Digest

BASKETBALL

Former NBA chief Stern dies aged 77

Former NBA commissioner David Stern has died at the age of 77, the league said on Wednesday.

Stern, who served 30 years as the NBA's longest-serving commissioner before being succeeded by Adam Silver in February 2014, had been in a serious condition after undergoing surgery on Dec 12 in New York following a sudden brain hemorrhage.

Stern oversaw the NBA's extraordinary growth with seven new franchises, a more than 30-fold increase in revenue, a dramatic expansion of national TV exposure and the launch of the female WNBA and NBA Development League.

"Without David Stern, the NBA would not be what it is today," Hall of Famer Michael Jordan said.

Jiangsu coach facing ban over fan clash

Jiangsu Dragons head coach Memi Becirovic was ejected for an altercation with a fan during his team's 111-103 CBA defeat to the Liaoning Flying Leopards on Wednesday night.

The Slovenian appeared to shove a spectator during the third quarter before being restrained by players and staff.

After a video review, the referee demanded that Becirovic leave the arena. The fan was also ejected, with the pair continuing their spat as they departed.

Local media reported that the fan had directed an offensive gesture towards Liaoning's Lance Stephenson before engaging in a verbal altercation with Becirovic's wife, who was also sitting courtside. Becirovic now faces an automatic one-match courtside ban, which could be extended after the CBA further investigates the incident.

Jiangsu sits 13th in the CBA, with a 9-14 win-loss record.

Cavs optimistic of dealing forward Love

The Cleveland Cavaliers ended 2019 with renewed hope that they will be able to trade forward Kevin Love, it was reported on Wednesday.

The New York Times' Marc Stein tweeted he "heard some fresh optimism" the Cavs could complete a deal for Love before the Feb 7 NBA trade deadline.

Love, 31, signed a reported fouryear, $120 million extension with the Cavaliers in the summer of 2018. It is believed the combination of the 12-year veteran's age and salary might discourage teams from pursuing a deal.

Love is averaging 16.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 28 games this season for the Cavs (10-23). He's shooting 44.8 percent overall and 37.5 percent from 3-point range.

The five-time All-Star has career averages of 18.2 points and 11.2 rebounds in 685 career games with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2008-14) and Cavaliers.

RUNNING

Cheruiyot chasing 1,500m world record

World champion Timothy Cheruiyot has pledged to join forces with Kenyan teammate Elijah Manangoi in a bid to break one of athletics' longest-standing world records.

Cheruiyot had been playing second fiddle to his training partner and friend Manangoi until a hamstring injury denied the latter the chance to defend his 1,500m world title in Doha, Qatar, in October.

The 24-year-old Cheruiyot capitalized on Manangoi's absence by romping to gold at the worlds in 3 minutes 29.26 seconds.

But with Manangoi now returning to action, Cheruiyot wants the pair to take on Moroccan legend Hicham El Guerrouj's 1,500 mark of 3:26:00, which has stood since 1998.

"I know the record has been there for a long time and Kenyan athletes have been around the top of the leaderboard over the distance, so it would be nice if we can work together to attempt to break it," Cheruiyot said in Kericho, Kenya, on Tuesday.

"The focus should now be on how to train and for sure the record. What I know is it will go down at some time."

Xinhua - Agencies