SPORTS

Lithuania is one of the participating nations in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup that presents a big threat not only to the teams in its group, but also to the United States.

Spain and Brazil are perceived to be the favourites to clinch the top two spots in Group A of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, while France, Serbia, and Iran will battle to survive, and get through to the knockout stages.

2014 FIBA World Cup Along with Croatia and Argentina, Greece is favoured to be the leader in Group B. The Greek landed 11th at the 2013 FIBA Europe championship in Slovenia but are ranked No. 5 in the FIBA world rankings. In that continental championship, Greece won just four games in eight matches for a mediocre 4-4 record.

The Puerto Rico basketball national team is one of the constants in most editions of the FIBA World Cup, previously known as the FIBA World Championships, appearing 17 times since 1957 and missing just two tournaments in that span. Known as “Los Doce Magnificos”-- translated to The Magnificent Twelve-- the Puerto Ricans will be bringing a veteran roster led by current and former NBA players in Jose Juan Barea, Carlos Arroyo and Renaldo Balkman.

Venus Williams advanced to the third round of the US Open on Wednesday when she won an easy victory over Timea Bacsinzky, 6-1, 6-4. When she was at the apex of her career, she amassed Gland Slam singles left and right, collecting seven titles in total. Now, she is on a quest to add an unprecedented eight but is tempering expectations given the field of competition and the history of her downward spiral in the latter part of the tournaments.

The Tall Blacks are considered underdogs in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Bethe Correia wants a shot at Rhonda Rousey but she would have to hurdle Shayna Baszler first before moving up the ladder another step. Correia vs. Baszler was supposed to headline UFC 176 but due the cancellation that will go head to head this weekend instead at UFC 177. The undefeated Brazilian is so confident of dominating Baszler that she is already looking past her and forward to the biggest name in women's mixed martial arts - Rousey.

Forbes has unveiled the list of the highest-paid tennis athletes of 2014 on Aug. 25.

NBA NEWS - Just like last year when they announced early that top pick Nerlens Noel will miss the duration of the entire season, the Sixers brass insinuated that they will have no problem doing it all over again for Joel Embiid, who most likely will follow Noel’s career path of missing his rookie year in the pro league because of injuries.

Kevin Love, the newly minted Cleveland Cavaliers power forward responded to critical comments made by Taylor on Tuesday that his former player would get exposed for his defensive ineptitude and might turn out to be the scapegoat if the team under performs.

USC cornerback Josh Shaw admits to fabricating the heroic story of jumping from a balcony to save a near-drowning nephew.

NBA NEWS - Doc Rivers will extend his stay in Hollywood after signing a new five-year deal worth $50 to continue as the head coach and president of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Maria Sharapova, the five-time major tournament winner, rallied from a set behind to advance in the third round of the US OPen. She eliminated Alexandra Dulgheru, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Grigor Dimitrov recalled how his relationship with Maria Sharapova began.

The Boomers enter the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain ranked ninth overall and second in its group.

A career in NBA comes with a hefty pay check, tons of endorsements, celebrity appearances and of course, a huge fan base.

At 15 years old, Cici Bellis pulled off the upset in the first round of the 2014 US Open beating 12th seed Dominika Cibulkova, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to became the youngest player to win a match at the Grand Slam tournament in New York since Anna Kournikova did it 18 years ago.

Power 105.1's Charlamagne released an audio wherein Mayweather is struggling to read a scripted radio spot.

Argentina national team will be playing at the 2014 FIBA World Cup with a strong veteran base under coach Julio Lamas.

Real Madrid will be defending their tenth UEFA Champions League title in style with a new kit designed by Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto which they unveiled to the press and to the public yesterday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Corinna Schumacher made another rare public appearance at the World Equestrian Games.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal urged supporters to stretch their patience and still believe in his system after suffering from a 4-0 shellacking in the hands of MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.

A post on Facebook that was shared many times because of the value of two items being compared has sparked a social media debate on which is the real Facebook page of Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.

Roger Federer has finally joined the photo-sharing site Instagram.

FIBA World Cup News - Two powerhouse basketball national teams—Argentina and Greece lead Group B of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. However, another top team Croatia and dark horse squad Puerto Rico dark horse squads like Puerto Rico and Croatia are looking to crash the party at the top and underdogs like the Philippines and Senegal aim for an upset or two in the basketball world championships held in Spain from Aug. 30 to Sept. 13, 2014.

Undoubtedly the strongest team on paper in spite of losing a couple of superstars - Paul George and Kevin Durant - along the way, Team USA will, as always, still be expected to win it all at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Roger Federer and Michael Jordan released the new NikeCourt Zoom Vapor AJ3 by Jordan.

Asian American star Jeremy Lin is ready to open a new chapter of his basketball career as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, calling the trade that sent him to Hollywood a breath of fresh air.

Jeremy Lin's trade to the Los Angeles Lakers might be an opportunity for him to reinvent and prove himself as a legitimate NBA player.