FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS: 1.
D. J. Wilson Jersey . THE THUNDER & PACERS BENCHES: In a nutshell, not impressive at all. These teams will continue to come up short if they dont add depth and scoring punch to their second units. You spend a fortune on your starters in the league, yet your scouting, evaluation and development of spots numbers 6-15 are vital. You must find those gems that help get you over the hump. 2. HEAT & SPURS: The common thread when I watch both of these squads is team and they truly value the importance of the pass. The best two teams are where they belong in the NBA Finals. Lots of good things happen when you share. 3. BORIS DIAW (Spurs): Hes always been a wonderful talent, but conditioning has been an issue over the years. Hes in much better shape now and, boy, did he ever showcase his vast skill set in Game 6 against the Thunder. His game fits the Spurs system and it fits him for a perfect match. He might be slow and methodical, but hes really effective. 4. CHRIS BOSH (Heat): He really picked his game back up late in the series against the Pacers. He will be a crucial guy for Miami in the Finals. His perimeter versatility and rebounding will be huge for the Heat. Sometimes hes comfortable being that complimentary piece, but he cant do that here. He must exert his will and talents on the series. When hes really right, the Heat are a very difficult team to match up against. 5. COACHING VACANCIES: The Lakers, Knicks, Timberwolves, Cavs and Jazz all still have openings. Rumours fly all over the place and many are planted by agents to boost the profile of the candidates. The big decision for the GM is to make sure they get a coach who can develop young talent, adapt to the talent at his disposal and work on the same page with the front office. Are they out there? Oh, yeah. You just have to select the right fit for your franchise. Its not about "winning the press conference," its about tuning out the noise. For example, Jeff Hornacek and Steve Clifford worked out just fine this past season. There are lots of very good coaches out there. Take your time and do it right. These guys really define the direction you take. With the wrong hire, it can really set you back. Know what you need and dont play the "name game."
Khris Middleton Bucks Jersey . Hes coming back to fulfil them. One of Europes top coaches, Blatt was hired Friday by the Cavaliers, who ended a sweeping, 39-day search with an out-of-the-box selection they hope changes their fortunes.
George Hill Jersey . After making his All-Star debut in Fridays Rising Stars Challenge, the Raptors sophomore centre wont be sticking around for the duration of the weekends festivities, thinking about the big picture instead. SOCHI, Russia -- IOC President Thomas Bach accused world leaders Tuesday of using the Sochi Olympics as a political platform "on the backs of the athletes," and of snubbing the games without even being invited. Three days before the opening of Russias first Winter Games, Bach used a hard-hitting speech to call out politicians for using the Olympics to make an "ostentatious gesture" serving their own agendas. Without naming any individuals, Bachs comments appeared directed at President Barack Obama and European politicians who have taken stands against Russias law banning gay "propaganda" among minors. The Olympics, Bach said, should not be "used as a stage for political dissent or for trying to score points in internal or external political contests." "Have the courage to address your disagreements in a peaceful direct political dialogue and not on the backs of the athletes," he said at a ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. "People have a very good understanding of what it really means to single out the Olympic Games to make an ostentatious gesture which allegedly costs nothing but produces international headlines. "In the extreme, we had to see a few politicians whose contributions to the fight for a good cause consisted of publicly declining invitations they had not even received." The buildup to the Olympics has been overshadowed by Western criticism of the anti-gay law and Russias record on human rights and other issues, making Sochi among the most politically charged games in years. Obama and key European leaders are shunning the Olympics. Obama, in a clear message against the anti-gay laws, has sent a delegation to Sochi made up of three openly gay athletes -- tennis great Billie Jean King, 2006 Olympic hockey medallist Caitlin Cahow and figure skater Brian Boitano. For the first time since 2000, the U.S. delegation to an Olympics will not include a president, vice-president or first lady. Former Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano leads the delegation. German President Joachim GGauck and French President Francois Hollande are also not coming to Sochi.
Glenn Robinson Bucks Jersey. Neither is British Prime Minister David Cameron. Bach reiterated again that Putin had given the IOC assurances that the Olympic Charter would be upheld during the games and that homosexuals would not be discriminated against. Bach said Olympic values stand against any form of discrimination, including on grounds of sexual orientation. But he stressed the IOC must be "politically neutral without being apolitical" and that athletes must not use the Olympic Village and venues for "political demonstrations." The IOC has come under criticism for not doing more to fight the anti-gay law, but Bach said the committee was a sports organization with limited responsibilities. "We are not a supra-national government," he said. "We are not a superior world-parliament. We do not have a mandate to impose measures on sovereign states." Bachs speech was delivered at a ceremony marking the opening of the IOCs three-day session, or general assembly, ahead of the games. The Germans sharp comments marked a strong contrast with the relatively anodyne, diplomatic speeches of his predecessor, Jacques Rogge. Bach, winner of a fencing gold medal at the 1972 Olympics, was elected in September to succeed Rogge, who served for 12 years. Bach acknowledged there had been "a lot of skepticism in and outside the IOC" when Sochi was awarded the Olympics in 2007. "Now, seven years later, we can see that Sochi, that Russia has delivered," he said. Putin lauded the IOCs decision to bring the games to the Black Sea resort. "We realize what a difficult decision this was to hold the games in a city that barely had 10 to 15 per cent of the necessary infrastructure," he said. "You believed in us, you believed in the Russian character which can overcome all difficulties." "In the space of five years," Putin added, "we built world-class sports venues and city infrastructure that normally takes decades to build." ' ' '