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Andrew Bynum benched late in Lakers win 03.29.12 at 11:10 am ET
By Arielle Aronson   |  No Comments

Andrew Bynum was the latest Laker to be benched this week. (AP)

Lakers stars are earning plenty of bench time lately. One game after coach Mike Brown benched Kobe Bryant, center Andrew Bynum rode the pine late in the Lakers’ 104-101 win over the Warriors Tuesday. Bynum was benched for most of the fourth quarter and some of the third quarter after he missed a 3-pointer with 10:05 left in the third quarter and 14 seconds remaining on the shot clock. Bynum recorded just seven 3-point attempts in his seven-year career.

The shot seemed to be the final straw in Bynum’s game that led Brown to bench Bynum, but Brown refused to elaborate on the specifics of Bynum’s benching following the game.

“If I don’t feel like he’s playing the right way, I’ll take him out the game,” Brown said. “I didn’t feel like he was playing the right way. I didn’t feel like we were playing the right way as a club when he was on the floor. That’s why I took him out the game.”

Bynum’s behavior did not improve on the bench. He refused to join the team in huddles during timeouts and mocked taking the shot on the bench shortly after Brown pulled him from the game. After the game, Bynum said he would not change the way he approaches three-pointers following the benching.

“I guess, ‘Don’t take 3s’ is the message, but I’m going to take another one and I’m going to take some more, so I just hope it’s not the same result,” the infrequent three-point shooter Bynum said after the game. “Hopefully I make it.”

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Monday’s Morning Mashup: Giants owners tweak Jets about Tim Tebow press conference 03.26.12 at 7:59 am ET
By Jerry Spar   |  No Comments

Welcome to Monday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

MONDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA: Celtics at Bobcats, 7 p.m. (CSNNE; WEEI)
NBA: Nuggets at Bulls, 8 p.m. (NBA TV)
NBA: Hornets at Clippers, 10:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
NHL: Lightning at Flyers, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
MLB preseason: Red Sox at Phillies, 1 p.m. (NESN)
MLB preseason: Rockies at Angels, 4 p.m. (MLB Network)
MLB preseason: Reds at Rangers, 9 p.m. (MLB Network)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ The Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions, but the Jets have been grabbing the offseason headlines, most recently with their trade for Tim Tebow.

At the NFL owners meetings in Florida, Giants owner John Mara joked about the fact that the Jets have a press conference scheduled for Monday to introduce their backup quarterback.

“The David Carr press conference will be [Monday] afternoon, too,” Mara said, referring to the Giants backup who did not throw a pass last season while playing behind Eli Manning.

Added co-owner Steve Tisch: “Well, [the Jets] are getting a lot of attention, so if that was one of their goals, I think they have been successful.”

Jets coach Rex Ryan was respectful when apprised of the Giants bosses’ comments.

“When you win a Super Bowl, you can say anything you want because they are the world champions,” Ryan said. “That’s all fine and dandy. To the young man [Tebow], he’s not going out there trying to get the attention. The attention follows him.”

Last year, Ryan famously claimed the Jets were New York’s premier football team, a statement that backfired badly.

“Clearly the statement wasn’t very good,” Ryan acknowledged. “We’re looking up to them as is every other team in the NFL right now. They accomplished what I wanted to, being the best team in New York, being the best team in the NFL. The Giants accomplished that last year. We’ll take a swing at them.”

Kobe Bryant was benched by Lakers coach Mike Brown for four minutes late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 102-96 loss to the visiting Grizzlies. Although he acknowledged he was upset about sitting, he did his best to avoid making the situation more of a controversy.

“It’s his decision to make,” Bryant said of Brown. “If you guys are looking for a story, I’m not going to contribute to it. I can’t sit here and criticize the decision. As leader of this ballclub, it’s something I can’t afford to do. I’ve got to have his back. I’ve had his back the whole season. I can’t start doing something crazy now. It doesn’t make any sense.”

The Lakers trailed by three points at the start of the final period and had fallen behind by 14 points with 5:45 left when Brown called a timeout and subbed in Metta World Peace. Bryant returned with 1:51 left and the Lakers down by nine, following a “Ko-be! Ko-be!” chant from the crowd.

Explained Brown: “I felt I wanted to make a sub at the time, so I did. Not one particular thing. Went with Metta for a couple minutes and then tried to go back to [Bryant]. Obviously, it didn’t work.”

Jose Canseco, who was in the news last week when he and Shaquille O’Neal agreed to an MAA fight, went after another retired athlete Sunday. Canseco, apparently bothered by NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp‘s accusation that Jeremy Shockey sold out his former Saints teammates and coaches for Bountygate, put out a feeler to Sapp, asking if the former defensive lineman knew how to fight MAA style.

Responded Sapp: @JoseCanseco My hand to hand days on film!! #YouWantSome.

That was all Canseco needed to hear. Answered the disgraced former MLB star: @QBKILLA love some .wanna dance i need a warmup for shaq fight.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On March 26, 1974, the Red Sox released which two future Hall of Famers?

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Wednesday’s Morning Mashup: Dwyane Wade apologizes to Kobe Bryant for foul 02.29.12 at 8:07 am ET
By Jerry Spar   |  No Comments

Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WEDNESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA: Bucks at Celtics, 7:30 p.m. (CSNNE; WEEI)
NBA: Bulls at Spurs, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Georgia Tech at Boston College, 7 p.m. (NESN; WRKO)
College basketball: Maryland at North Carolina, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Marquette at Cincinnati, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: St. John’s at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: Miami at NC State, 9 p.m. (NESN)
College basketball: Iowa at Nebraska, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: Oklahoma at Texas, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
NHL: Penguins at Stars, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

AROUND THE WEB:

Dwyane Wade (right) left Kobe Bryant with a nasal fracture after a hard foul in Sunday's All-Star Game. (AP)

♦ Heat guard Dwyane Wade acknowledged that he apologized for breaking Kobe Bryant‘s nose with a hard foul in Sunday’s All-Star Game, but he did it in the fashion that has become typical of the Heat — burying it in comments that imply everyone is biased against the Heat’s superstars.

“He knows it’s no ill intent on me to do that,” Wade said at Tuesday’s practice. “Did I take a foul? Yes, I took a foul. So, talk about me for taking a foul. But I never wanted that kind of outcome.”

Wade also has been criticized for ignoring Bryant after hitting him, walking over to complain about a previous call to the referee.

“I don’t know if anybody wants me to get down on my knees in front of the world and [apologize]. I don’t have to do that,” Wade said. “Like I said, everyone has an opinion, everyone uses their opinion. Like I said, I sent my apologies to Kobe, and I move on from it.”

Although he was diagnosed with a nasal fracture and a concussion, Bryant is expected to play when the Lakers host the Heat Sunday.

♦ New Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said he doesn’t have many rules, but one big one is that every player is expected to be lined up in front of the dugout for the national anthem.

“The national anthem is 10 minutes before the game starts,” he said. “We’re going to start in 10 minutes and you’re late? National anthem, they’re going to be there. … That’s the only [rule] I have. You’re not going to go by that easy one? We’re going to have problems.”

Guillen explained that part of the reason is because he wants the entire team focused on getting ready for the game, even those who aren’t starting. And respect for the country is another.

“A lot of people have been killed trying to make this country free for us,” he said. “You should be there for at least two minutes. Respect that, especially if you come from another country. You should be there an hour before. I think it looks good for baseball if you’re in the stands and you look at the team respecting the flag and the national anthem. … Kids can see that, the respect.”

♦ According to a new book by Tiger Woods‘ former coach, Hank Haney, the golfer considered leaving the sport to become a Navy SEAL and took it so far as to do training on naval bases around the country.

Woods’ father, Earl Woods, was a special forces soldier in Vietnam, and Haney claims Tiger was obsessed with joining the Navy’s elite fighting unit.

Writes Haney: To my knowledge, he did training in parachuting, self-defense, urban-warfare simulations and shooting. I never heard of Tiger doing any training in the water with the SEALs, but he was already a pretty accomplished diver.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Feb. 29, 1976, which Bruins goalie recorded his 17th consecutive victory — an NHL record that still stands — with a 5-3 decision over the visiting Canucks?

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Report: Magic deny rumor of Dwight Howard trade to Lakers 02.27.12 at 2:11 pm ET
By Craig Meyer   |  No Comments

With the NBA’s second half set to begin and with the trade deadline just over two weeks away, trade rumors surrounding Magic center Dwight Howard are likely to reach a fever pitch, and Orlando is doing its best to quell any speculation surrounding its big man.

In the aftermath of Sunday’s All-Star Game, the Magic denied (via the Orlando Sentinel) a rumor that they have a deal with the Lakers and a third team that would send Howard to Los Angeles to play alongside Kobe Bryant.

The rumor said that the Magic would send Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson to the Lakers in exchange for Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. A third team, the Raptors, could also be a part of the deal, with Toronto sending Jose Calderon to the Magic, according to the report.

The 26-year-old Howard is fresh off his sixth All-Star appearance. This season, he is averaging 20.1 points and 15.3 rebounds per game.

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Monday’s Morning Mashup: Kobe Bryant has nasal fracture from All-Star Game foul at 7:10 am ET
By Jerry Spar   |  No Comments

Welcome to Monday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

MONDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
College basketball: Notre Dame at Georgetown, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Kansas at Oklahoma State, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Texas Tech at Baylor, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
NHL: Devils at Rangers, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ Kevin Durant scored 34 points and was the MVP of the All-Star Game as the West held off the East in Orlando Sunday night, 152-149, but the lasting image was that of Kobe Bryant suffering a nasal fracture after a hard foul from Dwyane Wade in the third quarter.

Bryant, who scored 27 points to become the All-Star Game’s career leader in points with 271 (passing Michael Jordan), finished the game after wiping away some blood. He skipped the postgame press conference after reportedly experiencing headaches and is expected to see a specialist.

The game almost turned into a blowout, but the East rallied from an 18-point deficit to make it an exciting finish. With a chance for the East to tie in the final seconds, LeBron James‘ pass was picked off by Blake Griffin. “Definitely wish I could have that one back,” said James, who scored 36 points to lead the East while Wade recorded a triple-double.

For the Celtics, Paul Pierce played 11 minutes and scored three points on 1-for-8 shooting. Rajon Rondo had two points in 15 1/2 minutes.

♦ Mavericks guard Delonte West has become a punch line since rumors that he had an affair with LeBron James’ mother when both players were members of the Cavaliers in 2010. During a long interview with Dallas Morning News writer Brad Townsend, West talked about how much respect he has for Gloria James and how disappointed he has been to hear the joking about something he said never took place.

“If we want to continue to grow as a human race, what are we teaching our kids if we try to make humor and fun out of stuff like that?” he said. “Number one, something like that never happened. I don’t know where they got that from.

“For a strong black woman like that, for people to try to tear her down, that’s terrible. That’s terrible in so many ways.”

Tim Tebow had his coming-out party in Hollywood over the weekend, and he was a hit with the Academy Awards crowd. Tebow signed with the William Morris agency for personal endorsements and charity dealings, and the company put the Broncos quarterback front and center at its pre-Oscars party, where he was greeted by stars of the big screen, TV and music.

♦ When Canucks pest Alex Burrows ended the Red Wings’ 23-game home winning streak Thursday by scoring a shootout goal, he mimicked breaking his stick over his knee in celebration. Asked about Burrows’ antics, Wings goalie Jimmy Howard wasn’t very complimentary.

“I don’t even pay attention,” he said. “They’ve got a bunch of idiots over there. There are only several good guys on that team, and they know who they are.”

The Canucks acknowledged the win meant a lot, not just because the two teams are in a race for the best record in the league.

“Yeah, it was [special],” goalie Roberto Luongo said. “The Boston one was nice, too. Those are emotional games and we’re used to those. They’re always fun to be a part of.”

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Feb. 27, 1983, which Bruin recorded two goals and an assist in a 4-3 victory over the Whalers in Hartford and in the process became the sixth player to score 250 goals in a Bruins uniform?

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Tuesday’s Morning Mashup: Did Carmelo Anthony really tell Knicks to play Jeremy Lin? 02.21.12 at 8:03 am ET
By Jerry Spar   |  No Comments

Welcome to Tuesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

TUESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA: Kings at Heat, 7:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
NBA: Spurs at Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. (NBA TV)
College basketball: Illinois at Ohio State, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Kansas State at Missouri, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Auburn at Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: Kentucky at Mississippi State, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Virginia at Virginia Tech, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
NHL: Red Wings at Blackhawks, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

AROUND THE WEB:

Coach Mike D'Antoni and players Jeremy Lin and Carmelo Anthony had little to smile about Monday night as the Knicks fell to the Nets. (AP)

Carmelo Anthony returned to the Knicks lineup Monday night after missing seven games, and it went as many New York fans feared. The Knicks fell to the Nets, 100-92, as Deron Williams scored 38 points in living up to a personal challenge to outplay Jeremy Lin, who had 21 points and nine assists.

“I don’t really watch too many games, but I do see Twitter, people tweet me and every, you know, three lines it was ‘Jeremy Lin destroyed Deron Williams,’ ” Williams said, referring to the first game of Linsanity on Feb. 4. “So I definitely took offense to that in the first game and definitely, like I said, I had it circled.”

Meanwhile, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni cast some doubt on Anthony’s claim that he told his coach to give Lin more playing time earlier this month, kickstarting Linsanity.

“I don’t remember the conversation,” D’Antoni said. “Maybe he did. I don’t remember.”

♦ Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak responded to Kobe Bryant‘s request that the team either trade Pau Gasol now or end trade talks so the center can focus on basketball. But it wasn’t what Bryant wanted to hear.

Said Kupchak in a team statement: “As a former player, I understand how the days leading up to the trade deadline can be nerve-wracking for an NBA player. Nonetheless, as general manager of the Lakers, I have a responsibility to ownership, our fans and the players on this team to actively pursue opportunities to improve the team for this season and seasons to come. To say publicly that we would not do this would serve no purpose and put us at a competitive disadvantage. Taking such a course of action at this time would be a disservice to ownership, the team and our many fans.”

♦ Mets pitcher Jon Niese had a nose job at the end of last season, after being prodded by former teammate Carlos Beltran, who allegedly said he would pay for the procedure. Not only did Niese improve his cosmetic appearance, the operation fixed a sinus abnormality that affected Niese’s breathing. The lefty said he now can breathe easier, which allows him to work out better, and that led to him losing 10 pounds in the offseason.

♦ Following up on Jeremy Lin’s success, Real Clear Sports has a list of the top 10 Asian-American athletes. Tiger Woods is No. 1, ahead of tennis player Michael Chang. Other familiar names include Steelers receiver Hines Ward, speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno and former Mets pitcher Ron Darling.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Feb. 21, 1982, which Bruins goalie recorded his only career shutout in a 1-0 victory over the Flyers in Philadelphia?

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Monday’s Morning Mashup: ESPN fires employee for questionable Jeremy Lin headline 02.20.12 at 7:57 am ET
By Jerry Spar   |  No Comments

Welcome to Monday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

MONDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA: Celtics at Mavericks, 8 p.m. (TNT: WEEI)
NBA: Hawks at Bulls, 4 p.m. (ESPN)
NBA: Trail Blazers at Lakers, 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
College basketball: UConn at Villanova, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Baylor at Texas, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: DePaul at St. John’s, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
NHL: Capitals at Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ Following a racially insensitive Jeremy Lin headline that briefly appeared on ESPN’s mobile website early Saturday morning, the media giant announced Sunday that it had fired the individual responsible. The network also suspended ESPNews anchor Max Bretos 30 days for using the phrase on air.

Following an off game by Lin, the site used the headline: “Chink in the Armor: Jeremy Lin’s 9 Turnovers Cost Knicks in Streak-stopping Loss to Hornets.”

Bretos apologized on Twitter, writing: My wife is Asian, would never intentionally say anything to disrespect her and that community.

The phrase also apparently was used by Knicks play-by-play commentator Spero Dedes. A Madison Square Garden spokesman said the company was “evaluating” the situation.

Asked about the situation after leading the Knicks to a 104-97 victory over the Mavericks Sunday afternoon, Lin did not appear upset.

“ESPN had apologized,” he said. “I don’t think it was on purpose or whatever. At the same time, they’ve apologized, and so from my end I don’t care anymore. Have to learn to forgive. And I don’t even think that was intentional, or hopefully not.”

Lin, a Harvard graduate who born and raised in the San Francisco area, also had a request for media in Taiwan to stop hounding his relatives there.

“Obviously I love my family, I love my relatives,” Lin said. “One special request I have is for the media back in Taiwan to kind of give them their space. Because they can’t even go to work without being bombarded and people following them. I just want people to respect the privacy of my relatives in Taiwan. Hopefully this will get back to everybody, because they need to live their lives as well.”

“Saturday Night Live,” meanwhile, took a jab at the media for its reaction to Linsanity and overall racial insensitivity and inconsistency.

Pau Gasol, whom the Lakers attempted to trade before the season, continues to be mentioned in trade rumors, and teammate Kobe Bryant doesn’t like it.

Without being prompted, Bryant said after Sunday night’s loss to the Suns that he wants Gasol to stay, but if the center is going to be traded it should be done quickly.

“It’s hard for Pau because of all this trade talk and stuff,” Bryant said. “It’s hard for him to kind of invest himself completely or immerse himself completely into games when he’s hearing trade talk every other day. I wish management would either come out and either trade him or not trade him.”

Added Bryant: “Listen, he’s been the consummate professional. He’s going out and he’s trying to do what he can. But let’s be real. If you didn’t know you were going to be here tomorrow, if your head’s on the chopping block and you feel like you’re just waiting, it’s tough to put all yourself in the game.”

♦ Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, embroiled in a messy affair that led to the arrest of a woman for allegedly harassing and threatening him, acknowledged that it’s been a “difficult” few weeks but insisted that his job would not be affected.

“I have a professional and personal life,” Cashman said Sunday as Yankees spring training opened in Tampa. “I will continue to do my job to the best of my abilities.”

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Feb. 20, 1997, which Bruin extended his point-scoring streak to 20 games with an assist in a 5-3 loss to the Blackhawks in Chicago?

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NBA trade rumors: Lakers looking to make moves? 02.09.12 at 1:25 pm ET
By Arielle Aronson   |  No Comments

With the Lakers sitting in second place in the Pacific Division with a  14-11 record, there have been rumbles that the perennial contenders could make a move to boost the team before the trade deadline. Both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum have hinted at the possibility of the team making a trade. Kobe Bryant added more fuel to that fire when he acknowledged the possibility of changes in the Lakers lineup during a radio appearance on ESPN’s “Max and Marcellus” show on Wednesday.

“I’m sure they’ll do something,” Bryant said of Lakers trade possibilities. “They’ll tweak something. I don’t know what. But I’m sure they’ll do something.”

One of the rumored targets for L.A. has been Dwight Howard, who has publicly asked to be traded away from Orlando. Before the Magic’s game against the Heat Wednesday, however, 85-year-old Orlando owner Richard DeVos Sr. said he is hoping the Magic will not trade Howard.

“I don’t gamble on that, I just plan on him staying,” DeVos said when asked to put a percentage on the chance of Howard staying in the long-term.

“We like to think we’re making headway,” DeVos said of negotiations with Howard “But I don’t know. He probably won’t know until the end and I won’t either.”

According to a CBS Sports report Wednesday evening, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak is looking into attending a Gilbert Arenas workout later this week. Arenas was waived by the Magic after last season, his first full season since serving a 50-game suspension for bringing guns into the locker room in December 2009. Arenas would be another option at point guard for the struggling Lakers, although Arenas has only played in 117 games in the last four seasons due to knee injuries and the suspension.

Arenas, a three-time All Star, had one of the best games of his career against the Lakers. In 2006, Arenas, then a Washington Wizard, put up 60 points against the Lakers in a 147-141 Washington victory. The performance set a Wizards record for points scored by one player in a single game.

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Wednesday’s Morning Mashup: Giants’ Brandon Jacobs says Gisele Bundchen should ‘stay cute and shut up’ 02.08.12 at 7:47 am ET
By Jerry Spar   |  No Comments

Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WEDNESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NHL: Bruins at Sabres, 7:30 p.m. (NESN; NBCSN)
NBA: Knicks at Wizards, 7 p.m. (NBA TV)
NBA: Rockets at Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. (NBA TV)
College basketball: Florida State at Boston College, 7 p.m. (WEEI)
College basketball: Georgetown at Syracuse, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Kansas at Baylor, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Duke at North Carolina, 9 p.m. (ESPN)

AROUND THE WEB:

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs wants Tom Brady's wife to keep quiet about football. (AP)

♦ Giants running back Brandon Jacobs offered his take on the Gisele Bundchen controversy, after Tom Brady‘s supermodel wife was videotaped criticizing Patriots receivers following Sunday’s Super Bowl. Bundchen was responding to a heckling Giants fan when she said that her husband could not catch the ball as well as throw it.

Said Jacobs to reporters at Tuesday’s Giants victory parade in New York: “She just needs to continue to stay cute and shut up.”

♦ A Nielsen poll determined that Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is the most disliked athlete in America, ranking ahead of golfer Tiger Woods. Jets receiver Plaxico Burress is third and Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh is fourth. Then it’s three NBA players: Nets forward Kris Humphries, Heat star LeBron James and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is ninth.

♦ Lakers star Kobe Bryant will not face charges for an incident at a San Diego church last year. A man had accused Bryant of grabbing him aggressively and taking his phone after thinking the man had taken a picture of the player, then returning the phone after seeing no photos. Bryant denied the allegations. The city attorney’s office said Tuesday that it could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

♦ The University of Memphis is the latest school to switch conferences, as the Tigers will be joining the Big East starting in 2013-14. In The Commercial Appeal, Geoff Calkins runs down the list of reasons why Memphis fans should celebrate the move from Conference USA.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Feb. 8, 1960, who was named the first coach in Patriots history?

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LEEInks List: Paul Pierce, Kobe Bryant and the most loyal players in sports history 02.07.12 at 11:55 pm ET
By Arielle Aronson   |  No Comments

Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant have been career-long mainstays with their teams. (AP)

Kobe Bryant reached a memorable milestone on Monday night when he moved into fifth place in the all-time NBA scoring rank with 28,601 points and counting. Bryant’s achievement was even more memorable for the people of Los Angeles considering that he has spent his entire career there.

In fact, Bryant, now in his 16th season as a Laker, holds the current record for longest tenure in one city among active NBA players. Not far behind him? Paul Pierce, who is in his 14th season with the Celtics, with the longevity of his residence here positioning him to etch an indelible place in franchise history.

“Paul had a chance to leave us when we were bad and instead of moaning that he wanted to go to a championship team, he stayed,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers noted on Tuesday. “And he said, ‘I simply want to be a Celtic and I trust that we’re going to win a title someday.’ ”

With the milestones of Pierce and Bryant in mind, here is a look at both the longest tenured active and all-time players with one team across the four major American sports.

Longest-tenured NBA player, all-time: John Stockton

Stockton played his entire 19-year career with the Utah Jazz. After being picked 16th overall in the 1984 NBA draft, Stockton made his debut with the Jazz later that year as a 22-year-old point guard fresh out of Gonzaga University. Stockton teamed up with star Karl Malone to lead the Jazz through their glory years in the mid-1990s. The 10-time All Star retired in 2003, but he holds the all-time NBA record in assists (15,806) and steals (3,265). The Jazz retired Stockton’s number in 2004 and in 2009, Stockton was forever cemented into NBA history when he was voted into the Hall of Fame. Read the rest of this entry »

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