NBA Sunday: 24-second clock

Lakers point guard and former Jazz player Derek Fisher is the president of the NBA Players Association's executive committee. The union rejected the NBA's first collective bargaining agreement offer in February and is now working on their own proposal to give to the league. The current deal will expire following the 2010-11 season.

"We know there is going to be a lot of work involved," Fisher told the New York Times. "We'll keep pushing and see what we can give back into their hands. There's not a timeline or any guarantee it will be in their hands by a certain date. We have this season, this summer and the entire next year before we get down to doomsday."...

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge admits that his team's star power forward Kevin Garnett is not "as athletic as he was two years ago." Ainge added that Garnett needs his teammates to step up and carry their share of the load.

"I don't think KG is going to carry us by himself, so I don't expect him to," Ainge told the Herald. "Other guys have to help him, too, for us to be successful. I just think we give KG too much credit, and we give him too much (scrutiny) when things are not going right for us." . . .

Pacers rookie and former North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough has been out since late December with an inner ear infection and/or a possible concussion. He's not expected back this season even though the root of the problem is still a mystery.

"It really is miserable for me to be dealing with this injury," Hansbrough told the Indianapolis Star. "I've never had an injury like this where it's kept me out a long time. It's something I'm trying to get over and get healthy." ...

The New York Daily News reported last week that Atlanta star shooting guard Joe Johnson is likely to sign with the Knicks this summer as a free agent.

It's also common knowledge that the Knicks want LeBron James in the worst way and have freed up enough money to go after two big-time free agents.

ESPN's Ric Bucher, however, reports that if New York does land two big free agents, it will mean that there won't be enough money left over for the Knicks to keep All-Star center/forward David Lee around. ...

Ex-Jazz point guard Carlos Arroyo has become a fan favorite for the Miami Heat, especially to the Latino community. The Miami Herald reports that his jersey is the team's second-best selling — behind only Dwyane Wade's. — Internet and wire services

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