NBA

AP Sports WriterPacers relying on chemistry, upgrades to challenge in EastBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) All-Star guard Victor Oladipo promised to spend the offseason becoming a better all-around player.Promising young center Myles Turner beefed up, fine-tuned his defense and worked on his flexibility. Darren Collison, the NBA's 3-point percentage...

AP Sports WriterWarriors vow to cherish moment, knowing window may be shortBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Steve Kerr understands the NBA's business side, free agency and everything it takes to build a perennial winner with a star-studded roster like the one he coaches every day.He also knows the...

Associated PressSpurs enter new season battling the same uncertaintiesBy RAUL DOMINGUEZSAN ANTONIO (AP) The Spurs were eager to turn the page after all the injuries and uncertainty of last season.Instead, the hard luck continues.San Antonio was beset by two knee injuries in the preseason, the most devastating to...

AP Sports WriterLillard, McCollum look to erase last season's playoff exitBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) There's a big difference between comfort and complacency for Damian Lillard.Yes, the Portland Trail Blazers return all five starters from a team that finished third in the Western Conference. So there's a...

AP Sports WriterLeBron-less Cavaliers starting anew with Love as focal pointBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Kevin Love wore a pair of LeBron James' signature sneakers on media day. It's the last time he'll try to fill them.Four years after aligning with James and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland to form...

AP Basketball WriterJimmy Butler to ESPN: I was 'brutally honest' with WolvesBy TIM REYNOLDSJimmy Butler is back with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and his first practice of the season had fireworks.He caused them - with his words and his play.Butler, who asked for a trade more than three weeks ago,...

LeBron, Lonzo take the floor together for first timeBy The Associated PressLeBron James watched Lonzo Ball play in Las Vegas during the 2017 NBA Summer League, taking in a Los Angeles Lakers' game from a baseline seat as a spectator.He was getting a better view Wednesday.James and Ball were...

Tex Winter, innovative basketball coach, dead at 96MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) Tex Winter, the innovative ''Triangle Offense'' pioneer who assisted Phil Jackson on NBA championship teams with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, has died. He was 96.Winter's family said he died Wednesday in Manhattan, where he began...

AP Sports WriterCeltics healthy, eager to embrace favorites tag in EastBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) The band is back together in Boston.Or, at least, it's healthy again.Hopes were high for the Celtics going into last season thanks to a revamped roster that included All-Star additions Kyrie Irving and Gordon...

AP Sports WriterLeBron-less Cavaliers starting anew with Love as focal pointBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Kevin Love wore a pair of LeBron James' signature sneakers on media day. It's the last time he'll try to fill them.Four years after aligning with James and Kyrie Irving to form a Big...

AP Sports WriterNext step for NBA is hiring women in positions of powerBy TERESA M. WALKERMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sees one simple way for both the NBA and women to mark real progress in the league.Hire more women in positions of power.''I think...

AP Sports WriterNext step for NBA is hiring women in positions of powerBy TERESA M. WALKERMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sees one simple way for both the NBA and women to mark real progress in the league.Hire more women in positions of power.''I think...