NBA

Associated PressMagic hire Weltman, who hours later names Hammond as GMBy TERRANCE HARRISORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Jeff Weltman didn't wait long to make his first move as the Orlando Magic's president of basketball operations.Hours after the Magic formally announced Tuesday morning they had hired Weltman, he named longtime NBA...

AP Basketball WriterTimberwolves sign 3-year deal with Fitbit for jersey patchBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves are jumping into the jersey patch game, signing a three-year deal for a Fitbit patch on their new uniforms.The Timberwolves announced the deal on Tuesday. The Wolves say Fitbit also will...

AP Sports WriterCurry urged teammates to just be themselves vs CavsBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Stephen Curry spoke up, just in case his Golden State Warriors needed another reminder from their MVP and leader. His message as the NBA Finals began: be yourselves.Forget the juicy story lines, or...

AP Basketball WriterTimberwolves name John Thomas VP of community engagementBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves are bringing a well-known local basketball product into the fold to try to revamp the team's engagement in the community and with alumni.Former Gophers standout John Thomas has been hired as vice...

ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Hawks are blowing away everyone in the Eastern Conference. Yet, there's always a sense that LeBron James will be standing in the way when they get to the playoffs. That scenario adds an extra bit of intrigue to Friday night's matchup in Atlanta between the Hawks...

AP Basketball WriterIn tense political times, NBA heading to Israel this summerBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIAs the NBA prepares to bring its Basketball Without Borders program to Israel this summer, league officials hope that the first trip to the country can help bring children together during a time of increasing tension.Basketball...

AP Basketball WriterAnd now, 29 teams will start chasing the champion WarriorsBy TIM REYNOLDSThe alarm was sounded loud and clear by LeBron James not long after the NBA Finals ended, and every other player, coach and general manager around the league who did not end this season drenched in...

Former NY Knick Charles Oakley heading to trial in AugustNEW YORK (AP) Former New York Knicks player Charles Oakley has chosen to go to trial in August on charges he struck a security guard at Madison Square Garden.Oakley appeared briefly before a Manhattan judge on Friday. He rejected...

AP Sports WriterLeBron not faulting Warriors for building powerhouse teamBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James knew what might happen when Kevin Durant merged with the Warriors, a 73-win team out for revenge.James understood the potential of this Golden State goliath with more firepower than perhaps anything the NBA...

2-year, $192 million renovation begins for Hawks' home arenaATLANTA (AP) A $192.5 million renovation of Philips Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, has begun a day after funding was approved by the Atlanta City Council.About $110 million for the renovation will be generated from the car rental tax...

AP Basketball WriterIn tense political times, NBA heading to Israel this summerBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIAs the NBA prepares to bring its Basketball Without Borders program to Israel this summer, league officials hope that the first trip to the country can help bring children together during a time of increasing tension.Basketball...

AP Sports WriterRapper Travis Scott designs special shirts for Rockets fansBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Travis Scott and the Houston Rockets will have a special treat for fans attending Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio on Thursday night.Everyone will receive exclusive t-shirts designed in collaboration...