Gimmicks are good bait, but cash is often the better lure

2013 free agents DWIGHT HOWARD and CHRIS PAUL. Source: nba.si.com

CHICAGO – In the ongoing lovefest that is the Dwight Howard courtship, a Dallas restaurant chain – Raising Cane's – is offering the free agent Lakers center free chicken fingers for life if he decides to leave Los Angeles and pitch his tent under the warm Texas sun.

According to the Dallas Morning News, the freebie could be worth as much as $192,628, assuming Howard, who grabs rebounds with the same passion as he devours chicken fingers, will eat the $10.80 six-finger Caniac combo every day until he is 76, the average age expectancy of males here in the United States.

Federer and Sharapova exit in Wednesday Wipeout

MARIA SHARAPOVA of Russia receivees medical attention during her women's singles tennis match against Michelle Larcher De Brito of Portugal at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. (AP) Source: http://www.indianexpress.com

LONDON (Reuters) - Wimbledon king Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova endured jolting second-round losses to opponents outside the world top 100 in a freakishly dramatic 'Wednesday Wipeout' that saw seven players withdraw injured and the draw shredded.

Second seed Victoria Azarenka, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and even Steve Darcis, man-of-the-moment after his opening day victory over Spaniard Rafa Nadal, were among the casualties as the medical bulletins piled up.

UAAP Season 76 opens this Saturday: NU, UE tagged as favorites

BOBBY RAY PARKS. Source: http://ph.sports.yahoo.com

The National University (NU) Bulldogs and the University of the East Red (UE) Warriors, finalists in the recently concluded FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, are among the favorites to win the men's basketball crown in Season 76 of the UAAP.

In a press conference held at the Mall of Asia Arena Tuesday, nearly all the UAAP coaches agreed that the Red Warriors and the Bulldogs should be considered as top title contenders.

Former NBA star Stephon Marbury visits Manila

FORMER NBA STAR STEPHON MARBURY. Source: http://bucketsoverbroadway.com

Former NBA star and current Chinese Basketball Association standout Stephon Marbury is in Manila to promote his “Starbury” shoe and apparel line and also to announce his support for the Ahon Pamilyang Lansangan Foundation Inc., an organization which helps liver transplant patients.

In a press conference dubbed as “Bigger than Basketball” at the NPC office in Intramuros, Manila on June 25, Marbury greeted young basketball fans as he was welcomed by National Press Club (NPC) President Benny Antiporda.

Nadal suffers recurring Wimbledon nightmare

RAFAEL NADAL. Source: http://www.fanpop.com

LONDON (Reuters) - From green and pleasant land, Wimbledon's grasscourts must now resemble a minefield for Rafa Nadal who, for the second year in succession on Monday, suffered a shock defeat by a modest opponent playing the match of his life.

A year after Czech Lukas Rosol ambushed the 12-times grand slam champion in the second round, Nadal came up against inspired Belgian Steve Darcis in the first and was soundly beaten 7-6(4) 7-6(8) 6-4.