BasketBall Connect

One day of rest proved enough for David West to get back on the court with the Hornets for Saturday's practice.

If the Suns settle on a coach long on NBA experience but short on head-coaching chops - be it Terry Porter, Elston Turner or Mark Jackson - Paul Silas would relish the opportunity to play the role of mentor as a lead assistant.

with Ronnie Arrow,
University of South Alabama Head Coach

Key principles of Coach Arrow's zone attack allow your team to confidently and effectively beat zones and shoot at a high percentage. In this offensive attack, the ball must go into the post on each possession. Good shots in the paint are consistently created on the first or second pass inside. Inside/out action moves the defense and makes their slides longer and more difficult. This action dictates the movement of the defense and leaves them vulnerable. The main theme of this attack is to put pressure on defenders by making them guard the ball. By placing inside players in specific locations on the block, up the lane line and short corner, the defense is forced into making difficult coverage decisions.

72 minutes. 2008.

Go Around the Association for a recap of Friday's playoff action.

Kobe Bryant scored 34 points and Los Angeles held off a furious rally by the Utah Jazz for a 108-105 victory Friday night, putting the Lakers in the Western Conference finals for the first time in four years.

LeBron James scored 32 points - 19 in the second half - and the Cleveland Cavaliers forced a decisive and fitting finale to this home-sweet-home playoff series with a 74-69 win Friday night over the Boston Celtics.

Follow the action of the Celtics' Game 6 clash with the Cavs at The Q as NBA.com's Ben Couch blogs throughout the second-round matchup.

Pacers coach Jim O'Brien has accepted an invitation to serve as Honorary Chair of the 2008 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games.

DAILY HERALD reporter Mike McGraw writes that Chicago Bulls GM John Paxson has plans to interview Jazz assistant Tyrone Corbin and Lakers assistant Brian Shaw for the team's head coaching position.

For the first time in more than a year, Dwyane Wade feels no pain in his surgically repaired left knee.

The Phoenix Suns will interview Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner as a replacement for former head coach Mike D'Antoni.

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday that centre Rasho Nesterovic has exercised the player option on his contract for the 2008-09 season. Per team policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

The National Basketball Association announced today that in response to the recent tragedies in Asia, NBA Cares is supporting the efforts of the Red Cross and UNICEF to provide emergency relief.

On ESPN.COM, Marc Stein reports that "the Phoenix Suns have begun their coaching search in earnest by interviewing Detroit Pistons assistant coach Terry Porter."

In the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, Ross Siler writes that "trailing 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinals, the Jazz will be fighting for their playoff lives in tonight's Game 6 at EnergySolutions Arena."

Go Around the Association for a recap of Thursday's action, including the Spurs staying alive in their quest to repeat as champions.

Manu Ginobili scored 25 points, Tim Duncan had 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Tony Parker added 15 points in the San Antonio Spurs' 99-80 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in Game 6 on Thursday night.

The Spurs are facing elimination for the first time in two years. Can they stay alive and force a Game 7, or will the Hornets finish them off and move on to the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history? NBA.com's John Schuhmann is live blogging Game 6.

In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Jonathan Feigen reports that ageless center Dikembe Mutombo wants to play another season if the Houston Rockets will have him. The oldest player in the NBA, the 42-year-old Mutombo played a key role this season in replacing the injured Yao Ming and helping Houston win 22 straight games.

Fort Wayne Mad Ants' President Jeff Potter announced today that Jaren Jackson will be the head coach for the 2008-09 season.