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Early playoff exits bring uncertain futures

By WTOP Staff

JON KRAWCZYNSKI
AP Basketball Writer

The Golden State Warriors were just over two minutes away from advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the second straight season, yet no matter how promising the young core is that they have assembled, the future of the team is anything but certain.

When the Warriors let their lead over the Los Angeles Clippers in an emotional Game 7 slip away, the ground only got shakier under coach Mark Jackson’s feet. And he’s not alone.

Almost every playoff team that lost in the first round this year faces major questions about its roster or coaching changes this summer, proving that being a part of one of the most exciting and competitive postseason rounds in recent memory is providing little solace to those that are going home early.

The Raptors’ best player, point guard Kyle Lowry, becomes a free agent. Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter will be free agents in Dallas. Zach Randolph can opt out of his deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls will have to wait to see how Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah return from knee surgeries.

“I love Coach more than anybody, and I think for him to be in a situation where his job is under scrutiny and under question is totally unfair,” Warriors guard Steph Curry said of Jackson, who jettisoned two of his assistants in a tumultuous 51-win season. “And it would definitely be a shock to me if anything like (replacing him) were to happen.”

Life is rarely fair in the NBA, where George Karl was fired in Denver last season after being named coach of the year and Lionel Hollins was shown the door in Memphis after leading the Grizzlies to the Western Conference finals.

Should the Warriors job open, several high-profile suitors likely would line up to take over a talent-laden roster that, when Andrew Bogut is healthy, can play the kind of hard-nosed defense it takes to go deep into the playoffs. The New York Knicks have had discussions with TNT analyst Steve Kerr, but would a chance to take over a team primed to win right away convince him to look elsewhere?

In Toronto, coach Dwane Casey received a new three-year extension on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, but they still have to deal with Lowry’s pending free agency.

The 28-year-old Lowry, who long has been a talented but stubborn player, averaged 21.1 points and shot 39.5 percent from 3-point range in a seven-game loss to Brooklyn in the opening round. The Raptors’ rise was largely attributed to Lowry’s emergence as a dependable force, and now he will have a big decision to make.

“I love this place, it’s as simple as that,” Lowry told reporters in Toronto, though he would not commit to staying.

In Dallas, Nowitzki is widely expected to return to the only team he has ever played for, the one that took the top-seeded Spurs the distance in the first round before getting blown out. But he will be 36 in June and the Mavericks will have to retool around him and Monta Ellis to take another step.

The Bulls are also expected to make changes to the roster that once again overachieved. Carlos Boozer is a candidate to be amnestied and the offensively-challenged Bulls could try to lure Carmelo Anthony in free agency with the subsequent cap room.

And in Memphis, Randolph has a $16.5 million player option that he could forgo to try to get one more long-term deal.

“This is where I want to be at,” Randolph said. “This is home for me.”

___

AP Sports Writers Antonio Gonzalez in Oakland, California; and Teresa M. Walker in Memphis contributed to this report.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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