National Media

NBA.com: News

• Penney scores 25 to guide New Zealand into next round - Kirk Penney scored 25 points to help New Zealand surge into the knockout round of the basketball world championships with an 82-70 win over France on Thursday.
• Germany breezes past Jordan in final FIBA game for both - Tibor Pleiss scored 23 points to give Germany a 91-73 win over Jordan on Thursday in a match between two eliminated teams at the basketball world championship.
• Varejao key as Brazil clinches third place in Group B - Marcelo Machado scored 18 points, Anderson Varejao grabbed 12 rebounds in his longest stint at the world championship, and Brazil clinched third place in Group B with a 92-74 victory over Croatia on Thursday.
• Turkey stays undefeated, wallops China by 47 points - Oguz Savas scored 20 points as Turkey beat China 87-40 on Thursday in its final group game at the world championship.
• Rasic's free throws lift Serbia to win, Group A's top spot - Aleksandar Rasic made four free throws in the last 11 seconds Thursday to help Serbia upset top-ranked Argentina 84-82 and win Group A at the basketball world championship.
• Reserves make impact as Lithuania easily topples Lebanon - Lithuania defeated Lebanon 84-66 to end its group stage campaign with a 5-0 record.
• Dragic, Slovenia knock off Iran to get No. 2 seed in Group B - Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns scored 18 points, and Slovenia surged into the elimation stage of the world championship with a 65-60 victory over Iran on Thursday.
• Russia finishes 2nd in Group C with win over Greece - Timofey Mozgov scored 18 points Thursday as Russia defeated Greece 73-69 to advance to the knockout round of the world championship.
• Puerto Rico loses to Ivory Coast in Group C finale - Charles Abouo scored 19 points to lead Ivory Coast to an 88-79 win over Puerto Rico on Thursday at the basketball world championship.
• Spain starts fast, topples winless Canada - Spain finished Group D play at the basketball world championship with consecutive strong games, routing Canada 89-67 on Thursday.

ESPN (ABC News) – NBA

• NBA Rookie Rankings: The Big 5 - David Thorpe breaks down the five best rookies and updates the progress on other first-rounders.
• Lethargic U.S. team dominates Tunisia at worlds - Eric Gordon scored 21 points and the United States pulled away after a sluggish first half to beat Tunisia 92-57 on Thursday in its final game of pool play at the world championship.
• FIBA world championship: Serbia upsets Argentina, Spain beats Canada, Australia beats Angola, Ivory Coast beats Puerto Rico - Australia beats Angola, Spain beats Canada, and Ivory Coast beats Puerto Rico at FIBA world championships
• Atlanta Hawks sign veteran center Etan Thomas - The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent center Etan Thomas to add bulk in the frontcourt.
• Boston Celtics to re-sign guard Delonte West - The Boston Celtics will re-sign guard Delonte West.
• Carlos Boozer has lofty goals for Chicago Bulls - Carlos Boozer is thinking big in his first season with the Bulls.
• New Denver Nuggets front office focusing on Carmelo Anthony - Now that the Denver Nuggets have their management team in place, they're developing a strategy to keep All-Star Carmelo Anthony in powder blue and gold.
• Not guilty plea for former NBA, Michigan State player Jay Vincent but deal looms - Court filings show a plea bargain is in the works for ex-Michigan State basketball star and retired NBA player Jay Vincent, who appeared in court Tuesday on charges in a $2 million Internet scam.
• Miami Heat sign second-round pick Da'Sean Butler - Former West Virginia star Da'Sean Butler has signed with the Miami Heat, becoming the team's 18th player under contract going into training camp.
• FIBA: 100 players will be drug-tested at World Basketball championships - Basketball's governing body says more than 100 random drug tests will be conducted at the world championship, its largest program ever.

USA Today – Basketball

• USA sleepwalks through 2nd half in easy win against Tunisia - Eric Gordon scored 21 points as the United States pulled away from Tunisia after sleepwalking through the first half, winning 92-57 on Thursday ...

  
  

  
• Politics aside, USA beats Iran to secure a top seed at worlds - In the political arena, Iran vs. the United States is a matchup that gets attention. In a basketball arena, not so much.

  
  

  
• Embattled guard Delonte West returning to Celtics - Delonte West is returning to the Boston Celtics.

  
  

  
• Argentina, Spain, Angola, Lithuania among teams advancing at worlds - Top-ranked Argentina won its fourth straight game at the basketball world championship by defeating winless Jordan 88-79.

  
  

  
• Nuggets introduce GM Ujiri, target Carmelo Anthony return - Now that the Denver Nuggets have their management team in place, they're developing a strategy to keep All-Star Carmelo Anthony in powder blue ...

  
  

  
• Lithuania rallies to stop Spain at hoops worlds; Turkey rolls - Lithuania rallied from an 18-point second-half deficit to beat Spain 76-73 Tuesday in a game between the two Group D favorites at the basketball ...

  
  

  
• Team USA survives Brazil, leaps to 3-0 at basketball worlds - The United States survived its first tough test at the world championships, edging Brazil 70-68 on Monday when Leandro Barbosa's shot rattled ...

  
  

  
• With a few new pieces in place, Bucks could ascend in the East - Despite being a playoff team that won 46 regular-season games and was a sixth seed, the Milwaukee Bucks quietly retooled this offseason and could ...

  
  

  
• Argentina stays unbeaten at hoops worlds; Iran wins its first - Luis Scola scored 32 points to help put Argentina on the verge of a place in the second round of the basketball world championship with a 91-70 ...

  
  

  
• Spain bounces back, Germany wins thriller at worlds - Marc Gasol dunked, Rudy Fernandez hit three-pointers and Ricky Rubio dished out assists to all of them as defending champion Spain found its ...

  
  

  

NBCSports.com: NBA

• U.S. pulls away in 2nd half to rout Tunisia -

  Eric Gordon scored 21 points and the United States pulled away after a sluggish first half to beat Tunisia 92-57 on Thursday in its final game of pool play at the world championship.

  
  
• PBT: U.S. remains unimpressive despite blowout win
• Video: No politics in U.S. win over Iran -

  Kevin Love, Andre Iguodala, and Lamar Odom talk following Team U.S.A.'s 88-51 win over Iran at the FIBA World Championships. (NBC Sports)

  
  
• Serbia upsets Argentina to win Group A at worlds -

  Aleksandar Rasic made four free throws in the last 11 seconds Thursday to help Serbia upset top-ranked Argentina 84-82 and win Group A at the basketball world championship.

  
  
• Compelling round of 16 at basketball worlds -

  With the field down to 16 teams, the knockout stage of the basketball world championship begins Saturday with two highly anticipated matchups.

  
  
• Worlds roundup: Slovenia surges into elimination round - ISTANBUL (AP) - Eric Gordon scored 21 points and the United States pulled away after a sluggish first half to beat Tunisia 92-57 Thursday in its final game of pool play at the world championship.
• PBT: Inmate sues Carmelo, Wade, Cuban, Buss
• PBT: Nuggets telling teams ’Melo not available
• Mailbag: Moment of truth in what Nuggets get for ’Melo -

  Mailbag: If Denver is not big enough to satisfy the hunger of a star, then what about Memphis, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Charlotte?

  
  
• PBT: Boozer says Bulls should expect ‘a championship’

The New York Times – Basketball

• United States 92, Tunisia 57: Not a Pretty Picture as U.S. Crushes Another Opponent - Eric Gordon scored 21 points to lead the United States past Tunisia, which will next play Angola at the world basketball championships.
  
  
• Sports Briefing | Basketball: Liberty to Call Newark Homeduring Renovations at Garden - The Liberty will play its home games at the Prudential Center in Newark the next three seasons while Madison Square Garden is being renovated.
  
  
• Scantily Clad Dancers Are Nowhere to Be Found When Turkey Plays - A dance squad from Ukraine, known as the Red Foxes, was pulled to avoid performing in front of Turkish government officials, but no one can agree as to why.
  
  
• Liberty 77, Fever 74: Pondexter Leads Liberty Into Finals in the East - Cappie Pondexter scored 30 points as the Liberty defeated the Indiana Fever in the decisive game of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
  
  
• Seattle’s Jackson to Get Third M.V.P. Award - Lauren Jackson, a forward for the Seattle Storm, will join Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes as the W.N.B.A.’s only three-time winners.
  
  
• United States 88, Iran 51: Opponents for a Game, but No Rivalry Here - The United States easily beat Iran at the FIBA world championships in a game that was overshadowed by a political rivalry.
  
  
• Compelling Round of 16 at Basketball Worlds - ISTANBUL (AP) -- With the field down to 16 teams, the knockout stage of the basketball world championship begins Saturday with two highly anticipated matchups.
  
  
• Seattle's Jackson Selected MVP for Third Time - SEATTLE (AP) -- Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson was selected the WNBA's most valuable player for the third time in her career on Thursday night.
  
  
• MVP Jackson Leads Storm Past Mercury in Game 1 - SEATTLE (AP) -- Lauren Jackson had 23 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Seattle Storm to an 82-74 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
  
  
• Seattle's Jackson Selected MVP for Third Time - SEATTLE (AP) -- Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson was selected the WNBA's most valuable player for the third time in her career on Thursday night.
  
  

The Sports Illustrated – NBA

• Nuggets turning away Melo trade pitches -
• FAQs of the 2010 World Championship - URCHISAR, Turkey -- I have just finished lunch in this town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, where I was serenaded in one ear by the restaurant's recording of Janis Joplin belting out "Maybe," and in the other by the mid-day call to prayer from a nearby mosque. The effect was quite strange, that being a good word to describe the United States' participation in the FIBA World Championship, which begins in earnest on Monday in Istanbul.
• Chris Mannix: This isn't 1992: Road to gold won't be smooth for Team USA - Time to let go of 1992. The days of U.S. dominance are long over. However, Team USA does have some things working in its favor in the next round at the Worlds, says Chris Mannix.
• Seattle's Jackson claims third WNBA MVP honor - SEATTLE (AP) -- Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson was selected the WNBA's most valuable player for the third time in her career on Thursday night.
• Ian Thomsen: Best free-agent bargain? Turn to Miami - To the teams and fans who lost out on LeBron, you won't want to read this. But to those in Miami, Ian Thomsen has news that will make the Heat's free-agent coup even sweeter.
• Hawks sign 6-10 Thomas to bulk up frontcourt - ATLANTA (AP) -- Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent center Etan Thomas to add bulk in the frontcourt.
• FIBA Wrap: Argentina falls, knockout round set - ISTANBUL (AP) -- Eric Gordon scored 21 points and the United States pulled away after a sluggish first half to beat Tunisia 92-57 Thursday in its final game of pool play at the world championship.
• USA routs Tunisia after sluggish start - ISTANBUL (AP) -- Eric Gordon scored 21 points and the United States pulled away from Tunisia after sleepwalking through the first half, winning 92-57 on Thursday in its final game of pool play at the world championship.
• Celtics re-sign West, who is suspended 10 games - BOSTON (AP) -- Delonte West is returning to the Boston Celtics.
• New GM Ujiri ready to tackle Melo issue - DENVER (AP) -- Now that the Denver Nuggets have their management team in place, they're developing a strategy to keep All-Star Carmelo Anthony in powder blue and gold.

Regional Media

Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Times – Lakers

• For Lamar Odom, another championship has a nice ring to it - After winning another NBA title with the Lakers, Odom has his sights set on helping the United States win the gold medal at the world championship in Turkey.
  
  Lamar Odom won his second consecutive NBA championship in June playing for his team, the Lakers.

  
  

  
• Team USA roster is short on size, big names - Rajon Rondo withdraws before World Championships. Lamar Odom was the starting center against Spain.
  
  Team USA is down to its final 12 players for the World Championships, for better or worse.

  
  

  
• Pau Gasol has a relaxing summer - The Lakers' All-Star forward doesn't play for Spain for the first time in three years, but he is taking a trip to India as an NBA ambassador.
  
  For once, Pau Gasol is taking time off in the summer, stepping away from Spanish national team obligations and concentrating on, well, the general well-being of Pau Gasol.

  
  

  
• Jerry Buss says this might be his best Lakers team, and that's saying a lot - The Lakers owner is looking forward to squaring off against the reloaded Miami Heat with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. 'Quite honestly, I think we can beat them,' Buss says.
  
  Jerry Buss looked relaxed, maybe even amused, as he showed off his new Hall of Fame ring and then stared down the latest threat to the Lakers.

  
  

  
• Mitch Kupchak makes the Lakers stronger, even if he doesn't get the recognition - Text messages from press row…
  
  Skillful maneuvering by Mitch Kupchak remade the Lakers into a stronger, deeper team this summer.…

  
  

  
• Jerry Buss enters the Hall of Fame on Friday - Lakers owner will be enshrined at Springfield, Mass., as a contributor. Magic Johnson and Jerry West will go in again with their respective Olympic teams.
  
  He has presided over the Lakers since 1979, turning the franchise into one of the most successful in sports.

  
  

  
• Shannon Brown says choice to stay with Lakers was easy - Brown, who mulled over offers from several teams, officially signed his two-year, $4.6-million contract. 'This has been the best fit, the best spot, the best everything for me,' the guard says.
  
  For Shannon Brown, it really was simple.

  
  

  

The Orange County Register – Lakers

• Lin is the NBA's Asian-American inspiration - Before change comes inspiration. Before inspiration, someone must inspire. Here is Jeremy Lin. Even if in his own mind he's merely just another American kid playing ball, here is Jeremy Lin. He's a somewhat reluctant torch-bearer for race. He has not...
• Artest to address mental health with kids - Next week, Lakers forward Ron Artest and Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano will join forces to combat mental health and promote the Mental Health in Schools Act. Seriously.     Click on the photo to see Ron Artest's top mental health moments   ...
• Byron Scott will still coach Lakers someday - Byron Scott took himself off the market and almost off the radar. He is heading into the apocalypse now known as post-LeBron Cleveland ... and starting a new supervisory job at the Cavaliers' old manufacturing plant just as Phil Jackson is vowing...
• Three weeks til the Lakers get rolling - The Lakers are starting up on Sept. 25. That’s a Saturday, and there will be the usual 11 a.m. media session to kick off the season. The team’s first practice will be later that day at its El Segundo facility.Phil Jackson would have been...
• Fisher to address Saints before NFL opener - From one champion to another... And perhaps another.The New Orleans Saints have asked Derek Fisher to address the team before their home opener against the Vikings on Sept. 9 apparently hoping the Lakers guard can shed some light on what it takes to...
• Can U.S. win basketball gold again? - The super stars, the NBA's big names, opted not to play the World Championships having competed in the Olympics two years earlier. Their absence opened the door for many of the NBA's second tier players -- talented players, but not considered...
• Lakers' Shaw should stay if Jackson goes - A year from now, Brian Shaw probably won't get to vacation in Cabo in relative anonymity anymore. Shaw figures to be the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, perhaps the three-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. So well aware of that is...

The Los Angeles Times – Clippers

• Eric Gordon scores 21 points as U.S. pulls away to beat Tunisia, 92-57 - The Americans finish 5-0 in group play at the basketball world championship and will face Angola in the next round.
  
  The Americans finish 5-0 in group play at the basketball world championship and will face Angola in the next round.

  
  

  
• For Lamar Odom, another championship has a nice ring to it - After winning another NBA title with the Lakers, Odom has his sights set on helping the United States win the gold medal at the world championship in Turkey.
  
  After winning another NBA title with the Lakers, Odom has his sights set on helping the United States win the gold medal at the world championship in Turkey.

  
  

  
• Clippers owner Donald Sterling has an answer for everything, and he questions that - This summer has been a bust for his team, but you would never know it by the way the owner talks. He brushes off criticisms as beyond his control, and insists, 'People love the Clippers.'
  
  This summer has been a bust for his team, but you would never know it by the way the owner talks. He brushes off criticisms as beyond his control, and insists, 'People love the Clippers.'

  
  

  
• Eric Gordon: Team USA can win tournament but needs faster starts - Clippers guard gives him impressions of Team USA's 70-68 victory over Brazil in the FIBA World Championship tournament.
  
  Clippers guard gives him impressions of Team USA's 70-68 victory over Brazil in the FIBA World Championship tournament.

  
  

  
• Team USA escapes with 70-68 victory over Brazil - Kevin Durant finishes with 27 points and Chauncey Billups adds 15 as the United States struggles to build a lead against the Brazilians.
  
  ISTANBUL -- The shot bounced off the back rim, then the front, then finally fell out.

  
  

  
• Kevin Durant leads U.S. past Slovenia at world championships - Forward has 22 points on eight-of-13 shooting and Kevin Love finishes with 10 points and 11 rebounds in a 99-77 victory to help America improve to 2-0 in tournament.
  
  ISTANBUL -- An arena that was nearly covered in Slovenian green grew louder with every U.S. miss.

  
  

  
• Eric Gordon: Team USA is really getting it together - Clippers guard gives his impressions of Team USA's 99-77 victory over Slovenia in the FIBA World Championship tournament.
  
  Clippers guard gives him impressions of Team USA's 99-77 victory over Slovenia in the FIBA World Championship tournament.

  
  

  

The Orange County Register – Clippers

• Clippers take Wake Forest big man in first round - LOS ANGELES – The Clippers selected Al-Farouq Aminu of Wake Forest with the eighth pick in the NBA draft. The 6-foot-9 forward from Norcross, Ga., left school after his sophomore season. He led the Demon Deacons in scoring (15.8 points), rebounding...
• Clippers fire interim coach Hughes - LOS ANGELES – The Clippers wasted no time making their first offseason change, firing interim head coach Kim Hughes on Thursday in the team's third major shake-up in 2 1/2 months. The team said on its Web site that Hughes had been dismissed and the...
• Dunleavy out as Clippers' general manager - LOS ANGELES – Mike Dunleavy is out as general manager of the Clippers, barely a month after relinquishing his head coaching duties. The team announced it severed ties with Dunleavy late Tuesday afternoon in an e-mail. Assistant general manager Neil...
• Clippers' Dunleavy out as coach, remains GM - LOS ANGELES – Mike Dunleavy has stepped down as the Los Angeles Clippers' head coach, retaining his job as general manager. Assistant coach Kim Hughes will replace Dunleavy on the bench, where Dunleavy has led the Clippers to just one winning...

New York

The New York Daily News – New York/New Jersey Basketball

• Source: Walsh recently nixed Rudy deal - Rudy Fernandez continues to lobby for a trade to New York, but the Knicks either can't or won't make a trade for the Portland shooting guard. According to a team source, Knicks president Donnie Walsh recently rejected a three-team deal that would have sent Anthony Randolph to Indiana, a first-round pick to Portland and Fernandez to New York.
• USA gets 2nd wind, rolls past Tunisia - Eric Gordon scored 21 points and the United States pulled away after a sluggish first half to beat Tunisia 92-57 on Thursday in its final game of pool play at the world championship. With nothing to play for, the Americans sleepwalked through most of the early start.
• Cappie lifts Liberty into Eastern Conf. Finals - The Liberty defeated the Indiana Fever, 77-74, Wednesday night at the Garden. All Star guard Cappie Pondexter scored a franchise playoff-high 30 points as the Liberty advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Liberty will host the Dream Sunday.
• U.S. cruises past Iran, stays unbeaten - The United States eased its way to a top seed in the knockout round of the world championship, beating Iran 88-51 Wednesday in the first meeting between the countries with a history of contentious relations.
• US survives test, holds on to edge Brazil - The shot bounced off the back rim, then the front, then finally fell out. With that, the United States walked off the court with a victory, and another warning: A world championship won't come easily for this young team - if it comes at all.
• Liberty unable to KO Fever, setting up do-or-die - The Liberty entered on a roll and ended on the brink, unable to close out the Indiana Fever on Sunday night in Game 2 of the best-of-three WNBA Eastern Conference semifinal series.
• Big second quarter helps U.S. rout Croatia - Kevin Durant scored 14 points and got the United States started on a dominant second-quarter stretch in a 106-78 victory over Croatia in its opening game of the tournament. Eric Gordon made four 3-pointers and had 16 points to lead the Americans.

The New York Post – Knicks

• Knicks' Azubuike likely to miss start of training camp - Carmelo Anthony and new Knicks shooting guard Kelanna Azubuike have something in common. Neither likely will be available for the Knicks when training camp opens Sept. 25. Amid another contradictory Internet report, the Nuggets are not accepting trade offers for Anthony. And Donnie Walsh told The Post he has no...

The New York Post – Nets

• Nets have ammo for Carmelo deal - Sure, the Nuggets reportedly have informed at least five interested teams that Carmelo Anthony is not on the market. But should Denver get to the point where it realizes it's trade him or lose him, one team thought to have a real shot to land him via a sign-and-trade...

Boston

The Boston Globe – Celtics

• West returns to the Celtics - Celtics president Danny Ainge has spent his summer vacation plucking unwanted players from other teams, bolstering his lineup on a shoestring budget, bringing a series of big names with formerly big games to Boston.
  
  
  
  Danny Ainge - Boston Celtics - Games - Video Games - United States
• With a spot to fill, Ainge is looking - One roster spot is still available, and everyone from Danny Ainge to Doc Rivers to back-seat general manager Paul Pierce has said that the Celtics need another piece — specifically, a shooter.
  
  
  
  Boston Celtics - Doc Rivers - Paul Pierce - Danny Ainge - NBA
• Portland GM Cho is truly a trail blazer - After 15 years, one of the NBA’s brightest minds finally has an opportunity to implement his state-of-the-art ideas.
  
  
  
  NBA - National Basketball Association - Sport - Portland Trail Blazers - General Motors
• AD: -
• Compelling round of 16 at basketball worlds - With the field down to 16 teams, the knockout stage of the basketball world championship begins Saturday with two highly anticipated matchups.
  
  
  
  Basketball - sport - Single-elimination tournament - Round of 16 - Training
• Seattle's Jackson selected MVP for third time - Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson was selected the WNBA's most valuable player for the third time in her career on Thursday night.
  
  
  
  Lauren Jackson - Seattle Storm - Most Valuable Player - sport - Basketball
• MVP Jackson leads Storm past Mercury in Game 1 - Lauren Jackson had 23 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Seattle Storm to an 82-74 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
  
  
  
  Seattle Storm - Lauren Jackson - Phoenix Mercury - Western Conference - Mercury

The Boston Herald – Celtics & NBA

• U.S. does just enough against Tunisia - ISTANBUL - With nothing to play for, the United States looked as if it didn't want to play. Outworked and...
  
• Lamar Odom hoping to stock up on championships - LOS ANGELES - Lamar Odom won his second consecutive NBA championship in June playing for his team, the Los Angeles...
  
• Celtics bring back Delonte West - Danny Ainge has always had a warm spot in his basketball heart for Delonte West, and this week he got to act on...
  
• Spain beats Canada 89-67 at basketball worlds - IZMIR, Turkey - Spain finished Group D play at the basketball world championship with consecutive strong games,...
  
• Australia clinches 3rd place in basketball pool - KAYSERI, Turkey - Australia beat Angola 76-55 Thursday to clinch third place in Group A of the basketball world...
  
• U.S. nets politically correct result - ISTANBUL - In the political arena, Iran vs. the United States is a matchup that gets attention. In a basketball...
  
• Heat sign Da'Sean Butler, pushing roster to 18 - MIAMI - Former West Virginia star Da'Sean Butler has signed with the Miami Heat, becoming the team's...
  

Chicago

The Chicago Sun-Times – Bulls

The Chicago Tribune – Bulls

Detroit

The Detroit Free Press – Pistons

• All but one Pistons regular-season game will be on TV - Fox Sports Detroit will televise 80 of the Pistons' 82 regular-season games. Including an ESPN telecast, 81 of the club's games will be televised.
• Back-to-school event a slam dunk - On Wednesday, Stuckey showed his appreciation by presenting 500 lucky kids with new backpacks full of school supplies and with Detroit Pistons knit hats.
• Pistons' Rodney Stuckey shows selflessness with children - Orchards Children's Services officials were nearing the end of a brief ceremony thanking Rodney Stuckey for his efforts to help the Southfield-based foster-care agency, when he asked for the woman he calls his stepmother to come forth.
• Stuckey gives backpacks to kids - Check out Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey handing out 500 packages of school supplies in Southfield.
• Kuester optimistic about players -- and playoffs - Veterans Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, rookie Greg Monroe and recently acquired Tracy McGrady have been working with conditioning coach Arnie Kander in hopes of coming to training camp in great shape.
• Hair today ... - Manny Ramirez might have to cut his dreads per the White Sox dress code. Some memorable haircuts:
• Davidson's estate quietly settles 3 suits - Those lawsuits sought to wrest at least $20 million from the state of the late billionaire businessman and Pistons owner -- a hazard that one attorney said is the result of being very rich and dead.

Detroit News – Pistons

• U.S. wins first meeting with Iran, stays unbeaten - The U.S. team, which downplayed the political aspect of the game, methodically pulled away in the first half, wearing down the Asian champions with its depth and athleticism.
• Pistons' Kuester featured at UDM coaches clinic - Pistons coach John Kuester headlines the list of coaches who will take part in Detroit Mercy's third-annual coaches clinic on Sept. 25.
• Young Americans survive scare, clinch Group B with another victory - A last-second shot by Brazil's Leandro Barbosa rattled out of the rim at the buzzer as the United States improved to 3-0 in the world championships. Kevin Durant led the way with 27 points, while former Piston Chauncey Billups scored 15
• Durant, Love send U.S. to 2-0 start at worlds - An arena that was nearly covered in Slovenian green grew louder with every U.S. miss. Playing a rare early game, the United States had stalled after a quick start.
• Vincent Goodwill: Pistons Austin Daye, Tracy McGrady share potential; future is the question - Daye and McGrady are at opposite ends of the career spectrum, but they are the most intriguing Pistons headed into training camp. There's only one small caveat: They play the same position. But that's not such a bad thing.
• Chauncey Billups, Team USA start strong in world championships - Eric Gordon made four 3-pointers and had 16 points to lead the Americans, who turned a close game into a blowout by limiting the Croatians to six points in the second quarter. Billups finished with 12 points in the tournament opener.
• Pistons rookie Greg Monroe likes what he sees of Detroit - Monroe was at Milliken State Park in downtown Detroit, where Coca-Cola presented a $25,000 check that will be used for an indoor/outdoor adventure play area.

Philadelphia

Philly.com (The Inquirer & The Daily News) – Sixers

• Clutch shooting helps Serbia in upset of Argentina - Aleksandar Rasic made four free throws in the last 11 seconds yesterday to help Serbia upset top-ranked Argentina, 84-82, and win Group A at the basketball world championship.
• NBA: West returns to Celtics - Former St. Joseph's star Delonte West is returning to Boston after being waived last month by Minnesota. The Celtics said Wednesday that they had signed the 6-foot-3 guard, who was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2010-11 season after pleading guilty to weapons charges in Maryland.
• West heads East and back to Boston - BOSTON - The Boston Celtics announced yesterday that it has signed Delonte West, the former Saint Joseph's Hawk, who has been suspended for the first 10 games of the 2010-11 season after pleading guilty to weapons charges in Maryland.
• No politics included in U.S. win over Iran - ISTANBUL - In the political arena, Iran vs. the United States is a matchup that gets attention. In a basketball arena, not so much.
• Dre Diary - Sixers' Andre Iguodala is keeping an exclusive diary for the Daily News at the World Championships. Today's entry comes after Team USA's 85-51 win over Iran in Group B play. The Americans improved to 4-0. Iguodala had a three-pointer - making his only shot of the game - three rebounds and a steal in 12 minutes.
• Dre Diary - Sixers' Andre Iguodala is keeping an exclusive diary for the Daily News at the World Championships. The latest entry comes after Team USA's 99-77 win over Slovenia in a Group B preliminary game played before a pro-Slovenia crowd. The U.S. team is now 2-0 and faces Brazil today (2:30 p.m., ESPN). Iguodala had 11 points against Slovenia on 5-for-7 shooting, with four rebounds and two assists.
• Dre Diary - Sixers' Andre Iguodala is keeping an exclusive diary for the Daily News at the World Championships. The latest entry comes after Team USA's 70-68 win over Brazil, which means the Americans have earned a spot in the elimination round. Iguodala finished with three points - all from the free throw line - and attempted just one field goal in 29 minutes. He also had five rebounds and five steals.

Dallas

The Dallas Morning News – Mavericks

• USA defeats Slovenia, 99-77; Tyson Chandler plays just 9 minutes
• Mavericks center Tyson Chandler is rebounding leader in U.S. win over Iran
• Chat replay: Kevin Sherrington answers your questions
• Story: 'Here's why Deron Williams will leave Utah for Dallas'
• Mavericks center Tyson Chandler has limited role as USA defeats Croatia

Atlanta

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Hawks

• Jonesboro siblings gave it all to reach 
the NFL and NBA - Right about now is the point in the Brothers Douglas Fairy Tale when the happily ever after should begin.
• Jamal Crawford wants trade if Hawks balk at contract extension - Jamal Crawford has told the Hawks he wants to be traded before the 2010-11 season if the team doesn’t offer a contract extension to his liking, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
• Same-look Hawks seek to grow their core - With training camp set to open in about five weeks, the Hawks are in the peculiar position of having committed to the richest contract in the NBA while still facing the perception they didn't significantly improve their roster.
• Local pro sports teams reach out to recession-hit fans - The Falcons have rebooted. The Braves are charging -- or is it hobbling? -- into the homestretch. The Hawks have begun to hawk tickets, as have the Thrashers, for seasons on the horizon.
• Drew to put Hawks in motion - There were cracks about Larry Drew directing like Spike Lee and how Hawks players would laugh when they watched video of their coaches, long past their playing days, working this hard.
• Heat, Magic to visit Hawks for exhibitions - The Hawks will play exhibition games against the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic at Philips Arena, the team announced Wednesday.
• Lorenzen Wright slaying mystery deepens - The ex-wife of Lorenzen Wright has told police he left her house the night of his death with a box of drugs and an unknown amount of cash, the Commercial Appeal of Memphis is reporting, citing court records.

Houston

The Houston Chronicle – Rockets

• U.S. pulls away late to rout Tunisia 92-57 - Eric Gordon scored 21 points and the United States pulled away from Tunisia after sleepwalking through the first half in its final game of pool play at the world championship.

  
  

  
• Scola stars but Argentina upset by Serbia -

  
  

  
• Sizzling Scola pours in 30 in Argentina win - Top-ranked Argentina won its fourth straight game at the basketball world championship by defeating winless Jordan 88-79.

  
  

  
• U.S. wins first meeting with Iran, stays unbeaten - The U.S. eased to a top seed in the knockout round of the world championship, beating Iran 88-51 Wednesday in the first meeting between the countries with often contentious relations.

  
  

  

Miami

The Miami Herald – Heat

• LeBron will root for Buckeyes when they face UM - LeBron James didn't change all his teams this summer.
• Guard Delonte West returning to Celtics - Delonte West is returning to the Boston Celtics.
• Miami Heat signs rookie forward Da'Sean Butler - The Miami Heat signed rookie small forward Da'Sean Butler to a two-year contract on Monday, but it's undetermined when he will be able to play because of a knee injury.
• Not-guilty plea for Jay Vincent but deal looms - Court filings show a plea bargain is in the works for ex-Michigan State basketball star and retired NBA player Jay Vincent, who appeared in court Tuesday on charges in a $2 million Internet scam.
• Heat agree to terms with second-round pick Butler - The Miami Heat signed 2010 second-round pick Da'Sean Butler to a contract on Monday.
• Jordan, Bobcats make donation to NC schools - Michael Jordan and his Bobcats NBA team will donate $250,000 to middle-school athletics programs in Charlotte, North Carolina's largest city.
• Snyder takes long road to 76ers - Quin Snyder was in a basketball nowhere land. He rode the bus on those three-movie road trips on the NBDL circuit where everyone in a uniform believed they were one big break away from a look at the big time.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel – Heat

• StubHub partners with Miami & FSU - Just in time for college football season, online ticket marketplace StubHub continues its march across Florida and into the ACC, adding the University of Miami and Florida State to its 15 other college and conference partners. The partnerships mean UM.......
• LeBron James, Wade, Bosh bargains, says analyst - For all the hype that accompanied the Miami Heat's July signings of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Pat Riley apparently did his shopping at the NBA's free-agency bargain bin. At least that's the spin being offered by New York-based analyst...
• ASK IRA: Did Riley stop shopping too soon? - Ask Ira! SunSentinel Heat Writer Ira Winderman answers YOUR questions about the team! You can read his latest comments below. To submit your question, e-mail here. Please include your name, city and state with each question. --------------------...
• StubHub partners with UM, FSU - Just in time for college football season, online ticket marketplace StubHub continues its march across Florida and into the ACC, adding the University of Miami and Florida State to its 15 other college and conference partners. The partnerships mean UM...
• Heat's Anthony, Arroyo out in World Championships - There will be no world championship for any member of the Miami Heat this year. Instead, the focus now returns to a potential NBA championship behind the reloaded roster of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Center Joel Anthony and guard Carlos...
• Party City sponsoring Florida Panthers empty seats - Leave it to the Florida Panthers to remind you that everything has a price ??? even empty arena seats. The team promised it would sell a sponsorship to the coverings on upper level seats that have been added to reduce......
• Carlos Arroyo, Mario Chalmers ailing at point for Heat - With the start of training camp less than four weeks away, the Miami Heat might find themselves shorthanded at point guard for those opening drills, despite a roster than now includes 18 players fighting for 15 regular-season spots. Carlos Arroyo, who...

Phoenix

The Arizona Republic – Suns

• Former Phoenix Suns star Amar'e Stoudemire returns, reflects - Amar'e Stoudemire stepped back in US Airways Center Wednesday, holding no grudge in sharing his thoughts on his departure.
• United States Beats Tunisia 92-57 at FIBA World Championship - Eric Gordon scored 21 points and the United States pulled away after a sluggish first half on Thursday.
• Former Phoenix Sun Neal Walk more than a trivia answer - When you think of Neal Walk you might think of a coin toss. There's a whole lot more to the guy.
• Phoenix Suns, Dwayne Jones reunite after reluctant parting - Suns notes: Dwayne Jones returns and other tidbits.
• Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash embraces challenge, change - Steve Nash left Phoenix for three months and returned to find new bosses, five new teammates and the same onus on him.
• Team USA wins first meeting with Iran - In the political arena, Iran vs. the United States is a matchup that gets attention.
• Phoenix Suns bring back Dwayne Jones - The Suns signed Dwayne Jones, who was part of the trade to Toronto for Hedo Turkoglu.

Portland

The Portland Oregonian – Blazers Blog

• FIBA: Rudy scores 19 as Spain beats Canada 89-67 at basketball worlds
• FIBA: Batum scores 13 in loss to Lithuania
• Trail Blazers links: Rudy Fernandez gets dunked on
• FIBA: Nicolas Batum leads France past Canada 68-63 at basketball worlds
• Trail Blazers links: Nicolas Batum, Rudy Fernandez back in action
• Trail Blazers links: Nicolas Batum's highlight reel dunks
• FIBA: France seals 72-66 win over Spain at foul line

San Francisco

The San Francisco Chronicle – Warriors

• U.S. grinds out a win against gritty Slovenia
• Stephen Curry is in his element at World Championship
• WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP / U.S. takes aim on event that's disappointed
• Stephen Curry is in his element at World Championship
• DIGEST / Quick return to court for Curry
• BASKETBALL / Hopeful Curry 'progressing'
• Curry sprains ankle

San Antonio

The San Antonio Express-News – Spurs

• U.S. rolls in 2nd half to rout Tunisia - Outworked and outhustled, the Americans led winless Tunisia by only four points early in the third quarter before turning the game into a rout over the final 15 minutes of a 92-57 victory Thursday.
• Announcer accused of online harassment - Mike Lavender, a contract announcer for Spurs, Rampage and Missions games is accused of setting up a fake Twitter account to intentionally harm a local TV reporter.
• Team USA wins first meeting with Iran - In the political arena, Iran vs. the United States is a matchup that gets attention. In a basketball arena, not so much.
• Durant-led Americans escape Brazil at FIBA - The Americans survived their first tough test in Turkey, edging Brazil 70-68 on Monday when Leandro Barbosa’s shot rattled out at the buzzer.
• Durant, Love pace U.S. stroll - Kevin Durant scored 22 points, Kevin Love added 10 points and 11 rebounds in a gritty 13 minutes off the bench, and the Americans beat Slovenia 99-77 on Sunday in an opening-round game of the FIBA World Championship.
• Durant sparks U.S. victory over Croatia - Kevin Durant scored 14 points and got the United States started on a dominant second-quarter stretch in a 106-78 victory over Croatia in its opening game of the tournament.
• USA Basketball taking worlds seriously now - Mike Krzyzewski’s college kids were overmatched, his NBA All-Stars a bit unready. Now he will try with a team that’s somewhere in between.

Denver

The Denver Post – Nuggets

• Krieger: Nuggets' Karl cleared for work after cancer treatment - Normally, taking charge of a term-limited Nuggets roster might seem like a questionable career move for a basketball coach on a one-year contract.
• Indifferent U.S. team rallies past Tunisia - With nothing to play for, the United States looked as if it didn't want to play.
• U.S. earns top seed with win over Iran - The United States eased its way to a top seed in the knockout round of the world championship, beating Iran 88-51 on Wednesday in the first meeting between the countries with a history of contentious relations.
• Nuggets' Karl eyeing return to coaching - Nuggets coach George Karl, having cleared every major hurdle in his latest bout with cancer, has little doubt he'll be back for the upcoming season.
• Ujiri focuses on Anthony - It's unclear whether the Nuggets will need a PowerPoint presentation, a cartoon character or a music video to convince Carmelo Anthony to accept their $65 million contract offer.
• Nuggets want Anthony's take on team - Newly minted Nuggets vice president of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri, re-iterated this afternoon that he intends on meeting with the team's star forward, Carmelo Anthony, soon.
• NHL salary cap something for NFL, NBA to envy - With the NFL and the NBA headed toward major -- potentially crippling -- labor disputes, both big-time leagues could learn a thing or two from the NHL.

Cleveland

The Cleveland Plain Dealer – Cavs

• Cavaliers set intrasquad scrimmage for Oct. 1; vouchers for free tickets available beginning Sept. 7
• Shaquille O'Neal stars in his version of wedding crashers
• Cavaliers, Ohio State Comment of the Day: LeBron on OSU's sideline?
• Cavaliers Comment of the Day: Delonte a good fit in Boston
• LeBron James may take his talents to Columbus to watch OSU vs. 'Canes
• Former Cavs guard Delonte West rejoins the Boston Celtics
• CavsHQ Wednesday - Disagreeing with People

Orlando

The Orlando Sentinel – Magic

Washington

The Washington Post – Wizzards

• Bryant's barrage delivers Wizards' 11th straight loss - LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant caught the ball in the low block, backed down Mike Miller, faked left, then spun right to hit a turnaround, fadeaway jumper. He did a shoulder shimmy shake to get Al Thornton off balance, then pulled up over him for a three-pointer. It didn't matter who the Washington W...
  
  
• Washington Wizards fall to Portland Trail Blazers on Brandon Roy's last-second shot - PORTLAND, ORE. -- The Washington Wizards have been knocked down and beat down all month, but on Friday night, they showed that they weren't going to back down. They had lost their previous four games by double digits and arrived in Portland with their leading scorer hobbled with a sprained left a...
  
  
• As injuries and losses mount, the Washington Wizards' misery continues to multiply - DENVER -- Andray Blatche fell to the floor under the basket Tuesday night and immediately reached for his left ankle. Blatche looked up and saw Denver Nuggets center Nene lunging toward the basket for a powerful slam. He curled up and rolled over to avoid getting stepped on and continued to grimace...
  
  
• Washington Wizards lose ninth straight as Andray Blatche becomes latest player to fall - DENVER -- Playing their fifth game in six nights, against a team that they upset nearly a month ago, and in the exhaustive high altitude of the Rocky Mountains, the Washington Wizards appeared to be set up for massacre on Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets. But the Wizards refused to lay down for...
  
  
  
• Washington Wizards continue to struggle as they lose to Utah Jazz, their eighth straight defeat - SALT LAKE CITY -- For the first time in a while, the Washington Wizards faced an opponent that could relate to feeling a bit tired and fatigued. The Utah Jazz was set to play its fifth game in seven nights on Monday and was coming off a loss in Oklahoma City on Sunday. But Coach Flip Saunders wasn't...
  
  
• Reeling Washington Wizards head west for a 'ridiculous' road trip - After seven losses in a row, the road doesn't get any easier for the Wizards, who departed Sunday for Utah and the start of a rough four-game stretch.
  
  
• Featured Advertiser -

The Washington Times – NBA/WNBA

• Compelling round of 16 at basketball worlds -

  ISTANBUL (AP) - With the field down to 16 teams, the knockout stage of the basketball world championship begins Saturday with two highly anticipated matchups.

  Balkan rivals Serbia and Croatia, who fought a war in the early 1990s, play the opening game at the Sinan Erdem Dome. That's followed by defending ...

• Seattle's Jackson selected MVP for third time -

  SEATTLE (AP) - Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson was selected the WNBA's most valuable player for the third time in her career on Thursday night.

  Jackson was honored before Game 1 of Seattle's best-of-three Western Conference final against defending champion Phoenix. Also, the Storm's Brian Agler was named the league's coach ...

• Seattle's Jackson selected MVP for third time -

  SEATTLE (AP) - Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson was selected the WNBA's most valuable player for the third time in her career on Thursday night.

  Jackson was honored before Game 1 of Seattle's best-of-three Western Conference final against defending champion Phoenix. Also, the Storm's Brian Agler was named the league's coach ...

• Dancers won't perform in Turkey's games at worlds -

  ISTANBUL (AP) - FIBA's dance team has been benched during Turkey's games.

  The Red Foxes have been told to stop performing in games involving the host country because their risque costumes and routines are offensive to the nation that is nearly entirely Muslim. Islam prohibits women from exposing their skin in ...

• Guard Delonte West returning to Celtics -

  BOSTON (AP) - Delonte West is returning to the Boston Celtics.

  The team announced Wednesday that it has signed the 6-foot-3 guard, who was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2010-11 season after pleading guilty to weapons charges in Maryland.

  West played his first three seasons with Boston before being ...

• U.S. learning on the fly at world championships -

  USA Basketball still treats the world championships like an exhibition series and it shows.

  Instead of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or any of the other members of the "Redeem Team" that won gold in Beijing two years ago, coach Mike Krzyzewski turned up in Turkey with a "B" squad ...

• Lesson learned, U.S. will need more from its subs -

  ISTANBUL (AP) - The last U.S. basketball team was so stacked that Dwyane Wade was the sixth man. Chris Paul and Chris Bosh were also part of that second unit, one good enough to beat any starting five in the world.

  When Mike Krzyzewski looked down at the bench he ...

Salt Lake City

The Salt Lake Tribune – Jazz

• Jazz owner says team must pay to stay competitive -

  Jazz owner says team must pay to stay competitive

  By Ross Siler The Salt Lake Tribune

  Updated Aug 1, 2010 12:11AM MDT

  Jazz chief executive Greg Miller was attending league meetings in Las Vegas on July 12 when general manager Kevin O’Connor, team president Randy Rigby and chief financial officer Bob Hyde called to outline the proposed Al Jefferson trade with Minnesota. Once they had discussed the favorable basketball implications of adding a low-post force in Jefferson, who averaged 20.1 points and 10.4 rebounds the past three seasons with the Timberwolves, Hyde went over the financial particulars with Miller. ...

  Copyright 2010 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

• Jazz meet Suns, Thunder during opening week -

  Jazz meet Suns, Thunder during opening week

  The Salt Lake Tribune

  Updated Aug 3, 2010 11:41PM MDT

  The Utah Jazz will play two nationally televised games during the first week of the season, the NBA announced Tuesday. Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns visit Utah on Oct. 28 for an 8:30 p.m. game on TNT at EnergySolutions Arena. On Oct. 31, the Jazz travel to Oklahoma City to play Kevin Durant and the Thunder in game carried by NBA-TV at 5 p.m. MST. The NBA season opens Oct. 26, when the new-look Miami Heat visit Boston to play the Celtics. The second game of the TNT doubleheader matches the two-...

  Copyright 2010 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

• Jazz GM signs extension; Sloan will return -

  Jazz GM signs extension; Sloan will return

  By Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune

  Updated Aug 5, 2010 11:47PM MDT

  The Utah Jazz lost Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver and Wesley Matthews to free agency this summer. In their place, they acquired Al Jefferson, signed Raja Bell and drafted Gordon Hayward. But a couple of things won’t be changing. On Thursday, the Jazz announced general manager Kevin O’Connor has signed a multi-year contract extension. In addition, the team received word from Jerry Sloan that he plans to return for his 23rd season as Utah’s head coach. O’Connor is starting his 12th year with the Jazz,...

  Copyright 2010 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

• Jazz preseason schedule includes three home games -

  Jazz preseason schedule includes three home games

  By Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune

  Updated Aug 7, 2010 12:17AM MDT

  The Utah Jazz announced Friday they will play three of their eight preseason games at EnergySolutions Arena, starting Oct. 7 against Portland. It is the first time the Jazz have ever played more than two preseason games in Salt Lake City. It is the first time since 2001 they have played three exhibition games within the state of Utah. The Jazz, featuring a new-look roster that includes Al Jefferson, Raja Bell and first-round draft pick Gordon Hayward, open against the Trail Blazers. The game wil...

  Copyright 2010 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

• Jazz open on the road against Nuggets -

  Jazz open on the road against Nuggets

  By Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune

  Updated Aug 11, 2010 09:36AM MDT

  The Utah Jazz upset Denver in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs last spring. The Nuggets won’t have to wait long for a chance to exact some revenge. The Jazz open their 2010-11 season against Carmelo Anthony and the defending Northwest Division champion Nuggets on Oct. 27 at the Pepsi Center. Utah opens its home season one night later, when Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns invade EnergySolutions Arena for a game on Oct. 28 that will be carried on TNT. This will be the third strai...

  Copyright 2010 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

• Reflecting on the Dream Team -

  Reflecting on the Dream Team

  Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune

  Updated Aug 12, 2010 04:33PM MDT

  Springfield, Mass. • The Dream Team’s first step toward Olympic domination and Friday night’s induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame was a nightmare. Losing to a bunch of college kids? Inexplicably, it happened. Before the Dream Team, NBA players were ineligible for the Olympics. But that changed when FIBA, basketball’s world governing body, changed its rules and permitted professionals to participate at Barcelona in 1992. It was a time of wonderment and great excitement, as fans h...

  Copyright 2010 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

• Jazz to unveil new uniforms Monday -

  Jazz to unveil new uniforms Monday

  The Salt Lake Tribune

  Updated Aug 12, 2010 12:43AM MDT

  The Utah Jazz will unveil their new uniforms at a public Fanfest at 7 p.m. Monday at EnergySolutions Arena. New Jazz center Al Jefferson will join C.J. Miles, Paul Millsap and Ronnie Price for the fashion show. In addition, former Jazz star Darrell Griffith, who spent 10 seasons in Utah, will be on hand to sign autographs. “After getting tremendous feedback from our fans following the release of our new colors and logo variations, we wanted to include the community when we unveiled the new unifo...

  Copyright 2010 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Minneapolis

The Minneapolis Star Tribune –

• After sleepwalking early on, US awakens to rout Tunisia 92-57 at basketball worlds in Turkey
• US easily wins first meeting with Iran, 88-51, clinches No. 1 in world championship group
• Coach K rolls the dice: 'Hope we'll have our best product by the medal round.'
• Celtics sign free agent Delonte West, who faces 10-game suspension after weapons plea
• Angola rallies to stun Germany in OT at basketball World Championship
• World basketball championship schedule
• Serbia gets back to full strength and beats Australia 94-79 at basketball world championship

Toronto, Canada

The Globe and Mail – Basketball News

• Defending champs school callow Canucks - ‘Star-struck' Canadians vow they'll be better after lessons learned in a winless campaign
• Lauren Jackson named WNBA MVP - Seattle forward collects top honours in women’s pro circuit
• Serbia win sets up Classico - Argentina ready face Brazil in knockout faze’, Serbia prepares for Croatia battle
• Hawks sign Etan Thomas - Atlanta, free agent centre agree to deal
• U.S. hammers Tunisia 92-57 - Eric Gordon scored 21 points as Americans pulled away after a sluggish first half
• Canada exits with a roundball whimper - Canucks wrap disappointing performance at FIBA World Championships with 89-67 lesson from defending champions Spain
• Is it all his fault? - Blame for world tournament failure can’t all be dumped on Canada’s coach Leo Rautins

The Toronto Star – Raptors

• LeBron’s word war with former boss heats up -

  New Miami Heat star LeBron tells GQ that he isn’t sure Cavaliers owner Gilbert ever cared

• Raptors waive Jones to pare roster to 15 -

  The Toronto Raptors waived forward-centre Dwayne Jones on Monday.

• Lawyer hopeful Heat’s Haslem will be cleared of pot charge -

  The lawyer for Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem says he is hopeful the NBA player will be vindicated of a possession of marijuana charge brought following a traffic stop over the weekend.

• Jermaine Bucknor stands tall for Canada -

  Coach Leo Rautins likes what he sees in Friday night’s 85-63 exhibition basketball win over France.

• Doug Smith's Raptors blog -

  I think the knee-jerk reaction of so many to what was an entirely predictable demise of Canada here in Izmir is hilarious.

Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Star

• Reggie Miller in the Hall of Fame? Of course - When it comes to discerning who belongs in a given Hall of Fame, I like to apply the Potter Stewart Test. It was Stewart, then a Supreme Court Justice, who in 1964 said he couldn't accurately define what pornography was, but "I know it when I see it."
• U.S. escapes with win over Brazil - ISTANBUL -- The shot bounced off the back of the rim, then the front before finally falling out. With that, the United States walked off the court with a victory, and another warning: A world championship won't come easily for this young team -- if it comes at all.
• Durant, Love carry load at World Basketball Championship - ISTANBUL -- An arena that was nearly covered in Slovenian green grew louder with every U.S. miss. Playing a rare early game, the United States had stalled after a quick start, and a double-digit lead was down to five as halftime approached.
• Gordon helps U.S. rip Croatia - ISTANBUL -- Eric Gordon made four 3-pointers and had 16 points and Kevin Durant scored 14 points to lead the United States to a 106-78 rout of Croatia in its opening game of the basketball world championship Saturday.
• Pacers guard Rush suspended for failing drug test - Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien will have one fewer option when selecting a starting shooting guard on opening night. The NBA announced Friday it suspended Brandon Rush five games without pay for violating its anti-drug policy. Rush will lose about $116,000 in salary. The earliest he could play is Nov. 9 against Denver.
• Rush has to go, and he makes Bird and Pacers leaders look like dopes - In the wake of Brandon Rush's drug suspension, let me tell you a little bit about the NBA's drug-testing policy:
• Eric Gordon, Danny Granger help U.S. win world basketball opener - Eric Gordon (North Central HS/Indiana University) and Danny Granger (Pacers) scored 13 and 9 points respectively today to help the United States cruise past Croatia 106-78 in the opening game of the World Basketball Championships in Turkey.

Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Bucks

• Bucks optimistic on Bogut rehab - Andrew Bogut suffered a gruesome, season-ending injury when he hit the Bradley Center floor after dunking the ball against Phoenix on April 3, and the 7-foot center suffered broken bones in his right wrist, a fractured right hand and index finger and dislocated right elbow. Now the focus switches to the upcoming season and Bogut's ability to make a full recovery.
  
• Returning Boykins sees Bucks in a better position for playoff run - Earl Boykins, who stands 5-foot-5 yet has stuck around the NBA for a dozen years, is back with the Bucks and ready to contribute as part of the team's point guard trio. He says things look a lot brighter now than they did in 2007.
• 5-foot-5 Boykins rejoins Bucks - Veteran Earl Boykins, ready to begin his 12th NBA season, has reached agreement on a one-year deal to join the Bucks, according to agent Mark Termini.
• Bucks' Jennings makes most of off-season - The Milwaukee Bucks' 20-year-old point guard Brandon Jennings has been plenty busy this summer. He was in Taiwan recently to play in a charity game organized by Yao Ming, and he also hung out at the ESPYs earlier this summer with former Seattle point guard Gary Payton.
• Former Bucks guard Bridgeman to be honored for service - Former Milwaukee Bucks guard Junior Bridgeman is being honored for his community service Friday, when he will receive the 2010 Fellowship Open Legends Award. U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, owner of the Bucks, will present the award.
• 2010-'11 Milwaukee Bucks schedule - Note: All Times Eastern
  
  
• A double dose of Heat coming to Milwaukee - The Miami Heat will be coming to Milwaukee with its triple-studded attack featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Heat will face the Bucks in early December, with an encore performance in early January.

New Orleans

The New Orleans Times-Picayune – Hornets

• New Orleans Hornets will offer two-game combo ticket for half price
• New Orleans Hornets hire Carlos Daniel as strength coach and Adam Tatalovich as video coordinator
• Derek Fisher is a great idea for the Saints!
• After 22 seasons with the New Orleans Hornets,Terry Kofler will not be retained as athletic trainer
• Let's be perfectly clear (pt. 2)
• New Orleans Hornets continue to make offseason moves
• New Orleans Hornets sign point guard Mustafa Shakur

Sacramento

The Sacramento Bee – Kings

• Sacramento loan to Kings changed without council's OK
• Casspi promotes Mideast peace in kids' camp
• Leading Off: Would Anthony be good for Kings to acquire?
• Ailene Voisin: Whiteside is ready for a tall order
• NBA suspends Evans one game for speeding
• Heat game part of Kings ticket package
• Tyreke Evans to speak at CHP safe-driving class

Charlotte

The Charlotte Observer – Bobcats

• Help from Bobcats, Jordan a welcome boost for schools
• Team USA clobbers Iran
• Lesson learned, US will need more from its subs
• US survives test, holds on to edge Brazil 70-68
• Durant, Love send US to 2-0 start at worlds
• Big second quarter helps US run away from Croatia

Memphis

The Memphis Commercial Appeal – Grizzlies

• Grizzlies launch press to stir fans - The Grizzlies want fans to know that this season — their 10th in Memphis — is the one to really believe in.
• Grizzlies' Gay named to the 2010 USA World Championship team - Rudy Gay signed a five-year, maximum-salary contact earlier this summer. Today, the Grizzlies’ 6-8 forward received another offseason bonus when Gay was one of 12 players named to the 2010 USA World Championship team.
• Grizzlies promote first decade in Memphis - The Memphis Grizzlies are turning 10 years old this season, and they are planning to celebrate with what will seem like a never-ending party.
• Grizzlies get trade offers for Xavier Henry - The Grizzlies have fielded several trade offers from teams looking to acquire the rights to Xavier Henry.
• Analysis: Griz keep core players but might need to overachieve again - The Griz might again have to play above their talent given that it took 50 wins to earn a playoff berth in the West last season.
• Spanish foe on tap in Griz preseason - Grizzlies notebook
• Spanish team among Grizzlies' preseason opponents - The Grizzlies won’t be among a select group of NBA teams traveling to Europe for exhibition games this season.

Oklahoma City

The Oklahoman – Thunder

• US pulls away in 2nd half to rout Tunisia 92-57 -

  BRIAN MAHONEY,AP Basketball Writer

  ISTANBUL — Eric Gordon scored 21 points and the United States pulled away after a sluggish first half to beat Tunisia 92-57 on Thursday in its final game of pool play at the world championship.
  
  Read more on NewsOK.com
  
  
• Kevin Durant scores 12 points in Team USA's win over Iran -

  By The Associated Press

  The United States earned a top seed in the knockout round of the world championship with an 88-51 victory Wednesday in the first meeting between the countries with a history of contentious relations.
  
  Read more on NewsOK.com
  
  
• Team USA needs more out of its reserves -

  By BRIAN MAHONEY, AP Basketball Writer

  The United States almost lost to Brazil, in part because of the poor play of reserves. The U.S. needs to use Wednesday's game against an overmatched Iran team to get better.
  
  Read more on NewsOK.com
  
  
• OKC Thunder restructures front-office staff -

  By Darnell Mayberry, Staff Writer, dmayberry@opubco.com

  Following the departures of two key front office members, the Oklahoma City Thunder has restructured its staff for the 2010-11 season.

  The team announced Tuesday that it has promoted Troy Weaver to vice president/assistant general manager, Rob Hennigan to assistant general manager/player personnel, Paul Rivers to director of minor league operations and basketball technology and Brandon Barnett to director of minor league scouting and manager of minor league operations.

  The Thunder also announced the additions of Michael Winger as assistant general manager/legal and administration and David Vanterpool as a pro scout.

  Oklahoma City saw assistant general manager Rich Cho accept the general manager job in Portland this
  
  Read more on NewsOK.com
  
  

• Jenni Carlson: Kevin Durant's popularity is world wide -

  By Jenni Carlson

  If you want to know how big a star Kevin Durant has become, search his name on Twitter.

  The Thunder swingman had the Internet's popular social-networking site buzzing after he led Team USA to another victory at the FIBA World Championships.
  
  Read more on NewsOK.com
  
  

• U.S. survives test, holds on to edge Brazil -

  By Brian Mahoney

  ISTANBUL — The shot bounced off the back rim, then the front, then finally fell out.

  With that, the United States walked off the court with a victory, and another warning: A world championship won't come easily for this young team — if it comes at all.

  The Americans survived their first tough test in Turkey, edging Brazil 70-68 on Monday when Leandro Barbosa's shot rattled out at the buzzer.

  "This game right here was an eye opener," U.S. guard Derrick Rose said.

  Kevin Durant scored 27 points and Chauncey Billups added 15 for the Americans (3-0), who essentially clinched Group B with the victory.
  
  Read more on NewsOK.com
  
  

• Kevin Durant, Kevin Love send Team USA to 2-0 start at worlds -

  By The Associated Press

  ISTANBUL — An arena that was nearly covered in Slovenian green grew louder with every U.S. miss.

  Playing a rare early game, the United States had stalled after a quick start, and a double-digit lead was down to five as halftime approached.

  Then, every time the Americans needed them, Kevin Durant seemed to get on the scoreboard and Kevin Love was on the backboard.

  Durant scored 22 points, Love added 10 points and 11 rebounds in a gritty 13 minutes off the bench, and the Americans beat Slovenia 99-77 on Sunday in an opening-round game.

  “They did a great job of fighting, getting stops and making plays, and we know that we can't go out here and blow every team out,” Durant said.
  
  Read more on NewsOK.com