Cycling
Degenkolb a repeat winner at the Spanish Vuelta
RONDA, Spain – German rider John Degenkolb timed his final sprint perfectly to win a sunny fifth stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Wednesday, his second successive stage win and seventh of his career.
The 25-year-old Team Giant-Shimano rider broke free from the pack with 600 meters to go and crossed the line in 4 hours, 41 minutes, 47 seconds, just ahead of Nacer Bouhanni and Moreno Hofland, both of whom were on the same time.
Michael Matthews of Australia retained the leader’s red jersey and is 13 seconds ahead of race favorite Nairo Quintana of Colombia and 20 seconds in front of two-time Vuelta winner Alejandro Valverde of Spain.
NBA
The owner’s first big move: Extend his head coach
LOS ANGELES – In Steve Ballmer’s first big move since taking over as the new owner, he gave Doc Rivers a contract extension through the 2018-19 season; Rivers is staying with the Los Angeles Clippers for another five years.
Ballmer said Wednesday it was one of his top priorities to ensure Rivers remains as the long-term leader of the team. Rivers was a stabilizing force for the franchise during the upheaval created by former owner Donald Sterling’s racist remarks that led to his ouster after 33 years of ownership.
Rivers joined the team in June 2013 and added president of basketball operations to his responsibilities two months ago. The 52-year-old coach guided the Clippers to the best record in franchise history at 57-25 and a second consecutive Pacific Division title last season.
Rivers has a career regular-season record of 644-498 and a 70-64 playoff mark.
NFL
Gordon’s 2014 season goes Up in Smoke for pot use
CLEVELAND – Josh Gordon’s wait is over, so is his 2014 season. The 23-year-old star wide receiver’s career now is in peril.
The Cleveland Browns learned Wednesday that Gordon’s indefinite suspension by the NFL has been upheld, and he will miss at least 16 games for another violation of the league’s substance abuse (marijuana) policy.
The Pro Bowler, who was subject to more frequent testing, will begin serving his suspension immediately, and the league said in its statement that his “eligibility for reinstatement will be determined following the 2014 season.”
New AP award to recognize top NFL assistant coach
NEW YORK – The Associated Press will recognize the NFL’s top assistant coach with a new award beginning this season.
The Assistant Coach of the Year award will be the AP’s eighth NFL honor, joining Coach of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Defensive and Offensive Players of the Year, Defensive and Offensive Rookies of the Year and MVP.
A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league vote on the awards, and the winners will be announced the night before the Super Bowl.
All assistant coaches will be eligible, including coordinators and position coaches.
WNBA
A Shock to nobody: Diggins is Most Improved Player
NEW YORK – Tulsa Shock guard Skylar Diggins is the WNBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year.
The league announced Wednesday that Diggins received 29 of a possible 38 votes from a panel of local and national broadcasters and sports writers.
The No. 3 overall pick out of Notre Dame in 2013, Diggins averaged 8.5 points as a rookie. Her scoring average jumped to 20.1 this season, second-best in the league. She also averaged 5.0 assists, fourth in the league.
Washington’s Emma Meesseman, Tulsa’s Courtney Paris and Chicago’s Allie Quigley tied for second with two votes apiece. Connecticut’s Alex Bentley, Chicago’s Jessica Breland and Phoenix’s Brittney Griner each received one vote.
Associated Press
