NBA

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 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...

AP Sports WriterKerr pushes Warriors to keep joy, chase repeat championshipBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Steve Kerr recently threw out a perplexing question to his star-studded Golden State roster: What should he tell a team that has won championships in two of the last three years and still...

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...

AP Sports WriterIn their 50th season, Suns patient in developing young teamBy BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) The Phoenix Suns probably won't have much to celebrate in terms of wins and losses in the franchise's 50th year.The Suns' plan for eventual success is called ''the timeline,'' referring to the rate...

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...

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 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 WriterNew-look, youthful Kings try to gain ground in tough WestBy JANIE McCAULEYSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) The Sacramento Kings have moved on from emotional big man DeMarcus Cousins, who they traded away to New Orleans in February.They are embracing a new era and it's a full-on youth movement...

AP Basketball WriterAndrew Wiggins signs contract extension with TimberwolvesBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed Andrew Wiggins to a new contract extension.The Timberwolves announced on Wednesday that the two sides had reached agreement on a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but owner Glen Taylor said...

AP Sports WriterNew-look Grizzlies leaning heavily on Parsons in new eraBy TERESA M. WALKERMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Memphis Grizzlies made significant roster moves during the offseason and still believe they can extend the franchise's streak of seven straight playoff appearances.It all hinges on the health of Chandler Parsons'...

AP Sports WriterPelicans' Davis, Cousins embracing throw-back lineupBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins are focused on how they can best complement one another in the spirit of past big men.The New Orleans Pelicans' front-court pairing is somewhat of a throwback in a league dominated...