MIAMI (AP)—Heat forward LeBron James(notes) says he isn’t sure Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert “ever cared” about him.
In an interview with GQ magazine, the new Miami star reiterated that coming to the Heat was the right decision for him and his family,intensity and so on, especially after hearing comments Gilbert made after the NBA’s two-time reigning MVP chose to leave Cleveland after seven seasons.
James says, “I don’t think he ever cared about LeBron,” and adds, “me and my family have seen the character of that man.”
Gilbert issued a sharply worded letter to Cleveland fans after James announced his decision in July, vowing to win a title before James does. Gilbert later said that James quit on his team, a comment that earned the owner a $100,000 fine from the NBA.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP)—Larry Bird had the last word in the debate between two great Olympic champions.
Bird stopped just short of calling his Dream Team the best squad ever assembled. But he seized on remarks by Jerry West to take a dig at their gold medal predecessors and fellow Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees.
West had talked about the difficult conditions his team faced 50 years ago in Rome, when the players were housed in dorms without air conditioning and had a $1 per diem.
“I don’t know who had the best team, but I know the team in 1960 was a hell of a lot tougher than we were,” Bird said. “I couldn’t imagine the ’92 team getting in a covered wagon for eight days, going across the country, jumping in the Atlantic Ocean, swimming for six days, then walking 3,000 miles to the Coliseum in Rome for a dollar a day.”
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The members of the 1992 Olympic champions joined Bird on stage Friday at Symphony Hall, the final inductees of the night. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and the rest of the famed squad were Bird’s teammates in his last competitive games, a powerful and popular group widely credited for the growth of international basketball.
“Pretty good way to go out, winning the gold medal,” Bird said.
Fighting a bad back and nearing retirement, Bird had to be talked into playing in Barcelona by Johnson, his friend and a rival since their college days.
“I called your butt up and I said you’re going to play, we need this thrill one more time,” Johnson said.
The 1960 Olympians, a college team led by Oscar Robertson and West that was nearly as dominant as the Dream Team, were enshrined earlier in the ceremony.
“We were really special. It was wonderful,” Robertson said. “It was great to be beside Jerry and all these guys. We had a great time.”
Dream Teamers Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone also were inducted as individuals.
Pippen opened his acceptance speech by praising Jordan, his fellow six-time NBA champion from the Chicago Bulls for being “the best teammate.”
A little-known player from Central Arkansas when the Bulls got him in 1987, Pippen was the first player inducted. With Jordan standing nearby on stage as his presenter, Pippen said he would “cherish their relationship forever.”
“Who knew that No. 23 would be here 23 years later presenting me to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame?” Pippen said.
The presenter does not speak, and Jordan also didn’t speak when the Dream Team assembled on stage. His remarks last year during his enshrinement speech drew some criticism after he singled out individuals whose slights had provided him with motivation.
Malone struggled with his emotions throughout his speech, especially at the end when he recalled his mother, saying she had died seven years ago Friday.
“I’m here because of her,” he said.
Malone also thanked late Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller for believing in him. Malone is a two-time MVP and second on the league’s career scoring list, and said his success came from staying true to his Louisiana roots.
“I hope I did it the way my peers did it before me,” Malone said. “I didn’t do anything but try to play hard.”
Cynthia Cooper, the first Hall of Famer from the WNBA, recalled a time when she lacked confidence in herself before going on to become the league’s first star.
“Something special happens when you believe in yourself,” she said. “Every time I stepped on the court, I wanted to be the best player, the best person I could be.”
Coach Bob Hurley of St. Anthony’s High School in New Jersey, and Lakers owner Jerry Buss also were inducted. Dennis Johnson, former Baltimore Bullets star Gus Johnson and Brazilian Maciel “Ubiratan” Pereira were enshrined posthumously.
Dennis Johnson, who died in 2007, was a favorite teammate of Bird’s and respected for his tenacious defensive play. His wife, Donna, cried during a morning press conference at the Hall of Fame as she tried to offer thanks for her husband’s long-awaited induction.
The focus this year was on teams more than individuals. All the living players from the 1960 champions were in Springfield, including Hall of Famers Walt Bellamy and Jerry Lucas.
West said he believed his group of college players that won its eight games in Rome by 42.4 points per game was “the greatest amateur team that ever played.”
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about those days,” West said. “The greatest thrill of my life was to win a gold medal, not to win an NBA championship.”
Robertson, a co-captain of the team along with West, urged all players to take part in the Olympic experience if they have the chance.
“I think that any time an athlete gets an opportunity to play for your country, he should accept it,” Robertson said.
Charles Barkley, the leading scorer in Barcelona, might agree. He called the summer of 1992 one of the greatest times of his life, and pointed to the Dream Team’s 10 individual Hall of Famers as proof of its greatness.
So were the team’s eye-popping stats: 117.3 points per game, a victory margin of 43.8 per game. Still, Barkley said it wasn’t quite that easy.
“That was probably one thing that we never got credit for. It’s easy to sit there and say you’re going to win every game by 40 or 50 points, but we went out and actually did it,” he said Friday morning during the press conference. “We knew we were going to win the games, but to play at such a high level the entire time was incredible.”
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)—The ex-wife of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright(notes) told police she saw him leave her home carrying money and a box of drugs the night he disappeared, according to court documents obtained Wednesday.
Sherra Wright said her ex-husband left her home at 10:30 p.m. on July 18 with the drugs, returned a short time later, then left again with an unspecified amount of money, said an affidavit for a search warrant by Memphis police Sgt. W.D. Merritt.
Before he left, Sherra Wright said she overheard her ex-husband on the telephone telling someone that he was going to “flip something for $110,000,” the document said.
Sherra Wright said Lorenzen Wright left her home in a car with a person she said she could not identify. Hours later, police dispatchers received a 911 call from Wright’s cell phone and heard noises like gunshots before the call was dropped.
Wright’s body was found July 28 in woods outside Memphis. The 34-year-old had been missing for 10 days. No arrests have been made in the homicide and Memphis police will not discuss whether they have a motive or suspects in the shooting death.
The affidavit said Sherra Wright gave the statements to police in the Memphis suburb of Collierville, where she lives, on July 27—five days after the former University of Memphis basketball star’s mother filed a missing person report.
Sherra Wright also told police that her ex-husband owned a shotgun that he kept at her home and a handgun he kept inside the family van. A search of the home and the van failed to turn up the weapons, the affidavit said.
Police did find shell casings of different caliber bullets at the scene where Wright was shot, but they could not find Wright’s cell phone.
The affidavit said police were going to use documents showing ownership of the two weapons to see if they match the bullet shell casings recovered at the crime scene.
Wright, a 6-foot-11 forward-center,16 this month, played with five teams during his 13-year NBA career. He averaged 8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 778 career NBA games.
NEW YORK (AP)—Isiah Thomas wanted to help the New York Knicks achieve the success that never came when he was in charge.
He won’t do it as a consultant. Not while he is coaching college basketball, anyway.
But even without the new job, it’s clear he still has his old boss’ ear.
Thomas said Wednesday in a statement he was declining a consulting position with the franchise he ran for 4 1/2 years because it may not be legal.
“After speaking with commissioner (David) Stern and Knicks executives,Chris Paul, it has become apparent that my new agreement violates certain NBA bylaws,” Thomas said. “Because of this, I have decided to rescind my contract with the team.”
Thus ends—at least for now—the surprising and controversial reunion between the Knicks and Thomas, the frequent target of fans and media during his turbulent tenure at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks announced the agreement with Thomas on Friday and it was quickly criticized. League personnel aren’t allowed to have contact with players who aren’t yet eligible for the draft, which Thomas would have in his role as coach at Florida International University.
“We have been informed by the Knicks that Isiah Thomas has rescinded his consulting agreement with the team. As a result, it is not necessary for the league to take any formal action on the proposed arrangement,” Stern said. “However, we have reminded the Knicks of NBA rules that prohibit team personnel, including consultants, from having contact with players not eligible for the draft.”
Thomas could have chosen to leave his college job after just one season and keep the Knicks position. Instead, he thanked the organization for giving him another chance.
“Although I’m disappointed that Isiah will not be working with the Knicks as a consultant, I continue to believe in his basketball knowledge, including his ability to judge talent,” MSG chairman James Dolan said. “He’s a good friend of mine and of the organization and I will continue to solicit his views. He will always have strong ties to me and the team. We wish him continued success at FIU.”
Thomas also blamed himself for the Knicks’ poor performance while he was team president from December 2003 through April 2008. He was also the coach the final two seasons, and the team never won a postseason game while he was in charge.
“One of the biggest regrets of my life is that the Knicks didn’t perform up to the standards the fans had every right to expect while I was in charge. I take full responsibility for that,” he said. “I was very much looking forward to this unique opportunity to help the organization do what I do best: find basketball talent. I wish the team nothing but success in the future.”
Thomas aided the Knicks during free agency when he went to Ohio to speak with a member of LeBron James’(notes) inner circle. Donnie Walsh, who replaced Thomas as president and later fired him as coach, thanked Thomas during the news conference to announce Amare Stoudemire’s signing.
That fueled speculation in New York that Thomas, a favorite of Dolan, could return to the Knicks, perhaps even in a management role. But Dolan said Wednesday he is confident in the team he has in place.
“I also believe Donnie Walsh has done a terrific job since joining the Knicks and my tremendous respect for him has only grown since he’s joined the organization,” Dolan said. “I’m confident that the work that Donnie, coach Mike D’Antoni and their staffs have done this summer has the team poised for long-term success.”
The decision should calm members of the basketball community who questioned the partnership. Among them was Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who said he would decline an offer to be a paid consultant of an NBA team.
“I don’t think you can be in both worlds, in an official basis. I think that makes people in both worlds somewhat angry about it, or concerned,” Krzyzewski said. “You’re getting a leg up, and in college we definitely shouldn’t do that.”
CINCINNATI (AP)—Las Vegas-based Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. has signed an initial agreement with a company headed by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert to develop and operate casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland.
The nonbinding agreement between Harrah’s and Detroit-based Rock Gaming LLC was announced Thursday. It would create a joint venture, with Harrah’s managing the casinos and making a minority investment. Rock Gaming would have majority ownership of the partnership.
Rock spokeswoman Jennifer Kulczycki (kohl-ZIHK’-ee) says definitive agreements are expected this fall. The venture expects to invest more than $1 billion total to develop the casinos.
Ohio voters last year approved casinos in four cities. Penn National, based in Wyomissing,Andrew Bogut, Pa., has rights to casinos planned in Toledo and Columbus.
BEIJING, Aug. 17 Xinhua Pennsylvania, United States, a 78-year old man obsessed with roller coasters, often 20 times a day roller coaster ride yesterday, he intensified the day took five hours, a total of 90 travel second roller coaster.
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in the United States, such as Kelei Man who is also a lot of fascination with roller coasters. They have their own organization, called the American roller coaster enthusiasts club, Kelei Man is one of them.
U.S. Secretary of State for the recent Hillary Clinton in Hanoi, Vietnam \challenges China's core interests of the strength of bad but certainly by the Chinese as a \
in the article, Heerpulin to Hillary's speech at the ASEAN forum, as \lack of strength and support of such initiatives, and China has always been such a \
Heerpulin said that the U.S. does have unrivaled military power, the South China Sea strategy is related to political, economic, military, geographical and other aspects, not purely military decision. For example,MBT walking shoes, he said the size of half a century ago was not the Chinese Navy and the U.S. Navy's 1 / 10, not quite the sense of nuclear weapons (intercontinental missile was successfully tested in 1980 only), at a time when the Western Pacific had become a \filled with U.S. military bases and facilities. However, such a disparity in the strength of the case, the Chinese army to force the United States ended the Korean War. In Vietnam, the United States is afraid of China's accession to finally withdraw its troops. Now the U.S. military facilities in the region are being given up, \
Heerpulin that, from a purely military perspective of China's major military advantage in the South China Sea is its land-based air and naval forces, its coastal airports and ports are force multipliers. Because the United States in the forefront of the South China Sea does not have enough military power, once the war made the United States will have to fight in China's airports and ports, which would mean the outbreak of the Sino-US all-out war.
Another alternative is the huge United States and its allies with the fighters, submarines, a war of attrition group Da, Dan Wen Ti U.S. allies in the South China Sea Zhou Bian Hai air Liliangdubu value of a mention, and they also fear that China's Bao Fu may not dare to stand on the U.S. side, so the United States is difficult to get air base from these countries will have far transferred to the South China Sea to support aircraft carrier battle group. Even so, the United States to deploy up to only 350 fighters, but they will face off shore from mainland China 4 times or 5 times their Chinese fighter, which will also include performance similar to the U.S. F-22's Chinese 5th generation fighters. Although the U.S. nuclear submarine to destroy a large number of Chinese submarines, the Chinese navy and air force in the joint fight, the U.S. aircraft carrier was bound to hit the Chinese anti-ship ballistic missiles.
and China well placed in the South China Sea. Critical distance and supply operations. Paracel Islands from the U.S. East Coast naval base in Norfolk, about 14 thousand miles, from San Diego, West Coast base of about 8,000 miles, 6,000 miles from Pearl Harbor, Guam, 2,300 miles away, but the South China Sea Fleet from bases in only 200 miles. Moreover, the South China Sea Fleet and the Guangzhou Military Region, there are many scattered bases, it is difficult being a comprehensive pre-emptive U.S. military attack. Heerpulin that the Air Force and Second Artillery Corps, China's current nuclear strike forces are improving rapidly, while the United States in a downward path. Hillary recent bellicose rhetoric is bound to provoke China to speed up its pace with the strength of the guaranteed benefits.
U.S. media that the Israeli fear of Iranian retaliation, and costs too much, no air strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
the U.S. \serious,MBT Baridi Shoes, even cause great anger the United States. Analysis reported that the Israeli air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran's retaliation is inevitable that Iran will lead to Lebanon's Hezbollah militants frequently launch rockets into Israel. The report quoted analysts as saying the United States, \and other countries have to take action to intervene.
reported that, Zai U.S. President Barack Obama on Iran's nuclear 问题 desk on a variety of Xuanzefangan, Jibendoushi strongly opposed to Israeli Dandu pair of military action against Iran, because the United States that Israel will fight Iran in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. troops at risk, but also to U.S. citizens under threat. Particularly Iraq and Iran has been supporting militias in Afghanistan,foot must walk on a slightly different ways to prevent falling, and provide them with weapons, any Israeli military action against Iran would lead to these armed militia attacks on U.S. forces.
In addition, Israel from Iran, distant, air strike Iranian nuclear facilities, need about 100 are equipped with large fuel tanks of F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, but also dispatched a number of tanker planes. Israeli warplanes raid Iran over Saudi Arabia to Iraq and Turkey's airspace, it must first get the permission of these countries, but also long-distance flight aircraft can accurately against hidden Iranian nuclear facilities is still a question mark. Also, participate in the Israeli air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities may also fall into the Iranian pilots hands, this is a big problem. (An Arthur)
DAR ES SALAAM,mbt shoes coupon, Aug. 5 (Xinhua Guo Chunju) Tanzanian police confirmed the evening of 5, 18 students on the morning of Tanzania on Lake Victoria capsized with accident victims,MBT Tembea Shoes,MBT Shuguli Gtx Shoes, and another 19 were rescued.
Xinhua News Agency reported that staff was informed that the accident occurred from the shipwreck at 7 am local time, when the students are to go to school by boat across Lake Victoria.
Mwanza in northern Tanzania Police Executive Ximengsailuo province, said rescue work continues.
China news agency, Beijing, August 13 - \Landslide, \At present, many regions in the world are dealing with extreme weather brought disaster. World Meteorological Organization said in a series this year,buy mbt panda online, the severity of extreme events, sustainable, and to the geographic scope of history to catch up even more than the most severe extreme weather events.
13
reporter learned from the China Meteorological Administration, currently the world's various districts are dealing with the disaster caused by extreme weather. These disasters include: Asia and parts of Central Europe took place in most of the flood, heat waves and drought in Russia, China, mudslides and landslides, and severe droughts in sub-Saharan Africa.
World Meteorological Organization said the number of regions of the world of extreme weather events, causing heavy loss of life and property. These events and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report consistent speculation that due to global warming, the future will be more and severity of extreme weather and climate events.
Russian Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring study past climate in the country that, since the 10th century, Russian history, did not become such a high temperature. It is reported that Russia has more than 20 days to break the record temperatures. High temperature in the European part of the country caused widespread forest fires, tens of millions of people affected.
World Meteorological Organization said, some recent studies have shown that the major mode of atmospheric variability,MBT Lami Shoes,Louis vuitton bags design attractive me, significant changes have taken place. Such as El Nino and La Nina climate phenomenon is obviously different with the past.
Pakistan floods resulting from the strong monsoon rains. According to observations of Pakistan Meteorological Department, 36 hours reached 300 millimeters of rainfall intensity. Heavy rain led to the Indian River appears the highest level since 110 years. Flooding of the central and southern parts of the country, resulting in more than 1,600 people were killed and more than 600 million transfer, 4,000 people were affected.
2007 years of IPCC Fourth Assessment Report stated that \and the intensity up. \(END)
