NBA roundup: Shaq decides not to interview for Magic GM job
NBA great Shaquille O'Neal has declined an invitation to interview for the Orlando Magic's vacant general manager position.
O'Neal had earlier expressed interest in the job.
"When I first heard about the vacancy for the Orlando Magic general manager position, I was clearly intrigued," O'Neal said in a statement Thursday. "I was drafted by the Magic, I have a great love for the franchise, and I have made the city of Orlando my home. Additionally, I have great admiration and respect for the DeVos family.
"However, this is not a job I have an interest in pursuing. I feel very fortunate to be with TNT and to have the best job in sports. I look forward to many more years with Charles (Barkley), Kenny (Smith) and E.J. (Ernie Johnson). I wish the best for the Magic and I am confident that they will select a great GM and coach."
Magic officials told ESPN.com Wednesday night that they won't publicly discuss the process or timetable of their GM and coach searches. On Monday, the team fired coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith.
O'Neal played for the Magic from 1992-96 and led the club to the NBA Finals in 1995.
---Two days after leaving Miami in a walking boot with a sprained ankle, Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger will return Thursday for Game 6.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel told reporters that Granger won't have any limitations as Indiana tries to extend the series to a decisive Game 7.
Granger left Tuesday's game after landing on LeBron James' foot after a second-quarter shot, spraining his left ankle. X-rays were negative.
---Superstars LeBron James of the Miami Heat and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder headline the All-NBA team that was announced Thursday.
James won his third MVP award this season, while Durant took his third straight scoring title. The two men could eventually meet in the NBA Finals.
The Los Angeles teams check in Lakers' Kobe Bryant and the Clippers' Chris Paul earning spots. Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard completes the starting five.
---In response to the NBA's suspension of Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem for a flagrant foul, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra claimed the Indiana Pacers have delivered some questionable hits on Dwyane Wade and LeBron James during the series without the league taking any action.
"The league does not have a problem with hard fouls on our two main guys," Spoelstra told reporters Thursday before Game 6. "In nine games now there's been over a dozen hard fouls to the face, some of the tomahawk variety, some have drawn blood. They don't have a problem with it, so we don't have a problem with it. We'll focus on what we can control."
Spoelstra was referring to all nine games the Heat have played against the Pacers this season.