Andrew Bynum may not look to give the Sixers special consideration, but the team will continue to consider him option A, from John N. Mitchell of The Inquirer: “While it would be wonderful if Bynum – an unrestricted free agent – gave the Sixers special consideration in light of all that they lost in trading for him and the agonizing wait for him to return, a team source with knowledge of the situation said last week that he does not believe that will be the case. The Sixers ultimately may have nothing to show for this deal – no Bynum, no Nik Vucevic, who looks as if he could be a budding star with the Magic, no Maurice Harkless, blossoming in his own way in Orlando, and one less first-round draft pick. All once sparkling assets, they now are reminders of a potentially franchise-crippling mistake by the front office.”… DiLeo has referred to Bynum, who has worn a Sixers uniform only for his introduction at the Constitution Center and for the team’s media day, as Plan A.”
Kenyon Martin wants to prove to the entire league that they’ve missed out on him, from Gary Washburn of Boston Globe: “When asked about the Celtics passing on the opportunity to sign him despite being desperate for forwards, Martin said, “It just wasn’t them. It just wasn’t the Celtics. So everybody get [my wrath]. I’m just here to prove to people that I ain’t never lost it. I’m a better person than I am a basketball player. “The chip I always play with, it ain’t got no bigger, but I’m here to prove that what I can do, that’s everybody every night. So it just don’t start with the Celtics. Whoever puts that uniform on that’s opposite of us, they’re going to see what they’re missing.”… “I would love to stay a Knick,” he said. “I don’t want to go nowhere. I am proving to this organization what I can be and who I am as a person on and off the court, and I think they see that. I’m here now and I’m going to make the best of this opportunity.”
Jeff Teague believes his brother Marquis Teague should have waited another year to enter the draft, from Washburn: “I told him it was going to be rough his first year,” said Jeff. “It was rough my first year, getting picked by a playoff team, it’s never easy. But he’s been taking it well. I said, ‘Go back to school one more year,’ but he felt like he was ready, and I can’t tell him what to do,” said Jeff, “and I was going to be with him whatever decision he made. “But I thought he should have went back and had another year to hone his skills. He wanted to come out. He made a grown-man choice. “But I think he’s enjoying it. He just tries to stay focused and work hard every day. I told him that was the biggest thing — to make sure that they see you love the game.”
Andre Iguodala will likely out of his contract for a long-term deal, according to Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida: “Yeah, definitely,’’ Iguodala, 29, said of that being a distinct possibility. “You got to weigh options. Security-wise, a player would opt out, especially with the type of season we’ve had as a team. Teams know what I can bring to them, and I know (the Nuggets) know what I can bring to a team here. “Players get like $50, $60 or $70 or $80 (million over multiple years), whatever the number was, they gave up a big number (in an option season by opting out). But in the grand scheme of things, pretty much get it back. You got security.’’… “My main goal is, if we win here, everything will take care of itself, no matter what,’’ Iguodala said. “I want to play for a team where I have an impact on the game without even scoring … I feel like if I win (with the Nuggets), I won’t have to worry about having to prove my worth… “Obviously, it’s a business, so you’re going to look at your options. Here we have some good (prospects). But I’m not making any promises.”
LeBron James saw what Pat Riley said to Danny Ainge and thought it was awesome, from Joseph Goodman of The Miami Herald: “The Heat’s spokesman, expressionless and trying his best to appear unconcerned, walked out of the visiting locker room with his directive from Riley. Immediately upon recital of the message, the Twitter machine, as expected, went into meltdown mode. Around this same time, James was back in the locker room running through his pregame rituals, which includes getting stretched while scrolling through his Twitter timeline. “Oh, man. That’s awesome,” James said when he saw Riley’s statement. Like Riley’s “STFU,” Arison’s Twitter “WTF” was also inspired by a weak-wristed threat to the Heat’s goldmine. Less than two hours before the Cavaliers’ home game against the Heat, Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert posted on Twitter a cryptic message that seemed to imply the future of his organization included James.”… Meaningless subterfuge? Hardly. Like in chess, every subtle move to protect the Heat’s king is important.
Jose Calderon is noncommittal about his future with the Pistons, from Vince Ellis of Detroit Free Press: “I’m going to take everything under consideration,” Calderon said when asked about Drummond. “It’s not going to be about one player for sure. I think he’s a great player and he’s going to be great — and Greg. “I’ve been really comfortable here. I’m just saying it’s not the time to worry about that. I just got to finish the season as strong as I can. I have to go on vacation, and after I talk with my family and when July arrives, we’ll see.” You can definitely understand Calderon being noncommittal. He understands how quickly things can change in this league… They asked several questions about his future and even if a return to Toronto was possible. He was quick to say he loved his time in Toronto, but he didn’t know if that door was open. “There’s a lot of things that can happen than are different from today and in three months so that’s why … (I) don’t know what’s going to happen until July,” he said.”
