playoffs by finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference. "

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers said his team has plans in place to allow Paul Pierce to retire as a member of the Boston Celtics if Pierce elects to end his playing days this summer.During an appearance on The Vertical podcast, Rivers said he believes Pierce hasnt made up his mind about his future.If Paul decides to retire, then were going to make sure that Boston picks him up for one day and he retires a Celtic, because thats what he should retire as, Rivers said during the podcast released Thursday. So we have all that in place. We just dont know what hes going to do.Added Rivers: I think Pauls going back and forth on it, and I want to give him room. I think he deserves it. From a team perspective, you would love that he made his decision eight weeks ago. I think there are certain guys that you just have to give time to, and Pauls one of them.Pierce, 38, played for Boston for 15 seasons before spending one season apiece with the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Clippers. He was the NBA Finals MVP in 2008 and is the second-leading scorer in Celtics history, behind John Havlicek.During an appearance on ESPNs The Jump last month, Pierce admitted hes 50/50 on whether to continue playing.Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan already retired this offseason, and Pierce and Kevin Garnett remain undecided on their futures. On The Vertical podcast, Rivers said, It may go down as the greatest retirement summer in NBA history.Addressing unsubstantiated rumors that the Celtics and Clippers have talked about a deal involving Blake Griffin, Rivers smothered the suggestion.[Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] and I have talked twice this summer. One [call] was about the British Open, and one was about another golf tournament. Thats about it, Rivers, who handles personnel decisions for the Clippers, told The Vertical podcast.Added Rivers: Its funny, you dont want to go out and send out a press release every time theres a rumor about Blake. We are hoping that Blake ends his career playing for the Clippers. Period. So when teams call, we say we have no interest. First of all, no teams calling right now because teams know we dont have any interest.It just tells you the different times. Things have changed. Everyone believes that theyre media now. ... Theres so many good, credible guys. And then theres some of the guys who are bloggers who have nothing to do with the sport.I helped my young son trace where this started -- the Blake rumor, the Boston rumor -- lets go there. ... My son traced it to, I think, it was a Boston radio talk show. And the guy didnt say that we had been talking, he said Blake would be one of the guys that the Celtics should go after. That started the next step, to the next step, to the next thing you know it blew up. And that stuff is tough. Steve Yzerman Red Wings Jersey . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Anthony Mantha Jersey . Soukalova missed only one target and completed the 15-kilometre course in 40 minutes, 32.6 seconds for both victories in this seasons individual discipline. Darya Domracheva of Belarus was second, 34. http://www.redwingshockeyauthentic.com/jonathan-bernier-jersey/ . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Gordie Howe Red Wings Jersey . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Trevor Daley Jersey . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats.Forward Danny Briere is preparing to become an unrestricted free agent as part of the Philadelphia Flyers off-season shakeup of their high-priced roster. A person familiar with discussions confirmed on Wednesday that Briere has been informed by the Flyers that they intend to buy out the final two years of his contract. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Flyers have not announced their decision. ESPN.com first reported Brieres pending buyout Tuesday evening. The move will shave $6.5 million off the Flyers salary cap. Philadelphia had one of the NHLs most expensive payrolls last season, and has been forced into a position to shed salary in order to get under next seasons cap, which will drop from $70.2 million to $64.3 million. Under NHL rules, teams have the option of two amnesty buyouts to terminate contracts before the start of the 2014-15 season. The Flyers are still on the hook to pay Briere two-thirds -- about $3.3 million -- of the $5 million the player was owed as part of the eight-year, $52 million contract he signed in free agency on July 1, 2007. Briere is a 15-year NHL veteran, who had six goals and 10 assists in 34 games last season. Hes a seven-time 25-goal scorer, but his production has tailed off as a result of varioous injuries, including a concussion and a broken wrist.dddddddddddd The move does not come as a surprise, and was one Briere anticipated could happen in late April, after the Flyers missed the playoffs by finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference. "I certainly hope Ill still be here," Briere had said. "But I also understand its a business, so well see what happens with that." The Flyers have already begun retooling their roster after agreeing to sign newly acquired defenceman Mark Streit to a four-year, $21 million contract. Philadelphia acquired Streit last week in a trade with the New York Islanders. Overall, Briere has 286 goals and 659 points in 847 games split between the Flyers, Buffalo Sabres and Phoenix Coyotes. Hes been even more productive in the playoffs, having scored 50 goals and 109 points in 108 games. The 35-year-old emerged as an offensive star and leader during three-plus seasons in Buffalo, when he helped the team reach the Eastern Conference finals in both 2006 and 07. The Sabres lost the conference final series both times. Briere helped lead a Philadelphia run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2010, but the Flyers missed the playoffs last season, and were eliminated in the second round in 2011 and 2012. ' ' '