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never really think about it. Scandrick started a career-high 15 games last year and was one of the b
Topic Started: Apr 11 2016, 04:51 AM (2 Views)
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MIAMI - Hassan Whiteside isnt sure what the low point of his overseas life as a ballplayer was. Chris Culliver Redskins Jersey .Maybe it was when he played in China and got chewed by mosquitoes every night because the windows were always open. Maybe it was the time his team gathered for dinner and was served a whole goat, head and all. Maybe it was the time in Lebanon when he missed a ride — a fortuitous twist, since the area where he would have been was the site of a bombing.Those days are over.An unknown to many just a few weeks ago, Whiteside is now the starting centre for the Miami Heat. Hes also one of the few bright spots in whats been a trying first half of the season for the franchise that has been to the NBA Finals five times in the past nine seasons and now finds itself struggling just to keep a playoff spot.It feels like Im living a dream, Whiteside said. A couple months ago, I couldnt even get anybody to look at me. Its crazy. Its just a dream I never want to wake up from and every day I come to the arena I just feel blessed. Even when I started my first game, I was like Wow. You just look up and have to soak it all in.Hes fast become a fan favourite in Miami, and some of his teammates rave about him as well. Whiteside — currently out with a sprained ankle, though not expected to miss significant time — is averaging 12.1 points and 8 rebounds per game in January, not exactly superstar numbers but far better than any other stretch of his limited time in the league.Hes big and he plays big, Heat guard Dwyane Wade said of the 7-footer who got plenty of attention after a 23-point, 16-rebound game against the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this month in a Miami victory. He protects the basket for us, he catches it and he finishes it. If he keeps doing that he will have a long, successful career.Whiteside plays with some anger, stemming from how every team in the NBA — some of them multiple times — had passed on the chance to have him.Theres a certain irony that on draft night in 2010, the Heat were the last team that opted not to call his name.Whiteside was the 33rd pick in that draft, going to Sacramento one spot after Miami selected another big man in Dexter Pittman. Whiteside spent parts of the next two seasons with the Kings, appearing in 19 games and never scoring more than five points in any of them.Soon, his well-travelled odyssey began: He bounced around the NBA Development League, played for a couple of teams in China, a couple more in Lebanon, all the while constantly hoping for someone at home to even offer a workout. He often wondered if any team was keeping tabs on him.The Heat were.Sometimes it takes the right team, the right opportunity, the right frame of mind, all of it working together, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Wed gotten to know him over the last four years. Wed brought him in enough. I met with him extensively, for an hour, after the workout this year and there was something about how he responded, how he looked me in the eye, that I believed him.Whitesides work ethic, a source of concern in the past, has not been an issue in Miami.His daily routine essentially consists of waking up, going to the arena, studying film, practicing, working out, then going home. Hes worked out with Hakeem Olajuwon in the past, and tries to emulate the game of former Heat star Alonzo Mourning now.He doesnt have to worry about eating goat or fast food for dinner anymore, either: In Miami, he raves about the Boars Head barbecue chicken subs from Publix, a regional supermarket chain.He calls this chapter a fresh start.It just doesnt work out with some organizations, said Whiteside, who lists his goals as averaging a double-double and becoming one of the NBAs three best shot-blockers. Coach Spo, he really gave me a chance, just with the minutes. When they give players a chance, theyre really all-in. Theyre invested.So far, its paying off. Kedric Golston Jersey . "Because this a money generating asset, theyre under no pressure, I would assume, to sell," said Norm OReilly, a professor of sports business at the University of Ottawa. "Im sure, like any equity, they would have their eye on what they would turn around and do. Trent Williams Jersey .S. Open. Paes, of India, and Stepanek, of the Czech Republic, knocked out the Bryan brothers in a three-set semifinal to deny the Americans the chance to become the first mens doubles team in 62 years to win all four majors in the same year. http://www.theredskinslockroom.com/AUTHENTIC-EARNEST-BYNER-REDSKINS-JERSEY/ . Canucks head coach John Tortorella announced Tuesday that both Henrik Sedin and Alex Burrows are listed as day-to-day and will not travel with the team to play the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday and Thursday night.IRVING, Texas - Morris Claiborne is backing up Orlando Scandrick and preparing to play plenty of snaps against New Orleans, just as he did in several games last year. For reasons he wouldnt fully explain, the third-year Dallas cornerback had a much harder time accepting that plan this time around. Claiborne returned to practice Wednesday a day after walking out on the team upon hearing that he was being replaced as a starter by Scandrick. The former top-10 pick skipped meetings and a short walk-through practice Tuesday before returning to the facility about eight hours later to meet with coach Jason Garrett, who said Claiborne would be disciplined but wouldnt reveal how. Claiborne said he left the facility because he was angry over how the lineup change was presented to me, not because he was being demoted. But he wouldnt offer more details. I was ready for whatever fines or anything came with that, said Claiborne, who said he hasnt been told how he will be punished. I felt like if I stayed, who knows what would have happened. I felt like the best thing for me to do was to leave. Scandrick missed the first two games because of a four-game drug suspension. When that ban was rescinded last week, he returned and played about as much as Claiborne, who was beaten several times but made a clinching interception in a 34-31 victory at St. Louis. Claiborne said himself that he stunk it up against the Rams, and that the late pick wasnt enough to make up for getting beat repeatedly. But that didnt mean he was ready for someone to tell him hed lost his job. I think he understood that he made a mistake, Garrett said. Guys are competitors. When they hear news that doesnt go their way, different guys react different ways. He obviously knew he didnt react the right way. After meeting with Garrett, Claiborne said he apologized to his teammates Wednesday morning. After practice, several players said they supported Claiborne and understood why he felt the need to leave. I think Mo cares a lot, quarterback Tony Romo said. I think it was something he probably wishes he would have made a different decision. In saying that, hes a good teammate and he works hard and hes going to help our football team a lot this year. The cornerbacks will be a ffocal point Sunday night against Drew Brees and the Saints (1-2), who became the first team in NFL history to get 40 first downs in a 49-17 blowout of the Cowboys (2-1) last year. Logan Paulsen Redskins Jersey. . Brees has thrown for 838 yards and seven touchdowns the past two seasons against Dallas. Im going to play a big role on this team in this game to come and in games to come down the road, Claiborne said. Im here to stand up and fill the shoes that I need to fill and do whatever I need to do for this team. Because of injuries and inconsistent play, Claiborne hasnt lived up to expectations since the Cowboys gave up their second-round draft choice to move up eight spots and get him with the sixth overall pick out of LSU in 2012. Owner Jerry Jones even acknowledged on his radio show Tuesday that Claiborne hadnt produced like he hoped. But the former Louisiana high school star said the burden of what he cost the Cowboys wasnt a factor in Tuesdays drama. Thats what people say, said Claiborne, who has one interception in each of his three seasons. I dont feel it. I never really think about it. Scandrick started a career-high 15 games last year and was one of the best players in training camp, but Claiborne got the first three starts this year because of Scandricks suspension for violating the policy on performance-enhancing drugs. A change to the policy brought him back early. Asked last week whether he should start, Scandrick said it was up to the coaches. Asked again after Claibornes demotion, the seventh-year player offered a stronger opinion. I feel like Im still ascending as a player, said Scandrick, a fifth-round pick in 2008. And yes, I do feel like Ive earned the right to play full time. Claiborne doesnt disagree. He just feels the same way about himself. NOTES: Romo skipped practice Wednesday, just as he did last week before playing his best game since returning from back surgery. ... LB Justin Durant (groin) returned to practice and will likely return against the Saints after missing two games, while LB Rolando McClain is still out with his groin problem. ... Henry Melton (hamstring), Terrell McClain (concussion) and Davon Coleman (knee) didnt practice, leaving just two healthy DTs in Nick Hayden and Ken Bishop. Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '
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