World Top News

By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Basketball Writer The NBA had enormous problems. Drug abuse among players was believed to be rampant. Many arenas were half-empty or worse on game nights. Most franchises were losing money. Some were on the cusp of folding. And when games were on television, nobody was watching. That was how the 1980s began. “This league,” Hall of Famer Jerry West said, “was in trouble.” Saviors, a lot of them, were coming. There were stars so bright they could go by just one name: Doc, ’Nique, Michael. Another was a bespectacled short man in a suit and wing-tips, someone who changed the game without ever dribbling or shooting a basketball. But change truly began with two other members of the one-name-only-needed club; a flashy Black sta...

LARRY BIRD “Larry Legend” played his entire 13-year career with the Boston Celtics, and his rivalry with Los Angeles Lakers guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson catapulted the league to new heights. Bird's sharp shooting, pinpoint passing and rugged rebounding helped the Celtics win NBA titles in 1981, 1984 and 1986. He won three straight league MVP awards from 1984 to 1986 — Hoka Sneakers  no one has won three in a row since. He was rookie of the year in 1980, All-Star MVP in 1982 and Finals MVP in 1984 and 1986. At 6-foot-9, he was one of the first players of his size to take advantage of the 3-point line. He was the 3-point contest champion three times. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. JULIUS ERVING The high-flying “Dr. J” was t...

By STEPHEN WHYNO, AP Hockey Writer Matty Beniers called his parents to ask them to answer a group FaceTime request so he could deliver some big news. Of course that's how the 19-year-old would tell loved ones he's going to the Olympics. Beniers was one of 15 college players named Thursday to the U.S. Olympic men's hockey roster, a significant increase from 2018 when the NHL also opted not to participate. All 25 players named to the team went through the college ranks. “It speaks volumes to how good college hockey is and not just one league: It’s pretty much across three or four different leagues,” said Beniers, the No. 2 pick of the 2021 draft to the Seattle Kraken. “There’s a lot of great players, and college hockey’s really good.Swarovski Necklaces  I ...

By KRISTIE RIEKEN, AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — David Culley spent 43 years as a college and NFL assistant before finally getting his first head coaching job with the Houston Texans. He lasted just one season before being fired Thursday, a move that leaves the NFL with one Black head coach: Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin. Miami's Brian Flores was fired this week after leading his team to a 9-8 record. The Texans announced the firings of Culley and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly on Thursday night. General manager Nick Caserio saying he met with both San Francisco 49ers Jersey men earlier in the day to inform them of what he called a “difficult but necessary decision.” “While a change after one season is unusual, we had philosophical differences over the lon...

By STEVE MEGARGEE, AP Sports Writer MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks made sure coach Mike Budenholzer had an easy first night back on the job. Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists to help Milwaukee rout the Golden State Warriors 118-99 on Thursday night in Budenholzer's return from the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols. Antetokounmpo had his third triple-double of the season and 28th of his career. Budenholzer missed four games while in the health and safety protocols, with assistant Darvin Ham taking over as acting head coach. The Bucks went 1-3. “I think Coach Darvin did a great job stepping up, leading Birkenstocks Sandals the team, coaching the team and keeping us accountable,” Antetokounmpo said. “But, obvious...

By DOUG FERGUSON, AP Golf Writer HONOLULU (AP) — Kevin Na felt such great control Thursday in the Sony Open that he matched his career low with a 9-under 61 and still found reason to be slightly disappointed. He had his sights on a sub-60 round, especially as the afternoon wind died, only to see three good birdie chances narrowly miss. He finished with a 6-foot par save from the bunker on the 17th hole and made a 6-foot birdie at the par-5 18th. That gave him a one-shot lead over 51-year-old Jim Furyk, who knows what it's like to post a round in the 50s. Furyk is the only player to do that twice on the PGA Tour. “I did everything well today and my iron play was amazing,” Na said. “And I tell you what, I had a chance for a 59. I gave it all I could. I’m a...