Through his first seven holes, Mickelson is one-under par Friday and six-under for the tournament, two shots ahead of Stewart Cink and Carl Pettersson. Cink is two-under through six holes of his second round Friday.

After bogeying the par-three 16th hole Thursday, Mickelson, who started on the back nine Friday, has birdied that hole in his second round.

The 30 players who had didn't finish their rounds Thursday had to start at 7 a.m. Friday. Among them were Pettersson and Troy Matteson, who both finished at three-under 68 and officially tied for fourth after the first round.

As evidence of how Thursday morning's gusty winds, which neared 40 miles per hour at times, affected the scoring, the average first-round score for groups who teed off in the morning was 73.76, while  for afternoon groupings, when the wind started to ease, the average was 72.93.

ALSO:

Mikaela Mayer survives another day

Gary Carter was a local (paper) boy who made good

Phil Mickelson takes Northern Trust Open lead with final birdie

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Phil Mickelson watches his tee shot from the second hole during the first round of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club on Thursday. Credit: Chris Carlson / Associated Press

The 113-minute documentary follows the Memphis (Tenn.) Manassas High football team through the 2009 season, chronicling an inner-city school that has never won a playoff game since its founding in 1899.

For Cunningham, who has steered far clear of football in his previous critically acclaimed documentaries, this story was too compelling to ignore. “Undefeated,” which opens Friday in Los Angeles and New York, is directed by Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Martin, and produced by Cunningham, Seth Gordon, Rich Middlemas and Glen Zipper.

“Because of my day job, I’ve kind of shied away from direct sports material as a producer,” said Cunningham, 42, an ESPN college football analyst who spent five seasons as a center for the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. “But I just kind of had a sense, along with my partners, that this would see beyond the field and really dive into the lives of these young men and the volunteer coach profiled in the film.

“It shows sports for what they should be about in the amateur level, which is learning how to be a better person through effort and failure, correction and criticism, and teamwork. I think that’s why we all aspire to be around sports so much. There’s so much more to it than just the on-field or on-court competition. And that’s what I’m so proud of with this film: You don’t have to be a fan of any sport, football or otherwise, to really engage with this story and the idea of people struggling and finding something in their lives positive and constructive to focus on.”

ALSO:

Clippers rally in second half to beat the Blazers

Lakers games just aren't the same for Jeanie Buss

Gary Carter was a local (paper) boy who made good

-- Sam Farmer

Photo: "Undefeated" movie poster. Credit: The Weinstein Company

One constant remained Friday morning at the Knicks' practice facility: Linsanity.

The media crush was so great that as reporters stood in front of a door that point guard Jeremy Lin was expected to enter, one reporter quipped: “Guys, you can block the door. He’s going to descend down from heaven.”

Lin eventually entered through the door like other worldly creatures and addressed a variety of topics, including his relationship with Yao Ming and his addition to the Rising Stars Challenge involving rookies and second-year players as part of the All-Star Game festivities later this month in Orlando, Fla.

PHOTOS: Jeremy Lin

"I thought the rosters came out a while ago, but people started telling me I made it yesterday," Lin said. "They must have done something to get an extra guy in there."

Lin said he didn't think participating in the game would be overly taxing, noting that he would "probably stand around half-court and throw a couple of alley-oop passes."

"Obviously, he’s been through what I’m going through times 100," Lin said, "so I consider him someone who I can go to for advice."

Lin apparently could have a new teammate soon after Smith tweeted "New York Knicks it is!" earlier in the morning and Knicks Coach Mike D'Antoni, while not directly confirming the acquisition, talked about the logjam he would face with Smith in the fold. Smith became a free agent after the Chinese team he had played for during the lockout ended its season.

D'Antoni said Anthony, who has missed the Knicks' last five games with a strained right groin, would probably not play against the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. Anthony had experienced a little tightness during the Knicks' day off Thursday, D'Antoni said, though he was expected to test it before the game against the Hornets to see how it felt.

"We've waited this long," D'Antoni said. "We'll wait until he's 100%."

ALSO:

Clippers rally in second half to beat the Blazers

Lakers games just aren't the same for Jeanie Buss

Gary Carter was a local (paper) boy who made good

-- Ben Bolch in Greenburgh, N.Y.

Photo: New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin. Credit: Chris Trotman / Getty Images

“February made me shiver, with every paper I’d deliver. Bad news on the doorstep …”

Don McLean sang those words in his classic song, “American Pie,” as he reflected on the plane-crash death of rock star Buddy Holly.

Bad news hit the step again Thursday with sad news of Gary Carter’s death, from cancer, at age 57.

February, again, made us quiver.

Long ago, interestingly, Carter used to deliver the news, good and bad, on his own bike.

PHOTOS: Gary Carter, 1954-2012

You may remember Carter as a Hall of Fame catcher for the Expos and Mets and a signature player in the classic 1986 World Series.

I also remember him as Gary Carter, “former Fullerton News Tribune paper boy.”

I was born in Fullerton, attended college in the city and started my career, in 1980, at the old Fullerton News Tribune (later modernized to Daily News Tribune).

Local heroes were big deals to newspapers back then, and my sports editor, Bob Lenard, had a standing order with Carter, who had skyrocketed out of Sunny Hills High to major league success with the Montreal Expos.

Jackson Browne, the singer-songwriter, also attended Sunny Hills, but we let the entertainment section brag about him.

Every AP story I remember coming over the wires mentioning Carter’s exploits was amended for our readers with the addendum, “former News Tribune paper boy.”

Carter wasn’t just a catcher, he was a thrower.

He was our paper boy!

He took the over route over from his older brother Gordy and approached his job the same way he did as a big-league catcher.

Carter explained his thought process in a 2007 book, “Behind the Glory,” which traced the upbringing of 20 famous baseball players.

“I was going to be the best paper boy ever,” Carter explained in the book. “I used my Sting-Ray bike and got the papers there after school. People know I porched everything. No roofs, no lawns. I stopped the bike and nailed it. And if I ever missed, I would go pick it up and do it right.”

Does anyone even remember there used to be paper boys?

Well, there were, and if there was a Gutenberg Hall of Fame for delivery boys, Carter would be in it.

People have no idea how much technique is involved in properly folding a newspaper and making it fly straight. Your fold depended on how heavy the paper was that day. A thin paper required a double bend while a heavier one needed only one crease before banding and bag stuffing.

There is nothing more exciting for a hometown paper than to chronicle the important exploits of one of its own.

Our Fullerton News Tribune was fortunate enough to have three Hall of Fame players in our circulation area.

Or, maybe you didn’t know that Walter Johnson, the Big Train, maybe the greatest pitcher ever, attended Fullerton High School.

He was followed later in local lore by Arky Vaughan, a star shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Vaughan was a .318 lifetime hitter who flirted with .400 in 1935 before finishing with his league-leading .385.

Vaughan’s legacy faded in time because he drowned, tragically, at age 40, on a fishing trip.

Fullerton also had a Hall of Fame manager in resident Tommy Lasorda.

It was nice to be represented by these populist pillars.

Carter, maybe because of his newspaper background, was always one of the most media-friendly players. As a paper boy, he said he earned bigger tips and Christmas bonuses by smiling at his customers.

Angelo Dundee, the late boxing trainer, always said, “It doesn’t cost anything to be nice to people.”

Carter learned that early, on the streets of Fullerton, with a gunnysack full of news draped over his bicycle handlebars. They called him "Kid" back then, too.

It was always easy to parenthetically insert Carter’s former occupation into every sports story because he did his city proud and served his community well.

Baseball lost a great man, and the newspaper delivery system lost a former trusted and devoted employee.

Carter, as paper boy and person, always hit the porch.

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Notable deaths of 2012

Gary Carter obituary: Baseball Hall of Famer dies at 57

-- Chris Dufresne

Photo: Montreal Expos catcher Gary Carter is mobbed by admiring fans at camera day before a home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Credit: Bernard Brault / Canadian Press / June 24, 1983

Phil Mickelson birdied his final hole Thursday, the 18th, to take a one-shot lead over Hunter Mahan, who was born in Orange,  and J.B. Holmes in the first round of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club.

Mickelson shot a five-under-par 66. Mahan birdied  four of his last five holes to shoot a 67 and tie Holmes.

Mickelson is trying to win for the second week in a row on the PGA Tour.

He shot a final-round 64 on Sunday to take the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am while playing in the final group with Tiger Woods.

Sunday is a long way off, but Mickelson has won consecutive tournaments three times in his career.

The last player to win in consecutive weeks on the PGA Tour was Woods, who did it in 2009 at the Buick Open and Bridgestone Invitational.

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Northern Trust Open: Watney, Choi and Byrd off to fast starts

J.B. Holmes is getting his health back; his game is recovering too

PGA Tour rides wave of excitement into resurgent Riviera for Northern Trust Open

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Phil Mickelson watches his tee shot on the second hole Thursday during the first round of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club. Credit: Chris Carlson / Associated Press

USC Coach Lane Kiffin made it official, announcing the hiring of Scottie Hazelton as linebackers coach and Marvin Sanders as defensive backs coach.

The announcement was a formality since both coaches agreed to terms last week.

Hazelton, 38, was defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at North Dakota State. Sanders, 44, coached defensive backs at Nebraska and had recently been named defensive coordinator at Florida Atlantic.

“We are delighted to add Marvin and Scottie to the Trojan Family," Kiffin said in a statement. "Both not only have made their marks while coaching their respective positions, but both have been collegiate defensive coordinators, and that should help us tremendously.

"Marvin had great success coaching the defensive backs at Nebraska, and we believe that will translate well to our secondary, which is the most critical area we need to improve upon in 2012.  Scottie is coming to us after helping North Dakota State win the NCAA FCS championship and coordinating a defense that led the nation in scoring defense in 2011, after it was 90th in that category before he took it over just two years ago."

USC is expected to officially announce the hiring of Tee Martin as receivers coach in a few days. Martin was interviewed at USC on Monday and agreed to join the staff on Wednesday.

Kiffin's staff is now complete for spring practice, which begins March 6.

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Trojans recruiting class isn't reduced in quality

USC hopes small recruiting class doesn't limit potential

USC Coach Jovan Vavic is making a big splash in water polo

-- Gary Klein

Photo: USC Coach Lane Kiffin. Credit: Christina House / For The Times

Phil Mickelson has played 11 holes of his first round at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club Thursday and so far his golf continues to be in a good place.

Mickelson, who won last week at the AT&T Pebble Beach tournament, is in second through his first 11 holes Thursday, four under par and a shot behind leader J.B. Holmes, who has played 12 holes at five-under so far.

Also playing well so far in the first round is Sergio Garcia of Spain. Garcia, who last played here in 2008 and whose best finish in his six appearances here was a sixth-place finish in 2007, is two-under through 11 holes.

Defending champion Aaron Baddeley has finished his opening round with a two-over par 73.

RELATED:

Northern Trust Open: Watney, Choi and Byrd off to fast starts

J.B. Holmes is getting his health back; his game is recovering too

PGA Tour rides wave of excitement into resurgent Riviera for Northern Trust Open

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Phil Mickelson lines up a putt on the second hole Thursday during the first round of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club. Credit: Chris Carlson / Associated Press

Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, whose single for the New York Mets in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series led to perhaps the most famous comeback in baseball history, died Thursday. He was 57. Carter was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May.

Carter spent 11 seasons with the Montreal Expos but reached his greatest fame during his five-season tenure for the Mets. He was an 11-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner and was the first player to go into the Hall of Fame with an Expos cap on his plaque.

Carter played for the Dodgers in 1991.

PHOTOS: Notable deaths of 2012

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter,” said Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “Gary’s enthusiasm, giving spirit and infectious smile will always be remembered in Cooperstown. Our thoughts are with Sandy, Christy, Kimmie, DJ and the entire Carter family on this very sad day.”

Carter, 57, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003.

“When you think of the great baseball field generals, you think Gary Carter,” said Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson. “He ran the game from behind the plate with strong leadership and passion. The Kid's contribution to our national pastime is big, but his heart was even bigger. We’ll always remember his caring way, ever-present smile and strong devotion to family, community and the Baseball Hall of Fame.”

Carter earned the nickname "Kid" as an eager teen in his first major league camp and the label stuck for the rest of his career.

"An exuberant on-field general with a signature smile who was known for clutch hitting and rock-solid defense over 19 seasons," reads his Hall plaque.

Carter diedtwo weeks after finishing his second season as coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

"I am deeply saddened to tell you all that my precious dad went to be with Jesus today at 4:10 p.m." Carter's daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote on the family website. "This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to write in my entire life but I wanted you all to know."

You can read Carter's complete obituary at latimes.com/obits.

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Photos: Absolute Lin-sanity

Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow: The comparison doesn't hold up

Knicks' Carmelo Anthony says he can coexist with Jeremy Lin

-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: Gary Carter tags Jim Rice out at the plate during Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Credit: Peter Southwick / Associated Press

Nearly everyone in the hockey world believes it will happen. And why wouldn’t they?

The Columbus Dispatch reported that the Kings were believed to be among the five teams on Nash’s approved list. Indeed, talks have occurred this week between the Kings and Blue Jackets regarding what it will take to acquire the dynamic right wing.

Although deals this complex don’t happen in the space of a few hours, or keystrokes, the Kings possess the assets to make it come to fruition: a promising goalie, a wealth of defensemen, and youth. It adds up to an intriguing mix that GM Scott Howson can sell to his disgruntled fan base in Columbus.

And speaking of disgruntled....

The seemingly endless goodwill and patience of Kings’ fans vaporized with the arrival of their mail the other day, which brought the announcement of a significant season-seat price increase. Their frustration and anger was nicely summarized by Times colleague Helene Elliott.

Which comes back to Nash.

Very rarely do hockey trades work on an organizational (hockey department) level and marketing level. This accomplishes both and would quell the outrage about the price increase.

Nash to Los Angeles is the marquee move that Kings’ president and GM Dean Lombardi tried to pull off, first with Ilya Kovalchuk and, more recently, last summer with Brad Richards, who ended up with the New York Rangers.

Did we mention Lombardi’s boss, AEG’s Tim Leiweke, likes headline-making moves? OK, check that. Loves them.

Keeping David Beckham in L.A. and bringing a bona fide star to the Kings, all in all, would not be a bad couple of months of work for Leiweke.

-- Lisa Dillman

Photo: Rick Nash. Credit: Terry Gilliam / Associated Press

Even back to Cleveland, a destination that James did not rule out when asked about it Thursday.

James was back in his old home gym for practice ahead of the Heat's game against the Cavaliers on Friday night. When asked if he could see himself ever returning to the team he spurned on national television, James paused, then said he could.

“I think it would be great,” said James, who still has a home in nearby Bath, Ohio. “It would be fun to play in front of these fans again. I had a lot of fun times in my seven years here. You can't predict the future and hopefully I continue to stay healthy. I'm here as a Miami Heat player, and I'm happy where I am now, but I don't rule that out in no sense.

“And if I decide to come back, hopefully the fans will accept me.”

James' decision to leave the team that drafted him to join the Heat -- and the way he handled the situation -- drew a heavy backlash from Cavaliers fans, as well as team owner Dan Gilbert. James said he has not spoken to Gilbert since that summer, but he has no hard feelings toward his former employer.

“I don't hold grudges,” said James, who won two league MVP awards and made one NBA Finals appearance with the Cavaliers. “I hold them a little bit, but I don't hold them that long. He said what he said out of anger and he would probably want to take that back. But I made a mistake, too, and there are some things I would want to take back as well.

“You make mistakes and move on.”

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Blake Griffin vs. LeBron James: Watch, vote for best dunk

Knicks' Carmelo Anthony says he can coexist with Jeremy Lin

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: LeBron James of the Miami Heat drives on Alonzo Gee of the Cleveland Cavaliers during a game at American Airlines Arena in Miami on Feb. 7. Credit: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images

Luke Donald, the world's No. 1-ranked golfer, and Bubba Watson, who has never better than 114th in this event, are both finished with their first rounds at one-under-par 70. The early leader, with a three-under 68, is Jonathan Byrd.

Afternoon tee times are running about 25 minutes late because of the winds, so Phil Mickelson, who won here in 2008 and 2009 and who is coming in off his first win of 2012 at Pebble Beach last week, hasn't teed off yet. Fred Couples, the popular two-time champion, began his round with a birdie on the par-five first hole.

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Northern Trust Open: Watney, Choi and Byrd off to fast starts

J.B. Holmes is getting his health back; his game is recovering too

PGA Tour rides wave of excitement into resurgent Riviera for Northern Trust Open

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Bubba Watson watches his tee shot on the second hole during the first round of the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club onThursday. Credit: Harry How / Getty Images

Knicks teammate Iman Shumpert, one of the four players who will be vying for the slam dunk title, has asked Lin to assist him in the competition, according to multiple reports.

Just what Lin's role will be is anyone's guess, but hopefully it will be really cool like when Baron Davis tossed the ball to last year's champ Blake Griffin from the sun roof of the car that Griffin was dunking over.

POLL: Should Jeremy Lin get to play in the NBA All-Star game?

The New York Daily News also reported Wednesday that Lin will be named to that weekend's Haier Shooting Stars competition.

Lin has become an NBA star and cultural phenomenon in less than two weeks time, leaving very little time to somehow involve him in the festivities surrounding the Feb. 26 All-Star game.

Shumpert will be competing against Houston Rockets' Chase Budinger, Indiana Pacers' Paul George and Minnesota Timberwolves' Derrick Williams in the slam dunk competition, which will consist of only one round of three dunks by each participant. The winner will be determined by fan voting.

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Photos: Absolute Lin-sanity

Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow: The comparison doesn't hold up

Knicks' Carmelo Anthony says he can coexist with Jeremy Lin

-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks shoots against the Sacramento Kings Wednesday. Credit: Chris Trotman / Getty Images

Should the NBA figure out a way to get Lin into the All-Star game? Writers from around Tribune Co. will discuss the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses and join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment of your own.

Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times

If David Stern can nix the Chris-Paul-to-the-Lakers trade for "basketball reasons," he can surely come up with an excuse to send New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin to Orlando.

And don't just put him in some lame skills challenge, either. Let him play in the All-Star game and say it's for "humanitarian reasons."

PHOTOS: Absolute Lin-sanity

Lin would turn a ho-hum event into a Linernational phenomenon, generating interest across the globe. By the way, he might also make a more worthy starter for the East than Knicks teammate Carmelo Anthony, who was sidelined for most of New York's return to respectability under Lin.

Getting Lin to Orlando? Lin-genious.

Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel

Jeremy Lin has been with the Knicks, for, what, two minutes? Now we want to change All-Star weekend rules for him?

There's a push to add him to the dreadful rookie-sophomore game in Orlando.

PHOTOS: New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin

If he were playing for Memphis, would anybody hold a write-in campaign? I mean, we’re treating him like he’s Tim Tebow in shorts.

I know the All Star stuff is all an exhibition, but if the NBA accommodates Lin, we'd have chaos and free-thinking, and David Stern loathes chaos and free-thinking. He's already quelled the Chris Paul rebellion, so don't make him crush Linsanity (although the league has to froth at all the All-Star marketing possibilities.)

I've got an idea. Lin can play if the All Stars agree to play defense in the actual game.

Dave Hyde, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

This was a six-inch putt. A two-handed dunk. A no-brainer. Of course Jeremy Lin should have been invited to the All-Star weekend, just as he was by league officials.

To suggest anything else is to pretend there's some high-minded rules to the event beyond to have fun. And who doesn't find Lin’s emergence fun?

League officials want him there because of the buzz around him. TV officials want him there because of the ratings he'll generate (MSG ratings are up 85% since Lin-sanity).

The common fans want him there because this is the kind of story that's fun to watch no matter the venue. There are enough silly events at the All-Star game to find room for him. Not to do so would be missing this marketing dunk shot.]

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The Jeremy Lin legend continues to grow 

Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow: The comparison doesn't hold up

Knicks' Carmelo Anthony says he can coexist with Jeremy Lin

Photo: New York Knicks fans hold up Jeremy Lin photos during Wednesday night's game against Sacramento. Credit: Frank Franklin II / Associated Press

The three were two-under par so far; Watney and Byrd were through five holes and Choi through six.

Phil Mickelson, who is coming off his big win at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Sunday, tees off at 12:12 p.m. and Fred Couples, who was second by only a stroke to last year's winner, Aaron Baddeley, goes off at 12:01.

Baddeley did not have quite as good a start, though. He was having trouble in the windy conditions that have overtaken the course early in the day and was three-over par through four holes.

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Nick Watney at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament on Feb. 9. Credit: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

"I love it -- I'm a part of it," Anthony told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith when asked about the so-called Lin-sanity sweeping the nation.

PHOTOS: Absolute Lin-sanity

"Everybody's been looking for this. Everybody's been looking to see who's going to be New York's starting point guard. Jeremy Lin got the opportunity and he's taking advantage of it."

The Knicks have won seven straight games since Lin took a prominent role on the team, with Anthony's injury occurring early in the second game of that stretch. In the one game they shared significant floor time -- a 99-92 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Feb. 4 -- Lin scored 25 points to Anthony's 11.

Anthony said he takes offense when people suggest he might be too "selfish" of a player to coexist on the floor with Lin.

PHOTOS: New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin

"That's like a slap in the face," Anthony said. "I've never been a selfish player. None of my teammates I've ever played with would say that I was a selfish player. Nobody."

He added of Lin: "Right now he's playing out of his mind, completely out of his mind. He's unbelievable right now. When I come back I think I can take some of that pressure off of him to have to go out there and do it on a consistent basis."

Lin, who was seen laughing with Anthony on the bench during the Knicks' 100-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, said he's looking forward to his teammate's return, which could come as soon as Friday against the New Orleans Hornets.

“We were just having fun and kind of talking about how we're both excited for when he comes back,” Lin said.

One of the defining moments of Lin's young career came Tuesday night against the Toronto Raptors, when he hit the game-winning three-point shot with half a second left. What if such a situation arises again with Anthony on the floor? Well, the veteran player admitted, he might have a little selfishness in him after all.

"Of course I want to take the last shot," Anthony said. "I mean, let's be quite frank: I've been doing it for nine years already, and I've made a ton of them."

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-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Carmelo Anthony, left, Jeremy Lin and Amare Stoudemire share a laugh during the New York Knicks game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Credit: Frank Franklin II / Associated Press

Heavyweight

1. Junior Dos Santos

2. Alistair Overeem

3. Cain Velasquez

4. Fabricio Werdum

5. Daniel Cormier

6. Frank Mir

7. Josh Barnett

8. Antonio Silva

9. Fedor Emelianenko

10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

In the month’s most meaningful heavyweight bout, Fabricio Werdum showcased excellent striking to defeat a game Roy Nelson in the semi-main event of UFC 143. It puts him in the mix for the next title shot against the winner of the Junior Dos Santos-Alistair Overeem UFC heavyweight title match at UFC 146 in May.

Light Heavyweight

1. Jon Jones

2. Rashad Evans

3. Dan Henderson

4. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

5. Lyoto Machida

6. Quinton Jackson

7. Gegard Mousasi

8. Thiago Silva

9. Forrest Griffin

10. Rich Franklin

Rashad Evans took care of business, scoring a solid but unspectacular win over the formerly undefeated Phil Davis at UFC on Fox 2. That means Evans will get his long awaited title shot at former friend Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 145 in Atlanta. The fight should be one of the most ordered pay-per-view events of the year.

Middleweight

1. Anderson Silva

2. Chael Sonnen

3. Yushin Okami

4. Mark Munoz

5. Vitor Belfort

6. Michael Bisping

7. Nate Marquardt

8. Hector Lombard

9. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza

10. Rousimar Palhares

It was an eventful month in the middleweight division, with plenty of noteworthy performances both good and bad. Chael Sonnen won a close decision over Michael Bisping to earn another title shot at longtime UFC middleweight king Anderson Silva. While Sonnen got the decision, he looked flat and didn’t convince many of the threat he presents to Silva. Bisping by contrast looked generally sharp and improved his stock even in defeat. Vitor Belfort scored a satisfying submission win over Anthony Johnson. Johnson finds himself out of the UFC after unprofessionally missing weight for a third time, this time by a whopping 12 pounds. Demian Maia falls out of the top 10 after a lackluster decision loss to Chris Weidman. Taking his place is another submission ace, Rousimar Palhares. Palhares submitted Mike Massenzio in just over a minute in Brazil.

Welterweight

1. Georges St. Pierre

2. Carlos Condit

3. Jake Ellenberger

4. Johny Hendricks

5. Nick Diaz

6. Jon Fitch

7. Jake Shields

8. Josh Koscheck

9. B.J. Penn

10. Martin Kampmann

Nick Diaz appeared on the cusp of superstardom, but a disappointing decision loss to Carlos Condit and drug test failure for marijuana took him back down to Earth. There was criticism of Condit’s strategy against Diaz, but Condit fought a smart fight and deserved the win. While Nick Diaz is out of the immediate title picture, the welterweight division remains strong. Jake Ellenberger won his sixth straight fight against Diego Sanchez and is close to a title fight. Johny Hendricks has also maneuvered himself into that picture and will fight fellow contender Josh Koscheck at UFC on Fox 3.

Lightweight

1. Frank Edgar

2. Gilbert Melendez

3. Ben Henderson

4. Gray Maynard

5. Jim Miller

6. Clay Guida

7. Shinya Aoki

8. Anthony Pettis

9. Nate Diaz

10. Eddie Alvarez

Headlining UFC 144 in Japan next weekend is a UFC lightweight title fight between Frank Edgar and Ben Henderson. The pace should be frenetic and oddsmakers have the bout close to even. Jim Miller defeated Melvin Guillard via rear naked choke to put himself back in the title picture. He will fight Nate Diaz in the main event of UFC on Fox 3, with the winner likely next in line for a title fight. As for Guillard, the loss to Miller was another disappointing blow for a fighter with a world of talent but a huge vulnerability in the submission game.

Featherweight

1. Jose Aldo

2. Dustin Poirier

3. Hatsu Hioki

4. Tatsuya Kawajiri

5. Chad Mendes

6. Diego Nunes

7. Erik Koch

8. Patricio “Pitbull” Freire

9. Joe Warren

10. Pat Curran

Jose Aldo continued his reign as 145 kingpin with a stoppage win over Chad Mendes in the first round. Unfortunately, there just isn’t a lot of competition out there in one of the weakest divisions in the sport. Dustin Poirier scored another impressive win over Max Holloway and is a top contender, as is Japanese star Hatsu Hioki who struggled in his UFC debut.

Bantamweight

1. Dominick Cruz

2. Joseph Benavidez

3. Urijah Faber

4. Demetrious Johnson

5. Miguel Torres

6. Renan Barao

7. Brian Bowles

8. Bibiano Fernandes

9. Michael McDonald

10. Scott Jorgensen

It doesn’t appear it will be much longer before Renan Barao is challenging for the UFC bantamweight title. Barao handily defeated Scott Jorgensen and continues his move up the ranks. Another top prospect Michael McDonald will have the stiffest challenge of his career when he faces former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres at UFC 145.

--Todd Martin

Photo: Junior Dos Santos, right, is the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. Cain Velasquez, left, is No. 3. Credit: Jason Redmond / Associated Press.

Foye started his one-man assault with a 3-pointer, then made two free throws and hustled after an offensive rebound to set up another 3 by Mo Williams. Foye made two more free throws and capped his run with a 3-pointer that made it 88-76 with 6:59 to play.

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-- Associated Press

Photo: Blake Griffin dunks during the Clippers' 102-84 victory Wednesday. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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-- Gary Klein

Photo: USC Coach Lane Kiffin. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Guadalajara is home to Chivas, one of the most popular Mexican soccer teams, and Los Angeles is home to Chivas USA of Major League Soccer. But in addition to sharing a name, the teams also share a red-and-white uniform top.

So the new look that was rolled out Wednesday bears more similarities than differences with the old design. And while there are subtle differences in the uniform's physical appearance, the biggest change is the high-tech fabric the Adidas jerseys are made from, which is said to improve comfort and performance.

The uniform's debut was clearly one of a kind, though, with players modeling them in the aisle of an airplane.

“The unveiling ... was a unique event in soccer history and in line with the innovative ideas that the red-and-white organization constantly develops. And when you start off on the right foot, all finishes well,” said Rodrigo Morales, the team's vice president of marketing and sponsorship.

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-- Kevin Baxter

Photo: Chivas USA's Juan Pablo Angel shows off the team's new uniform on a team flight Wednesday. Credit: Chivas USA

Or, at least the semi-real stuff.

Roughly 1,500 Jeremy Lin replica jerseys were on sale Wednesday when doors opened before the game between the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings.

The authentic jerseys are still on order, said Betty Jackson, supervisor of merchandise for MSG.

Jackson said she had not seen anything like the frenzy for Lin merchandise in the wake of the point guard's six-game tear in which he has scored at least 20 points each game while leading the Knicks to a 6-0 record. The team sold out of its meager allotment of 144 Lin jerseys and 288 T-shirts at the last home game, when the Knicks played the Lakers on Friday.

The new Lin items were hung and stacked in a prominent display near the front of the store Wednesday.

"We have everything in Lin," Jackson said. "Even Lin fingers."

Sure enough, the team sells blue No. 17 foam fingers that read "Linsanity."

"Right now," Jackson said, "it's all about him."

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Photos: Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin is hot topic in New York's Chinatown

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-- Ben Bolch in New York

Photo: Jeremy Lin merchandise is prominently displayed at New York Knicks team store at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Credit: Ben Bolch / Los Angeles Times

But one driver, Charlie Kimball of Camarillo, said that was enough to get him excited about racing the new car around the two-mile oval where the cars top 200 mph.

"We did a few laps before the rain came," said Kimball, who drives for Chip Ganassi Racing and arrived Wednesday with teammate Graham Rahal. The new car "is going to lend itself to really good racing," Kimball said.

The Izod IndyCar Series is rolling out a newly designed Dallara chassis this season with safety enhancements, and teams have the option to use engines from different manufacturers. Ganassi is using Honda power.

"Everyone is figuring [the new car] out and going in different directions," Kimball said. As a result, "you'll see a bigger disparity" in how well different cars and drivers perform compared with last season, he said.

Auto Club Speedway also is a new venue on the IndyCar calendar this year, with a night race planned Sept. 15, currently the finale on the series schedule.

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Sources say Peyton Manning might not play again

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Peyton Manning: Is the decision to return to Colts his to make?

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: The new IndyCar Dallara race car last September at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Jim Haines / Izod IndyCar Series

But a report on SI.com, citing unnamed NFL sources, says Manning actually had neck surgery four times during that period. The additional procedure, which went unreported, is said to have taken place sometime between Manning's initial surgery to correct a bulging disk and the procedure in September.

The article also cites league sources who say that Manning has developed bone spurs just above where the September surgery took place and that the Colts believe it is very likely Manning will require further surgery, possibly even another fusion procedure, even if he does return to the field next season.

The only comment SI.com got from Manning's agent, Tom Condon, was: "I wouldn't have anything to say about all of that, one way or another.''

The article also describes Manning's efforts to convince team officials and coaches that he could return for the final two games of the season, specifically in red zone situations. He even took part in an organized and fully scripted 30-play practice session in front of then-team president Bill Polian and then-coach Jim Caldwell.

According to sources who attended the session, Manning threw nothing longer than 20-22 yards, and while his passes were accurate, they wobbled and had much less velocity than his usual throws. He is also said to have be visibly fatigued at times.

But team physician Hank Feuer ruled out clearing Manning for any on-field action soon after the workout, saying the quarterback's neck muscles were still atrophied from his long period of inactivity and he hadn't recovered his full range of motion.

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 -- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Peyton Manning in 2010. Credit: Darron Cummings / Associated Press

Outside the door at Hong Kong Station, a fast-food noodle shop, a blackboard touted the Knicks' game on Wednesday night against the Sacramento Kings. Written at the bottom: Go "Lin" Go.

A newspaper page cutout reading "HAPPY VALINTINE’S DAY," with LIN in bold red letters, was posted on the door. Inside, as a few customers sat down to bowls of steaming soup, a replay of the Knicks’ victory over Toronto on Tuesday played on the television.

"They’re all going crazy about Jeremy Lin," said Wallace Lai, the restaurant's owner, referring to the Knicks' breakthrough point guard.

Lai said his establishment has been packed for Knicks games since Lin started his spine-tingling run of six consecutive games with at least 20 points, with people standing outside and watching through the window.

"He's a kid who came out of nowhere," Lai said. "No one knew him, but he works hard and he's smart. He's a good role model for the next generation.”

That is, if they can distinguish him from other top NBA players.

"Is that Jeremy Lin?" she asked.

"No, LeBron," he responded incredulously, referring to the Miami Heat's LeBron James.

Around the corner, a man sat next to a vegetable stand reading about Lin's exploits in a Chinese newspaper, with a large photo of the Knicks' newest star splashed across the page.

At the New Hon Wong Restaurant on Canal Street, a man walked up to a Chinese waiter and referenced Lin and the Knicks’ latest victory. As if to commemorate the achievement, the waiter and another worker behind the counter bowed to each other.

Dave Wang, who was working behind the counter at the Excellent Pork Chop House, a rare Taiwanese restaurant in Chinatown, said Lin is the hot topic of conversation among customers.

"The people talk a lot about him," said Wang, who, like Lin, is of Taiwanese descent. "He's a Christian, and he said it's God that's given him everything, so we like him. Hopefully, he does more."

On Canal Street, where knockoff handbags, scarves and T-shirts fill storefronts and overeager proprietors often attempt to woo passersby inside, not a piece of Lin merchandise could be found. Give it a while, Lai said.

"They need time to make it and ship it from China," Lai said of the Lin items. "Maybe it takes about a month."

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-- Ben Bolch in New York

Photo: Jeremy Lin. Credit: Frank Gunn / Associated Press

Peyton Manning is welcome to return to the Indianapolis Colts -- as long as he is willing to restructure his contract. So said Colts owner Jim Irsay on Tuesday.

Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss whether they believe Irsay when he says the decision is Manning's to make. Check back throughout the day for more responses and join the discussion with a comment of your own.

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times

I believe Jim Irsay is sincere when he says he wants Peyton Manning back, as long as it’s at a reasonable price –- one that would allow the Colts to draft Andrew Luck and stay out of salary-cap jail.

What we’re watching is a high-stakes, high-profile game of chicken, with each side -– the Colts and Peyton -– determined to come away looking like the good guy. If financially feasible, the Colts would accept the Brett Favre/Aaron Rodgers template of letting Luck learn at the elbow of Manning for a season rather than immediately plunging into the fire.

The question is, how willing is Manning to come off that $28-million number to finish his career in Indianapolis? The latest move by Irsay puts the ball back in the quarterback’s court.

Last month, Jim Irsay called the face of his franchise “a politician.” And he didn’t mean it in a nice way.

On Tuesday, Irsay told anyone who would listen that he’s open to Peyton Manning’s return to the Colts.  It will be at a reduced, restructured pay rate, but the door is open for good old Peyton to walk back into his house.

In fact, it will be Peyton’s call. The ball is in Peyton’s court. And so on and so on, Irsay repeated.

And now Irsay sits and waits for a return shot from Manning’s camp. In a game of back-and-forth, Irsay has fired a public relations salvo that will position the Colts as winners in what is unfolding as an ugly departure for the future Hall of Famer.

If Manning leaves, Irsay can say it was Manning’s decision. If he stays –- which seems highly unlikely –- Irsay and the Colts look magnanimous after disrespecting their franchise player.

It’s clear Andrew Luck is coming and it’s hard to imagine Manning returning as a mentor, especially after the way Irsay has handled the last few months. If Irsay really wanted Manning to end his career as a Colt, wouldn’t he hold a private conversation with Manning and his representatives instead of airing his intentions publicly?

This smells like a political power play intended to show Manning the door without looking like a bad guy.

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Photo: Peyton Manning. Credit: Michael Conroy / Associated Press

The only person having a better week than Adele might be Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin, at least as measured by Las Vegas bookmakers.

"The action has really picked up on NBA futures with Jeremy Lin making the Knicks the hottest team on the NBA, says Kevin Bradley, manager of Bovada sportsbook. "They have dropped by more than half in one week from 40-1 to 18-1 and we keep taking money."

Courtesy of Bovada, here is how the Knicks fortunes are changing under Lin:

New York Knicks' odds to win championship:  

Before Lin's first game, 40-1

Today, 18-1

New York Knicks' odds to win Eastern Conference:

Before Lin's first game, 22-1

Today, 10-1

Odds to win the 2012 NBA Atlantic Division:     

Philadelphia 76ers, 2/5

Boston Celtics, 5/2

New York Knicks, 6/1

New Jersey Nets, 200/1

Toronto Raptors, 200/1

Will the Knicks make the 2012 playoffs?

Yes, 1/5

No, 3/1

New York Knicks' season win total:

Over/Under, 36.5

Will Lin win NBA MVP? 

Yes, 40/1

Will Lin hit a game-winning buzzer beater shot from Feb. 15 on in the regular season?

Yes, 3/1

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-- Chris Erskine

Photo: A fan-made sign at Tuesday's Knicks-Raptors game in Toronto. Credit: Warren Toda / European Pressphoto Agency