Knicks Sprewell to Wolves in 4-team deal
PHILADELPHIA, July 24 (UPI) -- The New York Knicks traded forward Latrell Sprewell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster four-team deal Wednesday.
In the swap the Knicks picked up forward Keith Van Horn from he Philadelphia 76ers, who got forward Glenn Robinson from the Atlanta Hawks, which got injured guard Terrell Brandon from the Wolves.
The deal works under salary cap guidelines because all four players make in the range of $12 million.
Philadelphia also acquired center-forward Marc Jackson from Minnesota in the deal, sent the rights to forward Randy Holcomb, a first-round draft pick and cash to Atlanta. In return the Hawks sent Philadelphia back the 76ers' second-round pick in 2006.
Sprewell, 32, has been prominently mentioned in trade rumors since last summer, when he broke his hand in a boating accident and did not tell the Knicks about it until he arrived at training camp.
Playing mostly at small forward, the 6-5 Sprewell averaged 16.4 points last season, his 11th in the NBA.
Patriots extend contract for Belichick
FOXBORO, Mass., July 24 (UPI) -- The New England Patriots celebrated the start of training camp by signing coach Bill Belichick to a two-year contract extension through the 2006 season.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced the extension Wednesday before the team's first practice.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Belichick is entering the fourth year of his original five-year deal with the Patriots.
"I'm extremely pleased that Mr. Kraft has offered to extend my tenure here," Belichick said. "It's a great organization to work for and I'm proud to be here and be a part of the New England Patriots."
The 51-year-old Belichick led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title in 2001. However, last season they missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record.
Belichick is best known for his defensive game plan which flustered the high-powered offense of the St. Louis Rams in a 20-17 victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Belichick had a 36-44 record as coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1991-95. He is 25-23 with New England.
Tom Watson recalls 1977 British Open win
TURNBERRY, Scotland, July 24 (UPI) -- More than 2 1/2 decades later, Tom Watson returns to Turnberry, Scotland, the site of his second British Open title, this time as a senior.
In 1977, Watson closed with consecutive rounds of 65 to post a memorable one-stroke victory over Jack Nicklaus to earn his second British Open crown in three years.
Both players shattered the previous tournament record of 276 as Watson posted a winning score of 268. Nicklaus finished second in the British Open for a record sixth time.
The two long-time rivals are back at Turnberry this week to compete in the Senior British Open, which for the first time has been designated as the fifth major on the Champions Tour. The tournament, a staple on the European Seniors Tour since 1987, gets under way Thursday.
The 63-year-old Nicklaus has not won on the Champions Tour since 1996 and has battled persistent back pain in recent years. Watson, 53, tied for 18th last week in the British Open at Royal St. George's.
Whaley joins men at Greater Hartford Open
CROMWELL, Conn. July 24 (UPI) -- Suzy Whaley gets her chance to tee it up against the men Thursday at the Greater Hartford Open.
Whaley would have been the first female to compete in a PGA Tour event in 58 years if Annika Sorenstam had not accepted an exemption and competed in the Colonial in May.
A teaching pro from Avon, Conn., Whaley won a PGA Sectional tournament in Connecticut playing from the ladies tees last fall to qualify for this tournament.
Because she has two jobs - a teaching pro and mother of two daughters - Whaley has not had a chance to play much. She tied for 48th place last week in the LPGA Big Apple Classic with a 7-over 291, but relishes a chance to play in a PGA Tour event.
"This is the pinnacle of anything I've ever done," Whaley said."My golf swing is in good shape. I feel good about it."
