Kastles take aim at Lakers’ streak

Tennis: It’s a tough sell – Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain taking a back seat to a team that plays its entire regular season in 17 days.

The Washington Kastles began the WTT season riding a 32-game winning streak, following back-to-back unbeaten championship seasons. They liked to tell anyone who would listen that they were second only to the West- and Chamberlain-led Los Angeles Lakers among the “longest winning streaks in major U.S. pro sports history.”

That changed Monday night when they won their season opener against the New York Sportimes – in front of a sellout crowd that included first lady Michele Obama – to tie the Lakers’ mark of 33 from the 1971-72 season. Another win tonight against the Boston Lobsters would break the record.

Saying the Sportimes, Lobsters and Lakers are on a level playing field might make some chortle – but not the Kastles.

Leander Paes (pictured) said he cried – yes, cried – when he had to leave the Kastles for a few games last year to represent India at the Olympic Games. He was fearful that his absence might cause the team to lose.

“I hurt for it,” Paes said. “To me, playing the Olympics last year was huge. But leaving the Kastles to go for the Olympics and give it a chance to break the streak, I walked off the court in tears that day.”

Associated Press

Eastman follows Rivers to L.A.

Basketball: New Clippers coach Doc Rivers has named his coaching staff, including Alvin Gentry, who returns for a third stint with the team.

Gentry was named associate head coach, while Armond Hill, Kevin Eastman and Tyronn Lue will serve as assistants.

Eastman, who was had coach at WSU from 1994-1999, also was a member of Rivers’ staff with the Celtics for eight seasons, including the 2007-08 run to the NBA championship.

Associated Press