Angry Mancini hits out at Manchester City slackers

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has accused his title-chasing team of not trying as they went down to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at lowly Wolves.

Full story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1325241/Angry-Mancini-hits-Manchester-City-slackers.html?ITO=1490

Miami Heat Fans, Players Revel in Opening Night Festivities

Filed under: Heat, Magic

MIAMI --



The Scene Outside



It's late October and thousands upon thousands of Miami fans are descending upon the town's hottest sports event. People are tailgating behind their parked cars as multiple scalpers and buyers do business. Yet this is all taking place in downtown Miami and not at Sun Life Stadium where that other prominent team does its business at this time of the year.



With a planned protest near the arena by the city's policemen and firefighters that had threatened to snarl traffic in the area fizzling out and a tipoff time a half hour later than usual, most fans with a ticket were at their seats long before the Heat's new player introduction began. Doors to the arena had opened two hours prior to game time with increased staff handling the gates, leading to a much improved and expedited process for entry. The palpable sense of collective energy from the fans hadn't been felt since the days of Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade pairing up for the franchise's first title back in 2006.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/10/30/miami-heat-fans-players-revel-in-opening-night-festivities/

NBA D-League Rosters Beginning to Fill With Allocated Players

Filed under: Mavericks, NBA D-League, FanHouse Exclusive

The NBA Development League's annual draft isn't until Monday evening, but the majority of teams around the league have a good idea of who they'll be going into the regular season with already after finding out Saturday which players will be returning from last season as well as which players have been allocated to them through the new NBA training camp affiliation rule or via local player tryouts.



Each team was allowed to bring nine total players into their training camp, which is scheduled to begin November 9, however only three players could be chosen from the players that were released from the D-League team's NBA affiliate.



Once again, the Nick Nurse-led Iowa Energy look to be one of the stronger teams on paper going into the D-League season as they will bring in four players who were in training camp with an NBA team: Othyus Jeffers (Utah Jazz, pictured), Kyle Weaver (Chicago Bulls), Courtney Sims (Denver Nuggets) and Connor Atchley (Sacramento Kings), along with All-NBA D-League First Team selection Curtis Stinson, who averaged 23.7 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the playoffs this past season.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/10/30/nba-d-league-rosters-beginning-to-fill-with-allocated-players/

Iowa top scorer Gatens to miss 3 weeks

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery says junior guard Matt Gatens will be out for three weeks after tearing a tendon on his non-shooting hand. McCaffery said Thursday at the Big Ten media day that Gatens may miss Iowa’s first two games but should be back after that. Gatens, the team’s leading scorer last season with 12.3 points per game, tore the tendon during practice Tuesday and is scheduled for…

Click here to read the full article…

This was posted on www.officialsportsbetting.com , your guide to online sports betting. If you like new online casinos, please visit our partner site: http://www.hypercasinos.com for the best online casinos.

Iowa top scorer Gatens to miss 3 weeks

Full story at http://www.officialsportsbetting.com/ncaa-basketball-betting/iowa-top-scorer-gatens-to-miss-3-weeks/

Duke runaway No. 1 in preseason Top 25

Defending national champion Duke was a runaway No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason Top 25 men’s basketball poll. At the other end of the Top 25 there was big news Thursday with San Diego State entering the rankings for the first time ever. Duke, on top for a seventh time, has two starters returning to a roster featuring highly touted freshman Kyrie Irving and transfer Seth Curry,…

Click here to read the full article…

This was posted on www.officialsportsbetting.com , your guide to online sports betting. If you like new online casinos, please visit our partner site: http://www.hypercasinos.com for the best online casinos.

Duke runaway No. 1 in preseason Top 25

Full story at http://www.officialsportsbetting.com/ncaa-basketball-betting/duke-runaway-no-1-in-preseason-top-25/

Rafael van der Vaart: Why everybody is talking about the Tottenham star

Rafael van der Vaart has taken the Premier League by storm. The 27-year-old has scored goals for fun, delighted Tottenham fans and done it all in style.

Full story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1325070/Rafael-van-der-Vaart-Why-everybody-talking-Tottenham-star.html?ITO=1490

Dwyane Wade, Not LeBron James, Emerging As Miami Heat Leader

Filed under: Heat, Magic, NBA Last Night, Chris Bosh

MIAMI -- It's hard to imagine two-time Most Valuable Player LeBron James -- once the center of the basketball universe -- being anyone's sidekick or set-up man.



It just might be happening here.



This is still Dwyane Wade's town. This is still his team.



Wade, who coaxed both James and Chris Bosh to Miami as free agents this summer, has wasted no time asserting himself as the dominant player on what is expected to be the league's most dominant team.



After missing all but three minutes of the exhibition schedule with a hamstring injury, Wade (shown above in pregame introductions of Friday's contest) has used the first week of the regular season to step confidently into his role as The leader -- not A leader -- of the Miami Heat.



Three games into the season, it's starting to look clear.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/10/30/dwyane-wade-not-lebron-james-emerging-as-miami-heat-leader/

There's No Place Like Home for Heat

Filed under: Heat, Magic

MIAMI -- The city of Miami had to wait 113 long days since the biggest prize in 2010 NBA free agency, LeBron James, announced his intentions to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to play for the Miami Heat for this night. The fans couldn't even enjoy a sneak preview of what was to come when Wade went down with an injury three minutes into the preseason at home against the Detroit Pistons. But the wait to see their home team finally playing their stars at the same time for a full game while making a quantum leap in team chemistry made it all worth it.



"The crowd was amazing," remarked Wade after the game. "We were very satisfied with the energy and the atmosphere that was in the building tonight. When they come out that way and support us we want to give them our best effort. And that's what we did."



The media earlier in the day pounced on the news that a couple of hundred tickets were still available for the game several hours before tip-off, leading many to speculate that it wouldn't be a sold out event. Those concerns were officially put to rest by the punctual and rowdy crowd that had the arena shaking with each basket the Heat made. And yes, the arena was officially listed as a sellout with 19,600 in attendance.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/10/30/theres-no-place-like-home-for-heat/

Play of the Day

Blake Griffin throws down the slam off the alley-oop pass from Randy Foye.

Click here to read the full article…

This was posted on www.officialsportsbetting.com , your guide to online sports betting. If you like new online casinos, please visit our partner site: http://www.hypercasinos.com for the best online casinos.

Play of the Day

Full story at http://www.officialsportsbetting.com/nba-betting/play-of-the-day-34/

Great Attack wins at Keeneland

Great Attack raced down the stretch as the even-money favorite to win the featured $51,000 Greenfield Farm Purse by 11/4 lengths on the turf at Keeneland on Wednesday. The 3-year-old son of Greatness, ridden by Garrett Gomez, covered the 51/2 furlongs in 1:04.01 and paid $4, $2.60 and $2.40. Shore Do returned $4.80 and $3.20, while Bergerac finished a nose back in third and paid $10.

Click here to read the full article…

This was posted on www.officialsportsbetting.com , your guide to online sports betting. If you like new online casinos, please visit our partner site: http://www.hypercasinos.com for the best online casinos.

Great Attack wins at Keeneland

Full story at http://www.officialsportsbetting.com/horse-racing-betting/great-attack-wins-at-keeneland/

Blake Griffin = King Put Back Dunk! ( Video )

Blake Griffin = King Put Back Dunk! ( Video )

Every player has their own signature move. Blake Griffin’s is the put back dunk. He does it with authority. He does it off of 3′s or mid range jumpers. It seems that he is always the only person hovering around the 11 foot area right after someone misses a shot.

Why is this a cool move? It means that he has a level of athleticism and determination that no one else on the floor is displaying, but probably should. Rebounding is all about who wants it most. The put back dunk is all about who wants it the most, and knows what to do with it when they get it. That is why he went #1.

Look forward to him doing this pretty much every single night, if he stays healthy.

I mean… look at Kaman jumping 6 inches to get the rebound whilst Griffin jumps well over the center’s head to slam the ball. Wow!

Full story at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NeswSports/~3/iMm4_90Fb8I/

Spurs keep tabs on Getafe's Derek Boateng and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema

Tottenham are among a clutch of clubs monitoring Ghana World Cup star Derek Boateng and are also continuing to monitor Karim Benzema's situation at Real Madrid.

Full story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1324662/Spurs-tabs-Getafes-Derek-Boateng-Real-Madrids-Karim-Benzema.html?ITO=1490

John Wall Gets Dose of Reality from Magic in NBA Debut

Filed under: Magic, Wizards

ORLANDO, Fla. - If you hated last season's big dance craze, you had to love the Wizards' opener Thursday night. It marked the official end of the John Wall Dance.



There's not much to cha-cha about when your team is down by 35 points entering the fourth quarter. Orlando went on to wipe out Washington 112-83, all of which just drove home what we all knew.



Wall is good, and is going to be very good. But nothing the No. 1 pick does in the next three or four years will amount to more than top-10 plays on SportsCenter.



"We came out and didn't play together as a team," he said.



Wall will probably repeat some version of that about 60 times this season. Even if the Wizards play together, they won't make much of a team.



It's almost a shame the best rookie always ends up on the worst team, but that's how the draft works. Players like Wall give teams like Washington hope. But when you see the gulf between the Wiz and the Magic, you wonder whether Wall will eventually give up and try to hitch a ride out of town with Albert Haynesworth.



"We played scared at times," Wizards coach Flip Saunders said.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/10/29/john-wall-gets-dose-of-reality-from-magic-in-nba-debut/

Magic Eager and Confident to Face Miami

Filed under: Heat, Magic

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Magic coach Stan Van Gundy can say it until his face turns blue -- like he tried to Thursday night -- but Friday's night's matchup against the Miami Heat is not just one of 82 games on the schedule.



It's not for any other team in the league this season. And it's especially not for the Magic, whose in-state proximity, whose personal distaste for the team president, and whose growing resentment continues to build, making the matchup a classic in October.



"We can make a statement (Friday),'' Magic center Dwight Howard said after his team crushed the Washington Wizards in their season opener Thursday. "They (Heat) have to match up against us.''



While the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are rightfully bothered by being overshadowed by the Heat and their trio of stars, no one in the league has taken the praise/hate/attention in Miami as personal as the Magic, a good team mostly forgotten.



"We better get used to it,'' sighed Magic forward Rashard Lewis. "It's all anyone talks about. If ESPN is not talking about Miami, you think there's something wrong with ESPN. It just adds fuel to the fire for us.''

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/10/29/magic-eager-and-confident-to-face-miami/

Season over for Giants DE Kiwanuka

Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka’s season is over, and there is a chance his career with the New York Giants could be at an end. The Giants have placed the five-year veteran on injured reserve on Thursday with a herniated cervical disk after waiting more than a month to see if rest would fix his neck.

Click here to read the full article…

This was posted on www.officialsportsbetting.com , your guide to online sports betting. If you like new online casinos, please visit our partner site: http://www.hypercasinos.com for the best online casinos.

Season over for Giants DE Kiwanuka

Full story at http://www.officialsportsbetting.com/nfl-betting/season-over-for-giants-de-kiwanuka/

Alex Smith out, 49ers turn to Troy Smith

With quarterback Alex Smith ruled out because of a separated shoulder, San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary is gambling on Troy Smith being able to turn his struggling team around. Singletary said Wednesday the former Heisman Trophy winner will get his first NFL start in three years after Alex Smith was ruled out for 2 to 3 weeks with a separated left shoulder.

Click here to read the full article…

This was posted on www.officialsportsbetting.com , your guide to online sports betting. If you like new online casinos, please visit our partner site: http://www.hypercasinos.com for the best online casinos.

Alex Smith out, 49ers turn to Troy Smith

Full story at http://www.officialsportsbetting.com/nfl-betting/alex-smith-out-49ers-turn-to-troy-smith/

Blake Griffin = King Put Back Dunk! ( Video )

Blake Griffin = King Put Back Dunk! ( Video )

Every player has their own signature move. Blake Griffin’s is the put back dunk. He does it with authority. He does it off of 3′s or mid range jumpers. It seems that he is always the only person hovering around the 11 foot area right after someone misses a shot.

Why is this a cool move? It means that he has a level of athleticism and determination that no one else on the floor is displaying, but probably should. Rebounding is all about who wants it most. The put back dunk is all about who wants it the most, and knows what to do with it when they get it. That is why he went #1.

Look forward to him doing this pretty much every single night, if he stays healthy.

I mean… look at Kaman jumping 6 inches to get the rebound whilst Griffin jumps well over the center’s head to slam the ball. Wow!

Full story at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NeswSports/~3/iMm4_90Fb8I/

Paul Ince set for Notts County call as Magpies move swiftly to replace Craig Short

Paul Ince has made a return to football as the new manager of Notts County. The former Blackburn boss succeeds Craig Short as the new boss at Meadow Lane.

Full story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1324360/Paul-Ince-set-Notts-County-Magpies-swiftly-replace-Craig-Short.html?ITO=1490

Clippers vs Trail Blazers: Portland Spoils Blake Griffin's Debut

Filed under: Clippers, Trail Blazers

LOS ANGELES -- A Clippers home opener is rarely nationally televised, yet the ESPN crew was at Staples Center on Wednesday, and with good reason. Blake Griffin was making his debut for L.A. and showed flashes of brilliance, especially early.



It wasn't enough to keep the Blazers from starting the season 2-0, however, as Griffin and the Clips were outscored by 11 in the fourth and fell by a final of 98-88.



First Quarter: Portland 31, Clippers 23



Blake Griffin did not disappoint in his debut, scoring his first NBA basket on a one-handed jam off an alley-oop pass from Randy Foye, and a little later, cleaned up a missed 3-pointer from Ryan Gomes with another high-flying throw down.



Griffin finished the first quarter with nine points on 4 of 6 shooting and five rebounds, four of which came on the offensive end. If you're looking for any negatives, one might be that Griffin seemed to be a little lost on the offensive end, often wandering a bit and not being quite sure what to do in a given set. He was forced to the bench with 2:52 remaining due to picking up his second personal foul.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/10/28/clippers-vs-trail-blazers-blazers-spoil-blake-griffins-debut/

George Karl Optimistic After Denver's Dominating Opener

Filed under: Jazz, Nuggets

DENVER -- When the game finally was over, George Karl strolled across the court while undoing his tie before finally taking it off. He looked like as if it was the end of a hard day's work.



The only thing is it wasn't that hard at all.



The Denver coach had quipped he had hoped his first regular-season game back after battling a form of throat cancer would be against Minnesota rather than Utah, which upset a Karl-less Nuggets team 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs last season. But the Jazz looked rather Timberwolf-like Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center, and not just because ex-Minnesota player Al Jefferson was manning the pivot.



Or maybe it's that the Nuggets are going to a lot better this season than many expect. Denver took a 27-point lead early in the second quarter and cruised to a 110-88 win in the regular-season opener for both teams.



"I hope that it's the beginning of a 50-win season and getting back to being a premier team in the Western Conference,'' said Karl, coaching his first regular-season game since March 16 before he missed the final 1 ½ months of last season due to undergoing rigorous cancer treatments. "I think we can be that. I'm still amazed by the soothsayers that say we're not very good. I think we're pretty good.''

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/10/28/george-karl-optimistic-after-denvers-dominating-opener/

Iowa top scorer Gatens out indefinitely

Iowa junior guard Matt Gatens has been the one player the Hawkeyes could count on throughout all the turmoil that’s engulfed the program over the past two seasons. Now, they’ll have to start their first year under coach Fran McCaffery without him. McCaffery said Wednesday that Gatens is out indefinitely with a torn tendon in his left hand.

Click here to read the full article…

This was posted on www.officialsportsbetting.com , your guide to online sports betting. If you like new online casinos, please visit our partner site: http://www.hypercasinos.com for the best online casinos.

Iowa top scorer Gatens out indefinitely

Full story at http://www.officialsportsbetting.com/ncaa-basketball-betting/iowa-top-scorer-gatens-out-indefinitely/

Undefeated Zenyatta to take on boys in BC Classic

Zenyatta will put her 19-0 record on the line when she defends her title in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, going against the boys for the second consecutive year. A record total of 184 horses, including 26 from overseas, were pre-entered Wednesday for the $26 million, 14-race Breeders’ Cup world championships at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Nov.

Click here to read the full article…

This was posted on www.officialsportsbetting.com , your guide to online sports betting. If you like new online casinos, please visit our partner site: http://www.hypercasinos.com for the best online casinos.

Undefeated Zenyatta to take on boys in BC Classic

Full story at http://www.officialsportsbetting.com/horse-racing-betting/undefeated-zenyatta-to-take-on-boys-in-bc-classic/

Jerry Jones Attacked By Rogue Mic ( Video )

Adding Insult to … the insult of the MNF loss of the Boys to the Giants, Jerry Jones was attacked by a rogue mic.

When Jerry was asked for a comment regarding the incident, he was too afraid to make a comment.

( File this one under: Silly stuff I saw on live TV that I thought was mildly amusing, videotaped it, then realized that I will be the only person thinking it is funny, but I already made the video, so I posted it. Doh! )

Full story at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NeswSports/~3/lmve_FvM5O4/