MIAMI — NBA commissioner David Stern told a luncheon audience Friday that he envisions a five- team European division in the league within the next 10 years.
It’s not a new notion, but Stern’s words nonetheless represented a strong stance that the NBA is more committed than ever to expansion and further globalizing the game.
Just last week, Stern suggested on a conference call that contraction may be on the table but said he won’t spend “a lot of time on it.”
• Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers confirmed that backup guards Delonte West and Von Wafer scuffled after practice and said any discipline would be handled internally.
• Orlando Magic guard Jason Williams was suspended for one game without pay for grabbing referee Tony Brothers‘ arm following an ejection Thursday.
• The Houston Rockets bolstered their frontcourt when Erick Dampier, who spent the past six years with the Dallas Mavericks, agreed to a one-year deal.
Irwin shares seniors lead
SAN ANTONIO — Hale Irwin shot his age for the first time on the Champions Tour, finishing with a 6-under-par 65 for a share of the first-round lead in the AT&T Championship with 2007 and 2008 winner John Cook, Larry Nelson, Chien Soon Lu and Mark Wiebe.
• Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul had five birdies over the last seven holes for a 6-under 65 and a share of the lead with Ben Crane (64) at 11-under 131 after the second round of the inaugural Asia Pacific Classic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Martin Kaymer is unlikely to take over the No. 1 ranking from Tiger Woods after falling 11 shots behind leader Graeme McDowell at the Andalucia Masters in Soto- grande, Spain.
• American Vicky Hurst and South Korea’s Song-Hee Kim shot 4-under 68s to share the first- round lead in the LPGA Hana Bank Championship in Incheon, South Korea.
Dementieva calls it a career
DOHA, Qatar — Elena Dementieva retired from tennis after a loss at the WTA Championships that ended her 13-year career.
The 29-year-old Russian reached two Grand Slam finals, won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics and helped spur the growth of tennis in her home country.
Dementieva made her announcement following a 6-4, 6-2 defeat to French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.
In other action, Vera Zvonareva ended Kim Clijsters‘ nine-match winning streak, securing the year- end No. 2 ranking by beating the U.S. Open champion 6-4, 7-5.
Girardi gets three-year deal
NEW YORK — Manager Joe Girardi completed a new three-year contract with the New York Yankees that is worth $9 million.
• The Minnesota Twins exercised Jason Kubel‘s $5.25 million club option for 2011 and declined the $5 million club option for infielder Nick Punto.
• New Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez rounded out his coaching staff, hiring Larry Parrish as the team’s hitting coach.
