Michael Jordan: Life After Glory
By Mitch Albom

"This is not fun for me," Michael Jordan told reporters.

He was not being arrested. He was not being publicly humiliated. He was not being forced to fox trot on "Dancing With the Stars."

Michael Jordan had been selected for the Basketball Hall Of Fame. The pantheon of his sport.

And he was unhappy. His reason . . .

"Your basketball career is completely over. That's the way I look at it. I was hoping this day was coming in 20 more years, or that I'd actually go in when I'm dead and done...."

 

NBA free agents: The latest chatter
Follow all the league chatter as the 2009 NBA free-agency season kicks off

Hedo Turkoglu pulls out of talks with Portland Trail Blazers, source says
Hedo Turkoglu has broken off negotiations with the Portland Trail Blazers, a source told ESPN's Ric Bucher on Friday night.

Sources: Detroit Pistons' Joe Dumars to meet with Avery Johnson
Pistons president Joe Dumars is scheduled to have his first face-to-face meeting with ESPN NBA analyst Avery Johnson later this weekend regarding Detroit's coaching vacancy, according to NBA coaching sources.

NBA free agents: Sources: Shawn Marion, Toronto Raptors deal is not imminent
The Toronto Raptors, after repeatedly being linked to Portland-bound Hedo Turkoglu, focused their free-agent efforts on re-signing forward Shawn Marion.

Stephon Marbury doesn't foresee returning to Boston Celtics
Stephon Marbury says he doesn't foresee a return to Boston after the team offered a veteran's-minimum deal that would've paid $1.3 million, according to The Boston Globe.

Phil Jackson's return to Los Angeles Lakers is finalized
Phils Jackson's presence on the Lakers' bench next season is "99.9 percent" assured, according to a source.

NBA free agency: Ron Artest says he's leaving Houston Rockets for Los Angeles Lakers
Free-agent forward Ron Artest says he's leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers. In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A."

NBA free agency: Trevor Ariza verbally agrees to sign with Houston Rockets
Trevor Ariza has made a verbal commitment to sign with the Houston Rockets, according to sources close to the process.

Houston Rockets' Yao Ming will wait a week before deciding on foot surgery
Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot.

Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol suiting up for Spain in European Basketball Championship
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship.

Shaquille O'Neal on mission with Cleveland Cavaliers: 'Win a ring for the King'
Shaquille O'Neal has one purpose in Cleveland: bring an NBA title to LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

Gordon: Bulls never made me an offer
Ben Gordon said the Chicago Bulls never made him an offer.

Boston Celtics send big hitters to woo Rasheed Wallace, according to report
Rasheed Wallace, the free agent forward who spent the last five-plus seasons in Detroit, got the full-court press from the Boston Celtics on Thursday, according to a report in the Boston Globe.

NBA free agents: Orlando Magic's Marcin Gortat appears bound for Dallas Mavericks
Restricted free-agent center Marcin Gortat was scheduled to fly to Dallas on Thursday after giving the Mavericks a verbal commitment to sign an offer sheet with them July 8, according to NBA front-office sources.

Sources: Los Angeles Clippers to trade Zach Randolph to Memphis Grizzlies
Sources say that the Clippers have agreed to trade Zach Randolph to the Grizzlies for Quentin Richardson.

NBA free agents: Sources: Dallas Mavericks prepared to offer Jason Kidd three-year deal
The Dallas Mavericks opened the free-agent period early Wednesday by letting free-agent guard Jason Kidd know that they are prepared to sign him to a three-year deal, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

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Gasol will play for Spain at Euro Championship
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship.

Phil Jackson says he'll return to Lakers
Phil Jackson will return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season, getting a clean bill of health following a record championship season.

Report: Turkoglu agrees to terms with Blazers
Hedo Turkoglu reportedly agreed to join the Portland Trail Blazers after helping Orlando reach the NBA finals this season.

Celtics offer Rasheed Wallace a contract
The Boston Celtics have offered forward Rasheed Wallace a contract as part of a major push to land the coveted forward.

NBA.com Notebook: Gortat reportedly headed to Dallas
Restricted free agent center Marcin Gortat has been offered a contract by the Mavericks and had a trip scheduled for Dallas this week, according to sources. Orlando has the right to match the offer, but Gortat's visit is a good sign for the Mavs, who are banking on Magic ownership not dipping into luxury tax territory to sign Dwight Howard's backup.

Yao Ming will wait week before surgery decision
Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot.

Thunder, Seattle transplants, mark 1st year in Oklahoma City
After spending more than a decade with the Seattle SuperSonics, Pete Winemiller's transition to Oklahoma City isn't quite complete.

Ariza's move to Houston was about respect
The Houston Rockets, fresh off losing Ron Artest to the Los Angeles Lakers, have essentially swapped players by agreeing to terms with Lakers free agent forward Trevor Ariza, whom Artest will be replacing in Los Angeles. The deal will be for five years at the mid-level exception; based on last season's $5.585 million amount for the mid-level, Ariza would get around $32 million.

Source: Rockets agree on multiyear deal with Ariza
The Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night.

Artest going to Lakers
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA.com: News
NBA.com delivers the latest news, video, and scores from around the NBA league.

 

Knicks meet with Kidd, but fail to offer contract
NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Knicks have met with Jason Kidd on the first day of NBA free agency.

Turkoglu ends contract discussions with Blazers
Hedo Turkoglu has broken off talks with the Portland Trail Blazers and that there is no deal, according to The Oregonian.

Jackson says he'll return to Lakers next season
The Zen Master is returning. After getting a clean bill of health, coach Phil Jackson announced Friday he'll be on the bench to guide the Lakers next season.

Ex-Laker Ariza signs multiyear deal with Rockets
HOUSTON (AP) -- A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza.

Agent: Artest joining Kobe
HOUSTON (AP) -- Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rockets' Yao must wait a week for health status
BEIJING (AP) -- Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot.

Shaq pledges to 'win ring for King' in Cavs intro
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal has one purpose in Cleveland: Bring an NBA title to LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

Wallace receptive to Celts' visit, pitch
BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics made their pitch to Rasheed Wallace on Thursday. And Wallace was receptive.

Knicks' Curry files lawsuit against former agent
CHICAGO (AP) -- New York Knicks center Eddy Curry has filed a lawsuit against his former agent and business manager.

Dumars wants new Pistons head coach by July 7
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Detroit Pistons executive Joe Dumars says he wants to name a replacement for fired coach Michael Curry in time for next week's developmental league opening in Las Vegas.

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Lakers hero Ariza had meteoric rise
Trevor Ariza is a Laker playoff hero, which, paradoxically, is why he's apparently about to become an ex-Laker, Kevin Hench says.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don't worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe's 4th title gets him closer to Jordan's 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

Hill: Top 10 NBA free agents
While it pales next to the 2010 class everyone's awaiting, this year's free-agent crop has some talent. Randy Hill lists the 10 best.

Reports: Turkoglu opts for Raptors over Blazers
Turkish forward Hedo Turkoglu will join the Toronto Raptors after spurning the Portland Trail Blazers, according to multiple reports. The 208-centimeter (6-foot-10) free agent helped Orlando to the NBA finals last season. On Friday, a person close to the Blazers confirmed that Turkoglu ended contract talks with them. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

Jackson says he'll return to coach Lakers
Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Jackson announced his decision Friday on the team's Web site. He said he consulted the team doctor about his health before deciding. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September. Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his record 10th title in June. He says he's confident he can handle another long season. "All things point to go!" he says.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

Lakers' Gasol to play for Spain at Euro Championship
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship. Gasol said Friday that it was an easy decision after winning the NBA finals. "The season went really well for me and now I want to defend our country," Gasol said. "We're really hopeful about the team we have, but we can't go there with a mentality that we'll be playing the final just because we're really good.

Pistons GM not committed to making quick hire
Pistons president Joe Dumars has Avery Johnson on his radar, but a published report indicates it's no sure bet the former Mavericks coach will end up in Detroit.

FOXSports.com News for NBA
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Sarah Palin announces she is stepping down
July 3: Sarah Palin announces that she is stepping down as Alaska's governor.

One of Jackson's final rehearsals
July 2: Just two days before his death, Michael Jackson was on stage rehearsing for what was meant to be his comeback tour. Concert promoter AEG Live released a clip of Jackson performing “They Don’t Care About Us.�

CFL player 'honors' Jackson
Watch as the Toronto Argonaut's Arland Bruce attempts to honor Michael Jackson. Bruce was fined an undisclosed amount for his 'tribute.'

Carl Lewis Brutalizes Anthem
Carl Lewis may have been a track and field all-star, but he doesn't even deserve a gold star for this performance!

Hemingway's Final Days
Ernest Hemingway took his own life on July 2, 1961, after a long battle with depression.

The dangers of mishandling fireworks
July 1: The Consumer Product Safety Commission demonstrates the dangers of mishandling fireworks. Watch what happens.

The Latest on Michael Jackson
ET on MSN: New details in the Michael Jackson investigation. According to Jackson's will, the King of Pop named Diana Ross as the guardian of Jackson's three kids if his mother Katherine is unable or unwilling to do the job.

Officials: 'No time to prepare' for Air France crash
July 2: Investigators in France on Thursday revealed more about what they believe happened to the Air France plane that fell into the Atlantic Ocean last month on its way from Rio to Paris. NBC's Tom Costello reports.

Lego landmarks on display in Chicago
July 2: A collection of landmarks built out of Legos is on display in Chicago. Msnbc.com's Becca Field reports.

Ball Girl Gets Hammered
Wimbledon is supposed to be genteel, and yet here we have a guy bowling over a young girl who's minding the net!

MSN Video: What's Hot
MSN Video: What's Hot

 

Rubio to Stay in Europe
A Spanish newspaper is reporting that Ricky Rubio will play out the last two years of his contract with DKV Joventut. Rubio is also expected to drop his lawsuit against...

Easier Explanation: Ron Artest is a Knucklehead
Ron Artest stirred up some trouble this week, posting a series of messages via his Twitter account that seemed to announce he'd reached agreeement with a new team. As it...

This Sort of Thing Will NOT Enhance the Grizzlies' Reputation
The Memphis Grizzlies of recent years are perhaps best-known for the hideously unbalanced trade that sent Pau Gasol to the Lakers for a bag of chips and a crate of...

Free Agent Roundup
Two days into the NBA's free agent signing period, and there hasn't been much movement... yet. Here's a look at what has happened, what hasn't, what might, and what won't. ...

NBA Players Dominate SI's Highest-Paid List
Sports Illustrated published their annual "Fortunate 50" list today. Based on SI's findings... let's just say the economic crisis hasn't hurt the NBA's big names just yet. Five of the top...

Detroit Cans Curry
The Detroit Pistons have fired coach Michael Curry after just one season, the Associated Press reports. Curry, who replaced Flip Saunders, led Detroit to a 39-43 overall record last season. They...

Fantasy Hoops: Rookies to Draft
With few exceptions -- Derrick Rose springs to mind -- NBA rookies tend not to be terribly sound fantasy basketball investments. That could be doubly true this season; the 2009...

Is Yao Done?
The broken foot Yao Ming suffered during the second round of the 2009 Playoffs hasn't healed as expected... and according to the Rockets' team physician "could be career threatening," ESPN.com...

Bucks Cut Villanueva Loose
The Milwaukee Bucks made qualifying offers to guard Ramon Sessions and forward Ersan Ilyasova, but not to forward Charlie Villanueva. Villanueva is now an unrestricted free agent. The Bucks had been...

This Is Why the NBA Has that "How to Talk to the Media" Class for Rookies
The explosion of social media has been a real treat for NBA fans... from the comedic stylings of @THE_REAL_SHAQ, to Kevin Love breaking the news that Kevin McHale wouldn't be...

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Ratto: Association should do this every offseason
Shaq teams up with LeBron in Cleveland. Ron Artest joins Kobe in L.A. Ricky Rubio would rather play in Europe than Minnesota. Someone takes Zach Randolph. It's making for a fun offseason Ray Ratto says.

He loves L.A.: Wishful thinking becomes reality for Artest
Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest on the same team? Yes, it's going to happen. Ken Berger, who breaks the story, says the Lakers were always on Artest's mind, and he gets his chance when Trevor Ariza bolts for Houston.

He loves L.A.: Wishful thinking becomes reality for Artest
Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest on the same team? Yes, it's going to happen. Ken Berger, who breaks the story, says the Lakers were always on Artest's mind, and he gets his chance when Trevor Ariza bolts for Houston.

Lakers coach Jackson returning for another season
Phil Jackson will return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season, getting a clean bill of health following a record championship season.

Knapp: Split coaching could've been a Lakers treat
Phil Jackson's idea of splitting coaching duties was wildly arrogant -- or was it humble? This type of outside-the-triangle arrangement would've been fun to witness, Gwen Knapp says.

P. Gasol will play for Spain at Euro Championship
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship.

Rockets agree on multiyear deal with Ariza
The Rockets reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza on Thursday night, as reported earlier by Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.

Newest Cavalier Shaq: 'Win a ring for the King'
Acquired in a trade last week, Shaquille O'Neal was introduced Thursday as a Cavalier before cheering young fans at the team's suburban practice facility.

New Piston Gordon says Bulls never made offer
A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station Thursday that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though GM Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority.

Ratto: Association should do this every offseason
Shaq teams up with LeBron in Cleveland. Ron Artest joins Kobe in L.A. Ricky Rubio would rather play in Europe than Minnesota. Someone takes Zach Randolph. It's making for a fun offseason Ray Ratto says.

NBA Basketball News : CBSSports.com
The latest NBA basketball news from CBSSports.com

 

Louisville to face UConn and Syracuse twice
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Louisville will have its hands full trying to defend its Big East title.

Luke Winn: Q&A with Washington State's Klay Thompson
Klay Thomspon flourished at WSU. Now he's doing so in New Zealand. The sophomore chats with Luke Winn about his father, his future and more.

Taylor, Curry lead squad to win in FIBA opener
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -- The United States started its bid for its first world junior title in 18 years with a 106-55 win over Iran on the opening day of the FIBA under-19 world basketball championships on Thursday.

Jimmy V matchups: Butler-G'town, IU-Pittsburgh
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) -- Butler will meet Georgetown and Indiana will face Pittsburgh in this year's Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.

Stephenson to UC
Lance Stephenson, the leading scorer in New York high school history, signed a financial aid agreement with Cincinnati Tuesday. Since he has not inked a National Letter of Intent, other colleges can still recruit him and the commitment is non-binding.

Self says issues with Henry brothers 'resolved'
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Kansas coach Bill Self's fence-mending trip worked: Xavier and C.J. Henry are still coming to Lawrence to play for the Jayhawks.

Courtside seats at renovated Pauley cost $500K
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- UCLA has unveiled a point system to determine the pecking order by which fans get to choose their seats in a renovated Pauley Pavilion.

Attorney: Sidney meetings set for next week
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- The attorney for Renardo Sidney says the NCAA has rescheduled meetings with the Mississippi State men's basketball signee and his family for next week.

Coach K denies reports he's going to the Lakers
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski made it clear: He's not going to ever be the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ohio State AD to lead men's hoops committee
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith has been appointed chairman of the Division I Men's Basketball Committee for 2010-11.

SI.com - NCAA Basketball
SI.com is the league leader in original in-depth coverage of professional, local, college and international sports. And we're updated continuously, delivering the level of rich in-depth coverage Sports Illustrated fans demand, at the speed of CNN.

 

Cavaliers stunned at home
Despite LeBron's 49-point salvo, Orlando hands Cleveland rare home defeat 107-106 to take opening game of East final

Shaq a quick study at broadcasting school
Toronto Raptors analyst Leo Rautins is helping the Suns centre develop a new skill

Bryant says Lakers got away with one
Los Angeles superstar admits his team was lucky to escape Game 1 with a win against Denver

WWE moving Monday show from Denver to Los Angeles
World Wrestling Entertainment says it will now hold its Raw show at the Staples Center because of the conflict with Game 4 of the Western finals

Forman promoted to Bulls GM
Former director of player personnel will replace the outgoing John Paxson, who will remain as executive vice-president of basketball operations

No SI jinx for James: coach
Cavaliers superstar will make his ninth appearance on cover of magazine this week

Lakers eke out Game 1 win
Bryant's free throws give top-seeded Los Angeles series-opening victory over Denver

Clippers win draft lottery
Moribund NBA franchise handed another chance to rebuild, while Raptors stay in ninth spot

Stern says a LeBron-less Finals will still be good
NBA commissioner downplays idea that league needs its MVP in the final pairing to be successful

McMahon making most of Denver Debacle
WWE chairman maximizing exposure in wake of arena double booking with Nuggets

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