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

[pmatic]

Melo visiting Jersey tonight...curious as to how he'll be received by the 11 Nets fans and Kim Kardashian in attendance. 

 

[pmatic]

Melo visiting Jersey tonight...curious as to how he'll be received by the 11 Nets fans and Kim Kardashian in attendance. 

 

[|A-Man|]

Originally Posted by Proshares

JA, you're forgetting the Big 3 he was a part of in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Ray will always be my favorite Ray.

Word. Ray in Milwaukee wasn't just a shooter either. Dude was having thunderous dunks in the playoffs yearly. His slashing and evading ability was top notch just like Reggie's.

 

[duba169]

i dunno but he played horrible yesterday. unimpressive season, but maybe it's just all the stress and stuff with his sister

 

[|A-Man|]

Originally Posted by Proshares

JA, you're forgetting the Big 3 he was a part of in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Ray will always be my favorite Ray.

Word. Ray in Milwaukee wasn't just a shooter either. Dude was having thunderous dunks in the playoffs yearly. His slashing and evading ability was top notch just like Reggie's.

 

[duba169]

i dunno but he played horrible yesterday. unimpressive season, but maybe it's just all the stress and stuff with his sister

 

[maddog345]

Originally Posted by DubA169

i dunno but he played horrible yesterday. unimpressive season, but maybe it's just all the stress and stuff with his sister

It was due to the defensive prowess of the Sixers. They locked him down in the second half.

 

[maddog345]

Originally Posted by DubA169

i dunno but he played horrible yesterday. unimpressive season, but maybe it's just all the stress and stuff with his sister

It was due to the defensive prowess of the Sixers. They locked him down in the second half.

 

[proshares]

http://[h3]

[h3]Dragic cuts left big toe[/h3]
11:10AM ET

[h5]Goran Dragic | Suns [/h5]


Suns backup point guard Goran Dragic needed nine stitches to his left big toe after he stepped on a glass at his home on Sunday.

"From now, I'll just wear slippers in the night," Dragic told The Arizona Republic. "At first, I thought it was just a cut because it was dark. I tried to put pressure on it and it was just blood, blood, blood."

Dragic is listed as day-to-day, however the Suns don't expect him to play for the rest of the week.

Zabian Dowdell, who signed his second 10-day contract last week with the Suns, will back up Steve Nash at point guard.

Dowdell's contract expires on Saturday, so he may get a rest-of-season from the Suns, if Dragic is out past this coming weekend.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Okafor's hip[/h3]
10:57AM ET

[h5]Emeka Okafor | Hornets [/h5]


Hornets center Emeka Okafor had to leave their game Sunday against Phoenix late in the second quarter and didn't return. According to The Times-Picayune, Okafor has a strain of the left hip.

The Hornets next game is Tuesday against Washington and his status for the week is uncertain.

Head coach Monty Williams could start David Andersen or .J. Mbenga at center if Okafor has to miss any games.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Silas' future in Charlotte[/h3]
10:42AM ET

[h5]Paul Silas | Bobcats [/h5]


Paul Silas took over as the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats when Larry Brown resigned earlier in the season. Silas only has a contract that runs through June, which is why his future with the team is a common topic of conversation.

Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer has some thoughts on the subject and writes: "Paul really wants this job, but Paul doesn't need this job. He saved his money from when he coached the Cleveland Cavaliers, so he's set up for life at 68. ... I think he should be here beyond this season because the players believe in him, want to win for him, and that matters. However, I can't blame owner Michael Jordan for taking a wait-and-see approach. There are three months left in the season and a lockout could (worst-case scenario) wipe out next season. Silas said he's fine with that, which says a lot about how comfortable he is in his own skin."

The Bobcats are in a battle for the seventh and eighth playoff spots and Silas may get a long-term deal from Jordan, if the team makes it to the post-season.

Jordan may also look around and try to bring in someone like Nate McMillan, who is in the final season of his contract with Portland. McMillan was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and went to college at North Carolina State.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Williams' right wrist[/h3]
10:25AM ET

[h5]Deron Williams | Jazz [/h5]


UPDATE: No. 2 Williams' wrist was worse on Sunday and he didn't play against the Warriors. He is also unlikely to play against Charlotte on Monday.

Williams is listed as day-to-day.

----

UPDATE: Deron Williams missed Friday's game against Minnesota due to his hyper-extended right wrist.

"I feel like I can't hold the ball. If I could play, I could play," Williams told the Deseret News. "I'm not one of them people that sits out for little injuries. My goal every year is to play 82 games, so I'm (ticked) off I can't play."

The team is hoping he can return to the lineup on Sunday.

"We hope we get him back as soon as we can," Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan said. "Losing doesn't taste very good."

Earl Watson started at point guard on Friday and he'll continue that role until Williams comes back.

----

Utah point guard Deron Williams heard his wrist "pop" during Wednesday's game against San Antonio. He was sent for an MRI on Thursday and according to The Salt Lake Tribune, the results should be released on Friday.

Williams did not practice on Thursday and his availability for Friday's game against Minnesota will be made prior to tip-off.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Fourteen in Dallas[/h3]
9:56AM ET

[h5]Sasha Pavlovic | Mavericks [/h5]


UPDATE No. 2: Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com mentions Steve Novak as a possible player the Mavericks could sign to a 10-day while Stojakovic's knee heals. Stojakovic is expected to be out at least another 7-10 days.

Novak was released at the beginning of January by the team before his contract became fully guaranteed for the season.

-- Nick Borges

----

UPDATE: According to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com, the Mavs have decided not to bring Pavlovic back.

As such, Dallas now has 14 players on its roster, one less than the maximum allowed of 15. That means there's flexibility for multiple return pieces if the team makes a trade, or wants to sign another player on a 10-day contract.

-- Ryan Corazza

---

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2172http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2172Sasha Pavlovic's second 10-day contract will expire on Saturday, which means the Mavs need to make a decision. Do they let him go, or do they sign him to a rest-of-season contract.

The team recently signed Peja Stojakovic, however he is still dealing with a knee injury and may not be ready to play for another 7-10 days. Stojokovic, when healthy, should take most of the minutes that is going to Pavlovic right now, however no one know just how healthy Stojokovic can be for the duration of the season.

The Mavs could let Pavlovic go and then sign another player to one or two 10-day contracts until Stojakovic is ready to be activated. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=510Shawn Marion could also be moved into the starting lineup, if Pavlovic is let go.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Knicks showcasing Mozgov?[/h3]
9:39AM ET

[h5]Timofey Mozgov | Knicks [/h5]


Knicks rookie center Timofey Mozgov had received 15 DNP-CDs in the last 17 games, but on Sunday he played 40 minutes and scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds against Detroit.

The Knicks are hoping they can put together a package that the Nuggets will accept for Carmelo Anthony and ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan wonders if Mozgov could be part of a proposed deal for the small forward.

Sheridan writes: "Just a few days ago, the debate in New York was whether it would be worth it to include Landry Fields in a proposed package for Anthony. This week, you can argue the same point about whether Mozgov is a keeper or a spare part. Perhaps Anthony himself, who has become talkative again lately, will weigh in on the merits of each of those players Monday night when he pays his one and only visit to Mikhail Prokhorov's rental unit on the other side of the Hudson. And if Melo says he's a bigger fan of Mozgov than he is of Mikhail, we'll have another clue to decipher as we count down to the Feb. 24 trade deadline wondering whether the trade that has been slow-brewing since the start of the season will finally go down -- and whether either of the two prized Knicks rookies (yes, there are now two thanks to Mozgov's big night) will be staying in New York for the long term."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Melo will stay in Jersey[/h3]
8:53AM ET

[h5]Carmelo Anthony | Nuggets [/h5]


Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets make their only visit to New Jersey on Monday when they play the Nets. Even though the Nets have called off negotiations with the Nuggets, most expect the two sides to talk again before the trade deadline.

Anthony, who reportedly wants to end up with the Knicks, says that he is not closing the door on any team, including the Nets.

"All my options are open," he told Newsday. "I've been saying that all year."

Anthony also said that he plans to stay in New Jersey on Monday and won't travel to New York.

"I'm not stepping foot in New York this time," he said. "I'm not going across that bridge or into that tunnel."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Knicks hire Warkentien; Melo surprised[/h3]
8:18AM ET

[h5]New York Knicks [/h5]


Yahoo! Sports reports the Knicks may have made a move on Sunday that could help lure Carmelo Anthony to New York. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the team has a agreed to a contract with former Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien. His position will initially be as a consultant to president Donnie Walsh.

Warkentien, the NBA's 2009 Executive of the Year, has a good relationship with Anthony and he might be able to convince the small forward to sign with New York if he opts for free agency. Of course the Knicks would like to trade for Anthony by the Feb. 24 deadline, but that probably won't happen.

Anthony spoke to Newsday on Sunday night and was surprised by the hiring of Warkentien.

"Did they really? Is that surprising? Yeah. It's a great addition to the organization, but you just really caught me off guard with that one, said Anthony."

Walsh already has Allan Houston, John Gabriel and Glen Grunwald on his staff, so Warkentien's role may not be defined until the offseason.

The Nuggets don't want to lose anyone in the front office and reportedly general manager Masai Ujiri told his staff that they can't follow Warkentien to the Knicks.

Another interesting note is that Anthony and Warkentien are now represented by CAA. Anthony's agent is Leon Rose and the New York Post reports Warkentien has left agent Steve Kaufmann to sign with power-broker, William Wesley, who also works for CAA.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Oberto to unretire?[/h3]
7:56AM ET

[h5]Fabricio Oberto | Trail Blazers [/h5]


Fabricio Oberto played for the Portland Trail Blazers early in the season, but retired after he had heart palpitations. Oberto, who also had the issues when he played for the Spurs, is in San Antonio and is hoping to make a come back.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, Oberto watched the Spurs play the Rockets on Saturday and was at the teams practice facility on Sunday. He plans to undergo some medical tests and work on his conditioning while he makes a decision about his future.

"I'll have some tests, and we'll see," Oberto said.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Bonner's bruised knee[/h3]
7:39AM ET

[h5]Matt Bonner | Spurs [/h5]


The San Antonio Express-News reports Matt Bonner will travel with the Spurs during their first leg of the rodeo road trip to Portland, Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Bonner hasn't played since Jan. 14 due to a bone marrow edema. He is listed as day-to-day.

----

Matt Bonner, San Antonio's sharp-shooting big man, has a bone bruise under his right kneecap and the team doesn't know when he's going to return because it is slow to heal.

"It's frustrating, because I can walk on it fine," Bonner tells the San Antonio Express-News. "But if I try to do anything else, like run or jump, it hurts."

Bonner suffered the injury on Jan. 11 and he was told by team doctors that it could take up to three weeks before the pain will go away.

"I could probably go out there and hobble around on it," Bonner said, "But that doesn't seem like the right thing to do."

Bonner is listed as day-to-day by the Spurs.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Will the Rockets make a trade?[/h3]
7:31AM ET

[h5]Houston Rockets [/h5]


The Houston Rockets have plenty of assets in players, expiring contracts and draft picks to make a deal or deals by the Feb. 24 deadline. They also have the $5.86 million injury exception from Yao Ming. However, it expires on Monday and will probably go unused.

"There are a lot of active exceptions in the league," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told the Houston Chronicle. "Our exception was nothing unique and was actually smaller and expires sooner (than others). There was never a specific goal. We just looked to see if there was an opportunity to upgrade. Nothing materialized."

Morey does have interest in Carmelo Anthony and is also hoping to land a center due to the uncertainty of Yao's future, although a trade may not occur until we get closer to Feb. 24.

"There's always been something at the deadline," Morey said. "We don't do things just to do things, but we are pretty aggressive. Obviously, we are not a title contender. If there is something to get us closer, we'll do it. We're only looking to move guys to upgrade the team, not because we're (just) looking to move anyone."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Griz waiting on J-Will[/h3]
7:11AM ET

[h5]Jason Williams | Magic [/h5]


The Grizzlies want to bring Jason Williams back to Memphis, but the veteran point guard is looking at other options.

According to Ronald Tillery of The Commercial-Appeal, the Grizzlies had planned to claim Williams off waivers from the Orlando Magic, but they didn't at the request of Williams, as he looks at teams that will be in the playoffs.

Michael Heisley has failed twice to entice Williams to come back to Memphis and the Grizzlies owner is willing to wait until Williams makes a decision.

Williams played for Memphis from 2001-2006. He will make the pro-rated veteran minimum if he signs with the team.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Why O'Brien was fired[/h3]
6:54AM ET

[h5]Jim O'Brien | Pacers [/h5]


Jim O'Brien was fired as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers on Sunday and assistant coach Frank Vogel, 37, was promoted to the top spot for the duration of the season. The Pacers are only 17-27 this season and two games out of the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"We don't feel good where we're at as a team," president Larry Bird said Sunday. "I think our players understand we're trying to do all we can to get back on the right track. Hopefully we can move forward and win some ballgames and get back in playoff contention."

According to Mike Wells of The Indianapolis Star, there were two main reasons O'Brien got fired -- "his harsh public criticism of center Roy Hibbert and his reluctance to play the team's younger players, especially Tyler Hansbrough."

"I never did that when I was a coach and I didn't like it when I was a player," Bird said. "If you look at some of our players, especially Roy, he looks like he's down. He's not running around, not having a good time like he was earlier. Obviously it's affecting him."

Wells reports former Pacers assistant coach and Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown is someone the team will likely pursue this summer.

[/h3]

 

[proshares]

http://[h3]

[h3]Dragic cuts left big toe[/h3]
11:10AM ET

[h5]Goran Dragic | Suns [/h5]


Suns backup point guard Goran Dragic needed nine stitches to his left big toe after he stepped on a glass at his home on Sunday.

"From now, I'll just wear slippers in the night," Dragic told The Arizona Republic. "At first, I thought it was just a cut because it was dark. I tried to put pressure on it and it was just blood, blood, blood."

Dragic is listed as day-to-day, however the Suns don't expect him to play for the rest of the week.

Zabian Dowdell, who signed his second 10-day contract last week with the Suns, will back up Steve Nash at point guard.

Dowdell's contract expires on Saturday, so he may get a rest-of-season from the Suns, if Dragic is out past this coming weekend.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Okafor's hip[/h3]
10:57AM ET

[h5]Emeka Okafor | Hornets [/h5]


Hornets center Emeka Okafor had to leave their game Sunday against Phoenix late in the second quarter and didn't return. According to The Times-Picayune, Okafor has a strain of the left hip.

The Hornets next game is Tuesday against Washington and his status for the week is uncertain.

Head coach Monty Williams could start David Andersen or .J. Mbenga at center if Okafor has to miss any games.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Silas' future in Charlotte[/h3]
10:42AM ET

[h5]Paul Silas | Bobcats [/h5]


Paul Silas took over as the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats when Larry Brown resigned earlier in the season. Silas only has a contract that runs through June, which is why his future with the team is a common topic of conversation.

Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer has some thoughts on the subject and writes: "Paul really wants this job, but Paul doesn't need this job. He saved his money from when he coached the Cleveland Cavaliers, so he's set up for life at 68. ... I think he should be here beyond this season because the players believe in him, want to win for him, and that matters. However, I can't blame owner Michael Jordan for taking a wait-and-see approach. There are three months left in the season and a lockout could (worst-case scenario) wipe out next season. Silas said he's fine with that, which says a lot about how comfortable he is in his own skin."

The Bobcats are in a battle for the seventh and eighth playoff spots and Silas may get a long-term deal from Jordan, if the team makes it to the post-season.

Jordan may also look around and try to bring in someone like Nate McMillan, who is in the final season of his contract with Portland. McMillan was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and went to college at North Carolina State.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Williams' right wrist[/h3]
10:25AM ET

[h5]Deron Williams | Jazz [/h5]


UPDATE: No. 2 Williams' wrist was worse on Sunday and he didn't play against the Warriors. He is also unlikely to play against Charlotte on Monday.

Williams is listed as day-to-day.

----

UPDATE: Deron Williams missed Friday's game against Minnesota due to his hyper-extended right wrist.

"I feel like I can't hold the ball. If I could play, I could play," Williams told the Deseret News. "I'm not one of them people that sits out for little injuries. My goal every year is to play 82 games, so I'm (ticked) off I can't play."

The team is hoping he can return to the lineup on Sunday.

"We hope we get him back as soon as we can," Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan said. "Losing doesn't taste very good."

Earl Watson started at point guard on Friday and he'll continue that role until Williams comes back.

----

Utah point guard Deron Williams heard his wrist "pop" during Wednesday's game against San Antonio. He was sent for an MRI on Thursday and according to The Salt Lake Tribune, the results should be released on Friday.

Williams did not practice on Thursday and his availability for Friday's game against Minnesota will be made prior to tip-off.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Fourteen in Dallas[/h3]
9:56AM ET

[h5]Sasha Pavlovic | Mavericks [/h5]


UPDATE No. 2: Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com mentions Steve Novak as a possible player the Mavericks could sign to a 10-day while Stojakovic's knee heals. Stojakovic is expected to be out at least another 7-10 days.

Novak was released at the beginning of January by the team before his contract became fully guaranteed for the season.

-- Nick Borges

----

UPDATE: According to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com, the Mavs have decided not to bring Pavlovic back.

As such, Dallas now has 14 players on its roster, one less than the maximum allowed of 15. That means there's flexibility for multiple return pieces if the team makes a trade, or wants to sign another player on a 10-day contract.

-- Ryan Corazza

---

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2172http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2172Sasha Pavlovic's second 10-day contract will expire on Saturday, which means the Mavs need to make a decision. Do they let him go, or do they sign him to a rest-of-season contract.

The team recently signed Peja Stojakovic, however he is still dealing with a knee injury and may not be ready to play for another 7-10 days. Stojokovic, when healthy, should take most of the minutes that is going to Pavlovic right now, however no one know just how healthy Stojokovic can be for the duration of the season.

The Mavs could let Pavlovic go and then sign another player to one or two 10-day contracts until Stojakovic is ready to be activated. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=510Shawn Marion could also be moved into the starting lineup, if Pavlovic is let go.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Knicks showcasing Mozgov?[/h3]
9:39AM ET

[h5]Timofey Mozgov | Knicks [/h5]


Knicks rookie center Timofey Mozgov had received 15 DNP-CDs in the last 17 games, but on Sunday he played 40 minutes and scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds against Detroit.

The Knicks are hoping they can put together a package that the Nuggets will accept for Carmelo Anthony and ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan wonders if Mozgov could be part of a proposed deal for the small forward.

Sheridan writes: "Just a few days ago, the debate in New York was whether it would be worth it to include Landry Fields in a proposed package for Anthony. This week, you can argue the same point about whether Mozgov is a keeper or a spare part. Perhaps Anthony himself, who has become talkative again lately, will weigh in on the merits of each of those players Monday night when he pays his one and only visit to Mikhail Prokhorov's rental unit on the other side of the Hudson. And if Melo says he's a bigger fan of Mozgov than he is of Mikhail, we'll have another clue to decipher as we count down to the Feb. 24 trade deadline wondering whether the trade that has been slow-brewing since the start of the season will finally go down -- and whether either of the two prized Knicks rookies (yes, there are now two thanks to Mozgov's big night) will be staying in New York for the long term."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Melo will stay in Jersey[/h3]
8:53AM ET

[h5]Carmelo Anthony | Nuggets [/h5]


Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets make their only visit to New Jersey on Monday when they play the Nets. Even though the Nets have called off negotiations with the Nuggets, most expect the two sides to talk again before the trade deadline.

Anthony, who reportedly wants to end up with the Knicks, says that he is not closing the door on any team, including the Nets.

"All my options are open," he told Newsday. "I've been saying that all year."

Anthony also said that he plans to stay in New Jersey on Monday and won't travel to New York.

"I'm not stepping foot in New York this time," he said. "I'm not going across that bridge or into that tunnel."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Knicks hire Warkentien; Melo surprised[/h3]
8:18AM ET

[h5]New York Knicks [/h5]


Yahoo! Sports reports the Knicks may have made a move on Sunday that could help lure Carmelo Anthony to New York. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the team has a agreed to a contract with former Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien. His position will initially be as a consultant to president Donnie Walsh.

Warkentien, the NBA's 2009 Executive of the Year, has a good relationship with Anthony and he might be able to convince the small forward to sign with New York if he opts for free agency. Of course the Knicks would like to trade for Anthony by the Feb. 24 deadline, but that probably won't happen.

Anthony spoke to Newsday on Sunday night and was surprised by the hiring of Warkentien.

"Did they really? Is that surprising? Yeah. It's a great addition to the organization, but you just really caught me off guard with that one, said Anthony."

Walsh already has Allan Houston, John Gabriel and Glen Grunwald on his staff, so Warkentien's role may not be defined until the offseason.

The Nuggets don't want to lose anyone in the front office and reportedly general manager Masai Ujiri told his staff that they can't follow Warkentien to the Knicks.

Another interesting note is that Anthony and Warkentien are now represented by CAA. Anthony's agent is Leon Rose and the New York Post reports Warkentien has left agent Steve Kaufmann to sign with power-broker, William Wesley, who also works for CAA.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Oberto to unretire?[/h3]
7:56AM ET

[h5]Fabricio Oberto | Trail Blazers [/h5]


Fabricio Oberto played for the Portland Trail Blazers early in the season, but retired after he had heart palpitations. Oberto, who also had the issues when he played for the Spurs, is in San Antonio and is hoping to make a come back.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, Oberto watched the Spurs play the Rockets on Saturday and was at the teams practice facility on Sunday. He plans to undergo some medical tests and work on his conditioning while he makes a decision about his future.

"I'll have some tests, and we'll see," Oberto said.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Bonner's bruised knee[/h3]
7:39AM ET

[h5]Matt Bonner | Spurs [/h5]


The San Antonio Express-News reports Matt Bonner will travel with the Spurs during their first leg of the rodeo road trip to Portland, Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Bonner hasn't played since Jan. 14 due to a bone marrow edema. He is listed as day-to-day.

----

Matt Bonner, San Antonio's sharp-shooting big man, has a bone bruise under his right kneecap and the team doesn't know when he's going to return because it is slow to heal.

"It's frustrating, because I can walk on it fine," Bonner tells the San Antonio Express-News. "But if I try to do anything else, like run or jump, it hurts."

Bonner suffered the injury on Jan. 11 and he was told by team doctors that it could take up to three weeks before the pain will go away.

"I could probably go out there and hobble around on it," Bonner said, "But that doesn't seem like the right thing to do."

Bonner is listed as day-to-day by the Spurs.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Will the Rockets make a trade?[/h3]
7:31AM ET

[h5]Houston Rockets [/h5]


The Houston Rockets have plenty of assets in players, expiring contracts and draft picks to make a deal or deals by the Feb. 24 deadline. They also have the $5.86 million injury exception from Yao Ming. However, it expires on Monday and will probably go unused.

"There are a lot of active exceptions in the league," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told the Houston Chronicle. "Our exception was nothing unique and was actually smaller and expires sooner (than others). There was never a specific goal. We just looked to see if there was an opportunity to upgrade. Nothing materialized."

Morey does have interest in Carmelo Anthony and is also hoping to land a center due to the uncertainty of Yao's future, although a trade may not occur until we get closer to Feb. 24.

"There's always been something at the deadline," Morey said. "We don't do things just to do things, but we are pretty aggressive. Obviously, we are not a title contender. If there is something to get us closer, we'll do it. We're only looking to move guys to upgrade the team, not because we're (just) looking to move anyone."

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Griz waiting on J-Will[/h3]
7:11AM ET

[h5]Jason Williams | Magic [/h5]


The Grizzlies want to bring Jason Williams back to Memphis, but the veteran point guard is looking at other options.

According to Ronald Tillery of The Commercial-Appeal, the Grizzlies had planned to claim Williams off waivers from the Orlando Magic, but they didn't at the request of Williams, as he looks at teams that will be in the playoffs.

Michael Heisley has failed twice to entice Williams to come back to Memphis and the Grizzlies owner is willing to wait until Williams makes a decision.

Williams played for Memphis from 2001-2006. He will make the pro-rated veteran minimum if he signs with the team.

-- Nick Borges

http://[h3]Why O'Brien was fired[/h3]
6:54AM ET

[h5]Jim O'Brien | Pacers [/h5]


Jim O'Brien was fired as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers on Sunday and assistant coach Frank Vogel, 37, was promoted to the top spot for the duration of the season. The Pacers are only 17-27 this season and two games out of the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"We don't feel good where we're at as a team," president Larry Bird said Sunday. "I think our players understand we're trying to do all we can to get back on the right track. Hopefully we can move forward and win some ballgames and get back in playoff contention."

According to Mike Wells of The Indianapolis Star, there were two main reasons O'Brien got fired -- "his harsh public criticism of center Roy Hibbert and his reluctance to play the team's younger players, especially Tyler Hansbrough."

"I never did that when I was a coach and I didn't like it when I was a player," Bird said. "If you look at some of our players, especially Roy, he looks like he's down. He's not running around, not having a good time like he was earlier. Obviously it's affecting him."

Wells reports former Pacers assistant coach and Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown is someone the team will likely pursue this summer.

[/h3]

 

[|A-Man|]

[h3]

The Nuggets don't want to lose anyone in the front office and reportedly general manager Masai Ujiri told his staff that they can't follow Warkentien to the Knicks.

[/h3]I knew it

 

[|A-Man|]

[h3]

The Nuggets don't want to lose anyone in the front office and reportedly general manager Masai Ujiri told his staff that they can't follow Warkentien to the Knicks.

[/h3]I knew it

 

[pmatic]

If LeBron has a terrible game vs the Magic on Thursday, we'll know why.

 

[pmatic]

If LeBron has a terrible game vs the Magic on Thursday, we'll know why.

 

[hood17]

How many parties has bron hosted this year? Doesn't he always host one party in every city?

RAY ALLEN IS THE BEST SHOOTER I'VE SEEN. I wonder why there is not a lot of guys in college and high school play the way he does without the ball sometimes.

 

[CP1708]

^

  I'm not even gonna comment, people would just add it to my rap sheet.  But hopefully my man Shuges will see that.  He'll know why. 


Seattle Ray was my favorite.  Now ya'll see why I was hopin to try and steal Ray in the offseason.  What coulda been. 

I thought Dragic was going to make a leap this year, but I haven't seen it. 

 

[hood17]

How many parties has bron hosted this year? Doesn't he always host one party in every city?

RAY ALLEN IS THE BEST SHOOTER I'VE SEEN. I wonder why there is not a lot of guys in college and high school play the way he does without the ball sometimes.

 

[CP1708]

^

  I'm not even gonna comment, people would just add it to my rap sheet.  But hopefully my man Shuges will see that.  He'll know why. 


Seattle Ray was my favorite.  Now ya'll see why I was hopin to try and steal Ray in the offseason.  What coulda been. 

I thought Dragic was going to make a leap this year, but I haven't seen it. 

 

[naija nitemare]

LMFAO @ how he is posing mad awkwardly just to cover the remnants of his hairline

 

[naija nitemare]

LMFAO @ how he is posing mad awkwardly just to cover the remnants of his hairline

 

[antbanks81]

damn i wish i could party there, the groupies will be in abundance

 

[antbanks81]

damn i wish i could party there, the groupies will be in abundance

 

[|A-Man|]

Originally Posted by Naija Nitemare

LMFAO @ how he is posing mad awkwardly just to cover the remnants of his hairline

I didn't even notice how he's covering his hairline with his arm and they cut off the pic in the next one. Shameless LeBron.

 

[|A-Man|]

Originally Posted by Naija Nitemare

LMFAO @ how he is posing mad awkwardly just to cover the remnants of his hairline

I didn't even notice how he's covering his hairline with his arm and they cut off the pic in the next one. Shameless LeBron.

 

[duba169]

haha hiding his hairline in both pictures. i doubt he gets piss drunk at those things. shouldn't be affected in anyway

maddog i meant the so so season is due to all the trade rumors and personal stuff not just yesterday's game. did they double him? who locked him down?