Nelson `A Done Deal’; Pippen A New Deal?

Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson might not return to the team after the All-Star break, according to Friday’s San Jose Mercury News.

His departure is “a done deal,” an unnamed source told the newspaper.

Nelson missed seven games this season because of pneumonia, which some blamed in part on stress following the holdout and subsequent trade of power forward Chris Webber. Nelson also missed Thursday night’s victory over Denver to be with his ill mother in Phoenix.

“I can tell you there’s no done deal,” new owner Chris Cohan said. “I haven’t sat down and talked with him for a while. I’ll see him in Phoenix.”

The Mercury News also quoted an on-court conversation between guard Tim Hardaway and Donn Nelson, the coach’s son and top assistant, during which Nelson hinted that the Nelsons may not be around for the second half of the season.

The newspaper said the Phoenix meeting between Cohan and Nelson was to discuss a buyout of Nelson’s contract, which has three years left. The pact has a clause which allows either side to break the deal by paying the other $1 million.

Will Suns shine on Pippen?

Scottie Pippen, Chicago’s disgruntled forward, said he is the subject of trade talks between the Phoenix Suns and the Bulls.

The proposed deal would send him to Phoenix for All-Star guard Dan Majerle, rookie guard Wesley Person and possible draft picks, Pippen said.

New faces in the East

There’s a changing of the All-Star guard in the Eastern Conference.

Perennial All-Stars such as Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas have retired, Dominique Wilkins didn’t make the team, and Mark Price is injured. With that group gone, the All-Star game belongs to a crop of new players - Shaquille O’Neal, Anfernee Hardaway and Grant Hill.

Five first-time All-Stars will play for the Eastern Conference on Sunday: Orlando’s Hardaway, Detroit’s Hill, Milwaukee’s Vin Baker, Philadelphia’s Dana Barros and Cleveland’s Tyrone Hill.

Even the coach - Orlando’s Brian Hill - is new.

3-point shootout?

In the eyes of classic long-range shooters like Larry Bird, the 22-foot arc has turned the NBA 3-point shooting contest into an exercise for centers, power forwards and other low-lifes.

Bird, who won the first three Long Distance Shootouts from 1986-88, has scoffed at any 3-point records set this season because the distance has been cut from 23-9.

MEMO: This sidebar ran with story: HOW THEY STAND Top teams at the All-Star break:

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Orlando 37-10

Central Division Charlotte 31-17 WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest Division Utah 35-13 Pacific Division Phoenix 38-10