Kathrynpires2015
member
offline  |
| |
| posts: |
425 |
| joined: |
10/29/2015 |
| from: |
hefei, AL |
|
|
 |
|
|
| o rotation spots.Lester was their clea |
| SAN ANTONIO -- No early playoff collapse this time. No skeptics doubting whether theyre really the calibre of a No. 1 seed. No injuries to overcome. Not a single loss in the last month. By practically any standard, the San Antonio Spurs are dominating and doing so at a pace that few NBA teams have sustained into the playoffs, returning home Tuesday with a 14-game winning streak after sweeping Utah in the most lopsided series yet this post-season. "You know what?" Spurs forward Tim Duncan said before leaving Salt Lake City, "We got a team here." San Antonio finished off the Jazz on Monday night, and could have as long as a week to rest before starting the Western Conference semifinals against either Memphis or the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers lead that series 3-1 and get their first crack at advancing Wednesday. If Memphis hangs on to the brink, the Spurs may not host Game 1 until next Tuesday. Heres what the Spurs can reflect upon in the meantime: They havent lost since April 9, and since then, theyre winning by an average margin of 17 points. The NBAs running punch line for being too old and frail -- a worn-out joke thats now a misnomer, really -- is now one of only six teams since 1986 to maintain an overall winning streak this long in the playoffs. Its almost enough to make the Spurs feel confident returning to the second round, particularly after not even surviving the first last year despite being the No. 1 seed then, too. Almost enough, anyway. "As usual," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said about the next series, "scared to death." Popovich knows history is maybe the only thing the Spurs dont have going for them. As invincible as San Antonio has looked for the past month, Popovich has helmed an even hotter team in the post-season -- only to lose in the West semifinals, exactly where these Spurs are headed next. That was in 2004, when the Spurs finished the regular season on an 11-game tear, followed by six mostly blow-out wins to start the playoffs. But that 17-game winning streak came to a screeching halt by Game 3 of the second round against the Lakers, who won the next four on their way to the NBA finals. Just as they remain eight years later, Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were all the leading scorers on that 2004 team. Ginobili, at the time, was left afterward sorting out the difference between "failure and disappointment." After closing out the Jazz 87-81 on Monday -- only the third time in the past month the Spurs havent won by double-digits -- Ginobili struck a tone of cautious optimism. "We had great additions late in the season to make us even better. Our defence is slowly improving," Ginobili said. "I think we are a little better, but the league is so tough. Anybody can beat the other team." Few know that better than the Spurs. Blowing out Utah helped them exorcise any lingering demons from Memphis stomping out their 61-win season in the first round last year. Proclaiming the demise of the four-time champion Spurs has become a tradition since their last title in 2007, and the death rattle never sounded louder than following that humbling exit to the Grizzlies. Whether the next round brings a rematch with Memphis or a date with the Clippers, the Spurs were a combined 7-1 this season against both. The only loss was to the Clippers at home in March, when Parker didnt play because of a sore thigh. No injuries are shackling the Spurs this time. No guarantees, either. "We didnt accomplish anything. We just passed the first round," Parker said. "We can be happy, but tomorrow is a new day, and its going to be even harder." Ian Desmond Nationals Jersey . - Mike Conleys perfect start sent the Memphis Grizzlies to an easy victory. Michael Wacha Cardinals Jersey . -- Drew Smyly could finally relax on the mound Monday. http://www.baseballgreet.net/Toronto-Blue-Jays-Russell-Martin-Jersey/. Caboclo, an 18-year-old Brazilian forward, is under contract through the 2015-16 season, with two team option years to follow. Jayson Werth Nationals Jersey . - A Tuesday funeral is planned in Toronto for 20-year-old Saginaw Spirit forward Terry Trafford. Russell Wilson Rangers Jersey .J. - Wes Welker swears he doesnt dwell on his costly drop in the Super Bowl two years ago that could have sealed New Englands win over the New York Giants and made up for losing to them four years earlier.SAN DIEGO - Even before Jon Lester chose to sign with the Chicago Cubs late Tuesday night, the Boston Red Sox were exploring all their rotation options.General manager Ben Cherington said the Red Sox were pursuing other free agents — and trade opportunities — to fill out their starting five.We need to build a rotation and we need to be in on all sorts of stuff, and we have been in all sorts of stuff, Cherington said several hours before Lester agreed to a $155 million, six-year contract with Chicago. Theres probably 15 to 20 starting pitching scenarios weve talked about and worked on. ... Were going to build a good rotation.Cherington acknowledged Boston has spoken with former pitcher Justin Masterson, who came up through the Red Sox farm system before being traded in 2009 during his second big league season. The right-hander went 7-9 with a 5.88 ERA for Cleveland and St. Louis this year, when he spent time on the disabled list because of a knee injury.AAfter finishing last in the AL East at 71-91, the Red Sox revamped their lineup by adding free agents Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval.dddddddddddd They are now focusing on filling twr first choice. The left-hander has pitched nearly all his nine-year career with Boston, winning two World Series championships with the Red Sox. But he was traded to the As this summer.Now, he has chosen to be reunited with Theo Epstein, who was the Red Sox general manager before becoming the Cubs president of baseball operations.With or without Lester, Cherington thinks results are what matters most.I think our fans expect us to deliver on the field and win games, he said. In order for us to give the best chance, we have to add to the pitching staff. There are all sorts of ways to do that. Of course theres a connection to certain players more than others. But ultimately they care about the people we put on the field. cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' ' |
|
|
|
|
|
Email To Friend | 
Set Alert To This Topic
New Topic | 
Post Reply 
posted on: 12/03/2015 03:06:42 AM
Edit
Quote
Report
Profile
Reply