NBA | Magic Johnson, Larry Bird recall rivalry in new book

Larry Bird doesn't understand what all the fuss was about. So what if LeBron James didn't shake hands with the Orlando Magic after his Cleveland Cavaliers lost in the Eastern Conference finals?

"When basketball is over, you live the rest of your life and you'll have plenty of time for that," Boston Celtics legend Bird said of players being friends with opponents.

His greatest rival — and today one of his greatest friends — agreed.

"We never shook each others' hands," Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson recalled.

The two Hall of Famers — their names forever linked — have written a book together. "When the Game Was Ours," written with Jackie MacMullan, comes out Wednesday.

Bird and Johnson said they were tired of other players, coaches and reporters writing about what the two were supposedly thinking during their many showdowns.

"What better way to do it than to do it together?" Johnson said Monday on a conference call with Bird. "We've been through so many great moments — most of the time against each other — special moments, and just being friends as well.

"I think it's a unique situation that two guys who were all about winning and all about playing the game the right way — who had a chance to change the game at the time and take the game to another level — are able to write a book together."

They said they talk a few times a year, but when they do, they could talk for hours.

The two first bonded while shooting a Converse commercial together in Bird's hometown of French Lick, Ind. They learned how much they had in common — two Midwesterners from strong families of modest means.

Not that the encounter softened their rivalry.

"I disliked the guy," Johnson said. "I hated the guy — because I knew he could beat me."

Knicks' Robinson

might miss 2 weeks

NEW YORK — Guard Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks could miss two weeks because of a sprained right ankle.

Robinson, a former standout for the Washington Huskies and Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, was hurt Saturday night in an overtime loss to Philadelphia and was on crutches before the Knicks' game against New Orleans on Monday night.

X-rays later in the evening were negative.

Robinson typically is one of the top players off the New York bench but has struggled this season, averaging 8.7 points on 27 percent shooting.

Walton won't return

as analyst for ESPN

BRISTOL, Conn. — Hall of Famer Bill Walton won't return as an analyst for ESPN's NBA coverage.

Walton said in a statement Monday "it is time to dedicate the rest of my life to service." He missed most of last season while recovering from back surgery. Walton calls his battle with back problems a "life-changing ordeal."

Walton had worked for the network since the start of its NBA coverage during the 2002-03 season.

League to review

Paul-Rondo incident

NEW YORK — League officials are reviewing a postgame incident in Boston involving New Orleans guard Chris Paul and the Celtics' Rajon Rondo.

Paul pursued Rondo toward the Celtics' locker room and had to be blocked by Boston assistant coaches after the Celtics' 97-87 victory Sunday night. The point guards had been assessed matching technical fouls in the second quarter after they got tangled up under the basket.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank confirmed the league was looking into the incident, though Paul seemed unaware and unconcerned.

"That's over and done with," he said after a 117-111 loss in New York.

Notes

• Rondo, 23, said he has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Celtics, meaning he won't enter the market as a restricted free agent after the season.

The deal has yet to be signed but Rondo said that was just a "formality."

• Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Redd is out for at least two weeks after straining a tendon in his left knee during Milwaukee's home opener Saturday.

• Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs was vaccinated for rabies after catching a bat and removing it from the court — to thunderous cheers — during a home victory over Sacramento on Halloween.

• Kevin Martin scored 48 points to lead host Sacramento to a 127-116 overtime victory over Memphis.

Spencer Hawes, a former UW Huskies and Seattle Prep player, had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings (1-3), who gave coach Paul Westphal his first victory with the franchise. Westphal is a former Sonics player and coach.