Sports News

Rafael Nadal in moving 9/11 tribute

2011-09-11T00:49:00.000-07:00

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal paid a moving tribute to victims of the 9/11 attacks, telling 22,000 spectators at the US Open and a global television audience that they'll be in his thoughts on Sunday's 10th anniversary.
"I just want to send all of my support to the families of the victims of September 11th. I have terrible memories of that day," said Nadal to loud cheers from the Arthur Ashe Stadium Court at Flushing Meadows.
The Spaniard, who is the defending champion, was speaking after his semi-final win over Britain's Andy Murray, later vividly recalling witnessing the attacks as a raw 15-year-old.
On September 11, 2001, Nadal was in Madrid, playing in his first professional tournament.
Earlier that year, he had spent a happy family holiday in New York.
"I don't know exactly how to say in English, but the... image (of the Twin Towers falling), what I remember from that moment is probably...unforgettable," he said.

Andy Murray loses to Rafael Nadal in semis

2011-09-11T00:44:00.000-07:00

Andy Murray

Andy Murray's hopes of reaching the US Open final came to an end as Rafael Nadal outclassed him in four sets to set up a meeting with Novak Djokovic.

The British number one lost 6-4 6-2 3-6 6-3 in three hours and 24 minutes to ensure his wait for a maiden Grand Slam title goes on.

Murray was no match for the Spaniard in the first two sets and despite rallying in the third, he wilted in the fourth.

Djokovic beat rojer fedrer and reach Open final

2011-09-11T00:31:00.000-07:00

Djokovic

Lightning struck twice against Roger Federer at the US Open.

Once again, Novak Djokovic went for the same kind of hit-and-hope forehand winner on match point down against the Swiss as he did last year.

By any standards this was a classic sporting contest and, in the judgment of TV analyst Patrick McEnroe and others, the match of the year. That Federer ended up losing again, this time by 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 was hugely disappointing — not just for the man himself, but also for a 23,000-plus crowd that had been 90 percent behind him throughout the contest.

No teamwork in NBA lockout talks

2011-08-16T04:59:00.000-07:00

NBA commissioner David Stern

The expiration of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement comes in the wake of an absurd postseason that scored some of the NBA’s highest TV ratings since Michael Jordan took on John Stockton and Karl “the Mailman” Malone in 1997-98.

I mean, remember with me: Brandon Roy dropped 18 in the fourth on the Mavs when he should‘ve been in a wheelchair, the street-fight that was the Grizzlies-Thunder series, the Lakers were swept, LeBron reminded everyone how much their lives suck compared to his and — oh yeah — the Lakers were swept.

Well, prepare for the polar opposite, a greed-a-palooza called the 2011 lockout.

“It worries me that we’re not closer. We have a huge philosophical divide,” NBA commissioner David Stern said.

NBA preseason game come to Civic Center

2011-08-16T04:53:00.000-07:00

When the Golden State Warriors bought the Dakota Wizards in late June, they said they wanted to bring a bit of the NBA experience.

They may bring that experience on Oct. 25, as the Warriors have scheduled a preseason game against the Utah Jazz at the Bismarck Civic Center, although that game is threatened by the NBA lockout.

They will bring that experience on Oct. 6, when the Warriors are planning a special event in Bismarck that will include an appearance by Jerry West. West, who is a member of the Warriors' executive board, was one of the best players and one of the best general managers in league history. His silhouette was even used for the NBA's logo.

Lockout or not, Jeremy Pargo is NBA-bound

2011-08-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

Jeremy Pargo

Jeremy Pargo

Jeremy Pargo rode his speed and athleticism to a breakout season in 2010-11, fueling Maccabi's drive to the Euroleague finals as a hard-to-harness scoring point guard. But the success and resulting interest from the NBA prompted Pargo to opt out of his Maccabi contract earlier this month, meaning that the younger brother of NBA veteran Jannero Pargo must be convinced he'll be offered a good job in the States if he was willing to walk away from a sure thing to wait out the unknown.

2011 Basketball Hall Of Fame: Could Chris Mullin Succeed In Today's NBA?

2011-08-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Chris Mullin

Chris Mullin

Chris Mullin

In recent weeks leading up to his enshrinement, media has honored Chris Mullin glowingly when tracing his archive of hoops stardom. Work-ethic, not athleticism, are what media, quoting his teammates and former coaches, set Mullin aside from his contemporaries. In some ways, these comments could be construed as an indirect slap in the face to the current state of the NBA where potential, defined by out-of-this-world athleticism, continues to matter more than solid fundamentals (this is not an apologia for Mike Dunleavy Jr.).

To Danny Savitzky, contributor to Grantland, Mullin is an "endangered species," a kind of player that has been wiped out by the evolution of hoops athleticism. We often say there will never be another Michael Jordan or a Magic Johnson. But is it possible to say there will never be another Chris Mullin?

Houston lands 2013 NBA All Star Game

2011-08-12T02:52:00.000-07:00

It would mark the third time Houston will host the NBA All-Star Game. The last time the city hosted the exhibition match between the top players of the NBA was in 2006 at Toyota Center. The NBA All-Star festivities will kick off two days earlier

Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90056909?Houston%20lands%202013%20NBA%20All%20Star%20Game#ixzz1Uo7Jva94

Houston is expected to gear up for the arrival of NBA superstars and hundreds of basketball fans after it was reported Thursday that city will host the 2013 NBA All-Star game.

According to reports by KRIV-TV and KHOU 11 Sports, the game will played at the Toyota Center on February 17.

The NBA All-Star festivities will kick off two days earlier.

It would mark the third time that the largest city of the state of Texas will host the NBA All-Star Game.

The last time Houston hosted a match pitting the best players voted to the Eastern Conference squad against their counterparts in the Western Conference was in 2006 at Toyota Center.

Houston also was the site of the 1989 All-Star Game at the Astrodome.

Meanwhile, NBA officials nor the Rockets would issue a comment on the report.

The 61st edition of the All-Star Game is slated be played on February 26, 2012 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, home of the Orlando Magic.

LeBron James hopeful about NBA resolution

2011-08-12T02:49:00.000-07:00

TAIPEI (Taiwan): Miami Heat star LeBron Jamesremains confident the 2011-2012 NBA season will go ahead, despite the growing pessimism of the players' union. Speaking Friday to reporters in Taiwan, James said "right now I am working toward the NBA season, I believe there will be a season, and hopefully both sides can come together." Players have been locked out of team facilities since July 1 as negotiations continue on a new agreement on pay and conditions. The two sides are split over issues including distribution of revenues and the imposition of a salary cap. Last week, players' union chief Billy Hunter said he was doubtful about the 2011-12 season going ahead. James is on a two-day promotional tour of Taiwan

Flamboyant Rodman set to enter NBA Hall of Fame

2011-08-12T02:45:00.000-07:00

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — Dennis Rodman, who once wore a wedding dress to one of his book signings, is set to enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Rodman was known more for his antics off the court but he did find time to win several National Basketball Association championships on Michael Jordan-led teams.

Rodman and two-time Olympic gold medalist Chris Mullin headline the class of 2011 which will be honored at a lavish ceremony at Symphony Hall.

"My job was to go out there and win ballgames, have a good time and take care of my family. As long as the people had a good time, that was my main objective," Rodman said.

Mullin becomes the 11th member of the famed 1992 US Olympic Team to be enshrined as an individual. The list also includes big men Artis Gilmore and Arvydas Sabonis; eight-time NBA champion Tom "Satch" Sanders of the Boston Celtics; coaching great Tex Winter and late Reece "Goose" Tatum of the Harlem Globetrotters. Women's star Teresa Edwards is also going in.

But the spotlight at Friday's news conference was on Rodman, who enjoyed the added attention.

"I shine every damn day," Rodman said. "This is for other people here that don't get to see these famous people that's going to come in this building tomorrow."

Said Winter's son Chris, "I don't know what's more shocking, that they didn't put Tex in 30 years ago, or they didn't make Dennis wait another 30 years."

While he likes to joke around, Rodman was also one of the top defensive players in the league for many seasons. He won an NBA record seven consecutive rebounding titles.

He said others, like Lakers current forward Ron Artest, have tried to follow in his footsteps but they can't pull it off.

"It's hard to be an entertainer and an athlete and try to be a smart basketball player all at the same time. As you can see, some guys try to do it but they don't know how to actually put the game of basketball first," Rodman said.

Last year Mullin was enshrined along with his teammates from the 1992 American Olympic squad. Now he becomes the 11th player from that team to also go in as an individual. Mullin played in five NBA all-star games and scored more than 17,000 points in his career.

The Naismith Hall of Fame is dominated by American players and the only other team to be enshrined is the 1960 US Olympic team.

Sabonis played in his native Lithuania before moving to the USA to play for Portland.

The Hall of Fame is named after James Naismith, a Canadian who is credited with inventing the sport in 1891.

As NBA Draft is set, Timberwolves GM hints at conspiracy

2011-05-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

The NBA Draft has been set and now that the lottery is finished fans are wondering if David Kahn was right when he hinted that the NBA set it so the Cavaliers would get the first overall pick.(CBS/What's Trending) - In the NBA, worst doesn't mean first. So even if you have a 2.8 percent chance of getting the first pick during the NBA Draft, you can still win the prize, which is exactly what happened.

This year's NBA Draft will be the first time the Cavaliers have the first overall pick since they drafted a little known high school player out of Akron -- the same MVP who would later break their hearts when he "took his talents to South Beach" without bringing home a championship. (Okay, he was never little known,and I'm obviously talking about LeBron James.)

Anyway the Cavs are on the clock and can start looking at who to pick number one overall, but now, some people are claiming there is an NBA conspiracy behind the draft pick lottery.

David Kahn, the Minnesota Timberwolves GM, is one of those hinting at some rigging. The Timberwolves had the best odds of winning the lottery with a 25 percent chance. Kahn told reporters after the draft order was announced, "I also felt that when the 14-year-old hit the dias with us we were dead. We were just dead. There was no way... this league has a a habit, and I am just going to say habit, of producing some pretty incredible story lines. Last year it was Abe Pollin's widow, and this year it was a 14-year-old boy and the only thing we have in common is we have both been bar mitzvahed. We were done. I told Kevin: 'We're toast.' This is not happening for us and I was right."

Andy Murray Tennis star

2011-04-18T05:39:00.000-07:00

Andy Murray

Andy Murray will have a scan today to determine the extent of the elbow injury that hampered him in Saturday's semi-final defeat by Rafael Nadal at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The Scot is due to play in the Barcelona Open this week, where he is the second seed behind world number one Nadal.

Murray has a bye in the first round and is therefore unlikely to be on court before Wednesday, giving him time to make a decision.

The 23-year-old will certainly hope he is fit enough to face either Juan Carlos Ferrero or Xavier Malisse in the second round after playing some of his best clay-court tennis in Monte Carlo.

Murray, who went into the tournament on a run of four successive defeats, breezed through his opening three matches before becoming the only man to take a set off Nadal as the Spaniard won his seventh title in a row in the principality.

The British number one first felt the elbow problem in his quarter-final win over Frederico Gil and he needed an injection prior to the match against Nadal.

His form in the second set in particular indicated that had done the trick but Murray began to struggle with the injury in the decider, allowing Nadal to pull away.

IPL rule book rules out Saurav Ganguly for Kochi

2011-04-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

Saurav Ganguly

New Delhi: Former India and Kolkata Kinght Riders skipper Sourav Ganguly may have lost a realistic chance of playing in this year's Indian Premier League, according to the IPL rule book.

It was learnt on Friday that the Kochi Tuskers Kerala had made an attempt to rope in Ganguly as a replacement player for Steve Smith. Having been ignored at the IPL-4 auction in January in Bangalore, the only way Ganguly could have come into the IPL was as a replacement player.

With Smith pulling out of injury, Kochi wanted Ganguly as his replacement but the rule book states that, a player can be replaced at the same or lesser price than the player to be replaced. Smith was purchased by Kochi for $200,000 while Ganguly's base price was $400,000.

Surprisingly, Ganguly's base price, initially, was $200,000. But former Indian skipper, along with a few other players, including Rahul Dravid, had increased it to $400,000.

If he had not done that, Ganguly could easily have walked into the Kochi team and fulfilled his dream of playing in the IPL-4.

Strom is Back Tennis Princess Maria Sharapova is back in the top-10 for the first time in more than two years

2011-04-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova’s driving forehand doesn’t really fill me with wonder and excitement, but I am full of admiration for her drive to succeed.

She burst onto the tennis scene as a 17-year-old in 2004, beating two-time defending champion Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final, but having reached the top of the rankings herself, her career went into decline from late 2008 after a long absence due to injury.

Monte Carlo Tennis: Aisam-Rohan pair in semis

2011-04-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

Aisam-ul-Haq

Rohan Bopanna

Aisam-ul-Haq

Rohan Bopanna

Aisam-ul-Haq

MONACO: Pak-Indian tennis duo of Aisam-ul-Haq and Rohan Bopanna continue its successes in the ATP Masters Tennis Championship in Monte Carlo and now it has qualified for the semi-finals of the tournament here on Friday.

Aisam and Rohan outclassed the pair of 2nd seeded Daniel Nestor of Canada and Max Mirnyi of Belarus 6-1, 7-5 in the quarter-final to be placed in the final four.

Earlier, they defeated American Eric Butorac and his partner Roger`Julien 7-6 (7/4),6-3 in the pre-quarters finals of on Thursday.

NBA - Chicago Bulls take top seed status for play-offs

2011-04-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

Joakim Noah

Kyle Korver scored 19 points as the Chicago Bulls closed the regular season with their ninth straight victory, beating the New Jersey Nets 97-92. The Bulls had to wait for San Antonio's result to see who would be seeded No1 for the play-offs – with the Spurs' loss to Phoenix earning them home-court advantage.

Joakim Noah finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds to help the Bulls finish 62-20, equalling their best showing since the 1997-98 championship season. They begin their play-off campaign against the Indiana Pacers.

Joakim Noah

Kyle Korver

Maria Sharapova Tennis Princess

2011-04-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

Maria sharapova

Maria Sharapova is looking as great as ever in every major tournament she joined (although her skin is looking a tad rough). When it comes to female athletes' attractiveness and beauty I’m not sure Sharapova has too many competitors. You can judge it by looking some of her sexy pictures below.

Maria sharapova

Nadal notches 8th win over Gasquet at Monte Carlo

2011-04-14T06:13:00.000-07:00

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal

Top seed Rafael Nadal maintained his traditional momentum at the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday as the Spaniard powered into the quarter-finals 6-2, 6-4, seeing off a French challenge from Richard Gasquet.

The 13th seed from nearby Nice rallied the home crowd momentarily in the second set as sun broke through after morning cloud over the Mediterranean,

Gasquet secured a break-back for 4-4 after losing his serve to the dominating Nadal, now an untouchable 36-1 at the event he has won for the last six years. But Nadal showed why he's the king of clay as he returned the favour as Gasquet hit the net with a forehand to drop serve.

A game later, Nadal served out the victory in 93 minutes for his eighth victory without a loss against the 18th-ranked Gasquet.

Nadal next faces a seasoned opponent in Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic, who upset Czech fifth seed Thomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2.

Two more Spanish seeds had mixed results in the third round, with number four David Ferrer defeating Canadian breakthrough player Milos Raonic 6-1, 6-3 as the 34th-ranked youngster lost serve five times and committed 40 unforced errors in slower conditions imminently suitable to the grinding Ferrer game.

Serb 11th seed Viktor Troicki reached the last eight as Spain's Tommy Robredo retired to hand over a 3-6, 2-1 win.

Robredo suffered an adductor injury a month ago in California and was forced to miss the Miami Masters. He resumed training last week in Barcelona.

Three-time finalist Roger Federer was bidding for the quarter-finals as he faced 15th-seeded Croatian Marin Cilic. The Swiss stands 23-4 on the season, with three of his losses coming to undefeated Novak Djokovic and the other to Nadal in Miami.

Third seed Andy Murray was hoping to continue his comeback effort after finally winning his first match since January on Wednesday as he faced french 16th seed Gilles Simon.

Monte Carlo Masters: Federer cruises into third round

2011-04-13T14:29:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer

Roger Federer

MONACO: The Swiss tennis maestro, Roger Federer, exhibited his class to thrash Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany by 6-2 6-1 in the second round match of the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday.

Until this match, everybody in the tennis world was talking about the latest rivalry of Serb Novak Djokovic and Spanish Rafael Nadal but Federer showed his days of glory have not passed as yet with an absolute combination of forehand and backhand.

Federer looked in a serious mood to prove a point ahead of the first claycourt Grand Slam tournament of the year, French Open, where the Swiss would look to bag his 17 Grand Slam title.

Federer, who has been seeded second in the Monte Carlo Masters, has never won a title here showed his form of 2009 when he clinched the French Open title before going on to win all the four Grand Slams.

With Novak Djokovic missing the Monte Carlo event with a knee injury, both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are looking to win the title ahead of the all-important French Open. Nadal, who has won six titles at Monte Carlo, will try to prove a point for the seventh one on Wednesday with the match against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland in the second round while third seed Andy Murray will take on Radek Stepanek.

Talking about Rafael Nadal, Federer said, “Nadal will be hard to beat. He is clearly the overwhelming favourite even though I haven’t seen him play yet. But I still wouldn’t be happy losing to him in the final.”

In another second round match on Tuesday, fifth seed Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic made the mockery of Olivier Rochus of Belgium with 6-2 6-3 victory. Berdych will now face Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, who defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga by 7-6 6-4 in the second round.

Rafael Nadal hammers Nieminen in Monte Carlo Masters

2011-04-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal

World number one Rafael Nadal began the defence of his Monte Carlo Masters crown with an emphatic second-round victory over Finland's Jarkko Nieminen.

The Spaniard, who received a bye in the first round, won 6-2 6-2 in just over an hour.

It was a powerful display of hitting from the 24-year-old, who cruised to the title here a year ago.

Nadal next plays Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 6-2 6-1 on Wednesday.

He still tops the world rankings despite the fact that his last title win was the Japan Open in October.

Since then he has lost to Roger Federer in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals, and suffered consecutive defeats by world number two Novak Djokovic in the recent Masters finals at the BNP Paribas Open and the Sony Ericsson Open.

IPL 2011: Rajasthan beat Delhi by 6 wickets

2011-04-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils.

Rajasthan Royals made full use of the home advantage on Tuesday when they defeated an out-of-sort Delhi Daredevils by six wickets in the Indian Premier League 2011 at Sawai
Mansingh Stadium of Jaipur.

Shane Warne once again proved a better captain and he also inspired his side with some gritty leg-spin bowling that strangled the Sehwag eleven.

Rajasthan Royals now have won their both matches and are at second position in the league with only run-rate separating Mumbai Indians, the toppers, and the Shane Warne’s team.

Shilpa Shetty

Batting first, Delhi Daredevils lost their skipper Virender Sehwag (4 from 2) early in the innings and couldn’t completely recover from that loss as Aaron Finch (11 from 14), U Chand (2 from 10), and Naman Ojha (Duck), all went in a quick succession leaving the visitors at 4/36.

With Delhi wobbling tremendously, somebody had to play a manful knock and opener David Warner (54 from 44 – 6 fours, 1 six) and Venugopal Rao (60 from 40 – 4 fours, 4 sixes) provided the required impetus to the innings as Daredevils managed to achieve a fighting total of 151 runs for the loss of six wickets from their 20 overs.

Shaun Tait

Shaun Tait, Virender Sehwag

AL Menaria (22 from 15 and AM Rahane (18 from 17) came handy with cameos before Ross Taylor (18 not out from 10 – 1 four, 1 six) completed the job in 18.3 overs.

With this loss, Delhi Daredevils are at ninth position with two defeats in two matches.

Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne was declared Man of the Match for his super bowling spell of 2/17 as well as his exceptional captaincy.

Serena Williams gets back on tennis court

2011-04-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

Serena Williams

Serena Williams grabbed her racket and got out on a tennis court Tuesday, which she said was her “first day back” after a series of health problems, including blood clots in her lung.

The 13-time Grand Slam singles champion and former No. 1-ranked player has not played an official match since she won the title at Wimbledon in July.

On Tuesday, Williams tweeted: “Cool news guys stay tuned.. Ill update u with a pic.. U ready??”

Sania in quarterfinals of Family Circle Cup WTA event

2011-04-08T03:36:00.000-07:00

Sania Mirza

CHARLESTON: Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza advanced to the quarterfinals of the Family Circle Cup WTA tournament at Charleston with a straight-set victory over Sabine Lisicki of Germany.

Sania, who made it to the main draw through the qualifying rounds, beat the German wild card entrant 6-4 6-4 in the second round singles match of the $721,000 prize money clay court event.

She will now meet 11th seed Shuai Peng of China in the quarterfinals. Peng had upset seventh seed Russian Nadia Petrova 6-3 5-7 6-2 in another second round match.

Sania has also reached the quarterfinals in the doubles with her partner Elena Vesnina of Russia.

The unseeded Indo-Russian duo had pulled off a big upset by ousting second seeds and strong contenders Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymonds with a straight-set win in the first round.

In the doubles quarter-finals, they will take on the Russian-Australian combination of Alla Kudryavtseva and Anastasia Rodionova.

Skylar Diggins, Maria Sharapova, LeBron James and Today's Swagger Buzz

2011-04-07T03:15:00.000-07:00

Skylar Diggins

Skylar Diggins

Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova

Skylar Diggins

LeBron James

LeBron James

Skylar Diggins of Notre Dame is looking like the Fighting Irish's next star on the court after averaging 14.4 points and 4.8 assists.

Off the court, rapper sensation Lil Wayne has proclaimed his love for Diggins, calling her his "wifey" on his Twitter page and encouraging her to shoot for the stars.

Diggins' Twitter following has gone from 6,000 followers before the NCAA Tournament to over 68,000 in the Fighting Irish's run to the national championship game.

Notre Dame lost to the Texas A&M Aggies, 76-70, last night, but everyone's clearly diggin' Diggins these days regardless.

Maria Sharapova, who has seen her tennis career fluctuate since winning a Grand Slam when she was 17 years old, has just entered the top 10 in the world rankings, and appears ready for another surge.

And Miami Heat star LeBron James has just come out with a new animated TV series called The LeBrons, which trails James' four alter egos; Athlete, Kid, Business and Wise.

James does the voice overs for Business.

Interestingly enough, James' message in the first episode is that two wrongs don't make a right.

A shot at Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, perhaps?

2011-04-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

Serena Williams

Venus Williams

Maria Sharapova

Victoria Azarenka

With the new rankings for women’s tennis that were released on Monday, many of the top players stayed in the same positions. However, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova both did incredibly well at last week’s Sony Ericsson Open, and this success showed in the new rankings.

Azarenka was formerly the number 8 player in the world, but she now sits in the 6 spot. Sharapova also broke into the top 10 for a number 9 spot after losing to Azarenka in Saturday’s tournament final. Sharapova has been out of the top ranks for some time, so this could be her chance to get back on top in the WTA.

Meanwhile, Venus Williams has now dropped out of the top 10. Neither she nor her sister, Serena, have been recently playing because of health issues. When in good playing shape, both are top competitors in women’s tennis.

After an impressive run at the Sony Ericsson Open, Andrea Petkovic of Germany has broken into the top 20 at number 19. Petkovic took out several top players on her way to the semi-finals.