LeBron James sends Cleveland a message In the instant the clock bled to 0:00, LeBron James’ instinct hadn’t been to preen, flex and degrade the moment with a barrage of I-told-you-so’s. He had come, a year in the making, crashing down on the Boston Celtics. And yet before James leaped into the air Wednesday night, [Read More]

Ex-NBA, Michigan player Robert Traylor dies at 34 Robert Traylor, the former NBA and University of Michigan big man nicknamed “Tractor” because of his hulking frame, has died. He was 34. Described as a “gentle giant” with a generous smile, Traylor played seven years in the NBA. He is perhaps most remembered, however, for his [Read More]

Mavs’ wait of 7 or 9 days nothing for Carlisle The Dallas Mavericks are early in a seven- or nine-day wait for the start of the Western Conference finals. That’s nothing for coach Rick Carlisle. He once went 11 days between series. It was 2004 and Carlisle was coaching the Indiana Pacers. They wrapped up [Read More]

A rusty Woods is feeling better as Players awaits Tiger Woods heard a series of shutters from a spectator’s camera and stopped his swing at the last minute, knees flexed, club shaft parallel to the ground, holding his pose until he could regain his balance. “Oh, no,” said the caddie for Mark O’Meara. “You’re starting [Read More]

Matteo Manassero: on a fast track and in no hurry Matteo Manassero was always looking for a game, even when he was 4. And even when Seve Ballesteros was in town. “It was special for me,” Manassero said Tuesday, recalling the time his hero came to Garda Golf Country Club in Italy. “I used to [Read More]

Haye vows to expose Klitschko as a ‘fraud’ WBA champion David Haye vowed to expose IBF and WBO titleholder Wladimir Klitschko as a “fraud” in their heavyweight unification bout on July 2. The 30-year-old Haye said the Ukrainian had only fought “little fat puddings who turn up for a pay check” when the pair met [Read More]

Pacquiao shows once again why he’s a headline act Manny Pacquiao was always going to get his $20 million. That was part of the deal that lured him to this gambling city, where wealthy whales and B-list celebrities gathered ringside to watch him beat up yet another pretender to his crown. On this night his [Read More]

Kyle Petty’s charity ride starts in Lake Placid It’s almost 11 years to the day since Adam Petty was killed during practice for a NASCAR race at New Hampshire International Speedway, and his dad never escapes a special feeling of sadness when May and Mother’s Day roll around. “What goes through my mind at this [Read More]

Cards’ La Russa has shingles, will miss road trip Cardinals manager Tony La Russa will miss the rest of St. Louis’ road trip after being diagnosed with shingles. La Russa had tests Tuesday at the Mayo Clinic, whose physicians consulted with Cardinals doctors and decided it would be best for the manager to rest and [Read More]

Indians win 14th straight at home, 5-4 over Rays A fast, shocking start is now historic. The Cleveland Indians have never opened a season like this at home.  Not ever. Michael Brantley drew a bases-loaded walk with one out in the ninth inning off Tampa Bay closer Kyle Farnsworth to force in the winning run [Read More]

Bolt feels on track for another golden season Usain Bolt’s emergence comes a few weeks late, but he brings the same old message: Catch me if you can. There was no sign of the world and Olympic champion in the early-season races Bolt usually runs back home in Jamaica. And sure enough, there were fears [Read More]

Apolo Ohno undecided on 2014 Olympics Speedskating great Apolo Anton Ohno will decide by the end of the year or early 2012 whether he’ll train for the next Winter Olympics. Ohno turns 29 this month and would be 31 when the Winter Olympics are held in Sochi, Russia. He said Monday some people thought he [Read More]

Prosecutors to call Kerrigan in brother’s trial Prosecutors plan to call Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan as a witness during her brother’s manslaughter trial in the death of their 70-year-old father because she has “extremely relevant testimony” about her father’s health before he died, an assistant district attorney said Tuesday. [Read More]

After winning 1st US title, Bradley calls it quits Ryan Bradley is going out on top. The 27-year-old Bradley announced his retirement Tuesday, five months after winning his first U.S. figure skating title. He has been competing internationally for more than a decade, and finished 13th at the world championships last month in Moscow. “This [Read More]

Bobcats’ Henderson has hip surgery for torn labrum Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson was undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his left hip, a procedure that’s expected to alleviate chronic knee pain. Henderson was having the surgery in Vail, Colo., where a specialist discovered the injury while examining his troublesome [Read More]

Pacers to keep Bird as president Larry Bird will get to see his rebuilding project through, after all. The Indiana Pacers announced Tuesday that they will keep Bird as team president after he met with owner Herb Simon in Los Angeles. The Pacers made their first playoff appearance since 2006 this season in the final [Read More]

Lakers C Bynum suspended 5 games for Barea foul Lakers center Andrew Bynum has been suspended for five games next season for his flagrant foul on Dallas guard J.J. Barea in Los Angeles’ final playoff game. The NBA announced the suspension Tuesday, two days after Bynum was ejected for the foul late in the two-time [Read More]

Lakers head into uncertain new era without Jackson Jerry Buss made a rare visit to the Los Angeles Lakers’ training complex a week ago, driving up in a purple Rolls Royce with a personalized license plate boldly touting the 11 championships they’ve won during his ownership tenure. Buss had a few reassuring words with his [Read More]

UFC 130 main event scratched Training injuries to both lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard have scratched what was supposed to be the main event for UFC 130. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Matt Hamill now takes on top billing, with Frank Mir vs. “Big Country” Roy Nelson becoming the UFC co-main event for [Read More]

Dodgers lack cash for May 31 payroll Major League Baseball believes the Los Angeles Dodgers do not have enough money to make their end of May payroll, a person familiar with the team’s finances told The Associated Press. The person spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because MLB’s investigation of the team’s finances under owner [Read More]

Pacquiao shows respect for Mosley with intense buildup Manny Pacquiao has been installed as an odds-on favorite for his WBO welterweight title defense against Shane Mosley but the Filipino has taken great pains not to underestimate his American challenger. While Pacquiao is already acknowledged as one of the best offensive fighters of all time, he [Read More]

Heat’s James an unstoppable force Validation draws nearer with every post-season victory, vindication inches closer the deeper the Miami Heat plays into the spring. LeBron James envisioned this moment, this scenario, this opportunity when he decided to leave Cleveland and take his remarkable act of basketball athleticism and intellect to [Read More]

Former heavyweight contender Cooper dies at age 76 Former heavyweight boxer Henry Cooper, one of Britain’s most popular sportsmen who was best known for knocking down Muhammad Ali while he was still known as Cassius Clay, died Sunday. He was 76. The first boxer to be knighted and receive the title “Sir” from a British [Read More]

Richie set to take over as WNBA president Laurel Richie acknowledged she doesn’t know a lot about the WNBA’s history. Still, days after being hired as the WNBA’s third president, she called it a ‘dream job.’ “I am learning along the way,” Richie said Tuesday on a national conference call with reporters. “I have been, [Read More]

Beckham still wants to play at 2012 London Games David Beckham still wants a place on Britain’s Olympic soccer team at next year’s London Games. Even though Beckham played the last of his 115 internationals for England in October 2009 and missed last year’s World Cup because of injury, the former England captain believes he [Read More]

Griffin to be named NBA’s top rookie Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin will be named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year on Wednesday, a person familiar with the news told The Associated Press. The person spoke Tuesday night on condition of anonymity because the formal announcement hadn’t been made. The Clippers announced a news [Read More]

O’Hair decides to leave swing coach Foley Sean O’Hair not only is looking for his game, he’s now looking for a new swing coach. O’Hair, who has missed his past five cuts and has not finished among the top 20 all year, has decided to split with Sean Foley after a relationship that began nearly [Read More]

Man charged with stalking Serena Williams in Fla. A man was charged with stalking tennis star Serena Williams after police say they caught him trying to walk into her gated subdivision in South Florida. Palm Beach Gardens police said 40-year-old Patenema Ouedraogo told officers he was going to Williams’ home Monday night “because he loves [Read More]

Thailand soccer may be DQed from 2012 Olympics Thailand could be disqualified from the 2012 London Olympic qualifying tournament for reportedly fielding an ineligible player in a match against Palestine. FIFA says it is investigating the case but has not decided if Thailand broke rules, which could allow Palestine to advance instead. hailand [Read More]

NASCAR realigns executives as negotiations near NASCAR chief executive Brian France believes that sometimes the best way to get the most out of top executives is by lightening their load. That maxim guided him last week as he implemented the largest restructuring undertaken during his eight-year tenure leading the organization. Paul Brooks, [Read More]

NBA’s Kings staying put for at least 1 more season Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson accomplished the seemingly impossible, persuading the NBA and the Kings to stay in his city for at least one more year. Keeping the Kings for the long-term may be an even tougher task as Johnson and the business community now have [Read More]

Fredette picks Octagon as NBA agent After an intensely competitive courtship, Brigham Young University star and consensus national college player of the year Jimmer Fredette has agreed to sign with Octagon to be his agent in the NBA, sources told Yahoo! Sports. Octagon agents Jeff Austin and Chris Emens will represent Fredette. As a BYU [Read More]

Heat fans sing national anthem before Game 2 The Heat asked their fans to wear white—and sing for the red, white and blue. With a video tribute, fans singing the national anthem and 10 military personnel—many in dress uniforms—unfurling a 50-foot flag at midcourt shortly before tipoff of Game 2 of the Miami-Boston Eastern Conference [Read More]

Heat’s Bosh sues ex-girlfriend over reality show Miami Heat star Chris Bosh is suing the mother of his child for appearing on a reality TV show called “Basketball Wives,” which he said intrudes on his private life. Bosh claims in a lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles federal court that Allison Mathis and Shed Media [Read More]

Holyfield eyes a championship bout Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is hoping to line up a world championship fight if he can beat Brian Nielsen in a non-title bout Saturday. The 48-year-old Holyfield (43-10-2), who held the world heavyweight title four times, arrived in Denmark on Sunday for the bout at Copenhagen’s concert hall [Read More]

Barcelona reaches Champions League final Barcelona reached the Champions League final after a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid on Tuesday completed a 3-1 aggregate win in the final installment of a four-match series between Spain’s bitter rivals. Andres Iniesta returned from injury to thread a perfect through ball to Pedro Rodriguez for the 54th [Read More]

Bulls’ Rose says he hasn’t been informed he’s MVP Chicago Bulls star Derick Rose  insists the NBA has not informed him he has won the MVP, regardless of what teammate C. J. Watson, his back up point guard, has said on Twitter. Rose  said “no, not yet” Saturday when asked if he had been told [Read More]

Bulls’ Thibodeau wins Coach of the Year Tom Thibodeau waited about two decades to become an NBA head coach. It didn’t take him long to be recognized as one of the best once he got the chance. Thibodeau is the NBA’s Coach of the Year after leading the Chicago Bulls to 62 wins in his [Read More]

Thunder ride Durant, Westbrook to Game 1 win Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook did most of the damage for the Oklahoma City Thunder One of Kendrick Perkins only two baskets may get most of the attention. Durant scored 41 points, Westbrook added 31 and Perkins provided the go-ahead basket on a controversial tip-in as the [Read More]

Mutai wins London Marathon in course-record time Emmanuel Mutai ran the fastest-ever London Marathon as Kenyans swept the first three places on Sunday, and compatriot Mary Keitany captured the women’s race at her first attempt with a dominating victory. The 26-year-old Mutai won the 42.2-kilometer (26.2-mile) race for the first time, clocking 2 [Read More]

Nearly two decades since gold, Yamaguchi still going strong It’s been nearly 20 years since she dazzled us and won a gold medal at Albertville, France, and three years since winning “Dancing with the Stars,” but Kristi Yamaguchi is still one of America’s most liked athletes. However, she’s not sitting back, eating [Read More]

London transport could hit 2012 Olympics London’s transport infrastructure is still “one of the biggest risks” to the smooth running of the 2012 Olympics, according to a report released Friday by local city government. Citing delays to upgrades of a London Underground rail line near the Olympic Park, London Assembly transport committee chair [Read More]

Bulls intend to set the pace on defense in Game 2 There wasn’t a stingier team on defense than the Chicago Bulls, so it’s safe to say they weren’t thrilled after their playoff opener against the Indiana Pacers. Sure, they got 39 points from Derrick Rose and the Bulls’ prevailed 104-99 Saturday after wiping out [Read More]

Tulowitzki tempting history Troy Tulowitzki is the best player in baseball right now. There really is no arguing this. He leads the major leagues in home runs and slugging percentage. He’s the best defensive player at the most demanding position. He spent all of last year in a mullet and made it look good. The [Read More]

Ortiz upsets Berto for title in unanimous decision Victor Ortiz got some advice from Manny Pacquiao before his title fight against unbeaten Andre Berto. “Manny told me to stick to my game plan,” Ortiz said. Ortiz listened to boxing’s biggest star and the result was three knockdowns in an upset victory over Berto in a [Read More]

Thorpe returns to Champions Tour Jim Thorpe paid for not paying. The 62-year-old golfer recently completed a one-year prison term for failure to pay $1.6 million in taxes between 2002 and 2004 and spent 10 months in an Alabama prison camp before transferring to a halfway house and home detention. Thorpe was released Jan. 17 [Read More]

Cook birdies playoff hole to win Outback Pro-Am John Cook won the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am on Sunday for his second Champions Tour victory of the year, rebounding from a double bogey on the final hole of regulation with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff against Jay Don Blake. Cook, also the winner [Read More]

Coach resigns over explicit e-mail New Zealand Football has accepted the resignation of its national youth team coach who acknowledged e-mailing an explicit picture of himself to the mother of a prospective player. NZF chairman Frank van Hattum said Monday that the coach, Steve Cain, had resigned for “personal reasons” but might be considered [Read More]

Tottenham’s Bale wins top player award in England Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has been voted the player of the year by his fellow English league professionals after establishing himself as one of Europe’s top players this season. Bale, a 21-year-old Welshman, beat six other players to the Professional Footballers’ Association award, with [Read More]