The Knicks have decided not to sign Allen Iverson.

The team had been considering whether to add Iverson to the roster after starting the season 2-9. As of Thursday evening, a deal appeared imminent. One source put the percentage likelihood of the Knicks signing Iverson in the high 90's.

Knick owner James Dolan was reportedly hesitant about signing Iverson for the remainder of the season but said he would not stand in the way if Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni were in favor of the move.

The Knicks pulled back late Thursday, deciding that the risks of adding Iverson outweighed the potential rewards. [READ]

Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy doesn't think there's a better man for the job than himself.

After the Hornets fired Byron Scott last week, rumors have circulated that Dunleavy could be the next coach to get canned.

"When's the last time you ever saw an interim coach come in and the team be successful and make a playoff run?" Dunleavy said. "It's not happening. Nobody knows these guys better than I know them.

"Give a coach a chance to coach Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin. After that, fine. Let the chips fall where they may. Other than that, you just fall to pressure."

Dunleavy was referring to the fact that both Griffin and Gordon, the team's last two Lottery picks, are out with injuries.

"I understand fans," he said. "I don't blame fans. They're not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that you weigh them. They know wins and losses.

"We've had an awful run with this, but my track record is that I have not lost with my players. I have lost without my players, but I haven't lost with my players. From an ownership standpoint, I know there's always a lot of pressure. I'll live with whatever decision our owner makes. I'll live by it."

The Clippers are 4-9 this season. [READ]

The Indiana Pacers announced Friday that guard Travis Diener underwent successful surgery on the big toe of his left foot.

Diener is expected to be out four to six weeks. [READ]

Celtics coach Doc Rivers told forward Rasheed Wallace to stop attempting three-pointers during the team's win over the Warriors on Wednesday.

"I got on him, and I rarely do, about the threes," Rivers admitted. "Because even though he was wide open, it's really tough. I mean, he was wide open and he took two, but we had just taken two quick ones. But he's got an incredibly high basketball IQ. He's been phenomenal in the locker room. So, I'm just happy to have him."

Wallace has attempted 70 three-pointers this season, hitting 31.4% of them. He's on pace for 500 attempts in 2009-10. [READ]

Raptors forward Chris Bosh doesn't understand why he doesn't get as much attention as some of the NBA's other stars.

"Every day I turn on the TV and they're talking about guys, especially my draft class, '03 draft class, and this and that," he said. "They keep bringing up all these and I never hear my name, unless I'm like second honorable mention or something like that. I got tired of that.

"I don't even think people know I've made all-star teams or know what I've done in this league."

Bosh is averaging 26.8 points and 12.3 rebounds this season.

He ranks seventh in scoring and second in rebounding.

"I always thought of myself as a good basketball player, but after a while I really wanted to turn the corner. I looked at all the other guys who are considered top guys and I was tired of not having my name mentioned," he added.

"I wanted to do the necessary work to make sure I put myself in a situation to be successful." [READ]

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is very happy in San Antonio, but his lingering groin strain is starting to make him nervous.

"I'm a little paranoid," Ginobili said. "I don't want to miss any more games."

The guard's contract pays him $10.7 million this season, the final of his deal.

"I am not in the most confident part of my career," Ginobili said. "I've been struggling and I need to feel better."

The Spurs are waiting to discuss a new contract with Ginobili to see if his recent history of injury vanishes. [READ]

Wizards center Brendan Haywood is having a career-season.

He's averaging 10.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 33.8 minutes per game.

All the numbers set or tie career marks.

"That's big because it helps me from a mental aspect," Haywood said of his consistent minutes. "If I go out there and I know I'm going to play 30 minutes, it gives you confidence, because you feel your coach has confidence in you. You don't have to go out there pressing."

"Not trying to speak negatively about anyone, but in previous years, I was playing like I had to make something happen. If it didn't happen in the first five minutes I felt like I had to do something or I might not play in the second half. That's a tough way to play. Now, it's a little bit different. I think [club] Flip [Saunders] has confidence in me and I benefit from it."

Haywood added that former Washington coach Eddie Jordan tried unsuccessfully to put him against former teammate Etan Thomas.

"Eddie tried to motivate us both by putting us against each other. I don't think it worked for either guy," Haywood said. "We ended up splitting minutes and fighting every day in practice. It was a bad strategy for the team and it was bad for both of us." [READ]

The Golden State Warriors have signed forward/center Chris Hunter to a contract, the team announced Friday.

Hunter, who is being called up from the NBA Development League's Fort Wayne Mad Ants, will be in uniform for Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena.

Hunter, 25, was a D-League All-Star last season with Fort Wayne, where he averaged 19.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.19 blocks and 32.7 minutes per contest in 47 games. [READ]

Mavericks forward Shawn Marion will not play against the Kings on Friday night.

Marion sprained his ankle on Monday against the Bucks and sat out Wednesday's contest against the Spurs.

He is optimistic that he'll return for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors.

"Hopefully one more game and I'll be good," Marion said after the Mavs' shootaround on Friday. "It's feeling better, but it still hurts." [READ]

Knicks president Donnie Walsh has explained why the team passed on signing free-agent guard Allen Iverson.

The team opted not to sign Iverson late Thursday night after Walsh, coach Mike D'Antoni and owner James Dolan exhausted the possibility.

"It did get interesting for a while because Allen's a great player and has always been a great player," Walsh said. "You're 1-9 and you're thinking, 'We've got to get some help in here.' But when we rethought it and I talked to Mike and he talked to me, we feel that could hurt our development of the future, and so we want to go the way we're going.

"There will be other things we can do during the year that will be more in line with what our philosophy has been entering into this. And I want to really make it clear that this has nothing to do with Iverson. He's a great player, I've always admired him. I think he'd be a great addition for a team that is in a different position than we're in, and I hope he gets picked up."

Iverson was waived by the Grizzlies on Tuesday and became an unrestricted free agent on Thursday evening. [READ]

J.J. Redick has a theory on why the Magic aren't national media darlings like the Cavaliers and Celtics are.

"We have a target on our backs, but I still think we’re under the radar a little bit more than Boston and Cleveland," he said. "We’re a small market, so we’re going to get less attention. Plus, we don’t have LeBron. Seriously, if the guy (James) said tomorrow that he was going to run for President, (CNN’s) Anderson Cooper would be on SportsCenter for 30 minutes talking about why he’d make a good president." [READ]

Tracy McGrady and Rockets coach Rick Adelman had a heated closed-door meeting on Wednesday night, sources told Yahoo1 Sports.

McGrady dressed in his uniform and underwent his pregame routine in Minneapolis on Wednesday even though he wasn't activated for game.

Adelman was surprised to see McGrady dressed when the star returned to the locker room and a meeting between the pair took place in the coach's office soon after.

Sources said the exchange was so loud that it could be heard in the locker room at times.

McGrady reportedly feels as though Adelman has been uncommunicative as of late.

"Tracy was just determined to make Rick talk to him," a source close to McGrady said. "That’s why he put on the uniform and went through all that. ... He wanted to get his attention. He'd like to know if he's wanted back or not."

McGrady had major knee surgery in February and has been itching to get back on the court.

"The trust has broken down between them," a source close to McGrady and Adelman said. "There's some work to be done there." [READ]

The Hornets, Jazz and Lakers were victorious in a rare Thursday night three-game slate.

- New Orleans 110, Phoenix 103

Team FIC Differential: Hornets -0.1, Suns +0.1


The New Orleans Hornets (5-8) earned an impressive win over the Phoenix Suns (8-3) on Thursday night. Peja Stojakovic starred with 25 points and 13 rebounds, Emeka Okafor posted 13 points and 12 boards and Darren Collison added 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. New Orleans hit just 40% of their shots, but outrebounded Phoenix by 18. Amare Stoudemire had 23 points and five rebounds, Steven Nash tallied 13 points and 10 assists and Channing Frye contributed 11 points and 10 boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans – 21.8

Jared Dudley, Phoenix – 17.0

Emeka Okafor, New Orleans – 15.5

Steve Nash, Phoenix – 15.0


- Utah 90, San Antonio 83

Team FIC Differential: Jazz +12.4, Spurs -12.4


The Utah Jazz (6-6) got their first win in San Antonio in 10 years by beating the San Antonio Spurs (4-6) at the AT&T Center. Deron Williams led with 21 points and 10 assists, Carlos Boozer tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds and Paul Millsap totaled 20 points and seven boards off the bench. Utah held San Antonio to 42% shooting and turned the ball over just nine times. Tim Duncan had 21 points and nine rebounds, George Hill scored 18 points on 17 shots and Richard Jefferson put up 16 points and six boards for the struggling Spurs.

Game FIC Scores

Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 18.5

Deron Williams, Utah – 16.8

Andrei Kirilenko, Utah – 15.4

Carlos Boozer, Utah – 13.8


- L.A. Lakers 108, Chicago 93

Team FIC Differential: Lakers +14.4, Bulls -14.4


Pau Gasol returned and helped lead the L.A. Lakers (9-3) over the Chicago Bulls (6-5) on Thursday evening. Lamar Odom had 11 points and eight rebounds, Kobe Bryant posted 21 points, nine boards and eight assists and Gasol totaled 24 points and 13 rebounds in the victory. Both teams shot 45% from the floor, but Los Angeles won the rebounding battle by seven and committed fewer turnovers. Derrick Rose had 20 points and six assists, Joakim Noah tallied 12 points and 15 rebounds and John Salmons scored 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the floor.

Game FIC Scores

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles – 22.5

Joakim Noah, Chicago – 18.4

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles – 15.8

Ron Artest, Los Angeles – 14.6



• RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ‘Reina Value.’ Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season [READ]

Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is still being slowed by his injured right ankle.

He sprained the ankle early in the preseason and the injury is still limiting him. Rose has yet to dunk this season, opting for layups.

"The times I've attempted to I was barely getting up," Rose said. "So I will just say it was a high layup."

Rose, who is averaging 14 points and 5.5 assists this season, knows that his ankle improves every day.

"Every day it's improving," Rose said. "...Before when I got up in the morning, I really couldn't walk well. I'd be stiff. But I haven't been stiff in about two or three weeks, so it's going fine." [READ]

Clippers guard Eric Gordon could return from a groin injury next week.

The Los Angeles Times reports that it's possible Gordon could return as early as Monday's game against the Timberwolves.

Gordon hasn't played since Nov. 7, missing six games, because of the injury. [READ]

Allen Iverson has cleared waivers and New York is appearing more and more like his eventual landing spot.

A source close to the team told the New York Times that the percent chance Iverson will sign with the Knicks is in "the high 90s" and a deal could be signed as early as Friday.

Iverson was waived by the Grizzlies on Tuesday after just three games with the team. The Knicks are just 2-9 this season. [READ]

Rockets star Tracy McGrady is hoping to make his season debut as soon as possible.

Houston is being cautious with McGrady, who had knee surgery back in February.

"I'm dying," said McGrady. "Just sitting there is tough. Last year, I did it because I had no choice. I couldn't play. I was hurting.

"Now, after putting in all the work this summer, I'm so eager to get back out there. I'm hungry. I'm so ready to play, man, it's not even funny. It's tearing me apart to sit here and watch my guys go out and playing and I can't do anything but watch."

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said that McGrady will next be evaluated on Monday. [READ]

Magic center Dwight Howard met with coach Stan Van Gundy recently to discuss his negativity.

"I think, as a team, there was a lot of negativity and it's not like Stan's a negative guy," Howard admitted to the Orlando Sentinel. "But it's like there's always some clashes and focusing so much on our mistakes. Instead of bringing each other down, we have to pull each other up.

"That's the only thing I wanted from coach."

Van Gundy concurred, saying that his negativity was "draining the enthusiasm" from his team.

The meeting occurred sometime prior to Orlando's Wednesday morning shootaround.

"Dwight brought it up," Van Gundy said. "He thought there was too much negativity. A lot of times you hear things from players, it's their perspective and you understand it and sometimes you don't agree with it.

"But Dwight was right in that... there's a difference between correcting and teaching and just seeing everything was bad. You've seen my press conferences. It was all negative. I think that was affecting our team, so...

"I'm making a conscious effort now to sort of change that approach. I think our team needs a great high level of enthusiasm and energy to play. I got to balance being real demanding and not being as negative.

"You can be demanding, saying, 'Hey, that's not right. Let's do it again, without sort of 'What the heck are we doing? We suck!'... I get to that point."

The Magic are 9-3 this season. [READ]

Thursday marked the five-year anniversary of one of the worst brawls in U.S. sports history.

On November 19, 2004, Ron Artest, then with the Pacers, went into the stands in Detroit to go after a fan that had thrown a cup of beer on him.

John Green, the fan that helped initiate the incident, spoke on ESPN's "First Take" Thursday. He said that Artest called him several months ago to apologize.

"He said that he was sorry, that ... the whole thing embarrassed him as it did me," Green said. "He wanted to do something for the community for troubled youth. Of course, I can't do much on this end without him.

"We tried to come up with something to give back to the community and come up with something positive. It's not like it's not always going to be known as the brawl, but maybe we could take something good out of it. We're going to try to do something in inner-city Detroit or L.A., maybe after the season ends and he has more free time on his hands."

Green was convicted of misdemeanor assault, ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and banned from Detroit home games for life.

Artest was suspended for 73 games, the remainder of the 2004-05 season, and lost roughly $5 million in salary.

"I remember throwing the cup, actually a cup of Diet Coke, not a beer, but I had been drinking and I've had issues with alcohol in the past," Green added "I remember [Artest] running into the stands and grabbing the wrong person and I felt bad. I grabbed Artest from behind, the whole thing was kind of a huge blur. It happened so fast." [READ]

The Jazz defeated the Spurs 90-83 in San Antonio on Thursday night to break a long streak of futility.

Utah had lost 20 consecutive games in San Antonio, a run dating back to 1999. They last won there on February 28, 1999.

Deron Williams led the Jazz with 21 points and 10 assists, while Carlos Boozer scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter.

Karl Malone led the Jazz to their last win over the Spurs in San Antonio and none of Utah's current players were even in the NBA at the time. [READ]

Allen Iverson has cleared waivers and is an unrestricted free agent.

Iverson was waived by the Grizzlies on Tuesday after playing just three games with the team. No club claimed him over the 48-hour waiver period, making him a free agent.

The Knicks are believed to be his most likely suitor. [READ]

Luol Deng has had an excellent bounce back season so far.

Deng agrees he officially has turned the corner mentally from his injury but refuses to take glee in silencing any doubters who said he couldn't return to form.

"I'm not the kind of guy who speaks to defend himself," Deng said. "I just knew that when I'm healthy I could play this game. I don't cheat the game. I work as hard as I can. Some people say I could be better or whatever. But I know when I'm healthy, I'm going to play well." [READ]

All concerns about the possibility of a life or career ending illness for Erick Dampier have been cleared, according to a source.

Dampier became ill in pregame warm-ups Sunday against Detroit and was transported to a hospital in Pontiac, Mich.

There remains no timetable for Dampier's return, however. [READ]

Phoenix lost playing on TNT for the 16th consecutive time Thursday night, losing to a Hornets team without Chris Paul by the final score of 110-103.

The Suns easily handled the Hornets 124-104, last week before Paul was hurt and coach Byron Scott got fired. [READ]

Billy Hunter, director of the NBA players association, plans another negotiating session with commissioner David Stern and they will likely discuss falling salaries.

The union says total player compensation will fall this season, which would be only the second drop in the salary cap era that began in the 1984-85 season.

"We have some concern, but I think a lot of it has to do with the system," Hunter said Thursday. "I think it has to do with the economy, I think it has more to do with attitude. I just think that they decided they're just going to be a lot more cautious and restricting in terms of spending dollars."

Hunter also said there is approximately $1.5 billion less in committed contracts now than in 2005-06, the first year of the deal. [READ]