Obama Quickly Fills Top National Security Post After Jones Quits. President Obama announced Friday that Gen. James Jones will resign as national security later this month and be replaced by Tom Donilon, the deputy national security adviser. Obama hailed Jones, a lifelong military man before his White House post, as a “dedicated public servant and a fried to me.”
Dwayne Wade leaves preseason game with strained right hamstring and will not return
Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl MIAMI (AP)—LeBron James  walked from the bench moments before tip-off with the traditional stoic look. He filled his hands with rosin powder, threw it into the air to create a white cloud, then clapped his hands three times. Same as always.  Just totally different. Amid the sort of fanfare hardly ever associated with a meaningless preseason game, James took the floor with the Miami Heat for the first time Tuesday night in the exhibition opener against the Detroit Pistons. The NBA’s two-time reigning MVP joined Miami this summer, spurning a chance to stay with Cleveland and deciding he wanted to team up with Chris Bosh  and Dwyane Wade  instead.
Barkley Bashes LeBron for Race Comment
Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl Charles Barkley has been one of LeBron James’ biggest critics this summer. He’s not stopping now. “It’s like watching a movie,” Barkley said during a radio interview Friday. “Just when you think it couldn’t get any stupider, it gets more stupid.” The TNT analyst was referring to the recent claim by James and his manager that race played a part in the public backlash against LeBron since “The Decision,” ESPN’s one-hour special in which James announced he was leaving Cleveland for the Miami Heat.
NJ Nets pull out of 4-team Melo Trade
Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl The proposed four-team deal that would send Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey is no longer being actively pursued by the Nets, according to NBA front-office sources. Although it’s possible that the trade could be revived or that the Nets will construct another multiteam offer for Anthony that the Nuggets find more enticing, sources close to the situation said Tuesday that the Nets were no longer prepared to wait on Denver’s indecision, which has left several players in limbo since ESPN.com reported Friday that the framework was in place on a blockbuster deal that also involved Charlotte and Utah.
Lakers’ Phil Jackson still not certain he’ll retire
posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP)—Coach Phil Jackson returned from his annual summer vacation in Montana with a close-cropped white beard and a renewed determination to win one last championship in his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Except it might not be Jackson’s last stand after all. The 11-time NBA champion coach acknowledged Friday he’s still uncertain whether he’ll retire after the upcoming season, as he repeatedly vowed earlier this summer when he agreed to return with a pay cut for a shot at an unprecedented fourth threepeat.
Carmelo Anthony lists his choices
Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl Carmelo Anthony’s wish list starts with the New York Knicks, but that’s not the only trade destination he’s targeting. Sources briefed on the state of Anthony’s ongoing push to be dealt by the Denver Nuggets told ESPN.com on Tuesday that the Chicago Bulls are a firm 1A on his list. This is partly attributed to the fact that the Bulls are much closer to assembling the sort of package Denver would want in return for its franchise player than the Knicks. Over the last 72 hours, sources said, Anthony’s representatives — headed by agent Leon Rose — have been ramping up the pressure on the Nuggets to complete a deal with the Knicks or the Bulls before training camps open leaguewide next week.
