The Clippers are looking for a head coach, but George Karl doesn’t appear to be on that list, from Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post: “The Los Angeles Clippers are looking for a new coach and the Nuggets are looking for a boss for their coach. George Karl is under contract for one more season as Denver’s coach, but his team doesn’t have a general manager. And while Karl’s name has been linked to the Clippers’ coaching job, that team hasn’t formally asked to be allowed to interview Karl. For now it appears the Clippers are zeroing in on two coaches not under contract, according to multiple media reports, including ESPNLA.com. Those coaches are Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw and Lionel Hollins, who was the Memphis Grizzlies’ coach through the playoffs. Both are scheduled to be interviewed, with Shaw perhaps the top candidate.”
The Grizzlies may have strong interest in Karl, according to Sam Amick of USA Today: “According to two people with knowledge of the talks, the Memphis Grizzlies spoke with Karl almost immediately after he was let go about the possibility that he would replace Lionel Hollins and the Clippers plan to talk to him soon about their coaching vacancy.The Grizzlies were granted permission from the Nuggets on Thursday to have more formal talks with Karl, which was necessary because his severance agreement has not been finalized with Denver and he’s still under contract. Ironically, the Nuggets have interest in Hollins for their vacancy and have received permission to speak with him.”
- David Stern doesn’t think the current rules against flopping is doing its job, from Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida:
Stern on flopping fines: "It isn't enough. You're not going to have some player stop it for $5,000 when the average salary is $5 1/2 million
@christomasson
Chris Tomasson
- Stricter rules are being considered by the league about flopping, from Jon Krawczynski of The AP:
Stern indicates there are stricter penalties for flopping being considered: "I think we have the data. I don't know we have the stomach"
@APkrawczynski
Jon Krawczynski
Damian Lillard explained why the Heat will win in six games. More interestingly, though, check out what he expects from himself down the line, from Ben Golliver of Blazer’s Edge: “I think the Heat will beat the Spurs in the Finals, 4-2,” said the 22-year-old speaking to Sportsmail from Udine, Italy, where he was attending the NBA Schools Cup Finals… “I think it will be tough. The way you beat Miami is by going inside, you’ve got to be bigger than them to have that advantage and I don’t think the Spurs are that much bigger, so I think they’ll have a tough time.”… “I think I can be an elite point guard in the league, I do think I can be an MVP in the league, I think I just need to keep getting better. I don’t think its one thing I can do to make myself that type of player, I think I need to keep improving every part of my game, and keep raising the level of my game until I can get to that point.”
Mitch Kupchak is playing the waiting game with Dwight Howard in terms of what moves he wants to make in the offseason, from Mike Trudell of NBA.com: “Kupchak: If there’s one thing we’re looking at this summer, it’s what Dwight is going to decide to do. That is the major moving piece. That will determine a lot about what we do. It’s the one decision we will have to wait on. Then we will try to have a plan a, plan b, plan c depending on what happens. It moves quickly, so it’s not like you can go to a plan b with certainty. There will be 29 other teams looking to improve their teams on July 1. But all of the “what if” scenarios will be talked about, reviewed and ready to go. We spend a lot of time on those what ifs, contingency plans.”
Chris Bosh explained why he struggled against the Pacers, from Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today: “I don’t really like to think too much,” Bosh said. “I just like to go and play the game. Each game is different. I do want to establish myself early in the game and in the series to be a threat like normal.” On Wednesday, Bosh professed that his shooting troubles had more to do with him than what the Pacers did defensively. He said he wasn’t balanced when shooting. “If I’m on balance, everything else falls into place,” Bosh said. “I wasn’t on balance the first few games – really for a while now. That’s neither here nor there. I still have to execute it. It’s a great stage to make sure I play well. “I had freedom last series. I just didn’t make shots. I missed wide-open ones. I didn’t finish around the rim.”
The Sacramento Kings will interview David Morway, according to Sam Amick of USA Today: “The Sacramento Kings general manager search will continue Friday, when they are expected to interview former Indiana Pacers general manager David Morway. According to a person with knowledge of the search, Morway will join the list of candidates still in the running for the job left vacant when new owner Vivek Ranadive decided to part ways with longtime general manager Geoff Petrie. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the search.”
Lionel Hollins may have expressed the desire to stay in Memphis, but talks with the team has simmered of late, from Ramona Shelburne of ESPN: “Lionel Hollins has made it clear in a series of recent radio interviews that he’d like to stay on as the Memphis Grizzlies’ coach. But negotiations between the Grizzlies and Hollins’ representatives have gone dormant since the team granted him permission Sunday to speak to other teams, a source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN on Wednesday night, and the longer the situation goes unresolved, the less likely it is that the sides will be able to work through the “philosophical differences” that initially caused talks to break down.”
Frank Vogel responded to Danny Granger’s desire to be the starter next season, while also challenging Lance Stephenson to keep his spot as the starter. Zak Keefer of Indystar has details: “Following the Game 7 loss, Granger said he expected to be back in the starting lineup at the start of next season. Vogel was asked if he saw things the same way. “Probably,” he said. “We gotta see how he returns. My anticipation is that he’s going to have a full recovery. I told him if he returns to full health and the ability that he’s exhibited throughout his career, then he’ll be the starter.” Vogel added that he challenged Lance Stephenson, who in Granger’s stead had a breakout year, to “not let that happen.”
Danny Green and LeBron James – former teammates back in their Cleveland days – still have great respect for each other, from Marc Berman of New York Post: “I had Danny in Cleveland with me as my rook[ie], so this is going to be great to go against him,’’ James said. “I’m happy for what he’s been able to do.’’ Green knows he had a special tutor. “My rookie year, I was trying to be the biggest sponge I can be,’’ Green said. “I watched the way he carried himself on and off the court, tried to pick and choose some of the moves he liked to do and add it to my game. Obviously I can’t do the things he can. I’m not as capable or athletic. We would play 1-on-1 after practice, shooting games. I learned a lot in how to carry myself as a pro and be a big part of a team.’’
