Michael Malone's family hasn't worn purple since the Kings fired him Michael Malone wears various colors that are definitely not purple. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) The Sacramento Kings have made several questionable and baffling decisions over the past few seasons — some of which have been identified by their own star player. Yet it’s arguable that the worst of the bunch remains the … [Read more...]

U.S. men's hoops team knows Spain will be ready 10:51 PM ET RIO DE JANEIRO -- Count Brazilian legend Oscar Schmidt among those eager to see the United States and Spain reunite in Olympic basketball one round earlier than normal. In a rematch of the last two gold-medal games, Team USA (6-0) meets Spain (4-2) in Friday's semifinals at 2:45 p.m. ET at the Carioca Arena 1. "The United States … [Read more...]

Bucks in advanced talks with Terry, sources say 10:23 PM ET The Milwaukee Bucks are in advanced discussions to sign veteran guard Jason Terry to bolster their backcourt and add leadership to a young roster, according to league sources. Sources told ESPN.com that the Bucks are closing in on the signing of Terry, whom they've targeted to lend a much-needed dose of experience to their locker room … [Read more...]

Celtics Summer Forecast: Biggest concerns for 2016-17 10:14 AM ET Much of the hype surrounding the Boston Celtics this offseason has been positive. And our Celtics Summer Forecast panel came up with plenty of different responses last week when we asked for reasons to be excited about the upcoming season. For Day 13 of our Celtics Summer Forecast, we flipped the script and asked, what's your … [Read more...]

U.S. hoops turns slow start into rout of Argentina 11:45 PM ET Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO -- The nail-biters ended for the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team. So did a golden era of international basketball. Emphatically stopping a stretch of three straight close games, the Americans advanced to the semifinals by sprinting past Manu Ginobili and Argentina 105-78 on Wednesday night. … [Read more...]

Ginobili bids Games farewell: Been amazing run 11:04 PM ET Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO -- Manu Ginobili's emotions were jumbled as he tried to put his Olympic journey into words. Long after his last game inside the rings ended, the balding forward who once again had done all he could in defeat, returned to the floor and was handed the game ball. Ginobili tucked it under his left arm and … [Read more...]

Derrick Rose expands on Super Team comment: 'I'm not taking that back' 7:58 PM ET A few weeks ago, Derrick Rose caused a bit of a stir when he curiously said that some people put the New York Knicks in the same “Super Team” class as the Golden State Warriors. In an interview published earlier this week from Seoul, South Korea, Rose expanded on those comments, explaining that they … [Read more...]

LeBron: 'Wish I was out there' with Team USA 8:26 PM ET ESPN.com news services LeBron James misses the Olympic stage. The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar, who decided to skip his fourth Olympics after leading the Cavs to an NBA title in June, said in an interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols that he's keeping an eye on his teammates at the Rio Games. "Every time I watch 'em, I wish I was … [Read more...]

LeBron James would like to own and run an NBA team someday LeBron James, seconds after declining J.R. Smith’s team option. (Getty Images) LeBron James recently admitted that he’s chasing the figurative “ghost” of Michael Jordan, meaning MJ’s six NBA championship and Jordan’s acknowledged presence as the greatest to ever play the sport of basketball. We hope this particular chase-down block, … [Read more...]

Sources: Lakers agree to terms with Yi Jianlian 12:06 PM ET Marc Stein Close ESPN Senior Writer • Senior NBA writer for ESPN.com• Began covering the NBA in 1993-94• Also covered soccer, tennis and the Olympics Ramona Shelburne Close ESPN Senior Writer Senior writer for ESPN.com Spent seven years at the Los Angeles Daily News RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Los Angeles Lakers are finalizing a deal … [Read more...]