AL HAMNIK: In the case of LeBron and MJ, the ring's the thing

You have the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft and money to burn.

Knicks try to recover from illness, offensive woes vs. Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS | A sick feeling is emanating through the New York Knicks.

Young gay athletes set tone for NBA coming out

CHICAGO | You've probably never heard of Holly Peterson or Jonathan Jean-Pierre. One came out as a lesbian at age 15, when she was playing high school basketball. The other, a college rower, told his teammates last year that he's gay.

Bulls try to slow down Nets in Game 2

NEW YORK | Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau watches tape of the Nets and sees a confident team with an offense in rhythm.

AL HAMNIK: Hapless Bulls testing Thibodeau's acting ability

CHICAGO | Covering Tom Thibodeau's press conferences is like having an ill friend at the hospital and watching them slowly slip away.

Crusaders take a day to relax after clinching NCAA tournament berth

VALPARAISO | The lights were out, doors were locked and all was quiet at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Wednesday afternoon.

Scouting combine shows NFL's global progress

INDIANAPOLIS | Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah knew nothing about the NFL when he was growing up. Now, he could be a first-round pick in April's draft.

Indiana stays No. 1 in AP Top 25, Gonzaga No. 2

Indiana is No. 1 in The Associated Press' Top 25 for the fourth straight week, while Gonzaga moved to No. 2 for the first time in school history.

'Honey Badger' eager to get back on football field

INDIANAPOLIS | Former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu thought he hit rock bottom when Les Miles kicked him off the team last August for failing multiple drug tests.

Current stars celebrate Jordan at 50

HOUSTON | Michael Jordan turned 50 on Sunday, giving this year's All-Stars a chance to reflect on his illustrious career and how much he still means to the sport.

A year later, some like Christmas NBA start better

NEW YORK | Doc Rivers left home for the holiday, lost the game, and loved every minute of it.

WNBA receives top marks for diversity hires

NEW YORK | The WNBA reaffirmed its distinction as the top professional sports league in hiring women and minorities to management positions.

U.S. trio are members of exclusive Olympic club

LONDON | LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and David Robinson are part of an exclusive Olympic club that may never have another member.

Kirk Hinrich returns to Bulls

CHICAGO | Kirk Hinrich is back with the Chicago Bulls.

Much to replace for US basketball team to top '08

LAS VEGAS | They lost Dwyane Wade but gained Kevin Durant. Dwight Howard's size has given way to Russell Westbrook's speed.

YOUNG VOICES: Finally being considered cool is, well, cool

In the United States, Asian Americans are typically well-known for several things: our great academic performances, our ability to master classical instruments and our insistence that orange chicken seriously is not a traditional meal from the homeland.

NBA sides return, hope to build on progress

NEW YORK | With a day of progress behind them and the hope of a full 82-game season still ahead, NBA players and owners resumed talks toward ending the lockout Thursday.

NBA cancels first two weeks of season

NEW YORK | NBA Commissioner David Stern canceled the first two weeks of the season Monday after owners and players were unable to reach a new labor deal and end the lockout.

Israel becomes haven for US Jews' hoop dreams

JERUSALEM | Most new immigrants to Israel have traditionally come out of ideology, or to escape hardship and persecution. Jon Scheyer is coming to be a basketball superstar.

Bulls fight off Magic charge

ORLANDO, Fla. | The matchup Sunday between the Bulls and Orlando Magic had the potential to be a preview of a possible second-round playoff pairing between two of the Eastern Conference's top four teams.