KANSAS CITY, Mo. Tyler Lockett Womens Jersey . -- Martez Harrison scored 22 points and UMKC held off Drake down the stretch to take a 68-62 win Tuesday night.UMKC knocked down 11 of 27 shots from beyond the arc to hold off the Bulldogs, who battled back from an 11-point halftime deficit.Drake got within four, 54-50, with 5:06 left in the game, but could not close the gap.Harrison connected on 7 of 9 shots from the field and knocked down 3 of his 5 shots from distance. LaVell Boyd added 18 points by knocking down 3 of his 7 attempts from beyond the arc.UMKC bounced back from a season-opening loss to No. 22 Creighton Friday, 89-82.Reed Timmer finished with 15 points to lead Drake (0-2) in its first trip to UMKC and the Bulldogs still lead the series, 5-2. The Bulldogs lost their season opener to South Dakota, 79-74. Marshawn Lynch Jersey . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. Michael Bennett Youth Jersey . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. http://www.seahawksfansofficial.com/shaun-alexander-jersey/ . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants have placed rookie safety Darian Thompson on injured reserve with a foot injury that will require surgery.It was one of four moves the Giants announced Wednesday. Offensive lineman Adam Gettis has been signed off the practice squad with left guard Justin Pugh expected to miss up to a month with a sprained right knee.The team also signed receivers Kevin Norwood and DaRon Brown to their practice squad.A third-round draft pick, Thompson earned a starting job in training camp despite missing two prreseason games with a shoulder injury. 12th Fan Seahawks Jersey. He played in the season opener in Dallas and started the victory against New Orleans the following week, but hurt his foot and never played again.Gettis, a five-year veteran, has spent the entire season on the Giants practice squad. He played in one game for New York last season.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

NEW ORLEANS -- The Orleans Parish district attorney said hell seek 60 years in prison for the man who killed former Saints star Will Smith -- the maximum 40 years for manslaughter, plus another 20 years for attempted manslaughter in the wounding of Smiths wife. Greg Olsen Womens Jersey .We will do our gut-level best to get the judge to impose the maximum sentence of 60 years, Leon Cannizzaro told reporters Monday.Cardell Hayes was found guilty Sunday night. He insisted that he only fired because Smith was drunk and violent and had grabbed a gun following their traffic collision last April.No one else testified Smith held a gun. A loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun was found loaded but unused inside Smiths car.Smith, a 34-year-old father of three, was a defensive leader on the Saints team that lifted spirits in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. He helped lead the team to a winning season in 2006 and a Super Bowl victory four years later.His death in a traffic dispute was shocking, even for a city with a high rate of homicides.Hayes, 29, will be sentenced on Feb. 17. State Judge Camille Buras will have the option of imposing less than the maximum sentences, and could order them served concurrently. But Cannizzaro said the crime warrants maximum sentences, served one after the other.Hayes would have faced a mandatory life sentence had he been found guilty as charged of second-degree murder. Smith wife will press for a harsh sentence when she gives her victim-impact statement before the sentencing, according to a statement from the family.Its very unfortunate that another child will grow up without a father, said Raquel Smiths lawyer, Peter Thomson, referring to Hayes 6-year-old son. But Mr. Hayes, regardless of that, must face the consequences of his actions under our system of laws.Friends and relatives of Hayes, a former semi-pro football player who owns a towing company, left court without commenting Sunday night.Hayes defense said Smiths popularity led to a rush to judgment by police and prosecutors. Assistant District Attorney Laura Rodrigue countered that the defense was trying to smear Smith.A pathologist report showed Smith was legally drunk that night, after spending time at the citys annual French Quarter Festival, a bar and two restaurants. He was driving with his wife and another couple, who were traveling with a group of friends in several cars, when his Mercedes SUV may have lightly bumped Hayes Hummer.Smith then drove off, with Hayes in pursuit. Hayes vehemently denied intentionally ramming the SUV moments later -- he said he was trying to dial 911 to report a hit-and-run and didnt realize how close their cars were.The jury appeared to agree with Hayes on this point, finding him not guilty of aggravated criminal damage to property.Cannizzaro said Monday that Smiths apparent anger and his high blood-alcohol level were likely factors in the jurys decision to hand up a lesser verdict than murder. But he said he was satisfied with the two convictions, each reached on a 10-2 vote of the 12-member jury.Hayes said he armed himself only after he and his own passenger were accosted by Smith and Richard Hernandez, a passenger in Smiths Mercedes.Hayes also testified that Smith didnt notice his .45-caliber handgun until Hernandez alerted him to it. And he said he only fired after Smith went back to his car to grab his own gun.Assistant District Attorney Jason Napoli repeatedly noted that no other witness said Smith was armed, and that Hayes never told investigators he saw a gun in Smiths hands that night.I never gave a full statement to anyone, Hayes responded.Napoli said in closing arguments that Smith was executed as Hayes fired into his body, once in the side and seven times in the back.This young man tried his best, trying to avoid doing what he had to do, defense attorney John Fuller shouted during his thundering closing, which lasted more than 3? hours.Saints coach Sean Payton was in court for the late Sunday verdict. A host of past and present Saints players, including former safety Steve Gleason, current quarterback Drew Brees and former running back Deuce McAllister, also attended the trial. Authentic Carolina Panthers Jerseys . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Kelvin Benjamin Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. http://www.panthersapparelsshop.com/cam-newton-panthers-jersey-c-6/ . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. NBA rookies believe No. 5 overall pick Kris Dunn is in for a big season.In a poll of 38 first-year players conducted by NBA.com, Dunn was voted most likely to win the Rookie of the Year award. Dunn, a guard out of Providence selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves, was also voted by his peers as the best defender and best playmaker in the class.Tom Thibodeau and the T-Wolves would be thrilled if Dunn fulfilled the expectations of his fellow rookies. Minnesota believes Dunn will fit in nicely with a young core that includes Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and?Zach LaVine.No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram was voted as second-most likely to win the Rookie of the Year awaard. Kelvin Benjamin Authentic Jersey. Ingram, selected by the Los Angeles Lakers, received 25.8 percent of the vote, just behind Dunn (29 percent) and No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons of Philadelphia (19.4 percent).Ingram, a 6-9 forward from Duke, was voted as the rookie most likely to have the best career.Rookies were also asked to name their favorite player in the league. Kevin Durant was the runaway winner, receiving 29.7 percent of the vote. Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook were all tied for second. Stephen Curry was outside of the top nine. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

Go to: Starters | ReservesHow will Al Horford, Isaiah Thomas, Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics?do in 2016-17?Here are our player scouting reports and analysis. Joe Pavelski Jersey . Joe Thornton Jersey .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Logan Couture Sharks Jersey . -- Five former Kansas City Chiefs players who were on the team between 1987 and 1993 filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the team hid and even lied about the risks of head injuries during that time period when there was no collective bargaining agreement in place in the NFL. http://www.hockeysharksshop.us/Marc-Edouard-Vlasic-Jersey/ . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired and the Arizona Cardinals escaped with a 23-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.Catanzaro missed twice on game-winning field goal tries earlier in the season, most memorably a 24-yarder in overtime of a 6-6 tie against Seattle.But this attempt was right down the middle as Arizona (4-4-1) narrowly averted a devastating loss.The 49ers (1-8) lost their eighth in a row despite a strong game by Colin Kaepernick, who tied it at 20-20 on a 4-yard run with 1:55 to play.That was enough time for Carson Palmer to gain redemption after three second-half turnovers, the last an interception by Gerald Hodges that led to the tying touchdown.Palmer completed 4 of 7 passes for 64 yards, including a leaping 26-yard grab by Michael Floyd, as the Cardinals drove from their 15 to the San Francisco 16 to set up the winning kick.Against the leagues No. 32-ranked rush defense, the Cardinals David Johnson was held to 55 yards on 19 carries.JJohnson, who accounted for both Arizona touchdowns, finished with 101 yards from scrimmage, thanks to that late drive, his ninth straight game of at least 100 total yards. Tomas Hertl Sharks Jersey. .Kaepernick, returning to the scene of one of the worst games of his career a season ago, completed 17 of 30 passes for 210 yards and ran 10 times for 55 yards.Larry Fitzgerald caught 12 passes for 133 yards and Floyd caught five for 101 yards, his best game of what had been a difficult season.Palmer was 30 of 49 for a season-high 376 yards and a touchdown, but the turnovers were almost his undoing.Arizona, coming off a bye week after a one-sided loss at Carolina, jumped out to a 14-0 lead but couldnt shake the 49ers.The Cardinals led 20-10 at the half, but didnt score in the second half until the game-winning field goal.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

ST. Bryan Little Jets Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Los Angeles Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson will have shoulder surgery to address fraying of the labrum and rotator cuff.The team announced the news during a game Tuesday night at Tampa Bay. Surgery is tentatively scheduled for next week in Los Angeles with Dr. Neal ElAttrache.Angels manager Mike Scioscia said before the game that Wilson was leaning toward having season-ending surgery after getting a second opinion Thursday.As of right now, he hasnt been able to get over the hump, Scioscia said.Wilson has not pitched in a game since having surgery last August to remove bone spurs from his left elbow. He has a career record of 94-70, including 51-35 with Los Angeles.The Angels are also without two other starters, Garrett Richards and Andrew Heaney, who are both out with elbow injuries. Brandon Tanev Jets Jersey Authentic . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Winnipeg Jets T-shirts . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. http://www.hockeyjetsauthority.com/ben-chiarot-jets-jersey-c-30/ . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. The San Antonio Spurs will retire the No. 21 jersey of future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan on Dec. 18, the team announced Wednesday.A veteran of 19 NBA seasons -- all with the Spurs -- Duncan retired in July with five NBA titles, two NBA MVP awards, 15 All--Star appearances and a spot on many lists as the greatest power forward of all time.He also partnered with Gregg Popovich to post the most wins by a player and coach in NBA history, with 1,001.?After drafting Duncan in 1997, the Spurs posted a 1,072-438 regular-season record -- the best 19-year stretch in NBA history and tops in the four major U.S. sports in that period.A four-year star at Wake Forest, Duncan was the No. 1 pick by the Spurs in the 1997 draft. He made an immediate impact, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award and earning All-NBA First-Team honors, the first of 10 selections in his career. He led the Spurs to a championship in his second seasson, in 1998-99, and was named Finals MVP. Michael Hutchinson Jets Jersey Authentic. He would go on to win four more titles, in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014, and he was named Finals MVP twice more, in 2003 and 2005. San Antonio posted a win percentage of at least .600 in 19 straight seasons with Duncan, the longest such run in NBA history.Duncan finishes his career with averages of 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. He ranks 14th all time in points (26,496), sixth in rebounds (15,091) and fifth in blocks (3,020).Duncan made the NBA All‐Defensive First Team eight times. He is only the third player in NBA history to win 1,000 career regular-season games. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Parish are the only players with more career victories.The Associated Press contributed to this report. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

Free-agent point guard Brandon Jennings has agreed to terms to join the New York Knicks, he confirmed on Twitter on Monday. Brian Poole Falcons Jersey .A source told ESPN that the deal is for one year and approximately $5 million. The Jennings signing gives the Knicks a reserve guard to back up starter Derrick Rose.A six-year veteran, Jennings flashed brilliance in Milwaukee before enduring injury-riddled stints with the Pistons and Magic. He suffered a torn left Achilles in January 2015, and in the last half of the 2015-16 season with the Magic, he produced 20 points or more on three occasions, as well as a pair of double-digit assist outings.Prior to suffering the Achilles injury, Jennings played 41 games with the Pistons, averaging 15.4 points and 6.6 assists. The Knicks looked into trading for Jennings prior to the 2016 trade deadline, according to sources, prior to his trade to the Magic.In addition to signing Jennings, the Knicks rescinded their $2.7 million qualifying offer to Langston Galloway on Monday to free up cap space, according to sources.The Knicks also agreed to a four-year deal with free agent Lance Thomas that starts at $6.1 million on Monday. The club will likely use Thomas Early Bird rights to complete the deal, which gives them an opportunity to use remaining cap space on other players.New York has already added center Joakim Noah and shooting guard Courtney Lee in free agency. The club would also like to sign 2015 second-round pick Willy Hernangomez. With Jennings on board, it appears as if the first six players in the clubs rotation for 2016-17 are in place.Information from ESPNs Ian Begley was used in this report. Tevin Coleman Jersey . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Tyson Jackson Jersey . Its the second straight game Bell has scored in extra time for Kelowna, which beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-5 on Friday, and he now has four game-winning goals on the season. http://www.falconsapparelsshop.com/keanu-neal-falcons-jersey-c-22/ .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. MONTREAL -- Golfer Jack Nicklaus stopped by the Canadiens dressing room Tuesday night and delivered a pregame pep talk about being prepared and not trying to do too much.Carey Price responded with more of his usual excellence, and Montreal did just enough to beat the rival Boston Bruins.Price stopped 41 shots, Paul Byron scored with 1:02 left and Montreal beat Boston 3-2.Byron poked in a loose puck after Alexander Radulov passed it into the crease. The goal stood after a video review.Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said he got a call before the game from a friend who said Nicklaus was in town and wanted to visit the Bell Centre.He asked if [Nicklaus] could visit the dressing room, Therrien said. I thought about it, and we came up with the idea of having Jack talk to the players and give them the starting lineup.He was amazing. It took the players a few seconds to realize who he was. It was a nice moment.Shea Weber and Alex Galchenyuk also scored for Montreal, which got its second straight win since a 10-0 defeat in Columbus on Friday night.Colin Miller and David Pastrnak scored for the Bruins, who still had legs in the third period, despite playing a back-to-back after a 4-0 victory Monday night over Buffalo.Rookie Zane McIntyre had 20 saves for Boston.There are always highs and lows to a game, so its about managing the momentum shifts, he said. I think this building does a good job of magnifying that too.The Canadiens were outshot for a fifth straight game, allowing 40 or more in three of them.Were getting into trouble latelyy with the quality of our play with the puck, Therrien said. Steve Bartkowski Falcons Jersey. Its a counterattacking game, and teams try to force the other side into mistakes.We need to win battles for the puck and protect the puck, and thats what were having trouble with right now.Boston had a 14-5 shots edge in the first period and kept up the pressure in the second, but Weber got the first goal on a power play 3:58 into the period. That started a run of three goals in a span of 70 seconds.Andrei Markov slipped the puck to Weber on the left point for a blast inside the post for his fifth goal of the season and fourth with the man advantage.Miller got his first goal of the season at 4:48 when his shot went off the end boards, off Prices stick and in the net.Twenty seconds later, Byron launched a counterattack, and Radulov flipped a pass that Galchenyuk controlled for a backhanded goal, his fifth of the season.Boston tied it 2-2 with 1 second left on a power play at 6:38 of the third, when Pastrnak took a feed from John-Michael Liles and drilled a shot to the top corner from the left circle. It was the seventh power-play goal allowed by Montreal in its past three games.Game notes David Backes and Torey Krug led Boston with six shots on goal each, and Patrice Bergeron had five. Byron and Galchenyuk led Montreal with three each.UP NEXTBruins: Host Columbus on Thursday night.Canadiens: Host Los Angeles on Thursday night. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

TORONTO -- After wrapping up their Division Series sweep of the Texas Rangers on Sunday night, the Toronto Blue Jays were able to kick back Monday, celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving and watch the Cleveland Indians beat Boston, finalizing their AL Championship Series matchup. Brandon Saad Jersey .Back at Rogers Centre for a light workout on Tuesday afternoon, Toronto tabbed right-hander Marco Estrada as its starter for Fridays Game 1 in Cleveland.Manager John Gibbons said Estrada was the logical choice to start the opener after winning elimination games for the Blue Jays in both the ALDS and ALCS in 2015.More recently, Estrada allowed one run and four hits in 8 1/3 innings to beat Texas in Game 1 of the ALDS last Thursday.He pitched two of our biggest games in the playoffs (last year) to keep us alive, Gibbons said, and then he had the big one the other night. Hes one guy, too, that probably needs more than anybody to keep on as close to normal (rest) as possible, not too much time off.Estrada, who did not speak to reporters Tuesday, is 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in eight career postseason games, including four starts. He made four postseason relief appearances for Milwaukee in 2011.Gibbons said right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who led the AL with a 3.00 ERA this season, will likely make just one start in the ALCS as the Blue Jays continue to limit his career-high workload.Toronto, which lost to Kansas City in six games in last years ALCS, is looking to reach the World Series for the first time since winning back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993.To get there, theyll have to beat an Indians squad that Gibbons called tremendous, and probably the most balanced team in the American League.Its a very, very good offense, one of the best out there, so thats not easy, Gibbons said. Theyve got a good defensive club. Theyre real athletic and young. Tough ball club to shut down. Theyre hot like us, too.The Blue Jays won three of seven meetings with the Indians in the regular season. Four of those games, including all three in an August series at Cleveland, were decided by one run.Were going to have a tough task at hand but we feel like we have a team that can do that, Blue Jays slugger and reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson said.The Indians are seeking to give title-starved Cleveland its second championship in less than a year after the NBAs Cavaliers ended a 52-year drought dating to a 1964 NFL championship for footballs Browns.Nobody in this clubhouse doubts what were what capable of, left-hander Andrew Miller said after the Indians swept the Red Sox with a 4-3 win Monday night. We saw in our games in Cleveland how much support we have. Its a special place to be. I think we have bigger things ahead of us, but its not going to be any easier.Clevelands payroll ranks among the lower third of big league teams, some $26 million less than Torontos, but thats of little concern to Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin, who allowed two runs and four hits in five innings to beat Boston in Game 3.You can see it takes a special group of people instead of a group of superstars, Tomlin said.Toronto will have four days off between eliminating Texas and playing Game 1 in Cleveland. It means valuable rest for everyone, Gibbons said, but especially for second baseman Devon Travis and left-hander Francisco Liriano.Liriano was removed from the ALDS roster because of concussion sustained in Game 2 after he was struck in the back of the head by a Carlos Gomez line drive measured at 102 mph.Liriano, who has made two relief appearances this postseason, said he felt fine after playing catch and riding an exercise bike Tuesday.The second day after I got hit I felt a little dizzy, Liriano said. After that, everything has felt normal. No headache, no dizziness, nothing.Liriano isnt eligible to return until Game 2 of the ALCS.Travis battled a sore knee for almost a month before he was scratched from Game 2 against Texas. He was available off the bench in Game 3 but did not play.Im feeling much better, Travis said. Ill be ready to go Friday. Curtis McElhinney Blue Jackets Jersey . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Cam Atkinson Jersey . -- Stanford squashed Oregons national championship hopes again, schooling the Ducks in power football. http://www.bluejacketshockeystore.us/Matt-Calvert-Jersey/ . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. Each month, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Christopher Doerre - aka Knightmare - unveils his power rankings to give readers an early insight into the top 30 prospects ahead of the draft on November 25.As well as attending live games, Doerre pores through match vision, analyses the stats and talks to industry sources to ensure he can offer the most insightful analysis.However, these rankings are his personal opinions, and are not reflective of the thoughts of AFL clubs.Aside from his monthly power rankings, Doerre also produces a weekly draft wrap and he will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft in November.Knightmares power rankings: JulyKnightmares power rankings: JuneKnightmares power rankings: May-- Potential top five on list quality --1. Hugh McCluggage (VIC)? Position: Outside midfield Height, weight: 185cm, 75kg Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels Plays like: Jason Akermanis Projected draft range: top 10 Rated last month: 1 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has continued to elevate his standard of performance since the AFL Under-18 Championships. With 17 goals from eight TAC Cup games and an average of 30 disposals per match, McCluggage is arguably this years best-performed player through any of the junior competitions nationally. Strengths: - Production - Incredible cleanness at ground level - Freakish finishing ability from all angles both from set shots and general play - Lowers eyes and finds inside 50m targets by foot - Excellent crumbing ability, getting to right positions and quickly gaining possession - Instant decision maker with ball in hand - Quick and accurate disposal by hand and foot - Confidence to play on or move ball on quickly - Keeps his feet and has natural balance - Football smarts - Reads ruck taps - Strong, clean hands overhead - Marking threat in the air and on the lead - Tackling energy/pressure - Works hard on outside to find space, creates options outside stoppages and provides overlap run - Acceleration to break away from stoppages - Outside run and carry - Rapid rate of improvement - Standard of performance this season given his limited pre-season suggests substantial upside Weaknesses: - Light bodied and can get pushed around in the contest - Attack on the ball - More a ground ball winner than a contested ball winner, with the hard contested ball something he would benefit from winning more of2. William Brodie (VIC) Position: Inside midfielder Height, weight: 189cm, 82kg Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli Projected draft range: top five Rated last month: 2 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: No change in ranking applicable having only played one TAC Cup game in July. Strength of under-18 championships and his performances against VFL opponents earlier this year enough to validate this high ranking. Strengths: - Production - Strong performer against more mature VFL bodies - Performs in big games - Reads ruck taps well - Grunt work at stoppages with ability to win first possession and distribute by hand - Contested-ball winning ability at stoppages and around the ground - Hits stoppage at speed, winning contested ball on the move and bursting out other side with ball in hand - Wins ground balls at speed on the move - Workrate - Two-way run - Run and carry - Overlap run - Sidestep Weaknesses: - Rushed under pressure - Footskills only average - Contested marking ability - Scoreboard impact3. Harry Perryman (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy) Best position: Inside midfield Height, weight: 184cm, 75kg Recruited from: Collingullie-GP Plays like: Rory Sloane Projected draft range: first round Rated last month: 3 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Only one NEAFL game played in July. No movement necessary. Strengths: - Production - Football smarts - Grunt work at stoppages and ability to win first possession - Contested-ball winning ability at stoppages and around the ground - Strong mark overhead with ability to take contested marks - One-on-one ability - Footskills reliable over variety of distances - Quick and clean hands - Versatility to play midfield, back and forward well - High workrate and covers the ground well Weaknesses: - Pace and athleticism only average4. Sam Petrevski-Seton (WA) Position: Utility Height, weight: 180cm, 73kg Recruited from: Claremont Plays like: Shaun Burgoyne Projected draft range: top 10 Rated last month: 8 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Averaging an impressive 28 disposals and six marks through the midfield from his three July games in the WAFL Colts competition. Those numbers from Petrevski-Seton - being a high impact per possession player - just means he is having a consistent impact, which is key and suggests a big future. Strengths: - Acceleration - Evasiveness - Sidestep - Freakish clean ground-level pickups - Plays on at every chance - Impact per possession - Keeps his feet and has natural balance - Ambidextrous kick - Quick, instinctive handballs - Freakish football instincts for where teammates and opponents are - Finishing around goal - Versatility to play midfield, back or forward to a high standard Weaknesses: - Can win some contested ball but not dominant contested-ball winner or first possession winner - Strength - Unclear best position - Inconsistency - Endurance5. Todd Marshall (NSW/ACT) Best position: Key forward Height, weight: 198cm, 87kg Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers Plays like: Darcy Moore Projected draft range: top 10 Rated last month: 5 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Quiet against North Ballarat early last month but better during the last two weeks of July. Continues to show attributes and potential to become a high-level key forward. Strengths: - Clean, one-take, ground ball pickups below knees - Agility - Pace - Football smarts - Strong mark overhead - Attacks ball in flight - Height for a key forward - Scope to improve having only this season given up cricket to focus on AFL Weaknesses: - Size and strength - Strength in one-on-one contests - Marking against body contact - Set shot goalkicking technique needs ironing out. with too much arc on run-up - Limited to playing in front 50m at this stage-- Potential top 10 on list quality --6. Will Setterfield (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy) Best position: Inside midfield Height, weight: 190cm, 79kg Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Plays like: David Mundy Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 6 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: No TAC Cup games for Sandringham in July for any movement to be relevant. Remaining high on draft board on basis of stoppage work and classy ball use for a 190cm midfielder. Strengths: - Production - Composure and sound decision-making ability under pressure - Lowers eyes and demonstrates vision and quality use by foot from stoppages - Sidestepping ability and movement in traffic with ability to create more time and space - Tackling - Contested-ball winning ability at stoppages and around the ground - Wins first possession at stoppages - Strong mark overhead with aerial marking ability - Versatility to play midfield, forward or back - Scoreboard impact Weaknesses: - Pace only average7. Jack Bowes (QLD - Gold Coast Academy) Position: Inside midfield Height, weight: 187cm, 76kg Recruited from: Gold Coast Plays like: Nick Dal Santo Projected draft range: top 10 Rated last month: 4 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Was impressive in the NEAFL against Sydney but has otherwise been more good than great in his other two games in July. Bowes is not finding as much of the footy as several of his peers and is arguably not having as strong of an impact on games either which sees him drop a few positions. Strengths: - Production - Able to dispose of ball quickly and efficiently in traffic by both hand and foot - Lowers eyes and demonstrates vision and quality use by foot in general play - Scoreboard impact - Football smarts - Capable first possession winner at stoppages - Clean at ground level and can rove at bottom of packs - Can absorb tackles and dispose of ball efficiently when tackled - Capable mark overhead with one on one and intercept marking ability - Versatility to play midfield, back and forward - Good sidestep and ability to evade tackles in traffic Weaknesses: - Pace only average - Impact sometimes lacking8. Andrew McGrath (VIC) Best position: Utility Height, weight: 179cm, 75kg Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Plays like: Stephen Hill Projected draft range: top 10 Rated last month: 10 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: No TAC Cup games in July. Rises slightly as expectations of some other top prospects are tempered slightly. Strengths: - Production - Acceleration and willingness to accelerate in game with ball in hand frequently - Line breaking - Change of direction - Contested-ball winning - Tackling - Stoppage work - Leap - Aerial marking - Strong in one-on-one contests - Reads flight of ball well - Intercept marking - Lifts during most important stages of game - Class and composure with ball in hand - Football smarts - Versatility to play well back and through the midfield Weaknesses: - Sometimes lacking consistency by foot9. Ben Ainsworth (VIC) Best position: General forward Height, weight: 179cm, 74kg Recruited from: Gippsland Power Plays like: Jamie Elliott Projected draft range: top 10 Rated last month: 11 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has continued to have an impact, but like McGrath, moves up slightly as expectations of some other top-end prospects are slightly reduced. Strengths: - Vertical leap - Aerial marking - Vice-like hands overhead - Reads flight of the ball - One-on-one marking - Football smarts - Impact per possession - Able to push into midfield - Ground-ball winning - Athleticism - Footskills - Vision - Decision-making - Tackling and pressuring - While best as a forward is able to have an impact through the midfield Weaknesses: - Inconsistent conversion in front of goal - Endurance10. Jack Scrimshaw (VIC) Best position: Half-back flank Height, weight: 193cm, 80kg Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Plays like: Grant Birchall Projected draft range: first round Rated last month: 18 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Only one TAC Cup game in July. While not listed in the bests in that game, showed the attributes of a top-quality half-back flanker after a strong under-18 championships. Strengths: - Production - Damaging and efficient kicking - Vision - Decision-making with ball in hand - Reads flight of ball early - Intercept marking - Evasiveness - Movement through traffic with ball in hand Weaknesses: - One-on-one strength - Can play too loose and lose track of direct opponent - Not suited to playing as a key defender11. Brad Scheer?(QLD - Gold Coast Academy) Best position: Inside midfielder Height, weight: 184cm, 82kg Recruited from: Gold Coast Plays like: Josh Caddy Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 13 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has been winning more of the footy than teammate and fellow Gold Coast Academy prospect Bowes. Continuing his strong form since the under-18 championships. Strengths: - Production - Stoppage work - Contested-ball winning - Wins first possession at stoppages - Draws free kicks for high tackles - Quick distribution by hand at stoppages - Strong tackler - Strong mark overhead - Able play forward and provide a target inside 50m - Good finisher inside forward 50m - Reliable kick Weaknesses: - Run and carry - Endurance - Workrate12. Kobe Mutch (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy) Best position: Inside midfield Height, weight: 184cm, 75kg Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers Plays like: Brad Ebert Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 12 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Still finding the footy in bunches. No movement necessary with form remaining strong. Strengths: - Production - Endurance - Unrewarded outside run - Workrate - Stoppage work - Wins first possession at stoppages - Contested-ball winning - Distribution by hand - Tackling - Clean hands - Links up well - Football smarts - Comfortable kicking with either foot - Two-way runner Weaknesses: - Lacks an X-factor - Clean but not damaging ball user by hand and foot - Pace - Contested marking-- Potential best 15 on list quality --13. Joshua Battle (VIC) Best position: Key forward Height, weight: 192cm, 90kg Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays Plays like: Joshua Bruce Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 14 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has only played the one TAC Cup game in July, for a season-low two goals in the TAC Cup. Only moves up marginally as others move down a few places. Strengths: - Good goal, mark and contested mark per game numbers in TAC Cup - Lead-up marking - Strong body - Strong contested mark - One-on-one strength and marking - Footskills and vision - Conversion from set shots - Endurance - Clean at ground level Weaknesses: - Unproven versatility (can he also play through the midfield?) - Agility14. Daniel Venables (VIC) Best position: General forward Height, weight: 186cm, 81kg Recruited from: Western Jets Plays like: Jack Crisp Projected draft range: first round Rated last month: 7 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Only one TAC Cup game in July, andd it was a quiet one. Brandon Saad Blue Jackets Jersey. . Lack of consistency and recent production during the under-18 championships and TAC Cup see him drop. Strengths: - Hard tackler - Explosive pace and breakaway speed from stoppages - Scoreboard impact - Finishing ability on the move - Damaging ball user by hand and foot - Strong mark overhead - Contested-ball winning Weaknesses: - Can spend some time through the midfield and have an impact without having the numbers at this point to appear like a full-time midfielder - Workrate - Inconsistent from game to game - Lacks four-quarter impact - Lack of exposed form due to injuries15. Tim Taranto (VIC) Best position: General forward Height, weight: 186cm, 82kg Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Plays like: Alex Fasolo Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 19 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Just one TAC Cup game played in July. Continues to rise up draft board on performance, impact and attributes demonstrated. Strengths: - Impact per possession - Hurt factor by foot - Hits inside 50m targets - Vision - Decision-making ability - Evasiveness - Aerial marking - Strong hands overhead - Versatility to play forward and midfield to a strong standard - Finishing around goal - Contested-ball winning Weaknesses: - Two-way effort - Workrate - Attack on the ball - Unclear whether he can step up to a full-time midfield role16. Jordan Gallucci (VIC) Best position: Utility Height, weight: 183cm, 75kg Recruited from: Eastern Ranges Plays like: Tim Broomhead Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 9 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has lacked some consistency by foot of late with disposal numbers through the midfield lower than what should be expected of a possible first round prospect. Have had to temper expectations upon seeing recent games. Strengths: - Production - Most damaging right-foot kick in draft with precision off one or two steps - Able to kick on non-preferred left foot. - Lowers eyes and demonstrates excellent vision and ability to hit inside 50m targets - Quick, good decision-maker with ball in hand under pressure - Agility - Change of direction - Accelerates away from packs - Line breaking - Football smarts - Reads flight of ball well - Intercept marking - Versatility to play midfield, back or forward well - Ground-ball winning - Reading of ruck taps Weaknesses: - Lacks a clear best position - Inconsistent production and too much difference between best and worst games - More a groundball-winner than a hard, contested-ball winner - Sometimes inconsistent by foot17. Willem Drew (VIC) Best position: Inside midfield Height, weight: 188cm, 78kg Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels Plays like: Jack Ziebell Projected draft range: second round to third round Rated last month: 15 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: With others rising in this draft range due to more exposure, Drew falls slightly. Strengths: - Stoppage specialist - Ability to win first possession at stoppages - Contested-ball winning - Strong tackler - Clean below knees - Capable mark overhead - Clean skills and can hit targets by foot - Scoreboard impact - Acceleration - Versatility to play forward or back as required Weaknesses: - Limited opportunities through midfield during the under-18 championships leaves him slightly unproven against the premier competition in the country - Would benefit over time from finding more outside ball to compliment his contested style of game and stoppage work--Projected best 15-25 on list standard--18. Tim English (VIC) Best position: Ruck Height, weight: 203cm, 86kg Recruited from: South Fremantle Plays like: Josh Fraser Projected draft range: top 10 Rated last month: 22 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has continued his improvement through July with his work around the ground getting better. Strengths: - Late growth, growing from midfield height to ruck height in the past three years, suggesting physical growth and further football improvement likely - Rate of improvement - Midfield-quality footskills with low, precise kicking to targets - Disposal numbers - Mobility - Clean below the knees Weaknesses: - Lack of size and strength - Tap work and hitout numbers behind his peers - Contested marking - Scoreboard impact - Versatility to play a second position19. Zac Fisher (WA) Best position: Inside midfield Height, weight: 175cm, 61kg Recruited from: Perth Plays like: Lachie Neale Projected draft range: second round to third round Rated last month: 29 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Was excellent during the under-18 championships and continues to look at home at WAFL League level, where he has played since the beginning of the season. Fisher has the quality of performances behind him and is probably now receiving the acknowledgement he has deserved all season. Strengths: - Production - Stoppage work - Wins first possession at stoppages - Contested-ball winning - Tackling - Clean hands - Precise footskills - Vision - Decision-making - Acceleration and burst away from stoppages - Agility - Evasiveness - Performances vs. WAFL League competition Weaknesses: - Size by position - Unclear versatility20. Dylan Clarke (VIC) Best position: Inside midfield Height, weight: 187cm, 85kg Recruited from: Eastern Rangers Plays like: Daniel Cross Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 20 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Clarke continued his strong form with only the one TAC Cup game in July, winning 36 disposals and seven tackles. Strengths: - Production - Stoppage work - Wins first possession at stoppages - Contested-ball winning - Can get rid of ball when tackled by keeping arms high - Distribution by hand - Tackling - Clean hands - Endurance - Workrate - Two-way running - Able to play forward as required - Scoreboard impact Weaknesses: - Inconsistent footskills - Acceleration - Agility21. Shai Bolton (WA) Best position: General forward Height, weight: 177cm, 67kg Recruited from: South Fremantle Plays like: Steven Motlop Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 28 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Lively play forward of centre. Production and impact per possession see Bolton continue his rise up draft boards. Strengths: - Acceleration - Line breaking - Clean groundball winner - Evasiveness - Agility - Composure with ball in hand - Wins groundballs at speed - With ball in hand, makes things happen Weaknesses: - Defensive run - Strength - One-on-one ability - Raw - Winning the hard, contested ball22. Sam Powell-Pepper (WA) Position: Utility Height, weight: 188cm, 83kg Recruited from: East Perth Plays like: Stewart Crameri Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 16 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has performed well in the WAFL Reserves since the under-18 championships. Has dropped slightly with others achieving better numbers by position and being more consistent by foot. Strengths: - Impact per possession - Wins groundballs at speed on the move - Often hits stoppage at speed, winning contested ball on the move and bursting out other side with ball in hand - Wins first possession at stoppages - Contested-ball winning - Versatility (good forward, midfield and back) - Strength of groundball winning - Scoreboard impact - Explosive pace - Breaks the lines Weaknesses: - Turnover prone by foot - Contested marking and clean hands overhead - Low numbers per game by position23. Jonty Scharenberg (SA) Best position: Inside midfield Height, weight: 185cm, 79kg Recruited from: Glenelg Plays like: Dominic Sheed Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 17 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Scharenberg has largely continued doing what he has been doing this season. His fall is due to the rise of some others. Strengths: - Production - Precise footskills - Vision - Decision-making - Quick, clean hands - Contested-ball winning - Wins first possession at stoppages - Can get rid of ball when tackled by keeping arms high - Stoppage work - Tackling ability - Finishing around goal Weaknesses: - Pace - Athleticism - Versatility - Lack of an X-factor24. Luke Ryan (VIC) Best position: General defence Height, weight: 185cm, 82kg Recruited from: Coburg Plays like: Michael Hibberd Projected draft range: first round to third round Rated last month: Unrated Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Ryan in his four games through June and July averaged 23.75 disposals and 7.5 marks (1.5 contested). His performances over this period have resulted in the 20-year-old rising rapidly up draft boards. He has successfully proven his strong start to the season was no fluke and is now firmly on the radar of AFL clubs and receiving strong interest. Strengths: - Reads the flight of the ball in the air early - Intercept marking - Efficient kick - Decision-making - Production - Rate of improvement - Strong one-on-one - Able stopper Weaknesses: - Unproven versatility - Athleticism25. Jy Simpkin (VIC) Position: General forward Height, weight: 182cm, 72kg Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers Plays like: Jimmy Toumpas Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 24 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Not applicable. Likely to miss remainder of season with broken leg. Strengths: - Lowers eyes and demonstrates excellent vision and ability to hit inside 50m targets - Composed with ball in hand - Precision kick to target - Finishes well from general play - Provides heavy scoreboard impact - Acceleration Weaknesses: - Contested-ball winning - Scope to play through midfield unclear26. Jack Graham (SA) Best position: Inside midfield Height, weight: 183cm, 85kg Recruited from: North Adelaide Plays like: Levi Greenwood Projected draft range: first round to third round Rated last month: 21 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Seemed to hit peak form during the under-18 championships. This years Larke medallist would be rated more highly if he was a more reliable kick. Strengths: - Production - Stoppage work - Wins first possession at stoppages - Contested-ball winning - Wins 50/50 ground balls - One-on-one strength - Distribution by hand - Tackling - Clean hands - Hits stoppage at speed, winning contested ball on the move and bursting out other side with ball in hand - Versatility to play a role down back Weaknesses: - Inconsistent ability to hit targets by foot - Not a marking threat overhead27. Jacob Allison (QLD - Brisbane Academy) Best position: Utility Height, weight: 194cm, 79kg Recruited from: Brisbane Lions Plays like: Trent McKenzie Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 27 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has shown some better signs of late in the NEAFL, in what has been based on the promise he showed last year a below expectation season. Strengths: - Penetrating (60m kick) - Athleticism - High leap - Acceleration and line breaking - Strong hands overhead - Athletic mark - Contested marking - Intercept marking - Strong tackler - Versatility Weaknesses: - Unclear best position - Has arguably regressed since the same time last year, becoming more outside this season - Strength/size - Contested-ball winning - One-on-one strength28. Alex Witherden (VIC) Best position: General defence Height, weight: 186cm, 80kg Recruited from: Geelong Falcons Plays like: Brad McKenzie Projected draft range: second round to third round Rated last month: 25 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Not applicable. Out for season with broken leg. Strengths: - Production by position - Clean kick with excellent penetration and hurt factor - Vision to find meaningful targets up the field - Composure and sound decision making with ball in hand - Reads the flight well and intercepts Weaknesses: - Only average pace29. Josh Rotham (WA) Best position: General defence Height, weight: 192cm, 79kg Recruited from: West Perth Plays like: Matthew Broadbent Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 26 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: A lack of a clear best position is what sees Rotham placed here. Strengths: - Athleticism - Linebreaker - Acceleration - Aerial marking - Intercept marking Weaknesses: - One-on-one strength - Ability to negate opponents influence - Unclear best position - Unclear ability to play midfield or forward - Sometimes inconsistent kick30. Harrison Macreadie (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy) Position: Key defence Height, weight: 196cm, 89kg Recruited from: UWS Giants Plays like: Will Schofield Projected draft range: first round to second round Rated last month: 23 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has lacked the expected impact down back this season which sees him fall down the rankings Strengths: - Pace - Linebreaking pace - Athleticism - Footskills - Vision - Composure with ball in hand - Decision-making - Intercept marking ability - Reads flight of ball well down back Weaknesses: - Unproven versatility (can he play forward?) - Lacks dominant strength in one-on-one contests - Lacks dominant one-on-one marking strength - Lack of influence on games - Lack of improvement Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

Warwickshire 12 for 0 trail Surrey 273 (Finch 110, Burns 45, Patel 5-62) by 261 runsScorecard Aaron Finch marked his Surrey debut by hitting his first ball for six and going on to complete a brilliant 90-ball hundred on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship Division One match against Warwickshire at Guildford. Kurt Warner Jersey .The powerful 29-year-old Australian slog-swept former New Zealand offspinner Jeetan Patel over midwicket and out of the compact Woodbridge Road ground, and later drove legspinner Josh Poysden high over long off for another six as he led Surreys progress to 273 all out.Patel got Finch in the end, smartly held at slip by Rikki Clarke, but by then he had also struck 16 fours and reached 110 from 98 balls. Strangely, one of Finchs previous four first-class hundreds was another innings of 110 against Warwickshire, for Yorkshire at Edgbaston in 2014.Finch will play all formats in a five-week stint as overseas player at Surrey while Kumar Sangakkara takes part in the Caribbean Premier League, and he has certainly made a big initial impression in front of an appreciative and good-sized crowd.One straight driven four off Boyd Rankin was a high-class stroke which belied Finchs reputation as a limited-overs specialist who is in just his 55th first-class match but has almost six times that number of List A and T20 appearances worldwide.Finch came in at No 4, when Rory Burns fell for a solid 45 to the second ball after lunch. Pushing out at Patel, left-hander Burns was lbw after including seven fours in a fine 95-ball effort. Patel finished with figures of 5 for 62 after helping to polish off the Surrey tail.Keith Barker, the left-arm seamer, had struck an early blow for Warwickshire by having Arun Harinath caught at the wicket by a tumbling Tim Ambrose for 15, leaving Surrey 35 for 1 after they had won the toss and chosen to bat.But Burns was then joined by Zafar Ansari in a second-wicket stand of 44 before a short rain shower forced the players off at 12.45pm. An early lunch was taken at 12.50pm.Ansari, 11 not out at lunch, had, like Burns, not added to his interval score when Barker pinned him lbw with a fine delivery which pitched on middle and leg and straightened to peg Surrey back at 95 for 3.There was no play between 2.20pm and 4pm, following a heavy downpour and mopping-up operations which carried on into the tea interval, but Finch was soon into his stride again as he cover drove and back cut Barker for fours to get a 42-over final session under way in style.Steven Davies nicked Clarke to Ambrose on 13 and Sam Curran departed for 15 when Rankin, bowling with pace, made one lift to have the teenager caught at third slip off an inside-edge on to his hip.Ben Foakes began fluently, however, clipping Barker to the midwicket ropes before driving him through extra cover for another four. He then produced a lovely back-foot force to the boundary past covers right hand off Rankin, a stroke suggesting he was too low in the batting order at No 7, and at 243 for 5 it seemed as if the day would be Surreys.Finch had dominated a sixth-wicket stand of 63 in just ten overs with Foakes, but after his dismissal the innings fell away disappointingly with Patel bowling Tom Curran for 1 and then having Gareth Batty caught at short point for 4.Foakes, jumping to avoid Andy Umeeds direct hit, failed to ground his bat and was run out for 23 and Surreys first innings ended when last man Mark Footitt, returning from a two-month side injury absence, was stumped off Patel for 16 soon after clubbing a big six over long on.In six overs batting in early evening sunshine, Warwickshire replied with 12 without loss with Varun Chopra on 7 and Umeed on 3. D.J. Swearinger Authentic Jersey . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. Patrick Peterson Authentic Jersey . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. http://www.footballcardinalsmall.com/Youth-Pat-Tillman-Elite-Jersey/ . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. (STATS) -- Kennesaw State is no longer looking out at a blank landscape, the Owls have a road map this year.Theyve been afforded more of a sense of certainty in their second season after debuting with a successful startup campaign last year.Big South teams are much more aware of Kennesaw as well. The Owls were selected third in the conferences preseason poll announced Tuesday at football media day in Charlotte, North Carolina.Not surprisingly, Charleston Southern was installed as a prohibitive favorite after sweeping to the Big South title last season. Liberty was picked second with Monmouth fourth, Gardner-Webb fifth and Presbyterian sixth.The Big South has dropped to six teams this season with the departure of conference power Coastal Carolina, which is transitioning toward the Sun Belt Conference on the FBS level.Kennesaw State not only comes back more established after finishing 6-5 last season, but with a sense of confidence because the Owls were ahead of schedule for a typical program forming from scratch. They even gained one of the 18 first-place votes in the preseason poll.I think the biggest thing from year one to year two is year one there were really no expectations, coach Brian Bohannon said. There was a lot of unknown and uncertainty. Now weve been through a season, our kids have been through this, I think theres a little expectation with our football team. I think our kids understand whats getting ready to happen, too, and I think thats been a big difference as well.I think theyre excited about knowing whats coming and having a chance to go out and compete. Its definitely a different feel, but its equally as exciting going into year two because weve got a great challenge to continue to move forward.Kennesaw, an associate member of the Big South located about 30 miles northwest of Atlanta, debuted with terrific facilities and community support, going 5-1 at home. While an easy non-conference start helped the Owls to a 6-2 start, it included conference wins over Gardner-Webb and Monmouth.They lost their final three Big South games to finish 2-4 in the conference, but it was a terrific opening campaign. They return 10 starters on each side of the ball, with option-style quarterback Trey White, wide receiver Justin Sumpter, center Malik Letatau and strong safety Taylor Henkle named to the Big South preseason team. Free safety Derrick Farrow made the conference second team last season.I think our kids think they can go and compete in the Big South,, Bohannon said. J.J. Nelson Jersey. There was that unknown last year. Its a good league, theres well-coached football teams and we know were going to play extremely well to compete.You look at what Charleston Southern did last year, winning the league and making a run in the playoffs. So its good football, theyre well-coached, but I believe our kids believe they can go compete and they can go win. And I think now going through that (last season), that helps us.Big South preseason players of the year Darius Hammond (running back) and Anthony Ellis (defensive end) boosted Charleston Southern to the top spot in the preseason poll. Coach Jamey Chadwells Buccaneers, who finished 10-3 and sixth in the final STATS FCS Top 25 last season, had the most players on the preseason team with seven, one more than Monmouth.---=BIG SOUTH FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL=Head Coaches and Media Panel1. Charleston Southern (16 first-place votes), 1062. Liberty (1), 863. Kennesaw State (1), 684. Monmouth, 475. Gardner-Webb, 406. Presbyterian, 31---=BIG SOUTH PRESEASON FOOTBALL TEAM=Offensive Player of the Year -- Darius Hammond, RB, Charleston SouthernDefensive Player of the Year -- Anthony Ellis, DE, Charleston SouthernOffenseQB -- Trey White, Kennesaw State, R-Sr.RB -- Darius Hammond Charleston Southern, Sr.RB -- Darrell Bridges, Presbyterian, R-Jr.WR -- Zac Parker, Liberty, Sr.WR -- Darren Ambush, Monmouth, Sr.WR -- Justin Sumpter, Kennesaw State, R-So.TE -- Joseph Purter, Presbyterian, Sr.OL -- Erik Austell, Charleston Southern, R-Sr.OL -- Malik Letatau, Kennesaw State, Sr.OL -- Jackson Williamson, Charleston Southern, Sr.OL -- Alex Thompson, Monmouth, Jr.OL -- Caleb Smith, Gardner-Webb, R-Sr.DefenseDL -- Anthony Ellis, Charleston Southern, Jr.DL -- Darnell Leslie, Monmouth, Sr.DL -- Jaron Greene, Liberty, Sr.DL -- Obinna Ntiasagwe, Presbyterian, R-Jr.LB -- Chad Geter, Gardner-Webb, R-Sr.LB -- Solomon Brown, Charleston Southern, R-So.LB -- Aaron Cook, Gardner-Webb, Sr.LB -- Payton Minnich, Monmouth, Sr.DB -- Mike Basile, Monmouth, Jr.DB -- Troy McGowens, Charleston Southern, Sr.DB -- Taylor Henkle, Kennesaw State, R-So.DB -- Chris Turner, Liberty, R-So.Special TeamsPK -- Matt White, Monmouth, Jr.P -- Trey Turner, Liberty, R-Jr.LS -- Joseph Smith, Charleston Southern, R-Sr.KR -- Darius Hammond, Charleston Southern, Sr.PR -- Darius Hammond, Charleston Southern, Sr. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

Ajay Jayaram failed to reach the semi-final of the Indonesia Grand Prix Gold tournament after losing 12-21, 10-21 to Yuqi Shi of China in the mens singles event on Friday. Matt Martin Jersey . The match lasted 32 minutes.He had previously beaten Indonesias Reksy Aureza Megananda 18-21, 21-12, 21-19 in the third round to progress to the quarterfinal.Jayaram, seeded third, was the sole Indian left in the tournament.On Thursday, Parupalli Kashyap, B Sai Praneeth and HS Prannoy ended their campaign after losing their respective matches. Christopher Gibson Jersey . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Anthony Beauvillier Jersey . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. http://www.hockeyislandersstore.us/Customized/ .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon.Steph Curry is the biggest star in the NBA at the moment, and no one else seems to be able to exist in the same planet. Our US sportswriter Alex Ferguson looks at Currys season and examines how he and the Warriors are changing the game… Its another three-point shot from Steph Curry, this time from nearer the halfway line than the three-point shot. The game is won in overtime, and the Golden State Warriors are one game closer to beating the 1995/96 Chicago Bulls single season record of 72-10 a record they have gone on break losing only lost nine games this season….and winning at astonishing 73 of them. They qualified for the play-offs in March, and quite frankly look unstoppable.Steph Currys season has been unbelievable, smashing more records than a Who concert in the 1970s. He has broken his own NBA record for three-pointers in a season…he actually broke it with 24 games to go. He was aiming for 300, and he ended up with 402......402 successful three-point shots this season.  Curry seems to have mastered the art of three-point shooting - and made it trendy Curry is really good at getting the ball away at the other end too - he finished the season with 169 steals, the most in the league.The great thing for Curry is, despite leading the league in points per game average (30.1), he is also an unselfish player playing on a very unselfish team. He is eighth in the league in assists (his Warriors team-mate Draymond Green is seventh). Curry celebrates his spectacular, record breaking three-point matchwinner The Golden State Warriors love passing the ball to each other - they total 28.9 assists a game (first in the NBA), and they love drilling the ball from the three-point line, hitting 41.6 per cent of their shots from behind the arc. The other shooter on the team - Klay Thompson - is No 12 in NBA scoring average to Currys first.Oh, and the team plays defence - they lead the league in defensive rebounds per game average (36.2), led by Green, and have strong shhot blockers too, most notably Andrew Bogut. Johnny Boychuk Jersey. But is Curry better than Jordan? The answer? We dont know. Curry is now drawing comparisons with Michael Jordan - but such comparisons are unfair given they are very different players They are different players. Jordan wasnt Currys 6ft 3in (he was 6ft 6in) and he was a great defensive player as well as an offensive juggernaut. Curry is good at stealing the ball but hes not a rebounder. Unlike Curry, Jordan wasnt a brilliant three-point shooter (.332), but like Curry, he was the player that you want to have the ball in his hands when the game was on the line. And like Curry, Jordan was absolutely unstoppable.Like the dunk fashion that swept the courts in the 1990s, more and more people are worshipping the guy who can score from anywhere. You know, be like Steph and all that.Jordan was a bigger moneymaker outside of the court, but look for Curry to drop some jaws in the 2016 off-season. Curry led his team to the NBA Championship last season The great thing about Curry is that hes changing the game. The three-point shot, which was never as cool as the dunk going back through the years, is suddenly hugely fashionable. Its been a record year for three-point attempts in the NBA (24.0 per game vs the previous record of 22.4 in 2015). Curry is making the change.Why? Because if Curry and the Warriors are shooting so well from three-point range, a game can be finished by the end of the third quarter. Other teams need to shoot well to go head-to-head with the Warriors. Thats why youve got almost half the league chucking up over 25 three-point attempts a game. They are just trying to keep up.Otherwise, we wont just be celebrating Currys Warriors, well be celebrating one of the shortest play-off series in the history of the game.   Also See: NFL Video Rookies guide NFL on Sky Sports Pundits Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

Birmingham, Ala. Vincent Trocheck Panthers Jersey . - SEC student jazz musicians will comprise a special music ensemble scheduled to perform at two events during the 2016 SEC Football Championship weekend in Atlanta. The group will provide entertainment on Friday evening at the annual SEC Legends Dinner and on Saturday at the SEC Pregame Hospitality Party.The performing arts are an important component of the educational experience, and we are delighted to provide a showcase for these students and the SEC universities they represent, said Greg Sankey, SEC Commissioner. The SEC is pleased to feature these talented young people, and this years student music ensemble is another example of our commitment to higher education.Students chosen to perform in the music ensemble were selected by their universities, and have demonstrated award-winning competence in a range of music genres. For the SEC Football Championship weekend, they will focus on standard jazz tunes.Being able to work and perform with other SEC university musicians is something I am proud to be part of, said Anice Nemati-Baghestani, a student at the University of Missouri who will play alto saxophone in the ensemble.The SEC student music ensemble is one of several collaborative efforts between SEC universities. For example, the SEC Faculty Travel Program focuses on collaboration in the areas of research and the arts, and the Library Sharing Agreement provides a mechanism for the exchange of digital music and other resources.The SEC student music ensemble is an amazing opportunity to artistically connect with our SEC universities, instructors and musicians, said Scott Wilson, Associate Professor of Jazz at the University of Florida and the ensemble director. The support of the SEC is truly innovative and we are thrilled to be part of the SEC Football Championship weekend. Henrik Borgstrom Panthers Jersey Authentic .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Reilly Smith Panthers Jersey . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. http://www.hockeypanthersauthority.com/jonathan-huberdeau-panthers-jersey-c-10/ .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. MINNEAPOLIS -- Sam Bradford, as widely expected, started at quarterback for Minnesota on Sunday night against rival Green Bay.Vikings coach Mike Zimmer refused to reveal his decision all week . The team didnt even acknowledge Bradford in the lineups that were announced about an hour before the game. Shaun Hill, who started the season opener, was still listed.Bradford took snaps with the first team in warmups about a half-hour before kickoff, however, and led the Vikings offense onto the field for the first drive. The Packers, who said they were bracing for Bradford to start, forced punts on the first two possessions by the Vikings.The Vikings traded two premium draft picks, including their first-round seelection in 2017, to Philadelphia for Bradford after Teddy Bridgewater suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee on Aug. Shawn Thornton Panthers Jersey. 30. Bradford is the 13th different starting quarterback the Vikings have sent out since Adrian Peterson was a rookie in 2007.Taken with the first overall pick in the 2010 draft by the St. Louis Rams, Bradford was traded to the Eagles before last season. In six years in the league, Bradfords teams have never posted a winning record.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' 

HOUSTON -- Seeking their third consecutive series sweep of their American League West rivals, Houston sends right-hander Mike Fiers to the mound against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, with Fiers recent struggles playing a contrasting role in the Astros overall aspirations. Vincent Trocheck Panthers Jersey Authentic .Fiers (6-4, 4.75 ERA) is 0-1 with a 17.18 ERA against the Angels this season, having allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings in a 7-2 loss on May 27, the Astros lone loss in the season series. He is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three career starts against the Angels.How Fiers has pitched recently is cause for speculation. Over his last four starts, Fiers is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA with batters posting a .939 OPS against him during that stretch. Fiers failed to escape the fourth inning in each of his last two starts, and with former starter Scott Feldman thriving as a reliever (4-1, 1.62 ERA), clamoring has begun for Feldman to replace Fiers which in turn has sparked assumptions that Sunday could mark Fiers last shot to keep his spot in the rotation.I dont know if I would title it make-or-break, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. This time of year as the rumors start creating about what type of players we can add internally or externally, the players probably have a little added adrenaline and added importance to their outings. Mike Fiers has been a good pitcher in this league and has had a number of good games this year. So I wouldnt title anything make-or-break because decisions arent made that absolute prior to starts.Wed like him to throw well and pitch a little bit deeper into games and part of that is being efficient in the first couple of innings and getting into the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Wed like him to do well, but itd be unfair to him to put that much attention on his start.The Angels (43-54) counter with right-hander Tim Lincecum (2-3, 6.59 ERA), who will make his seventh start of the season. In his third start June 28, Lincecum allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings in a 7-1 loss to the Astros at Angel Stadium.In 10 career starts against Houston, Lincecum is 5-1 with a 1.60 ERA.The most pressing issue for the Angels is their extended losing streak against the Astros (53-44), which reached 10 games with their 7-2 setback on Saturday night. The streak is the Astros longest against a single opponent since a 12-game run against the Phillies and Reds spanning the 2004-05 seasons. The last team to win 10 consecutive games against the Angels was the Red Sox from July 19, 1993-July 4, 1994.I dont know. Its kind of a spell of bad luck, Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun said. They play well against us, and we are not swinging the bats here like we should be. Aleksander Barkov Panthers Jersey Authentic . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Jonathan Huberdeau Panthers Jersey Authentic .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. http://www.hockeypanthersauthority.com/shawn-thornton-panthers-jersey-c-12/ .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Karl-Anthony Towns is struggling. Its a Saturday night in early April at Portlands Moda Center, and the 27-52 Timberwolves are facing the 43-37 Trail Blazers, the seasons most improbable success story -- and an aspirational template for the Wolves. Portland, despite having exactly one regular over the age of 26, has cultivated a veteran vibe and culture. Its what Karl-Anthony Towns seeks to build in Minneapolis. But these are things constructed over time with smaller achievements.Tonight in Portland is just another game, one more push of the boulder up the mountain. But by the time its over, it will become something more: a microcosm of Towns rookie year and an illustration of why this 20-year-old is not just the next great NBA big but a paradigm for all who will follow.Less than 30 seconds into the game comes the first glimpse. As Blazers forward Mo Harkless slices through the lane and contorts his body for a twisting left-handed layup, Towns knows his front-line collaborator, Gorgui Dieng, has it all under control. Towns is blessed with many defensive skills, among them the ability to seemingly spot a well-timed rejection before palm ever meets leather. So hes already watching the glass, balls of his feet planted, ready to absorb the load of his 7-foot frame before he bounces off the floor and snags what remains of the shot.With only a few games left in the season, Towns rebounding average has hovered around 10 per game. He set finishing the year in double digits as a personal goal, not so much to bolster his rookie of the year candidacy -- with days left in the season, thats a fait accompli -- but because thats what any self-respecting big man does.Now, with the ball in hand, Towns races his way through traffic down the floor, finds open space and pulls up in transition. Four dribbles and four seconds, thats all it takes. Hes a man in a hurry, and the sudden stop of his quick-release jumper appears rushed. The ball barely grazes the rim. Brick.About a minute later in a Minnesota half-court set, he hands off to Ricky Rubio, then sweeps around a few screens to claim his rightful place on the left block.Towns works against Portlands Al-Farouq Aminu, one of these newfangled wings masquerading as a small-ball 4, as if guarding the likes of Towns for 38 minutes a night can be outsourced to any combo forward off the street. Towns flings two hard dribbles as he thrusts his left hip into Aminu, carving out room to work, before stepping back, facing up and unleashing an old-school hook shot, which circles the cylinder ... before popping out.He spends the rest of the half grousing at himself in self-flagellation.Construct a world and it will evolve over time. We can debate the nature of that evolution -- whether its good, bad or just is. But change is irrepressible, and species that dont respond to the conditions of that change eventually die out.So it is with basketball and the evolution of the big man. From the games beginning, basketball roles were defined by edict. A team was an aggregation of individual skill sets, a division of labor, and the name for the tallest presence on the floor, center, said it all: The game would revolve around this guy. The big man was an immovable force, dominating as a defensive presence in the paint. And when one of them got the ball in close proximity to the hoop, youd better have had a defender of equal stature, or send a second body at him, or both.Jump to the 70s, when in search of competitive advantage, disrupters like Jack Ramsay began finding new functions on the floor for their big guys. Soon you could run offense through the big men in the middle. And then all bets were off. Over time came the mobile big man, then the mobile über-athletic big man, then the mobile über-athletic big man with skills, then the über-athletic big man with skills who also had range. Today, qualifying exactly what a big man does on the floor has become futile.Its positionless, says Kentucky coach John Calipari, whose program has become a veritable finishing school for NBA big men. Todays game is all pace, all space, all stretch. In each of the past two Finals, the Warriors and Cavaliers have disguised power forwards as centers at the series most crucial moments -- and often without a traditional big altogether.An open 3-pointer, once the near-exclusive purview of perimeter players, now represents a better value than a hook shot at close range. Last season 7-footers fired up more 3-pointers than in the first 13 seasons of the 3-point line combined.The league has put the big man on notice: Its not enough anymore to take up space in the middle, shoot 60 percent at the rim, rebound in the low double digits and block a couple of shots a night. Its not even enough to shoot a little from the outside. You must now combine power and finesse and make plays for teammates and have quick feet that can switch out on speedy point guards on the pick-and-roll and run the floor and be able to catch the ball on the move and attack like a perimeter slasher and still display that old-school big-man gravitas so that your four Lilliputian teammates heed your commands, hear you calling out defensive assignments from the back line or issue a decree in the huddle during a stoppage.That is the big man of today. But Towns isnt just the big man of today. He is the first big man of tomorrow.By the time the horn blows to end the first half against the Blazers, Kevin Garnett has seen enough. Garnett, whos played 1,462 regular-season games, has spent the season administering a graduate-level seminar to Towns in Big Man-ology, working with him not only on the mechanics but the business of harnessing his intensity.I remember one night he was playing OKC, and he was pouting and being a bit of a baby, Garnett says. I yanked him to the side, had some strong, comforting words for him to reassure himself and to get him to gather some confidence. I like to think that were all human and have human moments. I like to think that was his human moment.Likewise, tonight, during halftime, KG corners Towns in the locker room, and with the teams young future leader flailing under the weight of the moment, the teams elder stages an intervention.Keep your f---ing composure! Garnett screams. Slow down! Its going to be OK! Breathe! Breathe! And slow down! Everything is going to come! Just keep playing hard! Towns stoically absorbs the weight of KGs sermon.Ask Coach Calipari to describe what exactly it is that makes Towns different and hes likely to tell the story of last August, when Calipari organized a charity softball home run derby in Lexington, where Towns was the headliner. After clubbing a 380-foot moon shot on his way to the title, Towns -- who had not played organized baseball beyond the eighth grade -- received a text from an incredulous Calipari: Is there anything you cant do? Pingpong, pool, what? Towns responded: I do it all, Coach. I do it all.Indeed, despite his size -- Towns was already 6-foot-3 by the time he was 11 years old -- he spent much of his time as a young player in northern New Jersey out on the perimeter. Calipari recalls meeting coaches who had faced off against Towns in high school who described him as someone who would shoot 15 3-pointers in a game.At 15, Towns was invited to compete on the Dominican national team -- Towns mother, Jacqueline, was born in the Dominican Republic -- to play for Calipari and alongside Al Horford and Francisco Garcia. NBA lifer Del Harris assisted Calipari on the bench, and on the teams second day of practice, he watched Towns jack up a fusillade of 3-pointers. Harris strolled onto the court.Youre 6-10, but you might as well be 5-10, Harris told Towns. Get yourself down inside and learn the position.Calipari echoed Harris, and throughout Towns time with the Dominican team and later in Lexington, Calipari and his staff insisted that the 7-footer develop interior skills. Were not satisfied because he has so much more, Wildcats assistant coach Kenny Payne said after Towns logged 19 and 10 in an exhibition game against a French professional team in 2014. He has to learn that we play this game from the inside out, not outside in.Twenty-six months later, Towns is sitting in his favorite Italian restaurant in Minneapolis, repeating those words almost verbatim about the Timberwolves. We have a philosophy that we work from inside out, not outside in, he says as he works his way through a chicken Parmesan (no Parmesan), a brick chicken entree, linguine, potatoes, a platter of roasted Brussels sprouts and a nonalcoholic strawberry daiquiri. Maybe its fortunate to blend in with the new, current, modern-day NBA big, maybe its not. What I can do is be as versatile as possible, where I could have played today or years ago when the 5s were rolling around. Thats why I play. I play inside, and I also play outside. I play in both eras.Back in Portland, after intermission, Towns slows down -- and begins to heat up. Its a wide-ranging exhibition, a newsreel of how the revolution will be won. On the second Wolves possession, he pounces into the lane to catch the ball in motion from Dieng -- at which point, forget it. With one dribble, he gobbles up the paint before elevating for a face-up hook that bounces through the net to put the Wolves up four. At the 9:15 mark, Towns drains a silky 18-footer after cleverly popping out into open space when the defense averts its attention. And on the final possession of the third, with the Wolves up 75-72, the Blazers get one final shot. Damian Lillard, who owns final possessions as much as any man in the league, draws Towns on the switch with three seconds to go, crosses over and dances back, but Towns doesnt flinch. He extends his long right arm just as Lillard rises, forcing Lillard to recalibrate his shot, which is futile because theres simply no angle that can clear Towns. As the horn sounds to end the quarter, the shot falls 8 feet short.As NBA coaches survey todays landscape, they freequently come back to the most tantalizing of propositions, best articulated by Calipari: What if you can play small ball with long players? What if you can leverage the length of your frontcourt but not forfeit the skills that are traditionally lost by going big? The Thunder showed flashes of this when they nearly upended the Warriors last spring in the Western Conference finals by employing Serge Ibaka, newly stretchy but without the full refinement of a next-generation big. Reilly Smith Panthers Jersey Authentic. n this regard, Towns is the ne plus ultra.He sits at the midpoint of basketballs great dialectic, a new place where all the properties that made a big man an unmatchable force on the floor for a century are matched with all the innovations that grew out of the Mike DAntoni Suns teams of the last decade. DAntoni placed an unprecedented premium on space and tempo, which he believed were the features that best facilitated a dynamic offense. But the space he valued most? The paint. And if the paint was being clogged by a hulking big man with his paw in the air on the block awaiting a post entry pass, then DAntonis entire system collapsed. For him, post-oriented power basketball was death, and players who couldnt shoot, move the ball or make quick decisions hampered the entire operation. The league caught on, and what was once a novelty has become the norm in the NBA. In this new league, theres less tolerance than ever for stagnation.Yet as with every dialectic, a new condition has emerged -- and because frontcourt players are smaller than ever, theres a greater advantage than ever to be gained by being big. Towns capacity to play big and small, inside and outside, to thrive in both one-on-one basketball and in the confines of a fluid system, make him the evolutionary realization of the big man at the moment the leagues historical trends are converging.His skill set is so unique for a 7-footer, says Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau. He can shoot the 3 with ease from all over the floor -- from the corners, from above the break, from the top of the key. He can put it on the floor. He can change direction. He can Euro-step. He can play back to the basket. He can play a face-up combo game. You can pick-and-roll with him where hes the screener. You can pick-and-roll with him where hes the ball handler. He has guardlike skills. He has great vision. He has playmaking ability. Theres a defensive component and theres a drive to be great.Its Thibodeaus job to talk up his big man. But the numbers bear him out. As ESPNs Kevin Pelton noted, Towns performance last season, when measured by wins above replacement player (WARP), qualified as the 13th-best rookie season since the NBA-ABA merger and the second-best age-19 season behind only LeBron James.According to ESPN Stats & Information, 112 rookies in the shot-clock era have played more than 1,800 minutes, averaged more than 1.2 3-point attempts, averaged fewer than five personal fouls per 100 possessions and posted an assist percentage above 8. One hundred eleven are perimeter players. Towns is the only big man on the list. And he posted the highest player efficiency rating of all of them.Its common for a player in the current era to speak about versatility as a means to an end, as a way to keep defenders off balance as he looks for his shot. But when Towns discusses versatility, he regards it as a virtue unto itself, gospel, a badge of character.Everything has to be cohesive. Everything has to jell together -- thats what makes the great ones great, Towns says. Every day Im just trying to find ways to keep my versatility high but keep every single aspect of my game working in sync. Thats what I try to do on the court. I mean, why limit yourself? I dont limit myself. If my coach needs me to guard 1 through 5, I have worked tremendously hard to have the ability to do that. If I need to shoot, I can shoot. If I need to post up and be a bruiser, I can be a bruiser. I try to be great at all skills.Consider Draymond Green, Ibaka, even Anthony Davis. All have some version of these tools, but theyve largely had to develop them over their NBA careers. Towns grew up watching small ball, grew up shooting from the perimeter. And when the Kentucky staff pushed him down low, he was a born ballerina with his footwork. Now, when many big men have vacated the paint and theres ample space near the basket, Towns is moving back into the old neighborhood that big men have been asked to abandon for years.How revolutionary is he? Pick a stat, any stat. Among players who took more than 500 shots last season, only three -- J.J. Redick, Steph Curry and Kyle Korver -- outperformed Towns shot-making relative to shot difficulty. In an offensive-glass metric that measures a combination of hustle and conversion, Towns ranks fifth in the NBA and on the defensive end ranks in the 86th percentile. As a one-on-one player, hes already elite. Only Chris Bosh and Blake Griffin ranked ahead of him among big men in points per drive, and only Bosh and Green topped him in points per isolation chance.Dig into just about any specific complex shot classification -- layup off a cut, shake and rise -- and one thing stands out: Towns is often in the upper echelon in conversion, but his attempts present a far higher degree of difficulty than those of his counterparts. This phenomenon isnt completely unheard of for a rookie on a young team, but it also prompts the question: How good can this guy be?Frustration turns to fuel for Towns in the fourth quarter as the Wolves relinquish the lead after a 7-2 Portland run. He follows his third straight miss -- a galloping hook shot in the lane after bouncing off Ed Davis -- with a strong putback to tie the game at 79 with 9:33 remaining in regulation. And with that, the clinic is on. He calmly sets up for a dribble jumper at the top of the circle with eight minutes left. Then its a muscular running hook while being bodied up by a couple of defenders who converge as he rolls to the rim. Wolves by four with just over seven minutes to go.Towns has a debonair dance partner in Rubio, and the two perform pick-and-pop waltz to perfection, with Towns draining another shot from the top of the circle off a perfect pocket pass to make it 92-89 just inside of six minutes. And now, with the pop working, Rubio and Towns unfurl the roll. Rubio streaks with the ball down the right side of the lane. Towns rumbles down with him and catches the lob like a tight end. As he does, a gang of Trail Blazers descends on him. Pinned against the baseline by Portland center Mason Plumlee, Towns peers down the floor and sees :09 on the shot clock. He gathers himself, backs out of the parking spot with a few dribbles, then posts again before turning middle on a post-up and elevating for a hook over his left shoulder that falls through. Were inside of five minutes, and Minnesota has stretched the lead to seven. The stain of barbecue sauce on the carpet of Amy Moyers office serves as one of Towns many enduring contributions to St. Joseph High School.Guidance counselor Moyer, in whose office Towns frequently took his lunch, used to plead with the teenage Towns to take his lunch to the school cafeteria. She was charmed by his company but felt hed be better served by socializing for an hour. Towns, though, had trouble folding his near 7-foot body into the cafeteria benches and was wary of the lunchroom scene.Everybody gawks at me, he told Moyer. Everybodys looking at me, everybodys wanting to be my friend. I dont get that in here. I can hang out and be myself and relax and not have everybody staring at me.Asked now, Towns denies any self-consciousness in high school, but Moyer describes a kid who wanted affection to be authentic, one who never sought popularity or the mantle of Big Man on Campus.And so it was that during his second year at St. Joseph, Towns would hide out with Moyer. One day he brought a box of chicken nuggets and a tub of sauce and plopped down opposite Moyer at her desk. It was a tight fit for his oversized frame, but the smaller space of the office appealed to his desire for anonymity. Towns typically has a soft touch, but on this day he bricked the nugget dunk, sending a hard rain of barbecue sauce all over the office. For whatever reason, Moyer never had the stain removed. Every day it reminds me that Karl was here, Moyer says.Karl-Anthony Towns, as always, leaving his mark.Approaching the final stretch in Portland, Towns drains six consecutive shots -- all of them in a nip-and-tuck game against a playoff team on its home floor. And now, trailing by one, the Wolves will have a chance to win with three and a half seconds remaining in the game.Out of a timeout, the rangy Tayshaun Prince -- another of the oldster mentors who has lent Yoda-ish wisdom to the rookie -- takes the inbound on the far sideline and passes to Towns on the right block.Aminu is draped all over Towns, his right arm extending horizontally to poke the ball away and his left reaching vertically to alter any shot attempt, because undoubtedly one is coming in the next three seconds.As the ball reaches Towns hands on the right block, theres no hesitation. He catches it cleanly: 3.5 seconds left. Then its a pivot and a long, sweeping drop step toward the baseline: 2.9 seconds left. He elevates, kicking both feet behind him, but hes by no means above or even near the rim. Hes looking for space, not height, the angle that can accommodate the soft flick of his wrist. Towns releases a lurching, high-arching baseline hook: 2.5 seconds left. And as it drops through -- 1.8 seconds left -- he turns his back to the basket and clenches his fists.Says Towns, I knew it was going in before we left the huddle. Kevin ArnovitzArnovitz has been an NBA writer for ESPN.com since 2008. Before that, he was a contributor and editor at NPR. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '