NBA

Very little has gone according to plan for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. So little, in fact, that executive vice president Jim Buss said Thursday it would be foolish to "blow it up" until the team has played enough games together to correctly identify why it has so...

Associated PressCrash-warning device might not have saved Bryant helicopterBy BRIAN MELLEY, DAVID KOENIG and BERNARD CONDONLOS ANGELES (AP) The helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant didn’t have a long-recommended warning system to alert the pilot he was too close to the ground, but it is not clear whether it would...

AP Basketball WriterChris Bosh ready to see his jersey retired by Miami HeatBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Chris Bosh is making a lot of music these days. He drinks beer and thinks about making more beer. He sketches. He paints. He plays with his kids. He has even learned...

AP Sports WriterHoops Hall mulls date for Bryant, Class of 2020 inductionBy JIMMY GOLENThe Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was gearing up for a great year: not just the all-but-certain election of NBA superstars like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, but also a chance to unveil...

AP Basketball WriterThe wait is over: Delayed NBA draft finally comes WednesdayBy BRIAN MAHONEYThere was no dancing on the court after a March Madness victory. No bounding onto the stage in a spiffy suit to meet the commissioner in June.The coronavirus pandemic wiped out the traditional end of a...

AP Sports WriterIn their 50th season, Suns patient in developing young teamBy BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) The Phoenix Suns probably won't have much to celebrate in terms of wins and losses in the franchise's 50th year.The Suns' plan for eventual success is called ''the timeline,'' referring to the rate...

Nets' Acy, Pistons' Drummond fined for shoving matchNEW YORK (AP) The NBA has fined Brooklyn Nets forward Quincy Acy $25,000 and Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond $15,000 for a shoving match that resulted in their ejections.The league announced the fines on Tuesday.Drummond shoved Acy with 18.4 seconds left...

Associated PressGinobili's uncertain future has Spurs fans feeling anxiousBy RAUL DOMINGUEZSAN ANTONIO (AP) Manu Ginobili was swept away by the emotions of a sold-out home crowd serenading him with chants of ''Manu, Manu'' and rising as one for a standing ovation in the closing minutes of the Western...

Associated PressGrizzlies fill point guard void, select Ja Morant at No. 2By CLAY BAILEYMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Several years ago, the idea of Ja Morant being the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies wasn't on anyone's radar.On Thursday night, the unlikely scenario became a...

Associated PressLeonard, Raptors to face Bucks, Antetokounmpo in East finalBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) For the second time in four seasons, the Toronto Raptors are headed to the Eastern Conference final.While the Raptors won't have to deal with playoff nemesis LeBron James this time, they will face a tough...

AP Basketball WriterRockets sign Harden to $228 million deal, NBA's richestBy JON KRAWCZYNSKILAS VEGAS (AP) The Houston Rockets have signed star guard James Harden to a four-year, $228 million contract extension, the richest contract in NBA history.The Rockets said Saturday the extension will run through 2022-23 season but...

AP Basketball WriterHow Lakers-Celtics paved the way for the Cavs-WarriorsBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIBy the time the Los Angeles Lakers met the Boston Celtics for the third time in the NBA Finals in the 1980s, defensive stopper Michael Cooper had enough with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and the rest of the...