ad coaching debut, said hes pleased with how the first-team offence and defence did, even though they were on the field just a short time. Rivers

LAS VEGAS -- Metta World Peace is coming home to play for the New York Knicks. The Knicks said the contract has not been signed but an agreement has been reached. "The team is amazing, the players. Im excited to play and hustle," World Peace said Monday while attending the NBA summer league in Las Vegas. "Yes, this is going to happen," World Peaces agent, Marc Cornstein, said. "Hes really excited to be joining his hometown team. Thats obviously been something thats been a dream of his since growing up in Queensbridge. "Hes just thrilled to be joining the New York Knicks." World Peace was waived Thursday by the Los Angeles Lakers, who used the amnesty clause to create salary cap space. The 6-foot-7 forward will still be paid the $7.7 million that was owed to him by the Lakers. Cornstein said the new deal came about pretty quickly. The Knicks expressed interest right after they were allowed to reach out to the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year. "Obviously, Metta being from the area, and also much more importantly than just being a New Yorker, seeing the way he would fit in the team," Cornstein said. "Coach (Mike) Woodson did an incredible job explaining what his role would be. (Knicks GM) Glen Grunwald really made him feel wanted. "They just did a tremendous job; quite frankly, it became a pretty easy decision." World Peace attended St. Johns in New York, when he was known as Ron Artest. "It has nothing to do with New York, the city," World Peace said. "The only thing thats important are those players that Im going to be joining and touching that hallway with. Thats all thats important right now." In 14 NBA seasons with five teams, he has averaged 14.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. "I dont think Im a missing piece (to a puzzle)," he said. "Im more honoured to be playing with these players." Shaquille ONeal Suns Jersey . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Charles Barkley Jersey . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. http://www.officialsunsfanstore.com/jamal-crawford-suns-jersey/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Kelly Oubre Jr. Suns Jersey .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. Grant Hill Suns Jersey . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half.SAN DIEGO -- Philip Rivers made it through his first appearance of the exhibition season without committing a turnover or getting sacked. It was a small victory even though the San Diego Chargers did lose to the Seattle Seahawks 31-10 Thursday night. Mike McCoy, who made his head coaching debut, said hes pleased with how the first-team offence and defence did, even though they were on the field just a short time. Rivers completed 5 of 6 passes for 45 yards in leading the Chargers on an opening 74-yard drive in 13 plays capped by Nick Novaks 28-yard field goal. He even gained 5 yards on a third-and-6, scrambling when he couldnt find anyone open. Rather than going for it for a second time on fourth down, McCoy chose to have Novak kick the field goal. "I would have liked to see him pick up the first down," McCoy said Friday. "But hey, hes not getting paid to run the football. So hes going to try to do the next best thing, and thats something were talking about, whether you throw the ball away, you scramble, step up in the pocket or run, whatever thats going to be, but he was rather athletic." Rivers wasnt sacked and didnt throw any interceptions. Last year, he was sacked 49 times and had 22 turnovers, including 15 interceptions, as the Chargers missed the playoffs for the third straight season. Chargers backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst was intercepted twice and sacked three times. One of the pickoffs set up Brady Quinns 11-yard scoring pass to Jermaine Kearse 2:11 before halftime. San Diego defensive backs Darrell Stuckey and Stevve Williams collided, leaving Kearse wide open.dddddddddddd McCoy said Whitehurst "didnt do a bad job." The coach said the first interception was a good throw. "Its just one of those deals where the receiver has to keep coming back to the football." The second interception came during the two-minute drill, when Whitehurst stepped up in the pocket. The coach said the pass protection for Whitehurst was "too soft" at times. San Diegos only touchdown came on third-string quarterback Brad Sorensens 21-yard pass to Ladarius Green in the fourth quarter. McCoy said he was pleased with the tempo of the calls going in on both offence and defence. "Let them play. Its all about tempo, giving the players as much time to think about what the call is and go from there," McCoy said. He was also happy with outside linebacker Dwight Freeney, who signed as a free agent in May after a stellar career with Indianapolis. "It was great to see that," McCoy said. "One of the first pass rushes he had he came off the edge and went through the right tackle there and did a nice job. Thats what hes done forever. The best coverage on defence is a good pass rush, and hes going to help our defence a lot." Freeney didnt sack Russell Wilson but had him on the run. "Thats what its about. You know, everybody loves the sack number; thats great. But sometimes its about creating chaos for the quarterback," Freeney said. "Get him off his spot. Affect the quarterback, whether he has to keep scrambling." ' ' '