FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS 1. Dennis Rodman Lakers Jersey . TORONTO RAPTORS: They lose on the road by five to Miami and by seven at Indiana. It just has a different feel to it. Even though they lost, Im impressed with their improvement and the way theyre playing right now. Good role definition and team play are evident. Have they arrived? No, far from it, but they are headed in the proper direction. Its a lot more difficult to play when folks have expectations for you and how you handle them on a daily basis. If they can become consistent in their production then theyll be fine. Greivis Vasquez has to start playing a lot better and with consistency off the bench for them. Hes the guy that can make a difference for them with the second unit if he can pick it up a few notches. 2. ROY HIBBERT (Pacers): We talk so much about his defence, shot blocking and rebounding that at times we lose sight of how much hes improved. Hes always been a nifty passer back to his days at Georgetown but the thing thats really impressed me has been his steady growth as a post player. His footwork is exceptional and he can score with either hand in the lane and is fluid with his skills. He gets great position in the lane and his confidence as an offensive player is at an all-time high. 3. LUOL DENG TRADE: I like this trade for the Bulls. Theyre not going anywhere with the loss of Derrick Rose and had to move on from this group. Deng was a terrific player for them yet was going to cost too much for them in the free-agent sweepstakes. They save close to $20 million with this transaction and it was time to move on and begin the process of a new look in Chicago. This is the business side of sports that isnt pleasant when you see a wonderful guy who was a very good player get moved for economics yet in this cold-hearted business, it was the right thing to do long term for them. 4. KEVIN DURANT (Thunder): I know his team lost on Tuesday night to the Jazz and that isnt a pleasant thing but how can you not be impressed with the fact that he drops 48 points in the game? Its been challenging for him and his team without Russell Westbrook yet we get to see just how special Durant is when he has to do even more. Hes truly the second-best player in the game today and his offensive skill set is off the charts. Truly a joy to watch. Great competitor and a winner. 5. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Theyre on a roll with 10 wins in a row and Im thrilled for their loyal/rabid fan base. If I could put a finger on it the one guy who makes such a huge difference on their team is Andre Iguodala. He gives them a perimeter defensive stopper, hes an unselfish player who gladly gives the ball up to teammates and has wonderful versatility in his game. He plays the game the right way and has really allowed the other aspects of this roster to settle into their roles. Coach Mark Jackson has a guy that he can trust to do all the little things that win games for you and do it at a high level. I guess the word Glue Guy comes to mind when I watch their team. Any way you want to say it - hes made a huge difference in their team. Kyle Kuzma Jersey . "Today was a very great day for me. It was always my dream to be good in GS," Wierather said. "I took quite a long time to get there. It feels awesome to have my first win (in GS)." Wierather leads overall with 595 points from Lara Gut (568), who finished second, and Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany (535). Michael Cooper Jersey . After losing a shutout bid in the dying seconds of Sundays win over the Colorado Avalanche, Luongo would not be denied against the punchless Oilers and is now just one back of Patrick Roy for 14th on the all-time list. http://www.lakersbasketballshop.com/Anthony-Davis-Jersey/ . -- The taxing preseason, which included two games in China, is finally over.GENEVA -- FIFA has rejected calls to move the 2018 World Cup from Russia, saying the tournament "can achieve positive change." Russias alleged involvement in shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine last week prompted calls from some lawmakers in Germany to review the countrys hosting rights. On Friday, political pressure on Russia increased when the European Union moved to freeze assets and restrict travel for more individuals and businesses. FIFA issued a statement saying it "deplores any form of violence" and would support only peaceful, democratic debate about the World Cup. "History has shown so far that boycotting sport events or a policy of isolation or confrontation are not the most effective ways to solve problems," FIFA said, adding that global attention on the World Cup "can be a powerful catalyst for constructive dialogue between people and governments." The conflict between Ukraine and pro-Russia separatist rebels escalated days after the World Cup ended in Brazil. On July 13 in Rio de Janeiro, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a World Cup hosting handover ceremony with Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff. Both then sat next to FIFA President Sepp Blatter to watch the final at the Maracana Stadium, won by Germany. FIFA, which has Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko on its executive committee, said a Worrld Cup in the country "can be a force for good. Wilt Chamberlain Lakers Jersey. " "FIFA believes this will be the case for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia," the governing body said. Blatter already rejected calls to strip Russia of the tournament after it annexed the Crimea this year. "The World Cup has been given and voted to Russia and we are going forward with our work," Blatter said in March. In a separate statement Friday, Mutko said a United States-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics had been a mistake. "So theres no sense in reacting to politicians trying to make names for themselves," Mutko was quoted saying by Russian news agency R-Sport. "Were preparing in a calm way, building facilities, getting ready for the World Cup." Russia has announced a $20 billion budget for building and renovating 12 stadiums, and other construction projects, for the first World Cup to be held in eastern Europe. Restricting Russian financial institutions access to European capital markets was suggested to a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on Friday. The 28-nation bloc is scheduled to further discuss the subject on Tuesday. "FIFA has stated many times that sport should be outside politics," Mutko said. "Hosting an event like this, were doing it for athletes from all over the world, for footballers, for the fans." ' ' '