OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) For a megastar on a tradition-rich franchise with 16 NBA championships, Kobe Bryant has no problem admitting how the Los Angeles Lakers' shortcomings have popped up repeatedly this season.

Bryant plopped down in a chair courtside at Chesapeake Energy Arena after the Lakers' practice Tuesday and talked shamelessly about their second blowout loss in five days - this one by 29 points - and what it will take to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.

"We're a team that doesn't get down when we get blown out. We've been blown out a bunch of times this season, blown out last series a couple times," Bryant said.

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NEW YORK (AP) Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird was voted the NBA's Executive of the Year on Wednesday, becoming the first person to win that award, plus the MVP and Coach of the Year honors.

The Pacers went 42-24 and are tied 1-1 with Miami in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Bird's moves to strengthen the team during the offseason included promoting Frank Vogel from interim to head coach and signing starting forward David West. Read More...

PHILADELPHIA (AP) See ya, Chicago. Thanks for the split, Boston.

These young-and-fun 76ers are loaded with postseason surprises, aren't they? Read More...

NEW YORK (AP) The NBA has fined Lakers forward Devin Ebanks and center Andrew Bynum for separate violations during the team's second-round series against Oklahoma City.

Ebanks was fined $25,000 for his actions before and after his ejection in the Lakers' 119-90 loss in Game 1 on Monday. He was thrown out for saying something to an official in getting a technical foul, then ripped off his jersey as he walked back toward the locker room. Read More...

SAN ANTONIO (AP) Spurs guard Tony Parker has a message for the Los Angeles Clippers after being held to just seven points in their playoff series opener: Keep it up.

Parker sounded content Tuesday with his lowest-scoring postseason game in eight years since the Spurs still took Game 1 from the Clippers and extended their winning streak to 15. Read More...

MIAMI (AP) LeBron James and Dwyane Wade did almost everything for Miami - until the final minute.

And that has the Heat facing their first big problem of the postseason. Read More...

CHICAGO (AP) The doctor who operated on Derrick Rose's knee insists the Chicago Bulls' star can dominate again.

It will take time, though. Read More...

DALLAS (AP) The coach who led the Dallas Mavericks to their only NBA championship is staying put.

Rick Carlisle has signed a new contract with the Mavericks, a year after winning the title. While terms of the deal weren't released, owner Mark Cuban indicated in a statement Tuesday that it was for at least as long as the coach's initial four-year contract. Read More...

SEATTLE (AP) Attempts to build an arena that could bring the NBA back to Seattle took another step forward on Wednesday when the city, King County and investor Chris Hansen announced a memorandum of understanding laying out the financial responsibilities for the proposed venue.

Unlike an original rough proposal unveiled in February, the agreement announced Wednesday indicates that construction on the facility could begin with only an NBA franchise having been acquired. Previously, officials had indicated that for the financing plan to work, both NBA and NHL franchises would be needed. Read More...

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Lakers star Kobe Bryant says he doesn't take charges, and he's got a reason for it.

Based on his own analysis of NBA greats from Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, Bryant believes there's too much of a health risk to get run over by an opponent and go crashing to the floor repeatedly. Read More...