Donovan Leaves Orlando at the Altar

Champion hoops team continues disintegration as coach bolts for the pros

(NEWSER) - Billy Donovan, who led the University of Florida to two straight championships in 11 years, will replace the fired Brian Hill as Orlando's new coach. Donovan was wooed with a five-year, $27.5 million deal, and he will enjoy no front-office responsibilities, traditionally difficult territory for coaches accustomed to the college game. More»

After Gainsville triumph, does he still want dream job?

(NEWSER) - In the wake of his second straight championship, Gators coach Billy Donovan has a difficult, if enviable, decision. The 41-year-old workaholic can continue stewarding the historic program he has built in Gainesville, or he can fill the vacancy at basketball powerhouse Kentucky, where he was assistant coach for five years. More»

Cops vow to jail miscreants as coliseum fills

(NEWSER) - An estimated 150,000 clogged streets in downtown Los Angeles today as the NBA-champion Lakers took a victory lap around downtown, the Times reports. Some 80,000 more jammed the Coliseum for a rally at parade’s end. Police, hoping to avoid the looting and chaos that followed Sunday’s clinching victory over the Orlando Magic, turned out in force. More»

(NEWSER) - The Cavaliers' loss to the Orlando Magic last night further highlights the difference between LeBron James and his spectacular forebear, Michael Jordan, Mike Freeman writes for CBS Sports. “Jordan wouldn't have lost this game or been destroyed in this series,” Freeman writes. Furthermore, Jordan would not have delivered James’ easygoing response to the loss that left Cleveland down 3-1. “Jordan would've strangled someone.” More»

(NEWSER) - LeBron James' 3-point bomb at the buzzer last night to beat Orlando is the stuff of legend. In fact, writes Jodie Valade in the Plain Dealer, it invokes another classic shot in Cavaliers' history, this one by Michael Jordan 20 years ago to beat Cleveland. "He was born to do that," said guard Sasha Pavlovic of James. "I believed. I think all our fans believed, too." The Eastern finals are now tied at 1-1. More»