Sports Buzz: LeBron James Cramps Up, Spurs Take Game 1
Plus, John Calipari signs $52 mil. extension with Kentucky.
![With LeBron Out, Spurs Win Game 1 - When’s the last time cramping was the cause of sidelining an NBA superstar? It happened Thursday night during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, when San Antonio’s air conditioning failed and LeBron James cramped up so bad that he only played five minutes in the fourth quarter. The San Antonio Spurs took advantage, outscoring the two-time defending champion Miami Heat 36-17 in the final quarter to take Game 1 110-95. "It was the whole left leg, damn near the whole left side," James told ESPN about the cramps. "I was losing a lot [of fluids] throughout the game. It was extremely hot in the building, you know, both teams, fans, everybody could feel it. I was the one that had to take the shot." James still led the Heat with 25 points. Tim Duncan had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs. Game 2 will be held Sunday night. (Pho...](https://images.paramount.tech/uri/mgid:arc:imageassetref:bet.com:ae35a36b-2948-420c-a922-c588f82ed8b6?format=webp&width=2400)
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With LeBron Out, Spurs Win Game 1 - When’s the last time cramping was the cause of sidelining an NBA superstar? It happened Thursday night during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, when San Antonio’s air conditioning failed and LeBron James cramped up so bad that he only played five minutes in the fourth quarter. The San Antonio Spurs took advantage, outscoring the two-time defending champion Miami Heat 36-17 in the final quarter to take Game 1 110-95. "It was the whole left leg, damn near the whole left side," James told ESPN about the cramps. "I was losing a lot [of fluids] throughout the game. It was extremely hot in the building, you know, both teams, fans, everybody could feel it. I was the one that had to take the shot." James still led the Heat with 25 points. Tim Duncan had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs. Game 2 will be held Sunday night. (Pho...
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Gatorade Trolls King James After Cramping - After severe cramping knocked LeBron James out of most of the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, a fan tried to mock Gatorade. Little did he know, the sports drink company would surprisingly shoot back. When a fan hit Gatorade on Instagram asking, "Where's all your sports science magic for preventing cramps in your No. 1 client @KingJames?", Gatorade retorted, "The person cramping wasn't our client. Our athletes can take the heat." (Photos from Left: Chris Covatta/Getty Images, Gatorade)
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Vernon Davis Says Jimmy Graham Deserves Wide Receiver Pay - From one star tight end to another, the San Francisco 49ers' Vernon Davis believes that the New Orleans Saints' Jimmy Graham deserves to be paid like a wide receiver. "I think Jimmy Graham is trying to make an informed decision as far as his contract,” Davis voiced to ESPN, probably to begin leveraging his own contract extension with the 49ers. “He believes that he deserves more, and I believe that he deserves more. He's just a wonderful presence. He's a great player. He has a lot of potential to go above and beyond and just go further. He is one of those guys that is a part of that TE position that are changing the game — Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, [Rob] Gronkowski.”(Photos from Left: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images, Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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Kentucky Signs Calipari to 7-Year, $52.5 Million Deal - John Calipari is one of the best coaches that college basketball has to offer. On Thursday, Kentucky paid him like he’s the best, inking him to a new seven-year deal worth $52.5 million guaranteed. Calipari led the Wildcats to the school’s 16th Final Four appearance this past season. Upon signing the contract, Calipari tweeted, “I’ve said over and over that I have the best job in the country.” (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Report: Fisher, Jackson Talked Knicks Coaching Job - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher and the New York Knicks' president, Phil Jackson, talked on the phone Wednesday about the Knicks vacant coaching position, according to Yahoo Sports. They also reportedly plan on reconvening next week. Fisher is expected to take the weekend to see if he’s going to continue his 17-year NBA career or retire. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Ron Rivera Prefers Richard Sherman Over Cam Newton on Madden Cover - Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera knows all about the “Madden Curse,” and that’s why he voted for Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman to win the “Madden NFL 15” video game cover over his own quarterback Cam Newton. “I’m trying to avoid the jinx,” Rivera told ESPN. Through the years, players covering the Madden video game have either been injured or experienced a major slide of performance. (Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
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Red Sox Hitting Coach Recovering From Brain Hemorrhage - Boston Red Sox hitting coach Greg Colbrunn felt dizzy prior to the Red Sox-Cleveland Indians game on Wednesday. After evaluation at the Cleveland Clinic, Colbrunn was diagnosed with brain hemorrhaging. The Red Sox released a statement Thursday saying that Colbrunn will remain in Cleveland for further evaluation, but is expected to make a full recovery. (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)
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Alleged Victim in Oregon Rape Case Rips School - The alleged victim in the Oregon rape case is speaking out via a letter through her attorney. “I know a lot of people are angry. I am angry, too,” she says in one part of the letter. “I am angry with the culture that appears to exist in our athletic department that prioritizes winning over safety of our students. I cannot fathom how our basketball coach recruited someone who was in the middle of a suspension for another sexual assault to come to Eugene.” The alleged rape took place March 8 and Oregon subsequently dismissed three of its basketball players involved. (Photo: University of Oregon)
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49ers Sign Kaepernick to $110 Million Extension - Call it a well-deserved upgrade for Colin Kaepernick. The San Francisco 49ers and their star quarterback struck a deal Wednesday on a six-year contract extension worth more than $110 million, according to ESPN. A record $61 million of the contract is guaranteed, and his signing bonus will be $12 million. Kaepernick, who led the 49ers to the NFC Championship game last season, was scheduled to make just over $1 million this season. Now, he has an extension in place that will take him through the 2020 season. Kaepernick had his best season in 2013, throwing for 3,197 yards and 21 touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 524 yards and four TDs. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Flip Saunders to Coach Minnesota Timberwolves - If you want the job done right, sometimes you have to do it yourself. That might have been Flip Saunders thinking, as the Minnesota Timberwolves president and part-owner has decided to coach the team himself, according to ESPN. Saunders previously coached the Timberwolves from 1995-2005. A news conference to formally announce Saunders as Timberwolves coach is scheduled for Friday.(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Baseball Legend Don Zimmer Dead at 83 - Don Zimmer, former player, manager and baseball icon, died Wednesday. He was 83. According to ESPN, Zimmer had been in a rehab center since having seven hours of heart surgery in mid-April. Zimmer’s 66-year baseball career included everything from being a teammate of Jackie Robinson on the only Brooklyn Dodgers team to win a World Series to coaching Derek Jeter in his many years as a coach for the New York Yankees dynasty. Zimmer was still working for the Tampa Bay Rays as a senior adviser when he died. Former Yankees manager Joe Torre told ESPN, "I hired him as a coach, and he became like a family member to me.” (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)
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LeBron, Durant Headline All-NBA First Team - NBA MVP Kevin Durant and LeBron James lead the 2013-14 All-NBA First Team, which was announced on Wednesday. Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden and Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul rounded out the list. Durant edged James with 125 first-team votes to James's 124 first-team votes. The All-NBA Second Team is comprised of Clippers forward Blake Griffin, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, Rockets center Dwight Howard, San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.(Photos from left: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images, Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Paul George Gets $7 Million Bonus - Indiana Pacers star forward Paul George just cashed in on a $7 million contract-incentive bonus for making the All-NBA Third Team. George averaged a career-high 21.7 points with 6.8 rebounds per game this season, leading the Pacers to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers' championship dreams were crushed by the Miami Heat in the Conference Finals. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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LeBron, Wade Say 2013 Heat Title Wasn't Lucky - LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are tired of hearing that the Miami Heat’s 2013 championship was pure luck. The Heat memorably trailed San Antonio by five points with 28.2 seconds left in Game 6 of last year’s NBA Finals before Ray Allen hit a miraculous three-pointer that forced overtime. "The ball bounces in funny ways,” Wade told ESPN on Wednesday. “And we're thankful for Ray Allen making that shot, but there were so many other things that had to play right for us to win that game. So you need a little luck, both ways, even to be in the Finals. We were a recipient of luck in that [Game 6] moment, but we won the championship." The Heat will face the Spurs in a rematch of last year's NBA Finals. Game 1 of the series tips off tonight (Thursday) in San Antonio. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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David Price Fined for Hitting Ortiz - Retribution for Big Papi. Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was irked that Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price wasn’t fined after hitting him with a pitch last Friday. However, Major League Baseball fined Price an undisclosed amount Wednesday, a day after Ortiz had complained about the lack of discipline against the southpaw. The teams will next meet July 25 in Tampa Bay. (Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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No Roman Numerals in Super Bowl 50 - We’ve always been accustomed to each Super Bowl being accompanied by Roman numerals. However, for the 50th installment of the game, the NFL will be taking a one-year break from using Roman numerals, ESPN is reporting. So, instead of calling it Super Bowl L in 2016, the NFL will be going with Super Bowl 50, as they believe the ‘50’ is more pleasing to the eye. (Photo: NFL)
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Donald Sterling: "I Feel Fabulous" - With the NBA preparing to finalize the $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers, banned owner Donald Sterling says he's ready to move on. "I feel fabulous, I feel very good," Sterling told NBC4 on Tuesday night, when asked how he felt about his wife, Shelly, selling the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "Everything is just the way it should be, really. It may have worked out differently, but it's good. It's all good. I'm okay, I'm okay. Is the NBA okay? I'm not sure about that. Is [NBA commissioner] Adam Silver okay? I'm sure he's okay." The league's owners must still finalize the sale of the team to Ballmer via a vote. It's unclear whether Sterling will follow through with a lawsuit to fight the sale.
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Ben Tate Tired of Johnny Football Coverage - All the coverage of Johnny Manziel is getting to the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland running back Ben Tate told ESPN that he believes Johnny Football is getting too much attention too soon into his rookie year. “He hasn't played a down in the NFL yet,” Tate said. “So, I don't know…that's for y'all to figure out. It's just as a player I know that I would get tired if people were constantly monitoring if I picked my nose, if I spit to the left or right. I mean, it's annoying. He's a human being.” Manziel is competing against Brian Hoyer for the Browns starting quarterback job. (Photos from left: Scott Halleran/Getty Images, Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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Horace Grant Says Jordan's Bulls Better Than LeBron's Heat - Michael Jordan was able to lead the Chicago Bulls to two separate NBA championship three-peats from 1991-93 and 1996-98. As LeBron James attempts to lead the Miami Heat to their own three-peat, one of Jordan’s former teammates believes that King James wouldn’t be able to defeat Jordan’s Bulls. "The Heat wouldn't have had a chance," former Bulls forward Horace Grant, who played on Chicago’s 1991-93 championship teams, told WSCR-AM in Chi-town on Tuesday. "We would have locked them up. We would have locked them up. Especially with the rules today, Michael would have had a field day."(Photos from Left: Brian Bahr/Allsport/Getty Images, Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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David Ortiz Talks Losing Respect for David Price - Big Papi is mad as hell and is not going to take it anymore. After getting hit by a David Price fastball Friday and seeing the Tampa Bay Rays pitcher go unpunished, while Boston Red Sox pitcher Brandon Workman was suspended for six games for throwing a close pitch, David Ortiz tore into Price. "We're the ones getting fines and suspensions," Ortiz told ESPN. "I guess the rules aren't for everyone.” Ortiz deemed Price’s act as “some punk a-- s--t.” "I'm not going to get hit again," Ortiz continued. "Not by him. He did it on purpose. He punked me, and that's very disrespectful. I'm a grown-a-- man. I've been around the league a long time, and I know how to take care of business on my own." (Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
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Tony Parker to Play Game 1 of NBA Finals - The NBA Finals are too critical a juncture for Tony Parker to miss. Despite his sprained left ankle and the hamstring issues that he battled during the Western Conference Finals, Parker is expected to play in Game 1 on Thursday. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Bills' Dareus Charged for "Possibly Racing" - Hamburg, New York, police say that Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was “possibly racing” in his Jaguar on the afternoon of May 30 before hitting a tree, as reported by CBS Sports. Mareus has been charged with reckless endangerment in the second degree, reckless driving and participating in an illegal speed contest. Bills coach Doug Marrone said Tuesday that Dareus will miss the remainder of the Bills’ OTAs (Organized Team Activities) but will return for mandatory minicamp. (Photo: Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
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Alabama's Saban to Make $6.9 Million Per Year - Alabama’s Nick Saban was already the highest-paid football coach at a public university, and now will receive $6.9 million per year — up from the $5.5 million per season he was getting — via a new contract extension through January 31, 2022. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Wizards Coach Signs Three-Year Extension - For leading the Washington Wizards to a 44-38 regular-season record and second-round playoff series, coach Randy Wittman has earned a contract extension. On Tuesday, Wittman signed a three-year extension worth about $9 million, according to the Washington Post. (Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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Duncan, James Ready for NBA Finals Rematch - From the sound of it, the San Antonio Spurs and two-time defending champion Miami Heat are ready for their NBA Finals rematch. Just listen to their superstars — Tim Duncan and LeBron James. After becoming privy to Duncan’s Finals statement of “We’ve got four more to win” and “We’ll do it this time,” James shot back. "They don't like us, they don't,” James told ESPN. “I can sense it from Timmy's comments over the last couple of days. They wanted this, they wanted us and we'll be ready for the challenge."(Photos from left: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images, Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Floyd Mayweather Drops Golden Boy - Floyd Mayweather Jr. only worked with Golden Boy Promotions because of his solid relationship with chief executive Richard Schaefer. But after learning of Schaefer’s resignation from the company Monday, Mayweather dumped Golden Boy and vowed to not work with the company co-founded by Oscar De La Hoya. Mayweather Promotions will now solely handle the task of promoting the undefeated fighter’s bouts. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Donald Sterling Faces Another Lawsuit - Another woman, Maiko Maya King, has come forward to accuse banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling of racism, ESPN is reporting. In a lawsuit against Sterling, King alleges that Sterling subjected her to a “steady stream of racially and sexually offensive comments” when they were involved in a relationship from 2005-11. King alleges that he even asked her, “How could you be married to a black man?” and “Why would you bring black people into the world?” (Photo: ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
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V. Stiviano Assaulted in New York City - V. Stiviano, the former confidant of banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, says she was assaulted by two men outside of a New York hotel on Sunday night. Her lawyer told CNN that Stiviano was subjected to racial slurs by the men, who also punched her several times.(Photo: Splash News)
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Fisher, Knicks Set to Talk, Jackson Fined - Sources told ESPN Tuesday that New York Knicks president Phil Jackson will meet with Derek Fisher to discuss the possibility of the Oklahoma City Thunder guard retiring and accepting the Knicks head coaching position. On Monday, Jackson was also fined $25,000 by the NBA for tampering with Fisher by openly naming him a candidate to be the next Knicks coach despite Fisher still being an active player on another team. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Larry Bird Wants Stephenson Back, Doles Advice to Hibbert - The Indiana Pacers already have four of their five starters signed under contracts, and if team president Larry Bird has his way, Lance Stephenson will be back too. "I think his ceiling is what he wants it to be," Bird told ESPN about Stephenson, who will become a free agent this summer. "I always want him back. You just don't let talent like that walk away if you can help it." That being said, Bird also shared his disappointment about Stephenson’s shenanigans, which included blowing into LeBron James’s ear, overshadowing a brilliant performance from Pacers teammate Paul George in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Assessing the squad, Bird also advised that center Roy Hibbert seek the advice of an all-time great big man, like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to elevate his game. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Ge...
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Cowboys Evaluating Urlacher, Vilma - Desperate to fill the void of linebacker Sean Lee, who will miss the entire 2014 season with a torn ACL, the Dallas Cowboys are reportedly evaluating the options of signing former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher or former New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma.(Photo: Dallas Cowboys)
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Donald Sterling Suing NBA for $1 Billion - How would banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling respond to the team possibly being sold to ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer? By filing a lawsuit against the NBA for more than $1 billion, claiming he was unconstitutionally bullied out the league by the league, according to TMZ. Sterling filed the federal lawsuit last Friday. As part of the lawsuit, Sterling also claims that the $2.5 million fine that NBA commissioner Adam Silver hit him with, along with the lifetime ban, was baseless and a violation of antitrust laws. The NBA is scheduled to hold its Board of Governors hearing about Sterling on Tuesday in New York City. If 75 percent of league owners vote against Sterling, and they also agree that Ballmer is fit to be the Clippers' owner, then Sterling will lose his ownership of the franchise. (Photo: Mark J. Terrill/AP Phot...
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Giants Waive Will Hill After Suspension - New York Giants safety Will Hill has a problem keeping clean…especially during the off season. The Giants waived Hill Monday after initially suspending him for six games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy for the third consecutive year. Hill served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy in each of the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Veteran safety Stevie Brown will likely have to fill the void left by Hill. (Photo: George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
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Patrick Ewing Would Love to Coach Knicks - NBA Hall of Famer and New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing isn’t expecting it, but if Knicks president Phil Jackson gave him a call about the vacant head coach position, the franchise’s former big man would be all ears. “I’d love to go back to New York,” Ewing said on CBS Sports Radio on Sunday. “I’m not sure what is going to happen in terms of who they’re going to have fill that void, but if I get a call, I’m ready.” Ewing has been an NBA assistant coach since 2002. He currently serves as an assistant for the Charlotte Bobcats. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Ex-Nets Owner Dies in Plane Crash - Former New Jersey Nets owner Lewis Katz was among the seven people killed in a fiery private crash in Massachusetts on Saturday night, as confirmed by the Associated Press. Katz bought the Nets in 1998 and sold the franchise in 2004. "All of us at the NBA were extremely saddened to learn of the tragic, sudden death of former Nets owner Lewis Katz," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement to ESPN. "Lewis was a trusted friend and valued member of the NBA family. He was a visionary businessman who touched the lives of so many with his tireless pursuit of innovation and enterprise, as well as his deep commitment to his family, friends and community. (Photo: Tom Maguire/BIG EAST Conference/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
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Elway's Son Arrested for Domestic Violence - John Elway’s son, Jack Elway, was arrested over the weekend for a domestic violence incident that occurred on Friday, according to Bleacher Report. He was bailed out by his dad, the NFL legend and Denver Broncos general manager. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Browns Coach: Manziel and RG III 'Very Similar' - So far so good for Johnny Football. Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan likes what he sees from rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel early on and even thinks he resembles the Washington Redskins' exciting quarterback Robert Griffin III. "Johnny and Robert are very similar," Shanahan told USA Today. "They're both talented guys who can make plays with their legs. But there comes a time in the NFL when they're going to keep you in the pocket, and you're going to have to have that ability to make the throws with your arm and mind. And Johnny, just like Robert, has that arm talent and intelligence to do that." Shanahan served as offensive coordinator for the Redskins during the past four years prior to joining the Browns in the same capacity. (Photos from left: Scott Halleran/Getty Images, Ronald Martin...
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Flip Saunders Expects Kevin Love on Timberwolves Next Season - Like everyone else, the Minnesota Timberwolves' president of basketball operations, Flip Saunders, has heard plenty of speculation about Kevin Love wanting out of the Twin Cities. But Saunders is quick to point out that the all-star forward is signed with the team through next season. "The last I knew Kevin was under contract with us, and I expect him to be playing for us next year," Saunders said to ESPN on Sunday in response to Love visiting Boston over the weekend. "I don't really dictate where guys go on vacation or what they do. They can go wherever they want to go." Love can opt out of his contract after next season. The Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and, most recently, the Boston Celtics have all been named as possible destinations for Love. (Photo: Doug Pensi...
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Derek Fisher Uncertain of Future - New York Knicks President Phil Jackson has named Derek Fisher as one of his “good candidates” to fill the team’s head coaching void. Now with Fisher's Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated from the playoffs on Saturday night, the veteran point guard needs time to decide what his next plans are, and if coaching would even fit in. "It's not that many hours since post-game at this point," Fisher told ESPN. "I'm still struggling with the results of last night. I haven't got a chance to talk to my wife and kind of step back emotionally from the end of the season." (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Tony Parker Hopeful for Game 1 of Finals - San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker tells Yahoo Sports that he’s “hopeful” and “should be ready” to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. Parker is nursing a sprained ankle, but he expects to be out there to take on the Miami Heat. Parker will continue to rehab the sprain in the coming days leading up to the series opener, which marks a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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NFL Owner Says LA Team Soon - During an NFL career symposium in Pennsylvania over the weekend, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said that there will be an NFL team in Los Angeles “certainly within five years.” Dolphins' fans shouldn’t worry — Ross didn’t express moving his franchise to the West Coast. (Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images)