Hasek to return, likely to Red Wings
DETROIT, Mich., July 9 (UPI) -- Dominik Hasek announced his intentions to return to the NHL Tuesday in a conference call from his native Czech Republic.
The 38-year-old Hasek has not played in the NHL -- or in the nets -- since he led Detroit to the Stanley Cup title in June 2002.
Hasek had been playing forward in the Czech Inline Hockey League, but his real love is goaltending. He has won six Vezina Trophies as the best goalie in the NHL and two Hart Trophies as the league's most valuable player.
Hasek stressed he wants to return to the Red Wings, and no one else. He already has talked to some of his former teammates and told Detroit reporters he was looking forward to seeing them at training camp.
Report: Payton to sign with Lakers
BRISTOL, Conn., July 9 (UPI) -- Gary Payton reportedly has reached a verbal agreement to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
ESPN reported Tuesday that the veteran point guard will accept the team's mid-level exception, believed to be Los Angeles' limit of $4.9 million.
Nothing can become official until July 16, when teams can begin signing free agents.
The Lakers are well over the NBA's salary cap of $40-plus million, but Payton's agent -- Aaron Goodwin -- told ESPN his client still will sign a multi-year deal with the dethroned champions.
Goodwin told ESPN Payton has chosen to accept less money to join the Lakers. He said Portland was interested in acquiring his services in a sign-and-trade deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Payton split the 2002-03 campaign between the Seattle SuperSonics and Bucks but became a free agent at the end of the season.
James impressive in summer league debut
ORLANDO, Fla., July 9 (UPI) -- LeBron James' professional basketball debut was an unqualified success.
The high school phenomenon made his summer league debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers and led his team to a resounding 107-80 romp over the Orlando Magic.
James, playing mostly at point guard, had 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 23 minutes. He had 10 of his points in the opening half -- including a dunk for his professional points.
His status as a bona fide gate attraction also was confirmed as the game drew 15,123 and more than 100 members of the media.
James was not surprised at how much time he saw at the point.
"If I keep playing like this I'll do whatever is needed to keep it going," James said. "I'll do whatever the team needs, get a rebound, make a basket, I'll do whatever they need me to."
Nazon leads Tour de France
SAINT-DIZIER, France, July 9 (UPI) -- Frenchman Jean-Patrick Nazon picked up key bonuses Tuesday to grab the overall lead in the Tour de France.
American Lance Armstrong dropped to 12th place.
Nazon gained 14 seconds in time bonuses, six by edging Australian Robbie McEwan for the second intermediate sprint. The 30-year-old McEwan won the green jersey as the best sprinter in the 2002 Tour de France.
With a total time of 12 hours, 25 minutes, 59 seconds, the 26-year-old Nazon is the first Frenchman to wear the yellow jersey as the overall leader since Francois Simon in 2001.
Nazon is eight seconds ahead of Australian Bradley McGee, who had led each of the first three days.
Armstrong, who is trying to join Spaniard Miguel Indurain (1991-95) as the only riders to win the prestigious event five straight years, dropped from 10th to 12th, 19 seconds behind the leader.
