NBA: April 7, 2006

Sources say the Sixers' locker room is more contaminated than the Knicks '. Most of the players don't think the coaches have anything worthwhile to say, from Maurice Cheeks to Henry Bibby to Moses Malone and right on down the bench. Players are longing for the serene old days of Jim O'Brien . The young guys could not care less what Chris Webber says to them about being professional, playing with a sense of urgency, whatever. Apparently, it's difficult to lead by example and vocally when you rarely practice yet take the second-most shots to Allen Iverson . -- New York Post

Sixers team president Billy King went on WIP 610-AM Thursday morning, following a listless seven-point home loss to the Bulls , and said: 'I noticed some guys aren't putting out the effort. It will be addressed - trust me. -- PhillyBurbs.com

During an online chat with season ticket-holders this week, Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor laughed when he was asked if Utah would offer to swap Carlos Boozer to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett , the Timberwolves' perennial All-Star who might be available this summer. -- Salt Lake Tribune

League sources said Sonics GM Rick Sund and Chris Wilcox 's agent, Jeff Fried, are scheduled to meet in a few weeks to begin preliminary discussions. -- Seattle Times

There are some Knicks who have either stopped listening to Larry Brown or have disrespected him outright. Stephon Marbury , Nate Robinson , Eddy Curry , Jalen Rose and Qyntel Woods , who shot back at Brown in a recent huddle, are on that list. Jamal Crawford remains the rapt student. -- New York Post

Larry Brown has said the club must ship out at least one or two of the crowded five-man backcourt. Tough defender Quentin Richardson and Jamal Crawford appear to be the guys Brown wants to keep. Stephon Marbury , Steve Francis and Nate Robinson are on the out list. -- New York Post

Knowing it's wise to be safe rather than sorry, the Raptors have shut down Chris Bosh for the season. The all-star power forward's sprained left thumb is still not healthy enough for him to play and the team decided yesterday to give him the final seven games of the regular season off. -- Toronto Star

Wally Szczerbiak will not play for the remainder of the season. Szczerbiak underwent an MRI on his left knee. Upon reviewing the results, team physician Brian McKeon in consultation with Szczerbiak and Celtics officials, determined that the veteran will undergo arthroscopic surgery Monday. -- Boston Globe

Phil Jackson knows who should be coach of the year: not him. "I shouldn't be there," he said Thursday. "There's so many other guys that have done a great job here this year." He mentioned Mike D'Antoni of Phoenix and Avery Johnson of Dallas as coaches of teams that are "surprising people." He also said Detroit 's Flip Saunders and New Orleans ' Byron Scott should be considered. -- Los Angeles Times

Shawn Kemp was unable to travel to Houston to work out for Mavericks coach Avery Johnson on Wednesday. But that doesn't mean the Mavs have given up on signing the 14-year veteran. -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram