1967, the Hornets are relatively new to Louisiana's pro sports landscape.

The Hornets moved to New Orleans from Charlotte in 2002, but have often been on shaky ground since, including when the club spent two full seasons in Oklahoma City after Hurricane Katrina devastated large parts of southeast Louisiana in August 2005.

In 2010, former owner George Shinn decided to pull out. He was unable to find a buyer who would commit to keeping the team in New Orleans, so the NBA took the unprecedented step of taking ownership of the team and has been working to find a new permanent local owner for a year-and-a-half.

As part of the effort to attract a new owner, team officials spent the past offseason conducting an unusual campaign to build the club's season-ticket base to 10,000, which the league considers a benchmark for successful franchises. The campaign involved social mixers in the homes of prominent business people in the region.

The team also attracted more major corporate sponsors for the 2011-12 season than it had ever had since moving to the Big Easy.

It was not immediately clear how a change in ownership might the front office personnel who led marketing effort for the Hornets in the past year or the coaching staff, as there was no immediate word from Benson or his associates on that front.

Williams and general manager Dell Demps each are in their second season, having joined forces to help the Hornets make the playoffs last season.

This season, the team decided to honor star guard Chris Paul's request for a trade and went into rebuilding mode. Benson will take control of a club that will miss the playoffs, but which also will have at least one - probably two - picks in the NBA's draft lottery. The Hornets also control the Minnesota Timberwolves first-round pick in 2012.

Williams said he has not spoken with Benson yet but would understand if it takes a few days for him to meet with the new owner.

''I bought a Subway sandwich today, and he spent $300 million,'' Williams said. ''I'm pretty sure he got more to do than I do. I'm looking forward to talking to him.''

Also unclear is whether Benson might seek to rebrand the franchise to give it more of a Louisiana flavor. The Hornets was the team's original name in Charlotte. Basketball fans in New Orleans still regularly complain on talk radio and in internet chat rooms about Utah's refusal to give up the nickname Jazz, a reference to a genre of music born in the Big Easy and a cherished part of the city's heritage and culture.

Still, if not Jazz, there are other names that might speak more to the local culture than the name Hornets, and perhaps enhance the growing perception that the NBA is at last taking root in Louisiana.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/saints-...Jn0jSUAgy8vLYF

[Monta Ellis #11]

Sacramento Kings' future unclear as arena deal there falls through

Seattle may be back in play for the NBA's Sacramento Kings after an arena deal there fell through.


A dizzying day of activity Friday left the Sacramento Kings' future more uncertain than ever, increasing the prospects that the NBA team could move, with Seattle one possible destination.

The death of an apparent deal struck in February between team owners the Maloof family and the city of Sacramento intended to keep the team there sent shock waves from Northern California to New York and Seattle.

Friday's development suddenly improves the chances of Chris Hansen — the San Francisco hedge-fund manager who wants to build an arena for NBA and NHL teams in Seattle — acquiring the Kings.

Hansen, a Seattle native who has preached patience throughout the process, declined to comment specifically on the Kings situation.

"However, these developments are a reminder that franchise opportunities may arise quickly and in an unpredictable fashion," he said in a statement. "And so we should continue with our joint efforts to find an 'Arena Solution' that best works for our City, County and the various constituents of our community and in as timely a fashion as is feasible to ensure we are in a position to take advantage of an inevitable opportunity when it arises."

The collapse of the deal left both Sacramento and the Maloofs scrambling.

The Kings released a one-sentence statement that ended: "At the conclusion of a meeting this afternoon with Mayor Johnson, he advised us that there is nothing to be gained by continued discussions at this time."

Johnson, in a separate news conference, fired back. "Is the deal dead as we know it? Absolutely," said the former NBA player, adding that the Maloofs "were coming up with reasons why not to do the deal."

NBA Commissioner David Stern said he believes the Maloof family wants to keep the team in Sacramento. But Stern also said they have a right to re-examine the deal, and the league can do nothing to broker a new one.

"I think it's fair for the Maloofs to say they don't want to do that," Stern said at a news conference after two days of NBA owners' meetings in New York. "If they had done it simpler, earlier or more directly, it could have saved a lot of angst and trouble."

There's a long way to go before Seattle fans should start saving up to buy tickets. But the developments increased the possibility the Maloofs could put the team up for sale if they decide continuing to operate in Sacramento isn't an option. The Maloofs also might seek to move the team to Anaheim, Calif., although that could be blocked by the NBA, forcing their hand.

Relocating to Anaheim could meet strong resistance from the current Los Angeles-area franchises. The Lakers and Clippers might not want a third NBA team in their market.

How deal collapsed

The Kings nearly moved to Anaheim after last season before agreeing to stay this season while Sacramento tried to put together a plan to replace Power Balance Pavilion (formerly Arco Arena).

The city and the Maloofs had reached a tentative deal to fund a $391 million arena that would open for the 2015-16 season in the downtown Sacramento rail yards. The Sacramento City Council already passed its end of the deal, brokered by the league and tentatively agreed to by the Kings.

Joe, Gavin and George Maloof have since taken issue with some of the terms — particularly environmental and predevelopment costs. Under the agreement, the Kings and arena operator AEG each agreed to pay about $3.25 million in predevelopment costs with the city paying the remaining $6.5 million.

The Maloofs made a presentation to NBA owners Thursday, which they shared at a separate news conference Friday. As evidence of how the tide on the issue had turned, the Maloofs proposed renovating Sacramento's Power Balance Pavilion, something they had opposed for years.

Johnson said a renovation would not get assistance from the city.

"If they choose to renovate on their own and use private dollars, that's certainly their prerogative," he said. "I don't know what the Maloofs plan to do. I know they don't plan to honor their commitment to a downtown arena."

During their news conference, the Maloofs said they liked Sacramento, but insisted the arena project was too expensive. George Maloof said they had given the city a list of concerns that needed to be addressed before they could commit to such a major deal.

While Stern said the Kings would play in Sacramento next season, he wouldn't speculate where they would play beyond that. If they seek to relocate, the commissioner said approval would be left to the relocation committee headed by Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clay Bennett. Bennett bought the Sonics in 2006 for $350 million and moved them to Oklahoma City in 2008.

Due diligence

As chances increased that Sacramento might move, another NBA team with an uncertain future announced an agreement to stay put. The New Orleans Hornets reached a deal with the owner of the NFL's Saints, Tom Benson, to buy the team and keep it in Louisiana.

Seattle officials, meanwhile, said their focus remains getting an arena deal done that could lure a team. The Metropolitan King County Council is scheduled to be briefed Monday morning from Lenny Wilkens and Jan Drago, co-chairs of the Arena Advisory Panel that was asked by Mayor Mike McGinn to gather information and make a recommendation. It will be the first time the full council takes up the issue.

County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer said the news out of Sacramento gives local decision-makers reasons to go slow and remain careful rather than rush a proposed deal.

"Sacramento is a cautionary light rather than a green light," von Reichbauer said. "Sacramento is an opportunity. It's also a reminder of how important due diligence is, because the owners had an agreement with the NBA and backed out. It shows the importance of a clearly understood legal agreement."

McGinn and King County Executive Dow Constantine are expected to send legislation to the city and county councils this month, requesting approval of a memorandum of understanding between the city, county and Hansen's ArenaCo group. Hansen has requested that the councils approve legislation by early June.

Hansen has said he has several local investors interested in joining him to bring an NBA franchise to Seattle and help build a $490 million, 18,000-seat arena for pro basketball and hockey. Hansen wants taxpayers to pitch in $200 million in construction bonds, which he says would be repaid by revenue from the arena.

Hansen is paying for a study on the traffic impact of a new arena in Sodo. That study is expected to be completed next month.

Von Reichbauer said "the devil is in the details," such as the traffic study, but he credited Hansen with quickly paying for it.

"My primary take-away from Sacramento is how important it is to build a relationship between Mr. Hansen, the city and the county on a solid foundation so everyone knows what they're getting into," said von Reichbauer.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ramento14.html

[Monta Ellis #11]

Mavs confident they can make another title run

Dirk Nowitzki is confident the Dallas Mavericks will make the playoffs. And he's confident their experience will prove valuable once the postseason begins. But Nowitzki also understands the reality facing his team:

Repeating as NBA champions isn't going to be easy for the Mavs, who have dug themselves quite the hole this season.

"It's tough," Nowitzki said. "If you are bottom four, you are basically starting out on the road right away. Last year, we at least had home court through the first round. So, basically, if we want to go to the Western Conference finals, we have to win a lot of road games – and we haven't won a lot of games on the road.

"Hey, but it is what it is. … Rested, I still like our chances."

The Mavericks (34-26) sit in sixth place in the West with a 2½-game lead over the ninth-place Phoenix Suns. Their season has been filled with challenges from the start. Dallas officials didn't re-sign starting center Tyson Chandler, starting guard DeShawn Stevenson and reserve guard J.J. Barea in the offseason, allowing the franchise to maintain financial flexibility for this summer when New Jersey Nets All-Star Deron Williams, a Dallas native, can become a free agent. All-Star center Dwight Howard also looked like he would be available until he opted at the trade deadline to stay another season with the Orlando Magic.

Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Delonte West, Kelenna Azubuike, Vince Carter, Brandan Wright, Yi Jianlian, Brian Cardinal and Ian Mahinmi could all become free agents for the Mavericks this summer. Terry said the uncertain future has weighed on the players. "I go out there every day with that on my mind," Terry said. "It's reality. I could possibly not be in this uniform next year. It affects a lot of us.

"Over 50 percent of our team will be [free agents] next year. It's tough."

And that doesn't include Lamar Odom, who is already gone from the team and will likely be traded or bought out this summer. The Mavs had high hopes for Odom after acquiring him from the Los Angeles Lakers for an $8.9 million trade exception and a protected first-round pick. But Odom reported to the Mavericks in poor shape, struggled on the court and never adjusted. He took a leave of absence midway through the season, but his play never improved after he returned to the team.

Mavs owner Mark Cuban chided Odom for his listless play at halftime of a game this month, and the two decided it would be best to part ways. "It's over with," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said.

"We tried to make it work, obviously, but sometimes it just doesn't work," said Nowitzki, who said he wouldn't "bash" his former teammate. "He even tried. But, ultimately, we got to move on."

The Mavs admit they're still adjusting to each other. Kidd has missed 16 games this season. West and center Brendan Haywood, new additions to the starting lineup, have missed 22 and 11 games, respectively. The Mavs have used 12 different starting lineups but appear to be gaining some traction as the playoffs near.

"We are getting better," Kidd said. "We understand each other. We have a couple new guys in positions where we are asking them to do what J.J., Tyson and D-Steve have done. I think guys are starting to feel a little bit more comfortable and are playing a little bit better."

Only two of Dallas' final six regular-season games are at home. But the Mavs will get a chance to rest before the playoffs: They have four days off before their April 26 regular-season finale in Atlanta. And Cuban doesn't think the Mavs are in all that different a position than they were last season. They also struggled a year ago – and went on to beat the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, sweep the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round, beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West finals and knock off the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

"It was a year ago this week that the coach of the [Denver] Nuggets was saying he wanted to play the Mavs in the playoffs," Cuban said. "At this point last year it wasn't like everyone was saying, 'This is a dominant team,' or, 'They're the team to beat.' It was the exact opposite.

"They were saying, 'These guys have no chance.' That's what everyone is saying right now."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--ma...DQUVNP5we8vLYF

[Monta Ellis #11]

Timberwolves have 'no idea' when or if Kevin Love will return

Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, struggling with a mild concussion and strained neck, remained at home while the team played Oklahoma City on Saturday night, April 14, at Target Center.

"Until he's feeling better, he's staying at home," Wolves coach Rick Adelman said before the team's 115-110 loss to the Thunder.

Love, the Wolves' leading scorer (26.0 points per game) and rebounder (13.3), has been sidelined since he was struck in the head Wednesday night in Denver by an inadvertent elbow from Nuggets center JaVale McGee. Love was hospitalized in Denver after the game and was examined Friday by Wolves' team physicians.

Adelman said he has "no idea" if Love will return for the Wolves' final six games.

"We would like to see him come back for wherever he can play, but it'll be up to the doctors, trainers and Kevin himself to make that decision," Adelman said. "I don't know how they're going to base their decision."

Because Love was diagnosed with a concussion, he must comply with the NBA's new concussions policy before he's allowed to play. The process does not begin until Love is free from concussion symptoms.

Once Love's condition improves, he must go through a variety of physical and mental tests and be examined by a league-appointed neurologist before he's cleared to play.

Ridnour still ailing

The return of Wolves point guard Luke Ridnour, out since April 2 with a sprained right ankle, remains up in the air.

Adelman said Ridnour did some
shooting Friday but said he's still having trouble with his movement. Ridnour told Adelman that he doesn't want to sit out the rest of the season, Adelman said.

"Knowing him, he'll do what he can to get back out there," Adelman said. "Maybe next week."

Without Ridnour, the Wolves have been playing with one point guard, J.J. Barea. Rookie Malcolm Lee has been getting limited playing time behind Barea.

No need for rest

Oklahoma City likely will finish first or second in the Western Conference standings, but Thunder coach Scott Brooks is not planning to rest his star players for entire games, particularly Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka.

"Our guys are young," Brooks said. "They wouldn't want that. I take Kevin out for five minutes a half, and sometimes he thinks I'm benching him. I wouldn't want to coach guys who wouldn't want to play."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_...en-or-if-kevin

[Monta Ellis #11]

Getting Derrick Rose in sync, Luol Deng some rest should be Bulls’ priorities


The theory that the Bulls are better without Derrick Rose is gaining momentum as
circumstantial evidence
accumulates. It’s absurd, of course.

When the Bulls have been at their best, Rose has been at the top of his game. What’s important now is that he and his teammates return to that level before the playoffs begin.

It’s all about peaking for the Bulls now that they are all but assured of home-court advantage through the Eastern Conference finals. Coach Tom Thibodeau’s list of priorities became clear as fans streamed out of the United Center after the Bulls’ 96-86 overtime victory Thursday against the Heat. A schedule that has been an enemy all season now becomes an ally.

The Bulls’ next three opponents have an average winning percentage of .248. The Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats provide ample opportunity for the Bulls to accomplish two objectives that will assure they will be healthy, rested and playing at a high level when the postseason begins.

The first is obvious: Rose needs to get his timing back and his legs under him. I had a hunch heading into the game against the Heat that Rose was going to do something he never had done before. The last time he had played — Sunday against the New York Knicks — he committed eight turnovers and missed two clutch free throws that cost the Bulls a victory. He wanted to play in the rematch Tuesday against the Knicks, but the decision was made for him.

I expected a memorable performance against the Heat, but I wouldn’t have guessed he would be held to a career-low two points and find himself on the bench during overtime.

It never has been more obvious that Rose is out of sync. His shots aren’t falling, and he’s playing tentatively, which might be the result of not having his usual extraordinary lift because of groin and ankle injuries. He needs time to round himself into shape and create synergy with his teammates. The next three games provide ample opportunity for him to do so.

‘‘It’s been a hard year for him, a hard year,’’ guard Kyle Korver said. ‘‘You’re 23 years old. You were MVP last year. You come in and get four or five different injuries in a crazy season with all these games. It says a lot about him and his character.

‘‘There’s not a lot of superstars who can take the criticism that he gets and play the minutes that he does and still keep [his] head. He’s a really humble guy. He’s all about winning. . . . Obviously, he has the ball most of the time — he’s the MVP, a great player — but if someone else is open, he’s going to pass the ball. He’s a great guy.’’

Rose and guard Rip Hamilton need time to develop into the kind of one-two punch that can help the Bulls be as successful against the Heat in the playoffs as they have been in their last two regular-season victories. About 30 minutes a game for the next three games should do the trick. Then Thibodeau can unleash the hounds when the Bulls visit the Heat on Thursday.

‘‘My mind was thinking something that my body couldn’t do,’’ Rose said after the game Thursday. ‘‘I’ve never had a problem getting my rhythm back. I should get it back soon.’’

The second priority should be getting forward Luol Deng some much-needed rest. He played more than 42 minutes against the Heat and is averaging a league-leading 39.4 minutes despite having a torn ligament in his left wrist.

Rookie swingman Jimmy Butler has been effective guarding the Heat’s LeBron James and the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony this season and might be of use as a spot defender in the playoffs. Getting Butler on the floor in the final seven regular-season games will give Deng some rest and prepare Butler for his postseason assignment.

Thibodeau wants to win every game, regardless of the circumstances, and that philosophy has served the Bulls well in the last two years. The schedule now allows him to continue accomplishing his short-term goal while taking a longer view that can help the Bulls maintain the momentum gained Thursday.

‘‘It was a fun game [Thursday], but it was just a game,’’ Korver said.


http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baske...riorities.html

[Monta Ellis #11]

Stoudemire eyes return to Knicks on Friday

Amar’e Stoudemire loves the atmosphere across the Hudson River when the Knicks play the Nets at Prudential Center. He loves that a Knicks-Nets game in Newark feels like a home game away from home.

And though he has eyed the Knicks’ last-ever visit to New Jersey tomorrow as his big return from a bulging disk, the Knicks believe having him back in Cleveland on Friday is more realistic.

Stoudemire has had two contact scrimmages, but yesterday’s practice was canceled because the club was beaten up further with Tyson Chandler’s knee injury. That hasn’t helped Stoudemire get into game shape. he will miss his 12th straight game tonight when the Knicks host the Celtics.

With the Knicks less than two weeks from the playoffs, this is the second straight year Stoudemire will be less than 100 percent in the postseason because of back woes and he still hasn’t figured out how to play with Carmelo Anthony. Stoudemire has taken a vow of silence during his rehab.

On WFAN yesterday, Anthony rehashed his happiness with Mike D’Antoni’s resignation that led to Mike Woodson taking over.

“It was a new start for me, a new start for the team, a new start for the Knicks when Coach Woodson came on,” Anthony said. “The most important thing is he held me accountable for everything. It was a lot more responsibility that I had to take on and I was willing to do that. When Coach Woodson took over the job he sat down in front of everybody and I was the one he pointed to and said my responsibilities had to grow. I accepted the challenge.”

Jeremy Lin is a finalist for the NBA Sportsmanship Award. Lin was chosen along with Cleveland’s Antawn Jamison, Dallas’ Jason Kidd, the Clippers’ Chris Paul, Miami’s Shane Battier and Minnesota’s Luke Ridnour. The NBA will announce the winner after the regular season. Lin was selected for the amazing grace with which he handled his sudden global fame that began in early February when he became the Knicks’ starting point guard. Lin also could be considered for Most Improved Player Award but no longer is a shoo-in because he has played just 35 games and may not return following knee surgery two weeks ago. Lin had stitches taken out of his knee a few days ago but hasn’t begun running, and no longer believes he can beat the six-week timetable initally set for his return.

Chandler, who injured his knee in a collision with the Heat’s Joel Anthony and hobbled around in the fourth quarter, won’t be on the injury

report for tonight’s Celtics game. He underwent treatment yesterday and is a go. Chandler, though he didn’t make the All-Star team, is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All Defense and one of the three All-NBA teams at center ... Anthony said yesterday rookie Iman Shumpert should contend for an All-Defense selection. “I think Shump deserves All-Defensive team this year,’’ Anthony said. “What he’s been able to do, matching up with the other teams’ best player, shutting them down. As a rookie you rarely see that — a rookie making an impact on the game other than scoring the basketball.’’

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knick...QWC29ZDryX3gdN

[Monta Ellis #11]

Source: Suns will pursue G Jamal Crawford


Chris Haynes, CSNNW.com Trail Blazers Insider (@ChrisBHaynes)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford will be courted intensely by the Phoenix Suns, a source within the organization tells CSNNW.com.

“Aside from Steve (Nash), he's (Crawford) high if not the top free agent priority on their list,” the source said. “He would fill a need at the two-guard position and he knows they want him.”

Tonight against the Suns, Crawford looked like the scoring threat that the NBA has grown to know exploding for 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assist off the bench after sitting out last night's game against the Sacramento Kings.

Crawford has a player option for next year and is expected to opt out making him an unrestricted free agent.

If you ask Crawford, he'll tell you that this has been the most challenging season he's endured as a professional and a change of scenery to the desert, very likely could be his next stop.

http://www.csnnw.com/pages/landingbl...06&feedID=5212

[Monta Ellis #11]

Ray Allen expected to join team


NEW YORK — Though Ray Allen remains questionable for tonight’s game against the Knicks, the guard has taken the first step toward activation after missing the Celtics last four games with a sprained right ankle.

Allen is expected to join the team here for tonight’s game and will be a gametime decision, according to team president Danny Ainge.

“If he’s flying, then that has to be considered an improvement,” Ainge said.

Due to the impact that air travel — especially repeated air travel — can have on swelling, Allen was kept home during the first three games of the Celtics’ current road trip.

But Allen has remained active.

“He’s done some running on the treadmill,” Ainge said. “He’s also done some shooting. So we’ll see what happens.”

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/b..._to_join_team/

[Monta Ellis #11]

Wet Willie, or West Willie? Either way, Delonte may get a call from the NBA

Delonte West drew a large crowd of reporters after Monday's 123-121 loss to Utah for giving Jazz guard Gordon Hayward an index finger to the ear.

He called it a wet Willie, but it would be more accurate to call it a West Willie.

With 3:40 left in the first half, West and Hayward got tangled up on the Jazz's offensive end. West gave Hayward a forearm push and then, after a foul was called, West strolled over to Hayward in nonchalant fashion and poked his index finger into Hayward's right ear and gave him a push.

Guys get ear-holed in football all the time. But in basketball, it's a little rare.

West got a technical foul and may hear from the NBA office in the next day or two for his actions. He also got booed relentlessly by the crowd after the incident

"I was giving him a wet Willie, that's all,'' West said. "He had some lint in his hair.

"We were two warriors. We were battling. I forgot the NBA's a gentleman's game. We got to fight and scratch, and do it nice.

"You get caught up in the emotions and it's physical. You get caught in the moment sometimes.''

Asked if he was expecting a fine from the NBA, he said: "If they do, they do. If they don't, they don't.''

"It's just part of the game,'' he added. "I'm not disappointed in anything. We play as players and the refs ref. Everyone's doing their best.''

West said he's well aware of the line the NBA has drawn in terms of player conduct on the court.

"The fines and stuff they put in place the last couple years, that line is like jumping off a cliff,'' he said.

http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archi...r-way-del.html

[Monta Ellis #11]

Bulls’ Rip Hamilton beginning to re-emerge at the right time


You almost have to knock on wood when you say it, but Richard Hamilton is quietly getting back in the groove.

While the Bulls continue to struggle with injuries and have lost their midseason rhythm, Hamilton started his seventh consecutive game Monday — his season-best. He even fell hard to the floor after a fast-break scramble in the first quarter and got up without incident.

In his first six games back after missing 15 games with a shoulder injury, Hamilton averaged 9.8 points while shooting 43 percent from the field (25-for-58) and hitting 5 of 10 three-point shots. More important, he’s showing few signs of rust.

‘‘He’s shown that he’s a very good player,’’ Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said, ‘‘moving without the ball, catch-and-shoot situations, running the floor, unselfish. He’s missed a lot of time, so he’s still coming around with his timing, and I think that will get better as time goes on.’’

Unfortunately, with Derrick Rose and Luol Deng out, the Bulls’ best starting unit still hasn’t played together much.

‘‘The big adjustment is with Rip,’’ Thibodeau said. ‘‘The other guys have been together for a long time. ... I think [Rip’s] feeling really good. His lower body’s great. So that part is good. The more they play together, the better they’ll be.’’

The Bulls, though, have just five regular-season games left. They play at Charlotte and Miami on Wednesday and Thursday, then host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.

Injury riddle

With Rose and Deng missing Monday night’s game against the Washington Wizards, the Bulls have lost 94 player-games to injury through 61 games. They lost 61 player-games in 82 regular-season games last season.

‘‘That’s the way the season has been, and not just for us. For everybody,’’ Thibodeau said. ‘‘You just have to deal with it. It’s part of the game. . . . I think our team has shown that we feel we have more than enough to win with.’’

Jimmy on the spot

With Deng out, rookie Jimmy Butler got an early call in the first half. Butler has made the most of limited minutes all season and did it again against with an alley-oop dunk from Kyle Korver to give the Bulls a 27-25 lead early in the second quarter.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baske...ight-time.html

[Monta Ellis #11]

NBA to award 2014 All-Star Game to New Orleans today

When NBA Commissioner David Stern introduces New Orleans Hornets owner Tom Benson at a 2 p.m. press conference day, Stern will also announce that the league has awarded the 2014 NBA All-Star Game to the city, a source confirmed Monday morning.With Carnival considerations, and the 2013 All-Star Weekend already set for Houston, the next possible date New Orleans could host its second All-Star Game would be 2014.

New Orleans hosted its first NBA All-Star Game in 2008, the first major sporting event to be held in the city following Hurricane Katrina's devastation. Its presence helped announce New Orleans' renaissance to the nation and beyond.

As part of the new lease agreement announced on March 16 between the state and the Hornets, part of the deal included a future All-Star Game.

Stern, along with Benson, Gov. Bobby Jindal and Mayor Mitch Landrieu will be making the formal announcement at the Arena.

The first phase of a two-off-season renovation to the Arena should be complete by the time the All-Star Game is played in late February 2014, according to a source.

Mardi Gras in 2014 is March 4. Beyond 2014, because the All-Star Game has recently been on the league's calendar toward the end of February, the next possible dates to avoid Carnival conflicts could have been in 2017 (Mardi Gras on Feb. 28), 2018 (Feb. 13) or 2019 (March 5).

Architectural teams are still working on design plans for Arena modifications, aimed at helping the Hornets to generate additional revenues on their own to alleviate the state's burden of providing financial subsidies.

The renovations to the Arena are planned to take place over the next two NBA offseasons.
Monday's announcement is aimed at providing enough lead time to allow for hotel rooms to be blocked off for the expected influx of visitors who will descend upon the city for the three-day festivities.

The NBA's All-Star Weekend here in 2008 was widely perceived to be a huge success. Stern promised New Orleans an All-Star Game at that time after the team moved back to the Crescent City following a two-year exile in Oklahoma City following Katrina.

Monday's announcement continues an impressive string of major sporting events being played in New Orleans, which has this year alone hosted the BCS Championship Game and the Final Four.

In 2013, New Orleans will host Super Bowl XLVII.

http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ss...-star_gam.html

[Ernesto]

Celtics' Big Three nearly split at trade deadline


By Adrian Wojnarowski


NEW YORK – As the NBA trade deadline lurched into its final hour a month ago, league sources say the call Ray Allen long feared had come: Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers was on the line, telling him he had been traded. Allen had been sent to the Memphis Grizzlies for a package including O.J. Mayo and a draft pick, and the Celtics' Big Three had come to a most brusque ending.
For 20 minutes or so, Allen had to process the information. They traded me to Memphis? And yet, as the disappointment dissolved to anger, Rivers returned with a messenger’s nightmare: Never mind. The deal fell apart. Take a deep breath and let’s go back to work again.

Ray Allen was nearly traded to the Grizzlies for O.J. Mayo.
Before the Big Three could make it past the trade deadline, Allen-to-the-Grizzlies had to fall apart and discussions on a deal that would have sent Paul Pierce to the New Jersey Nets for an expiring Mehmet Okur contract and a lottery pick never reached completion, league sources said. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge loves the talent in the 2012 NBA draft, but he still gets one more run, one more chance with this group in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--ce...NLtSVq3Gu8vLYF

[Monta Ellis #11]

Kobe Bryant closer to returning after running, jumping without pain


OAKLAND -- Kobe Bryant missed a seventh consecutive game because of a sore left shin but moved closer to returning after completing running and jumping exercises without feeling pain.

If Bryant does not feel discomfort Thursday, he could return Friday against San Antonio.

"There's a chance," Lakers Coach Mike Brown said.

"I'll probably be on the floor next game," Bryant added to ESPN's Ric Bucher.

Several hours before Wednesday's game against Golden State, Bryant took dozens of shots and underwent a workout that included some full-speed running.

"He's made progress and we like where he is right now," Brown said.
The Lakers (39-23) have only three regular-season games left after Wednesday.

They are 4-2 without Bryant and hoping to fend off the Clippers for third place in the Western Conference.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers...tory?track=rss

[Monta Ellis #11]

No time for Miami Heat’s LeBron James to rest with MVP on the line

There was only one explanation for why LeBron James started Wednesday against the Raptors. He really wants to win his third MVP Award.

With regular starters Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Ronny Turiaf watching from the bench, James started alongside Udonis Haslem, Dexter Pittman, James Jones and Mario Chalmers against the Atlantic Division’s worst team. James entered Wednesday’s otherwise meaningless game third in points per game (27.1), 11th in field-goal percentage (.529), tied for 26th in rebounds per game (7.9), 14th in assists per game (6.3) and third in steals (112).

“It would mean a lot, honestly, it would mean a lot,” James said of the award. “If I’m able to win it this year it would be very humbling knowing the caliber of guys who have won it three times.”

Only seven players have won the award three times: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.

The significance of winning an MVP with the Heat isn’t lost on James, who said winning it “would be gratifying to know that just one year removed from what I came from.” He was voted the NBA’s most hated player last season after his much-criticized Decision on ESPN.

“I’m just back to playing the way I play the game, with a lot of fun and a lot of joy and just not proving anything to anyone,” James said. “Last year I felt I had to prove something to people. I have no idea why. But I got to that point, and it took me away from why I love the game so much and I why I love the NBA. I got away from that.”


http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/1...ts-lebron.html