Morning Jolt: Celtics now free to dream about Howard

Wednesday, July 13

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Celtics now free to dream about Howard

The lockout could be a game-changer in Boston's chances of landing Dwight Howard. For weeks, I have not wavered from my belief that Howard will never wear the Green and White, at least not in these prime years of his career. And the reason is simple. If the Orlando Magic can't re-sign him at some point during the 2011-2012 season, they will surely trade him to the highest bidder. And the Celtics don't have enough attractive chips to be a real player in the Howard sweepstakes. But if there's no 2011-2012 season, that is what we would call a game-changer in the pursuit of Howard. He could terminate his contract and thus become a free agent next summer. This would rob the Magic of having an opportunity to move him and get something in return this upcoming season. (CSNNE.com)Comment

Jocketty responds to Jimenez chatter

A Tuesday report suggested the Reds were after Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez, who after a rocky start may have righted his ship. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, when asked by The Enquirer about Jimenez, replied with a text message: "We have not had specific or significant trade talks with anyone at this point. All discussion with other teams has been more general info gathering." Jocketty also said: "We are currently talking to several clubs, and trying to evaluate whether or not we will be able to improve our club. It is too early to determine that now." Right-hander Jimenez was 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA last year. This year, he is 4-8 with a 4.14 ERA but has a 2.52 ERA over his last eight starts. (Cincinnati Enquirer)Comment

McDonald wants sacks back with San Fran

Ray McDonald, as his teammates are happy to remind him, left quite a few sacks on the table. Asked if there was one so-close sack that was particularly galling, McDonald shook his head Tuesday after a workout at San Jose State. "There's like six or seven of them," he said. Teammates "are always giving me crap about it. I had all these pressure and no sacks." ... McDonald, 26, who will be an unrestricted free agent under the expected terms of a new collective bargaining agreement, hopes to finish those plays in 2011 in San Francisco, where he's spent the first four seasons of his career. McDonald lives in the Bay Area and has been among a regular group of defensive players working out at San Jose State during the lockout. (San Francisco Chronicle)Comment

Must-See Photo

American League catcher Alex Avila of the Detroit Tigers (bottom) watches as Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a three-run home run during the fourth inning of the MLB All-Star Game. (AP)

Must-See Video

Uruguay eliminated Mexico from Copa America with a 1-0 victory on Tuesday, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Argentina.

SI Vault: More Jim Brown

This Day in Sports

• 1930 -- The first World Cup begins in Uruguay, with 13 teams entered in the competition.
• 1934 -- Babe Ruth becomes the first player to hit 700 home runs.
• 1966 -- Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown, 30, retires from football at the peak of his career.