Daily Jolt: Ainge: Celtics face 'very hard' decision on Pierce
Friday, May 3
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Ainge: C's face 'very hard' decision on Pierce
At this point, Danny Ainge may be offering some writing on the wall -- maybe. [Ainge] has no doubts about whether Paul Pierce still has quality basketball left in him. Whether he'll be playing those final seasons in Boston remains to be seen. Ainge and the C's have an option to buy out Pierce for $5 million, which would provide the C's a savings of more than $10 million. ... "What's important to understand, yeah, it's going to be hard for fans and everybody else, but as far as what's doing what's best for the Celtics, it's probably going to be very hard, too," Ainge told CSNNE.com. "It's not a no-brainer. It's not like you get a 21-year-old All-Star player, or you get the number one pick in the draft." (CSNNE.com)Comment
Sanchez has 'no doubt' who'll win Jets QB job
Looking for Mark Sanchez these days? [Sanchez] stood at the intersection of Self Confidence and Delusion on Thursday, his hair held in place by a thin green headband, maintaining that there's "no doubt" that he would win the impending Jets quarterback competition against rookie Geno Smith and veteran David Garrard this summer. "There's a challenge for something I hold very dear to my heart -- that has really been my life goal -- and that's playing at this level and being a starting quarterback," Sanchez said in Florham Park during the team's first locker room availability since last season. ... Sanchez "absolutely" believes that he is still the future of the Jets -- a necessary mind-set for all competitors. (New York Daily News)Comment
Axford suffers another demotion
After starting the year as Milwaukee's closer, John Axford is now no longer manager Ron Roenicke's "go-to" reliever in the eighth inning, either. The Brewers' former closer had worked his way back into a setup role with a string of strong performances, but that ended Wednesday when he surrendered four eighth-inning runs to allow Pittsburgh to pull off a 6-4 victory. On Thursday, Roenicke said Jim Henderson would remain the closer but those used in front of him would vary according to the hitters coming up. "I think what we'll do instead of just figuring out where he's going to be, right now Henderson will be the closer," Roenicke said. "The other guys, we'll look at the lineups." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Comment
Must-See Photo
Golfer Rory McIlroy competes during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Must-See Video
Might want to reconsider getting on Warriors coach Mark Jackson's bad side.
Game To Watch
Knicks at Celtics, 7:00 p.m., ESPN
SI Vault: Kentucky Derby
This Day in Sports
- 1986 -- Jacinto Vasquez on Genuine Risk wins the 106th Kentucky Derby.
- 1980 -- Giants first baseman Willie McCovey hits his 521st and final home run.
- 1970 -- New York Knicks top Los Angeles Lakers, 4 games to 3 to win the NBA Championship.
