Rajon Rondo may have helped push Ray Allen to Heat

Celtics guard Rajon Rondo was perhaps their biggest thorn when the Miami Heat played Boston the past few seasons.

Ultimately, he could have played the biggest part in the Heat landing three-point shooter Ray Allen. Multiple reports suggested a soured relationship between Rondo and Allen possibly led to Allen's departure.

Yahoo! Sports reported the two had a "cold war" that began during the 2009-10 season. That year, Rondo signed a five-year, $55-million extension, which soon after spawned Allen trade talk. Although their beef was nonconfrontational, the article stated they engaged in mostly "behind-the-back sniping to teammates" that led to a falling out.

Age also played a factor with the younger Rondo in charge of a veteran-laden team, led by Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

-- MCT Ibaka: Spain matches U.S.

Serge Ibaka believes Spain's Olympic basketball team has the talent to match the U.S. squad.

He's confident the 2008 silver medalists can compete with the 2012 gold medal favorites and world champions during the games.

"They are just like us, they also have players with a lot of talent," the Oklahoma City power forward said.

The 22-year-old Ibaka will make his Olympic debut with Spain. Spain has the bulk of its 2008 team -- including Pau Gasol, brother Marc and Rudy Fernandez -- returning, aside from injured point guard Ricky Rubio.

Blazers' GM Miller quits

Larry Miller has resigned as president of the Portland Trail Blazers. The team announced Miller's surprising departure Saturday. The team reported he is leaving to take a position with another Portland-area business. Miller was president of the Blazers the past five years. He helped oversee the team's hiring of Neil Olshey as general manager early last month.-- AP