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Check out Around the Association presented by T-Mobile to find out how the Celtics earned a trip to The Finals.

Stan Donaldson of THE PLAIN DEALER writes, "LeBron James invited several of his celebrity friends and NBA brethren to help raise money for the Akron YMCA, Akron Urban League and his own foundation that supports youth services, said Jakki Nance, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. The event was expected to raise $150,000, Nance said. State Farm Insurance, the main sponsor, gave away more than 400 Huffy bikes to Akron-area children. The children were selected to receive the bikes based on academic and physical fitness goals they met, Nance said."

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team has signed Darrell Walker, Pat Sullivan and Harold Ellis as assistant coaches. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Featuring Olympic gold medalist Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks) and four 2004 Olympians, USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team managing director Jerry Colangelo today announced the 12-players who will represent the United States in the Aug. 8-24 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, China. The player selections were approved by the USA Basketball Executive Committee, and will be nominated to the United States Olympic Committee to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games. Named to the 2008 USA Basketball Senior National Team were: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Kidd; Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).

On ESPN.COM, ESPN News Services reports "the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors have held discussions about a possible trade involving Jermaine O'Neal and T.J. Ford, according to reports in the Indianapolis Star and the Toronto Star. The Raptors -- eager to move an unhappy Ford and make Jose Calderon their starting point guard -- also would include center Rasho Nesterovic and possibly their first-round pick in Thursday's draft, both newspapers reported.

Paul J. Letlow of THE NEWS-STAR The source of inspiration and the driving force behind Karl Malone was always his mother. `I'm here today because of God and Shirley Malone,' Malone said. `She was my hero and will always be my hero.' Malone, who was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night, said his late mother's sage advice kept him going during his long NBA career.

In the COURIER POST, Don Benevento writes "Ed Stefanski doesn't feel like he's giving away any trade secrets when he says the Sixers' first goal going into the summer is to acquire a big man. "We'd like to get a power forward if we could," the Sixers general manager said. 'As a secondary goal, we'd like to get a point guard, but I think "big' is the No. 1 priority.' There are a couple of ways the Sixers can obtain a big man. One is via a trade or through free agency, and Stefanski said either is possible."

In the MEMPHIS COMMERICAL APPEAL, Ronald Tillery writes "Partly because of the team's stated goal of a three-year plan to build through the draft. And partly because Wallace has to now start proving that what he received in return for Pau Gasol during a February trade with the Los Angeles Lakers are more than beans but indeed magic seeds that will help the franchise grow. So as the Grizzlies prepare to enter the draft with two first-round picks -- No. 5 and, via the Lakers, No. 28 -- Wallace is the go-to guy. The guy handpicked by outgoing team president Jerry West doesn't have West hovering over the proceedings like last year. The guy who spent the previous 10 years integrally involved in the Boston Celtics' front office will have command over the Grizzlies' war room at a critical juncture for the franchise."

In the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, Janny Hu writes "with some teams looking for immediate help and others looking to build for the future, veteran stars can factor into draft chatter just as much as their soon-to-be rookie colleagues. The Warriors are no exception. Last year, they dealt away Richardson for the rights to Brandan Wright, the No. 8 overall pick. Last week, Warriors vice president Chris Mullin said he had again inquired about moving around in the draft and continues to explore all trade scenarios. Mullin believes his team is one good player away from being a legitimate playoff force, and with the draft unlikely to provide such a piece, he has two realistic avenues to secure one - trade and free agency."

In the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, Chris Tomasson reports "Allen Iverson regularly has said he wants to finish his career in Denver. It hasn't been just talk. With Friday the deadline for Iverson to opt out of the final year of his contract, the star guard decided not to do so and will return to the Nuggets next season. The move first was reported by the Rocky Mountain News after Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, confirmed his client's intentions in a phone interview. 'Things have gone well for him (in Denver),' Rose said of Iverson, traded from Philadelphia in December 2006. 'He's looking forward to taking the team (further).'"