Thursday, August 5, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Reports: Ex-Wife Of Lorenzen Wright Made Audiotaped Threats

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:22 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Memphis, TN, United States (AHN) – The ex-wife of Lorenzen Wright, who was shot to death, reportedly made threats directed at him that were audiotaped.

According to the former NBA player’s personal assistant, Wendy Wilson, she has audio recordings of Wright’s former spouse, Sherra, shouting threats at him.

Wilson claims Sherra said she would harm the player if he was ever with another woman.

“I have the evidence that she said these things and she knows it,” Wilson, who has urged investigators to consider Sherra as a suspect in the case, told myeyewtinessnews.com, Memphis’ ABC affiliate.

The player reportedly asked Wilson to keep the tapes.

Meanwhile, police detectives searched the home of Sherra Wright Sunday, including the backyard.

In the reports, her neighbors indicated seeing smoke coming from the backyard the night the former Grizzlies player went missing.

Coleman Garrett, who is representing Sherra Wright, said that the search is a formality. He also refuted rumors implicating his client in the murder of her ex-husband.

The body of the 34-year-old NBA veteran was found in the woods in Memphis Wednesday, six days after his family filed a missing person report.

The 6-foot-11 Wright was last seen around midnight July 18, when he stayed over at his ex-wife’s house, and was expected to fly out of town.

Wright left the University of Memphis early for the NBA, where he played 13 seasons for the L.A. Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and most recently the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Originally a seventh overall pick by the Clippers in the 1996 Draft, Wright averaged 8.0 points and 6-4 rebounds in 778 career games.

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Nats` Pitcher Strasburg Tests Arm With Throwing Session

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:22 AM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Phoenix, AZ, United States (AHN) – Nationals rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg, placed on the disabled list since last week with an ailing right shoulder, threw a bullpen session before Tuesday night’s contest with the Diamondbacks.

The 22-year-old pitching sensation is scheduled to throw a simulated game Thursday.

Though he threw 25 pitches, fewer than a typical bullpen session, Strasburg tested the affected shoulder Tuesday by throwing all his pitches, curveballs and changeups included, but with the usual intensity.

“He was letting it go,” head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz said of the right-hander pitcher, who did not have any problems “during or after,” the Washington Post.com reported.

Strasburg is scheduled to take Wednesday and Friday off from throwing before tossing another simulated game in Los Angeles on Saturday.

If the shoulder recovers by that time, he could be expected to start Aug. 10 against the Marlins.

Strasburg, who is off to an electric start for the Nationals going 5-2 with a 2.32 ERA, was scratched minutes before he was slated to make his 10th major league start Tuesday.

He was sent to the 15-day disabled list with stiffness in his right shoulder.

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Free Agent Shaq, Celtics Close To A Deal

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:22 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Shaquille O’Neal, who spent last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, is expected to play next season after it was reported that the free agent veteran center is in talks with the Boston Celtics.

The deal with the 38-year-old O’Neal, once considered the most dominant center in the NBA, will be for the veteran minimum of about $1.4 million, according to CBSSports.com.

After flirting with a number of teams including the Hawks and Spurs, and even indicating a notion to play overseas, the former NBA MVP and 15-time All-Star could get the chance to join a contender and have another crack at the NBA title.

O’Neal, originally made the No. 1 overall pick by the Magic in 1992, won his first three NBA titles with the L.A. Lakers before winning another with the Heat.

His arrival in Boston could bolster the big men lineup of the defending Eastern Conference champions Celtics, who have already acquired the services of Jermaine O’Neal in anticipation of the absence of injured Kendrick Perkins.

According to reports, Shaq could come off the bench next season.

He could accept a reserve role for the first time in his career, but could put in valuable minutes especially with the injury to Perkins coupled with Jermaine O’Neal’s sketchy health history.

Shaq, a former three-time member of the All-Defensive Second Team and two-time NBA scoring champ, logged an averaged of 12.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while in Cleveland.

This past season, the Celtics, featuring their ‘Big Three’ of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, pushed eventual NBA champions Lakers to seven games in the Finals.

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Lions Agree To Five-Year Pact With Top Pick Suh

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:22 AM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Allen Park, MI, United States (AHN) – The Detroit Lions and Ndamukong Suh, the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, have reportedly agreed to terms on a five-year contract.

The deal with the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Suh is worth around $68 million with a guarantee of $40 million, according to MLive.com.

The Lions selected the former Nebraska standout defensive tackle to bolster a defense that has ranked among the league’s all-time worst in terms of points allowed the past two seasons.

Sun, who finished fourth in the 2009 Heisman Trophy voting, registered 4 1-2 sacks against Texas in the Big 12 title clash while playing for the Cornhuskers.

He finished the season with 12 sacks and recorded 85 tackles and 24 tackles for loss in 14 contests for Nebraska.

Suh concluded his sterling Cornhuskers career with 215 tackles, 24 sacks, tying fourth place in school history, and 57 tackles for loss, ranked second in school history behind only to Grant Wistrom.

In April, Suh became the first defensive tackle to be drafted among the top two picks since 1997 when Oakland selected Darrell Russell

Suh is expected to end a four-day holdout and join the team in time for its first open practice Wednesday.

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No Punishment For Vick For Shooting At Club

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:22 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – The National Football League decided not to impose punishment on Michael Vick in response to a post-birthday party shooting incident for the quarterback outside a Virginia Beach restaurant on June 25.

Vick, 30, escaped a possible multiple game suspension and hefty fines after the league investigated the matter.

Vick, who played backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, reportedly learned the league’s decision at training camp in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Sources indicated NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell leaned on the police’s final report on the incident before making up a decision.

After a thorough investigation, police have not been able to identity of the gunman that shot Quanis Phillips.

Phillips, Vick’s co-defendant in the federal dog-fighting case in 2007, reportedly refrained from giving information about the case.

Goodell reportedly met with Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and Eagles coach Andy Reid to discuss on providing additional support measures to Vick in his plan to reform his career and life.

Vick will enter his second seasons with the Eagles after the team picked up the second year of his contract in March.

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Rays Rock Into First In AL East; Yanks Flounder Into Second

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:22 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

St. Petersburg, FL, United States (AHN) – The Tampa Bay Rays gained solo leadership in the American League East Tuesday after toppling the Minnesota Twins 6-4 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Rays sluggers Sean Rodriguez and B.J. Upton each produced three-run homers to capture the 10th win in their last 11 games.

Trailing 1-0 in the first, Rodriguez blasted a three-run homer after connecting on a 1-2 changeup from Twins pitcher Brian Duensing

The Twins tied the score at 3-3 after Joe Mauer drove in another run and Drew Butera blasted a solo homer in the seventh inning.

With one hitter out in the seventh inning, Upton crushed another three-run homer off Twins reliever Matt Guerrier to clinch the win.

With the victory, the Rays (67-39) moved one full game ahead of the New Yankees (66-40) in a highly-competitive AL East division.

After locking in first place in their division since June 12, The Yankees suddenly slipped into second place, thanks to a three-game losing skid.

The inability of their hitters to deliver key runs—particularly Alex Rodriguez in the last 12 games – has hurt the Yankees of late.

Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero (9-7) recently proved that weakness, as he only surrendered two runs over nine innings in Tuesday 8-2 win over the Yankees.

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Chargers Say Former Teammate `LT` Won`t Be Missed

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:22 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

San Deigo, CA, United States (AHN) – The San Diego Chargers started training camp with a new “identity,” claiming they are more relaxed without former teammate and current New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said Tomlinson’s departure erased the tension in the team, citing it as a “relief.”

“I don’t know how everyone feels or if they felt it. Maybe it was a little bit of a relief. Maybe it’s a feeling of, ‘I can do a little more without wondering what he thinks.’ “Rivers told San Diego Union-Tribune Sunday.

Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates also believed the team can play great sans arguably the best running back of the last decade.

“Sometimes you would get the sense that people felt bigger than the team,” he said. “Not to say it was an issue, but we know it’s not an issue for sure now.” Gates told San Diego Union-Tribune about Tomlinson’s new career.

In spite receiving criticisms from his former teammate, Tomlinson, 31, stayed composed in delivering his comments.

“Honestly, I really have no reaction to it. I don’t spend any of my time thinking about what’s going on there because I’m so focused in this football team and job at hand. I’ve moved on. Tomlinson told the New York Post Monday.

Tomlinson, the 2006 NFL MVP, was released by the Chargers early in the offseason after spending nine seasons with the team.

NFL followers believed Tomlinson’s evident decline in productivity allowed the Chargers to cut the former franchise player from their roster.

After meeting with several teams as a first-time free agent, Tomlinson inked a two-year, $5.2 million pact with the Jets.

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UFC Announces Ultimate Fighter Season 12 Cast

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:22 AM PDT

Shawn Krest – AHN Sports Correspondent

Las Vegas, NV, United States (AHN) – The UFC announced the 28 lightweight competitors for season 12 of The Ultimate Fighter.

The twelfth season of the reality show will feature two teams of seven fighters each, coached by UFC Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and top contender, and season one The Ultimate Fighter contestant Josh Koscheck.

The show will kick off in mid-September. The fact that 28 fighters were chosen for the cast seems to indicate that the upcoming season will use a similar setup to season 11.

The fighters will compete in 14 preliminary bouts, with the winners earning a spot in the fighters’ house for the season.

After seven first round bouts, the final quarterfinal slot will be determined by a bout between two “wild cards” chosen from the first-round losers.

The half of the cast that loses in the preliminary round could still enter the house if any of the winning fighters suffer a serious injury. Last season, Seth Baczynski entered the house due to injury after losing in the prelims.

The cast includes fighters with significant MMA experience.

Jonathan Brookins, a 24 year old fighter out of Florida lost to Jose Aldo at WEC 36 and earned a win in Bellator last year. He has a 11-3 overall record.

Mike Budnik is the oldest fighter in the cast. The 35-year old had a 1-3 record in WEC and is 8-4 overall.

Spencer Paige’s 7-2 record inclues a loss to current WEC fighter Josh Grispi

Nam Phan is 16-7 with two losses in Strikeforce.

With French-speaking Canadian St. Pierre as one of the coaches, it comes at no surprise that the cast has an international flavor. Joseph Duffy fights out of South Wales and is undefeated in six fights.

Amir Khillah fights out of Jeremy Horn’s Michigan gym but said that his goal is “to be the Michael Bisping of the Middle East.” his mother is currently serving in the US military in Iraq.

Bisping’s Ultimate Fighter championship helped to spur the sport’s explosive growth in Great Britain.

Aaron Wilkinson fights out of Wolfslair in Machester England. He has a 6-3 record as a pro.

The show is well-known for over-the-top personalities that lead to clashes in the fighters’ house. Several fighters stood out in their brief appearance in the introduction video on the Ultimate Fighter web site/

Cody McKenzie, an 11-0 pro, claimed to invent his own finishing move, “The McKenzitine.”

The unique twist on a guillotine has led to 11 first-round stoppages, and, he claimed, a world record for most guillotine submissions.

Mike Richman is an undefeated Minnesota fighter who spent four years as a Marine infantryman, including three tours of duty in Iraq.

Alex Caceres has a 5-2 record and is nicknamed “Bruce Leroy.” His highlight video showed him entering the cage wearing a yellow jumpsuit.

Kyle Watson, a 15-6-1 fighter out of St. Louis, introduced himself as the jiu jitsu instructor at UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes’ gym.

Toby Grear is 7-4-1 as an MMA pro. He also claimed to be “an undefeated pro boxer.” His official record shows one pro fight, a second-round knockout of a 1-1 opponent in March, 2009.

Rounding out the cast are JJ Ambrose (12-2), Paul “Wheel” Barrow (2-0), Jason Brenton (6-0), Sako Chivitchian (5-0), Pablo Garza (8-0), Dan Head (8-2), Michael Johnson (8-4), Jeff Lentz (6-1), Sevak Magakian (8-3), Steve Magdaleno (6-2), Andy Main (4-1), T.J. O’Brien (14-3), Dane Sayers (7-1), Ariel Sexton (6-2), Marc Stevens (12-5), Ran Weather (14-6).

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Milestone For A-Rod: Yanks Slugger Belts 600th Career Homer

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:22 AM PDT

Matt Aug – AHN Sports Editor

Bronx, NY, United States (AHN) – New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez did what he does best Wednesday afternoon, belting his 600th career home run in the first inning of the Bombers game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays.

A-Rod’s 17th homer of the season helped the Yanks take a 3-1 lead and snapped a skid of more than 50 plate appearances without a round-tripper.

The slump did not stop the 35-year-old from becoming the youngest player in baseball history to reach 600 homers.

He is also the seventh player in MLB to reach the mark.

A-Rod is closing in on 1,800 RBI (1793), 300 steals (299), 500 doubles (471) in his marvelous career.

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Back From Doping Ban: Gatlin Eyes London After Win

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:22 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Rakvere, Estonia (AHN) – American sprinter Justin Gatlin made a triumphant return from a four-year drug ban Tuesday, winning the men’s 100 meter final at the Kuldliiga meet in Rakvere, Estonia.

Gatlin, the 100 meter champion at the Athens Olympics, clocked 10.24 seconds to win his first track title since serving a four-year suspension due to doping.

In July 2006, The USADA scrapped his world record-equaling feat (9.77 seconds) at the IAAF Super Tour meeting after testing positive for “testosterone or its precursor.”

The USADA also imposed an eight-year ban on Gatlin, but reduced it to four years after the sprinter agreed to cooperate with the doping authorities.

The 28-year old Gatlin said the win served as a nice buildup in his bid to participate in the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London.

However, it would be hard for Gatlin to secure a spot in the US track and field roster due to his doping history.

Euro Meetings (track and field) does not invite athletes who break the rules and guidelines set by the governing body.

Gatlin, who won the 100 meter sprint at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, also served a two-year ban after testing positive for amphetamines in 2001.

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