GM sees new Tom Thibodeau deal

Updated: April 3, 2012, 7:20 PM ET

CHICAGO -- Chicago Bulls general manager Gar Forman said Tuesday that talks to extend the contract of coach Tom Thibodeau were initiated before the season and were tabled, but they'll resume once the season is over.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story...-get-extension
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David Stern wants change to age rule

Updated: April 4, 2012, 11:58 AM ET

NEW YORK -- David Stern would love a system in which Anthony Davis and the rest of Kentucky's freshman stars were required to try to repeat.

Instead, the NBA commissioner could end up calling Davis' name in June as the first pick in the draft.


The league wasn't able to change its draft eligibility rules during collective bargaining last year. The rules require an American player to be 19 years old and a year out of high school.

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2012/sto...draft-age-rule
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Suns' Steve Nash: Back feels great

Updated: April 4, 2012, 5:53 PM ET

With the Phoenix Suns clinging to their playoff lives in the Western Conference, star point guard Steve Nash insists his back feels "the best it's felt in a decade."

Nash, who turned 38 in February, also told ESPN.com in a phone interview before Tuesday night's game in Sacramento he intends to "sign for three more years this summer" and play beyond his 40th birthday when he either inks a new deal to stay with the Suns or finds a new team via free agency.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/77...ar-deal-summer
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Mohammad El Akkari scores 113

Updated: April 4, 2012, 1:31 PM ET

Mohammad El Akkari joined the exclusive 100-point-game club when he scored 113 in a Lebanese league game Tuesday.

Akkari, a 27-year-old guard for Moutahed of Tripoli who went in averaging only 7.6 points in 23 games, made 40-of-69 shots, including 32-of-59 3-pointers, according to fibaasia.net. He had only one free throw.

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7...fiba-asia-game
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Kyrie Irving could miss 10 days

Updated: April 4, 2012, 5:42 PM ET

CLEVELAND -- The losses keep piling up for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Non-competitive during an eight-game losing streak, the Cavs learned


Wednesday they will be without rookie Kyrie Irving for at least one week and maybe for another 10 days after the point guard re-injured his sprained right shoulder during a 35-point home loss to San Antonio on Tuesday.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/77...ating-shoulder
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Derrick Rose may face Boston Celtics

Updated: April 4, 2012, 3:36 PM ET

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose participated fully in practice on Wednesday and took contact for the first time since suffering a groin injury on March 12, according to coach Tom Thibodeau.
Rose has a chance to face the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story...boston-celtics
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John Calipari not interested in NBA

Updated: April 4, 2012, 3:46 PM ET

Kentucky coach John Calipari said Wednesday he isn't going to coach the New York Knicks or any other NBA franchise for the foreseeable future.

Calipari said no NBA team has contacted him about an opening, including the Knicks, which are being coached by Mike Woodson on an interim basis after Mike D'Antoni was fired.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...a-coaching-job
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Jared Sullinger entering draft

Updated: April 4, 2012, 7:23 PM ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After guiding Ohio State to the Final Four, two-time All-American forward Jared Sullinger figured he might as well see what he could do for an NBA team.

The 6-foot-9 sophomore announced on Wednesday he is giving up his final
two seasons with the Buckeyes to make himself available for the NBA draft in June. Most projections have him going in the top 10.

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2012/sto...ring-nba-draft
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Dwyane Wade returns to lineup

Updated: April 4, 2012, 7:28 PM ET

MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade will be in the Miami Heat lineup on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, after sitting out one game with a sore left knee.

The Heat announced about 45 minutes before game time that Wade would play. Hours earlier, the Thunder said they were preparing with the full expectation that Wade would be in the lineup.

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miam...a-city-thunder