Topic: National Basketball Association

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20 most obscure team nicknames in pro sports

Most pro team nicknames make sense at some level. But there are a fair number of head-scratching nicknames. Here are 20 with explanations on their selection:
March Madness 2013: wilder than usual?

A 75th anniversary, by definition, should be something special. That's what college basketball fans are expecting as the National Collegiate Athletic Association's men's tournament (aka 'March Madness') shifts into high gear this week.
Fake identities: Manti Te'o scandal and 6 other Internet hoaxes

Believe it or not, the Manti Te'o scandal is not the first online identity hoax, nor the longest-standing. Here's a look at some of the biggest scams to surface on the Internet, from the lives and deaths of fictitious characters to the downfall of their makers.
Michael Jordan: 10 quotes on his birthday

Michael Jordan's birthday is on February 17. Here are some quotes to celebrate.
Top 5 greatest Super Bowl ads

In addition to football, Super Bowl XLVII will bring a new crop of ads to rate, discuss, and chuckle over Monday morning. But while several Super Bowl ads hold our attention for hours or days, very few stand the test of time. Here are five that do, from special frogs to an iconic ad from a master director. Can you guess which ad took the (highly subjective) top spot? Did we miss your all-time favorite?

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Oklahoma tornado: Where the financial relief will come from

It will take more than $1 billion in insurance payouts and relief aid to help rebuild Moore, Okla., in the wake of Monday’s devastating tornado. Here’s where the money will come from, and where it is likely to go.
Reader recommendation: Fatherhood

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.
Heat, Grizzlies advance to respective NBA conference finals

Miami defeated the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night to win their Eastern Conference semifinal series, while Memphis reached its very first Western Conference final by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Global News Blog Dennis Rodman to Kim Jong-un: 'Do me a solid' and free Kenneth Bae (+video)

US basketball star Dennis Rodman recently hung out with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un - now he's tweeted a request that the American sentenced to 15 years' hard labor be released.
20 most obscure team nicknames in pro sports

Most pro team nicknames make sense at some level. But there are a fair number of head-scratching nicknames. Here are 20 with explanations on their selection:
33-year-old GM hired: Will Phoenix regret it?

Phoenix has hired a 33-year-old to replace GM Lance Blanks. The new 33-year-old GM 'distinguished himself' at the Boston Celtics, says Suns President Lon Babby.
NBA playoffs: Thunder and Pacers win conf. semifinal opening games

The Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated, respectively, the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies in NBA conference semifinal playoff action Sunday.
P.J. Carlesimo out as Nets coach after loss in playoffs

P.J. Carlesimo helped the Nets finish 49-33 after replacing the fired Avery Johnson in December, earning the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Howard Kurtz fired? Why the columnist is leaving The Daily Beast.

Was Howard Kurtz fired? The Daily Beast retracted his factually incorrect blog post about Jason Collins today, and 'both sides agreed it was best to part company,' he tweeted.
Is Obama's second term sunk? 'Maybe I should just pack up and go home.'

On the 100th day of his second term, President Obama laughed at the suggestion he may have run out of 'juice' for his agenda and expressed optimism on immigration reform.
Jason Collins: Will gay athletes bring in big sponsorship bucks?

Jason Collins, the first openly gay athlete competing in a major professional American sports league, could be the first to benefit from major sponsors looking for a new way to target advertising dollars. Will other gay athletes follow Jason Collins?
NBA's Jason Collins comes out: What does that mean for gay rights? (+video)

Jason Collins became the first active player in America's four major professional team sports to come out as gay. Given sports' elevated place in society, Collins might have just made a significant step for gay rights.
Yvette Prieto marries Michael Jordan (+video)

Yvette Prieto and former NBA star Michael Jordan tied the knot Saturday in Palm Beach, Fla. Prieto, a 35-year-old former model, met Jordan five years ago.
Tyler Bray, Marcus Lattimore show opposite emotions of 2013 NFL Draft (+video)

The fortunes of Tyler Bray and Marcus Lattimore showed the ups and downs of what was a historic 2013 NFL Draft for the Southeastern Conference.
NFL draft 2013: Without the quarterbacks, will fans tune in? (+video)

NFL draft 2013 won't have a quarterback as the first overall pick; it's possible there won't be one in the first round, and household names are few. Will the NFL draft's perennially strong TV ratings suffer?
What Kobe won't tweet: Los Angeles is becoming a Clippers town

With Kobe Bryant injured (and tweeting) and the Los Angeles Lakers reeling, the Clippers are making the most of a chance to become the city's top basketball attraction.
Boston bombings lead to boosted security at sporting events

Boston's scheduled NHL and NBA games were called off after the bombings, while beefed-up security — including bomb-sniffing dogs — patrolled hockey, basketball, and baseball games around the country.
FBI investigating possible extortion at Rutgers

Eric Murdock, the Rutgers employee who provided video of ex-coach Mike Rice verbally and physically abusing basketball players, may have tried to extort the university before releasing the video.
Michigan, solid all around, scorches Syracuse

The Michigan Wolverines advanced to the NCAA national championship game Saturday night, beating the Syracuse Orange 61-56. Michigan will face the Louisville Cardinals Monday night at 9:23 p.m.
NCAA Final Four preview: Louisville, WSU, Mich., and Syracuse will keep things lively

The Cardinals, Shockers, Wolverines, and Orange all average right around 70 points per game this season. Depending on your team or the style of play, college basketball fans should be entertained this weekend at the Final Four.
Mike Rice defended by Rutgers players

Mike Rice was fired Wednesday, the day after a video aired on ESPN showing him shoving, grabbing and throwing balls at players in practice and using gay slurs.
Rutgers fires basketball coach Mike Rice after abusive video is broadcast by ESPN

Rutgers University in New Jersey suspended coach Mike Rice after a videotape of him physically and verbally assaulting players on the men's basketball team was presented to university officials last fall. After the tape was broadcast on ESPN Tuesday, the university terminated Rice's employment.
Mark Cuban: Brittney Griner could play in the NBA

Mark Cuban: Brittney Griner would get a shot at joining the Dallas Mavericks says the owner. Mark Cuban said: 'If she is the best on the board, I will take her.' Brittney Griner responded: 'I will hold my own!'
Rutgers coach Mike Rice in jeopardy: How powerful is public opinion?

Rutgers coach Mike Rice's questionable tactics might cost him his job — four months after Rice's bosses saw it and gave him a slap on the wrist — in the wake of the video's ESPN airing and the ensuing public outcry.
UCLA hires Alford away from New Mexico

UCLA hires Alford: Steve Alford succeeds UCLA basketball coach Ben Howland, who was fired last weekend after 10 years. Alford had just inked a 10-year deal with New Mexico, when UCLA snagged him.