tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76176429680183858092024-03-06T13:16:28.697+08:00Pilipinas Sports News and Informationbestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.comBlogger943125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-10422654963405671292013-09-26T18:31:00.001+08:002013-09-26T18:31:13.923+08:00Marquez says Bradley could be his last fight<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/09/26/13/marquez-says-bradley-could-be-his-last-fight">Source : ABS CBN Sports</a><br />
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<a href="http://cms.interaksyon.com/interaktv/assets/2012/12/juan-manuel-marquez-serious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://cms.interaksyon.com/interaktv/assets/2012/12/juan-manuel-marquez-serious.jpg" width="320" /></a>MANILA, Philippines – Bad news for Pacquiao fans.</div>
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His Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez is contemplating retirement after his world title fight against WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley on October 12.</div>
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This means, Manny Pacquiao may no longer be able to avenge his sixth-round knockout loss to Marquez last December.</div>
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"[Retirement] is a possibility. I won't rule anything out right now. First things first, we have to see how I feel physically, which is a very important factor and then see what happens,” Marquez said in Boxing Scene.</div>
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But Marquez clarified that this doesn’t mean he’ll allow Bradley to “retire” him.</div>
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Marquez reiterated that he wants to earn the distinction of becoming the first Mexican to win five titles in five weight classes.</div>
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Bradley earlier boasted that he will retire the 40-year-old Mexican. “I will win because I have to win. It's in my DNA, and I will be a bigger name because of my will to win. I have one goal -- go into the ring, win and retire the great Juan Manuel Marquez,” he said.</div>
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But Marquez countered that Bradley is entitled to his own opinion.</div>
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“Bradley can say whatever he wants, but [saying he will retire me] and doing it are two different things. Anything can happen in the ring. We will allow him to keep talking, but I will let my fists do the talking,” he said.</div>
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bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-28548505722302086422013-09-26T18:28:00.002+08:002013-09-26T18:28:53.981+08:00NBA : Paul George's max contract; Shaqramento Kings<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/pacers-paul-george-contract-official-151331800--nba.html">Source : NBA on Yahoo Sports</a><br />
<a href="http://sinbapointforward.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/paul-george-pacers-max.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://sinbapointforward.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/paul-george-pacers-max.jpg" width="320" /></a>INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Now that Paul George has a new contract, the Indiana Pacers can focus on more pressing matters.<br />
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Training camp starts Saturday. The regular season opens in a little more than a month. The playoffs come in April, and that's when the real challenge begins.<br />
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''We're all in this year,'' Larry Bird said.<br />
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They proved it Wednesday by officially singing George to a five-year max contract extension that guarantees him between $80 and $90 million and could be worth even more if George reaches an escalator clause.<br />
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George's deal comes after David West's new three-year, $36 million contract, Bird's offseason spending spree to improve the bench and last year's expensive deals to keep center Roy Hibbert and point guard George Hill. The Pacers are almost certain to have their core nucleus together for several more years.<br />
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And with the Pacers coming off back-to-back playoff runs in which they pushed Miami, the expectations are soaring.<br />
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''It's exciting,'' coach Frank Vogel said. ''Since I took over here, we've been talking about having a similar era to what the Colts had the last seven or eight years, where they had a chance to win it all basically every year. We're a couple of years into this thing, and to have this guy under contract for five more years gives us that type of confidence, that we can win a championship, our first (NBA) championship.''<br />
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Bird gambled by paying the 23-year-old, 6-foot-7 forward before his rookie contract expired at the end of the season. If it had, he could have become a restricted free agent.<br />
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George appears to have everything it takes to become the face of Indiana's franchise. He has improved dramatically in each of his first three years. Last season, he was an All-Star, earned third-team All-NBA and second-team all-defense honors, and won the league's Most Improved Player Award.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/call-them-shaq-ramento-oneal-buys-kings-174413066--nba.html">SHAQ BUYS INTO SACRAMENTO KINGS</a></span></b><br />
<a href="http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/09/24/092413-NBA-KINGS-SHAQUILLE-ONEAL-SHAQRAMENTO-DC-PI_201309241530220_660_320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/09/24/092413-NBA-KINGS-SHAQUILLE-ONEAL-SHAQRAMENTO-DC-PI_201309241530220_660_320.JPG" width="320" /></a>SACRAMENTO (AFP) - Shaquille O'Neal, a four-time NBA champion who retired in 2011, has become a part owner of the Sacramento Kings, a rival club he derisively dubbed the "Queens" back in 2002.<br />
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Indian businessman Vivek Ranadive, a software company founder who became the owner of the NBA Kings in May for a record $534 million (395.5 million euros) after the team appeared set to move to Seattle, confirmed the move on a Twitter posting.<br />
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"Join me in welcoming @SHAQ to the @SacramentoKings! Only one way to go from here!" Ranadive tweeted.<br />
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O'Neal's minority stake in the club gives the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar 7-foot-1 (2.16m) center a new nickname to go alongside dozens of others such as "The Big Aristotle" and "The Big Shaqtus" he coined in his career -- "The Big Owner".<br />
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O'Neal has been talking with DeMarcus Cousins, the young Kings big man, in the past few months after finishing his season stint as an NBA television commentator.<br />
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Having been a thorn in the side of the Kings during championship playoff runs by the Lakers in 2000-2002, O'Neal told USA Today the Kings can only get better after going 28-54 last season, in part because of a deal with the California capital for a new arena.<br />
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"Once that new arena comes, once that new downtown is up, once we have a conversation with the players and get everybody to step up, they'll be knocking on the door," O'Neal said.<br />
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"Hopefully Vivek, with (fellow part-owner Mark) Mastrov and myself and the team and organization can get it back to where it used to be. I'm telling you these new plans, you are going to be like, 'Sacramento is doing what?' That's what we want people to say.<br />
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"What interested me in this deal is the new vision, the new Kings, the new everything. I've always wanted to be part of something like this. ... It's going to be great."<br />
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The move comes after ESPN ranked the Kings the worst of 122 combined teams in the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and NBA, based upon the team's mediocre attendance and seven consecutive seasons of having missed the playoffs.<br />
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"Hey ESPN, Nice Airball" reads the opening message on the Kings' website."<br />
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<br />bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-3665510863568154442013-09-26T18:19:00.002+08:002013-09-26T18:19:48.862+08:00FIBA World Cup 2014 : Qualified teams completed<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/14/wcm/event-guide/how_teams_qualify.asp">Source : FIBA.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.basketball.org.nz/_r/uploads/2012/01/2014-FIBA-Basketball-World-Cup-Logo-Spain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://www.basketball.org.nz/_r/uploads/2012/01/2014-FIBA-Basketball-World-Cup-Logo-Spain.jpg" width="320" /></a>With all the regional qualifiers for the 2014 FIBA World Cup just wrapped up, the cast of 20 of 24 countries playing next year are complete.<br />
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24 teams will take part in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.<br />
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Qualification is secured as follows:<br />
- 1 place for the organising country (Spain)<br />
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- 1 place for the gold medallist from the previous Olympic Games (USA)<br />
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- 6 places for FIBA Europe (top six teams at 2013 EuroBasket, excluding Spain - France, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Serbia)<br />
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- 4 places for FIBA Americas (top four teams at 2013 FIBA Americas Championship - Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina and the Dominican Republic)<br />
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- 3 places for FIBA Africa (top three teams at 2013 Afrobasket - Angola, Egypt and Senegal)<br />
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- 3 places for FIBA Asia (top three teams at 2013 FIBA Asia Championship - Iran, Philippines and Korea)<br />
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- 2 places for FIBA Oceania (winners and runner-ups at 2013 FIBA FIBA Oceania Championship - Australia and New Zealand)<br />
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- 4 wild cards (invited teams)bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-88902814132530769782013-09-19T18:15:00.001+08:002013-09-19T18:15:57.066+08:00Arum guarantees $18M for Pacquiao<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Manny+Pacquiao+Brandon+Rios+Press+Conference+tsxomVP-c55l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Manny+Pacquiao+Brandon+Rios+Press+Conference+tsxomVP-c55l.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/09/19/1227791/arum-guarantees-18m-pacman-former-fitness-mentor-joins-rios-camp">Source : Philippine Star</a><br />
MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is set to pocket a guaranteed $18 million (approximately P774 million) when he slugs it out with Brandon Rios in November, according to Top Rank chief Bob Arum.<br />
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In a report by Bev Llorente of ABS-CBN News North America, Arum confirmed the amount, which could go higher once revenue from outlets such as pay-per-view and gate receipts comes in.<br />
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“Manny is guaranteed $18 million, but we hope at the end of the day, he will do well enough so that he will get around $30 million,” Arum said.<br />
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This marks Pacquiao’s lowest payday since earning at least $20 million in his fights the past two years. In 2011, the Filipino icon received a guaranteed purse of $20 million against Shane Mosley and $22 million in his third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.<br />
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Against Timothy Bradley in 2012, Pacquiao pocketed $26 million and took home $25 million against Marquez in their fourth meeting. He lost both fights.<br />
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Pacquiao’s $18 million earnings from the Rios fight pales in comparison to the whopping $41.5 million purse Floyd Mayweather banked in his showdown with Saul Alvarez last Sunday.<br />
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Meanwhile, Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s former strength and conditioning coach, will be on the opposite corner when the Filipino icon slugs it out with Rios.<br />
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Ariza’s Twitter account now carries a new profile, which says, “Strength Coach @brandon_rios1.”<br />
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The conditioning expert from Colombia has jumped ship. He no longer works for Pacquiao after being “fired” by Freddie Roach some weeks back.<br />
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Instead, Ariza now works for Rios. Pictures he had posted on Twitter show. When the bell rings in Macau, Ariza will be on the opposite corner.<br />
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Ariza joined Team Pacquiao as the Filipino superstar prepared for the David Diaz fight in 2008. Everything went well. It was a rosy picture.<br />
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Ariza’s presence was quickly felt as Pacquiao breezed past taller, bigger and heavier opponents like Oscar dela Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.<br />
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Ariza helped turn Pacquiao into a 5-foot-6 wrecking ball. In the process, the Filipino became the only fighter in history to win world titles in eight different weight classes.<br />
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But cracks started to show early. Ariza had a fight with Pacquiao’s chief adviser, Michael Koncz, and then had something going on with Roach.<br />
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In February 2011, Roach had implied that he wanted Ariza out. They tried hard to keep the rift to themselves, just minding their own business.<br />
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Then Ariza got into a word war with Bob Arum. He became unpopular within the team.<br />
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But Ariza said he didn’t care what others say or think of him. He said he works for Pacquiao and will be there for as long as Pacquiao wanted him.<br />
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Everyone inside Team Pacquiao knew it was just a matter of time.<br />
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More than a month ago, Roach gave Ariza the pink slip.<br />
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“I had a discussion with Manny and I told him that I had a lot of trouble working with Alex, because he was always trying to do everyone else’s job,” Roach told Yahoo! Sports.<br />
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“Manny said, ‘You’re the boss. You hired him.’ When he said that, I fired him,” Roach added.<br />
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Ariza said he saw it coming.<br />
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“It didn’t come as too much of a shock, because over the course of the last couple of fights, obviously, Freddie and I were having differences of opinion on how to train Manny,” Ariza also told Yahoo! Sports.<br />
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“I didn’t want Manny to be in a position where it affected his training or anything like that. If that’s his decision, if that’s what he wants, I respect the decision. This is part of it.”<br />
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Roach said he would train Pacquiao for the Rios fight with or without the help of a new strength and conditioning coach.<br />
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However, reports said Gavin McMillan, an ex-tennis pro and a biomechanics specialist, is coming in to replace Ariza. Filipino trainer Marvin Somodio will also be there as well as old hands Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.<br />
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Ariza has nothing against Pacquiao. He said he only wants the best for the Filipino fighter.<br />
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Meanwhile, Mayweather has four fights remaining in his six-bout deal with US broadcaster Showtime, and although previous talks between him and Pacquiao have failed, the Filipino could still possibly end up fighting the undefeated American.<br />
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But first, Arum said Pacquiao must get past Rios.<br />
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“I’ve counseled Manny again and I’m going to adhere to that discipline,” said Arum. “Don’t look ahead to the next fight. Concentrate on Brandon Rios, and after that fight, there will be plenty of time on who he will fight next.”<br />
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Pacquiao and Rios will clash on Nov. 24 at the Venetian Resort in Macau.bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-82189000985385940772013-09-19T18:13:00.001+08:002013-09-19T18:13:13.913+08:00Cavs' Bynum still not quite ready for action<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.foxsportsohio.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/story/NBA-report-Cavs-Bynum-still-not-quite-re?blockID=940935&feedID=3725">Source : FOX Sports</a><br />
<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/newscloud-production/recordpub/2013/07/51e962761cee60a39600000c/photos/30df4c8427330718380f6a70670072a4/original.jpg?1374249661" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/newscloud-production/recordpub/2013/07/51e962761cee60a39600000c/photos/30df4c8427330718380f6a70670072a4/original.jpg?1374249661" width="320" /></a>With training camp less than two weeks away, the Cleveland Cavaliers are likely to be without their biggest offseason acquisition.<br />
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But don’t panic, Andrew Bynum fans. No one expected the 7-footer to sprint at the start. Not after missing all of last season in Philadelphia with knee issues.<br />
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The Cavs haven't set a specific timetable for Bynum’s return to actual game action -- but they do have a plan. It’s to make sure Bynum is completely healthy before he ever puts on a uniform. In other words, the Cavs won’t rush him back just to quash any sort of fan anxiety.<br />
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Training camp begins Oct. 1, with the Cavs’ first preseason game a week later (vs. the Milwaukee Bucks).<br />
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One source familiar with Bynum’s progress told FOX Sports Ohio that Bynum is nowhere near ready and is likely to miss the entire preseason. He could, however, give it a go early in the regular season, if not for the opener Oct. 30 vs. the Brooklyn Nets.<br />
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Bynum turns 26 years old three days before the season. He put together a career year in 2011-12, averaging 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds, and played in 60 of a possible 66 games with the Los Angeles Lakers.<br />
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<b>Other NBA News</b></div>
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• Former Cavs and Miami Heat guard Ricky Davis was among those who have worked out for the New York Knicks recently, league sources said. Davis, who turns 34 in a week, hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2010 season.</div>
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• Like most teams, the Lakers have been getting together for workouts. In fact, everyone on the team (except Pau Gasol and the injured Kobe Bryant) took part in a scrimmage at the practice facility Tuesday, according to Lakers.com reporter Mark Trudell.</div>
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• As an added bonus for Lakers fans, Trudell also reported that point guards Steve Nash and Steve Blake were “among those looking good.”</div>
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• All 15 players on the New Orleans Pelicans’ roster have also hit the practice facility for voluntary workouts, said general manager Dell Demps. With newcomers Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans joining holdovers Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon, the Pelicans think they have a shot to soar into the postseason.</div>
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• Along with the new nickname, the Pelicans are sporting a new practice facility -- which just happens to be on the same campus as the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.</div>
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• The Boston Celtics waived forward Donte Green on Tuesday. Green spent four seasons with the Sacramento Kings and is expected to head overseas. His most notable NBA accomplishment may have been scoring 40 points in his summer-league debut with the Houston Rockets (2008).</div>
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bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-79546294876584392802013-08-18T12:46:00.003+08:002013-08-18T12:46:50.643+08:00Roach : Marquez scared if eludes he Pacquiao<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/08/17/13/roach-marquez-just-plain-scared-if-he-eludes-pacquiao">Source : ABS CBN SPorts</a><br />
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<a href="http://hbowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/on-freddie-roach-HBO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://hbowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/on-freddie-roach-HBO.jpg" width="320" /></a>MANILA, Philippines – Boxing coach Freddie Roach already has a clear picture of who he wants Manny Pacquiao to fight next if the Filipino decisively wins over Brandon Rios this November.<br />
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“Marquez,” was his reply to Fight Hub TV when asked about Pacquiao’s possible foe after the Rios fight.<br />
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The trainer was referring to Juan Manuel Marquez who knocked out the fighting congressman eight months ago.<br />
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Roach said he feels Marquez should extend the same courtesy Pacquiao has given to the Mexican, who was granted two rematches in their four-fight rivalry.<br />
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“Before he won the last fight he always wanted a rematch... I think we deserve one more shot back. If he isn’t fighting then he's [scared],” said Roach.<br />
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Marquez has repeatedly mentioned that he see no point in fighting Pacquiao again after their fourth face-off.<br />
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When asked why they aren’t going directly to Floyd Mayweather Jr., Roach said a victory over Marquez will bring them to that direction.<br />
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“I think a win over Marquez will push us a little bit closer [to Mayweather],” he said.<br />
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bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-39028229752159165592013-08-18T12:44:00.000+08:002013-08-18T12:44:10.324+08:00Kobe Bryant unsure if playing in opener<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/08/16/bryant-uncertain-on-return-date.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts">Source : NBA.com</a><br />
<a href="http://binaryapi.ap.org/025de36984db4869bb841f09577cbe91/460x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://binaryapi.ap.org/025de36984db4869bb841f09577cbe91/460x.jpg" width="218" /></a>LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant isn't sure he'll be ready to play when the Los Angeles Lakers open the season on Oct. 29, although he remains ahead of schedule in rehabbing his surgically repaired Achilles' tendon.<br />
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Bryant turns 35 next week and he vowed that his 17-year career is "definitely not over."<br />
"I just want that jewelry," he said, referring to the possibility of claiming his sixth NBA championship.<br />
"People just don't understand how obsessed I am with winning."<br />
Bryant made his comments to late night host Jimmy Kimmel during "Kobe Up Close," a one-on-one conversation with the NBA superstar on Thursday night at Nokia Theatre across from Staples Center.<br />
He had a one-word answer when Kimmel asked whether he would finish his career with the only team he's ever played for: "Yeah," Bryant replied.<br />
The 7,100-seat venue was full of Bryant's fans that cheered, jeered and interrupted freely during the one-hour program. Ticket proceeds benefited the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, which works to help end homelessness.<br />
In keeping with the reason for the event, Kimmel asked, "If there was only one homeless person in the world, would you be happy if it was Dwight Howard?"<br />
The audience roared, mere weeks removed from Howard's decision to leave the Lakers for Houston after one season.<br />
"Dwight is a great kid," Bryant said, nearly drowned out by boos. "We have different perspectives on what it takes to win."<br />
Kimmel kept the questions light while touching on a variety of topics well known to Bryant's most ardent fans.<br />
Bryant recalled that before he was drafted in 1996 by Charlotte and then traded to the Lakers, he worked out for Boston and the Clippers.<br />
"I had a really fun and good workout with the Clippers," he said. "They told me, `This is the best workout we've ever seen."'<br />
But he said the team told him it wouldn't be drafting him out of high school.<br />
"We want to turn things around with our organization and we felt like if we drafted a 17-year-old kid, the city of L.A. wouldn't take us seriously," Bryant said the Clippers told him.<br />
Kimmel retorted, "They always make the best decisions."<br />
Bryant said Chris Paul should have ended up with the Lakers instead of the Clippers. The NBA office, which owned New Orleans at the time, decided against a deal team officials had agreed to with the Lakers.<br />
"Chris called me and told me it was a done deal," Bryant said. "Then he calls me back 30 minutes later and says, `You won't believe it. David Stern killed the deal."'<br />
Before Bryant jumped directly from high school to the pros, he said he was recruited by Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and West Point. The military academy sent him his first college letter.<br />
If he had gone to college, Bryant said he likely would've chosen North Carolina because Vince Carter had gone to Chapel Hill the previous year, and Bryant would have wanted to compete with him at practice every day.<br />
As a teenager with a lucrative NBA contract, Bryant said he wasn't interested in big expenditures.<br />
"The game consumed me," he said.<br />
Bryant recalled his first meeting with Shaquille O'Neal over dinner at a Beverly Hills restaurant.<br />
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"I thought it was the coolest thing in the world that he had a cellphone that was the biggest in the world," he said.<br />
Together, they won three consecutive NBA titles from 2000-02. But they eventually fell out and O'Neal was traded after the Lakers lost in the 2004 finals.<br />
"It was a tough period. He and I just weren't going to play together anymore," Bryant said. "I had to prove I could win without him."<br />
It would take a while, though. Bryant and the Lakers didn't capture another NBA title until they won two straight in 2009 and 2010.<br />
Bryant credited Michael Jordan for giving him "phenomenal advice" on how to elevate his teammates.<br />
"My demeanor and my temper probably calmed down a little bit," he said. "I go into games today looking at what are my guys going through, who is struggling, what can I do to help."<br />
Among the famous faces in the audience were Lakers owners Jeanie and Jim Buss, general manager Mitch Kupchak, Hall of Fame baseball player Dave Winfield and former NFL receiver Terrell Owens.<br />
Jeanie Buss was visibly touched when Bryant spoke about why so many Lakers players loved her late father, Jerry.<br />
"He knew exactly what his vision was," Bryant said. "He was very patient, he was very understanding. He allowed me room to grow as a person."<br />
Bryant said his daughters, ages 10 and 7, are playing sports, although he didn't specify which ones.<br />
He described them as "insanely, insanely competitive."bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-64059218901852568912013-08-18T12:41:00.002+08:002013-08-18T12:44:31.033+08:00Chot Reyes wants Gilas to be competitive in FIBA World Cup<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/chot-reyes-wants-underdog-gilas-pilipinas-to-be-competitive-in-fiba-world-cup-next-year">Source : AKTV</a><br />
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/66825_646107162068947_1595094550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/66825_646107162068947_1595094550_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>The 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain will present a very tough challenge for the Philippine national men’s basketball team.<br />
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Even traditional Asian powerhouses like China and Iran have struggled heavily on the world level, and Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes knows his squad will be at a disadvantage against the best basketball teams from around the world.<br />
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Still, Reyes doesn’t want his team to just be happy to be there.<br />
<br />
“The objective is to be competitive. Obviously, if you just think about it now, we’re ages, we’re light years away from the South American, the European, the North American group,” Reyes said.<br />
<br />
“The US, Puerto Rico, and the Europeans — France, Lithuania, Spain — and then the South Americans like Argentina, Dominican Republic — we’re very far from those teams now. But we have one year to close that gap.”<br />
<br />
But the coach isn’t making unrealistic expectations of the team.<br />
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“We have no illusion of beating these top teams but we are really looking forward to competing hard against them.”bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-48692287172595275572013-08-12T19:48:00.000+08:002013-08-12T19:48:00.160+08:00FIBA Asia 2013 : Iran wins title, Pilipinas second place, Korea gets 3rd<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/57915/arti.html">Source : FIBA.com</a><br />
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/66825_646107162068947_1595094550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/66825_646107162068947_1595094550_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>MANILA (FIBA Asia Championship) - Iran and the Philippines have shown Asia will be strongly represented at next year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain with a high quality FIBA Asia Championship Title Game in front of 19,989 fans in Manila.<br />
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Despite missing star centre Marcus Douthit through injury, the Philippines gave the bigger Iranians all they could handle before falling 85-71, succumbing to a constant offensive rebounding disadvantage.<br />
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"We had been waiting for this championship for two years," said Iran centre Hamed Hadadi, who was named the tournament's MVP.<br />
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"I can't wait to get this trophy back to my country. My team played hard together and it is the best feeling in the world."<br />
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Philippines coach Chot Reyes walked away with a smile on his face and convinced Iran would be a formidable opponent for any team at Spain 2014.<br />
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"Unfortunately it ended the way it did, but if someone had told me two months ago that on August 11 we'd end up with silver medals I would be very, very happy," he said.<br />
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"Iran is a great, great team. They have been together since 2006 or 2007 and it showed in the way they played."<br />
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Both teams were represented in the All-Tournament Team, with the Philippines' Jason 'Castro' William (18 points), and Iran's Oshin Sahakian (12 points, 12 rebounds) and Hadadi (29 points, 16 rebounds) rewarded for their outstanding performances.<br />
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Young star Kim Mingoo of Korea - Asia's third qualified team for Spain 2014 - was also selected in the first five, alongside exciting Chinese Taipei swingman Lin Chih-Chieh.<br />
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Early in the Final, Iran's zone defense made life difficult for the Philippines, and with Samad Nikkhah Bahrami (19 points, 7 assists) in his usual destructive mood, the 2007 and 2009 champions threatened to pull clear.<br />
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But as he so often has this tournament, Castro ignited his team, with seven quick points surrounding quarter-time putting the Philippines ahead 20-19.<br />
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Slowly though, Iran's all-around game began to take its toll on the hosts, clinically executing in transition and feeding Hadadi close to the hoop in the half-court to extend their lead to 32-23.<br />
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A string of tough plays from Ranidel de Ocampo and Castro kept the Gilas within reach, and then a buzzer-beating triple from Larry Fonacier brought the crowd to fever pitch and reduced the margin to a solitary point at half-time.<br />
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After Castro put the Philippines in front to open the third term the Iranians offensive rebounding dominance began to show, Hadadi in particular tormenting the hosts to put his team 10 points in front.<br />
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Two three-pointers from Jim Alapag (13 points) and one from Jeff Chan re-ignited the home crowd and closed the gap to six, but Mahdi Kamrany nailed a triple on the buzzer to reaffirm Iran’s buffer at the last break.<br />
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Without Douthit to centre their offenae around the Philippines seemed to run out of ideas as fatigue set in, Iran showing the class of a championship team to close the game out.<br />
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"We are still happy," Castro said.<br />
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"We have achieved our objective of making it to Spain."<br />
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For the 23rd time, Korea have finished on the podium at the FIBA Asia Championship, defeating Chinese Taipei 75-57 in the Third-Place Game to earn a spot at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.<br />
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When they compete in Spain in 2014, it will be their first appearance in FIBA's flagship event since 1998.<br />
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"This is my second world championship after 16 years," said an excited Kim Joo-Sung, who played back then in the tourament held in Greece.<br />
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"I am really excited and I would love to go to this thing right now."<br />
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Showing little ill-effects of the previous night's heartbreaking Semi-Final loss to the Philippines, the Koreans rode the hot shooting of Cho Sungmin (11 points) to a 29-13 quarter-time lead and fended off every Taipei challenge on their way to victory.<br />
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Where Cho left off exciting young star Kim Mingoo picked up the slack, unveiling an array of moves on his way to 21 points on 57 per cent shooting.<br />
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Kim Joo-Sung finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, while point guard Yang Donggeun (9 points, 8 assists) was his usual dependable self.<br />
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For Chinese Taipei, only Lu Cheng-Ju (13 points) and Quincy Davis III (12 points, 8 rebounds) reached double figures.<br />
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Korea jumped to a 14-5 lead midway through the first term as Yang hit the ground running, then eight points and two assists from Cho in the final five minutes blew the game open.<br />
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"They came out shooting the ball exceptionally well from the three-point line and we just couldn’t get it together defensively," said Taipei centre Davis.<br />
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While Taipei briefly closed to within 11 in the second period, Cho nailed another triple and then Kim went to work, his brilliant up-fake and score in the lane one of the plays of the game.<br />
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"Number four (Kim Mingoo), that young player is incredible," Taipei coach Hsu Chin-Tse said in awe after the game.<br />
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When Korea's young tyro nailed two big three-pointers to finish the half the margin was 21 at the long break.<br />
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Taipei turned on the defense in the third quarter, keeping Korea without a field goal for almost six minutes, but they couldn’t capitalise at the other end and still trailed by 17 with 10 minutes to play.<br />
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From there Korea cruised to victory and a place at Spain 2014.<br />
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"The players played so hard, they have a passion to go to Spain," said Korea coach Yoo Jae-Hak.bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-3908523394374428892013-07-29T15:29:00.000+08:002013-07-29T15:29:15.297+08:00Manny Pacquiao considers running for President<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/07/28/13/pacquiao-will-consider-running-president">Source : ABS CBN SPorts</a><br />
<a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef013488b1f516970c-800wi" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef013488b1f516970c-800wi" width="320" /></a>MACAU - Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiao is harboring thoughts of running for president in his beloved homeland when he finally hangs up his gloves, he revealed to AFP in an exclusive interview.<br />
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Giving his strongest hint yet that he will push to the top of the political tree when he finally retires from the ring, the "Pacman" -- a hero and congressman in his home country -- admitted he had considered the presidency of the 95 million-strong nation.<br />
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When pressed on whether he had thought about shooting for the top job, the softly-spoken 34-year-old replied "Yes".<br />
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Drawing parallels between his pugilism and politics careers, the former world champion in eight weight divisions said: "When I started boxing, of course I was planning, you know and thinking about getting to become a champion. So when I enter politics it's the same thing.<br />
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"But, you know, it's far away," he said, adding: "It's God's will."<br />
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Before that, however, Pacquiao whose record stands at 54 wins, five losses and two draws, must concentrate on his latest bout -- a post breakfast-time tear-up with US fighter Brandon Rios, kicking off at the Venetian resort-hotel in Macau at 10:00 am on November 24.<br />
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The unconventional start time is for the benefit of the lucrative US pay-per-view audience, who will be settling down to watch the fight mid-evening on Saturday, as top US promoter Bob Arum attempts to elbow his way into the China market.<br />
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And viewers will not be oblivious to the fact that it is probably make or break time for Pacquiao's boxing career.<br />
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Despite his last fight ending in a disastrous knockout, when Juan Manuel Marquez caught him with a huge right hand that saw the Filipino crumple to the canvas -- his second successive defeat -- Pacquiao refuses to entertain the notion that he will lose a third straight bout, or retire.<br />
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He said he was "100 percent" sure he would beat Rios (31-1-1), giving him one more chance to regain his credibility -- and potentially another shot at a world title.<br />
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"He's OK but I can say he's a greasy fighter and he loves to fight inside, he loves to fight toe-to-toe," he said in an interview on Saturday as he kicked off a promotional tour for the Rios battle.<br />
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"This is going to be a good fight -- more action in the ring. Hopefully he won't run away."<br />
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Pacquiao insists he is as fit as ever, will focus on not leaving himself open to Marquez-style punishment, and has ignored calls from friends, family and media commentators, fearful for his health, to call it a day.<br />
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Once regarded as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, he dismisses the possibility of defeat at the hands of the much younger -- and possibly hungrier -- US opponent.<br />
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"There's a little bit of pressure for this fight but I believe in myself that I can still fight and improve," he said. "I still can knock somebody out in the ring.<br />
<br />
"I never think negative. I only think positive," Pacquiao added, conceding that his nearest and dearest were desperate for him to bow out of the fight game.<br />
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"Especially my mother," he admitted. "My mother doesn't want me to fight any more, she doesn't like it," he told AFP. "She wants me to focus on serving people."<br />
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His trainer too, the legendary Freddie Roach, has categorically stated that if he loses to Rios it will be the last time he sets foot in the ring.<br />
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"If he loses, I will tell him to retire," he was reported as telling ESPN.<br />
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Pacquiao's preparation for the fight will begin in the Philippines next month, with "light training for conditioning" seeing him run in the morning and hit his gym in the afternoon, before he steps up the work rate to put himself through weeks of gruelling workouts.<br />
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Acknowledging he is no longer a young fighter -- but confident he will be in as good a shape as ever -- he said: "Of course, my mind is still there but I have to adjust a little bit of something in my body because I'm 34 years old. It's different than if you compare it to when I was 25 years old.<br />
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"I need to focus this training camp to maintain the speed, specifically the footwork."<br />
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And the one question that has for years dogged Pacquiao -- whether a dream clash with undefeated five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather will ever happen?<br />
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"I've stopped thinking about him because I don't think he will fight me. I've been waiting four years already," he said.bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-67131474263937187442013-07-29T15:25:00.000+08:002013-07-29T15:25:23.504+08:00FIBA Asia 2013 : Iran coach declares FIBA Asia win<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/iran-coach-declares-we-are-going-to-win-fiba-asia-championship">Source : AKTV</a><br />
<a href="http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/assets/2011/08/hamed-haddadi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/assets/2011/08/hamed-haddadi.jpg" width="320" /></a>Iran has won two of the last three FIBA Asia Championship tournaments, and coach Memi Becirovic is not bashful about his team’s chances in the 2013 edition of the competition.<br />
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“We are going to win the title but five or six other teams want to do that,” the Slovenian coach told the Tehran Times before the team’s departure for Manila on Sunday.<br />
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Despite his confidence, Becirovic identified several other teams as contenders, including the host nation.<br />
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“Teams such as South Korea and the Philippines are dangerous as well as China,” he said.<br />
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Iran won the Asian championship in 2007 and 2009, before falling in a quarterfinals upset in the 2011 staging of the competition. But the powerhouse squad, led by mammoth NBA center Hamed Haddadi and Asian scoring superstar Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, is heading into the competition with a lot of confidence, especially after winning the William Jones Cup in Taiwan last month.<br />
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“I believe in my team and without a doubt I am coach of the best Asian team in the competitions. We have won Williams Jones Cup last month and it shows we are on the right track,” said Becirovic.<br />
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Iran is bracketed in Group C, tabbed by observers as the “Group of Death” with fellow contenders China and South Korea, alongside minnow Malaysia.bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-53239522383795489302013-07-29T15:22:00.000+08:002013-07-29T15:22:06.175+08:00NBA Trade : Pacers, Suns swap; Bobcats lock up Gerald Henderson<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/27/pacers-suns-trade.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts">Source : NBA.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/pacers/sites/pacers/files/imagecache/slider_image/content/images-topstory/2013/07/luisscola-cutoutjersey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://www.nba.com/pacers/sites/pacers/files/imagecache/slider_image/content/images-topstory/2013/07/luisscola-cutoutjersey.jpg" width="320" /></a>PHOENIX (AP) -- The Indiana Pacers have bolstered their front-line depth with the acquisition of Luis Scola from the Phoenix Suns.<br />
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The Pacers sent forward Gerald Green, center Miles Plumlee and a lottery-protected first-round draft pick to the rebuilding Suns.<br />
Scola, a 6-foot-9 forward from Argentina, played his first five NBA seasons with the Houston Rockets before coming to Phoenix a year ago when the Suns submitted the winning bid under the league's amnesty rule. He appeared in all 82 games for the Suns, averaging 12.8 points and 6.6 rebounds. It was the fifth time in his career that he's played in all games.<br />
Scola, who has averaged 14.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in his career, joins a team that figures to contend in the Eastern Conference after he toiled for a season with a Suns squad that compiled the worst record in the Western Conference and second-worst in the franchise's history.<br />
The 6-foot-8 Green has played for six teams since coming to the NBA in 2005. Signed as a free agent by Indiana in 2012, he appeared in 60 games, averaging seven points per contest. The 6-11 Plumlee was selected in the first round by the Pacers out of Duke last year, the 26th selection overall, but appeared in only 14 games for the deep, talented Indiana squad.<br />
Not surprisingly, Scola said he was "very, very excited to play for the Pacers."<br />
"They are one of the top three teams in the NBA with a good shot to win a championship," Scola said in a Pacers news release announcing the Saturday trade. "I think it's a great team and this is a great opportunity. I can't wait."<br />
Hall of Famer Larry Bird, the Pacers' president of basketball operations, said Scola adds veteran experience to the Indiana bench.<br />
"He has NBA experience, international experience and is the type of player that will fit nicely on our roster," Bird said.<br />
Since returning to the Pacers in late June after taking a leave of absence for health reasons, Bird has re-signed power forward David West, then spent most of his time strengthening the Pacers bench.<br />
When free agency opened, he convinced point guard C.J. Watson to sign. He also has signed backup swingman Chris Copeland and point guard Donald Sloan, and now he's added a solid scorer to back up West. Bird also selected Arizona forward Solomon Hill in the draft.<br />
He's been able to make the moves without going over the NBA's luxury tax threshold - something Bird has said he will not do.<br />
The price for Scola wasn't particularly high, from Indiana's perspective.<br />
Pacers fans have grumbled constantly about the lack of productivity from Green, who still has two years and $7 million left on the free agent deal he signed last season, and Plumlee spent much of his rookie playing time with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA D-League.<br />
Bird believes that a better bench will help the Pacers continue to make deep runs in the playoffs, and possibly even get past two-time NBA champion Miami in the Eastern Conference. The Heat beat Indiana 4-2 in the second round of the 2012 playoffs and needed to win Game 7 to finally fend off Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals this year.<br />
New Suns general manager Ryan McDonough called Plumlee "one of the best players" in this year's Summer League, where the big center averaged 10 points, 9.5 rebounds and three blocked shots. McDonough also said that Green will add athleticism and scoring ability to what is designed to be an up-tempo style under new Phoenix coach Jeff Hornacek.<br />
Phoenix is undergoing a roster overhaul in what could be a lengthy rebuilding process.<br />
"The trade is consistent with our stated plan to continue to acquire young assets," said Lon Babby, the Suns' president of basketball operations. "With this trade, we now have the potential of three first-round picks in the 2014 draft and five first-round picks in the next two drafts."<br />
Plumlee gives the team a second young center. Phoenix used the fifth overall pick in this year's draft to select Maryland's Alex Len, a 7-foot Ukrainian who is recovering from right ankle surgery.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/27/bobcats-agree-with-henderson.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts"><b><span style="color: white;">BOBCATS, HENDERSON AGREE TO 3 YEAR DEAL</span></b></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAs0anCs7Y5FzJ3JAvY71cS5bb1eC-OxoN6y1O_MRcup97PbOBFfb4c2MS_XJ_xTg-uDrIBPQifEh3Fj0PmOyYaTM2_b9u9Emeaz9U39ucpGiCO7bVxyazWs9w2o_gA2w5sEopTern7Se/s400/Gerald+Henderson+Dunks+On+Carmelo+Anthony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAs0anCs7Y5FzJ3JAvY71cS5bb1eC-OxoN6y1O_MRcup97PbOBFfb4c2MS_XJ_xTg-uDrIBPQifEh3Fj0PmOyYaTM2_b9u9Emeaz9U39ucpGiCO7bVxyazWs9w2o_gA2w5sEopTern7Se/s320/Gerald+Henderson+Dunks+On+Carmelo+Anthony.jpg" width="212" /></a>Charlotte shooting guard Gerald Henderson and the Bobcats have agreed to a three-year, $18 million contract, said a person familiar with the situation.<br />
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The person says Henderson, 25, has the option to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2014-15 season. The person spoke to The Associated Press Saturday on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been signed.<br />
Henderson, a four-year NBA veteran, was a restricted free agent. Yahoo Sports first reported the deal.<br />
The 12th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by the Bobcats, Henderson averaged 15.5 points per game last season, second best on the team.<br />
Henderson finished the 2012-13 season playing the best basketball of his professional career, averaging 23.9 points over the final 23 games while shooting 48 percent from the field.<br />
Henderson is the Bobcats' longest tenured player on the roster.<br />
The Bobcats view Henderson as one of their core players, along with fellow co-captain Kemba Walker, Bismack Biyombo, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and rookie Cody Zeller, the No. 4 pick in this year's draft.<br />
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Henderson has started 143 games over the past three seasons and averaged 11.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game during his career. He's averaged better than 15 points per game in each of the last two seasons.<br />
Still, the Bobcats would like to see his 3-point shooting continue to improve.<br />
In 2011-12, Henderson shot just 23 percent from beyond the arc. He showed considerable progress in that area last year, converting 33 percent of his 3-point attempts.<br />
The move likely precludes the Bobcats from signing any other high-profile free agents this summer.<br />
The team earlier this offseason signed free agent center Al Jefferson to a three-year, $41 million contract after using the amnesty clause to release forward Tyrus Thomas. It was the largest free agent contract the Bobcats have ever handed out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/26/lakers-nash-inter-tryout.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts" style="background-color: white;"><b>STEVE NASH TRYING OUT FOR INTER MILAN FOOTBALL TEAM</b></a><br />
<a href="http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/143/files/2013/01/6940450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/143/files/2013/01/6940450.jpg" width="219" /></a>Steve Nash believes Kobe Bryant is ahead of schedule in his recovery from Achilles' surgery, is hopeful that the Los Angeles Lakers will finally find the chemistry they lacked a year ago and is finding himself fueled by the memories of an injury-filled season.<br />
On Tuesday, however, basketball won't be his sport of choice.<br />
The two-time NBA MVP gets to become a soccer player again -- if only briefly.<br />
The Lakers guard who grew up playing soccer and still has deep ties within the sport will have a tryout of sorts with Inter Milan, before the storied team opens play in the Guinness International Champions Cup tournament that's coming to the U.S. next week. The tournament features eight club teams from around the world, with a winner to be crowned in Miami Gardens, Fla. on Aug. 7.<br />
"It's a dream come true to get a chance to try out, not just to try out but to take the field with Inter Milan, one of the great, storied franchises in professional sports," Nash said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I feel like a little kid."<br />
Tournament officials said the tryout will take place in New Jersey, two days before Inter Milan opens its portion of the Guinness event in Indianapolis against Chelsea. And Nash expects to be feeling a fairly ramped-up level of nervousness when he laces up his cleats for that training session.<br />
"It's going to be a lot higher than it is playing basketball, for sure," Nash said. "I still get nervous for basketball games from time to time. When I get out on the court, I don't get nervous, but before. To go out there with guys that I look up to and watch play, it's definitely going to raise the nerves. I'll be really nervous and really excited."<br />
The tournament begins Saturday when AC Milan visits Valencia. Juventus and Everton meet Wednesday in another first-round game, with the other opening matchups being the Inter-Chelsea game and Real Madrid taking on the L.A. Galaxy on Thursday.<br />
The European clubs are primarily using the event as preseason training and the matches will allow for many more substitutions than normal, as is common with exhibition matches.<br />
"Guinness has kind of taken it to another level by making a tournament out of it," Nash said. "There's stakes involved. For Guinness to bring seven of the world's biggest clubs over and play with the Galaxy, that's phenomenal exposure for the game and it'll help grow the game in North America."<br />
Nash played soccer and hockey as a child before starting his basketball career as an eighth-grader, primarily because most of his friends at the time were spending more time taking corner jumpers than corner kicks. His father, John, played professional soccer in South Africa and England, and Nash remains an avid soccer fan and is part of the ownership group for the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer.<br />
As far as his "real job" goes, Nash said he's encouraged for the coming NBA season. He's working his way back to being 100 percent physically. His first season with the Lakers was an injury-filled one, where he was limited to 50 games because of a broken left leg and a strained right hamstring.<br />
"I've had a really good summer of training and rehabilitating," Nash said. "I'm not 100 percent, but I'm pretty close. Good enough to go out there Tuesday. I'm thrilled I've had this time to build myself back up, and I believe I'll have a great year."<br />
Last season was a struggle for the Lakers, and the offseason hasn't exactly been tranquil, either. Dwight Howard left Los Angeles for Houston, Bryant has been working his way through rehabilitation for his Achilles', and the Lakers added new pieces like Chris Kaman, Nick Young and Wesley Johnson.<br />
"We're all just excited for another opportunity," Nash said. "We've got some terrific players coming off of difficult seasons. I know Pau Gasol after his injuries, Kobe's coming off a difficult injury, I was injured for the better part of the season. The three of us are eager to get back out there and there's other guys, Jordan Hill, Steve Blake, who missed a lot of time last year.<br />
"We're excited to see what we can make of ourselves. We really are going to try for the second consecutive year to find chemistry and identity, but we're excited for it, so we'll see."<br />
Nash said he isn't letting go of the bad memories from last season, using them instead as motivation for the coming year. And when the new season starts, he said he wouldn't be at all surprised to see Bryant - who tore his Achilles' tendon in April - not just ready, but raring to go.<br />
"I don't think he'd have it any other way," Nash said. "I know he's very focused and determined and he plans to come back as strong as ever, probably in record time."<br />
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bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-34996648494255781332013-06-23T16:44:00.002+08:002013-06-23T16:44:31.327+08:00Marquez sets condition on Pacquiao fight<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/06/22/13/marquez-sets-condition-5th-pacquiao-fight">Source : ABS CBN sports</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yx13IaeG2sMa-VUTUHJJ7ohdfBDKfojBEOidIG4ERWAhNHfs4NInGV4-l21oWhXsy25S2XdGvGy6W1HHK-_puovXGhh5BbmFcTh6irLLM_nS6Bik4Pwt2mfSENg0j09J7CdRkbx2nrhA/s320/manny-pacquiao-v-juan-manuel-20111112-220640-890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yx13IaeG2sMa-VUTUHJJ7ohdfBDKfojBEOidIG4ERWAhNHfs4NInGV4-l21oWhXsy25S2XdGvGy6W1HHK-_puovXGhh5BbmFcTh6irLLM_nS6Bik4Pwt2mfSENg0j09J7CdRkbx2nrhA/s320/manny-pacquiao-v-juan-manuel-20111112-220640-890.jpg" /></a>MANILA, Philippines – Contrary to his earlier statements, Juan Manuel Marquez said he’d consider fighting Manny Pacquiao again.<br />
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But Marquez will only approve a fifth clash on one condition: that it will be staged in Mexico.<br />
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“We offered that to Team Pacquiao and they rejected it,” Marquez claimed in Lance Pugmire’sLA Times report.<br />
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Following his sixth-round knockout win against Pacquiao last December, Marquez was adamant in fighting the Filipino boxer again.<br />
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He claimed that he had enough of Pacquiao after four fights and that he wanted to savor his victory over his nemesis.<br />
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But the Mexican revealed during the Beverly Hills stop of the Timothy Bradley fight press tour that he’d change his mind if Pacquiao’s camp gives into his demand.<br />
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“If the Pacquiao team tells me they want to fight in Mexico, yes, I will fight him.”<br />
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Pacquiao’s business adviser Michael Koncz earlier said that they have offered Marquez $13 million for the fifth bout.<br />
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The amount could have been Marquez’s biggest fight purse in his 20-year boxing career.<br />
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The Mexican, however, turned his back on the offer and chose to challenge Bradley for the WBO welterweight crown.<br />
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Marquez even said no amount of money will replace his knockout victory over Pacquiao.<br />
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"We know that [Pacquiao’s] offer will be tempting, but it isn't worth more than the feeling, what was lived, what was acquired after that knockout," Marquez said.<br />
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"That's worth more than several million dollars. I would rather retire with this feeling than take a risk in whatever happens with Pacquiao [such as another controversial decision]."bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-45660801394127637572013-06-23T16:42:00.001+08:002013-06-23T16:42:43.757+08:00FIBA Asia 2013 : Chot Reyes to fans : Laban Pilipinas! Puso!<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://manila2013.fibaasia.net/TournamentNewsDetails.aspx?id=3469">Source : FIBA Asia</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.fibaasia.net/UserFiles/FNA2013621202921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.fibaasia.net/UserFiles/FNA2013621202921.JPG" width="254" /></a>MANILA, Philippines (27th FIBA Asia Championship): There are few positions in international sport which are as unenviable as that of the coach of the Philippine National Team. In a country here passion for basketball rides high on emotion, nothing short of victory in every game the team plays satisfies the Filipinos.<br />
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The team, preparing for the 27th FIBA Asia Championship to be played in Manila from Aug 1-11, is back at home having had a successful learning trip to Lithuania with an impressive 5-2 record, but coach Chot Reyes shrugged off the results.<br />
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Reyes, a multiple title winner in the PBA, even went on to say: “Honestly I would have preferred us to lose more games. The teams we played were in off season form and did not have their American imports with them.”<br />
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But that didn’t mean there were no gains from the tour to Lithuania which tipped off what Reyes called “the 61-day countdown”.<br />
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“The most important gain was that it was the first time we assembled as a complete team. We were having only once a week practice before this period due to the PBA, and Lithuania marked the start of our training as one team,” the 50-year-old who will return to the hot seat in a FIBA Asia Championship after six years.<br />
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Under Reyes, the Philippines – then just back from a FIBA suspension – finished 9th at the 24th FIBA Asia Championship at Tokushima in 2007. Four years later, Reyes was an assistant to the venerable Rajko Toroman at the 26th FIBA Asia Championship at Wuhan (China) in 2011, where Philippines ended a 24-year semifinal drought and finished fourth losing to Korea in the bronze medal play-off by a whisker.<br />
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Most recently, Reyes was the coach of the team which finished fourth at the 4th FIBA Asia Cup at Tokyo (Japan) last September.<br />
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Reyes was candid and analytical in looking at the issues that face the team.<br />
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“Unfamiliarity with each other, and with the FIBA rules on traveling and foul interpretations is a major challenge we are fighting to overcome,” he said.<br />
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“While we have veteran players, we are very young as a team. A preparation of only two months may not be match against the years together of our opponents,” he went on.<br />
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“And as always with Philippine teams, lack of size is a challenge.”<br />
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Reyes has chosen to playing his cards very close to his chest and was reluctant to share the game details during the tour to Lithuanian.<br />
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“There was nothing much to share,” he explained.<br />
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“And we want to keep our team preparations to be as close to our team circle as possible. We are wary of all teams in August,” he added.<br />
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Philippines as host of the 27th FIBA Asia Championship had the option to choose the group they will play in the Prelim Round after each of the four groups had been filled with three teams each. Reyes, who was away in Lithuania during the Draw Ceremony at Manila on June 6 relayed his choice to his assistant Norman Black opting to play in Group A. That surely was much against the popular perception that Philippines would choose Group D.<br />
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“We have our reasons (for choosing Group A). I would rather not answer this question, except to say that we carefully considered all options,” Reyes said defending his choice.bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-28590310117996357352013-06-23T16:40:00.002+08:002013-06-23T16:40:37.276+08:00In case you missed : Heat repeat as NBA Champions<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba-miami-beat-san-antonio-win-nba-championship-035401410.html">Source : NBA on Yahoo Sports</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/heat/sites/heat/files/imagecache/image_gallery_default/content/images-gallery/2013/06/hpg1213_group02_sas_130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.nba.com/heat/sites/heat/files/imagecache/image_gallery_default/content/images-gallery/2013/06/hpg1213_group02_sas_130620.jpg" width="320" /></a>MIAMI, June 20 (Reuters) - The Miami Heat won their second straight National Basketball Association (NBA) title on Thursday with a 95-88 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the decisive seventh game of an epic series.<br />
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Miami's LeBron James, the sport's biggest star playing at the peak of his powers, had a game-high 37 points and pulled in 12 rebounds in a dominant performance while Dwyane Wade had 23 points.<br />
"To be able to come on to our floor and do it, it's the ultimate," James, who delivered the perfect answer to those who doubted his killer instinct in the big games, said during an on-court interview.<br />
"I can't worry about what everybody says about me. I am LeBron James from Akron, Ohio, from the inner city, I'm not even supposed to be here. I'm blessed."<br />
James, named most valuable player of the Finals, shot 12-of-23 from the floor, including 5-of-10 three-pointers to lead Miami to their third NBA title and his second just two nights after the Heat's championship defence almost ended abruptly.<br />
San Antonio, chasing a fifth NBA title, were just seconds away from clinching the championship on Tuesday before Miami staged an extraordinary comeback to win in overtime and force a decisive seventh game.<br />
James, a four-times league MVP, sealed the victory with a jump shot with 27.9 seconds left, pumping his fist as the home crowd hailed their hero.<br />
NBA Commissioner David Stern described the series as a "championship for the ages" which had "captivated a global audience" and there were generous words from the Heat for a Spurs team who pushed Miami all the way.<br />
"It's no fun to lose, but we lost to a better team," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. "And you can live with that as long as you've given your best. And I think we have."<br />
FRENZY OF EXCITEMENT<br />
The visitors made a great start, opening up a seven-point cushion in the first quarter and by three points late in the third quarter but came up just short.<br />
Tim Duncan had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs while Kawhi Leonard had 19 points in the winner-take-all clash that had whipped basketball fans into a frenzy of excitement during a wildly fluctuating series full of escalating drama.<br />
Courtside tickets for Thursday's game were selling on the secondary market for up to $30,000 and the game lived up to the hype with both teams fiercely contesting every possession.<br />
Miami made yet another slow start and trailed by seven points less than five minutes into the game, a sloppy pass from James allowing Duncan an easy dunk.<br />
A trademark turnaround jumper from Wade indicated the veteran from the Heat's 2006 title-winning team was in an aggressive mood and the introduction of Chris Andersen into the game injected some more energy into the Heat.<br />
A pair of three pointers from Shane Battier brought roars from the crowd as Miami built an 18-16 lead by the end of the opening quarter.<br />
James sat for the opening three minutes of the second quarter and the Spurs kept close. With just under seven minutes left in the half, the teams were tied at 27-27.<br />
SPURS KEPT CLOSE<br />
The brief rest paid off as James quickly gave Miami a six-point lead - he was fouled while scoring, putting away the free throw and then followed up with a three-pointer from deep.<br />
But while the Heat were moving the ball well, typically, San Antonio kept close, helped by a huge three pointer from Gary Neal before a Duncan lay-up leveled the game at 40-40 with 1:55 left in the half.<br />
Wade ended a fine first half performance with a fall-away jump shot to give the Heat a 46-44 lead at the break after scoring 14 points on 7-12 shooting and grabbing six rebounds.<br />
James drained his third three-pointer early in the third quarter but two jumpers from the an impressive Kawhi Leonard, who had grabbed 10 first-half rebounds, ensured the Spurs kept with the pace.<br />
Danny Green, who had been struggling with his shooting, sank a three-pointer to put San Antonio briefly a point ahead with 5:27 left in the third but James responded with two long rangers of his own, his five three-pointers a personal best in an NBA Finals game.<br />
The Spurs led by two but Mario Chalmers beat the buzzer at the end of the third with a 30-footer to take Miami into the final quarter of the season with a 72-71 lead.<br />
A Battier three gave the Heat an early four-point cushion and a Wade basket extended the lead to six with 7:14 remaining.<br />
But San Antonio again responded and when Leonard drained a three-pointer it was a two-point game with two minutes left.<br />
Chalmers missed two free throws but with 27 seconds left James delivered the killer blow with a vital jump shot and then made sure of victory when he snatched a Manu Ginobili pass, was fouled and put away both his free throws.<br />
Wade added another from the free throw line before the home crowd erupted in celebration.<br />
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<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/obama-calls-miami-heat-coach-223429022--nba.html">Obama calls Spoelstra</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVdCX0lkvbba6RbhFGSqehwUKGCm0h5F64LBIQAokPh2k5a3OYK_71afudYJIgKxtKLkNtKs_NOGIXRc1eO5QXLMh14FEyREXaTVmvt8aQzunkoDTr47IWNO2NAR0W43MMbPo1FxpbhhT/s1600/940-obama-spoelstra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVdCX0lkvbba6RbhFGSqehwUKGCm0h5F64LBIQAokPh2k5a3OYK_71afudYJIgKxtKLkNtKs_NOGIXRc1eO5QXLMh14FEyREXaTVmvt8aQzunkoDTr47IWNO2NAR0W43MMbPo1FxpbhhT/s320/940-obama-spoelstra.jpg" width="320" /></a>WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House says President Barack Obama has congratulated the Miami Heat's head coach on winning the NBA championship the second year in a row.<br />
Obama called Coach Erik Spoelstra on Friday afternoon. The White House says Obama pointed out the team's relentless determination and noted it was a historic season for the team and for its MVP, LeBron James.<br />
The White House says Obama told the coach that he'll have the team to the White House to congratulate them in person on their victory.<br />
Miami won its third NBA championship Thursday night, topping the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 in Game 7 of the finals.<br />
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<br />bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-80271548870750316412013-06-08T15:25:00.001+08:002013-06-08T15:25:37.648+08:00Brandon Rios starts conditioning for Pacquiao fight<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/underdog-brandon-rios-starts-conditioning-for-manny-pacquiao-fight-in-november">Source : AKTV</a><br />
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Brandon Rios is not leaving any stone unturned in his quest to deal Manny Pacquiao his third straight loss that could lead to the Filipino’s retirement.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The Pacquiao-Rios showdown is more than five months away but the Mexican-American has been sweating it out the past few weeks, making sure he doesn’t get out of shape as he prepares to report for training camp.<br />
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Pacquiao and Rios are set to slug it out on Nov. 24 at The Venetian in Macau.<br />
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During a break in his training session in Oxnard, California, Rios oozed with confidence over the Pacquiao duel, assuring fight fans of an action-packed bout.<br />
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“It’s going to be a war out there,” said Rios, who will receive more than $3 million for the bout.<br />
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While Rios is in a semi-training mode, Pacquiao hasn’t really done a similar thing since he doesn’t do anything heavy this early.<br />
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But Pacquiao regularly works out a sweat by playing hoops, according to his adviser Mike Koncz.<br />
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Based on the latest odds, Pacquiao is a solid betting favorite.<br />
A check with a well-known betting site reveal that Pacquiao is a -500 favorite (a $500 bet on Pacquiao wins $100), while Rios is a +350 underdog (a $100 wager on Rios wins $350).<br />
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Rios is unperturbed wit the odds, saying he is out to shock the world come fight at the CotaiArena, which can accommodate 15,000.bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-52591209493853426232013-06-08T15:23:00.001+08:002013-06-08T15:23:06.352+08:00FIBA Asia 2013 : Draw lottery results<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/philippines-grouped-with-chinese-taipei-jordan-saudi-arabia-in-fiba-asia-championship">Source : AKTV</a><br />
<a href="http://cms.interaksyon.com/interaktv/assets/2013/04/fiba-asia-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cms.interaksyon.com/interaktv/assets/2013/04/fiba-asia-logo.jpg" width="167" /></a>With its privilege to choose its group as host of the 2013 FIBA Asia Champion, the Philippines on Thursday wisely avoided a tough group and was bracketed along with Chinese Taipei, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia in the preliminary round of the tournament.<br />
<a name='more'></a>The country chose to be in Group A after a consultation with SMART-Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes, who monitored the proceedings from Lithuania.<br />
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Group C, composed of defending champion China, two-time tournament winner Iran, and perennial contender South Korea along with the second qualifier from Southeast Asia, figures to be the “Group of Death”.<br />
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The Philippines’ grouping choice means a good finish in the first two rounds of the tournament would allow the team to avoid the powerhouse teams from that group until the knockout stages of the tournament.<br />
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The preliminary grouping also gives Gilas an early meeting with Chinese Taipei amid tension between Taiwan and the Philippines. Organizers of the William Jones Cup in Taiwan withdrew its invitation for Gilas last month, leading to furor among Filipino basketball fans.<br />
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The top three teams from each group move into the second round of competition, where it will play a crossover round with the other qualifiers from the adjacent group. The top four teams from each combined group in the second round will then move into the knockout quarterfinal rounds.<br />
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Below are the full results of Thursday’s draw.<br />
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<br />bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-48335449810901858972013-06-08T15:19:00.000+08:002013-06-08T15:19:34.207+08:00Grant Hill, Jason Kidd retires<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9332928/grant-hill-retires-nba-19-seasons">Source : ESPN</a><br />
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LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Clippers forward Grant Hill announced his retirement Saturday after a 19-year career in NBA.<br />
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Hill made the announcement on TNT before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers.<br />
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"I'm glad to say I'm done," Hill said. "I'm officially retired, moving on from playing. I had a great run. I'm announcing it now. ... I've been hinting at it the last few years. You get to a point where you just don't want to do it anymore but I've enjoyed it. I've loved it."<br />
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Hill, 40, signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Clippers last year but had alluded several times at the end of this season that he would retire over the summer.<br />
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Hill only played in 29 games this season for the Clippers while battling various injuries, his fewest since 2006, and only saw action in the Clippers' last playoff game, a 118-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 of the first round. Hill never had averaged fewer than 28 minutes and 10 points per game during his career but only averaged 15.1 minutes and 3.2 points per game off the bench for the Clippers.<br />
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"The entire Clippers organization wants to congratulate Grant on an incredible career," Clippers vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks said. "For 19 years, Grant has always been the embodiment of class, a true professional and not only one of the best players -- but one of the finest individuals I have been around. We were fortunate to have Grant with us last season, and we wish him all the best in his next endeavor."<br />
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Hill's career was derailed and almost ended because of ankle injuries that allowed him to only play in 47 games with the Orlando Magic over four seasons from 2000-04. He only played in four games in 2000-01 and missed the 2003-04 season.<br />
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Hill was one of the best basketball players in the world in the late 1990s after winning two national championships at Duke, an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 1996 Olympics and earning five All-NBA honors and the 1994-95 Co-Rookie of the Year Award.<br />
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Injuries, however, prevented Hill from reaching his full potential in the NBA, although he was able to play in at least 80 games in three of his five seasons with the Phoenix Suns, where he played in the Western Conference Finals in 2010, his most successful playoff run.<br />
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Hill finishes his career with averages of 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals in 33.9 minutes per game. Hill played in 1,026 total NBA games (972 starts) and connected on 48.3 percent of his field goals, 31.4 percent from behind the 3-point line and 76 percent of his free throws over his career.<br />
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<a href="http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/9337625/jason-kidd-new-york-knicks-retiring-19-nba-seasons">JASON KIDD FOLLOWS</a><br />
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Jason Kidd announced his retirement Monday after 19 seasons as one of the best passing and rebounding point guards in NBA history.<br />
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The thought of retirement first began to creep into the New York Knicks point guard's mind around the All-Star break. But he didn't think seriously about it until recently. Over the weekend at a wedding in Georgia he made the decision.<br />
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"I think it is the right time," Kidd told ESPNNewYork.com. "When you think about 19 years, it has been a heckuva ride. Physically, I want to be able to participate in activities with my kids so it has taken a toll. It is time to move on and think about maybe coaching or doing some broadcasting.<br />
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"Jeff [Schwartz] and I and my family had been talking this past weekend," Kidd added of his agent. "We talked a lot and we felt it was the right time to move on and so we notified the Knicks. They were kind of taken aback. We told them [earlier] that I wanted to come back and play. But this weekend was when we got a chance to relax [and really think about it]. It is the right thing to do."<br />
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Kidd, 40, leaves the game as a sure-fire Hall of Fame point guard. The 10-time All-Star led the NBA in assists five times and finished second all-time in assists and steals behind John Stockton.<br />
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Kidd, who had two years remaining on his contract at just more than $3 million per year, leaves with a legacy that includes an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks and two Olympic gold medals with Team USA.<br />
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"The two things that are probably tied for first are winning a championship with the Mavericks and also being able to win a gold medal -- two gold medals with Team USA," Kidd said of what he's most proud of in his career. "And then underneath that will probably be sharing Rookie of the Year with Grant [Hill]." <br />
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Hill, also 40, announced his retirement on Saturday.<br />
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During his prime, the versatile Kidd was like an instant fast break due to his uncanny court vision, instincts and ability to rebound. The 6-foot-4 Oakland, Calif., native, who was one of the most hyped high school prospects of his generation, had more triple-doubles (107) than anyone outside of Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson. <br />
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Kidd averaged 12.6 points, 8.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 1,391 regular-season games. He took great pride in his ability to make teammates better and his knack for turning teams around. <br />
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"The biggest thing is winning," Kidd said of what he wants to be remembered for. "No matter what percentage, no matter what my numbers say in the sense of points, assists, rebounds and steals, it's always been about winning. And it will always be about winning … making my teammates better." <br />
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The second overall pick out of California in the 1994 draft entered the league as part of the "Three J's" with Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn in Dallas. Kidd sparked the Mavericks to a 36-win season -- a 23-game improvement from the season before -- to earn co-Rookie of the Year honors with Hill.<br />
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After being dealt to the Suns two and a half seasons later, Kidd led the team to a 16-game improvement in his first full season in Phoenix in 1997-98.<br />
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And then after being traded to New Jersey in 2001, Kidd transformed the Nets into instant contenders. With Kidd playing at an MVP level, the Nets won 52 games -- a 26-game leap from the season before. It was the Nets' first 50-win season in their NBA history. Kidd also lifted the franchise to the first of two consecutive NBA Finals appearances.<br />
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"What we accomplished in New Jersey with the Nets, from the bottom and being able to get to the Finals, back to back, that was really special," Kidd said.<br />
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After losing to Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan in back-to-back NBA Finals, Kidd finally got his coveted championship ring as a Maverick. Teaming up with Dirk Nowitzki, Kidd topped LeBron James and the Heat in six games in 2010-11. In his 19th and final season, Kidd signed with the Knicks and helped them win 54 games, an 18-game improvement from the season before. It was the franchise's first 50-win season since 1999-2000.<br />
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The Knicks, though, were eliminated in the second round by Indiana in six games. Kidd struggled in the postseason, failing to make a basket in his last 10 playoff games.<br />
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Kidd said his struggles at the end did not factor heavily into his decision to retire.<br />
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"Everybody will probably say that [it did]," Kidd said. "But I didn't come into the league as a shooter or scorer and I guess I won't be leaving as one. I just tried to play the game the right way. As you get older, Father Time is undefeated. The ball just wouldn't go in for me at the end. I thought I had a great season."<br />
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The Knicks will now have to find a backup guard to replace Kidd either through the draft with the 24th overall pick or free agency.<br />
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"They got a good group of guys," Kidd said of the Knicks' prospects for next season. "Most people felt that was an old team but we knew that the core of the team -- Melo [Carmelo Anthony], Tyson [Chandler] and J.R. [Smith] -- they are young.<br />
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"We had some success so I think they are sitting in a good spot and [general manager] Glen Grunwald and [owner James] Dolan and [coach Mike] Woodson are figuring out the pieces that can help them be a championship-type team."<br />
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"Jason's value to the Knicks and the National Basketball Association cannot be quantified by statistics alone," Grunwald said in a statement. "Everyone here in New York saw firsthand what a tremendous competitor he is and why Jason is considered to be one of the best point guards, and leaders, the game has ever seen."<br />
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Woodson said in the statement that Kidd "provided an incredible voice inside our locker room and I considered it an honor to say I coached him."<br />
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Kidd was often a centerpiece for a contending team. He retires after making the playoffs in 17 consecutive seasons. He finished with a playoff average of 12.9 points, 8.0 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 158 career postseason games.<br />
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"It's a grind," Kidd said of playing all these years. "Physically, I feel good. Mentally, I might be just a little tired because of the grind. And once if your mind is not into it 100 percent, then you are not going to be successful and bad things can happen with the sense of injuries. I don't want to go down that road. It is time for me to look forward to doing something new."bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-1666624974440116012013-05-18T14:02:00.001+08:002013-05-18T14:02:44.877+08:00Azkals vs. Kyrgyzstan on June 8th<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://sports.inquirer.net/100561/azkals-test-kyrgyzstan-booters-in-friendly">Source : Inquirer Sports</a><br />
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THE PHILIPPINES will face fellow AFC Challenge Cup final round qualifier Kyrgyzstan in an international friendly in Bishkek on June 8.<br />
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Philippine Football Federation general secretary Ed Gastanes confirmed the development to the Inquirer, even as the PFF is also close to sealing an agreement to play against Tajikistan on June 11.<br />
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Gastanes said the match with Tajikistan is also ideal as the country is just south of Kyrgyzstan and the national team would not need longer travel time between the two former Soviet Union states.<br />
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The Azkals are squaring off with Hong Kong on June 4 at Mongkok Stadium and team manager Dan Palami is already looking forward to gaining plenty of experience in their matches which he said will come in handy when the Filipinos vie for an Asian Cup slot in the Challenge Cup in Maldives next year.<br />
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Because the matches fall on international match dates, the Azkals will have the full compliment of players, including Europe-based stars Stephan Schrock, Neil Etheridge, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara as well as Javier Patino who is currently making waves in the Thai Premier League.<br />
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National team coach Michael Weiss said the Central Asians are just the kind of opponents the Azkals need in preparation for the Challenge Cup next year.<br />
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“They are a big, physical and strong team with a lot of experience at a good level of football in Asia and we saw it in the Presidents Cup,” said Weiss. “Our team really needs matches like this to develop.”bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-53181547476506905052013-05-18T13:57:00.001+08:002013-05-18T13:57:26.322+08:00In case you missed : Kings staying in Sacramento<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.alumni.ucdavis.edu/s/787/images/editor/Sacramento-Kings.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.alumni.ucdavis.edu/s/787/images/editor/Sacramento-Kings.gif" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/15/kings-stay-in-sacramento.ap/index.html">Source : NBA.com</a><br />
DALLAS (AP) -- The Kings are staying in Sacramento, and Seattle will have to wait for another NBA franchise.<br />
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As for the ownership question that has kept the Kings in limbo for years, Commission David Stern wants it settled now.<br />
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League owners voted Wednesday to follow the recommendation of their relocation committee and reject an aggressive bid to move the Kings, and Stern promptly announced that he hoped to have a deal in place in 48 hours with a group that wants to buy the team from the Maloof brothers.<br />
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"And now we think that because the Maloofs have overall been very good for Sacramento and the Kings and the NBA, that they will be motivated to do something fast so that the franchise can get cracking," Stern said.<br />
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The 22-8 vote by the Board of Governors rejected a deal that would have sold a 65 percent controlling interest at a total franchise valuation of $625 million to a Seattle group led by investor Chris Hansen, who boosted the offer twice after the NBA showed an unwillingness to relocate.<br />
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Now the Maloofs will try to complete a deal at $525 million - still topping the NBA record of $450 million - with a group put together by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former All-Star guard, and fronted by TIBCO software chairman Vivek Ranadive. The plan includes a new downtown arena.<br />
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"The committee decided - didn't have any preconceived notions - but looking at both evenly they said that the edge went to the incumbent, so that's the way it came out," Stern said.<br />
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The vote ended an emotional saga that has dragged on for nearly three years. Hansen had hoped to move the franchise and rename it the SuperSonics, who were moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and renamed the Thunder.<br />
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Stern praised Hansen's proposal and said the NBA might consider expansion once a new TV deal is in place, but said "we don't have anything concrete."<br />
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"Our day will come, and when it does, it will just be that much sweeter for the struggle," Hansen said.<br />
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It's the second time since 2011 that the Maloof brothers have made plans that would have ended in relocation for the Kings. The first target was Anaheim, Calif., but Johnson convinced the NBA to give the city another chance to finance a new arena.<br />
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Johnson delivered on a promise for a plan for a new downtown arena with help from Stern, but the Maloofs backed out, saying it didn't make financial sense.<br />
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The Maloofs had another surprise when they announced a deal in January with Hansen's group, which includes Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and members of the Nordstrom department store family.<br />
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Johnson fought back again, this time lining up an ownership group led Ranadive and getting the Sacramento City Council to approve a non-binding financing plan for a $447 million arena with a $258 million public subsidy.<br />
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The potential Sacramento ownership group also includes 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov, former Facebook senior executive Chris Kelly and the Jacobs family that owns communications giant Qualcomm.<br />
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Seattle has been without an NBA franchise since the SuperSonics moved. Led by star Kevin Durant, the Thunder have made the playoffs four straight seasons, reached the Western Conference finals in 2011 and lost to Miami in last year's NBA finals.<br />
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Hansen spent nearly two years working to get an arena plan approved by the city and county governments and spent more than $65 million buying land in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood where the arena would be built. Hansen has a five-year memorandum of understanding with the city and county on the arena plan.<br />
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A small crowd at a Seattle restaurant was subdued as word spread that the team was staying put, while horns blared and cheers erupted from bars in Sacramento.<br />
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"In Kevin Johnson we trust," said season ticket holder Jim Amen, who wore the jersey of No. 16 Peja Stojakovic, the Kings' first-round draft pick in 1996. "This meant a lot to our city. It's not just about basketball, but about revitalizing our downtown."<br />
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<br />bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-4516106916032032422013-05-09T17:37:00.000+08:002013-05-09T17:37:06.956+08:00In case you missed : Pacquiao vs. Rios on November<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/boxing-pacquiao-returns-ring-rios-macau-044433498.html">Source : Yahoo Sports</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8NLyO71Z8NZrjQIE-AcNSLQKVU-4udB9iiy1g7J0DnSvk3N9cABvcS_j5eXrwihNDkrHuGnDW4WSBZe2syfLcXepEHST0mhO95AGqTvFI1H_M75IhYIax-uiGJBV_ESU5DxhE6QPlJVl/s1600/158016314.0_standard_352.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8NLyO71Z8NZrjQIE-AcNSLQKVU-4udB9iiy1g7J0DnSvk3N9cABvcS_j5eXrwihNDkrHuGnDW4WSBZe2syfLcXepEHST0mhO95AGqTvFI1H_M75IhYIax-uiGJBV_ESU5DxhE6QPlJVl/s320/158016314.0_standard_352.0.jpg" width="320" /></a>May 7 (Reuters) - Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring to fight American Brandon Rios in a 12-round welterweight clash in Macau on Nov. 24, the Filipino's publicist told Reuters on Tuesday.<br />
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It will be Pacquiao's first fight since he was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in December, a defeat that prompted many to suggest the 34-year-old should retire after being left unconscious, face down on the canvas by his Mexican rival.<br />
However, Pacquiao, winner of world titles at eight different weight divisions, has ignored the calls to quit and after the lengthy break will fight at the Cotai Arena in The Venetian Macao-Resort and Hotel, Fred Sternburg said.<br />
It will be a first bout outside the United States since 2006 for Pacquiao 54-5-2 (38 knockouts), who also lost to Timothy Bradley in his only other bout last year.<br />
The back-to-back defeats have seemingly ended all hope of a lucrative clash against undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr.<br />
Rios 31-1-1 (23 knockouts) is also coming off a loss, Mike Alvarado claiming a unanimous points decision in their March contest in Las Vegas.<br />
Pacquiao's trainer Freddy Roach predicted a swift end to the non-title bout.<br />
"Manny is definitely going to get his mojo back with this fight," Roach told ESPN.com.<br />
"I think it'll be an exciting fight but that Manny is going to land ... and knock this guy out somewhere along the way. Rios likes to exchange and his style is not really difficult to figure out, so Manny's gonna hit him."bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-73888852293380204102013-05-09T17:33:00.000+08:002013-05-09T17:33:55.749+08:00Phil. Volcanoes play two crucial matches in the next 2 weeks<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/05/09/940092/volcanoes-play-2-crucial-matches-next-2-weeks">Source : Philippine Star Sports</a><br />
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<a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/7070021159_ef552b3511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/7070021159_ef552b3511.jpg" width="320" /></a>MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Volcanoes play two crucial matches in the next two weeks, hoping to do well as they visit Korea Saturday and on home front against UAE on May 18 to avoid relegation from the HSBC Asia Five Nations (HSBC A5N).<br />
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In partnership with FILA, the Volcanoes are inviting Filipino rugby fans to support them as they tangle with their UAE rivals at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.<br />
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The Volcanoes, made up mostly of Fil-foreign rugby players recruited from around the world, are also gearing up for a first-ever stint in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, Russia next month.<br />
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“This year marks a new era for the Philippine Volcanoes as they bring the Philippine flag to the World Cup. Pride truly burns deep as this athletic feat is a big first for the country – even deeper for Fila Philippines which will accompany the Volcanoes to the prestigious competition as their official sponsor,” said Fila Philippines owner Chris Albert.<br />
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Among the team’s leading players are team captain Michael Letts, Jake Letts, Gareth Holgate, Patrice Olivier, Matt Saunders, Andrew Wolff, Harry Morris, Ben Saunders, Juntine Coveney and Alex Aronson.<br />
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The coming days will see the arrival of veteran forwards Josh Sutcliffe, Phil Abraham, and Michael de Guzman to beef up the team’s injury-depleted forward lineup.<br />
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In a press conference at the Cocoon Boutique Hotel in Quezon City, Letts and his teammates expressed great pride and honor playing for the Philippines.<br />
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“I play for my heritage, and it feels great to be appreciated,” said Coveney, the 27-year-old Fil-Australian inside center.<br />
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“What unites us is the opportunity to play for our heritage,” said Aronson, the 20-year-old Fil-Am fly-half.<br />
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“It’s really a privilege and honor to represent the Philippines. Every time we play, it’s for the Philippines,” said Fil-British Wolff. <br />
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The Volcanoes are out to redeem themselves after a rout in Japan and a humbling defeat versus Hong Kong at the Rizal Football Stadium Saturday.<br />
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Before the loss to Hong Kong, the Volcanoes had a proud record of a perfect home game record in the HSBC Asian Five Nations.<br />
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Next to Japan, the Volcanoes are the most successful team in the Asian Five Nations. Last year, the Phl team stormed into the Top Five with an unbeaten run, besting Chinese Taipei, Singapore and Sri Lanka in a round-robin series.bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-66472582580396182082013-05-04T14:38:00.001+08:002013-05-04T14:38:55.989+08:00Report : Lebron James to be awarded 4th MVP<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://nba.si.com/2013/05/03/lebron-james-mvp-2013-nba-miami-heat/">Source : NBA Sports Illustrated</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/dam/assets/130116235801-lebron-james-single-image-cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/dam/assets/130116235801-lebron-james-single-image-cut.jpg" width="320" /></a>The NBA will announce Sunday that Heat forward LeBron James has been named the 2013 Most Valuable Player, according to multiple reports.<br />
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ESPN.com and the Sun-Sentinel both reported Friday that James will receive the fourth MVP award of his career this weekend.<br />
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Back in April, FoxSportsFlorida.com reported James’ thoughts on possibly becoming one of just five players to win the award at least four times, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Bill Russell (five), Michael Jordan (five) and Wilt Chamberlain (four).<br />
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“Anytime I’m mentioned with the greatest players to play the game or people period, it is a wow factor because I grew up and studied those guys and watched those guys, and a few of those guys were my inspiration growing up,” James said.<br />
James, 28, emerged as the landslide favorite for his second consecutive MVP as he led Miami to a league-best 66-16 record that included a 27-game winning streak. James averaged 26.8 points, 8 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.7 steals and shot a career-high 56.5 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from deep on the season.<br />
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The nine-time All-Star led the league in Player Efficiency Rating for the sixth straight season and finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. James was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month in November, December, January, February and March.<br />
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The Point Forward’s Rob Mahoney laid out the case for James as MVP this season and an SI.com panel unanimously selected him for the award in April. James’ top competition for the award will likely include Thunder forward Kevin Durant, Clippers guard Chris Paul and Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony.<br />
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James previously won the award in 2009 and 2010 with the Cavaliers and in 2012 with the Heat. James beat out Durant, Paul, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Spurs guard Tony Parker for the award last season and was also named 2012 Finals MVP after the Heat beat the Thunder for the first title of his career.<br />bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-67088732866063509202013-05-02T16:46:00.002+08:002013-05-02T16:46:55.496+08:00NBA : Lillard named ROY; coaching changes<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/01/damian-lillard-kia-rookie-of-the-year.ap/index.html">Source : NBA.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://media.syracuse.com/post-standard/photo/2012/12/11946927-standard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media.syracuse.com/post-standard/photo/2012/12/11946927-standard.jpg" width="212" /></a>PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- It's unanimous: Damian Lillard is the NBA's Rookie of the Year.<br />
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No, it never was in question.<br />
Lillard, the sixth overall pick in last June's draft out of Weber State, led all rookies with a 19-point scoring average. He also averaged 6.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds, playing in all 82 games this season.<br />
He broke Stephen Curry's rookie record for 3-pointers in a season, finishing with 185, and became just the third NBA rookie with at least 1,500 points and 500 assists, following Oscar Robertson and Alan Iverson.<br />
And he swept all six of the league's Rookie of the Month awards this season.<br />
"I can't stop smiling," Lillard said when he was awarded the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy on Wednesday.<br />
Lillard is the fourth player in league history to win the Rookie of the Year unanimously, joining Blake Griffin in 2011, David Robinson in 1990 and Ralph Sampson in 1984.<br />
All season Lillard has been winning accolades from across the league.<br />
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"He's fantastic, really fantastic," Kobe Bryant said after the two squared off in a game earlier this month. "A lot of players get hot, but he's got the moves, the patience, intelligence, the balance on his jumpers. He's the real deal."<br />
Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll is also a fan.<br />
"He's a complete player," Carroll said. "He's a young guy but you've got to give him credit, he plays hard and the team really relies on him. He's not afraid to take the big shot. The sky's the limit."<br />
At the ceremony to announce the award at the Rose Garden Arena, the smartly dressed guard spoke about his upbringing in Oakland and how it shaped him as a hard-working player.<br />
He was disappointed when he broke his foot to start his junior season at Weber State, because he had hopes of jumping to the NBA. He redshirted, and came back the next season to earn All-American honors. He was voted the Big Sky's Most Valuable Player.<br />
When he let Weber State know he was going pro, Lillard announced his first goal was to win Rookie of the Year.<br />
"I came out and I proved it up," said the 6-foot-3 guard, who was proclaimed the team's franchise point guard from the start by Blazers general manager Neil Olshey.<br />
"I know that Damian's best days are ahead of him," Olshey said Wednesday. "This is the first step in a bright future."<br />
Lillard is the fourth Blazer to win the Rookie of the Year award, joining Geoff Petrie (1971), Sidney Wicks (1972) and Brandon Roy (2007).<br />
"The thing you love about him more than anything else is he plays with a chip on his shoulder," Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey said: "He's one of those underdogs who went to a small school who is out to prove to everybody he's an NBA player."<br />
Lillard has made a point of being active in the Portland community with an anti-bullying campaign. More than 6,000 fans have signed a pledge to help end bullying as part of his "Respect" program.<br />
"He was never satisfied," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said of Lillard. "He had well-deserved accolades throughout the season. He had milestones throughout the season. He was never satisfied."<br />
Indeed, Lillard was already thinking about what's next.<br />
"I think the best thing for me is to take it all in," he said. "Then tomorrow I've got to let it go. I've got my whole career in front of me."<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/01/boylan-out-as-bucks-coach.ap/index.html"><span style="color: white;">Boylan out as Bucks Head Coach</span></a></b><br />
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<a href="http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/088/205/hi-res-79296790_crop_exact.jpg?w=650&h=440&q=75" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/088/205/hi-res-79296790_crop_exact.jpg?w=650&h=440&q=75" width="320" /></a>ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (AP) -- A trip to the playoffs wasn't enough to save Jim Boylan's job with the Milwaukee Bucks.<br />
The Bucks announced Wednesday that Boylan won't be offered a new contract. Though Milwaukee made the playoffs for the first time in three years under Boylan, the decision was expected after the Bucks lost 12 of their last 16 games, finishing with their third straight losing season and eighth in nine years. The Bucks were then swept by the Miami Heat, losing all four games by double digits.<br />
"At this time we feel it's in the best interest of the organization to seek a new coach to lead our team," general manager John Hammond said in a statement.<br />
A search for a new coach will begin "immediately," Hammond said.<br />
Should Hammond want an established coach, there are several out there including Stan Van Gundy, Byron Scott and Kelvin Sampson, a former Bucks assistant. If Hammond wants an up-and-comer, Golden State assistant Mike Malone could be a possibility.<br />
Boylan, a longtime assistant of Scott Skiles, took over after Skiles and the Bucks parted ways Jan. 8. The Bucks won their first two games under Boylan and eight of his first 11, reaching a season-best five games above .500 on Jan. 29.<br />
But Milwaukee couldn't sustain that success, dropping six of its next seven. Even a trade that brought J.J. Redick to Milwaukee couldn't stabilize the Bucks. After winning six of eight immediately following the trade, Milwaukee would win only six more games the rest of the season.<br />
"It was just funky," guard/forward Mike Dunleavy said earlier this week. "A lot of times, after you make a change, you get off to a hot start. Guys are more engaged for a few weeks and you win some games and go on a nice little streak. And then, after a little bit of time, reality sets in and unless you're going to come and work and get better every day, what we just did was fool's gold. It just didn't stick.<br />
"I've got no issue about getting swept by the Heat, they're a great team. The issue is having to face the Heat," Dunleavy added. "We basically dog-trotted down the stretch from March and April. We should have just never been in the position to have to play the No. 1 seed. Shame on us. That's the disappointing part to the whole season."<br />
Boylan finishes 22-32, including the playoffs.<br />
Boylan, the starting guard on Marquette's 1977 championship team, faced a tough situation from the start. A longtime Skiles' assistant, his philosophy wasn't that different from that of the hard-nosed former coach. And while he made some changes to the lineup, major makeovers to the playbook are impossible midway through the season.<br />
"There just needs to be something fresh," Luc Mbah a Moute said.<br />
On top of that, the Feb. 21 trade that brought Redick, Gustavo Ayon and Ish Smith in gave Milwaukee four guards with the potential to be starters.<br />
"You look at our roster, we don't have any bad guys," Dunleavy said. "(But) guys want to play and have a certain role and do certain things, and there's only so many minutes and only so many roles. You've got to balance that or you're going to have problems."<br />
The tensions were obvious at times.<br />
Redick told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after Game 3 that he hadn't spoken to Boylan during the playoffs. Boylan also had occasional clashes with Brandon Jennings, including benching the former lottery pick during the fourth quarter of Game 4.<br />
"Do I want to be here? I don't know," Jennings, a restricted free agent this summer, said after Game 4. "I can't really answer that right now. We'll know July 1st."<br />
Jennings' status - and that of Redick, Dunleavy and Monta Ellis - make Hammond's choice of a new coach even more critical. Redick and Dunleavy are unrestricted free agents; Dunleavy, who grew up in Milwaukee, has said he'd like to return.<br />
Ellis has an $11 million player option. While that kind of money would be hard to pass up, he could be swayed if another team offers him a multi-year deal.<br />
Jennings and Ellis combined for almost 37 points and 13 assists per game.<br />
"I love my teammates, I love the situation we was in," Ellis said. "We've just got to get better. That's the biggest thing."<br />
The Bucks do have promising young players in Larry Sanders and rookie John Henson. Sanders made huge strides in his third season, more than doubling his scoring average (9.8 points) and grabbing more rebounds (672) than he had in his first two years combined. Henson showed his potential with a monster game April 10 in Orlando, flirting with a triple-double with 25 rebounds, 17 points and seven blocks.<br />
Ilyasova averaged a career-best 13.2 points and seven rebounds last season, while Mbah a Moute has emerged as a standout defender.<br />
"They've got some young guys that have very, very bright futures," Dunleavy said. "You have these assets, you have these guys that can get better, and that's something you can build off of."<br />
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/01/gentry-turner-bobcats-interview/index.html"><span style="color: white;">Bobcats's search for a new coach</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Alvin+Gentry+yPrRFBFxfB1m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Alvin+Gentry+yPrRFBFxfB1m.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Charlotte Bobcats will interview former Suns head coach Alvin Gentry next week for their vacant head coach job, according to league sources. The Bobcats will also interview longtime assistant coach Elston Turner, who was Gentry's assistant in Phoenix before Gentry was fired early this season.</div>
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Gentry, a North Carolina native who played collegiately at Appalachian State, had expressed interest in the Bobcats' job last week. The Bobcats are looking for yet another head coach after firing Mike Dunlap following a single season.</div>
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Gentry's head coaching record is 335-370 (.475). He has been a head coach for Miami, Detroit and the Clippers. In 2010, Gentry's Suns made the Western Conference finals, where they were beaten by the Lakers. But the Suns have fallen off the map in recent seasons, and Gentry was fired midway through this season with a 13-28 record.</div>
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Turner hoped to be considered for the job after Gentry was fired, but he was passed over in favor of the Suns' player development coach, Lindsey Hunter, who coached the rest of the season. The Suns, who also dismissed former general manager Lance Blanks after the season, have already given Hunter permission to interview with Detroit for its vacant head coaching job.</div>
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Turner has spent 15 years as an NBA assistant, mainly working at Sacramento and Houston under Rick Adelman at both spots, before joining Phoenix's staff in 2011. He has interviewed for the head coaching job for several teams, including Chicago (which took Tom Thibodeau instead), but has yet to be hired despite having a reputation as one of the NBA's best defensive coaches.</div>
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bestkepthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12594471982676767285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617642968018385809.post-59308064572812739682013-04-25T19:10:00.001+08:002013-04-25T19:13:14.808+08:00NBA Awards : JR Smith - Sixthman of the Year Marc Gasol - Defensive Player of the Year<script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/04/22/smith-wins-sixth-man-award-release/index.html">Source : NBA.com</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1101/espn_pod_nov6_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1101/espn_pod_nov6_05.jpg" width="320" /></a>NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks' J.R. Smith is the winner of the 2012-13 Kia NBA Sixth Man Award as the league's best player in a reserve role, the NBA announced Monday. Smith, who came off the bench in all 80 games in which he appeared, led all reserves in scoring, averaging 18.1 points. Additionally, Smith contributed 5.3 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.3 spg in 33.5 minutes per game to a Knicks squad that went 54-28 and earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.<br />
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Smith received 484 of a possible 1,084 points, including 72 first-place votes, from a panel of 121 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Jamal Crawford of the Los Angeles Clippers finished second with 352 points (31 first-place votes). Jarrett Jack of the Golden State Warriors finished third with 170 points (14 first-place votes).<br />
In order to be eligible for this award, players had to have come off the bench in more games than they started. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.<br />
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Smith, who led reserves in 30-point (seven) and 20-point games (29), became the first player with four 30-point games off bench in same month (March) since Ricky Pierce had four in November of 1990. He earned Player of the Week honors for games played March 25-31, leading the Knicks to a 4-0 record with averages of 29.8 points (second in the league), 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals. In Smith's 80 games, the Knicks enjoyed a +5.3 score differential with him on the court compared with +1.9 when he was on the bench.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/04/24/grizzlies-marc-gasol-named-kia-defensive-player-of-the-year/index.html"><span style="color: white;"><b>MARC GASOL AWARDED DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR</b></span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/04/24/usp-nba_-playoffs-memphis-grizzlies-at-los-angeles-3_4_r536_c534.jpg?1b79b3da202957124496e3768cfb7b67cdb10c81" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/04/24/usp-nba_-playoffs-memphis-grizzlies-at-los-angeles-3_4_r536_c534.jpg?1b79b3da202957124496e3768cfb7b67cdb10c81" width="241" /></a>NEW YORK -- Memphis' Marc Gasol, who anchored the league's stingiest defense, is the recipient of the 2012-13 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, the NBA announced today. Gasol becomes the first player in Grizzlies history to earn the honor.<br />
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Gasol received 212 of a possible 1,089 points, including 30 first-place votes, from a panel of 121 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Miami's LeBron James (149 points, 18 first-place votes) and Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka (122 points, 14 first-place votes) finished second and third, respectively. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote received.<br />
Gasol, one of only six players to average at least 1.5 blocks (1.7 bpg) and 1.0 steals (1.0 spg), led a Grizzlies defense that allowed a league-low 88.7 ppg during the regular season. According to NBA.com/Stats, Gasol's +5.4 score differential ranked second among NBA centers; additionally, Memphis enjoyed a +7.5 score differential when Gasol was on the court compared with -3.9 when he was on the bench.<br />
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