Friday, April 17

In a spectacular moment of ambiguity, (Doc) Rivers did not officially rule out (Kevin) Garnett for the entire postseason, but the coach said Boston's emotional leader was "ruled out to me." Rivers did extol the talents of backup forwards Glen Davis and Leon Powe. He said in no way were his statements about Garnett's injury to be interpreted as a "concession speech," and that with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen on board, the Celtics were still a tough team to beat. SI.com

Moments earlier, Allen stood in the same spot and worked off the same script. He called the loss of Garnett "unfortunate" and said he was "devastated" for his teammate, but added that the team "still feels good about what we're are capable of." SI.com

The defensive numbers speak for themselves: Boston is giving up 90.8 points with Garnett, 99.1 without him. But Garnett's contributions on the offensive end are often overlooked. True, Boston's scoring average is up 2.2 points without KG. But Garnett is not only Boston's most effective post presence, but many times its only low-post presence (sorry, Kendrick Perkins). SI.com

Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, a close friend of Garnett's, said the two had been playing phone tag since Garnett's injury. Billups, who played with Garnett for two seasons in Minnesota, said he planned on contacting Garnett last night. Boston Globe

"I'm hurt about that because I know how passionate he is and how much he puts into winning," Billups said. "It's disheartening for me to know that he can't even compete to try to help his team try to defend the championship. I know it's probably the toughest thing of his career." Boston Globe

Lakers forward Lamar Odom said, "Of course it's a big deal. He's a big part of their energy. It's too bad he won't be playing." Boston Globe

Celtics managing partner Stephen Pagliuca told the Globe that (Danny) Ainge got to the hospital quickly -- something that is critical when a heart attack is in progress -- and is "recovering nicely." Boston Globe

"I saw him at about 3:30 p.m. today," Pagliuca said. "I spoke to him and he was already joking about recovering and Eddie House breaking his record [for 3-point percentage in a season] putting him over the top. He was in good spirits. He was with his wife, Michelle, at the hospital. He was in good spirits." Boston Globe

Said Celtics guard Ray Allen via text message, "Our hearts go out to him and his family. We all wish him a speedy recovery." Boston Globe

As for returning to the Raptors next season, (Shawn) Marion, the free agent to be, would not commit one way or the other. Every indication he did give suggested that trip to Montreal may be his last taste of Canadiana until he returns next season as a member of a visiting team. Toronto Sun

Case in point was his reply when asked if he wanted to come back. "It's definitely an option," Marion said, trying to sound open to the situation. "I'm going to keep all my doors open. I've got to weigh every (option) that I have. It's a big opportunity I have this summer." Toronto Sun

Raptor after Raptor made it clear yesterday that Marion was a big part of their success over the final 13 games of the season (nine wins) and that it was getting comfortable with Marion and vice versa that made the difference. Toronto Sun

(Jose) Calderon was the first Raptor to speak and set the tone for the day lauding (Jay) Triano's efforts, excusing the early stumbles, blaming them on a lack of practice time. Toronto Sun

Chris Bosh, probably the Raptor who was closest to Sam Mitchell, the man Triano replaced last November, echoed Calderon's thoughts. "Jay did a good job," Bosh said. "He always has positive vibes. He loves the game of basketball, and I think he knows what he's doing ... I think everybody else is comfortable with him." Toronto Sun

[L]istening to the Raptors yesterday, it was easy to forget that they'd just run off their third 33-win season in Bosh's six-year tenure; that they'd placed 13th in the 15-team Eastern Conference; that they'd ranked among the NBA's 10 worst teams in all-important stats like defensive field-goal percentage and various rebounding measures. The players didn't want to talk about where they stood as much as they wanted to bask in their 9-3 finish. Toronto Star

"We're not so far from those teams playing in the playoffs. I think we showed we can compete against anybody," Calderon said. Toronto Star

As for Bosh's future here, the Raptors would trade him, like they'd trade anybody, for the right package, although Bosh said yesterday he doesn't think he'll be moved and hasn't asked to be. Toronto Star

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said injured starters Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu might be able to play in the Magic's first-round playoff series against the 76ers beginning Sunday. Associated Press

[W]hen (Vince) Carter was informed Thursday that Lawrence Frank's job status is the No. 1 Net issue heading into the offseason, he did not hesitate to offer an endorsement. NY Daily News

"He wants to win," Carter said. "He's an X's and O's guy. He works his butt off. I think he's been great." NY Daily News

Frank, who is scheduled to meet with (Rod) Thorn sometime next week, may have had an even bigger impact on Devin Harris this season. Last summer, Frank implemented a new offense, giving the speedy point guard more control and more shots. Harris then had a breakout year, averaging a career-high 21.3 points and 6.9 assists. NY Daily News

Thorn said the team must improve and he'll use a three-pronged attack -- trades, free agents and draft. Center Brook Lopez, the season's biggest revelation, led a trio of rookies who give hope. Lopez may be the only true untouchable, although the vast majority of the roster will return. NY Post

When Knicks president Donnie Walsh met briefly with William Wesley before Wednesday's season finale, their conversation focused on the off-season conditioning program of Eddy Curry. Whether Curry, who appeared in just three games, will follow his weight-lifting, weight-reducing regime is anyone's guest. NY Daily News

But Wesley's first appearance at the Garden this year was also noteworthy because not only is he an adviser to Curry, but Wesley is also one of LeBron James' most trusted confidants. And in case you haven't heard, James will be a free agent next summer and the Knicks are creating salary cap space to sign him. NY Daily News

One thing is left, and fans from this title-starved city wonder: Is this the Cavaliers' time? "That's the open box that's yet to be closed," (LeBron) James says. USA Today

James considers this his best season, crediting last summer's Olympic experience for becoming a better leader, defender and distributor. USA Today

"Look around. Almost all the guys from that team are having their best seasons. Myself, Kobe, (the Miami Heat's) Dwyane Wade, (the New Orleans Hornets') Chris Paul, (the Orlando Magic's) Dwight Howard, (the Denver Nuggets') Carmelo Anthony. ... We all got better. How could you not, playing with the best in the world? You learn a lot." USA Today

Because of his $6.6 million salary next season, general manager Sam Presti is expected to try and trade (Earl) Watson in the offseason. Oklahoman

"It is what it is,” Watson said. "I’m a professional. It could transition in any way. If I come back, it’s important to know that I have a role. I don’t want to be in a position where I don’t play like Chris Wilcox, especially going into the last year of my deal. If I’m back, I want to know I’m wanted back. We’ll see what happens.” Oklahoman

Sacramento Kings owner Joe Maloof won't be getting an apology from Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin for his hard foul on Spencer Hawes earlier this week. Associated Press

"Apologize to him? I'm not apologizing to him. I apologized to Spencer after the game, but before he opens his mouth he needs to know what's going on," Martin said. Associated Press

The Sacramento Bee reported Wednesday that Maloof called Martin's actions "thuggery" and said Martin "needs to apologize to Spencer and our organization." Associated Press

Martin, who has had a resurgent season after coming back from microfracture surgery on both knees, was taken aback over Maloof's criticism and demand for an apology. Associated Press

"I'm not apologizing to him whatsoever. I don't owe him or the Sacramento Kings an apology," Martin said. "I apologized to the person I needed to apologize to when I saw him when I was leaving the game." Associated Press

(Mike) Dunleavy's first draft includes plans for improving offseason conditioning so that players come into camp in shape, not hoping to work themselves into condition during the first few weeks. LA Daily News

Veteran leaders like (Marcus) Camby suggested the team meet up in Las Vegas over the summer to help the bonding process along. LA Daily News

(Baron) Davis told Dunleavy he wants to meet with him frequently over the summer so he can, in Dunleavy's words, "learn to think like me." LA Daily News

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal thinks he'll be traded to New Orleans for center Tyson Chandler, according to the New York Daily News. Associated Press

For a trade to be approved, the Hornets, who are trying to dump salaries to get under the luxury tax threshold, would have to match within 15 percent of O'Neal's $20 million salary that expires after next season. Associated Press

That means the Hornets would have to trade additional players besides Chandler, who is set to make $11,850,000 next season, to obtain O'Neal. Associated Press

Naturally, (Andrew) Bynum said he is looking forward to playing a more significant role when the Lakers begin the 2008-09 playoffs Sunday afternoon against the Utah Jazz. He figures to be a key figure for the Lakers in the best-of-seven, opening-round series. LA Daily News

"I'm just a little bit excited, a little bit anxious because I've never been there, I've never had an opportunity to play," the 7-foot Bynum said after Thursday's practice. "I want to see what the atmosphere's going to be like." LA Daily News

"It's my first real time being in the playoffs and I think my adrenaline will carry me through that first game," Bynum said. "I want to see what it's like on the court. Actually, I was there at the games last year, listening to the crowd, but now when I'm on the court I want to see what the whole feeling is about." LA Daily News

It became the word of the week when Utah Coach Jerry Sloan grimly summed up the Jazz's chances against the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. "It looks pretty bleak. . . . " he said after the Lakers thumped the Jazz, 125-112, in the regular-season finale Tuesday. LA Times

"He's just goading his team," said Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, who knows a thing or two about psychological terminology. "They're going to compete, without a doubt." LA Times

For starters, (Michael Beasley is) fascinated with SpongeBob SquarePants. He scribbled "Beas Was Here 09" on the table in Miami's interview room after meetings Thursday. He even once wrapped a giant snake around his neck and chased Dwyane Wade, not caring that the NBA scoring champion suffers from herpetophobia, a morbid fear of reptiles. Miami Herald

"He's 12," Wade said. "That's what 12-year-olds do." Miami Herald

It's not a coincidence that the Heat arranged for Beasley's locker to be next to Udonis Haslem's. One of Haslem's many part-time jobs with Miami this season was serving as a mentor of sorts to the rookie, who immediately found reason to listen to the starting power forward -- Haslem's coach at Miami High, Frank Martin, was Beasley's coach last season at Kansas State. Miami Herald

(Andre) Iguodala has said he and the rest of the players should hold one another accountable for defensive lapses, especially in the postseason, when every possession is magnified. The team's defense has been better, at times, in the two games since (Thaddeus) Young's return, but it is inconsistent at best. So, expect to see some reprimands, Sixer-to-Sixer. Philadelphia Daily News

"We want it to happen a little bit more," Young said. "We're letting guys get by." Philadelphia Daily News

The apparent indifference, or at least inattention, of some of the key young players -- rookie Mareesse Speights and (Lou) Williams, especially -- cost the club dearly when it lacked Young. Philadelphia Daily News

Officers who responded last Oct. 23 to (Isiah) Thomas' home after a 911 call reporting an overdose on sleeping pills found a man passed out on the floor and gave him oxygen until an ambulance arrived. Associated Press

"On that day, my daughter and I were both in the hospital," Thomas said. "She went early in the afternoon, OK? I went later in the evening. When I woke up, there's a reporter on the other end and he said, 'Are you OK?' And I think I said, 'My daughter's in the hospital and no, we are not OK,' or something to that effect." Associated Press

Thomas did not say what prompted his daughter to go to the hospital, but confirmed he was the person rescuers found that night. Associated Press

Police officials chastised Thomas after the New York Post reported that he told a reporter it was his daughter, not him, who required treatment. Associated Press

"People said, 'Well, why didn't you correct it?' And that's not how I live," Thomas said. "I've got to take care of my family. I didn't really care about correcting anything. My main focus was my family and that's always been my focus and that's what I'll always do." Associated Press

Eugene Edgerson, a former Arizona basketball player who tours with the Harlem Globetrotters, has been arrested for the second time in two months on domestic violence charges. Associated Press

Deputies responded to the couple's home and Edgerson's wife said when she reached for the phone, her husband grabbed it and caused an injury to her hand. Associated Press