ESPN.com

1. LeBron: Intensity level 'activated' for playoff push

   LeBron James said he is raring to step up his intensity level for a playoff push, starting against the Rockets on Thursday, saying the Lakers are "working our tails off to get there."

2. GM: Roethlisberger can criticize whom he pleases

   Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert says Ben Roethlisberger is the "unquestioned leader" of the locker room who can publicly criticize teammates -- such as Antonio Brown -- if he sees fit.

3. Sources: GSP to retire; Khabib pitches Nov. fight

   Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre will announce his retirement Thursday, sources confirmed to ESPN, though Khabib Nurmagomedov is making a last-ditch effort to get St-Pierre to reconsider.

4. ChiSox SS: Machado 'might have' missed the boat

   Tim Anderson says Manny Machado 'might have' missed the boat by choosing the Padres over the White Sox.

5. Warriors lift Cousins minutes cap in new 'phase'

   Steve Kerr says DeMarcus Cousins is expected to start playing for longer stretches after being capped around the 25-minute mark since returning.

6. Kyrie: Made call to LeBron 'to move forward'

   Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving told ESPN's Rachel Nichols that his call to apologize to former Cavaliers teammate LeBron James, now with the Lakers, was needed "just to move forward in my life."

7. How former ref Tim Donaghy conspired to fix NBA games

   In 2007, NBA ref Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to betting on games he officiated. But it was never proved that he fixed them -- until now. Our two-year investigation reveals how he did it, whom he did it with and the millions that flowed from the conspiracy.

8. Possible ripple effects of Machado's deal for Bryce and baseball

   Manny Machado's megadeal could increase Bryce Harper's price tag and could lead to heftier free-agent hauls for Mookie Betts and Mike Trout in two years.

9. Winners and losers from Manny Machado's megadeal with Padres

   We break down what the deal means for the infielder, the Padres and a certain other available star.

10. Who's replacing Bortles? Barnwell predicts AFC South offseason moves

    Bye-bye, Blake -- Jacksonville will have a new quarterback in 2019. Houston, Indianapolis and Tennessee could undergo big changes, too.