Porter inherits a talented but aging roster that features former MVPs Steve Nash and Shaquille O'Neal, along one of the league's best front-line players in Amare Stoudemire.

Porter comes to the Suns from the Detroit Pistons, where he served as an assistant coach. His hiring ends a monthlong search for a successor to D'Antoni, who left last month to coach the New York Knicks.

Under D'Antoni, the Suns employed an attack predicated on firing shots in seven seconds or le

But the Boston Celtics' 108-102 win over Los Angeles didn't come close to the Game 2 rating during the Lakers' previous finals appearance in 2004. That matchup between LA and the Detroit Pistons earned a 10.7.

The rating is the percentage watching a program among homes with televisions.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten

DETROIT (AP) -Michael Curry will be the next coach of the Detroit Pistons after having played for the team and worked as an assistant.

Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars tells The Associated Press that Curry will be introduced at a news conference on Tuesday.

Curry agreed to a three-year deal worth $2.5 million a year, with the team holding the option for a fourth season. He replaces Flip Saunders, who was fired last week. Curry served as an assistant on Saunders' staff.Copyri

PHOENIX (AP) -The Phoenix Suns have introduced Terry Porter as their new coach.

The 45-year-old Porter comes to the Suns from the Detroit Pistons, where he served as an assistant coach. His hiring ends a monthlong search for a successor to Mike D'Antoni, who left last month to coach the New York Knicks.

Suns general manager Steve Kerr, who was a teammate of Porter on the San Antonio Spurs, said the former point guard is a strong leader and communicator.

Porter played guard in the NBA for 17 seasons, r

Jackson has a 9-1 record in the finals, with the only loss coming four years ago when the Lakers were beaten by the Detroit Pistons in five games.

Auerbach, who died in October 2006, coached the Celtics to nine championships in the 1950s and '60s.

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IDOL SIGNING THE ANTHEM IN LA: David Cook will perform the national anthem Tuesday night, just across the street from where

Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr said Saturday he had agreed to terms with Porter, who was an assistant with the Detroit Pistons.

The 45-year-old Porter played in the NBA for 17 seasons and teamed with Kerr in San Antonio.

``He's got a great combination of leadership skills,'' Kerr said in a telephone interview. ``He's a great communicator. And his coaching experience, tw

Collins has a 332-287 overall record and was 137-109 with the Bulls when a young Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen couldn't get past the Detroit Pistons.

Collins had initially indicated he was not interested in returning to the sideline. That changed after the Bulls won the draft lottery, although Reinsdorf said Collins threw his name into the mix because he thought the search ``really didn't look

The coroner says James died of heart ailments.

James played for Jerry Tarkanian's Runnin' Rebels in 1983-85 and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the seventh round in 1985. He did not make the team.

His brothers, Keith James and Karl ``Boobie'' James, also played for the Rebels.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News repor