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[Monta Ellis #11]

Self-improvement is the key for the OKC Thunder
No matter the first-round playoff opponent, getting better on defense is what Scott Brooks will preach as the regular season winds down.

Each passing day, the Thunder seems to have a different potential pairing for the opening round of the playoffs.

Will OKC open against Denver for the second straight season?
Perhaps a possible rematch against the world champion Dallas Mavericks will come in the first round rather than the Western Conference Finals.

Houston possibly awaits, and the Rockets surprisingly split their four regular-season meetings against OKC.

Utah is another first-round candidate.
The Thunder's opening playoff opponent also could be the Phoenix Suns, the team it faces Wednesday at 9 p.m. at US Airways Center.

Winners of four of their last six games, the Suns now sit as the No. 8 seed in the West. Phoenix (32-29) split with Houston 2-2 this season, but currently owns tiebreaker because of a better conference record.
The Thunder (44-17) and San Antonio (43-16) continue to jockey for the No. 1 seed, which makes Phoenix a possible opponent when the playoffs commence a week from Saturday.

Then again, the way OKC performed in the second half of Monday night's 92-77 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center, the Thunder couldn't care less who it opens with in the playoffs.

Oddly enough, that's precisely how coach Scott Brooks wants his team to think.

For the last two weeks, Brooks has preached to his players that no matter who the first-round opponent turns out to be, the key to success is all about themselves.

Self-improvement is foremost for the Thunder, primarily with better defense. Brooks views this as fact, not coach-speak.

In Brooks' eyes, defense is paramount. No need to concentrate on the offense, which presumably will always be there thanks to two-time scoring champion Kevin Durant, super human sidekick Russell Westbrook and pending Sixth Man of the Year James Harden.
But then came Monday's second-half debacle against the Clippers that left everyone shaking their heads, at least momentarily.

The second-half numbers against the Clippers were so atrocious, they were hard to fathom even one day later after the Thunder arrived in the desert and basked in 90-degree heat.

The following were all season lows for OKC from Monday night: 25 points in a half; 11 points in the fourth quarter; 27 field goals made; .375 field-goal percentage for the game; 0 for 11 from 3-point range in a half; .290 field-goal percentage for a half.

It also was the Thunder's largest margin of defeat, thanks to being nearly being doubled-up on the scoreboard in the second half, 49-25. All this after OKC led 52-43 at halftime.

Despite Monday's second-half implosion, the Thunder remains the most efficient offense in the league, according to ESPN's John Hollinger.
The Thunder originally had a practice scheduled for early Tuesday afternoon in Phoenix. Instead, players were given the day off with an optional day of weight training.

Players were not made available for interviews, but perhaps Brooks opted for a day off to help players clear their minds.

http://newsok.com/self-improvement-i...667304/?page=1

[Il Capitano]

Knicks sign Gadzuric as playoff insurance, waive Walker

Mike Woodson announced that the Knicks will sign 6-11 journeyman center Dan Gadzuric and waive swingman Bill Walker in a move to provide depth and insurance for the playoffs.

Gadzuric, 34, an athletic big man out of UCLA, will be added in case Amar’e Stoudemire and Jared Jeffries break down in the playoffs. Prior to signing with the Knicks, Gadzuric played for the Texas Legends in the D-League and overseas in China. Gadzuric's last NBA action came last season when he played for the Nets, appearing in 14 games. Gadzuric had played eight seasons for the Bucks after UCLA.

"It gives us another big,'' Woodson said. "Just in case Jared is not able to come back from his rest. It gives us a veteran big that's been around that could use fouls and rebound.''

Stoudemire will make his return tonight from a bulging disk and Jeffries may be shut down until the start of the playoffs as he battles chronic knee pain and swelling. Jeffries may undergo a bloodspinning knee procedure in the offseason.

The Knicks also have rookie center Jerome Jordan and Josh Harrellson on the roster but Woodson wanted a veteran as insurance. Plus, Woodson hadn't used Walker since the swingman returned from elbow surgery 12 days ago.

In addition to Stoudemire, Iman Shumper will be in the starting lineup tonight, leaving Landry Fields as the odd man out, coming off the bench.

http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knicks...3NUZdH2kI59HVI

[Monta Ellis #11]

US hoops team may add to finalists


The Olympic hoops ranks are getting thin. And USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo hasn’t ruled out restocking them.

The Orlando Magic on Thursday night confirmed center Dwight Howard will undergo back surgery, ending his season with the team and likely knocking him out of the 2012 Olympics. With that, four players now look to have been scratched from the list of 20 finalists for the London Games this summer. Injured Chauncey Billups is definitely out, LaMarcus Aldridge is likely out due to injury and Lamar Odom has been eliminated from consideration after being made inactive the rest of this season by Dallas.

“We’ve talked about injuries,” Colangelo said in a phone interview. “Obviously, if our ranks are really thinned we wouldn’t rule out adding some additional people. But it’s too early to say that we will do that.”

Colangelo said he wants to learn more about Howard’s situation. Regardless, the topic of possibly adding Olympic finalists will come up May 1 when he meets with the US team's coaching staff in Las Vegas.

“That’s only a week-and-a-half away, and we’ll address that,” Colangelo said.

If Howard, Aldridge and Odom are taken off the list, the US team suddenly is thin in the post. The only other big men on the list are Tyson Chandler, Chris Bosh, Kevin Love (who has been out recently with a concussion) and Blake Griffin.

Without referring to any specific position, Colangelo said USA Basketball would “address it” if it’s felt the team is too short at a spot. While Lakers center Andrew Bynum could be a possible candidate to be added, Colangelo wouldn’t confirm any names.

“If there is a candidate out there, we’ll have private discussions,” Colangelo said about the possibility of adding someone.

Colangelo said 20 finalists were named in January in the anticipation that things happen during an NBA season.

“We’re going to continue to take inventory as to where things stand,” Colangelo said.

In addition to Chandler, Love, Bosh and Griffin, the other Olympic finalists are Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, Eric Gordon, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams.

Two of those finalists, James and Wade, expressed concern for Howard after the Miami Heat's victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, while also acknowledging they do not expect to play with him this summer in London.

“It sucks, honestly for him, first of all,” James said. “We all know he’s a guy who’s pretty much been durable throughout his NBA career so far, and there for the Magic or our team. He’s a big part of our team in the Olympics, and I hate to lose him because of an injury. I wish him the best and hope he gets back to full strength.”

Added Wade: “It’s very unfortunate, one of the great players in our game. You never want to see anyone go through an injury. Obviously, we’re sure he will bounce back. One thing about this league, we have some of the best doctors and trainers. It’s very unfortunate for him and his family. I’m sure Orlando will miss him and the Olympic team is going to miss him. But the biggest thing is that he gets healthy and he’ll get back to be an amazing player he is for this game.”

http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/ba...nalists-041912

[Monta Ellis #11]

Fellin` a draft

NBA mock draft, second take

My first mock draft was a month ago. Not much has changed since then, but it will once the lottery and individual workouts take place in late May and early June. Here’s the latest based on several conversations with NBA scouts and general managers (draft position based on teams’ current records):

1. Charlotte — Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky. Athletic, great length, good rebounder and shot-blocker. Underrated passer and expected to be a good scorer in the NBA.

2. Washington — Michael-Kidd Gilchrist, SF/SG, Kentucky. Outstanding slasher who plays with tons of energy. Good size and understands the game.

3. New Orleans — Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas. Strong near the basket with an improving mid-range game. Excellent rebounder.

4. Sacramento — Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut. Great size and athleticism, fantastic passer. But will he be consistent offensively?

5. Cleveland — Bradley Beal, SG, Florida. Best perimeter shooter in draft, lone concern is his height (6-foot-3). Makes up for it with strength.

6. Toronto — Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina. Silky-smooth shooting touch. Smart player. Not great off the dribble, but it’s money if he’s open.

7. Portland (from New Jersey) — Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut. Great wingspan. Works hard to get open and knock down mid- and long-range shots. Reminds some of Richard Hamilton.

8. Utah (from Golden State) — Perry Jones, F, Baylor. Might be top-five pick if his aggressiveness and focus matched his skills. Great length; can drive, shoot and pass.

9. Detroit — Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky. Do-it-all type who can shoot, pass and rebound. Has drawn comparisons to Lamar Odom.

10. New Orleans (from Minnesota) — Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State. Very quick, great passer and scorer. Best point guard in draft.

11. Portland — Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina. Mobile and versatile near the basket.

12. Milwaukee — Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State. Throwback big man with soft hands and good vision.

13. Houston — Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois. True 7-footer and great athlete. Still pretty raw offensively.

14. Phoenix — Austin Rivers, G, Duke. Good shooter who is quick off dribble. Can play both guard spots.

15. Utah — Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina. Steady and heady. Good leader who can score when called upon.

16. Philadelphia — John Henson, PF, North Carolina. Energetic and athletic defender. Little soft on offense.

17. New Jersey (from Houston) — Royce White, F, Iowa State. Extremely versatile and good ball-handler for his size. Plays with passion.

18. Denver — Terrence Ross, SG, Washington. Good shooter, but strength is expected to be his defense.

19. Dallas — Tony Wroten, G, Washington. Has all the skills offensively, minus a consistent perimeter shot. Good athlete with lots of intangibles.

20. Orlando — Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State. Moves well and can finish at rim. Scouts wonder if he’s peaked.

21. Memphis — Dion Waters, SG, Syracuse. Plays full-speed ahead at all times, attacking rim and looking to make things happen.

22. Atlanta — Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s. Does enough of everything to become an instant starter. Shows how deep this draft really is.

23. Boston — Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt. Intelligent with a reliable perimeter shot. Strong defender.

24. Boston (from L.A. Clippers) — Fab Melo, C, Syracuse. Rebounds, block shots and can control paint defensively. Focus is often in question.

25. Cleveland (from L.A. Lakers) — Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State. Not overly athletic, but can score inside or out. Strong passer.

26. Indiana — Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky. Very good at pushing tempo and creating. Underrated on stacked college team, could be better pro.

27. Miami — Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt. Takes up space in lane, mobile and blocks shots. Limited offensively.

28. Oklahoma City — Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure. Polished, hard-worker who has improved each season.

29. Golden State (from San Antonio) — Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky. Zip-code range on jumper, decent athleticism. Reminds some of New Jersey’s Anthony Morrow.

30. Chicago — John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt. Can spread defenses with dead-eye outside shot from deep. Otherwise limited.


http://www.foxsportsohio.com/04/19/1...48&feedID=8888

[Monta Ellis #11]

After Miami mauling, Bulls have to worry about 'soft' tag


Here we thought it was Derrick Rose, healthy, and Richard Hamilton, ready, that the Chicago Bulls needed most to make a serious run at the Finals.

Now we see it's Kurt Thomas and Keith Bogans, gritty, that the Bulls miss just as much at the moment.

Physical toughness is Chicago's latest issue, in the wake of its 98-lb. weakling loss at Miami Thursday night. But it's more than just a deficiency du jour flaring up against some bullies from South Beach over a random stretch of sand. This is a concern that could trouble the Bulls through the postseason, to be added to coach Tom Thibodeau's and general manager Gar Forman's very real and growing list:

• Rose's health. Five different injuries that have cost him 26 games. On the heels of his spectacular MVP season, most of the drama he's provided has come in the hour or so before tipoff (will he play or won't he?).

• Hamilton's rust. The Thin Man has missed 38 of 63. And to think, he thought he sat a lot last year in Detroit.

• Luol Deng's off-hand. He's playing with the equivalent of a bull's-eye on the torn ligament in his left wrist. Thibodeau's main glue guy routinely gets drive-by whackings on that injury from opponents.

• Offensive potency. Last season's Bulls averaged 98.6 points with non-scorer Bogans in the starting lineup 82 times, and weren't happy with their scoring options. This season, with Hamilton only kinda-sorta aboard, they're averaging 96.3.

• On-court familiarity. Thibodeau has shuffled through 12 different starting lineups, compared to eight in 2010-11. The Bulls have lost 97 man-games to injuries in 63 games so far, compared to 61 in 82 last season.

Now there is the possibility that this skilled, crafty and resilient basketball team -- the NBA's most successful over the past two regular seasons -- will find itself getting punked in the playoffs. For a lot of folks in a smash-mouth sports market still defined by Da Coach and already focused on the thug-heavy NHL postseason, the idea that the Bulls might get manhandled as they get dispatched would be intolerable, vaulting toughness to the top of that worry list.

Consider the Miami loss: Heat reserve James Jones delivers a double-forearm hit high on Chicago center Joakim Noah, while Noah's back is turned. Video Jones gets tossed for a flagrant-2 foul but the Bulls just shake it off. Dwyane Wade gets a technical foul Video for pushing Hamilton to the floor in the third quarter -- Hamilton gets a T, too, but it's Wade who seems fired up by the confrontation, scoring Miami's next seven points.

"Like Detroit all over again," Wade told media folks afterward, referring to his matchup with Hamilton in previous seasons. "One of those pesky defenders who gets away with a lot of stuff. I just decided to bring a little more attention to it."

Then LeBron James Video plants a massive shoulder into pesky John Lucas III on a blind screen, flattening the backup Bulls guard like a metal duck in a shooting gallery. Lucas bounces up and rushes at James, who flicks him away like so much dandruff.

"There was a lot of stuff going on, a lot of stuff going on," Thibodeau said. "Every time we play them, that's the way its going to be. You have to have the mental toughness to get through all of that. You can't shy away from any of that stuff. It's going to be there. And that's the way we like it. I just want to see them respond."

Mental toughness is great. But physical toughness is helpful, too, for planting some doubts in the other guys' minds about getting too comfortable. For giving as good as your team is getting.

Thomas, now with Portland, has those crazy eyes, a barrel chest and a connoisseur's appreciation for the manly art of physical basketball. Bogans, waived by New Jersey in February, had that thousand-yard stare when he needed it, too, and was expendable enough in Bulls' actual X&Os to use his six personal fouls wisely and firmly.

One of the downsides to the Bulls' exceptional depth -- and their constant need for it -- is that there's no one to throw out there for toughness' sake alone. Their brawniest player, Carlos Boozer, is a diplomat in kerfuffles. Noah is a lover, not a fighter. Hamilton can be edgy, but a bump from an arena blimp could probably stagger him. Omer Asik? C'mon. Taj Gibson is too valuable as Boozer's backup. Kyle Korver is stronger now, but also the most reliable deep threat.

Miami, by comparison, gets so little from so many on its bench that it has five or six guys over there representing maybe 36 available hard fouls. It's not just scrubs, either; Wade and James are plenty willing to do their own hard labor, with superstar latitude and battle-tested resolve adding to their physical strength. The Bulls certainly don't exude that.

Oh, and it's not just against Miami that the Bulls will face this stuff. Indiana very deliberately pushed them around in the first round last spring and will try it again if the teams meet this year -- United Center villains Jeff Foster and Josh McRoberts are gone but Tyler Hansbrough is eminently capable, and even Danny Granger, Dahntay Jones and Lance Stephenson play more chippy than any of Chicago's guys. New York, Boston, Atlanta and anyone else in the East would be smart to get physical with them.

Clinching the league's No. 1 seed overall and buying themselves a week of prep time wasn't enough to stiffen Chicago on Thursday. Slipping to No. 2 and heading into the first round with the aforementioned list of issues might not do it either.

But hearing themselves referred to as the (ahem) Chicago Steers, rather than Bulls, might just do the trick.


http://www.nba.com/2012/news/feature...cal/index.html

[Monta Ellis #11]

Knicks GM leaning toward keeping Woodson


Knicks permanent general manager Glen Grunwald raved on about interim coach Mike Woodson Wednesday, giving strong indications he’s got his man for next season.

Grunwald said it wasn’t the time to guarantee Woodson’s return with the playoffs about to start. But all signs point that he strongly will recommend a return for his former Indiana teammate to owner James Dolan.

“Woody has done a fantastic job,’’ Grunwald said at a press conference one day after he formally had the “interim’’ tag removed from his title. “I can’t give him enough credit for the job he’s done. Normally coaching changes don’t result in such a dramatic improvement in a team’s performance. I’ve known Woody a long time. We’ve had our separation, but to see how he’s grown as a coach and person after six years in Atlanta, that kind of experience he got there growing the team, and improved them over his tenure, and to see firsthand him working as a head coach here is very impressive.’’

Asked if that meant Woodson was back, Grunwald laughed. “We’re not talking about any staffing questions today,’’ he said. “One reason I don’t speak a lot is we have to stay focused on the moment. We’re in the playoffs right now. We need to stay focused on that.”

In a telling remark later that he’s not looking to change, Grunwald said, “I feel it’s going well right now. I’m happy for them and how well they performed. You find a formula that works. You don’t want to change. You want to tweak and improve it.’’

Despite Dolan’s influence, Grunwald will have a strong say in the coaching decision. But Grunwald said Dolan has to sign off on his recommendation. Woodson confirmed Wednesday night one of the “big reasons’’ he took the Knicks assistant job was Grunwald.

“I think it will be an organizational decision which it has been in every team I’ve been with,’’ Grunwald said before the Knicks’ 99-93 victory over the Clippers. “The decision is a very important decision. I think it would be an organizational decision. I’ll make my recommendations and we’ll come together to make the right decision for the team.’’

A strong push by Phil Jackson’s reps combined with a bad playoff showing are the only things that could possibly prevent Woodson from becoming the permanent Knicks coach. Woodson entered last night at 16-6 since taking over for Mike D’Antoni, who resigned March 14.

Grunwald said it has become clear D’Antoni was right in his assessment that the club needed a new voice.

Asked by The Post what Woodson has done that D’Antoni didn’t, Grunwald said, “Sometimes it’s a matter of change being a catalyst for waking people up,’’ Grunwald said. “And seeing how serious a situation it can be. Mike stepping down, I think he saw it as he couldn’t do it anymore with this team. It was his frustration. Maybe it was transferred to this team. Woody came in and had a great approach and was very positive. He’s a likeable guy at the same time. He will do what’s necessary to get guys to play right.’’

Woodson said Wednesday night one of his concerns when he took over was Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire “weren’t playing hard enough.’’

Grunwald will have a tough task this summer in bettering the club as he tries to re-sign Jeremy Lin, Steve Novak and J.R. Smith. With no cap flexibility, the Knicks could be outbid for Novak and Smith, two major bench pieces. The Knicks also have no first-round pick.

“I’m not focused on the summer right now,’’ Grunwald said. “I’ve thought about it but we need to stay focused on the moment. The playoffs are on. We have an opportunity as a team. Who knows the next opportunity will be to do something good. Let’s do as well as we can and let’s evaluate after it’s all done.’’

The Knicks could have locked in Miami last night if certain scenarios took place — such as wins by the Knicks and Magic and a 76ers loss.

“I’m hopeful,’’ Grunwald said. “We’re going to have a tough opponent, whether it’s Chicago [or] Miami. We’re going to have our work cut out for us. I just hope we play to our capabilities and let the chips fall where they may and we’re see what we need to do, if anything, to move this team forward.’’

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

[Monta Ellis #11]

Chris Paul says injury won't keep him out of Clippers playoff opener
The guard is confident he'll be fine for Sunday's playoff opener against Memphis after missing Wednesday's game against New York because of a left groin strain.


NEW YORK — Either Saturday or Sunday, the Clippers will start the playoffs and no matter what, Chris Paul said he will play.

Paul sat out the Clippers' game Wednesday night against the New York Knicks because of a mild left groin strain.

The Clippers will play the Memphis Grizzlies in a Western Conference first-round playoff series this weekend.

"Yeah, I'll be OK," Paul said.

Paul could get an extra day to rest and treat his injury if the playoff series begins on Sunday.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Paul said. "I'll be good."

So will he be playing for sure?

"No question," Paul responded.

The decision to hold Paul out against the Knicks was made by Paul, trainer Jasen Powell and Coach Vinny Del Negro.

"It was all of us, like any other decision we make," Paul said. "It wasn't that big of a deal. You're making it bigger than it was. It's the last game of the season and the playoffs start in a couple of days."

Del Negro said it was important to rest Paul so that he can be ready for the playoffs, even if it meant giving up the home-court advantage.

"The most important thing is to be smart about it, look at the big picture," Del Negro said. "Chris needs to be healthy, whether we're home or away, so that he can play at a high level for us. If he had played tonight and irritated it or there was some swelling or maybe it got worse and then we play Saturday or Sunday and it's a quick turnaround, I didn't think it was worth the risk."

Eric Bledsoe started in place of Paul and veteran Mo Williams came in as the reserve point guard.

Neither played very well.

Bledsoe had only two points on one-for-five shooting and Williams had nine points on three-for-nine shooting.


http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...0,834617.story

[Monta Ellis #11]

Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash saying goodbye?
Nash, a free agent this summer, might have played his final game in Phoenix


With five minutes left in the season, the Suns fans made known their stance about the night and perhaps the franchise's future.

Naturally and emphatically, a "We want Steve" chant spread through US Airways Center like lightning Wednesday night. It could prove to be Steve Nash's final game as a Suns player if he is not re-signed as a free agent in July, and Planet Orange was not going to let him walk out the north tunnel one last time without their embrace.

The "We want Steve" chant broke out and grew in volume until the crowd was standing. A timeout stopped it and Nash did not return but the chant did. After sitting Nash out so long, Suns coach Alvin Gentry did not plan on playing him any longer but substituted him for a curtain call of 27 seconds, just long enough for him to dribble upcourt with a smile, make a turnover and leave with an index finger raised in acknowledgment to a thunderous ovation like the one that started the night when his turn came up during starting introductions.

If that was Nash's last introduction as a Suns player in 10 seasons over two stints, it was met appropriately in front of a crowd of 17,172 that turned out despite the team's elimination on the previous night. Out of the race, the game still had meaning just in the potential of it being Nash's farewell, although he has said he will include Phoenix in the options he weighs as a free agent in July.

"It was obviously amazing to get that type of reception and support," Nash said. "It's very special because it's not something I asked for or imagined. To get that kind of reaction means it's authentic, the relationship I thought we had. It really feels special. The fans have been phenomenal and it's meant a lot to me to play in a city like this as long as I have and to feel important to the fans and community. I just feel like a very lucky guy."

Nash said he has "no clue" about his future and remains flexible on contract length even though he wants to play three more years. To stay, he would want to see the Suns improve their roster.

"I think the team could use more playmakers," Nash said. "It depends on your strategy. You could go for bigs. You could go for consistent 20-a-game scorer. Or you could go for a few more playmakers at different positions. The team and the club need to really analyze what their philosphy is moving forward and put a contingency plan together to build the best team. It'll be an interesting period."

"It means a lot," Nash said heading into the regular-season finale. "This is home. This feels like my team. It has the feel like I don't think you always get in professional sports, like a high school or college team, because I spent so many years here and also had so much success here. It's a special place for me, no question."

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and the Big Three -- Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan -- returned to San Antonio after the team held a Wednesday morning practice in Phoenix. Even without them and Gary Neal, the Spurs won 110-106 to close the Suns season at 33-33 with three consecutive losses and a 3-6 stretch.

Suns fans grasped the moment. There were more Nash jerseys than usual and Nash-themed signs dotted the arena.

Wednesday night's game could also have marked the end of Hill's five-year run, the second longest active tenure. Hill will be an unrestricted free agent but did not suit up because of a right knee injury that required surgery and had two short-lived comebacks this month.

Nash has been the face of the franchise since his return to Phoenix in 2004 revived the club and led to three conference finals appearances and two league MVP awards. He finished the season second in the NBA in assists (10.7 per game) and with a 53.2 shooting percentage that was the best of any NBA point guard in six years.

"I don't know if there's another guy out there who has done more for his team," Gentry said.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...g-goodbye.html

[Monta Ellis #11]

Timberwolves: Kevin Love wants 'input' in offseason moves

Kevin Love and other Minnesota Timberwolves players were attending the Twins-Boston Red Sox game in a Target Field suite Tuesday night, April 24, but ended up turning on the NBA game on television.

Utah and Phoenix were playing a late game in Salt Lake City, and Love was thrilled to see his good friend Al Jefferson lead the Jazz over Phoenix. The victory clinched a playoff berth for Utah - and a first-round draft pick for the Wolves in June.

"I'm going to send Al a text today," Love said after Wednesday's practice, a day before the Wolves (26-39) finish the season against Denver at Target Center. "I know he's got a dog, so maybe I'll send the dog a treat or something. I'm very happy for Al."

As part of Jefferson's 2010 trade to Utah, the Wolves received Utah's 2012 first-round pick, conditional on the Jazz making the playoffs this season.

Jefferson, who played three seasons with Minnesota, had 18 points and 16 rebounds in Utah's 100-88 win that clinched the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

The Wolves had traded away their own first-round pick in the infamous Marko Jaric-Sam Cassell deal in 2005 with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Wolves gave the Clippers a conditional first-round pick, which was protected until 2012. That pick now belongs to New Orleans, part of the Chris Paul trade to the Clippers.

Depending on the final regular-season standings, the Wolves likely will end up in the middle of the first round, about No. 15 to No. 18.

"We
have another asset," Love said. "Being that it's such a deep draft, we can deal more. Maybe we can move up in the draft and see what happens."

Love, who signed a four-year, $62 million contract extension in January, said he wants to be involved in whatever offseason moves are considered by team owner Glen Taylor, president of basketball operations David Kahn and coach Rick Adelman.

"I'm going to have my exit interview in the next couple of days," Love said. "I hope they do come to me, at least on some decisions. They've invested a lot of money in me, especially in the next few years. I would like to have some input. I feel I have a good eye for that stuff, as well."

Adelman and Love concur on the team's need for improvements; Adelman said Tuesday he wants the club to be "very aggressive" in making upgrades. The Wolves are 5-20 since losing rookie point guard Ricky Rubio to a season-ending knee injury March 9 and have lost 12 of their past 13 games.

Though Love said the team should not be judged solely on the late-season collapse, mainly because of injuries to key players, he expressed strong feelings for change.

"I do hope we're aggressive," he said. "When the time comes, I do hope we pull the trigger on some moves. That will be up to David Kahn and our owner. That's up to them. If I could make decisions, I would, but I can't."


http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_...ffseason-moves

[Monta Ellis #11]

Minnesota Timberwolves' Nikola Pekovic will have ankle surgery May 15


Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic said he will have surgery May 15 in New York to remove bone spurs in his right ankle.

Pekovic, who became the Timberwolves' starting center in Februrary, was diagnosed with bone spurs in March. The condition cost him seven games in March and slowed his productivity in April.

"It's the best thing for me to get it done as soon as I can so I can be ready for next season," Pekovic said on Wednesday, April 25, of the surgery.

Pekovic said he will return to Minnesota after the surgery to rehab for a few weeks before going home to his native Montenegro for the summer. Pekovic is averaging 13.8 points and 7.3 rebounds and shooting 56 percent from the floor heading into the Timberwolves' final game of the season Thursday night against Denver at Target Center.

Pekovic became an inside force for the Timberwolves during a nine-game stretch in February in which he averaged 17.8 points and 10.3 rebounds and shot 61 percent from the floor.

"Pek had as big an impact on us as (New York Knicks guard Jeremy) Lin did in New York a couple of months back," Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman said. "It's just that Pek is here (Minnesota) and Lin is in New York."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_...-ankle-surgery

[Урош94]

Pistons' Ben Wallace will start in season finale tonight

Detroit Pistons coach Lawrence Frank confirmed this morning what everyone assumed: Ben Wallace will start in tonight's regular-season finale against the Philadelphia 76ers, in what could be the last game of his 15-season career.

Wallace, 37, has made every attempt to downplay the evening, but Frank is ignoring Wallace’s request to come off the bench like he has for most of this season.

“He wanted to come off the bench, but that was a nondiscussion starter,” Frank said. “I don’t know any decision Ben has made, but if it is, by chance, his last game, he deserves the opportunity -- and the fans have been along for the ride longer than I’ve been, an opportunity for them … . He honors the code of being a professional to the utmost.”

If he does retire, Wallace, 37, will leave as one of the most decorated players in franchise history, with two rebounding titles, four defensive-player-of-the-year awards and four All-Star Game appearances.

http://www.freep.com/article/2012042...032/1051/rss16

[T-Snell]

Rose tops list of NBA's top-selling jerseys



Derrick Rose soon will be losing his year-long reign as the NBA's most valuable player. But that doesn't mean the Chicago Bulls guard has lost his popularity.

The NBA on Thursday announced that Rose's jersey is the most popular, based on sales at the temporary NBA Store on Fifth Avenue and on NBAStore.com from April 2011 to present.

Additionally, the Bulls are the most popular in terms of team merchandise for the first time since April 2001.

Rose vaulted into the top spot from No. 5 last year. Rounding out this year's top five are the Knicks Jeremy Lin, the Lakers Kobe Bryant, the Heat's LeBron James and the Knicks Carmelo Anthony.



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

[Monta Ellis #11]

One horrific play, and Rose's season over
Bulls win Game 1 but lose star to severe knee injury

After reaching all those dizzying heights and unfurling countless acrobatic moves in his first three spectacular seasons, Derrick Rose's fourth ended with an awful image.

A jump stop. A clutch of his left knee as he rose two feet into the air. A crumple to the ground, where he writhed for several moments while medical personnel attended to him. And following a slow, supported walk off the United Center court, an MRI at Rush University Medical Center that revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The Bulls won Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinals Saturday, downing the 76ers 103-91 before a raucous home crowd. But news of Rose's injury-plagued season ending with the biggest and cruelest setback of all made the postgame locker room seem funereal.

"Saddest win ever," Kyle Korver said.

Rose, who missed 27 games with five separate injuries during the regular season, stuffed the box score with 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists before his injury, which came with the Bulls up 12 with 1 minute, 22 seconds remaining.

After missing so much time with toe, back, right ankle and right foot injuries, Rose overcame missing six of his first seven shots to look like the explosive player who became the youngest most valuable player in NBA history last season.

And then this.

"We have to pick ourselves up," Korver said. "We've played a lot of games this year without him. Maybe that was getting us ready for this."

Nothing can prepare the Bulls for losing their best player on the cusp of what all hoped would be, following the league's best regular season again, a championship run. That's why executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson, other management figures and players rushed to the hospital to support Rose, who had told a teammate he heard his knee "pop."

That's why players leaguewide commiserated with Rose via Twitter or, in the case of Heat rival and fellow Chicago native Dwyane Wade, prayer.

Recovery time for torn ACLs varies widely. Rose is expected to undergo surgery once the swelling subsides, and some athletes are sidelined up to nine months.

"It's part of the game," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "There are going to be injuries. A guy can get hurt in practice. He can get hurt in the first five minutes of the game. He can get hurt at the end of a game. He can get hurt any time. Then you have to deal with it.

"He has had a lot of injuries this year. It has been unfortunate. But we do have more than enough to win with. Whatever the circumstances are, we'll deal with it."

The Bulls, who also got 19 points from Richard Hamilton and 12 points and 13 rebounds from Joakim Noah, led by 20 with 4:36 remaining on a Korver 3-pointer. Rose, who played 37:13, had returned with 7:53 left and the Bulls up 15.

But a series of turnovers and fouls helped the 76ers trim their deficit to 12. Thibodeau, as is his nature, had four starters and Korver in down the stretch.

"I don't work backwards like you (reporters) do," Thibodeau said when questioned on his strategy. "The score was going the other way. He has to play. He has to work on closing. Our team didn't handle that part great. That's what I was thinking."

Hamilton agreed.

"Philly was making a run," he said. "In playoff basketball, you never want to give a team confidence. If it's having your starters in, you have to keep a team down. You need to have your scorers out there."

C.J. Watson will start in Rose's absence in Game 2 Tuesday at the United Center, and John Lucas III and Mike James' roles will increase as backups.

Teams that have won the first game of a seven-game playoff series have prevailed 78 percent of the time. The Bulls went 18-9 without Rose during the season.
But such numbers mattered little to a locker room that felt like it took a punch in the gut. Lucas, one of Rose's closest friends, was near tears.

"That's our brother," he said. "We're a family here. He's such a competitor and loves the game. We finally had everybody healthy. It's just tough man."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,1444935.story

[Monta Ellis #11]

Doc thinks Ray Allen’s a no-go

Doc Rivers stood on the outer edge of the media scrum that surrounded Ray Allen yesterday morning, holding a piece of paper he had fashioned into the approximate shape of a microphone.

“Hey, I want to know, too,” Rivers said, referring to the uncertainty that involves Allen’s condition.

The Celtics [team stats] coach walked off to tend to other business, but he probably wouldn’t have liked what Allen had to say.

The Celtics guard didn’t rule himself out for an appearance in tonight’s playoff opener against the Hawks. But he didn’t sound encouraged by the state of his right ankle, which Allen finally admitted will require offseason surgery to remove bone spurs.

“No question. If I could, I would get surgery tomorrow,” said Allen, who had double ankle surgery in 2007, shortly before joining the Celtics. “If this was early in the season, I would have had surgery then. For most of us, there’s a couple of ways to have a surgery. Sometimes you’re in and out and you’re back in a month. At other times it takes 6-8 weeks. You never know until you come out of a surgery and the surgeon tells you what he had to do. Because when you’re in a joint you can tell a lot better what has to be done.

“I didn’t decide on it until I saw what was in the picture,” he said. “That was maybe a month ago when it seemed it was inevitable. From talking to a couple of different doctors it seemed like that was what would happen.”

Allen’s problem is also in the long term. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. As he told the Herald two weeks ago, he can easily envision playing for another team next season — especially if it means finding an organization willing to give him more than a one-year contract.

Of more immediate concern to the Celtics, though, is Allen’s uncertain availability. Though Allen allowed for the possibility of playing tonight, Rivers said he doubts the guard will be ready for Game 1. He missed 14 of the last 19 games of the regular season with the injury.

“We won’t know. He won’t practice (yesterday), and honestly I don’t think he’ll play (in Game 1),” said Rivers. “But we’ll find out. It would be very nice if he does, but he’s just not moving well.”

Allen didn’t sound encouraged about his chances yesterday, either. He had his second cortisone shot in a month last Wednesday. Though he said his reaction to the second shot was better than the first, that doesn’t mean he’ll be able to function in a game.

“These are strange situations and strange times,” he said. “Playoff basketball is a few notches above what we do in the regular season, so it’s a matter of me just getting my legs underneath me and running when I can. But that’s a difficult thing, just trying to run. I felt good running, but just making sure I can go through a practice, and moving around and getting my legs underneath me. I feel if I’m out of shape when I get out there, I’ll just have to deal with that.”

Domino Effect-ive

Should Allen miss his 10th straight game, Rivers is still confident that his rotation will function. One by-product of this season’s key disruption is how well the replacements have performed under duress.

“This is not the way you want to go into a series, obviously, but guys have been pretty good with this stuff all year,” said Rivers. “You have to commend them. It’s tough when you’re Avery (Bradley) and (Mickael) Pietrus, and you’re not sure of your role and minutes because of Ray. So you’re going in and out. I don’t know how they’ve done it, but they’ve done it all year. They just keep going through it. I say you’re playing tonight and they’re ready.

“We have two rotations,” he said. “The problem in practice is you can only work on one of them, because Ray hasn’t practiced at all.”

Other (big) two practice hard

Paul Pierce [stats], who is nursing a sprained big toe, and Kevin Garnett, who is suffering from a hip flexor, ran through a full practice yesterday.

“Paul is good,” said Rivers. “I think he’s good. The hip flexor will always be an issue with him. That never stops. It just doesn’t hurt as much. That’s a painful injury. But the thing with that injury is you can keep playing — it just hurts.”

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

[Monta Ellis #11]

Lin could return to Knicks in first round of playoffs

MIAMI — Linsanity may hit the first round.

Jeremy Lin, out nearly a month following left knee surgery, may return against the Heat after all, depending on how far the Knicks can extend the opening-round series after yesterday’s devastating 100-67 Game 1 loss.

With Iman Shumpert out six to eight months after tearing his left ACL and meniscus yesterday and Baron Davis’ back ailing, Lin’s rehab schedule is being stepped up, though there are no guarantees.

Lin went through intense 1-on-1 drills filled with cutting against assistant coach Kenny Atkinson before the game. The Knicks are now somewhat hopeful — if Lin feels well in the next few days — the second-year point-guard sensation could return if the first-round series is extended. That would beat the six-week timetable from his arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

Coach Mike Woodson and Lin recently have said not to expect Lin until the second round if the Knicks advance, and Lin had been concerned about coming back and hurting chemistry. But these are desperate times.

Davis played just 17:26 after a solid, 10-point first-quarter. His back didn’t feel right, and he elected to shut it down for the final 21 minutes, saying he couldn’t have returned.

“My back was stiff,’’ Davis said. “Going into halftime, it was just a lot of banging, a collision I think kind of put my back in shock. But I should be all right [for Game 2 tomorrow].

“It was extremely frustrating,’’ Davis added. “That’s all I was saying to the trainers. I was feeling good out there in the first quarter moving well. A lot of banging. I’ve got to play a little smarter.’’

Davis scored the Knicks’ first points on a 3-pointer, made a steal and fast-break dunk and soared down the lane for another dunk in the first quarter. J.R. Smith played some point guard in the second half.

* The Knicks have lost 11 straight playoff games dating to 2001. It’s the second-longest streak in NBA history. ... The last time the Knicks scored as few as 67 points was Game 2 of the 1999 Finals against the Spurs. ... The Knicks tied a franchise playoff high with 27 turnovers. It was their most playoff turnovers since 1991 against Bulls.

* Carmelo Anthony, who was 3-for-15, has shot under 30 percent in four of his past seven playoff games, a stat furnished by the Heat PR staff. ... Amar’e Stoudemire’s 2-of-7 afternoon was his fourth consecutive postseason game in which he shot under 29 percent. But last season against the Celtics he barely could move because of a back injury.

* The Heat were sad for Bulls star point guard Derrick Rose, who suffered a torn ACL yesterday, but their Finals chances just improved dramatically.

“It’s unfortunate the injury that’s happened for him and for that team, but I’m worried about the Knicks,” LeBron James said. “I’m not worried about the Bulls.’’

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