Dwight Howard on Rift With Kobe and Harden: 'I Should Have Communicated Better'

Dwight Howard says he could have communicated better to squash any perceived beefs he had with former teammates James Harden and Kobe Bryant. Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2012, and with the addition of point guard Steve Nash and mainstays Bryant and Pau Gasol were thought to be title contenders. Instead the Lakers finished with a 45–37 record and were swept out of the playoffs in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs.

Giardi: Listen to Belichick and it’s clear, Malcolm Butler is on notice

Malcolm Butler is on notice. Plain and simple. Improve your play, improve your attitude, improve your focus or else… Forget about the idea that Butler was not as prominent a part of the game plan Sunday in New Orleans because of bigger receivers and the matchup issues that can cause for a 5-foot-10 corner. Nope. That’s not what happened. Butler began the game on the pine because the Patriots believe he’s not given them his best in 2017, and that right now, Eric Rowe is better than Butler. “Well, look, we’re into a new season, so I don’t think anybody’s performance this season is really where it needs to be or where it will be,” Bill Belichick said Tuesday when I asked him directly about Butler’s

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  New England Patriots make do with what they have

  UPI
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  Saints again plagued by defensive woes in loss to Patriots

  The Associated Press

Assault trial for Marcus, Markieff Morris began Monday

NBA players Marcus and Markieff Morris go on trial Monday on felony assault charges stemming from a beating outside a Phoenix recreation center more than two years ago. The twin brothers could face a maximum of nearly four years in prison if they are found guilty. The trial threatens to disrupt the start of their 2017 NBA season with training camp set to begin for both players on Sept. 26.

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  NBA's Morris twins' attorneys: Brothers played no role in assault

  The Arizona Republic
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  Morris twins could miss start of training camps while on trial for 2015 assault

  CBS Sports