It’s not out of the question for Vinny Del Negro to return as the coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, from Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein of ESPN: “Sources told ESPN.com that there is a level of interest within the organization to extend Del Negro’s contract despite the widespread assumption in league circles that the embattled coach would take the fall for the Clippers’ six-game exit to the Memphis Grizzlies in Round 1. The final call ultimately rests with Clippers owner Donald Sterling — who is regarded as Del Negro’s biggest backer in the organization — but one source close to the process said Wednesday that team officials were still deliberating and that no decision has been made yet.”
Nick Young responded to the sexual assault claim against him on Instagram (he has since taken it down), from SLAM Online: ““I was shocked with the amount of people who actually believed that Swaggy would do such a thing! I take my craft and my reputation seriously. I have a son that looks up to me as well as fans that are children. I would never want them to think of me in such a way. I learned that God has a way of showing things: Who my real friends are, who I can trust and who has my best interest. So to my family, friends, coaches, teammates and fans that supported me through this challenging time I want to say thank you for believing in me. Your support and prayer means the world to me. At this I want to say God is everything so keep yo faith, keep smiling and swagging on these haters.”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar taught Brittney Griner the art of taking sky-hook shots, from John Marshall of The AP: “Following a short discussion, Abdul-Jabbar had Griner play behind him in the post on the right block and gave her a few pointers about using leverage against the defender. He then started flicking up skyhooks, right-handed and left, then gave her a turn, providing running commentary the entire time. They switched to the left block for a few more skyhooks and chatted some more. Griner didn’t look particularly comfortable with the shot at first, but seemed to be getting it down by the end of the 20-minute session, particularly after Abdul-Jabbar adjusted the way she was holding the ball.”She did start to get it, how I used it,” he said. “Not everybody uses the same tool in the same way, so you’ve got to make adjustments to that. But I think with her potential and willingness to learn, she’ll do well.”
The Cavaliers may be looking to upgrade at small forward in the upcoming draft, according to Bob Finnan of The Morning Journal (via RealGM): “The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be looking to upgrade at the small forward position in the upcoming NBA draft. Otto Porter is considered the top-ranked small forward. “I’m pretty sure the Cavs are praying right now that Otto Porter is there on the board when they draft,” said ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford. “He is a perfect fit for them. If he’s off the board, I do think there is a question mark there. I think ‘3’ is the position they need the most. “While we thought three was going to be stronger, we thought Shabazz Muhammad would be a guy that would be a great fit there. I think his play at UCLA has raised major question marks whether that’s the case.” The Cavaliers will have four of the top 33 picks in the June draft.”
Steve Nash believes he may be done once his current contract is up, from Mike Beamish of Vancouver Sun: “When he signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Lakers last year, Nash vowed he would play it out to its conclusion. He’ll turn 41 before that happens, an age when two other legendary guards, John Stockton and Bob Cousy, were in their sunset seasons but still able to show the young ones a thing or two about passing and hitting clutch shots. “There’s a chance that that (41) could be it. A big chance,” Nash said. “But you never know how it goes, or how I’ll feel. Anything can happen between now and then.”
- Jason Collins went on The Jimmy Kimmel Show along with his twin brother Jarron Collins to talk about his new fame: