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• Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News: After their Game 6 meltdown in Miami, the Spurs began the healing process over dinner. It proved therapeutic. “The other option is (for) a bunch of us to go back to our rooms and sit there and beat yourself up,” Duncan said. At dinner, Parker talked about his experience with the French national team at the 2005 European championships. He lost to Greece at the buzzer in the semifinal round, then faced a quick turnaround to face Spain in the bronze-medal game. “We bounced back and won,” Parker said. The key, Parker said, was to stop thinking about the opportunity his team had lost and instead focus on the opportunity that was still in front of them. It is the same message Parker will preach now. “I think everybody wants to be ready for (Game 7),” he said. “If you’re not ready, you’re going to regret it for the next 10, 15 years.” By the end of Thursday night, the Spurs will find out whether that celebratory flight over the Gulf of Mexico has been cancelled. Or simply postponed.
• Dave Hyde of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Sports is full of hard lessons, and strange things, inexplicable things, have happened in this series. The Heat haven't won a consecutive game in their previous 13 games. Watching them play through this is like expecting orange juice and drinking chocolate milk. "Game 7 is an opportunity, that's all it is,'' Heat forward Shane Battier said. 'In the words of Yoda, 'You do or do not. There is no trying.' '' Emotionally, physically, strategically two teams spent Wednesday recovering from Game 6 and preparing for the season's final game. Therapy for Dwyane Wade's sore knee. Massages all around. "I'll watch Spongebob with my sons,'' LeBron said. "I'll have a Bud Light, talk to my wife, go to bed,'' Battier said. What does a classic Game 6 mean? It means there's one more game to play, one more night to sweat, one final moment waiting to happen. "I said last year it was the hardest thing I've ever done, winning my first [title],'' LeBron said. "Last year doesn't even come close to what we've gone through in the postseason and in these Finals." That Allen shot in practice? When it came down Wednesday afternoon, it came down just like it did Tuesday night. Swish. Now a day to remember becomes one to forget.
• Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer: Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing didn’t get a single interview for one of the NBA’s dozen head-coaching openings this offseason. He believes he knows why. “We get pigeon-holed,” said Ewing, who will serve as lead assistant to new Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford. “How many big men have gotten (head-coaching) jobs in the last 10 years? (Phil) Jackson and (Kevin) McHale. Not too many big men get that opportunity.” Former point guards seem constantly in vogue as NBA head coaches. Most recently the Brooklyn Nets hired Jason Kidd as head coach, just days after he retired as a player. While Ewing doesn’t begrudge Kidd this chance, he does wonder why 10 years as an NBA assistant, atop a playing career as illustrious as his, doesn’t get him more job interviews. He interviewed for the Bobcats job a year ago, when it went to the since-fired Mike Dunlap. “I guess they think because the guards run the team on offense, that they’re barking out orders,” then they must be natural coaches, Ewing said. “But they don’t see what the big men do. I was always a leader of my team, barking out defensive scheme, and some (offensive) plays, too. All I want is an opportunity to succeed or to fail.”
• Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun: File this one under good things come to good men who wait. Raptors head coach Dwane Casey had a year left on his contract no matter what the organization’s still-changing front office decided on him. There are men who would gladly take a year off with pay and bid their former team a fond farewell. Casey is not one of them. He came to Toronto looking to take an organization that was stuck in neutral and get it moving again in the right direction. He did that in his first year. In his second year, for a myriad of reasons that certainly weren’t all his fault, that gear slipped back into reverse, giving back the gains they had made in his first year. To have the opportunity to get those gains back — and then some — is far more important to a man such as Casey than taking a year off. Wednesday’s announcement that he would be asked back to finish off the third year of his contract — and potentially earn an extension at the end of it — was by no means a surprise. The surprise was that it took as long as it did for new team president and general manager Masai Ujiri to determine that this was a guy he wanted guiding his team. The Raptors will hold a news conference on Thursday to make Casey’s return official.
• Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post: He is basketball's Jack Del Rio, a man who thrived at playing defense and now comes alive coaching it, using deft methods to make men into maulers. Could Lionel Hollins turn the Nuggets into defensive stalwarts as defensive coordinator Del Rio did the Broncos? That's part of the allure, part of why Nuggets management interviewed Hollins on Wednesday for the team's head coaching job. The 59-year-old Hollins, recently relieved of his duties as the Memphis Grizzlies coach, could end up swapping jobs with George Karl, the fired Nuggets coach who is a candidate to succeed Hollins in Memphis. Hollins is coming off a trip to the Western Conference finals. In Denver, Hollins is in competition with Indiana Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw, who had a second interview with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, according to media reports. The next few days could clear up the picture for numerous NBA teams looking for a head coach. … New Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly, like many young executives, respects advanced stats in regard to evaluating talent. But the Nuggets also want to win, and Hollins has shown he can do that without having a star player in a major market.
• Tim Bontemps of the New York Post: Nets general manager Billy King said earlier this week that now that Jason Kidd has officially been brought into the fold as the team’s next head coach, the Nets will be bringing players back in for additional workouts in order to allow Kidd to get a look at them ahead of the draft next Thursday. You would think that the idea of having to go back and take another look at some players like that could potentially be an issue for a scouting group trying to take advantage of every possible moment in the limited amount of time left leading up to the draft. But for Nets director of player personnel Gregg Polinsky, having Kidd’s perspective – coming off a Hall of Fame career – will only be a benefit to the process.
• Dwain Price of The Dallas Morning News: Rick Carlisle has no doubt Jason Kidd will be a successful head coach in the NBA. But in order to accelerate that impending success, the Dallas Mavericks coach would like Kidd to make one very important telephone call. “I think one of the things that he’s going to do, and I’ve talked to [Kidd] about this, is talk to Larry Bird about it, because Larry Bird did this, too,” Carlisle said. “[Bird] didn’t do it nine days after retiring -- he did it a few years afterwards. “But [Bird] went into the job of an NBA head coach without any coaching experience. And so Jason will talk to him and I think he’ll get some good insights on it.” Kidd might need those insights from Bird after the Brooklyn Nets pulled a mild surprise June 12 when they chose Kidd as their head coach. It’s a mild surprise because Kidd was a mere nine days removed from retiring from the NBA after a stellar 19-year career, yet he was able to secure the Nets’ job without having any prior coaching experience.
• Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee: So how does DeMarcus Cousins feel about the Kings' new regime? There was a pause, followed by a "no comment" and a chuckle from the 22-year-old center, who's entering his fourth season in the NBA. Cousins, who usually has a lot to say, is back in Sacramento this week, hosting the DeMarcus Cousins Elite Skills Camp for youths that began Wednesday and ends Friday. The smile on his face and the rolling of his eyes showed how hard it is for Cousins to play the silent role. But he has to. His agent, Dan Fegan, has instructed Cousins not to speak on anything relating to the Kings team, management or ownership. Cousins is eligible for a contract extension this summer, and Fegan wants a maximum deal for his client with the threat of a trade demand looming if a deal isn't reached.
• Michael Lee of The Washington Post: Bradley Beal is still more than a week away from his 20th birthday, but there is another significant date that the Wizards’ shooting guard is possibly monitoring with even greater anticipation: The day when he will finally be cleared to participate in basketball-related activities. According to people with knowledge of the situation, Beal remains sidelined but is expected to be cleared by July 1, nearly three months after doctors diagnosed a stress injury in his right fibula. The delayed recovery puts in doubt Beal’s availability for NBA summer league in Las Vegas, which begins on July 12, sources said. A person close to Beal maintained that it’s “too early to say” if he will be able to participate in summer league. Another added that “summer league is not imperative. There is a chance that he doesn’t” participate.
• Jody Genessy of the Deseret News: Jerry Sloan is back with the Utah Jazz. The Hall of Fame coach has been hired in a front-office position by the team he led to two NBA Finals and coached for 23 years. The 71-year-old Sloan will take on a role of senior basketball adviser, mostly helping out with scouting on the professional and college ranks, among other duties. … This is the second big reunion for the Jazz this offseason. Although Utah lost assistant coach Jeff Hornacek to Phoenix, the Jazz recently hired Hall of Fame power forward Karl Malone on a part-time basis to help tutor the team's big men. Could John Stockton be the next one to return to the fold? "John is a great friend of the organization and is part of the Jazz family, and always will be," Jazz president Randy Rigby said in a phone interview with the Deseret News. With a chuckle, he added, "There have been no discussions ... yet."
• Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal: By the time this week concludes, the Cavaliers should have a clear plan regarding the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. All five candidates under consideration will visit Cleveland Clinic Courts this week, including Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel today. Most mock drafts around the country project the Cavs to select Noel, but sources within the organization seem cool on him. Noel played in just 24 games because of a left knee injury his freshman year and his offensive skills are limited. He has spent time during his rehab working on his shooting. … Rumors of problems regarding the people around him have surfaced this week, but two league executives outside the Cavs organization dismissed that this week as bogus. He recently signed with agent Andy Miller, who represents about 40 players across the league, including the Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett.
• Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer: This might not endear him to ACC fans, but here’s how Indiana big man Cody Zeller makes his sales pitch to NBA teams: “(The Big Ten) was the best league in the country this year. Every night you were going against a first-rounder,” said Zeller, who worked out for the Charlotte Bobcats Wednesday at Time Warner Cable Arena. Zeller has a point. Between Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State and the Hoosiers, it was quite a men’s basketball conference this past season. Zeller, a 7-foot sophomore, was certainly tested. He averaged 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds, and figures to be a lottery pick. There was a time last fall when Zeller was talked about as perhaps the best player in the 2013 draft. Then he was overshadowed by the rise of teammate Victor Oladipo. It’s indicative of his uncertain status in next Thursday’s draft that Zeller has already auditioned for eight teams. … Obviously the Bobcats need help inside, particularly scoring, so Zeller would make some sense in Charlotte. Whether they could justify using the No. 4 pick on him, relative to other candidates, is debatable. What does Zeller see as his distinctive attribute? “More than anything my work ethic. It’s carried me to this point and it will carry me a long ways,” Zeller said. “Day-of-game, after the game, I’ll always come in the same way.”
• Staff of ArizonaSports.com: New general manager, new coach, new players, new logos? The Phoenix Suns, in an effort to freshen things up, are rumored to be going with a new look on the court next season, and that is not just in relation to the players. It's possible the team's new logos leaked Wednesday,and long-time fans of the team may be a bit disappointed. After all, they're probably asking, "where's the purple?" However, the concept shouldn't come as much of a surprise after last season, as the team unveiled a new floor that featured far more black than before, so the idea that their new logos would be the same sounds about right.

• Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News: It has been a Finals marked by wild swings of fortunes, so why should Game 5 have been any different? For the third straight contest, the team blown out by double-digits bounced back to return the favor in kind. The Spurs, destroyed on their home court by 16 in Game 4, turned Miami back with a 19-1 run spanning the third and fourth quarter and held on down the stretch behind a resurgent performance from Manu Ginobili and Danny Green’s historic shooting. The former broke out of a series-long slump with his best performance of the postseason: A season-high 24 points and 10 assists, the first time he reached those thresholds in the same game since 2008, and only the second time in his career. The latter made six more 3-pointers to shatter Ray Allen’s Finals record. They led a starting lineup that combined for 107 points, pushing the Spurs to the brink of their fifth championship with a 3-2 lead. “We’re just trying to do all we can to will (a championship) to happen,” Tim Duncan said. “We hope we can respond better next game than we have after wins. I think every one of us wants this badly, from the top on down. We just need…to understand the kind of energy and aggression they’re going to come with next game.” For the Heat, their backs are against the wall yet again during the LeBron James era — a position in which they’ve thrived over the past two seasons, but utterly crumbled against Dallas in the 2011 Finals. “I like our chances,” Dwyane Wade said, “just like they like their chances.”
• Greg Cote of The Miami Herald: This night was about how Tuesday is going to feel. The way NBA Finals Game 5 ended here Sunday was about how South Florida is going to awaken the morning of the next game, and what will be on Heat fans’ minds as they attempt to concentrate at work and then traipse into the home arena that night. It might have felt so good, right? Might have been a party. Could have been. A victory for a 3-2 series lead and Miami would have been poised and ready to celebrate a second consecutive championship that night. Hialeah would have the pots and pans out. Anybody near Biscayne Boulevard might have anticipated getting zero sleep for the incessant bleat of car horns. Tuesday would have felt like a coronation in waiting. Instead? Piñatas replaced by Pepto. Stomachs, clenched. Hearts, palpitating. Fingers, crossed. The Heat had the chance to make the rest of this seem so easy — well, easier — but Sunday’s 114-104 Game 5 loss took care of that desired path and lined the Road to Repeat with treachery. Now, to be champions again, Miami must do what it has failed to do for the past 12 postseason games: Win two in a row. Now, Heat fans are left to pray the next game is survived as much as won and that Miami — team and city — gets to the scariest thing in all of sports: A Game 7. Do you believe, South Florida? How much do you believe?
• Michael Lee of The Washington Post: In the four years since he made his last trip to the NBA Finals, Rashard Lewis had to deal with a stunning trade from Orlando to Washington, accept that his knees and age would prohibit him from being a regular NBA starter again, get traded from one lottery team to another and finally lose out on $9 million when he got bought out for the final year of a $118 million contract. So, while there was excitement when he signed with the Miami Heat last July, Lewis wouldn’t necessarily say that he was relieved when he got dumped by two franchises – the Wizards and then New Orleans – in less two weeks last June. “I don’t think it’s ever a relief to be traded, or bought out,” Lewis said with a booming laugh. “But the relief was when Pat Riley called to recruit me to come down and play for them. I think more than anything my goal was to be on a team that was trying to compete for a championship. Obviously, Miami had just won it.” … Lewis has an option worth $1.4 million but plans on returning next season to Miami, where a first championship is within his grasp. “You get that window of opportunity, you’ve got to take advantage of it,” Lewis said. “I chose to play for the Miami Heat and you know, we here. We in the Finals, but the job is not done yet.”
• Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald: Are the Clippers looking at bigger prey? Will Doc Rivers be comfortable continuing as the Celtic coach if no escape route can be found? Has Paul Pierce hired a realtor for his Boston-area digs? The first issue that president of basketball operations Danny Ainge will likely have to tackle is finding whether things with the Clippers can be revived. According to league sources, it appears a fairly solid bet that the Celts are not going to get exactly what they wanted out of this — a couple of draft picks for Rivers; Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan for Kevin Garnett. … If the Celtics cannot get what they believe is proper compensation for him, they would have no problem welcoming Rivers back for his 10th season here. In fact, that’s been the club’s hope and expectation all along. But one has to wonder how strange it might be and what effect it would have on his communication with the players if Rivers is back after expressing at the very least a willingness to coach elsewhere. The Celtics — and their followers — can only hope to soon begin getting the kind of answers that will render moot most if not all the hypotheticals.
• Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: What could prevent the Magic from taking more baby steps ... is merely the formation of the next NBA superpower. That's all. If you believe the Internet intel, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Magic have been discussing a trade that would send promising young point guard Eric Bledsoe and veteran forward Caron Butler to Orlando for shooting guard Arron Afflalo. Big win for the Magic in a season of very few wins. They would acquire a talented replacement for agingJameer Nelson and shed the three years remaining on Afflalo's contract. With Butler in the last season of his deal, that is a very salary-cap friendly transaction all around for the Magic. Moving Afflalo likely influences Orlando to pick a shooting guard — Ben McLemore or Victor Oladipo — in the draft. The possibility of acquiring Bledsoe might remove any notion of the Magic taking Trey Burke. … There's speculation that the Clippers would offer the Lakers a sign-and-trade for Howard that could include Griffin and — you guessed it, Magic fans — Bledsoe. But the Clippers can't afford to move Bledsoe until they re-sign Paul, no sure thing with Dwight and CP3 exchanging text messages. It's as if The Dwightmare never ends in Orlando.
• Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times: One coach who won’t be participating in the offseason NBA coaching carousel is the Bulls’ Tom Thibodeau. Early Sunday afternoon, there were whispers that if the Boston Celtics trade coach Doc Rivers in a package to the Los Angeles Clippers, Thibodeau would be on the radar as a possible replacement. But an NBA source indicated Sunday evening that the Celtics would not pursue Thibodeau because they know the Bulls would not grant permission to speak to the former Celtics associate head coach. “He’s loved in Boston, but he’s loved a little more by Chicago,’’ the source said. The Bulls just gave him a nice raise when he signed a four-year contract extension that will pay him $17.5 over the next four seasons. Still, it will be interesting to watch when Thibodeau’s deal gets closer to running out. He was born and raised in Connecticut and has strong ties in New England. As this offseason has shown the NBA coaching world, anything is possible.
• Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle: With roughly two weeks before the start of the NBA’s free-agency season, the poker player who owns the Rockets hopes to go all in. “I have enough money, but I don’t have enough championships,” Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said. “If you’re not in it to win championships, you shouldn’t be in it.” Alexander said he could not comment about any detail of the Rockets’ free-agency plans, including the planned presentation to players. But he said he hopes to have the sort of team to dramatically increase the team’s payroll, including paying a luxury tax. Alexander said that watching the NBA Finals offered a reminder of how badly he wants to return his team to contender’s status. The Rockets won consecutive championships in Alexander’s first seasons as team owner but have won just one playoff round since 1997. Since the departures of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, they have been restructured with the acquisition of All-Star James Harden and salary-cap room to pursue a max contract free agent next month. “I would be thrilled to pay a tax if we have a championship-caliber team,” Alexander said. “Obviously, you have to get the players to pay the taxes. You have to get great players; otherwise, you’re just spinning your wheels. When you get the great players, you don’t want to lose them. You have to pay whatever it takes to keep them. That’s when it becomes really fun to be an owner and to be a fan of the Rockets.”
• Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News: Fans here have been blessed in the superstar department with the Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki. Now, the pressure rises for Nowitzki in the role-model department. He’s preparing to start a new chapter of life, one that most superstars before him have also been through -- fatherhood. Michael Jordan once said that being a role model for his kids was a lot harder and more important than being a role model for millions of fans. He’s right, of course. It’s a good bet that Nowitzki feels the same way. If you’ve watched his life since he arrived with the Mavericks as a stranger in a strange land, you’ve seen him grow more comfortable in the limelight. He’s become a superstar any fan would be proud to have on their team. And the uncharted territory he’ll enter into before the summer is over -- he’s been private about his wife Jessica’s actual due date -- will be more important than anything he’s done so far. “Test is a good word,” Nowitzki said this week about having a Dirklet.
• Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press: Look at the rest of the league, Joe Dumars insists. It’s not simply the Pistons blowing out coaches in quick succession. Kidd is the Nets’ third coach in the last nine months. And Brooklyn won more than 50 games last season. “It’s such an entirely different animal from what it was just 10 years ago,” Dumars added. “You have to adapt and adjust to the situation while still holding onto what you deep down believe is the right path to take. But at the end of the day, it should always be about winning.” There are explanations for the last five years but there are no excuses. Contrary to popular opinion, Dumars has never gotten a “free pass” from media criticism and accountability. However high his personal likeability remains in this town, there’s no hiding from the fact that the Pistons fell fast and hard following a six-year run of consecutive Eastern Conference championship appearances. Dumars is the last constant from that period that’s still around, making him the biggest target. He knows that time’s running out, especially in a league that’s in more of a hurry now than ever before.
• Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post: Pete D'Alessandro is the latest member of the team's brain trust to walk out the Pepsi Center door, agreeing Saturday to become general manager of the Sacramento Kings. NBA executive of the year Masai Ujiri fled to Canada, and coach George Karl is leaving such a trail of bitter tears in exit interviews that perhaps his next media stop should be with Jerry Springer. While Karl has done his best to portray Kroenke as an impulsive son of a billionaire whose recent basketball decisions have been stupid, the large hole in the team's organizational chart is the result of something else. The 33-year-old Kroenke has been too nice of a guy. Oh, not too nice for firing Karl. But too nice with Ujiri, whose departure was far more critical at a time when swingman Andre Iguodala is headed to free agency.
• Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee: The Kings have offered Hall of Fame player and former Golden State Warriors executive Chris Mullin a role as a consultant, The Bee learned. Sources spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the private nature of the offer. Mullin was the top basketball executive for the Warriors from 2004-09. New Kings general manager Pete D'Alessandro worked for the Warriors from 2004-08, the final two years as assistant general manager. The Kings will introduce D'Alessandro at a press conference Monday afternoon at Sleep Train Arena. If the Kings do bring in Mullin, it would fuel speculation about the Kings' future pursuit of free agent guard Monta Ellis.
• Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post: Pro sports is a ruthless business, and it can be an unfair and unfeeling one, too. We see that every spring when NBA jobs open up — and in the case of this spring, good jobs, jobs that aren’t necessarily dead-end jobs, jobs where the right man will find enough talent to win right away — and Patrick Ewing goes another year without being given a chance to coach. Ewing’s son and namesake, frustrated at seeing Jason Kidd walk right from a player’s uniform to a head coach’s suit, took to Twitter this week to express his anger. … Would Ewing be a great coach? It’s the same answer we have to give for Kidd: It’s impossible to know. And it’s the same question you ask about any coach. Did anyone in 1982 really believe the Lakers had hired themselves a Hall of Famer when they elevated Pat Riley to replace Paul Westhead? Was there universal acclaim in 1989 when the Bulls fired Doug Collins and replaced him with his oddball hippie assistant Phil Jackson? We know now those were smart hires because they worked out. But the point is, they were given a chance. So were the likes of Kurt Rambis and Marc Iavaroni, to name two — playing contemporaries of Ewing, fellow big men, both given the chance to fail on their own watch and their own merit.
• Bud Shaw of The Plain Dealer: Assuming the medical reports on Nerlens Noel don't set off alarms, the Thin Man would give Mike Brown his defensive centerpiece for the next decade. The Cavaliers are thought to be split on Noel, which isn't unusual. In draft years offering far more certainty, opinions are often divided. We're not privy to the extent of concern over Noel's knee. Maybe the Cavs are already scared off by it. If not, Noel makes too much sense to pass up. Yes, Gilbert made a grand pronouncement on the night of the lottery that the bow ties would be retired, that the Cavs wouldn't be returning anything soon. Noel wouldn't be ready to play until December and would've missed a training camp. Raw offensively, he'd have serious catching up to do. But Gilbert made a grander pronouncement once before as I remember, one that flew in the face of the organizational rebuild. And that was easily forgiven and forgotten. … I'd give my head coach a dynamic shotblocker who has a huge upside, who can defend his turf and cover for those who -- despite Brown's best intentions -- don't turn into Gary "The Glove" Payton.
• Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune: The Timberwolves once had a guy named Kevin Garnett who despised playing afternoon games, and they ended up doing all right with him. On Sunday, they swapped times for their predraft workouts and sprung a morning session on a group that included UCLA forward Shabazz Muhammad, who never considered himself a morning guy until now. “Usually I don’t do that good in early mornings,” he said after working out in a six-player group that included Kentucky’s Archie Goodwinand former Gopher Rodney Williams. “I actually think this is one of my best workouts, so I prefer morning now.” Sunday’s workout was No./4 in Muhammad’s scheduled seven-city tour before the June 27 draft. He arrived at Target Center looking to show new Wolves basketball boss Flip Saunders that he has the scoring skills and temperament worthy of the ninth overall pick. … Saunders called his Friday visit to watch Indiana shooting guard Victor Oladipo work out near Washington, D.C., “more confirmation” about a player he’d have to trade up from the ninth pick into at least the top four or five to select. Saunders said he won’t travel to do the same for Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore, but didn’t rule out leaving town to visit other players in the next week.
• Charles F. Gardner of The Journal Times: Ricky Ledo did not play a minute of college basketball yet could be a first-round pick in the NBA draft on June 27. That shows how impressive the 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Providence has been in workouts with National Basketball Association teams. Ledo's workout with the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday was his 13th with an NBA team as he continued his campaign to show he belongs at the next level. And he said he will work out with at least six more teams before the draft. The NCAA ruled Ledo was a partial academic qualifier and thus ineligible to play as a freshman with the Friars. But rather than pouting, he practiced with his teammates and began to draw the interest of pro scouts. Ledo and possible top-10 pick Kentavious Caldwell-Pope went head-to-head during the Bucks workout and showed why they are considered two of the top shooters in the draft. "Ricky Ledo is a very skilled basketball player," Bucks director of scouting Billy McKinney said. "He shoots the ball extremely well, but also his ability to create shots off the dribble is something that is going to work in his favor in the NBA. Everybody is trying to get a quick glimpse of him."
• Dave Dulberg of ArizonaSports.com: Of all the questions posed over the last few weeks to draft prospects coming through US Airways Center, few have been more prevalent than the one focusing on the Phoenix Suns' end-of-workout sprints. General manager Ryan McDonough, head coach Jeff Hornacek and the rest of the Suns' staff have built up quite a reputation of late regarding their three-minute conditioning test, so much so, that when New Mexico standout Tony Snell visited the team's practice facility on June 9, he mentioned to reporters that he mentally prepared for the drill after hearing rumors from other players in the Class of 2013. While the obvious point of the run is to evaluate the prospects' stamina after a grueling practice, McDonough noted that there's also a mental element to the exercise. "We only have a limited window to evaluate these guys," McDonough said Saturday. "We actually started it in Boston and it's one of the best ways you can think of to push a guy in a short amount of time. It's a conditioning test physically, but it's also to see how the guys respond mentally; to see how tough they are and fight through some of the fatigue. I enjoy it, I know they hate it. I enjoy seeing how these guys are willing to fight through some adversity."

• Ethan J. Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post: There was the 2006 Finals MVP, a nine-time All-Star, arguably the second-best two-guard of his generation. There was the defender whom Spurs coach Gregg Popovich chose to check him: The slow-footed seven-footer Tiago Splitter. There was something very wrong with this even if, of late, there has been something not quite right about Dwyane Wade. “I was glad I had the ball in my hand, because I was going to go right at him,” the Heat guard said, smiling after Thursday’s victory, 109-93, to tie the series at 2. “I got a foul on him early. And Pop changed it after that.” Even so, that small snippet symbolized the extent to which the fear of Wade has subsided, as his right knee ailed him, as he failed to exceed 20 points in all but two playoff games, as observers began to accept what once qualified as meager offensive output as the best he could do. In Game 4, this is what he did: He brought the fear back. … “He went back into his bag tonight,” said LeBron James, who wasn’t bad either, scoring 33, keeping his promises to run off rebounds, get into his moves quicker and find his outside form. “He was Flash tonight.” Yes, Flash. That’s the name Shaquille O’Neal gave Wade. … So can Wade do it again? “I guess there’s only one way to find out,” he said. “See you Sunday.” When, odds are, he won’t see much of Tiago Splitter.
• Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News: In addition to squandering homecourt advantage back to Miami, the Spurs got reinforcement for what they already know: The absolutely, positively cannot turn the ball over against the Heat. They did it 19 times leading to 23 points as the Heat improved to 43-3 this season when forcing at least 16 miscues. About the only silver lining was the condition of Tony Parker, who wore down but otherwise reported no deteriorating in his strained right hamstring. “When we lose, that’s the deal right there,” said Tim Duncan, who led the Spurs with 20 points. “They turned up their intensity, as we knew they would, and they got a lot of hands on balls. Obviously their effort was there.” … Wade hadn’t played like he did on Thursday in months. Indeed, his teammates went even further back than that, with James saying Wade looked like “2006 Flash” — a reference to his MVP form in the 2006 Finals — after shredding the Spurs for one of the most dominant all-around performances in championship series history (see below). That’s a bit unfair to everything he’s done since then, playing in seven All-Star games, serving as an elite wingman to James in last year’s title run and, more recently scoring 20 points or more in 13 straight games from mid-February to mid-March. But after the struggles he’s endured since then, with a bruised knee rendering him a shell of himself, it was a welcome sight for the Heat.
• Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News: So then the conversation changed, the way a game can change, the way he could always change one with a pass or a smart play. He and Schwartz had informed the Knicks on that Saturday that he was going to retire. They learned Grant Hill was set to announce his own retirement at the same time. It was agreed that Kidd would issue his own statement on Monday. “At one point Jeff said something like, ‘OK, so what are you going to do now that you’re not a player anymore?’ ” Kidd says. “Then he said, ‘Listen, I know you can golf your way around the world two or three times. But when you get tired of that, and you will, then you’re going to ask me what you should do next. Why don’t we think about what’s next right now?’ ” Kidd chuckles again as he tells you the next part of the story, before things happened as fast as they did with the Nets. “I thought to myself, “All right, let's take a look at your resume, Jason,’ ” he says. “You have no financial background. You have basketball, that’s what you have, for your whole life.’ So next was going to be basketball. Jeff started to put out some feelers. Obviously one of his first calls was to Billy. And then things started to move up warp speed after that.” Before long Jason Kidd, one of the two most important players in the history of the franchise — Julius Erving was first — was pitching himself to his old team. Excited about the prospect of starting all over again as a coach, starting all over again with the Nets. “I got the feeling once I was in the room that both sides were excited,” he says.
• Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald: Now that the NBA’s prime coaching pool is shrinking by the day as Doc Rivers contemplates his Celtics future, Danny Ainge has no choice but to consider a backup plan if his coach of the last nine seasons leaves. Two league sources with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed yesterday that if Rivers does indeed leave, former Clippers coach Vinnie Del Negro will receive serious consideration as his replacement. Clippers management, known to be interested in Rivers now that his reluctance has become public, was denied permission to talk to him earlier this week, according to one of the sources. Celtics management has now denied two teams permission — the Clippers and Nets. Memphis is also said to be interested, though Grizzlies management has not approached Ainge. But Rivers’ prolonged deliberation has forced Ainge to at least consider alternatives. The Celtics president of basketball operations is an admirer of the Springfield-born Del Negro and his up-tempo philosophy, even if Del Negro reportedly didn’t mesh with his biggest star, Chris Paul. “As a stopgap for that situation, sure,” said one source. “Vinnie would be the perfect person for what they need. All of the all-star coaches, or whatever you want to call them, are going, and knowing how Danny feels about him, (Del Negro) would be a good fit.”
• Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post: Upon being fired last week, Nuggets coach George Karl told team president Josh Kroenke, "I think I should tell you, I think it's very stupid." The controversial firing of the reigning NBA coach of the year has led to much debate in Denver. On Thursday afternoon, Karl sat down with The Denver Post and discussed an array of topics, including his firing, his future (possibly landing with the Memphis Grizzlies or the Los Angeles Clippers) and the future of the Nuggets, a team he believes could have won 55 games next season, even with Danilo Gallinari out for much of the season due to knee surgery. "I'm not going to stand here and justify my (playoff) record," Karl said, but he believed the franchise was on an upward tick, "and to blow that away, it leaves you helpless, speechless, powerless, sad, a lot of words."
• Zak Keefer of The Indianapolis Star: The mission for the Indiana Pacers’ front office this summer mirrors what it was a year ago: Keep the core players together. Last July, the team paid a combined $98 million to keep a pair of starters, Roy Hibbert and George Hill, in Indiana uniforms. The focus this time? Do the same with David West. Donnie Walsh, the team’s president, and Kevin Pritchard, the general manager, expressed their desire to re-sign West, who becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1, in a Thursday morning news conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Simply put by the Pacers’ brass: West is priority No. 1. “We want him back as much as you can want anyone back,” Walsh said. “We think he’s one of the anchors of this team.” The interest is mutual. West was clear with his feelings following Indiana’s Game 7 Eastern Conference finals loss to the Miami Heat earlier this month. “I’m not (expletive) dumb,” he said. “I don’t plan on going anywhere. This is my team. These are my guys.”
• Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune: The Timberwolves conducted another round of predraft workouts on Thursday and then new president of basketball operations Flip Saunders quickly slipped out of Target Center to catch a flight to see Indiana guard Victor Oladipo on Friday. Saunders flew to Las Vegas two weeks ago to watch Russian guard Sergey Karasev in a pro-day workout. On Thursday, he headed to the Washington, D.C. area to see a player the Wolves would have to move from their ninth pick into the top five — or maybe even top two — to get a chance to draft. The Wolves have limited assets to swing such a deal, namely third-year forward Derrick Williams, second-year guard Alexey Shved and the ninth and/or 26th picks in the draft. They also likely will trade one of two veteran guards —Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea —by draft night. The Wolves’ biggest need is a traditionally sized shooting guard and Saunders has stated more than once that he wants — and expects — to get with that ninth pick a player who can help his team next season.
• Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars was asked about the upcoming summer as his team will have at least $20 million in cap space to help construct the roster. He emphasized with a weak free-agent class, the path back to relevancy will likely come via the trade market. Likely partners are those teams facing onerous luxury tax bills next year. The potential is there to get a good, young veteran from one of those teams. So is he itching to start pitching deals? On the contrary; the talks have already begun. “It’s already started,” Dumars said at the introductory news conference for new coach Maurice Cheeks. “The phone calls for that have already started. The calls have already started because those teams are already facing it.”
• Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal: It has been nearly 40 years since a true shooting guard was the top overall pick in the NBA Draft. If the Cavaliers elect to end that streak and select Ben McLemore first overall in two weeks, hopefully it works out better than the last time it happened. The Atlanta Hawks made David Thompson the top pick of the 1975 draft, but he never played for them. Thompson was also the top pick of the ABA Draft that year and elected to play in the ABA before the two leagues merged. The list of players to go No. 1 overall is littered with point guards and big men. McLemore is well aware of that, since he used some down time after the season to research the last time a shooting guard was the top pick. “I realized I can make history,” McLemore said. “Coming from nothing and just having the opportunity to get the No. 1 spot, I’m going to work for it. It’s definitely neck and neck.” The other “neck” McLemore was referring to was Nerlens Noel, but the Cavs have seemed cool on Noel since winning the draft lottery last month.
• Brandon Parker of The Washington Post: Indeed, fans are already buzzing about the prospect of either Bennett or Porter being selected third overall by the Wizards in the NBA draft on June 27. While Porter will work out with the Wizards on Friday, Bennett made his case during the last two days in Washington, meeting with the Wizards for interviews and measurements. Because of surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, the 6-foot-8 forward was unable to work out in front of the team. Since his May operation, Bennett, who is no longer in a cast, has been rehabbing in New York with an eye on returning to full strength by the first week of August. “I met with Dr. [David] Altchek yesterday and he said I can do light shooting, can dribble, but no contact or dunking or anything crazy like that,” Bennett said. “He said everything is going fine.” … On Thursday, Bennett said his wingspan measured in around 7 feet 1 and his standing reach was 8-9, numbers that continue to intrigue all of the teams with top five picks. After meeting with Phoenix last week, Bennett is expected to visit with Orlando this weekend, followed by Cleveland and Charlotte in the coming weeks. Whether he meets with any teams outside of the top five is up to his agent, Bennett said.
• Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times: Phil Jackson doesn't want to lie to himself, he's done coaching. "Sometimes I feel I can still get out there and do it but the reality is I'm kidding myself," Jackson said at a "Live Talks Los Angeles" event at the Alex Theatre in Glendale on Wednesday. Jackson said he returned for one final year with the team in 2010-11 as a favor to the late Dr. Jerry Buss (and his support staff). "When I was done I knew I was done -- physically it was over," he said. "Even though after I got a knee replacement and a prostatectomy in the last year and a half." Jackson was diagnosed with prostate cancer midway through his final season, but has since recovered. "It's those long flights and three o'clock nights -- getting up after five hours of sleep and going back to work, those are the things that wear you out," continued the Hall-of-Fame coach. Jackson was greeted by an enthusiastic audience at the Alex Theatre, chanting the now familiar, "We want Phil."
• Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News: It’s been a presidential kind of day for Mark Cuban. And it’s not over yet. He had a hush-hush bite to eat with President Obama that went public when White House reporters spotted the Mavericks’ owner leaving the White House. “He invited me to have lunch and talk basketball,” Cuban said. “How could I say no? It was a lot of fun. He definitely shared his thoughts on what the Mavs should do this summer. “Even crazier is that now I’m in Chicago for the Clinton global initiative conference and tonight I’m going to watch the game with President Clinton!” Probably not at one of the great sports bars in Chicago on Hubbard Street, but at a more secure venue. Cuban, by the way, did not divulge whether President Obama is a big Dwight Howard fan or not. Cuban, according to our political experts, is a significant donor to the Democratic Party.
• Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times: The Bucks and several other teams are undoubtedly doing their homework on Jordan Farmar. Farmar, the former first-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakers, spent this season playing for Anadolu Efes in the Turkish League. He signed a three-year, $15 million contract last July with Efes, but can op out after every season. “He wants to come back to the NBA, for sure,” said Tony Dutt, Farmar’s agent who also happens to be a friend of Bucks general manager John Hammond. “He’s still young and he could help some teams.” Farmar, 25, played four seasons for the Lakers while earning two championship rings before signing with the New Jersey Nets. After two seasons with the Nets, he latched on with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2011.

• Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post: Son of a gun. They really did it. The Nets are really going to introduce Jason Kidd this afternoon at 2 p.m. at Barclays Center. They really are going to reach back to the most glorious moments of their NBA history, to the greatest Net who ever dribbled a brown NBA ball in their uniform, and they are going to entrust him with their future. … Can he do it? That answer will be easier to determine than you think, because so much of Kidd’s success, immediate and long-term, will revolve around one thing: the relationship with Deron Williams that officially, today, takes a turn for the serious, a turn for the somewhat surreal, and a turn, one way or another, for both men’s legacies. … But Kidd was Kidd almost every night in those sublime years, bringing a level of consistent excellence that Williams hasn’t yet displayed with the Nets. Kidd has to bring that out of him. Has to summon Williams’ Inner Kidd. If he can, there’s no telling how intriguing this partnership can become, and how successful it can be. Put it this way: The team Kidd greeted as a point guard in 2001 wasn’t anywhere close to as talented as the one he meets as a coach, and all that team did was win back-to-back conference titles.
• Marc Berman of the New York Post: Patrick Ewing’s son took to Twitter to express anger Jason Kidd got a head-coaching job so quickly, while his father was just named this week to another assistant’s gig — in Charlotte. Kidd was named Nets head coach Wednesday night. Ewing has been an assistant for nine seasons since retiring and was named “associate coach’’ to Steve Clifford on Tuesday. Ewing was not interviewed for the Nets position. “For real though I’m mad J Kidd got a head coaching job [days] after retiring n my pops been coaching 10 years n barely gets a look,’’ Patrick Ewing Jr. tweeted. “That being said I hope j Kidd does great I’m glad the Nets brought him back. I love the Knicks but the best offer they had [for my father] was NBDL HC?,’’
• Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times: It’s time for Dwyane Wade’s free pass to end. While members of the sports media have been scampering around the San Antonio area the last 48 hours in yet another open season on LeBron James, Miami Heat teammate Wade has been sitting at the podium, flashing his smile, calling reporters by their first names — and remaining a non-factor on the court. The former Marquette guard is showing little urgency and even less accountability. ‘‘In the books, the Miami Heat lost the ballgame,’’ Wade said Wednesday, a day after the defending champions were blown out 113-77 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio. ‘‘We win together, we lose together as a team. So everyone has an opinion, and everybody uses their opinion.’’ Funny, because James had an opinion, and it wasn’t clichés like ‘‘win together, lose together.’’ No, it was a star doing what a star should do — fall on the sword. … There is something wrong. The Spurs have a great team, and the Heat has one great player. It certainly isn’t Wade and hasn’t been since “The Big Three’’ came together. Free passes can have an expiration date.
• Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald: While the situation regarding Doc Rivers’ future with the Celtics has, on the surface, appeared to remain consistent in its uncertainty, there have been changes in his outlook regarding options he would consider. Whereas Rivers had said he would coach only the Celtics next season, choosing between another year on the bench or a sabbatical, sources said he is now open to other jobs in the NBA, providing it’s a very good situation and that the team and the Celts can agree on fair compensation. In any case, those close to the matter are saying Rivers should be stating his intentions within the next several days. He had reportedly planned to take longer to decide, but an outbreak of media reports has pressed him into acting sooner. Multiple sources insist the odds are still “overwhelmingly” in favor of Rivers continuing on his current contract, which still has three years and $21 million left. “But even when he signed the five-year deal, I don’t think anyone there believed he was going to stay for the whole thing,” said one source. “So who knows?” Another source insists Rivers is angry over reports he is at odds with Danny Ainge about the direction of the Celtics as they try to rebuild on the fly.
• Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: The Magic need to keep an eye on a game-changer who might be available at any time — or by the time they have big money to spend in a few years. He's a champion, a defensive whiz, a motivator, a leader to the stars. He knows the ins and outs of the point-guard position. And most important, Glen Rivers could one day be thekey free agent in Orlando's rebuild — as their coach. Again. Why are we even mentioning a Rivers' reunion and causing Jacque Vaughn offseason heartburn? Let's answer the question with another question: What's up, Doc? That's what Boston Nation wants to know, along with Tim Tebow's favorite color. Rivers has yet to publicly confirm that he's coming back to coach the team despite having three years and $21 million left on his contract. ESPN quoted someone close to Rivers on Wednesday as saying Rivers feels "it may be time for a change." Asked Sunday by the Boston Globe about his plans, Rivers said, "I'd rather not say." Hmmmm. … Doc was deeply hurt when Orlando fired him in 2003, although the storied Celtics gladly brought him aboard. Such speculation isn't fair to Vaughn. The business isn't about being fair. By design, Vaughn likely will have another 60-loss season on his résumé. How many coaches survive that despite the situation? It's as if Vaughn is cheerfully playing the part of a foreman during this construction mess. … If the club is serious about winning, wouldn't he be the perfect coach at the perfect time this time? Déjà' Doc?
• Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post: If, like me, you want a high-profile coach who can make players take notice, go spend whatever it takes to hire somebody with the name recognition of Boston's Doc Rivers. On the other hand, if you want a no-nonsense coach who instills respect and fear in players so they compete relentlessly, then Lionel Hollins is your man. He fits the profile of what Kroenke likes in a coach. Or, if you don't give a hoot about making headlines, and want to maintain continuity on a team that finished third in the Western Conference standings? Then Nuggets assistant Melvin Hunt would be a solid choice. … For those who cannot make sense of the Karl firing, it came down to money. Karl sought a multimillion-dollar extension, despite having a year remaining on his contract. The Kroenke message to the coach was calm and direct: Why did you sign the agreement if you didn't intend to honor the final season on it? Kroenke does not subscribe to the lame-duck theory, believing it's only as big a deal as a coach makes it. "Look at Lionel Hollins," Kroenke said. "He didn't make an issue out of being in the final year of his contract in Memphis." The Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference finals, despite a midseason trade of forward Rudy Gay that didn't please Hollins. Hollins is tough-minded, which makes him of the same mind as Kroenke.
• Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman: Kevin Durant is on a quest for world domination. What else are we to think after the news that he plans to partner with music mogul Jay-Z and his newly formed Roc Nation Sports? Durant recently parted ways with agent Rob Pelinka, who he'd only been with a little over a year. While it's not clear whether Durant wants to be represented by Roc Nation Sports — the Thunder superstar is under contract through 2015-16, so there's no immediate need for an agent — he absolutely wants to tap into the marketing opportunities that Jay-Z and Co. could provide him. This from a guy who is already a pitchman for Nike, Gatorade, Sprint and Degree. Durant is on so many commercials these days that had the Thunder made the NBA Finals, people might actually be getting sick of him. What more does he want? We're about to find out. “There's a sense of what he could do (endorsement-wise), as long as his game stays strong, is kind of on autopilot,” ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell said. “Companies will come to him, and they know who he is. I don't feel like he has anything to lose. The question is, how much does he have to gain?” Durant is already something of an unorthodox figure in the marketing world. Even though his game is dynamic, his personality is not.
• Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News: Don’t be surprised if in about 9 months there is a baby boom in the 76ers organization, because it appears they are in a blackout. … Names continued to get thrown around for head coaching positions throughout the league, most notably Brian Shaw and Byron Scott and recently retired Jason Kidd. But none of the "hot" names are being attached to the Sixers' opening. Does new president and general manager Sam Hinkie have a plan in place that he is secure with or is he still in the search process? Will he go through the draft, which takes place on June 27, without a coach to help call the shots? Will the ensuing Summer League in Orlando, just a few weeks after the draft, not include a head coach?
• Phil Collin of the Los Angeles Daily News: Steve Nash said Wednesday he is still undergoing rehabilitation for the injuries that sidelined him late in the NBA season but plans on playing in his two soccer charity games this summer and plans to be "100 percent" for next season with the Lakers. "I'm fighting every day to get back to 100 percent and I think I'll be able to play in both events," Nash said. "Most important, by the time season comes around I'll be 100 percent and be in a great position to have a great year. I'm still rehabbing now, but I should be good to go and plan on playing in both." The 39-year-old Nash, limited by hamstring and back issues with the Lakers, was on a conference call to promote his Steve Nash Showdown, a pair of 8-a-side soccer charity games to be played June 26 in New York and July 14 in downtown Los Angeles. The games feature NBA players combined with international soccer stars, though it has yet to be determined which players will participate in each event. This will be the sixth time Nash's game will be played in New York and the first time in Los Angeles. The L.A. event will be played at Red Shield Community Center, a few blocks west of Staples Center.
• Marcus R. Fuller of the Pioneer Press: Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders and restricted free agent center Nikola Pekovic did not meet in Europe as planned last week, Saunders said Wednesday. "It was just one of those things that didn't work out," Saunders said. "We thought he was going to come in the week prior to July, but he's pretty much staying out there doing some training, getting ready for the national team." Saunders said he did meet with Pekovic's agent during the trip. Pekovic and Saunders aren't expected to talk in person before the free agency period begins July 1, according to Saunders. Pekovic started in all 62 games in which he appeared, and averaged 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game last season. Saunders said previously that he expects Pekovic back next season. "He knows where we're at," he said. "Now it's just a matter of when the time comes, we'll sit down and deal with that and go through mostly his agent."
• Bob Finnan of The News-Herald: Several teams are taking a buyer's beware approach to Kentucky forward/center Nerlens Noel, according to a league source. The source did not indicate how many teams, but did say it's more than one. It's uncertain if the Cavaliers are among that group. The Cavs own the No. 1 pick in the June 27 NBA draft. It's been speculated since the draft lottery the Cavs would give strong consideration to drafting Noel. … Now, there are rumors of a pre-existing condition, which are sending tremors throughout the league. According to a story in the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal, Noel fractured his growth plate in his left knee as a sophomore in high school. Perhaps, the risk is too great to draft a player who relies heavily on his athleticism and jumping ability. It has definitely caused trepidation with some teams. It's not known whether it's enough to dissuade the Cavs from taking him No. 1. … Noel has yet to hire an agent. A couple teams are getting frustrated with the lack of updates on Noel's condition.
• Steve Luhm of The Salt Lake Tribune: Less than a year into his job as general manager of the Utah Jazz, Dennis Lindsey continues to put his stamp on the franchise. The Jazz opened a three-day mini-camp for 24 free agents on Wednesday at their practice facility — an idea Lindsey brought with him after years as a vice president and assistant GM in San Antonio. Players from the NBA Development League and teams overseas are participating in the two-a-day sessions. They will be evaluated by the Jazz coaching and personnel staffs for possible spots on Utah’s summer league and training camp rosters. According to chief scout David Fredman, there is not much difference in talent between some players currently in the NBA and those participating in this camp. "I wouldn’t be surprised to see a handful of [these] guys … on an NBA roster on opening night next year," Fredman said. "Now whose roster, I don’t know. But these guys have enough talent that, in the right place and at right time, they could easily be" in the NBA.

• Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News: As Cornbread Maxwell noted after Boston destroyed the Lakers in Game 1 of the 1985 Finals, basketball isn’t backgammon. You don’t get extra credit for margin of victory. But the Spurs might have grounds to petition the NBA for a policy change after Game 3 of the Finals, in which they set a series record with 16 3-pointers en route to the third-largest rout in NBA championship history. At a certain point, it was almost comical. LeBron James, harassed by Kawhi Leonard into another legacy-staining disappearance. Danny Green and Gary Neal, playing better than they ever dreamed while slumming it overseas. And the best part – Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, the cornerstones of San Antonio’s championship success, sitting on the bench and enjoying the show as, for once, others did the heavy lifting. “You don’t expect it to go the way it did,” Duncan said. “But (I’m) loving our home court after getting blown out (in Game 2) to have that kind of…energy in the building, and to feed off that and our team to respond the right way. Hopefully we can respond even better to this win.” … History bodes well for the Spurs after Tuesday’s victory: Winners of Game 3 are 12-1 in the Finals since the 2-3-2 format was implemented in 1985, and 30-5 overall. Tuesday also marked Miami’s first loss while trailing or tied in the playoffs over the past two seasons, snapping a streak of 11 straight victories.
• Greg Cote of The Miami Herald: Where have you gone, LeBron James, and when are you coming back? Where is the offensive dominance that makes defenders and rims quake? Where is the greatest player in the NBA and one of its most prolific scorers when the Heat needs him the most, which is right now? When will the league’s Most Valuable Player start being that on his own team again? Forget “remember the Alamo.” Heat fans today are trying to remember the LeBron James who makes the highlight reels not for a pass or a rebound or a block – but for a dunk-festooned game of 35 or 40 points. Only James could accomplish something last done in the NBA Finals by Celtics goateed great Bill Russell in flower-power 1969 and still leave the impression that he is underperforming, that he has somehow been a disappointment. Welcome to LeBron’s world. For him, sometimes even great isn’t good enough, so you know THIS isn’t. For him, sometimes when the brain tries to tell you he is doing enough, the gut knows better: He must do more.
• Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: For every botched possession, for every missed rotation, the Spurs made them pay Tuesday, championship-tested, fueled by the 2-3-2 format that could have them in position to close this out on their floor on Sunday night. "They played with more force, more focus," Spoelstra said. Odds are, the Heat will look far different in Thursday's Game 4, because that's who they are, who they have been. Odds are every Chris Bosh blocked shot won't turn into aDanny Green 3-pointer. But it's a game that's getting somewhat old and getting somewhat dangerous. "The only thing that matters," Spoelstra said, "is we're down 2-1 and we did not bring anywhere near our best game tonight. I did not recognize the team that was out there." Yes, there have not been consecutive losses since Jan. 8 and Jan. 10. We get that. But even that might not be enough. … Now the question is whether the Heat can make it back to South Florida with a season still in progress. We've learned by now to never doubt LeBron. But what he is facing this series is something far more maniacal than what Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has thrown at him in recent postseasons, more than the Pacers' Frank Vogel conjured in the previous round.
• Chris Herrington of the Memphis Flyer: Jason Levien needs to shore up his public diplomacy: I have little doubt that Levien ran this move by players, minority owners, and others around the organization and knew a coaching change would not cause a revolt. But the Grizzlies are at once private enterprise and public trust, and the community needs a fuller and more personal explanation than the brief, antiseptic press release the team put out Monday night. Levien needs to explain this decision, in direct but polite terms. For better or worse — and I think it's some of both — this is a “speak to the Rotary Club, hobnob at the college football game, banter on the radio shows” kind of market. Incumbent general manager Chris Wallace, in addition to being a quality basketball man, had mastered this public role, one reason I always thought the new regime would have been wise to incorporate him more fully in the decision-making process and try to keep him around. Levien is a bright man undertaking a big job, but he needs work in this area. … This is about the future: This coaching change won't alter the Grizzlies' projection for next season in the minds of most who follow the NBA closely. Coaches matter, but rosters matter much more. What fans need to understand is that the Grizzlies were heading into a period of transition even without a coaching change. How the new ownership and front office manages this transition — not just this offseason but in the next couple as well — will determine their ultimate success or failure.
• John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News: Sports agents should be afraid, very afraid. If reports are true and NBA superstar Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, is about to the sign with Roc Nation Sports, a new playa has entered the field of sports representation, and he might be the best hustler of them all. … Apparently, Roc Nation didn't have to show its mettle before a legitimate superstar decided to climb on board. Durant is an NBA megastar. Besides LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, perhaps no NBA player has a higher global profile than the charismatic Durant. This could be a game-changer for Roc Nation Sports. Think about it. … The threat that Roc Nation Sports presents to the sports representation hierarchy is why I believe the NFL Players Association has accused Jay-Z, who is not yet licensed to be an agent, of acting in the role of a runner in the recruitment of Smith. NBA agents should be just as leery. After the 2013-14 season, superstar players such as James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, Dwyane Wade and John Wall will be in some sort of renegotiation position. Those players will be paying attention to what Roc Nation does to raise Durant's profile and fatten his bank account. If they like what they see, a lot of agents could have more than 99 problems as they watch clients jump ship for Jay-Z.
• Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald: While so much uncertainty dribbling around the Celtics these days — uh, heard any good Doc Rivers rumors lately? — the club is fully expecting to be improved in at least one position next season. Not only will they be better at point guard when Rajon Rondo returns from ACL surgery, but Danny Ainge believes this version of Rondo, when healthy, will be a notch above the one voted an Eastern Conference All-Star starter. The Celtics president of basketball operations knows that Rondo was paying attention when he was out, seeing how the team did better at first when not relying so heavily on one ballhandler and then noting how much he was missed during the postseason. “I think Rondo is a smart guy, and he got to see the strengths and weaknesses of our team and the players,” said Ainge. “I think he actually started to see it even before he was out, but when you’re out, you can see things in your team and your teammates that maybe you didn’t see before. You see players that are capable of doing some things that maybe you weren’t sure they could do. I think that’s always helpful. Doc and I have both talked to Rajon about what he can do to get better and what he needs to do. And Rondo’s a smart kid on his own. He doesn’t listen to everything you say, but he’s got his own ideas of what he can do to get better, as well. He’s very observant, very street-smart and very basketball-smart, too.”
• Doug Smith of the Toronto Star: Haven’t heard precisely why from anyone on the record but a planned free agent camp in Toronto this coming weekend has been cancelled. It wasn’t all that big a deal, a lot of projects in to see if the HOTH could find some summer league fodder – and perhaps some diamond in the rough – but it would have been the first chance for Dwane (Casey)and his staff to do any coaching under Masai’s general managership and now that’s not going to happen. It had been scheduled for weeks and I would think maybe Masai looked at the roster that’d been assembled, saw where he was in his own evaluation process and figured it wasn’t worth the hassle, or the cost, to get it done. And with the waves of uncertainty still washing over the franchise, I can see that making sense. Masai and Dwane still have to sit down and have some more heart-to-heart discussions (and that’s what Masai said would happen the day he was introduced), the coaching staff remains very much in limbo with less than three weeks until the contracts of all the assistants run out, and the front office and scouting staff still has to be assembled. One thing has to happen this week, I’d say. While I fully expect Dwane to stick around and that’s pretty much what Masai said that day in Toronto, I think some public pronouncement about the head coach and his staff is in order. There was just enough uncertainty out of that original news conference that no clear message was delivered; now that everyone’s in and settled, it’s time to clear everything up.
• Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times: The NBA wants to stop teams from tampering with soon-to-be free agents. Three franchises were nailed Monday, including the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets for making it known that Dwight Howard and Chris Paul were on their offseason wish list. But several Bulls players wished the league luck trying to stop it. Taj Gibson said that Miami Heat star LeBron Jamestried to recruit him last offseason before Gibson and the Bulls agreed on an extension. Nazr Mohammed said recruiting is “happening everywhere with the players.’’ That’s what the NBA fears. The league can punish teams if it’s coming from the front office, but if it’s the players recruiting each other, good luck. “I know [the league office] doesn’t like to hear this, but ultimately it’s good for the league,’’ Mohammed said. “You got guys that like each other, want to play with each other. Why not? The collective-bargaining agreement is going to settle some of it, but guys are going to take huge paycuts to play with their friends.’’ Further evidence that Derrick Rose needs to start recruiting if he wants help.
• David Mayo of MLive.com: Dear Maurice Cheeks: Welcome to Detroit. Kind of. You've been in the NBA long enough to know the Detroit Pistons don't really play in Detroit. Not even in the same county as Detroit. Heck of a limo ride from the airport to the arena, isn't it? On the bright side, the team charter is housed in Pontiac, so there's that. Then, there's the job as Pistons head coach, which you accepted Monday. You get the same core time that Lawrence Frank got before you, three years with a team option for a fourth, neither of which he quite made. That's how it's been done around here for a while. The Pistons treat coaches the way their coaches should treat housing decisions: They rent, don't buy. You walk into a pretty good mess here but you also know there's some potential, if your bosses can talk some good players into taking all this money they have to spend. … The only way to sell it is to start winning. Except after years of losing culture, that isn't easy to do. I know it's a process, you know it's a process. But on the Pistons coaching plan, the process gets rewired every two years. Here's hoping you get more time. Best of luck, coach. It won't be easy. But nothing worth doing is, right?
• Dwight Jaynes of CSNNW.com: When I heard that Maurice Cheeks had landed another job as a head coach in the NBA, my instant reaction, quite honestly, was: "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Followed by, "HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Yes, really. This time it was the Detroit Pistons who were casual or naive enough in their job search to hire the man whom I consider, hands down, to be the worst coach in Trail Blazer history and probably one of the worst I've ever seen in the NBA. And while it's possible that no quality coach would accept that Detroit job, the Pistons could have done so much better. What's wrong with Cheeks, you say? Well, I've covered the NBA since the days when Jack Ramsay was roaming the Blazer sidelines in paisley pants. And I don't think since that time I've seen a coach as poorly informed, as casual about his duties and as lazy as Cheeks. NBA head coach? He should have been charged with identity theft. … There's a chance this franchise is on the upswing. Maybe Cheeks, in his tenure as an assistant at Oklahoma City, has learned some lessons. We shall see. So good luck, Detroit. I'll be watching. And trying to keep from giggling.
• Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Since Mark Cuban bought the Mavs no one in the NBA has leaned on the league for a better product, from the fan experience to the refs to now - no flopping. Refs in the NBA have sucked for years, they still do, because it's an impossible job and the only good ref is the one you don't notice. It's odd - when the Mavs won the NBA title in 2011, the refs were incredible. Probably just a coincidence. Now Cuban is working on the widespread epidemic of NBA flopping by granting $100K to SMU to solve this massive crisis. Only there is no solution, even the best player Cuban agrees this is a fruitless exercise. "I think we're trying; you're never going to get rid of it but you have to limit it," Dirk Nowitzki told a small group of reporters on Monday at a Dallas YMCA. "I think it's also part of sports. In any sports, it's a part. It's part of winning. Some people are smart; some people do a little extra thing to sell a call. To me, that's part of sports. You don't want to be obvious; the really, really bad ones you'd love to get rid of those. But if someone does get shoved or hit a little bit, just to sell it to the referees gives the call, I don't have a problem with that. That's part of the game. But the really obvious when there is nothing happening, and he doesn't get hit and he falls down, we do need to eliminate those." Even with the NBA issuing stiffer fines against the floppers, nothing has really stopped guys who are getting grazed turning the ensuing reaction into a cannon shot to the face. Because, as Dirk says, it's part of sports.
• Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer: Kentucky center Nerlens Noel will visit the Cavaliers on June 20, a source confirmed to The Plain Dealer on Tuesday. The date has been rumored in various media outlets, but the Cavs do not announce their pre-draft interview schedule and would not confirm the appointment. The Cavs have the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft on June 27, and Noel has been rumored to be the likely No. 1 choice, although he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in February. Reportedly he also broke the growth plate in the same knee in high school. … Should Noel not be the No. 1 pick, other options could be Kansas' Ben McLemore, Georgetown's Otto Porter Jr., UNLV's Anthony Bennett or Indiana's Victor Oladipo. The Cavs, who have stated they intend to make the playoffs next season, also could look at trading the pick to bring in a veteran or to move down in the draft.
• Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer: David Falk, the agent for Georgetown’s Otto Porter, confirmed to the Observer by text message Tuesday that Porter will only work out for the top three teams in the draft. That means the Bobcats at No. 4 won’t get a visit from Porter. It also suggests the Washington Wizards, with the third pick, are the floor for where Porter will land in the June 27 NBA draft. The Wizards have a strong need for a small forward, and Porter’s ties to the Washington area, via Georgetown, make him a logical selection for the Wizards. If Porter is off the board before the Bobcats pick, then they will have access to at least two of four other top prospects: Nerlens Noel of Kentucky, Ben McLemore of Kansas, Anthony Bennett of Nevada-Las Vegas and Victor Oladipo of Indiana.
• John Rohde of The Oklahoman: Pittsburgh center Steven Adams posted the above video of his trip to Oklahoma City on June 2 after his physical exam with the Thunder and the day before his workout with the team. Adams planned to share a video of the Thunder’s world-class facility and any OKC players he might come across. However, All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook advised Adams not to do so. Adams complied and now knows the protective ways of the Thunder. While many organizations are more than happy to share workout information, no such luck with the Thunder, which will always be clandestine in its approach under general manager Sam Presti.

• Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News: It took the Heat the better part of seven quarters, but they finally gave the Spurs a taste of their awesome open-court power with a 33-5 run to blow Game 2 open and even the Finals at 1-1. They did so by feasting on 17 turnovers for 19 points — a huge turnaround from Game 1, in which the Spurs tied a Finals record with four turnovers leading to eight Heat points. The Heat improved to 4-0 following Game 1 losses in the LeBron James era. James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade didn’t play particularly well, coming 25 points short of their combined season scoring average. But they were better than Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, who shot 10 for 33 with more turnovers (nine) than assists (eight). Add Kawhi Leonard going 4 for 12, and the Spurs’ hot outside shooting -- they made 10 3-pointers, including five without a miss from Danny Green -- could keep them afloat for only so long. “They just ran us over,” Ginobili said. … Miami’s in-house reporter, Couper Moorhead, refers to the Heat’s turnover-fueled frenzies as “Omega Swarms.” They entered that mode late in the third quarter, flipping what had been to a 62-61 deficit into a 94-67 advantage over the course of little more than eight minutes stretching into the fourth quarter. The Spurs missed 8 of 10 shots with six turnovers during that span, while Miami went 12 for 13 to take the first double-digit lead in the series for either team. … The message was received as Duncan conceded that the Spurs no longer have momentum even as they head home for three straight. “Not after tonight,” he said. “I think they regained that. Obviously we are glad to win a game here in Game 1. We have three at home, and we’re excited about that. But if we play like we did tonight, it’s not going to matter.”
• Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: The box score offered no delineation about a Big Three or a Chosen One. The shots were evenly distributed, as were the points, five players in double figures, two more with nine. So now the victories in this series are evenly distributed, as well. The NBA Finals are tied 1-1 heading to San Antonio for the next three. Heat 103, Spurs 84. Yet after this Sunday night performance atAmericanAirlines Arena, it could be argued that the Heat lead 1-1. In the wake of a Game 1 nail-biter, the Heat produced a Game 2 blowout. After Thursday's series opener, the question was how the Heat would solve Spurs guard Tony Parker. Now San Antonio takes flight with a wide range of concerns. Because it's not as simple as stopping LeBron James, which the Spurs did rather effectively for stretches Sunday, on what turned into his 7-of-17, 17-point night. It's accounting for Ray Allen and Mike Miller on the wing. It's stopping Dwyane Wade, and, yes, Mario Chalmers off the dribble. It's trying to keep Chris Bosh from retaining this double-double confidence. … For weeks now, we've waited for the support system to make it easier on LeBron, to ease the pain in Wade's knee, to help bolster Bosh's confidence. Then came this: When Chalmers was doing his Danny Green imitation, which, in Sunday's case, was a very good and very important thing, the duo, shockingly, their teams' leading scorers. When Miller turned into NBA Finals Mike Miller, sort of the Cadbury Easter Egg of June, available only for a limited period. When Allen answered all those questions from the earlier rounds of, "Why Ray Allen?" When Chris Andersen delivered a chorus of Birdman! Birdman!! Birdman!!!
• Ethan J. Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post: This is why he’s here. And this is why, with the Heat holding his $4 million option this summer, he’ll stick around. This is what makes him different, what makes his value impossible to measure by conventional statistics, what allows the Heat to tolerate his lapses in concentration, his consistent inconsistency. This is what Mario Chalmers does. This, at this point, is who he is. “You can’t teach that quality, that big-game guts,” coach Erik Spoelstra said after Chalmers catalyzed the Heat’s 103-84 victory in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. You can’t teach, and you don’t question. Not at this stage. Not on this stage. Not after he etched himself into Kansas history, with the shot that sent the NCAA Final to overtime. Not after he scored 18 points in Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals against Dallas, nearly saving the Heat after Spoelstra waited too long to re-insert him as a starter. Not after he scored 25 points in Game 4 of the 2012 NBA Finals against Oklahoma City, supplying Miami with the secondary offense to take control of the series. Not after his strong play against Indiana in the 2013 Eastern Conference finals, picking up some of the slack for the struggling Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. And certainly not after what he did Sunday night, with 19 points, no turnovers and a plus-30.
• David Mayo of MLive.com: When the Detroit Pistons officially announce Maurice Cheeks as their new head coach at a press conference early this week, the man whose third-year job referendum is a central focus of this change finally will take the stage in a public setting. Joe Dumars hasn't said much publically lately, and we're all still awaiting scheduling of the Pistons' annual postseason press conference, but the impact of this summer on his long-term restructuring plot has hit the rubber-meets-road point. The Pistons' president of basketball operations broke down a roster, through trades and expired contracts, and ultimately pushed for a coaching change with owner Tom Gores because he didn't want the Pistons' 2013-14 season -- the one on which his own job performance the last two years ultimately will be gauged -- falling to a coach whose hiring he didn't back in the first place. … It didn't go well last time and most general manager types wouldn't last long enough for a do-over all these years later. But most GM types didn't build a team that played in six consecutive conference finals. That era quickly is dwindling into a Once Upon a Time fable, but With Dumars' own fate tied so closely to next season, when his performance in the Gores era finally can be judged fairly, he earned this right to select who pulls the Pistons' game strings.
• Howard Beck of The New York Times: The Nets, in search of a coach to secure their future, are reaching into their past. Jason Kidd, whose arrival in 2001 transformed the franchise from laughingstock to contender, has placed his name in the candidate pool, according to a person briefed on the team’s coaching search. Kidd retired last week at age 40, after 19 seasons. His coaching aspirations were well known, although his decision to pursue a head coaching position so soon was a bit of a surprise. … It is unclear how seriously the Nets are considering Kidd, or how they will weigh his inexperience as a coach against his reputation as a leader and basketball savant. Kidd was known throughout his career as a highly intelligent player and a virtual coach on the court. The other top candidates include Lionel Hollins, the Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach, and Brian Shaw, the associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers.
• Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee: The Kings have been granted permission to interview Denver vice president of basketball operations Pete D'Alessandro in their search for a new leader of their basketball operations. An interview has not been scheduled, but could be as early as today. D'Alessandro worked with former Denver general manager Masai Ujiri. Ujiri won NBA Executive of the Year this season. … If D'Alessandro were to leave Denver, it would continue an offseason of upheaval. Besides Ujiri leaving, George Karl was fired last week. He was this season's Coach of the Year. D'Alessandro has spent three seasons with Denver. This season was his first as vice president after serving in an advisory role. D'Alessandro's focus was on trade and free-agent negotiations, salary cap management and collective bargaining agreement rules and regulations. Before joining the Nuggets, D'Alessandro worked for the Warriors' assistant general manager and director of basketball operations from 2004-08.
• Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald: Doc Rivers’ tie with Garnett, in particular, is as strong as any player-coach relationship in the league. Gregg Popovich has something this strong with Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, and that example is probably the only one left in this increasingly transient league. Garnett always has policed the locker room for Rivers, whose own credibility as a leader has rested on the Hall of Famer’s clout with teammates. It really wasn’t that long ago when Rivers nursed a perpetual headache courtesy of the locker room damage done by bad chemistry guys like Ricky Davis and Mark Blount. Even Pierce wasn’t quite a unifying force before Garnett’s arrival. Rivers now has to be wondering about a locker room controlled by Rajon Rondo. The mercurial guard, to his credit, has been working the room. Avery Bradley, Jeff Green and Courtney Lee all happily follow him. But there’s a great unknown with Rondo. He’s moody, hasn’t always got along with Rivers, and has an indefatigable stubborn streak. Save for an unlikely major trade that would allow the Celtics to re-tool on the fly in exchange for the loss of Pierce and Garnett, a Rondo locker room will signal deep rebuilding.
• John Mtchell of The Philadelphia Inquirer: One by one, the recycled names that come up every year - the ones that this year the 76ers were whispered to be interested in as their next coach - have come off the board. … So, what does this mean for the Sixers? Perhaps that president of basketball operations and general manager Sam Hinkie is going to go outside of the box, by choice or by necessity, in naming the first coach he will ever hire. After all, with desirable destinations such as Brooklyn, Denver, the Los Angeles Clippers (and maybe Memphis) searching for coaches, rest assured that the Sixers, unlike the Eagles and Michael Vick, are certain where they stand on a desirability depth chart of the remaining vacancies around the league. In the limited contact local media members have had with Hinkie - surely you have noticed how scarce the Sixers have made the former Houston Rockets assistant general manager - he has established what appears to be a meticulous route to what will be a career-defining hire for him. … When Hinkie finally does make a decision, he will be completely tied to his success or failure. If it is the latter, at some point the question will be raised whether or not (and why) he waited so long to pull the trigger or whether or not he outsmarted the pack and knew exactly what he was doing.
• Bob Finnan of The News-Herald: The Cavaliers have kept their eye on Maryland 7-foot-1, 255-pound center Alex Len. They like him a lot. Do they like him enough to take him with the No. 1 pick? He won't be working out for any teams before the draft because he had surgery on a stress fracture in his left ankle, but he can meet with them. "I'm trying to be proactive and do the right things," Len said. "I want to be smart about it. I don't want to hurt it. When the doctors say I'm ready to play, then I'll play. "It's hard. You want to be out there and show scouts what you can do. It sucks to not be out there." Scouts have compared him to former Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. "I watched him while I was growing up," Len said. "He's really famous overseas. He played in Cleveland for almost 15 years. I like his style of play. He has good size. He can step out and shoot. It's similar to my game."
• Michael Lee of The Washington Post: The Wizards will finally begin to meet candidates for the third overall selection on Wednesday, when UNLV freshman forward Anthony Bennett will visit with the team for the first time at Verizon Center. … Most draft boards have the Wizards selecting Georgetown sophomore forward Otto Porter with the No. 3 pick, but the team remains split on which direction to go, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation. Porter will meet with the Wizards on Thursday and work out the next day. An Eastern Conference assistant general manager said Porter is the “safest” pick of the two but added that Bennett has a “much bigger upside” while being a “riskier” choice. “The hard thing for me is not knowing Bennett’s physical since he didn’t take one in Chicago,” the executive said. “But if it’s fine, then I would take Bennett.” A Western Conference assistant general manager disagreed, preferring Porter over Bennett. The executive argued that Bennett will be a bench player similar to Brandon Bass, Rodney Rogers or Corliss Williamson, while Porter could be a complementary, starting small forward like Tayshaun Prince or Shane Battier for a “dynamic back court” in Wall and Bradley Beal.
• Craig Grialou of ArizonaSports.com: Finding a player to draft with the fifth overall pick is not difficult -- the number of options may make it difficult, but even the most casual college basketball fan can tell you who the top players were in a given season. Now, finding a player late in the draft, say No. 30 or No. 57, picks the Suns own this year, that takes a real basketball junkie. Enter Suns GM Ryan McDonough, who is preparing for his 11th NBA Draft. "As you go later in the draft, the pool widens," he said. "It's a challenge, but I enjoy it." Good players, even star players, can be found in the back half of the draft. McDonough, celebrating his first month on the job, has had success finding those gems. He was part of a Boston Celtics front office staff that landed Kendrick Perkins in 2003 (27th overall), Delonte West and Tony Allen in 2004 (24th and 25th overall), Rajon Rondo in 2006 (21st overall) and Glen Davis in 2007 (35th overall). "The good teams hit in the 20s and the 30s every year, the playoff teams," McDonough said. "That's how San Antonio and Boston, some of those teams have sustained their level. There are good players there."
• Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times: Maybe it was merely a coincidence. Then, again, maybe it wasn’t. When the Milwaukee Bucks hired Larry Drew as their head coach last week, he may have received a boost from two of the team’s best players: power forward Ersan Ilyasova and center Larry Sanders. Both of those players are represented by Andy Miller, one of the NBA’s most powerful and influential agents. While player agents are prohibited from “representing” coaches — in an apparent attempt to avoid a conflict of interest — they can circumvent the rule by being “advisors.” Miller has served in an advisory role for Drew in the past and has a close relationship with him. Additionally, Miller’s agency represents Larry Drew II, the Bucks’ coach’s son who was UCLA’s starting point guard last season. Miller and his agency represent several other players in this year’s draft as well, including Sergey Karasev, a 6-foot-7 small forward from Russia. The Bucks have the 15th overall pick and are believed to have more than a passing interest in him.
• Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman: Tony Allen wants to rejuvenate his Oklahoma roots. Wish that meant Allen signing a cut-rate contract with the Thunder. That would be mighty fine for those of us who enjoy big-time NBA basketball. Instead, Allen is going a more humanitarian route. He's hosting a basketball camp at his old haunt of Gallagher-Iba Arena. And Allen is footing the bill for the Grit & Grind Basketball Skills Academy from July 29-31 in Stillwater. For $4,000, Allen is renting the coliseum in which he once starred. “Just looking at how I came up, pretty much started in Oklahoma,” said Allen, who went to high school at Chicago's Crane Tech, then played at two junior colleges before landing at OSU. “Great times in Stillwater,” Allen said, of making the 2004 Final Four. “Feel like jump-started my career.”

• Greg Cote of The Miami Herald: This is what champions do. They rise up. They answer doubts and opponents with a vengeance and assassin’s eyes. They somehow summon their greatness just when the stage is biggest and loudest, just when you wonder if they can. And they do it when everything is teetering — when they simply must. The Heat rose up here Monday night. Emphatically, in one of the biggest games in the history of South Florida sports, the Heat rose up. Dwyane Wade rose up, too. And LeBron James? At one point in the second quarter he rose so high for an alley-oop dunk that he literally had to tilt his head so it wouldn’t bang into the rim. That was the Heat, all night. Rising. And lifting a city with it. Everybody and everything the Heat needed responded. The champs played like it when there was absolutely no option not to, and that is why Miami is headed back to the NBA Finals for a chance at a repeat title. Never a doubt, right? (Right!?).
• Mike Wells of The Indianapolis Star: One by one, most of the Pacers made their way over to the Miami Heat to congratulate them for advancing to the NBA Finals for the third straight season. But there were two players who had zero interest in shaking hands with the team they’ll continue to chase as long as LeBron James is on the Heat – or any other team in the Eastern Conference. Roy Hibbert and David West – like Boston’s Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo last season – weren’t interested with shaking hands, giving daps or giving hugs to the Heat. For West, it’s simple. He’s old school. He’s like the players in the 1980’s. He doesn’t have time to be buddies with his opponent. That’s why West never shook hands with any Heat players during the 10 meetings this season. For Hibbert, it was different. He’s never played with any of the Heat players. He respects them, but it wasn’t the time to be crashing their party. “I know some of our guys have played on teams with some of them, but I don’t know them personally,” Hibbert explained to The Star. “It was their moment because they won. I have tremendous respect for them, but I don’t know any of those guys personally and I didn’t want to interrupt their moment.” Just like losing in the second round to the Heat last season fueled the Pacers, expect their brutal performance in Game 7 to cause them to do the same thing next season.
• Harvey Araton of The New York Times: Back on the league’s biggest stage, Miami and San Antonio will make for a compelling series of ultimate contrasts in team-building cultures. There will be, or should be, a great deal of sentiment for Duncan, 37, and the small-market organization that has endured with him as its centerpiece in three decades. Matched against a more freewheeling opponent that does not play brawny basketball, Indiana style, the smallish Heat could well resemble the team that ran off 27 straight regular-season victories. So perhaps James and Wade will look back on the Pacers series and squabbles as nothing more than scenes from a marriage, the low end of thick and thin. But once these finals are over, get ready for a 2013-14 N.B.A. story line that will be dominating, fascinating and ultimately enervating. Even now, with Miami again four victories from a title, this microwaved championship city has to be asking itself: when Decision II is made, will it be lights, camera and a South Beach retraction for the best player on the planet?
• Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News: The NBA got a little dumber Monday. That’s what happens when the smartest man in the game walks away. Jason Kidd announced his retirement after 19 years in the league, most of them spent winning because that’s what he was best at. Winning and making his teammates look good. Now? It would be appropriate if another person who usually is the smartest man in the room, Mark Cuban, took the high road and offered Kidd a job — not on the court but in the front office. Think of it as a forerunner to having Kidd’s No. 2 retired to the rafters. As you no doubt recall, it did not end well for Cuban and Kidd. Last July, Kidd said he was ready to return to the Mavericks before backtracking and joining the New York Knicks. Cuban was rightfully stung by the process. He thought he had his crunch-time point guard back. Then he had to scramble to come up with other alternatives, none of which was as good. But that’s not the first, nor the last, time that an NBA executive has been stood up. Short memories can be a blessing in some situations, and this is one of them.
• Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News: Although he described his uncertain future as "draining" and "not ideal" in his exit interview last month, Pau Gasol also said he respects the Lakers for their indecisiveness toward him. "I think the team has shown they would like to keep me," Gasol said. "But I understand there's a lot of other factors that come into place. Those factors cannot be ignored." There's plenty. First, the Lakers won't do anything with Gasol unless they receive clarity on Howard's future. If Howard stays, the Lakers have to weigh various scenarios. The Lakers could trade Gasol in hopes of finding a younger and more suitable player for Mike D'Antoni's perimeter-oriented system after Gasol averaged a career-low 13.7 points on 46.6 percent shooting. The Lakers could waive Gasol via the amnesty provision. Or the Lakers could listen to Kobe Bryant's insistence to keep Gasol, hoping he'll become the dominant post player that secured three consecutive Finals appearances and two NBA championships after the Lakers acquired him from Memphis five years ago. … The Lakers expect Gasol to return to basketball-related activities within nine weeks. As he heads to his native Spain this week, Gasol hopes that time span also coincides with assurances his last days in Los Angeles didn't serve as a definitive goodbye.
• Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee: Michael Malone walked into the interview room, sat next to majority owner Vivek Ranadive and didn't dance around the overriding issues: Defense and DeMarcus Cousins. That's where it starts, with a two-step outline. For the Kings' annual appearances in the NBA lottery to end, Malone insisted, the defense has to be a factor instead of indefensible, and Cousins has to reward his new bosses – who are planting their feet firmly on his side of the fence – and fulfill his immense potential. "At the end of the day, these players are all going to have a choice to make," Malone said during his introductory news conference Monday. "You're either going to embrace the change or you're going to resist." As he approaches his fourth season, Cousins remains the great divide, which makes him Malone's No. 1 challenge. There are those who believe Cousins will benefit from the ownership and organizational changes and mature into one of the game's most dominant big men. But there are those who stare at his 6-foot-11, 270-pound frame, are scared off by his frequent outbursts and expressive demeanor, and wouldn't let him near their foxhole. Here, though, they're all in. Malone wants Cousins as his cornerstone. Ranadive wants Cousins on the floor and in his foxhole, and he wants Cousins to become a familiar figure in his native India. "I'd like nothing better than a billion Indians to know who DeMarcus Cousins is," Ranadive said.
• Steve Hummer of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Q. Both Danny Ferry and Bud said (last week) that expect to have heated exchanges in the decisions that have to be made. How does that relationship work where you can walk out of that room unified? Gregg Popovich: “The ability to initially disagree and discuss, come to a conclusion and then follow that as a team speaks to people’s character, maturity and ability to be comfortable in their own skins. That is the kind of people who can get that done. If you don’t have those qualities, you can’t do that. Bud’s imminently used to that. We have a participatory sort of style here the way we do things. If I’m having a meeting about players or free agents or whatever it might be, R.C. and his guys are in the room, whether it’s been Danny or Dell Demps or Sam Presti or whoever, Bud will be in there and probably one or two other coaches. Maybe eight, nine, 10 people will be there. We will get feisty and we all are a bunch of wise asses to some degree anyway, and we give each other crap and this, that or the other and we get through it. If it takes four minutes or four hours, it doesn’t matter. We get through it together. By the time we finish, everybody has been convinced one way or the other and by the time you leave the room it’s one decision and everybody follows it – to the extent that if anybody doesn’t give their opinion, their ass will be out of here soon because I don’t need it.”
• Jason Quick of The Oregonian: The Trail Blazers on Monday hired 26-year-old Chris Stackpole to replace longtime medical director Jay Jensen, a move that some in the sports medicine industry tout as a cutting-edge hire. “I don’t think there is any question the Blazers are ahead of the curve with this hire; they’ve got a rising star, a guy who would be doing this for another professional team somewhere very quickly if they didn’t hire him,’’ said Mike Boyle, strength-and-conditioning consultant for the Boston Red Sox, with whom Stackpole served an internship. “I’m not familiar with what has gone on there in the past, but what you will see is what is widely viewed as as much more modern - even futuristic - to some people.’’ Stackpole, who at Boston University earned a doctorate degree in physical therapy and a bachelor of science degree in athletic training, gained recognition while serving a 2011 internship with the Oklahoma City Thunder, during which center Kendrick Perkins lost 32 pounds and more than 10 percent body fat while working with Stackpole for six months during the lockout. In his first full-time job a professional sports team, Stackpole said he will adopt a similar philosophy with the Blazers as he did with Perkins, using a “holistic approach to nutrition, rehabilitation, sport training and recovery methods. The first thing I will do is identify what players - whether they were drafted or undrafted - are at the highest risk of injury,’’ Stackpole said. “We will do that by movement screens, baseline tests. We will look at how they function, then design programs for the athlete so we can decrease their risk.’’ Stackpole replaces Jensen, who last month was fired after 19 years as the team’s head athletic trainer and medical director.
• Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press: Some Detroit Pistons fans might be surprised to learn that Thunder assistant Maurice Cheeks has emerged as a strong candidate for the head coaching job. He had uneven tenures as the head coach of the Blazers and Sixers — his last stint was in 2008-09, when he was fired 23 games into the season with the Sixers. But maybe part of the appeal has something to do with Brandon Knight, who has two promising, yet inconsistent, seasons. Do the Pistons think Cheeks’ presence could help Knight develop into a top-flight guard after his work with Thunder All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook? Many cite Cheeks’ influence as a main reason for Westbrook’s development. … Don’t get too focused on Cheeks because former NBA head coach Nate McMillan remains a major candidate. But it’s a safe bet Knight’s name has come up during Cheeks’ three interviews with Pistons officials.
• Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post: John Thompson III also offered up Paul George, one of the breakout stars of these playoffs, as a potential NBA comparison for Otto Porter. “I think he’s going to be terrific,” the coach said. “Otto is someone who, with his size and his length and his athleticism and his intelligence, initially, right out of the gate, offensively he’ll be able to play multiple positions. And then as he gets stronger on the other end of the court, he’ll be able to guard multiple positions. Whoever gets him is going to get someone that is NBA-ready, to come in and contribute at a high level right out of the gate….A good comparison with him, I think, is Paul George, when you look at someone with that size, how he can affect the game from the defensive end, how offensively he poses problems. Because he can take you off the bounce, because he can make a shot, because he can go inside.”
• Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer: Former Cavaliers center Vitaly Potapenko is returning to the team as a player-development coach, NBA sources have confirmed. The move was first reported by Yahoo Sports. Potapenko, 38, has been an assistant coach in the NBA and the Development League, most recently with the Santa Cruz Warriors. Player-development coaches work with players at practice, but typically do not travel. Coach Mike Brown has hired Phil Handy and Igor Kokoskov as assistant bench coaches.
• Bob Wolfley and Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl has no interest in tearing his team down and rebuilding. But he is interested — in fact "dedicated" to use his own word — to getting a new arena built to keep his National Basketball Association franchise in Milwaukee. Kohl talked about his team and the importance of getting a new building at a news conference Monday at the BMO Harris Bradley Center to introduce Bucks coach Larry Drew. The 78-year-old owner, who sat in the audience with members of Drew's family, fielded questions from reporters from his seat after Drew and Bucks general manager John Hammond had spoken. Kohl is confident a new arena will be built to replace the $91 million Bradley Center, which opened on Oct. 1, 1988. Kohl said it was matter of when a new arena will be built, not if it will be built. "We have to find a way and we will find a way," Kohl said. "We know we have to find a way to a new facility and we will. The question is when and how. But we will because that is the future of not only the Bucks ... Milwaukee and Wisconsin need a 21st century sports and entertainment complex." Kohl said repeatedly during his remarks that the new facility is not just for his basketball team — in a manner Miller Park is for the Brewers and Lambeau Field is for the Packers — but a multiple-purpose entertainment center.

• Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer: Earl Boykins had a message for Kyrie Irving after Wednesday's reports that Cavaliers coach Mike Brown has hired assistant Igor Kokoskov. "You're going to love this guy," Boykins said in a telephone interview from his home in Denver. "He believes point guards should have the ball all the time." Kokoskov, a Serbian native who became a U.S. citizen in 2010, has spent 13 years in the NBA, starting with the Los Angeles Clippers and then the Detroit Pistons before joining the Phoenix Suns five years ago. He served as the Suns' unofficial offensive coordinator after Lindsay Hunter replaced Alvin Gentry earlier this season. … Boykins was with Kokoskov for two seasons in Los Angeles, where Kokoskov became the first full-time foreign-born assistant coach in NBA history in 2000. He also is the coach of the Georgian national team featuring Zaza Pachulia. "He's very, very creative," said Boykins, who hopes for one more shot in the NBA next season. "I liked Igor. A real good guy. He only gave you suggestions. He didn't tell you, 'You should do this or you should do that.' The way that he approached players, he's very personable. He has a lot of tricks." Kokoskov is the second assistant hired by Brown, joining Phil Handy, the Lakers former development coach. Assistant Jamahl Mosley remains on the staff.
• Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post: The Nuggets are in a holding pattern, waiting to hear which team Masai Ujiri will run next season — Denver or Toronto. No decision was made Wednesday by the 42-year-old Ujiri, who won the NBA's executive of the year award this past season. Ujiri had verbally agreed to a multimillion-dollar, multiyear deal with Denver, Nuggets president Josh Kroenke told The Denver Post last week, but when the Toronto job opened, Ujiri interviewed with his former team. ESPN reported that Ujiri's contract with Toronto could be for as much as $3 million per year for a five-year deal.
• Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun: Come now, a well thought out move is one thing, but it’s about time to do your business or get off the pot. Yes, we’re talking about Masai Ujiri’s imminent arrival or — equally likely at this point — his gracious refusal of Toronto’s offer to become the Raptors’ next general manager. Earlier this week we wrote that we expected Ujiri would take his time with this. We just didn’t think it would take this long. … But there is work that needs to be done whether that’s re-affirming the coaches that were employed that they will in fact be back or much worse going out and replacing all or some of them. As it stands now, three highly respected names have already gone from available to taken and that’s just in the past few days. Atlanta scooped up Mike Budenholzer, long-time assistant to Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, the Bobcats snared Steve Clifford, former Lakers assistant, and Phoenix opted for former NBA player Jeff Hornacek. The Sacramento Kings are reportedly locked in on former Canadian National team assistant and more recently Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Malone as well, though the Clippers are said to have an interest there, too. Calls right now are being made to fill out those staffs, meaning the pickings for assistants are getting slimmer and slimmer. Perhaps more importantly is that the time frame Ujiri, or whomever winds up moving into that general manager’s office in the Air Canada Centre to make significant changes, is shrinking by the day. … Bottom line: A new GM is going to need some time to put whatever stamp on this team he chooses and if that includes the draft then the franchise is already on the clock. So what do you say? Thursday sound good for everyone?
• Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star: They’ve dangled sole control of all personnel decisions and the security of a multi-year contract. The Raptors have done everything short of cutting a big, gold key inscribed “To The Castle” and hanging it round his neck. But Ujiri wants to think about it. That’s the Raptors problem. When an opportunity pops up to move to Toronto — no matter how good — everybody everywhere in the NBA wants to think about it. Put aside the white noise about “class” organizations and rings you’re never going to win in Denver, Toronto or two-thirds of the rest of the NBA. Just ask yourself this — if someone offered you a 500 per cent raise, how long would you need to turn it over in your mind? You’d need the three seconds it’d take to bite open the tip of your index finger and sign the contract in your own blood, just in case the pen didn’t work. But Ujiri needs to think. About doing the same job in a better city for a lot more money. That’s the frightening part. If Ujiri is willing to forego years of earning power in order to stay in Denver, he must see the Toronto job as a career killer. If one of the brightest young minds in the NBA takes an objective look at the Raptors and says to himself, “That can’t be fixed,” we’ve got much bigger problems than nameplates on the boss’s door.
• Steve Luhm of The Salt Lake Tribune: Karl Malone is returning to the Utah Jazz — not as a 50-year-old power forward but as a part-time tutor for the team’s young big men, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Malone was approached by head coach Tyrone Corbin about the possibility of him working with Favors and Kanter after the season. The franchise’s chain of command recently signed off on the idea and CEO Greg Miller spoke of the team’s new relationship during a Wednesday afternoon radio interview. "Everything is about timing," Malone said, "and the timing is right. The fact they think I might be able to help is pretty neat. … "I’m not getting bored or anything. I’ve got plenty to do. But I also grew up playing basketball my whole life, so this is exciting for me." At the same time, Malone didn’t make any promises. He called Favors and Kanter "two of the most talented bigs in the NBA right now" but added, "If someone is looking for Karl Malone to come in and wave a magic wand, that ain’t happening. These kids will be as good as they want to be. It’s up to them."
• Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times: The Bucks are likely to lose starting shooting guard Monta Ellis, who has an opt-out in his contract after this season, and veteran backup shooting guard J.J.Redick, who is an unrestricted free agent. What’s more, Brandon Jennings is a restricted free agent who, after the last opening-round playoff game against Miami, publicly stated he wasn’t sure if he wanted to play for the Bucks next season. … The Bucks are almost certain to pursue a guard in free agency as well. There will be several fine guards available, including veteran Devin Harris of the Atlanta Hawks. Harris, 30, is coming off a solid season with the Atlanta Hawks. He was a part-time starter during the regular season and a full-time starter in the playoffs. In fact, Harris averaged a whopping 37.5 minutes a game in the postseason. The fact Harris has been a starter for most of his career and, at 6-foot-3, can deftly play both point guard and shooting guard will make him an attractive free agent. Asked if he would entertain the possibility of signing with the Bucks, Harris, a former Wauwatosa East High School and University of Wisconsin star, said: “I would. Of course. Who wouldn’t want to play for their hometown team? “I know they got a lot of decisions to make, but I know I would be interested in them. If it’s going to work out, who knows?”
• Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman: Reggie Jackson is rapidly rounding out his game. But there's one thing still missing. A reliable 3-point shot. As the Thunder point guard prepares for his third NBA season, strengthening that skill will be one of Jackson's main goals this summer. It certainly will be the most important one. Jackson made just 23.1 percent of his 3-pointers this season, ranking last among players with at least 100 attempts. Serge Ibaka made a higher percentage. Shoot, Ronnie Brewer made a higher percentage. So you know Jackson struggled from beyond the arc. It was a weakness that lingered as the biggest hole in Jackson's game and stood out for the wrong reasons in what was an otherwise fantastic season of growth. “He still needs to continue to improve and he will,” said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. “He's a guy that loves the gym. He's going to have another big summer of improvement. We'll be with him step by step in that improvement.”
• Joe Freeman of The Oregonian: The next phase of the Trail Blazers’ 2013 offseason begins on Thursday, when the team hosts its first predraft workout in preparation for the NBA Draft. Blazers GM Neil Olshey does not release the names of predraft visitors until shortly before workouts open to the media, so it’s unclear who the visitors will be or how many prospects will be roaming the practice facility in Tualatin. But it’s an important day, nonetheless. NBA front offices place significant value on predraft workouts. Sure, Olshey and his staff have evaluated many of these players extensively for nearly a year. In some cases, they’ve been monitoring the players since they were in high school. But bringing them to Portland allows the Blazers’ brass to put them through tailor-made workouts and to test their athleticism and basketball ability in a variety of ways. Also, perhaps most important, Olshey and the Blazers will gain valuable insight into the personality and character of players through face-to-face interviews and interaction.
• Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune: Representatives from 26 teams, including NBA coaches Mike Woodson, Randy Wittman and Rick Adelman, evaluated two days of workouts that ended Wednesday at Target Center. Michigan State’s Tom Izzo was there, too. What was a college coach doing among all those NBA executives? Izzo is serving as something of a draft consultant to buddy Flip Saunders while he waits until after the draft before reconfiguring the team’s front office. “He’s good because he has seen a lot of these guys play, recruited a lot of these players,” said Saunders, the Wolves’ president of basketball operations. “Him coming in to look and talk just helps, gives you insight. One of the biggest things you want to do is background checks, so you know as much about these players now and where they were four or five years, what improvement they’ve made. Have they reached their full potential or do they have a lot more to go? He’s good for that.” Saunders and Izzo on Wednesday finished two days of workouts featuring Gophers forward Rodney Williams, Wisconsin centerJared Berggren, Illinois guard Brandon Paul and others — players just hoping to hear their names called in the second round of next month’s NBA draft.
• Staff of The Dallas Morning News: Explain what the philosophy is on free agency is this summer and signing guys to longer-term deals. Mark Cuban: "Last year, we knew we would be able to have some cap room continuity between this year and next year. Dirk's contract comes up after this year; Trix's contract comes up after this coming year. That changes all the math. Now, we want to start building a team that has continuity. We want to be able to say, 'OK, look, if we get the big name, we're not gonna have a lot of other cap space and it'll be a two-year deal - big name this year and fill around next year or possibly even another big name next year depending on how things plays out.' If we don't get the big name, then we want to start building that base of a team that can start having some continuity of playing together. We have a lot more flexibility."
• Michael Lee of The Washington Post: The Washington Wizards lucked into the third overall pick in the June 27 draft after jumping up five spots at the NBA draft lottery. There certainly isn’t a player in consideration at No. 3 expected to be a franchise building block like Jordan, but history has often smiled upon teams in picking third. Jordan, Bob Cousy, Pete Maravich, Dominique Wilkins (1982) and Kevin McHale (1980) all posted Hall of Fame careers after being snubbed by the teams drafting first and second, and Carmelo Anthony (2003), Grant Hill (1994), Anfernee Hardaway (1993), Chauncey Billups (1997) and Pau Gasol (2001) have made multiple all-star appearances after going third. Franchise building blocks are often found among the top three picks, but since 1980 the third overall choice actually trumps the second pick in terms of players who have made the Hall of Fame and made at least one all-star selection. A
• Mark Berman of the New York Post: According to an NBA source, Woodson has only one more fully guaranteed year left on his pact. The final year of the pact — 2014-15 — is not guaranteed. The three-year deal signed Memorial Day weekend last year is worth $10.5 million, the source said. Some league observers were surprised Woodson didn’t get a guaranteed third year. Woodson fired his longtime agent, the late Joe Glass, and hired the superagency CAA, which represents a handful of Knicks. Glass, who had been Larry Brown’s agent, had warred with Knicks owner James Dolan during Brown’s messy exit and multiple reports suggested the owner made Woodson change agents. (Glass died in November.) Woodson’s guaranteed portion of the contract coincides with Carmelo Anthony’s opt-out clause next summer. The Knicks can give Anthony a contract extension no earlier than mid-February.
• Richard Walker of the Gaston Gazette: New Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford was reluctant to declare a “playoffs or bust” goal for the upcoming season. Of course, given the franchise’s woeful past, it would be hard for any coach hired here to make such a proclamation. Clifford was officially introduced Wednesday as the Bobcats’ sixth head coach. Since none of his predecessors lasted longer than inaugural coach Bernie Bickerstaff’s three years, a reasonable goal for Clifford would be to simply last long enough to coach the Charlotte “Hornets”; Owner Michael Jordan applied to the NBA last week for the franchise to inherit that name in the 2014-15 season. More directly, Clifford’s goal will be to become this franchise’s Flip Saunders or Lionel Hollins. What do those coaches have to do with the Bobcats you ask? Saunders and Hollins were the first coaches to guide the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies franchises, respectively, to playoff victories. And based on their current path, the Bobcats unfortunately are following the path of those two longest-suffering of franchises in recent NBA expansion history.
• Roger Simmons of the Orlando Sentinel: Shaq soda? Just in time for the hot Florida summer, former Magic center Shaquille O'Neal is launching a new line of sodas. O'Neal made the annoucement on Twitter today to his 7.1 million followers. "Yo! @DrinkAriZona Just launched the new delicious #SodaShaq! Keep up kids :-) Comin to stores very soon," he tweeted. Beverage industry website BevNet.com reports that O'Neal's deal with AriZona Beverages includes the launch of "Soda Shaq" flavored cream sodas "in AriZona’s well known giant 23.5 oz. cans." The Shaq cream soda flavors are strawberry, orange, vanilla and blueberry and have 90 calories each. BevNet says Soda Shaq has a suggeted retail price of $.99 price "and come emblazoned with one of eight photos of the big man’s unique facial expressions."

• Mike Wells of The Indianapolis Star: So you think Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel had a difficult time getting over taking Roy Hibbert out in the third quarter of Game 2 against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals? What he did in Game 1 — with Hibbert again — against the Miami Heat should have caused him to toss and turn in his hotel bed, pace the floor in his room and look at himself in the mirror most of the night. Vogel put Hibbert on the bench in the final seconds of overtime. But wait, it gets better. The coach did it twice. And both times the Heat, well LeBron James, scored. The last one cost the Pacers the opportunity to take the first game of the Eastern Conference finals.
• Bob Kravitz of The Indianapolis Star: This was the game the Pacers had to have, nearly had, should have had. They controlled the tempo. They held the edge on the boards. They turned Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat into an MMA muscle-fest, replete with bloody noses, harsh words, knees to the nether regions and flying elbows ... And still lost. They had it where they wanted it, how they wanted it, slow and methodical and punishing. They limited Dwyane Wade, kept Chris Bosh under control, led by a point with 2.2 seconds remaining in overtime ... And still lost. Miami 103, Indiana 102. In overtime. On a LeBron James drive and layup at the buzzer. This one hurts. “This one really hurts,” Paul George said later. Because it was right there. Because the Pacers let it get away, and they let it get away in part because of a curious coaching move, one that was more curious than Vogel’s ill-considered timeout in the Knicks series. … After the game, Vogel looked shell-shocked. “We’ve got to play better,” he said. “... You have to play a near-perfect game to beat this team. We played a very good basketball game, but we have to play better.” They need to coach better, too.
• Dave Hyde of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: This is how this night went: Punch. Counter-punch. Heat take a small, second-half lead. Indiana battles right back. Indiana goes ahead. The Heat fight their way back. One lesson learned is if you give Indiana any room, any room at all, you will pay. Ray Allen, the Heat's best foul shooter, stood at the line with just over 17 seconds left in regulation and a chance to seal the game. In the previous seconds, Wade ran down the lane to break the tie and Indiana's George threw the ball out of bounds. So here was Allen, ready to seal the game. He put up the first free throw and … Missed? He missed. … Remember, Wednesday night was supposed to be the start, the actual start, of the Heat's playoff push, too. Their first-round opponent, Milwaukee, was the weakest team in the field. Last round, Chicago could barely field a team it was so hurt. Indiana has enough pieces to be dangerous, if allowed. But if the Heat are who most of us think they are — "We're a great team," LeBron said a few days ago — then Indiana can provide some tense nights without a dramatic series. All you know is the Heat won an unwinnable game this first meeting. LeBron took the ball to the basket and a night that would have sat ugly for the Heat has them up 1-0. On to Game 2 we go.
• Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News: Tony Parker’s three-day layoff between Games 2 and 3 of the Western Conference finals will include a precautionary MRI on Thursday to track the progress of his bruised left calf. Parker was initially injured 12 days ago in Game 3 of the conference semifinal series against Golden State, resulting in what he described as “by far” the biggest bruise he’s ever had. “The calf is doing better,” he said. “Doing the MRI…just to make sure. It definitely limited me in the limit me in the last (three) games against Golden State and those two games (against Memphis). “But slowly and surely I’m turning the corner. Those three days arrive at a perfect time for me, so I’m definitely going to use them wisely. I’ll be ready to go on Saturday.” Parker is averaging 18 points in five games since the injury, alternating two strong shooting performances (9 for 16 and 9 for 14) around three poor ones (6 for 17, 3 for 16, 6 for 20).
• Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News: An ESPN report said Howard devoted part of a separate meeting with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak following his formal exit interview three weeks ago to lament how Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni made him feel "marginalized." Kupchak said that didn't happen. "Criticism of a coach did not come up," Kupchak said Wednesday in a phone interview. "Our coach did not come up." … Kupchak won't have clarity on Howard's future anytime soon. A source familiar with Howard's thinking says he plans to test free agency and has considered the Lakers, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Golden State. Nothing remains binding, though. The source added Howard's main concern involves "what team he feels has the best chance to win championships, has the best team and system around him." The source also stressed Howard has not and will not ask the Lakers to make any moves on his behalf. Kupchak acknowledged the team has made unspecified contingency plans in case Howard leaves. Either way, Howard can't officially re-sign until July 10 when a moratorium on NBA business is lifted.
• Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times: The Clippers have begun their search for a new coach to replace Vinny Del Negro, with the hope that they can find someone who is capable of molding the team into a championship contender. But it will not be an easy task to find someone of that stature. Currently, there are only four active NBA coaches who have won an NBA championship — San Antonio's Gregg Popovich, Boston's Doc Rivers, Dallas' Rick Carlisle and Miami's Eric Spoelstra. Not only that, but only nine coaches have won an NBA championship dating back to 1987. Of course, Phil Jackson has 11 of those NBA rings, Popovich four and Pat Riley three during that span. That's how difficult it is to win an NBA championship. It will be up to the Clippers' front office to compile a list of potential coaching candidates, vet them, narrow the list down and then give the names to owner Donald Sterling.
• Bob Finnan of The News-Herald: Nerlens Noel is ranked No. 1 on most teams' draft boards. He's 6-foot-11 3/4, 206 pounds and is long. He has a 7-3 3/4 wingspan and a 9-2 standing reach. One can see why he led the NCAA in blocked shots at 4.4 per game. The Cavs were the only team in the NBA last year that didn't have a player average at least 1.0 block per game. Center Tyler Zeller was the team leader at 0.91 per game. Noel could be added to Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson to form a decent group of post defenders. Noel wouldn't be a starter, at least early on, but could be an energy player off the bench. There are drawbacks. First of all, he tore his ACL on Feb. 12. He said he's been told he could return to the court in December, but even that could be pushing it. … His weight of 206 pounds is slight for a shooting guard, much less a post player. Twenty-five pounds would need to be added once he comes to the NBA. Can he hold his spot on defense? Not at 206 pounds. Offensively, there's not much there. He can dunk and run the floor. Teams view him as a blank slate. Many believe he can be taught to shoot and score around the basket. For what it's worth, Gilbert and Grant both say the Cavs are not leaning toward anyone with the No. 1 pick.
• Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News: Because of their clear intentions of making a huge run at Dwight Howard, the Mavericks will have to consider all options when it comes to assets on their roster. That includes the possibility of trading their draft pick to save the roughly $1.7 million that the pick counts against the salary cap. Doesn’t mean they will trade it. But they have to clear a few more million to make sure that they can offer Howard the maximum contract allowed under the collective bargaining agreement. It would be painful to give up the pick, but there’s a way the Mavericks could do it with a minimal amount of hurt. They owe the Oklahoma City Thunder a first-round pick before 2018. That pick is protected through the first 20 picks of the draft. But if the Mavericks don’t convey it by 2017, the Thunder gets the pick no matter when it is in the 2018 draft. The Mavericks are drafting 13th this year, which means it won’t go to OKC. But what if they went to the Thunder and said, we’ll give you that pick to complete the roundabout set of trades that ended up giving Oklahoma City the Mavericks’ pick (it went through the Lakers and Rockets). The Mavericks could get back a future second rounder and maybe a spare part off the OKC roster like the expiring contract of Ronnie Brewer. What comes back in return isn’t important. The key is the Mavericks would have satisfied that trade requirement by shipping the pick to OKC, wouldn’t be taking back any salary for this season and therefore would clear a nice hunk of cash to apply toward Howard’s salary.
• Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman: And on a warm Wednesday afternoon, the second day of rebuilding, the people within this Westmoore subdivision of Moore welcomed a much-needed symbol of hope. Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant. One day after donating his money, Durant traveled back to Oklahoma to give his time. He did anything and everything he could to bring a smile to as many faces as possible. He shook hands and gave hugs. He posed for pictures and signed autographs. Not once did Durant turn down a request, graciously scribbling his signature on anything he was handed. A pair of shoes. A hat. A Thunder mug. A team program. “I just feel for these families, man,” Durant said. “They don't have a home. All their things are gone. I'm just lost for words, to be honest.” … After giving $1 million to relief efforts, Durant, in that moment, turned and walked away as if he wanted to give $1 million more. His generosity, however, had served its purpose. “What he immediately said to everyone around him is ‘We got to do something,'” said Emmanuel Bailey, president of the Kevin Durant Family Foundation. “And so he, on his own, decided that he wanted to give $1 million. And, really, that was designed to motivate others to give. I think we're up to about $7.5 million now as a result of Mr. Durant's gift.” Durant said giving his time was a direct reflection of how the Thunder is a part of the community.
• Frank Isola of the New York Daily News: Amar'e Stoudemire’s agent said the veteran forward is unhappy with the way the season ended for him and the Knicks, but that Stoudemire believes he’ll play a bigger role next year. “You know Amar’e, he’s going to work as hard as he can during the offseason,” said Happy Walters, Stoudemire’s agent. “It was a tough year, but Amar’e is already looking forward to next season. He’ll be ready.” Woodson would not commit to making Stoudemire a starter next season. Carmelo Anthony’s best position is power forward and he finished third in the MVP race playing Stoudemire’s natural position. The Knicks shopped Stoudemire last summer and will likely try to do it again. But with two years remaining on his contract, Stoudemire may be the toughest Knick to trade.
• Marc Berman of the New York Post: The Knicks’ 1-2 scoring tandem was truly hurting in the ill-fated Pacers series. Not only did Carmelo Anthony play with what an MRI exam Wednesday revealed was a partial tear in his left shoulder, but The Post has learned J.R. Smith’s nightmarish playoff performance was partly because of a swollen left knee that contained fluid buildup. According to a league source, Smith likely will have his knee drained of the fluid in the next two weeks — the same procedure Anthony underwent in March. So Smith’s struggles weren’t only about his sharp elbow in the Celtics series, alleged hangover and viral infection. Meanwhile, Anthony’s MRI exam showed he had played in the playoffs with a small, partial tear in his shoulder, but the Knicks don’t expect him to need surgery, according to a league source. Anthony has been prescribed rest and physical therapy for a month to allow the shoulder to heal. Had the shoulder sustained a full labrum tear, surgery would have been required. Now it’s unlikely.
• Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune: Enes Kanter's recovery from April shoulder surgery is ahead of schedule, his agent said Wednesday, but the Utah Jazz center may not be cleared to play until August. That means Kanter will not participate in the Orlando Summer League July 7 through 12, although Kanter's agent, Max Ergul, said it was unlikely the Turkish big man would have played that week even if healthy. The second-year center underwent surgery on April 10 to repair a tear resulting from a dislocated left shoulder suffered against Phoenix two weeks earlier. Kanter, who turned 21 on Monday, is in his native Turkey this week visiting family, Ergul said.
• Michael Lee of The Washington Post: The Wizards initially stated that he would be out for at least six weeks, but Beal is anxious to have another update in the next week or two, so that he can get back to doing what he loves most. He had his last X-ray almost a month ago, “so I’m probably due for a checkup real soon. I feel no pain, but the [stress reaction] is still there.” “It’s always frustration,” Beal said of being out. “But at the same time, I have to stay positive, make sure I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. Making sure I’m able to take care of myself and just stay on top of it. Basically just being patient and when I get out there, I’ll get out there.” Beal has been spending his time mostly in St. Louis, relaxing and hanging out with family and friends. He stays fit by lifting with a personal trainer, riding a bike and swimming, and continues to maintain his shooting form by tossing up standstill free throws. “I’ll be hard-headed and shoot threes, but I still don’t jump,” Beal said. “Either my mom’s school or my school. I pretty much have access to any gym in St. Louis. They welcome me with open arms.”
• Gary Dzen of The Boston Globe: James Pallotta, president of the soccer team AS Roma and a minority owner of the Celtics, presented a Celtics jersey to Pope Francis at the Vatican Wednesday. Pallotta was there to represent Roma in the Coppa Italia, a match pitting the team against city rival Lazio. The Pope was given Roma gear but also a Celtics jersey with the No. 1 and "The Pope" written on the back. Can banner No. 18 be far behind?
• Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News: It doesn't appear the Pistons will wait on the Eastern Conference finals to finish to formally interview anyone else, although talking to candidates by phone shouldn't be ruled out. "That's not all we've talked to, those are the names you've gotten," said Dumars, before adding, "We've talked to a lot of people. I'm waiting on you to get the names out there." One intriguing name where there could've been mutual interest was current Hawks coach Larry Drew, with "current" being a day-to-day term, considering he's a coach in name only. The Pistons were impressed with how Drew took a team with nine expiring contracts to the playoffs, factoring in guard Lou Williams' season-ending injury and Josh Smith's impending free agency not affecting how the team performed. Drew's contract expires at the end of June, but Hawks management hasn't approached him about an extension and is talking to other teams. Drew doesn't have the luxury of reaching out to the Pistons and they would need permission from the Hawks to interview him, a different proposition than interviewing a team's assistant coach.
• Ryan Lillis and Tony Bizjak of The Sacramento Bee: Thousands of Kings fans - plus a few former team legends and the core of the franchise's new ownership group - are expected to converge on downtown's Cesar Chavez Plaza Thursday afternoon for a rally celebrating the team's future in Sacramento. The rally will build off a big week for Kings fans. Team officials said Wednesday that their sales staff sold more season tickets on Tuesday than on any other day in Sacramento team history, other than day one, nearly 30 years ago. … The Kings also announced that seven members of the new ownership group - including managing partner Vivek Ranadive - are scheduled to attend the free Long Live the Kings Rally, which runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ranadive will be joined at the rally by partners Paul Jacobs, Raj Bhathal, Mark Mastrov, Mark Friedman, Andrew Miller and Chris Kelly. Kings legends Mitch Richmond and Chris Webber will attend, along with current Kings Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas. Former players Scot Pollard and Bobby Jackson are also slated to be there.

• Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News: As well as the Spurs played in Game 1, a letdown was almost inevitable. It didn’t happen until the fourth quarter, but happen it did with a 15-2 Memphis run — fueled by Manu Ginobili’s flagrant foul on Tony Allen (see below) — that forced overtime. The collapse prevented them from crushing the Grizzlies’ morale, but the fact remains: They lead the series 2-0, a point at which teams have won best-of-7 series 94 percent of the time, and the Spurs are 19-2. … So how to grade Tony Parker? From the standpoint of shooting, he suffered through a nightmare similar to the one that wakes Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade in cold sweats in that Gatorade commercial: 6 for 20, including misses on his last five attempts. He was otherwise sublime, dishing out a playoff career-high 18 assists against just two turnovers. He was especially good in the third quarter, scoring or assisting on 24 of the team’s 30 points. … It was a generally quiet performance from Tim Duncan, who struggled with foul trouble late in regulation. He still amassed nine rebounds, three assists, four blocks, two steals and 17 points, including the first three baskets of overtime to carry the Spurs home — a driving layup, a putback and a Parker-esque floater that bounced high off the rim and in, , Don Nelson in the 1969 Finals style, for a 91-87 lead.
• Chris Herrington of the Memphis Flyer: The Grizzlies saved Saturday. Wait, I’ve used that lead before? Through two games, this series feels an awful lot like the first-round series against the Clippers: A discouraging 20-plus-point loss in Game 1 followed by a disappointing but ultimately encouraging close loss in Game 2. In that series, the Grizzlies then won four straight. That’s very unlikely here, but the Grizzlies seem to have regained some confidence and made some adjustments and certainly can return home with more hope than seemed possible at halftime of this one. … They couldn’t pull it out, but the Grizzlies really got into the Spurs for the first time in that fourth quarter, giving home fans a reason to believe that the growth pattern the team followed in the first and second rounds may yet be viable.
• Ethan J. Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post: LeBron James speaks of restraint as if it were a skill he has needed to perfect, little different from his passing, perimeter shooting or post moves. “It took a while, honestly,” James said. “I just think it’s a maturity, leadership. I can’t afford to get out of my game and get unfocused if the play out on the court becomes more than basketball.” That’s because he recognizes his importance. “I have to continue to know what’s the task at hand,” James said. “It’s difficult at times, for sure. There’s times where I want to retaliate, but, you know, I can’t. I just stay the course, and just play the game. I’m here to just play basketball and that’s it.” That’s what he will attempt to do in this series, whatever the Pacers’ intentions or distractions. Last spring, Danny Granger, not known as an enforcer, oddly embraced the role of agitator, repeatedly confronting James and Dwyane Wade following fouls, earning technicals for his antics. James called the ploy “stupid,” adding that “whatever he’s trying, it’s not working.” Granger won’t be working in this series, sidelined after knee surgery. Still, others, notably Tyler Hansbrough and Lance Stephenson, figure to try James’ patience. He must respond as he did in the just-completed series against Chicago, after Nazr Mohammed shoved him or Nate Robinson hit his chin with a hand in transition. … Chris Bosh spoke of being a skinny kid in Texas and accepting the reality that lesser players would try to rough him up, that “if they can’t hold you, they want to make it about everything but basketball. You just continue to play basketball.” Opponents still try to bounce Bosh around. But someone else gets more of opponents’ attention. “I’m not the best player on the floor every night,” Bosh said. “I know that. He is.” He, as in James. The best player, who again must show he has the toughest skin.
• Bob Kravitz of The Indianapolis Star: This does not qualify as any great insight heading into Game 1, but here it is anyway: Hibbert is absolutely central to the Pacers’ chances against the mighty Miami Heat. If he’s as big against the Heat as he was against the Knicks, both defensively and offensively, the Pacers have a chance to scare the life out of Miami. The key is doing what he has done in these playoffs, and that’s to be a defensive force without fouling. Once upon a time, Hibbert was a walking foul. Over the years, he has painstakingly learned how to go straight up and, in the process, he has gained the respect of officials, who now seem to be giving him the benefit of the doubt. That goes for all the Pacers, who were 29th in the league last season in fouls and have improved to 14th. Foul trouble killed them in the last year’s Miami series. Along with the bench. “I think he’s the best in the league in terms of going up with verticality,” Vogel said. “I think he’s been that way the last two, three years.”
• Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer: Yes, the Cavs grabbed the No. 1 pick in the NBA lottery, but it's a lousy draft. OK, it is a lousy draft ... so would you rather have the No. 6 pick in a bad draft? That was the worst the Cavs could have finished in this lottery. Nope, if you're a fan, you should be thrilled that your team has the top pick. Maybe they will end up taking Nerlens Noel, the 6-11 shot-blocking machine from Kentucky. Noel also is a thin 206 pounds, coming off knee surgery that may keep him out of action until Christmas. … The player best suited in terms of need is Georgetown small forward Otto Porter. He's projected as a top three pick. Is there a way the Cavs can trade with No. 2 Orlando, and still grab Porter while adding a future first rounder? You can be sure that will be discussed. Or perhaps the Cavs will think big. Real big. Huge as in the No. 1 pick and a player on the roster for a veteran forward who can score. They have the salary cap room to make that kind of move. At this point, I'm not sure what the Cavs should do. There is a certain appeal to Noel because he won't be 20 until next April. He can gain weight and strength and may keep growing. New coach Mike Brown wants defense, and Noel can deliver that because of his shot-blocking and leaping ability. But I'm positive the Cavs also are thinking trade. They have long liked Minnesota's Kevin Love. Golden State may have David Lee available, although his defense is "challenged," to be nice about it. Nonetheless, he can score. Even in a supposed bad draft, there are good players available. Remember, the Cavs also have the 19th, 31st and 33rd picks.
• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: Here's all you need to know about the quality of this year's draft: The No.1 pick might well be Nerlens Noel, the Kentucky center recovering from a torn ACL who might not even be healthy enough to play next season. For all of you Christmas carolers scoring at home, Nerlens would indeed be the Magic's first Noel, but he is far from a messiah. Who knows, he could be the franchise's next Dwight Howard -- or he could be the franchise's next Grant Hill. Is this really a chance you want to take with an early first pick in the draft? The Magic's young GM Rob Hennigan doesn't seem like the type to roll the dice with the team's future. If he were, he would have traded Dwight for Andrew Bynum and the Magic would be stuck with Bynum, who sat out this entire season with bum knees. … The upcoming draft will be just another way for Hennigan to add another young building block to a team that will most likely be right back here at the draft lottery next year. The fact is, there are no surefire saviors coming in this draft to rescue the Magic from another lackluster season. Unlike the past – when the Magic truly were built on lucky charms and pixie dust -- this overhaul is going to be slower and more methodical. Maybe it's a good sign that the Magic didn't win the draft lottery Tuesday night. Hennigan, after all, doesn't seem like the type who believes championships are built on a wing, a prayer and a bouncing pingpong ball.
• Mike Wise of The Washington Post: The worst thing the Washington Wizards could do at this moment is give in to public sentiment and view their unexpected surprise of a No. 3 pick in the NBA draft lottery as a nameplate above a cubicle in their locker room next season. The Wizards got lucky, moved up five picks from where they were projected to choose in the draft, and drew the third selection Tuesday night for the second year in a row. Their good fortune could allow them to keep a local college or high school kid close to home. But they should resist the temptation. … They have next season. Postseason or bust. That’s it. And as much as I think Porter could be an all-star within three years and Oladipo could be sixth man of the year off the Wizards’ bench in 2015, I’m not sure either one makes their mark next season. And if Ernie Grunfeld can secure an established veteran now for that pick, someone who could even help take this franchise to the second round for the first time since 2005, he’s got to take that chance.
• Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer: You can change the name, but apparently you can’t change the Charlotte Bobcats’ lottery luck.Roughly three hours after the Bobcats announced their intent to switch to “Charlotte Hornets,” the team got bad news in the draft lottery. They will pick fourth on June 27 after finishing last season with the NBA’s second-worst record at 21-61. This is the second year the Bobcats slipped in the lottery after a bad season. In 2012 they went 7-59 – worst record in NBA history – but drafted second behind the New Orleans (no longer) Hornets. … Bobcats executives Rod Higgins and Rich Cho met with the media following the lottery selection. They didn’t offer much detail on players available, except to say they’d likely work out at least six or seven for the fourth spot. The Bobcats have no second-round pick this draft. General manager Cho said the Bobcats’ current roster shouldn’t be relevant to who they select. “Ideally you take the best player available – my philosophy has always been you draft for talent, trade for need,” Cho said. Cho mentioned size, rebounding and shooting as the areas that need the most improvement.
• Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic: No. 5 is a thrill for new Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough, whose draft work in the Boston front office has not for a pick higher than No. 19 in the past eight drafts. “The guy who goes there might not be much different, or any different, than guys who go in the top three,” McDonough said. This will be the highest the Suns have drafted since 1987, when they took Armen Gilliam with the No. 2 pick after David Robinson had gone first. Like then, the Suns are in dire need of a young talent infusion. “I think generally we need to get more athletic,” McDonough said. “I think we need more shooting. My philosophy is always to draft the best available player. There are some good pieces in place here. But at the same time, we won 25 games here, so we need to get better across the board.”
• John Reid of The Times-Picayune: Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps hasn't ruled out the possibility the Pelicans could trade the pick in attempt to obtain more veterans. ``You never know,'' Demps said. ``There are trades, there's other opportunities that may present themselves. We're going to look at every angle to give ourselves the best possible chance to make our team better.'' The Pelicans interviewed 15 prospects during last week's NBA draft combine in Chicago, according to league sources. The Pelicans could be looking to improve the small forward spot with Al-Farouq Aminu becoming a free agent this summer. Aminu struggled to be a consistent scorer but improved as a rebounder. Williams said after Tuesday's lottery that any prospect the Pelicans select at No. 6 is capable of providing immediate help to improve their team. "Obviously, the higher that pick is, the better,'' Williams said.
• Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee: Last season, five of the top prospects refused to work out for the Kings. New ownership and stability might cause more players to be willing to embrace being a King. Regardless of who the selection is or who makes the final decision, the new ownership group could overhaul the roster, coaching staff and front office. The Kings also own the sixth pick in the second round, 36th overall. Players who could be available at No. 7 include point guards Trey Burke and Michael Carter-Williams and small forward Shabazz Muhammad. After projected top pick Nerlens Noel, Alex Len is viewed as the second-best center. Petrie noted that the draft has its limitations. "The idea that – except in certain cases that the draft is the stairway to success – except when you get that exceptional guy, (the draft) isn't necessarily the most important thing," he said.
• David Mayo of MLive.com: Joe Dumars said he still has no timetable for hiring a new Detroit Pistonshead coach but insisted the search would not extend into the opening of NBA free agency July 1. Dumars made his first public remarks on the coaching search in a conference call with local media Tuesday night, from New York, where the Pistons gotbumped down one spot in the NBA Draft Lottery and will pick No. 8 overall. The Pistons president of basketball operations did not dismiss any of the names reported to have interviewed for the vacancy created by Lawrence Frank's firing but seemed to delight in noting some interviews have escaped public scrutiny. "We've talked to a lot of people," Dumars said. "I'm waiting on you guys to get the names out there but you haven't gotten them out yet." Those known or reported to have interviewed with the Pistons include Mike Budenholzer, J.B. Bickerstaff, Lindsey Hunter, Maurice Cheeks, Nate McMillan and Darrell Walker.
• Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press: Congratulations to Kevin Love, who helped the Timberwolves hold onto their No. 9 position AND didn't get hurt at the NBA lottery. The Wolves now sport a lottery record of 0-7-8. They've never moved up, have drafted right where they should based on their record seven times and have tumbled backward eight times. Love, who on Tuesday represented the franchise at the event, brought enough good karma to allow the Wolves to hold serve at No. 9, which is just where they should be. Yippee. The lottery was created to prevent teams from tanking in order to improve their position in the draft, but it's a flawed system because it penalizes teams that consistently lose without subterfuge. For example, the Timberwolves always have been naturally good at losing basketball games. And for years, we all knew what to expect at the lottery: If there were, say, two impact players coming out of college, the Wolves would end up with the third pick. If there were four impact players, they'd draft fifth. It got to the point where the goal was just to survive the lottery.
• John Canzano of The Oregonian: Good organizations have a congruency of vision, and overcome mistakes. Bad organizations are disjointed, refuse to be accountable and are quick to accept failure as being unlucky. And if the Blazers want to distance themselves from the Kings, Raptors, Pelicans, Wizards and Bobcats/Hornets of the NBA world, the only way to do so is to make a solid series of wise decisions. The selection of Lillard -- No. 6 overall last June -- was a good start. But it can't end there. The burst of confidence Allen has demonstrated this season in allowing Olshey to work some is encouraging, but it must continue. Changing general managers six times in the decade has more to do with the lottery streak than coaching, bad knees or sad-story luck. And it's why Tuesday, a day this city may have wished for the No. 1 pick, instead ended with the sobering reality that a single player in this draft won't turn a flawed franchise into a champion. A change of vision will, though.

It’s a weird kind of party, the NBA draft lottery.

The 2013 version began on the Good Morning America’s repurposed Times Square set (complete with test kitchen) with an NBA staffer welcoming everyone by saying: “For those of you who are new to this, my condolences.”

Then they confiscated our cell phones.

Woohoo!

We were in the secret inner sanctum with the high ceilings, exquisite air conditioning and fake wood paneling. A collection of team representatives and a few others were gathered to witness the drawing of the pingpong balls that would decide who among the NBA’s worst teams got the first few picks of June’s NBA draft. The results would be determined here, but publicly revealed an hour or so later on national TV.

In the interim, we were not free to leave, even for the bathroom, lest we ruin the fun.

Just upstairs, in a different TV studio, the picks are revealed with the celebratory air of a Powerball drawing. But even that room is anxiety-ridden. Sitting in nervous silence is the essential task of the NBA draft lottery. The vibe’s beyond tense.

Once deputy commissioner Adam Silver had revealed the picks, however, at least one corner of the room went bananas.

The Cavs know how to party

The noisy posse in bowties, they’re screeching and hollering and pumping fists in the air. That’s Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and the many spirited people who traveled on his private jet for the occasion.

They won the NBA draft lottery again, they’re color coordinated and they don’t give a damn who knows it.

But even for Gilbert, in this moment of glory, with the TV cameras in his face to collect his acceptance speech, the lottery is bittersweet.

“We were hoping,” he said of his team’s potentially franchise-defining victory, “this would be our last.”

That’s the thing about the lottery. It’s nobody’s idea of perfect, and it's getting less so.

It’s some office building off the Turnpike, by day

Just as a run-of-the-mill Hollywood shopping mall can be transformed into the glamorous home of the Oscars, so did the NBA’s offices in Secaucus, N.J., used to become a wonderland of hoops glitz on the night of the NBA draft lottery. Gloved security men crowded the entrance, welcoming a steady procession of limos and fancy cars pulling up one at a time, dumping out a who’s who of NBA faces: players, owners, GMs.

The NBA, bless them, puts on a lot of buffet meals for the media, but this was the one that was a hell of a buffet. The fish was peppered to taste, the roast beef sliced to order, the gorgonzola crumbled and ready to cascade across your chopped romaine. You have never seen cookies like these, and if you’re not big into cookies, please consider the finest fresh fruits, still shiny with a fresh coating of dark chocolate.

This was how the lottery used to run, back when it was easier to forget the lottery was about losers, not winners.

Sure, it wasn't all showbiz. It was tough to hide some of the workaday details. Most of the party took place in a rented tent out back, the kind you’d more commonly see used for weddings. The walk there from the front door was a long one, much of which bordered a drab cube farm.

But a half-decade ago, say, as then-Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard made the walk, he made it like a prize fighter. People emerged from all angles, offering high-fives and attaboys. Pritchard beamed, a proud man representing a basketball-mad city, entering the ring to do his job saving the Trail Blazers.

Pritchard’s shoulder was one of the few tapped early in the evening that night. Along with a who’s who of NBA front office personnel, he was invited upstairs to witness the pingpong reveal.

Every team in the lottery sent two representatives: One to take care of the real business with the pingpong balls, and another to be the face of the franchise on TV. The back room, as usual, had the power brokers.

Please come with me, sir. Up these stairs. Place your cell phones and all personal electronics in this sealed envelope.

Pritchard had even more pep in his step a couple of hours later, when the pingpong digits delivered him a dreamy choice between Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. (This was before the off-road portion of Pritchard’s freeway-to-the-top career.) Pritchard walked out of that building a front office champion.

Who knows how many times he told the story of what happened in that room, on how many radio shows and local TV shows. Hell yes, he circled up Blazers staff to inspire them with thoughts about the great ride that franchise was about to take. He talked about character, he talked about fortune, and it was hard not to get the feeling some Higher Power was smiling on the Portland Trail Blazers, thanks in no small part to the magic Pritchard mustered in some stuffy Secaucus boardroom.

New York, New York

A couple of years ago, the NBA downsized the Secaucus offices and the draft lottery has packed up for TV studios in Times Square. It’s ostensibly as nice. The roast beef is still delicately cooked, and is accompanied by mild horseradish, but it’s no longer sliced on demand and the chocolate chip cookies in the back room were all gone by 8:15.

The bigger change comes from the crowd. Sure, there’s a Damian Lillard or Andre Drummond here or there to enliven the proceedings, but in the big picture, to put it bluntly, this event is getting less cool by the minute.

My guess is that trend will continue, not because of how anything is run, but because of what everybody knows.

At the highest levels of running a team these days, on smart teams at least, are masters not just of basketball, but of decision-making. It's a different kind of person.

These are people who gather and process information professionally, from all angles, and turn it into strategy. People who read books about optimal decision-making. People who are obsessively connected with reality.

Getting excited about the draft lottery, meanwhile, requires divorcing yourself from reality, in one key way: You have to forget how you got here. To celebrate here means detaching from the fact that the team you’re charged with making great actually stinks.

In the days when NBA brain trusts were thick with grocery store magnates and retired players, maybe that was more doable, especially with a beer or two on board. In the era of smartphones, Twitter and non-stop information parsing, reality thickens the air, even after they confiscate your smartphone.

The NBA draft lottery might have the trappings of a Powerball drawing, but it’s different in a key way. A real lottery is a windfall for some lucky schmuck who happened to buy a ticket.

This?

This is a mindless game of chance open only to losers.

And, increasingly, they know it.

You know who was not on hand? Most of those with the most on the line. Michael Jordan, for instance, who owns the Charlotte “we’re betting the farm on the lottery” Bobcats. Same goes for his GM, Rich Cho, as well as most of the front offices of most of the teams represented.

New Sixers GM Sam Hinkie? Absent. Mark Cuban? Joe Dumars?

It’s not the event to be seen at. Not if you’re into winning.

Many teams sent a PR person. But very few sent the brain trust, because there’s nothing for them here.

Nobody has gotten more from the lottery than Gilbert, whose team just added another top overall pick to a collection that already included LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

He of all people must love this system, right?

“There’s no perfect way to do it,” Gilbert told me, literally minutes after winning. “I think of all ways it’s probably one that is not optimal. But there isn’t an optimal one. It’s probably the best of the worst you can do. You’ve got to give it to the guys at the NBA to even come up with something like this.”

And if all goes well, he won’t be back anytime soon.

There will be plenty of time to project picks as the draft nears, but here is a quick capsule on each lottery team’s biggest needs from an advanced stat perspective.

Charlotte Bobcats
Need: Defensive presence
The Bobcats were the worst defensive team in the league during the regular season, allowing the most points per play. The Bobcats were especially poor defensively in the half court, allowing opponents to score 44% of the time, worst in the league.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Need: One-on-one defender, post defender
The Cavaliers allowed the highest field goal percentage when defending isolations during the regular season. Cleveland’s opponents scored on 44 percent of isolation plays, the highest rate during the regular season. The Cavaliers allowed the highest field goal percentage on post-ups during the regular season.

Dallas Mavericks
Rebounding/transition defense
The Mavericks had a 21.8 percent offensive rebounding percentage (nearly five percentage points below league average). They were also fourth from the bottom of the league with 10.7 second-chance points per game during the regular season.

Despite committing the fifth-fewest turnovers, the Mavericks allowed 17.1 points off turnovers per game, ninth-most in the league.

Dallas’ opponents averaged 1.22 points off each Mavericks turnover, the highest rate in the league. Of the 10 teams that allowed the most points per turnover, eight failed to make the playoffs.

Detroit Pistons
Perimeter defender/playmaker
The Pistons were 29th in the league defending the pick-and-roll ball handler, allowing opponents to score on 40% of such plays.

Pistons guards Brandon Knight, Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum, who faced this play most frequently for the team, ranked in the bottom third among 125 players who defended the pick-and-roll ball handler on at least 100 plays.

The Pistons ranked in the bottom third of the league with 21.2 assists per game this season. Detroit turned the ball over on 20% of its pick-and-roll plays, the fifth-worst rate in the league.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Interior defender
Timberwolves opponents converted 58.1 percent of their field goal attempts from inside 10 feet, the second-highest rate against a team in the league.

New Orleans Pelicans
On-Ball defender
The Pelicans’ defense allowed a league-high 0.90 points per play in isolation during the regular season, allowing opponents to shoot better than 40% on such plays.

Oklahoma City Thunder
Inside scoring
Post-up plays made up seven percent of the Thunder’s offense this season (the NBA average was nine percent).

Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka are the only Thunder players who rank in the top half of the league in post-up points per play.

Orlando Magic
Ball handler/transition scorer
The Magic bottomed out in two notable statistical areas. They averaged 1.01 points per play in transition, scoring on only 49 percent of their transition plays. That ranked last in the NBA. They also ranked third-worst in the NBA in how often their ballhandler scored in the pick-and-roll (34 percent of the time).

Philadelphia 76ers
Transition scorer
The 76ers averaged 1.08 points per play in transition during the regular season, the fifth-lowest rate in the NBA. Philadelphia scored on 51% of its transition plays, the fourth-lowest rate in the league.

Phoenix Suns
Defensive presence
Opposing teams ran plays off screens 449 times versus the Suns this season and scored 1.03 points per play on 45.7 percent shooting, both of which ranked worst in the league from a defensive perspective.

Portland Trail Blazers
Interior offensive and defensive presence
The Trail Blazers scored 38 percent of their points in the paint, the third-worst mark in the league.

J.J. Hickson accounted for nearly one-quarter of those and will be a free agent this summer.

The Trail Blazers allowed the most points in the paint in the league during the regular season –- by 100 points more than the next team. Opponents shot 47.4 percent from this area, second-highest against a team in the league.

Sacramento Kings
Interior defender
Sacramento’s opponents shot 58.5 percent in the paint, the highest opponents’ shooting percentage in the paint in the league.

The Kings allowed the most points and second-highest effective field goal percentage in transition during the regular season.

Toronto Raptors
Playmaker
During the regular season, 33 percent of all Toronto’s made field goals were unassisted.

Despite having the most field goals attempted off the dribble in the league, the Raptors were 20th in both points per play and effective field goal percentage off the dribble

Utah Jazz
Playmaker/post defender
The Jazz used plays involving the pick-and-roll ball handler eight percent of the time, the second-lowest rate in the league (league average was 13 percent).

When using this type of play, the Jazz ranked last in field goal percentage and second-last in how frequently they converted plays into points (score percentage.

Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, who are both set to be unrestricted free agents, excelled at defending post-ups, limiting opponents to a 43.4 percent shooting. Their two primary back-ups, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, combined to allow opponents to shoot 46.5 percent from the field when defending post-ups.

Washington Wizards
Outside shooter
The Wizards struggled to shoot and opponents knew it. Despite being unguarded in catch-and-shoot attempts at the third-most frequent rate, the Wizards made 38.7 percent of such attempts, fourth-worst in the league.

• Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News: Prepare for the correction: The Spurs left the AT&T Center after Game 1 uniform in their belief that they were unlikely to make 14 3-pointers again this series. “I’m a math guy,” Matt Bonner said. “It’s highly improbable we’re going to shoot that clip again.” The trick for the Spurs in Game 2 will be to generate offense once the Grizzlies have located their perimeter shooters. As per usual, that effort will begin with Tony Parker, who must continue to attack off the pick-and-roll, put pressure on the Memphis defense in the paint and make good decisions from there. Protect ball and boards: With a lack of perimeter shooters, the Grizzlies can often struggle to score in a half-court offense. They generate much of their offense off turnovers and offensive putbacks. The Spurs did a decent job of limiting giveaways in Game 1 (11) and keeping the Grizzlies to a manageable 10 second-chance points. Without either of the above, it will be difficult for Memphis to score with the Spurs, even if its defense reverts back to norm. Adjust to adjustments: It’s no secret Memphis will want to get Zach Randolph going in Game 2. One way coach Lionel Hollins could accomplish this is to give more minutes to Quincy Pondexter and Jerryd Bayless, his best floor-spreading bench shooters, instead of the more offensively limited wings Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince. That move would likely change the way the Spurs are defending Randolph, making it more difficult for guards to help, but it would also make Memphis a less potent defensive unit.
• Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News: Carving out space for Randolph could be every bit as difficult unless Memphis, which made the fewest number of 3s in the NBA this season, can prevent the Spurs from neglecting shooters in order to collapse on the interior. Gasol described a clear set of tactics from the Spurs: Play tight on him to negate his high-post passing skills, front Randolph and ignore the corners in order to “pound the paint.” It’s nothing the Grizzlies haven’t seen before, he said, but it proved to be highly effective as the Grizzlies made only five 3s and Randolph was limited to one meaningless basket. “We just need to keep moving the ball, keep being patient, get it some other way,” Gasol said. “But we cannot hold the all. Once we hold the ball, we’re allowing them to load up.” Conley said the team’s perimeter corps has to take more responsibility, not only by making the Spurs pay but by getting Randolph — who said he was so distraught over his play in Game 1 that he barely slept — involved.
• Bob Kravitz of The Indianapolis Star: According to several sources close to the situation, LeBron James does not, in fact, put his pants on one leg at a time. That being the case, it’s astonishing that Frank Vogel has “dismissed” the mighty Miami Heat as the “next team” in the Pacers’ way -- not “just another team,” as James misquoted him -- but the next team. Shame on Vogel for not genuflecting when he mentioned the Heat, or for volunteering to kiss James’ ring -- ring singular, not rings -- when the two teams meet up in the Eastern Conference finals beginning Wednesday in Miami. The gall of Vogel, who last year suggested strongly (and expensively) that the Heat were the biggest floppers in the NBA. Doesn’t he know he’s talking about LeBron and the Big Three and a team that has gone 45-3 in its last 48 games? (If you’re not picking up on the facetiousness here, go back to school and enroll in a reading comprehension class). … Of course, this is a non-story that has become a story, which means it’s a nice easy column. Because we love conflict, even when it’s artificial conflict. Because it’s a lot easier than calculating D.J. Augustin’s PER rating in the second round against the Knicks. Because we’re like that kid on the playground who used to try and stage fights, a la Don King. Did you hear what Johnny said about your girlfriend? Silly. But wonderful. Wonderful because there’s still some bad blood after last year’s compelling six-game series between the Pacers and the Heat.
• Joseph Goodman of The Miami Herald: Much will be different about this year’s matchup between the Heat and Pacers, and it all starts with Chris Bosh being healthy and at the top of his game. But how the Heat’s reserves affect the series might be the most significant key to the game. The Heat’s bench scored 55 points last week in Game2 of its Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series against the Bulls. In last year’s conference semis against the Pacers, it took the Heat’s reserves nearly three full games to reach that total. The major differences between the Heat’s bench now and the rag-tag group that slugged it out the with Pacers in 2012: Ray Allen, who was with Boston this time last year and gearing up for a match-up with the Heat, is averaging 12.2 points per game in the playoffs. … Chris Andersen, who was on his couch in Denver this time last year, has provided much-needed muscle and energy to the Heat’s second unit. … Norris Cole was a minor footnote against the Pacers last year, averaging 2.0 points and less than 13 minutes per game.
• Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman: Our next chance to judge the James Harden trade — as if it hasn't been scrutinized enough — has come. The NBA Draft Lottery is Tuesday night. It will reveal this year's draft order and determine whether the Thunder will receive Toronto's first-round pick. It's a selection Oklahoma City received as part of a package that included Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and two other picks. Whatever happens, the team's fan base, as well as close followers of the trade's fallout, likely will be split. If the Thunder lands the pick, it'll be the 12th overall selection and perhaps viewed by most as a disappointment. If the pick remains with Toronto and rolls over into next year, the Thunder seemingly will get criticized for failing to receive an asset in exchange for Harden that could help sooner rather than later. A perfect storm put the Thunder in this position of possibly picking at the back end of the lottery. No way could this have been what the front office had in mind when the powers that be insisted on Houston including Toronto's first-rounder before pulling the trigger on the deal. But here they are, stuck with a worst-case scenario after everything that could go wrong for the placement of this potential pick did go wrong.
• John Reid of The Times-Picayune: Since the regular season ended just more than a month ago, New Orleans Pelicans backup guard Brian Roberts hasn’t paid much attention to the upcoming NBA draft lottery set for Tuesday night. But whether the Pelicans pick up the option on Roberts' contract to retain him could largely depend on where they are slotted for the upcoming June 27 NBA draft. The Pelicans have only an 8.8 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick going into the lottery. But they have a 26.15 percent chance of staying at the fifth spot, where several mock drafts have them selecting Michigan point guard Trey Burke. Most have Burke, 6-feet, 190, being taken no higher than fifth and not lower than seventh. If the Pelicans draft Burke and they already have starter Greivis Vasquez, they could opt not to keep Roberts, especially with Austin Rivers having the ability to play both guard positions. But some of the mock drafts also have Pelicans addressing their need to improve their small forward spot by drafting Georgetown's Otto Porter or UNLV's Anthony Bennett if they can land one of the top three draft spots. ``Right now I’m just trying to see how things play out,’’ Roberts said.
• Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer: Will the Bobcats select a long-term keeper? History suggests the odds aren’t great. Since their inception in 2004, the Bobcats have made top-five selections four times. An Observer study last spring demonstrated top-five picks are precious: Thirty-six of the top 100 players in the league, as identified by that study, were top-five picks, including 15 of the top 20 players. … The Bobcats’ draft pick retention history is pretty threadbare. Of the 10 players chosen in the lottery (the first 14 picks) six are gone (two no longer in the NBA). Gerald Henderson will be a restricted free agent and three others – Kidd-Gilchrist, Bismack Biyombo and Kemba Walker – are still playing in Charlotte under their rookie contracts. These next two drafts could provide the Bobcats’ a do-over. Along with the 2013 pick, the Bobcats might have three first-rounders in 2014 and all could be lottery picks. The Bobcats figure to miss the playoffs next season and are owed picks from the Portland Trail Blazers and Detroit Pistons that could come due in ’14.
• Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal: As all of the NBA’s non-playoff teams gather in New York tonight for the draft lottery, the Cavaliers have to like the odds they carry into Times Square. The Cavs enter with the third-best chance (15.6 percent) at winning the lottery. The league is celebrating its 20th anniversary of the revamped weighted system, and the team with the third-best odds has won five of the first 19 years. No other lottery position has been more successful. The overwhelming question now is how excited it’s worth getting for a lottery victory when the draft is expected to be so dismal. The projected top pick, Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel, is offensively challenged and isn’t expected to play until close to Christmas while recovering from a knee injury. And that’s the best prospect. It only goes down from there. Nevertheless, the Cavs will follow the same protocol as the previous two years. Minority team owner Jeff Cohen will represent the Cavs in the sequestered room where the numbers are actually drawn and Nick Gilbert, son of owner Dan Gilbert, will again represent the Cavs on the podium during the television broadcast when the draft positions are revealed.
• Peter Botte of the New York Daily News: Iman Shumpert revealed that he will play for the Knicks in the Las Vegas summer league for the first time after missing it last summer while rehabbing a torn ACL and the year before because of the lockout. “They want to see me be more decisive offensively, which I already knew, but that would be big for me to work on this summer…and come in for training camp ready to do that,” Shumpert said.
• Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel: Given the NBA's willingness to relocate franchises far more freely than the other big leagues, the decision last week to keep the Kings in Sacramento in lieu of a crazy-money offer from Seattle was surprising. What wasn't surprising was the local reaction. The Bucks-to-Seattle drum was put out there and then beaten by politicians and community leaders who needed the news to throw another log on an arena-debate fire that isn't exactly raging at the moment. Two things: None of this was coming from Seattle. And if it is suddenly convenient to have the nation's 12th largest TV market looming as a bogeyman to jump-start serious arena discussions here, well, that is how the game is played. Of course, there is another way to look at this unexpected turn of events as it applies to the Bucks. Not long after the NBA prevented the small-market Kings from moving, NBA commissioner Stern, for the first time in a decade, began warming to the idea of expansion. In a Sunday story, the Seattle Times portrayed expansion as the city's best chance to reclaim the team that was stolen five years ago in the Oklahoma City rustle. … If Seattle is an imaginary threat to the Bucks, that doesn't mean the pressure is not there to make the organization worthy of a new arena. Since advancing to the Eastern Conference finals 13 years ago, the Bucks have made the playoffs five times, are 7-20 and have not gotten out of the first round. The effort to pull the Bucks from their self-dug pit should be from within, not from without.
• Doug Smith of the Toronto Star: Bryan Colangelo’s tenure as the top basketball savant at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is at an end. His relationship with the sports conglomerate is not. In a move that should be officially announced as early as Tuesday morning, Colangelo will cede control of basketball operations as the president and general manager within the company and move to some unspecified corporate role, according to multiple NBA sources. Colangelo’s future has been cloudy since the arrival of new MLSE chief executive officer Tim Leiweke; the Raptors held an option on a final contract year for Colangelo and Leiweke seemed lukewarm from the start about picking it up. But the veteran NBA executive, seven years on the job in Toronto after more than a decade with the Phoenix Suns and a two-time NBA executive of the year, has always been a loyal and valued part of the organization, a fact not lost on ownership. Sources suggest minority owner Larry Tanenbaum may have been involved in the process of finding a suitable and significant position for Colangelo, a process that was still being finalized Monday afternoon, according to sources.
• Jeff Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: What you are about to read is pure speculation. I feel compelled to declare that up front, unlike so many NBA coaching rumors you read on the internet that quote "well-placed sources," which often is the Ouija board sitting next to the author or, even worse, an agent. So here goes: It wouldn't surprise me if Hawks general manager Danny Ferry, who has been looking for apotential replacement for coach Larry Drew, is waiting to interview Brian Shaw. Shaw is an assistant coach with the Indiana Pacers, who just upset the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs and now will face (and lose to) Miami in the Eastern Conference finals. … No, I'm not declaring Shaw as the favorite for the Hawks' job. But it would make sense if he's a candidate, especially if Ferry can't land Stan Van Gundy (who figures to have better options) and believes he and Shaw will be on the same page in terms of how to build a team. (This is why I believe San Antonio assistant Mike Budenholzer is a strong possibility.) And if you're wondering, yes, Ferry and Shaw did cross paths once: in Italy. Both played in the Italian League for Il Messaggero Roma in 1989-90. In fact, I've even located NBC News raw video links of the two walking together in Italy.
• John N. Mitchell of The Philadelphia Inquirer: Although he no longer plies his trade here, former 76ers coach Larry Brown still keeps his eyes and ears focused on all things basketball in Philadelphia. Brown, who coached the Sixers from 1997-2003, expressed some skepticism about the direction of his old team. Now the coach at Southern Methodist, he also bemoaned the loss of his chance to coach in the Big East Conference. Brown was one of eight inductees Monday night into the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. The 72-year-old Brown is an old-school coach who is not sold on the heightened focus on advanced statistics in the NBA. "I'm not that kind of guy," Brown said when asked his opinion on the hiring of new Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie. "You're asking the wrong guy. This is not baseball. Guys hit better during the day than they do at night. You have lefties and righties. But this is not baseball. In this league, it's about teaching players and making them better." However, Brown said he does not rule out the role of analytics in building a better basketball team. "All the information, I'm sure, helps," Brown said. "But at the end of the day, this is a basketball town. They love kids that play hard, play together, play smart. And the best way to tell that about a kid is to look him in the eye in the most crucial moments of a game. That tells you so much. But you have to give this a chance.”
• Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee: For the better part of three years, they had one of the most thankless jobs in the industry, trying to sell season tickets when their franchise was forever on the move? Good luck. Good night. And break out the suitcase. So imagine how the remaining members of the Kings' depleted ticket sales department felt Wednesday when NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the team was staying in Sacramento and negotiations were under way to transfer controlling interest to a deep-pocketed investment group headed by software entrepreneur Vivek Ranadive? There was relief, and disbelief. There were high-fives, and tears. There were jobs, and more jobs.

• Marcus Thompson II of The Oakland Tribune: Warriors guard Jarrett Jack was on the verge of tears as he stood at his locker. He couldn't find the words to truly express what he was feeling, so he let his attire do the talking for him. "Usually before I would do any media, I would make sure I was dressed a certain way," Jack said after the Warriors' season ended Thursday with a 94-82 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. "I brought one of my best suits. But looking down at this jersey, it's just a sense of pride I don't think I've ever felt as a professional. ... Nothing in my closet is better than what I have on now." Perhaps it was the disappointing end to a magical run. Perhaps reality had hit him that he may have spent his last minutes in a Warriors uniform. And he didn't want to take it off. … Whether he takes the more lucrative offer else where, or whether the Warriors make a competitive offer to keep him in the Bay Area, that will all be figured out this summer. But Jack was never more clear about for whom he wants to play: Golden State. "I hope so, man," Jack said. "Obviously there are other things that go into seeing if that works -- we all know this is a business at the end of the day. If I could do it, if I could rearrange it, I would definitely be back at this same locker."
• Tony Bizjak, Ryan Lillis and Dale Kasler of The Sacramento Bee: The Maloof era in Sacramento, at times spirited and uplifting, at times dismal, appears to have come to an end. A Sacramento investors group has reached a deal with the Maloof family to buy its controlling stake in the Kings. The deal is expected to be unveiled today. "It's the start of a new era," said Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur Vivek Ranadive, leader of the Sacramento investor group, speaking to reporters after the Warriors game Thursday night. Ranadive added, "We just need to sign some papers and finalize everything." If the NBA approves the deal, a source told The Bee, escrow is expected to close at the end of May. The source, a stakeholder close to the deal, said the Maloof family was eager to "turn the page" and was pleased it was able to sell to a group that will keep the team in Sacramento. The deal would set the team's overall value at $535 million, an NBA record. The source did not say why the price values the team at $535 million, rather than the $525 million figure the local group had offered. The sale price translates into $347 million for the 65 percent of the team controlled by the Maloofs and their business partner, Robert Hernreich. Ranadive confirmed that the reported price was "about right."
• Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman: Following his response, Kevin Durant was then asked what he would say to possible critics who might hear his outlook and question his competitive fire. “I don’t give a damn. I’m going to be who I’m going to be,” Durant said. “I’m not Kobe Bryant. I’m not Michael Jordan. I’m not LeBron James. I’m not Magic Johnson. I’m me. I’m not going to ever compromise myself, my integrity and what I believe in for winning some basketball games and winning a championship. That’s just not I how I was brought up. I’m always going to fight for this game I love. I’m going to claw until the last buzzer sounds. And if that’s after a championship then of course I’ll be happy. I’m not satisfied just being in this league and losing. I’m going to work as hard as I can to try to get to that mountaintop. I enjoy playing the game. I enjoy being here. But I’m never going to come out to the media and say we wasted a year because we lost a championship. Like I said, I don’t have to be Kobe Bryant.”
• Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times: Taj Gibson still is getting ripped by Bulls fans for his ejection in Game 2 against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. So the reserve power forward couldn’t even imagine what venom has built up toward Derrick Rose, who missed the season while ¬recovering from surgery to his left knee. “That’s what comes with the job we do,’’ Gibson said Thursday, one day after the Bulls’ postseason came to an end in Miami. “I’m still recovering from the Game 2 [ejection]. I still have fans basically ripping me to shreds. But you just have to take it with a grain of salt, keep pushing. “You’ve got a lot of people who want you to do certain things at a certain time that you [don’t] feel is right for yourself.’’ Besides, Gibson has been around long enough to know that once Rose steps on the court next season and scores his first few baskets, all will be forgiven. That’s the nature of sports fans.
• Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel: With their second-string point guard slated to become a free agent and their third-string point guard possessing an unguaranteed contract, Orlando Magic officials already have met with some potential backcourt replacements during the 2013 NBA Draft Combine. C.J. McCollum, a 6-foot-3 point guard from Lehigh, and Myck Kabongo, a 6-foot-2 point guard from the University of Texas, said they met individually with Magic officials Wednesday night. McCollum averaged 23.9 points and 2.9 assists per game as a senior before he broke his left foot in early January. McCollum has been compared to 2012-13 NBA Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard hailed from a small school, Weber State, while Lehigh plays in the small-school Patriot League. Kabongo's sophomore season was limited to the Longhorns' final 11 games because he was suspended for accepting personal training instruction and taking airfare and not being truthful about it to school officials. But during his time on the court as a sophomore, Kabongo averaged 14.6 points and 5.5 assists per game. … In addition to their top-four lottery pick, the Magic own the draft's 51st overall pick. Jameer Nelson is slated to return as Orlando's starting point guard. But Nelson's backup, Beno Udrih, will be an unrestricted free agent. E'Twaun Moore, the team's third-string point guard, has one more year remaining on his contract at a league-minimum salary of $885,000. But Moore's deal is fully unguaranteed if he's waived on or before June 30.
• Jason Quick of The Oregonian: The player in mock drafts most frequently pegged as going to the Trail Blazers is UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad, and sure enough, the Blazers were one of the teams that interviewed the controversial wing at the NBA draft combine in Chicago this week. "They asked me how I liked their team, and I said it was a great team," Muhammad said of the meeting. "I've talked with Damian, I know LaMarcus (Aldridge) is a good guy, and they have (Nic) Batum at the three. I feel like I could really fit well with their program, and I think they are looking for a guy who can do a lot of things like me." Muhammad said he also interviewed with Toronto, Minnesota and Houston. Muhammad (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) averaged 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists while sharing the Pac-12 Conference freshman of the year award this season. The 20-year-old was suspended by the NCAA for the first three games of the season and forced to repay $1,600 in impermissible benefits he accepted, and was later shown to be one year older than he initially let on. He said many of the NBA teams he has interviewed with in Chicago have asked him about the circumstances surrounding his suspension. … the Blazers met with Muhammad, Syracuse guard Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse wing James Southerland, Indiana big man Cody Zeller and San Diego State guard Jamaal Franklin.
• Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer: Maybe it’s just being meticulous, but the Charlotte Bobcats seem to be interviewing players in Chicago who wouldn’t fit a top-five draft pick. The Bobcats finished 21-61 last season, second-worst record in the NBA. That means they can do no worse than the fifth pick in Tuesday night’s draft lottery. However, they spent time in Chicago interviewing at least two players – Syracuse point guard Michael Carter-Williams and Gonzaga center Kelly Olynyk – who don’t figure to go before the early- to mid-teens. Carter-Williams, who models himself after New York Knicks veteran Jason Kidd, is interesting, in that he’s a 6-6 point guard who could offer both a contrast and a complement to 6-1 Bobcats playmaker Kemba Walker. The Bobcats played a lot of sets with two point guards last season, pairing Walker with Ramon Sessions and later Jannero Pargo.
• Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic: A group of current assistant coaches the Suns are planning to interview includes former Suns player and Utah assistant Jeff Hornacek, Los Angeles Lakers assistant Steve Clifford and two Houston assistants — former Washington State, Oklahoma and Indiana head coach Kelvin Sampson and J.B. Bickerstaff, the son of former NBA head-coaching veteran Bernie Bickerstaff. CSKA Moscow assistant Quin Snyder, a former Missouri head coach and NBA assistant coach, is also in the mix and some here at the combine feel the Suns would be willing to look at collegiate head coaches such as Villanova’s Jay Wright, Butler’s Brad Stevens or Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg. Clifford and Sampson are candidates for vacancies in Milwaukee and Charlotte. Charlotte is also considering Snyder and Hornacek, who also is being interviewed by Philadelphia. Milwaukee and Detroit are looking at Bickerstaff. McDonough and the Suns staff are here for the NBA draft combine but the coaching search presses on to the point that assistant coaches who are tied up with postseason work — Indiana’s Brian Shaw, San Antonio’s Mike Budenholzer, Golden State’s Mike Malone and Miami’s David Fizdale — might become less likely candidates.
• Gordon Monson of The Salt Lake Tribune: With the NBA combine underway this week in Chicago, the Utah Jazz are busy studying their options, working through every possibility, tossing them in the air like a dough slapper at Pizano’s. They have two picks in the coming draft, one in the lottery, a likely No. 14 selection, and another at No. 21. There is both skepticism and sunshine as to whether the Jazz can add to their half-vacant roster a player or two who will actually help them improve what is already a young core. There’s been talk that this draft is weak, that it won’t benefit the club in any meaningful way, particularly at the positions where Utah is most thin. "There will be a player there that, hopefully we draft, but if not, drafted after us, that becomes a good NBA player," he says. "[It’s] our responsibility, our call, our job. … We’ve got to do it right and if we don’t do it right often enough, then we shouldn’t have the job." Those words might sound as though they are selling what the Jazz have said they will sell until the team once again becomes what it used to be — a real contender: hope.
• Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times: The Bucks are expected to draft a guard with their first pick, the 15th overall selection. But they have shown interest in three big men: Rudy Gobert of France, Gorgui Dieng of Louisville and Mason Plumlee of Duke. They have interviewed all of those players and are expected work them out before the draft as well. ... The Bucks also interviewed shooting guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope of Georgia and Jamaal Franklin of San Diego State. .... Let’s say Franklin is one of the most confident players in camp. He said his offensive game is similar to New York’s J.R. Smith’s — “I can score in so many ways.’’ — and his defensive game is similar to Memphis’ Tony Allen.
• Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press: Even six weeks away from the NBA draft and being a possible top-five selection, Trey Burke remains as composed as ever. Burke adapted quickly to college at Michigan because he was mature beyond his years on the court and now, as the draft approaches, he remains steady. That’s why he didn’t hesitate to choose his father, Benji, and his cousin Alonzo Shavers as his agents. He said today at the NBA predraft combine that he and his father discussed the possibility for the past five to six months. It’s why he’s still working out in his Columbus, Ohio, hometown, as he has for the past five years with the same trainer. … Wednesday in Chicago featured interviews with the Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Hornets and Indiana Pacers and six more teams were to come tonight. The Pacers threw him the best curveball, asking “why are sewers round?” and Burke hit it right back at them, saying “so people can get out.”
• Bob Finnan of The News-Herald: Former Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas said he's been working out with ex-Portland center Greg Oden. "Man, he looks unbelievable," he said at the draft combine. "He's running. He's lifting weights. You might be seeing a comeback. He looks like he's ready to go. He's running, getting in shape. I'll tell you one thing. For a big 7-footer that's all he does, running and getting in shape. He's looking right." Thomas said Oden is working out at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Indianapolis. Oden, who helped Ohio State to the NCAA championship game in 2007, has had five knee surgeries in his career. The Cavs had some interest in signing him as a free agent.
• John Reid of The Times-Picayune: Although construction on the New Orleans Pelicans' new 50,000 square foot practice facility is not scheduled to be completed until August, Coach Monty Williams is already predicting that will be a huge selling point when free agency begins on July 1. The new facility, located at the Saints complex in Metairie, will have a 32,000 square foot practice court area, accommodating two courts, offices for coaches and basketball operations staff, bleachers, as well as a theatre for film review. The practice courts will be made of maple that will be easier on the players' feet and legs. There's also a 12,000-foot area housing the locker rooms for players and coaches, as well as the equipment room and training rooms. The price tag for the new facility is $15 million.