Sources: Knicks get Warriors Harrington

Knicks sources said a deal for Al Harrington was to go through late yesterday, but was delayed until today. A league conference call is scheduled for this morning that would bring the disgruntled Warriors forward to the Knicks, presumably for Malik Rose. A product of St. Patrick’s in Elizabeth, N.J., Harrington has played in just five games this season. He was grounded by coach Don Nelson soon after stating publicly he wanted to be traded. Harrington has two years left on his deal–currently $9.3 million with $10M guaranteed on tap in 2009-10. Rose, attractive to the Warriors because of his expiring contract, is set to make $7.64 million this year. The deal can be made one-for-one because their salaries are within 25 percent (plus 100G) of each other.– NY Post

Wolves coach Randy Wittman gets vote of confidence

Randy Wittman’s coaching job is safe, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said. “If I worried about the short term, and I looked at the economy and all my companies, if I based things on that, then I’d fire all my presidents because they had a bad month,” Taylor said. “I’ve been through ups and downs. You’ve got to be patient. I think Randy has prepared (the players) well. We’ve just got to get them some confidence. They’re still young.” The Timberwolves are 2-8 entering tonight’s home game against the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics, who include former Wolves Kevin Garnett and Sam Cassell. “I learned a long time ago that you’ve got to be patient with this,” Taylor said. “The last thing, when these guys are trying so hard and everybody wants to win, is for me to put undue pressure on them. That’s not going to make it any better. They all know I want to win, but I also know that they want to win just as bad. “I thought we would probably have a better record. We played really good in every game for three quarters; we’ve just struggled in fourth quarters. We’ve done some really good things this year. The turnovers have been down, but when we’ve had them, they’ve been at critical times in the fourth quarter.” Wittman has this season and next season remaining on a contract worth nearly $5 million. No shakeups are planned, Taylor said. – Pioneer Press

Mavs not expected to unload Nowitzki?

Word around the league is no way Mark Cuban trades Dirk Nowitzki, no matter how bad things get. That, of course, can change. And it certainly appears as if the Mavericks window has closed. – Chicago Tribune

Hornets need Tinsley or Marbury?

In other words, the Hornets had best begin combing opponent’s cobwebs to get Chris Paul a faithful companion capable of manufacturing shots for himself and teammates before my choice to win the West winds up in a dumpster like last season’s Bulls, my pick to win the East. Jamaal Tinsley or Stephon Marbury would be a flawless fit, of course. Come to think of it, nothing in Pargo’s contract prevents him from returning to the NBA later this season if a financial arrangement can be worked out with Moscow. League rules forbid a team from paying more than 500G to shake loose a player. – NY Post

McHale: Wolves Garnett trade was right move

Owner Glen Taylor and vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said they feel as good today about that seven-for-one deal, which brought the Wolves center Al Jefferson, four other players and two future first-round draft choices, as the day they made it. “I do like the deal,” McHale said. “Like I said at the time, it was going to be a change, and there’ll be some growing pains on the thing. But yeah, I couldn’t be happier with Al and his progression and the fact that he’s 23. That was the thing. You gained 10 years in age on the primary assets in the trade. So yeah, I like the deal.” That trade also netted the Wolves forward Ryan Gomes and guard Sebastian Telfair, in addition to guard Gerald Green and center Theo Ratliff, who have moved on to Dallas and Philadelphia, respectively. In terms of players, it’s the largest trade for one player in NBA history, but the Celtics got their money’s worth. – Pioneer Press

Pistons Iverson: I’ll play six more seasons

Pistons guard Allen Iverson’s contract is up at the end of this season, but he intends to play six more seasons, which would bring him to 39. “I know you guys have put me in a rocking chair already,” Iverson said. “When the time comes and we have a game and you put that scouting report up and my name isn’t one of the first or second names on that scouting report and I can’t dominate like I used to, then I don’t want to play no more. I won’t do anything to tarnish my legacy.” – Boston Herald

Knicks president supports Mike D’Antoni

At 6-5 entering tonight’s rematch in Milwaukee, Knicks president Donnie Walsh appears satisfied with the coach he hired to change the culture and an offense into a potent high-speed attack. However, if they were truly on the same page, Marbury would be in a different uniform by now. Mike D’Antoni has the Knicks as the league’s highest-scoring team (105.3 points per game). But he also has them last in defense, supporting his rep as a stubborn coach who refuses to stress “D.” The Knicks are allowing a league-worst 105.4 points per game on 48.7 percent shooting, ranking them dead-last in opponent field goal percentage. Walsh blames the Knicks’ defensive woes partly due to Jared Jeffries’ absence. Jeffries could return in two weeks. – NY Post

Curry confident Pistons will get McDyess back

The chances of Antonio McDyess returning to Detroit are increasing, according to Pistons coach Michael Curry. “I get into [Boston] and I look across the [television screen] at 2:30 [a.m. yesterday] and it says that he is going to Charlotte,” Curry said before last night’s game. “I didn’t sleep good. I figured they offered him a heck of a package. “But, as I’ve said before, the longer it goes, the better chance we have. I figured that if he didn’t sign last week, he’d get through Thanksgiving. That puts us closer to Dec. 7 [when McDyess is eligible to re-sign with the Pistons, who traded him to Denver this month]. Hopefully, we can get it done.” – Boston Globe

Bulls interested in Chris Kaman?

Do I think the Bulls would trade Larry Hughes for Chris Kaman? Faster than one of Hughes’ ill-advised shots. I’m not sold on the theory the Clippers will move Kaman anyway. But even if they do, they’ll want an All-Star in return. There are none of those on the Bulls’ roster. – Chicago Tribune

Shaquille O’Neal reaches out to Phil Jackson

Phil Jackson stood in a dim hallway amid a semi-circle of reporters, talking about how difficult it is to box out Shaquille O’Neal, when the topic of discussion emerged from a nearby practice court, pushed his way through the media pack and gave Jackson a sweaty embrace. O’Neal whispered in Jackson’s ear for a few seconds before walking away and saying, “You know I wouldn’t do that to you.” Jackson smiled briefly, a hint of catharsis in what had been an odd week of revisiting the O’Neal-Jackson-Kobe Bryant triangle leading up to Thursday’s game between the Lakers and Phoenix Suns. – LA Times

Spurs Ginobili participates in five-on-five drills

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili on Thursday took the first step in the final phase of his rehabilitation process, and could be back in a Spurs uniform sooner than the club anticipated when training camp began in October. The NBA’s reigning Sixth Man Award winner took part in five-on-five drills at the team’s practice facility. His participation wasn’t revealed officially by the club. Rather, it slipped out because one of his new teammates was so excited to have finally had a chance to be on the court with him that he couldn’t help himself. “You know Manu wants to be out there,” said Roger Mason Jr., the swingman signed this summer to take a bit of the playing load off Ginobili’s shoulders. “Today they threw him out a little bit. “It was my first time playing with him, and it was fun out there, having a guy like Manu on the court. When he does come back, I think it’s going to be fun.” – San Antonio Express-News

Pierce: Pistons not as tough on Celts with Iverson

Celtics star Paul Pierce likes the Pistons with Allen Iverson, but he believes they may not be as tough on the Celts without Chauncey Billups to back in on the smaller Rajon Rondo. “I think we really match up with them a lot better this year than we did last year, especially with the Chauncey Billups factor - even though Iverson’s a great player,” Pierce said. “We don’t have to worry about their point guard posting us up. They definitely bring a different element with the way they play.” Said Rivers: “Chauncey’s just a tough matchup because of his size, but when Allen started out the game (six points in four minutes), that wasn’t any fun either. I would prefer not to play either one. I think that would be terrific.” – Boston Herald

Could the C’s be a match for Marbury?

Would the Celtics be interested in the mercurial Marbury if, like the Red Sox did with Manny, the Knicks picked up most or all of Marbury’s weighted contract? Would Danny Ainge go for this? There is a bit of riverboat gambler in Ainge, so don’t blow the idea out of the water yet. – Milford Daily News

Raps to start trend of NBA teams going big?

There has been talk in NBA circles that the Raptors’ decision to go with the big front line of Chris Bosh, Jermaine O’Neal and Andrea Bargnani might lead to some copycat manoeuvres from other teams. One team that could go big is the New Jersey Nets but only if they stay healthy, and that’s not the case right now. Six-foot-10 forward Josh Boone is out with a bone bruise, meaning rookie Brooke Lopez and second-year forward Yi Jianlian will likely go up against Bosh and O’Neal tonight. That leaves 7-footer Andrea Bargnani up against 6-foot-6 forward Bobby Simmons. When Boone is healthy again, Nets head coach Lawrence Frank will have the option of moving Jianlian to small forward with Boone and Lopez filling out the front court. – Toronto Sun

Celts stars can’t name the seven dwarfs

Celtics Ray Allen and Eddie House were asked on a video feature during a timeout to name the seven dwarfs. Each forgot Doc. “That’s a shame,” said Rivers. “I think we’re going to practice on Monday now.” – Boston Herald

Michael Beasley improving but Heat’s defense is shaky

As much as Heat coach Erik Spoelstra tries to build Michael Beasley’s confidence by praising his progress on defense, Spoelstra’s actions speak much louder. For the fourth time in five games, Beasley was on the bench for all or most of the fourth quarter as the Heat rallied from 17 points behind Toronto on Wednesday before falling 101-95. Beasley exited the game with 4:49 remaining in the third quarter and never returned. Spoelstra once again chose to play 6-foot-5 Daequan Cook on the 7-foot Andrea Bargnani. The 6-9 Beasley played just three minutes in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game at Toronto. – Palm Beach Post

Kings expected to hire agent Levien as assistant GM

The Kings could add a piece to their front office next month, when attorney and agent Jason Levien is expected to be named assistant general manager. The move, which sources within the organization and close to the team say should be official in the coming weeks, marks a rare addition to the Kings’ management team that Geoff Petrie has headed for 15 years. And with an on-court rebuilding and youth movement already in effect, the franchise also is taking the same approach upstairs. Levien, 37, has earned a reputation as a versatile talent, having negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars in NBA contracts while showing an ability to find little-known players who come up big. Although Levien no longer will be an agent, Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin was chief among his clientele. – Sac Bee

NBA would’ve been concerned about finances of potential Hawks buyer McDavid

Whether Texas businessman David McDavid had enough cash on hand to support the money-losing Hawks would have been a concern for the National Basketball Association had the league received his application to buy the team, an NBA executive testified Thursday. McDavid, who tried to buy the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena operating rights from Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting System in 2003, had a net worth of $181 million, according to court documents. – Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hornets MoPete out two games with bad knee

New Orleans Hornets starting shooting guard Morris Peterson is expected to miss the next two games because of soreness in his right knee, Coach Byron Scott said after Thursday’s practice at the Alario Center. Peterson missed Wednesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings after he complained of soreness. Rasual Butler is expected to earn his second consecutive start at shooting guard on Friday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center. The Hornets, who are trying to snap a two-game losing streak, play the rematch game against Oklahoma City on Saturday night at the New Orleans Arena. – New Orleans Times-Picayune

Pacers little-known Nesterovic plays key role in offense

He’s 7-foot, 255 pounds and plays center. Just don’t expect him to play like one. Rasho Nesterovic doesn’t have a strong inside game. He isn’t an intimidating shot blocker. He isn’t overly athletic and doesn’t fly above the rim for alley-oop dunks. Ask his Indiana Pacers teammates, though, and they’ll say Nesterovic is one of the keys to their offense. He’s an exceptional passer. He consistently makes the midrange jump shot. He has a high basketball IQ. – Indy Star

Suns’ popularity comes at a price

Popularity comes at a price. For the Suns, that means starting five home games this season at 8:30 p.m. for national television. The Suns already have had two such games, with last week’s ugly loss to Houston and another TNT-touted meeting Thursday night with the Los Angeles Lakers. “As a player, I didn’t like late games,” Suns coach Terry Porter said. “I prefer early games than late games. There’s too much down time in the afternoon after you get done with shootaround (at 11 a.m.). It’s over and over, like you take your nap and then wake up and you’re like, ‘Dang, now what am I going to do?’ ” – Arizona Republic

PETA upset with NBA mascot’s act

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has written a letter to owner Stan Kroenke asking the Nuggets to enact a policy prohibiting the use or display of live animals at home games. PETA cited the Nov. 7 game at the Pepsi Center against Dallas, when team mascot Rocky ran onto the court and held two baby tigers over his head and when the mascot handed out kittens from a box to those in the crowd wanting one. Upset fans were said to have contacted PETA, which called the atmosphere of a big crowd inappropriate for the baby tigers and that it was imprudent to give away kittens in that setting. Kroekne Sports Enterprises isn’t commenting for now. – Rocky Mountain News

Cavs TV ratings are up

The economy is hitting the NBA’ s attendance figures, but television ratings have been booming, especially in Cleveland. In Nielsen ratings released Thursday, the Cavs rank second in the NBA with a 6.2 local rating. It represents a 109 percent jump from the same period last season. ESPN and TNT have also recently announced bouncing national ratings. Wednesday’ s game against the Pistons received an 8.8 rating locally, the most-watched regular season Cavs game on Fox Sports Ohio since 2004. – Cleveland Plain Dealer

Wizards star Gilbert Arenas becomes third NBA player with wax figure

Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas became just the third NBA player to be sculpted from wax by Madame Tussauds, after Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. Yao Ming will unveil his own figure shortly. “When they told me I was the third, I said, ‘Third this year or third ever?’ I was like: ‘Why me? I haven’t done anything special to be the third.’ But it’s an honor. It’s unbelievable. “It’s one of those feelings where every day of your life, from now until when you’re old, you can come in here or New York of wherever they have it, there’s going to be a statue of yourself. That’s a great feeling.” The figure, of course, looks remarkably like Arenas, right down to the tattoos, which peek out from under his jersey and shorts. – Washington Post

Mavs owner hasn’t paid former coach the $7.1 mil he is owed

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has not paid former coach Don Nelson the $7.1 million awarded the former Mavs coach in an arbitration hearing on July 31. A Dallas County district judge on Wednesday confirmed that Cuban must pay. Nelson initially sued to recover $6.3 million he said Cuban owned him in deferred money. Nelson also was awarded about $800,000 in court costs and lawyer fees. – Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Ben Maller can be heard weeknights on “The Third Shift on Fox” via the vast Fox Sports Radio Network. The show is broadcast live Monday-Friday from 2am till 6am (est). Check your local radio listenings for the FSR affiliate in your town, listen to XM Satellite Radio Channel No. 142 or via live streaming audio online at FoxSports.com/Radio. Say hi to Ben at myspace.com/benmaller. Interact with Ben’s fans and talk sports on Ben Maller’s forum Questions, comments and news tips can be sent to Ben via e mail at BigBen@Foxsports.com or Ben@BenMaller.com.

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