Latest NBA News from March 10, 2014: Phil Jackson may be interested in Knicks’ front office job, Lillard and Beverley take shots at each other

Beat writer Bob Cooney of The Daily News was going about his day as usual, reporting the latest update on the Philadelphia 76ers. On Monday, however, his report came with a bit of a blunder that turned out to be comedy more than anything else:

James Nunnally and Kevin Murphy reportedly going to workout for Suxers. Brett Brown said they are gonna bring peeps in for rest of season.

— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) March 10, 2014

Sixers. Sixers. Sixers. Not Suxers

— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) March 10, 2014

The 76ers have lost 17 consecutive games, so it’s actually okay to call them the Suxers, Mr. Cooney.

OTHER NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE:

Minnesota state representative Pat Garofalo made headlines with this highly-questionable tweet and initially refused to apologize for what he said, from Chris Chase of USA Today: “Minnesota state representative Pat Garofalo is refusing to apologize for a Sunday tweet that suggested the NBA is full of criminals. When the tweet went viral, earning national attention and allegations of implied racism, Garofalo held firm in his views. He released a similarly-worded statement to multiple outlets, including The Star Tribune. “Talking about NBA’s high arrest rate and that they are the only major pro league that testing positive for marijuana is not a substance abuse violation. No intent beyond that.” As the newspaper points out, it’s not the first time Garofalo has received criticism for social media statements.”

Garofalo has since put out a statement issuing an apology to particular players that may have taken offense to what he said: ““In the last 24 hours, I’ve had the opportunity to re-learn one of life’s lessons: whenever any of us are offering opinions, it is best to refer to people as individuals as opposed to groups. Last night, I publicly commented on the NBA and I sincerely apologize to those who I unfairly categorized. The NBA has many examples of players and owners who are role models for our communities and for our country. Those individuals did not deserve that criticism and I apologize. In addition, it’s been brought to my attention that I was mistaken and the NBA policy on drug enforcement is stronger than I previously believed. Again, I offer my sincere apologies for my comments,” stated Rep. Garofalo.”

Anthony Bennett will be sidelined with a knee injury, from Ben Golliver of SI: “The Cavaliers announced Monday that rookie forward Anthony Bennett will be sidelined for roughly three weeks with a patellar tendon strain in his left knee. Bennett, the 2013 No. 1 overall pick, is expected to miss Cleveland’s next 11 games, and his estimated return date is roughly two weeks before the end of the 2013-14 regular season. Cleveland has lost four straight games and now sits in the East’s No. 11 seed with a record of 24-40, putting them 3.5 games out of the playoff picture with 18 games remaining. The injury is the latest development in a year to forget for Bennett, who has struggled acclimating to the NBA level after spending last summer rehabilitating from a shoulder injury. The 20-year-old UNLV product has averaged 4.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 12.7 minutes in 51 appearances this season, shooting just 35.2 percent from the field.”

Josh Smith still dreams of teaming up with Rajon Rondo one day, from Baxter Holmes of Boston Globe: “About a decade ago, Josh Smith and Rajon Rondo teamed up for a dominant 38-0 season at Oak Hill Academy, a prep powerhouse in Virginia. Smith and Rondo are now in the NBA, Smith with the Detroit Pistons, Rondo with the Celtics, but the two have talked about reuniting again. “The conversation comes up,” Smith said Sunday before the Celtics defeated the Pistons, 118-111, at TD Garden. “We always tell each other how surreal a moment that would be for us to be able to reconnect again in that realm.” Smith noted the differences with his and Rondo’s contracts — Smith is signed with the Pistons until 2016-17, Rondo’s deal expires after the 2014-15 season. “It can be far-fetched, but it could be possible too, at the same time,” Smith said. Has Smith ever thought that it could happen? “I’m always optimistic,” he said. “I always think of different scenarios. It could happen, but who knows?” Smith admitted to thinking about he and Rondo reuniting last summer before Smith signed a four-year deal with the Pistons. “I thought it could’ve been a possibility, but you know, I’m in Detroit,” Smith said. “I’m happy I’m here. He’s still here. He’s still creating his market as a Celtic.”