Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored three goals as the New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight win over the Flyers.
Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans title chances now.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
Move over, Hollywood and NFL types, golf's two real A-listers take center stage Sunday at Pebble Beach, both in need of a win.
The United States swept favored Switzerland out of the Davis Cup on Saturday when Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan beat Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra overshadowed Manchester United's 2-1 win over rival Liverpool that lifted the defending champions to first place in the Premier League on Saturday.
Marlies Schild of Austria won her sixth World Cup slalom of the season Saturday after overall leader Lindsey Vonn and defending champion Maria Hoefl-Riesch crashed out in the opening run on the windy Pyrenees course.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
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Iverson's career Slideshow: Images from one of the most controversial, and talented players in NBA history. NBCSports.com |
PHILADELPHIA - The A.I. Show took center stage again in Philly.
And the early returns have Philadelphia 76ers fans in love with the revival as much as the original.
Iverson took a familiar route to the Wachovia Center on Monday night for his first game since returning to the Sixers last week. He pulled in to the player’s parking lot at 5:55 p.m., waving to fans who waited in the cold for a glimpse of one of the most polarizing athletes in Philadelphia’s deep sports history.
He hit the court for warmups to the sound of fans screaming his name and holding “Welcome Home” signs. He took passes from his former 76ers backcourt teammate Aaron McKie, now an assistant coach.
He hit shot after shot to the delight of the crowd and broke out in a wide smile as they erupted in cheers.
Iverson, who did not talk pregame, was in the starting lineup Monday against the Nuggets.
“It’s going to be tough on me,” Iverson said at shootaround. “But you never know with the way the adrenaline is going to be pumping.”
Coach Eddie Jordan said Iverson may start the rest of the season for the struggling Sixers. Iverson will play his first game with Philadelphia since 2006.
“I feel like I am home,” Iverson said. “Just seeing people I’m accustomed to seeing, seeing the reporters, seeing some of the fans when I go out to eat. Just the smell of Philadelphia when I go outside.”
Iverson’s not sure how many minutes he can play because of his limited basketball activity over the past year. His stint in Detroit was cut short with a back injury and he played only three games for Memphis this season.
Iverson said he has some concerns about playing in game condition.
“If I can’t get my scoring on like I want to, I just want to do other things on the basketball court that will help us win,” Iverson said.
The Sixers have lost nine straight games and hope Iverson can lead them back into the win column. He’ll play against Denver, one of three teams he played for after leaving Philadelphia.
Nuggets coach George Karl, who had Iverson for two-plus seasons in Denver, said he was surprised Iverson was back with the Sixers.
“I was thinking it would be a team trying to win a championship that needed points,” he said. “He always had a love affair with the city and he took them on an incredible run.”
Iverson, traded to the Nuggets in December 2006, always considered Philly home and dreamed of a return to the team he led to the 2001 NBA finals.
“In your dreams, you always hope for the best,” he said. “That’s what I’m doing. I love these people here. They know that. They love me back. Hopefully, it’ll just be a great experience.
“Hopefully, I don’t get emotional because it will take away from my game.”
Iverson broke down in tears at his press conference after he signed a non-guaranteed deal with the 76ers last week.
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Chairman Ed Snider said before the game Iverson was starting with a clean slate.
“I think he’s learned a lesson and so have we,” Snider said. “I’ve learned that he’s on a tight leash.”
Jordan said he’ll likely play Iverson in short bursts.
“I told him for 14 years I heard how you hate coming out of the game. Now they’re telling me you’ve got to get him out if he’s tired,” Jordan said, laughing. “He’s going to tell me. The first time I’m coaching Allen Iverson, I am not taking him out until he tells me.”
Not everything was the same for Iverson. He once occupied two or three of the end stalls in the 76ers’ locker room. Iverson’s new locker was sandwiched like a rookie between Jason Smith and Rodney Carney.
Jordan said he envisioned eventually pairing Iverson with injured point guard Lou Williams in the backcourt. Williams is out about six more weeks with a broken jaw. His injury sparked 76ers management to consider bringing back Iverson.
Rookie Jrue Holiday, who started for Williams, is out for Monday’s game with a strained right rotator cuff.
Also, Jordan says leading scorer Andre Iguodala will start after missing Sunday’s practice with an ankle injury.
Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
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Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
Adreian Payne scored 15 points, Draymond Green added 12 and defense-minded No. 11 Michigan State beat No. 3 Ohio State 58-48 Saturday night, ending the Buckeyes' 39-game home winning streak.
