NBA

AP Basketball WriterKnicks hire Wesley as executive VP, seek July coach decisionBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) William Wesley, known for his connections throughout basketball, has joined the New York Knicks as executive vice president/senior basketball adviser.A decision on a coach could be next, with the Knicks hoping by...

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...

Mavs owner Cuban questions 'hypocrisy' of Trump's orderDALLAS (AP) Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban questioned the effectiveness of President Donald Trump's executive order restricting immigration from seven countries, citing the ''hypocrisy'' of limiting immigration from some countries while not including others.''I understand safety,'' Cuban said before Wednesday night's...

AP Sports WriterAllen Iverson returns home, eager to please Philly fansBy ROB MAADDIPHILADELPHIA (AP) Allen Iverson plans to run on that familiar court one more time, cup his ear the way he used to in his prime and implore his adoring fans to make more noise.AI is back...

AP Basketball WriterJerry Sloan, coaching great of Jazz glory days, dies at 78By TIM REYNOLDSJerry Sloan walked up the steps to the stage at the Basketball Hall of Fame to give his enshrinement speech in 2009, almost as if he were dreading what the next few minutes would bring.He...

AP Sports WriterCavs' J.R. Smith struggles in Game 2 after Game 1 blunderBy JOSH DUBOWOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) J.R. Smith turned from villain to Warriors' fan favorite thanks to his memorable blunder.Unfortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Smith was a nonfactor Sunday night after his late-game mistake in Game 1...

AP Basketball WriterJump it up: NBA poised for season unlike any it has ever hadBy BRIAN MAHONEYThe story lines are as long as a Stephen Curry 3-pointer.With a superteam in the West, a megastar in the Midwest, superstars all around the league, its global popularity at an all-time high,...

Bucks’ Thanasis Antetokounmpo assigned to G LeagueMILWAUKEE (AP) The Milwaukee Bucks have assigned Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the older brother of reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, to the G League.The Bucks announced Wednesday that Atnteokounmpo and Dragan Bender have been assigned to the Wisconsin Herd.Antetokounmpo, who signed a two-year, minimum contract...

CLEVELAND (AP) Cavaliers coach David Blatt said Thursday that LeBron James might not play for the remainder of Cleveland's exhibition season.James sat out his second straight game against Indiana after not playing Tuesday against Atlanta. The four-time MVP is healthy, but the Cavaliers want to limit his minutes...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The NBA fined Indiana Pacers forward Paul George and Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris on Monday for their roles in a shoving match late in Saturday night's game in Indianapolis.Morris was fined $15,000 after initially shoving George. The Pacers two-time All-Star was fined $10,000 for retaliating.Teammates...

AP Sports WriterDurant joins ownership group for soccer's Philadelphia UnionBy ANNE M. PETERSONBrooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant has joined the ownership group of Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union.Durant, a 10-time NBA All-Star, has a 5% ownership stake, with an option for 5% more in the near future, the Union...

The fans at AT&T Center will be treated to a game between the Brooklyn Nets and the San Antonio Spurs when they take their seats on Monday. Brooklyn At San Antonio When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, December 31, 2012 Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas Prediction: Spurs 105, Nets 96. Oddsmakers currently have...