- Also watching the rest of the playoffs from their couches are the Celtics, and this could be the end of the line for their revised Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo. Here’s Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com on that subject: “Garnett, who will turn 37 later this month and just completed his 18th NBA season, said it was simply too early to know whether the trio will be back in Boston next season. “I haven’t really thought about it, to be honest with you. I’m kind of digesting , obviously, the current, and Doc came to me, pulled Paul and I to the side and all three of us agreed to speak later — too emotional,” said Garnett. “Obviously, it was a big game, tough loss, especially at home. But more importantly in the future, it’s a different day for that conversation.” While Garnett swatted away most inquiries about his future, he spoke strongly about how the organization’s decision on whether to retain Pierce, whose contract is only $5 million guaranteed and could be an amnesty candidate, could play into his status.”
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports seems a little more certain of what’s in store for the Celtics: “Boston needs to retool again, and Garnett could make it easy for them with retirement. He has two years and $23.5 million left on a deal that includes a no-trade clause. A year ago, Rivers was certain Garnett would keep going. This time, “I’m not so positive,” Rivers said. Boston can buy out the final year on Paul Pierce’s contract for $5 million – or pay him $15 million to play the season. Or trade him, and let someone else do it. The Celtics will work hard to move him in a package deal that includes a young player or a draft pick. Once Pierce goes, they know Garnett’s decision will be easy.”One of the big reasons I came here was because of Paul,” Garnett said. “I demand a lot out of myself, both physically and from a skill level. I’ll be lying if I said Paul didn’t play into that.” “- Another guy whose time with his current franchise might have ended last night is Josh Smith. Here’s Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “When the cameras were turned off and almost everybody, Josh Smith said what he really thought. Of course he knew this was probably it. “As I walked off the court, everything just sort of hit me,” the Hawks’ forward said late Friday night. “Just the uncertainty of what the future holds. Just thinking about all of the relationships I’ve had here and the people who’ve crossed my path since I’ve been here. I just … I just don’t know.” Does he want to come back? “The only thing I know is I want to be able to experience free agency. I want to explore my options and see what’s out there. I don’t have any certain idea what’s going to happen.” He didn’t sound like a guy eager to return. The fact most in attendance Friday night didn’t sound eager for him to be back — screaming the usual “Nooooooooos!” when he pulled up for jumpers and booed when he missed — speaks volumes about the situation.”
Derrick Rose isn’t coming back for the crucial Game 7 in the Bulls-Nets first-round series. But he did talk to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune: “Derrick Rose still won’t give voice to what is assumed within the organization, that he’s sitting out the entire season after offseason knee surgery. But Rose did talk about “the big picture” Saturday morning in explaining the benefits to sitting to this point, close to one year since his May 12, 2012 surgery to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament. … Rose said there’s no benefit to announcing that he’s out for the season and said watching playoff games in street clothes has been difficult. “It has been hard,” he said. “But I’m able to get past it, knowing that my teammates are out there playing hard, giving the game everything they got. That’s all I can ask for. Who knows? It’s still in the air where I’m still trying to be positive and still trying to take care of my body.” “- Here’s some encouraging news on Amar’e Stoudemire from Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com: “New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson has targeted Game 3 of the Knicks-Pacers series as the date for Amar’e Stoudemire’s return. Stoudemire has been sidelined since March 7 with a right knee injury. He underwent a procedure to clean out debris in the knee on March 11. He has been ruled out of the first two games of the Knicks-Pacers series but may play in Game 3 next Saturday.Woodson said Stoudemire will scrimmage with his teammates on Thursday. If his knee responds well, he will scrimmage again on Friday.”
- Some prominent NBA officials insist Kelvin Sampson has been and still is Bucks' top choice as new head coach.
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Amazing! Its in fact remarkable paragraph, I have got much clear idea about from
this article.
Aw, this was a really nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a good article… but what can I say… I put
things off a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
If Paul has any balls (I doubt he does, he’s one of the few players that didn’t have the stones to say or intimate how crappy Byron Scott is as a head coach), then he’ll return to play in the same arena next season. For the Lakers.
The Lakers have no cap space for CP3. They don’t even have the ability to get cap space for CP3 unless the entire league bends over to help them out. Can’t happen.