Report: Pistons to name Kuester next coach
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 7 (UPI) -- The Detroit Pistons are expected to name long-time NBA assistant John Kuester their next head coach, various media reported Tuesday.
The reports say Kuester, who has been an assistant for six different NBA teams since 1995, including the Cleveland Cavaliers the past two seasons, is working out terms of a contract with the Pistons.
The Pistons reportedly chose Kuester, 54, over former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson and Doug Collins, a former NBA star who also coached Chicago, Detroit and Washington.
Detroit needs a replacement for Michael Curry, who was fired last week. In his first year last season, Curry led the Pistons to a 39-43 record and No. 8 seed in the NBA Eastern Conference. Detroit was swept in the first round of the playoffs by Cleveland.
Kuester played collegiately for North Carolina and in the NBA (1977-80) for Kansas City, Denver and Indiana. He was an assistant for the Pistons during their 2004 title run.
NFL suspends Giants linebacker one game
NEW YORK, July 7 (UPI) -- The NFL suspended New York Giants linebacker Michael Boley Tuesday for the 2009 regular-season opener.
The suspension reportedly involved an incident in May 2008 when Boley was charged with battery of his wife while he was with the Atlanta Falcons.
Boley will miss the Sept. 13 home game against Washington, but is eligible to return for the following weekend's game at Dallas.
Boley had arthroscopic surgery last month to repair a torn labrum in his hip. A full recovery is expected in 8-10 weeks.
Boley, who signed with the Giants as a free agent Feb. 28 after four years with the Falcons, has six sacks, six forced fumbles, five interceptions and four fumble recoveries in 64 games.
Horse trainer suspended 30 days
LEXINGTON, Ky., July 7 (UPI) -- The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission doubled trainer Rick Dutrow's recommended suspension after a horse tested positive for high levels of Clenbuterol.
The commission voted 6-5 Tuesday to hand down the 30-day penalty to Dutrow. A stewards group and hearing officer had initially recommended a 15-day suspension in April, Thoroughbred Times said.
Dutrow also will have to return all earnings from Salute the Count, who finished second in the $100,000 Aegon Turf Sprint.
Dutrow, who has 10 days to file an appeal in circuit court, also was the trainer for Big Brown, the winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2008.
Clenbuterol allows for greater lung capacity, similar to steroids. Under horse racing rules, a violation regarding Clenbuterol could result in a suspension of up to 60 days and a loss of purse.
Hall of Fame tennis rained out Tuesday
NEWPORT, R.I., July 7 (UPI) -- Heavy rains washed out play Tuesday at the $500,000 Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Rhode Island before any of the matches could be completed.
Three matches had started but did not have time to finish. When play was suspended, Sebastian Grosjean was leading seventh-seed Kevin Jim 6-4, Germany's Philipp Petzschner led Argentina's Horacio Zeballos 6-4, 3-4 and Samuel Groth of Australia was leading Ricardo Mello of Brazil 7-5, 0-3.
Two-time defending champion Fabrice Santoro was scheduled to play Tuesday but never got started. Top-seeded Mardy Fish withdrew earlier to take Andy Roddick's place on the U.S. Davis Cup team.
