NBA: James says the Heat's play will do the talking

Since LeBron James joined the Miami Heat, he's been called a quitter, had his competitive nature questioned, and heard others say he made a bad business decision.

In one breath, he says none of it matters. Yet the NBA's reigning MVP does acknowledge this much: All the doubters are fueling him.

"I do have a lot of motivation," James said Monday, on the eve of his first practice with his new club. Sitting alongside star teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James said the team "will let our game do the talking."

James signed a $109.8 million, six-year deal with Miami on July 9, one day after starring in an hourlong TV special to announce he was leaving Cleveland.

Knicks' Curry sidelined. Oft-injured Eddy Curry will miss four to six weeks with a strained right hamstring, the third straight year he was sidelined early in training camp.

"You hate it. He just can't get over the hump," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said.

The center was hurt during practice Sunday and had an MRI exam Monday that confirmed the injury. Curry is not expected to travel with the team on its trip to Europe for exhibition games in Italy and Paris.

Warriors name new coach. Keith Smart was formally introduced at a news conference as the new coach of the Golden State Warriors.

Smart had been a Warriors assistant for the last seven years. Previous coach Don Nelson had the final year of his contract bought out.

Mavs sign three players. Brian Cardinal, Dee Brown, and Adam Haluska have joined the Dallas Mavericks just in time for training camp.

The trio will be among 17 players on the roster when practice starts Tuesday.

Cardinal has played 356 games over 10 years with Detroit, Golden State, Washington, Memphis, and Minnesota.

Brown has played 68 games for Utah, Phoenix, and Washington since being taken in the second round of the '06 draft.

Haluska most recently played for Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem in Israel.

Anthony still a Nugget. Carmelo Anthony wouldn't come out and say he wants out of Denver. His inaction has indicated otherwise.

Anthony hasn't signed a $65 million extension that's been on the table since June, leading the Nuggets to engage in trade talks for their superstar forward who has led them to the playoffs in each of his seven seasons.

The all-star talked around questions concerning his future with the team.

"I'm here, man. I'm here today. . . . Practice starts tomorrow and we'll go from there," he said.