BASKETBALL
Kidd retires after 19 seasons
Former All-Star point guard Jason Kidd is retiring after 19 seasons in the NBA, the New York Knicks player said on Monday. Kidd, 40, completed his career ranked second overall in assists (12,091) and steals (2,684) to Hall of Famer John Stockton, and averaged 12.6 points and 8.7 assists per game. He earned All-Star honors 10 times while playing for Dallas, Phoenix, New Jersey and New York. He won an NBA title with Dallas and played on two gold medal-winning US Olympic basketball teams. “My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years,” Kidd said in a statement. “I look back fondly at every season and thank each every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.” He said it was time to think about coaching or working as a broadcaster.
BASKETBALL
Malone to coach Kings
Indian software magnate Vivek Ranadive, who officially took over as owner of the Sacramento Kings three days ago, named a former employee, Michael Malone, to coach the NBA club on Monday. Malone had spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach to Mark Jackson with the Golden State Warriors, a club which Ranadive partly owned until being forced to divest the holding to assume control of the Kings. “Michael Malone is one of the best and most talented coaches in the game,” Ranadive said. Malone replaced Keith Smart, who had been told that he would not be retained. Smart went 48-93 in two seasons with the Kings, who went 28-54 this past campaign.
SOCCER
Gattuso to coach Palermo
Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning midfielder Gennaro Gattuso will take charge of relegated US Citta di Palermo next season, the club’s president Maurizio Zamparini announced on Monday. “Once the dispute with [under-contract coach Giuseppe] Sannino concludes, he [Gattuso] will be able to be our coach,” Zamparini told Radio 2 listeners, confirming news already brought to light by the Italian press. Palermo were relegated to the second tier after finishing third-bottom in Serie A this past campaign, ending a nine-year stay in the top flight. Gattuso, 35, has little previous experience on the touchline, having briefly balanced a managerial role while playing for Swiss side Sion — a joint-post that lasted just 11 matches before he was fired — last season. Zamparini has a lengthy track record of hiring and firing coaches, having made 45 changes during his time at the Sicilian club, but joked he was no match for his Sion counterpart, Christian Constantin. “The best is the Sion president, he’s fired seven coaches in one season. I’m nothing more than an apprentice,” Zamperini said.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Warriors face urine fine
The New Zealand Warriors yesterday faced a A$15,000 (US$14,600) fine after front-rower Russell Packer urinated on the pitch during their clash with the Brisbane Broncos. Packer was caught on camera relieving himself in the first half of Monday night’s 56-18 win by the Warriors in Brisbane. “This sort of behavior is completely unacceptable and there is no excuse for it,” National Rugby League general manager of football operations Nathan McGuirk said. Packer showed little regret after the game, tweeting: “good win. when u gotta go u gotta go lol.” However, he apologized on Twitter yesterday morning. “Hey guys just a quick apology to you and your family regarding my accident last night. It has offended some, [for] which I am sorry.”
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