NEWS
- The Atlanta Hawks’ Ivan Johnson and the Denver Nuggets’ Kenneth Faried were today named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.
- The Indiana Pacers’ Frank Vogel and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Lionel Hollins today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.
- Paul Pierce was back at practice for the Boston Celtics on Friday, a day after briefly leaving the regular-season finale with a sprained left big toe.
NOTES
- The Golden State Warriors became the first NBA team in modern history to start five rookies in one game for their season finale against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.
- The National Basketball Players Association, already in turmoil after President Derek Fisher asked for independent reviews of its finances and business practices, is being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, the union said in a statement. Union Executive Director Billy Hunter was notified of the investigation by subpoena for documents on April 25, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation. The people were granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the investigation. “The NBPA will cooperate fully with the government’s investigation,” the union statement said. The union has appointed a six-member special committee that consists of players representatives and executive committee members to oversee an internal inquiry that will include a financial audit. Bloomberg
RUMORS
- Andy Vasquez: Deron Williams says he hopes to sign a deal before the Olympics. Doesn’t want to play the Olympics without a contract.
- Stefan Bondy: Gerald Wallace says he’ll test free agency. He has a one year player option worth 9.5 million with incentives Twitter
- Andy Vasquez: Brook Lopez made it very clear that he wants to stay with Nets. Said he hopes to be back on the basketball court within a month. Twitter