OFFICIAL 2010-2011 NBA PLAYOFFS THREAD : VOL. MOST. ANTICIPATED. PLAYOFFS. EVER?

Rudy
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.. Mad I missed that 1
 
http://[h3]
[h3]MRI for Aldridge[/h3]
10:18AM ET

[h5]LaMarcus Aldridge | Trail Blazers [/h5]


Portland power forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been dealing with soreness in his right hip and he will have an MRI on Tuesday to help determine what is causing the problem.

According to The Oregonian, Aldridge had x-rays on Monday and general manager Rich Cho said they came back negative.

Aldridge, who was named the Western Conference Player of the Week, did play Monday against Sacramento. He only scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Bucks to sign Temple[/h3]
9:56AM ET

[h5]Garrett Temple | Spurs [/h5]


ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports the Milwaukee Bucks will sign guard Garrett Temple to a 10-day contract. Temple began the season with the San Antonio Spurs and spent 21 days on their roster.

Temple is currently playing for the D-League's Erie BayHawks.

The Bucks depth in the backcourt is thin at the moment as Brandon Jennings and John Salmons are out with injuries. According to the Journal Sentinel, Jennings, recovering from foot surgery, could begin practicing soon. The team doesn't know when Salmons will return from his strained right hip and that is the reason for signing Temple.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Gaines signed instead of Johnson[/h3]
9:34AM ET

[h5]Toronto Raptors [/h5]


UPDATE: Toronto decided to sign Sundiata Gaines to a second 10-day contract because Jose Calderon was too sick to play on Monday and they needed a point guard on the bench.

The Raptors have a full 15-man roster, so Gaines will have to be released before Trey Johnson or another player can sign a contract.

-- Nick Borges

----

We've previously touched on the chatter surrounding D-League standout and leading scorer Trey Johnson, noting he could be a potential callup of the Bulls.

But according to a source close to the situation communicating with Scott Schroeder of FanHouse, the Raptors are bringing up Johnson on a 10-day contract.

With Leandro Barbosa reportedly out for another week, Johnson may be able to more easily find some playing time in the backcourt, as he has the ability to play both guard spots.

-- Ryan Corazza

http://[h3]Hornets hit benchmark[/h3]
8:40AM ET

[h5]New Orleans Hornets [/h5]


UPDATE: The Hornets did indeed hit the attendance benchmarks and are now locked into their lease with the city for another season.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal spoke on Monday and said the focus now is to sell season tickets so they can ensure that the team stays in New Orleans long-term.

"We need to have 10,000 season tickets sold," Jindal told The Times-Picayune. "That would be another great step forward to showing the league that we're serious about supporting the Hornets. We need our fans to continue to come out; encourage everyone you know to come to Hornets games."

----

The New Orleans Hornets have the right to terminate their lease early with the city if certain benchmarks are not met. However, it doesn't look like they'll be given that opportunity. The team only needs to average 14,891 fans against San Antonio on Saturday and Oklahoma City on Monday, which should happen.

According to The Times-Picayune, local businesses have donated about $412,000 for tickets to games against Memphis and Toronto to help increase attendance figures.

The NBA owns controlling interest in the team and the goal is to find a group that will keep it in New Orleans.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]West's ETO[/h3]
8:32AM ET

[h5]David West | Hornets [/h5]


Hornets power forward David West has an ETO -- Early Termination Option -- in his contract that will allow him to become a free agent July 1. West's current deal decreases each season and it will go from $8.28 million this season to $7.52 million for 2011-12. That's why most believe he will become a free agent, even though it will coincide with a new collective bargaining agreement, instead of signing a new deal.

"It's hard to see an extension happening here," a source tells Yahoo! Sports.

West does have an offer (extension) on the table from general manager Dell Demps, but he has decided to not deal with his contractual situation until the season is completed.

"I've been saying the same thing: I'm just going to wait until the end of the year, and I want to make the best decision I can make in terms of my future," West told The Times-Picayune Monday night. "I've had an opportunity to talk with Dell. We have an understanding in terms of what's out there, but I'm just going to play ball right now."

A new deal for West, depending on the rules for the next collective bargaining agreement, could average between $10 to $12 million.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Allen should return soon[/h3]
8:12AM ET

[h5]Malik Allen | Magic [/h5]


Malik Allen has not played since Dec. 20 when he sprained his left ankle. Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy says Allen should return soon and when he does the backup big man will be activated.

"There's no question that when he's ready to go we'll activate him," Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel.

The Magic are thin in the frontcourt, so when Allen does return the team will probably put one of the backup point guards -- Jason Williams or Chris Duhon -- on the inactive list.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]A new team for Randolph[/h3]
7:32AM ET

[h5]Anthony Randolph | Knicks [/h5]


UPDATE: Sources are also telling Alan Hahn of Newsday that Randolph could be one of the pieces that would go to Denver for Anthony.

Hahn writes: "A person with knowledge of the Nuggets' thinking told Newsday that they might ask that he be included in the negotiations. The source also said the Nuggets don't hold rookie Landry Fields in high regard, which would come as some relief to the Knicks, who are hesitant to give up too much of their young talent."

The Knicks want Anthony and team president Donnie Walsh tells the newspaper that no player is untouchable.
"I'm not going to make a statement on something like that," he said. "I don't know, there are very few players you'd say, off hand, I will never trade this guy. I didn't say that about Reggie Miller."
-- Nick Borges

----

There's been chatter that New York's Anthony Randolph is likely to be traded to either Minnesota, Indiana or possibly Portland for a first-round pick.

Such a pick could then be used to bolster the Knicks' offerings to Denver in a Carmelo Anthony trade deal.

But as ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reports, Denver itself could have interest in Randolph.

"The Knicks' timetable for trading Randolph could be pushed back a week or so because of New Jersey's pulling out of the Anthony chase, sources said," he wrote. "The likeliest trading partners for Randolph have been Minnesota and Indiana, both of whom would take him for a first-round pick that the Knicks in turn would put in a trade package for Anthony. But there's a possibility the Nuggets may be interested in Randolph as a player."

While Randolph hasn't been getting much playing time in New York, he's still a young player with a chance to grow and develop, one type of asset Denver is said to be interested in via an Anthony trade.

-- Ryan Corazza

http://[h3]Johnson wants Humphries to return[/h3]
7:20AM ET

[h5]Kris Humphries | Nets [/h5]


Kris Humphries is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July and head coach Avery Johnson is hoping the power forward will re-sign with the Nets.

"We want Humphries back," Johnson told the The Record. "Humphries is what the Nets are all about. Where we're going, Humphries is our player. ... We told him that. I just said, We'd love to have you a part of our program as we move forward."

The Nets can keep the backup power forward by signing him to an extension before he enters free agency. No offer has been made yet and probably won't come until after the season.

"He's got me in the big picture," Humphries said. "That feels good ... It would be nice."
Humphries is making $3.2 million this season.
-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Infection hindering Bogut[/h3]
6:19AM ET

[h5]Andrew Bogut | Bucks [/h5]


UPDATE: Bogut spoke to reporters on Monday and said he does have an infection, although he wouldn't reveal what it is.

"It's a little personal," Bogut told the Journal Sentinel. "I can't say what but it's definitely not something too good to have. It's the first time I've had a blood infection. I really don't want to take any more drugs. My immune system is down; I get flush real easy. It's frustrating, especially after my injury. It's a crippling kind of feeling because my energy is not there. I'll try to push through it and see how we go."

----

Bucks starting center Andrew Bogut was hindered once again on Wednesday by a viral infection. According to Bogut, he first felt it back on Dec. 15.

"I was struggling more than ever," Bogut told the Journal Sentinel. "I don't feel great but we'll do some more (medical) tests tomorrow and see where I'm at."

Those tests are scheduled for Thursday morning.

"I've been struggling with something for three weeks now and it still hasn't gone away," he said. "It's frustrating and I've been trying to push through it and trying to play through it. But it's really hit me this last two or three games. We kind of don't know what it is, which is really the most scary thing about it."

The Bucks could shift Drew Gooden to center or play Jon Brockman at that spot if Bogut needs to take any time off.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Will Perkins return early?[/h3]
5:28AM ET

[h5]Kendrick Perkins | Celtics [/h5]


UPDATE: Perkins went though another practice on Monday and wants to get back on the floor before Feb. 4, however head coach Doc Rivers thinks it is best to wait for the game against Dallas next week.

"I think we're going to keep the timetable whatever it is," Rivers told the Boston Herald. "Honestly, he wants to play (tonight). He's already approached me about that. The only consideration has been (trainer) Eddie (Lacerte) and Dr. (Brian) McKeon. I'm not going to listen to Perk, I can tell you that."

----

Kendrick Perkins had his first full-contact practice of the season Sunday and the Celtics center is targeting Feb. 4, a home game against Dallas, as the date he'll return to the lineup.

"I could probably come back before then, but I think we're on the road and I kind of want to make my first game at home," Perkins told ESPNBoston.com.

Perkins, who has been out since suffering the ACL injury in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Lakers, was thrilled after Sunday's practice.

"Yeah, it did feel good to be out there again. I thought we did some good things together, just having the whole (first) team out there a little bit. I didn't have sub today, so I was a little tired, but it was cool," said Perkins.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Nocioni's middle finger[/h3]
5:09AM ET

[h5]Andres Nocioni | 76ers [/h5]


The 76ers shut down small forward Andres Nocioni on Jan. 16 to let his fractured right middle finger heal since it was constantly being hit. He practiced on Sunday -- it got hit again -- and even played 15 minutes against the Suns on Monday.

Nocioni knows the finger will hurt if it gets hit, although the pain is less now.

"Everything was going fine and then I hit it again," he told the Philadelphia Daily News. "I hit it on someone and the pain comes back, but then goes away quicker than it did before, so I know it's getting better."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Back to normal for Powell, Drew[/h3]
4:40AM ET

[h5]Josh Powell | Hawks [/h5]


UPDATE: Powell served the one game suspension on Saturday and he was back at practice on Monday. He will be on the bench Wednesday against Milwaukee.

"Everything is back to normal," head coach Larry Drew told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "It is not one of those situations of making it a prolonged thing. There are no grudges. I've still got to coach him; he's still my player. We will go back to business as usual."

----

Power forward Josh Powell missed Saturday's game against the Bobcats after he was suspended by the Hawks for conduct detrimental to the team. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, head coach Larry Drew made the decision after a "conversation" following Friday's game against the Hornets.

The Hawks take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Wednesday and Drew will have him available for that game.

"I still expect him to do the things that he's been asked to do," Drew said.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Horford should play Wednesday[/h3]
4:35AM ET

[h5]Al Horford | Hawks [/h5]


UPDATE: Horford (ankle) and Marvin Williams (back) should be on the active roster Wednesday against Milwaukee.

"For the most part, I think everybody is going to be OK," Hawks head coach Larry Drew told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday. "Should have everybody back tomorrow."

It will be the first time since Dec. 29 that all the regular starters are available for game action.

----

Al Horford sprained his right ankle Tuesday against the Miami Heat and his status, beginning Friday against New Orleans, is uncertain.

"It is still kind of up in the air," Horford told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday. "I'm just going to get a lot of treatment and see how it feels tomorrow at shootaround. Kind of taking it day-by-day."

The Hawks, according to Arthur Triche, think Horford might miss the next two games.

Horford has been starting at power forward recently. Josh Smith could be moved from small forward to power forward if Horford is forced to sit out.
[/h3]
 
http://[h3]
[h3]MRI for Aldridge[/h3]
10:18AM ET

[h5]LaMarcus Aldridge | Trail Blazers [/h5]


Portland power forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been dealing with soreness in his right hip and he will have an MRI on Tuesday to help determine what is causing the problem.

According to The Oregonian, Aldridge had x-rays on Monday and general manager Rich Cho said they came back negative.

Aldridge, who was named the Western Conference Player of the Week, did play Monday against Sacramento. He only scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Bucks to sign Temple[/h3]
9:56AM ET

[h5]Garrett Temple | Spurs [/h5]


ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports the Milwaukee Bucks will sign guard Garrett Temple to a 10-day contract. Temple began the season with the San Antonio Spurs and spent 21 days on their roster.

Temple is currently playing for the D-League's Erie BayHawks.

The Bucks depth in the backcourt is thin at the moment as Brandon Jennings and John Salmons are out with injuries. According to the Journal Sentinel, Jennings, recovering from foot surgery, could begin practicing soon. The team doesn't know when Salmons will return from his strained right hip and that is the reason for signing Temple.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Gaines signed instead of Johnson[/h3]
9:34AM ET

[h5]Toronto Raptors [/h5]


UPDATE: Toronto decided to sign Sundiata Gaines to a second 10-day contract because Jose Calderon was too sick to play on Monday and they needed a point guard on the bench.

The Raptors have a full 15-man roster, so Gaines will have to be released before Trey Johnson or another player can sign a contract.

-- Nick Borges

----

We've previously touched on the chatter surrounding D-League standout and leading scorer Trey Johnson, noting he could be a potential callup of the Bulls.

But according to a source close to the situation communicating with Scott Schroeder of FanHouse, the Raptors are bringing up Johnson on a 10-day contract.

With Leandro Barbosa reportedly out for another week, Johnson may be able to more easily find some playing time in the backcourt, as he has the ability to play both guard spots.

-- Ryan Corazza

http://[h3]Hornets hit benchmark[/h3]
8:40AM ET

[h5]New Orleans Hornets [/h5]


UPDATE: The Hornets did indeed hit the attendance benchmarks and are now locked into their lease with the city for another season.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal spoke on Monday and said the focus now is to sell season tickets so they can ensure that the team stays in New Orleans long-term.

"We need to have 10,000 season tickets sold," Jindal told The Times-Picayune. "That would be another great step forward to showing the league that we're serious about supporting the Hornets. We need our fans to continue to come out; encourage everyone you know to come to Hornets games."

----

The New Orleans Hornets have the right to terminate their lease early with the city if certain benchmarks are not met. However, it doesn't look like they'll be given that opportunity. The team only needs to average 14,891 fans against San Antonio on Saturday and Oklahoma City on Monday, which should happen.

According to The Times-Picayune, local businesses have donated about $412,000 for tickets to games against Memphis and Toronto to help increase attendance figures.

The NBA owns controlling interest in the team and the goal is to find a group that will keep it in New Orleans.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]West's ETO[/h3]
8:32AM ET

[h5]David West | Hornets [/h5]


Hornets power forward David West has an ETO -- Early Termination Option -- in his contract that will allow him to become a free agent July 1. West's current deal decreases each season and it will go from $8.28 million this season to $7.52 million for 2011-12. That's why most believe he will become a free agent, even though it will coincide with a new collective bargaining agreement, instead of signing a new deal.

"It's hard to see an extension happening here," a source tells Yahoo! Sports.

West does have an offer (extension) on the table from general manager Dell Demps, but he has decided to not deal with his contractual situation until the season is completed.

"I've been saying the same thing: I'm just going to wait until the end of the year, and I want to make the best decision I can make in terms of my future," West told The Times-Picayune Monday night. "I've had an opportunity to talk with Dell. We have an understanding in terms of what's out there, but I'm just going to play ball right now."

A new deal for West, depending on the rules for the next collective bargaining agreement, could average between $10 to $12 million.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Allen should return soon[/h3]
8:12AM ET

[h5]Malik Allen | Magic [/h5]


Malik Allen has not played since Dec. 20 when he sprained his left ankle. Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy says Allen should return soon and when he does the backup big man will be activated.

"There's no question that when he's ready to go we'll activate him," Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel.

The Magic are thin in the frontcourt, so when Allen does return the team will probably put one of the backup point guards -- Jason Williams or Chris Duhon -- on the inactive list.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]A new team for Randolph[/h3]
7:32AM ET

[h5]Anthony Randolph | Knicks [/h5]


UPDATE: Sources are also telling Alan Hahn of Newsday that Randolph could be one of the pieces that would go to Denver for Anthony.

Hahn writes: "A person with knowledge of the Nuggets' thinking told Newsday that they might ask that he be included in the negotiations. The source also said the Nuggets don't hold rookie Landry Fields in high regard, which would come as some relief to the Knicks, who are hesitant to give up too much of their young talent."

The Knicks want Anthony and team president Donnie Walsh tells the newspaper that no player is untouchable.
"I'm not going to make a statement on something like that," he said. "I don't know, there are very few players you'd say, off hand, I will never trade this guy. I didn't say that about Reggie Miller."
-- Nick Borges

----

There's been chatter that New York's Anthony Randolph is likely to be traded to either Minnesota, Indiana or possibly Portland for a first-round pick.

Such a pick could then be used to bolster the Knicks' offerings to Denver in a Carmelo Anthony trade deal.

But as ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reports, Denver itself could have interest in Randolph.

"The Knicks' timetable for trading Randolph could be pushed back a week or so because of New Jersey's pulling out of the Anthony chase, sources said," he wrote. "The likeliest trading partners for Randolph have been Minnesota and Indiana, both of whom would take him for a first-round pick that the Knicks in turn would put in a trade package for Anthony. But there's a possibility the Nuggets may be interested in Randolph as a player."

While Randolph hasn't been getting much playing time in New York, he's still a young player with a chance to grow and develop, one type of asset Denver is said to be interested in via an Anthony trade.

-- Ryan Corazza

http://[h3]Johnson wants Humphries to return[/h3]
7:20AM ET

[h5]Kris Humphries | Nets [/h5]


Kris Humphries is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July and head coach Avery Johnson is hoping the power forward will re-sign with the Nets.

"We want Humphries back," Johnson told the The Record. "Humphries is what the Nets are all about. Where we're going, Humphries is our player. ... We told him that. I just said, We'd love to have you a part of our program as we move forward."

The Nets can keep the backup power forward by signing him to an extension before he enters free agency. No offer has been made yet and probably won't come until after the season.

"He's got me in the big picture," Humphries said. "That feels good ... It would be nice."
Humphries is making $3.2 million this season.
-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Infection hindering Bogut[/h3]
6:19AM ET

[h5]Andrew Bogut | Bucks [/h5]


UPDATE: Bogut spoke to reporters on Monday and said he does have an infection, although he wouldn't reveal what it is.

"It's a little personal," Bogut told the Journal Sentinel. "I can't say what but it's definitely not something too good to have. It's the first time I've had a blood infection. I really don't want to take any more drugs. My immune system is down; I get flush real easy. It's frustrating, especially after my injury. It's a crippling kind of feeling because my energy is not there. I'll try to push through it and see how we go."

----

Bucks starting center Andrew Bogut was hindered once again on Wednesday by a viral infection. According to Bogut, he first felt it back on Dec. 15.

"I was struggling more than ever," Bogut told the Journal Sentinel. "I don't feel great but we'll do some more (medical) tests tomorrow and see where I'm at."

Those tests are scheduled for Thursday morning.

"I've been struggling with something for three weeks now and it still hasn't gone away," he said. "It's frustrating and I've been trying to push through it and trying to play through it. But it's really hit me this last two or three games. We kind of don't know what it is, which is really the most scary thing about it."

The Bucks could shift Drew Gooden to center or play Jon Brockman at that spot if Bogut needs to take any time off.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Will Perkins return early?[/h3]
5:28AM ET

[h5]Kendrick Perkins | Celtics [/h5]


UPDATE: Perkins went though another practice on Monday and wants to get back on the floor before Feb. 4, however head coach Doc Rivers thinks it is best to wait for the game against Dallas next week.

"I think we're going to keep the timetable whatever it is," Rivers told the Boston Herald. "Honestly, he wants to play (tonight). He's already approached me about that. The only consideration has been (trainer) Eddie (Lacerte) and Dr. (Brian) McKeon. I'm not going to listen to Perk, I can tell you that."

----

Kendrick Perkins had his first full-contact practice of the season Sunday and the Celtics center is targeting Feb. 4, a home game against Dallas, as the date he'll return to the lineup.

"I could probably come back before then, but I think we're on the road and I kind of want to make my first game at home," Perkins told ESPNBoston.com.

Perkins, who has been out since suffering the ACL injury in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Lakers, was thrilled after Sunday's practice.

"Yeah, it did feel good to be out there again. I thought we did some good things together, just having the whole (first) team out there a little bit. I didn't have sub today, so I was a little tired, but it was cool," said Perkins.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Nocioni's middle finger[/h3]
5:09AM ET

[h5]Andres Nocioni | 76ers [/h5]


The 76ers shut down small forward Andres Nocioni on Jan. 16 to let his fractured right middle finger heal since it was constantly being hit. He practiced on Sunday -- it got hit again -- and even played 15 minutes against the Suns on Monday.

Nocioni knows the finger will hurt if it gets hit, although the pain is less now.

"Everything was going fine and then I hit it again," he told the Philadelphia Daily News. "I hit it on someone and the pain comes back, but then goes away quicker than it did before, so I know it's getting better."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Back to normal for Powell, Drew[/h3]
4:40AM ET

[h5]Josh Powell | Hawks [/h5]


UPDATE: Powell served the one game suspension on Saturday and he was back at practice on Monday. He will be on the bench Wednesday against Milwaukee.

"Everything is back to normal," head coach Larry Drew told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "It is not one of those situations of making it a prolonged thing. There are no grudges. I've still got to coach him; he's still my player. We will go back to business as usual."

----

Power forward Josh Powell missed Saturday's game against the Bobcats after he was suspended by the Hawks for conduct detrimental to the team. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, head coach Larry Drew made the decision after a "conversation" following Friday's game against the Hornets.

The Hawks take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Wednesday and Drew will have him available for that game.

"I still expect him to do the things that he's been asked to do," Drew said.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Horford should play Wednesday[/h3]
4:35AM ET

[h5]Al Horford | Hawks [/h5]


UPDATE: Horford (ankle) and Marvin Williams (back) should be on the active roster Wednesday against Milwaukee.

"For the most part, I think everybody is going to be OK," Hawks head coach Larry Drew told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday. "Should have everybody back tomorrow."

It will be the first time since Dec. 29 that all the regular starters are available for game action.

----

Al Horford sprained his right ankle Tuesday against the Miami Heat and his status, beginning Friday against New Orleans, is uncertain.

"It is still kind of up in the air," Horford told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday. "I'm just going to get a lot of treatment and see how it feels tomorrow at shootaround. Kind of taking it day-by-day."

The Hawks, according to Arthur Triche, think Horford might miss the next two games.

Horford has been starting at power forward recently. Josh Smith could be moved from small forward to power forward if Horford is forced to sit out.
[/h3]
 
Portland might as well pass on the tests and just announce Aldridge is out for six weeks. 
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Portland might as well pass on the tests and just announce Aldridge is out for six weeks. 
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Patrick Ewing Jr got traded for Danny Green.

Had NO clue they did trades in the D-League.
 
Patrick Ewing Jr got traded for Danny Green.

Had NO clue they did trades in the D-League.
 
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