e-court accomplishments as a reason he was proud to be the present

The Warriors have thrown out the welcome mat, and they will welcome all challengers. Can the Clippers get lucky with injuries, and will the Spurs be there again? Theyre the key questions in the NBA West, but the battle for the final playoff spots always goes down to the wire -- and it should be just a tense this season.Dallas MavericksPlenty of experience on this Mavericks roster, but they saw a lot of talent walk out the door during the off-season. Can they make another playoff push? Can Dirk Nowtzki continue to fight off Father Time?RosterLost: Raymond Felton, David Lee, Zaza Pachulia, Chandler Parson, Jeremy Evans, Javale McGeeAdded: Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes, Quincy Acy, Seth Curry, A.J HammonsStar: Dirk Nowitzki. Still their No. 1 offensive weapon.Breakout: Seth Curry. Will step out of his brothers shadow and prove he belongs.Last Season: Secured 6th then pushed aside by OKC; 42-40.Projection: Can Dirk take the Mavs into another playoff run? 41-41 (9th)Denver NuggetsDenver have an odd-looking roster that could either do very well or combust completely. They have depth, which is always a good thing to have, but theyll be active around trade time.RosterLost: D.J Augustin, Joffrey LauvergneAdded: Jamal Murray, Juan Hernangomez, Malik Beasley, Petr CornelieStar: Emmanuel Mudiay. Still young but will lead this team back to glory days.Breakout: Will Barton. Should be in the running for 6th man of the year.Last Season: Surprise packet that pushed for 11th; 33-49.Projection: Plenty of talent but still need time; 36-46 (12th)Golden State WarriorsStill hurting from the end of last season, but went out and replaced Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes with Kevin Durant and Zaza Pachulia. Not sure how any team can match up with them at either end of the floor, and watch for the small ball lineup.RosterLost: Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, Brandon Rush, Marreese Speights, Leandro BarbosaAdded: Damian Jones, Patrick McCaw, Kevin Durant, Zaza Pachulia, David WestStar: Steph Curry. The best shooter in the game gets more firepower around him.Breakout: Patrick McCaw. Only a rookie but should get plenty of fourth-quarter minutes.Last Season: Runners up; 73-9 record.Projection: They look formidable and nigh unstoppable; 67-15 (1st)Houston RocketsWas it Dwight Howards fault that they couldnt get anything going? Is James Harden too selfish? Plenty of questions were raised last season, but Harden will showcase why he is a legitimate MVP chance as he leads the Rockets into the playoffs.RosterLost: Dwight Howard, Terrence Jones, Jason Terry, Michael Beasley, Andrew GoudelockAdded: Chinanu Onuaku, Zhou Qi, Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene, Pablo Prigioni, Tyler EnnisStar: James Harden. Will claim his first MVP.Breakout: Eric Gordon. Injury plagued for so long, but will play a full season and show how good he is.Last Season: Snuck in to the playoffs only to be pushed aside by GSW; 41-41..Projection: New pieces will fit in nicely around Harden; 44-38 (7th).LA ClippersThe Clippers have a phenomenal roster and they can push the Warriors so long as they can stay healthy. If things arent smooth sailing from the outset, moves could be on the cards with a star potentially being shopped around.RosterLost: Jeff Green, C.J Wilcox, Branden Dawson, Jeff Ayres, Pablo Prigioni, Cole AldrichAdded: Brice Johnson, David Michineau, Diamond Stone, Alan Anderson, Brandon Bass, Raymond Felton, Xavier Munford, Marreese Speights, Dorell WrightStar: Blake Griffin. When healthy hes an MVP threat; can he stay healthy?Breakout: Austin Rivers. Signed a big contract and will prove worthy.Last Season: Disappointing end going out in the first round; 53-29.Projection: Its now or never for this squad; 59-23 (2nd)Los Angeles LakersLakers fans are excited for the season ahead, which says a lot. Theres not going to be the glory days of years gone by, but there is plenty of promise. Give the kids time to find their feet, and theyll get the ball rolling.RosterLost: Kobe Bryant, Brandon Bass, Robert Sacre, Roy Hibbert, Ryan KellyAdded: Brandon Ingram, Ivica Zubac, Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgov, Thomas Robinson, Yi Jianlian, Jose CalderonStar: DAngelo Russell. Embroiled in controversy last season, but will become the leader this season.Breakout: Brandon Ingram. The next KD?Last Season: One of the worst in Lakers history; 17-65.Projection: Lakers fans will talk about the future all season long; 25-57Memphis GrizzliesCruelled by injuries last season, but still snuck into the playoffs, Marc Gasol is back, and he will prove once again that he is a top 10 big man on both ends of the floor. Mike Conley has something to prove after signing his new massive contract; can he live up to it?RosterLost: Chris Andersen, Matt Barnes, Jordan Farmer, Xavier Munford, Lance Stephenson, Bryce CottonAdded: Wade Baldwin IV, Deyonta Davis, Rade Zagorac, Wang Zhelin, James Ennis, Chandler Parsons, Troy DanielsStar: Marc Gasol. Makes the offence flow, and theyll struggle without him.Breakout: Chandler Parsons. Needs to make a big impact in Memphis.Last Season: Fell into the playoffs and swept aside by Spurs; 42-40.Projection: Wont get hit by the injury curse this time; 47-35 (5th)Minnesota TimberwolvesEvery single person has the Wolves on their must-watch list this season, as theyre incredibly young and loaded with talent. Wont necessarily translate to wins, but theyll be competitive right down to the final buzzer.RosterLost: Kevin Garnett, Damjan Rudez, Greg SmithAdded: Kris Dunn, Cole Aldrich, Jordan Hill, Brandon Rush, Rasual ButlerStar: Karl Anthony-Towns. In for a big, big season.Breakout: Zach LaVine. No longer just a dunk champion.Last Season: So much talent, but still finding their way; 29-53.Projection: You have to watch this team; 38-44 (11th)New Orleans PelicansAnthony Davis will be hoping to play more than 70 games for the first time in his career; if he can do that, the Pelicans can challenge. Should be active around the trade period as theyre still a few pieces short from competing.RosterLost: Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, James Ennis, Luke Babbitt, Jordan Hamilton, Toney DouglasAdded: Buddy Hield, Lance Stephenson, Cheick Diallo, Chris Copeland, Langston Galloway, Solomon Hill, Terrence Jones, ETwaun Moore, Robert SacreStar: Anthony Davis. Can do it all and will show the world just how dominant he can be.Breakout: Buddy Hield. Offensive weapon and will get plenty of freedom with Davis.Last Season: Nothing seemed to go their way; 30-52.Projection: Still a piece or two away from the big time; 39-43 (10th)Oklahoma City ThunderKevin Durant walked out, and the city of Oklahoma crumbled. Russell Westbrook needs to rebuild the faith and show he can lead this team to the glory without Durant. Westbrook is angry; you wont like him when hes angry.RosterLost: Kevin Durant, Dion Waiters, Serge Ibaka, Randy FoyeAdded: Ersan Ilyasova, Victor Oladipo, Joffery Lauvergne, Ronnie Price, Domantas Sabonis, Daniel HamiltonStar: Russell Westbrook. Hes on a warpath, and you best not get in his way.Breakout: Domantas Sabonis. If he possess one fifth of his dads skills, look out.Last Season: Lost Western Conference Finals; 55-27.Projection: Big losses, tough to overcome. Can they surprise? 45-37 (6th)Phoenix SunsGreat pickups in the draft and so much young talent on this roster. Give them time and theyll flouris, but they have to endure the dark times for this season. Still one you should have on the radar as a must-watch team.RosterLost: Chase Budinger, Jon Leuer, Ronnie Price, Mirza TeletovicAdded: Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, Tyler Ulis, Leandro Barbosa, Jared DudleyStar: Devin Booker. Just 19-years-old but already one of the better shooters in the league.Breakout: Dragan Bender. Special talent.Last Season: Young team learning the ropes; 23-59.Projection: Loads of fun to watch; 27-55 (13th)Portland Trail BlazersSpent a lot of money in the off-season in the hope of bringing in more talent to push for a deeper playoff run. Log jam at the small forward position and plenty of bigs who pack the paint. Can Lillard and McCollum prove theyre the best backcourt in the league?RosterLost: Gerald Henderson, Brian Roberts, Cliff AlexanderAdded: Evan Turner, Festus Ezeli, Jake Layman, Shabazz NapierStar: Damian Lillard. Explosive scoring threat. Can he lead them deeper into the playoffs?Breakout: Meyers Leonard. Will find consistency over the entire season.Last Season: Bundled out the Clippers and then stole one from GSW; 44-38.Projection: Small step back for the Blazers; 42-40Sacramento KingsIts going to be a long hard slog for the Kings this season, DeMarcus Cousins is one of the best big men in the game, but that wont be enough to get them off the bottom of the West. If things are truly bad, he could force his way out.RosterLost: Quincy Acy, Seth Curry, Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli, James Anderson, Caron Butler, Duje Dukan, Eric MorelandAdded: Georgios Papagiannis, Malachi Richardson, Skal Labissiere, Isaiah Cousins, Arron Afflalo, Matt Barnes, Jordan Farmer, Ty Lawson, Garrett Temple, Anthony Tolliver, Lamar PattersonLast Season: Despite turmoil, still finished 10th; 33-49.Projection: Wont be pretty; 22-60Star: DeMarcus Cousins. Truly dominant force; unlike anyone else in the league.Breakout: Ben McLemore. Offensive firepower will see him have huge games.San Antonio SpursSan Antonio enter a new era having said goodbye to Tim Duncan; can they maintain their incredible run without him? Kawhi Leonard will continue his march up the ladder of best player in the league while stopping everything defensively.RosterLost: Tim Duncan, Boris Diaw, David West, Boban MarjanovicAdded: Pau Gasol, David Lee, Dewayne Dedmon, Dejounte MurrayStar: Kawhi Leonard. Not just a lock-down defender, and hell average 20+ points.Breakout: Patty Mills. Off the back of his Olympic efforts in Rio, hell look to take the starting role from Tony Parker.Last Season: Couldnt match it with OKC in the playoffs; 67-15.Projection: Loss of superstars wont affect their playoff push; 58-24 (3rd)Utah JazzUtah are going to rattle some cages this season; theyve got a list full of talent, and theyre hungry to make an impact after just missing the playoffs last season. Signed plenty of experience in the off-season to help mentor and teach.RosterLost: Trevor Booker, Tibor PleissAdded: Joel Bolomboy, Marcus Paige, Tyrone Wallace, Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw, George Hill, Henry SimsStar: Derrick Favors. Incredible offensive skillset and should be the go-to for them.Breakout: Dante Exum. Hungry to get back out there, and his versatility will go a long way.Last Season: Just missed playoffs; 40-42.Projection: Young and ready to run, the Jazz are ready; 49-33 (4th)Projected West Standings1. Golden State Warriors2. Los Angeles Clippers3. San Antonio Spurs4. Utah Jazz5. Memphis Grizzlies6. Oklahoma City Thunder7. Houston Rockets8. Portland Trailblazers9. Dallas Mavericks10. New Orleans Pelicans11. Minnesota Timberwolves12. Denver Nuggets13. Phoenix Suns14. Los Angeles Lakers15. Sacramento KingsMiles Wood Jersey . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. Sami Vatanen Devils Jersey . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm. http://www.devilssale.com/authentic-travis-zajac-devils-jersey/ . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. Cory Schneider Jersey . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. New Jersey Devils Jerseys .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch.OKLAHOMA CITY -- For decades, basketball players have dreamed of being like Mike.Thunder guard Russell Westbrook really is like Mike.So says Mike himself.Basketball great Michael Jordan inducted Westbrook into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Thursday night and heaped high praise on Westbrook, one of the most visible and accomplished Jordan Brand athletes.I am truly a fan of his, said Jordan, the six-time NBA champion and five-time MVP. When I watch him play, I see a lot of resemblance of his passion for the game of basketball, the way I played the game of basketball.Westbrook is a two-time All-Star MVP and was the 2014-15 scoring champion. Last season, he posted 18 triple-doubles. This season, he has three triple-doubles and is averaging a Jordan-esque 31.8 points per game.Even with all that, Westbrook declined when asked to compare himself to Jordan, instead focusing on how fortunate he feels to have built a relationship with him.Michaels obviously the best that ever played the game, Westbrook said. Hes done so many things for the game of basketball, so many ways and broken so many barriers for guys like myself to be able to go out and compete at a high level, so it means a lot in that aspect. Off the court, hes carried a great brand. Its something I eventually want to do when Im done.Jordan commended Westbrook for re-signing with the Thunder after Kevin Durant left and signed with the Golden State Warriors.Im not here to try to bash aanyone thats not here, Jordan said, drawing laughter from the crowd at the Cox Convention Center.ddddddddddddEverybody has a choice. Im not saying you dont have a choice. Everybody has a choice, and when I saw that he chose to stay here in Oklahoma, I was so proud.Westbrook appreciated the fact that Jordan, the current Charlotte Hornets owner, answered Thunder owner Clay Bennetts call to attend.M.J.s one of those guys -- obviously, Im a part of his brand, and hes a guy that respects you and the things that you do, Westbrook said. He took time out of his day to come all the way to Oklahoma City to do this for me is an amazing honor. Im happy to have him here.In 2015, Westbrook won the NBAs Community Assist Award for his philanthropic efforts. He has opened several reading rooms, providing books for kids in low-income areas. Westbrook served at his WhyNot Foundations annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday. Jordan specifically mentioned Westbrooks off-the-court accomplishments as a reason he was proud to be the presenter.It was a memorable night for Westbrook, whose teammates all dressed up and attended the banquet.Its an unbelievable honor to go in, he said. Its definitely a blessing. Its something that you wont forget.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP . ' ' '