New Clippers coach Tyronn Lue: 'It feels good to be wanted'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tyronn Lue is stepping into his new job as coach of the Los Angeles Clippers fully aware of the pressure to bring the first NBA championship to the long-suffering franchise. As if Lue needed a reminder, owner Steve Ballmer proclaimed, “My personality is all about winning.”...

Stan Van Gundy agrees to become New Orleans Pelicans' coach

Stan Van Gundy is headed to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he'll take over a promising team that includes 2019 No. 1 overall draft pick Zion Williamson and reigning Most Improved Player Brandon Ingram. Van Gundy agreed to a four-year contract, said a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of...

Bjorkgren describes plan to take Pacers in new direction

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — New Indiana Pacers coach Nate Bjorkgren went right to work Wednesday. Less than 24 hours after accepting the job, the 45-year-old former Toronto Raptors assistant started explaining his plan. He expects the Pacers to move the ball and take more 3-pointers. He wants the defense to be...

AP sources: Stan Van Gundy agrees to become next coach of New Orleans Pelicans

Clippers confirm hiring of Tyronn Lue as coach

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday confirmed their hiring of Tyronn Lue to replace Doc Rivers as coach. Lue spent last season as an assistant on Rivers’ staff. Rivers coached the Clippers for the last seven seasons and is now guiding the Philadelphia 76ers. The team will...

Indiana Pacers tab Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren as coach

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana wanted its next coach to take the franchise in a new direction. The Pacers were seeking someone who could communicate with today’s players, who was open to a new offensive philosophy and who could win some postseason games. On Tuesday, president of basketball operations...

The Indiana Pacers have hired Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren as their next coach

Longtime Minnesota sports columnist Sid Hartman dies at 100

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota sports columnist and radio personality Sid Hartman, an old-school home team booster who once ran the NBA’s Minneapolis Lakers and achieved nearly as much celebrity as some of the athletes he covered, died Sunday. He was 100. Hartman, whose first newspaper column was...

Dolphins turn up heat on Jets and embattled Gase, 24-0

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Fitzpatrick blocked on a running play, improvised a left-handed completion and led cheers for his replacement during mop-up time Sunday. Least remarkably, he beat the New York Jets. Everybody is doing that. Fitzpatrick threw three touchdown passes against one of his many...

Joel Osteen welcomes congregation back to Houston megachurch

HOUSTON (AP) — One of the nation’s largest Christian megachurches resumed in-person services on Sunday in Texas after months of holding only online services due to the coronavirus pandemic. Lakewood Church in Houston opened at 25% capacity under new city guidelines. People had to sign up online to...