NBA Eastern Conference Preview

The AP's Brian Mahoney previews the NBA's Eastern Conference, home to the defending league champion Boston Celtics.

Boston Celtics promote general manager Danny Ainge, extend his contract

BOSTON — Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has been given a new title and a contract extension as the team kicks off the defence of its 17th NBA championship.

The team announced Tuesday Ainge has been promoted to president of basketball operations. The terms of his contract extension were not disclosed.

Ainge won NBA executive of the year after last season after engineering deals to bring Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to Boston.

The new season is Ainge's sixth in Boston's front office. He also played guard on two championship teams in Boston.

The Celtics open their season Tuesday night against Cleveland.

Boston Celtics promote general manager Danny Ainge, extend his contract....

Report: Isiah Thomas overdoses on sleeping pills

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Police were reportedly sent to the home of former New York Knicks head coach and president Isiah Thomas early Friday morning in response to a call that Thomas had overdosed on sleeping pills.

WCBSTV in New York reported Friday afternoon on the overdose. The television station said that Thomas was rushed to a White Plains Hospital for treatment, but his condition is not yet known.

Report: Isiah Thomas overdoses on sleeping pills....

N.B.A. and Partner to Help Build 12 Arenas in China

n an aggressive move to brand the NBA as the ultimate basketball authority in China, the league and AEG will design and build a dozen new arenas over the next few years.

The arenas will be mostly financed by local governmental units. The NBA and AEG will control the facilities, however.

The pair already has a history: they designed and built the arena used for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Bejing. In addition, AEG owns and/or runs over 90 facilities, including Staples Center in Los Angeles, the O2 in London and the O2 World arena in Berlin.

The money for the arena investment will come from NBA China, a side venture that includes investors like the Walt Disney Company.

NBA, AEG to design and build 12 new arenas in China....

NBA Will Cut About 9% of Workers as Economy Slows, Stern Says

By Christopher Elser

Oct 13 (Bloomberg) -- The National Basketball Association will cut about 9 percent of its U.S. staff as season-ticket renewals slow and the economy declines, commissioner David Stern said.

``We made the decision some months ago that the economy would be a bit wobbly and so we began a belt-tightening that will result in a workforce reduction of 9 percent,'' Stern said at a press conference.

NBA Will Cut About 9% of Workers as Economy Slows, Stern Says....

Magic Johnson outraged by 'faked AIDS' comment

By Reid Cherner & Tom Weir

Magic Johnson has lashed back at a Minneapolis radio program whose hosts asserted that the former Lakers star has faked having AIDS.

"I am extremely disappointed in KTLK in Minneapolis," Johnson told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "I am outraged that Chris Baker and Langdon Perry would minimize such a serious and deadly issue. Millions are dying from HIV/AIDS and the fact that they would make jokes about my status is unbelievable."

Magic Johnson outraged by 'faked AIDS' comment....

Elgin Baylor is out as Clippers general manager

By Art Thompson III / The Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES — Elgin Baylor’s two decades in the Clippers’ executive office apparently has ended, as the team’s longtime vice president of basketball operations and general manager no longer is performing those duties.

The Clippers confirmed the move late Tuesday afternoon when it was announced that Coach Mike Dunleavy was adding the title of general manager, replacing Baylor. Neil Olsey, the team’s director of player personnel, was promoted to assistant general manager.

"We greatly appreciate Elgin’s efforts during his time with the Clippers and we wish him the very best," Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling said in a prepared statement.

Elgin Baylor is out as Clippers general manager....

Detroit Shock wins third WNBA title

PA SportsTicker

YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Katie Smith scored 18 points as the Detroit Shock completed a sweep of the San Antonio Silver Stars to win their third championship in six seasons with a 76-60 victory in Game Three of the WNBA Finals on Sunday afternoon.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin scored 13 points for the Shock, who finished off the Silver Stars after becoming the first team to win Games One and Two on the road since the league expanded the Finals to its current five-game format in 2005.

With "Disney on Ice" occupying the Palace of Auburn Hills and the Detroit Red Wings playing in nearby Joe Louis Arena, Detroit was forced to play at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, approximately 40 miles outside the Motor City. The celebration no doubt will reach back to Detroit proper.

Detroit Shock wins third WNBA title....

Sparks' Candace Parker will be named WNBA MVP

By Dan Arritt, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Expectations for a No. 1 overall draft pick often exceed reality. That's not the case for Sparks forward Candace Parker. She was better.

Tonight, one day after accepting WNBA rookie of the year honors, Parker is expected to be named the league's most valuable player. The announcement will come during Game 2 of the WNBA finals in San Antonio and it will make her the first WNBA player to win both awards, regardless of the year.

Sparks' Candace Parker will be named WNBA MVP....

Refs report finds only Donaghy committed crimes

By BRIAN MAHONEY

NEW YORK (AP) — A review of the NBA's officiating program found no evidence of illegal activity by any referee other than Tim Donaghy, though it recommended significant changes for monitoring gambling and game integrity. The report, compiled over 14 months by former federal prosecutor Lawrence Pedowitz and released Thursday, called for the creation of a "culture of compliance" and closer monitoring of games for suspicious activity.

Pedowitz made three key recommendations to the league: create a hot line to anonymously raise questions about gambling and game integrity issues; make available any complaints the league receives about refs — beginning in the 2008-09 playoffs — to both teams to avoid suspicions of bias; provide more access to referees for both fans and media.

The report also suggests mandatory gambling education for players. "We believe that gambling can expose the players and the League to significant risks, and therefore it is important that players be educated regarding those risks," the report says.

Refs report finds only Donaghy committed crimes....