PRESS BOX: Knicks' Smith suspended five games
New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith has been suspended without pay for five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.
Smith, the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award winner last season, is currently recovering from patellar tendon surgery on his left knee over the offseason. While he may be ready for the start of the season, his suspension won't take effect until the first game of the 2013-14 season in which he's eligible and physically able to play.
The nine-year veteran posted career highs with averages of 18.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season and signed a four-year extension over the offseason.
Smith, 27, is expected to be available sometime between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15. The Knicks' regular-season opener is Oct. 30 at Milwaukee.
---The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that they hired Milt Newton as general manager.
Newton will assist Flip Saunders, president of basketball operations, in evaluating and acquiring players, and managing all basketball operations. Newton spent the last 10 seasons with the Washington Wizards, most recently as the team's vice president of player personnel.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
---University of Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma was reintroduced as the U.S. women's basketball coach as it defends its Olympic championship in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Auriemma, 59, guided the team to a gold medal at the London Games in 2012 for its fifth consecutive Olympic title. Auriemma said before the London Games that he would not continue on as U.S. coach after 2012, but changed his mind after a lobbying effort from USA Basketball.
AUTO RACING
---IndyCar officials fined driver Scott Dixon $30,000 and placed him on probation through Dec. 31 for comments he made following the Sept. 1 Grand Prix of Baltimore race.
Dixon violated rules 9.3.1.8 and 9.3.7 when he made disparaging remarks toward IndyCar officials and other competitors after the race.
NHL
---Brett Hull, the St. Louis Blues' all-time leading goal scorer, will be named the Blues' new vice president next week, multiple media outlets reported.
Hull, 49, spent 11 years with the Blues. His 86 goals in 1990-91 is the third-highest single game total in NHL history. He was named the NHL MVP that season.
Hull had previously worked for the Dallas Stars' front office as executive vice president.
