Report: Szczerbiak gets contract extension
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The Minneapolis Star Tribune Friday reports that Wally Szczerbiak, an NBA All-Star who averaged a career-high 18.7 points per contest last season, has agreed to a six-year contract extension worth about $65 million with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The team is expected to schedule a news conference on Friday afternoon.
Members of the 1999 draft class were eligible to receive extensions before the league's Oct. 31 deadline. Initially, Szczerbiak was seeking the maximum six-year, $80 million deal comparable to what three other members of the '99 draft class -- Steve Francis of Houston, Baron Davis of New Orleans, and Shawn Marion of Phoenix -- received this past summer.
However, Szczerbiak reportedly instructed his agent, Gary Wichard, to come down from the maximum figure before the midnight deadline and a deal was struck.
"Wally told me, 'Come off the max to get a deal done,'" Wichard told the newspaper. "He said, 'I like Minnesota. I like the fans here, and I want to stay here and play with Kevin Garnett.'"
The 6-7 Szczerbiak already was under contract for $2.9 million in the final year of his rookie scale deal. He would have been eligible to become a restricted free agent after the 2002-03
season with the Timberwolves permitted to match any offer.
Szczerbiak, hobbled with a dislocated bone in his left foot, missed Minnesota's season opener Wednesday night. He also is questionable for Friday's game against Orlando.
The sixth overall pick in 1999 was the only NBA
player in 2001-02 to make at least 50 percent of his field goal attempts (50.8), 45 percent of his three-pointers (45.5), and 80 percent of his free throws (83.1). He also averaged 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 38 minutes.
The Timberwolves also are hoping to sign star forward Kevin Garnett to a four-year extension. Garnett, who is signed through 2003-04, is scheduled to make $25.2 million this season.
Report: Charlotte to become expansion again
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The NBA reportedly will return to Charlotte for second time as NBA owners have approved an agreement with Charlotte for an expansion team to start playing in a new arena in the 2004-05 campaign, according to a report in the Charlotte Observer.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik told the paper that the owners gave their approval for a Charlotte team at a meeting on Oct. 8. The team would be housed in a new uptown arena with a 25-year lease.
Charlotte lost its initial NBA team this past offseason to New Orleans after owners failed to gain an agreement on an arena to replace the Charlotte Coliseum. The newspaper reported that city council members are expected to vote on a 36-page document concerning the approval of Charlotte on Nov. 11.
"Now we go on to the next step (of choosing an ownership group)" Granik told the paper. "This is a fair deal for both the league and the city, but one that should be attractive to a purchaser."
Under the terms of the deal, the league would have to choose owners and award the franchise by Jan. 12, when the city and league are scheduled to approve a final contract.
"All the big parameters are done," said Charlotte City Attorney Mac McCarley. "We're at the details now."
It appears that three potential groups will emerge.
One group headed by investor by Boston-based investor Steve Belkin, which includes former Celtics star Larry Bird; former Black Entertainment Television owner Robert Johnson; and Miami Heat minority owner Bob Sturges.
Sooners try to stay among the unbeatens
NORMAN, Okla., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- College football, which closed October with eight unbeaten teams in Division I-A, starts the beginning of November with its usual rush of important matchup.
It is the first time since 1971 that as many as seven schools finished October without tasting defeat. That year, the regular season finished with three major unbeatens -- Alabama, Michigan and Nebraska.
Proponents for a playoff will have plenty of fodder should more than two teams finish the season undefeated and left out of the national championship game in Arizona.
"If you are one of those teams (left out) you will be screaming bloody murder," said Notre Dame Coach Tyrone Willingham. "That's the way it is."
No. 6 Notre Dame (8-0) hosts Boston College Saturday, and will be among the schools trying to remain unbeaten and make BCS officials a little uneasy.
In other notable games, No. 2 Oklahoma (7-0) faces No. 12 Colorado (6-2) in what could be a preview of the Big 12 Conference championship game.
In Jacksonville, Fla., the latest edition of the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" has No. 5 Georgia (8-0) trying to overcome a series of injuries when it faces No. 22 Florida (5-3).
Oklahoma and Colorado lead their respective divisions in the Big 12 and appear on course to meet again in the conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Houston, which would be just fine with Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops.
"I don't know that it has to matter a whole lot," Stoops said. "Whoever plays in a championship game, you've got to be ready for a fight, regardless if it's the same team or someone different."
Oklahoma, which tops the BCS rankings, has its sights not only on a conference title, but a second national championship in three years. Of all the unbeatens, Oklahoma seems to be in the best position to control its own destiny and advance to the title game in the Fiesta Bowl should it win out.
However, the Buffaloes have won five straight games and feature Chris Brown, the nation's leading rusher.
Saturday marks the first meeting between the teams since 1999, when Colorado posted a 38-24 win. The Sooners are 0-8-1 in their last nine meetings against the Buffs, the most games Oklahoma ever has gone winless against one opponent.
Georgia will look to clinch the East Division in the SEC and a berth in that league's championship game when it faces Florida.
The latest player to go down for Georgia is wide receiver Damian Gary, who underwent surgery on his left leg Sunday and will be sidelined indefinitely. Gary is the Bulldogs' second-leading receiver with 27 receptions for 254 yards and four touchdowns.
Georgia was without offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb, running back Musa Smith and wide receiver Fred Gibson in last week's 52-24 decimation of Kentucky. Smith and Gibson are not expected back, and the status of Stinchcomb still is uncertain.
"I think these guys know that when somebody gets hurt, backups have to raise their level of play," said Coach Mark Richt. "I think everybody around those guys needs to raise their level of play, too."
The Gators (5-3) are enduring a disappointing season under first-year coach Ron Zook, but would love nothing better than to delay the Bulldogs' celebration.
Florida was off last week after snapping a two-game skid Oct. 19 with a 30-23 overtime victory over Auburn.
For the first time since 1992, Georgia enters the contest as the higher-ranked team. The Gators are 3-17 all-time against Georgia when the Bulldogs are ranked higher.
Notre Dame is flying high following last week's 34-24 victory at Florida State. While still third in the BCS standings, the Fighting Irish picked up ground on Miami, closing within .30 points of the Hurricanes.
Every Notre Dame fan knows what happened the week after the last victory over Florida State. Nine years ago, Boston College ended Notre Dame's hopes for an undefeated season and cost Lou Holtz a shot at a possible second national title by stunning the Fighting Irish, 41-39, on a field goal by David Gordon on the final play of the game.
In the Big Ten Conference, Maurice Clarett is expected to be in the lineup for No. 4 Ohio State (8-0) when it tries to stay undefeated against No. 19 Minnesota (7-1).
Clarett, a freshman who has rushed for 1,019 yards in only seven games, ran for 39 yards on four carries in a 13-7 win against Penn State before leaving with a sprained left shoulder six plays into the game last Saturday.
Minnesota, which has built its record against a relatively soft schedule, is coming off a bye week following a 28-7 road triumph over Michigan State on Oct. 19.
Sole possession of first place in the Pac-10 Conference will be on the line when No. 9 Washington State (7-1) hosts 17th-ranked Arizona State (7-2).
The Cougars, coming off a 10-win season, were expected to contend again this year, but Arizona State's emergence has been a major surprise. The Sun Devils were just 4-7 a year ago.
No. 1 Miami (7-0), third-ranked Virginia Tech (8-0), No. 8 North Carolina State (9-0), and No. 18 Bowling Green (7-0) are the other unbeatens in action this weekend.
Miami looks to set a school record with its 30th consecutive victory when it visits Rutgers in a Big East Conference contest involving teams at opposite ends of the spectrum. The Scarlet Knights are just 1-7 under former Hurricanes assistant Greg Schiano.
Virginia Tech dropped to sixth in the latest BCS rankings, and needs to keep winning to remain in the national championship picture. The Hokies will be out to avenge an embarrassing 38-7 loss to Pittsburgh at Heinz Field last year when they host the Panthers.
North Carolina State will try to reach 10 wins for the first time in school history when it hosts Georgia Tech. The Wolfpack, criticized for their soft schedule, which includes a pair of wins over Division I-AA teams, routed ACC rival Clemson, 38-6, last week.
No. 18 Bowling Green (7-0) has virtually no chance of qualifying for a BCS bowl since it plays in the Mid-American Conference, but the Falcons are enjoying a strong season. This week, they visit Kent State.
The MAC added another team to the national rankings this week in No. 25 Marshall (6-1), which visits Akron on Saturday.
On Thursday night, No. 24 Colorado State (8-2) posted a 31-12 Mountain West Conference rout of Air Force behind 132 yards and two touchdowns by tailback Cecil Sapp, the league's top rusher. The Rams improved to 4-0 in the MWC and took a one-half game lead over San Diego State, which hosts Colorado State on Nov. 16.
In other games, No. 10 Iowa (8-1) hosts Wisconsin, No. 13 Michigan (6-2) entertains Michigan State, No. 14 Kansas State (6-2) is at Kansas, No. 16 Oregon (6-2) welcomes Stanford, No. 20 Florida State (5-3) is at Wake Forest, No. 21 Penn State (5-3) hosts Illinois, and No. 23 Iowa State (6-3) plays Missouri.
No. 11 Southern California (7-2) and No. 15 Louisiana State (6-2) are idle this week.
Report: Vaughn told to get in shape
NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Veteran first baseman Mo Vaughn, who spent much of the 2002 season out of weight, has been told that he should keep the pounds under control.
In a report Friday by the Newark Star-Ledger, that message came directly from Mets owner Fred Wilpon.
The Star-Ledger report said that, during a season-ending meeting with General Manager Steve Phillips and former manager Bobby Valentine, Wilpon threatened to terminate the remaining two years of Vaughn's $32 million contract if he does not shed some pounds before the start of spring training. The newspaper did not say how much weight Wilpon wants Vaughn to lose.
In last season's Mets' media guide, Vaughn was listed at 275 pounds, and the extra weight appeared to affect his play as he made a career-high 18 errors last season.
Vaughn also struggled at the plate in his first season with the Mets, batting just .259 with 26 homers and 72 RBI while striking out 145 times in 487 at-bats.
The report also said Wilpon expressed the effect Vaughn's weight has on his general health. Although Wilpon is concerned about Vaughn's long-term health, his greater frustration is how Vaughn's apparent lack of physical conditioning affected his performance last season.
Phillips allegedly told one managerial candidate, in reference to the team's support staff that the Mets have helped him retain, "All Mo has to do is sweat."
Citing sources close to Wilpon, the Star-Ledger reported that Vaughn has a clause in his contract that states he is obligated to stay in shape and that he agreed "to keep himself in first class physical condition" and obey the team's training rules.
According to the newspaper, Vaughn currently is in Columbus, Ohio working out with a physician, nutritionist and a personal trainer selected by the Mets.
Cubs part ways with Lieber
CHICAGO, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs Friday declined the $6.25 million contract option on Jon Lieber for the 2003 season, making the veteran righthander a free agent.
The move was expected after Lieber, a 20-game winner in 2001, underwent reconstructive elbow surgery on Aug. 8 that will sideline him until at least July.
Lieber, 32, known for his impeccable control, was 6-8 with three complete games and a 3.70 ERA in 21 starts last season. He walked just 12 in 141 innings.
He was a National League All-Star in 2001, when he went 20-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 34 starts, including a one-hit shutout of Cincinnati on May 24. He finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting that year.
Lieber, acquired from Pittsburgh in December 1998 for outfielder Brant Brown, was the Cubs' Opening Day starter each of the last three seasons. In 121 starts for the Cubs, he went 48-36 with 17 complete games and a 4.03 ERA.
In 272 career games, including 225 starts, Lieber is 86-83 with a 4.18 ERA.
Jordan demands trade from Dodgers
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Veteran outfielder Brian Jordan, who has the easiest disposition of just about any player in major league baseball, has firmly requested to be dealt by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Because he was traded to the Dodgers in the midst of a multi-year contract while with the Atlanta Braves, Jordan has the right to be dealt by the team. According to MLB.com, the website of major league baseball, by rule, if the Dodgers do not trade him by March 15 and he does not withdraw the request, he would become a free agent and forfeit the $11.5 million the Dodgers owe him.
MLB.com also reported that Dodgers General Manager Dan Evans expects Jordan to rescind the demand and return to the Dodgers next season, and that he will not be traded.
As part of the trade demand, the report said Jordan, who also has played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Braves, can select six teams for which he will not accept a trade. If the club trades him, he would lose free agency rights for three years.
Last season, Jordan batted .285 with 18 homers and 80 RBI in 128 games. He was troubled by back pains late in the season, and has had corrective surgery this offseason.
For his career, the 6-1, 205-pounder has a career average of .287 with 167 homers an 736 RBI in 1,205 games. His fielding average is .988.
Jordan, a former defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons, came to the Dodgers in the blockbuster trade last offseason that sent outfielder Gary Sheffield to Atlanta for Jordan and pitcher Odalis Perez.
Jordan's current contract guarantees him $9 million in 2003, with a club option in 2004 for $10.5 million or a $2.5 million buyout.
Tkachuk out with foot injury
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Star left wing Keith Tkachuk of the St. Louis Blues, one of the NHL's premier power forwards, has a fracture in his left foot that will sideline him 4-6 weeks.
Tkachuk sustained the injury Wednesday when he took a shot to his left foot in a 7-0 rout of the Nashville Predators. He scored a goal in the win, and has four goals and seven assists this season for the Blues (6-1-1-0), who lead the Central Division.
The Blues already are without top defenseman Chris Pronger, who underwent wrist surgery on Oct. 21 and likely will be out for the season, and starting goaltender Brent Johnson, who has been nursing an ankle injury since the preseason.
Tkachuk, a 6-2, 225-pounder, led the Blues with 38 goals last season and was second to Pavol Demitra with 75 points.
St. Louis acquired Tkachuk, 30, from Phoenix in March 2001 for three players and a first-round pick. The Blues signed him to a five-year contract this September.
Tkachuk, a first-round pick by Winnipeg in 1990, has 333 goals and 309 assists in 660 NHL games, and 26 goals and 21 assists in 69 postseason contests.
