The Powell Times

Andrew Powell is a Basketball Writer/Analyst and owner/founder of www.powellhoops.com - He is also a Writer/Contributor for www.heatbeatmiami.com

[mrandrewpowell]

Derrick Rose Sits Out USA Basketball Practice

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Derrick Rose sat out his second consecutive day of practice Tuesday to rest his surgically repaired knees but is still scheduled to play for Team USA in its exhibition game Wednesday night against the Dominican Republic at Madison Square Garden.

A source familiar with Rose's condition told ESPNChicago.com's Nick Friedell that Rose has been bothered by knee soreness since his return to the floor Saturday night in an exhibition victory over Brazil in Chicago and requested the extra time to recover. But Team USA officials, to this point, have downplayed concerns about Rose's status.

The fact that Rose missed a second consecutive workout is bound to worry some Bulls fans back in Chicago, given the star guard's knee problems over the past two seasons, but Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski actually revealed in a radio interview Monday with ESPN's "Mike and Mike" that he was planning to hold Rose out of practice for the first two days of the week.

"We're gonna give him a couple days off because he's been going so hard," Krzyzewski said during the interview, which he gave en route to Team USA's all-day trip Monday to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Krzyzewski said after Tuesday's session at the Brooklyn Nets' practice facility that he expects both Rose and DeMarcus Cousins (knee) to play against the Al Horford-less Dominican Republic, but USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Rose might have to surrender his usual place in the starting lineup for a game because Krzyzewski has made practicing the day before a game mandatory for starters in the past.

"This was a good time for him to get rest," Colangelo told ESPN.com on Tuesday. "He still thinks he needs a little bit of rest.

"At this point, it doesn't really matter much, but there's a rule -- unless Coach changed it -- that if you don't practice the day before, then it's hard to start the next game. But it doesn't mean anything."

Rose tore the ACL in his left knee in April 2012 and the medial meniscus in his right knee in November 2013. He played in his first game Saturday since the latter injury and totaled seven points in 24 minutes in Team USA's 95-78 victory over Brazil at the United Center in Chicago.

Asked about playing Wednesday night, Rose said, "Hopefully I am. I didn't do anything today. I just got treatment and today is just really another rest day. I'm really, really happy with where I am right now as far as health-wise. I'm just trying to take my time and get rest. We have a long schedule ahead of us, and I'm just trying to get as much rest as possible."

Said Colangelo: "For him right now, you have to just weigh all the sensitivities involved ... the physical part, the mental part. He did play 24 minutes (Saturday) and he hadn't played that (many minutes) in a long time. If we have time where he can have some down time, mentally it's good for him."

Rose is one of five projected starters for Team USA's upcoming trip to the FIBA World Cup in Spain alongside Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kenneth Faried and Anthony Davis. The Americans open group play in Bilbao with an Aug. 30 game against Finland.

If Rose does not start in Wednesday's exhibition, Team USA sixth man Kyrie Irving is the most likely candidate to take his place in the backcourt alongside sharpshooter Curry.

After a wave of unexpected exits by star players (Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge and Russell Westbrook) and the devastating leg injury suffered Aug. 1 by Paul George, Rose ranks as one of the most experienced international players on the squad, having played a key role on the 2010 Team USA squad which won the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

Krzyzewski, though, insisted Tuesday that he's not planning to heap leadership responsibilities on Rose at this early stage of his comeback, which is taking place under the close watch of Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, who is serving this summer as one of Krzyzewski's Team USA assistants.

"He needs to keep finding himself and his rhythm and not be worried about leading a team," Krzyzewski said. "Harden and Curry are really good with that. But Derrick has done a good job."

Said Harden: "He's so quick. Explosive and athletic. He looked very good against Brazil. Obviously his timing is a little bit off. But it will come with more games that he plays. For the most part, he looks great."

[mrandrewpowell]

Larry Drew Added To Cleveland Cavaliers Coaching Staff

CLEVELAND -- First-year Cavaliers coach David Blatt has hired former Milwaukee Bucks coach Larry Drew as one of his assistants.

Blatt will have Drew, Jim Boylan, Bret Brielmaier and James Posey on the bench with him along with Tyronn Lue, who was named an associate head coach in June.

Drew went 15-67 in his only season in Milwaukee. He was expected to get a second year but was fired so the Bucks could hire Jason Kidd.

Drew, a former NBA player, also coached the Atlanta Hawks.

Boylan and Brielmaier both return for their second season with the Cavs.

Posey spent last season coaching Cleveland's Development League affiliate in Canton. He won league titles as a player with Miami and Boston.

Also, Phil Handy will also serve as the team's director of player development and Vitaly Potapenko has been retained as assistant director of player development.

[mrandrewpowell]

WNBA Playoffs Start Thursday

We know who "won" the WNBA regular season: the Phoenix Mercury. Their 29-5 finish set a league record for most victories in a season and sends them into the playoffs as the obvious favorite.

Before the postseason begins Thursday (ESPN2 and WatchESPN, 7 p.m. ET), we take a look at the conference semifinals. Who's hot and who's not of the eight teams still playing? Might there be an upset or two brewing? Here's a series-by-series breakdown:

No. 1 Phoenix (29-5) vs. No. 4 Los Angeles (16-18)

The Sparks have been consistently inconsistent. Every time you thought they'd turned a corner, it turned out they were just turning in circles. Firing coach Carol Ross in July didn't fix that. By contrast, Phoenix has been consistently great virtually all season. Hard to see either of these things changing dramatically in this series.

Key matchup: Candace vs. Candice. Candace Parker didn't play in two of the Sparks' five losses this season to the Mercury. But she had two of her better games of 2014 in the two closest losses, which were both by five points. In those two contests, Parker combined for 50 points and 19 rebounds. She's averaging 19.4 PPG overall.

Meanwhile, Candice Dupree is having another terrific season in what has turned out to be a very good career. Dupree is averaging 14.5 points and 7.6 rebounds. As great as Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner have been for the Mercury, Phoenix wouldn't be this strong without Dupree.

X factor: Kristi Toliver. Will Los Angeles have the sharpshooter version of Toliver, who can be extremely effective in opening things up for the interior players? Or the bricklayer version, who can shoot the Sparks out of games?

Regular-season series: Mercury went 5-0.

Powell HOOPS' prediction: Mercury in two games.

No. 2 Minnesota (25-9) vs. No. 3 San Antonio (16-18)

The Lynx won the first four meetings this season. Then the Stars caught the defending champions at the end of their three-game slide in the last week of the regular season. Was that evidence of Minnesota having some vulnerability? Or just the Lynx easing up in games that really did not mean much to them, as they had second place in the West secured? This playoff series should give us that answer.

Key matchup: In the paint. Minnesota's Maya Moore (league-best 23.9 PPG) will do her damage from inside and out. Both teams' backcourts are really good, and sometimes spectacular. But who will emerge on the interior as the most effective, especially on the boards: Minnesota's Janel McCarville/Rebekkah Brunson or San Antonio's Jayne Appel/Sophia Young-Malcolm/Danielle Adams?

X factor: Jia Perkins. There will be a lot of emotion for San Antonio, which is playing to extend Becky Hammon's career. But it's another guard, Perkins, whose offense might be critical for the Stars to have a chance to upset the Lynx. Perkins, who missed 11 games to injury this season, appears back strong. She had 23 points against the Lynx in the Stars' Aug. 15 victory.

Regular-season series: The Lynx went 4-1.

Powell HOOPS' prediction: Lynx in three games.

No. 1 Atlanta (19-15) vs. No. 4 Chicago (15-19)

Nothing has come easily this season for Chicago, which has been seriously challenged by injuries and illness. When healthy, the Sky are much like last year's squad that finished with the best record in the East. But they had to hobble through most of June and July without Elena Delle Donne, who battled a recurrence of Lyme disease. Since she came back July 31, the Sky have been able to get five crucial wins to gain their playoff spot. The return of guard Courtney Vandersloot this month helped, too.

Meanwhile, Atlanta hasn't been as consistent a team as the Dream hoped they would be, despite another MVP-caliber season from Angel McCoughtry (18.5 PPG). But they had their challenges, too, including new coach Michael Cooper's brief time away from the team to be treated for tongue cancer. The Dream were the only Eastern Conference team to finish with a winning record, but they've had two stretches this season where they've lost at least four consecutive games.

Key matchup: The benches. How big an impact will All-Star Game MVP Shoni Schimmel make as a reserve for Atlanta? She definitely has had her moments, including a recent 24-point performance against Phoenix on Aug. 13. Meanwhile, Allie Quigley has led the way off the bench for Chicago, and she has been a dependable scorer when the Sky has really needed that.

X factor: Sylvia Fowles. Big Syl missed 14 games and didn't start her season until June 25. With Sancho Lyttle and Erika de Souza on the other side, the Sky need Fowles to be closer to her old self in this series.

Regular-season series: The Sky had the edge, 3-2.

Powell HOOPS' prediction: Sky in three games.

No. 2 Indiana (16-18) vs. No. 3 Washington (16-18)

The Fever are in the playoffs for the 10th consecutive year, which is a testament to the overall strength of the organization, its coaching and its superstar, Tamika Catchings. This year -- Catch's 13th season in the WNBA -- back issues kept her out until July 5. That didn't stop her from scoring the winning basket in the All-Star Game or leading the Fever in scoring again (16.1 PPG).

Meanwhile, Washington made some big changes in coach Mike Thibault's second season in D.C., including the trade of Crystal Langhorne. It took a lot of this season for the Mystics -- who are pretty young overall -- to really figure out who they were. But they've seemed to get it, especially in the last month of the regular season.

Key matchup: Coaching. This is Lin Dunn's last year on the sideline for Indiana, and she has had to bring this team along -- both with nurturing and some tail-kicking. Dunn's Fever beat Thibault two years ago in the Eastern Conference finals when he was still coach of the Connecticut Sun. These are two coaches who've strategized against each other for a long time, and they're two of the best at that that you'll find.

X factor: Erlana Larkins. The Indiana forward has to rebound, which is one of the things she does best. If the Fever can get double-digit scoring from her as well, all the better. But defense and working the boards are what the Fever need from her most.

Regular-season series: They tied 2-2.

Powell HOOPS' predictions: Fever in three games.

[mrandrewpowell]

Dick Bavetta retires from refereeing after 39-year career

Dick Bavetta has been a staple in the NBA for what seems like forever. He's had what can only be described as a legendary run, spending 39 years refereeing in the best league on the planet. On Tuesday, the NBA officially announced what had been reported a few weeks ago -- Bavetta is stepping away from the game.

Bavetta, who began his NBA career on Dec. 2, 1975, at Madison Square Garden in a game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics finished with a record 2,635 consecutive regular season games officiated, having never missed an assigned game throughout his entire career. Bavetta also officiated 270 Playoff games including 27 Finals games.

“Dick's dedication and commitment to his craft has been an inspiration to all NBA officials,” said Thorn. “We are grateful for his contributions to our league, and we wish him the best as he enjoys his well-earned retirement.”

Bavetta worked three NBA All-Star Games (1989, 1995 and 2006) and was the first NBA referee selected to officiate the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. Bavetta also refereed the 1997 McDonald's Championship in Paris, 1993 Mexico Challenge and 1990 Japan Games in Tokyo.

“On behalf of myself and the entire Bavetta family, I would like to thank the NBA family and the National Basketball Referee Association for allowing me the honor and the privilege of representing them for 39 wonderful years,” said Bavetta. “I am most proud of never having missed an assigned game, be it exhibition, regular season or playoffs, throughout my entire career. It really has been a great run.”

Never missed an assigned game. In just about four decades. Think about that. Officiating is often a thankless job, and yet the 74-year-old Bavetta is beloved for his personality and his dedication. He always stayed in great shape, and even after working more games than anyone else in history, he always seemed like he was enjoying himself.

Bavetta's presence will be missed and his absence will be strange. The league can only hope that he'll remain an ambassador for the sport. He and his wife, Paulette, have a ranch in Ocala, Fla., and he's involved with numerous charities, including the Bavetta Scholarships, which he established in 1986 in order to help minority high school students.

[mrandrewpowell]

How Miami Heat Can Properly Deploy Dwyane Wade Next Season

Dwyane Wade is 32. This is young for a novelist and practically adolescent for, say, a physician, but pretty old for a professional basketball player. Which, as it happens, he is.

And there’s more bad news. Wade just lost teammate LeBron James this offseason, the best player he—or any other contemporary player, really—has ever suited up alongside.

So there’s some pessimism about Wade’s prospects for the coming season. If not pessimism, at least a growing consensus that Erik Spoelstra and the Miami Heat will have to bend over backward to put the veteran in a position to succeed in 2014-15.

Sipho Mangoye of Fansided’s HoopksHabit gave voice to this feeling:

Now, without the overwhelming safety blanket that is James, those troublesome knees could cause more issues than they have in the past four years, and we could see a much worse version of the All-Star.

LeBron James attracted so much defensive attention, the thinking goes, that Wade was able to thrive as his No. 2 in a way he wouldn’t have, couldn’t have, managed in a more conventional context. (That is, a context where a 6’9”, 250-pound cyborg isn’t running around wreaking havoc.) And to keep his production at the level it's been, Miami will have to reach pretty deep into its bag of tactical tricks.

There’s some statistical basis for this belief. Despite athleticism that’s clearly waning, Wade posted true shooting percentages that were above his career average in three of his four seasons with James—including the 2012-13 and 2013-14 campaigns where the “Wade isn’t the same” line found itself on the tip of every commentators’ tongue.

But the numbers, as they do from time to time, complicate the story a little.

If you consider LeBron’s on-court/off-court numbers, Wade actuallydoesn’t figure to suffer much absent the King. According to NBAwowy.com, the guard posted a true shooting percentage of 57.1 last season—playoffs included—with LeBron on the bench and 58.6 with James in the game.

This is a negligible downtick. For a point of reference, Bosh managed a true shooting percentage of just 52 percent without James but a gaudy 59 percent with his departed teammate.

2013-14 wasn’t an aberration either. Since January of 2012—as far back as the NBAwowy.com database goes—Wade has posted a true shooting percentage of 56.8 with LeBron at his side and 55.8 without him.

The story gets even more interesting when we consider Wade’s usage. There’s some evidence that players generally connect on a lower percentage of their shots as they take more of them. But this hasn’t happened to Wade when he’s had to pick up the offensive slack with James on the bench.

Since January of 2012, in the regular season and playoffs, Wade has posted a usage rate of 36.5 percent without LeBron, per NBAwowy.com, and 25.5 percent with him. If continued over the course of a season, the former mark would have led the NBA in 2013-14 and been the fourth-highest mark in league history, according to Basketball-Reference.com.

And, again, he took on this additional offensive burden without suffering any substantial dip in efficiency.

This points to a pretty plain conclusion: Miami won’t really have to do anything different with Wade in 2014-15. The adjustments that will allow Wade, health permitting, to be a productive scorer have long since been made.

As CBS’s Zach Harper explained, Wade significantly changed his shot selection after LeBron and Chris Bosh got to town, and he and the Heat have reaped the benefits:

Wade has reinvented his game over the past few seasons. He's eliminated the 3-point shot. In Wade's first season with LeBron and Bosh by his side, he took 206 attempts from beyond the arc. That's 52 more attempts than he took in the previous three seasons combined. It feels unlikely that he'll be willing or able to turn around a career 28.9 percent with more defensive focus surrounding him. He also hasn't exactly been a bad scorer in terms of efficiency.

As we’ve detailed before in this space, the Heat’s real challenge with Wade won’t be manufacturing ways to get him high-percentage looks at the basket—he’s shown himself to be plenty adept at doing that—but in judiciously managing his minutes, in looking out for his health.

"Dwyane has been the franchise cornerstone for this team since the day he arrived 11 years ago," Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement after the guard re-signed with Miami this offseason.

Even without LeBron James, that should continue as long as his body holds up.

[mrandrewpowell]

Dwyane Wade's Chicago House Is In Foreclosure

Dwyane Wade reportedly makes around $30 million a year -- his estimated worth is approximately $100 mil -- which makes it pretty shocking his $1.2 million Chicago pad is in foreclosure. According to legal docs -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- Wade stopped making payments on the $225K mortgage ... the docs don't say how much he's behind. The house is located in South Holland, a Chicago suburb. It's massive -- 7,800 square feet, 6 bedrooms and a basketball court on 3 acres. Dwyane and then wife Siohvaughn lived in the house with their 2 kids until he filed for divorce in 2007. The divorce was extremely bitter ... he ended up getting custody. She lives in the house alone. Dwyane's attorney tells TMZ ... the basketball star finally reached a financial settlement with his ex-wife last year, and in addition to getting a huge payout, she got the home and assumed the mortgage payments.  The attorney says Siohvaughn just stopped paying. The lawyer adds Dwyane has no further responsibility, but it seems likely he signed the mortgage papers in the first place so, as they say, tell it to the bank. The bank sent the foreclosure notice August 11.

[mrandrewpowell]

Report: Leandro Barbosa and Miami Heat have mutual interest

It's no secret that the Heat are out of cap space and roster space, but that doesn't mean they won't sign someone with an opportunity to make the team. Alex Kennedy has reported that the Miami Heat and Leandro Barbosa have mutual interest, and that we shouldn't be surprised if they reach an agreement.

Barbosa is a 31 year old, 11 year NBA veteran who has spent most of his career with the Phoenix Suns. He spent his first 7 years in Phoenix, and he played 20 games for them last year. In between, he spent time with Toronto, Indiana and Boston. Barbosa is currently playing for Brazil in the FIBA World Cup. He scored 13 points and had 4 assists in Brazil's loss to Team USA on Saturday night.

The interest between the Heat and Barbosa isn't surprising. The most glaring need for the Heat is still help in scoring behind Dwyane Wade. Behind him, the Heat have rookies Tyler Johnson and James Ennis as well as Reggie Williams. None of them scream: I'm the answer, although all have promise. Barbosa certainly isn't the perfect fit either, but he has a history of being able to score the ball.

Barbosa has seen better days, and certainly is on the back nine of his career. But if there is real interest here, it isn't surprising. Barbosa could really help the Heat's second unit with his ability and first step. He could be another piece to the puzzle of the Heat putting together a real contender in the Eastern Conference.

But, Barbosa would have to come on the minimum, and possibly even on a non-guaranteed deal. The way things have gone for him the last 12 months, the Heat may get him on that if they are really interested. If the Heat were to sign Barbosa, he would raise the roster to 17. The Heat are allowed to carry 20 players into training camp, which starts next month, but must have their roster reduced to a league maximum 15 players by opening night.

[mrandrewpowell]

Final USA Basketball Cut Could Come Thursday

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Final cuts to the Team USA roster could come as soon as Thursday, according to USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo.

Colangelo told ESPN.com that one scenario under consideration by USA Basketball officials is reducing the current 16-man roster to 12 or 13 players after Wednesday night's exhibition game against the Dominican Republic at Madison Square Garden.

"We've said we wanted to wait through the end of the week in New York before we made cutbacks," Colangelo said Monday, "but that could still change."

The appeal of making cuts after the game against the Al Horford-less Dominicans, Colangelo said, is setting up coach Mike Krzyzewski and the group that will ultimately represent the United States at the FIBA World Cup starting Aug. 30 in Spain for "one good practice together" before Friday night's MSG exhibition against Puerto Rico.

Colangelo, though, did stress that keeping all 16 players through the Puerto Rico game is also still an option. Team USA is then scheduled to fly to Europe on Saturday to begin a 23-day stay in Spain for FIBA's inaugural World Cup, which runs through Sept. 14.

USAB must submit its official 12-man roster for the World Cup on Aug. 29 -- one day before the tournament starts -- but Colangelo said there remains "a possibility we could carry 13 to Spain" and then make one last cut in the final week before the tournament begins.

In the wake of a wave of pullouts by star players Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge and Russell Westbrook, as well as the devastating compound leg fracture Paul George suffered Aug. 1, Team USA appears to have as many as 10 players still battling for the final six roster spots.

DeMarcus Cousins, Mason Plumlee and Andre Drummond are competing for only one guaranteed spot as backup center, though it's possible two of them could be on the plane to Spain.

Guards Damian Lillard and DeMar DeRozan are also at risk of being cut, but that likely depends on how many of the five versatile swingmen (Klay Thompson, Rudy Gay, Chandler Parsons, Gordon Hayward and Kyle Korver) survive.

Four of those 10 players will have to be let go Aug. 29, while the following six players appear to have secure spots as what Colangelo and Krzyzewski have consistently referred to as the "core players" of the squad: Anthony Davis, Derrick Rose, James Harden, Kenneth Faried, Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving.

"We haven't picked the team yet," Krzyzewski said Monday after Team USA's day-long tour of West Point, where the Duke coach played and later coached in the 1960s and '70s.

In a televised interview Monday with ESPN2's Cassidy Hubbarth and Fran Fraschilla, Krzyzewski played coy when asked if the substitution patterns in Saturday night's exhibition victory over Brazil in Chicago have any bearing on which four players are most likely to be cut.

"People read into everything," Krzyzewski said. "That's part of the world we live in. That's why we have shows. Because if they weren't talking about that, no one would be watching. ... First of all, you never play 16 guys in a game, so we have to take a look at certain things. In these next two games, we'll look at more and then hopefully we'll be down, before we go to Gran Canaria, to about 12."

Parsons, Korver and Lillard all saw limited playing time in the win over Brazil, while Drummond, DeRozan and Hayward never left the bench.

[mrandrewpowell]

Steve Ballmer Introduced As The Los Angeles Clippers Owner

LOS ANGELES -- Sweating, clapping and shouting until he was nearly hoarse, Steve Ballmer introduced himself to Los Angeles Clippers fans at a rally on Monday celebrating his new ownership of the NBA team.

The former Microsoft CEO made his way through the crowd inside Staples Center to Eminem's "Lose Yourself," exchanging high-fives and chest-bumping as he took the stage in front of 4,500 fans.

Ballmer paid a record $2 billion for the team in a sale that was confirmed by a judge last week. The name of disgraced former owner Donald Sterling, who controlled the team for 33 years before being banned for life by the NBA for racist remarks, was never uttered during the event.

"We're looking forward," Ballmer proclaimed, having removed his blue Clippers hat. "Everything is about looking forward."

Ballmer's fervor was in stark contrast to Sterling, who never spoke to the media and was famously frugal when it came to spending on the team during decades of losing -- despite having amassed a fortune through real estate.

"Today is about this other guy who just happened to have two billion dollars in his pocket," coach Doc Rivers joked on stage. "I asked him are you sure it went through and he said, 'I know my bank account is minus two billion so I know something went through.' "

Ballmer gave out his email address during the televised rally and was quick to assure fans he won't move the team to Seattle, where he's lived for 34 years. He was nearly an NBA owner last year before league owners chose to keep the Kings in Sacramento, rather than allow them to be sold to a group that included Ballmer and moved to Seattle.

"I love Los Angeles," he said. "Yes, I live in Seattle. We're not moving the Clippers to Seattle for a hundred reasons."

Ballmer used a microphone, but his booming voice easily filled the arena without it. He prowled the stage and gestured to make his points in the enthusiastic style he was known for among Microsoft employees.

"We're going to be bold. Bold means taking chances," he said. "We're going to be optimistic. We're going to be hard-core. Nothing gets in our way, boom! The hard-core Clippers, that's us."

Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan were among eight players on hand, along with Rivers, who guided the Clippers to 57 wins last season, his first with the team.

"When he came through the crowd, I literally had goose bumps," Griffin said afterward. "I don't know if there's one good word to describe him. I know all our guys are excited about the energy he brings. It's completely different."

Ballmer took a few emailed questions from season ticketholders, including a 26-year fan who asked how the next 26 years of the franchise would be different.

"I'll boldly say the Clippers will win many, many more Larrys in the next 26 years than they did in the last 26," he said, referring to the Larry O'Brien trophy that goes to the NBA champion.

Rivers clearly got a kick out of Ballmer's passionate display, cracking up at his new boss' proclamations after having previously seen him only on YouTube.

"I love energy," Rivers said later. "You get caught up in that and that's good. That was great for our fans."

Interim CEO Dick Parsons testified during the court battle over the team's sale that Rivers would quit if Sterling was the owner going into next season.

"Sometimes you do have to take a stand," Rivers said. "I didn't think I was going to have to (quit), but a lot of us were willing to for sure."

He added, "You always have to move on. I have."

Ballmer gave the title "owner emeritus" to Sterling's estranged wife, Shelly, who negotiated the deal. She will receive two floor seats, 10 other seats and parking at Staples Center for games.

"Without her this deal does not get done," Rivers said afterward. "She wants to be a fan. She's no longer the owner. I'm fine with that."

Ballmer shared dinner with Rivers and some of the players a night earlier, when the discussion focused on where he'll sit during games. Sterling sat at mid-court within earshot of the players.

When someone suggested behind the Clippers' bench, like Dallas owner Mark Cuban does, Rivers said, "I don't know if I could deal with that energy."

[mrandrewpowell]

Jim Cleamons Joins New York Knicks Coaching Staff As Assistant

The New York Knicks have added veteran Jim Cleamons to the coaching staff, a league source confirmed to ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne.

Cleamons will serve as an assistant under first-year head coach Derek Fisher and will be reunited with Knicks president Phil Jackson.

Cleamons was an assistant under Jackson with the Chicago Bulls for seven seasons and with the Los Angeles Lakers for 10 seasons. He was an assistant on nine of Jackson's 11 NBA title-winning teams.

He also was the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks in 1996-97 and for part of the 1997-98 season. He went 28-70 in Dallas.

Cleamons, whose hire was first reported by the Los Angeles Times, will add another veteran presence on the bench for Fisher. Earlier this summer, the Knicks hired veteran coach Kurt Rambis to serve as the top assistant under Fisher. Both Rambis and Cleamons have a strong grasp of the triangle offense, which Fisher is expected to implement in New York.

Cleamons most recently was an assistant coach in Milwaukee under Larry Drew. Drew was fired and replaced by Jason Kidd in early July.

Before beginning his coaching career, Cleamons also played nine seasons in the NBA for four teams, including 180 games with the Knicks over three seasons.

[mrandrewpowell]

Dante Cunningham's Felony Assault Charge Dropped

MINNEAPOLIS -- Hennepin County authorities have dropped a felony domestic assault charge against free-agent forward Dante Cunningham. Cunningham was charged in April for allegedly choking his then-girlfriend.

Hennepin County prosecutor Mike Freeman made the announcement Monday and said there "is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt" that Cunningham committed the crime. 

Cunningham maintained his innocence throughout the process. He told The Associated Press he is "ecstatic and ready to move forward in life."

Cunningham spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He became a free agent this summer, but several teams told him they would wait for the legal process to play out before considering signing him. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game the past season.

[mrandrewpowell]

Chicago Hails Derrick Rose, USA In Win Against Brazil

CHICAGO -- Derrick Rose could feel the tension inside the United Center every time he touched the ball during Team USA's 95-78 exhibition win over Brazil on Saturday night.

The former MVP understands why.

Saturday marked Rose's first game appearance in his home arena since tearing the medial meniscus in his right knee on Nov. 22.

"When I was out there they wanted me to shoot every ball," Rose said with a laugh.

Rose scored seven points in 24 minutes in his Chicago return, but the fact that he was out there at all after playing just 10 games in the past two years because of two serious knee injuries is what made fans so happy. Rose was the last player introduced before the game as fans roared and chanted "MVP!"

"I'm playing the way I normally play in the trials," Rose said. "Push the ball, play defense and get guys shots. When the shot is available, take the shot, and I think that's what I did tonight. I had one or two turnovers, but that could easily be changed."

Rose didn't need to lead the offensive barrage for Team USA on this night; fellow Chicago native Anthony Davis took care of that. Davis, who was playing in his hometown for the first time as a professional, led Team USA with 20 points and set the tone on both ends of the floor.

"It felt great," Davis said. "The first time I played on this floor since high school. It's great to be back here in front of my home crowd, friends and family coming out and supporting me. Most importantly, we got the win."

The New Orleans Pelicans All-Star center had the crowd buzzing throughout the night, making several highlight-reel dunks. His dive into the stands for a loose ball in the fourth quarter prompted fans to chant "USA! USA!" He will be a focal point for Team USA considering the lack of big men depth on coach Mike Krzyzewski's roster.

Aside from the win, the good news for Krzyzewski in this game was that nobody was seriously injured after Paul George's gruesome broken leg in Team USA's scrimmage in Las Vegas two weeks ago. Rose was cut on his face in the first half but came back into the game late in the second quarter and made a nice running floater to end the half. With George out and Kevin Durant leaving the team last week, Rose will be counted on to provide an offensive punch for this team alongside Stephen Curry and James Harden (18 points).

"I'm pleased with our team," Krzyzewski said. "We've had a lot of interruptions. The one thing that hasn't been interrupted has been effort. Our guys have played hard in every practice. They're a really good group. To play an organized team and an outstanding team like Brazil like this tonight was really encouraging for us."

Now Krzyzewski and his staff must continue to figure out how to cut Team USA's roster to 12 before the World Cup of Basketball begins later this month in Spain.

Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay, who was added to the team last week after Durant left, was the first substitute off Team USA's bench Saturday night. Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried got the start alongside Davis while Brooklyn Nets forward Mason Plumlee got the bulk of the minutes off the bench for a depleted frontcourt. Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins didn't play after injuring his right knee in Thursday's practice, while Detroit Pistons big man Andre Drummond, Utah Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward and Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan never entered the game.

As Krzyzewski continues to tinker with his roster, he took great pride in the fact that Rose was able to perform in front of a packed house at the United Center. Rose, along with Brazil center Anderson Varejao, gave brief speeches to the crowd before the game, thanking fans for coming to the game. Rose received another big ovation before speaking, and then thanked USA Basketball for bringing the game to Chicago as the city continues to deal with a major violence problem.

The former MVP excited the home fans late in the third quarter when he split two defenders and laid the ball in. It was a vintage Rose move that Bulls fans are expecting to see again this NBA season.

"It's great to watch Derrick play again," Bulls coach and Team USA assistant Tom Thibodeau said. "I couldn't be more pleased with the way he played."

Rose and the rest of Team USA head to New York on Sunday to continue training for the World Cup. Krzyzewski said earlier this week that his team likely wouldn't make any more cuts until after the New York portion of camp was finished.

For Rose, it was just another step on a long journey.

"I've been preparing for this for a long time," Rose said. "Probably, if this was a couple weeks ago I wouldn't have been emotional, but right now it feels great. We won the game so that's the only thing I could be happy about -- we won. We didn't lose. If we had lost my whole attitude would have been different. Just take this win, go to New York [Sunday] and just try to keep this going."

[mrandrewpowell]

Shawn Marion To Join LeBron, Sign With Cavaliers

Free-agent forward Shawn Marion has committed to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that Marion informed the Cavaliers this weekend that he intends to sign with them this month, despite the fact that Cleveland can only offer him a minimum deal.

The chance to play with LeBron James and immediately compete for a championship, sources said, clinched Marion's decision to choose Cleveland in the face of a ramped-up pursuit by the Indiana Pacers.

As ESPN.com reported earlier this week, Pacers president Larry Bird invited Marion to Indianapolis earlier this week for a face-to-face recruiting pitch over dinner, with Indiana in desperate need of veteran help on the wing after the season-ending compound leg fracture suffered by star swingman Paul George on Aug. 1.

At a news conference Tuesday, Bird conceded that the Cavaliers were the favorites for Marion's signature, saying: "What I came away with was he's undecided with where he wants to play and what he wants to do. But he does want to play for a contender."

The Cavaliers have widely been considered to be the front-runners to sign Marion since it emerged that they're poised to complete a trade for Minnesota's Kevin Love later this month. Cleveland is restricted to offering Marion a minimum salary of $1.4 million this season after using all of its cap resources and exceptions elsewhere.

The Pacers confirmed this week that they've already been granted a $5.3 million disabled player exception by the league in the wake of George's season-ending injury suffered on Team USA duty, so Indiana did have the means to outbid Cleveland. But the Pacers would stray into luxury tax territory if they spend more than $1.7 million of that exception, with Bird vowing at his news conference that Indiana -- maintaining a longstanding team policy -- remains unwilling to be a tax team.

Sources say that Marion had been telling teams for weeks that he hoped to wind up with a championship contender if he left the Dallas Mavericks in free agency. Marion spent the past five seasons with the Mavs and helped them win the first championship in franchise history in 2011 as a key role player who guarded players at four positions.

A week before his Indiana trip, Marion traveled to Cleveland to meet with Cavaliers general manager David Griffin and new coach David Blatt. Marion and Griffin have a longstanding relationship dating to their days together with the Phoenix Suns, during which the 36-year-old made four trips to the All-Star Game.

[mrandrewpowell]

Golden State Warriors' Shaun Livingston (Toe) Out 6-8 Weeks

Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston is expected to be out six to eight weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on the big toe of his right foot.

The Warriors said Friday that Livingston's toe will be in a splint for the first three weeks of his recovery. The team says the procedure was performed Wednesday by Dr. Richard Ferkel at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Van Nuys.

Golden State signed Livingston to a three-year contract worth about $16 million in July. The team says he was diagnosed with a sprained right big toe at the time and his foot was placed in a cast. The Warriors say Livingston was re-evaluated last week and it was determined that surgery was needed.

[mrandrewpowell]

USA Basketball Cancels Senegal Trip Over Ebola Concerns

The largest recorded outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa has forced USA Basketball to cancel its scheduled trip to Senegal later this month before the FIBA World Cup.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told ESPN.com on Friday that the recent declaration of a "public health emergency of international concern" in the region by the World Health Organization left no alternative for USAB.

The senior men's national team, led by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, had been scheduled to make its first visit to Africa on Aug. 27 for an all-day procession of clinics, tours and receptions in Dakar.

"I speak for all at USA Basketball when I say we're extremely disappointed we will not be able to visit Senegal," Colangelo said. "Our entire traveling party was very much looking forward to the experience."

After the World Health Organization "noted that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa constitutes an extraordinary event and a public health risk to other [African] states," Colangelo said, USAB officials made the determination that "any risk, however small, is one we cannot take."

"The circumstances," Colangelo said, "just don't allow us to go."

More than 1,000 deaths attributed to Ebola have been recorded since March in four West African countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria. Two American aid workers infected with Ebola while working in West Africa have been transported to a containment unit in Atlanta for treatment.

The New York Times reported Friday that the State Department, in the latest sign of rising international concern, has ordered family members of staffers at the U.S. Embassy in the Sierra Leone capital of Freetown to leave the country. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the measure was taken at the behest of the department's medical office "out of an abundance of caution."

"Although the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] does not yet suspect any [Ebola] cases in Senegal, the country's position as a neighboring country to Guinea and Dakar's role as a gateway to West Africa heightened our concern," Colangelo said.

"We remain committed to fostering basketball worldwide and in Africa and Senegal in particular and we are committed to look at further opportunities in the future to work with and support the Senegalese national team."

USAB announced in mid-July that it was planning to send its entire World Cup traveling party to Senegal for a day after the team's final exhibition game this month: Aug. 26 against Slovenia in Gran Canaria, Spain. The team was to have joined Senegal's national team in conducting a youth clinic for local children in addition to touring Senegal's historic Goree Island and concluding the visit by attending a reception hosted by the Senegalese government.

Team USA opens FIBA World Cup play against Finland in Bilbao, Spain, on Aug. 30. The 24-team tournament runs through Sept. 14, and only the champion qualifies automatically for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, meaning that the United States -- despite a succession of withdrawals of top stars and one major injury -- must duplicate its 2010 title in Turkey to ensure a summer off in 2015.

Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge and Russell Westbrook have all withdrawn from participation in recent weeks, while projected starting small forward Paul George suffered the first catastrophic injury in the modern history of Team USA when he suffered a devastating compound fracture in his right leg late in an Aug. 1 intrasquad scrimmage.

After completing its current three-day stay in Chicago, Team USA will start a week of preparations Monday in New York by conducting a two-hour practice at the U.S. Military Academy's Christl Arena at West Point, with some 900 cadets expected to attend the session. ESPN2 will carry the practice starting Monday at 2 p.m. ET.

"I think that's part of our responsibility and calling to expose our players to things that stretch beyond basketball and helping mankind and supporting your country and representing your country," Colangelo said. "We've been very involved with the U.S. military over the years, as you know, and we think Monday will be a special day. It'll be impactful for our players, I know that."

[mrandrewpowell]

DeMarcus Cousins' Knee Improving, Won't Play Against Brazil

CHICAGO -- Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins says his injured right knee is feeling better.

"It's better than (Thursday), so that's a good sign," Cousins said after Friday's practice. "Just gradually trying to get through the pain. It's going to be a process. As the days go on it should get better."

Cousins will not play in Team USA's scrimmage Saturday night against Brazil at the United Center.

Cousins injured his right knee during a play at the end of Thursday's practice and underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage. He wore a sleeve on the knee on Friday and shot baskets on a different court while the rest of his teammates continued preparing for Saturday's game.

Given the gruesome injury that Indiana Pacers star Paul George sustained in Team USA's scrimmage two weeks ago, Cousins admitted that a lot of fear went through his mind when he first went down.

"It was a scary thing of course," Cousins said. "Speaking from some of the things that happened early on. It's basketball so things happen but luckily enough it wasn't anything too severe. I'll be back in a few days."

Team USA center Anthony Davis did not go through much of Friday's practice because of a sore neck, but he is expected to play Saturday.

"We expect (Davis) to play," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "It's been a different route right now with a couple guys dropping out and injuries. DeMarcus won't play (Saturday). We expect Anthony to play (Saturday)."

[mrandrewpowell]

Paul George Plans On A Full Recovery, Defends USA Basketball

Paul George said he expects to make a full recovery from the gruesome lower right leg fracture he suffered a couple of weeks ago during a Team USA scrimmage.

George spoke to reporters Friday afternoon for the first time since the injury. He said he is trying to stay positive and make the most of a tough situation.

"I plan on making a full recovery coming back from this," George said at a news conference. "I'm taking this in a positive way. I get to sit back and watch the game -- and just learn."

The timeline for recovery is unknown, George said, but added that he can start some knee rehab as early as next week.

George was injured when he attempted to block a shot on a fast break and crashed into a basketball stanchion, snapping his leg. The accident raised questions about whether the support was too close to the court and generated debate about whether NBA stars are risking too much by representing the U.S.

George said he does not blame USA Basketball for the injury.

"Freak accidents happen," he said. "USA Basketball doesn't deserve any criticism from this."

In fact, George said the 2016 Olympics are a possibility: "Absolutely, it's in Brazil."

George underwent surgery Aug. 2 and returned to Indianapolis on Aug. 5 to recover at home.

He said he knew it was not a good situation when he looked down at his leg.

"When I looked down and saw my bone sticking out, I knew it was bad," George said.

The Pacers have not established a timetable for George's return. But doctors who have not examined George say a full recovery from this kind of injury could take 12 to 18 months.

Larry Bird, the Pacers' president of basketball operations, said earlier this week the physicians who are treating George have not ruled out a late-season return, though the Pacers won't rush him back.

It is missing time with the Pacers that George feels bad about.

"I feel guilty about not being there for the start of (the) season," he said. "To not be a part of that, it hurts. Something I have to live with.

"The last thing I will do is feel like I am not a part of this team because I'm out."