NBA labor update:
Regular-season games could be at stake when NBA owners and players meet this weekend. And those might not be all that is lost, Commissioner David Stern warned, without real headway toward a new labor deal.
'All I'd say to that is that there are enormous consequences at play here on the basis of the weekend,' Stern said Wednesday. 'Either we'll make very good progress, and we know what that would mean -- we know how good that would be, without putting dates to it -- or we won't make any progress and then it won't be a question of just starting the season on time, it will be a lot at risk because of the absence of progress.'
Talks between negotiators ended after two days Wednesday so they could return home before summoning their respective bargaining committees to New York for the most important stretch of the lockout. They will meet Friday and are prepared to talk through the weekend if progress toward a new collective bargaining agreement is being made.
Kobe to play in Italy?
Kobe Bryant says it's 'very possible' he'll play in Italy during the NBA lockout, adding that the country is like home to him since he spent part of his childhood there.
Virtus Bologna has made numerous contract offers to the Los Angeles Lakers star. Bryant discussed the situation with the Gazzetta dello Sport during a sponsor's appearance in Milan on Wednesday.
Bryant says, 'It would be a dream for me. There's an opportunity that we've been discussing over the last few days. It's very possible and that's good news for me.'
Virtus tells The Associated Press that the latest talks are centered on a $2.5 million offer for 10 games over 40 days from Oct. 9 to Nov. 16.
Sabonis stable:
Basketball Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis is in stable condition after suffering a heart attack. Doctors in Sabonis' hometown of Kaunas, Lithuania, said Wednesday that the former NBA player is in intensive care, but the heart attack is not life-threatening.
The 46-year-old Sabonis was taken to a hospital Tuesday night after going into cardiac arrest while playing basketball.
Kill returns to practice:
Minnesota coach Jerry Kill returned to practice Wednesday, three days after checking into the Mayo Clinic to seek treatment for his seizures.
Kill had a seizure at the end of a loss to New Mexico State on Sept. 10. Kill returned to coach the next two games, a win over Miami (Ohio) and a loss to North Dakota State.
He says that he has suffered multiple seizures in the last few weeks, including one on Sunday that prompted him to seek further examination.
Man charged:
Ontario police have charged a man for throwing a banana on the ice toward Philadelphia Flyers player Wayne Simmonds during an NHL preseason game.
Police say 26-year-old Chris Moorhouse of London, Ontario, has been served a summons for engaging in a prohibited activity under the provincial trespassing act. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $2,000.
A banana was thrown from the stands Thursday night as Simmonds skated toward Detroit goalie Jordan Pearce at the John Labatt Center, about 120 miles from Simmonds' birthplace of Scarborough.
Simmonds, who is black, issued a statement the next day, calling the situation 'unfortunate.'
Neck injury for Stricker:
Tests have confirmed that Steve Stricker has a herniated disk in his neck. The next step for the highest-ranked American golfer is figuring out what to do about it.
Stricker's agent at IMG, Jon Heaton, said Wednesday that an MRI confirmed the neck injury. He says Stricker is not feeling any pain, although he is weak in his left arm.
Still to be decided is whether Stricker is fit enough to play Nov. 17-20 in the Presidents Cup.
Milton Bradley arrested:
Police say former Los Angeles Dodger Milton Bradley was arrested for investigation of felony battery. Police say the outfielder, released by Seattle this year, was arrested Tuesday at a San Fernando Valley home.
-- New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez was scratched from the starting lineup Wednesday because of a sore right knee.
-- The Mariners and Athletics will open next season in Japan with a two-game series at the Tokyo Dome on March 28 and 29.
Etc.: A grand jury reduced charges against Jordan Jefferson to a misdemeanor for his involvement in a bar fight and the LSU quarterback's attorney said his suspension from the top-ranked Tigers has been lifted. Jefferson is now charged with simple battery and faces maximum penalties, if convicted, of up to six months in jail and fines up to $500.
-- Australia's Oliver Wilkinson broke the record for the fastest swim around Manhattan, completing the 28.5-mile course in 5 hours, 44 minutes, 2 seconds Wednesday in the NYC Swim Manhattan Match Race and Record Attempt.
