Davis likes Lakers, will match lineup with any team in NBA
Anthony Davis met the media in Los Angeles on Saturday for the first time since he was traded to the Lakers and expressed his enthusiasm about joining Lebron James and Demarcus Cousins to create one of the NBA’S top trios.
“I’ll put our roster up against anybody,” Davis, a six-time All-star, told the media. “In a seven-game series, I think we’ll come out victorious.”
GM Rob Pelinka called the acquisition of Davis a “history-shifting” moment for the franchise.
“There is no more complete basketball player in the game,” he said. “There is nothing he can’t do. He can shoot. He can make plays. He can defend 1-5. He can protect the rim. He can handle the ball. His dedication to his craft is unparalleled.”
The Lakers agreed to acquire Davis on June 15, sending Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram and three first-round draft picks to the New Orleans Pelicans. The trade was finalized last weekend under NBA rules.
Davis discussed his role with the Lakers and said he’d play center if the team needed him to, but that wasn’t his first choice.
“I like playing the four. I’m not even going to sugarcoat it,” Davis told reporters before looking to Frank Vogel, the Lakers’ first-year coach. “If it comes down to it, coach, and you need me to play the five, I’ll play the five.”
When asked whether he intended to take games off during the season to rest, he made it clear that also wasn’t his first choice.
“I’m playing. I’m 26 years old,” he said. “I love the game of basketball. I’m ready to play.”
Davis averaged 25.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in 56 games with the Pelicans in 2018-19. ROCKETS REACH DEAL WITH FORMER NO. 1 PICK BENNETT >> The Houston Rockets invited former No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Bennett to training camp. The 26-year-old forward last played an NBA game with the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 5, 2017.
Bennett, the top pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013 out of UNLV, agreed to a non-guaranteed contract with Houston.
Soccer
QUAKES CONTINUE STRONG PLAY >> Valeri Qazaishvili and Danny Hoesen scored goals three minutes apart in the second half as the visiting San Jose Earthquakes dominated the run of play and rallied for a 3-1 California Clasico victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy late Friday.
Jackson Yueill added the finishing touch with a goal in the 85th minute, as San Jose won for the fourth time in its past five games and improved to 6-1-2 going back to May 18.
NHL
BLUES AGREE TO TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH BINNINGTON >> The Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues agreed to a two-year, $8.8 million deal with goaltender Jordan Binnington. He had a 2.46 GGA in the playoffs and became the first rookie in NHL history to record 16 wins in a single postseason. By agreeing to terms Saturday, Binnington and the club avoid an arbitration hearing.
Motorsports
KURT BUSCH BEATS LITTLE BROTHER >> Kurt Busch won a door-to-door overtime battle with his little brother at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta to earn his first victory with Chip Ganassi Racing. Joey Logano had the victory in hand until a spin by Bubba Wallace with six laps remaining sent the race into overtime.
Logano and Kyle Busch lined up side-by-side on the restart for what was expected to be a race for the victory, but both Erik Jones and Kurt Busch shoved their cars into the mix for an intense final two laps. Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch touched as they raced for the lead, both cars wiggled, and it appeared Kurt Busch was headed into the wall.
But he recovered to squeeze past his brother right before the checkered flag.
PAGENAUD WINS POLE FOR INDYCAR RACE AT TORONTO >> Indianapolis 500 winner Simon Pagenaud will start from the pole for the Indycar race through the streets of Toronto. Pagenaud took pole in qualifying, edging out reigning series champion Scott Dixon for the top starting spot in today’s race.
Dixon teammate Felix Rosenqvist qualified third for Chip Ganassi Racing, followed by Indy 500 runner-up Alexander Rossi for Andretti Autosport as Honda drivers took spots two through four.
The day got off to a hot start when Sato confronted Bourdais following the morning practice session. Bourdais was still in his cockpit when Sato approached and appeared to grab the Frenchman, Bourdais climbed out of his car throwing haymakers and a team representative tried to separate the two drivers. But the scuffle continued another few seconds and Bourdais said later Sato seemed to overreact to an on-track pass.
“I passed him on the out-lap ... I’m not sure it deserved that kind of reaction, but it doesn’t matter,” Bourdais said. “If there was anything, I’m the one who should be pretty (mad). He pretty much ruined our race in Texas from three laps down and blocked us the last three stints. I’ve never asked him for anything. We know he races hard but with that little incident, I’m not so sure what should happen to him.”
Sato later said of his emotions “I’m cool,” and thought the scuffle was triggered by Bourdais, who Sato thought was aggressive on track and then blew up after Sato grabbed Bourdais by the collar of his firesuit while Bourdais was in the car.
BOTTAS DENIES TEAMMATE HAMILTON POLE FOR BRITISH GP >> Valtteri Bottas was six milliseconds 0.006 faster than Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton on Saturday to take pole position for the British Grand Prix.
It will be the first time since 2014 that Hamilton hasn’t started from the front at his home Formula One race as he chases a record sixth victory today in Silverstone, England. Bottas opened the season by winning two of the first four races. Hamilton has a 31-point lead over Bottas in the championship standings.
NFL
DOLPHINS ASSISTANT CALDWELL TAKES LEAVE OF ABSENCE >> Miami Dolphins assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell is taking a leave of absence due to health issues.
“I will be stepping back due to some medical complications that require my full attention,” Caldwell said in a released statement. “I want to thank (owner) Stephen Ross, (general manager) Chris Grier, Coach (Brian) Flores and the rest of the organization for the support they have given me and my family.”
Caldwell, 64, will serve as a consultant for the team during the 2019 season.