THE LOCKER ROOM 5/15 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• Isiah Thomas is scouting two European lottery possibilities. (NY Post)
• Mike Mussina won his fifth straight start down in Tampa. (NYY)
• Aaron Heilman had a rough outing in the Mets' loss to Washington. (NYM)
• Manny Ramirez made a catch, high-fived a fan, then turned two. (MLB)
• Justine Henin and Annika Sorenstam retired on their own terms. (ESPN)
• Sen. Arlen Specter wants an independent investigation into Spygate. (AP)
• A suspect in Sean Taylor's slaying will serve 29 years in prison. (AP)
• The OHSAA ruled O.J. Mayo's HS team can keep its state titles. (ESPN)
• NYU Grad William Lopez dashed onto the Yankee Stadium field. (NY Daily News)

THE LOCKER ROOM 5/14 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• Mike D'Antoni is a face of hope and change for Knick fans. (NY Daily News)
• Hank Steinbrenner says the Yankees better start earning their money. (NY Post)
• Stephon Marbury's heart is still with the Knicks. (NYDN)
• A day after his "softball girls" comment, Nelson Figueroa was cut by the Mets.  (Newsday)
• A new indictment charged Barry Bonds with 14 felony counts of perjury. (ESPN)
• The Boston Herald issued an apology for its incorrect report on Spygate. (BH)
• Annika Sorenstam will "step away" from competitive play this year. (AOL Fanhouse)
• The NCAA has "new information" on NBA draft prospect O.J. Mayo. (AP)

THE LOCKER ROOM 5/13 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• Mike D'Antoni will be introduced as the Knicks head coach Tuesday. (AP)
• D'Antoni wouldn't mind trading Marbury for his favorite Suns. (NY Daily News)
• Could there be a "Dash of Nash" in New York after next season? (NY Post)
• D'Antoni's hire could be a big opportunity for little Nate Robinson. (Newsday)
• Nelson Figueroa likened the Nats to "softball girls" after the Mets' loss. (NYM)
• A-Rod's strained quad will force him to miss the Subway Series. (AP)
• Ian Kennedy will be recalled from Triple-A SWB to start Thursday. (NYY)
• Goose Gossage is not a fan of Joba's excessive celebration. (NYY)
• Pedro Martinez is frustrated by his hamstring rehab progress. (NYP)
• Spygate could end today when Roger Goodell meets with Matt Walsh. (ESPN)

THE LOCKER ROOM 5/12 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

The New York Knicks have agreed in principle with Mike D'Antoni to become the next head coach of the team. A press conference will be scheduled upon the completion of the contract.

Here are the reactions to the move across the web:

• Could the Knicks' hiring of D'Antoni open the door for LeBron? (Newsday)
• Marc Berman gives kudos to Donnie Walsh on the hire. (NY Post)
• Mitch Lawrence suggests D'Antoni should be the Knicks' GM. (NY Daily News)
• The Knicks' rebuilding process just got a huge jumpstart. (AOL Fanhouse)
• D'Antoni faces a big challenge with a roster that needs work. (SI)
• Marc Stein answers five burning questions about the teams involved. (ESPN)
• Walsh finally got his man, but is it the right one at the right time? (Yahoo!)
• Knicks now being shown in "3D" - Dolan, Donnie and D'Antoni. (NYDN)
• Peter Vecsey feels Walsh should've chosen Mark Jackson. (NYP)
• Walsh's first big moves show he's going to walk the walk. (ESPN)

THE LOCKER ROOM 5/9 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• Donnie Walsh has turned up the heat on Chicago for Mike D'Antoni. (ESPN)
• Bernie Bickerstaff could help Mark Jackson land the Knicks gig. (Newsday)
• Third time's the charm? David Wells wants to pitch in the Bronx again. (NY Post)
• Donald Trump threw Alex Rodriguez under the bus. (AOL Fanhouse)
• The Yankees broke out of an offensive funk vs. Cleveland. (NYY)
• David Dellucci took issue with Joba Chamberlain's celebration. (NY Daily News)
• Willie Randolph puts up with a lot and has been grossly misunderstood. (NYDN)
• The Nets promoted Kiki Vandeweghe to General Manager. (NJN)

THE LOCKER ROOM 5/8 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• The Knicks are still in the running for head coach Mike D'Antoni. (NY Post)
• A dominant Cliff Lee handed Chien-Ming Wang his first loss. (NYY)
• Former Mets prospect Carlos Gomez hit for the cycle against Chicago. (ESPN)
• John Maine shut the Dodgers down on the mound and at the plate. (Newsday)
• Roger Clemens isn't welcome on the U.S. Olympic baseball team. (AP)
• Matt Walsh won't be bringing down the Bill Belichick regime. (NY Daily News)
• Nets forward Richard Jefferson was charged with assault in Minneapolis. (AP)

THE LOCKER ROOM 5/7 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• How will Joba Chamberlain respond to his first blown save? (NY Post)
• Jaromir Jagr wants to extend his stay with the Rangers. (Newsday)
• Kobe Bryant was the runaway winner of his first MVP award. (AP)
• The MLBPA is looking into possible collusion regarding Barry Bonds. (ESPN)
• Koby Clemens came to his dad's defense. (NY Post)
• There's a new Met-killer in the NL and his name is Blake DeWitt. (NYDN)
• Gavin Floyd flirted with a no-no for the second time this season. (AP)
• Barbara Barker is fuming about the MLB's "boys will be boys" attitude. (Newsday)

THE LOCKER ROOM 5/6 - Evening Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires tonight ...

• Even A-Rod's wife questions her husband's masculinity. (Deadspin)
• Donnie Walsh met with Avery Johnson today. (Yahoo!)
• Roger Clemens was allowed to keep his lawyer in his defamation suit. (AP)
• Ozzie Guillen defended his team's use of inflatable dolls as "slump busters." (CST)
• Ken Griffey Jr. expects to be traded by the Reds. (AOL Fanhouse)

THE LOCKER ROOM 5/5 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• Marian Hossa's OT goal ousted the Rangers, four games to one. (NYR)
• Roger Clemens is sorry for "mistakes" he made. (Houston Chronicle)
• Ben Jobe is pushing Avery Johnson to coach the Knicks. (NY Post)
• Ian Kennedy was sent to the minors to iron out some things. (AP)
• Darrell Rasner came to the Yankees' rescue vs. Seattle. (NY Post)
• The Mets took advantage of Arizona's defensive miscues. (NYM)
• Filly Eight Belles had to be euthanized following the Kentucky Derby. (USA Today)

THE LOCKER ROOM 5/2 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• The Rangers avoided elimination against Pittsburgh in Game 4. (NYR)
• Phil Hughes will be out of the Yankees' rotation until July. (NYDN)
• Bobby Murcer is ready to begin broadcasting Yankees games again. (NYY)
• Avery Johnson and Mike D'Antoni are on Donnie Walsh's radar. (NY Post)
• A former stripper claims she had an affair with Roger Clemens. (NYDN)
• David Wright needs to have a bigger clubhouse conscience. (Newsday)
• Jose Canseco's $2.5 million home was foreclosed on in Los Angeles. (AP)
• Why are statutory rape allegations against Karl Malone being ignored? (AOL)
• Tim Montgomery has been indicted on heroin distribution charges. (ESPN)

THE LOCKER ROOM 5/1 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• The Rangers will be looking to stave off elimination tonight at The Garden in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series with the Penguins, but they'll have to do without Sean Avery, who is out for the season with a lacerated spleen.

• Phil Hughes became the latest Yankee to join the walking wounded after he was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday night due to a strained right oblique muscle.
  
  Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez could make his return to the lineup in as little as two weeks.

• Avery Johnson lost his job as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday, a move the team referred to as "relieving him of his duties."

• Kevin Durant, the Sonics' dynamic young star, will be named the NBA Rookie of the Year at a news conference Seattle has scheduled for today.

• Hard-throwing right-hander Max Scherzer wasted no time in earning a spot in the Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation. The 23-year-old has been tabbed as this year's Joba Chamberlain.

• The BCS rejected a plan to turn the much-criticized system for deciding a national champ into a four-team playoff, starting in the 2010 season.

THE LOCKER ROOM 4/30 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• The Rangers are in danger of being eliminated Thursday after falling to the Penguins 5-3 in Game 3 at The Garden Tuesday night.
  
  Blueshirt Bulletin says it doesn't take a Ph.D. in Hockey Science to understand what happened to the Rangers.

• Phil Hughes' struggles continued Tuesday vs. the Tigers as the Yankees dropped the first game of a nine-game homestand 6-4.
  
  Joel Sherman wonders if Hughes should be sent to Triple-A to work out his command issues.
  
  To make matters worse, Alex Rodriguez is going on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps, leaving the Yankees without two of their most important players.

• The Mets' bullpen blew the save for Johan Santana, but David Wright saved the day with a game-winning single in the 11th inning of a 5-4 win against Pittsburgh Tuesday.
  
  MetsBlog asks how confident you are in the overall future direction of the Mets.

• Avery Johnson and Mike D'Antoni could each be fired from their respective coaching posts after seeing their teams eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

• After going on the disabled list Tuesday with inflammation in the rotator cuff and a biceps tendon in his pitching arm, John Smoltz said it's possible he would return to the closer role where he dominated during the 2002-04 seasons. (AJC)

• The Olympic torch returned to Chinese soil Wednesday after a turbulent 20-nation tour, landing in the bustling financial capital of Hong Kong where officials deported at least seven activists before the flame's arrival.

THE LOCKER ROOM 4/29 - Evening Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires tonight ...

• Joba Chamberlain's father Harlan has been discharged from a Lincoln hospital and is recovering at home.

• Fans will pay starry prices for this year's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium. Tickets will be priced at $150-$725 for the July 15 game, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday.

• Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with an ailing right shoulder, though the Braves were told he can get over the problem without surgery.

• Ronaldo went into hiding Tuesday after a run-in with cross-dressing prostitutes that prompted police to investigate whether to charge one with trying to extort money from the striker.

• Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin are the three finalists for the Hart Trophy that is awarded to the NHL's most valuable player.

• The captain of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins was charged with indecent exposure after a police officer saw him running naked on a downtown street early Sunday, and a teammate was arrested for public drunkenness.

THE LOCKER ROOM 4/29 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• Country singer Mindy McCready confirms a long-term affair with Roger Clemens in this NY Daily News story.

• Carlos Delgado defended his decision to not take a curtain call after his second home run in the Mets' win over Atlanta Sunday.

• Alex Rodriguez aggravated his strained right quadriceps and said there is "no way" he could play as the Yankees return home to open an nine-game homestand.

• Pat Riley stepped down as head coach of the Miami Heat, but will remain team president. Erik Spoelstra, 37, was chosen to replace Riley and is now the NBA's youngest coach.

• Barry Zito, the $126 million man, was demoted to the bullpen Monday by the San Francisco Giants, who hope the former ace can correct his problems by working in relief.

• The Philadelphia Eagles sued their former wide receiver Terrell Owens for nearly $770,000 in bonus money he has not repaid the team.

• Larry Brown will be taking over his ninth NBA team after reaching an agreement to return to the NBA as coach of the Charlotte Bobcats.

• Washington's Brendan Haywood says LeBron James should stop complaining and play basketball.

THE LOCKER ROOM 4/28 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• The Rangers find themselves in a 0-2 hole after being shut out by the Penguins 2-0 Sunday in Pittsburgh. The best-of-seven series shifts to The Garden Tuesday.

• The Jets stayed at No. 6 in the 2008 NFL Draft and selected defensive end Vernon Gholston out of Ohio State. A record 33 trades were made, turning the draft into a swap meet.

• In the weeks leading up to the draft, the New Orleans Saints and several other teams approached the Giants about a trade for oft-injured Pro Bowler Jeremy Shockey, who admittedly was unhappy with his role. The Giants listened, but that was it.

• Jorge Posada is headed to the disabled list for the first time in his career following a recurrence of the right shoulder injury that has limited his ability to catch for the Yankees this season.
  
  Chien-Ming Wang improved to 5-0 after beating the Indians at the site of his 2007 postseason meltdown. Mariano Rivera notched his 450th career save in the 1-0 win.

• Kenny Smith, a TNT analyst and 10-year veteran of the NBA, confirmed his interest in the Knicks' GM position. (NY Times)

• According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Magic's Hedo Turkoglu will be named the NBA's Most Improved Player.  (Via ESPN.com)

THE LOCKER ROOM 4/25 - Evening Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires tonight ...

• Penguins forward Gary Roberts will sit out Friday night's second-round playoff game against the New York Rangers with a groin injury.

• A Miami judge denied bail Friday for one of the suspects in the slaying of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor.

• As the cover boy for Madden '09, Brett Favre is the first retired player to have his visage on the video game.

• Tiger Woods is no longer on crutches since surgery last week on his left knee, but he said Friday in his monthly newsletter that he does not know when he will return.

• When 20 of the best 3-year-old horses line up for this year's Kentucky Derby, they will be among the most closely monitored athletes on the planet.

• Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk is among three finalists for the Frank Selke Trophy, which honors a forward for his defensive work.

THE LOCKER ROOM 4/25 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• Good news for the New York Jets? Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said the team is giving consideration to moving down from the No. 4 spot in the first round to make up for the fact that Oakland's second of five picks doesn't come until the fourth round with the 104th overall selection.

• More e-mails involving SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett have been revealed that could slow or even stop the team's move from Seattle to Oklahoma City, a move the NBA overwhelmingly approved last week.

• Joe Crede's walk-off single off Joba Chamberlain handed the Yankees rookie his first Major League loss on a night where Joba's fellow young star Phil Hughes pitched just two innings due to lengthy rain delays.
  
  Kyle Farnsworth, Alex Rodriguez and Brian Bruney all hope to avoid the DL.

• The Mets struggles continued with an ugly 10-5 loss to the Nationals in D.C. Thursday night.

• Tamika Catchings won't rush back from a major foot injury for the start of the WNBA season, instead focusing on playing in the Olympics in Beijing.

• Ryan Potulny scored at 2:58 of the fifth overtime to give the Philadelphia Phantoms a 3-2 victory over the Albany River Rats early Friday in the longest game in American Hockey League's 72-year history.

• Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas, starting for the first time since November, left the game after injuring his surgically repaired knee in the first half Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

THE LOCKER ROOM 4/24 - Evening Edition

Here are the top stories on the wires tonight ...

• The Boston Red Sox jersey secretly buried under the new Yankee Stadium in a failed curse attempt sold Thursday for $175,100 in a charity auction.

• Roger Goodell is fully prepared to crack down again on the New England Patriots if his meeting with Matt Walsh uncovers a tape made of the St. Louis Rams' final walkthrough practice before the 2002 Super Bowl.

• Baseball commissioner Bud Selig hinted strongly Thursday that management officials implicated in the Mitchell Report won't be suspended or fined.

• The Oakland Athletics agreed to terms Thursday with designated hitter Frank Thomas, who was released Sunday by the Toronto Blue Jays to become a free agent after getting frustrated with his lack of playing time.

• The Jets have agreed to ship defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson to the Denver Broncos, an NFL source close to the situation told ESPN.com.

• Nets guard Vince Carter had surgery to remove a bone spur from his right ankle on Wednesday.

• Larry Brown resigned Thursday as Philadelphia's executive vice president after barely two years on the job.

• CBS executive Tony Petitti was hired Thursday as president and chief executive officer of the MLB Network, baseball's 24-hour-a-day cable channel set to launch on Jan. 1.

• Marian Gaborik has a hip injury that will keep him from playing for Slovakia in hockey's world championship tournament next month.

THE LOCKER ROOM 4/24 - A.M. Edition

What people are talking about this morning ...

• Mike Mussina silenced Hank Steinbrenner's criticism Wednesday night, giving up just two runs over seven innings as the Yankees beat the White Sox 6-4 at U.S. Cellular Field.

• Alex Rodriguez probably won't play until this weekend's series at Cleveland, even though he's scheduled to rejoin the team in Chicago on Thursday.

• Johan Santana tossed seven strong innings and hit two doubles to halt the Mets' three-game losing streak with a 7-2 win over the Nationals.

• Suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones is getting what he's wanted for months with a trade sending him to the Dallas Cowboys.

• Former Patriots assistant Matt Walsh will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on May 13 about New England's videotaping of opposing teams, a.k.a Spygate.

• With their 7-6 win over the Rockies in extra innings Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs became the second franchise in MLB history to win 10,000 games.

• According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Dolphins are shopping All-Pro defensive end Jason Taylor for draft choices, a claim which team president Bill Parcells denies.

• Off to their worst start in five years, the Reds fired Wayne Krivsky on Wednesday and replaced him with Walt Jocketty, who built consistent winners during 10 seasons running the Oakland Athletics and 13 with the St. Louis Cardinals.