Sixers End 26-Game Skid, Pound Pistons 123-98

Sixers End 26-Game Skid, Pound Pistons 123-98

Henry Sims #35 of the Philadelphia 76ers takes a shot against the
Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center.

 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Desperate to see a victory again, Philadelphia fans wouldn’t even wait for th
end, standing to cheer as time was running out in the third quarter.

By then it was clear: The 76ers were not only going to win for the first time in two months, and they were going to do it with ease.

The 76ers snapped their NBA record-tying, 26-game losing streak, routing the Detroit Pistons 123-98 on Saturday night to avoid establishing the longest skid in U.S. major pro sports history.

“It’s not something I want to be a part of,” 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams said, “so it’s great that we got this win.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Dragic's 32, Markieff Morris 16, Marcus Morris 15, leads Suns to 112-88 win against Knicks as forwarded by Van Stone frontpagenews1@yahoo.com (267)293-9201

Dragic's 32, Markieff Morris 16, Marcus Morris 15, leads Suns to 112-88 win against Knicks as forwarded by Van Stone frontpagenews1@yahoo.com (267)293-9201

 From L to R: Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris Twins. 

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns (44-29) shot, ran and dunked their way to a 112-88 victory on Friday night over the defensively uninterested New York Knicks (30-43). The win gave the Suns their sixth in a row, the second longest winning streak in the NBA, only behind the 16 straight by the San Antonio Spurs.

Suns coach Jeff Hornacek called the game their, “best overall win of the year.”

It truly was a dominant game from start to finish for the Suns. The Suns won every statistical category including a whopping 19 rebound edge on the Knicks led my Miles Plumlee’s 12 boards.
For the highlight of the game? Well, you can take your pick with that.

Any one of the multiple Plumlee dunks would be up for nomination — my vote would be his halfcourt reverse ally-opp from Eric Bledsoe, narrowly beating out his put-back one-handed slam with his off hand. Bledsoe’s clean block on the 7-foot-1 Tyson Chandler is not a bad option either. Or how about the lucky fan that hit hit a half court shot, winning $77,777? It was just that kind of night for the Suns.

Guard Goran Dragic got the Suns going early by scoring 18 first quarter points, hitting all three of his three point attempts. He finished the game with 32 points, and five stitches. He received the stitches above his eye after being on the wrong end of an accidental Chandler elbow late in the second quarter.

“We tell the guys that if you play hard, which Goran does, that your going to get hurt a few times,” Hornacek said. “And that is alright, there is nothing wrong with getting a couple knocks on your head.

“That is Goran, he ran off the court because I knew he wanted to get back into the game. He played a great game and got us off to a great start.”

Dragic hit seven of his first eight shots and credited a lazy Knicks defense for the hot start.

“They were not contested shots, so I just spot up and just shoot it. I think that every time they are going to do that then I am going to have a good game,” Dragic said.

The Suns broke the game open in the second quarter thanks to an 18-3 run to close out the first half, out-running and out-hustling a Knicks team that showed disinterest for most of the first half. A quick start to the second half gave the Suns a 32-point lead, their largest of the game.

Forward PJ Tucker was pleased with the complete performance tonight.

“I told the guys, let us put a game together,” Tucker said. “I feel like this is the first game that we played from start to finish a complete game.”

The Knicks started showing some interest late in the third and cut the lead down to 17 early in the fourth quarter before a Bledsoe three and a Dragic and-one layup quickly boosted the Suns lead and catapulted them to a 12-0 run.

Stoudemire has returned to full health, and with that, has returned to being a good NBA player again. Early on, the former six-time All-Star and former Sun showed athleticism offensively, making a couple strong and physical moves to the basket in scoring eight points in the first half. The forward finished the game 19 points and six rebounds, his 12th straight game in double figures.

“You definitely want to win the game,” Stoudemire said on coming back to Phoenix. “On a positive note I saw my mom, nephew, cousins and friends. So on a positive note that was cool, but other than that I definitely wanted to get this win.”

Yes. Anthony still got his points, 21, but was never a factor in the game. PJ Tucker and a Morris brother did a solid job of being physical with Melo every time he touched the ball on offense. The physical style of play seemed to get into Anthony’s head. At one point in the third quarter after a Anthony miss in front of the Suns bench, the Morris brothers — on the bench at the time — and Tucker were jawing at Anthony.
“He might be the best scorer in the NBA,” Tucker said. “I have been going against him since we were kids, so since then we have been battling. He goes so hard and I love going against him because he is such a competitive guy.”

Defensively, Anthony was pretty much non-existent. Multiple times he stood and allowed a player to drive by him, or a player to grab an offensive rebound. There is no doubt he is a marquee player in this league, but I am not seeing him being the best player on a championship team.

Markieff Morris, like the rest of the Suns, was doing what he wanted on offense in the first half. The forward had 14 points at halftime and six rebounds; three were offensive and all of of those led to Suns points. Morris was showing his skill on his outside shot, hitting both of the three point attempts, and inside the paint tonight. 

The forward from Kansas finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and a technical, giving him 13 on the year. He will be suspended for a game when he reaches 16, so it is something to keep an eye on. And Marcus Morris had 15 points. 

PHOENIX (AP) - Goran Dragic scored 32 points in 32 minutes and the Phoenix Suns routed the New York Knicks 112-88 on Friday night for their season-high sixth victory in a row.
Eric Bledsoe added 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Markieff Morris scored 16 and Miles Plumlee had 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns, who led by 22 at halftime and 32 in the third quarter.
Carmelo Anthony scored 21, seven below his season average, and Amare Stoudemire 19 for the Knicks, blown out for the second time in three games on their five-game western trip.
With Memphis' loss at Golden State, Phoenix pulled a half-game ahead of the Grizzlies for the No. 7 playoff spot in the West. The Suns are a game ahead of Dallas. The Knicks fell two games behind Atlanta for the eighth spot in the East

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20140329_ap_2777fa51fff84578ba55366aa36b95e7.html#URmCrd13DY8Bpy9w.99

Dragic, who scored 18 in the first quarter, returned to start the second half after getting five stitches to repair a cut just above the left eye, the result of a second-quarter collision with Tyson Chandler's massive arm.
Phoenix's streak is its longest since the Suns won 10 straight four years ago.
The smaller Suns dominated the boards 56-37 and had a 46-24 advantage in points in the paint.
It wasn't quite as bad for the Knicks as their 127-96 embarrassment against the Lakers in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, but it wasn't close after the first 1 1/2 quarters.
The Suns, a season-high 15 games above .500, outscored the Knicks 24-6 over the final 8:49 of the half to lead 62-40 at the break.
Most of the run occurred without Dragic, who took a swipe to the face from the arm of Chandler and got a cut over his left eye. Dragic had 20 at the half on 8-for-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 on 3s.
Phoenix shot 52 percent in the first half to New York's 39 percent. The Suns were 8-of-20 on first-half 3s, the Knicks 4 of 13. The smaller Suns even outrebounded New York in the first two quarters 26-17.
Anthony, the No. 2 scorer in the NBA at 28.2 points per game, had 10 in the first half on 4-of-10 shooting.
Things got worse for New York early in the third quarter. Dragic made two 3s and Bledsoe one to put the Suns up 78-47 and Plumlee's reverse jam on an alley-oop pass from Bledsoe made it 82-50 with 6:40 left in the period, Phoenix's biggest lead against anyone this season. But New York finished the quarter with a 13-4 run to reduce the lead to 88-66 entering the fourth.
The Knicks cut it to 92-75 in the fourth quarter, leading Suns coach Jeff Hornacek to put Dragic and Bledsoe back in the game. The lead quickly expanded to 104-75 on Plumlee's rebound dunk with six minutes to play.
NOTES: Tim Boven, an engineer at Honeywell from suburban Peoria, won $77,777 by sinking a shot from halfcourt during a second-quarter timeout. ... Stoudemire played in Phoenix for only the second time since leaving the Suns following the 2010 season. ... Morris drew his 13th technical foul of the season. ... Phoenix is 20-10 against Eastern Conference foes.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20140329_ap_2777fa51fff84578ba55366aa36b95e7.html#URmCrd13DY8Bpy9w.99

Dragic, who scored 18 in the first quarter, returned to start the second half after getting five stitches to repair a cut just above the left eye, the result of a second-quarter collision with Tyson Chandler's massive arm.
Phoenix's streak is its longest since the Suns won 10 straight four years ago.
The smaller Suns dominated the boards 56-37 and had a 46-24 advantage in points in the paint.
It wasn't quite as bad for the Knicks as their 127-96 embarrassment against the Lakers in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, but it wasn't close after the first 1 1/2 quarters.
The Suns, a season-high 15 games above .500, outscored the Knicks 24-6 over the final 8:49 of the half to lead 62-40 at the break.
Most of the run occurred without Dragic, who took a swipe to the face from the arm of Chandler and got a cut over his left eye. Dragic had 20 at the half on 8-for-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 on 3s.
Phoenix shot 52 percent in the first half to New York's 39 percent. The Suns were 8-of-20 on first-half 3s, the Knicks 4 of 13. The smaller Suns even outrebounded New York in the first two quarters 26-17.
Anthony, the No. 2 scorer in the NBA at 28.2 points per game, had 10 in the first half on 4-of-10 shooting.
Things got worse for New York early in the third quarter. Dragic made two 3s and Bledsoe one to put the Suns up 78-47 and Plumlee's reverse jam on an alley-oop pass from Bledsoe made it 82-50 with 6:40 left in the period, Phoenix's biggest lead against anyone this season. But New York finished the quarter with a 13-4 run to reduce the lead to 88-66 entering the fourth.
The Knicks cut it to 92-75 in the fourth quarter, leading Suns coach Jeff Hornacek to put Dragic and Bledsoe back in the game. The lead quickly expanded to 104-75 on Plumlee's rebound dunk with six minutes to play.
NOTES: Tim Boven, an engineer at Honeywell from suburban Peoria, won $77,777 by sinking a shot from halfcourt during a second-quarter timeout. ... Stoudemire played in Phoenix for only the second time since leaving the Suns following the 2010 season. ... Morris drew his 13th technical foul of the season. ... Phoenix is 20-10 against Eastern Conference foes.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20140329_ap_2777fa51fff84578ba55366aa36b95e7.html#URmCrd13DY8Bpy9w.99

Eagles need to say if DeSean Jackson's release was tied to 'gang' report

Eagles need to say if DeSean Jackson's release was tied to 'gang' report

DeSean Jackson was productive and flamboyant in his six seasons with the Eagles. 

In a stunning personnel move, the Philadelphia Eagles released star wideout DeSean Jackson on Friday, giving up on arguably its most electrifying talent just hours after a published media report claimed the team was concerned over the player's ties to alleged gang members.

"After careful consideration this offseason, [the] Eagles decide to part ways with DeSean Jackson," the team announced in a statement. "The team informed him of his release [Friday]."

In 2013, under new coach Chip Kelly's innovative offense, Jackson put together his best season in the NFL. 

He produced 1,332 yard receiving, nine touchdowns and an impressive 60 first downs. He was named to his third Pro Bowl in his sixth NFL season, all with Philly. He was in the middle of a five-year, $48.5 million contract.

Jackson was part of trade speculation of late, however, and talk that he and Kelly were not getting along.

Then a NJ.com report Friday suggested that the franchise was focused on his off-field interactions with high-level members of the Crips street gang in his native California.

Jackson, in a statement, first thanked the Eagles, the team's fans and former coach Andy Reid (no mention of Kelly) and then denied any gang ties.

The statement read, in part:

"I would like to address the misleading and unfounded reports that my release has anything to do with any affiliation that has been speculated surrounding the company I keep off of the field. I would like to make it very clear that I am not and never have been part of any gang. I am not a gang member and to speculate and assume that I am involved in such activity off the field is reckless and irresponsible.

"I work very hard on and off the field and I am a good person with good values. I am proud of the accomplishments that I have made both on and off the field. I have worked tirelessly to give back to my community and have a positive impact on those in need. It is unfortunate that I now have to defend myself and my intentions.

"These reports are irresponsible and just not true. I look forward to working hard for my new team."

NJ.com reported Jackson was questioned, but not charged, by Los Angeles police during an investigation of a 2010 murder that police determined was gang related. LAPD detectives also attempted to interview him over why some documents belonging to Jackson, including a car title, were found in conjunction with a 2012 murder.

 

The LAPD reiterated Friday that Jackson was never considered a suspect in either murder. The agency sought to speak to him for informational purposes in building a case.

Jackson grew up in Los Angeles and attended Poly High School in Long Beach. He played college ball at Cal in the Bay Area.

The Eagles have given no official reason for the release, but if it isn't over concerns of his connections back in L.A., then they should. If this is just a coach-player disagreement, then Jackson deserves to have his reputation as a person backed.

Otherwise, the outright cutting of such a high-level player – the Eagles get no compensation for him – so soon after an explosive media story will be seen as a ripple effect from the 2013 murder charges against former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez. NFL teams looked into Hernandez's ties to gang members in his native Connecticut. However, until last summer's murder charge, there were no major legal problems to scare clubs away. Hernandez is currently in jail, awaiting trial. He has pled not guilty.

Fair or not, that's where the immediate speculation on Jackson landed.

This could also be the downside of young people's heavy usage of social media to chronicle all parts of their life. NJ.com published a number of Instagram photos of Jackson with Theron Shakir, a rapper who was charged with the murder of a 14-year-old, although later acquitted of all charges. A co-defendant was convicted and is serving 15 years to life. In another photo (below), the website believes Jackson was making a gang sign for the Crips.

What's real and what are just harmless photos is anyone's guess at this point. Such visuals and proof of a connection with someone charged in a gang murder likely wouldn't have existed – or certainly been public – a decade ago. That's modern life.

The reason for the release could be anything. Still, the timing is curious. Philly could've dumped him last month and potentially freed up cap space prior to the start of free agency. Or it could've continued to seek a trade partner in the run up to May's NFL draft. There was nothing notable about Friday on the NFL calendar.

Now he's just gone. The team, perhaps expecting such a move, did acquire Darren Sproles, a game-breaking running back, this month by shipping a fifth-round draft pick to New Orleans.

 

In the past, talent has almost always outweighed potential headaches in the NFL. If Jackson is connected with a street gang from his hometown, he certainly isn't the first to play pro football. Nor will he be the last.

Until players were getting arrested or their off-field behavior was affecting on-field performance, teams just pushed ahead.

Now the question is whether any other team will pick up Jackson, who can undoubtedly help them win football games.

ESPN reported that at least six teams have already spoken to his agent, Joel Segal. And in an intensely competitive sport, it seems impossible to think Jackson wouldn't hook on somewhere soon. He could be a game-breaking talent in any number of offenses.

Jackson's only arrest, according to NJ.com, came in 2009 when he was pulled over for illegally tinted windows and police found marijuana in the car. He pled guilty in 2010 for disturbing the peace as the marijuana charge was dropped. Otherwise he's done community outreach work and shown a passion for spreading an anti-bullying message.

So are a relatively clean slate and a world of ability enough to remain in the NFL? Or is the Eagles apparent eagerness to run far from their star player a sign of some kind of new day in the league?

Or is this just Chip Kelly willing to get rid of even a great player who isn't on the same page with him?

There are too many unanswered questions to know at this point. But out of nowhere, the Eagles just threw out an impressive offensive weapon. No explanation yet given, or perhaps ever coming.

If this isn't as nefarious as the speculation however, then the team owes it to Jackson to say so.

Sixers Drop 26th Straight, 120-98 To Rockets

Sixers Drop 26th Straight, 120-98 To Rockets

Thaddeus Young #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against Terrence Jones #6 of the Houston Rockets on March 27, 2014 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

HOUSTON (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers tied the NBA record with their 26th straight loss Thursday night, as James Harden’s triple-double led the Houston Rockets to a 120-98 victory.

Harden had 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in three quarters for his second career triple-double as Houston picked up its fifth straight victory.

The 76ers (15-57) stuck around early before a big second-quarter run allowed the Rockets to pull away and roll to the win.

For full story go to: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Red Sox will wear the most American coats ever when they meet President Obama

Red Sox will wear the most American coats ever when they meet President Obama

 Jonny Gomes and the Red Sox will wear American flag sports costs to meet the president next week. 

Of course this was Jonny Gomes' idea. The Boston Red Sox plan to wear American Flag blazers when meeting President Barack Obama next week, which is Gomes best idea since he decided to get a brotastic tattoo marking the team's World Series win.

Never stop being you, Jonny Gomes.

Here are the suits, which are made by Loudmouth, a company that makes golf clothes. You might also know their work from the Olympics — those wildly dressed curlers from Norway wear Loudmouth.

 The Red Sox say they're even bringing one for Obama. These cost $395, by the way.

Cue the outrage machine. Surely some people will think this disrespects the flag.

But, the opposite seems to be true too. Wearing an American flag sports coat to the White House is about the most American thing you can do. Well, besides eating apple pie while at the White House in said American flag sports coat.

Gina Carano 'very open' to MMA return

Gina Carano 'very open' to MMA return

In the latest and perhaps greatest tease of something big, like really big, happening in regards to a new challenge for UFC bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey, former Strikeforce champion Gina Carano now says she is "very open" to a return to the cage.

For weeks, rumors have swirled about who is next for Rousey thanks to Joe Rogan and Holly Holm's agent not being very good with secrets. The biggest names that have been thrown around are "Cybog" Justino and the woman she beat to become the Strikeforce champ in 2009, Gina Carano.

UFC president Dana White has expressed his enthusiasm at having Carano fight for the UFC should she decide to come back. Now, in an interview with Damon Martin, Carano herself has spoken about the chances of her making a comeback.

"I've never retired. I've never officially said that," Carano said.

"For some reason a part of me has always kept it open. I don't know, there's a certain part of me that thinks if circumstances were right, and I could keep doing what I'm trying to make my future into, that's an ideal world. If circumstances were right, you never know. I'm very open to it."

Carano isn't giving many details beyond that tease, for the moment, but it sounds like she's open to offers from the UFC.

"I feel like I can't say too much. I've got all this information that if I could just speak freely, this is actually what's going on," Carano went on.

"I wish I could open up my mind and tell you exactly the things that I've seen and the conversations that I've had, but I think to sum it up in a nice, safe way for me is if circumstances were right, and if it's a good enough circumstance [I would come back] because my first love is MMA."

No matter how fit she's stayed, five years without fighting will have dulled Carano's reflexes and skills. The Muay Thai fighter seemed to admit this when she explained that a comeback would require a great deal of focus and time from her.

"I would definitely take something like that extremely seriously," Carano said.

"I would dedicate myself to it, and need the time because you're taking somebody who hasn't fought in a while, that hasn't been in the fight camp-type environment; and it would have to be done in a time where there would be enough time for me to get ready for that and be able to support myself during that time because that's all I'd be doing is taking that seriously, and it would take me away from other projects or potential projects that I've been working this far in my life to get to."

NFL moving extra points back ... in the preseason as forwarded by Van Stone frontpagenews1@yahoo.com (267)293-9201

NFL moving extra points back ... in the preseason as forwarded by Van Stone frontpagenews1@yahoo.com (267)293-9201

I've never heard anyone complain about extra points. They're just there during NFL games, not hurting or helping the sport, just the bread before the meal at a steakhouse. Nobody talks about how the bread needs to be improved.

Somehow, extra points became a hot topic. For some reason this was the part of the game that had to dramatically change, either eliminating them or moving them back to make them tougher – because if there's something that will make the NFL better, it's putting the outcomes of more games on a kicker's shoulders.

It seems that the first step toward making the extra point a substantial part of the game is coming this preseason. For the first two preseason games, teams will line up to snap extra points from the 20-yard line, making them about 38 yards instead of 20, which has been the standard. A proposal for a new permanent rule to snap extra points from the 25-yard line was tabled. By experimenting in the preseason, the NFL can see how it goes and determine if that's something it wants to implement.

For anyone who likes this idea, remember that when your team drives down 80 yards for what looks like a game-tying touchdown in the final seconds of a hard-fought game, only to see the kicker miss a 37-yard kick. See if that scenario adds to the value of the game.

The NFL did approve a rule making the goal posts five feet taller, which will make it easier for officials to determine if a field goal is good. Also passed was the "NaVorro Bowman rule," to allow officials to review the recovery of loose balls. Bowman stripped a ball in the NFC championship game, a play in which the 49ers' star linebacker hurt his knee, and had the ball in his possession, but the play was not reviewable. Now that kind of play will be subject to review.

Markieff and Marcus Morris rise to help Suns rally from 22 down to beat Wolves

Markieff and Marcus Morris rise to help Suns rally from 22 down to beat Wolves

   

Markieff Morris helps the Suns pull off their biggest comeback of the season and move within a half-game of the eighth seed.

MINNEAPOLIS --  The Twin basketball duo, Markieff and Marcus Morris, are at it again in the NBA. They helped the Phoenix Suns snatch a sort of must win during a road trip at the home court of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Hours before Phoenix completed its biggest comeback of the season, coach Jeff Hornacek said the Suns needed to approach each remaining game as their last if they wanted to make the playoffs.

The Suns played more desperately than Minnesota on Sunday and inched closer to the Western Conference's final playoff spot. They also delivered a serious blow to the Timberwolves' fading postseason hopes.

Marcus Morris scored 11 points from the bench. But the highlight of the entire nights game was how the other Morris shot, rebound, and made points to help a Suns win possible. 

Markieff Morris scored 25 points as the Suns overcame a 22-point deficit and a near triple-double by Kevin Love to beat the Wolves 127-120 and move within a half game of eighth-place Memphis.

''We've had a few of those, haven't we?'' Hornacek said. ''I'm always proud of the way they come back at the end of games, they never give up. We were playing horribly for a half, maybe partway into the third quarter and somehow they ended up pulling that game out.''

While Hornacek lamented his team's tendencies to start slow, the Suns were fortunate the Wolves - who fell six games behind Phoenix - have a habit of starting strong before fading. Now the Suns are hoping the Wolves' psyche can recover in time to put up big points again when they play at Memphis on Monday.

Phoenix, meanwhile, continues its road trip in Atlanta.

''If we want to be contenders and be in the playoffs, we got to start showing it by winning these kind of games,'' P.J. Tucker said. ''We came out and played in the second half.''

Phoenix's bench outscored Minnesota's 61-20, and the Suns shot a season-high 57 percent from the floor to overcome Love's 36 points and 14 rebounds. The Wolves' All-Star forward fell an assist short of a triple double and committed a crucial turnover in the final minute.

With the game tied at 118, Love lost the ball in the paint and Eric Bledsoe made a fast-break layup. Gerald Green, Bledsoe and Tucker each hit a pair of free throws in the closing seconds.

''If we start out the game like that we'd probably be up 20,'' Bledsoe said.

The Suns tied a season high by allowing 41 points in the first quarter and trailed 103-93 heading in the final period, but they outscored the Wolves 34-17 in the fourth. Minnesota, meanwhile, blew its largest lead of the season.

''That was our playoffs right there, and we lost. So this one hurts a lot more than the others,'' a visibly frustrated Love said.

The Wolves scored a season-high 73 first-half points -- they needed every one of them because the Suns shot 61 percent and still found themselves trailing by 11 at halftime.

Minnesota built its early lead thanks to a 14-0 first-quarter run fueled by a balanced offense. Every Wolves player who checked in scored. But Morris shot Phoenix back into the game with 15 points in the second quarter on 6 for 8 shooting.

''We should've won that game, plain and simple,'' Love said.

Phoenix has won five of its last six. Bledsoe had 21 points for the Suns, Tucker had 19 and Goran Dragic 18.

The Suns won for only the fifth time when trailing after three quarters.

''I'm so tired of doing that,'' Tucker said. ''We get 20-25 down and it's like, `let's play.' It's unreal.''

Notes
Kevin Martin had 25 points for the Wolves.. The officials hit Phoenix with four technical fouls, including one on assistant coach Mike Longabardi.. Crews scrambled to prepare the court after Target Center hosted the National Collegiate Hockey Conference championship game Saturday night. They didn't have enough time to remove the ice, so they constructed the court above it for Sunday's game.. Wolves G J.J. Barea scored two points in his first game since spraining his left foot in Thursday's loss to Houston. Barea was questionable heading into the game but told coach Rick Adelman he felt better after warming up Sunday.. The Wolves have scored 30 points in the first quarter five straight games.

Nova Eliminated From Tourney After 77-65 Loss To UConn

Nova Eliminated From Tourney After 77-65 Loss To UConn

Shabazz Napier #13 of the Connecticut Huskies takes a shot as James Bell #32 and Josh Hart #3 of the Villanova Wildcats defend during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the First Niagara Center on March 22, 2014 in Buffalo, New York.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — In a span of three days, Shabazz Napier and Connecticut knocked out both Philadelphia schools in the NCAA tournament.

Now, the seventh-seeded Huskies are off to the East Regional semifinals in New York City to see how much more bracket busting they can do a year after being barred from the postseason because of academic sanctions.

Second-seeded Villanova became the highest seed to fall so far after Napier scored 25 points in leading UConn to a 77-65 victory Saturday night. The win came on the heels of another upset in Buffalo, where Dayton, the 11th seed in the South, beat third-seeded Syracuse 55-53.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Jets sign Vick and release Sanchez

Jets sign Vick and release Sanchez 

In this image released by the New York Jets, NFL football free-agent quarterback Michael Vick signs with the New York Jets Friday, March 21, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Jets signed the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to a one-year deal on Friday, and released Mark Sanchez, the one-time face of the franchise.

 

NEW YORK (AP) -- Michael Vick is switching green jerseys - and maybe trading his clipboard for a starting job.

The New York Jets signed the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to a one-year deal Friday, and released Mark Sanchez, the one-time face of the franchise.

"I love competition and I love football," Vick said during a conference call Friday night. "And, I feel I have a lot of football left to play."

Vick will present a real challenge to Jets starter Geno Smith, who played well down the stretch of his rookie season, but finished with 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

"As of right now," Vick said, "Geno's the starting quarterback of this football team."

But, Vick also made it clear that he still envisions himself as a starter.

"I wouldn't say I would necessarily be OK with sitting on the bench all year," Vick said. "But, I know what I signed up for and I know what I came to New York to do."

He said his first order of business is competing with Smith and helping the second-year quarterback along.

"At the end of the day," Vick said, "I'll be content with it."

Vick said he met Smith last year during the draft process and has stayed in touch since. He also acknowledged that he won't wear his familiar No. 7 with the Jets, saying it was Smith's number to keep.

Vick was a free agent after spending the last five seasons with the Eagles. He will be reunited with Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who helped the quarterback have the best season of his career in Philadelphia in 2010. Vick was plagued by injuries the last three years and lost the starting job last year to Nick Foles.

"I want to personally wish Michael Vick and his family all the best as he heads into the next phase of his career," Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "I really enjoyed getting to know him over the last five years. He always represented our team with a tremendous amount of class."

Vick thanked the Eagles, their fans and the city of Philadelphia in an open letter posted on The Philadelphia Inquirer's website.

"I was honored to be their quarterback and took the privilege to heart every day," he wrote.

Vick was considered the top quarterback available in this offseason's free agent class, although he didn't garner much attention. Vick said he was sold on the Jets because he enjoyed the idea of being reunited with 

Mornhinweg and playing for Rex Ryan, an opportunity he always hoped for.

"He's a great talent who's won many games, including playoff games, in this league," Mornhinweg said of Vick in comments posted on the team's website. "He has the respect of both his teammates and opponents. 

He's here in a role where he's going to compete and push Geno Smith to become the very best that he can be. Michael will be able to go in and play at a high level and a winning level if called upon."

Vick, who had a solid start in Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense, injured a hamstring in Week 5 last season. He was replaced by Foles, who led the Eagles to the NFC East title and was selected the Pro Bowl MVP. 

Despite losing the starting gig, Vick was praised by Kelly and team officials for being a leader in the locker room and maintaining an outstanding relationship with Foles and helping him through his second NFL season.

"I have a lot left," Vick said. "It's evident with what I was able to do last year."

The move by the Jets is reminiscent of the headline-making trade they made in 2008, when they acquired an unretired Brett Favre - but as their unquestioned starter. The Vick signing also came two years to the day that the Jets made the stunning move to trade for Tim Tebow.

Vick, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who will be 34 in June, was once considered the most dynamic player in the NFL, particularly during his first six NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

His playing career was abruptly halted for two seasons in 2007 when he pleaded guilty to being part of a dog fighting ring. He served 21 months in federal prison, and two more in home confinement. Since his release in 2009, Vick has worked with the Humane Society of the United States to stop organized animal fighting.

The move drew mixed reviews by Jets fans on Twitter and message boards, but that didn't concern Vick.

"I appreciate all the Jets fans who appreciate me and accept me for who I am and what I've become, not for what I've done," Vick said. "Right now, my past is irrelevant."

The Sanchez move came as no surprise, but completes a stunning downfall for the quarterback who once drew comparisons to Joe Namath after helping lead the Jets to consecutive AFC title games in 2009 and 2010.

Sanchez struggled with consistency after that, and the lasting image of his time with the Jets came in 2012 when he fumbled after running into the backside of guard Brandon Moore. It was returned for a touchdown by New England's Steve Gregory in front of a national television audience on Thanksgiving night and infamously labeled "The Butt Fumble."

He spent last season on injured reserve after tearing the labrum in his right shoulder in a preseason game, clearing the way for Smith to start every game. Sanchez had three years remaining on his contract, but his $13.1 million salary cap number for next season - and $2 million roster bonus due Tuesday - made it unlikely the team would keep him at that amount.

"I'd like to thank Mark for everything he's done for this team and me personally," Ryan said in a statement issued by the team. "We were rookies together and had some early success, becoming the first rookie head coach-quarterback to go to back-to-back championship games. We experienced a lot together and I really appreciate Mark.

"He's a great player, a great teammate and I wish him nothing but the best."

 

NCAA upsets crush perfect bracket hopes

NCAA upsets crush perfect bracket hopes 

Mercer forward Jakob Gollon (20) and guard Langston Hall (21) celebrate after defeating Duke 78-71 in an NCAA college basketball second-round game against Duke, Friday, March 21, 2014, in Raleigh, N.C.

 

The billion dollar dream is over.

A second day of upsets ended any chance of someone having a perfect NCAA tournament bracket in Warren Buffet's $1 billion challenge. It was a favorite that provided the first blemish on the final three people's brackets in the Quicken Loans contest on the Yahoo Sports website.

All three had ninth-seeded George Washington beating Memphis. The Tigers won 71-66.

"If Warren Buffett wants to donate the (billion) to our university, we will take it and use it in good company," 

Memphis coach Josh Pastner said. "We'll find a way."

It only took 25 games for everyone to be eliminated. Then again most of brackets were knocked out on the tournament's first full day. The number of unblemished brackets kept dwindling after third-seed Duke, sixth-seed UMass and seventh-seed New Mexico lost Friday.

Only 16 people remained perfect after 10th-seeded Stanford topped New Mexico. Then Tennessee routed UMass, leaving only six people with a chance of beating the 9.2 quintillion-to-1 odds.

Gonzaga's victory over Oklahoma State cut that down to the final three.

Even though no one won the $1 billion, the top 20 scores will still each get $100,000.

Quicken Loans, which is sponsoring and insuring the Buffet contest, said on its Twitter feed that it wouldn't reveal the number of entrants to the challenge. The pool was supposed to be capped at 15 million entries. It probably wouldn't have mattered if they had let more people join.

At CBSSports.com, only 0.03 percent of entrants were still perfect after Mercer upset Duke. They didn't last much longer as Tennessee's rout of UMass wiped out all the remaining unblemished entries. It took 21 games to end everyone's hope of perfection this year. Last season it took 23 games and 24 in 2012.

A year ago, not a single person of the 11 million who entered on ESPN's website was perfect after a first day filled with upsets. Just four got 15 out of 16 right.

This year people lasted a little longer. After the first 25 games, three perfect brackets remained out of the 11 million entered.

 

St. Joe’s Holds One Last Practice Before Heading To Buffalo

St. Joe’s Holds One Last Practice Before Heading To Buffalo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — St Joe’s held one last basketball practice on Hawk Hill, then shoved off for Buffalo and that NCAA date with UConn Thursday evening.

Many fans on campus, like Clint, think the team has really come together down the stretch.

“Phil Martelli did a great job getting their talent developed.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

76ers Tie Franchise Record With 20th Straight Loss

76ers Tie Franchise Record With 20th Straight Loss

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 15: Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes up for the layup against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 15, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
 
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The 76ers had a loss for the record book.

Mike Conley scored 19 points and Zach Randolph had 14 to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 103-77 win Saturday night, sending the 76ers to a franchise-tying 20th straight loss.

The Sixers can set the team mark with a loss Monday night at Indiana.

The Sixers also lost 20 straight games from Jan. 9, 1973-Feb. 11, 1973 in a 9-73 season. The NBA record for consecutive losses in a season is 26 set by the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Marcus Morris And Markieff Morris: Phoenix Suns of the NBA 2014 - On Their Way To The NBA Finals by Van Stone frontpagenews1@yahoo.com (267)293-9201

Marcus Morris And Markieff Morris: Phoenix Suns of the NBA 2014 - On Their Way To The NBA Finals by Van Stone frontpagenews1@yahoo.com (267)293-9201

The NBA superstar twins Markieff "Keef"-Morris, born seven minutes older than Marcus "Mook" Morris, (on September 2, 1989) are American professional basketball players who currently play for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA.

Markieff and Marcus Morris played college basketball at the University of Kansas.

Marcus Morris and Markieff Morris was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Thomasine "Angel" Morris. They have three brothers, Donte, Blake, and David.

Marcus and Markieff enrolled at the University of Kansas where they both majored in American studies. 

Marcus was named the 2010–11 Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year. Marcus also was named a second team All-American for his play in the 2010–11 basketball season by both the Associated Press and the National National Association of Basketball Coaches, and a third team All-America by Fox Sports.  On March 30, 2011, Marcus Morris was named to the ten member John R. Wooden Award Men's All American team.

Markieff was picked to the Fifth Team All-America by Fox Sports after his junior season.^[3]

Both Morris twin brothers signed with a sports agent from Los Angeles, and announced that they would enter the 2011 NBA Draft.

Marcus Morris was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 14th pick in the2011 NBA Draft, 5 minutes directly after his brother Markieff  was taken with the 13th pick by the Phoenix Suns.  Marcus was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers team by the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association on January 2, 2012. 

Meanwhile, Markieff played directly for the Suns in NBA competition after being drafted.  On January 18, Markieff had his first professional start in the NBA against the New York Knicks. However, due to a stomach virus, Markieff only played for 5 minutes, scoring 3 points and grabbing 2 steals before Channing Frye took over the power forward position in a 91-88 Phoenix win.

In his first game in the D-League on January 6, 2012, Marcus recorded 33 points and 16 rebounds in a narrow 105–103 loss to the Dakota Wizards.  Marcus Morris returned to the Rockets on January 16, 2012, was reassigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on February 3, 2012 and returned to the Rockets again on February 20, 2012.

On February 8, 2012, Markieff was named to the 2012 Rising Stars challenge.  This would be the first time since Amar'e Stoudemire that a Suns player would be represented in a Rookie Challenge.  Despite hoping that he would play for Team Chuck, Morris was selected for Team Shaq, recording 12 points and six rebounds in the game during the 2012 All-Star weekend. On March 25, 2012, Morris recorded a then-career high 22 points to tie Marcin Gortat as the game's leading scorer in a 108-83 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers.


After what was considered to be a disappointing first year, Marcus decided to train with his brother Markieff around the Phoenix area to help improve himself.

Due to the2011 NBA lockout, Markieff had his first Summer League stint in 2012, during which he averaged 19.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. After this stint, he amassed 13 pounds of muscle while keeping his current weight of 245 pounds.

Due to an injury to Patrick Patterson , Rockets head coach Kevin McHale named Marcus Morris the opening day starter at power forward for the 2012–2013 season. When told he would be starting, Marcus thought that McHale was kidding, since he rarely played his rookie season and was hurt during the preseason.

After scoring a then-season high 16 points against the defending NBA Finals champion Miami Heat, Markieff ended up getting his first starting stint since the end of the2011-12 NBA season on November 21, 2012. He surpassed his season high in points by three, and tied Marcin Gortat with 7 rebounds in a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.  Two days later, Markieff recorded a then-career high 23 points to lead the Suns to a close 111-108 overtime victory over the New Orleans Hornets. On December 6, 2012, Markieff pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds to go with 15 points in a 97-94 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

On February 21, 2013, Marucs Morris was traded to the Phoenix Suns, reuniting him with his twin Markeiff, after two years of playing for separate teams.

A day later, the Morris twins would officially play together in the last 6 minutes of a loss to the Boston Celtics, with Marcus getting 7 points, 2 steals, and a rebound during that period of time, despite having no formal training from the Suns before entering the game.  This also marked the second time the Suns had twin brothers playing on the same team, with Dick and Tom Van Arsdale being the first twins to play together.
 
On March 1, 2013, Marcus Morris scored 16 points for the Suns to help the Suns beat the Atlanta Hawks   92-87. He made four out of five three-point field goal attempts.

Marcus would end up starting with Markieff on March 10, 2013 against Marcus' former team, the Houston Rockets, which made the Morris brothers the first set of twin brothers to ever start for the same NBA team.

On November 6, 2013, Markieff Morris tied his NBA career-high in points with 23, and added 12 rebounds in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Morris' shooting average during that game was the highest for a Suns bench player since Eddie Johnson.  Markieff posted a new career-high two days later, scoring 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 114-103 home victory over the Denver Nuggets.

After scoring 23 points in a 101-94 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Markieff became the third player since 1989 to shoot over 75% from the field in three consecutive games with at least 12 attempts each game; Dwight Howard and Charles Barkley were the first two players to accomplish this.

Markieff was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the November 4 to November 11, 2013 period after averaging 22.8 points, 8.0 assists, 2.0 steals and leading the league for field goal percentage (.698).

Markieff Morris would continue to have games like this off the bench throughout the regular season, including a game where he'd score 27 points and grab 15 rebounds in a 99-90 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. In that game, Markeiff would become the first player since Yao Ming back in 2002 to score at least 27 points and grab 15 rebounds in a game while playing off the bench.

Marcus Morris is a fan of his hometown Philadelphia Eagles while his twin brother Markieff is a fan of the rival Dallas Cowboys.

Fans Are Freaking Out Over Justin And Selena's Dirty Dancing Video Jelena returns ... and Beliebers and Selenators share their thoughts.

Fans Are Freaking Out Over Justin And Selena's Dirty Dancing Video Jelena returns ... and Beliebers and Selenators share their thoughts.

 

 Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez

 Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez's game of relationship chicken continued to barrel towards its inevitable conclusion on Monday (March 10) night, when Bieber posted — then promptly deleted — an eye-opening Instagram video of the two dancing to John Legend's "Ordinary People."
 
To those who actively keep track of these things, the vid all but confirmed the fact that "Jelena" were once again an item, a fact that has alternately thrilled and horrified Beliebers and Selenators around the world.

Yes, it seems the response to Bieber and Gomez rekindling their relationship has been mixed ... though there are some who have taken things to a whole new level. Here are some of our favorite reactions to Jelena's Dirty Dancing video.

There's the simple, straightforward approach:

And the complete opposite:

Some fans are deeply saddened:

Rick Ross Scores Another #1 Album With Mastermind Pharrell lands at #2 with G I R L, while Rozay sits pretty in the top spot.

Rick Ross Scores Another #1 Album With Mastermind Pharrell lands at #2 with G I R L, while Rozay sits pretty in the top spot.

 

 Rick Ross' "Mastermind"

The numbers are in, and it's official, Rick Ross has scored another #1 album with Mastermind.

The album was released on March 3, one day ahead of its planned drop date, and that clearly wasn't a bad move. According to HitsDailyDouble Rozay sold just short of 185, 000 copies to land in the top spot, comfortably beating out Pharrell's #2 album G I R L by approximately 74, 000 copies.
 
Though the album still hasn't had a radio hit, Ross has rolled out "The Devil is a Lie," featuring Jay Z, "War Ready," featuring Jeezy and "Nobody," featuring Diddy and French Montana.

He recently dropped visuals for the latter tracks, and went all out for "Nobody." In the clip Ross recreates the January 2013 drive-by shooting attempt on his life, while French sings the hook from a police interrogation room.

On Mastermind Ross got a little more personal than usual, even addressing his previous employment as a corrections officer.

"That particular line [on 'Rich is Gangsta'] most definitely referred to me being a C.O.," Ross revealed, during a visit to "RapFix Live." "And that being a job and just understanding the grind and the hustle and anything else I may have done. It's just a job, it's a hustle. And right now, to feed my family — I'd do it again." Well, with these sales, Ross doesn't have to worry about doing it again.

Schoolboy Q's Oxymoron album, which debuted at #1 with 140, 000 copies sold, moved an 30,000 additional units this week, landing at #9 on the charts.

6 Times LeBron James Wanted to Be MVP

6 Times LeBron James Wanted to Be MVP
 

As the National Basketball Association season winds down, it seems the battle for the league’s premier individual award has only just begun. Though some feel Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant is a shoo-in for the award — ESPN First Take’s Stephen A. Smith said Durant would have to fall on his face to lose it — others disagree. Namely LeBron James, who has turned up the heat late in the season to make his case stronger than ever that the fight for MVP isn’t over just yet.

Here are six times LeBron made it clear he wants to be MVP.

1. The month of February was a strong one for James, despite his being sidelined — albeit briefly — with a broken nose. James shot .575 from the field, becoming only the second player after Wilt Chamberlain to average at least 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting at least .570 for a calendar month. Not too shabby.

2. With partner Dwayne Wade sidelined, James recently netted a career high and franchise record 61-point game against the Charlotte Bobcats. James went 22 of 33 from the field, giving him the highest field-goal percentage (66.7) in a 60-point game since Shaquille O’Neal had 61 points on 68.6 percent shooting in 2000. “Once you get into a zone, you feel like you’re shooting a golf ball into the ocean,” James said during a post-game news conference.

3. Though James averages fewer PPG than Durant (27.5 to 31.6, respectively), he has a 7-plus point percentage difference in field shooting: 58.3 percent to Durant’s 50.7 percent.

4. Instead of shying away from outright claims, talk of Durant as MVP seems to have finally baited James into saying what he thinks. James, facing immense pressure to three-peat with the Heat, even went so far as to say that real pressure won’t shift to Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder until after he’s gone. “When I retire,” James said. “When I retire. They’re still talking about, am I going to win a third? You know.”

5. After receiving flak for saying his NBA Mount Rushmore would include Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Oscar Robertson — and adding that he could eventually carve a place for himself — James shrugged off criticisms from veterans and current league players, offering this response: “No one can still guard me one-on-one.”

6. Though conceding that guarding Durant in a one-on-one game would be tough — “It’s already tough enough trying to guard him … with four other guys trying to help — James picked himself to win in a matchup. “I’m not going to ever count myself out,” he told NBA.com’s David Aldridge.