MNF mainstay gearing up for start of NFL season

ORLANDO, Fla.—Standing on a makeshift football field atop a soundstage in the middle of flashing lights, dancing cheerleaders and screaming fans, Hank Williams, Jr. lifted his cowboy hat and belted out the words that for more than 20 years have become synonymous with the start of the NFL season.

Hank Williams, Jr., the man who popularized the lyrics "Are you ready for some football?" was in Florida on Thursday recording the opening promo an upcoming season that, right now at least, is still in limbo, with owners and players trying to strike a new labor deal.

Williams said he has sympathy for both the fans who are crossing their fingers that the season begins on time and those around the negotiating table. In more than two decades associated with the league, he said he feels like a man in the middle of a fight between his friends.

"We were in there recording the audio and I said, `Why are we doing that, they aren't gonna play it,'" Williams joked. "But I know a lot of people in the football world -- the owners, the players, the marketing directors, and some of the great retired (players). So I see where they're coming from. I said, `Well if we're going to Orlando to shoot this thing, I guess they're gonna play.'"

Whether or not Williams is right, what can't be disputed is that as much as famous broadcasters like Howard Cosell and Don Meredith were identified with "Monday Night Football," now too is the 62-year-old country star, who originally signed a one-year contract to be a part of the production in 1989.

His song "All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night," is a remixed version of his 1984 hit song "All My Rowdy Friends are Coming Over Tonight." The retooled version of the song won him four Emmy Awards in the early 1990s as the opening theme to Monday Night Football.

"You think about it, 22 years, there's a whole generation of kids that are just getting out of college that don't know Monday Night Football without Hank Williams, Jr.," said Bob Toms, an ESPN vice president who was with ABC when Williams was initially hired. "That song has become an anthem and that line has become the catchphrase that says Monday night. Hank's face and outfit, etc., kind of says `Monday Night Football' to a lot of people."

ABC last produced the show for network television in 2005 before handing it over to fellow Walt Disney Company property ESPN full-time for the 2006 season. It was a seismic shift for a show that thrived outside of cable television for 35 years.

"I'm the only one, everybody else is gone. The true ABC Monday Night Football -- they're gone," Williams said.

He said he hasn't always been a fan of all the bells and whistles that have been tried during his tenure.

"I'm not gonna name any names, but when they used some of those other things...some of the hosts they had -- it didn't go over," Williams said. "But it's still great, no matter if they have Frank (Gifford) or Al or Mike Tirico hosting."

Dozens of extras were hired to be the background fans in Thursday's promo shoot. Wearing jerseys of NFL stars like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, among others, they ranged in age from children to seniors.

Toms said it isn't lost on anyone involved with the production of the show that the sight of Williams in front of the cameras wearing his black and white cowboy hat enlivens their football spirit.

"I think the line `Are you ready for some football' means a more this year than it has in a lot of years," Toms said. "And when he says `Are you ready for some football?' I think a lot of people are ready to stop the business discussion, and start talking about teams, games, talent and get into the fun part about football and the part we all love about it.

"I know we're excited about it...and we'll keep our fingers crossed that it'll all be worked out and we'll be on the air soon enough."

No matter when the next Monday night game is broadcast, Williams said he will be watching from the comfort of his couch at one of his homes -- in Montana, Alabama and Florida. He said he plans to keep enjoying his job, for as long as he has it.

"I don't run to the TV anymore, I just wait for one of my kids to say `Daddy, you're on!'" Williams said. "The people I've worked with over the years, they know where I'm coming from and it's been a wonderful ride. And hopefully it's been very good for the game.

Squash unveils Olympics guru to mastermind 2020 Games bid success

The sport has fought a long battle to garner enough votes from the International Olympic Committee's executive board having missed out on inclusion to the 2012 and 2016 Games.

Last week squash was shortlisted again by the IOC for a potential place in 2020 alongside seven other sports, including baseball and softball, karate and roller sports.
Now, the World Squash Federation has turned to Vero Communications, run by public relations strategist Mike Lee, who previously worked on the successful summer Olympic bids for London 2012, Rio 2016 and the Qatar 2022 football World Cup bid. Squash clearly feels it can't afford to miss out at the final hurdle for a third time.
"Mike Lee is hugely respected by the Olympic fraternity and his incredible success rate on behalf of bid teams in various sporting contexts speaks for itself," said WSF chief Andrew Shelley. "After helping to bring the 2018 Winter Olympic Games to PyeongChang in South Korea, we hope he can sprinkle some magic our way next.”
At an IOC vote in Singapore six years ago, squash was one of two sports put forward for 2012 after baseball and softball where ejected from the Beijing Games.
However, squash and karate failed to obtain a two-thirds majority vote. The IOC then amended its 2004 charter for the 2016 vote where only a single majority was deemed necessary for golf and rugby sevens’ recommendation. Lee will also be aware of squash's position having played a role in rugby's successful bid for Rio.
Lee, who set up Vero in 2006, said: "Our aim is to help squash put forward a compelling case to the IOC programme commission and wider Olympic Family."
Squash insiders say the sport ticks most of the boxes when it comes to assessing the sport's Olympic credentials. As the great Jahangir Khan put it this week: "It will be the biggest honour [i.e. the highest accolade] for squash players to feature in an Olympic spectacle."
However Lee's biggest hurdle will be convincing the IOC - who will make their decision in late 2013 - of the sport's global appeal, TV exposure and economic benefits.
Lee added: "There is a long road ahead in the campaign but we are excited by the challenge."

Tom Hanks: 'Hollywood is like high school

In Larry Crowne, Hanks plays an amiable ex-Navy man who is "downsized" out of his job at a big American store.

One minute he is skipping into work to ELO's Hold on Tight, and the next he is shown the door by his superiors.

"Timing's a bitch," says one of them, with a crocodile smile.

Burdened by a mortgage, and with time on his hands, Larry Crowne signs up at the local college to get some qualifications and re-invent himself.

"What we try to deal with is the fight against cynicism," says Tom Hanks, when we meet during his recent visit to London for the Larry Crowne premiere.

"Cynicism and sadness and bitterness can enter into the fray particularly when you've lost your job and when you've done everything right, and you still find yourself in these kind of straits."

Rom-com reunion

Although there is much in Larry Crowne that chimes with today's tough economic times, Hanks began developing the story years earlier with Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).

He also drew on his own experiences of attending college as a teenager in the 1970s.

"I only went to three years of college and two of them were at a community college much like the one that Larry goes to," recalls Hanks.

"I started when I was 17, and there were people in class who were twice as old as me and had families and once had businesses."

Larry Crowne reunites Hanks on-screen with Julia Roberts, who plays college lecturer Mercedes Tainot. The pair had previously worked together on 2007's Charlie Wilson's War.

Both actors had starred in some of the biggest romantic comedies of the 1990s. In Larry Crowne, Hanks's character develops a crush on on Roberts's public-speaking teacher - just as her marriage is falling apart.

"I'm in my 50s so that's not exactly fertile territory for romantic comedy," laughs Hanks.

"In Larry Crowne we do it in the way it happens in real life - you just happen to bump into somebody and it turns into one of the greatest things that ever happens to you.

"It's not so much boy meets girl, it's more a man meets woman story - not exactly the nature of old school rom-coms."

This is Hanks's second shot at movie writing and directing after 1996's That Thing You Do!

His breakthrough movie was in Ron Howard's Splash and he went on to to star in '80s comedies The Money Pit, Bachelor Party, Big and Turner & Hooch.

He won an Oscar in 1994 for Philadelphia and again the following year for Forrest Gump.

Other key films include Sleepless in Seattle, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, Road to Perdition and the Toy Story series.

He most recently reprised the roles of Woody in Toy Story 3 and Robert Langdon in Angels and Demons.

After such a long career, I ask him, what is Hollywood really like?

"Hollywood is exactly like high school," Hanks says. "With money!"

He adds: "It's filled with just as much pettiness, sadness and jealousy as well as fun and senior proms and parties."

And how has he survived more than three decades in showbiz? "I laugh more than I shake."

Hornets' David West opts out of contract to test free agency

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — David West is uncertain whether his NBA future lies in New Orleans or elsewhere.

What the Hornets' leading scorer knew for sure on Monday was that he wasn't going to allow recent reconstructive surgery on his left knee to scare him away from free agency.
"It's about making the best decision right now for my family," West said in a phone interview in which he explained his decision to opt out of the final year of his contract.
"It's not taking New Orleans out of the equation, just an opportunity to sign a better deal, and an opportunity to make sure the decision I make for the next three to four years puts me in the best possible situation to win — not just winning and making the playoffs, but legitimately having a chance to compete for championships."
West, a two-time All-Star who was drafted 18th overall by New Orleans in 2003, started 70 games last season, averaging 18.9 points to go with 7.6 rebounds before tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament during a victory at Utah on March 24.
While the injury could undermine his value on the open market, West, whose offseason hobbies include boxing, said he was not inclined to succumb to fear of the unknown.
After gauging the progress of his rehabilitation and mulling options with his agent, Lance Young, West walked away from the $7.5 million he would have made to play in New Orleans next season.
Hornets general manager Dell Demps said he still hoped to bring West back.
"We have had open communication with David this entire season about his option and knew with either decision that our intention is to pursue David so he can finish his career as a Hornet," Demps said.
West had surgery April 12 and his rehabilitation is expected to take six to eight months, but he said he already is jogging on a treadmill, keeping up his weight training and even doing some low-impact work on the basketball court, such as set shots.
"Two days after surgery I dove headfirst into rehab. I haven't let up. I'm going six days a week," said West, who'll be 31 on Aug. 29. "I'm really attacking it and I feel good. I haven't had any pain."
It is not clear when free agency will begin because the NBA's collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of this month and a lockout is widely expected to follow. However, West said he was confident that "players and owners are going to get something worked out, whether sooner or later, that's fair on both sides."
Even if the lockout drags on, that could help West by giving him more time to recover before free agency begins.
West's decision means the Hornets must find a starting power forward through free agency, whether that means bringing back West with a new deal, re-signing fellow free agent Carl Landry, or finding someone else.
New Orleans did not add to its roster during last week's draft. Because of past trades, the Hornets did not have a first-round pick and only one pick in the middle of the second round, which they sold to the New York Knicks for about $750,000.
After West went down last season, Landry, who had been acquired in a trade that sent Marcus Thornton to Sacramento in February, moved into West's starting power forward spot. The Hornets won five of their last 10 regular season games to finish at 46-36, good enough for the seventh playoff seed in the Western Conference.
If Landry also chooses to go elsewhere, that would leave the Hornets thin at power forward.
New Orleans currently has only five players under contract: guards Chris Paul and Jarrett Jack; center Emeka Okafor; small forward Trevor Ariza; and second-year swingman Quincy Pondexter. Center Aaron Gray also opted out of the last year of his contract on Monday, while shooting guard Marco Belinelli and forward Jason Smith are both restricted free agents whose future with the Hornets remains uncertain.
West said he spoke to Paul on Monday morning about his decision and that Paul, who has played with West his whole career, took it well.
"He understands what's going on," West said. "I'm not leaning any particular way or anything. It's just an opportunity to see what's out there, and a chance to play on that (championship) stage late in the year."
If New Orleans is unable to lure West back or otherwise put together a competitive roster by next season, the club could be more inclined to see what they can get in a trade for Paul. The Hornets have so far rebuffed trade offers for Paul, a four-time All-Star and 2008 Olympic gold medalist who is the face of the franchise. But Paul will have the right to opt out of his contract after next season, meaning the Hornets would lose him without getting anything in return if they failed to either trade him or sign him to an extension.
The direction the Hornets go on that front may depend on who owns the team by then. Currently, the NBA owns the club, but the league wants to find new owners who are committed to keeping the Hornets in New Orleans.
In order to assure prospective buyers that the franchise will be able to financially stay afloat on the bayou, the club has called on the community to help them reach a season ticket base of 10,000. The Hornets have sold about 8,300 season tickets so far, but it remains to be seen how tough of a sell season tickets will become now that one of their best players has confirmed his decision to enter free agency.
West was popular in New Orleans not only for his steady production on the court but his charitable work in the region. He often spoke of being moved by his interaction with people who suffered during Hurricane Katrina, particularly children, and took part in numerous activities to promote the city's recovery.
"I've enjoyed my time in New Orleans," West said. "Off the court, my wife, myself, my family, we tried to be as productive in the community as we could. It was important to us."
West also stressed that he liked playing for Monty Williams, who in his first year as an NBA head coach led the Hornets back into the playoffs this past season.
"In terms of my production last season, I felt like he was a really big part of that because of the way his basketball mind is, his approach to the game and his approach to work," West said. "He knows where I am in terms of wanting to win and wanting to make sure that the team is going in the right direction."

Bengals in depth: What lies ahead if Carson Palmer is gone?

The NFL lockout has dampened the usual offseason analysis of each team's comings and goings. But, lockout or not, the league will still be moving on at some point -- hopefully in time for the 2011 regular season to start on time on Sept. 8. And during the labor impasse, USA TODAY will focus back on the field by breaking down the five biggest questions facing each team for the 2011 season.

Up today: The Cincinnati Bengals

1. Will the Bengals be better off making a fresh start without unhappy quarterback Carson Palmer?

It's hard to make a case for that, especially this coming season. Palmer, who sustained a major knee injury in the 2005 season, isn't as mobile as he once was. He missed most of the 2008 season with an injury to his throwing elbow. But in the past seven seasons with the Bengals, he has thrown for 154 touchdowns.He knows the defenses of the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Now, he wants out, though Bengals owner Mike Brown said he won't trade Palmer. The quarterback put his Cincinnati home up for sale in March. Whether the Bengals trade him or he retires, it certainly appears he is finished in Cincinnati. Maybe the Bengals can find a veteran quarterback in free agency. As of now, the veteran QBs on the Cincinnati roster are Jordan Palmer (three seasons) and Dan LeFevour (one season). Neither has started an NFL game. Rookie Andy Dalton, a second round pick from TCU, will compete for the starting spot. It would have been ideal to have him watch and learn behind Palmer for a season. Now, Cincinnati could be starting over at the quarterback position in a division where Pittsburgh has Ben Roethlisberger and Baltimore has Joe Flacco.

2. Will the Bengals be better off without T.O. & Ocho combo at wide receiver?

The potential definitely is there. Terrell Owens had a one-year contract last season and won't be back. Chad Ochocinco has a year left on his Bengals contract but it remains to be seen whether they keep him. But help is on the way. With the fourth pick in this year's draft, the Bengals selected wide receiver A.J. Green from Georgia. "I had a lot of people speak to me about what a dynamic player he is. He gives us a great threat, plays at a high level, does a great job running after the catch and has been a complete receiver," coach Marvin Lewis said after the pick. In addition, Jordan Shipley had 52 catches for 600 yards and three touchdowns last season. Jordan Simpson, going into his fourth season, had a pair of big games in the final two weeks of last season (18 catches, 247 yards and three touchdowns). That adds up to promise for the future. The Owens-Ochocinco combo didn't offer that.

3. Can Marvin Lewis deliver a consistent winner?

In eight seasons under Lewis, the Bengals have been a roller coaster team. They won the AFC North in 2005 with an 11-5 record. They won it again in 2009 with a 10-6 mark. But those are his lone winning seasons in Cincinnati, and he's 0-2 in the postseason. Last season, the Bengals were among the league's bigger disappointments as they dropped to 4-12. But Lewis agreed to a contract extension in early January. He's been in this position before. In 2008, the Bengals were 4-11-1. They rebounded in 2009 with their division title run. That year the Bengals had Palmer at quarterback, Cedric Benson ran for 1,251 yards, the defense played solidly and Lewis was chosen as Coach of the Year. Palmer wants out this year. Whether the Bengals can retain Benson remains uncertain with NFL free agency on hold. But when he agreed to an extension, Lewis sounded like a coach making a fresh start. "I feel there is a conviction behind what my vision is. I think that the beams are more focused," he said.

4. What is the Bengals' top free-agent priority?

Keep Benson. He has run for 2,362 and 13 TDs in the past two seasons. He is a workhorse. The Bengals will especially need that if Dalton becomes their quarterback. After last season, Cincinnati parted ways with longtime offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski. They have replaced him with Jay Gruden, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive assistant under his brother, Jon. Gruden could be busy enough nurturing Dalton. "He's going to be a great quarterback in this league, in my opinion," Gruden said after the draft. But having a runner such as Benson in the backfield would be a key asset if Dalton is under center.

5. What are the Bengals' biggest problems ahead?

There are two of them: the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the AFC North, these are two teams that build solidly through the draft. They play with consistency year after year. Both have talented, franchise quarterbacks. In other words, right now they are everything the Bengals have not been. It will take a major about-face for the Bengals to get to that level. Pittsburgh and Baltimore aren't going away. The four games against them represent one-quarter of the Bengals' schedule. In 2009, Cincinnati swept the division, also including the Cleveland Browns, at 6-0. Matching that is a tall order, but Cincinnati at least has to get competitive again with the big two.

Strong quakes again rock shaken New Zealand city

A series of aftershocks rattled New Zealand's quake-devastated city of Christchurch again Monday, toppling one of the few buildings still standing downtown and sinking thousands of homes into darkness.

Bricks came crashing down in the cordoned-off city center, where only workers have tread since it was devastated in February's major earthquake. About 200 people were there when the quakes struck Monday, and two were briefly trapped in a church. In all, 10 people were injured in the city.
"We are being enveloped with dust," Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker told New Zealand's National Radio. "It is very, very scary."
All across the city, people fled buildings in panic when a 5.2-magnitude quake struck during lunchtime; just over an hour later, a 6.0 hit, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Other smaller quakes were also recorded.
In the central city and nearby suburbs, several buildings were damaged.
"All the shops have fallen down," said Renee Murray, who works at a Domino's Pizza in a suburb. "Half of the roof has fallen in (but) they have not fully collapsed."
The city has been shaken by thousands of aftershocks since the 6.3-magnitude quake killed 181 people on Feb. 22. Like that tremor, Monday's two biggest quakes were very shallow, both around six miles (10 kilometers) deep, according to the USGS.
The shallow depth of the February quake and its proximity to the city helped magnify its destructive force.
On Monday, about 47,000 homes in the city's eastern suburbs were without power as they headed into a cold winter night. Rocks tumbled down hills in the area, which was among the hardest hit in February, and slit bubbled up from the earth — a process known as liquefaction that sometimes happens during a quake.
After the February quake, 300,000 tons of silt had to be scraped away, and the silt alone made thousands of homes uninhabitable.
On one road Monday, an SUV tipped front-first into a sinkhole that opened in the tarmac as it drove past. A police car sank into another.
Roger Sutton, chief executive of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, said the extra damage to the city center means that some buildings that had been salvageable "are now seriously damaged and will have to be brought down."
The group's demolition manager "was driving (during the 6.0 quake), and there were buildings coming down in front of him, coming down behind him," Sutton said. "He's very lucky to be alive."
Ten people have been taken to hospitals with minor injuries from falling debris, an ambulance service said. Two of them were salvaging windows from St. John's Church when the building's facade, the last wall standing after February's quake, collapsed. Police said they were rescued and taken to a hospital with cuts and bruises.
Another building nearby fell, according to police, and the dean of the city's cathedral said the collapsed building suffered new damage.
"This has been a setback for Christchurch and its people, but it does not lessen our resolve to rebuild," Prime Minister John Key told reporters. "The people of Christchurch should know all New Zealanders are thinking of them and will continue to support and stand by them in this very difficult time."

Eskimos 'rookie' knocks the rust off

cheap jerseys
EDMONTON - Daniel Porter is a rookie all over again.

The reigning Edmonton Eskimos nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie is enrolled in this week’s rookie camp, despite exploding onto the CFL scene with four consecutive 100-yard-rushing games to end the 2010 season.

“I played six games, so that’s why I came back. I’m happy to be back, though,” said Porter, who wouldn’t have been eligible for the early sessions had he played one more game last year.

He didn’t need any more to make his impact felt. The late addition came off the practice roster to fill in for the injured Arkee Whitlock, amassing 603 yards on 86 carries for an average of 7.0 yards per rushing attempt and a pair of touchdowns. While those numbers were stretched out over six games, the bulk came from the four he started, which all tipped the 100-yard mark to earn the team’s nomination for Most Outstanding Rookie.wholesale jerseys

“I came from college, Louisiana Tech, I was doing 100 yards every game anyway,” said Porter, who set the school’s career rushing record in 2009. “And last year, we had a great offensive line. We just pushed behind and got behind them. We just had that bond and went from there, rushed for 100 yards every time.

“I give it all to my offensive line.”

While he’s used to setting the bar high for himself, Porter said he’s not expecting to just come in and pick things up where he left off.

“You never start where you leave off, I’ll just come out here and rebuild,” he said. “I know I’ve got to work hard again. It’s a new season, a new me and everything. I’ve just got to work my way back up there again.”
And what better place to start than some initial steps prior to Sunday’s main camp?

“Better for him, better for us,” said new running backs coach Dennis McKnight. “I don’t care how many years you’ve been in the league, the technique through the off-season gets a little rusty.

“To come in early, I’ve got to believe that by the time the main camp starts, he’s that much ahead with a jump on people.”

Besides, it’s not like he’s going to be put through the ol’ rookie hazing routine.

“Like I told him: ‘You can’t get caught up in that,’ “ said McKnight, who spent 11 seasons as an offensive lineman in the NFL. “I was in my fifth year with the Chargers and I was still coming to camp early with the rookies. Why? I’m taking reps away from that guy trying to get my job.

“You can’t get caught up in egos. If you don’t check them at the practice field or the door, you’re in trouble.”

DAY 1: It’s been a long time coming for Kavis Reed, who took to the field for his first practice as a CFL head coach.

“I’m just excited to be back on the field,” he said. “I saw a lot of very good things from a lot of young guys.”

The coach singled out the performances of ex-NFL receiver Jonathan Holland and Dinos receiver Nate Coehoorn from Wednesday’s session.

IN AND OUT: Eskimos top draft pick OL Scott Mitchell hadn’t completed his medical evaluation in time for Wednesday’s session, while DB Ron Kelly failed his.

Rubio deadline ends for T-Wolves

red bottom shoes
While Ricky Rubio mulls coming to the NBA next season, a deadline of sorts came and went on Tuesday without any word on whether the Spanish point guard will be joining the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010-11.

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, it was the last day Rubio could sign a contract with the Timberwolves and ensure that his deal will fall under the existing rookie wage scale.

Without a contract, Rubio will have to wait until the beginning of the new league year to make his move to the NBA official and with labour unrest looming, it is not certain when that year will begin and what the new rules will be.

A Timberwolves spokesman said it is unlikely the team will comment on Rubio before his European season ends in June. Rubio's agent, Dan Fegan, did not return a message.

It's been a delicate and complicated series of negotiations for Timberwolves president David Kahn, Fegan and Rubio over the last two years. Kahn and assistant GM Tony Ronzone travelled to Spain in May in part to meet with Rubio and try to persuade him to come to the United States.red bottom heels

The Timberwolves drafted Rubio fifth overall in 2009 but he has spent the past two seasons with Regal Barcelona. Kahn had a deal worked out to bring Rubio to Minnesota in 2009, but the then-18-year-old backed out at the last moment, unwilling to pay a buyout that topped $6 million out of his own pocket.

Under NBA rules, the Timberwolves can only offer Rubio $500,000 toward the buyout.

By choosing to stay in Europe for two more seasons, Rubio's buyout has dropped to about $1.4 million. The Timberwolves have been working to line up local endorsements that would cover that amount, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke only on anonymity because he was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

Signing the contract now could give Rubio a guaranteed contract worth more than $15 million over four years, a number that could be much lower if the owners get their way and win big salary cuts in the next collective bargaining agreement.

He would also realize his dream of playing in the NBA. He is averaging just 6.5 points per game and shooting only 39 percent, but team officials point out that European games are shorter and perimeter defenders are allowed to be much more physical to neutralize his quickness.

The biggest reason for Rubio to decline to sign a contract now is the NBA's labor uncertainty. With the players and the owners still far apart in their demands, the risk of losing games, if not the entire season, remains a concern.

Signing a contract, coming to the United States, and then not being able to play basketball doesn't appear to be a very attractive option for a gym rat who has built his identity with a basketball in his hands.

One more season in Spain also would put him three years out from his draft night. If current CBA rules stay the same, Rubio would be free of the constraints of the rookie wage scale and able to negotiate perhaps an even bigger contract next summer. Even if Rubio does not sign now, the Timberwolves will still hold his rights.

Kahn and the team have expressed confidence, both publicly and privately, that Rubio will be in a Timberwolves uniform next season. A local radio ad promises “more Rubio sightings” and a person with knowledge of Kahn's meetings with several groups of season ticket holders told The Associated Press that the team president has told those fans Rubio will play in Target Center next season.

For now, however, the waiting continues.

Undrafted players left out in the cold by NFL lockout

For players not selected in April's NFL draft, the pain of the lockout can be high.

Especially if they have to move back in with their parents.

That's what has happened to Dain Taylor, a DE from Drake University who has been relying on his parents for food and lodging while he trains to keep his NFL dream alive.
"I know my mom wants me to get a job," Taylor told the Denver Post, "but she also understands that this is my dream, so she's going to support me for a while, for a reasonable amount of time."

The undrafted free agents are in lockout limbo. Typically, they sign contracts with NFL teams in the hours and days after the draft. Then they attend minicamps and OTA activities that afford them a chance to win a regular-season job.

But with the offseason schedule likely shuttered because of the lockout, all of that time is lost.

Undrafted free agents must decide whether to wait out the lockout for an NFL chance, take a flyer on playing in the UFL or CFL or give up on their football dreams and get a normal job.

"These guys are in a very tough spot. They might be in the toughest position there is," free-agent DE Justin Bannan told the Post.

"Going through minicamps is important for these young guys because they can get a feel for how a practice is going to go, how everything is going to go, before they even put pads on. I don't envy where they're at, I really don't."

Patriots WR Julian Edelman stops by NFL Network to talk about his offseason… and lockout locks

Earlier tonight on the NFL Network’s Total Access show, Patriots WR Julian Edelman made an appearance to discuss the team’s offseason. It was also while I was watching Hangover Part II with The Banktress (not bad, but not as funny as the first), so I’m a little late in getting to this.

Better late than never. And speaking of that, Edelman delivered the best line during the interview with hosts Kara Henderson and Steve Wyche at the end. They asked about his long, long hair and he mentioned he hadn’t cut it all offseason.

“It’s like a playoff beard,” Edelman said. “Lockout locks.”

Nicely done. Here is a link to the entire segment.


They asked how Edelman’s offseason is going, and he mentioned how he’s training in Los Angeles. He also surprised me a little by referencing his playbook. Sounds like he’s been doing some homework. I didn’t realize some guys still had theirs.

“I’m over at API in Carson, (Calif.), working out with a bunch of guys with (trainer) Travelle Gaines,” Edelman said. “I’m just treating it like it’s our offseason back in Foxborough, but out here in LA. Staying physically ready for when this thing gets pulled up. Trying to look over notes and my playbook, occasionally talking to guys on the team. I go out there and work out every morning, after that I meet up with some QBs and catch some balls in the afternoon. After that I kind of relax and wait for these guys to get this stuff handled.”

On the subject of the team’s offense, the hosts mentioned that the Pats used far more two-tight end sets last season, wondering if that plan was going to stick around. And he discussed the use of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

“All we did was just use different personnel groups,” Edelman explained. “We were running the same plays with just two tight ends. We were fortunate enough draft those two guys. They both have contributed a great amount to the team in different ways. With those two guys, you have to have them both on the field, and I think our coaches did a pretty good job last year of doing that.”

Lastly, they took him back down memory lane. Remember in his rookie year during camp, when Edelman simply could not catch a punt? And everyone was watching? Yeah, he remembered, too.

“I went to Kent State,” Edelman said, “so we had more people at our practices with the Patriots than we had at our games, basically. So, I mean, I was a little nervous and I wasn’t really accustomed to catching punts yet. And I remember — I don’t remember, you have to have a short memory in football — but I think there may have been a dropped ball here or there.”

And now?

“I’ve got a lot of room for improvement,” he said, “so we’ll see next year.”

Hot Corner: Joakim Noah, Kobe Bryant slurs are telling

One question followed Phoenix Suns President and CEO Rick Welts' revelation he was gay: Would a major sports male athlete come out as gay?
Here's the better question: Are major sports male athletes ready for a gay teammate?

Joakim Noah directed an anti-gay slur at a fan during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals last Sunday and teammates defended him Monday. Kobe Bryant said the same slur last month after disagreeing with a referee's call.
Why is sexuality the first thing Noah and Bryant use to attack someone? Both say their remarks came in heat-of-the-moment situations, but would their actions have been different if they had a gay teammate?
I hate to say this, but I'm not sure. They already know anti-gay slurs will get them into trouble and, hopefully, they believe these slurs are bad things. But as long as their reaction to put down another person is an anti-gay slur, it doesn't seem Noah and Bryant are truly ready for a gay teammate.

NBA extends video game deals with 2K, Electronic Arts

red bottom shoes
The NBA has reached new multi-year deals with publishers 2K and Electronic Arts to continue developing video games based on the pro basketball league.

The deal will allows both 2K and EA to continue using NBA teams and players in both simulations and arcade titles.

According to a statement from the NBA, Take-Two Interactive -- 2K's parent company -- will also have the chance to explore new opportunities, "including online on social media platforms." Take-Two will also become an official marketing partner of the NBA with the new deal.

The NBA 2K series has become one of Take-Two's signature franchises. Last year's release of NBA 2K11, featuring Michael Jordan on the cover, sold 5 million copies worldwide, says the publisher. It also happens to be one of the sports genre's best titles, as our review indicates.red bottom heels

Meanwhile, EA will reboot its NBA simulation in the fall of 2012 following a two-year hiatus. The publisher attempted to revamp its long-running NBA Live series last year with NBA Elite. However, the game's release was abruptly postponed and later canceled. Madden studio EA Tiburon will handle the development duties on the next NBA title. EA also works on the resurrected arcade title NBA Jam.

Crime rate will rise without NFL season, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis says

red bottom shoes
It's more than not having a reason to look forward to Mondays.

If the NFL and NFLPA can't come to an agreement in their labor dispute, one Baltimore Ravens' veteran believes society as a whole will pay – because there will be more violent crime.

"Do this research if we don't have a season -- watch how much evil, which we call crime, watch how much crime picks up, if you take away our game," Ray Lewis told ESPN.

Lewis, the face of the Ravens franchise who is considered a spiritual leader in the league, has dealt with his own fair share of crime.

Now deeply involved in the Charm City community, Lewis was once convicted of obstruction of justice in a 2000 murder trial in Atlanta.red bottom heels

If the NFL is on hiatus, he said, fans won't have anything else to do but get into trouble.

"There's too many people that live through us, people live through us," he said. "Yeah, walk in the streets, the way I walk the streets, and I'm not talking about the people you see all the time."

With the lockout now in its 68th day, there doesn't seem to be much movement on either side. A decision last week by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals gave team owners a slight boost, keeping the lockout in place at least temporarily.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 3.

The last NFL strike was in 1987 and lasted for 24 days. It is not clear if crime increased during that time.

Sounds like Alex Smith will stay in San Francisco

red bottom shoes
Though 49ers QB Alex Smith made his first meeting with the media this offseason an off-the-record session (meaning that he asked reporters, including Comcast Sports Net’s Mindi Bach not to quote him directly), he also made it pretty clear that he expects to return to San Francisco in 2011.

Though he looked pretty much good as gone at the end of last season – it was certainly a mutual feeling between him and his team – and despite the fact San Francisco proclaimed its next QB of the future by drafting Colin Kaepernick in the second round of last month’s NFL draft, Smith said he and new coach Jim Harbaugh are getting along well.

The fact Harbaugh is an offensive-minded head coach – as opposed to the 49ers last two hires, Mike Singletary and Mike Nolan – also plays well in Smith’s mind.red bottom heels

There are also other reasons why Smith’s mindset has changed. Smith’s wife, Elizabeth, gave birth to their first child last week, meaning he’d like to stay put for now, and with the lockout freezing free agency, he hasn’t had a chance to look elsewhere for a new organization anyway.

The 49ers also appear to want him back, which could be why Harbaugh already has presented him with the team’s 2011 playbook, featuring Harbaugh’s West Coast offense terminology.

And now considering the lockout could extend into training camp, which would profoundly effect incoming college players, it makes sense to have a more experienced QB who’s taken plenty of NFL snaps as the team’s starter, rather than a rookie who has shined the past few years in the WAC.

NBA Free Agency 2011: 10 Players the New York Knicks Should Avoid

red bottom shoes
After 10 years of futility, Knicks fans are tired of hearing a certain "P" word.

So don't you dare say it.

What word?

Patience.

As far as most Knicks fans are concerned, they have been patient for a very long time. Now, with Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, a full training camp and the team's first playoff appearance in 10 years, there are no more excuses.

Now, Knicks fans have another "P" word on their minds.

(No, not playoffs—been there, done that.)

Progress.red bottom heels

And rightfully so.

After the Knicks completed their President's Day trade for Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, the attention immediately focused on who the Knicks should target via free agency to transform their dynamic duo that celebrates clinching a playoff victory to one that has a legit chance to win the Eastern Conference.

That is, of course, assuming that there is a 2011-2012 NBA season. You see, there is still all this talk of a lockout. So keep in mind, the caveat here is that this piece is written under the assumption that the new CBA will be the same as the current one—or at least substantially similar.

Though that is highly unlikely, it's the best we can do since nobody knows whether a hard cap, elimination of salary exceptions and/or restrictions on free agent movement will ultimately find their way into the NBA's next CBA.

Regardless, right or wrong, realistic or not, Knicks fans will not be happy with anything less than 50 wins and a first-round victory the next time—whenever that is—we have an NBA season.

In other words...progress.

Everyone has been talking about which free agents the Knicks should target. But here are 10 that they would probably be wise to avoid.

Sporting royalty Noah does the dirty work for Bulls

red bottom shoes

(Reuters) - He may descend from sports royalty and the glamour of a famous father and a beauty queen mother, but Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is not shying away from the dirty work in pursuit of an NBA title.

The 6-foot-11 Noah, son of 1983 French Open champion Yannick Noah and Cecilia Rodhe, Miss Sweden 1978, is a pivotal cog in top-seeded Chicago's blueprint for success in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat.

League Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose may direct the team's offense with sensational verve, but defense is the Bulls' bottom line, with Noah, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson and Omer Asik tenacious at that end of the floor.

Noah's enthusiasm and energy are infectious, his fierceness contagious on a team that led the NBA in defense and must cool off the Heat's Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to advance to the NBA Finals.

Mission accomplished in Game One.louboutin heels

The gap-toothed Noah, his long, frizzy hair pulled back in a pony tail, had a game-high 14 rebounds, including eight off the offensive glass, to help the Bulls charge past the Heat 103-82 in the opening game of their best-of-seven series.

Add two blocks, two steals, four assists, nine points and an unbridled spirit for a full picture of Noah's worth.

"He's awesome," forward Boozer told reporters. "His energy has been great. He's so emotional it's phenomenal."

The 26-year-old Noah, taken ninth overall in the 2007 NBA Draft after winning back-to-back U.S. national college titles at Florida, did not travel a routine path to the NBA.

NOT GENTEEL

Noah grew up in Manhattan and attended a private United Nations school but there is nothing genteel about his game, which was influenced by New York City streetball tournaments where he was dubbed "The Noble One."

There is more to Noah's sporting lineage than just Yannick, who besides his grand slam singles and doubles crowns at the French Open also captained France in Davis Cup and Fed Cup.

Noah's paternal grandfather Zacharie Noah became a professional soccer player in France after emigrating as a child from Cameroon, and his Sedan team won the 1961 Coupe de France (French Cup). His grandmother, Marie-Claire, was the former captain of the French national basketball team.

Winning fuels his passion.

After leading the Florida Gators to victory over UCLA in 2006 for the school's first NCAA Tournament title and being named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, he decided to return the next year, where he won another title.

He will try to get one step closer to an NBA title when the Bulls host the Heat for Game Two of their series in Chicago on Wednesday.

Heat Head coach Erik Spoelstra was impressed with Noah in Sunday's opening game.

"(Noah's) effort exceeded ours on many occasions and it impacted the game," Spoelstra told reporters. "That's what this series is about -- endurance, mental and physical endurance."

Primer: The new 'Madden' franchise mode

red bottom shoes

Cut day. Watch a show like "Hard Knocks," and it's the most nerve-racking period in a player's career. With one decision, some kid who has been dominating the gridiron at every level he has ever known finds out whether he's cashing in all his hard work with the NFL or left contemplating life outside the lines and working 9 to 5 like the rest of us. And while cut days are circled on the calendars of every player, coach and hard-core fan, it's one of those moments that gets lost in translation when it comes to NFL video games. I know when I start a franchise in "Madden," most times I simulate right through the preseason because the games really don't matter, and as long as all of my stars remain healthy I can care less about what happens before the season starts because the roster is already set.

But that all changes with "Madden NFL 12." For the first time in franchise history, the game designers have actually increased the roster size to 75 players per team. The ratings for all rookies are locked heading into preseason and every week. A few of the ratings for each rookie are revealed as you play them in preseason and decide whether it's worth it to keep a roster spot open for a hard-charging, late-round pick who might impress on special teams or cut him in favor of an aging veteran who might still have one good season left in the tank.

Keep the rookie and at the end of preseason you'll unlock all of the player's ratings, giving you a good indication of the final numbers if you've found your own potential Tom Brady-like diamond in a draft full of Spergon Wynn-type rough.

"In the past, we had issues with memory in the game and we could only allow 55 players per team," "Madden 12's" senior designer Josh Looman explained. "This limitation gave us problems with injured reserve and didn't enable us to give people roster downloads that were accurate. So we knew that it was imperative that we fixed that, and now our shipped rosters and our roster updates will be expanded.

"But the trick is, as you progress through preseason, now you're forced to make decisions on who to keep. Week 1 you only need to cut five players, but toward the last week you need to cut eight people off your roster, and when it comes down to making that final cut it's a decision that affects your team the rest of the season."

And while expanded rosters definitely change the way you play franchise, it's just one of several huge enhancements made to boost what was fast becoming an otherwise stale feature. I had the chance to sit down with Looman last week to get his thoughts on the biggest franchise game-changers in "Madden 12." Here's what the man behind the mode had to say.

1. Bidding for free agents

Think "NFL Head Coach" with this new feature, as gamers will now enter into a bidding war for players eBay-style, highlighting the players they want and hitting "A" to increase the bid. When all the bidding is over, you sign the player to a contract. "We've added some contracts we've never had before," Looman said. "You can now pick back-loaded contracts or contracts that are pretty flat across the board. This system is so much better in my opinion because the bidding goes by quick and you tend to overpay for guys you really need, just like in real life. It's not like the old days where you had to simulate through 35 days of free agency. Now you're in and out quick in a much more interactive and fun environment."red bottom heels


2. Know your role

From "Fumble Prone" to "Shutdown Corner," football fans can look at any player on the field and sum him up in a couple of words. Old school "Madden" included these player-role attributes, but the feature was inexplicably removed from the game in recent years. "Madden 12" adds these player roles back into the mix to help gamers determine exactly the type of team they are putting out on the field. "Whenever we had a play test with our community, player roles was the one of the most requested features they wanted to see back in the game," Looman said. "No matter what event I was at, at least one guy would pull me aside and say: 'Dude, when are you bringing player roles back.'

"The neat thing is, we not only brought them back, we made them more usable. Now you can pull up a screen and read about every player role that a guy at a certain position can earn, and it explains how they can be earned and lost and what impact they have on the game. Most of these roles do have in-game impact."

New roles include "Playoff Performer" for guys such as Brady, who will now actually play better in the playoffs than he does during the regular season.

Player roles are also now worked into team logic, in which a team with a player marked as "Quarterback of the Future" won't go into the draft and select a quarterback in the first round. It will actually try to build around its young leader. This is also where the role of "Mentor" comes into play. If you keep a veteran "Mentor" on your roster, he'll actually help make the younger players better.

3. Dynamic player performance

As an obsessive franchise gamer, one thing that always bugged me about the mode was that week to week I could make even the most erratic quarterback play consistently good just by my skills on the stick. If a guy was an 86 overall, that's what he was and that's what he played like all season no matter how inconsistent he was in real life. "This is a huge feature this year, as it actually evaluates how a player has been playing each week, taking into account their consistency ratings and their confidence, then it modifies each player's ratings slightly every week before you head into your next game," Looman explained. "Consistency is huge this year in 'Madden,' when it comes to franchise, because if you have a really inconsistent quarterback like Jay Cutler, each week you never know what you're going to get from him, and a lot of it has to do with his confidence. So you might go into a game where Cutler is an 85 overall, you might go into a game where he's a 75 overall or you could go into a game where he's a 90. This really captures the any given Sunday aspect of the NFL. It's no longer a case of every week in franchise, your players all have the same ratings and it never changes. This gives you a fluctuation of ratings with guys getting on hot streaks and cold streaks and really gives you the feeling of everybody being a little different every week. So now if your star player has a good or bad game, it's finally going to translate into next week."

4. Time for change

Ever started a franchise only to find in Year 4 that you wish you would've picked a different team? In the past, that meant deleting your current save file and starting fresh. But in "Madden 12" gamers are finally given the opportunity to change the team they are controlling. "This might not be a major feature, but we have a lot of little things, like the ability to change teams, being able to edit player ratings in franchise, being able to practice in franchise -- these are all just little things that make the mode easier to use," Looman said. "This applies to people who might start the mode with a team like the Patriots, but then they find out that it's a little too easy playing through with such a good team, so then they switch to the Lions and see what it's like to build them up without getting rid of all of the rookies who have already been drafted. We also give you the ability to control all of the teams if you want. It's totally up to you."

5. Future draft picks

One of the biggest disappointments in "Madden" every year is the draft. I love the NFL draft in real life for all of its intrigue and crazy trades. But in "Madden" it's one of the most boring moments in the game. This year, expect that to change because you can finally package future picks in a trade to get the player you're after, meaning there will be a lot more wheeling and dealing at the virtual draft. Combine that with the need to actually scout players at the combine, pro day, and individual workouts to see some of their potential (as opposed to last year, in which the game just gave you a potential rating with no effort) and you'll have a draft that's a lot more challenging and interactive than years past.

Adds Looman: "Now if I'm sitting at 17 but there's nobody that I like, I can trade down and try to build towards a bigger future next year. The addition of future draft picks allows you to play the draft the way you like. You can try and mortgage the future on that one player you know is your future star, or you can trade back and stockpile picks in order to build out your team."

6. All the small things (that aren't so small)

"Madden 12" is the biggest upgrade made to franchise mode since the feature was first introduced. But it's not just expanded rosters and dynamic player performance that gamers will notice. In fact, there are a number of little touches made to the game that really impact the overall value of the mode. Some of these include retuned simulation stats (why are there so many safeties in simulations?); 30 new draft classes including realistic player profiles such as scrambling quarterback to help identify players who fit in various team schemes; progression tuning; and even all-new team re-sign logic in which teams will cut players who aren't performing and address the position need in free agency or the draft.

"We've even added in logic to make every team feel more realistic," Looman said. "If you're watching the draft and the Raiders are on the clock and they are picking between a receiver with good hands or a burner, they'll always pick the speed guy. We've just added so much more authenticity into every little bit we could, I think people are really going to be amazed how realistic the mode has gotten, right down to the way the Raiders draft."

Newton working to mitigate effects of lockout

red bottom shoes

Cam Newton wore a navy blue suit with a bright orange tie — his old Auburn colors — as he formally received one more national award for his extraordinary 2010 college season.

The NFL's top overall draft choice by Carolina could not have worn official Panthers gear to the Manning Award ceremonies on Friday even if he wanted to because of the league's ongoing lockout. Still, he spoke confidently about the work he's putting in on his own to get ready for his first pro season.

Being barred from working at team head quarters with his new coaches while NFL labor strife drags on is "nothing that I'm worried about right now," Newton said.

"One thing that I am worried about is to try to focus on learning as much as I can come time that the lockout is lifted," Newton continued, adding that he had a chance to get a copy of the Carolina play book when the lockout was briefly lifted by a judge on April 29.

"It's a lot of material that I do not know, but each day I'm going in and learning something," Newton said. "So by the time ... the lockout is lifted and I get a chance to talk to (offensive coordinator Rob) Chudzinski and (quarterbacks coach Mike) Shula and meet back up with the team, I'll be on top of my game."

Named for former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning, the Manning award is given annually to the nation's top college quarterback.

Newton, who also was the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner, flew in to pick up his award from Bradenton, Fla., where he's been working out at the IMG Institute and refining his game with former NFL quarterback Chris Weinke.

Newton said he's been starting his days around 7 a.m. and often not finishing up until around 7 each night. He begins with treatment for any soreness lingering from previous workouts. His days also include conditioning and at least an hour or two of work with Weinke, a former Panther himself.

Manning, who also attended the ceremony, said he believes Newton is a "tremendous" athlete with the requisite motivation to be successful in the NFL. Yet Manning, speaking from his own experience as a pro and from following the careers of his former Super Bowl MVP sons — Peyton and Eli — said it's hard to predict how long it will take for Newton to fulfill his promise. He added that it might take longer than usual because of the lockout.

"It's unfortunate for Cam and other quarterbacks who went in the first round, if (their teams are) counting on them to play," Manning said. "Chances are it'll delay their time to play. It's always tough to throw a rookie in, even more so to throw him in without having these spring minicamps and workouts."

In the long run, though, Manning said his expectations for the 6-foot-5, 248-pound Newton would be as high as anyone's.christian louboutin shoes

"He's got great size. He's got everything you want," Manning said. "He had one of the most phenomenal senior years. That doesn't mean anything except that he's got the talent. The main thing is, somebody's got to want to be good and work at it, and he seems to have a really great work ethic. There's no reason he won't be an outstanding player. It may not happen in Year 1. You don't know when it's going to happen. A lot of times, when you get picked first in the draft, you're going to a team that's not too good."

At Auburn, Newton took snaps out of the shotgun in a spread offense that gave him numerous opportunities to both run and pass. He threw for 30 touchdowns and rushed for 20 more in the Tigers' 14-0 national championship season.

In the NFL, he'll be taking more snaps under center and probably scrambling less.

"I don't think it's going to be a problem for me. I think it's just timing more than anything," Newton said. "Just repetition as far as me knowing what I have to do, knowing the assignment, the alignment and what everybody's doing on that particular play."

Newton also will be in a division — the NFC South — where the other three teams have highly regarded quarterbacks in the Saints' Drew Brees, Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman.

"It's somewhat of a hotbed as far as the talent level" at quarterback, Newton said. "Those guys have already somewhat set the bar. ... I'm not going to put added pressure on myself, but just (try) to get comfortable in (Carolina's) offense and try to prefect it as much as I can."

This Orlando Sentinel tweeter wants Dwight Howard to stay

christian louboutin shoes
Dwight, let me tell you why the Orlando Sentinel writes about you so much.

Because we care about you so much.

You've got it all wrong, my friend.

We're not trying to run you out of Orlando; we desperately want you to stay in Orlando.

That's why your Twitter dispatches late Monday night were so baffling."Y does it seem like the writers of Orlando sentinel are tryna push me out of Orlando with dumb articles," you tweeted. "It's annoying. Can I enjoy my summer and get ready for next season in Orlando. Pls. Same thing u guys did to Shaq. … I'm not blaming the media. I'm saying stop with the dumb articles. They don't make be decision of mine. I jus don't want Orlando fans to believe them. Cuz they don't know. I love my city."red bottom shoes

Dwight, we know U luv this city. We luv it 2.

And this is why we want you to stay. Because you are the best thing to happen to Central Florida since we gave Walt Disney all that land for $24 and some beaver pelts. A half-century ago, he built his Magic Kingdom and you have a chance to build one, too, Dwight.

Rajon Rondo's return sparks Celtics to Game 3 rout of Heat

christian louboutin sale

BOSTON (AP) — His left arm wrapped in a sleeve and dangling lifelessly by his side, Rajon Rondo (FSY) broke for the basket and sailed past LeBron James (FSY) for a layup.

The dislocated elbow and stiff back weren't going to stop him.

Rondo still had one good arm — and his legs.
The Celtics point guard had 11 assists in the game and a pair of one-armed baskets in the fourth quarter on Saturday night to lead Boston to a 97-81 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
BOX SCORE: Celtics 97, Heat 81
PHOTO GALLERY: Best images from the NBA playoffs
FULL SCHEDULE: Upcoming second-round matchups
"He showed he's a really tough young individual," said Kevin Garnett (FSY), who had 28 points and 18 rebounds — more than he had in the first two games combined. "I don't know what he's going to be like when he's 35, but right now he's playing pretty well."
Miami leads the best-of-seven series 2-1, with Game 4 on Monday night in Boston.
Paul Pierce (FSY) scored 27 for the defending East champions, who managed to avoid a 3-0 hole that no NBA team has ever overcome. But they came out of it with injuries to both point guards: Coach Doc Rivers said Rondo's future availability is in question, and Delonte West (FSY) had his bruised left shoulder wrapped at the end of the game.
"The playoffs are here. This is what it's about: Bruises, whatever, you've got to keep on going," West said. "I think that light clicked on for us today."
Dwyane Wade (FSY) had 23 points and seven assists, and Joel Anthony (FSY) continued to contribute off the bench, scoring 12 with 11 rebounds. Playing in the building where his Cleveland career came to an end, spurring his free agency defection to Miami, James scored 15 points as he and Wade combined to make just 14-of-35 shots from the floor.
Wade was also the one who fouled Rondo in the third quarter as the two got tangled up and crashed to the court. Rondo landed awkwardly on his left arm; he had to be helped to his feet and led from the floor while team Dr. Brian McKeon immobilized Rondo's arm.
But even as the Celtics were announcing that Rondo had a dislocated left elbow, he was back on the bench. He returned for the start of the fourth and — despite playing with his left arm dangling at his side — provided the Celtics with the spark they had been missing in the first two games.
"We understand fully now how tough it is to take down a champion," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "All this fuel, the last three days, that was going on, I was cringing. Because you know this is a proud group, and you knew they would have a response."christian louboutin shoes
After two sloppy games in Miami in which it unraveled at the end, Boston provided its first real resistance in the series, jumping to a 16-7 lead in the opening minutes. The Heat came back in the second quarter to take the lead, but the Celtics posted a dominating second half, with Rondo as their emotional leader.
Returning to the Celtics' bench at the end of the third quarter, Rondo received a standing ovation from the crowd when a picture of him on the bench was shown on the scoreboard.
"The first report was 'dislocated — out,' basically for good," Rivers said. "Thirty seconds later, I was in the huddle and I saw Rondo walk by me, and it looked like he was going to play. Clearly, that got everyone excited. It was awesome to see him back out on the floor."
Rondo was obviously favoring his left arm when he returned, but that didn't stop him from a right-handed dunk after a steal and breakaway with 8:39 left that gave Boston an 81-63 lead. Two minutes later he drove in and laid it up over James.
He finished with six points, four of them in the fourth quarter.
"I didn't have to do much scoring — just directing," he said. "That's using your mouth, using my legs."
Miami led 46-44 at the half, but the Celtics scored nine of the first 10 points, capped by Rondo's first basket of the game, a driving layup with three minutes gone in the third that gave Boston a 53-47 lead. In all, the Celtics scored 16 of the first 20 points of the second half; James missed three of four free throws during the span, and the only other points came on a three-pointer by Wade.
Shaquille O'Neal (FSY) returned for Boston and was not much of a factor. He scored two points, with zero rebounds, in 8:29 for his first action of the postseason.

Thunder don't crack, take back home-court vs. Grizzlies

christian louboutin discount

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder played well enough to win twice at the Memphis Grizzlies but are content to come home with a split.
Their 133-123 triple-overtime victory Monday tied the Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2 and restored the Thunder's home-court advantage. It also made up for Oklahoma City blowing a 16-point lead in the Game 3 loss.
GAME 4: Thunder win in 3OT to even series with Grizzlies
PHOTO GALLERY: Top images from the NBA playoffs
SCHEDULE: Second-round matchups and results
"We know we can win here now, so it's a matter of us staying together and going out and playing well" at home, said Thunder sixth man James Harden, who had 19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and a three-pointer in the first overtime Monday to tie it at 117 with 1:07 left.
Game 5 is in Oklahoma City on Wednesday (9:30 p.m. ET,TNT).
The Grizzlies have been in this position this postseason. They had a chance to close out the first-round series against top seed San Antonio in five games, but a pair of spectacular shots by the Spurs forced overtime and Memphis eventually lost.christian louboutin sale
Monday, the Grizzlies were the ones defying the odds as Mike Conley and rookie Greivis Vasquez hit desperation three-pointers to force the first and second overtime periods. "We've got to come back as a desperate team now," Conley said. "Coming into Oklahoma City is not going to be easy to win."
The Thunder attacked the paint successfully in Game 4, outscoring the Grizzlies 56-50. "When we are aggressive and make extra passes, that's when we're a very good team," coach Scott Brooks said.
And point guard Russell Westbrook played under control, scoring 40 points and committing only three turnovers in 52 minutes after averaging six.
Kevin Durant played 57 minutes and Harden 50. Including Westbrook, they combined for 94 points. Grizzlies big men Zach Randolph (56 minutes) and Marc Gasol (57) totaled 60 points and 37 rebounds.

Heat not letting up in Game 5

red bottom shoes

Their charter flight home from Boston landed around 3 a.m. Tuesday, and the Miami Heat were back at work less than 12 hours later.

Typically, such a late arrival would merit a day off.

Not now — not when on the cusp of knocking off the team that has pained Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and the Heat for so long.

Up 3-1 in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series, the Heat will go for the clincher at home against the Celtics on Wednesday night. Miami grabbed control with a 98-90 overtime win in Boston on Monday night, and now stands one victory away from reaching the East finals for the first time since the 2006 championship run.

"This is not a team that you let your guard down against," Wade said.

"No way," instantly chimed in James, nodding as he stood on Wade's left.

It was not a long workout for the Heat on Tuesday, mostly film work and some light shooting. The Celtics took the day off, opting instead to gather around midday for their flight to South Florida, though it was certain that ailing players like Rajon Rondo — who remains hampered mightily by the aftereffects of dislocating his elbow in Game 3— would be getting some treatment.

"I'll be fine," Rondo said. "I'm playing."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers was not available for comment Tuesday. The team had to cancel a planned early evening teleconference because of technical problems.

The Heat do not plan any changes to the starting lineup, coach Erik Spoelstra said, meaning Joel Anthony will remain at centre to open the game and Zydrunas Ilgauskas will come off the bench, as will point guard Mario Chalmers behind first-stringer Mike Bibby.

Minutes after Game 4 ended, Spoelstra began telling his team that ending Boston's season would be its toughest challenge yet. He did not back down from that on Tuesday.

"We can expect their best," Spoelstra said. "We know we're getting their best effort and I'm sure they'll play well. We'll have to play better."

Wade and James, who combined for 63 points in Game 4, concurred. They became teammates, in part, to beat Boston after the Celtics thwarted James's plan to bring a title to Cleveland and dominated the Heat since 2007, including a five-game ousting of Miami in the opening round of last season's playoffs.

"This is like an Eastern Conference finals type-of-buildup series," Wade said. "And it's been played out that way."christian louboutin sale

Maligned much of the season for their collective struggles late in close games, the Heat got contributions across the board to pull it out in Game 4. James made a 3-pointer — "A backbreaker," Celtics guard Ray Allen said later — inches away from the Boston bench to tie it at 84 with 2 minutes left in regulation. Wade's long jumper with 2:01 left in overtime was for a 92-86 lead and rendered Boston's crowd silent. And Chris Bosh sealed the win with 24 seconds left, tipping in James' miss to put Miami up by five.

"We executed well down the stretch defensively and offensively," said Heat forward James Jones, who made another key play by fouling Allen and taking away a potential Boston fast break with the game tied at 86 with 19 seconds left in regulation. "I think it was just our presence of mind, our determination. We had mistakes. We made some mistakes."

So did Boston.

The Celtics' miscues were far more noticeable down the stretch.

Rondo missed a layup with 1:11 left in regulation, misfiring on an easy chance to give Boston what would have been a two-point lead. Paul Pierce had to take a wild shot at the fourth-quarter buzzer after Allen and Kevin Garnett collided on a play that could have won the game for the Celtics and instead left them all shaking their heads.

In overtime, Boston had as many turnovers — four — as points.

"When our back is against the wall, that's when we show great resilience," Garnett said. "We'll see what we're made of."

If the Celtics lose, some sweeping changes may be on the way.

The core of the team likely will remain the same for at least one more season. But Rivers — whose contract is expiring at season's end — has often said the lure of spending more time with family is difficult to ignore.

And a loss may spell the end of the Shaquille O'Neal era.

He eclipsed the 50,000-minute mark for his career last month and time has clearly taken its toll on his body, so there will surely be widespread speculation that whenever Boston's season ends, the final buzzer for O'Neal's career may beckon as well.

But in the Boston locker room late Monday, all that mattered was winning Game 5 and extending the series.

"We've got to get one win right now," Pierce said. "That's the focus. … It's all on the line."

Thunder win triple-OT thriller to even series with Grizzlies 2-2

red bottom shoes

MEMPHIS — The Oklahoma City Thunder almost had a repeat Monday.

After blowing a 16-point lead and losing Game 3 in this Western Conference semifinal, they squandered a 10-point lead with less than six minutes left in the fourth quarter and a seven-point lead in the first overtime in Game 4 with the Memphis Grizzlies.
They held on in triple-overtime 133-123 to draw even at 2 and reclaim home-court advantage. Game 5 is Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
BOX SCORE: Thunder 133, Grizzlies 123 (3OT)
PHOTO GALLERY: Top images from the NBA playoffs
SCHEDULE: Second-round matchups and results
"We chipped away," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "They made some incredible shots. That wasn't bad execution down the stretch. …That's what NBA players do."
Trailing 90-80 with 5:25 left, the Grizzlies closed with a 16-6 run that was punctuated by a three-pointer by point guard Mike Conley with less than four seconds remaining to tie the score at 96.
After Conley and O.J. Mayo fouled out during the first overtime, rookie Greivis Vasquez stepped in and hit a leaning, desperation three-pointer to tie it at 109 and force a second overtime.
The Thunder's legs, however, were more lively in the end. They went on a 12-2 run in the last 3:55 of the third extra period to pull away.
Russell Westbrook led all scores with 40 points on 15-for-33 shooting. Kevin Durant had 35 points, 16 coming at the free throw line, 13 rebounds and four steals.
Just as important was the play of sixth man James Harden, who had 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He made six three-pointers.
"It just became a matter of not having enough bullets as the game wore on," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "Nobody wanted to lose."
The Grizzlies had dominated from the opening tip. They met the Durant out high with double-teams to force the ball out of his hands.
The strategy worked because the Thunder failed to knock down open shots. They were 6-for-16 from the field in the first quarter — seven fewer shot attempts than Memphis — and committed seven turnovers.
It grew to 17 with Grizzlies post players Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combining for 29 points and nine rebounds in the first half.
They weren't as effective in the second half as Oklahoma City countered with Kendrick Perkins, Nick Collison and Nazr Mohammed to pound them in the paint and forced the Grizzlies' duo into 11 turnovers.christian louboutin boots
Randolph had a team-high 34 points but shot only 9-for-25 from the field. Sixteen of his points came on free throws and he also had 16 rebounds.
Gasol finished with 26 points and a game-high 21 rebounds.
"This is one of the most physical series I've ever been apart of," Perkins said. "I've been in some battles with (Orlando Magic center) Dwight Howard but this is one of the most physical ones."
Brooks went to a smaller lineup to exploit their footspeed advantage vs. Gasol and Randolph on defense.
Durant, Westbrook and James Harden got to the rim for Oklahoma City. They combined for 18 made free throws by halftime and trimmed the deficit to 53-49. They made 36 free throws for the game.
"We let them get to the free throw line too much. It slowed the game down," Conley said. "Got the paced kind of messed up."
The Thunder even at 61 on a jumper by Westbrook midway through the third quarter and held firm when Mayo responded with a three-pointer to put the Grizzlies back on top.
Westbrook, who had 18 turnovers in the first three games, only had three as he played more under control and the Thunder made the extra pass to get higher-percentage shots as they went 45.3% from the field and Memphis hit only 36%.
"We needed his scoring," Brooks said of Westbrook. "We needed his toughness on the defensive end. We needed his decision-making. …Kevin leads the team in scoring because Russell finds him."

cheap designer shoes save 80%

christianloubouti

Deng gets snubbed from All-Defensive team; Noah's in

 red bottom shoes
The NBA announced the All-Defensive teams for this season, and the league's best defense -- the Chicago Bulls -- had a recipient, but it wasn't the player many thought would represent the defense that ranked first in opponents' field-goal and three-point percentage during the regular season.
The Bulls defense was also second in opponents points and own rebounds. There's no coincidence that the Bulls' success had a lot to do with the hiring of Tom Thibodeau, who was named Coach of the Year earlier this month.

On Monday, the Bulls got another award for their achievements -- to go along with the MVP in Derrick Rose and Coach of the Year in Thibodeau -- as Joakim Noah was named to the All-Defensive second team.

Rajon Rondo, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard were named to the All-Defensive (first) team. The second team consisted of Chris Paul, Tony Allen, Andre Iguodala, former Bull Tyson Chandler and current Bulls center Noah.

It's always good to be honored by the NBA, and the Bulls will take it. But the consensus for a while has been that the player who will represent the Bulls on this team will be Luol Deng.

Deng didn't have his best season statistically -- averaging 17 points and six rebounds -- but he's told reporters throughout the season that he felt this year was his best in the NBA. For a player who's been criticized so heavily the past few seasons, it was definitely good to see Deng play all 82 games this season and be a major contributor to a team that won an NBA-best 62 games.

Though the Bulls defense has been all about teamwork, giving help to one another, it's been Deng all season who's been given the task to check the opposing team's best player when it matters. It's Deng who's spending time on Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson late in games, or Danny Granger prior to this series. He's been asked to be the stopper all season.

"Lu can guard small forwards, power forwards, shooting guards," Thibodeau said on Sunday to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "I always had a lot of respect for the way he played. And I always thought he was a complete player. What I didn't understand until I got here was how great of a leader he is. He can handle big minutes. We ask him to do everything, whether it's a tough perimeter cover, scoring, rebounding, playmaking."

In no way should we take away anything from Noah's accomplishment, but even he'll say this achievement was one that Deng deserved, should be recognized for. The Bulls have asked Deng to be their version of Ron Artest on defense all season, containing the LeBron James', Carmelo Anthony's of the world. Doesn't his success show by the Bulls' defense statistically?

Noah has always been a great interior defender, and this season was no different. However, his defensive numbers were actually down from last season.

In 2009-10, Noah averaged 11 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 64 games. This season, he averaged 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 48 games. Yes, the drop off in both stats isn't significant, though the difference in games is huge.
Noah missed 34 games this season, including a 30-game stretch when the Bulls went 22-8 without his services. Deng's been there for the Bulls for all 82 games -- he's been asked to provide defensively all season.

Joakim's a fan favorite, but this recognition was for Deng, who finished 16 in the All-Defensive team voting. He's worked hard on the defensive end all season -- for him to come up short, be held award-less in what he called his best season in the NBA, is very disappointing.

The Bulls got recognized for having the league's top defense in the regular season, and even had Rose rank 11 in the voting, but it went to the wrong player. Noah's the Bulls defensive anchor on the interior, but it all starts with Deng on the perimeter. He was there for all 82 games. Noah was not.