Zach Randolph was apologetic of his performance in Game 1, from Sam Amick of USA Today: “That was the best defense I’ve seen on the big fella in a long time; they did a great job,” said the Grizzlies’ Mike Conley, who was outplayed in his point guard battle with the Spurs’ Tony Parker. “He tried to apologize (in the locker room), and we wouldn’t accept that. We said, ‘It’s not you; it’s all of us.’ He’s just saying that he’s going to do better, but we’ve all got to do better defensively, and offensively we’ve got to move the ball in order to get other guys open like Zach and play our game.”… “It’s just one of them nights, first game of the series for me,” he said. “It was just the rhythm of the game. … But I’ve got to be better. Like I told my teammates, I’ve got to be better for them and we’ve got to be better as a group.”
Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili credited Kawhi Leonard largely for the success the Spurs are having this season, from Mike Monroe of Express-News: “Kawhi’s been awesome,” Duncan said. “He’s been unbelievable, especially the last series and the start of this one. He’s playing a little hurt but finding a way to play through that, just showing great character in that respect and doing what he’s asked to do. “Pop (Coach Gregg Popovich), as usual, used the entire season to teach and teach and teach, and Kawhi has caught on, and he’s bossing right now.”… “He has become a big part of what we do,” Ginobili said. “Defensively, where there are moments where we send him to the point guard, to the two, to the three, sometimes the four, with his long arms and athletic abilities, he’s big. “If he keeps nailing those threes and even some post-ups — and we know that when we push it, he has those great hands, always ready to finish — he is one of the keys, along with Tony, to why we are having this type of season.”
Frank Vogel described the Heat as just another team to get by. LeBron did not appreciate the phrasing. More from Mike Wells of Indystar: “It’s exciting, but this is not about getting back at Miami,” Vogel said as his two daughters sat on his lap. “If you’re in the final four you’re competing for a championship. And they’re just the next team that’s in our way. That’s how we’re approaching it.” James took Vogel’s words to mean he was calling Miami just another team. “We’re not just another team,” James told Miami reporters on Sunday. “I don’t understand what he’s saying. But we’re not just another team. That’s not true. He said we’re just another team in their way. We’re a great team. If we’re just another team, you really don’t prepare for just another team. You have to prepare for us.”
- Vogel clarified his comments to make sure he doesn’t upset the best player in the world, from Scott Agness of NBA.com: “With the news in the sports world yesterday of LeBron James taking exception to Pacers head coach Vogel’s alleged “just another team” quote in reference to the Miami Heat, Coach Vogel responded this morning. “Sorry sports world, the words ‘just another team’ never came out of my mouth,” he said. “Great respect for LBJ and the champs. Looking forward to [a] great series.”
Scott Skiles and Lionel Hollins are the list of coaches the Nets may have particular interest in, according to Gery Woelfel of Journal Times (via Dan Feldman): “Skiles draws interest. The NBA pre-draft camp is always fraught with rumors. One that started percolating Saturday pertained to Brooklyn’s search for a new head coach. Some NBA officials claim the Nets are honing in on Lionel Hollins, Memphis’ coach whose contract will soon expire. The Nets’ interest in Hollins is hardly surprising, especially considering the terrific job Hollins has done this season. What is surprising, though, is that the Nets also have put Scott Skiles on their short list. Skiles was fired by the Bucks in January after four-plus tumultuous seasons in Milwaukee. Under Skiles, the Bucks had constant internal issues and qualified for the playoffs just once.”
Dwight Howard is intrigued by the Rockets and Mavericks, according to Ken Berger of CBSSports: “With six weeks to go before Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent, the team that is said to intrigue him the most is the Houston Rockets, according to multiple people briefed on internal conversations surrounding Howard’s free-agent decision. The Rockets have a young star, James Harden, who has proved himself worthy of playing the leading role for the franchise; a budding 3-point shooting threat in Chandler Parsons; a defensive-minded coach in Kevin McHale; and Omer Asik, the kind of 7-footer Howard is believed to want next to him in the frontcourt… The Mavericks represent another franchise that intrigues Howard, and Dallas is a minor transaction or two away from having enough room to sign Howard outright as an unrestricted free agent. Howard plans to explore all such options, and a person briefed on his plans told CBSSports.com that there are “several” teams the free-agent center is “going to take a hard look at.”
Of course Howard will want to go to Houston. This has been inevitable for months.
Alex Kennedy confirms Howard’s interest in Houston.
Howard is not going to let Kobe try to talk him into staying in LA. Dwight made that mistake with ORL and won’t be stupid again.