LeBron James' tour-de-force performance in the first half of Game 6 proved to be the catalyst the Heat needed to push the Celtics to a series-deciding Game 7 on Saturday in Miami. With 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in the Heat's 98-79 victory, James became the first player to notch such prolific numbers during the playoffs in over 15 years. Let's check in on the latest news and headlines from around the league…
- The Magic need to look beyond the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Phil Jackson to find a real general manager to help right the franchise, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel. Names like Jeff Bower may not be the made-for-TV choice for the Magic at general manager, but would help provide stability moving forward and ultimately give the team the best opportunity to retain Dwight Howard.
- Andy Dolich of CSNBayArea.com has the latest updates on the Warriors' plans for their new arena to be built in San Francisco. The arena is expected to be completed within five years, which Dolich suggests to be a very ambitious timeline.
- Roy Hibbert enters the offseason as a restricted free agent but expressed his love for Indiana during a charity softball game on Thursday night, reports the Associated Press (via NBA.com). Hibbert has not said that he will take a discount to stay with the Pacers as the former Georgetown big man is expected to draw attention from around the league.
- Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune says the stars of Kentucky's recent NCAA title run are planning to meet up for a mini-reunion during the combine in Chicago. Kentucky has six members of its championship team in town and could surpass 2010 when the school set a record when it had five players selected in the first round.
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