Monday And-1 links: I don’t think Charles Barkley used a gay slur

Here is our daily look around the NBA — links to stories worth reading and notes to check out (stuff that did not get its own post here at PBT) — done in bullet point form. Because bloggers love bullet points.

• I did not see it live, but it did not sound to me like Charles Barkley used a gay slur Sunday night during the pregame to the Celtics. That idea blew up on twitter at the time. The USA Today has the video (below) and it sounds to me like he said “fan,” which is what the people from TNT claimed he said.

• The NBA’s “BIG” marketing campaign has been hit and miss, but the new Celtics playoff spot below is a hit for me.

• Look for Derrick Favors to get more run for Utah in Game 4.

• Orlando GM Otis Smith says he really wants to keep Ryan Anderson next season. He wants to keep a whole lot of big men this summer.

• A fantastic read on the evolution of Amare Stoudemire at the Arizona Republic.

• This is a fantastic read on your favorite referee, Joey Crawford.

• While we’re talking about things I liked reading this weekend, this New Yorker tribute to MCA is up there. RIP.

• Caron Butler‘s comment on playing with a broken hand: ““It’s not going to get any more broken.”

• Is Rajon Rondo the main thing between the Heat and a return to the NBA finals? Pretty much.

• Dallas GM Donnie Nelson says he would like to bring Jason Terry back. I think the price to do that is the real issue here.

• Spencer Hawes was playing very well before he got injured this year, and in the playoffs he has returned to that form.

• Evan Turner has started to look more like the No. 2 overall pick in the playoffs. He’s figuring out how to fit his game into the NBA.

• George Karl doesn’t like losing.

• That would be Dr. Shaq to you.

• Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney was at the Celtics game Sunday. Good for the former Massachusetts governor, but he’s still not carrying that state  come November.

• The Bucks are not in a hurry to give Brandon Jennings a big contract extension.

• Bucks owner Herb Kohl also is talking about getting a new arena built in Milwaukee.

• Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson is having surgery to deal with a heart arrhythmia. We wish him the best, he is in our thoughts.