yards up the middle and dow

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Lance Stephenson doesnt want to be known as the guy who blew in LeBron James ear. Stephenson said during his introductory news conference Friday in Charlotte hes "a little upset" that the ear-blowing incident in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against Miami is how some people have defined him as a player. "I feel like it overshadowed my play on the court," Stephenson said. "I bring more to the table than just blowing in someones ear. Im a great player." Hornets general manager Rich Cho agrees, which is why the club signed Stephenson to a three-year, $27 million contract Friday. The deal includes a team option for the third season. Cho says the 23-year-old Stephenson brings competitiveness, scoring ability, a defensive presence and a wealth of playoff experience — all things the Hornets need to take the next step and become a perennial playoff contender. "I think hell be a great fit," Cho said. The Hornets, who ranked near the bottom of the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage last season, expect Stephenson will help them in that area. Stephenson shot 35 per cent from beyond the arc last season. He also proved versatile in other ways. He led the NBA with five triple-doubles and posted career highs in points (13.6), rebounds (6.9) and assists (4.2). But Stephensons intense competitiveness also has a dark side. He was called for 17 technical fouls last season — third-most in the NBA — and was also involved in a practice scuffle with teammate Evan Turner. Hes been known to talk trash, occasionally taking himself out of the game and hurting his team. Hornets coach Steve Clifford is well aware of that, but after doing some background checks — even going back to talk to his high school coaches — he felt good about bringing Stephenson into a locker room that boasted great chemistry last season. "Whats the old saying? Your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness," Clifford said. "I think those things are a byproduct of the fact that he badly wants to win. To be honest, that is one of the things we all liked about him so much." Clifford said Hornets owner Michael Jordan addressed those issues with Stephenson in a meeting Tuesday night in Las Vegas. "He talked to him about what we can work on — and (Stephenson) knows that," Clifford said. "Lance knows that sometimes he has crossed the line a little bit. But I think he does it out of competitiveness." Stephenson acknowledged he has to mature as a player. But he said after talking to Jordan he knew he wanted to join the Hornets. "He loves my game and what I bring to the table," said Stephenson, who turned down a five-year, $45 million deal to stay in Indiana. "He loves that Im a great passer and I play with my teammates, and he loves the competitive edge that I have." As for the ear-blowing incident, Stephenson stopped short of saying he regretted his actions but explained his intentions. "During the series I was trying to play hard against LeBron and help my team win," Stephenson said. "Im very competitive and I know some of the antics were over the border — but I was just trying to do whatever it takes to win." Stephenson said that off the court, hes funny and likes to fool around with teammates and friends. On the court, hes as intense as they come and says "I have no friends" on the opposing team. For the Hornets, landing Stephenson is a sign the organization is headed in the right direction. This marks the second straight year theyve landed a big-name free agent after agreeing to a three-year, $41 million deal with centre Al Jefferson last summer. "It shows this is a great free agent destination," Cho said. Vapormax Miglior Prezzo . And by all indications, the team is expected to select phenom Connor McDavid with their selection. The Buffalo Sabres, who were knocked down to the second overall pick after finishing with the worst regular season record, are expected to take the other generational player in Jack Eichel. Vapormax Outlet Italia .The team had a meeting prior to facing Russia at the world junior hockey championship and got the effort theyve been looking for by defeating the Russians 4-1 to advance to the quarter-finals. http://www.vapormaxitalia.it/. As Valanciunas was whistled for a rare technical toward the end of the third quarter - a result of waving his hand at an official after being called for a foul - Lowry pulled the Raptors sophomore aside, corralling him by his jersey and patting him on the back. Nike Vapormax Italia . -- The defending Canadian womens curling champions squandered an opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the standings Tuesday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Nike Vapormax Scontate . 25 against Miami. Hillis left Browns Stadium about two hours before kickoff, a decision that has led to speculation he was upset over ongoing negotiations with the club on a contract extension.Green Bay, WI (SportsNetwork.com) - Aaron Rodgers began to wince on a scramble and went down in pain following a touchdown pass, but everything was ok when his quarterback sneak put the Green Bay Packers comfortably in front. Rodgers tossed both of his touchdown passes to Randall Cobb and the Green Bay Packers won the NFC North for a fourth straight year following a 30-20 triumph over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Green Bay (12-4) earned a first-round bye with the win and will be the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Rodgers re-aggravated his left calf injury suffered last Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers late in the first half and missed two Green Bay possessions. Matt Flynn, who started five games filling in for Rodgers last season due to his broken collarbone, came on to replace him for those two series. Rodgers began to show effects of the injury during the latter stages of the second. He cringed while tip-toeing on a scramble to move the chains on a 3rd- and-8 and fell down holding his left calf after flipping a 4-yard TD pass to Cobb. The Lambeau Field faithful cheered when he walked out of the tunnel following Green Bays initial touch of the third quarter. The Packers ripped off 16 straight points when Rodgers returned midway through the frame. The 2011 MVP was a limited participant in practice all week and was listed as questionable on Fridays injury report. Rodgers finished 17-of-22, while Flynn fired a 6-yard completion on his only pass attempt in the victory. Eddie Lacy carried the ball 26 times for 100 yards, Cobb caught four passes for 80 yards and Jordy Nelson hauled in six receptions for 86 yards for Green Bay, which went a perfect 8-0 at home. The Packers ran for 152 yards against the top-ranked run defense in the league. Detroit came in allowing just 63.8 yards per game on the ground. Matthew Stafford was 20-of-41 for 217 yards and three touchdowns and Calvin Johnson had four receptions for 39 yards and two scores for the Lions (11-5), who are the sixth seed in the NFC and will face the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round. Rodgers re-entered the game after Stafford hit Johnson for a 4-yard TD paass at the 7:34 mark of the third, which tied the game at 14-14.dddddddddddd. Rodgers fired a 29-yard dart over the middle to Cobb on his first pass attempt following his return and later hit him for a 13-yard score on a 3rd-and-4 to give the Packers a 21-14 advantage. Green Bays defense forced a three-and-out on Detroits ensuing sequence. Rodgers tossed a 12-yard completion to Nelson on a 3rd-and-18 to set the Packers up in fringe field-goal territory. Mason Crosbys 52-yard kick, however, was blocked. The Lions failed to capitalize after Joique Bell fumbled the ball on the very next snap. Morgan Burnett made the recovery. Rodgers flipped a 15-yard completion to Nelson to move the ball to the Detroit 10. Rodgers sneak with 8:45 to go made it 28-14. Green Bay added a safety with 2:32 remaining when Stafford was flagged for an intentional grounding in the end zone. Cobb muffed the ensuing free kick and Cassius Vaughn made the recovery for Detroit. Theo Riddick caught a 6-yard TD pass with 1:45 to play to cap the scoring. The two-point try was unsuccessful. Earlier, Green Bay was unable to punch the ball across the goal line on its opening touch despite having seven goal-to-go snaps. Lacy was stuffed on a 4th-and-goal from the 1 by a host of Lions. The Packers, though, found the end zone when Micah Hyde returned a punt 55 yards up the middle and down the left sideline to open the scoring at the 4:49 mark of the first. Cobbs 4-yard TD catch late in the second upped the advantage to 14-0. The Lions answered on their next trek when Stafford fired a 20-yard TD pass to Johnson right before the half, trimming the gap to 14-7. Game Notes Cobb and Nelson are the third pair of receivers to have at least 1,200 yards receiving and 10-plus touchdowns, joining Randy Moss and Cris Carter from the 1999 Minnesota Vikings and Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker from the 2013 Denver Broncos ... The Lions were seeking their first divisional title since 1993 ... Stafford fell to 0-16 in his career on the road against teams with a winning record ... Green Bay outgained Detroit 377-313. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '