text: On Nick Young: “He had three really good practices. He was awesome today. He was probably the best player in practice today. I would think that if he recovers tonight and tomorrow we think he’s fine, then he’ll play.”
  On DerMarr Johnson and Linton Johnson: “We waived forwards DerMarr Johnson and Linton Johnson – both played very well for us and have been NBA players and will continue to be NBA players. We really appreciate their efforts and their professionalism.”
  On finishing up the preseason: “(We need to be) very serious. We have to be professionals and go out to San Antonio and Cleveland and get some momentum. We need to get some momentum going into the season. The last few practices have been exceptional. The younger guys have been playing great and the veteran leadership has been awesome. It is what it is now – we made our final cuts to the roster and this is the team, so we know our personnel and what to expect going forward.”
  On today’s practice: “I think today was great. Over the last couple of practices, everything is really coming full circle. We’re getting into the bulk of our offense and we’re playing against a real intense defense. Guys are really trying to earn minutes. Everybody is trying to put their best foot forward, trying to earn quality minutes and show the work that they put in all summer. We’re anxious to play and I think everybody around the league is too.”
  On preparing for the regular season: “We still have a ways to go, but I think the sense of urgency is definitely there between the coaches and the players. We know the amount of improvement that we need and what we have to do to get to that point. There’s no panic button or anything like that, but it’s just time to turn things around. It’s time to get focused and be mentally prepared for what we need to do.”
  On his health heading into the season: “I feel great. I’m ready for the season start. I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing. We know that we need to go out there and start it off right.”
  On how he’s feeling heading into the season: “I feel good. I’ve had a lot of rest, so I was energized out there. My shot was falling, so that’s always a confidence booster. (I feel the intensity picking up) especially from the veterans like Caron, Antawn and DeShawn – they’ve been going hard.”
  On how his familiarity with the team has been beneficial to him: “Just knowing the system (has helped me). Coach (Eddie Jordan) has a lot of confidence in me – he knows that I’m going to go out and execute plays and be in the right position on the floor. My job is to do what they ask of me. Whatever my role is, that’s what I’m going to go out there and do.”
  On what he wants to accomplish before the season starts: “It’s time for us to get more serious. We’ve got to start trying to develop a flow together with the rotation guys. Even though it’s preseason, (we need to) try and get some wins and compete. The season is right around the corner – it starts on Wednesday. It’s time for us to get serious and focus.”
  The Indianapolis Star (Mike Wells) reports: The NBA’s Players Association took the first step in trying to resolve point guard Jamaal Tinsley’s situation when it filed a grievance on his behalf Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers. Tinsley’s agent, Raymond Brothers, said last week they planned to file the grievance because he wants the Pacers to trade, release or buy out his client. Tinsley was barred from the team before training camp. He will make more than $14 million in the final two years of his contract, which expires in 2010-11. Pacers president Larry Bird said they have no intention of buying out Tinsley’s contract.