ys[/url] . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losin
ys[/url] . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losin
in News 13.06.2019 08:16von jj009 • 1.455 Beiträge
TORONTO -- While most of his NBA draftmates were auditioning on courts around the league, Anthony Bennett was making the rounds of NBA offices. The Brampton, Ont., native is touted as a potential top-five pick in Thursdays nights NBA draft, but the UNLV swingman has been sidelined since having rotator cuff surgery in May. Bennett has to hope he impressed in his interviews, and his play in college this past season, but he said hes confident his injury wont dictate what NBA jersey hell be wearing next season. "There were a lot of questions about the surgery of course (in interviews)," Bennett said in a phone interview from New York. "But I feel like the surgery is not really a big issue, just because David Altchek (the New York Mets doctor and a medical consultant for the NBA) did it. Hes one of the top guys. So I feel like its going to be cool." Bennetts rehab will keep him out of action until training camp, meaning hell miss NBA summer league. Plus the six-foot-seven, 240-pound player already missed draft combine and individual workouts. He did travel to the drafts top five teams -- Cleveland, Orlando, Washington, Charlotte and Phoenix -- for interviews. Bennett had surgery a few weeks after the Runnin Rebels were upset in the second round of March Madness in a 64-61 loss to California. "At the end of my season, I felt like it was the best choice, best decision for me to go ahead and get surgery for my shoulder, instead of doing it after summer league," Bennett said. "I felt like it was the right decision because Im going to be back before training camp, even though Im going to miss out on summer league. But training camp, I feel like thats one I really cant miss." Bennett played this past season at UNLV, earning Mountain West freshman of the year honours. He led the team in scoring with 16.1 points a game. He also led the team, and was fifth in the conference, in rebounds averaging 8.1. Hes one of three Canadians who are NBA-bound. Gonzaga forward Kelly Olynyk is a projected lottery pick while University of Texas point guard Myck Kabongo is expected to go late in the second round. Tristan Thompson is the highest Canadian NBA draft pick, going fourth overall to Cleveland in 2011. The forward from Brampton, Ont., said Bennett shouldnt stress about where he lands in the draft -- the health of his shoulder is more important. "Because its a long season, 82 games plus training camp, it takes a toll on your body, so make sure you get your shoulder healthy first," Thompson said in a phone interview. "And then second, it doesnt matter what number you get picked, its about the best fit in the best situation for you. Look at Darko Milicic, he went No. 2 (in 2003) but hes not in the NBA right now. And youve got Dwyane Wade (No. 5 pick the same year) who has won NBA championships. "So its about the best fit. Its not about the pick, its about whats the best fit and how you can extend your career for as long as you can." Two other top-10 draft prospects for this year -- Nerlens Noel and Alex Len -- also had recent surgeries, Noel for a torn ACL and Len for an ankle injury. Bennett said hes just starting lifting weights again. "Not too heavy, but just a good amount to build back the strength. Ive been doing that, and some mobility work," he said. He was just wrapping up a whirlwind Wednesday in New York that he spent doing interviews and photo shoots. All the draft prospects also toured the 9/11 memorial. Bennett has two teams worth of family members with him in New York -- some 25-30 (he lost count) of uncles, aunts and cousins, and his mom and sister. Hes purchased his suit for his walk across the stage -- scarlet and grey, UNLVs colours. "Simple, but it really stands out too," he said of his fashion choice. These are heady days for Canadian basketball as Bennett, Olynyk and Kabongo are poised to join the eight Canadians already in the NBA, two of whom -- Miamis Joel Anthony and San Antonios Cory Joseph -- played in the NBA final. "Its a big time for those young guys, and its big for our country and its big for our national team, having three guys that are potential first-round picks, all Canadians," Thompson said. "I think its because were getting the opportunity and were getting the media attention and the exposure with these young kids coming up. And also these young kids are taking this game seriously and theyre seeing that if they work hard it is possible to become an NBA player and get drafted. Its kind of a seeing is believing type thing. With Steve Nash being the forefather of all this and me and Cory being the grandpas, its exciting," he added, laughing. Nash was the highest Canadian draft pick before Thompson, going 15th overall to Phoenix in 1996. Bennett spoke to Nash, whos also the general manager of Canadas mens team, a few months ago. "It was back when I didnt really know what I was doing, if I was going to stay in college or I was going to leave, but he just told me if I do leave, just work hard, because not every year is guaranteed for you," Bennett said. "That kind of stuck with me." While Bennett insisted hell be happy wherever he lands -- "top-10, or even if its 11 through 20" -- he did say he wouldnt mind topping Thompson in the draft pecking order. "Its history. Tristan, he went No. 4 a couple of years ago, so if I beat that, Ill be happy," Bennett said. "Its just a great era of Canadian basketball right now, because we have people in the NBA, we have people getting drafted this year, we have people in college, we have people still in high school who are dominating. Its just crazy throughout different levels." Andrew Wiggins, a budding superstar from Thornhill, Ont., is being projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Custom Timberwolves Jersey China . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. Custom Timberwolves Jerseys . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. http://www.customtimberwolvesjersey.com/ .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Cheap Custom Timberwolves Jersey . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. Custom Timberwolves T-shirts . Bjorn, who had a 36-hole total of 8-under 134, made a testing six-foot putt to save par on the 16th and a birdie on the 17th before bogeying the final hole after a misjudged approach shot. American Kevin Streelman was in second place after shooting a 69. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- When he returned a kickoff for a touchdown a few weeks ago in Denver, Tyreek Hill had put so much space between himself and the Broncos coverage team that he had time to give DeAnthony Thomas a high-five.Before he reached the end zone.On Sunday, when the speedy rookie for the Kansas City Chiefs reached the open field on a punt return against Oakland, his mouthpiece popped to the turf when he was within sight of the goal line.He might have had time to stop and pick it up.I was chewing on the side of it and I made a move, and I dropped it, said Hill, who at least made an attempt to grab it out of midair before it hit the turf. That would have been epic.Epic is a good word for Hills scintillating performances.His return TD in a crucial 21-13 win over the Raiders made him the first rookie since Gale Sayers in 1965 to score on a punt return, kick return, on the ground and through the air. Hill also hauled in his sixth touchdown reception earlier in the game, giving him nine touchdowns total this season -- third-most by a rookie in franchise history behind only Abner Haynes and Billy Jackson.Most of these names mean very little to Hill; Haynes played in the 1960s, Jackson in the `80s. But he does know of Sayers, the Kansas Comet who starred for the Jayhawks before joining the Chicago Bears.I mean, I didnt know, Hill said. Thats great. But Im not the only one on that field doing it. Without those guys blocking for me and Alex throwing me the rock, none of that stuff would happen.Hills record-breaking season has caused some internal conflict for fans that cannot forgive his off-the-field issues. Domestic abuse is a serious crime, and the case that got him kicked out of Oklahoma State and sent him sliding to the fifth round of the draft was particularly egregious.But many have decided to give Hill a second chance, pointing out the counseling sessions that he has been diligently attending, and the community service work that has been part of the fallout.Those were the fans who were chanting his name before his punt return touchdown against Oakland.Ive never seen a stadium chanting a name liike that, Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said, and then he houses it.dddddddddddd It gave me chills on the sideline. I mean, the whole stadium was chanting his name and he answers. I thought it was one of the coolest things I have seen.Its not just that Hill has been scoring touchdowns, either.Theyve been crucial touchdowns.His first touchdown reception came in the season opener against San Diego, the momentum-turning blow in what became the biggest comeback in franchise history. His first touchdown at Arrowhead Stadium came in a 27-21 win over New Orleans. And he scored on the ground, through the air and on that kick return in Denver -- the Chiefs only three touchdowns in a 30-27 victory.Am I surprised? No, not at all, Smith said. Two things: I think he obviously has that kind of ability and those tools, but I think mentally he is really smart and really works hard.For a young kid, the stage is not too big. He doesnt blink out there, Smith continued. We can do a lot with him and move him around and he can play in a lot of different positions. He is on it. He prepares every week. There was a process, but it was very clear early in OTAs that he had a lot of ability and they have put more and more on his plate, and I think hes responded really well.Andy Reid was asked this week where the Chiefs would be this season without Hill, and the veteran coach predictably punted. He doesnt often bite on hypotheticals. But its an intriguing question, and one to which the Chiefs are glad they dont have to know the answer as they prepare to host Tennessee on Sunday.Yeah, Im proud of the kid, Reid said. Ive mentioned that in the past here that Im proud of him more for what hes done off the field than on the field. Hes trying to right a wrong. Its hard because its something that hes not real proud of. So, listen, hes doing the right things and trying to do the right things here now. My hat goes off to him there.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
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