MORE FROM Steven J. Gaither

76ers talk Kirilenko

The 76ers haven’t closed the door on Andrei Kirilenko joining them — yet.

Tarpley dead at 50

One of the most talented and troubled big men of the 1980s NBA is dead.

Hazing

Robert Champion died of injuries from November 2011 the incident.

Survey studies religion and football

When Sunday plans come down to choosing church or football, church wins ... most of the time.

Survey studies religion and football

When Sunday plans come down to choosing church or football, church wins ... most of the time.

NFL investigating Browns

The NFL has launched an investigation into whether text messages were sent to the Browns' sideline during games this season.

NFL investigating Browns

The NFL has launched an investigation into whether text messages were sent to the Browns' sideline during games this season.

Waiters caught off guard

Dion Waiters had mixed emotions about being traded from Cleveland to Oklahoma City.

LeBron back in Miami

LeBron James took his strained knee and bad back to South Beach.

LeBron back in Miami

LeBron James took his strained knee and bad back to South Beach.

Nets guard injured ribs

The Nets will be without Deron Williams for a while.

Report on Rice video

A new report backs the NFL's assertion that it didn't see Ray Rice elevator footage before September.

Report on Rice video

A new report backs the NFL’s assertion that it didn't see Ray Rice elevator footage before September.

Report on Rice video

A new report backs the NFL’s assertion that it didn't see Ray Rice elevator footage before September.

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The Cavs are apparently not done wheeling and dealing yet.

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The Cavs are apparently not done wheeling and dealing yet.

Florida suspends hoops duo

Florida will be without two players when it meets South Carolina on Wednesday, and maybe longer.

Schilling claims voter bias

Curt Schilling isn’t going into the Hall of Fame in 2015, and he thinks he knows the reason why.

Schilling claims voter bias

Curt Schilling isn’t going into the Hall of Fame in 2015, and he thinks he knows the reason why.

Accuser suing FSU

Jameis Winston’s accuser is suing Florida State’s Board of Trustees over the investigation of her rape allegation against the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner.

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Defence is optional when you play in the Eastern Conference, according to Rajon Rondo.

Butler promotes assistant

Butler will start the new year with a new head coach. Sort of.

Rondo talks defense

Defense is optional when you play in the Eastern Conference, according to Rajon Rondo.

Yankees deal pitcher

The Yankees have decided to make a slight change to their bullpen.

Yankees deal pitcher

The Yankees have decided to make a slight change to their bullpen.

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It’s been more than 15 years since the Bulls won an NBA title, but Derrick Rose thinks that can change soon.

Rose talking title

It’s been more than 15 years since the Bulls won an NBA title, but Derrick Rose thinks that can change soon.

Cavs concerned with Blatt

If the rumor mill is correct, things are going south quickly in Cleveland.

Anthony speaks on Knicks woes

How desperate are things getting for the Knicks? Pretty bad, if you believe Carmelo Anthony.

MJ's message to Kobe

Having passed Jordan on the NBA scoring list, Bryant now chases Malone.

Anthony speaks on Knicks woes

How desperate are things getting for the Knicks? Pretty bad, if you believe Carmelo Anthony.

Popovich unsure over Leonard

The Spurs could be missing one of their key players through December and into the new year.

Popovich unsure over Leonard

The San Antonio Spurs could be missing one of their key players through December and into the new year.

Saunders mum on Love

Did talking about Kevin Love get Flip Saunders censored by the NBA? That depends on who you ask.

Trade talk stalled

A possible deal involving one of the league’s premier point guards and an up-and-coming big man have hit a snag.

Michigan pursuing Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh appears close to leaving the San Francisco 49ers for Michigan, after the college made an official approach for his services.

Lattimore named SC ambassador

Marcus Lattimore is going back to South Carolina.

Lattimore named SC ambassador

Marcus Lattimore is going back to South Carolina.

Dalembert fined for foul

The Knicks are starting to take their misery out on other teams.

Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech breakdown

Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini (6-6, Big Ten West) vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-5, USA West)

Wade: LeBron deserves cheers

Four years ago, LeBron James descended upon Miami like a gift from above. This Christmas, that gift returns in a Cavaliers uniform.

More Ray Rice footage

It's the video Rice reportedly didn't want you to see.

More Ray Rice footage

It's the video Rice reportedly didn't want you to see.

Phelps plea

The Olympic champion pays for blowing 0.14 in a blood-alcohol test.

UAB coach wins award

Bill Clark’s Alabama-Birmingham football program may be gone, but at least he came away with some hardware.

Phelps given suspended DUI sentence

Michael Phelps received a suspended one-year sentence after pleading guilty to DUI in Maryland on Friday.

Daniels returns to Houston

The Ravens tight end may have a little revenge on his mind against the Texans on Sunday.

Daniels returns to Houston

The Ravens tight end may have a little revenge on his mind against the Texans on Sunday.

Clausen starts over Cutler

Jay Cutler takes a seat after a three-interception game Monday night.

Clausen starts over Cutler

Jay Cutler takes a seat after a three-interception game Monday night.

Titus Young set for hearing

Former NFL receiver Titus Young faces charges that could put him in prison for nearly a decade.

Titus Young set for hearing

Former NFL receiver Titus Young faces charges that could put him in prison for nearly a decade.

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Mark Jackson may soon find himself back in the Golden State, just not with the Warriors.

Kings talk to Jackson

Mark Jackson may soon find himself back in the Golden State, just not with the Warriors.

Pelini's presser makes waves

In an audio tape, Bo Pelini expressed his dislike for Nebraska AD Shawn Eichorst to his players Dec. 2 in colorful terms after he was fired.

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Matchup: Miami (6-6, ACC) vs. South Carolina (6-6, SEC)

Texas DC rumored candidate

Texas defensive coordinator Vance Bedford could soon land a head coaching job.

UFC facing lawsuit

Middleweight Cung Le and former fighters Jon Fitch and Nathan Quarry are named as plaintiffs.

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Pelini to Youngstown State

It appears that Bo Pelini has found a new home.

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Injuries and rest will leave San Antonio short-handed against Portland.

Big Three to sit

Injuries and rest will leave San Antonio short-handed against Portland.

Bryant praises Wiggins

Kobe Bryant has seen the future, and it looks a lot like his past.

Warriors won't catch Bulls

Every time an NBA team gets off to a hot start, the question comes up — can they match the ’96 Bulls?

Winslow out at FAMU

The brief, tumultuous Kellen Winslow era is over at Florida A&M.

Sharper faces life sentence

The legal troubles for former NFL safety Darren Sharper keep mounting, including new rape charges that could send him to prison for life.

Sharper faces life sentence

The legal troubles for former NFL safety Darren Sharper keep mounting, including new rape charges that could send him to prison for life.

Muschamp interviews at Houston

Muschamp, fired at Florida, gets a shot at another job.

Tebow on TV

Tebow's first game comes this month.

Tebow calling Peach Bowl

Who's ready for Tim Tebow, in-game analyst?

James, Anthony questionable

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony came into the NBA linked at the hip, and now they are linked by sore knees.

Bryant jealous of Jordan

Kobe Bryant says he’s jealous of Michael Jordan, the man he’ll soon pass on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, for one reason.

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The good news keeps coming for Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks. (Please note the sarcasm font).

Possible Carmelo surgery

The good news keeps coming for Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks. (Please note the sarcasm font).

Hawaii AD resigns

It looks like Hawaii will keep its football coach — and program — but will be looking for a new athletic director.

Marquette guards to transfer

Marquette is about two lose two members of its 2013 recruiting class.

Tennessee replaces UAB

Bowling Green is filling the void in Tennessee’s football schedule left by the University of Alabama-Birmingham's decision to cut the cord on its program.

Owner apologizes to Mark Jackson

Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob reached out Mark Jackson to apologize to his former head coach for statements he made about his management abilities.

'Melo nearly a Bull

Warning: Chicago Bulls fans may want to stop reading now.