Chris Silva of the Detroit Free Press: "Flip Saunders said Rasheed Wallace has been focused and has helped set a tone for the younger players.'You know, Coach Wallace has done a pretty good job along those lines,' Saunders said. ... As for that 'Coach Wallace' label? Well, there are a few who could see Wallace patrolling the sideline someday. 'We always talk about it,' Saunders said. 'Before it's all said and done I think he will. No one thought Larry Bird would get involved in anything and Larry got involved. It's the ones sometimes who you least expect it, those are the ones who end up jumping into it full force.'"
Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: "So now Shaq wants to come back to Orlando and become a general manager. Thanks, big fella. But no thanks. A decade ago, you left the Magic for Hollywood and called Orlando 'a dried-up little pond' on your way out the door. Speaking on behalf of the rest of the muck-dwellers at the bottom of the basin, I have a message for you, Shaq Daddy: Take your GM job and shove it!"
Rick Alonzo of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "Those close to him say Mark Madsen is a hard-working veteran caught in a difficult situation on a team that is rebuilding. Madsen signed his contract the summer after the Wolves failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Even though he will finish with his single-season career low in games played, Madsen hasn't complained. 'It hasn't worked out this year for me to play as much as I've wanted to,' Madsen said, 'but I try to focus my energy on making other people better in practice, on being positive in games, and on helping the young guys adjust to this level, whether it's feedback, little tricks I've picked up here and there through the years. I made a commitment to (owner) Glen Taylor that I would give every effort to the team.'"
Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "The Big O will be honored tonight at halftime of the Bucks-Orlando Magic game at the Bradley Center, and nine other former Bucks players are expected to attend as the franchise's 40th anniversary team is saluted as well. In an interview Thursday at the Pfister Hotel, Robertson recalled his days with the Bucks and grabbing the NBA title that had eluded him in 10 years with the Cincinnati Royals. 'I never thought about a championship when I first came here, to be honest,' the 69-year-old Robertson said. 'The Bucks brought in McCoy McLemore, Bob Boozer. They had Dick Cunningham and brought in Lucius Allen. When you have a bench like that, not many teams are going to beat you. That is what (Red) Auerbach would always do; he would always have veterans on his bench. Now the guy down in San Antonio (Gregg Popovich) is doing that; he has seasoned vets. That's what you must have, so when they get in the game they don't mess up anything. When the Bucks brought these guys in, it was a blessing.'"
Ronald Tillery of The Commercial-Appeal: "In an interview on the eve of the Grizzlies' first meeting with the Lakers since their blockbuster deal, Pau Gasol (who's not expected to play tonight because of injury) discussed life in Lakerland, Memphis' fan apathy, and his feelings about the trade. Q. What's the difference between playing for the Grizzlies and Lakers? A. I feel appreciated. I always felt wanted and respected in Memphis. Some people appreciated the job I did. Not everybody. But I've been a pretty consistent player for my career and in tough situations. I know that, and I'm proud of that. Nobody is going to be able to take that away from me. But people here have been thrilled and excited since Day One. Obviously, that's nice. It feels good to be in this situation. It's fun."
Woody Paige of The Denver Post: "Yea-Yea, Ne-Ne! With good cheer, 46 minutes and 43 seconds into Thursday night's game and 73 days and 12 hours after he underwent cancer surgery, Nene returned to where he belongs -- the basketball court. Nene Maravilha. Nene is The Wonder. A month ago the Brazilian was getting a chemotherapy treatment. On Thursday night he was getting a standing ovation from 18,247 and a hug from the opposing players. The Nuggets beat the Mavericks 118-105 in an all-important Western Conference game. But Nene beat cancer, which is really all-important."
Scott Souza of The MetroWest Daily News: "There's a scene late in the 'Godfather' when Michael Corleone turns to his soon-to-be-late brother-in-law Carlo Rizzi and informs him: 'Today, I settle all family business.' In one respect, the Celtics will get their chance to make a similar statement tonight. With a victory over the Hornets (TD Banknorth Garden, 7:30 p.m.), the Celtics will have completed the extraordinary task of beating every team in the NBA at least once this season. It is the type of accomplishment that doesn't have a lot of tangible benefit, but like any looming achievement brings with it a certain amount of motivation."
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