Inside Hoops – Page 1362 – NBA Blog

Paul Pierce has no retirement plans yet

Pierce said he has no plans of retiring after this season.

“Right now it’s year-by-year,” he said. “I expect to play another year next year and then evaluate after that. I always said I wanted to end my career as a Celtic. But they are the ones (with the decision). I have a year contract for next year but it’s not guaranteed so the decision’s in their hands. But whatever decision they make, maybe, if they trade me somewhere or I end up somewhere else maybe it could be a situation where I come back for a one-day deal and retire a Celtic.”

— Reported by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (Blog)

Kenneth Faried wins 2013 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets has been voted the 2012-13 winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, named after the second commissioner of the NBA and presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association to the player, coach or trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community

Faried won the NBA’s “Community Assist Award” for February in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work, including his efforts to champion equality and bring awareness to the importance of respect and inclusion. Faried recently became a member of Athlete Ally, an organization that works to encourage acceptance of others and end homophobia in sports. In a show of support for equal rights, he attended the launch party for One Colorado to celebrate the passing of Senate Bill 11, The Colorado Civil Union Act. Faried also supported the message of inclusion by participating as an honorary coach at the 2013 NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Sports Basketball Game during NBA All-Star in Houston.

The Nuggets forward has been an integral part of the team’s community outreach efforts this season, having purchased a block of season tickets for distribution to children from Special Olympics Colorado, Denver Public Schools and the Denver Rescue Mission as part of the team’s community ticket program. Faried also joined the giveSPORTS Equipment Drive to provide inspiration and joy for individuals affected by the Colorado wildfires and the tragic shooting at the Aurora movie theater. As part of the NBA Cares Pediatric Cancer Awareness Campaign, Faried brought smiles to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patients and families by treating the group to an unforgettable Team Fit clinic. Faried also donated and personally delivered 44 pairs of sneakers to a local middle school basketball team for use during the upcoming season. During his visit, he met with the team to discuss the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and education.

“Kenneth’s commitment to equality and inclusion is praise-worthy,” said Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, president of the Professional Basketball Writers Association. “He has reached out to so many areas in need and touched so many different communities in Denver and Colorado that it is only right to celebrate his efforts.”

The PBWA comprises approximately 125 writers for newspapers, Internet services and magazines, who cover the NBA on a regular basis.

Other finalists nominated by PBWA members this year were Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks, Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls, Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks, David Lee of the Golden State Warriors, Jason Terry of the Boston Celtics and Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Pistons interview Lindsey Hunter, Nate McMillan for coaching job

Lindsey Hunter and Nate McMillan have different coaching resumes.

Hunter, 42, is a relative coaching neophyte, with only 41 games under his belt.

McMillan, 48, has 101/2 seasons and five playoff appearances to his credit.

But there is one similarity — they are former players known for toughness they displayed during their playing careers.

And there is a thought that playing experience is helpful in navigating the pitfalls coaches face.

Both candidates have interviewed for the Pistons’ vacant head-coaching position — Hunter on Monday and McMillan on Tuesday.

— Reported by Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press

Dwight Howard to get shoulder examined

Dwight Howard has plenty on his mind beyond his pending free agency.

He also plans to see a doctor Wednesday to check up on the torn labrum in his right shoulder.

“Hopefully I don’t have to have surgery,” Howard said. “But whatever the case may be, I’m going to do whatever I can to get myself right this offseason.”

Howard didn’t have such a luxury last year. He remained sidelined last summer after having back surgery in April.

— Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News Blog

Carmelo Anthony expects shooting touch to return

Carmelo Anthony believes his Game 4 shooting struggles were an isolated incident.

In the Knicks’ 97-90 overtime loss to the Celtics on Sunday, Anthony’s shot was as erratic as J.R. Smith’s behavior. The superstar forward suffered through a miserable 10-for-35 afternoon, clanging all seven of his 3-point attempts. In the final three-plus minutes of regulation and five minutes of overtime, Anthony went 1-for-9 from the field and just 2-of-4 from the free-throw line.

“I had one of those days,” he said yesterday, insisting his shot still feels perfectly fine. “I haven’t missed 25 shots in a long, long time. I don’t think I’ll have another day like that.”

Other than Sunday, Anthony hasn’t missed 25 shots in a game in his entire 10-year NBA career. Not in the regular season and not in the playoffs.

— Reported by Mark Hale of the New York Post

Danilo Gallinari has arthroscopic knee surgery

Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari is recovering from arthroscopic surgery to repair meniscus damage in his left knee.
The procedure was performed Monday at the Steadman Clinic in Vail.

After a short-term rehabilitation, a date will be scheduled for Gallinari to undergo surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Gallinari suffered the injury on April 4. He averaged 16.2 points and 5.2 rebounds – both career-highs – and made a team-leading 135 3-pointers in 71 games this season.

Bobcats are interviewing Cavs assistant Nate Tibbetts

The Charlotte Bobcats asked for and received permission to interview Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Nate Tibbetts for their head coaching job, the Cavs confirmed Tuesday.

Tibbetts, 35, was retained by the Cavaliers after they fired head coach Byron Scott and replaced him with Mike Brown last week. Tibbetts also interviewed with the Bobcats last spring before they hired Mike Dunlap.

Dunlap lasted a single 21-61 season in Charlotte before the Bobcats fired him last week.

Before joining Scott’s staff, Tibbetts was a successful development-league coach.

— Reported by Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (Blog)

Antawn Jamison has wrist surgery

Los Angeles Lakers forward Antawn Jamison underwent successful surgery on his right wrist Tuesday morning.

“(The surgery) went well,” a source close to the 15-year veteran told ESPNLosAngeles.com. “No complications.”

Jamison suffered a slight tear in his right wrist during the Lakers’ 103-100 loss to the Washington Wizards on March 23.

Jamison played with the injury for the remainder of the season, appearing in the Lakers’ final 12 regular-season games and four playoff contests.

— Reported by Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles

Celtics show support for Jason Collins

Celtics players and coach Doc Rivers spoke in support of Jason Collins Tuesday after Collins revealed in Sports Illustrated on Monday that he was gay. Rivers said Collins called him a few days ago to share the news with his former coach.

“We had talked about it recently,” said Rivers. “When he called me to tell me, you could tell he wanted to tell me. I told him before he said it, ‘Jason I could care less about what you’re about to tell me.’ And that’s how I feel. I honestly feel that way.

“It’s a non-factor to me, and I know it is a factor to a lot of people. I’ve never understood why anyone cares what someone else does. And I told Jason that it will be a non-issue eventually, but it will not be right now.”

— Reported by Gary Dzen of Boston.com

Mike Dunleavy open to staying with Bucks

Mike Dunleavy has served as a valuable sixth man for the Bucks during the past two seasons.

And the 32-year-old guard-forward said Monday he would be open to returning.

Dunleavy scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds in Milwaukee’s 88-77 loss to Miami in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday as the Heat completed a four-game sweep.

“My contract’s up so I’m just going to have to figure out where that leaves me,” Dunleavy said. “Honestly I haven’t given a lot of thought to it.

“I like being here; I grew up here. I signed as a free agent here. I’m willing to come back. I’ve got to talk to the team and see what they want to do and go from there.”

Dunleavy signed a two-year, $7 million deal with Milwaukee in the summer of 2011. He averaged 12.3 points and provided a spark off the bench in 55 games during the lockout-shortened season, then averaged 10.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 75 games during the past season.

— Reported by Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel