HORNETS-LIN
Guard Jeremy Lin looking to find stability with Hornets
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Point guard Jeremy Lin is hoping to find some stability with the Charlotte Hornets.
The five-year NBA veteran said he has no regrets about leaving the New York Knicks after the 2012 season to sign with the Houston Rockets during a press conference Monday. But he made it pretty clear he’s ready to find the right fit.
Three teams removed from “Linsanity” fame, he says: “I want to get back to what makes me what I am as a player, which is being aggressive, being on the attack and always charging toward the rim.”
Lin spent two seasons with the Rockets before being dealt to the Lakers. He signed a two-year, $4.37 million contract last week with the Hornets — the only team that offered him a free agent contract.
SEC-SANKEY
SEC commissioner: League leading the way on social issues
HOOVER, Ala. (AP) — New Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey used his first state-of-the-league address to praise the league for leading the way in athletics as well as on social issues, invoking the lyrics of a Bob Dylan song to make his point.
Standing in front of three huge video screens at SEC Media Days Monday, the 51-year-old Sankey quoted Dylan’s “The Times They Are a-Changin'” to describe the league’s ongoing evolution as one of the college game’s dominant forces.
Sankey touted the rapidly growing SEC Network, which helped the league earn record revenue last year. He also praised leadership at schools in South Carolina and Mississippi, which have issued statements in support of distancing their respective states from Confederate flag imagery.
Sankey replaces Mike Slive, who resigned June 1 after a 13-year tenure.
SEC-VANDERBILT
Vanderbilt’s Mason: “We’re a much different football team”
HOOVER, Ala. (AP) — Derek Mason says Vanderbilt underwent an offseason transformation.
His coaching staff certainly did.
Mason approaches his second season with the Commodores with four new coaches, including both coordinators. The former Stanford defensive coordinator is now running his own defense.
At Southeastern Conference media days Monday, Mason said: “We’re a much different football team than we were a year ago.”
He says the changes are in everything from players’ physiques to maturity.
Vandy was 3-9 and winless in league games during Mason’s debut season. He can point to a resurgence by Arkansas after posting the same records in Bret Bielema’s first season.
Says Mason: “2014 has nothing to do with 2015.”
The Commodores ranked last in the league in both scoring offense and scoring defense in 2004.
GRIZZLIES-GASOL
Marc Gasol signs 5-year deal staying with Memphis Grizzlies
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies have signed All-Star center Marc Gasol to a multi-year contract, fulfilling the team’s top priority this offseason.
The team announced Gasol’s signing Monday. Although the Grizzlies didn’t release terms of the deal, The Associated Press previously reported Gasol had agreed on a five-year maximum contract worth more than $100 million.
General manager Chris Wallace says Gasol has been a pillar both of the team and the Memphis community, making this a great day for both.
The 7-foot-1 Spaniard is coming off the best season of his career, earning a starting spot in the All-Star game. He also became the first Grizzlies’ player voted to the All-NBA first team.
Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.62 blocks this past season.
