EL SEGUNDO, Calif.
http:///...Pennel-Elite-Jersey/
. -- The Los Angeles Lakers signed Kobe Bryant to a two-year contract extension
Monday, securing the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history into his 20th season
with the franchise. Bryant hasnt played this season while recovering from
surgery on his torn Achilles tendon in April, but the Lakers didnt wait to renew
their commitment to the five-time NBA champion before he got anywhere close to
the free-agent market next summer. Bryant inked the deal with owner Jim Buss and
general manager Mitch Kupchak at his side in agent Rob Pelinkas office moments
before the Lakers left for an East Coast road trip. Bryant, Buss and Kupchak all
had repeatedly stated Bryant wouldnt leave his only NBA home. The 35-year-old
guard quickly tweeted a picture of his signature with the hashtag: Laker4Life.
"This is a very happy day for Lakers fans and for the Lakers organization,"
Kupchak said in a statement. "Weve said all along that our priority and hope was
to have Kobe finish his career as a Laker, and this should ensure that that
happens." Bryant has spent more than half of his life playing for the Lakers,
and if he fulfills his new contract, he will break John Stocktons record of 19
seasons with one NBA franchise. But Kobes legacy in L.A. already is secure: No
less than Magic Johnson and Jerry West have declared Bryant the franchises
greatest player, given his fistful of championship rings and his consistent
brilliance while scoring more points than anybody in a Lakers uniform. Although
Bryant is taking a pay cut from his $30.45 million salary this season, Kobe and
the Lakers didnt exactly agree to a hometown discount, either. ESPN reported the
deal is worth $48.5 million, keeping Kobe among the NBAs highest-paid players.
Some fans grumbled online that the contract will limit the Lakers flexibility in
the free-agent market next summer, clouding their starry-eyed dreams of signing
Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James. Other fans approved the payout as a reward for
an iconic player who still ranked among the NBAs most dangerous scorers before
his injury. Bryant and 39-year-old point guard Steve Nash are the only players
signed to significant contracts for next season with the Lakers, who have been
anticipating a major roster restructuring in 2014 ever since Dwight Howard fled
town in July. Even if the Lakers waived the oft-injured Nash under a special
provision limiting his salary cap hit, Bryant would eat up roughly a third of
their room under the projected cap before anybody else joins him next season.
Bryant returned to practice earlier this month, and his return to the court
seems imminent, although he isnt rushing back from perhaps the most significant
injury of his career. Bryant said last week that he could adjust his game and
contribute something to the Lakers right now, but he wants to make a full return
when he finally steps on the court for his 18th NBA season. "Its definitely
something where youre kind of champing at the bit a little bit, but weve come so
far," Bryant said after practice last week. "I want to make sure, we all do,
when you step out there youre ready to go the long haul, and (the injury) isnt
something that continues on." Coach Mike DAntoni has said Bryant can return
whenever Kobe says hes ready. The Lakers are surviving in his absence, improving
to 7-7 on Sunday night by beating Sacramento for their third straight victory.
"Ive been extremely proud of the way weve competed," Bryant said. The contract
is another milestone in Bryants remarkable career. He was a 17-year-old high
schooler when the Lakers acquired him after the Charlotte Hornets chose him in
the first round of the 1996 draft, and Lakers fans watched as he evolved into
one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history, dazzling fans with his
offensive inventiveness and drawing critics for his ball-dominating style of
play. Bryant won three championships with Shaquille ONeal from 2000-02 and added
two more with Pau Gasol in 2009 and 2010, winning the NBA finals MVP award after
each of those titles. He won his only NBA MVP award in 2008 and his scoring
titles in 2006 and 2007, also earning 15 selections to the All-Star game -- with
four MVP awards from the showcase -- and two Olympic gold medals with the U.S.
national team. Bryant hasnt given up hope of adding a sixth championship ring to
his trophy case, even while the Lakers struggle to keep up with the NBAs best
teams. With his immediate future secure, Bryant can focus on getting back to
full strength on his injured leg. "Its always a much greater appreciation for
it," Bryant said of his imminent return. "You understand the mortality that
comes with being on that doorstep. Theres always a sense of enjoyment when you
come back."
http:///...insley-Elite-Jersey/
. PETERSBURG, Fla.
http:///...gomery-Elite-Jersey/
.J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months
later.
http:///...hields-Elite-Jersey/
. LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the
string.DAVIE, Fla. -- Jonathan Martins new lawyer says harassment of the Miami
Dolphins tackle came from more than one teammate. The abuse went far beyond the
traditional locker-room hazing, including a malicious physical attack and daily
vulgar comments, lawyer David Cornwell said Thursday. He was hired this week to
represent Martin, who left the Dolphins last week. His agent then complained to
the Dolphins that Martin had been harassed, and they suspended guard
Richie Incognito. The NFL is investigating whether Incognito harassed or bullied
Martin, and whether their teammates and the organization mishandled the matter.
Incognito has long been regarded as among the NFLs dirtiest players, and has had
brushes with the law. A police report that surfaced Thursday said a female
volunteer at a Dolphins charity golf tournament in May 2012 complained that
Incognito harassed her. According to the report filed in the Miami suburb of
Aventura, the woman said Incognito touched her inappropriately with his golf
club, leaned close to her as if dancing and then emptied bottled water in her
face. Incognito was not charged. The Dolphins declined to comment Friday.
Cornwell is a lawyer who has represented the NFL and several prominent players,
including Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He also was a
candidate in 2009 to become executive director of the NFLPA, a job that went to
DeMaurice Smith. Cornwells statement alleges an unidentified Dolphins player
threatened Martins sister in vulgar fashion. The lawyer said the facts "are not
in dispute." "For the entire season and a half that he was with the Dolphins, he
attempted to befriend the same teammates who subjected him to the abuse with the
hope that doing so would end the harassment," the statement said. "This is a
textbook reaction of victims of bullying. Despite these efforts, the taunting
continued. ... "Eventually, Jonathan made a difficult choice. Despite his love
for football, Jonathan left the Dolphins. Jonathan looks forward to getting back
to playing football. In the meantime, he will co-operate fully with the NFL
investigation." The Dolphins and Incognitos agent didnt respond to requests for
comment on Cornwells statement. Some say Martin, a Stanford graduate who went
about his business quietly, handled the situation well. But pro football is a
macho world, and some players believe Martin should have responded more firmly.
"Is Incognito wrong? Absolutely. Hes 100 per cent wrong," New York Giants safety
Anttrel Rolle said.
http:///...eppers-Elite-Jersey/.
"No individual should have to go through that, especially in their workplace.
"But at the same time, Jonathan Martin is a 6-4, 320-pound man. I mean, at some
point and time you need to stand your ground as an individual. Am I saying go
attack, go fight him? No. I think we all understand we can stand our ground
without anything being physical." Cornwell disagreed. "Jonathan Martins
toughness is not at issue," Cornwell said. "The issue is Jonathans treatment by
his teammates." The Dolphins (4-4) will play for the first time since the
scandal broke Monday night at Tampa Bay (0-8). At least 75 reporters and
cameramen tracking the case were in the locker-room after Thursdays practice,
but receiver Brian Hartline said the scrutiny wont prevent the team from playing
well. "It almost heightens your awareness," he said. "You know its going to take
away from your focus, so it does the exact opposite. You overcompensate to make
sure you stay aware of the game." Dolphins players have robustly defended
Incognito. Hes now a notorious national villain, but teammates praise his
leadership and loyalty. Theyve been less passionate in their support of Martin,
saying he and Incognito behaved like best friends. Martin is with his family in
California to undergo counselling for emotional issues. A senior partner in a
New York law firm was appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to investigate
possible misconduct and prepare a report. While Martin has been a starter since
the first game of his rookie season, he developed a reputation in the NFL for
lacking toughness. That impression might have been reinforced by the way he
handled his issues with Incognito, current and former teammates acknowledge. "A
lot of people might look at Jonathan Martin and think that hes soft because he
stepped away from the game, and say, Why dont you just fight him?" said Seattle
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin, who played with Martin at Stanford. "Well, if
you look at it with common sense and being logical, what options did
Jonathan Martin have? "He could fight Richie Incognito. He could go and tell on
the players, which we know in the football locker-room doesnt go over too well.
Or he could remove himself from the situation and let the proper channels take
care of itself. And I think he made the intelligent, smart choice without
putting himself or Richie Incognitos physical abilities in danger."
Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '