NEWS
- Cavalier guard Anthony Parker will miss the next two games with a bruised sternum.
- Derrick Rose will miss his twelfth straight game with a groin injury.
- The Chicago Bulls have signed Mike James for the remainder of the season.
- Magic coach, Stan Van Gundy, says that Dwight Howard has asked that he be fired.
NOTES
- LeBron James was flattered that Shaquille O’Neal said he’s his choice at this point for MVP. “It’s great, James said. “He’s a former MVP, a champion, a teammate of mine (with Cleveland in 2009-10), knows the game, knows a lot about the game. I respect that. It’s very humbling coming from someone who has played the game like that at a high level. I’m humbled by it. We’ll see what happens. I don’t know. It changes every week.” Sulia
- Syracuse center Fab Melo is entering the NBA draft after a breakout season in which he twice got held out because of eligibility issues. ESPN.com
- Amar’e Stoudemire did some back- strengthening exercises while the Knicks shot around Thursday. But Stoudemire remained in “silent mode” about his return and how he’s feeling. Stoudemire hasn’t spoken to the media about his health since leaving the Knicks’ March 24 victory over the Pistons with what was diagnosed as a bulging disc in his back. He was asked the best-case scenario for his return. “I’ll keep you posted as I go along,” Stoudemire said. Stoudemire had an epidural shot in his back a week ago Thursday. The timetable for his return is two to four weeks from when he received the injection. Newsday
RUMORS
- Donnie Walsh, who rebuilt the Knicks’ roster and battered image before stepping aside as team president last June, has received permission from the organization to speak with other teams about an executive position, his agent told CBSSports.com Friday. Walsh, 71, has a contract with the Knicks in his role as consultant that expires June 30. The widely respected executive wants to work again and is expected to begin exploring opportunities immediately. “Donnie’s very interested in continuing to work on a full-time basis,” Walsh’s agent, Steve Kauffman, told CBSSports.com. CBSSports.com
- The Portland Trail Blazers already have begun yet another GM search, and it is believed that Walsh will explore that situation first since the job is known to be open. If Larry Bird steps down as Pacers president after the season, there are indications that owner Herb Simon — a longtime friend and proponent of Walsh — would strongly consider a reunion. CBSSports.com
Just more evidence that Donnie Walsh really didn’t “step aside” willingly. Not that he was an amazing GM, but most people would rather have him making moves for the Knicks than James Dolan and any of his cronies.