The Netherlands defender has been linked with a move to Liverpool, who have previously been credited with an interest in De Vrij’s compatriot Virgil van Dijk. United 11/4 to win PL crown Manchester United and Chelsea have also been creditd with an interest in the 25-year-old. But Lazio are desperate to keep De Vrij and that is becoming an increasingly likely possibility, according to Tare. “I am optimistic on De Vrij’s renewal, because there is good will on both sides,” he told Mediaset Premium....

The tapes will surprise younger Americans nursed on Oliver Stone’s ““JFK.’’ They show that three months after John Kennedy’s murder, the private LBJ was scarcely hell-bent on plunging the nation into war in Southeast Asia–a contention Stone makes in his movie. ““We can say this is the Vietnamese war, and they’ve got 200,000 men,’’ he tells Defense Secretary Robert McNamara on March 2. ““They’re untrained–and we’ve got to bring their morale up and ....

That’s the extent of Bell representation at the stadium in which he played his professional home games from his rookie year, 2013, through the Steelers’ divisional playoff loss to the Jaguars last season. The photography that gives the walls inside Heinz Field their decor included no images of Bell juking and running by defenders. MORE: Making sense of Bell’s options Bell technically is not a member of the team as long as his franchise tender remains unsigned....

The entire world is going to do that now. Not since George C. Marshall–another general–has someone of Powell’s mega-stature become secretary of State, the No. 1 cabinet position and America’s official voice to the world. And like Marshall, who served under Harry Truman, Powell is expected to be the star of the administration, the one who commands every room he walks into, who can silence a strategy session just by clearing his throat....

Four players are within two strokes of Bae, a surprising South Korean, and Day, winner of the PGA Championship. MORE: FedEx Cup champions | Setting up the final round | Ryan Palmer plays to honor late father Bubba Watson led after each of the first two rounds and had a chance on Saturday to equal Bae and Day. Instead, Watson begins at 1:50 p.m. ET alone in third place....

In New Hampshire and in Iowa, Obama found that a new generation was indeed ready to answer his call. Although his older rival Hillary Clinton edged him out in New Hampshire, Obama led heavily among voters under the age of 30, according to exit polls. His victory in the Iowa caucuses was the result of a record turnout, particularly among the young. Exit polls there showed him supported by 60 percent of those under 25 and half of those under 45, while older caucusgoers favored Clinton....

The Spain international had walked the world’s greatest stages, but never before had he enjoyed top billing. He’d starred for Real Madrid and Juventus, and claimed 12 major titles in his career. He had featured in three of the last four European club finals, and became the most expensive sale in Real Madrid’s history this past summer. Yet he arrived in London having never made more than 16 starts in a league season since being promoted from Madrid’s ‘B’ team....

LeBron James finished with a game-high 34 points and Chris Bosh hit a game-tying 3-pointer with ten seconds left in double-overtime, but Corey Brewer made one of his two free throw attempts and Ray Allen's game-winning 3-pointer was off the mark. But the real story is about LeBron's head. Or well, what's on top of his head, for that matter. It appears LeBron has taken some fashion advice from hip-hop producer Pharrell, who has become known for his giant Mr....

While their NBA Finals counterparts have carried headlines in the season’s first two months with a 24-game season-opening winning streak and total dominance, the Cavaliers have creaked along as a good team that has yet to be great. And that’s perfectly fine with them — for now. “We’re getting there,” Cleveland guard J.R. Smith said. “We’re getting there because we’re getting guys healthy. As guys get healthy, we’re able to play harder for shorter minutes, subbing guys in and out and keeping guys fresh....

As CJ McCollum rose up for the 3-pointer that seemingly put the game out of reach with five minutes remaining, a “Beat LA” chant broke out around Moda Center. James managed 26 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes, but his effort wasn’t enough to overcome a Portland shooting performance that included long-range makes by six different players. Damian Lillard scored 28 points, Nik Stauskas scored 24 and McCollum had 21 as the Blazers won 128-119....

During the Cavaliers-Rockets game, LeBron James went to drive the lane, and was fouled as he usually is. This time the culprit was Patrick Beverley, and the physically play didn’t stop there. It seems when Beverley was trying to get up from the ground, James had a hand on him holding him down. The run-of-the-mill foul turned in to a scuffle of sorts. MORE: Nuggets count down season | Bulls ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Derrick Rose return | Amar’e Stoudemire has no regrets about Knicks...

Just makes us want to know all the more, doesn’t it? (Maybe that’s why.) When LeBron was asked about that meeting afterward, he went ahead and tried to demolish the internet. First, this response to TNT’s Kristen Ledlow: “I didn’t tell him anything. (Smiles.) I didn’t tell him anything, it’s not for everybody. There’s enough noise out there already with ‘Zo and it’s not for me to discuss.” Then, this to reporters in the locker roon:...

However, LeBron James thinks that the team will be better off for the upcoming season. Why? Because something has changed within the team: the energy. That’s something that the Lakers largely lacked last season. “Last year after coming off the bubble it literally took everything away from you. Any little bit of energy that you had, it was completely gone when we left there,” James told reporters at the Lakers’ second day of training camp on Thursday....

His cheekbones more visible, his neck noticably thinner and his legs a bit more trim, James’ regiment was confirmed by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst Tuesday afternoon. James’ reason for the weight loss hasn’t been made public yet, but it’s likely that he is trying to reduce wear on his aging frame as he turns 30 this December. At 33,276 regular season minutes played, James is No. 16 among active NBA players....

LeBron James was suspended for a game last week following an altercation with Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart. The suspension is the only one of his 19-year career. He also was fined $15,000 for making an obscene gesture during a win against Indiana, then warned for using profane language when discussing his prior suspension. “I mean, it’s some bullshit,” James told ESPN of his one-game hiatus. “But whatever.” On Tuesday, James was placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols and ruled out of Los Angeles’ game against the Sacramento Kings....

There’s no doubt the Cavaliers’ 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals rests on James’ magnificent effort in the first three games. He’s averaging 41 points, 12 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He’s doing it from the point like Magic Johnson. He’s doing this without star players Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. MORE: What the heck is going on in the NBA Finals? | Game 4 time, TV channel Yet the Point A-to-Point B comparison still goes to Allen Iverson’s 76ers team in 2001....

James and the Cavaliers were fresh off a 111-104 victory over the Mavericks when James traded in his Cavs jersey for a front office shirt and tie, praising the Mavericks’ young star Dennis Smith Jr. and questioning the Knicks’ decision to pass on him in this year’s draft. MORE: LeBron James, Cavs can’t just ignore defensive issues Some words here. The Knicks took 19-year-old Frank Ntilikina with the eighth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, with Dallas taking Smith one pick later....

After the Cavaliers outlasted the Wizards in a thrilling overtime win Monday night, James responded to the latest report from Knicks beat writer Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. Isola cited an anonymous league source in saying James was pushing the Cavs’ front office to trade for Anthony, even if that meant sending Love to New York. MORE: A ‘Melo-for-Love trade still doesn’t make sense for Cavs...

MORE: Warriors open as solid favorites over Cavaliers To celebrate reaching the NBA Finals, the guys took a podium selfie, with James pausing mid-answer to smile for the picture. MORE: LeBron James passes Michael Jordan for most postseason points James has a lot to smile about these days, as he gets ready to appear in his 7th straight NBA Finals. Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors is set for Thursday, June 1....