SH Blog: the latest news and rumors from around the NBA

James Dolan reportedly blocked a Knicks trade for Kyle Lowry: “Within the span of 15 hours, the Knicks had reached a decision to acquire Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry before the trade was vetoed — at least for now — by Garden chairman James Dolan, the Daily News has learned. According to a source familiar with the talks, Dolan had second thoughts about trading for Lowry and was also — what else? — enraged that details of the proposed deal had been leaked to the media. “Dolan didn’t want to get fleeced again by Masai,” was how one Knicks source put it. “They had a deal ready … There are two problems. Dolan didn’t like that someone from his group leaked it to the media, and the other problem is the Knicks seem to have too many (people) involved with making decisions.””

The Brooklyn Nets have emerged as a front runner for Kyle Lowry: “How Brooklyn’s pursuit of Lowry impacts Dolan will be interesting, because his sensitivity to criticism over his meddling into basketball deals might be only rivaled by his desire to outdo Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov. The Raptors and Nets have exchanged ideas on packages for Lowry that include Mirza Teletovic, Tyshawn Taylor and 2011 second-round draft pick Bojan Bogdanovic, league sources said. Bogdanovic is playing in Turkey and could join the NBA as soon as next season. Toronto could try to wait out the Nets’ inclusion of a 2020 first-round draft pick or rookie center Mason Plumlee, but is doubtful Brooklyn will pay such a steep price. Jason Terry has been raised in talks, too, but only as part of a deal that includes young players or draft assets.”

A Los Angeles Lakers security guard has been charged with stealing championship rings: “A security guard at the Lakers’ training center has been charged with felony grand theft and burglary for stealing two championship rings. The rings disappeared last week and via the Associated Press, El Segundo police said Thursday that Eddie J. Monterroso has been accused of taking the rings and gift cards valued at $20,000. A police statement said Monterroso’s house was searched and the rings from the 2009 and 2010 title seasons were discovered.”

Danny Ainge says the Celtics goal is progress, not the playoffs: ““I don’t know, because there’s too many variables, it’s just not that simple,” he said about the postseason. “Making the playoffs is not a goal. I need to explain that a little bit. If there’s a bunch of teams that are just injured and playing and you finish five, six, or seven games under .500 and you made the playoffs just because of that, that might not be such a great thing. I’m only concerned about how our players are playing, and if it so happens we make the playoffs and we earn our way and our guys are getting better, then I’m thrilled. “We’re not excited about being 10-14. That doesn’t bring excitement to anybody, but progress does.””

The D’Antoni/Gasol feud continues as coach fires back: “”The biggest thing is, everybody, to a man, we’ve just got to play harder and worry about things less,” D’Antoni said after the team’s morning shootaround in advance of Friday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. “Hopefully we do that tonight.” Asked specifically about Gasol’s desire to be used more in the post, where he feels most comfortable and effective, D’Antoni said, “That’s one thing. If they just don’t want to do it that way, then you have to accept it or not. But there’s no reason to not play hard.” Gasol, 33, is shooting a career-low 41.7 percent from the field and averaging just 14.4 points per game, well below his career numbers of 18.3 points a game and 51.5 percent shooting.”

Danny Granger is not ready for his season debut: ““I don’t like where I’m at with my timing and my rhythm and obviously my conditioning,” he said. “I don’t think I will (play) Friday. “I practiced (Thursday), a full-on practice, but I don’t feel like I’m ready yet. I dribbled the ball off my foot a couple of times, just things you do when you haven’t played. (I) lost the ball in transition on a pass. My rhythm isn’t there yet.” Granger said he’s had no physical setback. “No, no, no,” he said. “Just all game legs. I’m not going to go on the court until I’m ready.” Granger hasn’t played since the fifth preseason game Oct. 18. He missed all but five games last year with an injured left knee. He said earlier this week that there was “a good chance” he’d play Friday against the Charlotte Bobcats. Pacers coach Frank Vogel said Granger’s conditioning is as important to his return as the calf. “He’s got to get back to all the things — conditioning, timing,” Vogel said. “We’ll sit down and we’ll meet and figure out when the best time is.””