MIAMI — “The goal of an artist is to create the definitive work that cannot be surpassed,” said playwright and political activist George Bernard Shaw.

To highly competitive people, the individuals with massive egos and resumes that don’t fit on one page, legacy is the word that moves the needle.

The superstars of this era might not say...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The sports bettor who allegedly sent Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray a racist message on social media has been fired by his employer, Hilton Grand Vacations, the company said in a statement Tuesday.

“The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with the company. His behavior was in violation of multiple ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — When Mike Gansey wakes up each morning, he needs to remind himself what city he is in. Because his first month as the Philadelphia 76ers’ president of basketball operations has been a whirlwind.

He has spent the past week getting an up-close look at first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr., whose crafty handle and scoring gumption ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The atrium at Target Center has, in recent years, become the preferred venue for the Timberwolves to hold introductory press conferences.

In 2022, after acquiring Rudy Gobert, they put up a mural of Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. Less than a year after that, they had to scrub Russell from it,...Read more

LAS VEGAS — At some point, this process will conclude. There will be a finality to all the incremental steps walked over the past few years and a decision one way or another will be made.

Eventually, just like at many of the poker tables in this town, one side must decide whether it’s ready to go all-in.

A drama of a call regarding ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — From the time Austin Reaves joined the Lakers in 2021 as an undrafted prospect, his basketball life centered around playing with a savant in LeBron James.

That no longer will be the case.

Reaves re-signed with the Lakers on a four-year, $185-million deal, but James decided to move on as he prepares to play an unprecedented 24th...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers signed free-agent forward Ziaire Williams to a one-year, $3-million deal on Monday, people not authorized to speak on the matter publicly confirmed to The Los Angeles Times.

Williams, 24, was available after the Brooklyn Nets declined his team option of $6.25 million, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The 6-foot...Read more

LAS VEGAS — VJ Edgecombe was in the middle of a spa day in his native Bahamas when he missed a call from Jameer Nelson, the Philadelphia 76ers’ executive vice president of basketball operations.

Then Edgecombe missed another call. Then he saw Nelson’s text message asking to call him back as soon as possible.

“I was like man, it’s ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Kansas men’s basketball player Lagerald Vick has been charged with attempted first degree murder, as well as using a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

Vick was arrested Saturday by Memphis Police Department officers and booked into the Shelby County Jail in Memphis, Tenn., according to court ...Read more

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mark Pope likes to refer to the Kentucky Wildcats jersey as “a sacred piece of cloth.”

Starting with the 2026-27 school year, that UK sports vestment could, hypothetically, have an ad for Big Ass Fans on it.

On Jan. 23, the NCAA Division I Cabinet approved a policy change that will take effect Aug. 1 and allow “...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An upward trend appeared to be in the works, evidenced by the final stretch of the regular season.

The star point guard’s body even held up better than it had in the previous four years, allowing the face of the franchise to log a personal-best number of minutes since 2021-22.

The national spotlight, with the final glare ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — Just after he joined the Timberwolves, Ayo Dosunmu had a moment with coach Chris Finch that let him know Minnesota could be a place he spends the next chapter of his career.

“Basically, he just told me go play,” Dosunmu said. “ ‘I trust you.’ Just him instilling that confidence in me right away from our first ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — With Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat have gained an escape valve; when in doubt, have Giannis figure it out.

But by giving up so much in the transaction, the Heat also have created pressure points elsewhere among those who remain from last season’s roster.

So, yes, it was a transaction embraced organizationally. But ...Read more

DENVER — There are battleships hovering around the Strait of Hormuz right now that change direction faster than Jonas Valanciunas can.

Not a knock on the big lug. Honest. The hoops wonks on The Grading The Week staff had nothing but pleasant exchanges with Val while he was a member of the Nuggets — a curious calendar year that came to a ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — With all due respect to LeBron James, the Sixers’ greatest and most impactful unknown is the same as it has always been.

Mike Gansey acknowledged as much on Thursday.

“Obviously,” the Sixers new president of basketball operations said in a courtside interview during ESPN’s broadcast of the team’s summer league opener...Read more

LAS VEGAS — Minutes after speaking at length to South Florida media Friday about how his time with the Miami Heat will be remembered with fond memories, former Heat guard Tyler Herro left Thomas & Mack Center offering only, “My only comment is no comment.”

Between his interview with the team’s beat writers and that exit, word came out ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — To say Friday was a case of split attention for the Miami Heat at the NBA Summer League would be an understatement.

On one hand, the Heat’s summer roster was pushing past the Bucks’ summer roster, 119-86 at Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus, with Heat general manager Andy Elisburg and coach Erik Spoelstra looking on.

On...Read more

Michigan took the internal route to find a new permanent men’s basketball coach.

Athletic director Warde Manuel announced Friday that he has dropped the interim tag on Mike Boynton Jr. and hired him as the program’s head coach.

Boynton agreed to a two-year deal, according to a release sent out by the program. The terms were not disclosed. ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Biblical references seem to find a home with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Moses Malone arrived in 1982 and immediately led the team to the promised land.

Allen Iverson arrived in 1996 and, five years later, took the Sixers to the NBA Finals. For fans of gospel music, his nickname, “The Answer,” recalled a 1970s hit by Andraé ...Read more