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Old 02-23-2017, 04:25 AM   #1
arry J

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Default of playing in the doubles match Saturday. "That obviously helps," he
As the theatre and drama of the NBA Free Agency Season unfolds with LeBron James Decision 2. Soccer Jerseys From China .0, TSN Radio 1050s hosts of #1On1 with Will & Duane, Will Strickland and Duane Watson incorporate the help of long-suffering Cleveland sports fan and a host of TSN 1050s Game Night and Game Day, Andy McNamara to sort out where the dominoes fall for the rest of the NBA and its prime free agents. What does LeBron Jamess return to Cleveland mean to that city and the league? Strickland: It would seem that Ohios Prodigal Son returning to the place where his professional success began would be a significant part of his career narrative. The legend grows even more so if James is able to unite and sow the seeds of ultimate glory in the game with his new teammates to lead them to a title. LeBron exhibited how he could lord his power over the NBA with this decision and create semi-seismic ripples in leagues landscape. But the deeper, more meaningful aspect of this all is LeBron Raymone James had to leave, grow, learn to understand what may be his greater purpose in life. In his own words: "My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didnt realize that four years ago. I do now." McNamara: For the City of Cleveland LeBrons return means everything. The city nearly shut down on Friday to celebrate. Billboards were raised and t-shirts were released. It means a return to legitimacy, not just in the NBA, but in the North American sports scene. When LeBron left bars, restaurants and tourism suffered. LeBrons letter provides commitment and hope to a struggling region and erases the pain of the last four years. For the NBA LeBrons return provides a phenomenal feel good story and gives hope to an underdog franchise. Its great for the league and freshens up a stale Eastern Conference scene. Watson: It allows James to make a return home, make peace with the City of Cleveland and makes them viable contenders in the Eastern Conference. Its a storybook ending, really, and a chance for James to cement his legacy if he brings a championship to Cleveland. Oh, and more jersey sales for the league as its rumoured he will change his number to 32. In LeBrons open letter to the NBA in Sports Illustrated, he mentions several of his Cleveland teammates, but not Andrew Wiggins. Cause for alarm? Strickland: No. Alarm for whom? Canadian hoops fans who would like to see the four Canucks on that team, especially Wiggins, be integral parts of aiding the Cavaliers in their NBA title quest. Understandable. But, this is a business. And this is a business that requires deft asset management skills, those often lacking in the front office decision making in Cleveland. So, do the Cavs move Andrew Wiggins, an unproven commodity on the finest of hardwood courts in The Association as yet, but with an absolutely meteoric upside for a highly coveted three-time All-Star, 3-point shooting, voracious rebounding Olympic Gold Medalist entering his prime who accelerates your teams championship aspirations? McNamara: I dont believe the exclusions of those names was a secret message or hint of things to come. It was definitely interesting that the #1 overall draft pick was left out though. Maybe LeBron doesnt know Wiggins and mentioned people with whom he was more familiar. Watson: No. Despite his talent, Wiggins is a rookie and still has to prove his worth in the NBA. The balance of power shifted in the Eastern Conference. Who prevails ad why? Strickland: While Cleveland automatically becomes a prohibitive favourite with That Guy on their roster, consider Washingtons impressive showing in the playoffs as well as retaining centre Marcin Gortat in free agency, note that Miamis not completely dead and the Toronto Raptors wont creep up on anyone next season. However, after "meditating it", the Chicago Bulls hold the most intrigue. Pau Gasol may still be the most all-around skilled big on the planet, even at 34. Teamed with 2014 Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah, they could be the best passing bigs in the league. Rookie Doug McDermott, the solid Jimmy Butler & the emerging Taj Gibson all help Coach Tom Thibodeaus plans of Eastern Conference supremacy. A healthy Derrick Rose makes this close to a forgone conclusion. McNamara: As it stands now the East is completely wide open, which makes for real interesting storylines that dont involve who will lose to Miami in the Eastern Conference. As it stands now, the major players have to include Cleveland (obviously), Indiana and Chicago. Free agency moves and trades can alter this of course. Right now I give the nod to the Cavaliers as favorites, but that takes into account a lot of assumptions that include whether Wiggins stays, if Wiggins can step in and contribute day one, how Bennett bounces back, and what trades or signings still take place. Watson: I dont necessarily know if it has shifted, I think it is just far more open and even overall. Every year the Heat were the dominant force to beat and now there isnt an overwhelming favourite. Teams have improved, (Bulls, Cavaliers), while others have are looking to take the next step after last years success (Raptors, Wizards), if some teams can figure it out, they can be dangerous (Pistons, Heat) and some have regressed (Heat, Pacers). The landscape has balanced out and its not as easy to call, with some free agents still unsigned, and moves to be made, its too early to call. Which player won the most this free agency period? Strickland: With spirited nods to the Madison Square Gardener, Carmelo Anthony (five years/$130M), Chris Bosh (five years/ $118M), Gordon Hayward (four years/$63M) and Chandler Parsons (three years/$46M), who all cashed out in dramatic fashion, LeBron James reigns here. The King didnt max out as he could have at two years/$42.1M. But the social/community currency, along with his personal peace of mind, may have the longest lasting impact and value. McNamara: No doubt LeBron. He looks like a superhero returning home and is savior to a city and region. Plus he goes to a team with assets to trade for a proven vet or just grow a stable of young studs. Watson: Chandler Parsons was a second round pick that earned $926,500 this past season with the Houston Rockets. Now the Dallas Mavericks are paying him $12 million a season on a three-year near max contract, talk about a pay day! Hes the Mavs highest player, but hes not the key to taking the Mavericks to the next level. Mark Cuban overpaid to stick it to his cross-state rival. Parsons is good, but not near-max money good. Youre the real MVP Chandler Parsons. Which player lost the most this free agency period? Strickland: Luol Deng, hands down. After dismissing several deals at $10M per year, which he felt were too low considering his stature and value, the oft-injured 29-year-old former All-Star signed a two year/$20M deal to "replace" LeBron James in Miami. More potentially lucrative offers existed with the Rockets, Mavericks, Hawks and Wizards. Negotiation is an art. Deng and his agents seem to be finger painting. And, as hard as it is to call $10 million per year "finger painting", tough to find kinder words for how this all shook out for Deng. McNamara: Chris Bosh. Why, Oh Why would he go back to Miami? There is no possible way he will be seen as anything other than a complete failure if he doesnt lead the Heat back to the Finals. Bosh going to Houston made much more sense since he would get a fresh start and different expectations on him. The only positive for CB about returning to South Beach is the extra year he gets on his contract. Watson: Chris Bosh signed a max contract with the wrong team, electing to sign a five-year $118 million to return to the Miami Heat (sans LeBron James). The Houston Rockets offered the power forward a four-year deal for $88 million to play alongside Dwight Howard and James Harden and stretch the floor and play defence in his home state, but he passed. Now he will have to work twice as hard, with Dwyane Wade on part-time duty and carry the Heat, as James made it easier for everyone on the team. He will effectively have to earn that salary, and bring his level of play back to what he did in Toronto. The Three-Man Weave contributors are co-hosts of TSN Radio 1050s 1-on-1 with Will and Duane, Will Strickland (@WallStrizzle1) and Duane Watson (@byDuaneWatson) and guest Pancakkon King (The second "k" is silent) Andy McNamara (@AndyMc81). Cheap Soccer Jerseys China . Stepanek gave the Czech Republic its second straight Davis Cup title Sunday, sweeping past Dusan Lajovic in straight sets in the fifth and decisive match to secure a 3-2 win over Serbia in the final. Soccer Jerseys China .Y. -- First, Ryan Miller. 403 Forbidden . Jagr had a goal and two assists, Andy Greene scored 43 seconds into overtime and Marek Zidlicky had two goals as the Devils rallied past the Washington Capitals 5-4 Saturday night.SAN DIEGO -- It was a rally that truly came out of left field. James Ward won 10 of the last 11 games to take a stunning five-set victory against Sam Querrey and give Britain a 2-0 lead against the United States in the first round of the Davis Cup on a temporary red clay court in the outfield of Petco Park, the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. Ward, ranked 175th in the world, was two games from losing the match when he began his rally that gave him a 1-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory. With dusk approaching and the lights on at the downtown baseball park, Ward won the match with an overhand smash. He leaned back, pumped his fists and hollered as his teammates, watching from one side of the court, jumped to their feet in celebration. "Its great to be around a group of guys you dont really have the support of normally, every week of the year," Ward said "Its certainly a different feeling. Youre not just playing for yourself, youre playing for everyone else." Wards victory in 3 hours, 11 minutes, followed Wimbledon champion Andy Murrays easy straight-set victory against Donald Young, who was making his Davis Cup debut. Murray has won 17 straight Davis Cup singles matches. Britain can clinch the match on Saturday if it wins doubles. Murray and Colin Fleming are scheduled to face Bob and Mike Bryan. Captains have until an hour before the match to make any changes. Murray, who had back surgery in September, said he feels good to go for doubles. Querrey, the United States No. 1 singles player in this tournament and ranked No. 49 in the world, had a 4-2 lead in the fourth set after winning the sixth game at love. But Ward rallied to win the next four games and the set to force a deciding fifth set. He jumped to a 4-0 lead in the fifth set before Querrey broke serve with a bleeder over the net to pull to 4-1. Ward then closed out the match. Ward didnt break Querreys serve until the eighth game of the fourth set to tie it at 4-4. "I thought Sam served really well from the beginning to the first three sets," Ward said. "It wasnt me returning badly. He made a lot of good serves. But in the end I got some chances and it happened." Ward improved to 9-5 in Davis Cup play. "Look, I love playing for my country," he said. "Every time I do it, it obviously brings something out in me thats a bit different, which I didnt see in the first set." He said team captain Leon Smith told him to come out of his shell. "And I did," Ward said. Ward said his parents travelleed to San Diego for the match and are staying with long-time friends. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Authentic. "I came here when I was a kid," he said. "People always said, Where is your favourite place in the world youve been, and I have often said San Diego. Its a great place. I love being here. Again, to play a great match like today was pleasing." Querrey said he was "a little bummed obviously that I couldnt help the team. But its not over. You have to win three points. And if we can bounce back tomorrow and Bob and Mike win the doubles and then I think our side takes two on Sunday. "I thought he played well," Querrey said of Ward. "He came up with some good shots. A few break points that I had earlier, maybe if I had come through on those it could have been different. But he played well throughout the match. I started missing a few first serves when I needed them. But he did a good job of putting returns in later in the match and ended the match." U.S. captain Jim Courier said Ward played the way the Americans thought he would. "He was up, he was down, he was all over the place, but in the end he fought all the way through and the quality he showed shined through." Murray overwhelmed Young 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in 1:38 in the opener of the World Group match. Murray was barely challenged by Young. The two-time Grand Slam winner took leads of 5-0 in the first set and 5-1 in the second set. Young never broke serve but took the sixth game of the third set to four deuces before the British star had an ace and then won when Young netted a backhand. "I played a good match today," Murray said. "I gave him very few opportunities when I was serving. I gave him a couple in the third set which was due to his good play and him playing better and me making some mistakes. But overall it was a good match for me." Murray, who had back surgery in September, said playing a relatively short match on Friday gives him a good chance of playing in the doubles match Saturday. "That obviously helps," he said. "Weekends like this you want to try conserve as much energy as you can when possible. Days can be quite long, and playing three days in a row is challenging so its good to get one three sets so we have options when we play tomorrow." In other World Group matches, France leads Australia 2-0, Kazakhstan leads Belgium 2-0, Germany is up 2-0 against Spain and Switzerland leads Serbia 2-0. The Canada-Japan, Italy-Argentina and Netherlands-Czech Republic matches are tied 1-1. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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