Those predicting that the United States will fall short of a world championship are focusing on the back of the jerseys. They no longer include names such as BRYANT or JAMES. Those expecting the Americans to win anyway do so because of what's still on the front. "I think there is a certain element that does persist that because we have USA on our jersey, that's good enough," USA...

First-round rookie draft choice Xavier Henry is still unsigned.

The Grizzlies are offering Henry 100 percent of the rookie salary and have proposed that the additional 20 percent be earned through bonuses. It has been customary for NBA lottery picks to receive 120 percent of the slotted salary without hurdles to leap.

The Grizzlies' proposed incentive package includes participation in summer league (Henry skipped it because he was unsigned), a two-week workout program with the team's training staff and satisfying one of the following: play in NBA rookie/sophomore game during All-Star weekend, or earn an all-rookie selection, or average 15 minutes in at least 70 games.

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said he's only doing what he thinks is right.

"It's...

Eric Gordon scored 21 points and the United States pulled away after a sluggish first half to beat Tunisia 92-57 Thursday in its final game of pool play at the world championship. With nothing to play for, the Americans sleepwalked through most of the early start, leading the winless team by only four points early in the third quarter before turning it into a rout over the final 15 minutes.

Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns scored 18 points, and Slovenia surged into the elimation stage of the world championship with a 65-60 victory over Iran on Thursday. The Slovenians (4-1) won their last three games after losing to the United States to take the No. 2 seed from Group B. They will face Australia, the No.

In the political arena, Iran vs. the United States is a matchup that gets attention. In a basketball arena, not so much. "For me, it's a normal game," Iran captain Mahdi Kamrany said. The United States won it easily, earning a top seed in the knockout round of the world championship with an 88-51 victory Wednesday in the first meeting between the countries with a history of contentious...

Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your almonds and honey.