New NBA rule prohibits Twitter use during games
September 30, 2009
The league sent a memo to teams on Wednesday telling them that cellphones and other communication devices can’t be used from 45 minutes before game time until after players have finished their responsibilities after games. That includes halftime.
The rule applies to “coaches, players and other team basketball operations personnel.” NBA spokesman Tim Frank confirmed the memo and its contents.
The memo does not specify penalties for violation of the rule, and says teams are free to create their own policies for practices and other team events.
The NBA has more than 1.4 million followers on Twitter, and many players are active on it.
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Sharapova reaches Tokyo quarters
September 30, 2009
TOKYO (AP) — Maria Sharapova recovered from a slow start Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over compatriot Alisa Kleybanova. The former top-ranked Russian, who has been struggling since returning from a 10-month injury layoff, will face Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Benesova defeated Taiwan’s Chang Kai-chan 7-5, 6-2. Sharapova, 25th in the world rankings, took control of the match in the second set when she broke Kleybanova three times to open up a 5-0 lead. Kleybanova broke back in the sixth game and held before Sharapova served to win the set. “She started off really strong,” Sharapova said. “I was too slow in the beginning. Nobody had much of a warmup today, we kind of had to warm up in the first few games and she did a much better job of that than me.” Sharapova, who broke the unseeded Kleybanova three more times in the final set before closing out the match, won her first tournament as a professional at the Japan Open in 2003 and won in Tokyo in 2005. With the top six seeds all out of the tournament, she is positioned well for another shot at a title in the $2 million event at Ariake Colosseum. “Some of the other girls not in the top 10 have played really well here,” Sharapova said. “You’ve got to expect that from every player you play and focus on the task at hand.” Jelena Jankovic of Serbia advanced when Russia’s Elena Vesnina was forced to retire with a left thigh injury. Jankovic, the No. 7 seed, was leading 6-1, 3-0 when the third-round match was stopped. Jankovic is the highest seeded player left in the tournament but said she won’t allow that to add to the pressure of winning here for the first time. “I don’t really think about that,” Jankovic said. “I just think about my game and what I have to do on the court. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.” The former world No. 1 will meet France’s Marion Bartoli in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Fourteenth-seeded Bartoli recovered from a set down to defeat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. Jankovic has lost to Bartoli twice this year, at the Australian Open and at Stanford. Magdalena Rybarikova defeated Aleksandra Wozniak 1-6, 6-3, 6-3. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Real cruises; Chelsea, Man. Utd win in Champions League
September 30, 2009
LONDON (AP) — Real Madrid maintained its perfect start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday, while group rival AC Milan tumbled 1-0 at home to FC Zurich. Madrid scored three goals in seven minutes at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice and being fouled in the area for Kaka to add the resulting penalty. That foul led to the dismissal of Souleymane Diawara for a second yellow card and Ronaldo went off with an ankle injury just after scoring his second. “When you see the injury and, certainly, Cristiano’s ankle — I think it was the right call,” Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini said. The result was Madrid’s second Champions League victory to go with five wins in a row in the Spanish league. Pellegrini’s team now leads Group C by three points after Hannu Tihinen’s 10th-minute goal gave Zurich victory at the San Siro, where Ronaldinho was on a star-studded Milan bench. It was another blow for Milan, which is below halfway in the Serie A standings after only two wins in six games. Manchester United came from behind to beat German champion Wolfsburg 2-1 at Old Trafford to make it two wins in a row and open a three-point advantage at the top of Group B. After lanky striker Edin Dzeko headed Wolfsburg in front with a far-post header in the 56th minute, Ryan Giggs drove home a deflected free kick for his 150th United goal three minutes later and Michael Carrick scored from the edge of the area in the 78th. The only downside was Michael Owen going off with a recurrence of a groin injury. Watched by England coach Fabio Capello, Owen was hoping for a good performance to help him regain his spot in the national squad. “With a groin injury, it is difficult to say (how long he will be out), maybe two or three weeks,” Man United manager Alex Ferguson said. “But his fitness levels are good, so we shouldn’t need to worry too much about that.” Alan Dzagoyev and Milos Krasic fired CSKA Moscow to a 2-1 victory over Besiktas as the Russian team captured its first Group B victory and dropped the Turkish side to last place. Former champions Bayern Munich and Juventus drew 0-0, and Bordeaux beat Maccabi Haifa 1-0 thanks to an 83rd-minute goal by Michael Ciani. The victory puts Bordeaux level on points with Bayern in Group A, while Juve has two points from two draws. “We created many 100 percent chances but did not use them and it’s disappointing,” Bayern coach Louis van Gaal said. “Our first half was really excellent and I am pleased with the way we played against one of the top teams, although not with the result.” Nicolas Anelka’s 18th-minute goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory at APOEL Nicosia to keep the Blues top of Group D with six points from two games. Chelsea captain John Terry said the team responded well after Saturday’s surprise 3-1 loss to Wigan, which ended its run of six domestic wins. “You can’t afford not to believe in yourself and your teammates. We’ve responded to Wigan well, but you don’t get too much time to think about it,” he said. “Three points puts us top of the group and it’s six points from two games, which is a very good start.” Late goals by Radamel Falcao Garcia and Rolando gave FC Porto a 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid to move into second spot with three points. APOEL and Atletico have one each. Among Tuesday’s games, defending champion Barcelona beat Dynamo Kiev to move top of its group and Group H leader Arsenal made it two wins in two by beating Olympiakos 2-0. Sevilla outplayed Rangers 4-1 in Glasgow to top Group G and Lyon won 4-0 at Hungarian champion Debrecen to also make it maximum points in Group E. Five-time European champion Liverpool went down 2-0 at Fiorentina and now is three points behind Lyon in the same group. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Jayson Williams prosecutor can’t recall learning of slur
September 30, 2009
Steven Lember, who was first assistant Hunterdon County prosecutor until 2007, was questioned for a second day by Williams’ attorney. The defense team is seeking to show that the investigation was tainted by racial bias and is urging a judge to overturn Williams’ cover-up convictions.
The racial epithet was used by former Capt. William Hunt at an office meeting in 2002. Lember said he believed he didn’t learn about it until after the trial, but he couldn’t be positive.
“The hardest thing for me is figuring out when I actually learned about this racial slur,” Lember said. “I can’t say with any precision when I learned or even how I learned. I would be purely speculating as to when it became clear in my mind.”
Lember’s testimony contradicted that of his former boss, current Hunterdon County Prosecutor J. Patrick Barnes. In testimony Tuesday, Barnes said that Hunt admitted during an early 2003 meeting that he had used the slur and that both Barnes and Lember were present when Hunt made the admission.
Lember denied being at the 2003 meeting.
Their diverging testimony clouds the evidence before state Superior Court Judge Edward Coleman, who must decide whether prosecutors made an error by not disclosing the slur before the trial. Williams’ attorneys say they should have been told about it.
Barnes disclosed the slur to Coleman in the fall of 2007, more than three years after the trial. The disclosure delayed the manslaughter retrial, which is now scheduled for January.
At a hearing in August, Assistant Prosecutor William McGovern conceded that the defense should have been notified, but said that it wouldn’t have affected the cover-up convictions because those were based on eyewitness testimony.
Lember testified Wednesday that Barnes did tell him to contact the state Division of Criminal Justice to investigate Hunt, but that Barnes gave no specifics about it. The division conducted an investigation and generated an April 2003 report that has not been released publicly. Lember said Barnes did not share the report with him, but Hunt was suspended for five days and eventually resigned.
Prosecutors have said that Hunt played a minor role in the investigation and didn’t testify at the first trial, but defense attorneys noted that he was one of the first officers at the scene and later was responsible for transporting evidence and coordinating witnesses.
Williams was acquitted in 2004 of aggravated manslaughter in the death of hired driver Costas Christofi, who was killed by a shotgun blast at Williams’ central New Jersey mansion. He was convicted of trying to cover up the crime and faces retrial on a reckless manslaughter count over which the jury deadlocked.
Witnesses to the shooting testified at the first trial that Williams snapped the gun shut and it fired, hitting Christofi in the chest, and that Williams told them to lie to police about what happened.
Williams retired in 2000 after nine seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets. He has been free on bail since the shooting.
He could face a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted of the reckless manslaughter count. The four cover-up convictions carry a maximum combined sentence of 13 years, but he would likely face probation to five years, if the convictions stand.
Nelson. Kimbo. Belly. Beard. TUF 10 talkback thread
September 30, 2009
Tonight’s episode of "The Ultimate Fighter" has the makings of being one of the highest-rated episodes of the show’s ten seasons. It is, no doubt, the most-hyped episode of the show’s run. We know you’ll want to talk about this episode, so here is your spot. The comments section is open on this post for you guys and gals to make your predictions, discuss the fight, and guess the effects that this fight will have on the show. Later on, Cagewriter will have a fight recap and post from TUF cast member, Zak Jensen.
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IOC members agonize over 2016 Olympic host city
September 30, 2009
But the race to host the 2016 games — pitting Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Madrid — is still too close to call. Which means committee members will spend the next two days feeling like the most popular people on the planet.
Want to meet Michelle Obama? If you’re on the committee and need a little pointer on which way to vote, it’s not a problem. For added star power, the king of Spain, the president of Brazil and Oprah Winfrey have descended on Copenhagen.
Mrs. Obama, beating her husband to the Danish capital Wednesday, has a two-room suite in the IOC hotel, with cushy white leather furniture and an interactive table that, at the touch of a hand, shows how a Chicago Olympics might look.
The first lady went straight to work impressing the IOC, with plenty of attention to detail. To committee member Nicole Hoevertsz, appointed a day earlier as permanent secretary of Aruba’s Council of Ministers, she offered congratulations on the new job.
“We’re not taking anything for granted, so I’m going to go talk to some voters,” she said.
IOC members who have been through this selection process repeatedly, previously sending the games to London, Beijing, Athens and Sydney, told The Associated Press they could not remember a tougher choice.
The AP canvassed a dozen IOC members. With all four cities seen as capable — at least technically — of holding the Olympics, they said much rides on how the cities make their case in final 45-minute presentations to the IOC on Friday, before the vote.
“I have two favorites,” Hoevertsz said. “It’s going to come down to the last, last presentation. It’s going to come down to the last minute.”
And Mrs. Obama’s mention of her new post in Aruba? “That was a very nice detail.”
As time drew short, so did tempers. Despite fresh IOC warnings that the cities should avoid criticizing their rivals, the Spanish Olympic Committee’s vice president, Jose Maria Odriozola, told the national Efe news agency that “Rio is the worst bid.”
Rio bid organizers said the criticism was “totally unacceptable” and formally complained to the IOC.
The outcome Friday could hinge on which cities are eliminated first in the IOC’s secret ballot and how IOC members line up behind other candidates after their favorites are knocked out.
That makes predicting a winner perilous, and it means even IOC members who say they’ve made up their minds are still worth lobbying. There are 97 votes at stake in the first round, more in later rounds.
“It is difficult enough to know where the first-round votes are going to go, so trying to imagine where the swinging votes are going to go is impossible,” said Spanish IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., whose father was IOC president for 21 years.
“Events in the next 48 hours will decide the winner, because they will have a significant influence on the second- and third-round votes,” he said.
Samaranch said he believes nearly all the IOC’s voting members already have a favorite. But IOC vice president Chiharu Igaya said “many” are undecided.
Added British IOC member Craig Reedie: “This is really close. The closer it gets, the more people will say, let me think about it. We all want to see the presentations. It’s what people see that will count. Decided? No, I haven’t actually. I’m getting close.”
Late, high-powered lobbying can be important — as then-Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, proved four years ago, when London campaigned successfully for the 2012 Olympics.
Blair traveled to Singapore ahead of the vote and spent two days lobbying members, inviting them to his hotel suite for one-on-one meetings. Chicago tore a leaf from his playbook: Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett met with Blair last week to get tips on navigating the IOC voting process.
But for the first time, there are no IOC executive board meetings in the days leading up to the vote. That means less opportunity for schmoozing.
IOC votes can be unpredictable. Aside from the paramount questions of whether bidding cities’ Olympic plans are technically and financially feasible, emotion, sentiment, geography, politics, self-interest and other factors all play roles.
In Copenhagen, there’s also the boldface-name factor, with Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva already here and President Obama jetting in for a few hours on Friday to bolster Chicago’s presentation.
Willi Kaltschmitt, an IOC member since 1988, said the VIP presence would reassure voters that bids are fully backed by their governments — but would be only one of many factors.
Australian IOC member Kevan Gosper said after meeting with Mrs. Obama, however, that she and her husband “could have an influence on marginal votes.”
IOC members used to visit candidate cities themselves, but that was stopped because of concerns about bribery. Now they rely on IOC reports, presentations and lobbying to decide.
“Since we’re not allowed to visit the cities, it comes down to the very, very little details,” Hoevertsz said.
Ultimately, the choice may hinge on whether IOC members want to make a bold statement by sending the Olympics to South America for the first time or choose more familiar territory.
The United States, Spain and Japan have all previously held the Summer Games. Chicago could also be seen as a safer financial bet in tough economic times.
“One of the things that is very important to us now is the economic recession,” said IOC member Nat Indrapana, adding that when cities made their cases to the IOC in June, “Chicago made a beautiful presentation.”
When the voting begins, the city receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated after each round until one candidate secures a majority. The vote is expected to go the maximum three rounds.
IOC member Samih Moudallal said it will be like choosing among “four sons, or your brothers.”
“How do you choose between your brothers?” Moudallal said, adding that he has yet to make his selection. “You have to use your mind and your heart together. It’s a very difficult choice.”
Johnson doubtful he can match Cup record
September 30, 2009
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Jimmie Johnson has three championships under his belt and is full steam ahead in pursuit of a fourth. Seven, though? He doesn’t think he’s got that in him. The three-time defending champion said Wednesday he believes the NASCAR record of seven titles will probably never be broken. The mark is shared by Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt. Johnson’s teammate, Jeff Gordon, leads all active drivers with four championships — a mark Johnson is trying to equal this season. “Man, seven, I don’t think it’s possible,” Johnson said at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, where he was seated next to Petty after a small ceremony declaring the two drivers “Kings of the Sport.” “With what Richard did and what Earnhardt Sr. did, I just don’t think seven is a number you are going to get to. It’s tough. You look at Jeff, trying to get his fifth, and all the success he’s had, I think they’re safe up there with seven. I hope to prove them wrong, I’m not saying I don’t want to try, but we’re at three.” Johnson is currently ranked second in the standings and trails Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin by just 10 points. But he’s coming off a dominating win Sunday at Dover International Speedway, where he completed a season sweep that left the rest of the championship challengers frustrated by another Johnson victory. “There’s Jimmie and then there’s Jimmie and Jimmie,” LMS owner Bruton Smith said, motioning to Johnson. “What are you going to do with a guy who makes everybody look bad? Jimmie made everybody look bad last week.” Although many fans are turned off by Johnson’s dominance the past three seasons, Smith refused to blame the champion for NASCAR’s struggles this year in ratings and attendance. “He’s a wonderful person,” the billionaire said. “He qualifies as Mr. America, as far as I’m concerned. I’m just glad he’s in this sport and not some sport we don’t care so much about.” Despite all the praise, Smith agrees that Johnson won’t likely reach seven titles. “Richard was in an era, I saw him many times when he unloaded, he was already a second faster than everybody else,” Smith said. “As hard as it is to win won of these races today, I just don’t think it will happen. Jimmie, if he’s still racing when he’s 55 or something, he might stand a chance. But it will take a long-term effort.” Petty, who also has a record 200 victories, also thinks Johnson will have a hard time catching him. “He could win seven in a row, anything is possible, and there’s no record that’s ever been set that can’t be broken,” Petty said. “But like Jimmie said, it’s not likely.” Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
First look: In ESPN’s magazine, showing skin is no issue
September 30, 2009
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Red Wings wax Farjestad; Panthers top Jokerit
September 30, 2009
KARLSTAD, Sweden (AP) — Henrik Zetterberg had a goal and an assist to lift the Detroit Red Wings to a 6-2 rout of Swedish club Farjestad on Wednesday in their last preseason game. Detroit will open the NHL regular season in Stockholm with a two-game series against the St. Louis Blues on Friday and Saturday. Zetterberg, a Swedish native who sat out the first eight preseason games in North America because of a sore groin, received the biggest ovation before the game from the record crowd of 8,398. He responded with a dazzling shot into the top corner 15:08 in to give the Red Wings a 2-0 lead. “It was cool,” said Zetterberg, who added that his groin felt OK. “It was the first time the fans have cheered me so much in this arena. To come here and play in Sweden is fun, and it’s extra fun to face a Swedish team.” Fellow Swede Niklas Kronwall, who had a goal and two assists, helped set up Zetterberg’s tally. Jason Williams, Valteri Filppula, Brian Rafalski and Todd Bertuzzi added goals for Detroit, which had a 30-24 shots advantage. The game was played on the larger European ice surface, but the two-game series against St. Louis will be held on an NHL-sized rink. Farjestad, which has been on ice since August, won the Swedish championship last season and is currently third in the 12-team Elite League.
Panthers beat Finnish League club
HELSINKI (AP) — Dennis Seidenberg and Cory Stillman scored 29 seconds apart at the end of the first period, and the Florida Panthers wrapped up their preseason schedule by beating Finnish league club Jokerit 4-2 on Wednesday. Stillman scored again, giving Florida a two-goal lead in the second period, and Michael Frolik pushed the advantage to 4-1. Steve Reinprecht had two assists, centering the most productive line with Stillman and Frolik. Tomas Vokoun made 19 saves in the Panthers’ final preseason game before they face the Chicago Blackhawks in a two-game series to start the NHL regular season Friday and Saturday in Helsinki. Stillman recorded seven shots and was a plus-3. “That group as a threesome hadn’t had a kind of success during the preseason but tonight they clicked,” Panthers coach Peter DeBoer said. “Hopefully, it’s a sign for good things to come.” The Panthers are looking for leadership, too, now that longtime defenseman Jay Bouwmeester has moved on to the Calgary Flames. Stillman could pick up the slack. “Right from the beginning of the summer, Cory came back and has taken a leadership role,” DeBoer said. “He has done a lot of little things away from the rink and in the dressing room to fill that void. He has won two Stanley Cups and we dont have anybody else in the room who can say that.” Kari Sihvonen scored a second-period goal, and Ossi Saarinen added a tally in the third for Jokerit. Mikko Stromberg stopped 30 shots. Florida played without top center Stephen Weiss, who was replaced by youngster Shawn Mathias on a line with wingers Nathan Horton and David Booth. “With a little bit of luck, and Stephen Weiss back, we’ll be as healthy as we can get,” DeBoer said. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Nats GM: Riggleman ‘legitimate candidate’ for job
September 30, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals GM Mike Rizzo says interim manager Jim Riggleman is a “legitimate candidate” to get the job on a permanent basis for 2010. Riggleman was promoted from bench coach in July to replace fired manager Manny Acta. The team went 26-61 under Acta this season and is 28-42 under Riggleman entering Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets. Rizzo says the team will begin its managerial decision-making process when the regular season ends and he hopes to have a quick decision. He says Riggleman did “the best job he could with the ability level he had on the field.” Riggleman says he wants to stay on as manager. He also has managed the Padres, Cubs and Mariners. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.