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| CHARLOTTE, N. Nacer Chadli Jersey UK .C. -- Michael Jordan anticipates the Charlotte Hornets will make another big splash this off-season. Jordan said Monday with three draft picks and more than $13 million to spend in free agency the Hornets are in position to make a "big difference" in upgrading their roster. "I think we made a difference last year with Big Al (Jefferson) and some of the acquisitions -- and I dont anticipate this year being any different," Jordan said. Behind Jefferson, who was recently named third-team All-NBA, Charlotte made the playoffs for the first time since 2010 -- the year Jordan took over as majority owner. Jordan is hoping Jeffersons success will convince other big-name free agents to come to Charlotte. "I always thought Charlotte was a great destination," Jordan said. "Big Al has proven that you can come here and make a big difference. Hopefully we can look at that and attract some other superstars." Jordan spoke Monday following a presentation at Hornets Nest Elementary school in which he, along with Lowes and Fox SportsSouth, donated $250,000 to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. The event marked the organizations first community service initiative since the changing its name from Bobcats to Hornets last month. The Hornets have the ninth, 24th and 45h picks in this months draft. If forward Josh McRoberts decides not to opt out of contract the Hornets will have all five starters from last season under contract -- and still have at least $13 million to spend under the NBA salary cap. If McRoberts opts out the team could have closer to $17 million free under the cap. "This year we have a lot of flexibility and Ive been speaking to that over the last three or four years -- flexibility is very important and we are going to use every resource to try to better the team," Jordan said. Charlotte finished last season 43-39 and earned the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, Jefferson injured his foot in the first game of the NBA playoffs and Charlotte was swept by the Miami Heat. Still, it was a big step in the right direction for a franchise that went 28-120 over the two previous seasons, by far the worst record in the NBA during that span. Jordan said he was "very proud" of what his team accomplished under first-year coach Steve Clifford. "The guys came out and took the initiative from coach and he was able to bond (them) and put together a good effort from the team," Jordan said. Jordan said Jefferson, who signed a three-year, $41 million contract last July 4 -- the largest ever given out by the franchise -- was better than advertised. But he said what was even more surprising is how quickly his new teammates adjusted to playing with a dominant low post presence. "Everybody surrounded him and we got better," Jordan said. "McRoberts was a huge part of that. So I think we got better as the year went along." Jordan said Jefferson, who was the only player in the Eastern Conference to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game last season, deserved to be an All-Star. Jordan wouldnt say specifically what position the team might look to upgrade this off-season, instead saying he wants to find players who truly want to play in Charlotte. Another key, he said, is developing a core of young players including Kemba Walker, Jeffery Taylor, Michael-Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Zeller. "We have a bunch of young talent that we still are trying to nourish into some better basketball players," Jordan said. "So summer is when we have to make our big leap." Kevin Wimmer Hotspur Jersey UK .com) - The Eastern Conferences best team takes on one of its worst Tuesday night when the Atlanta Hawks pay a visit to the Wells Fargo Center to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Kieran Trippier Jersey UK . Williams withdrawal came less than 24 hours after losing in the final Auckland WTA tournament final. "I dont believe she has an injury," Hobart tournament director Mark Handley said. http://www.hotspurfcproshop.com/blank-hotspur-jersey-uk/ . - Bryan Price sat down in the cushy chair.INDIANAPOLIS - Colts safety Mike Adams knows all about Dallas home-field advantage.Theres that massive video board, the sights around the field and the Texas-sized crowd. Theyre all potential distractions even for an 11-year veteran like Adams. So Adams has spent this week counselling teammates who are about to play their first game at AT&T Stadium about the dangers theyll face Sunday.Ive been there before and I had to gaze around, Adams said after travelling there last season with Denver. I tell the young guys Go out there in pregame and start gazing. Start looking up, see how long the screen is, from the 20 (yard line) to the 20 (yard line). Just get it all out of your system because once that balls snapped and once the game starts going, youve got to stay focused.The Colts (10-4) cant afford to get discombobulated by its surroundings in Dallas.While a four-game winning streak has given Indy its second straight AFC South title and at least one home playoff game, the Colts, currently the AFCs No. 3 seed, still have plenty of work remaining.A loss this week or next could drop them into the No. 4 spot, though two wins would give Indy a longshot chance of moving into one of the top two spots and claiming a first-round bye.Its not just about playoff position, either.Andrew Luck is trying to right a suddenly turnover-prone offence, and coach Chuck Pagano is urging the Colts to get rid of the penalties. Indy has had 12 turnovers and 29 penalties over the past four weeks.The NFC East-leading Cowboys (10-4) pose even bigger challenges. Tony Romo has thrown 28 TD passes and just eight interceptions this season, receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten pose potentially problematic matchups and nobodys sure what to expect out of DeMarco Murray after the NFLs leading rusher had surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand Monday. Murray has practiced this week and the Colts expect him to play this weekend.But the stadium itself creates another obstacle.Its probably one of the biggest things that Im trying to educate our guys on through other people that have been there, played there and try to get them ready and prepared, Pagano said. I think what happens is you can go there and get enamoured with alll the things that Ive heard and researched about the stadium itself, the (video board) that covers the entire field and everything else that goes along with that stadium. Tom Carroll Jersey UK. Pagano was so worried he considered leaving one day early so the Colts could hold a Saturday walkthrough at Jerry World.The fact that its even being discussed so much this week plays right into the Cowboys hands. Indy hasnt been to Dallas since 2006, three years before the Cowboys new opened, and the Colts havent won in Dallas since 1996.I think thats one of the great things that Mr. (Jerry) Jones does is create an environment, a stadium thats just so unique and special, Romo said, referring to the Cowboys team owner.Adams and some of the other Colts who have played in Dallas more recently dont expect it to be any different this weekend, especially with the Cowboys chasing a division title.They just want Indianapolis to focus on football.Its like a spectacle, Colts linebacker DQwell Jackson said. One thing you really have to understand is you have to stay in the moment, understand why youre there because you can get misled by the big (video board), the theatrics going on around you. Its hard enough to play a football game, let alone all the theatrics they have going on in that stadium.Notes: Receiver T.Y. Hilton (hamstring), right tackle Gosder Cherilus (groin) and right guard Hugh Thornton (knee) all missed practice for the second straight day. Thorntons backup, Joe Reitz (ankle), also missed a second straight practice. Pagano has not said if he will give any of his injured players extra rest Sunday. ... Cornerback Vontae Davis (groin) and linebacker Erik Walden (knee), both starters, were limited participants Thursday. Jackson and return specialist Josh Cribbs were full participants in practice after resting Wednesday. ... One other player who could sit Sunday is receiver Reggie Wayne, who has been battling a torn left triceps and an injured left elbow but he has not missed practice this week. After last weekends victory over Houston, Wayne said he intends to do things his way the rest of the season — which means practicing every day.___Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL NFL Jerseys China ' ' ' |
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