Eddie Joardn may be fast departing the Sixers bench. Sources indicated that Jordan could be fired before this season ends — if it becomes obvious he has lost the team — but more likely after the final game of this dismal season. One of these sources also characterized Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider as “up in arms” about Jordan’s coaching effort, with another source with intimate knowledge of the management’s thinking calling Jordan’s coaching “baffling.” An NBA source said Jordan’s philosophy, which is overloaded on the offensive side with his high-IQ “Princeton” offense, was a mistake at its inception.
Philadelphia Inquirer


The Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors thanks to yet another game-winning shot by Kobe Bryant. It says even more that the defensive play of the game was made by a man named Lapo Elkann.

Elkann isn’t a D-League player the Lakers brought up on a 10-day contract. He’s a man who was sitting in his cousin’s courtside seats. And with the Lakers ahead by four points and a ball heading out of bounds on their defensive side of the court, Elkann with both of his hands in the air, then knocked the ball off Toronto guard Jose Calderon’s head before Calderon could save it. The ball landed out of bounds, last touched by a Raptor, possession awarded to the Lakers, who went on to win 109-107.

“Tough play, because it was a two-point game,” Calderon said. “I was looking to pass to my teammate. I wasn’t looking, and I look back and the guy just hit the ball.”

Elkann offered an apologetic shake of his hand to Calderon. Ron Artest came over, patted Elkann on the head, and told him “Good D.”
ESPN

Kevin Durant is surprised people like Magic Johnson, who recently interviewed him, is shocked he’s comfortable with small-market Oklahoma City instead of playing in New York, Los Angeles or Chicago.
“I was watching the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson documentary the other day,” Durant said. “I’m similar to Bird. I like being at home. I like staying at my mom’s house and her cooking. That’s the kind of person I am. I’m not into the big city lights and the paparazzi, that type of stuff. I just love playing basketball and chillin’ out.”

In the HBO documentary Durant referred to, Bird was comfortable in French Lick, Ind., while Johnson preferred the constant entertainment in Hollywood.

“I can relate to both of those guys — Magic Johnson for how much he loves the game and his enthusiasm for the game and Larry Bird for how laid back and relaxed he is,” Durant said. “That’s the kind of guy I am off the court.
The Oklahoman