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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Saturday / November 23.

NEW YORK — Count Sacramento Kings swingman Francisco Garcia among those who’d like Kentucky coach John Calipari to lead the Dominican national team at next summer’s Olympic qualifying event.

“He’d be more than welcome, you know, he’s a good coach, great coach,” Garcia said after scoring 8 points and grabbing 5 rebounds as the Kings downed the Knicks, 93-83, Friday night at MSG.

The Dominican team could feature as many as four NBA players in Garcia, Al Horford, Charlie Villanueva and Trevor Ariza.

NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony’s agent, Leon Rose, huddled with Knicks president Donnie Walsh Friday night at Madison Square Garden before the Kings-Knicks game.

“He just wanted to talk to me,” Walsh said. “He’s here.”

Asked specifically if they discussed Anthony, Walsh said, “No, no, no, no. I’m not talking about that. I’m going to make that real clear.”

He added: “We’re linked to Carmelo or whoever by what’s in the press. Period.”

Mike Rice was so thoroughly disgusted with the lack of leadership from Jonathan Mitchell and his other seniors in Tuesday’s 67-53 loss at UConn, he put the walk-ons in during the second half.

“When you do that, it’s that you’re not going to tolerate their lack of intensity, energy or fight,” Rice said on Thursday’s Big East conference call.

“They get that glazed look. At halftime there was just no buzz. We’re facing a Top 10 team and the nation’s best player [Kemba Walker], we’re down five and there wasn’t a buzz, there wasn’t an energy…If that happens I’m not going to stand for it. I’ll let the walk-ons represent us.”

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