Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the problematic playoff predicament Friday with broadcasters Bill Land and Sean Elliott during the Spurs-Suns telecast. Silver said the league needs to address the current format, which takes the eight teams with the highest standings from each conference.
From the San Antonio Express News:
“I don't know that there will be movement,” Silver said about changing the format. “My initial thought is we will take a fresh look at it. When these conferences were designed it was in the day of commercial (air) travel. It was very different moving teams around the country.
“In this day and age when every team is flying charter it changes everything. It's one of the reasons we moved back to the 2-2-1-1-1 format for this year's Finals.”
CAL INTERVIEWS EX-NBA COACH
A person with knowledge of the process says former NBA coach Eric Musselman has interviewed for the head coach opening at California.
Musselman met with athletic director Sandy Barbour about replacing Mike Montgomery, who announced his retirement last month. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday because the school hasn't released details of its search.
Musselman, 49, spent the past two seasons as an assistant at Arizona State, with the goal of landing a head coach job in the college game.
Musselman coached the Sacramento Kings for one season in 2006-07 after leading the Golden State Warriors from 2002-04.
He has developed many young players to NBA careers during several stints in basketball's minor leagues. He went 270-122 during seven years coaching the Continental Basketball Association's Florida Beach Dogs.
WALKER SITS OUT GAME WITH INJURY
Kemba Walker sat out Saturday night's Charlotte Bobcats game against the Philadelphia 76ers because of a groin injury.
Walker was injured in Charlotte's loss Friday night to the Celtics in Boston.
Clifford says Walker had an MRI on Saturday that showed no serious problems. He hopes to have Walker back on the floor Monday night when the Bobcats travel to face the Atlanta Hawks.
Luke Ridnour started in Walker's spot, and Jannero Pargo saw additional minutes in a reserve role.
Walker is averaging 17.8 points and 6.1 assists per game this season for the Bobcats, currently the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Contributors: Cassandra Negley, The Associated Press
