Cavaliers sign guard Delonte West

CLEVELAND - Two prolonged contract holdouts early last season hurt the Cleveland Cavaliers, damaging their chances of getting back to the NBA finals.

They made sure it wouldn't happen again.

The club signed restricted free agent guard Delonte West to a two-year contract Friday, a deal that includes a third-year club option for 2011-12.

Financial terms were not immediately known. West and his representatives had been seeking a deal worth $5 millon per season.

West was acquired last season from Seattle as part of the three-team, 11-player megatrade before the Feb. 21 deadline. Filling a major void at point guard, the 6-foot-3 West averaged 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 26 starts for the Cavaliers.

He was one of Cleveland's best players during the postseason, averaging 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 13 games for the Cavs, who pushed the NBA champion Boston Celtics to seven games before losing in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Cavs didn't want a repeat of last year when forwards Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic, both restricted free agents, held out of training camp. They eventually signed deals, but when they came back both players struggled getting into shape, got injured and the Cavaliers' chemistry was affected by their absences.

The 25-year-old West can play either position in the backcourt. He will likely back up point guard Mo Williams, who was acquired in a trade this summer from Milwaukee. West could also get time at shooting guard along with Daniel Gibson, another restricted free agent signed by the Cavaliers during the offseason.

"He's a tremendous defender and he's about what we want to be about on that end of the floor," Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry said.

Ferry said West's decision to work out at the Cavaliers' training facility this summer assured both sides that he wanted to stay in Cleveland.

"It was a very healthy thing for the process. It kept the relationship on a good, positive level," Ferry said. "He wanted to be part of what we're working toward. We've said all along that we want Delonte on this team. He's a good player and can make us a better team."

Ferry is excited about Cleveland's potential this season. Williams will give the Cavaliers a second, bona fide perimeter scoring threat to complement superstar LeBron James.

"We have guys who really love to play and love to compete," Ferry said. "We have really good depth everywhere and we have a solid balance of youth and experience."

By news.yahoo.com
TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
Sat Sep 13

Tags: Cleveland, Cavaliers, NBA, Daniel Gibson, sport

Oklahoma City sells out NBA season tickets

Sat Sep 13

OKLAHOMA CITY - Season tickets for Oklahoma City's new NBA franchise have sold out in just five days.

Chairman Clay Bennett says the last of approximately 13,000 Thunder season tickets were sold Friday, and the team has put names on a waiting list for games at the Ford Center.

About 4,000 seats have been withheld for single-game, group and partial-season ticket sales. Tickets to individual games are to be sold next month.

by news.yahoo.com

Tags: ticket, NBA, Oklahoma City

BPL Saturday Live!

Man City v Chelsea
Liverpool 2-1 Man United(FT)
Blackburn 0-4 Arsenal(FT)
Fulham 2-1 Bolton(FT)
Newcastle 1-2 Hull(FT)
Portsmouth 2-1 Middlesbrough(FT)
West Brom 3-2 West Ham(FT)
Wigan 1-1 Sunderland(FT)

Halftime Report

Arsenal lead 2-0 thanks to goals from Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor. Man-of-the-moment Theo Walcott waltzes down the flank and cuts in to slide it to the Dutchman for the Gunners' first. Adebayor heads in Arsenal's second at the stroke of halftime.

Mido put Middlesbrough 1-0 ahead, sweeping the ball past a shocked David James at Fratton Park.

Fulham are dominating Bolton at Craven Cottage 2-0, with Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora getting the goals.

Honours even at the Hawthorns, with West Brom's James Morrison getting the first, only for West Ham's Mark Noble to equalize to tap in a rebound. Luca Neill then put the Hammers ahead with a header on goals, with Roman Bednar scoring from the penalty spot, after Leon Barnett was brought down by Robert Green, wrapping up the scoring in the first half.

Hull are leading 1-0 at St James' Park, thanks to a Marlon King penalty. Nicky Butt scythed down Peter Halmosi in the area, resulting in the spot kick.

Finally, Titus Bramble's awful career own goal tally increases after he heads a Steed Malbranque cross past his own keeper!

Follow the games LIVE on our LIVESCORE page!

by espnstar.com

Tags: football, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Live, Premier League, sport, news

Babel brings Anfield joy

Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-1 for the first time in Rafa Benitez's Anfield career thanks to Ryan Babel's winner.

The Liverpool boss had never beaten United in nine previous league games, with the champions having won the past five meetings between these two giants.

But United wilted under a relentless second-half pressure, had Nemanja Vidic sent-off and saw substitute Babel secure victory.

Carlos Tevez put United ahead early on. But after a torrid opening period, Liverpool were level with a Wes Brown own goal before Liverpool dominated the second half and grabbed a priceless win with 13 minutes left.

Liverpool gave new signing Albert Riera his debut but Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were not risked any closer to the initial action than the bench.

For the champions, Michael Carrick returned after an ankle problem, but all eyes were on US$60 million striker Dimitar Berbatov on his first appearance for his new club.

Liverpool fans staged a march to the ground from a local pub to protest at the club's American owners.

But that did not stop co-owner George Gillett taking his place in the directors' box, although not in the front row close to the fans.

There was also a row of smartly-suited Americans, all singing along to "You'll never walk alone" - the anthem moved to seconds before kick-off rather than when the teams march out, presumably to unsettle United.

It did not work. The champions were ahead after just three minutes.

Berbatov was allowed to get to the line by some sloppy marking and covering, and Liverpool's defence was nowhere to be seen when his pulled back cross was lashed home by Tevez.

United were quicker and more mobile all over the pitch while Liverpool continually conceded possession.

But the Merseysiders should have scored after 13 minutes when Edwin van der Sar fumbled a corner and Kuyt's blast from three yards hit Paul Scholes on the line.

Liverpool at last started to get into the match as Tevez was booked for a foul on Alvaro Arbeloa and a succession of free-kicks pinned United back.

And they were level after 26 minutes. Xabi Alonso's curling, low shot into the area deflected off Patrice Evra and Van der Sar hurled himself forward.

But he only managed to push the ball on to Brown, who could do nothing about it cannoning off him and over the line. Riera followed the ball in, but it was the United man's last touch.

United sent on Ryan Giggs for Carrick at the break, the midfielder having taken a heavy blow on his ankle in the first half.

Liverpool started the second period in much sharper form, Benayoun almost saw a flicked effort evade Van der Sar and Alonso fired over from 20 yards.

Keane narrowly missed breaking his scoring duck when he failed by inches to connect with a Javier Mascherano cross-shot. United's reply came from Paul Scholes who drove wide.

United sent on Hargreaves for Scholes after 66 minutes, having been forced back for much of the second spell.

Two minutes later Liverpool introduced Gerrard in place of Benayoun as United started to come back into the game.

As if to underline the point, Jose Reina was forced into a fine save from a dipping Giggs volley.

Riera was taken off after 71 minutes and replaced by Babel having made a good impression after a shaky start.

And on 77 minutes, Liverpool's pressure paid off. Mascherano battled his way down the right and to the line, Kuyt took up possession and played the ball across for Babel to crack home.

Nani came on for Anderson, and Rio Ferdinand was booked for bringing down Keane as the Irishman looked to be bursting through on goal. Nani was next into the book for bringing down Mascherano.

Liverpool were going to replace Keane with David Ngog, but changed their minds at the last moment when it was clear Mascherano had injured his ankle. The Argentinian limped off and Sami Hyypia came on instead.

United had Nemanja Vidic pushed up front by now, and Liverpool needed three central defenders.

Vidic was then sent off for crashing his arm into Alonso's face after 89 minutes, a second yellow card swiftly followed by a red. He will now miss the visit to Chelsea on September 21.

by espnstar.com

Tags: Liverpool, Manchester United, Ryan Babel, Benitez, Carlos Tevez, Gerrard and Fernando Torres

BPL Saturday Live!

Liverpool 2-1 Man United(FT)
Blackburn 0-2 Arsenal
Fulham 2-0 Bolton
Newcastle 0-1 Hull
Portsmouth 0-1 Middlesbrough
West Brom 2-2 West Ham
Wigan 0-1 Sunderland
Man City v Chelsea

Starting Line-ups:

Newcastle vs Hull

Newcastle: Given, Edgar, Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Geremi, Butt, Guthrie, Xisco, Owen, Ameobi

Subs: Harper, Cacapa, Bassong, Gonzalez, Danquah, Doninger, Donaldson

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Gardner, Dawson, Mendy, Marney, Ashbee, Halmosi, King, Fagan

Subs: Duke, Windass, Geovanni, Hughes, Folan, Ricketts, Zayatte

Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)

Blackburn vs Arsenal

Blackburn: Robinson, Simpson, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Reid, Andrews, Pedersen, Roberts, Roque Santa Cruz

Subs: Kerimoglu, Brown, McCarthy, Mokoena, Villanueva, Treacy, Derbyshire

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Denilson, Walcott, Adebayor, Van Persie

Subs: Ramsey, Fabianski, Song Billong, Wilshere, Djourou, Bendtner, Gibbs

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

West Brom vs West Ham

West Brom: Carson, Hoefkens, Barnett, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison, Koren, Greening, Brunt, Borja Valero, Bednar

Subs: Kiely, Cech, Beattie, Kim, MacDonald, Moore, Donk

West Ham: Green, Neill, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Boa Morte, Ashton, Cole

Subs: Lastuvka, Bellamy, Etherington, Mullins, Faubert, Tomkins, Di Michele

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)

Wigan vs Sunderland

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Kilbane, Zaki, Heskey

Subs: Pollitt, Scharner, Koumas, Brown, De Ridder, Kapo, Camara

Sunderland: Gordon, Chimbonda, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, McCartney, Malbranque, Whitehead, Tainio, Richardson, Cisse, Diouf

Subs: Fulop, Bardsley, Murphy, Collins, Leadbitter, Reid, Healy

Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)

Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Johnson, Diop, Davis, Diarra, Armand Traore, Crouch, Defoe

Subs: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Nugent, Pamarot, Utaka, Mvuemba, Belhadj

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Hoyte, Huth, Riggott, Pogatetz, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard, Downing, Alves, Mido

Subs: Jones, Taylor, Adam Johnson, Wheater, Porritt, Walker, Craddock

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

Fulham vs Bolton

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Bullard, Gera, Zamora, Johnson

Subs: Zuberbuhler, Teymourian, Ki-Hyeon, Nevland, Stoor, Dempsey, Kallio

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Shittu, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Gardner, Muamba, Nolan, McCann, Joey O'Brien, Davies

Subs: Al Habsi, Hunt, Riga, Helguson, Vaz Te, Cohen, Fojut

Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)

Follow the games LIVE on our LIVESCORE page!

by espnstar.com

Tags: Liverpool, Man United, Blackburn, Arsenal, Newcastle, Premier League

Cavaliers sign G West

Cleveland Cavaliers manager, Danny Ferry announced that the club have locked up Delonte West on a new contract.

Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry announced Friday that the club has signed the 6-3 guard to a multi-year contract, though terms of the deal were not disclosed. West was reportedly seeking a three-year deal that would pay him around $5 million per season.

West became the Cavaliers starting point guard last season after he was acquired from the Seattle SuperSonics with Wally Szczerbiak as part of a three-team, 11-player trade, that also saw the club secure center Ben Wallace and forward Joe Smith from the Chicago Bulls.

"This is the first time since I was offered a scholarship at St. Joe's that I feel like I am valued as a person and a player," said West, 25. "The Cavaliers have shown me that they value me as a person and a player and that was the most important thing to me."

West averaged 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 26 regular-season games with Cleveland last year and started all 13 postseason games for the team, averaging 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

His role with the club could change somewhat this season as the Cavaliers acquired point guard Mo Williams from the Milwaukee Bucks in a trade last month.

"We have consistently communicated our desire to keep Delonte as a member of this basketball team," Ferry said.

"His tenacity helps us on both ends of the floor and his defensive play certainly reflects how we want to play the game. Contending teams need areas of strength and need depth. Having Delonte, Mo (Williams) and Daniel (Gibson) certainly creates an advantageous situation for us."

West has career averages of 9.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists over 240.games.

by espnstar.com

Tags: Cleveland, Cavaliers, Delonte West, Ferry, Chicago Bulls

BPL Saturday Live!

Liverpool v Man United
Blackburn v Arsenal
Fulham v Bolton
Newcastle v Hull
Portsmouth v Middlesbrough
West Brom v West Ham
Wigan v Sunderland
Man City v Chelsea

Liverpool v Man United

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio, Benayoun, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera, Kuyt, Keane

Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Gerrard, Torres, Babel, Ngog

Man United: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Rooney, Scholes, Carrick, Anderson, Tevez, Berbatov

Subs: Kuszczak, Nani, Evans, Hargreaves, O'Shea, Fletcher, Giggs

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

Preview

Liverpool include Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in their squad for the Premier League home match with champions Manchester United.

Gerrard is recovering from a groin operation while Torres also missed the international break with a hamstring problem.

However both players are making good progress and could figure in the match, according to manager Rafael Benitez.

Liverpool will give a debut to new winger Albert Riera, but midfielder Lucas will not be involved having not yet arrived back from international duty in his homeland.

Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick return to Manchester United's squad - and Cristiano Ronaldo is primed for a Champions League comeback against Villarreal at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed his entire first-team squad is now fit ahead of the Anfield trip but that Ronaldo would not travel as he completes his recovery from ankle surgery.

However, Hargreaves, who has been troubled by a tendinitis problem, and Carrick, who also missed England's victories over Andorra and Croatia with an ankle injury, will be involved as United look to continue their recent stranglehold in meetings with their north-west rivals.

What Our Pundits Think

Here are the predictions of our ESPN STAR Sports football gurus for the Liverpool-Man United match:

Steve McMahon: 0-0

Paul Masefield: 0-1

Jamie Reeves: 0-0

Shebby Singh: 1-1

PJ Roberts: 1-1

Click here for our LIVESCORE coverage of the Northwest Derby!

by espnstar.com

Tags: Liverpool, Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal

Barca vs Racing Preview

Barcelona's Lionel Messi insists he is not bothered by Argentina legend Diego Maradona's criticism of his game.Barcelona forward Lionel Messi insists he is not bothered by Argentina legend Diego Maradona's criticism of his game.

Maradona has claimed Messi often "plays for himself" and is "too individualistic", but the youngster is remaining unfazed ahead of Barca's clash with Racing Santander at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

"It's fine, I am used to Diego talking," he said.

"He always has something to say about me, but there is no problem and I'll keep playing as I always do," he added.

Messi has been away with Argentina on international duty, playing for 90 minutes in both the disappointing draws against Paraguay and Peru.

The 21-year-old only landed in Barcelona on Friday, missing the morning training session, and will have little more than 24 hours to prepare for the Primera Liga game with Racing.

He insists, though, he is ready to play if called upon by coach Pep Guardiola.

"I feel good and I want to play," he said. "I don't know what the boss is thinking, but I am ready to play and I hope he plays me from the start."

Defender Martin Caceres also missed Friday's morning training after arriving back from international duty with Uruguay, but Mexico captain Rafael Marquez did train after returning to Barcelona on Thursday.

Marquez has though been prone to injury following international breaks during his time at Barcelona and may be rested for Saturday's match.

If so, his place is likely to go to Gerard Pique.

And the former Manchester United defender believes Barcelona must turn the Nou Camp into a stadium feared by visiting teams this season.

Barcelona suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Numancia in their opener - coach Guardiola's first Primera Liga match in charge - and Pique knows they can not afford too many more slip-ups.

"The Nou Camp must be a fortress from the very first day," he said.

"We cannot afford to stumble on Saturday. We need to win as many points as possible and not losing games will be fundamental."

Muslims Seydou Keita, Yaya Toure and Eric Abidal have all been fasting for Ramadan, but all three are being carefully monitored by Barcelona's medical staff and should be fit enough to participate in Saturday's match.

Gabi Milito remains sidelined with a long-term injury, but Guardiola has no other major fitness concerns ahead of Saturday's game.

Racing finished just seven points behind third-placed Barcelona last season, although the coach under whom they enjoyed such a successful campaign - Marcelino Garcia Toral - has since left to join Real Zaragoza.

The northerners will now be hoping for similar success under new man Juan Ramon Muniz and they began the season with a creditable draw at home to Sevilla.

And Muniz is upbeat about his side's chances on Saturday.

"We will try to get as much as we can out of the match and if that's three points, then great," he said.

"But we need maximum concentration because Barcelona have between 20 and 25 shots per game at home."

Recent signings Peter Luccin and Juan Valera could make their debuts for the Cantabrians after signing just before the transfer deadline, but Luis Fernandez will be missing through injury.

by espnstar.com

Tags: Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Argentina, Nou Camp, Racing, Preview, football, sport, Primera Liga

Palermo vs Roma preview

Capital outfit Roma will welcome back Brazilian winger Rodrigo Taddei for Saturday's Serie A clash at Palermo.

The midfielder has been out of action for the past five months with muscle injuries, but is set to feature in the game at La Favorita.

"I feel good," said Taddei. "I have returned to train with the group and to be able to do that after being out of action for some time gives me great joy."

Roma could only manage a 1-1 draw against Napoli in their Serie A opener and Taddei expects a tough match against the Sicilians.

"This will be a difficult game," said Taddei. "We have to concentrate and try to do what the coach wants us to do.

"Our aim is to clinch three points."

The Eternal City giants, who start their Champions League quest next week against Romanian outfit Cluj, are still without captain Francesco Totti.

The Giallorosso playmaker recovered from a knee injury only to sustain a muscle problem in training this week.

First-choice goalkeeper Alexander Doni is also struggling with a knee problem and is unlikely to recover in time for Saturday's clash.

Brazilian goalkeeper Artur should replace Doni and make his Serie A debut.

The Palermo players go into their first home game of the season looking to impress new coach Davide Ballardini.

A 3-1 defeat at Udinese in their opening match brought an end to Stefano Colantuono's spell in charge of the Sicilians, with Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini replacing him with former Cagliari coach Ballardini.

Zamparini admitted appointing Ballardini could backfire.

"I don't know if this will be a successful move but I took the decision in the spur of the moment," he said.

"After the defeat in Udine, I had a meeting and I wasn't convinced by the coach and his staff.

"I take full responsibility for this coaching change and I ask the fans to be close to the team, which is a strong side."

Taddei believes the arrival of Palermo's new coach will make Roma's task even harder.

"I think Palermo players will have an extra motivation to show their new coach their value," he said. "We have to be prepared to battle for 90 minutes."

Despite that opening-day loss to Udinese, Ballardini is upbeat about his team's chances.

"I think I have inherited a team that is in good condition," he said. "I am confident we can do well, starting on Saturday."

The good news for the hosts is that goalkeeper Marco Amelia has overcome the back injury which ruled him out of Italy's World Cup qualifiers against Cyprus and Georgia.

Striker Davide Succi, who joined Palermo from Ravenna this summer, is expected to make his top flight debut this weekend and partner Fabrizio Miccoli in attack.

by espnstar.com

Tags: Palermo, Roma, Serie A