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Sharks suffer another playoff letdown (AP)

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 09:18:11 +0000

Sharks suffer another playoff letdown (AP)

Shortly after his San Jose Sharks were swept out of the Western Conference final by Chicago, coach Todd McLellan tried to draw inspiration from the Blackhawks. Just one year after losing in five games to Detroit in the conference final, the Blackhawks are headed to the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1992 after outskating and outplaying the Sharks in the four-game sweep.

Brunson returns from overseas, reinstated by Spelbolag (AP)

The Minnesota Lynx have reinstated Rebekkah Brunson from the team’s suspended list after her overseas commitments came to a finish. The team says Brunson is expected to participate in practice Tuesday. The Lynx acquired Brunson in the Sacramento Monarchs dispersal draft. She has career averages of 8.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in six WNBA seasons.

WNBA Capsules (AP)

Angel McCoughtry scored 21 points, Erika DeSouza had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Atlanta Dream remained undefeated with an 86-77 victory over the New York Liberty on Sunday. Iziane Castro Marques scored nine of her 13 points in the final 5 1/2 minutes for Atlanta (4-0), which is off to the best start in the franchise’s three-year history.

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 10:32:06 +0000

Hockey bettors know where to get real time NHL Odds for free at SBR Forum

Mystics acquire Quinn, send Coleman to Sparks (AP)

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:18:13 +0000

Mystics acquire Quinn, send Coleman to Sparks (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP)The Washington Mystics have acquired guard Noelle Quinn from the Los Angeles Sparks for forward Marissa Coleman in a swap of former high first-round draft picks. Quinn was the No. 4 overall selection by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2007 draft. She was shipped to the Mystics on Wednesday after spending the last three seasons with the Sparks. She averaged 5.1 points and 2.0 assists in 2011. Coleman was chosen No. 2 overall by the Mystics in 2009. She averaged 8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds last year.

Tomlinson: Jets’ turmoil worst I’ve seen (AP)

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:36:26 +0000

Tomlinson: Jets’ turmoil worst I’ve seen (AP)
NEW YORK (AP)LaDainian Tomlinson has never seen a locker room as troubled as the one he was in with the New York Jets this season. In an interview with Showtimes Inside The NFL airing Wednesday night, the running back said the team was plagued by tension between players as the Jets finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs after two straight trips to the AFC championship game. Tomlinson said quarterback Mark Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes, in particular, had a rocky relationship. It is as bad as Ive ever been around, honestly, Tomlinson said of the locker room. And Ive been around some locker rooms and quarterback-receiver situations and what-not. But it was as bad as Ive been around. LaDainian Tomlinson waves to the San Diego crowd as he leaves the field on Nov. 1, 2009.(AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File) The NFLs fifth-leading rusher added that the problems got out-of-hand toward the end of the season, and were created by the brash approach of coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum. This is the type of football team that they wanted, said Tomlinson, the NFLs fifth-leading rusher. Mike Tannenbaum, Rex Ryan are both brash, in-your-face type of stylesay whatever you want, just get it done on the field. And then it leads to other things, as guys are calling each other out and saying, `Im not getting the ball or whatever it may be. Holmes was benched during the season finale at Miami after arguing in the huddle with teammates. Tomlinson said the tensions escalated to the point during the season where the players couldnt do anything about it. When it gets to that point, there are certain changes that need to happen, he said. Can it be fixed? I think absolutely it can be, but theyre going to have to make some tough decisions. Holmes criticized the offensive line during the season, saying it wasnt protecting Sanchez enough or giving him enough time to get the ball down the field to the receivers. Right guard Brandon Moore shot back, saying his public comments could have a fracturing effect and not the way a team captain which Holmes wasshould conduct business. Tomlinson was asked if he would bring back both Sanchez and Holmes, given all the problems. Whew, that is a tough one, Tomlinson said. I would really have to sit down with them and see if they can co-exist, honestly. I mean that is a decision that I really have to make. And if I really feel like they cant, then you have to make a move. Tomlinson said the Jets players poked fun at the feud, calling it the East Coast-West Coast beef, with Sanchez being from Florida and Sanchez from Southern California. In all seriousness, Santonio, obviously, he is a great player, Tomlinson said. There are some things that obviously he needs to work on as far as being a leader. Sanchez struggled down the stretch, throwing seven interceptions in the Jets last three gamesall losses. He was highly criticized during the season by fans and media, and those comments intensified after the Jets final game. The Daily News quoted an anonymous player saying Sanchez was lazy, something Tomlinson disputed. But the running back agreed that Sanchez was a bit pampered because he had no real threat in the roster to take his job. He is not a lazy guy, Tomlinson said. He puts in the time after practice in the film room. He can get it done. He just has to have pieces around him to help him get it done. The 32-year-old Tomlinson will be a free agent after two seasons with the Jets, and is considering retirement. I love playing for Rex, Tomlinson said before adding that he wished the coach would tune down the bravado. I dont mind every now and again saying we are going to win a championship, he said. Maybe at the beginning of the year just saying, `Hey, our goal is to win a championship. But at the same time every week if you are calling out a team on certain things, I think it puts a little extra on your team. Guys really want to go out there and say, `Lets shut this guy up. Lets shut these Jets up, just end their season.

Djokovic: Olympics among top priorities (AP)

admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:18:13 +0000

Djokovic: Olympics among top priorities (AP)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)After taking three of the four majors and gaining the No. 1 ranking last season, Novak Djokovic is going for prizes beyond Grand Slams in 2012. An Olympic gold medal, he thinks, would go nicely in his collection. Its one of the biggest priorities this year, Olympic Games, Djokovic told a news conference Saturday, only days before he starts the defense of his Australian Open title with a first-round match against Paolo Lorenzi. I had that privilege and honor to represent my country in 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was a remarkable experience, like no other. He won the Olympic bronze medal in 2008, when then No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal won the gold. Roger Federer also has an Olympic gold medal from Beijing, although his is in doubles. The London Olympics gold medal has extra emphasis for tennis players, given the tournament will be played at the spiritual home of the sport in Wimbledon. Tennis is just one of so many sports that is present in the Olympic Games, which is the most prestigious, the most valuable, the most well-known sporting event in the history of sport. That says enough, he said. Im very happy to be representing my country again and going back to the Wimbledon grass where I played in 2011, achieved one of my biggest goals. So I hope that I can play well, perform well and bring a medal to Serbia. Of course, that doesnt mean hes taking his eye off the ball at the tennis majorshes not discounting his chances of going one better and winning all four of them this season. Everything is possible, said Djokovic, who wore a tailored suit jacket to the news conference and got straight to business. Obviously 2011 has been the best year so far in my career. Its going to be very difficult to repeat what I have done. But, look, Ive done it once. Why not twice? Why not stay optimistic and positive about the whole season? Obviously Im not thinking too far away from Australiamy focus is directed to this tournament. I want to start off the year well. Djokovic had a 10-1 win-loss record against Nadal and Federer in 2011. He beat Nadal in six finals and his only loss at a major was to Federer in the French Open semifinals. He started the year with a 41-match winning streak that ended with that loss in Paris, but bounced back to win the Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles. He faded at the end of the season when nagging injuries started bothering him, and thats when Federer swooped. The 16-time Grand Slam winner finished off 2011 on a roll, capping it with his sixth title at the season-ending championship in London. And although he didnt win a major last seasonending eight consecutive years of at least one success in the Grand Slam arenaFederer is showing signs that hes still a serious contender at age 30. He finished off the season best from all the other players, Djokovic said. He had over 15 wins in a row. But its a whole new year. Its a whole new season. Were starting to play outdoors. Well see if everybody can keep up. Federer hurt his back and had to withdraw during a tournament at Doha earlier this month, something hed only had to do once before in his professional career. He held some concern about whether hed be fit in time for the Australian Open, where he won his last major in 2010. On Saturday, he said hed be OK to continue his streak of playing in every Grand Slam tournament this century. No. 3-ranked Federer opens his tournament against Russian qualifier Alexander Kudryavtsev at Rod Laver Arena on Monday night. Today was my first practice where I could play again at a 100 percent, he said. Yesterday I felt good, too. No pain. But at least, you know, I was out there playing full on, but still just a little worried or scared, lets put it that way. Today all thats gone, so I feel like Im back to normal. Federer is also targeting an Olympic gold medal, but it wont be in mixed doubles despite the pressure from the Swiss public for a Federer-Martina Hingis team in London. Federer said the idea of winning another medal for Switzerland was appealing, but it was Hingiswinner of five singles, nine doubles and one mixed doubles title at Grand Slamswho told him in a phone call last month that it wouldnt work. She retired, for the second time, after the 2007 season. She was the one to basically also tell me I should focus on winning singles and defending my doubles, he said. Shes very happy staying in retirement. She thinks its the only right thing for me to do. She basically took the decision for me, which was very nice of her. We were very happy I think at the end of the phone call and didnt have any hard feelings.

Shock get Temeka Johnson in trade with Mercury (AP)

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:18:09 +0000

Shock get Temeka Johnson in trade with Mercury (AP)
TULSA, Okla. (AP)The Tulsa Shock acquired starting point guard Temeka Johnson from the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night in exchange for Andrea Riley. Johnson started 30 games for Phoenix last season, averaging 6.4 points and 4.4 assists. She started every game for the Mercury team that won the 2009 WNBA championship and also didnt miss a start in 2010. New Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg called Johnson a proven winner who plays hard-nosed defense and will be an asset in transition. Riley averaged six points and 1.8 assists in 33 games for Tulsa last season, including 10 starts.

Kloppenburg takes over lowly Shock (AP)

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:18:09 +0000

Kloppenburg takes over lowly Shock (AP)
TULSA, Okla. (AP)As an assistant coach with the Indiana Fever, Gary Kloppenburg scouted the Tulsa Shock the last few years. So, when he learned that the Shock were looking for a head coach, he jumped at the opportunity. Tulsa has a good core group of players, Kloppenburg said Wednesday after being introduced as the Shocks head coach. Theres a very nice frontline core of players in Elizabeth Cambage, Kayla Pedersen and Tiffany Jackson. Thats something we can build with. If we add a few feature players, we can be competitive right away. He seems to know a thing or two about the expansion process, having been on the original staff at Seattle. Our first year at Seattle was dismal, he said. Then we got Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson and went to the playoffs within two years. One thing about this league, you can make a rapid rise if you make some good player moves. One or two players can make a difference. Look at Seattle and Atlanta. Seattle went on to win a championship and Atlanta turned around their program in three years. This situation is very similar to what we had at Seattle. He replaced Hall of Fame player Teresa Edwards, who took over on an interim basis after Nolan Richardson stepped down last season. Kloppenburg will be charged with improving the franchise with the leagues worst record of the past two seasons, following a relocation from Detroit. The Shock won only three games last season and are 9-59 in two seasons in Tulsa. Tulsa seems like such a great fit. Tulsa was one of the teams Ive scouted so I knew the level of talent. When we came in here in July with Indiana, we were surprised that it was a good crowd given the record. They were loud, they were rabid. Its our job to put an exciting team on the floor and get the fans back in the building. Kloppenburg said it is important that the team get off to a quick start. We want a great training so when we get to that first game, were really prepared, he said. We will be competitive with everyone in the league. Obviously, you want to compete for a championship every year. First things first, we want to put a solid basketball team on the court that can compete. Thats all primary owner Bill Cameron needed to hear. Anytime you change a head coach, its a key decision, Cameron said. Were in this for the long term and we think we have the right guy. Were absolutely confident we have the right guy. Im a competitive guy. I dont like losing. So, its really critical to me to get this thing going. The level of performance weve had is not acceptable to us and we believe Gary is the right guy to help us do that. Weve built a good, loyal fan base here. We appreciate the fans being with us during all the changes weve had. We will keep plugging away until we bring a championship home (to Tulsa). Kloppenburg said there is much work to do in the coming months, from hiring a staff to scouting potential draft players to scouring the free agent lists. We have a lot of work to do, he said. Well identify the players we need and well get to work. Kloppenburg is excited to build around some of the young talent already on the Shock roster. Liz has a chance to be a once-in-a-lifetime player, Kloppenburg said. She needs some coaching, some development and she needs to be in a good system. Kayla and Tiff are very good frontline players. Ivory (Latta) is a fiery young guard. We have some pieces in place that we can keep building.

Ex-Yankees 3B Carey dies at 80 (AP)

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:28 +0000

Ex-Yankees 3B Carey dies at 80 (AP)
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP)Andy Carey, third baseman for the New York Yankees dynasty of the 1950s that won four straight American League pennants and two World Series, has died at 80. Daughter Elizabeth Carey tells the New York Times (http://nyti.ms/zPIC61) he died Dec. 15 in California of Lewy body dementia. Joining the Yankees in 1952, Carey became a regular at third two years later on a team that included Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Elston Howard. In 1955, he led the AL in triples with 11, and the Yankees won the first of four consecutive pennants. World Series wins came in 1956 and 1958. He played with Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers before retiring in 1962 with a .260 batting average, 64 home runs and 350 RBIs.

Al-Attiyah wins seventh stage of Dakar Rally (AP)

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:18:08 +0000

Al-Attiyah wins seventh stage of Dakar Rally (AP)
SANTA ROSA, Argentina (AP)The death of Argentine bike rider Jorge Martinez Boero on Sunday on the first day of the Dakar Rally focused attention on the hazards of one of motor sports most dangerous events. Organizers said the 38-year-old died from head and chest injuries during a crash on the first stage. The stage from the Atlantic coastal city of Mar del Plata was won by Leonid Novitskiy of Russia in the cars category, and Francisco Lopez of Chile in bikes. Novitskiy finished the special stage in 32 minutes, 12 secondsfive seconds ahead of Polish driver Krzysztof Holowczyc. Both are driving Minis. Stephane Peterhansel of France was third, nine seconds behind the leader. Lopez on an Aprilla crossed the line in 32:37, 14 seconds in front of defending champion Marc Coma of Spain on a KTM. Javier Pizzolito of Argentina was in third place on a Honda, 27 seconds behind Lopez. Fatalities occur often in the Dakar Rally. Last year a man died when his small truck collided with a car participating in the rally. In 2010, a woman watching the race was struck and killed by a vehicle taking part in the race. In 2009, the body of French motorcyclist Pascal Terry was found after he had been missing for three days following the second stage of the race. Details surrounding Martinez Boeros death were not clear, but reports said he may have fallen after running off the course and striking an open sewer line. The organizers of the rally offer their heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones, race officials said in a statement. Police said Martinez Boero died as he was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Mar del Plata. This was his second Dakar. Officials said he withdrew during the sixth stage of last years rally. This is the fourth consecutive year the event is being held in South America. The rally was held in Europe and Africa until the 2008 race was canceled because of fears of terrorism. It was moved to South America the next year. The route this year is different to the first three, which were loop courses from the Argentine capital Buenos Aires to Chile, and then back to Buenos Aires. This year the race begins in Argentina, passes through Chile, and finishes in Lima, Peru, on Jan. 15.

First-round tee times for Hyundai Tournament of Champions (PGATOUR.com)

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:54:07 +0000

First-round tee times for Hyundai Tournament of Champions (PGATOUR.com)
Top 10: 2011 Shots of the Year Check out the top 10 shots of the year on the PGA TOUR (primarily from non-major events), featuring a variety of clutch putts, electrifying aces and g Posted Dec 14 2011 More: Golf video