WNBA names Lynx rookie Wiggins top reserve

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Lynx rookie Candice Wiggins has been chosen the WNBA's Sixth Woman of the Year.

Wiggins, the third overall pick out of Stanford, received 27 of a possible 45 votes from a national media panel. The league announced the award Thursday.

Wiggins, a guard, averaged 15.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3 assists for a Lynx squad that finished 16-18. She came off the bench in 29 of the 30 games she played.

Detroit Shock forward Plenette Pierson, last year's winner, was second with 10 votes.

WNBA names Lynx rookie Wiggins top reserve....

Marbury headed out of New York?

By Chris Colston, USA TODAY
What was anticipated all summer might become reality by week's end if, as Newsday reports, the New York Knicks waive Stephon Marbury. Because of taking the hit on the final year of Marbury's contract, worth $21.9 million, Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan has been reluctant to end the chaotic tenure of the veteran point guard.

Once Marbury clears waivers and a buyout is reached, he would be free to sign with any team. Reports in Newsday and South Florida news media included interest from the Miami Heat.

According to Newsday, which cited several persons with knowledge of the situation, Marbury has recovered from surgery in January to remove bone spurs in his left ankle, has worked out all summer and trimmed his playing weight to 200 pounds.

Marbury headed out of New York?....

Arenas undergoes knee surgery, could be out until December

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas underwent another surgery on his left knee on Wednesday, and told a Washington newspaper that he will not return to game action until December.

Arenas, who missed 66 games during the 2007-08 regular season before mounting an ultimately unsuccessful return for the end of the season and the playoffs, told the Washington Post on Wednesday that he plans on returning to play some time in December, meaning that he will miss at least the first month of the season.

The three-time All-Star has now undergone three surgeries in 17 months on the knee. He tore the left meniscus in the knee during a game against Charlotte on April 4, 2007, and missed the remainder of that season. He then needed additional surgery after playing the first eight games of the 2007-08 season. This latest procedure was done to remove debris from the knee.

Arenas undergoes knee surgery, could be out until December....

Star Spangled mess: Mavs' Howard insults anthem

DALLAS (AP) — The battered reputation of Josh Howard took another hit this week when an online video surfaced showing the Dallas Mavericks forward disrespecting the national anthem.

In a video posted on YouTube, Howard is shown on a football field at a charity flag football game. As the national anthem plays in the background, Howard approaches a camera and says: "'The Star Spangled Banner' is going on right now. I don't even celebrate that (expletive). I'm black."

Howard's agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, directed questions to team owner Mark Cuban, who in an e-mail declined to comment.

Star Spangled mess: Mavs' Howard insults anthem....

76ers, Cheeks agree on extension

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers revamped their roster this summer with key signings. Now, they've made sure their coach will be there, too.
The 76ers gave Maurice Cheeks his second contract extension in seven months Tuesday, capping a busy summer highlighted by the addition of free agent forward Elton Brand. Cheeks previously signed a one-year extension on Feb. 20. Terms of the latest deal were not disclosed.

"I always wanted to be here, no matter what," Cheeks said during a conference call.

Cheeks led the team to the playoffs last season, where the 76ers lost in the first round to the Detroit Pistons. After an 18-30 start, Philadelphia won 18 of its next 23 games and wound up at 40-42 and the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

"I had a little luck on my side," Cheeks said.

76ers, Cheeks agree on extension....

Bryant: No surgery on pinkie finger

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant will not have surgery on his right pinkie because recovery would take too long.

Bryant has played with damaged ligaments in the finger since February, but said Tuesday that he won't have surgery after seeking opinions from hand specialists.

"When the doctors told me recovery from a procedure could be 12 weeks, I just decided now was not the time to have surgery," Bryant said on the Web site kb24.com. "What it really came down to for me is that I just didn't want to miss any time 'punching the clock' for the Lakers, given all we are trying to accomplish as a team this NBA season."

Bryant: No surgery on pinkie finger....

Oklahoma City NBA team's nickname will be Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — As Oklahoma City's NBA team prepared to reveal its name and logo, the NBA's Web site showed "Thunder" as the name and the color scheme as blue, yellow and orange.

Earlier this week, a handful of NBA team Web sites, including that of the Orlando Magic, offered tickets for games against "the Thunder."

Oklahoma City television station KOCO reported in late July that "Thunder" would be the nickname, but team officials have refused to comment on the report.

Oklahoma City NBA team's nickname will be Thunder....

Chalmers, Arthur sent home from NBA rookie program

RYE BROOK, N.Y. (AP) — Former Kansas stars Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were sent home Wednesday from the NBA's mandatory rookie transition program for violating unspecified league rules.

Both the Miami Heat, who drafted Chalmers, and his agent, Sam Goldfeder, confirmed to The Associated Press that the guard left the program. Neither would divulge the reasons why the former Kansas standout, who hit the overtime-forcing jumper in the Jayhawks' win over Memphis in the national championship game five months ago, was asked to depart early from the resort in southern Westchester County, a short drive north of Manhattan, where the event was taking place.

"I'm in the process of investigating what exactly is going on," Goldfeder said.

The Heat said they also were investigating and declined further comment.

Chalmers, Arthur sent home from NBA rookie program....