Cavaliers sign F-C Lorenzen Wright (AP)
The Cavaliers signed center Lorenzen Wright on Friday to help offset the loss up front of forward Joe Smith. Cleveland has been looking for some frontcourt size since Smith was traded as part of the three-team deal with Memphis and Milwaukee that brought guard Mo Williams to Cleveland. The 6-foot-11, 255-pound Wright played 12 games for Atlanta and five for Sacramento last season, averaging less...

Ewing, Olajuwon linked again in Hall (AP)
Hakeem Olajuwon was asked Friday about the friendly rivalry he and Patrick Ewing shared during their careers as two of the greatest centers in basketball history. "Who said it was friendly?" Olajuwon replied. The 7-footers, who met for an NCAA title in 1984 and an NBA championship 10 years later, are both being enshrined in the Hall of Fame, part of a star-studded class that includes Adrian...

Lakers C Bynum says he's healthy (AP)
Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum proclaimed himself completely healthy Friday, saying he expects to be better than ever when training camp begins Sept. 30. "I'm doing well, man," the 7-footer said during a news conference at the Lakers' practice facility. "The knee's good. Everything's ready to go, 100 percent.

Chalmers issues apology to Heat, NBA (AP)
A contrite Mario Chalmers spoke out about his banishment from the NBA's rookie symposium Friday, acknowledging that he made an error in judgment but denying numerous reports that he was using marijuana. The Miami Heat rookie guard, who helped Kansas win the NCAA championship five months ago, released an apology through the team to several parties, including NBA commissioner David Stern, Heat owner...

Pat Riley enters Hall of Fame on Friday (AP)
Moments before entering the Hall of Fame, Pat Riley could barely control his emotions. Here Riley stood, championship ring on his finger and eyes misting ever so slightly, speaking of the 16 coaches whose philosophies were shaped into what became a legendary NBA career. He spoke of his mother, his friends and his childhood growing up in a neat house on Spruce Street in Schenectady, N.Y., a few...

Oden still rookie in second season (AP)
He was drafted more than 14 months ago, and even then he looked too old to be a first-year player, so it's easy to forget that Greg Oden is technically a rookie. Sidelined all season after knee surgery, the top pick in the 2007 draft never got to compete with No. 2 selection Kevin Durant for the Rookie of the Year award.

Howard wants another shot at gold in '12 (AP)
Dwight Howard and his Olympic gold medal have been nearly inseparable since the Beijing Games. And the Orlando Magic center would like another one. Howard hopes to be on the roster for the 2012 London Games so he can defend his Olympic title and capture his second gold medal. "I want to be a part of the team," he said Thursday during a visit to his Atlanta alma mater.