D'Antoni wants to make the playoffs and if it means sitting rookie Jordan Hill and limiting the playing time of fellow rookie Toney Douglas so be it. Al Harrington, Larry Hughes and David Lee are all in the last year of their respective contracts and none of them could be back next season. But D'Antoni believes he owes it to those players, the organization and the fans to make a serious push for the playoff spot. - NY Daily News
Mike D'Antoni claims that his decision to bench Nate Robinson is nothing personal, and to prove it, the Knicks coach said, "I'd play Satan himself if I could win." - NY Daily News
A well-placed source has told HOOPSWORLD that Gasol and the Lakers are nearing a three-year contract extension. Currently Gasol's deal is set to expire after next season. He's currently earning $16.5 million for the current campaign and $17.8 million for the next. - HoopsWorld
"I just think Dirk (Nowitzki) is back playing at the same level as when he won the MVP [2006-07]," said Kevin McHale, who is working his first year as an analyst for NBA TV. - Star Telegram
An undrafted rookie from Marquette, (Wesley) Matthews' emergence has complicated things for Sloan. The Jazz have gone 12-5 since Matthews was inserted in the starting lineup almost out of necessity with Utah down to just nine players last month. - Salt Lake Tribune
It's no coincidence that the Grizzlies' emergence over the past few weeks coincides with Mayo's hitting his most consistent stride this season. "He's learning how to play with other players who have talent," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. - Commercial Appeal
“Considering we played (Tuesday), I think the biggest question is can I come out and get up and down the court without pain in my knee,” McGrady said. “I felt fine. I wasn't favoring it. My knee was holding up fine. I tend not to think about it when I'm out there playing. - chron.com
Portland called up forward Anthony Tolliver from their NBA Development League affiliate. The 6-9, 240-pound forward out of Creighton averaged 20.7 points and 9.9 rebounds in seven starts with the Idaho Stampede. - philly.com
Prokhorov has also agreed to finance up to $60 million of the Nets’ losses until they move into the arena in 2012 and assume 80 percent of the team’s $207 million in debt. - NY Times
During a fundraiser for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Knight said he doesn’t understand why Calipari is still coaching. “We’ve gotten into this situation where integrity is really lacking and that’s why I’m glad I’m not coaching,” he said. “You see we’ve got a coach at Kentucky who put two schools on probation and he’s still coaching. I really don’t understand that.” - Rivals.com
Glen Davis is now on his third cast since having thumb surgery the first week of the season. The latest - a light cast that leaves the top half of his right thumb exposed - was put on earlier this week while the C’s were on the road. - Boston Herald
Rajon Rondo trails Miami’s Dwyane Wade by more than 500,000 votes, so there is no chance he will be elected a starter for the Feb. 14 All-Star Game in Dallas. That doesn’t mean, however, that Rondo hasn’t been the best point guard in the Eastern Conference. - Boston.com
Sixers guard Allen Iverson will not play in Friday’s game against Boston after an MRI today revealed he had arthritis in his left knee. He also has a left shoulder contusion, the team announced. - philly.com
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy says Nelson is scheduled to practice Sunday, and if all goes well, it might not be long before the All-Star is back in Orlando’s starting five. - Yahoo! Sports
Butler, the two-time All-Star forward whom the Wizards in the offseason refused to trade to Phoenix with the No. 5 draft pick for Amare Stoudemire, has struggled to find his place in Saunders' system and has been mentioned in several rumors in the past few weeks. A league source said several teams have interest in Jamison, a two-time All-Star forward who is averaging 22.1 points and 8.6 rebounds. - Washington Times
Arenas said making drastic roster changes wouldn't be wise, and he believes the Wizards - who have lost those six straight by a combined 14 points - are close to stopping their slide. "No, you don't want that," Arenas said. "When you make a trade in-season, then you seem desperate. We have the pieces. We have all the pieces we need. We just need to get them firing." - Washington Times
Stoudemire said staying with Phoenix remains the preference because of his family, fans and friends. Suns coach Alvin Gentry said he is "proud" of Stoudemire for how he has carried himself this season. "He's matured so much over the summer," Gentry said. - Arizona Republic
There are no conversations happening, or at least substantial ones, because it's early, and because, among many reasons, Colangelo doesn't want to be seen as panicking. Luckily for him, the Raptors, assuming they don't lose to the league-worst Nets on Friday, are about to go on a winning streak – or, at least, play a stretch of games in which they win some and lose others without completely alienating yet more fans. - Toronto Star
Rondo signed a $55 million contract extension early last month, and he says it has helped him concentrate on on-court matters. “I’m sleeping better, I will say that,’’ he said. “I wasn’t stressed at the time the deal was trying to get done. I was fine with playing it out. I’m very comfortable with how I play. It wasn’t an issue. It definitely takes a lot off your shoulders. I’m happy being here. I love being a Celtic.’’ - Boston Globe
Tinsley passed the time traveling between Atlanta and Miami, waiting for the Pacers to trade or release him or buy out his contract. He played pickup games in Miami. The NBA Players Association filed a grievance in February. The Pacers eventually bought out the final two years of Tinsley's contract for $10.7 million. "It was tough; it was a long process," Tinsley said. - Indianapolis Star
``If they're unhappy with Dwyane, we could probably find a spot for him,'' joked Van Gundy, the former Heat coach who had Wade through his first three seasons. ``I know what the percentages are, but I just see a great player. Percentages 20 games into the year a bit deceptive.'' Van Gundy's comments came a day after Riley discussed the challenges Wade has faced while shooting a career-low 42.7 percent. - Miami Herald
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra kept veteran Carlos Arroyo in the starting lineup ahead of Chalmers, who was benched for being tardy to the shootaround before Tuesday's game. ``I have to do the little things I used to do to get my job back,'' Chalmers said. ``I'll overcome it. It's no shock. ``It's something I did to myself.'' - Miami Herald
No. 1 pick Blake Griffin was the star of the draft, and Brandon Jennings has been the surprise of the opening months. But Tyreke Evans may turn out to be the best of all the rookies, based on the enormity of his talents and size. - SI.com
Dumars remembers a young man running errands for him, but didn't draw the correlation until after draft night. "Jonas asked me, did I remember the kid that ran errands for me when I was in Sweden," Dumars said. "And I told him, 'Yes I did,' and then I said, 'You can't be the kid?'" - Detroit News
“Real Madrid. Benneton Treviso, Bologna. They all offered contracts,” Jerebko said. “That changed my mind about going to college and put me in a whole different direction.” He decided to stay in Sweden, where he played for two years. - Hoopshype.com
Thursday, Oden made his first Blazers-related appearance since the setback. He sounded upbeat and appeared focused. And he stated that, while his second major injury in three seasons is “frustrating,” there are also bigger things in the world to worry about, such as the health of Portland owner Paul Allen and assistant coach Maurice Lucas. - Columbian
Jazz shooting guard Kyle Korver scored seven points in his second game played following knee surgery, shooting 3-for-4 from the field while logging 11 minutes off the bench in Wednesday night's win at New Jersey. But the knee, according to Korver, remains bothersome at times. - Desert News
Vandeweghe said the biggest adjustment in becoming a coach for the first time in his career is dealing with the conflict between the urge to win the game being played at the moment, and the need to make sure the young players on the roster play through mistakes so they can gain valuable experience every night. “It’s tough, because you get caught up in the competition of the moment,’’ Vandeweghe said. - Newark Star-Ledger
And Thomas, the Hall of Fame guard for the Detroit Pistons in the 1980s and '90s, is soaking it all in. If basketball could be therapeutic, this is the case. "I just love basketball at any level, whether it be high school or college or NBA," Thomas said Thursday before his Golden Panthers played at the University of Denver. - Denver Post
Mike D'Antoni claims that his decision to bench Nate Robinson is nothing personal, and to prove it, the Knicks coach said, "I'd play Satan himself if I could win." - NY Daily News
A well-placed source has told HOOPSWORLD that Gasol and the Lakers are nearing a three-year contract extension. Currently Gasol's deal is set to expire after next season. He's currently earning $16.5 million for the current campaign and $17.8 million for the next. - HoopsWorld
"I just think Dirk (Nowitzki) is back playing at the same level as when he won the MVP [2006-07]," said Kevin McHale, who is working his first year as an analyst for NBA TV. - Star Telegram
An undrafted rookie from Marquette, (Wesley) Matthews' emergence has complicated things for Sloan. The Jazz have gone 12-5 since Matthews was inserted in the starting lineup almost out of necessity with Utah down to just nine players last month. - Salt Lake Tribune
It's no coincidence that the Grizzlies' emergence over the past few weeks coincides with Mayo's hitting his most consistent stride this season. "He's learning how to play with other players who have talent," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. - Commercial Appeal
“Considering we played (Tuesday), I think the biggest question is can I come out and get up and down the court without pain in my knee,” McGrady said. “I felt fine. I wasn't favoring it. My knee was holding up fine. I tend not to think about it when I'm out there playing. - chron.com
Portland called up forward Anthony Tolliver from their NBA Development League affiliate. The 6-9, 240-pound forward out of Creighton averaged 20.7 points and 9.9 rebounds in seven starts with the Idaho Stampede. - philly.com
Prokhorov has also agreed to finance up to $60 million of the Nets’ losses until they move into the arena in 2012 and assume 80 percent of the team’s $207 million in debt. - NY Times
During a fundraiser for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Knight said he doesn’t understand why Calipari is still coaching. “We’ve gotten into this situation where integrity is really lacking and that’s why I’m glad I’m not coaching,” he said. “You see we’ve got a coach at Kentucky who put two schools on probation and he’s still coaching. I really don’t understand that.” - Rivals.com
Glen Davis is now on his third cast since having thumb surgery the first week of the season. The latest - a light cast that leaves the top half of his right thumb exposed - was put on earlier this week while the C’s were on the road. - Boston Herald
Rajon Rondo trails Miami’s Dwyane Wade by more than 500,000 votes, so there is no chance he will be elected a starter for the Feb. 14 All-Star Game in Dallas. That doesn’t mean, however, that Rondo hasn’t been the best point guard in the Eastern Conference. - Boston.com
Sixers guard Allen Iverson will not play in Friday’s game against Boston after an MRI today revealed he had arthritis in his left knee. He also has a left shoulder contusion, the team announced. - philly.com
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy says Nelson is scheduled to practice Sunday, and if all goes well, it might not be long before the All-Star is back in Orlando’s starting five. - Yahoo! Sports
Butler, the two-time All-Star forward whom the Wizards in the offseason refused to trade to Phoenix with the No. 5 draft pick for Amare Stoudemire, has struggled to find his place in Saunders' system and has been mentioned in several rumors in the past few weeks. A league source said several teams have interest in Jamison, a two-time All-Star forward who is averaging 22.1 points and 8.6 rebounds. - Washington Times
Arenas said making drastic roster changes wouldn't be wise, and he believes the Wizards - who have lost those six straight by a combined 14 points - are close to stopping their slide. "No, you don't want that," Arenas said. "When you make a trade in-season, then you seem desperate. We have the pieces. We have all the pieces we need. We just need to get them firing." - Washington Times
Stoudemire said staying with Phoenix remains the preference because of his family, fans and friends. Suns coach Alvin Gentry said he is "proud" of Stoudemire for how he has carried himself this season. "He's matured so much over the summer," Gentry said. - Arizona Republic
There are no conversations happening, or at least substantial ones, because it's early, and because, among many reasons, Colangelo doesn't want to be seen as panicking. Luckily for him, the Raptors, assuming they don't lose to the league-worst Nets on Friday, are about to go on a winning streak – or, at least, play a stretch of games in which they win some and lose others without completely alienating yet more fans. - Toronto Star
Rondo signed a $55 million contract extension early last month, and he says it has helped him concentrate on on-court matters. “I’m sleeping better, I will say that,’’ he said. “I wasn’t stressed at the time the deal was trying to get done. I was fine with playing it out. I’m very comfortable with how I play. It wasn’t an issue. It definitely takes a lot off your shoulders. I’m happy being here. I love being a Celtic.’’ - Boston Globe
Tinsley passed the time traveling between Atlanta and Miami, waiting for the Pacers to trade or release him or buy out his contract. He played pickup games in Miami. The NBA Players Association filed a grievance in February. The Pacers eventually bought out the final two years of Tinsley's contract for $10.7 million. "It was tough; it was a long process," Tinsley said. - Indianapolis Star
``If they're unhappy with Dwyane, we could probably find a spot for him,'' joked Van Gundy, the former Heat coach who had Wade through his first three seasons. ``I know what the percentages are, but I just see a great player. Percentages 20 games into the year a bit deceptive.'' Van Gundy's comments came a day after Riley discussed the challenges Wade has faced while shooting a career-low 42.7 percent. - Miami Herald
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra kept veteran Carlos Arroyo in the starting lineup ahead of Chalmers, who was benched for being tardy to the shootaround before Tuesday's game. ``I have to do the little things I used to do to get my job back,'' Chalmers said. ``I'll overcome it. It's no shock. ``It's something I did to myself.'' - Miami Herald
No. 1 pick Blake Griffin was the star of the draft, and Brandon Jennings has been the surprise of the opening months. But Tyreke Evans may turn out to be the best of all the rookies, based on the enormity of his talents and size. - SI.com
Dumars remembers a young man running errands for him, but didn't draw the correlation until after draft night. "Jonas asked me, did I remember the kid that ran errands for me when I was in Sweden," Dumars said. "And I told him, 'Yes I did,' and then I said, 'You can't be the kid?'" - Detroit News
“Real Madrid. Benneton Treviso, Bologna. They all offered contracts,” Jerebko said. “That changed my mind about going to college and put me in a whole different direction.” He decided to stay in Sweden, where he played for two years. - Hoopshype.com
Thursday, Oden made his first Blazers-related appearance since the setback. He sounded upbeat and appeared focused. And he stated that, while his second major injury in three seasons is “frustrating,” there are also bigger things in the world to worry about, such as the health of Portland owner Paul Allen and assistant coach Maurice Lucas. - Columbian
Jazz shooting guard Kyle Korver scored seven points in his second game played following knee surgery, shooting 3-for-4 from the field while logging 11 minutes off the bench in Wednesday night's win at New Jersey. But the knee, according to Korver, remains bothersome at times. - Desert News
Vandeweghe said the biggest adjustment in becoming a coach for the first time in his career is dealing with the conflict between the urge to win the game being played at the moment, and the need to make sure the young players on the roster play through mistakes so they can gain valuable experience every night. “It’s tough, because you get caught up in the competition of the moment,’’ Vandeweghe said. - Newark Star-Ledger
And Thomas, the Hall of Fame guard for the Detroit Pistons in the 1980s and '90s, is soaking it all in. If basketball could be therapeutic, this is the case. "I just love basketball at any level, whether it be high school or college or NBA," Thomas said Thursday before his Golden Panthers played at the University of Denver. - Denver Post
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