NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — A former Adidas executive was sentenced Tuesday to nine months in prison for bribing young basketball players in a case illustrating the excesses of amateur sports in the US. Jim Gatto, who was Adidas marketing director at the time, was convicted of making the payments to star high school basketball players in a bid to tie them to the sportswear company later in their careers. The payments had three […]
Sports — International
James ‘not sitting’ games as Lakers hopes fade
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James has ruled out scaling back his playing time for the remainder of the season in the wake of the Los Angeles Lakers’ latest defeat which has dealt another blow to their playoff hopes. James faces missing the postseason for the first time since 2005 with the Lakers mired in a form slump which has seen them lose nine of their last 12 games. The Lakers are now […]
Vegas Golden Knights blank Vancouver Canucks 3-0; extend winning streak to four games.
By Henry Nery EBC Las Vegas Bureau LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Eagle News) — It was another great Sunday afternoon for Vegas hockey fans as the Golden Knights came back home from a one-game road trip in Anaheim, California to face off the Vancouver Canucks. In front of a raucous crowd of 18,303, the Golden Knights blanked the Canucks 3-0, extending their winning streak to four games. With the game scoreless after the first period, […]
Woods withdraws from Arnold Palmer over neck problem
LOS ANGELES, California (AFP) — Former world number one Tiger Woods withdrew from this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational on Monday after failing to shake off a neck strain. In a post on Twitter, Woods said the problem was unrelated to the lower back issues which sidelined him for nearly two years, and added he had no concern over his long-term fitness. “Unfortunately due to a neck strain that I’ve had for a few weeks, I’m […]
Spanish star big man Gasol thrilled to join NBA Bucks
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Spanish center Pau Gasol, twice an NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, said Sunday he was thrilled to sign with the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks, who boast the NBA’s top record at 48-15, announced Sunday they have signed the six-time all-star center after he was waived by San Antonio last week. Combined with Greek star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 7-footer (2.13m) adds a solid inside presence on the […]
Harden powers Rockets to win over struggling Celtics
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — James Harden continues to be the Houston Rockets’ driving force, delivering his 24th 40-point performance on Sunday while the Boston Celtics fell back into their bad habits. Harden finished with 42 points, including six 3-pointers, as the Rockets overcame a Celtic rally for a 115-104 victory in front of 18,600 at the Boston Garden. The Rockets watched their 28-point lead dwindle to single digits. But they did what they […]
Harden explodes for 58 points as Rockets edge Heat
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — James Harden shouldered the scoring load on Thursday, delivering his seventh career 50-point, 10-assist performance as the Houston Rockets edged the Miami Heat 121-118. With Harden in a three-point shooting slump over the last few games, the Rockets have been depending on their reserves to get the job done. But Harden reasserted himself Thursday in front of a home crowd of 18,100 at the Toyota Center, finishing with 58 […]
Nowitzki not so sure 21st season with Mavs is his last
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Dallas Mavericks talisman Dirk Nowitzki, whose 21st NBA season is taking on the flavor of a farewell tour, says he hasn’t actually ruled out the 22nd campaign. For one thing, the 40-year-old German is finally feeling good — and he wouldn’t mind sticking around to shepherd new teammate Luka Doncic, who turned 20 on Thursday, into his sophomore season alongside another young European star Kristaps Porzingis recently acquired by […]
Ageless Wade lifts Heat over Warriors
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Miami icon Dwyane Wade banked in a buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift the Heat to a 126-125 victory over the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. Wade, who announced before the season that he would retire after this campaign, added another sublime moment to his career highlight reel as the Heat snapped a six-game home losing streak by salvaging a victory that appeared to have gotten away. Miami […]
LeBron’s Lakers finale veers off script
by Rob Woollard Agence France Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — As movie pitches go, LeBron James’ move to the Los Angeles Lakers had all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster. An ageing NBA superstar joins a storied-but-struggling franchise and leads a dramatic revival which transforms the team into title contenders. But five months after James began training with the Lakers, the perfectly scripted finale has been stuck in what entertainment industry executives call […]
Harden’s streak ends at 32, James enters a class of his own
LOS ANGELE, United States (AFP) — James Harden missed all 10 three-pointers he attempted, snapping his 32-game streak with at least 30 points as the Houston Rockets defeated the Atlanta Hawks 119-111 on Monday. Harden finished with 28 points after missing Saturday’s victory over the Golden State Warriors with a neck injury. He said at practice earlier Monday that he was still bothered by the neck problem. His run of games with 30 or more […]
Towns says he’s lucky to be alive after car crash
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns said Monday he was lucky to have escaped with his life after the car crash last week which forced him out of two games. The 23-year-old suffered a suspected concussion following the incident on February 21, and told reporters ahead of his return from injury against Sacramento later on Monday that his car was struck from behind by a truck which had failed to […]