Every day, as he battles his way back from cancer, there is more of a gleam in Nuggets coach George Karl's eyes. Some of that spark could be seen Thursday as he sat on a stool outside of Artist Hall in the Hard Rock Hotel. Minutes later, Karl received the inaugural "George Karl Award for Courage in Sports," given by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where Karl has done tons of charity work over the years. But before that moment, he talked basketball. "I'm more excited about coaching next year than I have been in a long time," Karl said. - Denver Post
Kendrick Perkins' right knee surgery has been rescheduled for Monday. “I know there were injuries to the MCL and the PCL, but I don’t know to what extent that they need to be surgically repaired,” Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said yesterday. “Those might heal on their own as sprains and strains. But I know that the ACL needs to be repaired.” As for the delay, he said, “I guess the philosophy is to get more range of motion and all the swelling (down) and strengthening his glutes and quads and all that kind of stuff before surgery. I guess it gives him a quicker recovery, so that’s what they’re doing right now, just rehabbing before the surgery.” - Boston Herald
DeAngelo Simmons, Millsap’s agent, called his client, “a potential all-star”, saying that with added minutes he could flourish in the Jazz system, especially along side point guard Deron Williams. It can be argued that Millsap was the best Utah big man in the playoffs this past season, and he seemed noticeably less bothered than Boozer by the length of the Los Angeles Lakers frontcourt. “I think he’s ready for what his role will be,” Simmons said. “He’s waited patiently and he’s done it professionally. He’s proven to be dependable, he’s proven to be reliable and he’s passionate for the game of basketball. He’s ready to be an important piece.” - Salt Lake Tribune
Ainge said he would not confirm the deals for O’Neal, Allen, or Paul Pierce until the contracts are signed. But a team source said O’Neal will earn the full midlevel exception, set Wednesday at $5.765 million, with an 8 percent increase in the second season. “I think the priorities to start the [offseason] were obviously Paul, Ray, and address our center position in lieu of Perk’s injury,’’ Ainge said. “Those were our priorities right there. By [today] we’ll have those three things taken care of and we can continue working.’’ - Boston Globe
The Knicks' hot pursuit of Stoudemire indeed stemmed from the belief he had the tough mindset to deal with New York, growing up for part of his childhood in upstate Newburgh. "Amar'e is not worried about culture shock," D'Antoni said. "He knows what he's getting into. He's a smart kid. It's a golden opportunity. One thing I know about him. In any circumstance, he's coming at you." - New York Post
One high-ranking Knicks official said Thursday that Jefferson was never in the team's plans, even if it whiffed on James. Aside from the Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers could be Jefferson's best bet, but they are reportedly chasing Mike Miller instead. Cleveland — the ultimate loser in the LeBron derby — will have $9 million in available cap space once James is officially off the books. Teams view Jefferson as a complimentary player who probably won't command much more than the mid-level exception of $5.765 million. The Spurs are expected to offer a multi-year contract starting at a shade above that, at a number that reduces their luxury tax hit. - San Antonio Express-News
Prepare for the possibility the New Jersey Nets sign power forward Tyrus Thomas to a front-loaded offer sheet that could make the Charlotte Bobcats blink. The Nets lost out on the big-name free agents and still have a ton of cap room. They were quite generous in their offer to small forward Travis Outlaw (five years and $35 million) and feel they need a ready-to-play power forward, so as not to depend right away on rookie Derrick Favors. The Nets have expressed interest in Thomas, the Bobcats' restricted free agent. With the Bobcats determined to avoid the luxury tax, it's conceivable they wouldn't match a front-loaded offer sheet, which would be most expensive the first season, then decrease in value each remaining year of the deal. - Charlotte Observer
LeBron James’ decision to play for the Miami Heat wasn’t nearly as surprising as it could have been given that James and his associates told several league officials and players about his plans in the hours leading up to Thursday night’s TV announcement. Despite a stated desire to keep James’ selection secret, those around him had been free and easy with telling associates throughout the league late Wednesday and into Thursday that James planned to accept Heat president Pat Riley’s offer to play alongside Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh in Miami. - Yahoo! Sports
A source with knowledge of the conversation, said James recently told a friend he would sign with the Heat because he didn’t see enough effort from his Cavaliers teammates in the playoffs and that he wanted to win a championship as soon as possible – rather than risk having to wait toward the end of his career like Boston Celtics stars Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. - Yahoo! Sports
Gilbert, who posted a letter to Cavs fans on the team's website shortly after James announced his plans to sign with the Heat, told The Associated Press late Thursday night that it's "accountability time" for James. "He has gotten a free pass," Gilbert said in a phone interview with The AP. "People have covered up for (James) for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is." - Cleveland Plain Dealer
“I’m suspicious,” Karl said. “I’m suspicious about the whole system. I think it buried [Cleveland]. It’s going to bury them for a while with the combination of your best player ever [leaving] and then keeping him in the same conference where you got to play him four times.” Said Nelson: “I thought, ‘Poor Cleveland.’ I’m not shocked. Things are changing. Times are changing.” - Yahoo! Sports
While it looks like this is the perfect team and time for Riley to come back to coach, Wade made a pre-emptive strike against his return, saying on Wednesday that Erik Spoelstra will continue to coach the Heat. But league sources who are familiar with Riley's thinking feel that Spoelstra will be on a short leash. "Pat won't come back for just Wade and Bosh, because that's not a sure thing in Pat's mind," said one Eastern Conference coach. "But with LeBron and those two, that's a sure thing for Pat. He will come back if they get LeBron." - New York Daily News
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