...Derrick Rose is going home. Kevin Love and OJ Mayo are going to new teams, hours after they were drafted by other teams. A wild nite in the NBA, with 17-trades made within 4-hours.
The Chicago Bulls drafted the explosive Memphis guard Derrick Rose with the lst pick; Miami took Kansas State's big forward Michael Beasley with the second pick, but the fireworks for OJ Mayo and Kevin Love started 2-hours after the draft was complete. At 2am this morning, Minnesota, which had drafted Mayo at the 3rd spot, shipped him to the Memphis Grizzlies in an 8-player deal, that sent Love from the Grizzlies to the Timberwolves.
Then Indiana dealt lst round choice Jerry Bayless in a 5-player package to Portland; the Pacers got the Blazers top pick Brandon Rush.
In other late nite deals, Washington dealt forward Billy Walker to Boston.
Portland traded Joey Dorsey to the Houston Rockets.
Detroit dealt DJ White to Portland.
Kansas Jayhawks forward Darrell Arthur was with 3-teams in an hour; drafted by Houston, traded to Portland then to Memphis.
The Minnesota Timberwolves look as if they had the best day at the draft table, getting Kevin Love, 3-point shooter Mike Miller and veteran center Jason Collins.
Portland wound up with Jerryd Bayless, Sonny Weems and traded for forward Ike Diogu.
New Jersey's haul included 7-foot center Brooke Lopez, guard Chris Douglas-Robert, forward Ryan Anderson, and the trade for Yi Jainlain.
Milwaukee, which had dealt for hi-scoring Richard Jefferson, drafted shooter Joe Alexander and Luc Mba-Moute.
Houston got muscle in Joey Dorsey and Syracuse rookie Donte Green.
Memphis wound up with a strange mix, getting the college star OJ Mayo, but taking on contracts of Marco Jaric, Antonie Walker and Greg Buckner.
Seattle reached for Russell Westbrooke, and took 2-under developed centers Serge Ibaka from Congo and Devon Hardin.
The Indiana Pacers wound up 7-new players, taking on Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert in the draft, and trading for the oft-injured TJ Ford and Jarret Jack amongst others.
29-underclassmen were drafted, 11-not taken. Included in those who were left out were USC's Davon Jefferson and Oregon State forward CJ Giles.
...The LA Clippers will not pick up the option in the contract of former lst round pick Sean Livingstone, who has been out 2-years after tearing 3-knee ligaments.
...NBA free-agency starts next Tuesday, and the window opens for trades with opt-out players Ron Artest, Lamar Odom and Shawn Marion.
...A Seattle judge will render a decision next Wednesday kon the bitter Seattle Supersonics suit against the city, seeking early release from their lease at Key Arena, that would allow them to move to Oklahoma City. Judge Marsha Pechman, who has no knowledge of the NBA will render the decision.
...Andre Smith, the son of legendary Cleveland Cavaliers forward Bingo Smith, has been sentenced to 30-years in prison for the machete murder of a friend in an argument.
...Ohio University has hired longtime Ohio State assistant coach John Groce as the Bobcats new basketball coach.
(Baseball)
...2-last place teams face each other tonite at Petco Park. The Padres, who have lost 5-in a row at home and 9-of-l0 overall, face the woeful Seattle Mariners. The Padres are 16-games under .500 at (32-48). The Mariners, with their 117-million dollar payroll are (28-50). Randy Wolfe faces Jarred Washburn.
...The battered Dodgers meet the red-hot Angels tonite in Chavez Ravine. Lefthander Joe Saunders (11-3) goes against Chan Ho Park. The Halos are (48-31) this season, and the Angels hold a (37-28) interleague record against the Blue.
...Shawn Chacon, the volatile pitcher, who choked GM-Ed Wade in a clubhouse fight on Thursday, will lose 1-million dollars in salary with his suspension-release.
(Football)
...The heated Steve Foley-drunk driving trial will resume on Monday, with Ladanian Tomlinson likely to testify. Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo testified about Foley being a dedicated -gifted teammate, but made no reference to Foley's constant problems with alcohol and authorities. He is suing Coronado Police officer Aaron Mansker for 19-million dollars for the drunk-driving shooting incident. The lst week was marked by Mansker lecturing Foley's attorney 'you weren't there' and Foley walking out of the court room during the presentation of the gun incidents.
...A judge, calling a Las Vegas man a 'flight risk' because of crimes in 4-states, set bail at 173-thousand dollars for a man accused of mugging and robbing Raiders receiver Javon Walker after a nite of strip club partying a weekend ago. Walker suffered a broken jaw and fractured orbital bone.
...Denver police say records show police responded to 3-911 calls at the home of Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall within the last year; Marshall has also been arrested 3-times in 12-months on domestic abuse charges,
...Bills running back Marshawn Lynch admitted he was behind the wheel of his SUV when it hit a woman on a rainy road, leaving the scene of the accident last month.
...Indiana University AD-Rick Greenspan, who hired scandal-marred Kelvin Sampson, and saw the Hoosiers program fall into NCAA-violations, has been fired.
...UCLA has lost starting tackle Sean Shellar for a year with 2-torn knee ligaments from an ATV-accident.
...The CFL-season opens tonite with the Toronto Argonauts unveiling their NFL-offense led by quarterback Michael Bishop and receivers David Boston and Bethel Johnson. The Argos play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
(Hockey)
...The Anaheim Ducks, with salary cap problems, will buyout center Todd Bertuzzi, eating 2.4-million of his contract. The Ducks, who are already at the 50-million salary cap, still have to sign Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne.
...The purge of players in the Toronto Maple Leafs ranks continues; they have told defenseman Brian McCabe he will not be brought back; the Leafs owe him 10-million dollars and he has a no-trade clause in his contract.
...Veteran NHL player agent Brian Lawton is moving to the front office; he has been named VP of Hockey Operations, working with Barry Melrose and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
(General)
...Roger Federer continued his march on the grass at Wimbledon, his 62nd straight grass win in the third round.
...Top ranked Ana Ivonovic was run off the court, losing to the 133rd ranked player in the world.
...Serena Williams stormed by Ameli Mauresmo
...IRL drivers are ganging up on Danica Patrick for hindering other cars on the track. She was called a 'menace' on the track by Indy 500-winner Scott Dixon for blocking techniques; Ed Carpenter said she will cause a major wreck because she cannot drive in traffic; Dan Wheldon said Danica thinks she should be treated as a female rather than another driver.
...NASCAR heads to New England for the New Hampshire 300-with red-hot Kyle Busch heading the field; he has won 5-races this year.
...Greg Biffle has signed a 3-year contract extension to stay with Jack Rousch Racing.
...Richard Childress Racing has given a 3-year extension to driver Clint Bowyer.
...Casey Mears, who has 1-win in 3-years, was fired today from his Rich Hendrick ride, and will leave at the end of the year.
...A big weekend in track and field at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon; qualifying for the US Olympic track team, featuring sprinters Tyson Gay, Jeremy Warriner, Alysson Felix, and distance runners Alan Webb and Bernard Lagat.
...The Bulgarian Weightlifting team has pulled out of the Olympics after 11-members tested positive for steroids this week.
...2-blockbuster trades started the fireworks this afternoon as the NBA draft gets underway.
...The New Jersey Nets dealt 22-point a game forward Richard Jefferson to the Milwaukee Bucks for last years lst round pick, Chinese star Yi Jainlian and veteran forward Bobby Simmons. Jefferson joins Andrew Bogut and Charley Villanueva on a new look Bucks-frontline. Milwaukee still has the 8th pick in the opening round.
...The Toronto Raptors completed their 4-for-1 trade with Indiana. The Raptors add 7-foot high scoring center Jermaine O'Neal, where he joins Chris Bosch and Andre Bagnani. The Pacers get point guard TJ Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic and the 17th pick in the deal.
...NBA.com reported this afternoon the Clippers, Seattle and Miami are discussing a 3-way blockbuster deal. The Clippers would trade the 7th pick and a player to Seattle for the 4th pick. The Clippers would take OJ Mayo with the choice. The Clippers would then deal OJ Mayo and free-agent Elton Brand then to the Miami Heat for Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley.
...The Clippers also offered the 7th pick and next year's number 1-to Minnesota for the third pick, which would allow them access to Mayo.
...Rumors are rampant about other deals.
...Chicago chooses lst and will take Memphis guard Derrick Rose.
...The Miami Heat, are still discussing trading out of the second slot. They reportedly are talking about a trade with Memphis. The Heat would ship the 2nd pick to Memphis for shooting forward Mike Miller, guard Kyle Lowrey and the 4th choice. Memphis would take Kansas State big forward Michael Beasely.
...Miami also offered the 2nd pick and center Mark Blount to Seattle for the 4th pick and forward Chris Wilcox. The Sonics would take Beasley.
...Miami is also discussing separate deals that would send hi-scoring Shawn Marion to the Lakers for Lamar Odom; to the Clippers for power forward Elton Brand; or to Utah for center Carlos Boozer.
...The New York Knicks offered big forward David Lee to Memphis for the 5th pick; that would give the Knicks both picks 5-and-6, to take OJ Mayo and Russell Westbrooke..
...The Knicks offered Minnesota Lee, Malik Rose and the 6th pick for the Timberwolves 3rd round pick, for OJ Mayo..
...New York also is discussing trading back with Portland; Lee and the 6th pick to the Blazers for the 13th, 27th and guard Jarrett Jack.
...The Phoenix Suns are also in the middle of trade talks. The Suns offered guard Leandro Barbosa and the 15th choice to the Knicks for David Lee and the 6th pick.
...Phoenix also offered Barbosa and the 13th pick to Portland for guard Martell Webster and a Blazers pick.
...Rumors about a blockbuster Golden State-Detroit deal are still out there. Baron Davis and Al Harrington would go to the Pistons; the Warriors would wind up with Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups in a package that involves 50-million dollars in contracts.
...The Charlotte Bobcats and Cleveland were discussing a deal, Anderson Vareajo for Bobcats shooter Adam Morrison.
...Dallas offered a 2nd round pick to New Jersey for center DeSagana Diop.
...Portland Trailblazers shooting guard James Jones opted out of his contract for free-agency today.
...Closing arguments are tomorrow in the bittter Seattle Supersonics lawsuit, in attempts to get out of the final 2-years of their lease at Key Arena so they can move to Oklahoma City.
...Indiana University Athletic Director Rick Greenspan, caught in the middle of the ugly Kelvin Sampson-NCAA scandal, will be fired tomorrow.
(Baseball)
...The Padres, who had lost 8-of-9, tangled with the Minnesota Twins 8-game winning streak in an afternoon game at Petco Park.
...The battered Padres are considering more roster moves. They are looking at promoting 1-of their San Antonio pitchers, either Will Inman or Jonathon Ellis, who are a combined 16-6 this year in the Texas League. The Padres are also looking at outfielder Chip Ambres, hitting .298 with 16-homers at Portland; he is hitting .338 with runners in scoring position.
...The Dodgers host the White Sox tonite. LA put reliever Scott Proctor on the DL with elbow problems. Meanwhile Jason Schmidt will make an important rehab start in Las Vegas.
...The Angels are off tonite; they play at Dodgers Stadium tomorrow.
...Houston Astros pitcher Shawn Chacon has been released,hours after assaulting GM-Ed Wade in an angry argument in the clubhouse lunch room last nite. Chacon choked Wade, knocking him to the ground, after refusing to go to the managers office for a meeting. He had been pulled from the starting rotation last week. He wins the Latrell Sprewell Memorial Choke Hold Award.
...Barry Bonds agent says the Giants slugger would sign a free-agent contract for 'free' to DH in the American League, but has turned down an offer to play for the St-Paul Saints in the independent Northern League.
...The Tigers have traded pitcher Denny Bautista to the Pirates for a minor league pitchers.
...Rumors continue to swirl the Pirates and Padres are scouting each other, possibly setting the stage for a Kevin Kouzmanoff-Jason Bay deal.
...The Padres are also interested in Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino, but the Phils want Randy Wolfe in return.
...St-Louis has activated slugger Albert Pujols from the disabled list.
...Umpire Brian Runge has been suspended for 1-game for bumping Mets manager Jerry Manuel during a heated argument.
...Fresno State is headed home as College World Series champion, after bombing Georgia last nite. Fresno won 6-elimination games in Omaha, winning 6-against powers Rice-North Carolina and Georgia all on the road.
(Football)
...Coronado officer Aaron Mansker clashed with Steve Foley's lawyers again today, as testimony in the 19-million dollar lawsuit continued today. Grilled about violating training codes, Mansker said he had every right to tail and try to get a drunken Foley off the road. He called Foley an imminent threat to injury or death because he was drunk and wreckless, driving at 90-miles an hour. The lawyer questioned the wording of the code; Mansker's response, you were not there. Yesterday Mansker said he believed Foley had a gun and was going to shoot him after the Chargers linebacker refused to stop stalking the cop after 6-commands.
...The NFL may suspended Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, who has been arrested 3-times in 12-months on domestic abuse incidents.
...Former Seattle and Baltimore Ravens pass rusher Michael McCrary has been awarded a 33-million dollar judgement against 2-business partners who swindled him out of an insurance settlement in a condo project. McCrary lost his investments, and had 3-other businesses go under when 2-partners lied to him and refused to share a 12-million insurance settlement with him.
...Bengals receiver Chad Johnson paid a 100-thousand dollar out-of-court settlement, for a lawsuit in a niteclub.
...Detroit Lions top draft pick Gosden Cherilous has been ordered to pay 52-thousand dollars for a fite in a restaurant a year ago while at Boston College in which he injured a man's spine.
...The New York Giants announced there will be seat license taxes on every seat in their new 82-thousand seat Meadowlands Stadium. The license tax will go from 1-thousand dollars per seat to 20-thousand dollars per seat at mid-field.
...USC coach Pete Carroll escaped injury, when a Malibu police officer made a U-turn infront of him last nite, wrecking the coaches car.
(Hockey)
...The NHL announced a record increase in the salary cap for next year; it will jump to 56-million dollars per team. The cap, based on NHL revenues, has gone from 41-million dollars when the lockout ended to 56-million in 2-years.
...Veteran defenseman Scott Niedermayer is returning to play next year for the Anaheim Ducks.
...The LA Kings, in need of veteran goal scoring, are interested in just released Toronto Maple Leafs goal-scorer Darcy Tucker.
...The Calgary Flames bought out 3-contracts today, including defenseman Rhett Warrner.
...New York Rangers veteran Martin Straka, who scored 257-goals in his career, retired today to become a coach in the Czech Republic.
(General)
,,,A day of upsets at Wimbledon. Former champ Maria Sharapova, her game littered by double faults and unforced errors, lost to the 154th ranked player. Venus Williams was erratic, 26-unforced errors, but won.
...Rafael Nadal came from behind to win. Andy Roddick and James Blake were both knockout vicitms.
...Lindsey Davenport pulled out with knee swelling.
...Tiger Woods was no-where to seen at the Buick Open Golf tourney in Grand Blanc, Michigan, missing it because of knee surgery. Corey Pavin shot an 8-under par 64 to get the lst round lead; John Daly, on a sponsors exemption, weighing 290-pounds, shot a 72.
...Michelle Wie exploded for an 81-today, including a 9-on 1-hole, in the lst round of the LPGA US Open.
...Another squabble in Indy car racing. Indy 500-champion Scott Dixon called Danica Patrick a 'menace' on the track, for not knowing how to drive when her car is having handling problems. He accused her of drifting all over the track and blocking other cars.
...Italian world Cup coach Roberton Donadoni was fired today; his squad was (13-5-5) in International competition.
...The skidding Padres are not happy being in last place, and not happy with the abuse future Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman took last nite, viciously booed off the mound, after giving up homers on back-to-back pitches in the 9th inning, in the gut-wrenching loss to the Minnesota Twins. Hoffman goes to (1-5) this season with 4-blown saves. Ace Jake Peavy and Manager Bud Black called it disheartening and classless for the fans to heap abuse on the reliever. Hoffman had gone 10-straight appearances without giving up a run until the 9th inning failure last nite.
...Josh Banks starts tonite for the Friars; the Padres have lost 7-of-8 ; and are (32-46) and in last place. The Twins have now won 7-in a row.
...Padres General Manager Kevin Towers is headed to San Antonio to scout the Padres top 2-minor league pitchers. Will Inman and Jonathon Ellis are a combined (16-6) with a 2.75-ERA. The 2-pitchers have 133-strikeouts in 126-innings for the Missions in the Texas League.
...Trade rumors are swirling out of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia involving the Padres. Rumors are the Padres are discussing moving Chase Headley to 3rd base, opening the way for a Kevin Kouzmanoff trade for Jason Bay of the Pirates. The Padres are also dangling lefthander Randy Wolfe and a minor leaguer, to try and acquire 300-hitting Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino or outfielder Jason Werth.
...The woeful Dodgers, just (2-8) in interleague play, host the White Sox again tonite.
...Erwin Santana (9-3) starts for the red-hot Angels in Washington. The Halos are (4****), have won 10-of-11 on the road, and are (26-12) away from home this year, the best in baseball.
...Arizona Diamondbacks President Derrick Hall says there will be no shakeup, no panic, in their clubhouse. After a (21-9) start, the D-backs have gone (18-29) but are still in lst place.
...The Phillies have stopped hitting; they have a 6-game losing streak and have scored just 11-runs in 6-nites, hitting .170.
...Washington Nationals catcher Paul LoDuca was hospitalized overnight with heat exhaustion.
...Washington lst baseman Nick Johnson is out for the year; doctors found a torn ligament in his wrist during surgery.
...Phillies reliever Tom Gordon is out of action with shoulder soreness.
...The Yankees are without both Johnny Damon and Hidecki Matsui; Damon has arch problems, Matsui a bruised knee.
...Astros infielder Kaz Matsui has gone on the DL with a strained hamstring.
...Texas slugger Josh Hamilton, who has 76-RBIs, is out with a swollen knee with fluid building.
...Detroit put DH-Brandon Inge on the DL with a ribcage injury.
...Boston slugger David Ortiz, with wrist problems, still has major soreness after taking 25-swings, and could be out another 4-weeks.
...Commissioner Bud Selig says baseball will start testing and measuring maple bats and invoke safety codes. The thin-handled Maple bats are shattering at an alarming rate; an umpire was cut in the face last nite by a splintered bat. The Red Sox says 1-out of every 3-Maple bats used this year have broken. Selig wants the thickness of the handles increased to the same dimensions of the Ash bats.
...San Diego State Aztecs ace Stephen Strasburg, the lst team All-American, has been named to the USA National team that will play in the Netherlands and Germany this summer.
...Fresno State, known as the Wonderdogs, plays Georgia tonite in the 3rd and final game of the College World Series, after scoring 15-runs in 3-innings last nite to beat the Bulldogs to force a championship game in Omaha.
(Basketball)
...The NBA Draft is 24-hours away and rumors are rampant the Miami Heat may be attempting to trade out of the 2nd slot on the draft board, bypassing Kansas State star Michael Beasley, and instead looking to trade down. Miami reportedly brought in OJ Mayo and Jerryd Bayless for separate 90-minute secret workouts last nite.
...Reports say Miami and Memphis are discussing a deal that would send the 2nd pick to the Grizzlies with the Heat getting the 5th choice and guard Kyle Lowrey..
...Miami is also talking about trading the 2nd pick to Seattle for the 4th pick and forward Chris Wilcox.
...NBA trade rumors also say the Heat would deal the 17-million dollar expiring contract of Shawn Marion, and that Miami has contacted the LA Clippers about a Marion-Elton Brand deal; a Utah trade-Marion for Carlos Boozer; or a Lamar Odom-Marion trade with the Lakers.
...The Chicago Bulls, likely to take Memphis guard Derrick Rose, are preparing to move a guard via trade. They have Kirk Hinrich, Larry Hughes, Ben Gordon and Thabo Sefolosha already on the roster..
...Toronto continued trade talks with Phoenix about a TJ Ford--Boris Diaw deal.
...Toronto's attempts to package Ford in a 3-for-1 deal with Indiana for center Jermaine O'Neal have stalled over the 44-million dollars owed the Pacers center.
...The New Orleans Hornets today dealt the 27th pick in the lst round to Portland for a trade exception contract, giving them more cap space.
..Golden State guard Baron Davis says he will not opt out of his contract, and will play for 17.8-million dollars next season.
...Tasteless, crude, rude. That is the response in Phoenix to Suns center Shaq O'Neal's rap song ripping into Kobe Bryant over the weekend. Shaq dropped F-bombs, told Kobe to perform a sex act on him, and blamed Bryant for the breakup of his marriage for ratting him out in the Colorado court case.
...76ers legend Julius Erving says Kobe Bryant says nationwide criticism of the Lakers star is justified. Dr-J said you cannot deny Bryant's talent, but he does not do enough in the community, is flippant with the media, and his work off the court is still undone.
He says Bryant the star player, needs to be a better person.
...Dennis Rodman, battling alcohol problems and domestic abuse problems, has been ordered to pickup garbage on a hiway work crew for 45-days as part of a plea bargain agreement.
...San Diego State has gone the transfer route to pick up another Big 10-player; 6-11, 260-pound Brian Carwell, whose career at Illinois was marred by a car accident-concussion, and a torn knee ligament, is enrolling with the Aztecs. He will petition the NCAA to allow him to have 3-years of eligibility left.
(Football)
...Las Vegas police say Javon Walker purchased 13-thousand 500-dollars worth of champagne, over 9-hours, to spray crowds at a strip club the night he was mugged and robbed of 103-thousand dollars of cash and jewels. A Las Vegas man, with a rap sheet a mile long, is being held on 160-thousand dollars bail on 3-felony counts in the case. Arfat Fadel has outstanding arrest warrants in 4-other states.
...Coronado police officer Aaron Mansker said he felt his life was being threatened when 6-4, 260-pound Chargers linebacker Steve Foley stalked him, and appeared ready to pull a gun out of his waistline, the night of a drunk driving shooting that ended the players career. Mansker admitted he made a mistake getting out of his car; but said on 2-other occassions, where he followed drunk drivers, backup help arrived to make the arrest.
...Calvin Schmidtke, the top quarterback recruit, who had his scholarship revoked at Washington State, is transferring to Division 1-AA Indiana State; Schmidtke was bounced out of the Pac-10 school when the Cougars found out he had been ticketed 11-times in 18-months in Tacoma for drinking, fighting and drug use.
...The LA Avengers, Arena League team, which fired its coach Ed Hodgkiss last nite, with just 1-playoff win in 7-years, has now fired his entire coaching staff and its front office player personnel staff.
(Hockey)
...Scotty Bowman, the legendary Montreal-Detroit-St-Louis and Buffalo coach, has reportedly been offered the President of Hockey Operations job by the troubled Chicago Blackhawks.
...The Tampa Bay Lightning, which hired Barry Melrose as coach yesterday, today fired Director of Scouting Bill Barber.
...The Edmonton Oilers have hired Kelly Buchberger as an assistant coach.
...The buyouts of NHL-veteran players continued today. The Toronto Maple Leafs will pay 6-million dollars to get rid of winger Darcy Tucker.
...Calgary has opened buyout talks with veteran forwards Owen Nolan and Craig Conroy.
...Vancouver has acquired veteran center Kyle Wellwood from the Maple Leafs.
...The Russian based KHL-Continental League has offered a 12-million dollar contract to New York Rangers free-agent Jaromir Jagr. They have also signed ex-Ottawa center Alexi Yashin, Flyers goalie Robert Esche, San Jose defenseman Andrei Zyuzin, and NHL tough guy Chris Simon.
(General)
...Another shocker at Wimbledon. 3rd seed Novak Djokovic was hammered in straight sets by Marat Safin today, losing a 2nd eround match. Struggling with hi-cross winds, he double faulted twice in a row and lost all momentum.
...Top ranked Ana Ivanovich struggled to save match points but won her second round match. Serena Williams coasted to a victory.
...Controversial trainer Rick Dutrow, who handled Big Brown, has been suspended again, 15-days, and fined 20-thousand dollars, for giving hi-amounts of steroids to a horse that won at Churchill Downs the day before the Kentucky Derby. The horse had 2X-the legal limit the day it ran. It is the 76th time he has been disciplined in horse racing.
...In auto racing, Lalitta Motorsports, headed by driver Doug Kalitta, says it will run this weekend in the NHRA-Toledo event, despite the death of longtime Top fuel star Scott Kalitta, who burned to death in an accident in New Jersey last weekend.
...Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal apologized today for a classless rap song he sung in a bar, insulting Lakers star Kobe Bryant. The 2-minute freestyling rap song, laced with obscenities. derided Bryant for not leading the Lakers to the NBA title; blamed Bryant for the breakup of O'Neal's marriage; he again reiterated how Bryant ratted him out during Kobe's rape charge investigation in Colorado; and 6-times made reference to the Lakers star peforming a sex act on him, inviting him to tell him how his '****-tastes'. The Suns reportedly are enraged at the lyrics. The Maricopa County Sheriffs department say the player is no longer welcome around their officers.
The ill will between Shaq and Kobe escalated when Bryant told authorities in Colorado, Shaq was never charged with sexual assault because he paid off his ladies. O'Neal demanded a trade from LA after Bryant told owner Jerry Buss he would leave as a free-agent if Shaq stayed. The relationship grew worse because O'Neal was constantly out of shape in their final year together. And Bryant made a reference to O'Neal's wife having an affair and taking 31-million dollars of the players money last year.
He finished up the rap song say Kobe couldn't do it without me. Shaq, whose favorite phrase is 'can you dig it', is now being challenged 'can't you forget it'.
...Carmelo Anthony, the Denver Nuggets star, will miss the first two games of next year, after a drunk driving arrest.
...New Orleans Hornets guard Rasaul Butler has been arrested for pulling a gun at a restaurant.
...Tommy Heinsohn , the legendary Boston Celtics player and broadcaster, will undergo surgery for a blood clot in his stomach.
...The Chicago Bulls have setup interviews with Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris, about key assistants jobs with new head coach Vinnie DelNegro.
...A European team, CSKA-Moscow today offered contracts to Toronto Raptors forward Jorge Garbajosa and 7-foot Kansas center Sasha Kaun.
(Baseball)
...The last place Padres, who have lost 6-of-7, face the Minnesota Twins tonite at Petco Park. The Twins have won 6-in a row. Jake Peavy will try to stop the Friars slide. San Diego is now (32-45), the second worst mark in the National League.
...The injury jinxed Padres have lost another top draft pick; Logan Forsythe, the third player taken in the draft, tore thumb ligaments in his 3rd game last nite in Eugene, Oregon, sliding into lst base in a game in the Northwest League.
...The Padres ownership has said it will not give the Seattle Mariners permission to talk to GM-Kevin Towers.
...The Dodgers have Derek Lowe on the mound tonite against the White Sox.
...The Angels (47-30) play in Washington again tonite.
...The Cleveland Indians have signed ex-Braves infielder Tony Graffanino and former Twins reliever Juan Rincon.
...Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis was sent to a specialist for an eye exam after getting hit in the face with a throw last nite.
...Cleveland doctors say Josh Barfield will be out 8-weeks with a broken finger.
...Washington lst baseman Nick Johnson underwent wrist surgery today for a blood clot at the Cleveland Clinic and will miss the rest of the year.
...Atlanta's Tom Glavine will be out 6-weeks with a damaged elbow.
...The Cubs have put outfielder Reed Johnson on the DL with back problems.
...Seattle starter Felix Hernandez will miss l-start with a sprained ankle.
...Injury prone Texas infielder Hank Blalock is out of action again with a bruised wrist. Rangers catcher Hank Blalock will miss 6-weeks with a hamstring injury.
...St-Louis, which has 10-players on the DL, says pitcher Mark Mulder has strained his back; he had been on rehab assignments coming back from shoulder surgery.
...Sports Illustrated, in a poll of 495-players, says Derek Jeter is the most overrated player in baseball; they ranked Barry Zito, Alex Rodriguez and JD Drew in the top five.
(Football)
...Las Vegas police arrested a 30-year old man on felony kidnapping and robbery charges in the assault of Raiders receiver Javon Walker last weekend. They are searching for a second man. Walker could be in trouble with the law for filing a police report, saying he was robbed in his room at the Bellagio. Hotel video shows Walker walking with 2-men and willingly getting into their SUV hours before he was found unconscious in the street.
...Testimony began today in the 19-million dollar Steve Foley lawsuit against Coronado police officer Aaron Mansker. The off-duty officer testified he gave 3-orders on the highway to have Foley pull off the road that were disobeyed, and 3-commands and a warning shot for Foley to quit stalking him before the Chargers player was shot in a drunk driving confrontation in the fall of 2006. Mansker testified he was kon a 2-way radio for 20-minutes with other law enforcement agencies asking for help as he trailed Foley for nearly 20-miles.
...Miami Dolphins safety Jason Allen is being sued for 200-thousand dollars by agent Tom Condon for failing to pay back-fees.
...Detroit Lions 2nd round pick Jordan Dizon from Colorado, was arrested days before the draft on drunk driving and traffic charges.
...Cedric Benson, the ex-Bears running back, has been ordered to install an alcohol starter lock on his car, that prevents the ignition from turning if there is alcohol in the car.
...The New York Giants have released backup quarterback Jared Lorenzen.
...The Atlanta Falcons have signed New Orleans safety Deke Cooper.
...Duante Culpepper, the ex-Vikings star quarterback, who has bounced from Miami to the Raiders to the unemployment line, has turned a 1-year 1-million dollar offer from Green Bay.
...Byron Leftwich, the ex-Jacksonville quarterback, has lost 25-pounds and is hoping for a free-agent invite to a camp; leg injuries have plagued him the last 3-years.
...The Arena League LA Avengers have fired coach Ed Hodgkiss after another (5-11) season; he was (58-58) as head coach in 7-years but won only 1-playoff game.
...Alabama has expelled starting linebacker Jimmy Johns from school, after his arrest for selling cocaine and ecstasy in an on-campus drug ring. He is the 7th Tide player in a year to have problems with the law since Nick Saban took over as coach.
...UCLA, with offensive line problems, have picked up 2-transfers. Kai Maiava, a tackle from Colorado University, and Diablo Valley Community College guard Donovan Edwards are both transferring into the Bruins program. Both had been considering San Diego State.
(Hockey)
...The NHL has suspended Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli after he plead guilty to lying to SEC investigators about his role in a stock option scam. He faces 5-years probation and a 12-million dollar fine after pleading guilty to making a false statement about his company Broadcom's handling of back-dating stock options. He received no benefits from the deals, which were intended as bonuses for employees.
...LA Kings owner Philip Anschutz may have to answer questions about a 17-million dollar loan made to William Del Biaggio, who bought the Nashville Predators; Del Biaggo has been indicted on a major bank fraud loan case.
...Barry Melrose has been hired as head coach, Rick Tocchett as assistant coach, by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Melrose is the former coach who led the LA Kings to the Stanley Cup finals during the Wayne Gretzky era; Tocchett, a longtime player, was suspended for a year and a half for taking part in a New Jersey betting ring, while an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes.
...Evgeni Malkin, the 42-goal scorer of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has turned down a 12-million dollar a year offer from the newly formed Russian Continental League.
...New York Rangers winger Jaromir Jagr reportedly will be offered the same deal to play in Russia next season.
...The Ottawa Senators have bought out the contract of controversial goalie Ray Emery, who went (12-13-4) and was benched a year after leading the Senators to the Stanley Cup finals.
...The Toronto Maple Leafs bought out the contract of goalie Alan Raycroft and forward Kyle Wellwood.
...Tampa Bay dumped veteran goalie Mark Dennis today also.
(General)
...The lst big upset today at Wimbledon; 4th seed Nik Davydenko lost in straight sets to a 116th ranked player.
...2nd seed Rafael Nadal slugged his way to a win; Andy Roddick had 17-aces in his victory.
...Venus Williams had a 125-mile an hour serve, but struggled to get her lst win. Serena Williams needed just 77-minutes to get a victory.
...Rocco Mediate says he was not offended by Johnny Miller's TV-comment about his US Open performance. Miller said guys named Rocco ought to be cleaning swimming pools.
...The trainers of Big Brown, the Derby and Preakness winner, say a loosened horshoe could have been the reason the horse pulled up in the Belmont Stakes. 2-photos surfaced about the shoe on the horses right rear leg.
...Santa Anita will rip up its cushion track and put in the Australian built Pro-Rid surface next month. Santa Anita lost 14-racing dates with major drainage problems.
...WABC-Radio says it will not discipline Don Imus for his Pac-Man Jones comments made on his network show yesterday.. Imus, suspended last winter, for racially toned comments about -nap haired-ho's-making reference to Rutgers women's basketball team, inferred Pac Man Jones was arrested because he was black, and black's commit crimes. He said 'now we know' why he was arrested 6-times.
...NHRA drag racing star Tony Schumacher wants a drivers meeting to come up with a list of demands for changes in track safety, after Scott Kalita was burned to death in his Top Fuel car at Old Bridge, New Jersey. The car exploded, trapping Kalitta in fire, the chutes failed to open, the car went more than 1000-feet thru a sand pit, and hit a wall.
...Home-Cooking. It was supposed to help the Padres climb back into the pennant race; instead they are back in last place. The Padres played 23-home games in a 30-game stretch. They have wasted it. The Friars are (13-10) in that stretch as they get ready to host the Minnesota Twins tomorrow nite. San Diego has lost 6-of-7 after a lost weekend with Detroit, and have a (32-45) record, with growing rumors that clubs are calling them, and scouting them, for trades for pitchers Randy Wolfe and Greg Maddux. Injuries to Jake Peavy-Chris Young and Kevin Kouzmanoff have hurt the team.
...The under-achieving Dodgers are off tonite too. The Blue are (35-40), but in second place, just three and a half games back of fading Arizona. The Dodgers host the White Sox tomorrow.
...The Angels, hotter than the weather, have John Lackey on the mound tonite in Washington. The Halos are (46-30), and are led by Vlad Guerrero, who has a 12-game hitting streak and a .433-batting average in that span. Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana are a combined (21-6) this season.
...The Cubs are (48-28) the best in baseball, have won 14-straight at home, and are (32-8) at Wrigley Field. Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster is (9-0) at home this season.
...Here come the Detroit Tigers; they have won 12-of-15.
...Arizona is staggering. The D-Backs, who were (21-9) to start the season, are (18-28) since mid-May. Brandon Webb, who started the year (9-0) is (2-4) since.
...Dice Matsuzaka, who gave up 7-runs in 1-inning over the weekend, met with doctors today, looking again at his rotator cuff.
...Houston is pulling Shawn Chacon from the rotation; he has a 5.24-ERA.
...Colorado is yanking Todd Helton out of the 4th spot in the batting order; he is making 16-million a year, but is hitting .275 with 27-RBIs and virtually no power.
...On the injury front.
...Red Sox pitcher Curt Shilling had tendon surgery on his right shoulder today and the news was good; doctors say he can throw in January, should be in spring training, and do not view it as career-ending.
...Boston has put reliever Mike Timlin on the DL with knee tendenitis.
...Dodgers infielder Nomar Garciaparra has shut it down with more calf problems. He has been on the DL-5 times in 3-years.
...St-Louis has put Cesar Izturis on the DL-with hamstring problems.
...Pirates pitcher Ian Snell went to doctors today for an arthrogram on his ailing elbow.
...Pittsburgh pitcher Phil Dumatrait has gone on the DL with rotator cuff damage.
...The New York Mets have hired ex-Reds GM-Wayne Krivsky as a special assistant.
...An amazing story in the College World Series. Fresno State, with an ailing pitching staff, faces Georgia in the College World Series in Omaha; Fresno shocked North Carolina to get to the finals.
(Football)
...The lawyer for a Coronado police officer said Aaron Mansker had a responsibility, both on-and-off duty, to follow ex-Chargers linebacker Steve Foley, in a drunk driving chase that led to a violent shooting that crippled the player. The Coronado lawyer said Foley was doing in excess of 90-miles an hour, had had 14-to-18 shots of whisky, had a .33-blood alcohol count. Foley is suing for 16-million dollars in lost wages, and 630-thousand dollars in medical payments.
...The Chargers are discussing dealing veteran wide receiver Eric Parker to the Cleveland Browns for a mid-round draft pick. He missed all of last year with foot surgery, after catching 47-48-57 passes the 3-prior seasons. He was 3rd on the depth chart behind Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson, but was more reliable that Malcom Floyd and Kasim Osgood.
...The Chargers signed ex-Tampa Bay punt returner Mark Jones, who averaged 11-yards per return with Tampa before being hurt last year.
...The San Francisco 49ers signed ex-Raiders starting left tackle Barry Sims.
...Tampa Bay has released veteran linebacker Pat Chuwurah.
...The NFL has suspended ex-Chargers offensive tackle Shane Olivea for 4-games because of a positive drug test.
...Ex-Denver running back Mike Anderson has been suspended for a full year.for another drug violation.
...Jason Taylor's name is swirling again on NFL trade fronts; his agent has given the Miami Dolphins a list of 12-teams he would accept a trade too. Green Bay and the Eagles appear the most interested in the Pro Bowl pass rusher.
...Buffalo Bills officials are in hot water, for sending 10-text messages to running back Marshawn Lynch, recommending he not cooperate with a police investigation into a hit-run accident last month; Lynch plead guilty to the charge last Friday.
...Giants DB Geoff Pope is under investigation for a bar fight in which a man was hit over the head with a wine bottle.
...Tennessee pass rusher Jevan Kearse was arrested over the weekend on a DUI charge, the 32nd NFL player in trouble this offseason.
...UCLA has lost l-of its top young offensive lineman; Sean Sheller, a sophomore, has suffered major leg injuries in an ATV-accident.
...University of Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauck, who threw 31-TDs last year, will learn tomorrow whether he gets a 6th year eligibility from the NCAA because of 2-years of injuries at Wake Forest.
...Boise State, hoping to become a member of the Pac-10, today sold out all new 35-skyboxes, 44-loge boxes, and all 770-club seats ink their expanded stadium. The Broncos will play in an expanded 45-thousand seat stadium.
(Basketball)
...Tuesday is deadline day for veteran players to opt out of their contracts to become free-agents. Corey Magette of the Clippers, Shawn Marion of Miami and Ron Aretest of Sacramento are 3-of the biggest names, who could walk. Marion would walk away from a 17-million dollar payday; Magette earns 8-million and will likely leave; Artest wants to leave his 6-million contract to join the Lakers.
...Denver's unhappy forward Carmelo Anthony and his agent met with Nuggets officials today to discuss rumors Denver is trying to trade him to the Miami Heat for the 2nd pick in the NBA draft. Denver denies it wants to trade him despite feuds with Coach George Karl.
...Alan Iverson invoked the stay-clause in his Denver contract and will play for 20-million next year with the Nuggets.
...The Toronto Raptors have offered to deal injury-prone guard TJ Ford to the Indiana Pacers for veteran center Jermaine O'Neal. The Raptors would also send a lst round pick, and center Rasho Nasterovic to the Pacers in the deal.
...The Phoenix Suns have offered to deal erratic center Boris Diaw and a draft pick to Toronto for TJ Ford.
...Derrick Rose, the Memphis guard, worked out for the Chicago Bulls on Friday and met with the Miami Heat yesterday.
...7-foot Spanish center Mark Gasol, traded by the Lakers to Memphis in the Pao Gasol trade, is leaving his Spanish team and will sign with the Grizzlies.
...Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade head the US Olympic basketball team named for the Beijing Games. The big men include Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh and Carlos Boozer, plus guards Chris Paul and Michael Redd, and Deron Williams. Electing not to play are center Tim Duncan and forward Kevin Garnett.
...The NBA is demanding Dirty Ref Tim Donaghy repay the league 1.4-million dollars; legal fees, 4-years of salary, and for airline tickets and shoes he received, while he was betting on games and trading inside information to other bettors.
...Ex-Lakers guard Aaron McKie has been charged with trying to buy 2-guns while being under a court order for domestic abuse.
...The Detroit Pistons have hired ex-Toronto and Washington head coach Darrell Walker as the lead assistant to new head coach Michael Curry.
...Ohio University has lost its head coach; Tim O'Shea resigned today to become head coach at Bryant University in Rhode Island, which is going Division 1.
(Hockey)
...The Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow will hire ex-LA Kings coach Barry Melrose for their vacant job.
...Rage continues in Toronto in the aftermath of the Maple Leafs trade of captain Mats Sundin to the rival Montreal Canadiens.
...Pittsburgh goal scoring star Marian Hossa has rejected a 7-million dollar a year offer, and will become a free-agent.
...Colorado Avs star Joe Sakic is apparently headed to NHL free-agency after weekend meetings did not lead to a signing.
...The Atlanta Thrashers are reportedly ready to offer San Jose defenseman Brian Campbell 7-million a year in free-agency.
...The LA Kings will sign 18-year old lst round draft pick Drew Doughty and say he will start the season with them. The Kings 2nd round pick, Swedish defenseman Vlaja Voinov is opting out of his Russian contract, and will sign with LA.
...The top pick of the Anaheim Ducks, hi-school All American Jake Gardiner, says he will enroll at Wisconsin.
(General)
...Top seed Roger Federer won 11-polnts in a row to start his match, and roared to a lst round win at Wimbledon. Top seed Ana Ivanovich and Serene Williams also posted win.
...Drivers today demanded changes to tracks and safety sand pits after the death of veteran NHRA drag racer Scott Kalitta over the weekend in New Jersey. His top fuel car exploded, his chute failed to come out, the car hit a wall, and roared thru the sand pit. Kalitta was burned to death. It was the third horrible crash in 15-months.
...Kyle Busch has 5-wins this year on the NASCAR Sprint Cup series and 11-wins overall in Trucks and the nationwide series, after his win at Sonoma.
...Felipe Massa won his 3rd F-1 race of the season, with the victory in the French Grand Prix in Paris.
...Dan Wheldon today donated all 160-thousand dollars of his IRL winnings in the Iowa 250-to the Red Cross in that state, fighting the ravages of the floods and tornadoes.
...The German DSF-TV network is reporting Real Madrid will offer 101-million dollars transfer fee for unhappy Manchester United soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, who wants to play in Spain; he scored 42-goals this year.
...Italian soccer coach Roberton Donadoni could be fired tomorrow after they were beaten by Spain in the Euro 2008-Championships. The Italians top forwards went scoreless in all 4-games.
