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Thursday, July 14, 2011

Burress reflects: 'Nothing pleasant about prison'

11:44 PM

Happy new year 2012

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When it comes to playing again, Plaxico Burress just asks for a clean slate.

Speaking to The Wall Street Journal in his first extensive comments since being released Monday from prison, Burress reiterated he was ready for another chance in the NFL.

“
I'm taking it easy this week, but next week it starts again. I think I'll get right back into it and I'll fall back in line with all of it.
” -- Plaxico Burress

"I know what I'm capable of," the former Giants receiver told the newspaper. "All I need to say to teams is, 'Don't judge my future by my past.' Just let me come out and play football."

Burress confirmed prison-life cliches such as bad food and lost time held true. And the weight room wasn't much beyond serviceable, the Journal reported.

"There is nothing pleasant about prison," he said. "There's so much I can tell you and (at the same time) no one thing I can put my finger on. There's an emotional toll and there were definitely some guys I was around who'd done things that made me say, 'Really, seriously, I am here?' "

Yet Burress said he thought he left prison a better receiver than he entered.

"There weren't a lot of guys throwing perfect spirals in there," Burress joked. "I had to work to catch those balls."

Burress has not played football since late November in 2008 when a handgun that was tucked in his sweatpants slipped from his waistband and went off as he tried to grab the gun while in a New York City nightclub.

Burress shot himself in the thigh. Nearly a year later, he entered prison to serve his sentence in September 2009. He was released about three months early for good behavior.

Burress said he was able to watch NFL games on Sunday and Monday nights during the 20-month, 16-day stay at Oneida Correctional Facility in upstate New York.

"It definitely makes you hungrier. You watch your friends have success and you want to recommit yourself and accomplish things again," he said.

Burress said he will bide his time during the lockout by focusing on his family.

"Time had definitely passed," he told the Journal of seeing his family again, including 4-year-old Elijah. "I hold conversations with my son and I see how really intelligent he is and I'm so grateful."

On 18-month-old daughter Giovanna: "We just have to let her do her."

Burress said the family-first approach was part of the advice parted to him from Michael Vick, one of several NFL players who have offered their support and lobbied for the receiver's post-lockout services.

Former teammates Justin Tuck and Shaun O'Hara have said they would like to see Burress back with the Giants.

"You never know what may happen," Burress said. "I love New York. My fan base has always supported me there, and I've had teammates there who I've shared special moments with outside of football."

Burress said his agenda for next week, after he returns from Florida to his home in Totowa, N.J., will include a public appearance Monday with former Colts coach Tony Dungy to talk about gun safety.

"I'm taking it easy this week, but next week it starts again," Burress said. "I think I'll get right back into it and I'll fall back in line with all of it. How I feel about football and what I know I can do -- that's not anything two years can change."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Childress finds sliver of good in Busch incident

7:49 AM

Happy new year 2012

Team owner Richard Childress said Friday that NASCAR was correct in punishing him for assaulting Kyle Busch after last weekend's Trucks race at Kansas but that officials also should have dealt with Busch bumping into RCR driver Joey Coulter on the cool-down lap following the race.

"The main thing is I take all the responsibility for my actions last week. I am very passionate about this sport. I am passionate about my race teams, our fans and I let my emotions ... come in front of my passion. But that is behind us," Childress said from Pocono Raceway, site of this week's Sprint Cup Series race.

Will NASCAR finally put an end to all these off-track shenanigans and just get back to racing? Let's hope not, writes David Newton. Story

Childress was found solely at fault for the incident at Kansas Speedway, where he apparently approached Busch after the race, placed him in a headlock, and punched him several times. Childress dodged a suspension from NASCAR but was fined $150,000 and placed on probation through the end of the year.

He said Friday that his comments would be the only ones he'd make concerning the incident. He did not have an apology for Busch.

"Hopefully Kyle and myself will both end up learning something from this," Childress said.

Childress also said donations have been coming in to his team to help pay the fine, but he said payment would come from his own pockets.

"We had a lot of fans to send in donations last week toward our fine. I am going to pay it personally. All that money that has been sent in, that is still coming in, we're going to take and donate to the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma," he said. " At least in every bad situation, something good will come out of it."

After racing Coulter hard in the closing laps at Kansas, Busch bumped into the 21-year-old on the cool-down lap, presumably to show his displeasure over something Coulter had done during the race. The act of bumping is fairly common in racing, and likely happens between two drivers following every event.

Apparently it was the final straw for Childress, who let it be known he would not tolerate Busch damaging any more RCR equipment. His stance followed the incident at Darlington between Busch and RCR driver Kevin Harvick in May; a move by Busch late in the race caused Harvick to wreck with teammate Clint Bowyer, and Harvick tried to express his displeasure after stopping his car in front of Busch on pit road after the race.

Busch and Harvick, RCR's top driver, have feuded for years, and the tension was reignited last month after the race at Darlington.

Harvick tried to punch Busch while Busch was still seated in his car, but Busch instead rammed Harvick's car out of the way so he could drive off. Harvick's car turned into the pit road wall.

Busch and Harvick each was fined $25,000 for the incident, and placed on probation through June 15.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Manchester United beat Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees to be named world's most valuable team

6:52 AM

Happy new year 2012

From correspondents in Foxborough, Massachusetts
NewsCore
July 14, 2011 10:39PM

Top of the pops ... Michael Owen playing against New England Revolution. Source: Jim Rogash / AFP

Manchester United were touring the United States with an extra air of superiority on Thursday after Forbes confirmed the Barclays Premier League champions as the world's most valuable sports team.

While Sir Alex Ferguson's team easily dominated MLS team New England Revolution as expected in their exhibition game, the magazine's annual list confirmed that, off the field, the football giants are also outperforming the financial titans of North American sports.
United, whose success is rooted in its worldwide appeal and industry-high sponsorship deals, have an estimated value of $1.87 billion, placing them ahead of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys ($1.81 billion) and MLB's New York Yankees ($1.7 billion).
Washington Redskins, the NFL's most profitable team over the past decade, ranked fourth overall with a value of $1.55 billion, ahead of Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid ($1.45 billion).
Manchester United's owner, the Glazer family, was again represented on the list in 18th place, with its Tampa Bay Buccaneers valued at $1.03 billion. All 32 NFL teams made it into Forbes' top 50.
Eight soccer teams and six Major League Baseball teams filled out the list, along with two NBA teams and two Formula One racing teams.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Ex-Clips GM Dunleavy gets $13.5M from arbiter

2:49 PM

Happy new year 2012

Updated: June 11, 2011, 12:12 AM ETBy Ramona Shelburne
ESPNLosAngeles.com
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An arbitrator has ruled that the Los Angeles Clippers must pay former coach and general manager Mike Dunleavy $13,517,000 in compensation.

Although the case was heard several months ago before the Arbitration and Mediation Services in Santa Monica, the parties in the case were formally notified Friday.

The Los Angeles Times first reported the decision on its website Friday afternoon.

The Clippers, through their general council Robert Platt, indicated they did not agree with the decision and intended to "review the decision carefully and explore the team's various options."

Dunleavy's lawyer, Miles Clements, hailed it as a long-expected victory over the franchise, which had ceased paying Dunleavy in March 2010 after firing him as general manager. Clements added that since it was a binding arbitration case, there is no room for the team to challenge the ruling.

For more news, notes and analysis of the L.A. Clippers, check out the ClipperBlog. Blog

"They've got no place to run," Clements said in a telephone interview with ESPNLosAngeles.com. "This was a binding arbitration. Any lawyer who litigates will tell you that the grounds for challenging an arbitration award are exceedingly narrow and would not apply here.

"An attack on the award would really be an attack on the arbitrator and there's nothing at all to justify such an attack. That doesn't mean they might not make it, they might see it as a free shot. But there's nothing that would justify it."

The key issue in the case was whether Dunleavy breached his contract by resigning as coach of the Clippers in February 2010.

At the time, it was announced as a mutual decision. But in testimony presented to the arbitrator, several witnesses said Dunleavy had been forced to resign, Clements said.

"Their position was that Mike resigned from his coaching duties and refused to coach and therefore was in material breach of his contract," Clements said.

"Mike always wanted to coach the Clippers and never wanted to give up the duties. They gave him no option."

The witnesses who testified before the arbitrator included owner Donald Sterling, Dunleavy, Clippers president Andy Roeser, current general manager Neil Olshey and Michael Goldberg of the NBA Coaches Association.

Clements also argued since the Clippers paid Dunleavy in full during the month he was acting only as the team's general manager, it signified the team did not regard him as breaching his contract by resigning as coach.

"There's a principle of law that intent of the parties to a contract are determined by their conduct before a dispute," Clements said.

"They continued to pay Mike a full salary due under the contract for a month, then out of the blue they fired him, never gave him any explanation and didn't pay him a penny.

"If he had resigned as they said, then why did they continue to pay him if they didn't owe him? It was just nonsensical."

In the release announcing Dunleavy was relinquishing his duties as coach, a statement attributed to Dunleavy reads: "I've had several conversations with our owner (Sterling) concerning what we think is best for the team overall. We have discussed the possibility of my concentrating only on basketball operations. That option has always been available to me.

"I've come to the conclusion that this is the ideal time for me to direct my efforts toward the many personnel opportunities that lie before us, such as the trade market, the draft and the free-agent process. We fully expect to be active and productive on all those fronts."

However in sworn testimony before the arbitrator, Dunleavy and several other witnesses said he had been given no choice but to resign as coach.

When asked why Dunleavy would issue a public statement indicating the decision was mutual, Clements said, "That was a media spin to try and put the cloak of professionalism on this and suggest mutuality. It was in everyone's interest. Mike was going to be the general manager, it would undermine his position if they said, we're not going to let him be coach anymore.

"It was what made sense for everybody. But it came out in the testimony that they did not give Mike the option to continue to coach."

Dunleavy was fired in the fourth year of a five-year, $22-million contract. The award reflects both the money that remained due on the contract, money that had been deferred, and interest on the money Dunleavy would've collected had the Clippers been paying him since March 2010. The arbitrator ordered that it be paid immediately.

Ramona Shelburne is a reporter and columnist for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Follow Ramona Shelburne on Twitter: @ramonashelburne

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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

LA stadium planner: Talks had with 5 NFL teams

10:19 PM

Happy new year 2012

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LOS ANGELES -- The head of the sports and entertainment firm that wants to build an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles has been in talks with officials from five teams about the proposed venue, a company official said Friday.

Anschutz Entertainment Group President and CEO Tim Leiweke has spoken with representatives from the Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars, company spokesman Michael Roth told The Associated Press.

Leiweke said all those teams are "in the mix," but conceded, "We're not packing any (moving) vans right now," according to the Orange County Register, which was first to report on the talks.

The most recent discussion took place a week ago, said Leiweke, who didn't specify which team was involved.

Leiweke also told the Register that AEG owner Philip Anschutz was prepared to acquire a majority stake in an NFL team that would play at the proposed venue and that the company was willing to pay for a team to get out of its current lease.

AEG's $1 billion plan for a 72,000-seat stadium on part of the city's convention center campus is one of two competing proposals that aim to bring pro football back to Los Angeles 15 years after the Rams and Raiders left the nation's second-largest market within months of one another.

Warehouse magnate Ed Roski has permits in place to build a separate 75,000-seat stadium about 15 miles east of Los Angeles, in the city of Industry, but has also not secured a team.

Chargers spokesman Mark Fabiani told the AP that the team is in frequent contact with Leiweke concerning unrelated business, but that a move to Los Angeles has not been discussed.

He stressed that Chargers owner Alex Spanos and his family were not interested in relinquishing a majority stake of the team.

The family recently terminated an agreement with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to shop around a stake in the team they considered selling to reduce the 87-year-old Spanos' estate tax liability upon his death, Fabiani said.

"So if AEG is seeking a majority stake in a team, it would probably be best for AEG to cross the Chargers off its wish list," he said.

Raiders CEO Amy Trask said in a statement through spokesman John Herrera that the franchise would remain with the family of owner Al Davis.

"The team is not for sale," Trask said.

Herrera had no comment on whether a move would be contemplated if Davis retained ownership.

Vikings spokesman Lester Bagley acknowledged that the franchise had been approached by AEG and Roski's group about the possibility of becoming a Southern California team, but said the franchise had no immediate interest in a move.

He said the Vikings hoped state legislators would approve funding to subsidize a new stadium in the Twin Cities when they convene a special session to hash out a budget resolution.

"We believe we're in a position to resolve our stadium issue in Minnesota this year," he said.

Messages left with the Rams and Jaguars were not returned.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy declined to comment on whether the league was aware of team discussions with AEG.

"Teams are permitted to talk to third parties," McCarthy said in a statement.

Auburn hikes Chizik's annual salary by $1.3M

6:48 AM

Happy new year 2012

Fresh off winning the BCS national championship, Auburn coach Gene Chizik is getting a bump in salary that will make him one of the Southeastern Conference's highest-paid coaches.

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez MonsivaisGene Chizik's year includes winning the national title at Auburn, meeting President Barack Obama and getting a substantial contract extension.

Chizik has agreed to a new contract that will pay him $3.5 million annually and run through 2015. The coach's salary last season in leading the Tigers to the national title was $2.2 million.

"We believe that we have the best coach in college football," athletic director Jay Jacobs said in a statement announcing the deal. "More importantly, coach Chizik is a great mentor to our student-athletes, he represents Auburn with class and integrity in all that he does, and he is an outstanding ambassador for Auburn University."

With incentives, Chizik could earn up to $4.5 million with the new deal. He cashed in on incentives and bonuses last season, earning an extra $1.3 million for such accomplishments as winning the national title and national coach of the year honors.

Chizik does not have an agent, but worked on the deal with Birmingham attorney Russ Campbell.

"I want to thank President (Jay) Gogue and Jay Jacobs for their leadership and vision and believing in the direction that we have established for the Auburn football program," Chizik said in a statement. "I deeply appreciate their commitment to me and to the future of Auburn football.

"The success that we've accomplished in the past two seasons has been possible because of the collective efforts of the football coaches and staff, players, our administration and the entire Auburn Family. We will continue to work tirelessly to build the foundation of the Auburn football program so that we can compete for championships regularly."

Chizik now ranks fourth among SEC coaches in annual salary. Alabama's Nick Saban tops the list with an average of $4.7 million after signing a new deal in 2009.

Saban is followed by LSU's Les Miles at $3.75 million and Arkansas' Bobby Petrino at $3.56 million.

Chizik, entering his third season at Auburn, is 22-5 as coach of the Tigers, who beat Oregon 22-19 in January to win the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game. The victory capped a 14-0 and gave Auburn its first national title since 1957.

Chris Low covers the Southeastern Conference for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.

Follow Chris Low on Twitter: @ESPN_SEC

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Monday, July 11, 2011

Vick hopes Burress uses him as an example

12:00 PM

Happy new year 2012

PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Vick's advice for Plaxico Burress is to put his family ahead of football.

“
Hopefully he'll use my situation as an example and go out and try and emulate what I've done in his own way.
” -- Michael Vick

Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles' Pro Bowl quarterback, says he hopes Burress uses him as an example in his return to the NFL. The former New York Giants receiver spent nearly two years in prison for a gun charge and was released Monday.

Vick has made a remarkable comeback to the league after spending 18 months in federal prison for dogfighting charges. He led the Eagles to the NFC East title last season and was voted The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.

Vick hasn't communicated with Burress, but shared his thoughts on what he would say to him.

"Just take your time coming back and getting acclimated. Think family first and football second and it'll all work out," Vick said Wednesday. "It's great that he'll get a second chance. We'll pray for him, we're going to support him 100 percent and we're in his corner and we just want him to excel."

Vick was reviled when he came back, and there was an outcry from animal rights groups when the Eagles signed him in August 2009. But Vick won over fans in Philadelphia and outside the city, too, with his sensational performance on the field and his service in the community.

Burress doesn't have to overcome similar animosity, though he still faces some challenges.

"Hopefully he'll use my situation as an example and go out and try and emulate what I've done in his own way," Vick said. "That's what it's about. It's about growth and it's about learning. Things in life happen in stages and those are some things you have to go through as an individual."

The Eagles are rumored to be a potential home for Burress, and were even listed on one betting website as the favorites to land him at 3-2 odds. But a person familiar with the team's thinking told The Associated Press that Burress isn't in their plans.

Eagles coach Andy Reid also downplayed the speculation on Wednesday.

"I know him. I've known Plaxico," Reid told reporters at a team charity event, "but listen, I haven't even looked at that. We're not there yet. There's nothing you can do. It's like any of the other free agents, there's nothing you can do there."

The Eagles already have two standout receivers: DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Jackson has been to the Pro Bowl twice and Maclin has star potential. Jason Avant and Riley Cooper give the team depth at the position.

Burress would fit in perfectly as a situational receiver inside the red zone because of his size. But it's likely he'd prefer a team that would offer him a chance to be the No. 1 or No. 2 target.

"He definitely brings a lot to the game, his passion, enthusiasm and the way he plays," Vick said. Vick and several other Eagles have said they'd welcome Burress in Philadelphia.

It's not their decision, though.

ESPN has dedicated 2011 to examining one of the most crucial positions in all of sports -- the quarterback.
Year of the QB ?

Vick was 29 when he returned. Burress turns 34 in August. While age is a factor, Vick said Burress' position helps him.

"It's actually easier being a receiver and coming back and playing the game," Vick said. "You have to get your legs back up under you. I was a guy that had to live that. It's tough. You think you can do it, but you have to take that time out and make sure you're ready to go."

Vick on Wednesday also pitched a product designed by Unequal Technologies to help prevent concussions and other head injuries. In January, Vick became Unequal's first corporate spokesman when he signed his first paid endorsement contract since his release from prison.

"I haven't had problems with concussions in the past, knock on wood, so hopefully that won't happen in the future," Vick said, "but I will wear the padding in the helmet to prevent concussions and hopefully a lot of players in the league will do the same thing."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Sources: Cheeks candidate for Raptors' opening

8:14 PM

Happy new year 2012

Lawrence Frank and Dwane Casey are on the Toronto Raptors' list of coaching candidates, but sources say there is a strong third candidate: Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach Maurice Cheeks.

The Raptors are not expected to make a decision on their coach until GM Bryan Colangelo returns from a scouting trip in Europe. They are also expected to wait until they can interview Mavericks assistant coach Casey, after the NBA Finals.

Cheeks, 54, has a career record of 284-286 as a head coach over six-plus seasons, splitting time between the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers. He last coached the Sixers in 2008 before joining the Thunder under coach Scottie Brooks.

Cheeks also played 15 seasons, winning a championship with the Sixers in 1983 as their starting point guard.

Ric Bucher reports on the NBA for ESPN The Magazine.

Mavs sink 13 3-pointers; take 3-2 lead in Finals

2:47 AM

Happy new year 2012

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Needless to say, LeBron James' scoring has been non-existent in the 4th quarter of this series... James is averaging just 2.2 PPG in the 4th quarter of these finals after averaging 8.2 in the Eastern Conference Finals over the Bulls. LeBron has yet to score more than five points in the 4th quarter of any game in the NBA Finals and has scored 2 or fewer points each of the last four games.

LeBron James has now scored just 2 points combined in the 4th quarter of the last 2 games. He is Miami's 5TH leading scorer over that span, despite playing all 24 minutes... He does however have 5 of the team's 10 assists...

From Elias: LeBron James is averaging 2.2 PPG during the 4th quarter of the NBA Finals. That is the fourth-lowest by a former MVP in any NBA Finals series over the last 25 seasons. The difference between James and the other guys on this list? His most recent MVP award came just one season ago whereas the others were well past their MVP-winning seasons.

The Mavericks shot 57.9 percent from the floor in the half court during Game 5 against the Heat, including a blistering 69.2 percent in the first half (18 of 26 FG). The 57.9 percent was Dallas' highest percentage since its series-clinching win against the Lakers in the Conference Semifinals and its second-highest showing of the 2011 postseason.

After scoring eight points in the fourth quarter Thursday, Dirk Nowitzki has now scored at least eight points in the fourth during every game in the Conference Finals and NBA Finals.

The Heat were 8 of 8 inside 5 feet in the fourth quarter of Game 5. However, they were only 1 of 8 from 5+ feet. Miami's fourth-quarter shooting woes go back to Game 4, where it missed its last nine field goal attempts from 10 feet or longer. The Heat are now 1 of 15 from 10+ feet in their last 22 fourth-quarter minutes.

Heat Dwyane Wade and LeBron James shot a combined 16.7 percent (2 of 12) from 15-plus feet in Game 5, their lowest combined total this postseason.

LeBron James was at his best in Game 5 against the Mavericks with Dwyane Wade on the bench. LeBron made 4 of 6 shots with Wade on the bench, and for the series he is 11-for-20 without Wade on the court.

The Mavericks scored 17 points on their final 10 possessions of Game 5 of the 2011 NBA Finals, turning a four-point deficit with 4:36 remaining into a nine-point victory.

It's a small sample size of one game, but it was clear Thursday night that Miami's Big 3 don't play well together. When James, Bosh and Wade were on the floor at the same time in Game 5, Miami was outscored by 14 points. When James was on the floor with Bosh but without Wade, Miami played Dallas virtually even... In the three minutes where LeBron was on the the floor himself without the other pair, Miami actually outscored Dallas by 5.

From Elias: LeBron James has 11 combined points in the 4th quarter in the NBA Finals this season. During the 2010-11 regular season, he scored at least 11 points in the 4th quarter 5 times and during the 2011 playoffs he's scored at least 11 points in the 4th quarter 5 times.

From Elias: LeBron is the 5th player in the last 25 years to have a triple-double in a losing effort in the NBA Finals. Only Larry Bird in 1986 went on to win the title that year:

From Elias: This closeness of this series can be looked at not just by games, but by quarters. 12 of the 20 quarters in the NBA Finals have been decided by 2 points, 1 point or tied. The average margin per quarter in the first 5 games is 2.7 points, which would be the lowest in the Finals during the shot clock era by a wide margin:

DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki thrust both arms in the air, a sea of blue screaming around him and the Dallas Mavericks finally ahead in these ultra-close NBA Finals.

Now it really is "now or never" for LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Nowitzki scored 29 points, driving for the go-ahead dunk with 2:45 remaining, and the Mavericks beat the Heat 112-103 on Thursday night to take a 3-2 lead.

Five years after going up 2-0 on the Heat, the Mavs finally got that elusive third victory, and can wrap up their first championship in Game 6 at Miami on Sunday night.

"We didn't want to go to Miami and give them basically two shots to close us out. So we kept plugging there in the fourth. So definitely a big win for us," Nowitzki said. "And now we have to go down there and basically approach Sunday's game as Game 7."

James, who called this game "now or never," responded from his worst playoff performance with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and Dwyane Wade battled through a sore left hip after a first-quarter collision to finish with 23 points.

"I could have made a couple of more plays for my team," James said. "But at the end of the day, all it's about is a win or a loss. Triple-double means absolutely nothing in a loss. So we will be better in Game 6 on Sunday."

Chris Bosh had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat, who get the final two games at home with history against them as they try to win a title in their first season together: In the 26 previous finals that were tied 2-2, the Game 5 winner won 19 of them.

The Mavericks drained 13 3-pointers in their Game 5 win Thursday night, one shy of the NBA record for 3s in a Finals game.

-- ESPN Stats & Information

"We fought hard all season for home-court advantage. We're down 3-2," Bosh said. "We protect home court, we win the series, so we just have to keep that in mind."

The Mavs shot 60 percent through three quarters, briefly gave up the lead in the fourth, then outscored Miami 17-4 in the final 4:23, controlling the final few minutes just as they had in thrilling comebacks in Games 2 and 4.

Dallas shot 56.5 percent from the field, including 13 of 19 (68 percent) from 3-point range.

"We made more shots," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "We did a lot of good things defensively, which led to good offense. ... You never know when the games are going to go that way. The thing we've got to do is we've got to make sure our defense is consistent."

Terry scored 21 points and J.J. Barea had 17 for the Mavs, who insisted at some point their shots would start falling even against the Heat's stingy defense. Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler both finished with 13 points.

Heat Dwyane Wade and LeBron James shot a combined 16.7 percent (2 of 12) from 15-plus feet in Game 5, their lowest combined total this postseason.

"We are getting the same looks we knew we would get," Terry said. "After Games 1 and 2, you watch it on film, you see it and then you realize you're going to have the opportunities. I said to myself, I said to my teammates, we're not going to continue to miss those open shots that we're getting."

Their offense was simply too good, despite a good bounceback for James.

James scored eight points, going just 3 of 11 in Game 4, the first time in 90 postseason games he didn't hit double figures. Trying to pump himself during a rough first finals in Miami in which he's been accused of everything from "shrinking" to "checking out" in the fourth quarters, he wrote "Now or Never!!" on his Twitter page early Thursday morning, later calling this the biggest game of his career.

But they feel the same urgency in Dallas, where the slogan "The Time is Now" is printed on those blue T-shirts that surround the court, and where the Mavs are loaded with 30-somethings -- late 30s, in Kidd's case -- who could be on their last shot at an NBA title.

Nowitzki said early Thursday he felt "great," having shaken the fever that rose to 101 degrees in Game 4. This time, the health concern was Wade, who banged his hip in the first quarter and appeared to be limping at various points from there.

"I don't talk about injuries," Wade said. "It was unfortunate I had to leave the game, but I came back and finished it."

He remained in the locker room to start the second half, coming back onto the court about the midway point of the period. By then, the Mavs seemed in too good a groove to be cooled off no matter who Miami had out there.

A disgusted Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was already walking onto the court to call time by the time Chandler went up to dunk after catching the ball all alone under the basket, giving Dallas a nine-point lead that matched its largest of the series. Miami stormed into the lead midway through the fourth with a 9-0 run, all layups, dunks and free throws until Wade's 3-pointer made it 99-95 with 4:38 to play.

The Mavs tied it at 100 on Terry's 3-pointer with 3:23 left, and after James missed, Nowitzki drove for a baseline dunk and a 102-100 lead. James was called for an offensive foul and missed a 3-pointer on Miami's next two possessions before Kidd drilled a 3-pointer to make it 105-100, sending the crowd into a delirious chant of "Beat the Heat! Beat the Heat!"

The teams were at the same point as their 2006 matchup after four games, but that one was already in the midst of a massive swing by then. Miami won the final four games behind Wade, the MVP of that series.

This one has been developing into one of the closest finals the NBA has ever seen. Games 2-4 were decided by three points or fewer. That hadn't happened in the championship round since 1948, according to STATS, LLC, when the Baltimore Bullets and Philadelphia Warriors played Games 2-4 within a three-point margin during the Basketball Association of America finals, a year before that league merged with the National Basketball League to become the NBA.

The first four games were determined by 15 total points, the fewest since a 12-game difference between the Celtics and Lakers in the 1969 finals.

And all eyes were on James, just as they have been since he bolted Cleveland for a better shot at a championship in Miami.

He vowed to be more aggressive after his puzzling Game 4. He caught the ball in the post more frequently, but his jumper was still off for much of the game.

James threw up an airball with his left hand on his first shot, and when he did finally score, the Mavs quickly came back with six straight points for an early 13-6 lead, a promising start for a team that had been playing from behind nearly all series.

Wade walked gingerly to the locker room with a left hip contusion with about 3 minutes left in the period after colliding with Mavs reserve Brian Cardinal on a drive to the basket, and didn't return to the bench until more than 3 minutes into the second.

James had a basket inside that gave Miami a six-point lead with 4:26 left in the half, but Dallas closed with a 14-5 push, taking a 60-57 edge to the locker room after Nowitzki's jumper with 6.1 seconds remaining. The Mavs shot 12 of 17 in the quarter, and after not reaching 30 points in any period through four games, hit that number in each of the first two quarters of Game 5.

Game notes
Last year was one of the few times the Game 5 winner in a 2-2 finals didn't win the series. Boston went to Los Angeles with a 3-2 lead but the Lakers won the remaining games. ... In Games 1-3 combined, the Mavs led for a total of 35 minutes and 41 seconds, according to STATS. In Game 5, the Mavs led for a total of 30:59.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Sources: Pistons can interview Bucks' Sampson

9:58 AM

Happy new year 2012

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks have given the Detroit Pistons permission to interview assistant Kelvin Sampson for their vacant coaching job, sources confirmed to ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard Thursday.

Sampson has been an assistant to Bucks coach Scott Skiles since May 2008. Sampson joined Skiles' staff after his tenure as the coach at Indiana University ended in scandal.

Yahoo! Sports reported earlier Thursday that the Pistons had permission to speak to Sampson.

Detroit fired coach John Kuester on Sunday, just days after new owner Tom Gores completed an agreement to buy the team.

Kuester was 57-107 over two seasons with Detroit, which failed to make the postseason in consecutive years for the first time since missing the playoffs three straight times from 1993-95.

Sampson has said he'll likely never coach in college again and has set his sights on becoming a coach in the NBA.

"You never say never," Sampson told the AP in April 2009, when asked about a potential return to college. "But I'm really excited about the NBA, and I'm excited about the possibility of becoming a head coach in the NBA one day, maybe. And if it works out, it works out. If it does, it does. If it doesn't, it doesn't."

Sampson reportedly attracted interest from the Houston Rockets, who hired Kevin McHale last week.

Sampson resigned as the Hoosiers' coach in February 2008 and accepted a $750,000 buyout after an NCAA report accused him of major rules violations.

In 2009, Sampson unsuccessfully appealed NCAA penalties that essentially bar him from coaching in college until 2013. The NCAA penalized Sampson for taking part in more than 100 impermissible calls to recruits while coaching the Hoosiers.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Knicks' Mason: Owners, players still far apart

5:01 PM

Happy new year 2012

NEW YORK -- Knicks shooting guard and NBA Players' Association vice president Roger Mason considers himself an optimist. But he is not certain that a new collective bargaining agreement with the league will be in place by July 1.

"I'm hopeful," Mason said, "but right now the gap is pretty wide as far as the league and the latest proposal that they gave us, and what we're willing to do as players."

Talks between the owners and the players' union were to resume Thursday in Dallas.

“
We understand the landscape has changed since the last deal, so we're willing to make concessions, but I think what the owners are asking right now is just way too much, and it's above and beyond [the money] they're losing.
” -- Players' union VP Roger Mason

Mason pointed to two major disagreements that the players' union has with the owners' recent proposal: The owners' desire for a hard salary cap and their proposed split of the league's basketball-related income between owners and players.

The two sides are so far apart, Mason said, that cap numbers and revenue sharing percentages aren't being considered. He said the league and the union are only talking through the two main issues and haven't yet addressed other concerns, including health benefits and the possibility of contraction.

Mason acknowledged that at the end of the day, the players' union will have to loosen its grip on the proceedings in order for a new CBA to be finalized.

"We've got to understand we're going to have to take some skin of the game, just because the forecast in America right now is not great," Mason said. "We understand the landscape has changed since the last deal, so we're willing to make concessions, but I think what the owners are asking right now is just way too much, and it's above and beyond [the money] they're losing.

"Obviously they claim a [financial] loss and we have sympathy for that and are willing as players to sacrifice something. But right now that gap is pretty wide as far as what that something is," he said.

Mason was a high school senior during the 1998-99 NBA lockout. While he didn't understand the NBA's inner workings at the time, he remembers feeling very disappointed that a deal couldn't be worked out sooner.

Not only does he feel the same way now, but he's now fully aware of the league's business side -- and doesn't want history to repeat itself.

"Sometimes there are circumstances where you just can't make decisions that are going to harm the future for our league," Mason said. "I wouldn't feel good about leaving the league five, six, seven years from now and youngsters coming in with this type of agreement. I would feel horrible if I left the game that way myself."

Titans players can see Locker as starting QB

1:43 AM

Happy new year 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans haven't seen much of rookie quarterback Jake Locker. That's not stopping his new teammates from thinking the eighth pick overall could be their starter whenever the NFL starts playing again.

Locker worked out with his new teammates Thursday in a second straight player-organized minicamp at a local high school as the NFL lockout continues. He's made a sizeable impression on Tennessee veterans in just two days, including Thursday when he completed 8 of 12 passes.

ESPN has dedicated 2011 to examining one of the most crucial positions in all of sports -- the quarterback.
Year of the QB ?

"He is a great football player. I can see it already," Titans left guard Leroy Harris said. "The sooner we get back to practices, he is going to become the overall leader. I think physically he is ready (to start). All he has to do is make sure he learns the plays. He has all the tools to be our franchise quarterback."

The 6-foot-3, 231-pound Locker spoke with reporters Wednesday but politely declined to talk Thursday when about 40 Titans worked out for nearly two hours at Father Ryan High.

Locker has spent the last 10 days in Nashville staying with wide receiver Damian Williams and working out at local high school and college fields. Locker was expected to return to his home state of Washington later Thursday.

Most of Locker's passes were quick, short tosses. When he went downfield a couple times, the passes were incomplete. His second throw of more than 20 yards went high and deflected off Williams' hands as the receiver going into his second year as a pro took the blame for dropping the pass.

While praise was high for Locker, veteran wide receiver Nate Washington was a little more hesitant in his evaluation.

"He has a nice arm on him, but it will be a different story when the coaches get out here, critiquing, get him going about it," Washington said.

"Then that is when we will really be able to assess him. I don't really think you can step out here on this little practice and know whether he is going to be the greatest or not going to be good at all. The best thing we have with Jake is the mindset that he is comfortable with us. He is coming in here knowing that he is supposed to be here."

Locker, Rusty Smith and Brett Ratliff all took snaps at quarterback. Smith will enter his second year with the team, and the sixth-round pick is the only other quarterback currently on the roster with Locker.

The Titans plan to cut ties with Vince Young once the lockout concludes either by trading him or simply releasing him. Veteran Kerry Collins could return to help mentor Locker, but retirement after 17 seasons may be a stronger option for the 38-year-old veteran.

"It is my job to help this team get better," Smith said. "If that means helping Jake get better so he can be ready whenever the season comes, that is my role. But don't think for a second I'm not going to try to get the starting job. I'm not one of those guys who is going to be bitter about the situation. I'm very happy to be playing football for my job."

Wide receivers Justin Gage and Kenny Britt were among the notable no-shows on Thursday, along with linebacker Will Witherspoon. Britt has not been in attendance either day, busy back home in New Jersey with legal troubles.

The Titans' top receiver, Britt pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge Tuesday from a previous arrest. The first-round pick out of Rutgers in 2009 was arrested again Wednesday and charged with resisting arrest after two plainclothes officers suspected he was carrying a marijuana cigar.

"It would have definitely been great for him to be here. This is a place he was supposed to be," Washington said. "But I don't know the situation. He has been having a lot going on. It is unfortunate, but at the same time it happens. He is dealing with those things, staying close to his family. He is trying to straighten his head out."

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Hawaii governor: Money wasted on Pro Bowl

5:49 AM

Happy new year 2012

HONOLULU -- Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Thursday it's "so stupid" that the cash-strapped state pays millions to host the Pro Bowl when the money could be used for education.

Abercrombie said he opposes a deal the state made in 2009 to pay $4 million per game for the rights to hold the NFL's all-star game in Hawaii this and next year.

"You can't do things like give 4 million bucks to a $9 billion football industry and not give any money to children," Abercrombie said as he announced early-childhood education and health plans. "You've got this spectacle of these multimillionaires and billionaires out there arguing about how they're going to divide it up, and then they come and ask us to bribe them with $4 million to have a scrimmage out here in paradise.

"We've got to get our values straight and our priorities straight," he said.

The Pro Bowl returned to Aloha Stadium this year after it was played in Miami in 2010, breaking up a 30-year run in Hawaii in which every game was a sellout.

The first-year Democratic governor and former longtime congressman said the NFL can ship the game back to Florida if it continues to require Hawaii to pay to keep it in the islands.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league has no comment on Abercrombie's statements.

Tourism officials said this January's Pro Bowl attracted 17,000 visitors to the state, generated $28.15 million in visitor spending and created $3.07 million in state taxes from people who traveled to attend the game.

Former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann, who negotiated contracts to keep the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, said the game's boost to the economy helps support government programs including education.

"It creates jobs, it's an economic revenue-generator, it provides positive impressions throughout the United States," said Hannemann, who ran against Abercrombie last year and is now president for the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association. "Honolulu is a great sports town. Sports tourism is very important to us."

But Abercrombie dismissed the economic impact of the game, saying newly enacted same-sex civil unions will do just as much to bring visitors to the state.

"Oh please. We'll get more out of civil unions in a weekend then we'll get out of those guys," he said. "We're going to market. Don't worry about marketing."

Abercrombie used the Pro Bowl as an example of ways the government could redirect money to underfunded childhood programs.

He announced Thursday he's reallocating $3 million annually from tobacco settlement funds to revive a state program providing in-home assistance to mothers of young children.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

NBA fines Magic's Arenas for Twitter comments

1:36 PM

Happy new year 2012

DALLAS -- Gilbert Arenas is in trouble with the NBA again.

Arenas wrote on his Twitter page Wednesday that he was fined for comments he made on the social media site. NBA spokesman Tim Frank confirmed the Orlando Magic guard had been fined but declined to give the amount or the reason because it was not publicly announced.

In a series of postings on his "agentzeroshow" page, Arenas made a joke, apologized to the ladies it may have offended and asked someone to message him the NBA's Twitter rules.

Arenas was suspended 50 games last season for carrying guns into the Washington Wizards' locker room. He was traded to Orlando this season.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Jets QB Ainge tweets he has torn rotator cuff

10:20 PM

Happy new year 2012

Updated: June 10, 2011, 9:43 AM ETBy Rich Cimini
ESPNNewYork.com
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New York Jets quarterback Erik Ainge, who revealed his drug and alcohol addictions two months ago in a graphic, first-person story for ESPNNewYork.com, announced Thursday night on his Twitter page that he has a torn rotator cuff in his right (throwing) shoulder.

"Found out i have a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder today, no fun, o well, could always be worse, im sober and loved, all that matters," Ainge tweeted.

Jets Looking for more on
the green and white? ESPNNewYork.com has you covered. Blog

Ainge, who turns 25 Sunday, didn't say how he suffered the injury or if he would have immediate surgery in an attempt to play football again. In the ESPNNewYork.com story, he said his future in football was uncertain and that his primary goal was to stay clean. He underwent foot surgery a few months ago to repair a stress fracture.

The former Tennessee standout, yet to take an NFL snap, still is under contract to the Jets. He didn't report to training camp in 2010 because he checked into a rehab center and spent the season on the non-football illness list.

The Jets have three veteran quarterbacks under contract and they're not expected to retain Ainge, a fifth-round draft pick in 2008.

Ainge made national headlines in March, when he revealed the depth of his substance-abuse problem.

"My addiction is with the hardest of hard drugs -- heroin, cocaine and alcohol," he said. "During my days of using, I was a really bad drug addict. I would've made Charlie Sheen look like Miss Daisy."

At the time, Ainge said he had been clean for eight months, his longest stretch of sobriety since he was 11.

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com.

Follow Rich Cimini on Twitter: @RichCimini

Pryor not interested in CFL, focused on NFL

5:59 AM

Happy new year 2012

Terrelle Pryor is not interested in playing in the Canadian Football League and is focused on the opportunity to be included in the NFL's supplemental draft, Larry James, his attorney, said Thursday.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders own the CFL negotiating rights to Pryor and had extended him a tentative offer.

"They sent the package last night, I forwarded it to Terrelle and Terrelle said that he wasn't interested today," James said.

Matt Williamson discusses Terrelle Pryor's future in the NFL and answers emails on a variety of topics.

More Podcasts »

Asked if Pryor gave him a reason for his lack of interest in the Roughriders, James said: "He did not go into discussion. He just said he's not interested in the Canadian Football League. Obviously the offer was not sufficient to whet his taste buds."

James told ESPN's Joe Schad that he believes Ohio State will provide a letter that will show Pryor would not have been an eligible student-athlete moving forward, which should help Pryor in his cause to be eligible for the supplemental draft due to special circumstances.

Despite the NFL's labor uncertainty, sources at the NFL told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and ESPN.com's John Clayton that the league believes it can hold a supplemental draft.

"If there are players that apply and are deemed eligible, there will be a supplemental draft," a league source told Schefter. The supplemental draft, if needed, would be held sometime in July.

Teams submit picks to the league; the team with the highest bid receives the player, but loses the corresponding pick in the next year's draft in April.

Terrelle Pryor is destined to go down as one of the best quarterbacks in Ohio State history, despite the tattoo-parlor scandal that's overshadowing his exploits on the football field. Among his most notable milestones as a Buckeye are a 31-4 record as a starter, 2,164 career rushing yards and his role in leading Ohio State to three Big Ten titles.

Pryor, a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, announced Tuesday that he would be giving up his senior season while the NCAA investigates Ohio State players getting improper benefits, including tattoos, cash and possible deals on cars. Pryor has admitted he broke NCAA rules by accepting improper benefits from a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner.

Pryor is focused on soon selecting a quarterback coach or trainer to work with in the near future, James said. George Whitfield has been mentioned as a possible tutor.

Whitfield, who worked with Newton before the NFL draft, said Newton and Pryor share a number of on-field traits.

"Cam Newton and Terrelle Pryor are comparable," Whitfield told ESPN. "Terrelle is a guy who is going to want to improve his mechanics and there's no evidence to suggest he can't. Cam seemed to have more confidence in his arm strength. But the tools and the ceiling for those two are comparable."

If Pryor's application for the supplemental draft isn't accepted, the United Football League might provide him with a temporary home.

A well-placed UFL source told Schefter Wednesday that Pryor would benefit from the coaching in the league, which includes high-profile former NFL coaches Marty Schottenheimer, Dennis Green, Jim Fassel and Jerry Glanville. The source said he believes there's "a decent shot" Pryor could wind up playing this year in the UFL.

Any player who signs with the UFL must remain in the league for the entire season before signing with an NFL team. The UFL will announce its schedule Thursday.

ESPN has dedicated 2011 to examining one of the most crucial positions in all of sports -- the quarterback.
Year of the QB ?

Michael Huyghue, the UFL's commissioner, told the Las Vegas Review Journal Wednesday that his league would have a spot available for Pryor.

"We would just place him in the best situation," Huyghue told the newspaper. "For us, Terrelle Pryor can be a great opportunity. There's the question that, at 6 feet 6, is he a quarterback? Is he a wide receiver? He can get a chance in our league to see where his future is. Plus, we have coaches in this league who know how to develop quarterbacks."

In other news, James also said that Pryor will no longer cooperate with NCAA investigators looking into Ohio State's football program, ex-players and current players.

"He doesn't need a reason (to talk to them). He's no longer a student-athlete," said James, who added that Pryor doesn't believe he owes the NCAA any answers. "They're not going to give him or any other student-athlete any due process rights to speak of, so he's moved on."

James said he is "100 percent certain" that at least eight of the nine current additional players mentioned in a Sports Illustrated report who are alleged to have sold autographs or memorabilia to a tattoo shop owner will be cleared. There is some uncertainty about the ninth.

James said he has collected the key memorabilia that those players have gathered, such as Big Ten title rings and Gold Pants Awards. James added that he would "not be surprised" if some of the players already suspended and/or others have been or soon will be re-interviewed by the NCAA to answer questions related to newer allegations.

An Ohio State spokesman, when asked for comment, replied: "The university has an active investigation with the NCAA and we will work cooperatively with them until the matter is resolved. Until then, we won't be discussing details of the case. You should rest assured that any new allegations that come to light will be addressed."

Information from ESPN college football reporter Joe Schad, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Iverson eyes comeback, end to career in NBA

12:58 PM

Happy new year 2012

PHILADELPHIA -- Allen Iverson wants to keep his passport at home.

Ten years after he became an MVP who led the Philadelphia 76ers to the Finals, Iverson has his eyes on a comeback. He is determined to end a career in the NBA, a career that is possibly destined for the Hall of Fame, and not in some faraway country where brief YouTube clips are the only way to stay updated on the four-time scoring champion.

Iverson, who turned 36 this week, played only 10 games in an injury-filled stint in Turkey after a lack of NBA interest forced him to seek employment elsewhere. In his most recent NBA season, in 2009-10, Iverson left the Sixers in February.

That's not a lot of basketball for an aging veteran.

AP Photo/Ibrahim UstaAllen Iverson, who played only 10 games in Turkey last season, hopes to return to the NBA.

So what gives Iverson confidence he can still play anywhere near his former elite level next season?

"It's me," he said, laughing. "That's what gives me confidence. I know what I can do. Everybody in the world knows what I can do. Everybody knows what I can do on the basketball court."

Every fan knows how the 25-year-old Iverson could dazzle on the court. Like in the 2001 NBA Finals, when he buried a jumper over Tyronn Lue, then highstepped over the fallen Los Angeles Lakers defender in Game 1. The iconic moment ranked slightly behind his rookie year crossover vs. Michael Jordan as the most memorable of his 14-year career.

Iverson's added few plays to that list the past few years. He played for four teams in his last two NBA seasons, then left the Turkish club Besiktas with a leg injury.

A painful calcium mass developed on his right calf and he returned home opting for rest instead of surgery. Iverson's manager, Gary Moore, said Iverson has yet to receive the green light from Dr. James Andrews to resume contact drills. Iverson was not expected to get cleared until mid-July.

"Just give me a training camp," he said. "Maybe I've rubbed people the wrong way as far as saying the things I've said in my life and in my career. But if any team needs me to help try and win a championship in any capacity, I'm waiting."

He might have a long wait. Throw in a possible work stoppage with NBA owners and players far apart on a new labor deal, and Iverson might again be forced to look outside the NBA for a team. He signed a $4 million, two-year contract with Besiktas. But Iverson, who also has played for Denver, Detroit and Memphis, made it clear in a phone interview late Wednesday night, his first priority is the NBA.

"If that doesn't happen, I just want to play basketball, so I've got to weigh my options and do what's best for me and my career," he said. "If that doesn't happen, I don't want to not play basketball. I don't have any more years to be wasting."

Iverson has been dogged by rumors of personal problems -- his wife filed for divorce and a daughter battled serious health problems -- but he said his life these days is great.

All that's missing is basketball.

"The only thing that I give a damn about is that the people that care about me know that I'm all right," he said. "All I want is my real fans to know I'm fine, my wife is fine, my kids are fine. I'm fine and I'm looking forward to getting back on a team and being productive like I have been my whole career."

Iverson insisted he enjoyed his stay in Turkey.

"It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my life," he said. "They were great to me. They embraced me like I would never think. Everything was great as far as that experiment."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Smith 'absolutely' expects to be Niners' starter

8:12 PM

Happy new year 2012

ESPN has dedicated 2011 to examining one of the most crucial positions in all of sports -- the quarterback.
Year of the QB ?

Lakers captain Fisher dines with coach Brown

2:53 AM

Happy new year 2012

Updated: June 10, 2011, 12:13 AM ETBy Ramona Shelburne
ESPNLosAngeles.com
Archive

Derek Fisher may not have made much headway in resolving the NBA's impending labor crisis as head of the NBA Players Association during several days of intense collective bargaining talks in Dallas, but his week is ending on a high note.

The Lakers co-captain returned to Los Angeles late Wednesday night, and the first item on his agenda Thursday was to confirm dinner plans with new coach Mike Brown, according to a Lakers source.

For more news, notes and analysis of the Lakers, check out the Land O' Lakers blog from the Kamenetzky Brothers. Blog

Both Fisher and Brown felt it was important to meet in-person to discuss the issues that thwarted the team's quest for a third straight championship last month and to confer on the best way for Brown to roll out his new offensive and defensive schemes.

Fisher was one of only a few players to publicly express support for Brown after he was hired on May 25.

"A lot of really great coaches were being considered for the job. B Shaw [Brian Shaw] was at the top of the list!" Fisher said via his Twitter account. "He'll be amazing and wherever he goes is lucky to have him. Will miss Phil but excited to start a new chapter under Mike Brown. Looking forward to a different style and energy!!"

Since then, Fisher has spoken to Brown several times on the phone, but has been spending most of his time in talks and meetings for the Players Association as it attempts to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with the owners by July 1.

Fisher's fellow co-captain Kobe Bryant has yet to publicly comment on Brown's hiring, saying on Tuesday that "now is not the time" as he unveiled a new initiative to help combat childhood homelessness at an event in Hollywood.

Fisher, 36, averaged 6.8 points and 2.7 assists but shot just 38.9 percent in the first year of a three-year contract he signed last July.

Ramona Shelburne is a reporter and columnist for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Follow Ramona Shelburne on Twitter: @ramonashelburne

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Sources: Sixers, Clippers talk Iguodala-Kaman

9:19 AM

Happy new year 2012

Amid increasing signals that the Philadelphia 76ers are finally prepared to deal Andre Iguodala after years of trade speculation, another potential swap has surfaced that would send the swingman to the Los Angeles Clippers for center Chris Kaman, sources with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN.com.

Although it's believed that the trade has not yet advanced past the discussion phase, sources told ESPN.com that the teams have discussed an Iguodala-for-Kaman swap.

Iguodala

Kaman

The Clippers have long maintained that the only scenario that would convince them to part with Kaman -- whose career has been plagued by injuries but who had an All-Star season in 2010 -- is getting an elite small forward in return.

Iguodala's athleticism and defensive skills would figure to mesh well alongside star power forward Blake Griffin and young center DeAndre Jordan. The Clippers are determined to keep Jordan over Kaman as their center of the future as Jordan heads for restricted free agency.

But one source briefed on the trade discussions said Wednesday night that -- while Iguodala undeniably likes the idea of playing alongside his Team USA teammate Griffin in L.A. -- the Clippers would likely have to sweeten their offer to get Philly to bite.

The Sixers, according to the source, are in the market for a new big man but covet an athletic big. After a lost season, Kaman must hush concerns around the league about his injury history and foot speed.

Yet it appears, no matter how far talks between the Sixers and Clippers go, that Philadelphia is determined to weigh various trade possibilities as it gauges the market for Iguodala. The Sixers and Golden State Warriors have likewise discussed a trade that would swap Iguodala for Monta Ellis.

Trade talk generally picks up leaguewide at this time every year, as the NBA draft approaches, but sources did stress Wednesdsay that the Sixers could well delay any trade until after the completion of the team's proposed sale from Comcast-Spectacor to a group headed by New York-based leveraged buyout specialist Joshua Harris, as reported Tuesday by ESPN.com's Henry Abbott.

In both cases -- Iguodala for Kaman or Iguodala for Ellis -- current salaries for the players involved are close enough that the swap could be made without adding additional players to the deal to satisfy current salary-cap requirements.

Iguodala and Kaman are both represented by agent Rob Pelinka.

Marc Stein is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. Information from ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher contributed to this report.

Follow Marc Stein on Twitter: @stein_line_HQ

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Friday, July 1, 2011

Reports: Celtics' Krstic signs with Russian team

3:48 PM

Happy new year 2012

Updated: June 9, 2011, 10:00 PM ETBy Chris Forsberg
ESPNBoston.com
Archive

Center Nenad Krstic has agreed to a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow, Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge confirmed to the Boston Globe.

Earlier Thursday, the Russian International News Agency reported that the deal was worth $8.8 million.

The contract likely cannot be completed until Krstic's NBA deal with the Celtics officially expires later this month. Krstic's European management firm, Invictus Sports Group, which he joined late last month to manage his overseas opportunities, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Since the Celtics were bounced from the playoffs by the Miami Heat last month, there have been numerous reports of overseas interest in Krstic, who will be an unrestricted free agent. The Serbia native is no stranger to international ball and it should come as no surprise that he'd be interested in playing there during an NBA work stoppage.

During the offseason following the 2007-08 season, Krstic signed an almost identical deal with Russian Super League team Triumph Lyubertsy that included an NBA opt-out option, which Krstic utilized to then sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder in December 2008.

Krstic, acquired with Jeff Green and a future first-round pick in the deadline day swap that sent Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to Oklahoma City, earned $5.5 million last season. The Celtics had expressed an interest in retaining his services and might be able to offer a slight bump in pay should a new collective bargaining agreement give teams that same advantage at inking their own free agents as the one that is set to expire does.

The 27-year-old Krstic averaged 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds over 23 minutes per game in Boston. He made 24 appearances with the team, starting 20 games, but late-season knee injuries limited his postseason role.

"So here's what happened with Krstic: Krstic played great when he first got here, and then he hit a slump. He wasn't playing well for a while, and then he got hurt," Ainge said after the season. "He had the bruised knee -- we were worried that it (was) something worse. With all of the injuries, it seemed like whoever was playing center for us this year got hurt. So he got hurt and he never really got his starting job back after he got hurt, and then he got hurt again on a different knee. He had two bruised knees."

Drafted 24th overall by the New Jersey Nets in the 2002 draft, Krstic played professionally in Serbia for four seasons before joining the Nets for the 2004-05 season. Krstic was averaging career highs at 16.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game during the 2006-07 campaign before suffering an ACL injury. He returned the following season, but labored and ultimately signed with Russian squad Triumph Lyubertsy the next offseason.

By mid-December of 2008, he had agreed to a three-year deal with the Thunder and returned to NBA play. It's likely that Krstic could ink a similar deal with a European team this summer, then explore his NBA options whenever it appears the NBA could start its 2011-12 season, which could be pushed back by a potential lockout.

What would Krstic's potential departure mean for Boston? It would further thin a frontcourt that currently only boasts Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O'Neal under contract for next season. Top frontcourt reserve Glen Davis is also an unrestricted free agent this summer, while Shaquille O'Neal retired after one season in Boston. The Celtics could use a young and experienced big man like Krstic who can step into a starting role, especially if Jermaine O'Neal is unable to hold up to the rigors of a (potential) 82-game season.

Chris Forsberg covers the Celtics for ESPNBoston.com.

Follow Chris Forsberg on Twitter: @ESPNForsberg