Abdul-Jabbar accepts USBL coaching post

Oklahoma City  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar landed his first head coaching job Wednesday, signing with the Oklahoma Storm of the U.S. Basketball League.

“I’ve done a lot of research on Oklahoma and its history,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “Part of my heritage is Cherokee. I think I’ll fit right in.”

Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s career scoring leader and winner of six league titles with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, retired as a player in 1989 and spent several years out of basketball before beginning his quest for a coaching career.

In 1999, he worked with a high school team at White Mountain Apache Reservation in Whiteriver, Ariz., and wrote a book about the experience. The 54-year-old Hall of Famer was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2000 and did a training session with the Indiana Pacers last year.

Celtics acquire Delk, Rogers from Suns

Boston  The Boston Celtics, hoping to boost their offense for a playoff run, acquired guard Tony Delk and forward Rodney Rogers in a five-player trade with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

The Suns received forward Joe Johnson, Boston’s first pick in last year’s NBA draft and the 10th pick overall, as well as backup guards Milt Palacio and Randy Brown, and a first-round draft pick in this year’s draft.

Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss confirmed the trade Wednesday evening.

Jordan to return tonight

Auburn Hills Mich. Â Michael Jordan’s sore right knee isn’t expected to keep him out of the Washington Wizards lineup past Wednesday night’s game against Detroit. He is sticking to his plan to play at home tonight when the Wizards take on New Jersey.