Odds & Ends: O’Neal, Warriors, Lillard, Bosh
Former Celtics center Jermaine O'Neal is in Germany to undergo platelet-rich plasma therapy on his knee, the same procedure Kobe Bryant had last summer, tweets Hoopsworld.com's Alex Kennedy.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 6/4/12 – 6/10/12
Here's a look back at all the original content created by our team of writers from this past week.
Celtics Notes: Ray Allen, Big 3’s Future, Roster
Saturday night in Miami may have marked the end of an era as the Celtics' season came to a close after the Heat took Game 7 to advance to the NBA Finals. While Rajon Rondo and the youth of Avery Bradley and Greg Stiemsma give the Celtics building blocks heading forward, the team must decide how to address Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen's status as they become free agents this summer. Let's check in on the latest news and headlines out of Boston as we anxiously await the fate of the Big 3…
Magic GM Candidates To Consider Malone, Clifford
The remaining candidates in Orlando's search for a general manager are being told to consider Warriors assistant coach Michael Malone and Magic assistant coach Steve Clifford for the team's head coaching vacancy, reports HoopsWorld's Yannis Koutroupis. Absent from the list is Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw, who is currently under consideration for the Bobcats' head coching position. The Magic will reportedly compile a list of finalists by next weekend which is expected to include former Hornets general manager Jeff Bower, Spurs assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey, former Trail Blazers vice president of basketball operations Tom Penn and Thunder assistant general manager Troy Weaver.
Western Notes: Mavs, Ty Lawson, Tim Duncan
The Thunder found out on Saturday evening that they'll be taking on the Heat in the NBA Finals beginning on Tuesday in Oklahoma City. The Lakers and Spurs will look to the Thunder to continue an over decade-long trend of Western Conference dominance that began during the 1998/1999 season. With a series victory over Miami, the Thunder will bring the streak of the West winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy to four seasons in a row and 11 of the last 14 overall. Let's catch up on the latest rumors and stories making headlines from around the Western Conference…
Brandon Bass Wants To Return To Celtics
Brandon Bass, fresh off a 101-88 loss to the Heat, told reporters on Saturday that he wants to return to the Celtics after enjoying his first season with the team, reports Paul Flannery of WEEI.com. The former LSU star proved to be a strong contributor during the playoffs as he averaged 11.1 PPG and 5.3 RPG in 20 contests. Bass, 27, arrived in Boston from Orlando after being traded for Glen Davis and Von Wafer just prior to the start of the 2011/2012 season.
Odds & Ends: Gordon, Austin Rivers, Eurocamp
According to an ESPN report via The Associated Press, Eric Gordon has set a high priority on securing a long-term destination this summer as he hits free agency and still considers New Orleans a viable landing spot. The three-year veteran was seen as a key piece in the Chris Paul deal with the Clippers, but only managaged to play nine games this season while dealing with injury. With about three more weeks to go until free agency begins, here's the rest of tonight's news…
HoopsWorld on Robinson, Leonard, Barton
Delfino Wants To Stay In Milwaukee
Soon-to-be free agent Carlos Delfino told HoopsHype that he would like to remain with the Bucks, saying that he has felt involved with the team and that the last three years with them have been positive overall (Sulia link). Since joining Milwaukee in 2009-10, Delfino has enjoyed a consistent role with averages of 30.4, 32.4, and 28.5 MPG respectively in the last three seasons. This year, he averaged 9.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 40.2% from the field and 36% from deep.
The 6'6'' swingman also said that if healthy, he would have no problem playing for the Argentinean Olympic team this summer without having resolved his contract situation (Sulia link). Delfino had surgery on his groin in early May to treat a sports hernia.