Philadelphia. The Nets overcame a fourth-quarter deficit and were

LONDON -- While critical of Dennis Rodmans trips to North Korea, incoming NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the former all-star also helped raise awareness of leader Kim Jong Uns "repressive regime." Rodman took a group of retired NBA players to the pariah state this month to play a game as a gift for Kim, a move criticized by some members of the U.S. Congress, human rights groups and the NBA. Rodman, the highest-profile American to meet Kim, has stressed he is not a statesman and is only seeking to build cultural ties between Pyongyang and Washington through basketball. But the 52-year-old Rodman has been denounced for not trying to use his influence with Kim to secure the release of Kenneth Bae, an American missionary with health problems who is being held in North Korea on charges of "anti-state" crimes. Although Rodman has been accused of becoming a public relations tool for North Koreas government, Silver regards the publicity from the trips helping to shine a light on a country with a poor human rights record. "As negative as that trip was in so many ways it also brought attention to a critical issue in North Korea that ... most Americans hadnt focused on at all in terms of a repressive regime," Silver said on Thursday in London ahead of a game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks. At the start of the Jan. 8 game in Pyongyang, Rodman sang "Happy Birthday" to Kim, who was seated at the stadium, and bowed deeply as North Korean players clapped. Silver, who succeeds David Stern as commissioner on Feb. 1, said the NBA persuaded some former players not to participate in the game. "We did talk directly with certain other players who decided not to go," Silver said after appearing at a meeting organized by the Sport Industry Group. "In terms of any damage done to the NBA, we dont think there was any damage done to the NBA ... the fact basketball happens to be very popular in North Korea I dont think is a negative for our league. "And it just demonstrates that its not just basketball but all sports bring tremendous opportunities." And, with the Nets owned by Russian businessman Mikhail Prokhorov, the NBA is looking beyond the U.S. for more investment in franchises. Stern said there are discussions with investors from China, Latin America and the Middle East, in particular those in oil-rich United Arab Emirates whose "connection to the governing families is quite close." Efforts to grow the NBA beyond U.S. shores in Britain have been limited, despite Thursdays regular-season game at the O2 Arena being the fourth in four years at the venue. While acknowledging that "football is king" in England, the NBA feels that its efforts to intensify interest have not been matched by a commitment from the government and local groups to promote the game and build facilities. Silver described the club infrastructure as being "not on a par" with other basketball nations. "We would have thought there would have been more growth," Silver said. "For whatever reason basketball hasnt caught on here," he added. "And I think there has been an absence of leadership and we have to fill the vacuum." Having expected a strong basketball legacy from the 2012 London Olympics, the NBA was disappointed the chance was not grasped. "I would say lost opportunity rather than wasted opportunity -- every government has their priorities but given how popular a venue (basketball) was during the Olympics, it should have been the launching pad for additional things happening," Silver said. "There are all kinds of reasons why governments should be getting behind the sport." Stern went further, saying: "I know the debate about physical activity in schools, but if you shut down the gyms you cant have basketball games." Billy Smith Jersey . Riethers apparent stamp on Manchester United midfielder Adnan Januzaj during Saturdays Premier League match at Craven Cottage was missed by the match officials. A three-man panel of former referees reviewed the incident and all agreed that it was a sending-off offence. Jordan Eberle Jersey . Mark Van Guilder, Austin Watson and Colton Sissons also scored for the Admirals (22-13-10), who are 2-0-2 in their last four outings, while Roussel tacked on an assist for a two-point night. Greg Pateryn scored once for the Bulldogs (20-22-4), who lost their fifth straight contest, and also assisted on Gabriel Dumonts goal. http://www.authenticnyislanderspro.com/Customized/ . For the first time all night, as the Raptors were on the clock to make the 20th overall selection, no one had the slightest idea what was about to happen. No leaks, no whispers, nothing. Mathew Barzal Jersey . LOUIS -- Known for his game-managing and defensive skills, Yadier Molina made another statement with his bat. Valtteri Filppula Jersey . Right-hander Ricky Nolasco and the Twins agreed to terms on a free-agent contract Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.(SportsNetwork.com) - The circus road trip will come to a close for the Chicago Bulls Sunday, as they pay a visit to the Brooklyn Nets. The Bulls are 3-3 on the seven-game sojourn and defeated the Boston Celtics, 109-102, Friday night at TD Garden. Jimmy Butler made four key free throws down the stretch and finished with 22 points. Derrick Rose showed no signs of a hamstring issue and posted 21 points in 27 minutes of action. Rose played in his third straight game after missing time due to injury. He is averaging 16.4 ppg. The confidence is through the roof, Rose said. I dont need more confidence. I just need to play. I know how good I am and how good I can be. Its just I need to be out there playing. Bulls center Joakim Noah is happy to have Rose back. Every time hes on the court he makes our team better, Noah said. Any time hes on the court it just makes us that much more dangerous. Pau Gasol had 15 points and 15 rebounds, Noah ended with 15 points and 14 boards, and Aaron Brooks added 15 points off the bench. Noah is averaging 9.1 points and 9.3 rebounds in his last eight games. Butler is playing well as of late and is posting 23.6 ppg in his previous seven. The Bulls are 8-3 on the road and wiill host Dallas on Tuesday.dddddddddddd Brooklyn has won two of three games following a five-game slide and ended a three-game road trip with Wednesdays 99-91 victory in Philadelphia. The Nets overcame a fourth-quarter deficit and were led by Joe Johnsons 21 points. Brook Lopez scored 19 points and Deron Williams collected 17 and a season-high 10 assists for Brooklyn, which shot 49.3 percent for the game and squandered a 32-19 lead after 12 minutes. Brooklyn, though, played better in the fourth to keep the Sixers winless. Its satisfying anytime you get a win. This is the NBA and you cant take a team for granted, said Johnson. These guys came back, fought back and we stayed poised. We took care of the basketball and executed. The Nets took care of the ball in the fourth quarter, but had 24 turnovers on the night. Philly had 20 turnovers. Nets veteran big man Kevin Garnett will play his 1,391th career game tonight, tying Jason Kidd for sixth in NBA history. Brooklyn will visit New York Tuesday and dropped two of three meetings with Chicago in 2013-14. The Bulls are 10-4 in the past 14 games against the Nets, who have an 18-5 advantage in the last 23 matchups at home in this series. ' ' '