NBA

AP Basketball WriterHow the schedule was made: NBA taking hard look at metricsBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Larry Bird made his plea years ago.His request to the NBA was not unique: Bird wanted the league to eliminate the dreaded stretches of four games in five days. What made Bird's...

AP Sports WriterAP sources: Cavaliers reviewing Irving-Thomas tradeBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The blockbuster trade involving Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas has hit a snag.It remains to be seen if it's a major one.The Cleveland Cavaliers are doing a ''deep and thorough'' review of the deal that sent Irving...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Free agent Derrick Rose agrees to deal with CavsBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) For the moment, the Cavaliers have one content, proven point guard.Free agent Derrick Rose agreed Monday to sign with Cleveland, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Rose, a...

AP Sports Writer76ers put trust in oft-injured Embiid as franchise playerBy DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) Joel Embiid's career statistics are measured more in tweets (2,400 and counting), Instagram followers (1.2 million-plus) and folk tales than point totals and triple-doubles.What's your favorite Embiid story? C'mon, everyone in Philly has one.Like...

AP Basketball WriterTop of the draft board shines at Summer LeagueBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIThe depth and quality of the 2017 NBA draft had teams tanking at the end of the regular season in hopes of vaulting into the top three picks.With the huge caveat being that it was only summer...

AP Sports WriterCavs' rehab plan for Isaiah Thomas does not include surgeryBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Isaiah Thomas won't start the season playing for the Cavaliers, and the All-Star point guard's return to the floor remains mysterious.Acquired last week in a blockbuster trade with Boston, Thomas did not...

AP Sports WriterFertitta introduced as new owner of Houston RocketsBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Tilman Fertitta has been a fan of the Rockets since before they moved to Houston, and after a failed attempt to buy the team long ago he was prepared to do whatever it took not...

AP Sports WriterSpurs' Bryn Forbes continues to light up Las VegasBy KAREEM COPELANDThe Las Vegas Summer League's leading scorer, Bryn Forbes, continued his summer onslaught with 29 points and five assists in the Spurs' Round 2 86-81 victory over the Pelicans on Thursday.All of Thursday's winners advanced to the...

AP Sports WriterNot since '79: Wall, Beal eye 50 wins, East finals for WizBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) John Wall is a perennial All-Star. Backcourt mate Bradley Beal might finally get that sort of recognition this season.What both of the Washington Wizards' starting guards in their 20s would really...

Lakers fined $500K by NBA for tampering involving GeorgeNEW YORK (AP) New Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka's contact with Paul George's agent violated the NBA's anti-tampering rule and has resulted in Los Angeles being fined $500,000.The league said Thursday that a law firm's independent investigation didn't find evidence...

AP Basketball WriterRussell Westbrook wins NBA MVP; Rockets, Bucks take 2 awardsBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Russell Westbrook was voted NBA MVP on Monday night after setting a record with 42 triple-doubles last season.Westbrook's victory ended the first NBA Awards show, which included two wins apiece for the...

AP Sports WriterLeBron blasts Trump, calls him 'so-called President'By TOM WITHERSSANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) Speaking from his heart and for unity, LeBron James went after President Trump, calling him the ''so-called president'' while calling for unity in light of the Charlottesville tragedy.Standing on stage before students, parents and families...