Source: Clippers will let LeBron James pick his coach and GM

The Clippers, according to another source within the organization, are hoping to persuade LeBron James to come if he also can pick his coach, and possibly his general manager. Aside from the franchise’s reputation for one blunder after another, the Clippers will have some attractive assets to offer a free agent like James. Kaman is one of the league’s best centers. Power forward Blake Griffin, who missed this season with a knee injury, is considered a sure-bet star on the rise. Davis is a former All-Star, and young guard Eric Gordon has great potential. And there is no more attractive city in the league than Los Angeles, giving James a chance to share the spotlight with Kobe Bryant of the Lakers. — Fanhouse

Sources: Sixers planning to fire coach Eddie Jordan

Comcast-Spectacor is ready to fire 76ers coach Eddie Jordan, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. Several other sources also indicated that the organization will “seriously evaluate” Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski, who hired Jordan less than a year ago. One of these sources indicated that the company had considered terminating Jordan earlier, but likely was “deterred” by the early-season firing of former Flyers coach John Stevens. Comcast-Spectacor owns both franchises. These sources indicated that Jordan could be fired before this season ends - if it becomes obvious he has lost the team - but more likely after the final game of this dismal season. According to sources close to the team, the players “no longer believe in Jordan’s coaching system or philosophies” and are trying to finish this season strong for pride and contractual obligation.— Philadelphia Inquirer

Clips Drew Gooden interested in returning to Magic

Drew Gooden, 28, will be a free agent after this season, and he said he hopes to sign next summer with a team that will allow him to put down some roots. Gooden was traded twice before this year’s trade deadline, first from Dallas to Washington and then from Washington to the Clippers without ever playing for the Wizards. Gooden has now played for six different teams since the beginning of the 2007-08 season. Gooden indicated he would be interested in returning to the Magic. “Who knows where I’ll be next time?” he said. “I may still be here [with the Clippers] or somewhere else or may be back with one of my old teams. You never know what could happen.” — Orlando Sentinel

Kings Tyreke Evans sorry for criticizing teammate in public

While the Kings’ Tyreke Evans doesn’t typically apologize for every slip-up on the floor, he offered a mea culpa Tuesday for an off-floor flub. Evans, who made comments critical of teammate Andres Nocioni to The Bee after Sunday’s loss to Oklahoma City, apologized in a Tuesday afternoon radio interview with KHTK’s Grant Napear and Mike Lamb and reiterated his stance at the Rose Garden later. The players had exchanged words during the fourth quarter, with the rookie frustrated at the veteran’s shot selection in the most crucial of times. Afterward, Evans told The Bee, “We were in the game, and you come down and take bad shots?” That’s not team basketball. Coach (Paul Westphal) didn’t say nothing, so I thought I had to step up (and say something).” “I apologize,” Evans said in the visitors’ locker room before facing the Blazers. “It was me being frustrated and wanting to win. But me as a rookie, I should have pulled him over on the side and said, ‘You know, that wasn’t a good shot,’ instead of putting him on blast in front of a crowd like that.” — Sac Bee

Magic have interest in Steve Blake

The Magic actually will have interest in signing Steve Blake this summer as they search for another point guard to play behind starter Jameer Nelson. The Magic have used both journeymen Jason Williams and Anthony Johnson in the role this season, but both are in the final year of their contracts and already slowing down. Blake, 30, has shown an ability to play effectively as either a starter or reserve in his career. — Fanhouse

Larry Brown dances around Clippers speculation

Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown side-stepped a question about SI.com’s report that he inquired about whether the Los Angeles Clippers would be interested in hiring him as coach. I followed up with this question: Are you committed to being here long-term? “It’s up to Michael,” Brown replied, suggesting — as Brown has in the past — that he’d like to be here as long as he’s working for Michael Jordan. — Charlotte Observer

Jerry West on Clippers GM job: no interest

The first name that came to mind after the Clippers’ rude and unceremonious news release came out Tuesday night announcing Mike Dunleavy’s firing was none other than Jerry West. The Logo had been long rumored to be a candidate to take over the Clippers’ woebegone basketball operations if — and, as it turned out, when — they finally “severed ties” with Dunleavy. From West himself Tuesday night: Not gonna happen. “No contact, no interest, not looking to work anymore,” West said by telephone after the Dunleavy news broke. “Time for someone younger to have an opportunity to do something. I have not been contacted, nor would I have any interest.” — CBS Sports

Kevin Durant: I’m similar to Larry Bird

Kevin Durant is surprised people like Magic Johnson, who recently interviewed him, is shocked he’s comfortable with small-market Oklahoma City instead of playing in New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. “I was watching the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson documentary the other day,” Durant said. “I’m similar to Bird. I like being at home. I like staying at my mom’s house and her cooking. That’s the kind of person I am. I’m not into the big city lights and the paparazzi, that type of stuff. I just love playing basketball and chillin’ out.” — Oklahoman

Pistons Rodney Stuckey unsure what his future holds

Rodney Stuckey was at Pistons practice Tuesday looking and feeling fine. But it isn’t known when Stuckey will resume his basketball career. Stuckey collapsed near the Pistons bench in the third quarter of Friday’s loss at Cleveland. Stuckey, 23, said numerous tests have been done on his heart, his blood, and everything checks out OK. “I’m good, everything is good,” said Stuckey, who is questionable for tonight’s game against Utah. “They ran a lot of tests on me and everything came back good. My heart’s good. I’m just taking it day by day. “Right now, I’m just chilling.” But when asked if he’ll play again this season, Stuckey said, “I don’t know,” saying it’ll be up to the doctors. “I got to talk to the doctors and figure that out,” Stuckey said. — Detroit News

Orlando’s Adonal Foyle wants to continue as a player after this season ends

Orlando Magic C Adonal Foyle is in his 13th NBA season — far beyond his expectations when he finished at Colgate back in 1997. And he doesn’t see an end in sight. Foyle, who turned 35 on Tuesday, said prior to the Magic’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers that he wants to keep playing after this season. “I’ve been very fortunate to be around this game for as long as I have,” Foyle said. “It’s been fun. I really enjoy it and I still do. It’s wonderful.” He later joked that someone eventually will have to rip the jersey off his back. “I’m not giving it up,” he said, grinning. — Orlando Sentinel

NBA owner interested in data on NBA referees

You wouldn’t expect a study by a University of Chicago finance professor to generate a quick response from an NBA owner. But Tobias Moskowitz says the Dallas Mavericks’ Mark Cuban “emailed me in about two minutes” after he learned of the study”s findings. The paper’s primary claim? That NBA officials essentially swallow their whistles late in games. “I’m always interested in any data that makes me smarter about our sport,” Mr. Cuban says. — Wall Street Journal

Grizzlies Brewer practices; could return by this weekend

Ronnie Brewer is experiencing very little pain these days, unless you count the agony of sitting out while the Grizzlies try to earn a playoff spot. The 6-7 swingman, acquired Feb. 18 in a trade with Utah, is recovering nicely from a partially torn right hamstring and could return to action early next week. Brewer’s rehabilitation took a giant step Tuesday afternoon when he participated in his first noncontact practice since suffering the injury Feb. 19. Brewer won’t be available tonight when the Grizzlies play at Boston against the Celtics. But his return is imminent. Brewer is expected to join the team’s contact practices by the weekend, exactly three weeks after he was sidelined. — Memphis Commercial Appeal

Luke Walton returning to Lakers in April?

The pain in Luke Walton’s back is easing up, he said, and for the first time he’s set an ETA for his return. “Maybe by the beginning of April,” he said, noting his back pains are lessening as he increases his work. “I’ve gotta’ start amping up the work,” he said, to hit his April 1 target date. “I hope my back agrees with it.” — Riverside Press-Enterprise

Sixers’ Brand already planning offseason improvement

His offseason, Sixers forward Elton Brand said, will be about learning to do more things that the Princeton offense needs him to do. Of course, that is provided the Princeton offense will be a part of the team next year. “There are definitely things I’ll need to work on during the offseason to be a better player in this offense. I’ve got to learn to pass a little better, like off the dribble and from different positions. Catching the ball at the three-point line. Different things that I have never done in my entire career. I’ve never been accustomed to getting the ball as far out, around the three-point line, as I have this year. There are different things I need to improve upon and I’m looking forward to it.” — Philadelphia Daily News

Johan Petro gets chance with Nuggets

With Kenyon Martin out for the foreseeable future, Johan Petro is staring at a real chance to show the Nuggets they don’t need to look outside the organization for help in the paint. “He’s a seven-footer who is athletic and can play,” guard Chauncey Billups said. “I just told him go out and play, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just do what you do in practice every day. We’re not going to expect him to be Kenyon Martin. I think a lot of people are going to get the chance to see that he is a really good basketball player, just hasn’t gotten the opportunity.” — Denver Post

Lakers Ron Artest hides head with Padres baseball cap

Newly shorn Laker Ron Artest kept the breeze, and maybe a bit of attention, away from his head with a Padres baseball cap that didn’t leave his head while he was in the locker room. — Riverside Press-Enterprise

Who Knew?

It’s not all good news for the Nets. Though New Jersey is no longer on pace to break the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers record-setting 9-73 mark, the standard-deviation math isn’t kind. These Nets are 22% worse than those Sixers. — Wall Street Journal

Knicks Eddy Curry returning after missing 38 straight games

Tonight, Eddy Curry will be feeling some butterflies. Because it’s been a while since he even has been active for a game, let alone played in one. With 19 games to go, the Knicks’ perpetually injured big man is set to return to action in San Antonio tonight. Curry hasn’t played since Dec. 17, missing 38 straight games, thanks in part to coach Mike D’Antoni’s decision not to play him but mainly to the left knee surgery Curry underwent in January. “Feeling pretty good. Just go out there [tonight] and see what I can do,” Curry said after practice yesterday. “[I’m] a little bit nervous. I haven’t played in so long. But I’m looking forward to the opportunity.” — NY Post

Spurs Popovich says Ginobili starts out of ‘necessity’

Some observers might have been surprised to see Manu Ginobili inserted into the Spurs’ starting lineup in the wake of Tony Parker’s fractured hand. Ginobili wasn’t one of them. “It’s not that I was expecting it,” Ginobili said, “but there weren’t many other options.” Ginobili earned just his second start of the season Monday at Cleveland, scoring a season-high 38 points and making seven 3-pointers in the Spurs’ 97-95 loss. In his only other start, Nov. 18 at Dallas, Ginobili left in the first quarter with a strained groin. After, he joked that he never wanted to start again. Had it not been for Parker’s injury, which is set to keep him out six weeks, Ginobili would have gotten his wish. Instead, coach Gregg Popovich now needs Ginobili’s scoring and playmaking ability in the starting lineup, even if it creates a void on the bench. “It was a necessity,” Popovich said. Ginobili, a former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, was averaging 14.4 points and 4.8 assists in a reserve role. — San Antonio Express-News

Jefferson: Wolves not playing out string

With 18 games remaining and the NBA playoffs out of reach, Timberwolves players and coaches could start a countdown to the end of a difficult season. But no one is ready to look ahead just yet. Despite a six-game losing streak and recent breakdowns in ball handling — the Wolves are averaging 20.5 turnovers in their past four games — the team remains committed to a strong finish. “This is not the time to lay down and count the days,” forward Al Jefferson said. “We still have a job to do. We want to finish the season off right, and all the guys are on the same page and are willing to do that.” — Pioneer Press

LeBron James helping Knicks sell tickets

In just a couple of weeks, the New York Knicks have taken deposits on 1,800 new season tickets. For those keeping score at home, that’s the fastest the team has sold this many new season tickets in its storied history. Considering the team is heading for another losing season and hasn’t won a playoff series in a decade, it can be assumed that all this excitement has to do with the anticipation of the free agents the team is going to sign for next season. “We didn’t hit this number until about August 15 of last year, which was a record year,” said MSG Sports president Scott O’Neil. “We are on fire.” The question is, how will the people who have put down $250 or $500 react based on what free agents the Knicks get? How many are LeBron or bust? How many will pay the rest — which by the way, the prices haven’t been determined yet — if the Knicks land Chris Bosh or Joe Johnson? — CNBC

Jerry Sloan still misses former Bulls teammate Norm Van Lier

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said it felt strange to return to Chicago Tuesday night, about a year after his former Bulls teammate and close friend Norm Van Lier passed away. “To have Norm not here … you know, we were really close,” Sloan said. “It’s really kind of a sad thing because he was a special guy in our family, as well as a teammate of mine.” Van Lier had hoped to have his No. 2 Bulls jersey hanging from the United Center rafters alongside that of his former backcourt mate Sloan. “I see no reason why they shouldn’t, but I am not the Bulls,” Sloan said. “He sure laid his guts on the line every night that we went to work.” — Chicago Tribune

NBA star to pay murdered football stars family’s living expenses

Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith said he would help the family of slain high school football star Rajaan Bennett with their living expenses for the next six months. Bennett was shot and killed last month by his mother’s ex-boyfriend. The 18-year old McEachern High School senior, who had a 3.8 GPA had signed with Vanderbilt to play football there starting in the fall. Smith, who also attended McEachern, met Bennett last summer, according to a news release from the Atlanta Hawks. — Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Jerry Sloan explains how he’s lasted 22 years with Jazz

Utah coach Jerry Sloan delivered several good lines while meeting with reporters before Tuesday’s game against the Bulls. Sloan was asked how he’s lasted 22 years with the Jazz when most other NBA coaches seem to lose touch with their players within a few seasons. “I tell our players, ‘I’m going to be here and you may not,’ ” he said. “I’ve been real fortunate that our owner gave me the opportunity to say that when he first started out. Coaches are going to be here and players are expendable. - If you don’t have support, you don’t have a fighting chance.” — Daily Herald

Dwight Howard: no photoshopping on magazine cover

Dwight Howard appears on the cover of the April issue of Men’s Health magazine. The black-and-white photo of Howard, which he said was taken last summer, shows the all-star center without his shirt and a serious look on his face. “There’s no Photoshopping,” he joked. “That’s all me.” — Orlando Sentinel

Lakers Odom not happy with supermarket tabloids

Lakers forward Lamar Odom acknowledged his marriage to reality TV star Khloe Kardashian has landed him on the pages of supermarket tabloids more than he would like, and he also said, “It’s funny, but not in a good way. I don’t pay too much attention to it. Neither does she.” Odom laughed when he recalled how he’s often referred to as her “basketball beau.” — LA Daily NEws

Cards WR Larry Fitzgerald visits Magic locker room

Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald attended Tuesday’s game and visited the Magic locker room after the game. Fitzgerald and his young son, Devin, had some pictures taken with C Dwight Howard. — Orlando Sentinel

Who Knew?

Six of the NBA’s losingest coaches have coached with the Clippers franchise in Buffalo, San Diego or Los Angeles. Gene Shue, Jack Ramsey, Larry Brown, Bill Fitch, Cotton Fitzsimmons and Mike Dunleavy — Basketball-Reference.com

Clips Baron Davis had food poisoning

Baron Davis did not start for the Clippers on Tuesday because of an apparent case of food poisoning. “I drank a lot of fluids to be able to play tonight,” said Davis, who finished with 16 points and nine assists in 26-plus minutes. Davis was the second prominent player from an opposing team to have stomach issues in recent days. The Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant suffered from gastroenteritis before Sunday’s game. — Orlando Sentinel

British comic slams NBA after attending Lakers game

RUSSELL BRAND has slam-dunked one of America’s best-loved sports, claiming basketball is not a patch on his beloved footie. The British comic - a diehard West Ham fan - is clearly struggling to find a sport capable of filling his football void as he plies his trade in the States. Prior to taking his courtside seat at last night’s LA Lakers encounter with Toronto Raptors, Russ was in jovial spirits - and even offered star player KOBE BRYANT some pre-match advice. He Tweeted: “Lakers tonight. I’ll be courtside. “Kobe must focus on three balls because I refuse to wear underpants.” However, KATY PERRY’s fiancé appeared bored throughout the game, and confirmed as much via cyberspace afterwards. Venting his frustration on Twitter, Russ wrote: “I’ve just heard the Lakers are all millionaires! How! I put my balls in a basket ONCE and I was thrown out of the maternity ward. “What is a Laker anyway? A sub aquatic Quaker? It doesn’t make sense. “And they pick the ball up in their hands. God, I miss West Ham.” — The Sun (U.K.)