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NBA Prepares for Contract Negotiations

NBA playoffs are under way, and the Wall Street Journal's Stefan Fatsis has a look at issues likely to come up as the league negotiates a new collective bargaining agreement with players. The current contract expires June 30.

NBA Prepares for Contract Negotiations

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Post-Jordan Chicago Bulls Back in NBA Title Fight

NPR's Madeleine Brand talks to Casey Johnson of The Chicago Tribune about the dramatic resurgence of the National Basketball Association's former powerhouse team, the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls are making a successful run in this year's NBA playoffs in their first post-season appearance since the end of the Michael Jordan era.

Post-Jordan Chicago Bulls Back in NBA Title Fight

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Opinion

On Sports

No Rhyme nor Reason in the Team Name Game

There's not much rhyme or reason in how sports teams pick their names. Commentator Frank Deford looks at the historical and contemporary challenges of figuring out what to call a sports franchise.

No Rhyme nor Reason in the Team Name Game

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Author Interviews

'Luckiest Man' Explores Life of Baseball's Gehrig

Jonathan Eig's new book, Luckiest Man, looks at the life of New York Yankee hero Lou Gehrig, on and off the field. Gehrig was the unstoppable "Iron Horse" as he hammered home runs while playing in 2,130 straight games. But his life was cut short by the disease that now bears his name.

'Luckiest Man' Explores Life of Baseball's Gehrig

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'Professor' Rules the School of Urban Street Ball

Basketball apparel company AND 1 markets the urban street ball phenomenon through slick highlight tapes of no-look passes and thundering dunks set to hip-hop. Its players have names like Hot Sauce and Main Event. Then, there's The Professor -- a ball-handling guard who's somewhat of a pioneer: He's white.

'Professor' Rules the School of Urban Street Ball

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Rooting for the Home Team in Chicago

Chicago baseball fans remain ever hopeful and fiercely loyal to their hometown baseball fans, even though neither the Cubs nor the White Sox has won a World Series title since 1917. Ben Calhoun of Chicago Public Radio reports.

Rooting for the Home Team in Chicago

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Niners Make Utah's Smith NFL's Top Draft Pick

The San Francisco 49ers select University of Utah quarterback Alex Smith with the number one pick in Saturday's NFL draft. Sports Illustrated contributor John Schulian tells Scott Simon why Smith was rated so highly.

Niners Make Utah's Smith NFL's Top Draft Pick

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Disc Golf Fans Ditch Clubs for Frisbees

Augusta, Ga., will host a tournament this weekend for the Professional Disc Golfers Association. Disc golf is a version of golf played with Frisbees instead of clubs and balls. Susanna Capelouto of Georgia Public Radio reports.

Disc Golf Fans Ditch Clubs for Frisbees

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Environment

'Fishing Oscars' Go To...

The World Wildlife Fund hands out its cash prizes to the winners of the "Fishing Oscars," a global competition to design environmentally friendly fishing gear. The winners include a Canadian fisherman who uses glowing rope to protect endangered whales.

'Fishing Oscars' Go To...

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Changing Attitudes toward Gay Athletes

While there are no openly declared gay male athletes in the three major professional sports in the United States, attitudes toward homosexuality and athletics may be changing at the high school and college levels.

Changing Attitudes toward Gay Athletes

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New York City Lures Olympic Committee with Perks

NPR's Mike Pesca reports on efforts by officials to bring the 2012 Summer Olympic Games to New York City. Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently offered the International Olympic Committee perks, such as free marketing and advertising, in hopes of being chosen as the host city for Olympics.

New York City Lures Olympic Committee with Perks

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