07052016 sports by tribune242

SPORTS SECTION E

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

NBA

Durant, pages 3 & 5

CBC U-16: Bahamas steamrolls BVI 101-40 on day 2 By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net IT WAS another dominant performance for Team Bahamas as they remained undefeated at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation Under-16 Championships for Boys. The Bahamas steamrolled the British Virgin Islands 101-40 yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown, Guyana. Michael Cartwright was a force at the pivot once again and finished with a team high 17 points and nine rebounds. Domnick Bridgewater and Samuel Hunter each finished with 14 points, while Michael Williams

added 13 points and was one of three Bahamian players with at least eight rebounds. “This team is very good,” Cartwright said prior to the tournament. “Everybody is in sync, everybody knows what they are doing, everybody knows their role and I think we have a very good chance of winning the gold.” Chosen Levarity finished with a near double double - nine points and eight rebounds - as did Dericco Burrows who added eight points and eight rebounds. “This team is better than the last time I played on a national team,” Levarity said. “We have a very good chance of bringing the gold back home. We bond very well and we look at each other as a family.” After a slow start to the game

where both teams struggled to score early on, the game was tied at five. The Bahamas was able to get in sync and closed the first quarter on a 15-3 run to end the period with a 20-8 lead. A relentless halfcourt trap for the Bahamas stifled the BVI offence all game as their ballhandlers struggled to get the ball beyond the time line. Thompson’s layup made it 3411 midway through the second to give the Bahamas their first 20point lead of the game. They ended the half on a 28-9 run capped by Brown’s buzzer beating floater to give them a 48-17 lead headed into the half. Early in the third quarter Hunter made a three from the corner to push the lead to 40 (57-17). It was

part of a 31-6 run in the quarter, which included a 20-point flurry in just over five minutes which led to a 79-23 lead headed into the fourth. K’Moi Walters and Donaldson Layne led the BVI in scoring with 10 points apiece. Following a day off today, the Bahamas will face Dominica at 3:30pm tomorrow. Their final game of group play will be against Barbados 3:30pm Thursday. The win comes off the heels of a dominant rout of Antigua and Barbuda (109-71) in the tournament opener. Bridgewater led the Bahamas with 16 points and six assists, both game highs. He was one of seven Bahamian players in double figures including Cartwright who added 10 points and 16 rebounds,

Thompson finished with 14 points, Hunter added 12 points, while Joshua Cornish, Devonte Jennings and Christopher Johnson each finished with 11. The Bahamas is among a group of 10 teams for the boys’ championship. Group A includes the Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Dominica. Group B includes Aruba, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the hosts Guyana. The top three teams, both men and women, earn berths to the Centro Basket Under-17 Championship where they compete for spots in the FIBA Americas Under-18 Cup, from which they can qualify for the FIBA Under-19 World Cup or the Youth Olympics.

Junkanoo Bowl swings into high gear By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

hile all but two of the seeded players survived the first round of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s Junkanoo Bowl, none of the Bahamian players advanced in the ITF Junior Circuit Tournament at the National Tennis Centre. The week-long tournament swung into high gear yesterday following the qualifying rounds over the weekend as Americans Danny Thomas and Hurricane Tyra Black led the world-class field of competitors with their performances as the No.1 male and female seeds respectively. Thomas, ranked No.306 on the junior circuit, pulled off a 6-2, 6-4 win over Amaury De Beer from Mauritius as he made his initial appearance here a successful one. “I’m really enjoying it. The hotel is nice and the people are all so friendly,” said Black, who hails from Columbus, Ohio. “My first match went well. I think I played well. I just want to continue to play well.” Thomas, 16, said he hasn’t played in a tournament since he lost in the round of 16 at the Metropolia ITF at Plantation in May, but he has enjoyed some big wins over some top notch American opponents this year and he’s hoping that he can get back to that level. On the other hand, Black’s performance wasn’t what she expected. The top female seed from Boca Raton, Florida, who is ranked at 128 on the junior circuit, won 6-2, 6-1 over compatriot Isabella Mermersky, but admitted that it wasn’t what she had anticipated. “She’s a pretty good player, but I think I could have played better,” said Black, who just turned 15 on March 2. “I think I just came onto the court a little tight because I haven’t played that many matches in the past few months. I just hope that I can play better and better with each match.” Black is the younger sister of Tornado Alicia Black, 18, the former Top-5 world-ranked

TOP SEEDS Danny Thomas (inset) and Hurricane Tyra Black, both of the US, in action yesterday during Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s ITF Junkanoo Bowl at the National Tennis Centre. Photos by Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

junior and 2013 US Open girls’ finalist who is now playing on the pro circuit. Two seeded players were ousted on day one on the boys’ side. They were Robert Hammond, No.5, who lost 6-1, 6-4 to Santiago Hinojosa from Mexico and Zummy Bauer, who fell 6-1, 6-0 to Vasyl Kiselyov from Ukraine. As for the Bahamian participation, the 6-foot-2 American southpaw Zachary Garner, the No.7 seed from Las Vegas, Nevada, knocked off O’Neal Mortimer 6-2, 6-1 in the boys’ matchup. “I want to go as far as I can, so I will see how it goes,” said 16-year-old Garner, who is back for his second tournament in the Bahamas after playing here in November where he lost in the quarterfinals of the Goombay Splash Bowl. “I think I played very well today. I served very well too. I just love being in the Bahamas. It’s really nice. We’re staying in a nice hotel in Melia.” The best showing by a Bahamian came from 14-year-old Donte Armbrister, who suffered an identical 6-4, 6-4 defeat at the hands of American Joshu Bode. “It was a nice experience. Playing in my second ITF under-18, I was just trying to get used to playing against different opponents with different styles,” said Armbrister, who also lost in the first round of the Goombay Splash here in November. “As one of the youngest players in the tournament, I tried to catch my opponent by surprise. But my service was off and I missed some of my easy points.” Other Bahamians eliminated on day one were John Kelly, who lost 6-1, 6-4 to American Trey Hilderbrand, Sierra Donaldson, who lost 6-3, 6-0 to American Shelly Yaloz, Afrika Smith, who lost 6-2, 6-0 to American No.8 seed Willa Bay Breunich and Isabel Donaldson, who lost 6-0, 6-0 to American Jennifer Gadalov. There was one close call that left those watching a little concerned as Arthur Bernabe from France experienced some stomach aches as he was playing

SEE PAGE 2

Hield ESPY nominee for Best Male College Athlete award By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net A STANDOUT senior season for Buddy Hield has the former Oklahoma Sooner and current New Orleans Pelican guard in contention for another award. Hield was named one of five ESPY nominees for the Best Male College Athlete award. He is one of five nominees for the award category, including Derrick Henry of Alabama (football), Jarrion Lawson of Arkansas (track and field), Jordan Morris of Stanford (soccer) and Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State (wrestling). Hield’s star-studded senior season for the Sooners concluded with a litany of awards, including

the John R Wooden, Naismith and Oscar Robertson Player of the Year trophies. He was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches first-team, a first-team All-American by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), Sports Illustrated and USA Today. His list of honours thus far on the year also includes the Sporting News Player of the Year, USBWA District VI Player of the Year, CBS Sports Player of the Year, Big 12 Player of the Year and the All-Big 12 first-team. Hield could have left Oklahoma after his junior season as a potential first-round pick, but he returned to school for his senior season. It turned out to be a wise decision, as he had a career

BUDDY HIELD has been named one of five ESPY nominees for Best Male College Athlete award. (AP)

year, averaging 25.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 50.1 per cent overall and 45.7 per cent from threepoint range. He went on to be selected No.6 overall to the New Orleans Pelicans in this year’s NBA Draft. The 2016 ESPYS will be hosted by John Cena on Wednesday, July 13, at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Interested fans can vote for Hield at http://espn.go.com/espys/2016/ before voting ends at 8pm on July 13. This is the second time the Bahamas has been associated with winning a possible ESPY award. The improbable finish of the inaugural Popeyes Bahamas Bowl in which Central Michigan scored a 75-yard, three-lateral touchdown

as time expired has advanced to the Finals for the 2015 ESPY Best Play award. CMU’s touchdown, the No. 2 seed in the 16-play bracket, received 60 per cent of the online vote to defeat No. 7 seed Tyler Ennis of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres in the Round of 8 to move on to the final fan vote. New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr won the ESPY Award for play of the year for his catch against the Dallas Cowboys. The ESPYs were created by ESPN as an accolade to recognise individual and team athletic achievement and other sportsrelated performance during the calendar year preceding a given annual ceremony. The first ESPYs were awarded in 1993.

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NPSA: REGULAR SEASON ACTION TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT

THE BEST showing by a Bahamian came from 14-year-old Donte Armbrister, who suffered an identical 6-4, 6-4 defeat at the hands of American Joshua Bode.

TREY HILDERBRAND, of the USA

ZACHARY GARNER, of the USA.

ISABELLA MERMERSKY, of the USA, in action.

THE New Providence Softball Association continued its regular season action in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex over the weekend. • Here’s a summary of the games played from Thursday to Saturday night: Platinum Pool Sharks 16, COB Caribs 1: Keshell Robinson had a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs batted in, scoring three times to lead the Sharks to victory on Saturday night. Sari Albury was 2-for3 with a RBI and three runs scored, Denisha Woodside went 2-for2 with a RBI and three runs scored and Hannah Albury went 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored. Odessa Johnson went 2-for-2 scored a run for the Caribs. Alex Gabriel was the winning pitcher and Charity Rolle suffered the loss. Bommer G Operators 11, Sunshine Auto Wildcats 7: Tyriece Curry went 2-for-4 with three RBI and as many runs scored to lead the Operators to victory in a make-up game played on Friday. Ruthann Simms went 4-for 4-with two RBI and a run scored and Sophia Cartwright went 2-for-4 with a RBI. For the Wildcats, Michesia Davis went 1-for-4 with two RBI and Mary Sweeting was 2-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored. C&S Hitmen 22, Sports Center Dorsey Park Boys 4: Brad Wood went 3-for-4 with four RBI and as many runs scored to help the Hitmen secure their makeup game win Friday night. Phillip Johnson went 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored and Maitland Demeritte went 2-for-4 with two RBI and four runs scored. For Dorsey Park, Tori Rolle went 1-for-1 with two RBI and Anthony Bowleg was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Martin Burrows was the winning pitcher and Anton Hanna suffered the loss. The NPSA is scheduled to be back in action tonight with another double header at the stadium.

JOHN KELLY, of the Bahamas.

JUNKANOO BOWL JR CIRCUIT DAY 1 RESULTS BOYS SINGLES Joshua Bode (USA) def. Donte Armbrister (Bah) 6-4, 6-4. Danny Thomas (USA) (1) vs Amaury de Beer (MRI) 6-2, 6-4. Roger Lyn (USA) def. Dennis Moses (ZIM) 6-3, 6-0. Arthur Bernabe (FRA) (4) def. Dimitri Bird (USA) 6-3, 7-5. Santioago Hinojosa (Mex) def. Robert Hammond (USA) (5) 6-1, 6-4. Jacob Beasley (USA) (8) def. Karol Paluch (POL) 6-3, 6-2. Zachary Garner (USA) (7) def. O’Neal Mortimer (BAH) 6-2, 6-1. Trey Hilderbrand (USA) def. John Kelly (BAH) 6-1, 6-4. Drew Baird (USA) def. Lleyton Cronje (RSA) 6-4, 6-3. Michael Agee (USA) def. Sebastian Mermersky (BUL) (2) 7-5, 5-7, 7-5. Vasyl Kiselyov (UKR) def. Zummy Bauer (USA) (6) 6-1, 6-0. Nathan Han (USA) def. Liam Draxl (CAN) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. GIRLS SINGLES Hurricane Tyra Black (USA) (1) def. Isabella Mermersky (USA) 6-2, 6-1. Imani Graham (USA) def. Alexandra Tutecky (CAN) 6-2, 6-2. Shelly Yaloz (USA) def. Sierra Donaldson (BAH) 6-3, 6-0. Natsumi Kawaguchi (JAP) (6) def. Sofia Camilia Rojas (USA) 6-5, 6-2. Jimar Gerald (CHI) (4) def. Meg Kowalski (USA) 6-2, 6-3. Jenna Dean (USA) def. Meredith G. Jones (PHI) 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. Willa Bay Breunich (USA) (8) def. Afrika Smith (BAH) 6-2, 6-0. Jennifer Gadalov (USA) def. Isabel Donaldson (BAH) 6-0, 6-0. Alyssa Mayo (USA) (7) def. Ilkana Blackwood (JAM) 7-6 (5), 6-1. Amanda Meyer (USA) (3) def. Brianna Tulloch (USA) 6-2, 6-09. Elena Gemovic (SRB) def. Taysia Rogers (USA) 7-5, 6-0. Lucia de Santa Ana (URU) def. Rachel Tribick Caplan (USA) 7-6 (0), 1-0 retired.

ARTHUR BERNABE, of France, on the court as he experiences some stomach aches as he was playing against American Dimitri Bird. Photos by Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

Junkanoo Bowl swings into high gear FROM PAGE 1 against American Dimitri Bird. Leading 6-5 in the second set, the No.4 seed Bernabe got some medical attention and was able to hold serve to secure the 6-3, 7-5 win to move on. Following the qualifying rounds over the weekend, Americans Jacob Beasley, William Peters and Nicholas Watson, along with Canadian Liam Draxl, got into the boys’ main draw. However Beasley, the top seed in the qualifying

and No.8 in the main draw, was the only one to survive, winning 6-3, 6-2 over Karol Paluch from Poland. On the girls’ side, the qualifiers were top seed Brianne Tulloch and her American compatriots Sofia Camila Rojas and Rachel Trelbick Caplan as well as Holly Fischer from Germany. None of the Americans advanced as Tulloch lost 6-2, 6-0 to American No.3 seed Amanda Meyer, Natsumi Kawaguchi from Japan won 6-5, 6-2 over Rojas and Caplan couldn’t finish her match after losing 7-6

(0) in the opening set, retiring after falling behind 1-0 in the second set to Lucia de Santa Ana from Uruguay. Fischer is slated to play today. Also today, Sebastian Mermersky, who lost in the quarterfinal as the top seed in the Goombay Splash, is back and will play from the No.2 spot behind Thomas on the boys’ side. Lulu Radovcic from Switzerland will play as the No.2 seed on the girls’ side. The doubles competition is all set to begin today following the completion of all of the singles matches.

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Tuesday, July 5, 2016, PAGE 3

Today’s superstars test loyalty to the limit in search of titles OKAY, now that I’ve regained my composure from bouts of hysterical laughter, let me begin. The source of my good laugh? Kevin Durant signing with the Golden State Warriors. Just have a look at this excerpt from The Mercury News in Oakland, California. “Kevin Durant is joining the Warriors. “Durant made his muchanticipated free agency announcement Monday, tweeting out an article written for The Players’ Tribune. In it, he declared he would be joining the Warriors before the site promptly crashed. “The Warriors, in one of the biggest free agent acquisitions in NBA history, landed the former MVP, four-time scoring champion and seven-time All-Star. He joins a team that won a record-setting 73 games last season and fell one win shy of a second straight NBA championship.” Durant will sign a twoyear deal with the Warriors worth $54.3 million, with a player option in the second year, according to ESPN. com’s Marc Stein. Obviously just looking at the money in the deal and now the Warriors roster, one can see the whole scenario is no joke! Pulling a LeBron And no, not because he pulled a LeBron either. Okay, well maybe just a little bit. Just as I frowned on LeBron’s exodus to Miami and subsequent return to Cleveland, I frown on Durant’s departure as well. Why? Durant’s departure, coupled with Kobe’s retirement signifies the death of an era in basketball. Gone are the days when a superstar plays his whole career with the same

SPORTING

MISCHIEF

& MAYHEM BY INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’

ZENICAZELAYA

“NOWADAYS IT’S FAR EASIER TO ‘JUMP SHIP’ TO OTHER TEAMS WITH A SUPERSTAR OR TWO IN PLACE AND SOME SALARY CAP SPACE TO CHASE A CHAMPIONSHIP. THROW SOCIAL MEDIA INTO THE MIX AND IT’S ALL OVER.” nasty in basketball. Do you see that freakin’ roster? Scary!

KEVIN DURANT has decided his best chance for “growth” means leaving his beloved Oklahoma City behind for a big move out West to join the star-studded, record-setting Golden State Warriors and play alongside Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. (AP) franchise, working tirelessly to bring the organisation a championship. No more creative blockbuster trades to better a roster. It’s finished, finito, caput! Replaced by petulant superstars looking for major help to win after not being able to break through

and win the big one on their own. Nowadays it’s far easier to ‘jump ship’ to other teams with a superstar or two in place and some salary cap space to chase a championship. Throw social media into the mix and it’s all over. I think Durant’s move a

la LeBron will be a more successful one than James’ own to the Heat because Durant didn’t promise exorbitant amounts of championships ... not one, not two, not three, not four like LeBron did! I do, however, like the Warriors to be the next dy-

My People ‘Dem The real reason for my laughter is my Bahamian people and their lack of loyalty to their teams. It’s comical how fast some of you change your allegiance in a heartbeat in pursuit of being affiliated with a winning team or the champions in each sport. Let’s take ‘Buddy Mania’ for example: thousands of Bahamians flocked to social media professing their love for ‘Buddy’ Hield and claiming to be representing for the Pelicans from here on out all on Facebook with Pelicans logos on their profile pictures. Yesterday, as of 11.30am with Durant declaring his intent to sign with the Warriors, those same Pelican fans are now ... you guessed it ... Warrior fans?! Ah my people, what I’m really looking forward to are the explanations steeped in cow manure as to why they are jumping ship and rolling with the new look Warriors. That should make for some

great debates on the Press Box (Sunday’s 10am-1pm) and possibly new material for Jokers Wild! Lakers for life In all honesty, I can’t even get distracted by news from another franchise, I’ve got enough to worry about in Lakerland. Like, Mosgov at $64m and Deng at $72m?! Maybe it’s via a trade of DeMarcus Cousins for DeAngelo Russell and pieces? I’ve been hearing this rumour way too long so I will believe it when I see it. Or how about the hottest story on the wire - Russell Westbrook to the Lakers? Speaking of which, the latest update just hit the wire. See you next week, in my Laker jersey. Hopefully you ‘jumpers’ will figure out which one of your teams jerseys to wear! • Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net

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29th Jeff Rodgers Summer Basketball Camp into Week 2

HAPPY CAMPERS: Young campers take part in the oldest basketball camp in the Bahamas - the 29th Jeff Rodgers Summer Basketball Camp - which got underway last month at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Organiser Jeff Rodgers had to operate from the courts on the outside due to the renovations taking place indoors. Rodgers said the camp â&#x20AC;&#x153;is going to set the bar for my 30th camp next year. We are expecting a great camp this summer with about 300-400 participants.â&#x20AC;? Photos by Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

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Tuesday, July 5, 2016, PAGE 5

Durant leaves Thunder, giving Warriors look of super team By JANIE McCAULEY AP Sports Writer OAKLAND, California AP) — Kevin Durant decided his best chance for “growth” means leaving his beloved Oklahoma City behind for a big move out West to join the star-studded, record-setting Golden State Warriors and play alongside Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. In the most anticipated move of the NBA offseason, Durant announced his decision yesterday on The Players’ Tribune. His contract is for $54 million over two years and includes a player option, a person with knowledge of the deal said Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity because details weren’t made public. Durant’s move will become official as soon as Thursday, when free agents can sign their new contracts. Independence Day, indeed. “The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player — as that has always steered me in the right direction,” Durant said in the article. “But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth. With this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors.” And the 2015 champion Warriors, who squandered a 3-1 NBA Finals lead to lose to LeBron James and the Cavaliers last month, know how tough Durant is

in any lineup: They rallied from down 3-1 to beat Durant and the Thunder in a seven-game Western Conference Finals. Golden State applied a full-court press to land Durant. On Friday in the Hamptons, the Warriors sent owner Joe Lacob, general manager Bob Myers, coach of the year Steve Kerr, Curry and Thompson to meet with the 6-foot-9 superstar. The 2014 MVP and fourtime scoring champion led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012, and to the Western Conference finals in four of the past six years — and he’s only 27. He recovered from a broken bone in his right foot that cost him much of last season to post one of the best years of his career. Durant met with the Thunder, Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat once teams could begin negotiating with free agents. With the addition of Durant, the Warriors become the league’s latest team to add a superstar chasing a championship to a lineup of All-Stars. LeBron James made the move from Cleveland to Miami in 2010, joining a lineup that featured Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. They reached four NBA Finals as a group and won two championships. “I’m from Washington, D.C. originally, but Oklahoma City truly raised me. It taught me so much about family as well as what it means to be a man,” Durant said. “There are no words to express what the organisation and the community mean to me, and what they will represent in my life and in my heart forever. The memories and friendships are something that go far beyond the game. Those

IN THIS May 26, 2016 photo, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant watches during the closing minutes of the second half in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland. (AP) invaluable relationships are what made this deliberation so challenging. “It really pains me to know that I will disappoint so many people with this choice, but I believe I am doing what I feel is the right thing at this point in my life and my playing career.”

He should be a good fit in Golden State’s varying lineups and gives All-Star Draymond Green another physical body and rebounding presence to complement 3-point aces Curry and Thompson. The Warriors topped the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’

mark and set the NBA regular-season wins record with 73 victories and led the league in scoring. Durant has been a difficult opponent for the Warriors — he averaged 30 points per game against them in this year’s Western Conference finals and

dropped a career-high 54 points on them in 2014. Adding Durant will give the Warriors another chance to chase a title after the bitter feeling that was this season — a recordsetting year that ended without the team’s biggest goal being reached. Durant has had to carry much of the scoring load for the Thunder over the years, but having Curry, Green and Thompson on the floor with him should open up space he hasn’t had during his tenure in Oklahoma City. But the Warriors will have to move players to make room for Durant. Golden State and Dallas have agreed on a deal to send centre Andrew Bogut to the Mavericks, a person with knowledge of the deal told the AP. The person said other details of the trade are still being worked out, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be finalised until Thursday. Before Durant announced his move, Bogut removed all references to the Warriors from his Twitter page, which then featured a photo of the 7-footer in an Australia jersey. OKC also will have to make a decision on the future of restricted free agent Harrison Barnes. Losing Durant to a top rival will sting for the Thunder. “Kevin’s contributions to our organisation during his nine years were profound, on and off the court,” Thunder Chairman Clayton I. Bennett said in a statement. “He helped the Thunder grow and succeed in immeasurable ways and impacted the community just the same. “We thank him for his leadership, his play, and how he represented Oklahoma City and the entire state of Oklahoma.”

Pau Gasol and Spurs set on $30m, two-year deal By JON KRAWCZYNSKI AP Basketball Writer THE San Antonio Spurs didn’t waste any time after losing out in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. The Spurs agreed to a two-year deal with veteran forward Pau Gasol yesterday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The deal is worth more than $30 million and final terms will be completed after the Spurs make a move or two to create the necessary cap space, according to the person who spoke on condition of

anonymity because the contract cannot be signed until Thursday. The Spurs were one of six teams granted a meeting with Durant last weekend, and they had hoped to sell the biggest available free agent on joining the most consistently successful American sports franchise of the last two decades. But Durant announced on Monday he was leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors, making the Western Conference even more daunting for the Spurs and the rest of the contenders. That didn’t stop the Spurs from remaining aggressive in hopes

of matching a team that won a league-record 73 regular-season games and just added a fourth All-Star to its roster. Gasol has been one of the league’s most talented and versatile big men for the last 15 years. He spent the last two seasons in Chicago and averaged 16.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists this year, his game showing few signs of aging even as he prepares to turn 36 on Wednesday. In many ways, it’s a perfect match for the Spurs, who have long coveted international players for their polished skills and unselfish approach. He will fit right

in with Gregg Popovich’s ballmoving system, and the Spurs’ reputation for resting players so they can be fresh for the playoffs had to be appealing to Gasol, who will be entering his 16th NBA season. There were a number of suitors lining up for him, including Portland, Minnesota and Toronto. The Timberwolves offered him a two-year deal worth $36 million to open negotiations, but Gasol wanted to play for a team that was ready to contend for the championship. The Spurs will have to make roster moves to accommodate

Bryant, Contreras homer to help Cubs rout Reds 10-4 By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant hit his NL-best 24th home run before leaving with a bruised leg, Willson Contreras and Addison Russell also went deep, and the Chicago Cubs pounded the struggling Cincinnati Reds 10-4 yesterday. Playing the NL Central’s last-place team was just what the major leagueleading Cubs needed after getting outscored 32-11 in a four-game sweep by the Mets in New York. The Reds, meanwhile, continued their slide. They fired pitching coach Mark Riggins in an effort to shake up a staff with the majors’ worst ERA, then lost for the 11th time in 13 games. Bryant hit a two-run drive in the second inning and scored three times before exiting with a bruised lower left leg in the fifth. He was hurt making a catch in left field in the top half when centre fielder Albert Almora Jr ran into him. Matt Szczur batted for Bryant in the bottom half. Contreras capped a

CHICAGO Cubs’ Kris Bryant (17) is greeted at home plate by Ben Zobrist (18) after hitting a tworun home run against the New York Mets during the first inning. (AP) three-run second with a solo drive off Cody Reed (0-3) that made it 6-0. Russell drove in three runs and scored two. Kyle Hendricks (7-6) gave up an unearned run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings as the Cubs started a four-game homestand on a winning note after going 4-7 on their longest trip of the season. Zack Cozart and Eugenio Suarez hit back-to-back

home runs for Cincinnati in the seventh. But with Reed struggling again, the Reds never had much of a chance. The left-hander gave up eight runs — four earned — and five hits in four innings after getting pounded at home by the Cubs last week. He also walked three and hit two batters with pitches as his ERA remained at 9.00 after four career starts. The Cubs, who swept three games in Cincinnati

last week, scored three runs in each of the first two innings. Bryant’s towering drive to centre in the second left him two homers shy of his total last season on the way to winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. He connected after going deep six times during the 11-game trip. Contreras’ homer — a shot to left — was his fifth since being called up from Triple-A on June 17.

Gasol’s deal, which was first reported by Yahoo Sports. That could include trading veteran forward Boris Diaw to get the cap space to add Gasol to a frontcourt that already features LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard. It also raises further questions about the future of franchise player Tim Duncan. He has been mulling retirement after completing his 19th season. Most believe there is a real chance Duncan will end his career this summer. Should that happen, Gasol gives the Spurs a player who could slide right into that role.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STANDINGS

PAGE 6, Tuesday, July 5, 2016

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BRITAIN’S MARK CAVENDISH, (third from right) wearing the best sprinter’s green jersey, crosses the finish line ahead Germany’s Andre Greipel, left, and Peter Sagan of Slovakia, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, to win the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 223.5 kilometres (138.6 miles) with start in Granville and finish in Angers, France, yesterday. (AP)

Like a ride in the park: Tour de France leaders take it slow By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer ANGERS, France (AP) — Wearing the yellow jersey, Peter Sagan considered stopping at a cafe. Hardly pedalling, the overall leaders in the Tour de France spent most of yesterday’s third stage chatting to one another and riding at such a leisurely pace that they could have fit right in on a town bike path. “It was a very relaxed day for us. We went slow. It was nice,” said Sagan, who playfully bumped shoulders with some of the other riders just to keep things interesting. “I was thinking one moment we were going to take the coffee like old time.” The morning caffeine didn’t kick in until the very end of the lengthy and mostly flat 223.5-kilometre (139-mile) leg from Granville to Angers. That was when Mark Caven-

dish showed off his sprinting experience by edging German rival Andre Greipel in a photo finish. Having also won Saturday’s opening stage at Utah Beach, it was Cavendish’s second victory in this Tour and 28th overall. The British rider with Team Dimension Data matched five-time Tour champion Bernard Hinault for second on the all-time list behind Eddy Merckx, who had a record 34 stage wins at the Tour. “To even be mentioned in the same sentence as Bernard Hinault is something that I couldn’t even have dreamed of,” Cavendish said. “But I’m never going to compare myself to him.” On a very slightly uphill finish, Cavendish kept pedalling to the line while Greipel, who was ahead, put his head down a bit too early. Neither rider knew who won immediately. Greipel started celebrating, raising his left finger to the sky,

but then quickly took it down. Cavendish clenched his fist briefly and then just fiddled with his bike computer until the victory was confirmed — then started hugging his teammates. “I normally know when I win or I lose. When I crossed the line, I kind of knew I got it today,” Cavendish said. “But I was quite lucky to just get him.” On the winner’s podium, Cavendish was greeted by the 61-yearold Hinault, now at his final Tour in an ambassador role. Bryan Coquard of France crossed third, while Sagan was fourth. “I just made one mistake and it was a kind of reflex to go into the biggest gear,” Greipel said. “If I had kept it in the gear I had then I think I would have made it.” Sagan, the world champion from Slovakia who took the yellow jersey on Sunday, remained eight seconds ahead of Julian Alaphilippe of France and 10

seconds in front of Alejandro Valverde of Spain in the overall standings. Defending champion Chris Froome moved up one spot to fourth, 14 seconds behind Sagan. Cavendish clocked nearly six hours as the Tour moved out of the Normandy region over a southeasterly route that concluded in Angers, in the Anjou region of the Loire valley. The stage began on the Normandy coast. Nicknamed “the Monaco of the north,” Granville was built on a rock and is known for its casino. Angers is twinned with Austin, Texas, the home of Lance Armstrong. Armindo Fonseca, a French rider with the Fortuneo-Vital Concept team, attacked at the opening flag and established a lead of more than 10 minutes at one point. For much of the stage, the peloton rode at 33 kph (20 mph)

— well below the predicted time table, which was based on an average speed of 39-43 kph (24-27 mph). “It was a rest day for everyone,” Sagan said. “Just the last 20-30 kilometres were hard.” Taking advantage of the peloton’s pace, French rider Thomas Voeckler attacked midway through the stage and quickly bridged the gap to join Fonseca in the lead. The duo was caught by the main pack with eight kilometres (5 miles) to go. Stage 4 today is the race’s longest, a slightly more challenging 237.5 (148-mile) leg from Saumur to Limoges. “If the stage is shorter we’ll be faster,” Sagan said. “Tomorrow will be a long day.” The first mountain stage comes in Stage 5 on Wednesday in the Massif Central.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, July 5, 2016, PAGE 7

Open and shut: With roof closed, Williams rolls at Wimbledon By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer LONDON (AP) — It was raining, ever so slightly, and her Wimbledon fourthround match was slipping away, ever so slightly, when Serena Williams stumbled as she ran to the net, winding up seated on the slick Centre Court grass. Her opponent, two-time major champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, sent a shot flying past Williams to go up a break at 5-4 in the opening set. Williams was slow to get up. She wasn’t injured, but was worried she could be. Why, she demanded to know from chair umpire Marija Cicak, wasn’t the retractable roof shut? Eventually, after one more game and much discussion, action was delayed for nearly 30 minutes while the cover was closed. Whether it was the transformation to an indoor court, the strategy session the break allowed her to have with coach Patrick Mouratoglou or, as Williams suggested, simply the chance to calm down, she completely dominated the

rest of the way, taking the last nine games to beat the 13th-seeded Kuznetsova 7-5, 6-0 yesterday. “I’m so intense on the court. I give 200 per cent every time I’m out there. Every single point. Sometimes I just need to take a deep breath and relax. I just needed to do that. I can do that on the timeouts,” said Williams, who is seeking her seventh Wimbledon title and 22nd Grand Slam trophy overall. “That’s one thing the past four years I’ve been really doing a lot of, just really taking a deep breath, re-collecting myself,” the No. 1-ranked Williams continued. “I had a little more time to do it this time.” She wound up winning 24 of the match’s last 29 points, and her 14 aces helped produce a “Did I read that right?” edge of 43-8 in winners. The 13th-seeded Kuznetsova said she knew closing the roof would help Williams, but agreed it was the right decision, given how wet the grass was, saying: “I was afraid. ... I’m not ready to risk (an) injury.” Williams moved into her

matches with now.” The oldest man left is Roger Federer, who turns 35 on August 8, and he looked in fine form after two days of rest, easily dismissing unseeded American Steve Johnson 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. Federer equalled Jimmy Connors’ Open-era record by reaching his 14th Wimbledon quarterfinal and added to his own mark by making it at least that far at a major for the 48th time. Federer now plays No. 9 Marin Cilic, who beat him en route to the 2014 US Open championship. “He brushed me off the court,” Federer recalled, “like I was nothing.” Wednesday’s other men’s quarterfinals: No. 2 Andy Murray against No. 12 JoWilfried Tsonga, No. 6 Milos Raonic against No. 28 Sam Querrey, and No. 32 Lucas Pouille against either No. 10 Tomas Berdych or Jiri Vesely. The fourthrounder between Berdych and Vesely was suspended last night because of darkness, tied at two sets apiece. Cilic (against No. 5 Kei Nishikori) and Tsonga (against No. 7 Richard Gas-

SERENA WILLIAMS, of the US, slips down during her singles match against Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia on day eight of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London yesterday. (AP) 12th quarterfinal at the All England Club, and she’ll be joined by her older sister Venus at that stage of the tournament for the first time since 2010. A year after that, Venus revealed she had been diagnosed with an energy-sapping disease, and she hasn’t approached the level of play that carried her to seven major titles, including five at Wimbledon. At 36 the oldest woman in the field,

she eliminated 12th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro 7-6 (3), 6-4 yesterday. “It’s wonderful when everything is working. But that’s not a reality. I don’t focus so much on, ‘Oh, my gosh, everything feels good,’ or, ‘Oh, shoot, it feels bad,’” Venus said. “It’s about, ‘Can I make this play right now? If I don’t feel great, can I still make this play?’ That’s the mentality I go into my

THe WeaTHer repOrT

5-Day Forecast

TOday

OrlandO

High: 94° F/34° C low: 76° F/24° C

Tampa

TOnIGHT

Wednesday

THursday

FrIday

saTurday

Sunny much of the time

Mainly clear

Mostly sunny

Partly sunny, a t‑storm in spots

Clouds and sun, a t‑storm in spots

Partly sunny, a t‑storm in spots

High: 92°

Low: 78°

High: 91° Low: 79°

High: 90° Low: 79°

High: 91° Low: 79°

AccuWeather RealFeel

109° F

90° F

108°-89° F

109°-93° F

114°-95° F

113°-90° F

High: 91° F/33° C low: 79° F/26° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

almanac

aBaCO

High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C

6‑12 knots

WesT palm BeaCH High: 92° F/33° C low: 79° F/26° C

4‑8 knots

FT. lauderdale E

FreepOrT

High: 92° F/33° C low: 81° F/27° C

High: 90° F/32° C low: 79° F/26° C

mIamI

High: 92° F/33° C low: 80° F/27° C

4‑8 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 90° F/32° C Low .................................................... 84° F/29° C Normal high ....................................... 88° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 75° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 91° F/33° C Last year’s low ................................... 79° F/26° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 23.14” Normal year to date ................................... 14.52”

eleuTHera

nassau

High: 92° F/33° C low: 78° F/26° C

High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C

Key WesT

High: 90° F/32° C low: 83° F/28° C

High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C

7‑14 knots

andrOs

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

uV inDex toDay

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High Today

Ht.(ft.)

9:15 a.m. 9:42 p.m.

Low

Ht.(ft.)

2.9 3.5

3:17 a.m. ‑0.2 3:17 p.m. ‑0.3

Wednesday 10:05 a.m. 10:29 p.m.

2.8 3.4

4:05 a.m. ‑0.2 4:06 p.m. ‑0.2

Thursday

10:55 a.m. 11:15 p.m.

2.8 3.2

4:52 a.m. ‑0.1 4:55 p.m. 0.0

Friday

11:44 a.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

2.7 ‑‑‑‑‑

5:38 a.m. 5:45 p.m.

0.0 0.1

Saturday

12:01 a.m. 12:33 p.m.

3.0 2.7

6:24 a.m. 6:35 p.m.

0.1 0.3

Sunday

12:47 a.m. 1:24 p.m.

2.8 2.6

7:09 a.m. 7:27 p.m.

0.2 0.5

Monday

1:35 a.m. 2:16 p.m.

2.6 2.6

7:55 a.m. 8:22 p.m.

0.3 0.6

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:25 a.m. 8:04 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

7:36 a.m. 9:08 p.m.

First

Full

last

new

Jul. 11

Jul. 19

Jul. 26

aug. 2

CaT Island

quet) advanced when opponents quit because of injury. In the women’s quarterfinals, Venus will meet Yaroslava Shevodva, while Serena faces 21st-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Tuesday’s other matchups: No. 4 Angelique Kerber vs. No. 5 Simona Halep, and No. 19 Dominika Cibulkova vs. Elena Vesnina. Cibulkova’s story is fascinating. She had been past the third round at Wimbledon only once, and therefore figured there was no way she would make it deep into Week 2, so went ahead and scheduled her wedding — for Saturday, the day of the women’s final. After saving a match point and edging 2012 finalist Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 5-7, 9-7 in a thriller Monday, she explained that if she defeats Vesnina, the walk down the aisle will have to wait. “I said to my team, ‘OK, now it’s getting more serious,’” recounted Cibulkova, the Australian Open runner-up in 2014. “So I told them, ‘If I win tomorrow, then we seriously have to deal with this.’”

san salVadOr

GreaT eXuma

High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C

High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C

High: 90° F/32° C low: 82° F/28° C

W S

lOnG Island

insurance management tracking map

High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C

7‑14 knots

mayaGuana High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and

CrOOKed Island / aCKlIns

tonight’s lows.

raGGed Island High: 87° F/31° C low: 81° F/27° C

GreaT InaGua High: 89° F/32° C low: 82° F/28° C

High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C

10‑20 knots

marine Forecast aBaCO andrOs CaT Island CrOOKed Island eleuTHera FreepOrT GreaT eXuma GreaT InaGua lOnG Island mayaGuana nassau raGGed Island san salVadOr

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS SE at 4‑8 Knots SSE at 4‑8 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SSE at 4‑8 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots

WAVES 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 4‑7 Feet 4‑7 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 4‑7 Feet 4‑8 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 84° F 85° F 87° F 88° F 83° F 88° F 85° F 85° F 82° F 81° F 86° F 88° F 86° F 86° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 82° F 86° F

PAGE 8, Tuesday, July 5, 2016

THE TRIBUNE