Pau Gasol senses that it’s possible for him to not return as a Laker next season, from Medina: “The moment Pau Gasol walked off the floor, he heard a roar from the Staples Center crowd that suggested more than just a sendoff marking the end of a season. It could also mark the last time Lakers fans will see him wearing purple and gold. “There is a sense that might happen,” Gasol said following the Lakers’ 103-82 Game 4 loss Sunday to the San Antonio Spurs. “That is not something I have thought a lot about. I always try to play my best as if it is my last game. I am very thankful for our fans and the support they show.”… “They will try to get Dwight and extend him. That’s why they brought him here,” Gasol said in an interview with this newspaper. “But I don’t think everything is set in stone in the sense that if he stays, I’m definitely gone or if he goes, I’m definitely here. Ownership has to answer that.”… “We both appreciate what we bring to the table and have great respect for what we’ve done,” said Gasol, who teamed up with Bryant to win two NBA titles in 2009 and 2010. “No matter what, he always had my back, I always had his back. But it’s not going to come down to that.”
- The Brooklyn Nets did much better in attendance than the New Jersey Nets did last season, from Net Income: “Sports Business Journal reports that the Nets’ 23.1 percent increase in attendance this season led the NBA, far outpacing the Houston Rockets, at 8.5 percent and thePacers and Raptors, who were up 7.8 percent each. The Nets finished 16th in attendance in their premier season in Brooklyn, averaging 17,187 or more than 96 percent of the Barclays Center’s final basketball capacity of 17,773. The planned capacity was 18,000 but was reduced as more high-end sections were configured. The ranking was the Nets highest since 1997-98 when they finished 12th. In their last season in New Jersey, the Nets finished 30th and dead last. Not surprisingly, the league’s attendance leader was the Chicago Bulls who averaged better than 21,000 at United Center.
- According to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Tribune, it’s possible that Kirk Hinrich may not play this week:
Kenneth Faried left a mark in the visiting locker room after Game 4, much like the way Dirk Nowitzki did the last time he lost a playoff game at The Oracle, from Adam Lauridsen of Mercury News: “A frustrated Warriors player with a towel over his head wasn’t the only echo of the past at Oracle on Sunday. Before tip off, as a I wandered over to the vistors’ locker room to wait for George Karl’s press availability, I looked up and saw the hole in the Arena wall left by Dirk Nowitzki — or more accurately, a chair thrown by Nowitzki — during the We Believe dismantling of the Mavericks. (The hole is now commemorated with a We Believe shirt above it and Dirk’s autograph below.) Sunday, it was Kenneth Faried and his foot leaving a hole in the Arena drywall (no word yet on whether he’s offered to sign it).”
- Faried explained that he is not the Faried of old due to his ankle sprain, from Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post: “Asked if he used his injured left foot or his right foot to kick the hole, Faried said, “I don’t know, I just kicked it, I was mad.” (Faried is right-handed, so one would assume he’s also right-footed) He is playing on the injured left ankle, and in Game 4, he finished with eight points and 12 rebounds (three offensive), but clearly there were times where he didn’t have his normal hops, losing out to lesser rebounders. “I’m banged up. I’m not the Faried of old,” he said. “I have to get my ankle better. I can’t do some of the things I want to do. … It hurts, but I’m fine. If I decide to be out there, I decide to be out there. I feel as though my teammates need me, so that’s why I’m out there playing my tail off.”
Kenyon Martin says the Knicks will end the Celtics’ season on Wednesday, from Mitch Lawrence of Daily News: “I don’t care if Patrick Ewing comes back for them,” Terry said. “We’re going to treat it like a Game 7.”Terry had a right to talk big. He made all three of his shots in overtime, including a pull-up 3-pointer off a 2-on-1 break that broke an 88-88 tie with 1:32 left and gave the Celtics the lead for good. But his talk was also the talk of the Knicks’ post-game locker room.“The guy was mouthing off before the game,” Kenyon Martin said. “He told me, ‘You’re not dancing at my funeral today.’’’ And? “We’re ending it Wednesday,” Martin said. He even made it a point to tell teammates what to wear when the Knicks look to win this series in five, then get ready for the winner of Indiana-Atlanta. “Wear black,” he said. “Funeral colors.’’
It appears the Sacramento Kings will remain in Sacramento, from Sam Amick of USA Today: “After a Sacramento Kings saga that lasted nearly three years, It appears the team will stay put. The NBA relocation committee recommended Monday that Seattle’s bid to buy the Kings and relocate them to the city that lost the Sonics to Oklahoma City in 2008 should be denied. A full vote of the league’s owners won’t take place until May 13, but this decision by seven of the league’s owners is expected to set the tone for the final outcome. Hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer agreed to buy the team from the Maloof family that owns them for a valuation of $525 million, then later upped their purchase price for 65% of the team to $550 million. But as has been the case since the story began, Sacramento mayor and former NBA point guard Kevin Johnson countered and, barring a surprising late twist, appears to have kept his hometown’s team from leaving.”
- Brandon Jennings did his best to dodge free agency question, but gave in and said he doesn’t know whether he wants to remain in Milwaukee:
Broussard shouldn’t be “attacked”? That’s ridiculous. He’s given his opinion on television, publicly, on twitter, on purpose – and it’s what he’s paid to do. He’s on the soapbox – who’s opinion am I supposed to argue about, attack, if it’s not his? He brought this upon himself, and I’m glad he did. People that are going to say the disagree with a “lifestyle” and hide behind their religion should all come forward. I see people even calling Broussard brave? When people have used his faith as justification for beating, murdering, and intimidating homosexuals for centuries? It’s not brave to hide behind The Bible – it’s cowardice.
John Steppling is a prime example of an ignorant intolerant individual, who claims the tolerance means agreement and silencE
oh ouch. Whats the problem joe? Calling someone a sinner is bigoted. Thats obvious. He’s entitled to say whatever he wants. As am I and as are you. But you might work on your logic.
broussard’s opinions however are bigoted. Calling someone a sinner is hardly neutral. I do agree that this wasnt exactly earth shaking news. It was however long over due. So good for jason collins. Its time for the broussard reactionaries (Christians it seems, mostly) to keep THEIR bias private.
If by Christian beliefs wat Collins is doing is sinning, then how is Broussards opinions bigoted? Wats bias about Christian beliefs? And why should WE keep our thoughts private while the ones who are PRO gay can say watever they want? Wat happen to freedom of speech? Chris didn’t bash Collins whatsoever
To be fair to Broussard, I don’t think he would have made those remarks without first getting clearance from ESPN management. Chris is usually very careful with his words. He was being interviewed all morning and afternoon on the subject, and was very Politically Correct with his wording up until that point. It was obvious to me though, that he wasn’t expressing his true feelings, because I’d seen him express those thoughts on Twitter before.
Broussard shouldn’t be attacked however. He should be allowed to have his opinion just like everyone else. I blame ESPN for taking advantage of this ratings opportunity, especially if they Okayed Broussard “coming out”. The more controversy the better for ESPN. This was no Jackie Robinson moment today. Not even 1/10 of 1% as significant.
Instead, its likely that as an unintended consequence of Collins “coming out” that some GM or Owner will put him on a Roster next season.
Also, I find it odd that ESPN didn’t make a big deal about the Brittney Griner admission of being a Lesbian, last week. I have theories as to why.
After all that has been said, I have to believe that these incidences will have the exact opposite effect, for those expecting the Supreme Court to rule on the side of Gay Marriage in June.