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sports
United’s Midseason Awards
VICTOR R. CAIVANO (AP)
After a season in which D.C. United won just three games, the club already has 11 victories in 2014 and is riding a four-game winning streak. Although the team is a little over halfway through its regular-season schedule (20 games played, 14 to go), let’s dole out some midseason awards. SETH VERTELNEY (FOR E XPRESS)
Basketball Manu Ginobili will not play for Argentina at the FIBA World Cup because of a stress fracture in his right leg that has bothered the San Antonio Spurs guard since the playoffs. The Argentine Basketball Federation announced the decision on Thursday. The World Cup will be played starting Aug. 30 in Spain, and Ginobili’s loss is a big blow for Argentina’s chances. The 37-year-old Ginobili played through the injury while helping the Spurs beat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. He has long relished international competition, but the San Antonio Express-News first reported earlier this week that the Spurs requested Ginobili not play in Spain because of the lingering issue. JON KR AWCZ YNSKI (AP)
10.8M
Followers of the NBA’s Twitter account, by far the most when compared to the NFL, MLB and NHL. The NBA is adding its Twitter handle to its official game ball for next season. The handle @NBA will be added to the left of the league’s logo. (AP)
Best newcomer: Fabian Espindola
Rookie of the year: Steve Birnbaum
Biggest surprise: Chris Rolfe
This award could go to a number of players, with Jeff Parke, Bobby Boswell, Sean Franklin, Chris Rolfe and Davy Arnaud all making a strong case. Espindola gets the nod here for completely revitalizing the team’s offense. Despite missing the past five games with an injury, Espindola still leads the team in goals (seven) and assists (eight).
OK, so the 23-year-old center back doesn’t have much competition in this category, as he’s the only rookie to log any minutes for United this season. However, his contributions over the past two months deserve recognition. The California product has stepped into the starting lineup the past seven games and filled in seamlessly for the injured Parke.
When the 31-year-old was acquired in April, he was expected to help United’s depth with Chris Pontius out with a long-term injury. Instead, Rolfe (four goals, five assists) has become one of the team’s most crucial players, using his creativity to bolster the attack. As coach Ben Olsen said after Wednesday’s win: “He’s just a classy player and we’re lucky to have him.”
MVP: Bobby Boswell Had Espindola remained healthy, it’s likely he would be the MVP, but Boswell has been the biggest reason for United’s massive defensive turnaround. After a season in which United conceded 1.7 goals per game, the team has that number down to 1.0 goal per game in 2014. The veteran center back has been the main organizer and sets the tone by winning plenty of tackles and aerial challenges.
Rice Says Actions ‘Inexcusable’ NFL Ray Rice stepped to the microphone, took a deep breath and spoke for 17 minutes about what he called “the biggest mistake of his life.” His arrest for domestic violence against his then-fiancee last February is something Rice figures will haunt him long after his NFL career has ended. The Baltimore Ravens running back was arrested on assault charges following a Feb. 15 altercation in New Jersey in which he allegedly struck Janay Palmer. Rice has been accepted into a diversion program, which upon completion could lead to the charges being dropped. “My actions that night were
GAIL BURTON (AP)
Ginobili to Sit Out of World Cup
ROB CARR PHOTOS (GETTY IMAGES)
Argentina guard Manu Ginobili has a stress fracture in his right leg.
Ray Rice answers a question during Thursday’s news conference.
totally inexcusable,” said Rice, who during Ravens training camp Thursday spoke publicly for the first time since receiving a twogame suspension from the NFL. “My daughter is 2 years old
now. One day she’s going to know the power of Google. Me having to explain that to her, what happened that night, that’s something I have to live with the rest of my life.” Rice was referring to a grainy video in which he is shown dragging Palmer, now his wife, from an elevator at an Atlantic City casino. He did not address the incident at an impromptu news conference in May, and although he refused to divulge details on Thursday, he dismissed the notion that he was provoked. “I don’t want to keep re-living the incident. I’m trying to move forward,” he said. “I don’t condone any of my behavior. I take full responsibility for my actions. My wife can do no wrong.” DAVID GINSBURG (AP)
NBA
Shaq Sued for Selfie A Michigan man who has a rare genetic disorder that affects his facial features is suing former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal and two others for mocking a selfie he posted online. Jahmel Binion filed a lawsuit in Macomb County Circuit Court on Wednesday seeking more than $25,000 in damages. (AP)