Sports Briefs June 14, 2011
Basketball
The Dallas Mavericks returned home in triumph on Monday, cheered by hundreds of fans celebrating the franchise's first NBA title and the first professional championship of any kind in the area in more than a decade.
Owner Mark Cuban walked off the plane at Love Field carrying the championship trophy he was handed after Sunday's Game 6 win over the Miami Heat.
Next came forward Dirk Nowitzki with hardware of his own: The NBA finals MVP trophy that was awarded after he overcame a finger injury, illness and smothering defense from the Heat to power fourth-quarter comeback wins.
Cuban, the Dallas billionaire who bought the team in 2000, had the championship trophy in a seat next to him on the plane and he apparently kept it close throughout the Sunday night celebration.
"This will sound weird," he wrote on Twitter. "I'm laying in bed. With the trophy next (to) me."
Cuban will keep the party going at least through Thursday morning, the date set for the team's victory parade through the streets of downtown Dallas.
Football
Plaxico Burress, released from prison last week after spending nearly two years in jail on a weapon possession charge, will work with the National Urban League and Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
The 33-year-old former New York Giant and Pittsburgh Steeler said he will be mentored by Magic Johnson and Tony Dungy. He'll volunteer at Urban League youth programs and recruit other pro athletes to the program, and he'll speak out for gun control.
"I'm eager and excited about the next step, not knowing where it will be," he said. "I'm dedicated to change and just being a better person."
The next step on the field is anyone's guess, thanks to the lockout. Burress and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, can't speak to any teams about the free agent receiver.
• Titans receiver Kenny Britt has two arrest warrants outstanding in Tennessee, and he is suspected of providing inaccurate information on two separate driver's license applications.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol issued the arrest warrants April 14. Spokeswoman Dayla Qualls confirmed that the THP is investigating an issue on Britt's driver's license applications. Spokesman Don Aaron said the Nashville Police Department has the warrants that allege inaccurate information was provided on the applications.
Baseball
The Boston Red Sox have traded minor league catcher Mike McKenry to the Pittsburgh Pirates for either a player to be named or cash.
The 26-year-old McKenry was hitting .274 with three home runs and 12 RBIs at Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox got him from the Colorado organization on March 29.
McKenry made his major league debut last September, playing six games for the Rockies.
The trade was announced late Sunday night. Pittsburgh catcher Chris Snyder had back surgery last week and is on the 60-day disabled list.
Auto racing
Kyle Busch was docked six points and his crew chief fined $25,000 because his car failed post-race inspection at Pocono Raceway.
The No. 18 Toyota was found to be too low during NASCAR's inspection Sunday. NASCAR responded by docking Busch six driver points and car owner Joe Gibbs six owner points.
Crew chief Dave Rogers received the fine.
Busch finished third in the race. Despite the penalty, he remains fifth in the standings, but he now trails leader Carl Edwards by 31 points.
- The Associated Press