When it comes to the wild world of international pro basketball, sometimes you literally... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Waltrip returns to race he's won twice
Michael Waltrip will once more be racing at Daytona International Speedway.
Hillman Racing and sponsor Aaron's, Inc., will put two-time Daytona 500 champ Waltrip behind the wheel of the No. 40 Toyota in the Feb. 26 NASCAR Sprint Cup season opener.
Waltrip will be attempting to make his 75th start at the track in one of NASCAR's top three national touring series, the most of any driver.
"Aaron's really does make your dreams come true," Waltrip said. "When I was a kid thinking about racing in Daytona I never dreamed I would start more NASCAR races there than anyone. That's amazing."
Waltrip credits several factors for his success at the track.
"You have to have a great sponsor to race and Aaron's has been a great sponsor for a long time," Waltrip said. "I appreciate what the folks at Hillman Racing, including Joe Falk, are putting together. Hopefully my experience at Daytona will help them get out of the gate strong with their new team."
Waltrip will be busy in the coming weeks. He'll race the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 55 in the Budweiser Shootout on Feb. 18, then continue his work as a commentator for SPEED's Camping World Truck Series broadcasts and begin his new role as an analyst for the FOX NASCAR Sunday broadcasts, joining his brother and Hall of Fame member Darrell Waltrip.
Hillman Racing is making its NASCAR debut this season. Team owner Mike Hillman Sr. played a key role in the founding of Germain Racing and worked with the team during its Truck championship seasons in 2006 and 2010. Hillman acquired the team's assets following the conclusion of the 2011 season and is set to embark as the owner and general manager of Hillman Racing for the 2012 season.
Waltrip won last year's Daytona Truck race on a dramatic last-lap pass. The victory came on the 10th anniversary of his first Daytona 500 victory.
Hillman Racing and sponsor Aaron's, Inc., will put two-time Daytona 500 champ Waltrip behind the wheel of the No. 40 Toyota in the Feb. 26 NASCAR Sprint Cup season opener.
Waltrip will be attempting to make his 75th start at the track in one of NASCAR's top three national touring series, the most of any driver.
"Aaron's really does make your dreams come true," Waltrip said. "When I was a kid thinking about racing in Daytona I never dreamed I would start more NASCAR races there than anyone. That's amazing."
Waltrip credits several factors for his success at the track.
"You have to have a great sponsor to race and Aaron's has been a great sponsor for a long time," Waltrip said. "I appreciate what the folks at Hillman Racing, including Joe Falk, are putting together. Hopefully my experience at Daytona will help them get out of the gate strong with their new team."
Waltrip will be busy in the coming weeks. He'll race the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 55 in the Budweiser Shootout on Feb. 18, then continue his work as a commentator for SPEED's Camping World Truck Series broadcasts and begin his new role as an analyst for the FOX NASCAR Sunday broadcasts, joining his brother and Hall of Fame member Darrell Waltrip.
Hillman Racing is making its NASCAR debut this season. Team owner Mike Hillman Sr. played a key role in the founding of Germain Racing and worked with the team during its Truck championship seasons in 2006 and 2010. Hillman acquired the team's assets following the conclusion of the 2011 season and is set to embark as the owner and general manager of Hillman Racing for the 2012 season.
Waltrip won last year's Daytona Truck race on a dramatic last-lap pass. The victory came on the 10th anniversary of his first Daytona 500 victory.
Even Obama is on the Lin bandwagon
Just when we thought the legend of Jeremy Lin had reached its peak, it took another step higher today. Politico 44 is reporting that President Obama is impressed by the skills of Jeremy Lin, and his story:
“The president is an avid sports fan and particularly avid basketball fan and we were speaking about Jeremy Lin on Marine One as we flew here to Andrews Air Force Base this morning,” Carney said Wednesday. “It’s just a great story and the president was saying as much this morning. Obviously terrific for the New York Knicks but it’s the kind of sports story that transcends the sport itself.”
“It’s a great story and yes, he’s very impressed and fully up to speed. I know he’s watched Lin play already and he’s seen the highlights from last night’s game,” Carney told reporters.
Imagine the roller coaster that this young Knicks guard is enjoying, I want in!
Article found on: Cosby Sweaters
“The president is an avid sports fan and particularly avid basketball fan and we were speaking about Jeremy Lin on Marine One as we flew here to Andrews Air Force Base this morning,” Carney said Wednesday. “It’s just a great story and the president was saying as much this morning. Obviously terrific for the New York Knicks but it’s the kind of sports story that transcends the sport itself.”
“It’s a great story and yes, he’s very impressed and fully up to speed. I know he’s watched Lin play already and he’s seen the highlights from last night’s game,” Carney told reporters.
Imagine the roller coaster that this young Knicks guard is enjoying, I want in!
Article found on: Cosby Sweaters
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Querrey Signs Three-Year Agreement with Babolat
Babolat announced the signing of �Sam Querrey to an international agreement through 2015 to use their racquets. Querrey is currently ranked No. 85 on the ATP Tour and became the first player to win a challenger event in his pro debut in 2006.
Seth McKinley, Babolat International Sports Marketing Manager, noted, ?Sam is a natural fit for Team Babolat. Not only is he a remarkable talent, but he is also the type of well-rounded, well-respected individual we seek to represent the Babolat brand.?
?I am thrilled to be part of the Babolat team, �Querrey said. ?I think with this racquet in my hand I can make a quick rise back to the top.?
Querrey will play with the AeroPro Drive GT Plus. Querrey reached a career high ATP ranking of No. 17 in January 2011.
Seth McKinley, Babolat International Sports Marketing Manager, noted, ?Sam is a natural fit for Team Babolat. Not only is he a remarkable talent, but he is also the type of well-rounded, well-respected individual we seek to represent the Babolat brand.?
?I am thrilled to be part of the Babolat team, �Querrey said. ?I think with this racquet in my hand I can make a quick rise back to the top.?
Querrey will play with the AeroPro Drive GT Plus. Querrey reached a career high ATP ranking of No. 17 in January 2011.
Resurgent Magic ready for rematch vs. Sixers
Tune into Sun Sports at 6:30 p.m. to watch the Orlando Magic take on the Philadelphia 76ers. NBA Magic territory.
Although Dwight Howard is pursuing a trade from Orlando, the star center has expressed that he wants the ball more late in games.
The Philadelphia 76ers take a different approach, using a team-first mentality while relying on a balanced attack, and that system seems to be working well for the Atlantic Division leaders.
Howard's Magic look to avenge last month's loss to the 76ers when they meet Wednesday night at the Amway Center.
Howard drew headlines following Saturday's 99-94 win in Milwaukee, telling Fox Sports Wisconsin that he wants to be the closer for Orlando (18-11) and that coach Stan Van Gundy needs to have confidence in him to finish off opponents.
It seemed like a somewhat odd request considering Howard is hoping to be traded. Not helping his case is his 49.4 percent mark from the free-throw line, which would be 19th-worst all-time for a full season.
Still, Howard defended his stance following Monday's 102-89 win over Minnesota despite being limited to 11 points and seven rebounds in 28 foul-plagued minutes.
"My point is I want to be the guy to carry the team," said the six-time All-Star, who is averaging a team-high 20.2 points and a league-best 15.2 rebounds. "I don't think that's bad. That's something I want to be. I want to be the guy in the fourth quarter who carries the team. Not just score the ball, but make great plays."
In Philadelphia on Jan. 30, Howard led all scorers with 17 points, but missed 11 of 17 field goals and 8 of 13 free throws as the Magic lost 74-69.
Neither team had much luck offensively, with the Sixers (20-9) finishing with season lows in points and field-goal percentage (37.5), while Orlando shot 33.3 percent and had just nine third-quarter points. Opponents typically have some trouble putting up points against Philadelphia, which has one of the league's top scoring defenses at 86.8 per game.
That defense is complemented by a balanced offense. Philadelphia has six players averaging double figures in points and another two with at least 9.0 per game.
The leading scorer is reserve Louis Williams, who at 15.9 points per game is on pace to become the first NBA player since Dell Curry of the 1993-94 Charlotte Hornets to lead his team in scoring without starting a game. Williams had 23 points - including two key 3-pointers in the final 6:11 - in Monday's 98-89 win at Charlotte, while fellow reserve Thaddeus Young scored 20 and Jrue Holiday added 19.
"We have this saying that you have a starring role on this team, no matter what that role is," said Williams, who is averaging 19.8 points in his last five games. "I've been able to do that and give us a spark. It's been one of my better years. I've been very pleased with the role I've been playing."
Against the Magic two weeks ago, Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 14 points, while Evan Turner chipped in 12.
The loss in Philadelphia was the fourth in a row for the Magic, but they've won six of eight since with both defeats coming in overtime.
Jason Richardson, who was out against the Sixers with a knee injury, has been instrumental to the turnaround. He is averaging 18.1 points on 48.9 percent shooting in seven games since sitting out two in a row after averaging 7.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting in his previous six.
Although Dwight Howard is pursuing a trade from Orlando, the star center has expressed that he wants the ball more late in games.
The Philadelphia 76ers take a different approach, using a team-first mentality while relying on a balanced attack, and that system seems to be working well for the Atlantic Division leaders.
Howard's Magic look to avenge last month's loss to the 76ers when they meet Wednesday night at the Amway Center.
Howard drew headlines following Saturday's 99-94 win in Milwaukee, telling Fox Sports Wisconsin that he wants to be the closer for Orlando (18-11) and that coach Stan Van Gundy needs to have confidence in him to finish off opponents.
It seemed like a somewhat odd request considering Howard is hoping to be traded. Not helping his case is his 49.4 percent mark from the free-throw line, which would be 19th-worst all-time for a full season.
Still, Howard defended his stance following Monday's 102-89 win over Minnesota despite being limited to 11 points and seven rebounds in 28 foul-plagued minutes.
"My point is I want to be the guy to carry the team," said the six-time All-Star, who is averaging a team-high 20.2 points and a league-best 15.2 rebounds. "I don't think that's bad. That's something I want to be. I want to be the guy in the fourth quarter who carries the team. Not just score the ball, but make great plays."
In Philadelphia on Jan. 30, Howard led all scorers with 17 points, but missed 11 of 17 field goals and 8 of 13 free throws as the Magic lost 74-69.
Neither team had much luck offensively, with the Sixers (20-9) finishing with season lows in points and field-goal percentage (37.5), while Orlando shot 33.3 percent and had just nine third-quarter points. Opponents typically have some trouble putting up points against Philadelphia, which has one of the league's top scoring defenses at 86.8 per game.
That defense is complemented by a balanced offense. Philadelphia has six players averaging double figures in points and another two with at least 9.0 per game.
The leading scorer is reserve Louis Williams, who at 15.9 points per game is on pace to become the first NBA player since Dell Curry of the 1993-94 Charlotte Hornets to lead his team in scoring without starting a game. Williams had 23 points - including two key 3-pointers in the final 6:11 - in Monday's 98-89 win at Charlotte, while fellow reserve Thaddeus Young scored 20 and Jrue Holiday added 19.
"We have this saying that you have a starring role on this team, no matter what that role is," said Williams, who is averaging 19.8 points in his last five games. "I've been able to do that and give us a spark. It's been one of my better years. I've been very pleased with the role I've been playing."
Against the Magic two weeks ago, Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 14 points, while Evan Turner chipped in 12.
The loss in Philadelphia was the fourth in a row for the Magic, but they've won six of eight since with both defeats coming in overtime.
Jason Richardson, who was out against the Sixers with a knee injury, has been instrumental to the turnaround. He is averaging 18.1 points on 48.9 percent shooting in seven games since sitting out two in a row after averaging 7.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting in his previous six.
LeBron's two-handed power slam!
 | Check out LeBron James as he gets the pass from Chris Bosh and throws down the monster slam over Drew Gooden! | From: NBA Views: 3497  0 ratings |
| Time: 00:19 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVyv2SbCxqo&feature=youtube_gdata
Canadiens' Gomez, coach have argument
Montreal Canadiens forward Scott Gomez and an assistant coach got into a shouting match at practice Tuesday.
Assistant Randy Ladouceur apparently was upset at what he considered a lack of intensity during a drill. Gomez is among the league's highest-paid players but has only one goal this year for the struggling Canadiens.
The spat continued for several minutes, first in front of other players before the men left to exchange words in a corner.
Coach Randy Cunneyworth never intervened, saying later with a smile his assistant had the situation under control.
Gomez also downplayed the outburst. He says he messed up a drill and the coach let him have it. He adds that such things happen every day.
Assistant Randy Ladouceur apparently was upset at what he considered a lack of intensity during a drill. Gomez is among the league's highest-paid players but has only one goal this year for the struggling Canadiens.
The spat continued for several minutes, first in front of other players before the men left to exchange words in a corner.
Coach Randy Cunneyworth never intervened, saying later with a smile his assistant had the situation under control.
Gomez also downplayed the outburst. He says he messed up a drill and the coach let him have it. He adds that such things happen every day.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/canadiens_gomez_coach_have_argument/9923290
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)