NBA Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

D-Will sprains ankle, returns, suffers contusion to already sore left shoulder; to have MRI today

Comment

March 18

The Deseret News

"When Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams' left foot came down awkwardly on Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love's left foot after a jump shot with 10 seconds remaining in the first quarter on Wednesday night at EnergySolutions Arena, it didn't look good. The sold-out crowd held its collective breath as the Jazz All-Star, in obvious pain, hopped on his right foot past the bench and straight through the tunnel toward the team's locker room. Williams, himself, didn't think he would return to the game. But lo and behold, after getting his left ankle re-taped, Williams came back on the court to a hero's welcome with 6:09 left in the second quarter and led the Jazz to a 122-100 victory the ..."

Cavs to negotiate for Ilgauskas' return

Comment

March 18

Akron Beacon Journal

"Monday could bring a shakeup to the Cavaliers' roster. That's the day when the Cavs can begin negotiating with Zydrunas Ilgauskas about his possible return to the team. Ilgauskas, 34, indicated that was his intention through his agent, Herb Rudoy, on March 4, after his contract was bought out by the Washington Wizards. If the two sides reach a deal, it would likely affect one of three players on the roster — rookie guard Danny Green, second-year forward Darnell Jackson or point guard Sebastian Telfair. The Cavs traded Ilgauskas to the Wizards in a three-team deal Feb. 17 that brought forward Antawn Jamison and Telfair to Cleveland. Green, who was drafted in the second round out of the ..."

Sore neck keeps Gasol out

Comment

March 18

Memphis Commercial Appeal

"Starting center Marc Gasol sat out a second straight game due to a strained neck muscle. The Grizzlies 7-footer accompanied the team to Houston for its game against the Rockets. Gasol even ran sprints on the court 90 minutes before tip-off. Gasol also revealed that while the injury likely won't end his season, his recovery might last through the weekend because there is a slight tear in a muscle on the left side of the collarbone. "It's kind of detached," Gasol said. "Every time I try to stretch with my arm and reach, it hurts pretty bad. Hopefully, it's not (season-ending). It's a very painful thing, but we're going to see how it feels from day to day. Griz coach Lionel Hollins pointed ..."

Granger out indefinitely

Comment

March 18

Indianapolis Star

"Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said there is no timetable for forward Danny Granger's return to the lineup. Granger was examined and released from Methodist Hospital after a CT scan on his head and neck taken Tuesday night came back negative. "(The team's physicians will) evaluate him on a day-to-day basis," O'Brien said. "If he's capable of going, he'll go, but you never know when somebody gets hit that hard in the head area." Granger, who did not attend Wednesday's game at Cleveland, took an elbow to his cheek late in Tuesday's win over Charlotte. He had to be helped to the locker room. O'Brien said the Pacers are used to playing without Granger because of the amount of time he has ..."

Vulcans are hovering and Kevin Pritchard could be next

Comment

March 18

Oregonian

columnist John Canzano

"Might be a good time for Kevin Pritchard to wipe his computer hard drive clean. And he should probably get a second cellular telephone for non-business calls, and also, be careful who he talks to about his future as the Trail Blazers general manager. Note to KP: Watch your back. The people who work at Vulcan Inc. are busy working behind the scenes again with owner Paul Allen's basketball operation, and those following the curious firing of vice president Tom Penn this week are looking at Pritchard wondering if his shelf life as the franchise Golden Boy is expiring. "They can't do Kevin in the middle of the season, but they can do a drive-by on someone close to him," said Warren LeGarie, ..."

Deng suffers setback, could be out logner than expected

Comment

March 18

Chicago Tribune

"On the eighth day of his absence, Luol Deng revealed he originally was told he could miss one to three weeks with his strained right calf. Coach Vinny Del Negro then piled on by saying Deng suffered a setback Wednesday after trying to run on the injury both Tuesday and pregame Wednesday. Deng, limping noticeably in the Bulls' locker room, missed his fourth straight game. "I'm still having trouble pushing off," Deng said. The Bulls originally were hopeful Deng, Derrick Rose and possibly even Joakim Noah in limited minutes could return in concert for Saturday's game in Philadelphia. While that's still possible, Deng's development muddies that."

Oden on the mend, but cautious

Comment

March 18

Portland Tribune

"Not so well, though, that the 7-foot center can expect to return to the Trail Blazers this season. "The chance of that happening is remote at best," veteran Portland trainer Jay Jensen says. Almost two months ago, Oden told the Portland Tribune, "I'm actually hoping, and saying my prayers, that I can come back before the end of this season." Asked this week about whether he still holds that hope, Oden sounds as if he has scaled back his plans. "I have no idea when I can get back to playing," Oden says. "Until I get better, I won't know for sure. "I want to get my knee feeling good to the point where if (a return this season) doesn't happen, I can at least go into the summer knowing I'm ..."

Bucks not certain they want Bogut playing in international tourney

Comment

March 18

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Bucks general manager John Hammond said Wednesday he has "major concerns" about center Andrew Bogut's participation in the World Championships this summer in Turkey. Bogut is under pressure in his native Australia to play for his country in the international tournament, but the Bucks are worried about the 7-footer's long-term health and protecting their five-year, $60 million investment. Bogut and the Bucks agreed to the five-year contract extension in the summer of 2008, and the current season was the first year of the deal. "We are going to support Andrew as he goes through this process," Hammond said before the Bucks played the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. "But we do have ..."

Andray Blatche has a mild ankle sprain, should be able to play Friday

Comment

March 18

Washington Post

"Andray Blatche fell to the floor under the basket Tuesday night and immediately reached for his left ankle. Blatche looked up and saw Denver Nuggets center Nene lunging toward the basket for a powerful slam. He curled up and rolled over to avoid getting stepped on and continued to grimace and groan as he tried, unsuccessfully, to stand. Asked what he thought when he saw Blatche writhing on the court in pain, Coach Flip Saunders shook his head and said, "You don't want to know." Chances are, Saunders wasn't immediately expecting a positive outcome. Not in a worst-case-scenario season in which the Wizards have endured the death of owner Abe Pollin, Gilbert Arenas's season-ending suspension ..."

Pistons' Rodney Stuckey could play by end of the week

Comment

March 17

Detroit News

"Finally a little bit of good news, maybe, for the Pistons. Rodney Stuckey could be returning to the team by the end of the week. Stuckey wasn't in uniform Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. But Stuckey could be returning after going a full practice Thursday, the next scheduled Pistons practice day. "Hopefully," Pistons coach John Kuester said of the possibility of Stuckey returning this weekend. "But we'll sort of play that by ear. "Hopefully he'll be given the freedom to practice (soon) and hopefully we'll have him back soon." The Pistons will have Wednesday off after having played back-to-back nights and three games in four days. They'll return to the practice floor Thursday."

Chris Paul running without limp, could return to lineup at the end of the week

Comment

March 17

NBC Sports

(scroll down)

"While rushing to get in his pregame workout, Paul said he is excited about getting medically cleared to run last week. Paul, who is running with no visible signs of limping, spent most of Monday's work at the Staples Center attempting shots from behind the 3-point line."

Rose, Deng will be game-time decisions to play tonight against Dallas

Comment

March 17

Chicago Sun-Times

"Because the Memphis Grizzlies are in the Western Conference, the Bulls visit only once per season. So many fans were disappointed injured Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, who played one college season at Memphis, didn't get off the bench Tuesday. ''Luckily, we have a lot of national TV games,'' Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said of the local fans not getting a chance to see Rose play. ''It's unfortunate, but no one can control the injuries.'' Rose's sprained left wrist has improved and isn't a serious injury, but Del Negro insisted the Bulls weren't being overly cautious by holding out Rose and small forward Luol Deng (strained muscle in right calf). ''Not really,'' Del Negro said. ''If ..."

Interest in Al Harrington?

Comment

March 17

Oregonian

"According to the New York Post, the Blazers are one of three teams interested in Al Harrington. The Post reports that the Blazers are one of three teams (Chicago, Washington) to indicate interest in Knicks' Harrington. It's hardly likely the Blazers would be interested in Harrington, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound power forward. First of all, why would the Blazers want to add a average player who is 30-years-old and is finishing his 11th season in the league? Harrington is too old, slow and selfish for the Blazers. His run-ins with coaches (Mike Woodson, Don Nelson, Mike D'Antoni) is well-known and there's no reason to expect a change in attitude is imminent."

Knicks' Harrington exit near; Nets on radar

Comment

March 17

New York Post

"Knicks forward Al Harrington often wears a ballcap with a scripted "NJ." The former star at St. Patrick's High in Elizabeth, who lives in Edgewater, said he's not trying to send out any subliminal messages -- but told The Post he definitely would be interested in signing with his hometown Nets this summer, especially since they will play in Newark, 10 miles from Elizabeth, the next two seasons. "If they had interest in me, I'd take a strong look at that," Harrington, a free-agent-to-be, told The Post. "It's still the city. It's still home. I'd rather play at the Garden, but I'd play in Newark, too." According to a source, the Wizards, Blazers and Bulls are expected to have interest in ..."

Heisley says he'll match any offer Gay might receive this summer

Comment

March 17

Memphis Commercial Appeal

(scroll down)

"Griz owner Michael Heisley told a group of season ticket holders that the team intends to match any offer Gay might receive as a restricted free agent this summer. Heisley spoke before the game at the team's annual "State of the Franchise" Chalk Talk where season ticket holders could ask questions."

Stuckey is practicing hard, closing in on return date

Comment

March 17

Detroit Free Press

"Shortly before tip-off of Tuesday night's game against the Cavaliers at the Palace, a member of the Pistons' player personnel staff asked Rodney Stuckey if he wanted to get in some work during pregame drills. Stuckey shook his head and said, "Nah, I'm tired." It's rare to see Stuckey turn down an opportunity to work on his game, but he later explained that he had been working hard in shooting drills and was making sure he had enough energy for a hard workout this morning. The rest of the team will be off after back-to-back games. So it's yet another sign pointing to Stuckey's increasing his workload with an idea toward returning to the court soon."

Is Ford still in Bobcats' future?

Comment

March 17

Charlotte Observer

columnist Rick Bonnell

"I spoke with Pacers point guard T.J. Ford before Tuesday's game to check how close he thought he was to being joining the Bobcats at the trade deadline. Charlotte and Indiana were in discussions on a deal that would have sent Ford and Brandon Rush to Charlotte for D.J. Augustin, Gerald Henderson and Nazr Mohammed. Ford got a call from his agent as he was headed for a team flight informing him of the talks. The Bobcats ultimately decided against it, and I'm told that was about owner Bob Johnson's reluctance to take Ford's $8.5 million salary next season."

Matt Barnes sits out contact drills in practice, plans to play against Spurs

Comment

March 17

Orlando Sentinel

"Matt Barnes jiggled his left foot out of his shoe after practice this morning (Chuck Taylors, if I remember correctly) and revealed what he called the "Frankenstein scar" left on his big toe by a surgery in 1998. He also showed us how it doesn't bend all the way because while the surgery removed the pain in the big toe of his left foot, it didn't exactly fix it. "That's as far as it goes," Barnes said. "That's why I have orthotics that have metal plates in the front." He plays with those in his shoes. Barnes missed Sunday's game against the Charlotte Bobcats with what the team called a "sprained big toe." He called it "inflamed." Today he ran with the team, but sat out the contact drills ..."

Report says Hawks and Thrashers may both be for sale

Comment

March 17

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The Atlanta Spirit ownership group has been disputing reports that it is seeking to sell the Thrashers and that the NHL team might be on the move to another city. Now comes a report that the Hawks also might be on the market. A New York Times story on sports ownership during the recession references both the Hawks and Thrashers as being among franchises that might be for sale. The paragraph in question reads: Now that the economy seems to be on the mend, owners who held off selling during the downturn are seeking to unload their teams. According to sports bankers, the teams thought to be for sale include the Atlanta Hawks, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors and the ..."

Antoine Wright questionable tonight against Hawks with wobbly ankle

Comment

March 17

Toronto Sun

(scroll down)

"Antoine Wright's status for Wednesday is questionable. Wright suffered a mild ankle sprain against Portland on Sunday and did not play in the second half. Wright did not practise on Tuesday and it doesn't sound as if he will be in uniform against the Hawks."

Hawks' Johnson out, Bibby questionable with injuries

Comment

March 16

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The Hawks have enjoyed good fortune with injuries this season but will have to do without their best player for at least a game and probably two. Guard Joe Johnson (sore Achilles) didn't accompany the team to New Jersey on Monday and has been ruled out for the game on Tuesday night. He's also likely to miss the game at Toronto on Wednesday. Guard Mike Bibby (back) made the flight but is questionable for Tuesday. Johnson will miss his first game of the season and just his fourth since 2007-08. He wasn't available for comment after practice Monday because he was getting treatment. Hawks players have missed just 16 games due to injury or personal reasons this season, the lowest total by far ..."

Sharp 'pain' hindering Curry's latest comeback bid

Comment

March 16

New York Post

"Eddy Curry has a better chance of being the grand marshal of Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade tomorrow than getting on the court to end this five-game road trip. The trip billed as Curry's coming-out party has instead turned into another fiasco for the Knicks' star-crossed center as he missed his fourth straight game last night during the Knicks' 94-84 victory over the Sixers. Though he hasn't been ruled out, it seems unlikely he will be on the court tomorrow in Boston after revealing to The Post he's getting worse instead of better. He's experiencing sharp pain in his right calf to go along with the tightness and the organization fears he could tear the muscle if he plays on it. ..."

Devin Harris suffering from respiratory infection, may miss Atlanta Hawks

Comment

March 16

New York Daily News

"If the NetsÂ are to beat the Hawks Tuesday for their eighth victory of the season, they'll likely have to do it without Devin Harris, who missed practiceÂ Monday with an upper respiratory infection and is doubtful to play at the Meadowlands. "He was pretty sick (Sunday) and was pretty sick today," interim head coach/GM Kiki Vandeweghe said following yesterday's practice in East Rutherford. Coming off a five-game road swing in which they went 1-4, beating the Knicks before heading south, the Nets (7-59) must get three more victories over their final 16 games to avoid the worst record in NBA history. The 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers hold that distinction, having gone 9-73."

Mavs' Jason Terry sets return dates; Kidd held out of practice

Comment

March 16

Dallas Morning News

"It appears Jason Terry will be available Wednesday against Chicago. With a custom-fitted plastic mask to protect his facial-bone fracture, Terry went through practice Monday with no problems. "Jet has a track record of missing very few games," coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's always come back earlier than expected. The injury was serious, but the fracture was such that it was a lower timetable than it could have been. It could have been several weeks.""

Coach Kuester: Rodney Stuckey could practice Thursday

Comment

March 16

Detroit Free Press

"Detroit Pistons coach John Kuester indicated in pregame comments before tonight's game against the Celtics that Rodney Stuckey could return to practice Thursday. He reiterated to the Boston media that Stuckey is doing great 10 days after he left the arena on a stretcher after collapsing during a loss at Cleveland. Stuckey said after Saturday night's loss at Atlanta that he would like to practice before returning to the floor. The team's next practice is Thursday after Tuesday's home game against the Cavs and an off day Wednesday."

Sixers should be making a coaching list, checking it twice

Comment

March 16

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Phil Jasner

"WHO'S NEXT? The 76ers are going to have to answer that question, either in the next week or so or after the season. The question doesn't seem to be whether Eddie Jordan is gone, just how soon? My problem is that the list of successors supposedly starts with Jeff Van Gundy, Jay Wright or Avery Johnson. No disrespect to those guys, but that could be a tragic mistake. Van Gundy probably would like a chance to win; Johnson apparently wants to be handpicked without going through a process. The Sixers had to interview Wright last year, even knowing he had no interest; both sides had to show they were doing their due diligence. Strangely, the one guy who truly wanted the job was Doug Collins, and ..."

Jazz brass planning to talk to Carlos Boozer's agent

Comment

March 16

The Deseret News

"It's not as if any sort of agreement will be reached any time soon. But sometime before their starting power forward becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason, the Jazz do plan on talking with the Carlos Boozer camp about the possibility of his remaining in Utah, general manager Kevin O'Connor said Monday night. "We've had conversations with everyone's agents throughout the year," O'Connor said, "and I don't think we ever said we'd rule out anything." He didn't say precisely when, but O'Connor did say "sure' when asked if he'll talk with Boozer's agent again before July. "Will we have conversations? Absolutely," he said. The Jazz may even present a formal contract proposal to keep ..."

Joe Johnson out with achilles injury, could miss a couple of games

Comment

March 16

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"It looks like the Hawks' good fortune with injuries finally has ended. Joe Johnson (sore Achilles') is not on the Hawks' team flight. He's been ruled out for New Jersey tomorrow and probably is out for Thursday Wednesday at Toronto, too. Mike Bibby (back) made the flight but is questionable for New Jersey. J.J. will miss his first game of the season and just his fourth since 2007-08. He wasn't available for comment because he was getting treatment (and napping, as is his custom). "I've always said when somebody goes down it gives somebody else a chance to step up and play," Woody said before J.J. was officially ruled out. "That's why I tell guys they've always got to be ready.""

Beasley misses second straight game with thigh bruise

Comment

March 15

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley missed his second consecutive game Sunday due to a bruised left thigh. Beasley arrived at AmericanAirlines Arena more than four hours before his team faced the Philadelphia 76ers, but was unable to push through a pregame workout. "I just can't push off on it the way I need to yet," he said, having sustained the injury in the third quarter of Wednesday's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. "But it feels a whole lot better than when I did it and a lot better than the past two days.""

Rose 'probably' won't play vs. Memphis

Comment

March 15

Chicago Sun-Times

"Derrick Rose said his sprained left wrist improves each day, but it doesn't sound as if the Bulls' point guard will be in the lineup Tuesday night for the road game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Rose didn't do much in practice on Monday. He wants to play in the team's only game this season in the city where he played college ball, but the organization is taking a more cautious approach. "Right now, they're just taking day-by-day," Rose said. "I've been getting a lot of treatment. [General manager] Gar [Forman] was telling me, 'Don't rush it. If anything, wait until this weekend or Friday's game.'"

Some hope for an early Noah return

Comment

March 14

Daily Herald

"The Bulls have been reeling lately, with seven straight losses and more tough games on tap this week. Following Sunday's practice at the Berto Center, coach Vinny Del Negro offered a vision of a brighter future. And he wasn't talking about next season. "We've had some tough things happen to us," Del Negro said. "Luckily, nothing's major. There's some hope we can get everyone back here in the next 4 days, 5 days, a week – I don't know what it is yet. But as soon as we can get everyone together, we can get on the same page quickly again and get back to playing the way we're capable of.""

Kirilenko, Okur and Price ruled out for Jazz tonight against Thunder

Comment

March 14

Salt Lake Tribune

"I knew this was going to happen. Literally 10 minutes after I posted the update on Kosta Koufos' first two games with the Utah Flash, the Jazz public relations staff passed along word that three players will miss tonight's game against Oklahoma City. Andrei Kirilenko is out with a calf strain, Memo Okur is sidelined with back spasms and Ronnie Price won't play because of a sprained wrist. Translation: Utah will have nine players available against Kevin Durant and the Thunder. That includes D-League signee Othyus Jeffers, who might just find himself guarding Durant in a game critically important to the Western Conference playoff race."

Barea has Knicks on radar

Comment

March 14

New York Post

"Mavericks backup point guard J.J. Barea, who could become an unrestricted free agent this summer, told The Post he has the Knicks as his top choice if he doesn't stick with the Mavericks. The Mavericks, looking to open cap space, have a team option and the emergence of young French point guard Rodrique Beaubois could become a factor. With the Sergio Rodriguez experiment on hold, rookie Toney Douglas inherited the starting point-guard slot in last night's surprise 128-94 win over the Mavs, and Chris Duhon was installed as the backup. Though Douglas could man the position for the rest of the season, the Knicks will be desperately on the prowl for a new point guard next season and Barea will ..."

Lawson remains on the bench with injury

Comment

March 14

Denver Post

"Before Saturday's Nuggets-Grizzlies game, the speedy Ty Lawson zipped up-and-down the court, but come game time, he was again quarantined to the bench, a prisoner of pain. "He's just doing some light sprints right now, but as far as basketball, I don't think he'll be playing anytime soon," acting coach Adrian Dantley said of the point guard, who has a left shoulder contusion. Dantley said it's a day-to- day process waiting for Lawson's pain to subside. Lawson said he has trouble dribbling. "Anthony Carter has great chemistry with those guys in the second unit," Dantley said of Lawson's backup. "Every team wants three good point guards." As for power forward Kenyon Martin, who is out with a ..."

Grizzlies' Gay could leave for New York

Comment

March 13

New York Post

"Former UConn star Rudy Gay seemed lukewarm on remaining in the obscurity of Memphis when he becomes a restricted free agent in July when the Knicks and Nets become two of his options. "I wouldn't mind staying here, if I feel they were going to make a commitment to me,'' Gay said at the morning shootaround at FEDEX Forum. "It's a business. I'm only the one here from my first year so I know the business more than anyone on this team. It really doesn't matter which way it goes.'' Not exactly a ringing endorsement for wanting to remain on Beale Street, playing in the league's smallest market and playing before the second-worst attendance (averaging 13,000 despite a winning record). But it is ..."

Grizzlies' Gay sees future with Knicks

Comment

March 13

New York Post

"Former UConn star and free-agent-to-be Rudy Gay can see himself playing the Garden next season. The Knicks can, too, if things break a certain way this summer. "It's the most famous arena in the world," Gay said yesterday before scoring 20 points in the Grizzlies' 119-112 victory over the Knicks at FedEx Forum. "It's great to play there. Every time I play there, I get chills. To play in that arena would be nice, but FedEx Forum has been home to me." If LeBron James is Plan A, Joe Johnson is Plan B, Gay is Plan C-plus. According to a source, the Knicks, who fell to 22-43 last night, have solid interest in Gay, but consider him a second-tier free agent. But if they can land Johnson and Gay ..."

Larry Brown to Philly?

Comment

March 12

Charlotte Observer

"It was an odd experience at Bobcats coach Larry Brown's pregame media availability: The Philadelphia Inquirer had just reported 76ers coach Eddie Jordan would be fired by the end of the season, and Brown - the most successful coach in recent Sixers history - was asked to size up that team. "They've had phenomenal drafts and they're in a good situation financially. I don't think they're very far away," Brown said. "I know what kind of owner (they) have, I know the fans are as good as any. I look at their roster and I see the chance for improvement very quickly." Maybe all that was idle reminiscing, but I couldn't help but think how much Brown misses his wife and kids, back in Philadelphia ..."

76ers near a decision on Jordan

Comment

March 12

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Comcast-Spectacor and the 76ers are balanced on a ledge. In the next few days, they will either fire coach Eddie Jordan or step back and wait until the season ends. Former Sixers coach Larry Brown, now coach of the Charlotte Bobcats, advised Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider against firing Jordan before the season ends, according to a source close to the situation. Brown told Snider to keep Jordan, play the young guys, and make the necessary changes in April, the source said. According to other sources, the organization is weighing two schools of thought: Keeping Jordan through the season and demanding that he give more playing time to younger players such as Jodie Meeks, Jason Smith, ..."

Josh Howard wants to return to Washington Wizards next season

Comment

March 12

Washington Post

"After leading the Washington Wizards to a shocking 10-point victory over the Denver Nuggets nearly three weeks ago, Josh Howard reached into his locker room stall and picked up an all-white Washington Nationals baseball cap. Howard explained how much he liked the curly W logo and that he had bought a few Nats hats in different colors long before the Dallas Mavericks made him a District resident in a trade. "I got a whole bunch of these," Howard said, flashing his crooked grin as he twisted the slightly oversize cap around his head. "You'll see." Howard had hoped to make wins and his assortment of Nats caps a regular postgame sight, but that was the last time he would play a game at ..."

Rumors persist about Jordan

Comment

March 11

Camden Courier-Post

"The rumors are persisting that 76ers coach Eddie Jordan will be fired after the season, if not sooner. Jordan has heard the published reports saying management will fire him at the end of the season, but he refuses to think about them. Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski has refused to comment on those rumors. Jordan, meanwhile, said he's focusing on preparing the players for each game. The Sixers were 23-41 following their 102-87 loss to the the Charlotte Bobcats Wednesday. They have lost seven of eight games and 10 of 13. Jordan also defended his staff. "Look, if you know how to handle it, it won't bother you," Jordan said. "You stay strong. There's an old poem I read a ..."

Comcast-Spectacor's Luukko says no decision on Sixers coach Jordan yet

Comment

March 11

Philadelphia Daily News

"The rumors and speculation are out there, with only the tail end of the season remaining. Eddie Jordan's job reportedly is on the line, with Comcast-Spectacor supposedly already having decided to fire him in the first year of his 4-year contract to coach the 76ers. Peter Luukko, chief operating officer and president of the company, denied that a decision has been made. "No, we haven't [made a decision]," Luukko told the Daily News yesterday. "We have not done any of that. I've had a lot of people telling me things, and I'm getting calls, but we have not made a predetermined decision." However, anyone who has paid the slightest attention to the team can feel the vibes. Some sources say the ..."

Ty Lawson's injured shoulder will sideline him for tonight, questionable Friday

Comment

March 11

Denver Post

"The big injury talk surrounding the Nuggets is about Kenyon Martin, the starting forward who is out for likely a few weeks due to his left knee, but Ty Lawson's injured shoulder is still a big issue – it will keep him out of tonight's game at Minnesota and possibly Friday at New Orleans. "It's day-to-day now," the reserve point guard Lawson said after today's shootaround at Target Center. "It doesn't hurt a lot, I'm moving it now, there's just one spot (in my shoulder) that catches every time I dribble and make a move. So I'm trying to work it out. … Once it stops catching, then I'll be able to play.""

Luol Deng out for 'a while' with strained right calf

Comment

March 11

Chicago Sun-Times

"It appeared the Bulls hit rock bottom Tuesday as a late collapse resulted in a humiliating 132-108 loss to the Utah Jazz -- their fifth loss in a row. That dropped the Bulls to ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a tough four-game road trip on the immediate horizon. Then the Bulls got more bad news Wednesday. Forward Luol Deng is out for ''a while'' with a strained right calf, and rookie power forward Taj Gibson (plantar fasciitis in both feet) is questionable for tonight's game against the Orlando Magic. ''[Deng] has a little calf issue, a little strain,'' coach Vinny Del Negro said after an MRI exam confirmed the injury. ''We'll see how he feels, but I think he's gonna be out for ..."

NBA Trade Rumors