LOS ANGELES (AP)—New coaches for the NBA’s winningest franchises. New superstars for some of the teams chasing them.

Anything is possible in an offseason that could reshape the league, and it officially started after the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 83-79 June 18 in Game 7 of the NBA finals to win their second straight championship.

CELEBRATION BEGINS—Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant reacts as Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers looks on as time runs out in Game 7 of the NBA basketball finals, June 17, in Los Angeles.

The Seattle Storm are off to the best start in franchise history with 11 wins in their first 13 games. However, after losing in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last five years, they’re not celebrating.

“If anything it keeps us focused,” veteran point guard Sue Bird said. “We didn’t win anything....It’s nice, but we definitely know what we need to work on. ..Right now we’re still learning every game.”

CASH MONEY—Seattle Storms’ Swin Cash from McKeesport, left, and San Antonio Silver Stars’ Edwige Lawson-Wade vie for the ball in the second quarter during a WNBA game June 20, in Seattle. Cash led the team with 22 points.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—Manute Bol, a lithe 7-7 shot-blocker from Sudan who spent 10 seasons in the NBA and was dedicated to humanitarian work in Africa, died June 19. He was 47.

Bol died at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, where he was being treated for severe kidney trouble and a painful skin condition, Tom Prichard, executive director of the group Sudan Sunrise, said in an e-mail.

FREEDOM FIGHTER—In this March 23, 2006 photo, former NBA star Manute Bol speaks at a rally at the Independence Visitor Center as part of the Philadelphia stop of the Sudan Freedom Walk, a 300-mile march from New York to Washington.

“Sudan and the world have lost a hero and an example for all of us,” Prichard said. “Manute, we’ll miss you. Our prayers and best wishes go out to all his family, and all who mourn his loss.”

Bad boys, bad boys, what cha gonna, do? What cha gonna do when they come for you? (Theme from “Cops”)

Now citing the lyrics from “Cops” may be a bit extreme regarding this piece of work but some of the things that I am about to say will almost certainly prove that just because you cannot be prosecuted doesn’t mean that the act is not criminal.

Recently it was revealed that Pirates skipper John Russell and GM Neil Huntington had covertly been given contract extensions ’way back in October 2009. In my opinion that is sort of like giving the CEO of BP a huge bonus and a spanking brand new contract.