Last week I spoke about the absurdity of pro sports executives being rewarded for failure. Hey, wait a minute. I have a brilliant idea, let’s all go to work one-third of the time. Bumble and stumble our way through. Treat our subordinates and our fan base with disrespect and disdain. Expect them to support our product and if they don’t we will get paid anyway.

I am convinced that there is and has been a concerted effort to mislead, falsely educate, under-relate and procrastinate in regards to educating students and student-athletes from the inner city. Pittsburgh Public Schools are closing at an alarming rate with no rhyme or reason.

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.”

by Brian Mahoney
Associated Press Writer

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.

by Vin A. Cherwoo
Associated Press Writer

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.