Nets working to obtain Nuggets' Anthony
NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The New Jersey Nets are negotiating to obtain superstar Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets, The New York Times reported Friday.
The newspaper, citing a team executive who isn't involved in the talks, said the Nets were working to obtain Anthony via a complex, four-team trade that would involve the Charlotte Bobcats and Utah Jazz.
The source said that under the proposed deal, the Nets would obtain Anthony from the Nuggets while New Jersey would send third-overall draft pick Derrick Favors to Denver and starting point guard Devin Harris to Charlotte.
Denver would then also receive Andrei Kirilenko from the Utah Jazz, as well as draft picks, while the Jazz would pick up Bobcats forward Boris Diaw.
The possible move of Anthony from Denver, where he was disenchanted, to the Nets would instant revive the fortunes of the perennial NBA doormats as they begin playing in Newark's Prudential Center.
Anthony averaged 28.2 points per game last season for the Nuggets, who lost in the first round of the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years.
NASCAR's Bowyer: Wouldn't cheat to win
DOVER, Del., Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Sprint Cup driver Clint Bowyer Friday angrily denied doing anything to deserve a stiff NASCAR penalty he received this week.
"I don't believe that we did anything wrong," Bowyer said during a news conference at Dover International Speedway where we was preparing for Sunday's Sprint Cup Chase race.
Bowyer and team owner Richard Childress were each slapped with a 150-point reduction after winning last week's race in New Hampshire. Post-race inspectors found that the car body location specifications weren't in order.
"There is a lot of integrity that goes into this sport," Bowyer said. "I'm damn proud of being a part of this sport. I love this sport and I wouldn't cheat to win a race in this sport."
Bowyer asserted to reporters that his car had passed inspection at the track and that his team made sure it was legal before NASCAR took it to its research and development center.
The New Hampshire win had vaulted Bowyer to second in the Chase standings, trailing leader Denny Hamlin by 35 points. But the penalty dropped him to 12th place.
Broncos tailback Moreno out with injury
DENVER, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno will miss the team's next game with an undisclosed injury, coach Josh McDaniels said Friday.
McDaniels said Moreno, who missed the entire preseason with a pulled right hamstring, would be absent in the Broncos' game Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
"I'm telling you every team is dealing with" injuries, McDaniels told The Denver Post. The Colts "have more guys on their injury report than we do. That's why you have a roster full of players."
The newspaper, citing two NFL sources, said Moreno had suffered another hamstring pull, but this time to his left leg.
In Denver's first two regular season games, Moreno has rushed 39 times but for 111 yards -- a 2.8-yard average -- and two touchdowns.
The Broncos seem likely to rotate Correll Buckhalter and newly acquired Laurence Maroney at tailback with Moreno out.
Reports: Heat pass on center Dampier
MIAMI, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The Miami Heat have decided against offering a contract to free agent center Erick Dampier, multiple reports indicated Friday.
The Miami Herald and South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Miami has passed on Dampier, who was released this month by the Charlotte Bobcats.
Dampier, 35, held a meeting with Heat President Pat Riley Wednesday at AmericanAirlines Arena, but the get-together didn't end with a contract for the 15-year veteran.
The Heat have already signed Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem this off-season and had limited room remaining under the league's salary cap.
Instead of signing Dampier, the Heat will go with veterans Joel Anthony, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jamaal Magloire and rookie Dexter Pittman at center in training camp, the Sun-Sentinel said.
