OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry and Draymond Green admire Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni from afar for how he empowers all his players to be scorers.No matter who you are, just let it fly — and for the Rockets that means regularly from 3-point range. And in transition whenever possible.Golden State coach Steve Kerr praises D'Antoni for influencing the way NBA teams now play offense: the pace and the space; precise ball movement and playing small without a traditional center; shooting at will and shooting from way back.Still, for all his success in leading the West's top team this season, D'Antoni might need a championship to validate his style.Standing in the way are the defending champion Warriors, who open the best-of-seven Western Conference finals at Houston on Monday night."He empowers everyone to shoot the basketball, and that's dangerous," said Green, Golden State's bruising forward. "That's why he's been so successful, especially on that side of the ball with any team he's ever... [More]

PF David Lee is expected to opt out of his $1.6 million deal for next season with the Spurs. The 34-year-old averaged 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 79 games last season.

Pau Gasol will decline a $16.2 million contract option for next season and become a free agent, but he is expected to re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs on a long-term deal, according to multiple reports.The 36-year-old center intends to negotiate a lower annual salary so that the Spurs are able to offer free agents more money this offseason, according to the San Antonio Express-News.The Vertical first reported Gasol's decision to opt out.Gasol averaged a career-low 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over 64 games (39 starts) in his first season with the Spurs last season.The 16-year Spanish veteran has career averages of 17.9 points, 9.4 boards and 1.7 blocks in 1,119 games with the Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies.Gasol is a six-time All-Star and a two-time NBA champion.Former All-Star David Lee is also expected to opt out of his deal with San Antonio. Lee's option for next season is worth $1.6 million. The 34-year-old averaged 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 79 games last season.

F David Lee (partially torn left patellar tendon) did not play Monday in the Spurs' season-ending loss to the Warriors in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

F David Lee (knee) of the San Antonio Spurs is expected to miss Game 4 of the Western Conference playoffs against the Golden State Warriors. Lee underwent an MRI exam and was found to have a partially torn patellar tendon. It is possible that he injury will require surgery. Lee suffered the injury during Saturday's loss.

F David Lee was forced from Game 3 vs. Golden State on Saturday with a hyperextended left knee late in the first quarter while hitting a layup and being fouled. Lee went straight to the San Antonio locker room and was not able to return to shoot the free throw he earned, meaning he could not return to the game.

F David Lee had a double-double off the bench with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

F David Lee did not play Tuesday due to a foot injury.

F David Lee and F Danny Green scored 14 points each Monday

F David Lee scored 12 points for San Antonio.

F David Lee equaled his season-best scoring output with 18 points and added 10 rebounds as the short-handed Spurs roared from behind to beat the Sacramento Kings 114-104 for their ninth straight victory.

F David Lee led San Antonio with 14 points off the bench Monday in a loss at Memphis.

F David Lee had 14 points and 11 rebounds starting in place of Pau Gasol.

F David Lee amassed 10 points and a season-high 16 rebounds in San Antonio's win over Denver on Thursday.

PF David Lee had a season-high 15 points Friday. Lee also grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds in just 17:31 of playing time.Lee may have been seeking revenge against the Celtics, who had him at the start of last season and hardly used him before he finished the season in Dallas."He's been playing really well," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said of Lee. "You kind of saw that toward the end of last year when he was with Dallas and he's been a really good fit."Lee is in shape and with the Spurs, where Popovich tends to get the most out of players -- and where he plays the hot hand. He had Mills running the show down the stretch with Tony Parker on the bench."It did not work out the way I wanted it to, these things sometimes happen," Lee said of his stay in Boston. "Obviously, I really respect the people and the organization, the guys on the team. I made sure to say hello to every single guy on the team as well as the coaching staff. Said hello to Brad, so there are no hard feelings on my end. I believe it is the same way on their end.

PF David Lee started in place of LaMarcus Aldridge (rest) and finished with eight points and 11 rebounds. Lee, 33, was a starter the first nine years in the league, but he started a combined total of just nine games the past two years.

Former All-Star forward David Lee has reached agreement on a two-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs, according to multiple reports.The deal is worth $3.2 million and Lee holds a player option on the second season.Lee, 33, averaged 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds last season while splitting time with the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.Lee was an All-Star in 2010 with the New York Knicks and again in 2013 for the Golden State Warriors.He spent his first five seasons with the Knicks and his next five with the Warriors. Golden State traded him to Boston prior to the start of last season.Lee has career averages of 14.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in 750 career NBA games.

F David Lee will miss the rest of the postseason with a right heel injury. He played through the pain in Games 3 and 4, but was in a walking boot Monday.

F David Lee, signed by Dallas in February, was cleared to play Thursday after missing the first two games of the series with a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot. Lee averaged 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds during the regular season for the Mavs.

F David Lee (foot) missed the first two games of the Oklahoma City series and his status for Thursday's Game 3 hasn't yet been firmed up.