EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers ended practice with a few somber, almost plaintive laughs. As they left the court, they all passed under the oversized 8 and 24 outlined in white on the black wall above the door to their locker room.Anthony Davis and several other Lakers paused and looked up at Kobe Bryant's two retired numbers for a moment before they moved forward.The Lakers are still grieving and mourning Bryant's death Sunday in a helicopter crash along with his daughter, Gianna, and seven others. Los Angeles' players and coaches returned to work Wednesday at their training complex with a determination to keep Bryant and the victims in their thoughts while getting on with the business of basketball and life.“We want to represent what Kobe was about, more than anything,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “We’ve always wanted to make him proud, and that’s not going to be any different now.”Vogel, who joined the Lakers eight months ago, was the only person to speak to the... [More]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers ended practice with a few somber, almost plaintive laughs. As they left the court, they all passed under the oversized 8 and 24 outlined in white on the black wall above the door to their locker room.Anthony Davis and several other Lakers paused and looked up at Kobe Bryant's two retired numbers for a moment before they moved forward.The Lakers are still grieving and mourning Bryant's death Sunday in a helicopter crash along with his daughter, Gianna, and seven others. Los Angeles' players and coaches returned to work Wednesday at their training complex with a determination to keep Bryant and the victims in their thoughts while getting on with the business of basketball and life.“We want to represent what Kobe was about, more than anything,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “We’ve always wanted to make him proud, and that’s not going to be any different now.”Vogel, who joined the Lakers eight months ago, was the only person to speak to the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NBA has postponed the Los Angeles Lakers' next game against the Clippers on Tuesday night after the deaths of retired superstar Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash.The league announced the decision in a statement Monday, saying it “was made out of respect for the Lakers organization.”The Lakers learned about the crash while flying home from an East Coast road trip Sunday. LeBron James and several other players appeared to be visibly affected by the news when they got off the plane.James made his first public comments Monday night in an Instagram post including several photos of himself with Bryant. The four-time NBA MVP and 16-time All-Star said he was “heartbroken and devastated,” and had been crying repeatedly while trying to write about Bryant.James, who joined the Lakers last season, said the two spoke by phone Sunday morning after James passed Bryant for third place on the NBA's career scoring list Saturday night.“Didn’t think for... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NBA has postponed the Los Angeles Lakers' next game against the Clippers on Tuesday night after the deaths of retired superstar Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash.The league announced the decision in a statement Monday, saying it “was made out of respect for the Lakers organization.”Bryant's helicopter crashed Sunday, and the Lakers learned about it while flying home from an East Coast road trip. LeBron James and several other players appeared to be visibly affected by the news when they got off the plane.The Lakers organization hasn't made a public statement about Bryant's death, choosing to mourn in private. The 16-time NBA champion franchise made grief counselors available to employees Monday after the loss of Bryant, who spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers.Lakers owner Jeanie Buss was quite close to Bryant, and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka was Bryant's agent during his playing career.Dwight Howard is the only... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NBA has postponed the Los Angeles Lakers' next game against the Clippers on Tuesday night after the deaths of retired superstar Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash.The league announced the decision Monday.Bryant's helicopter crashed Sunday, and the Lakers learned about it while flying home from an East Coast road trip. LeBron James and several other players appeared to be visibly affected by the news when they got off the plane.The Lakers organization hasn't made a public statement about Bryant's death, choosing to mourn in private. The 16-time NBA champion franchise made grief counselors available to employees Monday after the loss of Bryant, who spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers.Dwight Howard is the only current Lakers player who played with Bryant, but the players all knew him. Bryant had attended a handful of Lakers games in recent years with his daughter, Gianna, who also died in the crash in Calabasas, California.The NBA says the game between the Los Angeles rivals will be rescheduled later.The next game on the Lakers' schedule is Friday night at home against Portland.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ESPN has gone through many pairings and approaches trying to build a pregame show during its 18 seasons broadcasting the NBA. This time it's using a successful daily show. The Rachel Nichols-led “The Jump” has been a daytime hit since debuting four years ago and is going primetime. It will lead off ABC's Saturday night package, which begins with the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Houston Rockets. “To get the trust of ESPN to do something like this feels good. It's not just me hosting pregame, but have the whole feeling and ethos of 'The Jump' from games," Nichols said.Nichols often takes “The Jump” out of its Los Angeles studio for a big game or newsworthy event, including the NBA Finals. The biggest change is the show will be cut from 60 to 30 minutes, but even that is a throwback to its roots as a half-hour program on ESPN2. Mike Shiffman, head of NBA production for ESPN, said the ability of the show to be nimble and adjust to breaking news was one of the biggest draws to giving it a... [More]

ESPN has gone through many pairings and approaches trying to build a pregame show during its 18 seasons broadcasting the NBA. This time it's using a successful daily show. The Rachel Nichols-led “The Jump” has been a daytime hit since debuting four years ago and is going primetime. It will lead off ABC's Saturday night package, which begins with the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Houston Rockets. “To get the trust of ESPN to do something like this feels good. It's not just me hosting pregame, but have the whole feeling and ethos of 'The Jump' from games," Nichols said.Nichols often takes “The Jump” out of its Los Angeles studio for a big game or newsworthy event, including the NBA Finals. The biggest change is the show will be cut from 60 to 30 minutes, but even that is a throwback to its roots as a half-hour program on ESPN2. Mike Shiffman, head of NBA production for ESPN, said the ability of the show to be nimble and adjust to breaking news was one of the biggest draws to giving it a... [More]

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — There were still a few boos when Dwight Howard checked into the game in Orlando for the first time, a few reminders of how every Magic fan still hasn’t forgotten or forgiven him for the way his stint with his first team ended.He doesn’t mind anymore.There was a time when these things would have bothered him. No more. He just turned 34. He’s in his 16th season. And by all accounts, Howard — in his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, his sixth different franchise — has finally seen the light.“This is a new day. This is a new moment,” Howard said. “I think it’s best if we all get out the past and focus on the moments we have in front of us.”There’s a maturity to Howard now that frankly hasn’t always been there throughout his career. He’s on a team expected to compete for an NBA title. He’s earned the trust of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the stars who collaborated in a quest to bring the Lakers back to prominence. He’s a role player, averaging career lows in minutes,... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Add Miami's Tyler Herro to the list of rookies who look ready for the regular season.Herro scored Miami's first 14 points on Monday night, going 5 for 5 in that stretch, and finished with 23 points in a 120-87 Heat victory over the Atlanta Hawks.Through three games in this preseason, Herro — the No. 13 pick in this year's draft — is shooting 18 for 33 from the field for 49 points."The kid can play," Heat assistant coach Malik Allen said in a televised halftime interview. "He has a confidence but he's a student of the game, he's smart, he's an extremely quick learner and you're seeing that."Among those taken in June's draft, some have wasted no time in announcing their presence to the NBA world.New Orleans' Zion Williamson, the No. 1 pick, is averaging 23.3 points and shooting 71% in the Pelicans' four preseason games — all wins. Ja Morant, the No. 2 pick for Memphis, is among the league's assist leaders in exhibition season with 23 in his first three games.No. 3 pick RJ Barrett... [More]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — From the Warner Bros. soundstages to a private workout retreat in Las Vegas, LeBron James and Anthony Davis spent a whole lot of their long summer together.The Los Angeles Lakers superstars say they've already formed a bond before they hit the court as teammates. That offseason work is the foundation for their efforts to build an immediate contender together with this long-struggling franchise.When the Lakers reported to their training complex Friday, LeBron and AD were the center of attention amid the revamped roster they helped to create. They posed for photos, joked easily with themselves and their teammates, and generally looked like they've been together for years."It's exciting to have such a beautiful young mind, a beautiful player, but also a great leader as well," James said. "I think it's a great opportunity for this franchise to have such an all-around great person. The basketball will speak for itself."Although Davis has one year left on his contract... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dwight Howard says he is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers with a new outlook on basketball and his place in it.The veteran center hopes the Lakers fans— and a couple of retired Lakers superstars — who learned to loathe the old Dwight over the past six years will give him another chance.Howard called it "a very big blessing" Wednesday to re-sign with the Lakers , who chose him as the improbable replacement for injured center DeMarcus Cousins.The 33-year-old Howard spent the eventful 2012-13 season with the Lakers before abruptly leaving as a free agent. After six up-and-down seasons away from LA and a self-described difficult offseason in his personal life, Howard is energized by the chance to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in a familiar jersey."Not too often in life do you get second chances," Howard said on a conference call in his first public comments about the reunion. "This is an awesome experience. I'm just looking forward to being the best teammate,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies have waived Dwight Howard ahead of the veteran center's expected move to the Los Angeles Lakers.The Grizzlies announced the move Saturday. They acquired Howard in a trade with Washington last month.Howard still must clear waivers before he can sign with another team. The Associated Press and many media outlets reported Friday that Howard plans to sign with the Lakers, with whom he spent one eventful season in 2012-13.Howard will bolster the Lakers' roster after the loss of DeMarcus Cousins, who tore a knee ligament in an offseason workout this month shortly after signing with Los Angeles.Howard worked out for the Lakers and met with several players earlier this week before the team agreed to sign him.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers intend to sign center Dwight Howard after he completes a buyout with Memphis, a person familiar with the decision says.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal hasn't been completed for Howard to make an improbable return to the Lakers six years after his acrimonious departure.The eight-time All-Star selection will be the ostensible replacement for center DeMarcus Cousins, who recently tore a knee ligament after signing with the Lakers as a free agent last month. Cousins could be sidelined for the entire upcoming season, and Howard will team with JaVale McGee and Anthony Davis to play the center spot for the Lakers.Howard spent one infamous season with the Lakers, who acquired him from Orlando in August 2012 and teamed him with Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol in the hopes of building a championship-contending superteam.Although Howard valiantly played through injuries, he also clashed with Bryant, coach Mike D'Antoni... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers intend to sign center Dwight Howard after he completes a buyout with Memphis, a person familiar with the decision says.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal hasn't been completed for Howard to make an improbable return to the Lakers six years after his acrimonious departure.The eight-time All-Star selection will be the ostensible replacement for center DeMarcus Cousins, who recently tore a knee ligament after signing with the Lakers as a free agent last month. Cousins could be sidelined for the entire upcoming season, and Howard will team with JaVale McGee and Anthony Davis to play the center spot for the Lakers.Howard spent one infamous season with the Lakers, who acquired him from Orlando in August 2012 and teamed him with Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol in the hopes of building a championship-contending superteam.Although Howard valiantly played through injuries, he also clashed with Bryant, coach Mike D'Antoni... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A person familiar with the decision says the Los Angeles Lakers intend to sign center Dwight Howard after he completes a buyout with Memphis.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal hasn't been completed for Howard to make an improbable return to the Lakers six years after his acrimonious departure.Howard will be the ostensible replacement for DeMarcus Cousins, who tore a knee ligament one month after signing with the Lakers as a free agent.Howard spent one infamous season with the Lakers, who acquired him from Orlando in August 2012.He clashed with Kobe Bryant and coach Mike D'Antoni before spurning the club as a free agent. Howard has been booed vociferously in Los Angeles ever since.Howard played in only nine games last season for Washington, which traded him to the Grizzlies last month.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wizards forward C.J. Miles will undergo surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot.The team says the operation is set for Thursday in New York and he is expected to be re-evaluated in six weeks.Washington acquired Miles from the Memphis Grizzlies this summer for center Dwight Howard. New general manager Tommy Sheppard says the Wizards' medical team has done a "fantastic job of proactively diagnosing C.J.'s condition and establishing a treatment protocol."The 32-year-old veteran averaged 6.4 assists a game last season with Toronto and Memphis. Miles played 838 regular-season NBA games for five teams before joining the Wizards.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A person familiar with the situation says the Washington Wizards have traded center Dwight Howard to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward CJ Miles.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the trade hasn't been announced. Stadium first reported that Washington had traded Howard. ESPN first reported additional details of the trade and said the Grizzlies plan to waive Howard or trade him elsewhere.The 33-year-old Howard played just nine games for the Wizards last season. The eight-time All-Star underwent spinal surgery for a herniated disk last November.Miles, 32, played a combined 53 games with the Toronto Raptors and Grizzlies last season. He averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 14.1 rebounds in 40 games for Toronto. Miles played 13 games for Memphis and averaged 9.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 22.6 minutes.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Wizards came into the season aiming for 50 wins. They finished with 50 losses.There was poor play. There was little defense. There was the embarrassing 10-31 road record, part of a 32-50 overall mark, the team's worst in six seasons. And the fallout from missing the playoffs already has begun, with team president Ernie Grunfeld's firing."I take the responsibility of I could have done better," coach Scott Brooks said Monday at the club's practice facility. "And going forward, I need to be better."He also said it was too soon for him to say in what ways he can improve.Now the Wizards head into a pivotal offseason, with very few certainties other than this: Bradley Beal is the key piece.He became Washington's unquestioned leader and best player as John Wall missed more than half of the season because of heel surgery. Wall will sit out most — and perhaps all — of next season, too, because of a later operation to repair a torn Achilles tendon."It's been a rocky... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — John Wall would not be bothered if the Washington Wizards pick a point guard in the first round of the upcoming NBA draft."You have to do what's best for the team and make sure that we have pieces," Wall told reporters Tuesday night at halftime of Washington's regular-season finale, then added with a smile: "And when I come back, he can be a great backup to me."Wall is not entirely sure whether he will be able to play at all next season as he recovers from a torn left Achilles tendon that was operated on in February."I have no idea just yet. That's my goal. ... That's my mindset, where I'm pushing toward," he said. "But whenever the doctors clear me and get to that point, then I will know."Wall appeared in only 32 games this season, averaging 20.7 points and 8.7 assists, before having surgery on his left heel in January. Then he ruptured his tendon in a fall at home, requiring an additional procedure."I think it was finally at the point when it was weaker and it was going... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ernie Grunfeld was fired as president of the Washington Wizards after 16 seasons in charge of the team, and owner Ted Leonsis said he will oversee a "reboot."Grunfeld's dismissal was announced with four games left in a disappointing, no-playoffs season that began with Leonsis setting a goal of 50 wins, something the franchise last accomplished in the 1970s.Instead, Washington is 32-46 and in 11th place in the 15-team Eastern Conference. So Grunfeld is gone, after sticking around through years of fans' complaints about him."Each year that he worked for me, we sat down and said: 'What are our expectations. What are our goals?' And we're very, very thoughtful and mindful and spend a lot of time on what the goal should be. We set that up this year and we didn't meet them and so that's what happened this year," Leonsis said."We entered the year with the fourth-highest payroll in the league. We could end up with the fourth-worst record in the league," he said. "There's a misalignment... [More]