Report: Finch also a head coaching candidate (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Mon, 20 May 2013 19:28:42 PDT)
Chris Finch is reportedly a top candidate for the Sixers' head coaching job.

AP: Terrence Williams arrested (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Mon, 20 May 2013 17:11:04 PDT)
The Associated Press reports Terrence Williams was arrested Sunday and is accused of brandishing a gun at the mother of his 10-year-old son during a visitation exchange.

Jeremy Lin 1-on-1: The challenge of being a role model (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Mon, 20 May 2013 10:51:25 PDT)
In this portion of our Beyond Linsanity series, Jeremy Lin talks about his joys of Houston, meeting Wat Misaka, and handling his position as a role model.

Calvin Murphy’s Planet Hoops (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Mon, 20 May 2013 09:37:44 PDT)
Calvin Murphy’s Planet Hoops is a year-round program, for boys and girls ages 5-18, designed to help individuals develop and progress in the game of basketball.

Celtics’ Terrence Williams arrested ‘for making threats with a gun’ in domestic dispute (Ball Don't Lie)
(Mon, 20 May 2013 08:50:43 PDT)
Boston Celtics guard/forward Terrence Williams was arrested by police in Kent, Wash., for allegedly making threats with a gun during an incident stemming from a Sunday afternoon child visitation. According to Chris Daniels of Seattle NBC affiliate KING5 , Kent police said the 25-year-old Williams "waved a gun" during a scheduled visitation session. The Seattle Times has more details: The incident happened around 1:55 p.m. Sunday in downtown Kent. The victim is a woman who told police she has a 10-year-old son whose father is Williams. The woman told police that Williams had a scheduled visitation exchange with the boy on Sunday, and during the exchange in a downtown Kent parking lot, the two began arguing. The woman told police that Williams brandished a firearm and made threats. He then left the area. Police later found Williams and took him into custody "without incident," terming the situation "a domestic violence case under investigation."

Report: Lakers' Howard considering other teams (The SportsXchange)
(Sun, 19 May 2013 19:00:41 PDT)
Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, who soon will become a free agent, plans to consider several teams and does not seem likely to rush the process, CBSSports.com reported Sunday.

Report: Rockets intrigue Howard the most (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Sun, 19 May 2013 17:50:06 PDT)
According to a report, the possible free agent destination that intrigues Dwight Howard the most is Houston.

76ers' Hinkie discusses Sampson report (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Fri, 17 May 2013 16:11:55 PDT)
Sam Hinkie responded to a report from Thursday that the Sixers have received permission to speak with Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson for their head coaching job.

Thunder season fades fast after Westbrook injury (The Associated Press)
(Thu, 16 May 2013 14:16:46 PDT)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The way Kevin Martin describes it, the Oklahoma City Thunder lost the ''vision'' of a potential championship run the morning they learned All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook would be out for the rest of the postseason.

Report: 76ers get permission for Sampson talks (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Thu, 16 May 2013 11:35:40 PDT)
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers have received permission to talk with Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson about their head coaching vacancy.

Cuttino Mobley is attempting an NBA comeback after retiring from the NBA due to a heart condition (Ball Don't Lie)
(Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:35 PDT)
Cuttino Mobley retired in 2008 at the too-early age of 32 years old. The former Houston Rockets standout was never an All-Star, but he was a solid starting-level shooting guard who mixed sound outside shooting with a point guard’s knowledge of spacing and timing. Mobley was being counted on in 2008 to act as a needed veteran buffer for a New York Knicks team in bad need of outside shooting, but an MRI revealed a heart condition ( hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ) that encouraged the retirement. At the time, Mobley said that the MRI “basically saved my life,” which flew in the face of a disappointing lawsuit Mobley brought up against the Knicks a few years later. In the suit, Cuttino alleged that the Knicks only asked Mobley to retire in order to realize luxury tax savings (for a roster that was already millions over the luxury tax) and to save money for the 2010 LeBron James-led offseason (completely incorrect in every way). Years after that suit was sent away, the man they once called “Cat” is back to try and make one more NBA stab. It may be because his medical marijuana efforts have been smoked out, and it might be to spite the Knicks, but we’re guessing it’s mainly because Mobley still feels like he has something to contribute to an NBA team, and because he wants to go out on his own terms. Completely understandable.

76ers receive permission to interview Kelvin Sampson (NBC Sports)
(Thu, 16 May 2013 07:14:10 PDT)
New 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie reached out to his former bosses in Houston and received permission to interview Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson, according to John Mitchell of The (Philadelphia) Inquirer. Sampson has already interviewed with the Bobcats and Bucks, and the Pistons, another team with an opening, showed interest when they previously had an…

Grizzlies hang on in Game 5 for 4-1 series win over Thunder, advance to West finals (Ball Don't Lie)
(Wed, 15 May 2013 22:55:07 PDT)
When Russell Westbrook went down in Game 2 against the Houston Rockets, the Oklahoma City Thunder knew that their ability to fulfill their championship aspirations would be seriously compromised. It seems as if the severity of Westbrook's loss couldn't communicate just how difficult that path would be. Despite a late push by the Thunder and several missed free throws by the Grizzlies to give Kevin Durant a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, Memphis escaped Oklahoma City with an 88-84 victory in Game 5 to finish off a 4-1 series win over the West's top seed. They will now move on to the Western Conference Finals to face either the San Antonio Spurs or Golden State Warriors for a chance to move on to the NBA Finals.

Lindsey Hunter discusses Suns' coaching job with new GM
(Wed, 15 May 2013 19:29:13 PDT)
Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough met with interim coach Lindsey Hunter.

Report: Cuttino Mobley attempting comeback (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Wed, 15 May 2013 17:09:52 PDT)
First, it was Tracy McGrady. Now, it appears another former Rocket, Cuttino Mobley, is attempting an NBA comeback.

Hinkie formally introduced as 76ers president (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 14 May 2013 15:50:37 PDT)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Sam Hinkie wants the 76ers to use the Moneyball-type of thinking popularized in baseball to build a championship team in Philadelphia.

Hinkie hired as 76ers GM (The SportsXchange)
(Tue, 14 May 2013 14:50:32 PDT)
Former Houston Rockets executive Sam Hinkie was named Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations and general manager on Tuesday afternoon, the team confirmed in an announcement.

Morey knows Hinkie's ready for the next step (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Tue, 14 May 2013 14:50:14 PDT)
Daryl Morey knows Sam Hinkie is ready for his new challenge as Philadelphia 76ers President/GM.

Hinkie introduced as 76ers president (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Tue, 14 May 2013 14:24:23 PDT)
The 76ers have officially named for Rockets executive Sam Hinkie as the club's team president and general manager.

The 10-man rotation, starring Wilt Chamberlain, animated in more ways than one (Video) (Ball Don't Lie)
(Tue, 14 May 2013 14:00:58 PDT)
A look around the league and the Web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out. C : Blank on Blank . The PBS Digital series that exhumes lost interviews and animates the conversation offers a cool spin on an 1992 chat between Ann Liguori and legendary big man Wilt Chamberlain about the peaks and valleys of being a giant. (Hat-tip to SB Nation's Tom Ziller .) PF : SB Nation . With a pivotal Game 5 on tap Tuesday night, Drew Garrison looks at how the Golden State Warriors were able to exploit the San Antonio Spurs' pick-and-roll coverages late in their Game 4 win , and how San Antonio can tighten up their defense to help take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven series. SF : All Ball . Lang Whitaker revisits "The Reggie Miller Show," a real thing that actually existed, because someone out there knew all along just how enjoyable Reggie would be to watch and listen to on television. (Featuring a young Conan O'Brien!)

Memphis battens the hatches, shuts down Kevin Durant on its way to a 3-1 series lead (Ball Don't Lie)
(Mon, 13 May 2013 23:25:45 PDT)
“Team without its second-best player loses close game to a very good team while playing on the road. Film at 11.” If the Houston Rockets’ surprisingly competitive first round turn against the Oklahoma City Thunder wasn’t convincing enough, then the Thunder’s 2-1 second round deficit entering Monday night should have been more than the proof you needed to appreciate Russell Westbrook’s many talents. The injured OKC guard was badly needed throughout the Thunder’s 103-97 overtime loss in Game 4 of the team’s series against the Memphis, especially with Kevin Durant missing 17 of 27 shots against a world-beating Grizzlies defense. Westbrook’s finest attribute – making an efficient offensive play when all hope is seemingly lost – would have fit in perfectly for the Thunder on Monday. Scott Brooks’ crew ran out to a 17-point lead in the first half based mostly on Durant’s presence and the sound shooting touch of Serge Ibaka, but the Grizzlies did well to cut the lead down to eight by the half. Oklahoma City roared out of the gate once again to start the third quarter, but Durant’s shooting touch wore down in the face of expert Memphis defense by Tayshaun Prince, Tony Allen, and Marc Gasol (geez, good luck scoring on that ), and the Grizz had it tied by the fourth period.

James Harden 1-on-1: This year's the beginning (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Mon, 13 May 2013 16:12:53 PDT)
James Harden was pleased with his first year as Houston Rockets team leader. Now, he expects more.

Sources: Rockets not picking up Garcia team option (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Mon, 13 May 2013 15:50:50 PDT)
NBA sources have confirmed the Rockets are not picking up Francisco Garcia's team option for next season.

The Philadelphia 76ers are finally embracing statistical analysis, to the chagrin of a local writer (Ball Don't Lie)
(Mon, 13 May 2013 11:40:05 PDT)
On Monday, Philadelphia Inquirer scribe Marcus Hayes lent his byline to a column . He talked about Twinkies and Comic-Con, and new Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie. Hinkie, who was hired to replace a very expensive personnel team featuring Rod Thorn, Ed Stefanski, Tony DiLeo, and Doug Collins (a group that could not top 41 wins in six seasons’ worth of trying ), has a background that includes time spent working under Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey, who is fond of actually looking at the box scores that they hand you following the game you just watched. And looking at things on his computer, weirdly. This allowed for the Inquirer to dig in . Here are some selected passages: Hinkie will be given a sledgehammer and a smartphone by [76ers owner Josh] Harris, a fellow geek. This Old Team could be deconstructed beyond recognition by summertime. Pretty sure he already has a smartphone.

Jeremy Lin 1-on-1: Tough playoff aftertaste motivates him (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Mon, 13 May 2013 10:45:34 PDT)
In this part of our "Beyond Linsanity" 1-on-1 series with Jeremy Lin, the Rockets point guard talks about how this year's postseason fuels him for getting even better.

Lakers assistant Steve Clifford interviewing for Bucks' head-coaching job
(Mon, 13 May 2013 10:43:13 PDT)
Lakers assistant Steve Clifford is the latest candidate to interview for the Bucks' head-coaching position.

Report: Clippers might make run at Howard (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Mon, 13 May 2013 10:37:11 PDT)
The Rockets will likely make a run at Dwight Howard but according to a report, another team is now in the mix.

Three RGV players selected for showcase (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Mon, 13 May 2013 10:10:21 PDT)
Three Rio Grande Valley Vipers have been selected for a D-League elite mini camp.

Spanoulis drives Olympiakos's "miracle" victory
(Mon, 13 May 2013 07:02:47 PDT)
(Reuters) - Olympiakos Piraeus had playmaker Vassilis Spanoulis to thank after making a "miracle" comeback to beat a talent-packed Real Madrid side to win their third Euroleague basketball title. Spanoulis, nicknamed "Kill Bill", buried 22 second-half points to steer recession-hit Olympiakos to a memorable 100-88 win against the eight-time Euroleague winners at London's 02 Arena on Sunday. ...

Grizzlies remember blown 2-1 lead vs OKC in '11 (Comcast SportsNet Houston)
(Sun, 12 May 2013 15:00:00 PDT)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Zach Randolph remembers blowing a 22-point lead in the second quarter.