News and notes out of the Southeast Division..
- While Kobe Bryant has alluded to possibly playing overseas after his career in the NBA, Heat star LeBron James says that he has no such plans, writes Michael Wallace of ESPN.com. “Nah. I mean, no. Nope,” James said of playing outside of the NBA late in his career. “This is the best league the world has to offer. And if I'm lucky enough, if I'm able to stay healthy, I would love to finish my career in this league. And that's what I plan on doing.”
- Forward Anthony Tolliver told Chris Vilvamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he planned on returning to the Timberwolves for most of the offseason. Of course, Tolliver wound up hooking on with the Hawks in late September. The 27-year-old will earn the veteran's minimum, a step down from his $2MM salary last season.
- Bobcats coach may employ a small ball lineup at times this season and shift rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist from small forward to power forward, writes Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.