After an unusually quiet start to the offseason, Dwight Howard is talking again. More from ESPN Los Angeles’ Dave McMenamin: “Howard was one of several Lakers — Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol being the most noteworthy — to have an extended separate meeting with the GM after his exit interview with both Kupchak and D’Antoni, multiple sources confirmed to ESPNLosAngeles.com. According to sources with knowledge of the situation, part of the discussion between Howard and Kupchak centered around Howard’s frustration with D’Antoni — particularly how the center felt marginalized as the coach looked to Bryant and Steve Nash for leadership and suggestions and discounted Howard’s voice.”
Kupchak left the meeting with Howard undeterred, telling reporters he was “hopeful” and “optimistic” that Howard would be back with the Lakers next season and beyond, yet there have been several developments in the last couple weeks that could have an effect on Howard’s decision.
After yesterday’s tragic tornado outburst in Oklahoma, which devastated Oklahoma City, the face on all the fallen billboards made the biggest play of the season…off the court. More from Royce Young of Daily Thunder: “Per the Red Cross, Kevin Durant has given a $1 million donation to the disaster relief fund. “The Red Cross relies on its donors to perform its mission in relieving human suffering following disasters,” said Janienne Bella, regional CEO in a release. “Mr. Durant’s gift and support to Oklahoma comes at a time of great need and we’re forever thankful for his generosity.” Yesterday Durant tweeted, “Praying for the victims of the Tornadoes in OKC these last few days..Everybody stay safe!” Here’s the thing about Durant’s donation: It’s almost not news. Because it’s the least surprising thing ever. We’re so lucky to have him playing basketball in our city. Primary Thunder sponsor Chesapeake Energy made a $1 million cash donation yesterday also.”
The Thunder also have problems on the court, though, which is centering around Kendrick Perkins. Many believe GM Sam Presti should use the teams amnesty clause on the underperforming big man, but that may not be the best solution. Royce Young tells you why: “Now, does that mean to this point they haven’t ever thought about using the amnesty? Or does it mean that philosophically as a franchise, they haven’t ever thought about using the amnesty? I suppose that’s still up for interpretation. I took Presti’s comments to say that unless circumstances change, specifically in the Thunder’s salary structure, meaning either getting under the cap or over the tax, they aren’t using the amnesty. Which makes sense, which is how this organization operates.”
“We just haven’t considered using the provision,” he said. “I wouldn’t necessarily attribute that to any player on our team. Every team looks at the amnesty provision different depending on their circumstances, but it’s not really something that we’ve explored.”
The Western Conference Finals are underway and Chris Sheridan will tell you why he believes the Spurs will win in seven games…and in the NBA Finals: “That has been my pick all along, and I repeated it today in this video with Noah Coslov of CineSport. We also previewed the Eastern Conference finals and took a look at what adjustments the Memphis Grizzlies need to make in tonight’s Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. As for my pick? What’s it worth? It is merely one man’s opinion. In the last round, I went 3 for 4 with winners and nailed Grizzlies in 5 and Heat in 5. I also had the Spurs over the Warriors (in 7, instead of the 6 that it took) along with the idiotic foresight to predict the Knicks over the Pacers in 7. My pick for the Pacers-Heat series has not yet been revealed (Hint: Heat in ?) , and I’ve gone with Spurs in 7 in the West.”
He’s been on the hot seat for a few seasons now, and the Clippers have finally made a decision on the future of Vinny Del Negro. He’s out. More from Yahoo! Sports: “Despite considerable success and progress in his two seasons as coach, Del Negro was unable to withstand a first-round Western Conference loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and a free agent-to-be superstar, Chris Paul, who wanted a different coach, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Del Negro did not have a contract beyond this season. There had been some belief that owner Donald Sterling – who has been fond of Del Negro – would decide to keep the coach, but ultimately the Clippers needed to do everything they believed necessary to re-sign Paul in July. Under Del Negro, the Clippers won their first Pacific Division title this season and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals in the 2011-12 season. Del Negro led the Clippers to a franchise-record 17-game winning streak this season.”
One man who was not fired — completely — on Tuesday was Toronto’s Brian Colangelo. He just isn’t retaining his position as the teams GM: “Bryan Colangelo is still president of the Toronto Raptors, but he’s no longer the club’s general manager. The Raptors announced Tuesday that while Colangelo’s contract as team president is being extended, a new general manager will be hired within the next 30 days. The changes were announced by Tim Leiweke, who is the incoming CEO of team owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Leiweke also said he is moving up his start date from July 1 to June 3.”
“It’s a unique situation for me to be in,” Colangelo said. “Not an ideal situation but I’m going to embrace it and make the most of it.”
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