Phoenix point guard Steve Nash discussed his pending free agency in 2010 with NBC Sports on recently.

"There's a few situations out there that would be attractive, so I feel fortunate that there could be some possibilities for me," Nash said. "One would be for me to stay here in Phoenix. I've had a great 4 1/2 years here. New York, obviously, is our off-season home, so we love the city. It's a basketball mecca. Mike D'Antoni is there so there's a lot of attractive variables. And then Toronto, to go back to Canada to play for the home team, so to speak.

"I feel good that one of those three could really be a really strong possibility. Like I said, Phoenix would be the natural choice, just because I've been here and enjoyed success here and really feel at home here."

He attempted to keep his options open, though.

"Who knows who's going to be interested in two years?" Nash said.

Stephon Marbury wrote an end of the year blog for the New York Post; below is an excerpt:

"People who know me know I'm in the best shape of my life, and I discovered a great formula that everyday people will be able to benefit from as far as things like stretching properly and recovery," writes Marbury.  "Bottom line, I came to camp with the right attitude, in shape and ready to play. I didn't come to be a distraction.

"I didn't want to be a distraction for the team first and me second. I honestly came to help the team win. Real talk. I was willing to put in the work necessary to earn my starting spot and humble enough to accept coming off of the bench.

"It was unfortunate that the coach wanted to go in a different direction and didn't want me to be part of the team. I just wish it had been handled correctly from jump. I could understand the fact they didn't want Chris Duhon looking over his shoulder but if you don't want me, just pay me and let me go. I just want to play basketball.

"I sat on the bench for a whole month and didn't say one word. It wasn't easy because I love to play but that's the nature of the biz. Then they made a trade and needed 8 guys and coach told me he had a certain number of minutes. I was cool. My jersey was never hung in my locker though so I never refused to play. Things were never handled properly.

"Through it all, I respected their business position to go in another direction just like they have to respect my business position that I have a contract and obligated to pay me. It's the principle of the whole thing. It's really not about the money but it's about the money. Feel me?

"So what else have I been doing with this experience? I've been helping others to grow.

"While I've been waiting for them to make a move, I've been making moves off the court as far as my Starbury business to put myself in position to give back to those who need it most."

With the Knicks up two points in Charlotte in the final seconds of the game, Chris Duhon got his own rebound and dribbled over to the baseline before losing the ball out of bounds.

But referee Bennett Salvatore called a phantom foul on Boris Diaw, fouling him out. Instead of Charlotte getting the ball down two, Duhon went to the foul line and made two free throws.

Duhon admitted after the game that he lost the ball out of bounds without any contact from Diaw.  Duhon did think he was fouled moments before that caused him to lose the dribble.

"Late whistle," Duhon said. "Hey, we needed a break. We needed to win this bad."

In a sign that both players are getting closer to returning, Eddy Curry and Danilo Gallinari participated in the walk-through portion of practice.

Gallinari has suffered from a bulging disk in his back and has been resting for several weeks.  Curry has had knee pain that has kept him out of the lineup all season.

"It's feeling better every day," said Curry.

The Knicks are still looking for help in the backcourt, and Charlotte's Raymond Felton, Portland's Sergio Rodriguez, and Denver's Chucky Atkins are reportedly options.

Felton, who makes $4.1 million and will be a restricted free agent this summer, has been shopped by the Bobcats.

New York likes Rodriguez, but the Blazers are going to want something significant in return.

The Nuggets have Atkins buried on the bench, but he is more of a shooter than he is a playmaker.

It had been previously reported that Eddy Curry was close to returning to the New York Knicks, but the big man revealed on Monday that he is weeks away from even returning to practice, the New York Daily News is reporting.

There are concerns that Curry is suffering from an arthritic right knee.

Curry reiterated that he wants to be 100% healthy before he plays again.

"I think I'm close," Curry said. "I don't know. It all depends on how I feel. If I keep healing the way I am, I'm not too far away. I'm feeling better every day. I'm not quite where I want to be, but it's getting better."

The Knicks and Nuggets had serious enough discussions about a David Lee-for-Linas Kleiza trade earlier this month that Lee got word something was possible.

Denver coach George Karl reportedly persuaded Nuggets' management to hang on to Kleiza because of his versatility.

Both Kleiza and Lee will be restricted free agents this summer.

The New York Knicks want to step up negotiations for a buyout with Stephon Marbury before teams can start signing players to 10 day contracts on January 5, but Marbury says he is not willing to discuss things until his fine is settled by a league arbitrator.

According to the New York Post, Marbury lost $400,000 from a two game suspension imposed against him by the Knicks for allegedly refusing to play when the Knicks were short handed.

"Before I listen to what Donnie has to say, I want the $400,000 that was taken for no reason," Marbury told The Post. "[D'Antoni] made a choice not to play me. There was no jersey hanging in my locker."

Denver forward Carmelo Anthony scored 32 points against New York on Sunday afternoon in his return from a three-game absence.

Anthony missed three games because of a bruised right elbow. The break wasn't absolutely necessary, but Denver decided to give him a break to avoid troubles later in the season.

"I think that was the best thing that ever happened to me," Anthony said. "At first I was a little hesitant about doing it. Any time you can get rest during a long season like this, it helps."

In what appears to be a never ending saga, Knicks' president Donnie Walsh has revealed that he plans on stepping up attempts at reaching a compromise with Stephon Marbury over a contract buyout, the New York Post is reporting.

There is urgency now because the Knicks are looking to sign a player when 10-day contracts become an option Jan. 5. Walsh needs a second roster spot - Marbury's - to do so.

Walsh is saving his first roster spot, created by Cuttino Mobley's retirement, either to make a 2-for-1 trade or use the anticipated $4.5 million disabled player exception.