Nene To Play for Brazil? Lakers Struggling

In this wacky NBA world, their new 7-foot center, Earl Barron, has a better shot at returning next season than David Lee, an unrestricted free agent who may have played so well this season to have priced himself out of a return. Knicks president Donnie Walsh told The Post last night he is interested in re-signing Barron for next season as their backup center, probably for the minimum. - NY Post

"When you talk about free-agency, we have the freedom to go out and get wooed a bit," said Dwyane Wade, aware that the Knicks are finishing their ninth straight losing season. "I'm in a good position. I don't have to worry about it." - NY Post

Lee's preference is to remain with the Knicks and last night he appeared almost nostalgic about his time in New York. He was part of a meet-and-greet before the game and even signed an autograph for a child wearing a replica No. 42 Knicks jersey. "I'm sure it will be an interesting feeling just not knowing my future," Lee said. "I felt it a little bit last year even though I was a restricted free agent. I have good memories in this place." - NY Daily News

Nene: The Nuggets center, a native of Sao Carlos, Brazil, has come full circle. Not only did he say on Sunday that he is planning on playing for Brazil in this summer’s FIBA World Championship in Turkey, but he is excited to do so. “Yeah, I will play,” Nene said. “A lot of things changed over there in Brazil with the confederation. I know that’s an important tournament. I know I need to represent my team. The (NBA) season’s not done, but in my heart I will try to do my best for my country. In the past there were a lot of issues that interfered playing with the national team. But I think now is the time. Right now they are very professional. They are trying to do it the right way. So it’s a different situation.” - Denver Post Blog

The Nets are assured of the worst record, which gives them a 1-in-4 chance at the No. 1 pick and slots them in at 31, the first pick on the second round (they also have Dallas' first-rounder). They can have up to eight expiring contracts, and it's a good bet none of the expiring deal guys return. - NY Post

Kobe Bryant continues to struggle from the field -- with his 8-for-23 shooting Sunday, he's now 21 for 70 (30 percent) in his past three games -- but he's not alone. As a team, the Lakers have shot just 42 percent in their past three home games, which has Jackson hoping to schedule a rare practice at Staples Center before the playoffs begin. "This is one of the few courts that we don't have a shoot-around or a practice," Jackson said. "We have our own facility ... and to come here to work is very important. And when you have home-court advantage, you've got to use it the right way." - Press Enterprise

The Celtics have been guilty of playing up or down to the level of their opponents and have been besieged by injuries to Paul Pierce. Garnett, who was held out of Saturday’s win at Milwaukee, has been slowly gaining strength and mobility in his surgically repaired right knee. The positive is that the Celtics are as healthy as they have been all season. Ainge is hoping the good health and veteran guile can lead to a successful playoff run. The perception is that anything short of a conference finals appearance will be a disappointment, and Ainge is content with that assessment. - Boston Globe

One of general manager Ed Stefanski's first moves when he came to the team was to unload Kyle Korver - basically for salary. This past offseason, he traded for Jason Kapono, one of the best three-point shooters in the game. But both Korver and Kapono are good stand-still shooters, capable of knocking down open shots when their feet are set. This team needs someone who can not only do that, but also hit the open jumpers they've created for themselves. Of course, that is just one of the many, many needs. - Philadelphia Daily News

Coby Karl wants his chance with the Denver Nuggets to be more than a heartwarming tale. The son of Nuggets coach George Karl, who is battling throat and neck cancer, was signed yesterday by Denver. It's a generous gesture, but Coby Karl is hoping to show that he earned the spot, and it's more than just a gift to his ailing dad. "I know that's going to be out there," Coby Karl said. "But that's the last thing I want it to be. As a basketball player, I'd like to think my skills have gotten me here." - Philadelphia Daily News

Pistons coach John Kuester often talks about how he gets calls from other coaches around the league offering words of encouragement during his trying season. Not surprisingly, one of those coaches is his mentor and former Pistons coach Larry Brown. Brown said after his Bobcats ended the Pistons' three-game winning streak Saturday night that he talks to Kuester often. As the Pistons face the prospect of no postseason play for the first time in almost a decade, Brown said he reminds Kuester to remain true to himself. - Detroit Free Press

Four days before ballots are due for the annual NBA awards, Warriors coach Don Nelson on Sunday cast a verbal vote for guard Stephen Curry. "He's my Rookie of the Year over anybody," Nelson said. "I didn't say he was better. I didn't say he deserved it. I didn't say he was going to win. "I said: 'He's my Rookie of the Year.' " - San Francisco Chronicle

Still, Devin Harris doesn't think the Meadowlands is all that bad, but "just old." "Coming from buildings I'm used to, like with the Mavericks, it's just one of the older buildings that hasn't been renovated," Harris said. The Meadowlands arena - which will host its final Nets game tonight - isn't that old, having been built in 1981. -  NY Daily News

It appears the Thunder could be headed for a significant slate of prime-time television games next season. According to one league source, Oklahoma City could be featured in as many as 10 ESPN and TNT telecasts. With the Thunder assembling the biggest turnaround this season — 26 games — OKC could play a Christmas Day game on ABC, the source said. - Oklahoman