LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Miami Heat star Chris Bosh has declared himself ready to return for the new season as he battles back from an extended layoff following treatment for blood clots. The 11-time All-Star hasn’t played since February 9 after the emergence of blood clots in his calf. He also missed the second half of the 2014-15 season due to blood clots, with one moving to his lung and forcing him into […]
Tag: NBA
NBA: McGary drug suspension increased to 15 games
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Mitch McGary will miss the first 15 games of the NBA season after being hit with a second drug suspension, the league confirmed Tuesday. McGary was slapped with a 10-game ban after violating the terms of the league’s drug policy, the NBA said in a statement. The suspension will begin after he has served a five-game ban for a failed drug test announced in July. […]
NBA: Pierce uncertain about Clippers future
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce is undecided about whether or not he will extend his NBA career into a 19th season, coach Doc Rivers revealed Thursday. Pierce, who spent the bulk of his career working under Rivers at the Boston Celtics, which included an NBA Championship in 2008, is still mulling whether or not to return for the new campaign. “Paul has had the summer, he’s gone back […]
NBA: Bosh ramps up fitness drive with online workouts
MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Miami Heat star Chris Bosh sought to give public proof of his fitness on Thursday, sharing videos of on-court workouts online as he targets the new season. The 11-time All-Star finished the last two seasons sidelined by Miami after undergoing treatment for blood clots. Bosh was at loggerheads with Miami last season, publicly pushing to return to action yet remaining sidelined. Bosh said in a video released via social media […]
NBA: Los Angeles pays tribute to Kobe Bryant
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant will be honored Wednesday with a ceremony in Los Angeles, the city where he played his entire 20-year professional career. As part of the tribute ceremony, to be held at city hall, officials in the southern California city have declared Wednesday as Kobe Bryant Day. “It is Los Angeles’ way of thanking him for his single-minded dedication to excellence, the fans and the entire […]
Olympics: US NBA stars rip Serbia for third gold in a row
by Jim SLATER RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — Completing a third consecutive unbeaten run to gold, the United States crushed Serbia 96-66 in Sunday’s Rio Games basketball final to win its sixth Olympic title with NBA talent in seven tries. Kevin Durant scored 18 of his 30 points in the second quarter to trigger the rout, stretching the USA’s Olympic winning streak to 25 games and its decade-long unbeaten string to 76 in what […]
Olympics: NBA Spurs stars Ginobili, Parker end international careers
by Jim SLATER RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — Star guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, NBA teammates for the San Antonio Spurs, bid emotional farewells to international play Wednesday after quarter-final losses at the Rio Olympics. Spain defeated Parker and his French teammates 92-67 while Ginobili’s Argentina side was routed 105-78 by the US NBA stars. “It has been an amazing run,” Ginobili said of a 20-year span topped by 2004 Olympic gold. “I’m […]
Olympics: USA goes 5-0 as Thompson dumps slump
by Dan Martin RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — NBA marksman Klay Thompson shook off his Rio slump to net 30 points but the USA laboured again to defeat France Sunday as Olympic basketball heads for the knockout rounds. The 100-97 victory means the two-time defending gold medallists have won their group at 5-0 but must wait until Monday to learn their quarter-final opponent. Australia, meanwhile, beat Venezuela 81-56 to finish second in Group A […]
NBA: James set to ink $100m deal with Cavaliers
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James has agreed to a three-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which will likely make him the highest paid player in the National Basketball Association. “I just want to let you all know I’m re-signing back with the Cleveland Cavaliers, my hometown team,” James said on his multi-media website Uninterrupted. “I can’t be more excited than this opportunity once again, man, to defend our crown, defend our title… […]
Olympics: Saric serves notice he’s ready for NBA challenge
by Jim SLATER RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — If anyone doubts 22-year-old Croatian power forward Dario Saric is ready for the NBA, just ask two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol. Saric smacked away a potential game-tying inside shot by the San Antonio Spurs center at the final buzzer to seal his homeland’s 72-70 upset of second-ranked Spain on Sunday in a Rio Olympics preliminary round opener. Saric signed with the Philadelphia 76ers last month after […]
Olympics: US NBA stars want to spark unity through gold
by Jim SLATER RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — An Olympic crown for the US team of NBA stars means more this time around for Carmelo Anthony, who sees a gold medal quest as something Americans can unite behind. The 32-year-old forward for the New York Knicks hopes a nation divided over politics and the killings of unarmed black men and white police officers can come together just like NBA rivals did in less than […]
NBA: Thunder’s Westbrook inks $85 mn extension
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — All-star point guard Russell Westbrook signed a three-year, $85 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, one month after the team lost Kevin Durant to Golden State. “I am grateful to extend my contract with the Thunder and continue to play with the only organization that I have played for and have loved being a part of since I was drafted into the NBA,” Westbrook said. […]





