NBA Sunday

By Compiled by Loren Jorgensen, From Internet and wire service reports

Published: Sunday, Jan. 31 2010 1:18 a.m. MST

Game of the week

Today on ABC (1:30 p.m.) will be a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals — and a possible preview of the 2010 Finals as well. This will be the second-to-last game on an 8-game trip for the road-weary Lakers. Boston, meanwhile, is getting back to full strength after a rash of injuries.

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An advertisement featuring the NBA's two biggest superstars includes a gun reference, the same week two players were suspended for carrying firearms to the locker room.

The Nike ad, which appears in several publications including Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine, has LeBron James on one page and Kobe Bryant on the other. Along with the slogan, "Prepare For Combat," is a quote from each player showing how tough he is.

Bryant's blurb says: "I'll do whatever it takes to win games. I don't leave anything in the chamber."

The chamber in a gun is the compartment that holds the bullet before it is fired.

"The Nike print ad featuring Kobe Bryant was intended to illustrate his all out play and commitment on the basketball court," Nike said in a statement. "It is a commonly used reference for shooting the basketball and no offense was intended." ...

When Ed Stefanski was asked Thursday about reports that have swingman Andre Iguodala involved in possible trades, the 76ers' president and general manager did not rule out anything.

"I won't talk about trades or rumors," said Stefanski, who formerly was the general manager of the New Jersey Nets. "I will say that we're very active in talking to teams throughout the league, and we're listening to any option to improve the basketball team. When I was in Jersey, and here, I don't think there are untouchables.

"Anyone can get traded in this league, and we've seen it over and over. But we don't trade a player unless we get value back, basketball-wise."

Iguodala, who turned 26 on Thursday, has been linked to a deal that would bring Tracy McGrady and his expiring $23 million contract to Philadelphia. More recently, ESPN.com. reported that the Sixers and the Cleveland Cavaliers were talking about Iguodala. ...

Portland Trail Blazers senior vice president Sarah Mensah couldn't help but notice one handmade sign that appeared recently among the sea of placards and posters that fans display at Portland Trail Blazers' home games.

"Converted Sonics fans down from Seattle," it said.