Replacement refs have quiet debut in NBA preseason opener; Utah beats Denver 103-87SALT LAKE CITY — The NBA’s replacement referees were a non-issue in the preseason opener, just as the league wanted. Pairing of Knicks and Darko Milicic could give both what they needSARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The New York Knicks are desperate for someone to bolster the worst interior defense in the NBA. With regular referees locked out, NBA confident starting season with 62 replacementsWith its regular referees locked out, the NBA is confident in its roster of replacements — even the two it previously fired. Teams have tough act to follow in WNBA Finals after record-breaking Game 1PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever have a tough act to follow in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals. Knicks’ Curry out 3-5 days with torn calf muscleSARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Knicks center Eddy Curry will have blood drained from a torn right calf muscle and is expected to miss three to five days. NBA institutes rule prohibiting Twitter and other social media use during gamesNEW YORK — The NBA is instituting a policy regarding Twitter and other social media sites, banning players from using them during games. D’Antoni says he’ll stay patient and positive, even if Knicks loseSARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Mike D’Antoni could be forgiven if he sometimes catches himself daydreaming of Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire executing the perfect pick-and-roll. LeBron, Shaq working well together through Cavs’ first 2 days of practiceINDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Mike Brown still can’t believe he is coaching two superstars. After tough summer, Rockets’ Tracy McGrady says rehab from knee surgery ahead of scheduleHOUSTON — Houston Rockets forward Tracy McGrady said Monday he’s “far ahead of schedule” in his recovery from knee surgery and wants to show that he’s still got a few good years left in him. Timberwolves star Al Jefferson returns to court, practices for 1st time since knee injuryMANKATO, Minn. — “Big Al” isn’t quite as big these days, and that’s no accident for the Minnesota Timberwolves star as he returns from a major knee injury. Magic’s Jameer Nelson looks to regain All-Star form after failed finals come backORLANDO, Fla. — There was hardly a place Jameer Nelson went this summer where somebody didn’t ask him about the NBA finals, always getting the same question about a mostly forgettable experience. Westphal takes over as Sacramento Kings coach emphasizing improvementSACRAMENTO, Calif. — Paul Westphal didn’t necessarily want to say that the Sacramento Kings are a team in a rebuilding phase. NBA tells teams it’s going ahead with replacement refs following latest failure in talksThe NBA has told teams it’s going ahead with replacement referees, days after the league thought a deal had been reached with locked-out officials. Dirk Nowitzki looks refreshed, ready for Mavs’ season after soap opera conclusion to last yearDALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki strolled back onto the scene Monday looking like a carefree surfer, his long, curly blond hair framing a wide smile. With Shaquille O’Neal experiment behind them, Steve Nash and Suns looking to turn up heatPHOENIX — With the failed Shaquille O’Neal experiment in their rearview mirror, the Phoenix Suns plan to put the pedal to the metal and hope for the best. NJ prosecutor’s office in spotlight as attorneys for Jayson Williams seek to prove racial biasSOMERVILLE, N.J. — Current and former employees of a New Jersey prosecutor’s office will be asked whether the manslaughter case against black former NBA star Jayson Williams has been racially biased. For Dwyane Wade, on-court play _ not off-court issues _ the focus as Heat camp loomsMIAMI — It’s getting tougher for Dwyane Wade to keep his private life private. Blake Griffin ready to see what he can do to turn around ClippersLOS ANGELES — Blake Griffin has battled Los Angeles’ famous traffic. He’s played Good Samaritan for a woman in a stalled car. He’s been photographed by paparazzi. Swingman Jamal Crawford accepts new backup role as newcomer in Hawks’ potent backcourtATLANTA — Jamal Crawford, a starter through most of his nine years in the NBA, says he’s ready for a new role as a backup with the Atlanta Hawks. 76ers F Brand ready to shoulder the load after injury-riddled 1st season in PhiladelphiaPHILADELPHIA — Elton Brand finally began to feel like his old All-Star self at a Los Angeles gym where summer pickup games featured some of the NBA’s top stars. Brand, Paul Pierce, Ron Artest, Emeka Okafor all played for hours, usually with no refs, banging and shoving and dishing out all kinds of abuse. Lead negotiator for locked-out referees removes himself from talksThe lead negotiator for the locked-out NBA referees says he is removing himself from the talks in hopes of spurring a deal with the league. Newlywed Lamar Odom rejoins Lakers after weekend weddingEL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Pardon Lamar Odom for looking tired. Erik Spoelstra’s second season as Heat coach gets underway with desire for continuity, edgeMIAMI — A year ago, the first day of practice may have seemed incredibly significant to Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. Duncan, Ginobili return healthy for overhauled Spurs on eve of training campSAN ANTONIO — Tony Parker didn’t see many familiar faces Monday when he returned to work after an unusually long summer for the San Antonio Spurs. Aqua Man: Hornets’ Stojakovic does water exercises in Mediterranean to help with ailing backNEW ORLEANS — Peja Stojakovic’s summer on the beaches of Greece wasn’t all about relaxation. Person familiar with the negotiations: Magic extend contracts for Van Gundy, GM Otis SmithORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic have extended the contracts of general manager Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy, a person familiar with the negotiations said Monday. Preseason NBA Standings
No-Tweet Heat: Miami players can network socially all they want _ just not at the arenaMIAMI — At 10:05 Monday morning, Dwyane Wade told his 96,348 followers on Twitter that he was heading to work. New Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis readies for first training camp with rebuilding teamMINNEAPOLIS — On the eve of his first training camp as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kurt Rambis described his coaching style as more of an educator than a disciplinarian. Cavaliers’ Delonte West fails to report to team’s first practice; coach says absence unexcusedINDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Less than 24 hours after saying he was focused on basketball, Delonte West skipped Cleveland’s first day of practice. Wizards’ Arenas on rehab, regrets, returning from injury: ‘I’m not the entertainer anymore’WASHINGTON — Gilbert Arenas says he’s not going to be the entertainer anymore. Poison Union: Jazz forward Kirilenko already weary of Shaq-LeBron partnership in ClevelandLONDON — Although Andrei Kirilenko is hoping for a Russian revolution in the wake of Mikhail Prokhorov’s recent purchase of the New Jersey Nets, it’s LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal that are on his mind ahead of the start of the NBA season. Jackson would still like to leave Golden State for a winning teamOAKLAND, Calif. — Stephen Jackson was his typical candid self: Yes, he still would like to be traded from the Golden State Warriors and is fed up with all the losing. Nuggets resist retooling, rely on current cast after advancing to conference finals last yearDENVER — While the top teams in the Western Conference bolstered their rosters by adding big name free agents, the Denver Nuggets largely stayed the course. Timberwolves give veteran guard Antonio Daniels permission to seek tradeMINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves say they have given veteran guard Antonio Daniels permission to seek a trade. If Daniels and his agent cannot work out a deal, the Timberwolves will buy him out. |
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