BASKETBALL
Bobcats fire coach Silas
Paul Silas was fired as head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday after leading the eight-year-old franchise to the NBA’s worst-ever record and a search for his successor is underway. Silas guided Charlotte to a 7-59 record in his first full season with the Bobcats in a lockout-shortened 66-game season where the team’s .106 winning percentage set a new mark for futility. “I would like to personally thank Paul for everything he has done for this team under some pretty unique circumstances,” Rod Higgins, the Bobcats’ president of basketball operations, said in a statement. “We have been fortunate to have someone of his character associated with this franchise and we hope he will continue to be a valuable resource to us in the future.” Silas, 68, was named interim coach of the Bobcats in December 2010 and he led that team to a 25-29 record over the remainder of the 2010-2011 season.
BASEBALL
Tigers’ Young suspended
Detroit Tigers outfielder Delmon Young has been suspended for seven days following his arrest in New York City for allegedly yelling anti-Semitic remarks during a scuffle with tourists, Major League Baseball said on Monday. Young, 26, was in New York for a three-game series with the Yankees when he was arrested early on Friday last week and charged with a hate crime. “An incident like this cannot and will not be tolerated,” MLB commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. “I understand that Mr Young is regretful and it is my expectation that he will learn from this unfortunate episode.” According to police, Young scuffled with four tourists from Illinois outside a hotel near Times Square after the group gave money to a panhandler wearing a yarmulke. MLB also said Young will be required to participate in a treatment program as a part of his discipline.
TENNIS
No joy for Djokovic family
The Djokovic family did not enjoy any success at their home tournament in Belgrade this year. With defending champion and top-ranked Novak Djokovic having pulled out of the event, his brother Marko lost in the first round to Filippo Volandri on Monday. Marko Djokovic, a wild-card entry, was broken four times and never forced a break point of his own, before losing 6-3, 6-1 in an hour. The tournament is organized by the Djokovic family, but Novak pulled out because of the recent death of his grandfather — a decision he called one of the hardest of his career. In other first-round matches on Monday, Dusan Lajovic of Serbia defeated fellow wild-card entry Evgeny Donskoy of Russia 7-5, 6-4, while Ivan Dodig overcame Adrian Ungur of Romania 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4.
TENNIS
Tatishvili upsets Pironkova
Anna Tatishvili of Georgia upset third-seeded Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 on Monday in the first round of the Budapest Grand Prix. Pironkova broke twice to comfortably win the first set, before Tatishvili turned the match around. The 81st-ranked Georgian took a 4-1 lead in the second set and then broke three times in the third to clinch the match. Seventh seed Shahar Peer of Israel was also eliminated after losing 6-4, 6-3 to Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada. Fourth seed Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic beat Anne Keothavong of Britain 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-2, while No. 5 Marina Erakovic of New Zealand ousted Pauline Parmentier of France 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 7-6 (7/2). Varvara Lepchenko of the US had to retire with an injury when trailing 5-0 against Russia’s Elena Vesnina.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely