Coach dismisses previously disciplined players.

Two Penn State football players who were on court-ordered probation for their roles in fights have been kicked off the team. Coach Joe Paterno dismissed defensive tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor. Baker had been allowed to work out with the team during his two-year probation sentence, ordered in 2007. Taylor was expected to rejoin the Nittany Lions next month. A team spokesman gave no information on Wednesday about why the players were let go. Read more at Playa Hater.

Luol Deng guaranteed $71 million. No. 1 NBA draft pick Derrick Rose is expected to boost Chicago’s win record, but Luol Deng is still a big dog. The restricted free agent will remain a member of the Bulls after accepting a six-year deal that could be worth up to $80 million. Deng is reportedly guaranteed to pull in $71 million. The agreement was reached after Deng had previously vowed to play for $4.5 million next season and for the right to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The 23-year-old forward averaged 17 points and six rebounds last season.

Beijing pollution drops after precautions. Beijing air pollution is reportedly lower than half the level it reached earlier this week after authorities started addressing concerns about the city hosting the Olympics. Factories have been shut down and half the city’s 3.3 million cars pulled off the road, in light of athletes expressing worry that Beijing will be a safe place to compete. Ethiopian distance runner Haile Gebrselassie announced that he wouldn’t compete in the marathon earlier this year. Gebreselassie has asthma. The International Olympic Committee says that endurance events of longer than an hour may be delayed if the air quality isn’t accurate.

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