Open Letter to Jerry Reese

Although I know the season didn’t end the way you envisioned, 2016-2017 season was a moderately successful one. This team wildly outperformed expectations, but there were some fatal flaws that were just too big to overcome.

LeBron James, Cavaliers hold off Suns 120-116

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James shoots over Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Phoenix. Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James shoots over Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Phoenix.

Curry leads Warriors to a big second half, win over Kings

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, drives against Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, drives against Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif.

Bruce Boudreau wins in Anaheim return as Wild beat Ducks 2-1

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson holds Minnesota Wild left wing Jason Zucker during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson holds Minnesota Wild left wing Jason Zucker during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017.

Top Pick for Devonport Cup

Australia’s biggest online bookmaker expects star Tasmanian galloper Jerilderie Letter to thwart the challenge of leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir in Wednesday’s $100,000 Devonport Cup. Although Sportsbet is not taking any risks with the Weir-trained Leica Day, it rates Jerilderie Letter a clear favourite at $3.40 in its fixed-odds market.

The Latest: ‘Moonlight’ wins best film drama Globe

This image released by NBC shows Meryl Streep accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. This image released by NBC shows Meryl Streep accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award as presenter Viola Davis, right, looks on, at the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017.

Rodgers works Hail Mary magic, Packers beat Giants 38-13

To beat Dallas next week, the Green Bay Packers figure that they’ll need to build a big lead to make the Cowboys one-dimensional on offense. The Packers look as if they can beat anybody with the way quarterback Aaron Rodgers is throwing the ball, even if they could be without receiver Jordy Nelson with a rib injury.

Sixers tie win total from last season

Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, right, shoots over Brooklyn Nets’ Joe Harris during the first half of the NBA basketball game at the Barclays Center, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in New York. ORG XMIT: NYSW114 less Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, right, shoots over Brooklyn Nets’ Joe Harris during the first half of the NBA basketball game at the Barclays Center, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in New York.

Mistakes, missed opportunities help foil Giants at Lambeau

Squandered scoring chances early; a botched kickoff return in the second half; and a number of dropped passes in between contributed to the Giants’ 38-13 loss to the Packers in an NFC wild-card game on Sunday. This wasn’t the kind of night that star Odell Beckham Jr., and fellow receivers Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard envisioned after taking heat from some fans and media for a trip to Miami on their day off to celebrate a regular-season-ending win over Washington.

Giants without a prayer

JANUARY 8: Damarious Randall #23 of the Green Bay Packers makes an interception in the fourth quarter during the NFC Wild Card game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. ORG XMIT: 690738049 less GREEN BAY, WI – JANUARY 8: Damarious Randall #23 of the Green Bay Packers makes an interception in the fourth quarter during the NFC Wild Card game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on January 8, … more Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the first half of an NFC wild-card NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis.

bibbins-isu-over-isu

The day after the Indiana State men’s basketball team was embarrassed by Illinois State in the Hulman Center, the women’s team got a bit of payback. The Sycamores defeated the Red Birds 63-49 to advance to a 3-1 record in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Hail Mary touchdown play key in Green Bay Packersa win over New York Giants

Rodgers overcame a sluggish start and finished with four touchdown passes, including a momentum-swinging 42-yard heave to Randall Cobb at the end of the second quarter, to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 38-13 win Sunday over the New York Giants in an NFC wild-card game. Rodgers was 25 of 40 for 362 yards, continuing a remarkable run of quarterback play that helped the Packers win their final six games of the regular season to take the NFC North.

Americans abroad weekend roundup

Cameron Carter-Vickers attempts to disrupt a shot by Aston Villa’s James Chester during Tottenham Hotspur’s FA Cup victory at White Hart Lane. Of note: Several players competing in lesser leagues or with reserve squads are not listed.

Cal fires coach Dykes after 4 seasons, 1 bowl appearance

California fired coach Sonny Dykes in a surprise move on Sunday after four seasons that produced just one bowl appearance. Dykes, who is the son of former Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes, left Louisiana Tech to replace Jeff Tedford and took over the struggling Cal program in 2013, but could never get the Bears turned around.

Redick and Paul Help Clippers Overpower Heat 98-86

J.J. Redick scored 25 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Miami Heat 98-86 on Sunday for their fourth straight victory. Chris Paul had 19 points, 18 assists and one turnover, and DeAndre Jordan added 18 rebounds to help keep the Clippers unbeaten in the new year after they closed 2016 on a six-game skid.

Chocolatito vs. Sor Rungvisai Winner To Face Cuadras

According to the President of the World Boxing Council , Mauricio Sulaiman, the winner of the upcoming fight between Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez of Nicaragua and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand will have to make a defense against former world champion Carlos Cuadras. As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Gonzalez will make a mandatory defense of the WBC super flyweight world title against Sor Rungvisai.

FACCambridge U19:45Leeds

Derry banned talk of Championship Leeds’ third-round trip to the Cambs Glass Stadium until after the January 2 win over Notts County. And his desire to focus on League Two has paid dividends as Cambridge have six wins and a draw in their last seven games, while also beating Coventry 4-0 in the FA Cup second round.

Lionel Messi saves Barcelona from 2nd straight loss

By JASON DEAREN Associated Press Relatives of the man who police say opened fire with a gun at a Florida airport report he had a history of mental health problems and was receiving psychological… The brother of a man accused of killing five people at a Florida airport questioned Saturday why his brother was allowed to keep his gun after U.S. authorities knew he’d become increasingly paranoid and was hearing… A Pennsylvania woman whose dismembered 14-year-old daughter’s remains were found in the woods last fall has been charged along with her boyfriend with killing the girl in what officials are calling a… A woman whose teenage daughter’s dismembered remains were found in the woods last fall has been charged along with her boyfriend with killing the girl in a “rape-murder fantasy” the couple shared, a prosecutor said… Bell ringing and a human embrace event Sunday marked the solemn … (more)

The Latest: Packers’ Nelson officially out of the game

By JASON DEAREN Associated Press Relatives of the man who police say opened fire with a gun at a Florida airport report he had a history of mental health problems and was receiving psychological… The brother of a man accused of killing five people at a Florida airport questioned Saturday why his brother was allowed to keep his gun after U.S. authorities knew he’d become increasingly paranoid and was hearing… A Pennsylvania woman whose dismembered 14-year-old daughter’s remains were found in the woods last fall has been charged along with her boyfriend with killing the girl in what officials are calling a… A woman whose teenage daughter’s dismembered remains were found in the woods last fall has been charged along with her boyfriend with killing the girl in a “rape-murder fantasy” the couple shared, a prosecutor said… Bell ringing and a human embrace event Sunday marked the solemn … (more)

Seahawk WBB falls on road to Charleston

CHARLESTON, South Carolina Senior guard Breanna Bolden scored 19 points and added 12 rebounds as College of Charleston earned its second straight win, a 76-37 Colonial Athletic Association victory over UNCW at TD Arena on Sunday afternoon. The Cougars improved to 5-9 overall and 2-1 in the CAA while the Seahawks dropped to 5-9 overall with an 0-3 mark in league play.

Carlos Brathwaite borrowed shoes, bat, gloves for BBL debut

Before making his Big Bash debut West Indies import Carlos Brathwaite had to do a ring-around for some gear, but the borrowed items didn’t prevent him helping Sydney Thunder to a six-wicket win. The 193cm Barbados-born all-rounder was holidaying in Europe with his wife when he got an urgent call to replace injured star Andre Russell.

Roethlisberger hurts ankle late in playoff win

… Even short of that, maybe call a handoff? The Steelers head coach deserves to be asked about this. According to Yahoo Sports’ Eric Adelson, Roethlisberger was in a walking boot after the game. The Steelers head to Arrowhead Stadium to face the …