AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — In his decade running the Detroit Pistons, Joe Dumars hasn’t been known for showing patience with head coaches. He insists that is about to change. Moments after introducing Cavaliers assistant John Kuester as Detroit’s sixth coach in 10 years, Dumars said Thursday that Kuester “might have the most job security […]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge on Thursday blocked the NFL’s plan to suspend Minnesota Vikings linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league’s anti-doping policy, a move their attorney said should let them start the season with camp beginning in just three weeks. Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson granted the players’ request […]

PERPIGNAN, France (AP) — In less than 48 hours, Lance Armstrong will have answered the last unresolved question about his capacity to win an eighth Tour de France: Can he still climb? The 37-year-old Texan is second overall, but about to face his toughest test in this year’s Tour as the grueling three-week race arrives […]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Two-time Allstate 400 winner Tony Stewart says he’s confident Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear has solved the tire problems that plagued last year’s race at the Brickyard. Stewart was among the drivers who participated in Goodyear’s seven test sessions at the track since last year, when the problems turned the race into a series […]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Saku Koivu has left the Montreal Canadiens after 13 seasons to join the Anaheim Ducks. The two-time All-Star center, who turns 35 in November, signed a one-year deal Wednesday. Koivu was Montreal’s captain for nearly 10 years, tying Jean Beliveau for longest-serving in the team’s 100-year history. He had 191 goals, […]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — First pitch was still half an hour away and the empty plastic cups, crinkled foil wrappers and peanut shells were already piling up under the blue seats in the Metrodome’s upper deck. While the Minnesota Twins prepared to play the Cleveland Indians on a recent evening, a few hundred fans were getting […]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Elliott Sadler’s season has been about as bumpy as a lap around Daytona International Speedway. He threatened a lawsuit to keep his ride, nearly won the season-opening Daytona 500 and endured all sorts of changes, cutbacks and layoffs at Richard Petty Motorsports. But Sadler remains upbeat, even with the team’s […]

SAN JOSE (AP) — Claude Lemieux announced his retirement again Wednesday, wrapping up a 21-year NHL career with four Stanley Cups. The 44-year-old forward came back from a five-year retirement in December to sign with the San Jose Sharks, where he had one assist in 18 games last season. “I want to thank my former […]

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA players’ association is upset with the league over a warning it sent teams projecting a significant decrease in the 2010-11 salary cap. The memo sent early Wednesday morning told teams the salary cap and luxury tax levels are expected to drop, echoing comments commissioner David Stern has made at […]

BOSTON (AP) — Tim Wakefield’s next trip to the mound may be in the All-Star game. Look out, any AL catcher trying to handle his knuckleball. Wakefield enhanced his status as a first-time All-Star by earning his AL-leading 11th victory, and David Ortiz homered and drove in four runs to lead the Boston Red Sox […]