The Pioneer

• NBA legend Mikan dies at 80

• Jack McCallum: The NBA's first superstar

• SI Flashback: Scorecard Essay

• SI Flashback: Big George

Heat May Lose Wade

Dwyane Wade scored 15 points before leaving in the fourth quarter with what he described as a "painful'' rib injury.

One Win Away

The Diesel supplied power moves, scoring 15 of his 20 in the first half.

Shaq led five double-figure scorers, and the Heat shot 52 percent from the field in an 88-76 victory over the Pistons and a 3-2 lead. The win came with a price: Flash left Game 5 with a rib injury. More

Sheed's Future

The volatile Rasheed Wallace may find life more chaotic next season.

 

ESPN Stories

• NBA labor talks stall after league rejects union offers
• Perfect timing: Cavs introduce Brown as next coach
• Hoops who's who to help pick '08 U.S. men's squad
• Larry Brown tells sources he'll take Cavaliers job
• Bulls coach Skiles still without contract extension
• Wolves interview Spurs' Carlesimo | Workout for picks
• High school standout Gerald Green hires agent
•  Tall order: 7-foot-8 Chinese player eyes draft

Magnificent Loser

Amare Stoudemire reached new heights vs. the Spurs, with 37 ppg.

Amare was amazing in losing to the Spurs, but he must improve his defense and rebounding.

Mikan, 80

NBA Great George Mikan Dies

George Mikan, the NBA's first MVP, who led the Minneapolis Lakers to five NBA championships, has died, family members said today. He was 80.

• Vitale: How Mikan dominated down low

Typhoon Dante Is Here

Typhoon "DANTE" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 1,080 kms east of Visayas (12.1°N 135.4°E) with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 19 kph. Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) affecting Mindanao. Southwesterly surface windflow prevailing over Western Luzon.

Metro Cebu: Cloudy with rainshowers and thunderstorms, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the south and southwest, coastal waters will be slight to moderate, temperature range 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F).
More Weather

AP Sports

Spurs show the way 
To reach the next level, the Suns need to be more consistent with their defense and rebounding – like the Spurs.

George Mikan dead at 80 (AP) 
George Mikan, professional basketball's first dominant big man who led the Minneapolis Lakers to five championships, died at a Scottsdale rehabilitation center, family members said Thursday. He was 80. Mikan had suffered from diabetes and kidney failure.

Pistons not rattled by Game 5 pressure (AP) 
Pressure situations always seem to bring out the best in the Detroit Pistons. This season has been anything but smooth and serene for the defending NBA champions, who endured the aftermath of November's brawl with Indiana.

Cavaliers hire Mike Brown as coach (AP) 
Owner Dan Gilbert stopped by the Cavaliers' gift shop in Gund Arena on Thursday morning to pick up a few last-minute welcoming gifts for Mike Brown, his newest employee. One was a $20 Cavaliers clock.

NBA talks stall as league rejects offers (AP) 
NBA labor talks stalled Wednesday after a 2 1/2 -hour meeting in New York, less than a month before a lockout would begin. ``All I can say is that we had a meeting, and we don't have anything else scheduled,'' NBA deputy commissioner David Stern said.

Stars to help choose Olympic team (AP) 
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Larry Brown are among the who's-who list of stars who agreed Thursday to help choose the men's Olympic basketball team for the United States.

Defensive lapses ends Suns' ride (AP) 
The fast, fun Phoenix Suns are finished. Their improbable rise from the ashes of a 29-win season a year ago was done in by untimely defensive breakdowns and an opponent with more depth and far more experience in playoff basketball.