Udonis Haslem

Commissioner David Stern said Monday that LeBron James was "entitled" to decide to leave the Cavaliers for the Heat. Stern said he would have advised James to tell the Cavaliers ahead of time of the decision and he would have advised against making the announcement a made-for-TV event. Stern also said he fined the Cavaliers $100,000 for owner Dan Gilbert's statement that called James' decision "narcissistic" and "cowardly behavior." •The Magic have agreed to a deal with free agent Quentin Richardson , a person familiar with the negotiations told the AP. Richardson's signing means the Magic likely will part with free-agent small forward Matt Barnes . They also have until Friday to decide if they want to match the $19 million, three-year offer the Bulls made for restricted free agent J.J. Redick . … Udonis Haslem signed a five-year deal to stay with the Heat worth around $20 million, roughly $14 million less than he could have received if he accepted more lucrative offers from the Mavericks and Nuggets.

Race is wide open Broderick Turner Los Angeles Times It would be easy to say the Heat will be the favorite. It would be easy to say the Mavericks will repeat because they now have the know-how. But in reality, it will be wide open. The Heat, if they can get over losing in the Finals and the disappearance of LeBron James, will be a favorite. The Lakers, despite losing retired coach Phil Jackson, still have a chance at winning it again.

Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning had surgery yesterday to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee and a quadriceps tear in the same leg. The injury, which he suffered Wednesday night in Miami's overtime loss at the Atlanta Hawks, will almost certainly keep the seven-time All-Star sidelined for the remainder of the season. Because Mourning insists that this season is his last, that would mean his career is likely finished. "I lost a brother," Heat center Shaquille O'Neal said. "I lost a partner.

James will lift Heat Shandel Richardson Sun Sentinel The Heat lost the regular-season series to the Celtics. They responded by eliminating the Celtics in five games. The Heat were swept by the Bulls in the regular season but came back to defeat the Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals in five games. The Mavericks also owned the Heat in the regular season, so expect the trend to continue. The Heat will take care of the Mavs in five games to defeat them for the second time in the NBA Finals.

James will lift Heat Shandel Richardson Sun Sentinel The Heat lost the regular-season series to the Celtics. They responded by eliminating the Celtics in five games. The Heat were swept by the Bulls in the regular season but came back to defeat the Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals in five games. The Mavericks also owned the Heat in the regular season, so expect the trend to continue. The Heat will take care of the Mavs in five games to defeat them for the second time in the NBA Finals.

Point guard Mateen Cleaves has slumped his past two games, but college basketball's most assertive floor leader should be primed for his last game. He may have to tone down his excitement, concentrating on beating the press and not shooting. Justin Hamilton, a converted shooting guard, isn't as effective as his backup, Brett Nelson, but takes better care of the ball. Edge: Michigan State. Shooting guard Charlie Bell has made up for disappointing offensive efforts recently with his defense.

Points Kyle Hill, E. Illinois................................ ......................32 Roger Mason Jr., Virginia........................................30 Dan Dickau, Gonzaga..............................................29 Demetrius Porter, Fresno State.............................27 Kelly Newton, Oklahoma........................................26 Quincy Wadley, Temple..........................................26 Udonis Haslem, Florida..........................................24 Nick Collison, Kansas.

Today's championship game No. 3 Oklahoma State (27-6) vs. No. 5 Florida (27-7) Site: Syracuse, N.Y. Time: 5 p.m. Line: Florida by 2 Conference records: Oklahoma State was tied for third in the Big 12 at 12-4. Lost to Iowa State in conference tournament. Florida was 12-4 in the Southeastern Conference and shared the regular-season title. Lost to Auburn in SEC tournament. Coaches: Eddie Sutton is 229-94 in 10 seasons at Oklahoma State, 659-258 overall. Billy Donovan is 78-48 in four seasons at Florida and 111-68 overall.

Enough already Shandel Richardson Sun Sentinel Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has been asked this question all season. When responding, he always gives the same answer: "I think we have enough. " Spoelstra should quit thinking and just say the Heat has enough. The question has resurfaced because Miami has lost four straight games. Never mind the Heat won 21 of the previous 22. This is the Heat, where every stretch of the season is analyzed like college football by fans and media.

Race is wide open Broderick Turner Los Angeles Times It would be easy to say the Heat will be the favorite. It would be easy to say the Mavericks will repeat because they now have the know-how. But in reality, it will be wide open. The Heat, if they can get over losing in the Finals and the disappearance of LeBron James, will be a favorite. The Lakers, despite losing retired coach Phil Jackson, still have a chance at winning it again.

Big 3 or bust Ira Winderman Sun Sentinel Actually, it's time to stop panicking. And if the Heat do that, they still can win a championship. The trouble started when coach Erik Spoelstra tried to get too creative, essentially engineering the panic that now is engulfing the team. Believing he could get more out of his team, Spoelstra first inserted Mario Chalmers into his starting lineup at point guard and then tabbed Erick Dampier as his starting center.

Enough already Shandel Richardson Sun Sentinel Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has been asked this question all season. When responding, he always gives the same answer: "I think we have enough. " Spoelstra should quit thinking and just say the Heat has enough. The question has resurfaced because Miami has lost four straight games. Never mind the Heat won 21 of the previous 22. This is the Heat, where every stretch of the season is analyzed like college football by fans and media.

Commissioner David Stern said Monday that LeBron James was "entitled" to decide to leave the Cavaliers for the Heat. Stern said he would have advised James to tell the Cavaliers ahead of time of the decision and he would have advised against making the announcement a made-for-TV event. Stern also said he fined the Cavaliers $100,000 for owner Dan Gilbert's statement that called James' decision "narcissistic" and "cowardly behavior." •The Magic have agreed to a deal with free agent Quentin Richardson , a person familiar with the negotiations told the AP. Richardson's signing means the Magic likely will part with free-agent small forward Matt Barnes . They also have until Friday to decide if they want to match the $19 million, three-year offer the Bulls made for restricted free agent J.J. Redick . … Udonis Haslem signed a five-year deal to stay with the Heat worth around $20 million, roughly $14 million less than he could have received if he accepted more lucrative offers from the Mavericks and Nuggets.

Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning had surgery yesterday to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee and a quadriceps tear in the same leg. The injury, which he suffered Wednesday night in Miami's overtime loss at the Atlanta Hawks, will almost certainly keep the seven-time All-Star sidelined for the remainder of the season. Because Mourning insists that this season is his last, that would mean his career is likely finished. "I lost a brother," Heat center Shaquille O'Neal said. "I lost a partner.

Points Kyle Hill, E. Illinois................................ ......................32 Roger Mason Jr., Virginia........................................30 Dan Dickau, Gonzaga..............................................29 Demetrius Porter, Fresno State.............................27 Kelly Newton, Oklahoma........................................26 Quincy Wadley, Temple..........................................26 Udonis Haslem, Florida..........................................24 Nick Collison, Kansas.

Point guard Mateen Cleaves has slumped his past two games, but college basketball's most assertive floor leader should be primed for his last game. He may have to tone down his excitement, concentrating on beating the press and not shooting. Justin Hamilton, a converted shooting guard, isn't as effective as his backup, Brett Nelson, but takes better care of the ball. Edge: Michigan State. Shooting guard Charlie Bell has made up for disappointing offensive efforts recently with his defense.

Big 3 or bust Ira Winderman Sun Sentinel Actually, it's time to stop panicking. And if the Heat do that, they still can win a championship. The trouble started when coach Erik Spoelstra tried to get too creative, essentially engineering the panic that now is engulfing the team. Believing he could get more out of his team, Spoelstra first inserted Mario Chalmers into his starting lineup at point guard and then tabbed Erick Dampier as his starting center.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- And now there is no Duke. A top seed took another U-turn in the wacky NCAA basketball tournament last night when fifth-seeded Florida sent home the nation's No. 1 team by scoring the final 13 points to eliminate the Blue Devils, 87-78, in the East Regional semifinals at the Carrier Dome. The outcome broke a string of six consecutive regional titles for Duke (29-5), which had reached the Final Four from the East every time it appeared here since 1986 -- a streak of 26 games.

Today's championship game No. 3 Oklahoma State (27-6) vs. No. 5 Florida (27-7) Site: Syracuse, N.Y. Time: 5 p.m. Line: Florida by 2 Conference records: Oklahoma State was tied for third in the Big 12 at 12-4. Lost to Iowa State in conference tournament. Florida was 12-4 in the Southeastern Conference and shared the regular-season title. Lost to Auburn in SEC tournament. Coaches: Eddie Sutton is 229-94 in 10 seasons at Oklahoma State, 659-258 overall. Billy Donovan is 78-48 in four seasons at Florida and 111-68 overall.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- And now there is no Duke. A top seed took another U-turn in the wacky NCAA basketball tournament last night when fifth-seeded Florida sent home the nation's No. 1 team by scoring the final 13 points to eliminate the Blue Devils, 87-78, in the East Regional semifinals at the Carrier Dome. The outcome broke a string of six consecutive regional titles for Duke (29-5), which had reached the Final Four from the East every time it appeared here since 1986 -- a streak of 26 games.