NBA

Detroit's Van Gundy honored for cooperation with media, fansAUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons has won the Rudy Tomjanovich Award, which honors an NBA coach for his cooperation with media and fans, as well as excellence on the court.The Professional Basketball Writers Association...

AP Sports WriterCoach AI: Iverson doesn't play in Philly Big3 homecomingBy ROB MAADDIPHILADELPHIA (AP) Allen Iverson walked onto a familiar court to a rousing ovation and then took an unfamiliar spot on the sideline.The Answer was Coach AI in his Big3 homecoming.Iverson said a few hours before his...

76ers veteran Elton Brand announces retirementPHILADELPHIA (AP) Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand has announced his retirement.Brand was the first overall pick out of Duke in the 1999 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls and was named rookie of the year. Brand played 17 seasons in the NBA and...

AP Sports WriterTransition-oriented Wizards getting physical in postseasonBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) One game into the playoffs, Paul Millsap said his Atlanta Hawks were playing basketball while the Washington Wizards were ''playing MMA.''One game into the second round, Isaiah Thomas had his tooth knocked out by an elbow from...

AP Sports WriterLeBron locked in for Game 4 after being locked out in Game 3By TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) LeBron James had that look - faraway, yet focused.The Boston Celtics have his undivided attention.Following one of the worst postseason games of his career, James provided a candid review...

Associated PressCops: Racial slur sprayed on LeBron James' Los Angeles homeBy MICHAEL BALSAMOLOS ANGELES (AP) Police are investigating after someone spray painted a racial slur on the front gate of LeBron James' home in Los Angeles on the eve of the NBA Finals.An unidentified person spray painted the...

Associated PressBeverley brings defensive mind to ClippersBy JILL PAINTER LOPEZLOS ANGELES (AP) Patrick Beverley was first in line among all the newest Clippers to walk into an introductory news conference.Then Beverley, who was dealt to the Clippers in a six-player trade that sent Chris Paul to Houston, stopped...

Associated PressDespite high mileage, James showing no signs of slowing downBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) In his playoff rematch with the Toronto Raptors, LeBron James proved even more lethal than last time.In fact, James may be more lethal now than ever.James averaged 26 points per game as Cleveland took...

Associated PressFormer NBA bad boy Rodman is back in North KoreaBy ERIC TALMADGEPYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) Dennis Rodman, the former NBA bad boy who has palled around with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, flew to Pyongyang on Tuesday on a trip he says he hopes will ''open...

AP Sports WriterLonzo Ball's numbers drop in Under Armour, Lakers winBy KAREEM COPELANDLonzo Ball's stat line was down after two big games. He still had the building buzzing Saturday night at the NBA Summer League.The Los Angeles Lakers overcame a double-digit deficit to advance to the semifinals with a...

Cops: Racial slur sprayed on LeBron James' Los Angeles homeLOS ANGELES (AP) Police are investigating after someone spray painted a racial slur on the front gate of LeBron James' home in Los Angeles on the eve of the NBA Finals.It happened Wednesday morning in the Brentwood neighborhood.Capt. Patricia...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Kevin Durant declines to opt into contractBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press that Kevin Durant has declined to opt in for the second year of his contract with Golden State and will become...