Truth & Rumors > NBA

07:09 AM ET 06.18 | LeBron James stands with the task of putting the Heat on his back and winning two consecutive games against a team that has shown an capability to win it all. Kobe and Michael delighted in burying teams in the playoffs. ... LeBron is still learning that it's okay to be the bully in certain situations on the court, that being disliked immensely by an opponent's fan base is actually a sign of begrudging respect -- not universal disapproval. Memo to @KingJames in 140 characters or less: It's not just okay to rule by fear as an elite athlete; sometimes it's a necessity. ... [If James cares his legacy] the time is now for his desire -- and his on-court demeanor -- to rise to a level of no-holds-barred nasty to get the job done and another championship won.

The Washington Post

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07:08 AM ET 06.18 | This much has been reported: Doc Rivers has pondered his future in Boston, and the Celtics have engaged the Clippers in talks regarding the coach and at least one of his players. The rest is still being discussed and both sides are reaching frustration, according to NBA sources. While the Celtics demanded Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe in any deal, they have backed off that insistence and instead want the Clippers to take on the contracts of Courtney Lee or Jason Terry and preferably both. ... Meanwhile, a source close to Rivers told the Globe that Rivers is still grappling with the decision, especially as the trade gets more complicated and negotiations more contentious. The talk of the Clippers acquiring Paul Pierce in the trade are remote.

The Boston Globe

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07:07 AM ET 06.18 | Stop us if you've heard this before: Mark Cuban is thinking out of the box. The Mavericks' big-fish recruiting pitch includes essentially offering an assistant GM job and a squeaky-clean salary-cap picture for next summer. We'll see whether Chris Paul or Dwight Howard bite as they weigh the opportunity in Dallas against other options. ... "In essence, you get to come in and, it's you and we have room for two more max free agents (next year)," [Cuban] said during a Monday appearance on KTCK-AM. "That's why when I talked about a two-year plan, that's the concept there. So part of our sales pitch is, look, we're not going to try to fool you and say that you and Dirk (Nowitzki) and Shawn Marion and Vince (Carter) and fill are basically a championship team."

ESPN Dallas

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07:06 AM ET 06.18 | Metta World Peace insists the big guy isn't going anywhere, least of all Houston. [World Peace] joined Sportsradio 610 for an entertaining interview that touched upon the topic of Dwight Howard's upcoming free agency. When asked about the Lakers center who is about to be a free agent, World Peace said, "Well, he's not going to Houston, I tell you that." ... "I'm not going to try to convince him," World Peace said. "But definitely, I enjoy him, no question about it. I'll leave the convincing to the organization and to the fans. But for myself, I'm just working out and things like that, but I definitely enjoy him. He's a great person. Whoever receives Dwight Howard, they'll really enjoy their time with him. Hopefully, it's with the Lakers."

CSN Houston

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03:06 PM ET 06.17 | The NBA Draft is going to be one to watch for Minnesota Timberwolves fans everywhere. For the first time in what seems like forever, David Kahn will not be perched high above the Wolves' draft podium preparing to drop a bird turd on whatever ends up being picked. Flip Saunders is the man in charge and he seems ready to lead the team in a new direction. But who will the Timberwolves end up taking with the ninth overall pick in the draft? The consensus seems to be that they'll attempt to move up in the draft but if they can't get what they want, they may end up trading back. Trevor Mbawke is a name that is circling around the T-Wolves draft talks as he's one of a few names they called in for workouts this weekend. But while he's far from a top prospect, Mbakwe is a name that could fit in Minnesota and he wouldn't have to come very far to make Minnesota his professional home. Then again, the fact Mbakwe is just a stone's throw away from the Target Center at the University of Minnesota is likely a major reason he was worked out, but there could be some scenarios where Mbakwe could end up with the Timberwolves and one of them involves the Wolves trading down.

Fansided

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