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Philadelphia 76ers sales talks ongoing

Well, this is new. There hasn’t been much press about the Philadelphia 76ers possibly selling the team, but according to a new report, talks of a sale are ongoing as we speak.

Henry Abbott of ESPN reports:

Philadelphia 76ers owner Comcast-Spectacor is in talks to sell the team to a group led by New York-based leveraged buyout specialist Joshua Harris, according to sources.

Negotiations are ongoing and a source with knowledge of the talks called a deal “imminent.”

Once the parties reach final agreement, it would become official only with approval of the league’s Board of Governors.

The Sixers were not known to have been for sale.

Harris, 46, co-founded Apollo Global Management, which invests primarily in distressed properties, in 1990. In Forbes’ 2011 billionaire rankings, Harris was reported to have a net worth of $1.5 billion.

Other partners in the deal include private equity executive David Blitzer and former NBA player agent and Sacramento Kings executive Jason Levien.

The 76ers have had low attendance for years, and a public relations department that is known to shun outsiders.

LeBron says winning will take care of his legacy

LeBron James is great at winning regular season NBA games, but he’s still waiting for his first championship. And while the Miami Heat only lead the Dallas Mavericks two games to one in the ongoing NBA Finals, LeBron may not have to wait much longer.

It’s too early to discuss his “legacy” as a player, but when it’s all over, LeBron hopes to be associated with winning. Championships, presumably.

Reuters reports:

LeBron James bristled Monday at the idea his offensive prowess in the NBA Finals has been a disappointment and that his unwillingness to take charge down the stretch could ultimately affect his legacy.

The Miami Heat forward has averaged a modest 20.3 points and has been largely absent on offense in the fourth quarter but his team holds a 2-1 lead over the Dallas Mavericks.

James says all he wants to do is win.

“Anybody that knows me throughout the years, all I care about is the W,” he said. “I’m not just a scoring guy. I’ve got a lot of points in my career.

“I have had some team mates who have given me great confidence and ability to go out there and score a lot of points. But I’ve done other things.

“I don’t have to score points to be effective.”

Reuters continues:

“I just want to win,” he told reporters. “My individual stats will take care of itself. In a series I’ve averaged 38 points a game and we’ve lost in the Eastern Conference Finals against Orlando.

“This is a team game. My resume will speak for itself after I’m done with this game of basketball. What me and my team mates are trying to accomplish now is the only thing I’m worried about.

“When I’m done, I’ll let you guys figure where I should be placed.”

The Heat may be poised to rack up multiple championships over the next few years, so this discussion may change shape pretty soon.

J.J. Redick undergoes successful surgery for torn abdominal muscle

Zach McCann of the Orlando Sentinel reports:

Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick recently underwent successful surgery for a torn abdominal muscle on May 26, Magic spokesman Joel Glass confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel Monday night.

Redick missed the regular season’s final 17 games with the injury but returned to play in the Magic’s first-round playoff loss to the Hawks.

The surgery was first reported at ClickOrlando.com by David Pingalore. Glass originally confirmed the surgery was for a sports hernia injury — as Pingalore reported — but later clarified the surgery was to repair the ab muscle.

Warriors hire Mark Jackson as head coach

The Golden State Warriors have named Mark Jackson, a 17-year NBA veteran as a player and current ABC/ESPN broadcaster, as the team’s new head coach, it was announced today. Jackson becomes the 24th head coach in franchise history and the 19th since the team moved to the West Coast in 1962.

According to three separate reports, Jackson’s coaching deal is for three years, with a Warriors team option for the fourth year.

Jackson, 46, played for seven organizations – New York (twice), the L.A. Clippers, Indiana (twice), Denver, Toronto, Utah and Houston – during his highly-successful 17-year NBA career and helped guide his teams to the playoffs in 14 of those 17 seasons. A native of Brooklyn, New York, he ranks third on the NBA’s all-time assists list (10,334) – trailing only John Stockton and Jason Kidd – and was named a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team in 1989. Jackson was originally selected by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 1987 NBA Draft (18th overall) and promptly captured NBA Rookie of the Year honors at the conclusion of the 1987-88 campaign. He established a still-standing NBA record for assists by a rookies in a single season (868) and played for five Hall of Fame coaches during his collegiate and professional careers (Lou Carnesecca, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Sloan, Pat Riley and Larry Brown).

“After an extensive search and a great deal of consideration, we have come to the conclusion that Mark Jackson is the best coach for this team,” said Warriors’ General Manager Larry Riley. “He will bring a youthful and fresh approach to our team and the fact that he enjoyed a stellar playing career, where he served most of that time as the leader of some very successful teams, will prove invaluable in the long run. We were looking for a coach with leadership ability and a strong personality and believe Mark possesses those qualities. He’s very well respected in NBA circles, is a consummate professional and his knowledge and background will be an incredible asset for our team and organization.”

“We are tremendously excited about the addition of Mark Jackson as our new head coach,” said Warriors’ Owner Joe Lacob. “He epitomized leadership as a player in this league for 17 seasons and we think that characteristic – and many other positive traits – will translate very well into his coaching duties with our young team. He was a leader and a winner both on and off the floor in this league and we’re convinced that he is the right person to guide this team into the future and help us achieve the success that we are striving for as an organization.”

InsideHoops.com had suggested in the past that Jackson might have to gain experience as an assistant coach before a team would offer him a head coaching position. But the Warriors, under new ownership, are clearly looking to shake things up and roll the dice.

“I am really elated about this opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenge of building the Warriors into a perennial contender,” said Jackson. “I cannot tell you how impressed I was with the organization during our meetings, beginning at the top with Joe Lacob and, of course, with Larry Riley, Bob Myers and Jerry West. I have sensed that Joe is committed to winning and building a team and a culture the right way. I think we all witnessed that with some of the recent front office additions as well and some of the other positive things that have been done in recent months. This is an incredible opportunity and I am honored and thank God that I have been chosen to be the next coach of the Warriors. The Bay Area has always had some of the best fans in the NBA and I look forward to being a part of that incredible atmosphere at Oracle Arena, along with my wife, my kids and my church family, who are thrilled as well.”

Jackson, who will assume his new duties at the conclusion of the NBA Finals, appeared in 131 playoff games during his career, including 23 with the Indiana Pacers in 2000, when he was a member of the Eastern Conference Champions (played L.A. Lakers in the NBA Finals). Additionally, he led the NBA in assists during the 1996-97 campaign (11.4 apg).

Jackson will be introduced to the Bay Area media later this week.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Wade, Bosh lift Heat to 2-1 lead in NBA Finals

The AP reports:

Dwyane Wade kept soaring and scoring, doing everything he could to get the Miami Heat a crucial win towards an NBA title.

Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem provided the final push.

Bosh made a 16-foot, go-ahead jumper from the baseline with 39.6 seconds left and Haslem pestered Dirk Nowitzki the rest of the way as the Heat held on for an 88-86 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night for a 2-1 lead in the NBA finals…

The Heat recovered to lead 81-74 with 6:31 left. Everyone knew the Mavericks’ comeback bid would be in Nowitzki’s hands, but it didn’t matter. He still scored 12 straight points—six free throws, a layup, a dunk and a tough jumper—tying it at 86.

With under a minute to go, Wade got the ball to LeBron James near the top of the key. Haslem screened Nowitzki while Bosh got set, took the pass from James and ripped it through the net, quite a thrill for the Dallas native who’d been 0-8 in his hometown. It was even more impressive considering his left eyelid was swollen because of an accidental poke by Jason Kidd in the first quarter, and he’d been misfiring all series, even when his vision was good…

“Emotional game, fought back, and to fall short at the end is tough,” said Nowitzki who scored 34 points. “But they need two more. Hopefully we can play a better all-around game and finally get some shots to go down.”

Wade made 12 of 21 shots and was at his dynamic best from the start, looking like the guy who lifted the Heat past Dallas and to the title in ’06…

Wade and Bosh each scored seven points in the fourth quarter. Bosh finished with 18 points.

James came in talking about being more aggressive, but wasn’t. He went more than 6 minutes before taking his first shot, but certainly made it worth the wait—a drive through the teeth of the defense for a powerful dunk. He also had a two-handed jam in the second half that put Miami up by 13.

He finished with 17 points and nine assists. He also had four turnovers, including a pair during the fourth quarter—not counting the shot-clock violation—that helped bring Dallas back.

Nowitzki scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, but didn’t get much help, in the period or the rest of the game.

Terry scored 15 and Shawn Marion had 10. Both were shut out in the fourth quarter. The only other scorers were backup point guard J.J. Barea early in the quarter and Tyson Chandler dunking off a rebound.

For the game, Nowitzki made 11 shots, the rest of the Mavericks 17.

After NBA Finals Game 3 win, LeBron James answers reporter question about shrinking in 4th quarters

By Jeff Lenchiner

After the Miami Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks 88-86 on the road to take a 2-1 lead in the 2011 NBA Finals, Heat stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade did their usual shared post-game press conference. A somewhat challenging question was posed by a reporter to LeBron, who gave a pretty solid response. Here’s how it went:

Reporter: “LeBron, three games in a row for you, fourth quarter. Not much. That’s the moment superstars become superstars. Seems like you’re almost shrinking from it. What’s going on?”

LeBron James: “I think you’re concentrating on one side of the floor. And all you’re looking at is the stat-sheet. Honestly, I’m a two-way player. Tonight, D-Wade had it going offensively, so we allowed him to handle the ball. We allowed him to bring us home offensively. You [could] just watch the film again and see what I did defensively. And you ask me a better question tomorrow.”

(LeBron then covered his mouth, possibly to hide some laughter.)

Wade was spectacular tonight and finished the game shooting 12-of-21 for 29 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. LeBron shot just 6-of-14 for a quiet 17 points, just three rebounds, but nine assists. And very good defense. The Mavericks shot just 40 percent in the loss. Mavs small forward Shawn Marion hit a mere 4-of-12 shots for 10 points and little else.

The basic premise of the question actually was legitimate in the opinion of InsideHoops.com, in that LeBron has not scored much in the fourth quarters of the three 2011 NBA Finals games that have been played so far.

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Read fan reaction and share your own opinion in this forum topic.

Detroit Pistons fire coach John Kuester

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that John Kuester will not return next season as the team’s head coach. The decision was made following a meeting between ownership and the head coach.

“Decisions like this are difficult to make,” said Dumars. “I want to thank John for his hard work and dedication to the organization over the last two years, however, at this time we have decided to make a change.”

Kuester, who was named head coach on July 9, 2009, tallied a regular-season record of 57-107 in two season’s with the Pistons. He served one season in Detroit as an assistant coach under Larry Brown in 2003-04, helping the Pistons win the NBA Championship that year.

Dumars: “As our organization moves forward and prepares for the future, the search for our club’s new head coach is a priority and will begin immediately. However, at this time, we do not have a timetable for hiring a successor. We’ll conduct our due diligence privately and announce a decision when we’ve identified that individual.”

The AP reports: Kuester was hired in 2009 after two seasons as an assistant with Cleveland. He was also a member of Larry Brown’s championship-winning staff in 2004 with the Pistons, but his familiarity with at least some of the players was of little help as the team began to look increasingly dysfunctional late in his tenure. Kuester and Richard Hamilton had a falling out that sent the veteran to the bench for most of a seven-week stretch. The two appeared to be on better terms toward the end, but there was plenty of other drama.

More from the AP: Every healthy player started at least one game this season, and all except Ben Gordon received at least one DNP-Coach’s Decision. Kuester benched point guard Rodney Stuckey barely a week into the season and benched him again with just over a week to go when there was friction between the two. The low point was probably Feb. 25 in Philadelphia. Seven players missed at least part of a team shootaround, and Kuester played only the remaining six that night in a blowout loss to the 76ers.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Maya Moore makes WNBA debut

The AP reports:

Candace Parker showed the Los Angeles Sparks just what they were missing during her long injury absence.

In her first game in nearly a year, Parker had 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Sparks beat the Minnesota Lynx 82-74 on Friday night in the opener of the WNBA’s 15th season…

The nationally televised game marked the debut of highly touted WNBA rookie Maya Moore, who led the Lynx with 21 points and
added four rebounds and four assists.

Moore led Connecticut to consecutive NCAA championships (2009-10), became the seventh women’s player to score over 3,000 career points, and was the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA draft.

She had six points in the final five minutes, including three free throws that tied the game at 73, and scored her team’s first basket with a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer on the right wing.

“I was a little anxious, but I was excited to play,” Moore said. “It was just exciting when the game started and you start making the first couple of shots, get into a rhythm, and you realize this is still basketball.”

Charles Oakley says Vegas assault led to back problem

The AP reports:

Charles Oakley, one of the NBA’s all-time tough guys, may not return to the Charlotte Bobcats’ bench next season because of a painful back condition he says was caused during an assault last year in Las Vegas.

Oakley, who was in his first season as an assistant coach, had to be carried from the bench before a game in San Antonio on March 19. He missed Charlotte’s final 13 games with a sciatic nerve problem.

The 47-year-old Oakley, still moving gingerly, attended Charlotte’s workout of draft prospects Saturday. As he contemplates surgery, Oakley said he told general manager Rod Higgins to consider replacing him on coach Paul Silas’ staff…

Oakley has sued the Aria hotel-casino, claiming he was beaten by security guards in May 2010. Oakley is convinced the incident led to his current condition…

The complaint contends five officers wrestled the 6-foot-9 Oakley to the ground and punched and handcuffed him after a verbal dispute over whether Oakley could return to a VIP pool area. It said Oakley was taken to the hospital with injuries to his neck, back, head and wrist. Oakley said Saturday two slipped disks suffered in the incident led to the sciatic nerve condition.

Raptors forward Amir Johnson undergoes left ankle surgery

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday forward Amir Johnson underwent surgery today to repair instability in his left ankle. The procedure was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist at the OrthoCarolina Clinic in Charlotte North Carolina.

Johnson missed nine games, including the final five contests of the season, with a sore left ankle. He will conduct his rehabilitation in Los Angeles and is expected to be ready for training camp.

Johnson averaged career highs in points (9.6), rebounds (6.4), minutes (25.7) and starts (54) in the 2010-11 season. He shot .568 (281-465) from the field and led the team in blocks (88).