NBA News: Pro Sports Daily

Celtics advance to face Miami in conference finals

May 27

Boston Globe

"Surviving the 76ers was a strenuous, energy-sapping struggle. But the Celtics endured, serenaded off the TD Garden court by "Beat the Heat'' chants after an 85-75 win over Philadelphia in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Saturday night. Rajon Rondo (18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) clinched the victory with 9 points in a 1:45 span as the Celtics survived the final four-plus minutes without Paul Pierce, who fouled out with Boston holding a 3-point lead. "I felt I owed him one,'' Rondo said of Pierce. "He got me back in Game 2 of Atlanta [in the first round of the playoffs]. We played together as a team. No one played great, but we got the win.'' The Celtics, who now have an"

Uncertainty remains with Bosh, as Celtics loom in East final

May 27

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"When it comes to an opponent for their Eastern Conference finals series that opens Monday at AmericanAirlines Arena, the Miami Heat got their answer Saturday night, with the Boston Celtics defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 85-75 in Game 7 of that series. When it comes to the status of Chris Bosh, nothing is a given, with the All-Star power forward still listed as being out indefinitely with the lower-abdominal strain sustained in the first half of Game 1 of the Heat's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers. Asked for clarity regarding Bosh, coach Erik Spoelstra was practically apologetic after Saturday's practice. "Not trying to be coy," Spoelstra said, "he has to"

Spurs-Thunder: Series will showcase Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan

May 27

The Oklahoman

"They are once-in-a-generation talents, respected every bit as much for how they've chosen to carry themselves as they are for the extraordinary skills that enable them to carry their teams. Kevin Durant and Tim Duncan are a lot alike in that way. Both have embraced roles and locales few stars of their stature would be willing to accept, Durant in Oklahoma City and Duncan in San Antonio. Thanks in large part to the two of them, the Thunder and Spurs have grown into not just powerhouse franchises but model organizations. Now, with a trip to the NBA Finals at stake, class will clash with class as the Thunder and Spurs meet for the first time in the postseason in the 2012 Western Conference"

Thunder, Spurs executives among strong candidates for Magic's GM

May 27

Yahoo! Sports

"The Orlando Magic's search for a general manager is centering on the Western Conference finals, where top Oklahoma City and San Antonio executives have emerged as serious candidates for the opening, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Thunder vice president and assistant general manager Troy Weaver and Spurs assistant GM Dennis Lindsey have been targeted, and Orlando has been granted permission to talk with Weaver, sources said. The Spurs' OK of permission for Lindsey is imminent, sources said. Orlando has also been granted permission to speak with Oklahoma City's assistant GM Rob Hennigan, who came into the league with the Spurs. The Magic have strong interest with ex-New Orleans GM Jeff"

Sources: Warriors, Jazz discuss deal

May 27

ESPN.com

"NBA trades in May are a rarity, but the Golden State Warriors are trying to swing one with the Utah Jazz before Wednesday's draft lottery, according to sources briefed on the talks. The Warriors, sources said, are attempting to complete a deal with the Jazz that ensures Golden State's lottery pick in June will stay in the Bay Area under any circumstances. After an April coin flip, Golden State has a 72 percent chance of seeing its first-round pick fall within the top seven of Wednesday's lottery, which would allow the Warriors to keep the pick. But the Warriors, sources say, are prepared to sacrifice a trade asset or two before Wednesday's lottery to make a deal with Utah that would wipe"

Josh Smith faces uncertain offseason for Hawks

May 27

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Josh Smith tried to slip through a Philips Arena side door on his way to the offseason, only to be intercepted by waiting reporters. After jokingly expressing dismay that his escape plan had been foiled, Smith stopped to answer questions. Chief among them were queries about what the future holds for Smith. "All I know is I have one more year on my contract, so I will definitely be here," Smith said. "I just have to go into the offseason to better myself and do whatever I have to do to help this ballclub." But nothing is certain about Smith's future, in large part because he has told the Hawks he wants to be traded. Smith's desire for a new team didn't prevent him from having a superlative"

Despite run, Sixers still far from elite

May 27

CSN Philly

"No one should make too much of the 76ers' first visit to the second round of the NBA playoffs in nine years. No one should be deluded into thinking they are on the verge of becoming an elite team. If nothing else, the Sixers themselves seem to understand that for all the strides they made this season, they have miles to go before joining the league's upper echelon. "We've got to get better," coach Doug Collins said Sunday morning at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, about 12 hours after the season ended with an 85-75 loss at Boston in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. "It's great to be an overachiever," he added. "But to be a champion, you can't overachieve.""

Heat's Udonis Haslem admits hit on Pacers' Hansbrough was to defend Dwyane Wade

May 27

Miami Herald

columnist Dan Le Batard

"Now the truth can be told, thanks to the freedom and relief that comes with winning. Hell, yes, Udonis Haslem meant to foul Tyler Hansbrough like that. Would do it again, too, if given the chance. He revealed as much after practice Saturday, stitches still on his face, right eye still dark red with blood. And damn if that wounded eye didn't sting a little bit on this big, tough man from Miami's meanest streets as he tried to articulate exactly what Dwyane Wade means to him. Ol' Udonis isn't going weak, not by a long shot, but age tends to bring perspective and appreciation, and those things can soften even a man as hard as Haslem. "I can't imagine anything I wouldn't do for Dwyane," he"

Source: Mike Malone on Paul's Short List

May 27

Hoopsworld.com

"It remains unclear what decisions the Los Angeles Clippers will make regarding the coming season for Coach Vinny Del Negro. The team has an option on the final year of his contract but have yet to publicly clarify their intentions. Part of the decision will likely be based on the feelings of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The Clippers would like nothing more than to ink to both stars to long-term deals. Griffin is believed to be a lock to extend beyond his rookie contract. To date, Paul has been vocally supportive of the franchise and its future. According to a source, Chris Paul has Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach Mike Malone on his short-list of preferred Del Negro replacements."

Guard-less Knicks won't call Iverson

May 27

New York Post

"The Knicks desperately need guards. Allen Iverson desperately needs a job. But The Post has learned Iverson is one CAA client the Knicks won't pursue, deeming it too big a gamble. The mercurial 76ers great appeared in Philadelphia on Wednesday for his former team's Game 6 against the Celtics and told a national TV audience: "I want to play basketball so bad." Knicks coach Mike Woodson was on Larry Brown's Sixers staff for two seasons coaching Iverson, 36, who last played in Turkey in 2010-11. Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald acknowledged on Friday's conference call announcing Woodson's new contract that the Knicks will seek to solidify the backcourt this offseason. Even if they re-sign"

Pacers owner Simon says team is back, but he's ready to take next step

May 27

Indianapolis Star

"Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon patiently watched and waited for his franchise to dig itself out of several tough years. The Pacers officially turned the corner this season, as they finished with the fifth-best record in the NBA and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Simon took pride in wearing his "Gold Swagger" T-shirt as he sat next to the Bankers Life Fieldhouse tunnel where the Pacers entered the court during the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs. In his eyes, along with many others, the Pacers are "back." "There's no question in my mind that we're all pleased with the progress we've made, and of course, we would have all wished that we would have gone further," Simon said"

British hoops cries foul on Bulls, NBA

May 27

Chicago Tribune

"The seemingly annual dance to secure Luol Deng's insurance for international competition took a mildly confrontational turn on Saturday. Chris Spice, performance director for British Basketball, accused the Bulls of pressuring Deng to withdraw from his Olympic commitment because of his wrist injury. Spice's statement also decried the NBA's lack of support. NBA and Bulls officials declined to respond. "Luol Deng is hugely committed to the British Basketball program and he has maintained this stance despite recent pressure for him not to play after injuring his wrist during the highly-demanding shortened NBA season," Spice's statement said. "We admire and support his stance. Luol is a true"

Warriors' announcement of move to San Francisco showed lack of respect for Oakland

May 27

Oakland Tribune

columnist Marcus Thompson II

"My wife is always on me about this. When I know I'm right, I'm so concerned about expressing my rightness that I forget a crucial element -- how I say it. After digesting the Warriors' pending move to San Francisco, after listening to East Bay diehards lament their team's departure, after hearing the Warriors justify their decision to leave, I couldn't help thinking of my wife's words. It's how you say it. That's where the Warriors went wrong. First, though, let me make clear two things: 1. Joe Lacob and Peter Guber committed $450 million to buy the Warriors. They're committing at least $500 million for a new arena. They can build wherever they want. They paid for that right. 2. It's a"

Former Pistons great Isiah Thomas: 'I just want to be in the game'

May 27

Detroit Free Press

"Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of arguably the worst moment of his Hall of Fame career, but Pistons great Isiah Thomas made news Friday when he said he isn't finished with basketball. After being fired as Florida International's coach in April, Thomas told ESPNChicago's Scott Powers, "I definitely want to be in basketball again whether it be coaching or as a general manager. My gift is basketball. I would love working with the kids. If it's the right college program, I would consider it. If it's the right GM job or coaching job in the NBA, I would consider it. I love the game. I just want to be in the game." Thomas coached three seasons at FIU and put up a dismal 26-65 record. He"