cond-tier opponent for numerous 160-pound contenders. V | Forum

SIX QUICK HOOPS THOUGHTS 1. Maillot Griezmann France . J.R. SMITH (Knicks): I look at the mess in NY and the loss of Tyson Chandlers Defense and Rebounding is huge, this man is not performing anywhere near the level he did as the NBA 6th Man of the Year. Look at his numbers (11.7ppg / 33 FG + 29 3 PT PCT) this season.  Not good at all. This is a team with multiple problems, but after the Knicks gave him the contract extension he doesnt look like hes very locked in. You cant count on guys like this            2. TIM DUNCAN (Spurs): How about one for the old guys! He put up 23 points and 21 rebounds on Monday vs. Atlanta, oldest guy to do the 20/20+. He stays in terrific shape and another example of that fact was this game. He epitomizes the savvy veteran who knows how to play to his strengths each night and conserve energy for the defining plays. As long as he stays upright, San Antonio will be in the hunt. He has gotten off to a bit of a slow start but is rounding into shape as the season goes along.       3. TREY BURKE (Jazz): Theyve been waiting patiently for their first round pick out of Michigan to come back from injury. He has arrived—21 points and six assists vs. Houston.  Utah has had poor production at that spot this season and Burke will get every opportunity to prove that hes going to be the lead guard in Salt Lake City. There are so many terrific point guards in the league right now; you must have a guy you can trust to run your team. Hes a talented scorer/shooter, now he has to prove that he can run a pro team.           4. RYAN ANDERSON (Pelicans): Tough break losing Anthony Davis to a hand Injury but coach Monty Williams has to love having Anderson back. One of the best shooting step out 4s in the League, loved him in New Jersey and Orlando. Hell compete on the boards for you as well and do it within the flow of the offense quite efficiently. Huge to have that floor spacer to set up the spacing and driving lanes for your guards.  He does that at a high level, good to see him back.            5. LAWRENCE FRANK (Nets): The former Head Coach of the Pistons and Nets is now out as Jason Kidds top lieutenant. Strange news hearing of his reassignment. I had a nice chat with him last Tuesday night in Toronto and I thought he was a great addition for Kidd. They had a close relationship and now it seems to have come apart under the expectations and pressure of the spotlight. Coaching is a tough business and the most important factor is having everyone on the same page. Obviously, there were differences on philosophy. Rarely do you see a move like this though in season, its very odd. Frank is a good coach, Im sure hell be back on the sidelines down the line. Coaching is a wacky profession. Things in Brooklyn are at the point of dysfunction.      6. WARRIORS FANS: Ive just witnessed an amazing comeback here at Golden State by the Warriors-theyre a very good team. Conversely, I just saw a collapse by the Raptors that has me speechless. This is the absolute lowest point of this season for Dwane Caseys squad. Forget the Basketball and X + Os for a moment, these fans here are awesome, magnificent, terrific and whatever superlative you want to throw out there. For those of you who watched the game you know what I mean. On an early December Tuesday night when many arenas are a morgue this was magical. They stayed behind their team and this is what folks who claim to be basketball fans will agree with me wholeheartedly about. A supportive and passionate crowd does pump a team up and make a HUGE difference. It happened this evening. Wow! Maillot Griezmann . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Maillot Lloris . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. http:///...ri-payet-france.html .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J.CARSON, Calif. -- The same crowd that cheered Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. into the ring booed him out of it 10 rounds later. After a yearlong layoff, his comeback fight had devolved into a disappointment for an overweight, rusty fighter. Chavez still beat Bryan Vera by unanimous decision Saturday night, and the notorious boxing scion chose to see the positives amid all of that negative energy. "I think its not a good night because people expect the knockout, but I think it was good fight," Chavez said. "I cant see him winning." Chavez (47-1-1) overcame weight struggles and a lively challenge from the unsung Vera to get the decision on all three judges scorecards. Judge Carla Caiz saw it 96-94, Marty Denkin scored it 97-93, and Gwen Adair favoured Chavez 98-92, giving Vera only the eighth and ninth rounds. Not many ringside observers agreed: The half-full StubHub Center crowd, which chanted Chavezs name during the fight, hated the decision and ripped Chavez as he left the ring. "I definitely won seven or eight rounds of the fight," Chavez said. "I was very close to knocking him out like three times in the fight." The Associated Press scored it 96-94 for Vera. The win capped a tumultuous stretch for Chavez, who hadnt fought since Sept. 15, 2012, when he received his first career defeat in a thrilling decision against middleweight king Sergio Martinez. After serving a nine-month drug suspension, Chavez missed the original 168-pound contract limit for his comeback bout with Vera. Chavez struggled just to get to the new 173-pound limit for Fridays weigh-in, looking sunken and drawn as he came in just under the limit. Vera (23-7) and his camp were furious with the verdict, feeling he outpointed Chavez with superior activity and aggression in the 10-round bout. Vera landed 176 of his 734 punches -- throwing more than twice as many as Chavez, who landed 125 of 328 -- while also landing more power shots than Chavez, whose face was swollen and cut by the final bell. "This is the best performance of my career," Vera said. "The weight was never an issue. The game plan was exactly what we did. I was never hurt during the fight." Vera was the aggressor from the opening bell, chasing Chavez around the ring and throwing twice the volume of punches. Chavez, who wouldnt step on HBOs scale before the fight, consistently backed up against his smaller opponent. But CChavez also landed his left hook consistently, setting up short right hands that turned Veras head. Maillot De Foot Antoine Griezmann. The fight turned into a match of Chavezs power with Veras activity, and both fighters did damage -- although Vera dealt much more visible punishment, re-opening the cut that forced a three-week postponement of the fight. The sixth round was a corker, with both fighters trading big shots. Vera appeared to be winning the seventh round, cutting Chavez on the nose during a flurry against the ropes, but Chavez staggered him with a big left hook in the final seconds. Chavez complained repeatedly about head butts and low blows by Vera, who finished the final round aggressively and thrust his arms skyward at the final bell. "Every one of these judges needs to retire," said Veras trainer, Ronnie Shields. "It wasnt an easy fight for Bryan, but come on, Bryan won at least seven or eight rounds." No matter the decision, Chavez showed some rust and conditioning issues in his first bout since losing to Martinez. Chavez took a pounding in the first 11 rounds of that bout before staggering and nearly stopping Martinez in the 12th, possibly falling a few seconds shy of an upset victory. But Chavezs career hit the rocks shortly after that impressive moment. He tested positive for marijuana use, receiving a nine-month suspension and a hefty fine, and he split with respected trainer Freddie Roach and strength coach Alex Ariza. Chavez was ostensibly trained for this fight by his famous father, although the Hall of Famer watched the evenings opening bouts in a tuxedo while broadcasting for Mexican televisions Azteca Deportes. Chavez had hoped to return with another middleweight fight, but realized early in negotiations with Vera that he couldnt get down to 160 pounds any more. Chavez tried to make the super middleweight limit, but gave up several days ago -- and reportedly paid a hefty penalty to Vera on top of Veras $275,000 purse. Chavez, whose purse was $2.5 million, could afford it. Vera is the son and brother of boxers from Austin, Texas. He competed on the reality show "The Contender" before upsetting Andy Lee in 2008, leading to a decent career as a second-tier opponent for numerous 160-pound contenders. Vera revitalized his career in the past 18 months with victories in his last four bouts, including a surprise stoppage of Ukraines Sergiy Dzinziruk in January. 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 Auston Matthews Jersey ' ' '