Elgin Baylor, Lakers great and aerialist pioneer, dies at 86
LOS ANGELES โ Elgin Baylor soared through the 1960s with a high-scoring, high-flying artistry that that became the model for the modern basketball player. With a silky-smooth jumper and fluid athleticism, Baylor played a major role in revolutionizing basketball from a ground-bound sport into an aerial show. Baylorโs second career as a personnel executive for 22 1/2 years with the woebegone Los Angeles Clippers was far less successful, but he remained a beloved basketball figure in Los Angeles and beyond. When the Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960, Baylor became the centerpiece of their Hollywood revival. A Los Angeles County jury unanimously ruled in the Clippersโ favor in March 2011, refusing to award any damages.
Embiid emerges as NBA MVP front-runner for East-best 76ers
FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2021, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid reacts after making a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls in Philadelphia. โThe fans are always there for me when I play,โ Embiid said. AdโItโs nice to have a big guy in the MVP talk,โ Hall of Famer Shaquille OโNeal told The Associated Press. AdHe is trying to become the first Sixer to win NBA MVP โ the fans call it an MVBiid campaign โ since Iverson in 2001. Nobody can guard you.โ I think thatโs a big reason heโs having the season heโs having.โMorey, though, is fine with Embiid shooting from deep.
James, Durant choose their teams for Sunday's All-Star Game
1 overall pick on Antetokounmpo โ the NBAโs two-time reigning MVP from Milwaukee โ in the draft for Sundayโs All-Star Game in Atlanta. Kevin Durant, who will not play in the All-Star Game because of injury but still is the captain for Team Durant, took Brooklyn teammate Kyrie Irving with his first pick. This is the fourth year of the NBA's playing captain format for the All-Star Game. Itโs the All-Star Game, so thereโs going to be some shenanigans out there. AdTHE COACHESRivers, who played in one All-Star Game, is coaching the game for the third time.
Suns keep rolling, top 76ers 120-111 for 5th straight win
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, in Phoenix. Booker scored 36 points, Chris Paul added 18 points and 10 assists and the rising Phoenix Suns beat the Philadelphia 76ers 120-111 on Saturday for their fifth straight victory. Saric and Jae Crowder each hit 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter and extend the Suns' lead to 92-81. The Suns had an 11-2 run which gave them a 113-99 lead with 3:15 left to close out the win. EโTwaun Moore had 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, Cam Johnson had nine points and Crowder added eight points and four rebounds.
Harris shot in final seconds leads 76ers past Lakers 107-106
Jamesโ push of the 76ers big man got him hit with a flagrant 1 and Embiid cried foul. Harris swished a jumper with 3 seconds left, ending the Lakersโ 13-0 run and sending Philadelphia to a 107-106 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday night. The 76ers lead the East at 13-6 and the Lakers are 14-5 in the West. James hit Anthony Davis for the go-ahead basket with 11.2 seconds to go for a 106-105 lead and cap that run. YOU AGAINGreen and backup center Dwight Howard played key roles in the Lakersโ championship last season.
CBS pushing for players to do their part to boost broadcast
FORT WORTH, Texas FORT WORTH, TexasJim Nantz will be alone in the broadcast booth when the PGA Tour resumes its schedule Thursday. In announcing the broadcast and productions plans for the return to golf, CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus said the network would have what Nantz dubbed a confession cam." McManus also said the network has been working more aggressively to have players wear microphones, and that CBS already has received commitments from some players. If you had a chance to hear from 30 players in the field, you can't imagine what a difference that could make to our broadcast. And he'll be calling action at an event with no spectators, a policy of the PGA Tour for five straight tournaments until the Memorial on July 16-19.