NBA Stars Turn to 'Hoops Whisperer' for Help

'Wounded warriors' watch; reporters boxed out

(NEWSER) - President Obama played basketball today with a constellation of NBA stars and a ringer from the national champion UConn women's team. Service members injured in action and participants in the White House mentoring program watched, but the press pool waited outside, the Washington Post reports. Retired stars Magic Johnson and Bill Russell played but Kobe Bryant only watched, reports The Hill . More»

Paul steers Hornets past Nets, Bucks watch Blazers prevail at wire

(NEWSER) - The Nuggets enjoyed the challenge of facing the reigning NBA champions, putting away the Spurs 109-96 by beating them to boards and stuffing point guard Tony Parker. Manu Ginobili led San Antonio in both points (24) and boos (numerous and resounding), while Allen Iverson swept to 29 points and nine assists, the San Antonio Express-News reports. Elsewhere in professional hoops: More»

Southwest Division leaders win their ninth straight game

(NEWSER) - Chris Paul must have heard the "M-V-P" chants and certainly played like one with 23 points and a whopping 17 assists as the No. 1 team in the Western Conference, the New Orleans Hornets, crushed Denver 117-93, reports AP. The Hornets had six players score in double-figures, including Tyson Chandler, who dominated the battle of the centers against Marcus Camby. More»

(NEWSER) - The San Antonio Spurs' Big Three came through, but they'll still have to win one on the road to keep their title defense alive. Manu Ginobili scored 25 points, Tim Duncan had 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Tony Parker added 15 points in the Spurs' 99-80 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in Game 6 last night. More»

(NEWSER) - Tim Duncan had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the New Orleans Hornets 100-80 tonight in Game 4 to even the Western Conference semifinals at 2-2. Tony Parker added 21 points for the Spurs, who led nearly the entire game and are assured of a Game 6 back in San Antonio. Chris Paul scored 23 for the Hornets. More»