West Getting Intense

A person with knowledge of the deal says the Dallas Mavericks will acquire forward Shawn Marion from Toronto. The trade is not official, but the person told The Associated Press on Wednesday it should be completed. The person was granted anonymity because the deal was still being worked on. The Raptors couldn't afford to re-sign Marion because they need to clear salary cap space for Hedo Turkoglu. Jerry Stackhouse is the principle piece moving from the Mavericks to Toronto. But it is likely he will move on from there. Other players could be involved in the deal, although none of the Mavericks' key personnel will be involved. The Mavericks had been close to completing a deal for Marion for two days, but had to find a third team to help facilitate the deal by taking on Stackhouse's salary. The deal was first reported by the Dallas Morning News. The Mavericks now have a potential starting lineup of Marcin Gortat, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Josh Howard and Jason Kidd, with reigning sixth man of the year Jason Terry coming off the bench.

Tiger Interview

This how you know you're multi-talented

Serena Beats Venus

Serena was facing the only other woman who can equal her power and court coverage on grass courts. The rankings will say Serena is No. 2, and Venus No. 3 [behind No. 1 Dinara Safina, who lost to the Venus Williams in the semifinals] but it is clear who the best woman in the world is at the moment. Serena let everyone know how she felt about the rankings too saying, "If you hold three Grand Slam titles, maybe you should be No. 1, but not on the WTA Tour, obviously," Serena said. Then, alluding sarcastically to two less-than-major events won by Safina, Serena doubled over in laughter after saying: "I see myself as No. 2. That's where I am. I think Dinara did a great job to get to No. 1. She won Rome and Madrid." Venus was the two-time defending champion and had won 20 matches in a row at Wimbledon, the last 17 in straight sets. But Venus appeared a step slow, perhaps bothered by the left knee that's been heavily bandaged since the second round. What ever the reason, Serena had more winners, 25-14, more aces, 12-2, and fewer unforced errors, 12-18. About 3 1/2 hours after their match ended, Serena and Venus returned to Centre Court and capped their domination of the tournament by winning a second consecutive Wimbledon doubles championship.

By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Tennis Writer

Federer Wins Sixth Wimbledon

Roger Federer won his record 15th Grand Slam title Sunday, outlasting Andy Roddick for his sixth Wimbledon championship in a marathon match that went to 16-14 in the fifth set. Federer served a career-high 50 aces and overcame the resilient Roddick. From the front row of the Royal Box was Sampras, a seven-time Wimbledon champion who flew in from California, his first appearance at the All England Club since playing on this court for the last time in 2002. Turning to Sampras, Federer said: "Thanks very much for coming. I know it's a long way, but you're a member, man, we like to see you here. It's such a pleasure to play in front of such greats legends." Roddick said: "Sorry, Pete, I tried to hold him off." Federer also reclaimed the No. 1 ranking he lost last year to Rafael Nadal, the man who beat him in the epic 2008 final but missed this year's tournament because of knee problems. This was the longest men's Grand Slam final in history at 77 games. Roger Federer's victory over Andy Roddick made him the first man to win 15 Grand Slam singles titles, passing Pete Sampras' 14 titles from 1990-02.

R.I.P

Steve McNair, 36, has been found dead due to a fatal gunshot wound to the head, according to Nashville police. Police said it looked like a double homicide. A woman was also found dead on the premises, but a spokesman said her identity was not confirmed, despite reports to the contrary. A call was answered by the police at 1:30 ET from someone in his apartment saying there was an injury. When police arrived, they found McNair and the woman dead. Will update more news when we have it.

Trying to Comeback

Michael Huyghue, the commissioner of the [new four-team league], says the UFL is willing to give Vick a place to play, provided there are no pending legal issues. His rights belong to the Orlando franchise. The things that is important in the UFL premiere season is to showcase the quality of talent and the coaches, and to be able to show outstanding players who find themselves in this predicament the NFL creates. Michael Vick is definitely that kind of player because he is a phenomenal talent, but he needs transitionining back into the NFL. Also if he plays this will help them gain exposure for the league. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, has not played football since the 2006 season.

In other Vick news, Vick began work Monday at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, where he'll work as an aide in summer youth sporting programs. Vick's role with the club will help meet one of his personal goals: to work in a community service-type program. The paying job also fulfills one of the requirements of his release from prison that he maintain employment. He had been working for a construction company at $10 an hour until he began his new job on Monday. His Boys & Girls Club salary was not disclosed. Vick's new job Tuesday would only be temporary. He should get things together because the football star also is trying to climb out of bankruptcy. In U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday, Vick's attorneys tried to assure a judge that they are close to finalizing a revised financial reorganization plan.

Get us the Ball

Cowboys' good depth at running back and tight end allows him to put some interesting formations to work. First, in the backfield, the team is playing around with using Marion Barber and Felix Jones something it did sparingly last season when the two were healthy on the field at the same time. It doesn’t have to be in traditional, two-back sets, either; Jones has the flexibility to split out and motion into or out of the backfield. An offensive coordinator’s challenge is to get his playmakers on the field and get them all the ball. See how Jason Garrett does it.

Change of Heart

Hedo poised to sign with the Portland Trail Blazers until a late bid by the Raptors in excess of $50-million over five seasons for the 30 year-old caused the change of heart, even as Turkoglu was in Portland visiting with the Trail Blazers. Signing Turkoglu means the Raptors will have to renounce their rights to their existing free agents: Shawn Marion, Carlos Delfino and Anthony Parker to create the cap space for Turkoglu. Hedo reportedly favoured Toronto because of the city’s international makeup.

[Sign] & Trade Winds

CBSSports.com has learned that the Bulls and Pistons may yet revisit Detroit's agreement with Ben Gordon and instead investigate a sign-and-trade that would send Allen Iverson to Chicago. Iverson apparently is invigorated by the prospect of getting past the Detroit experience. He wrote on his Twitter account Thursday, "For those of you who thought that I was done, think again! ... My only preference will be to play for a coach that knows what I bring to the table and that I am going to bring it every night." Gordon goes from Chicago to Detroit would benefit Gordon and the Bulls. Gordon would get an extra year, and thus more money, by signing with the Bulls and getting traded. The Bulls, who currently are getting nothing for losing him, would get Iverson.The Grizzlies, Bobcats and Heat are also said to be interested in signing Iverson.

In other news: Hedo Turkoglu has reached an agreement in principle to join the Portland Trailblazers Toronto Raptors; According to a report from Lakers.com, Phil Jackson will continue to coach during the 2009-10 season; Jason Kidd is expected to notify the Mavericks on Monday that he is going to accept their contract offer and stay with Dallas; Magic are not likely to match the Mavericks' reported mid-level offer to center Marcin Gortat, and are now pursuing Rasheed Wallace; Trevor Ariza has agreed to a multi-year deal to join the Rockets, according to ESPN's Marc Stein

Motto for Next Season

“My motto is very simple,” O’Neal said. “‘Win a Ring for the King.’” O’Neal was welcomed by a team that believes he can bring this title-thirsty region its first major pro sports crown in 45 years. O’Neal has no concerns about Ohio’s climate. His only focus is on warming James with a title. It’s LeBron’s team,” he said. “He’s the captain. This is the time in my career where I can fit in. I’m now in the security business. My job is to protect the King, and that’s what I’m here to do.” “I have a lot left,” he said. “There’s only four or five good centers in the league and I’m in that number. ... I’ve been in (the NBA) for 17 years, but I’ve missed three years because of injury. If you do the math, I’ve still got three years left. You got that?” Let's see if he holds true to what he says.