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Geregistreerd op: 24 Okt 2019
Berichten: 210
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 Geplaatst: 29-11-2019 03:34:48 Onderwerp: Therrien made a change to his line up |
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| INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pacers couldnt keep waiting around for Lance Stephenson to make up his mind. Mike Hampton Jersey . So on Friday, they went to work. The two-time Eastern Conference runner-ups announced they had signed three free agents -- backup big man Lavoy Allen, swingman C.J. Miles and Damjan Rudez, a sharp-shooting forward from Europe. Coach Frank Vogel hopes all that is just a precursor to re-signing Stephenson, who led the NBA with five triple-doubles last season. "Its a process. The ball is in his court," Vogel said. "Its a waiting game until we see how some of the other dominoes fall." Indiana has offered Stephenson a five-year deal worth $44 million, but the shooting guard believed that he could land a more lucrative deal when some of the biggest names available in free agency -- LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh -- decided where to play. James decision to return to Cleveland may finally break the free-agent logjam, and give Stephenson more leverage to get a bigger contract. While Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird and Vogel have made it clear they would like Stephenson back, they also realize that the Pacers must find more scoring punch -- with or without Stephenson -- after the Heat eliminated Indiana in the playoffs each of the past three years. James will now be with Central Division rival Cleveland, too. Bird, who is trying to stay under the luxury tax, got creative. By signing Miles to a four-year deal worth $18 million, the Pacers get a 6-foot-6, 210-pound experienced swingman. He averaged 10.6 points and 2.4 rebounds over the past two seasons in Cleveland and made quite an impression on Vogel during one big-time shooting performance during the 2013-14 season. "After that happened, he (Vogel) stopped by and we were chatting and he said everybody is going to become C.J. whoever was on that team. C.J. Smith or C.J. Johnson or whoever," Miles said, laughing. "He told me that was pretty much the way it was the rest of that season (at practice)." Getting Miles also gives the Pacers a potential Plan B if Stephenson leaves. "Hopefully, Lance returns, but C.J. has proven he can start if he doesnt," Vogel said. Rudez thought he was going to get drafted six years ago after working out for several NBA teams. When his name wasnt called, the 6-10, 200-pound forward returned to Europe to improve his shooting skills. Over the past two seasons, the Croatian played well enough in Spain to draw attention from the Cavaliers and the Pacers. Bird called Rudez "one of the best shooters in Europe" after signing him to a three-year deal. Even Rudez knew the Pacers were looking for shooters. "Id heard that and thats reason they came after me," he said. "Im hoping my transition goes pretty quickly." Indiana acquired Allen in a trade deadline deal with Philadelphia in February, but the 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward played sparingly after the move. The Pacers brought Allen back for the league minimum, shoring up their inside game with another strong defender. That leaves just one big question for the Pacers: Will Stephenson be back to help last seasons No. 1 seed in the East complete the push to the NBA Finals? "He knows we want him very, very badly," Vogel said. "Hopefully, well find a way to get it done." Wes Parsons Jersey . His fellow Finn, 21 years his junior, had just arrived in Anaheim and was hoping to stick with the Ducks. Kevin Ritz Jersey . - Wesley Matthews got a chance to practice his bow-and-arrow 3-point celebration on Sunday night. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/734t-dale-murphy-jersey-rockies.html .5 million. The 25-year-old Varlamov is thriving under first-year coach and Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, posting a 26-9-5 record with a 2.The Montreal Canadiens took to the Bell Sports Complex ice on Sunday for a third straight day of practice since completing their opening-round sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Only this time, they were preparing for a date with the 2013-14 Presidents Trophy winning Boston Bruins, who secured their spot in the second round after defeating the Detroit Red Wings in five games. Meeting for the fourth time in seven seasons and for the 34th occasion all-time, the Canadiens and Bruins get together in an Eastern Conference second round series that begins this week. "Youre going to have to fight for everything. Theres no such thing as an easy game when you play against Boston," Canadiens defenceman Josh Gorges said following practice. "Theyre very well structured. They play a great team game. Youre going to have to fight for your real estate, youre going to have to fight to get on the inside and to get second chances in front of the net. "If were going to succeed, were going to have to do everything we can in the dirty areas." Gorges, who will face the Bruins in the postseason for the third time in his NHL career, was unable to take part in the Canadiens most recent playoff meeting with Boston in 2011 after undergoing season-ending knee surgery. "What the Bruins have done in the last few years in the playoffs has been as good as or better than any other team in the league," added Gorges. "We know we have a great challenge ahead of us. Its going be hard. Its going to be a long series. Weve got to be prepared for that." The last time the Bruins and Canadiens met in the playoffs was in 2011, when Boston ousted Montreal in seven games in its march to winning the Stanley Cup championship. No teams have come close to meeting in the playoffs as many times as the Bruins and Canadiens. The 170 games between the Bruins and Canadiens are the most for plaayoff opponents; the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs are next with 117. Justin Morneau Jersey. "Theyre a good team; they know how to win. Theyve shown that by winning the Cup a few years back and making the Stanley Cup Finals last year," winger Thomas Vanek said of the much-anticipated series. "I know TD Garden is a tough building to play in, but so is the Bell Centre. For us to have success or for anyone to have success, youre going to have to beat some really good teams in order to win that ultimate prize. The Bruins are one of those teams." The Bruins lost three of their four games against the Canadiens this season, including two games played in Boston. The Canadiens have won six of the past seven games and are 351-264-103-7 in the regular season against the Bruins. "The Bruins are the same team they were in the regular season. Thats what makes them so good," defenceman Mike Weaver said. "Theyre going to be an extremely tough team to play against and it will be a great challenge for us. Thats what playoffs are all about. You hear a lot of things about that rivalry, but playoffs take things to another level." Head coach Michel Therrien made a change to his line up at practice on Sunday, opting to put a healthy Travis Moen on the fourth line - a move to bring in more veteran presence against an experienced Bruins team. Here is Sundays Practice Lines: Forward:Pacioretty - Desharnais - VanekPrust - Plekanec - GallagherBourque - Eller - GiontaMoen* - Briere - WeiseBournival - White - Parros Defence:Markov - EmelinGorges - SubbanBouillon - WeaverMurray - Tinordi Goal:PriceBudaj *In first round, Michael Bournival played left wing on the fourth line. Moen skating in that spot represents the one lineup change in preparation for the Bruins. The NHL is expected to release the schedule for the second round on Monday. ' ' ' |
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