Monday 16th February, 2009 13 Beckham and AC Milan still hopeful of LA Galaxy deal

by Rory Smith and Beckham wants to stay in Italy and England manager Duncan White Fabio Capello would like to see him playing to a higher standard than that offered by the MLS. Buying out his ilan are believed to have offered £7 contract remains an option, while Beckham has a clause million to turn Beckham’s loan deal, in his deal allowing him to leave for nothing in October. which expires on March 9, into a M (C) The Telegraph Group, long-term move, but Galaxy and Major League London, 2009 Soccer are holding out for £12 million. When Milan failed to match the asking price on Friday, the Galaxy chief executive, Tim Leiweke, cancelled talks and stated that the club expected Beckham to return for the start of the MLS season. Both the Italian side and the player himself are hopeful a deal can still be agreed. Beckham’s spokesman Simon Oliveira said: “David is focused on [Sunday’s] Milan derby. Every option is still open.” David Beckham , the club’s manager, said: “We still have 20 days to complete the deal.” Galaxy expect Milan to return with an improved bid and there has been talk of a possible cash plus player deal, with Galaxy keen to shore up their leaky defence with a centre half. Milan are thought to be happy to exchange Kakha Kaladze or Italian , while Galaxy are understood to be keen on inherit- ing the first option Milan have on Arsenal’s . NBA names finals MVP award after Bill Russell

Russell, a cor- Lakers. The nerstone of Celtics won the Boston’s NBA title but Los dynasty in the Angeles’ Jerry 1960s, was a five- West won the time NBA MVP MVP trophy - the and won 11 cham- first and only time pionships as a the award has player and coach. gone to a member But he never won of the losing the finals MVP team. award. “Who better to The NBA first name this presti- named a finals gious award for MVP in 1969, after than one of the the series between greatest players of Russell’s Boston all time and the Celtics and the ultimate champi- Los Angeles on,” Stern said. Former NBA great Bill Russell reacts to The Finals Most Valuable Player Trophy being named for him at a news conference in Phoenix, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) by Andrew Bagnato “This is a bittersweet award,” Russell said. “I just PHOENIX (AP) - Bill lost my special person. But I Russell was never an NBA wanted to thank my team- finals MVP. mates because we played a Now the award is named team game quite well. I after him. accept this for my team, and Starting this year, the my team included our coach, finals MVP will receive the Red Auerbach, and all my Bill Russell NBA Finals Most teammates over the years. Valuable Player Award, com- This is quite flattering.” missioner David Stern announced on Saturday. “This is one of my proudest moments in basket- ball, because I determined early in my career, the only important sta- tistic in basketball is the final score,” Russell said. Russell’s wife, Marilyn, recently died of cancer, and he was visibly moved as he accepted the honor.