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Hello Dribblers. I'm back. Last night's post was a simple miscommunication. There will be a short Dribbles today, a podcast tonight and a preview of tomorrow's upcoming playoff games. Get ready, get excited, put on your game shorts and let's get to it.

Playoff magic is about to start, and you don't want to miss out on this.Before I lose my vigor, let's get it in.

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The Warriors will extend general manager Larry Riley's contract through 2013 and bring in prominent sports agent Bob Myers to act as assistant general manager, a league source said late April 13. Details of the contracts were not available. Riley, originally hired as an assistant coach under Don Nelson, was an assistant general manager under Chris Mullin for the 2008-09 season and took over when Mullin was not extended before last season. He's been in the league for 20 years with extensive experience in scouting, coaching and player personnel. (San Francisco Chronicle)

-- I'm not sure I have a feeling one way or the other on this to be honest. Why, you ask? Because I probably don't care, but that's me. Some of you might care, and I like to think of you as the same type of people who play general manager simulators on the computer. Loads of geek fun.

You know what would be interesting? If teams could trade coaches and general managers. Can you imagine how much fun that would be? I'll trade you D'Antoni for Rambis straight up.

After 10 seasons with the Pistons concluded April 13 with a 104-100 victory against the 76ers, Tayshaun Prince will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career this summer, or whenever the NBA's labor situation is resolved. Prince, who scored 14 points Wednesday, admitted he had mixed feelings after what will likely be his Pistons swan song. (Detroit Free Press)

-- After 10 seasons in Detroit, his best days are behind him. He won't be able to enjoy this free agency. Well, not as much as he would have five years ago. Prince is another player that could be valuable to the Miami Heat, or any contender for that matter. He is a physical health nut and has kept his body in great shape. He should still be a good offensive player and a great defender for the next five years. Hopefully with some luck, the league will be able to keep him out of the clutches of the evil empire.

Mike D'Antoni now says he is leaning toward starting Ronny Turiaf at center in Game 1. He previously had hinted Shelden Williams would get the start. Anthony finished the regular season averaging 25.6 points in 77 games, including a 26.3 average in 27 games with the Knicks. (NY Daily News)

-- I expect this to change numerous times before the playoffs. D'Antoni is the great indecision. I'm not sure either player is a great fit to start though, but I'll talk more about that in my playoff preview.

Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan released a statement about the team's future, saying: "I don't want people to think we're not willing to spend. I want to spend money for a team that's going to get us in the top four (in the Eastern Conference), the top three. ... We haven't put ourselves in position to do that yet because of some of the stipulations of our contracts. And now this is the first time we feel like we're going to have a pretty good summer because we have some flexibility. We want to invest. To get where we have to go, we know we have to." (Charlotte Observer)

-- I think I'm one of the few people out there that roots for the Bobcats to be successful. Their importance to that city and state is often times understated. The issue is the last two owners really did a number on the city, and its fans alienated them to the point that they didn't want to support the team. This is something I think Jordan has done a great job of avoiding and trying to correct. But like all wounds, it will take time to heal Bobcat/Hornets fans. Well, that and wins.

While it's obvious there would be no summer league involving NBA players or drafted rookies in the event of a lockout, two people with knowledge of the situation said the event has not yet been canceled. There have been informal discussions for months between summer league organizers and league officials about what to do with the scouting event if there is a work stoppage, and the ideas have included bringing international teams to the event, one of the people said.

In addition, the D-League -- which will continue to operate during an NBA work stoppage because its players are not NBPA members -- is exploring the possibility of holding a Las Vegas event that would replace summer league. D-League officials, sources said, are exploring this hypothetical event without the assistance of Vegas summer league organizers. (CBS Sports)

-- Oh boy. I'm going to try hard to contain my excitement here. I mean, who wouldn't be pumped having the NBA fill its rosters with NBDL players to get the season going? Or watching NBDL summer exposes? International teams, too. Man, what did we do to deserve this kind of reward? 

OK, so at this point I am oozing sarcasm. Forgive me. But I will tell you this Mr. "I could take a D-league baller any day of the week," you are sitting on your couch right now reading the Dribbles, eating a twinkie and drinking a Coke. There isn't a single D-League baller that would drop 30-40 points on you in a heartbeat, so stop dogging them. I can because secretly I still admire them and watch their games and I know my place. Plus, it's easy to talk shit from my writer's chair. Very easy.

Once his break is over, Marcin Gortat has a summer plan to work out in Orlando and visit Phoenix and Poland while trying improve his post-up game, jump shot, and lower-body and core strength.

"I definitely look forward to come back strong, be one of this team's leaders and be a guy who is the future of this team for a couple years," Gortat said. (Arizona Republic)

-- A Gortat update: You know, for those of you who were worried about what Gortat was going to do with his offseason.

Mayors, millionaires and billionaires from Sacramento to Anaheim will descend on New York April 15 to argue over the future of the Kings. Anaheim officials are the latest to hop on the caravan. They announced they will attend the two-day NBA board of governors meeting at Manhattan's St. Regis Hotel. Their mission: Make a pitch for luring the Kings from Sacramento. The Anaheim delegation will include Mayor Tom Tait and billionaire Henry Samueli, operator of the Honda Center arena and the man negotiating with the Kings. The group will "let them know this city is NBA-ready," Tait told his City Council April 12. (Sacramento Bee)

-- This comes on the heels of Chris Webber's talk April 12 that he and some business people were trying to do their best to keep the Kings in Sacramento. You guys know my feelings on this already. The fans are still showing up in troves no matter what the Maloofs' claim. How do I know? My brother lives there. 

But it's more than that. This is the Maloofs running a business badly, not the business itself failing. I honestly think they have done it on purpose to move the team. If that is the case, the NBA should not let them get away with it. Take a look at their track record with good players since Webber left. They are trading away people like Kevin Martin who was just scorching people and been a great asset to other teams.

The fact of the matter is the Maloofs want out of Sacto and will do whatever it takes to get there. But trust me when I tell you, there is a  reason no other cities are willing to do business with the Maloofs and the Kings franchise.

Easy solution: Let Webber and his investment group buy out the team and let the Maloofs buy a baseball team or something. Either way, stop leting them destroy an NBA one.

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is doubtful for Game 1 against Memphis after spraining his right elbow in the regular-season finale.

The All-Star had an MRI exam April 14 that confirmed the sprain. Ginobili hyperextended the elbow in the first quarter of April 13's loss at Phoenix.

The Spurs said Ginobili will be listed as doubtful for the playoff opener Sunday. (ESPN)

-- Hate it when players are injured. Unless it means the Lakers may get lucky and might not have to play them in the playoffs. I know, I'm messed up, right? But as long as the injury isn't career-ending, I think it's fine to be happy about it so long as I don't wish injury on that player. 

Before you judge me, wouldn't it be nice if he were out for two games and the Grizzles had a shot at winning the series? Three would be a Laker dream come true. Besides, turn about is fair play and I still think the Spurs have some karma coming their way from their run ins with Steve Nash the past few years. Did I say run ins? I meant body checks.

The NBA has fined Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson $75,000 for making unauthorized public comments about collective bargaining, according to sources close to the situation.

The Lakers also separately were fined $75,000, sources said.

"It was really about the fact that there's going to be a lockout," Jackson told the small gathering of traveling beat reporters April 7 at a Portland hotel. "It's the perfect time to help the organization cover a gap if there's a lockout. My staff, all those guys who work with me. All those things played into it. I felt like an obligation."

"Who knows what the NBA is going to look like next year?" Jackson continued. "It's going to take on a whole different proportion. How long is it going to last? I think there are some people who are pretty convinced there's not going to be a year next year." (ESPN)

-- Really? This was talking about the CBA? I'm pretty sure he wasn't releasing riveting details with this statement, but sure, why not fine him $25,000 less than Kobe for saying some people speculate there won't be a season. 

File this under stupid fines and move on.

As it turns out, New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams may want to stay after all.

"I like this organization a lot," Williams said, according to the New York Daily News. "I like the direction they're going. They made me and my family feel real comfortable since I've gotten here. I like Coach [Avery] Johnson -- the way he coaches and the way he carries himself. I definitely can see myself staying here."

Williams, who averaged 15.0 points and 12.8 assists in 12 games for the Nets, can opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent after the 2011-12 season. The Nets are slated to move to Brooklyn in 2012-13.

The two-time All-Star said he would be amenable to signing an extension in the offseason.

"I would like to not have the distraction [of my impending free agency] during the season," Williams said, according to the New York Post. (ESPN)

-- This sounds like great news for Nets fans, bad news for the Knicks, and even worse news for the Miami Heat. For me, I hope he does stay. With all that is going on with the Nets, their move to Brooklyn and their possible name change, this is going to be a good thing to keep fans from abandoning the team.

Kobe Bryant met the real-life Rudy Ruttger April 13. Kobe said the movie changed his life and inspired him to have a great work ethic. But that wasn't the entire news story. Not at all. Because buried deep in the article, Kobe talked more about his recent foul language issue and how he is trying to own it. He also talked about his feelings toward people of the gay and lesbian community and his true feelings on the word "faggot."

"It's been a tough day," Bryant told ESPN. "For me it's about the bigger message. I made a mistake in terms of what I said but it's also the responsibility it carries with it. I don't want kids to think that's it OK or cool to call kids that or tease them because of that. I don't stand for that. I never have. I've been in so many altercations in middle school and in high school protecting kids from that. I certainly won't be a part of enhancing that and the feeling that it's OK. I just won't."

-- The funny thing is half of you will say Kobe is full of shit here. But when you look back on his life, you might realize he isn't lying. Kobe was always an outcast. He moved a lot, didn't keep friends for long periods of time and, until his late high school years, he wasnt' really "The Man." It's certainly conceivable he identifies with people who were cast out for their beliefs and feelings. 

Yeah, he said the word, but so have I, many a time when I was pissed off at someone. A lot of the time I felt bad for using it, but you can't take back what's already been said. You can only own it and move on, which is what Kobe is trying to do. So be a good fan, get off your high horse and let him.

Boston Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal, who suffered a right calf sprain April 3 against the Pistons, was back on the court briefly April 14 before the start of Boston's practice session at the Sports Authority Training Center at HealthPoint.

He did not address the media, hoping to test his calf the next couple days before that happens. (ESPN)

-- Sure, I'll believe it when I see it. If he stays healthy for a series, I'll send Jacob a bottle of American Honey Wild Turkey Whiskey. Drink it once, shot at a time on the rocks. It's smooth, like your favorite Bieber CD.

San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard said he'll hire an agent and enter the NBA draft, meaning the Aztecs are losing four starters from the best team in school history.

Leonard is skipping his final two seasons after helping the Aztecs go 34-3 and reach the NCAA round of 16 for the first time. The Aztecs lost to eventual national champion Connecticut in the West regional semifinal. (ESPN)

Sophomore forward Derrick Williams, who led Arizona to the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight this season, announced April 13 he will declare for the NBA draft.

Williams said he intends to hire an agent, forgoing his final two years of eligibility.

The 6-foot-8 Williams is projected to be a lottery pick in June's draft and likely will be among the players in the discussion for the No. 1 overall pick. He averaged 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds and was named Pac-10 player of the year. (ESPN)

-- I have to be honest, I'm not really impressed with the talent coming out of college this year. Anyone who isn't a senior should probably stay out of the draft, especially if there is a lockout. But that's me. Williams and Walker are probably the most pro-ready underclassmen. After that, the dropoff seems rather steep. I guess we shall see.

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And that's it my friends. A quick Dribbles for you and for me, but don't forget our podcast later tonight and our game previews all week. Until Monday, enjoy your weekend and enjoy the playoffs. They should be fun.

Birthdays for April 15

Player Name (playing years)
Cooper, Michael 1978-1989
Grundy, Anthony 2005-2005
Hansen, Travis 2003-2003
Hazzard, Walt 1964-1973
Lopez, Raul 2003-
Monia, Sergei 2005-2005
Pope, David 1984-1985
Redmond, Marlon 1978-1979
Roberts, Anthony 1977-1983
Schnellbacher, Otto 1948-1948
Smith, Mike 2000-2000
Williams, Cliff 1968-1968

Birthdays for April 16
Abdul-jabbar, Kareem 1969-1988
Ball, Cedric 1990-1990
Block, John 1966-1975
Clark, Keon 1998-2003
Deng, Luol 2004-
Diaw, Boris 2003-
Fontaine, Isaac 2001-2001
Gambee, Dave 1958-1969
Monroe, Rodney 1991-1991
Schoene, Russ 1982-1988
Whaley, Robert 2005-2005
Williams, Walt 1992-2002

Birthdays for April 17
Duncan, Andy 1948-1950
Govedarica, Bato 1953-1953
Johnson, Neil 1966-1972
Katkaveck, Leo 1948-1949
Molis, Wayne 1966-1967
Petrie, Geoff 1970-1975
Porter, Kevin 1972-1982
Ratliff, Theo 1995-
Russell, Frank 1972-1972
Searcy, Ed 1975-1975
Sparks, Dan 1968-1969
Walker, Horace 1961-1961
Watson, CJ 2007-

Birthdays for April 18
Bradley, Michael 2001-2005
Britt, Tyrone 1967-1967
Catlett, Sid 1971-1971
Creighton, Jim 1975-1975
Dawson, James 1967-1967
Gaines, Sundiata 2009-
Griffin, Taylor 2009-2009
Madkins, Gerald 1993-1997
McWilliams, Eric 1972-1972
Mearns, George 1946-1947
Ohl, Don 1960-1969
Otten, Don 1949-1952
Rohloff, Ken 1963-1963
Sims, Scott 1977-1977
Storey, Awvee 2004-2007