Morning News Links

NBA

A recent issue of "Sports Illustrated" describes how Spurs forward Tim Duncan despises Celtics forward Kevin Garnett. [Sports Illustrated]

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is the leading candidate to succeed Mike Krzyzewski as Team USA boss at the 2016 Olympics. [Sacramento Bee]

Dwyane Wade had a heated conversation with head coach Erik Spoelstra during a 3rd quarter time out in the Heat's Game 3 loss. [TheScore.com] 

Denver Nuggets plan to re-sign restricted free agent centre Javale McGee. [Nuggets.com]

Lakers guard Steve Blake and his family have recived hate-filled tweets after he missed a 3-pointer late in Wednesday's Game 2 loss vs the Thunder. [ESPN]

Patrick Ewing may get his first coaching job with the Charlotte Bobcats as he has a close relationship with Bobcats owner Michael Jordan. [New York Post]

The Nuggets are hopeful to bring back veteran point guard Andre Miller for next season. [Denver Post]

MLB

Cubs relief pitcher Kerry Wood to make one more appearance before announcing retirement. [Cubs.com]

Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty says pitcher Aroldis Chapman will likely stay in the bullpen rather than become a starter later in the season. [Fox Sports]

Curt Schilling's video game company is accused of issuing a bad cheque to the state of Rhode Island as payment for a loan. [Wall Street Journal]

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has been suspended one game for his confrontation with umpire Bob Davidson during Tuesday's game against the Astros. [CSNPHILLY]

Nationals left fielder Mike Morse, originally targeting a June 8 return, feels he may be ready to play by June 1. [Natsinsider.com]

Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen has announced he is done with using Twitter. [ESPN]

Alex Cobb is the favourtie to start on Saturday replacing injured Jeff Niemann in the Tampa Bay rotation. [Tampa Bay Times]

New York Mets third baseman David Wright is the 6th MLB player in the past 20 years to put up a .400 AVG and .500 OBP through team's first 38 games. [ESPN]

Phil Hughes became the first pitcher in New York Yankees history to allow a home run in each of his first eight games of a season. [ESPN]

Adam Lind, recenlty demoted to Triple-A by the Toronto Blue Jays, may get a boost of confidence hitting in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. [Rotoworld.com]

It may be time for the Oakland Athletics owners to start firing off lawsuits to move the team to San Jose or consider selling the team. [ESPN]

Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa is looking at returning on June 2 to make his season debut. [Denver Post]

Hall of Fame manager Whitney Herzog ripped commissioner Bud Selig for expanding the playoff format saying it will dilute the post season. [News-Leader]

NHL

Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett felt the officiating in their Game 3 loss to the Kings was unfair saying, "If I told you what I really thought, it would cost me a lot of money." [ESPN]

Brent Sutter, Ralph Krueger and Todd Nelson are the leading candidates to become the next Oilers head coach following Tom Renney's dismissal. [Globe & Mail]

Predators defenceman Ryan Suter will wait another week before making any sort of decision on where he will play next season. [The Tennessean]

The New York Rangers may be one of the main teams interested in signing free agent Zach Parise. [Newsday]

NFL

Arizona Cardinal's head coach Ken Whisenhunt says the quarterback competition between John Skelton and Kevin Kolb is as even as a competition can be. [Pro Football Talk]

49ers linebacker Aldon Smith says they did target the injured ankle of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during their game on December 19. [Sacramento Bee]

Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain has been sentenced to 180 days in jail for chargers of 3rd degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm. [San Francisco Chronicle]

After the Houston Texans turned down the offer on Thursday, the Jacksonville Jaguars may be on the HBO show "Hard Knocks" by process of elimination. [Florida Times-Union]

The Philadelphia Eagles are serious contenders to land free agent safety Yeremiah Bell. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Wes Welker's comments about his contract progress, or lack thereof, have not gone over well with the New England Patriots. [Boston Globe]