May 21, 2012 9:46 AM EDT

The Clippers were swept by the Spurs on Sunday, but the team is already looking ahead to the future.
Blake Griffin is eligible for an extension this summer, while Chris Paul is under contract for just one more season.
The Clippers are confident, however, that both players will be retained for the long-term.
"I feel those things are going to get done," Clippers president Andy Roeser told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "The important thing is that we have to do other things to improve the team. But I believe we'll do those things and ultimately I believe those two players (Griffin and Paul) are going to play out their careers here."
Griffin will receive a max contract offer from the Clippers when he becomes eligible on July 1st. But Griffin hasn't thought about his options.
"I haven't given it one ounce of thought," Griffin said. "That's been the furthest thing from my mind, honestly. I know that's kind of the popular thing to say, but I haven't thought about it. I'll get to that when it comes."
A source close to the situation says Paul has given the Clippers indications he intends to remain with the team long-term.
Both Griffin and Paul are curious to see what moves the Clippers make during the offseason to improve.
May 21, 2012 12:25 AM EDT
Dwyane Wade had his knee drained prior to Game 3, according to multiple sources.
Wade has downplayed the extent of his left knee injuries over the past few weeks.
Wade declined to comment on the procedure after Game 4 other than to say, "If I'm in uniform, I ready to play."
Wade said the 48 hours of treatment and time away allowed him to regroup for Sunday's critical game.
"The last two days have been mental," Wade said. "It was great for me just getting away and to get that energy that I needed. I know I was struggling on the offensive end, but I didn't want that to affect my overall game."
May 21, 2012 9:50 AM EDT
Mo Williams will not opt out of his $8.5 million player option with the Clippers for the 12-13 season.
"No," Williams said when asked if he would opt-out this summer. "I can tell you that right now."
Williams averaged 13.2 points and 3.1 assists per game in a reserve role.
"This is my first time in this position. I don't think about it when I'm playing," Williams said. "I haven't thought about it. I pay a good man four percent of my money, so he'll make a good decision for me."
May 20, 2012 11:11 PM EDT
The Warriors have finalized plans to move to San Francisco for the 2017-18 season, according to sources.
An announcement is expected for the coming week.
The arena will be located near the Bay Bridge with private financing.
May 21, 2012 9:55 AM EDT
Jeremy Lin's agent, Roger Montgomery, said that he doesn't expect negotiations with the Knicks to be as simple as they have been portrayed by Mike Woodson.
Woodson said that Lin would "absolutely" return when he was asked about it following the end to New York's season.
“I don’t expect that," said Montgomery. "We’re not anticipating that’s going to happen. We don’t have assurances of anything. I know history shows most restricted free agents go back to their team, but I’m not going to assume anything. We’re waiting to see what happens.’’
A source confirmed that the Raptors will be one team pursuing Lin.
The Knicks cannot be outbid for Lin.
May 20, 2012 11:10 AM EDT
The Nets have opened contract extension talks with Gerald Wallace, general manager Billy King confirmed.
"We've had conversations with his representatives because actually we can talk about the potential of [an] extension if he opts in,” King said. “We'll leave that there."
The Nets are hosting a draft combine this weekend at their practice facility.
"The one thing I learned from Donnie Walsh when I was an assistant coach in Indiana, he said, 'If this is where you're making your evaluation, you're too far behind,'” King said. “We've seen these guys play 5-on-5 in college, so this is just another part of the process. What we base our decision on is really what they've done with their college program. This is more just to get their real measurements, see if they pick up the NBA pick-and-roll and the coaching."
May 20, 2012 11:08 AM EDT
Kobe Bryant criticized Pau Gasol for throwing away a pass with 33.9 seconds remaining in the Lakers’ 103-100 loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Kevin Durant hit a three-point shot on the next possession to give the Thunder the lead for good.
"Just a bad read on Pau's part," Bryant said. "He's looking to swing the ball too much. He's got to take his shot.
"Pau's got to be more assertive. He's the guy they're leaving [open]. When he's catching the ball, he's looking to pass. He's got to be aggressive. He's got to shoot the ball or drive the ball to the basket. He will be next game."
Gasol accepted blame for the turnover, but contended that his mistake wasn’t the sole reason the Lakers lost Game 4.
"It's one play, one mistake," Gasol said. "There were a lot of mistakes in that fourth quarter, a lot of mistakes throughout the game. So, obviously, if I could have gone back, maybe I could have shot it and I would have. It's one play, obviously, at a critical time, but I don't feel like we lost the game because of one turnover."
May 20, 2012 6:27 PM EDT
The Celtics want Kevin Garnett to be more aggressive, as he attempted only 12 shots in Friday's loss to the Sixers.
During the playoffs, Boston is 4-0 in games in which Garnett attempts 16 or more shots.
"I think we counted nine times where he was trying to be a passer instead of a scorer. So we gotta get him back, mentally, to attacking," said Rivers. "They didn’t trap as much as you thought. We just gotta continue to force feed him and keep him aggressive. But we also have to get into our stuff quicker, like we did in the first half. Kevin didn’t touch the ball a lot, but we had an 18-point lead, so something was going well."
Garnett dismissed the notion that he’s struggling to score against Lavoy Allen.
"All the big guys are playing physical and bumping," said Garnett. "You go through side-picks, it’s physical; I can’t tell one guy from the next. Spencer Hawes is being just as physical as the young kid (Allen). It’s all the same."
May 20, 2012 11:13 PM EDT
Bob Boozer has died of a brain aneurysm at the age of 75.
Boozer was a member of the 1960 Olympic basketball team and was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Royals.
Boozer delayed entering the NBA for one year in order to participate in the Olympics.
May 20, 2012 12:09 PM EDT
Danny Granger expects the altercation between Dwyane Wade and Erik Spoelstra to unify the Heat ahead of Game 4.
"Whatever happened between D. Wade and Spoelstra was highly publicized," Granger said. "Teams can (respond to) that in two ways. They can come together; they can call a meeting to get on the same page. Or it'll be more of a crack. I think they'll take the positive approach. We have to think they're going to come back and be on the same page more than ever."
Wade shot 2-of-13 from the floor in Game 3.
"I guarantee you he won't play that bad next game," Granger said. "He's very capable. He just had an off night. We know he won't play that bad (again)."
May 20, 2012 | Boston Herald
Lavoy Allen has refused to engage in a war of words with Kevin Garnett.
May 21, 2012 | Times Picayune
Monty Williams indicated the Hornets need to add size during the offseason.
Rodney Stuckey is coming off one of his best statistical seasons.
Old Dominion’s Chris Cooper, Oregon State’s Jared Cunningham, Nevada-Reno’s Olek Czyz, Cal’s Jorge Gutierrez, Mindaugas Kupsas from Lithuania and Missouri State’s Kyle Weems will workout in Oakland.
Portland has not asked for permission to speak to Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak about their front office vacancy.
Lance Stephenson gave a choke sign at LeBron James after the latter missed a technical foul during the third quarter of Game 3.
Rajon Rondo took responsibility for allowing the Sixers to speed up the pace during their 15-2 third quarter run.
Brian Scalabrine is covering Boston's playoff run for Comcast in New England now that the Bulls have been eliminated.
Bill Cartwright was hired in 2008 by Steve Kerr to help develop the defense, rebounding and post game of Amar'e Stoudemire.
May 19, 2012 | Vigilant Sports
Dwyane Wade visited Tom Crean during Miami's off day on Friday.
The Sixers limited Kevin Garnett to just nine points on 3-for-12 shooting from the floor.
Kobe Bryant went 18-for-18 from the free throw line in the Lakers' gritty Game 3 win over Oklahoma City.
Larry Drew owns a 84-64 record as coach of the Hawks.
Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby expects more from Markieff Morris next season.
Paul George has been key to the Pacers’ 2-1 series lead over Miami because of his ability to defend Dwyane Wade largely without help.
Greg Oden underwent the same Orthokine knee procedure that Kobe Bryant had last summer, according to sources.
Tim Duncan sent a complimentary text message to Roy Hibbert after the the Pacers' 94-75 victory over Miami.
Lawrence Frank had few concerns about entrusting the Pistons offense to rookie point guard Brandon Knight.
May 18, 2012 | Boston Herald
Kevin Garnett is shooting 63.3 percent through the first three games series of Boston's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Sixers.
May 18, 2012 | New York Post
Sam Presti is deserving of a lifetime contract as general manager of the Thunder, according to one NBA scout.
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