NBA Insider with Ken Berger

David Stern held a news conference in London today before Kevin Garnett and the Celtics played KG’s former team, the T-Wolves, in a preseason game.

Any stunning revelations or updates on the Tim Donaghy situation or fallout from it? Nah.

Stern said he is analyzing interviews that were conducted with all 60 officials and will “have something more to say before the regular season begins.”

“We remain, based upon all of the information we have, of the strong view that Donaghy was an isolated instance of criminal activity,” Stern said.

Stern said some officials revealed “violations” of league rules. Presumably, these are the minor gambling issues – outside of betting on NBA games – that Donaghy was reported to have divulged to federal authorities.

“I told the officials at their meeting, actually, that we won’t be terminating any officials for violations of league rules,” Stern said. “There were some violations but they’re not hanging crimes.”

Stern gave no specifics on how the league intends to improve background checks for referees or enhance the performance review process.

“We’ve got to be quicker in admitting when mistakes have been made by officials and be more transparent when it comes to that, rather than waiting for the public to come to us,” he said. “But I don’t think any more than making reporters personnel files public that we should be having referees’ human resources file being made public.”

As far as fan reaction to the scandal, Stern said, “For the most part, people appreciate the fact that we we’re out front with it, that we’ll be dealing with it in due course before the season begins.”

If you want specifics, you apparently have to buy an NBA franchise. Stern said he plans to “unburden” himself of all the facts he’s uncovered at the owners meeting Oct. 24-25.

Lastly, Stern reiterated his belief that it’s unfair to impugn the integrity of all officials based on Donaghy’s actions.

“It would be like me saying, ‘I understand that Jason Blair lied in his reports in The New York Times, how can I trust you?’” Stern said. “But I don’t say that to media. What I do is, I deal with officials as human beings doing a good job, telling them that we’re going to have to have more transparency with respect to their bad calls. We’re going to have to make sure they’re happier, make sure their work environment is one that they feel well supported and protected, and helping to develop them in their careers.”
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OK, enough is enough. I just got off the phone a while ago with Allan Houston’s agent, Bill Strickland, who shared some thoughts on why Houston is returning to the Knicks.

While the Nets were in hot pursuit of Houston, the Knicks were the only one of the six teams that worked him out recently that could give Houston a chance to play and practice near his Westchester home. Houston’s fourth child, a daughter, was born last week, and he “just came to the realization that he wanted to stay close to home,” Strickland said.

Houston has been aware all along that there are no guarantees he’ll make the roster. He concluded that the Knicks provided the best opportunity for him to find a niche in terms of providing veteran leadership.

“Isiah made it very clear from the very first time I contacted him about this that Allan would have to compete and perform because Isiah wants to win,” Strickland said. “Allan understand that’s the nature of the beast.

“One of the things that he factored into his thinking was an opportunity to exert or contribute a certain level of veteran leadership to a young ballclub,” Strickland said. “It’s not to denigrate the Knicks in any way. It’s just that he feels they’re a young ballclub and they’re looking for veteran leadership.”

Houston got a one-year deal, but the real mystery is whether it’s guaranteed. Since a roster spot isn’t guaranteed, logic would suggest that the contract isn’t either. But with the Knicks, you never know. They won the Randolph Morris derby, for example, by guaranteeing his two-year deal and not prorated his salary last season. Either way, Houston’s deal would have to be heavily incentive-laden.

If he makes the team, Houston could provide more than a few three-pointers and a little leadership. By reconnecting the Knicks to their successful past, Houston could bring some sanity and positive publicity to what has been a dreadful summer for the Knicks. Your thoughts?