NBA: March 16, 2006

Now that Knicks coach Larry Brown has made it apparent that he and Stephon Marbury cannot coexist after his blast of the former Timberwolves guard Tuesday, maybe owner Glen Taylor can find a way to reacquire Marbury, one of the only ways this Wolves team is going to regain the confidence of fans. -- Minneapolis Star Tribune

The Bulls , and about 27 other teams, will try to get Kevin Garnett this summer. I'd say the Bulls ' offer would have to include probably the best of the Bulls ' two first-round picks and Tyson Chandler or Luol Deng . If the Bulls could make that deal, it's uncertain if they would have enough left to entice Garnett to come. -- Chicago Tribune

Marbury has told at least two teammates that he expects to be traded during the offseason, according to a team source. Following Monday's loss to Denver , Marbury told a teammate that he is looking forward to next month's exit interview with James Dolan , Isiah Thomas and Brown so he can express his feelings about Brown in front of the organization's highest-ranking officials. -- New York Daily News

Marbury accused Brown of trying to drag him into a public dispute and said the coach is making their ongoing feud a personal one. Marbury called his coach insecure and promised to "defend myself" for as long as Brown continues to criticize him publicly. -- New York Daily News

Al Harrington , on Isiah Thomas ' free-agent wish list, took pregame warm-ups as his agent Andy Miller looked on. Suddenly, Knicks player personnel director, Brendan Suhr darted to Miller for a chat, prompting one Hawks official to say, "They're already trying to sign him." -- New York Post

The hope was a couple of days of rest and treatment would clear up Bulls guard Chris Duhon 's back problem -- he had an epidural Sunday -- but the injury has lingered. This is the second straight year that Duhon has developed back problems late in the season, prompting some to wonder if he should stop taking so many charges on the defensive end. -- Chicago Sun-Times

Owner Paul Allen has not attended a Blazers home game in months, nor has he met in person with local government officials to discuss the team's request for a public-private partnership. But he was in New Jersey watching the team a few hours after his representatives met with Portland officials in a closed-door meeting. The gathering marked the third time representatives of Allen 's Vulcan Inc. have met with the city to discuss ways to improve the team's finances. But Nancy Hamilton, Mayor Tom Potter's chief of staff, said that the Blazers have not asked for anything specific from city government. -- The Oregonian

In preparation for his post-playing career, point guard Sam Cassell said he hoped to coach the team's entry in summer-league play. The 13-year veteran wants to lead the Clippers when he retires, and he's eager to practice. Cassell , 36, is in the final year of his contract. He said he hoped to play at least two more seasons as a backup to promising point guard Shaun Livingston , and the Clippers are expected to try to re-sign him. -- Los Angeles Times

Denver Nuggets backup point guard Earl Boykins likely will miss the remainder of the regular season after breaking two bones in his left (nonshooting) hand Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers . The injury leaves Andre Miller and Howard Eisley to handle the point guard duties in the final month of the regular season. -- Rocky Mountain News

Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said forward Keith Van Horn might be ready to play as early as Sunday at the New Jersey Nets . Van Horn has missed the past seven games after spraining his left knee during a March 3 game against Charlotte . Johnson said once Van Horn returns, he's going to have to play with some level of pain. -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram