NBA

AP Basketball WriterNBA changes All-Star Game format; captains will pick teamsBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) The NBA is scrapping the East against West format for its All-Star Game and will have captains pick teams this season.The league says Tuesday that the leading vote-getter from each conference will choose...

AP Sports WriterJusuf Nurkic wants Blazers to channel Pistons of days pastBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) In the loaded Western Conference where the Warriors rule, center Jusuf Nurkic suggested the Portland Trail Blazers can be the Bad Boys.Think of the Detroit Pistons of days past.''All we...

Dazzling basketball great Connie Hawkins dies at 75PHOENIX (AP) Basketball great Connie Hawkins has died at 75.The Hall of Famer's death was announced in a statement Saturday by the Phoenix Suns, the team with which he spent his most productive NBA seasons. The Suns told The Associated Press...

AP Sports WriterDazzling basketball great Connie Hawkins dies at 75By BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) Connie Hawkins, basketball's dazzling New York playground legend who soared and swooped his way to the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 75.His death was announced Saturday by the Phoenix Suns, the team with...

AP Sports WriterBall prepared to shine in spotlight with rebuilding LakersBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) From Lonzo Ball's first day in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey this summer, Magic Johnson proclaimed the teenage point guard to be the key to the 16-time NBA champion franchise's return to title-winning...

Associated PressWithout Paul gone, Clippers very much Blake Griffin's teamBy STEVE DILBECKLOS ANGELES (AP) It's a very different and uncertain Clippers team that will open the upcoming season.Los Angeles sent Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets in the offseason and the Clippers are now very much Blake Griffin's...

AP Sports WriterDazzling basketball great Connie Hawkins dies at 75By BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) Connie Hawkins, basketball's dazzling New York playground legend who soared and swooped his way to the Hall of Fame, has died at 75.His death was announced Saturday by the Phoenix Suns, the team with which...

Dazzling basketball great Connie Hawkins dies at 75PHOENIX (AP) Connie Hawkins, basketball's dazzling schoolyard legend who soared and swooped his way to the Hall of Fame, has died at 75.His death was announced Saturday by the Phoenix Suns, the team with which he spent his most productive NBA...

Associated PressAldridge still trying to find his place with SpursBy RAUL DOMINGUEZSAN ANTONIO (AP) LaMarcus Aldridge admitted to feeling some frustration following an offseason filled with trade rumors.They troubled him enough to do something he hadn't really done before. The 6-foot-11 forward reached out to coach Gregg Popovich...

AP Basketball WriterNow or never for the Minnesota TimberwolvesBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have gone through a makeover this summer, changing their logo , their uniforms and renovating Target Center to usher in a new look for a team that has been a doormat for well...

AP Sports WriterJazz hope Hood can pick up scoring slack after Hayward moveBy KAREEM COPELANDSALT LAKE CITY (AP) Rodney Hood wasn't shy about announcing that he wants to be named the NBA's Most Improved Player this season. The Utah Jazz may need that kind of effort from him...

AP Sports WriterMavs take tempered expectations into Nowitzki's 20th seasonBy SCHUYLER DIXONDALLAS (AP) Dirk Nowitzki just wants to have fun while joining Kobe Bryant as the only players to spend 20 seasons with a single NBA franchise.For the big German, that means helping the Dallas Mavericks make the...