Stern may review draft lottery system

The NBA may consider examining its draft lottery system after speculation some teams weren’t trying their best to win late in the season with the hope of improving their chances of getting the top pick.

NBA Commissioner David Stern, speaking Tuesday before the lottery was held, also defended the league’s mandatory suspension policy for players leaving the bench area during an altercation. The rule helped the San Antonio Spurs oust the Phoenix Suns after Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were suspended for Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Stern said he likes the lottery but wasn’t happy with the way some teams played down the stretch.

“I haven’t spoken to a lot of owners,” Stern said. “On the end of the season and what teams do competitively, I think we should look at the lottery system and see whether it can be improved. I believe that.”

Stern, however, stood by his last week’s suspensions.

“I’ve been commissioner for 25 years almost,” Stern said. “You enforce the rules as you see them. And one of the reasons the rule is in effect is that we guard zealously the court. We want our fans to be able to have the best seat in sports and we want them to feel safe.”

*

Greg Oden and Kevin Durant are in, and Tayshaun Prince and Tyson Chandler are joining them on the U.S. team.

Managing director Jerry Colangelo is set to announce the additions today in Las Vegas, where the U.S. will compete this summer in the FIBA Americas tournament.

Jason Kidd, Mike Miller and Utah teammates Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams also will be in camp.

Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul will be sidelined after surgeries. Also sidelined by injuries are Paul Pierce, Lamar Odom, Gilbert Arenas, Joe Johnson and Brad Miller.

*

The Houston Rockets scheduled a news conference for today to announce Rick Adelman, 60, as their new coach. Jeff Van Gundy was fired last week.

Van Gundy will team with play-by-play commentator Mike Breen and analyst Mark Jackson on the NBA Finals on ABC, it was announced.

*

Sam Mitchell received a three-year contract to remain coach of the Toronto Raptors. Financial terms were not disclosed but Mitchell was the NBA’s lowest-paid coach last season at $2 million.